Stop threatening civil servants, UPND told

…Chisengalumbwe says calls to fire civil servants on suspicion that they supported the opposition are reckless, divisive and threatens post-election reconciliation By NATION REPORTER THE UPND leadership should stop intimidating and threatening civil servants with dismissals on suspicions that they had supported Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu in the August 13 general elections because such acts are reckless and have the potential to threaten post-election reconciliation, Brian Chisengalumbwe has said. Mr Chisengalumbwe the United Front for a Strong Foundation (UNSF) president says it is recklessness of the most dangerous degree that Obvious Mwaliteta, the UPND Lusaka Province chairman could utter such a divisive statement at a time when the nation needed to heal from the disputed elections, unite and forge ahead for the good of citizens. Mr Chisengalumbwe described the remarks as “recklessness of the highest order,” saying they were divisive and ill-timed when the nation needed to heal from the wounds of a fiercely contested election. He said it was particularly disturbing that civil servants, including members of the security wings, could be threatened with losing their jobs based on how they allegedly voted when voting was conducted by secret ballot. “Where is the equity? Where is the One Zambia, One Nation? Where is democracy? What we know is that your vote is secret. The UPND top leadership should discipline Mr Mwaliteta for uttering such a divisive statement at a time when the nation needs to heal,” Mr Chisengalumbwe said. He said civil servants were not permitted to openly display their political allegiance thereby, making it difficult to establish with certainty which candidate they supported. Mr Chisengalumbwe also criticised the tone of the post-election period, saying that even national events had failed to sufficiently project unity. He said the government should be working to heal political divisions rather than encouraging sentiments that could deepen them. Mr Chisengalumbwe warned that failure by the ruling party to rein in such statements could undermine prospects for national reconciliation. “If UPND itself cannot discipline such people, then, of course, there is no hope for reconciliation. People like that should be ignored. They are divisive elements,” he said. Mr Chisengalumbwe said Mr Mwaliteta, who previously served as Kafue MP from 2011 to 2016 thrived on confusion and using tribal and political divisions to remain relevant. “Mwaliteta has no ideas to build a nation. He has no ideas how to unite a nation,” he said, adding that “empty shells make the most noise.” Mr Chisengalumbwe urged Zambians and political leaders to recognise that the campaign had ended and focus on healing, unity and rebuilding the country. Mr Mwaliteta has openly stated that those who supported Mr Mundubile will be chucked out of Government.

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