Strange things happening! – Chitala

By NATION REPORTER STRANGE things are happening in Zambia and it is shocking that Government has embarked on a crusade of declaring its citizens stateless on account that they are critical of the kind of leadership being provided, veteran politician Dr Mbita Chitala has warned. Dr Chitala, a seasoned public servant said if it was true that Government had indeed revoked the passports of six Zambians, the action amounted to nothing but oppression and sheer persecution of those deemed critical of the regime. On Monday, September 7, Government declared Emmanuel Mwamba, Emmanuel Jay Banda, Binwell Mpundu, Kaizar Zulu, Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa and Lillian Mutambo stateless after moving to cancel and invalidate their Zambian passports on “security” grounds. But Dr Chitala said such an action, if confirmed, amounted to a gross abuse of power by civil servants and risked further dividing the country. “I think this is a gross abuse of power by the civil servants,” Dr Chitala said in an interview yesterday. “But if it is true, - it’s not good for our country. It is further dividing our country,” he said. He said he had seen the alleged Government gazette notice circulating on social media but could not independently establish its authenticity. Dr Chitala said those affected should consider seeking judicial review to challenge the decision and ensure that the abuse of power did not continue. “Obviously, there will be judicial review required by our colleagues who have been affected, and somebody has to commence a judicial review,” he said. Dr Chitala, who was among the political leaders who served during Zambia’s transition to multiparty democracy in 1991, said the country needed reconciliation and dialogue rather than actions that could deepen divisions and perpetuate hatred among citizens. “We need to reconcile and dialogue and do what is correct. We sacrificed a lot in 1991 to bring this multi-party democracy,” he said. Dr Chitala said it was painful for elders who had witnessed the sacrifices made during the return to multiparty democracy to see the country’s democratic gains seemingly being eroded. “All this being thrown away is something which we, I think, we the elders feel very, very sad about,” he said. He described the passport action as unlawful and oppressive, saying it appeared intended to persecute citizens. “It is an unlawful act by whoever has commenced it. From the very beginning, it is oppressive, and it’s aimed at persecuting our citizens. This should be stopped,” Dr Chitala said. He appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to immediately intervene and provide direction to prevent further division. “Somebody who is at the head of our country should provide leadership and stop this nonsense,” Dr Chitala said./////////////// Strange things happening! – Chitala By NATION REPORTER STRANGE things are happening in Zambia and it is shocking that Government has embarked on a crusade of declaring its citizens stateless on account that they are critical of the kind of leadership being provided, veteran politician Dr Mbita Chitala has warned. Dr Chitala, a seasoned public servant said if it was true that Government had indeed revoked the passports of six Zambians, the action amounted to nothing but oppression and sheer persecution of those deemed critical of the regime. On Monday, September 7, Government declared Emmanuel Mwamba, Emmanuel Jay Banda, Binwell Mpundu, Kaizar Zulu, Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa and Lillian Mutambo stateless after moving to cancel and invalidate their Zambian passports on “security” grounds. But Dr Chitala said such an action, if confirmed, amounted to a gross abuse of power by civil servants and risked further dividing the country. “I think this is a gross abuse of power by the civil servants,” Dr Chitala said in an interview yesterday. “But if it is true, - it’s not good for our country. It is further dividing our country,” he said. He said he had seen the alleged Government gazette notice circulating on social media but could not independently establish its authenticity. Dr Chitala said those affected should consider seeking judicial review to challenge the decision and ensure that the abuse of power did not continue. “Obviously, there will be judicial review required by our colleagues who have been affected, and somebody has to commence a judicial review,” he said. Dr Chitala, who was among the political leaders who served during Zambia’s transition to multiparty democracy in 1991, said the country needed reconciliation and dialogue rather than actions that could deepen divisions and perpetuate hatred among citizens. “We need to reconcile and dialogue and do what is correct. We sacrificed a lot in 1991 to bring this multi-party democracy,” he said. Dr Chitala said it was painful for elders who had witnessed the sacrifices made during the return to multiparty democracy to see the country’s democratic gains seemingly being eroded. “All this being thrown away is something which we, I think, we the elders feel very, very sad about,” he said. He described the passport action as unlawful and oppressive, saying it appeared intended to persecute citizens. “It is an unlawful act by whoever has commenced it. From the very beginning, it is oppressive, and it’s aimed at persecuting our citizens. This should be stopped,” Dr Chitala said. He appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to immediately intervene and provide direction to prevent further division. “Somebody who is at the head of our country should provide leadership and stop this nonsense,” Dr Chitala said./////////////// Strange things happening! – Chitala By NATION REPORTER STRANGE things are happening in Zambia and it is shocking that Government has embarked on a crusade of declaring its citizens stateless on account that they are critical of the kind of leadership being provided, veteran politician Dr Mbita Chitala has warned. Dr Chitala, a seasoned public servant said if it was true that Government had indeed revoked the passports of six Zambians, the action amounted to nothing but oppression and sheer persecution of those deemed critical of the regime. On Monday, September 7, Government declared Emmanuel Mwamba, Emmanuel Jay Banda, Binwell Mpundu, Kaizar Zulu, Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa and Lillian Mutambo stateless after moving to cancel and invalidate their Zambian passports on “security” grounds. But Dr Chitala said such an action, if confirmed, amounted to a gross abuse of power by civil servants and risked further dividing the country. “I think this is a gross abuse of power by the civil servants,” Dr Chitala said in an interview yesterday. “But if it is true, - it’s not good for our country. It is further dividing our country,” he said. He said he had seen the alleged Government gazette notice circulating on social media but could not independently establish its authenticity. Dr Chitala said those affected should consider seeking judicial review to challenge the decision and ensure that the abuse of power did not continue. “Obviously, there will be judicial review required by our colleagues who have been affected, and somebody has to commence a judicial review,” he said. Dr Chitala, who was among the political leaders who served during Zambia’s transition to multiparty democracy in 1991, said the country needed reconciliation and dialogue rather than actions that could deepen divisions and perpetuate hatred among citizens. “We need to reconcile and dialogue and do what is correct. We sacrificed a lot in 1991 to bring this multi-party democracy,” he said. Dr Chitala said it was painful for elders who had witnessed the sacrifices made during the return to multiparty democracy to see the country’s democratic gains seemingly being eroded. “All this being thrown away is something which we, I think, we the elders feel very, very sad about,” he said. He described the passport action as unlawful and oppressive, saying it appeared intended to persecute citizens. “It is an unlawful act by whoever has commenced it. From the very beginning, it is oppressive, and it’s aimed at persecuting our citizens. This should be stopped,” Dr Chitala said. He appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to immediately intervene and provide direction to prevent further division. “Somebody who is at the head of our country should provide leadership and stop this nonsense,” Dr Chitala said.///////////////

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