What has happened to the spirit of One Zambia, One Nation, bj Ngosa asks

By NATION REPORTER GOVERNMENT should reconsider and rescind its decision to revoke the citizenship of Celestine Mukandila and rendering him stateless and reinstate his Zambian nationality, Pastor Boyd Ngosa has said. Pastor Ngosa said the revokation of Mr Mukandila citizenship by the UPND government has raised serious questions about the country’s commitment to the principle of “One Zambia, One Nation. He said he had known Mr Mukandila for many years and had even officiated at the burial of his mother at Mutumbi, and so the matter had touched him personally because of their long-standing relationship. “What has gone wrong with our country?” Zambia has always been a nation built on unity, coexistence, migration, and shared belonging,” Pastor Ngosa said. He said Zambia had historically been built on unity, coexistence, migration and shared belonging, with many Zambian families having ancestral roots and connections extending across the country’s borders. Pastor Ngosa said it was therefore painful to see questions of belonging and nationality resurfacing, particularly in circumstances where, according to him, similar allegations had previously been examined and the relevant institution had reportedly cleared the matter. “It is therefore painful to see questions of belonging and nationality arise again, especially where the same allegations were previously examined and the relevant institution reportedly cleared the matter,” he said. Pastor Ngosa questioned whether the current developments were consistent with the national motto of One Zambia, One Nation. “Where, then, is the spirit of One Zambia, One Nation?” he asked. Pastor Ngosa appealed to the authorities to reconsider their position, saying Zambia was still hurting and needed a period of healing and reconciliation. “I respectfully appeal to the authorities to reconsider and rescind this decision. Our country is still hurting, and this is a time when Zambia needs healing, fairness, unity, and reconciliation, not further division,” he said. Pastor Ngosa further observed that many Zambians, if they traced their ancestry far enough, would discover family connections to neighbouring countries. “The truth is that many of us, if we trace our ancestry far enough, will find family roots extending into one or more of our neighbouring countries,” he said. Pastor Ngosa said such historical connections should be viewed as a source of unity rather than a basis for exclusion or division. “That history should unite us rather than be used to divide us. Politics must not be allowed to hurt and destroy who we are as a nation,” he said. Tonse estimates up to 300 members may be detained By BARNABAS ZULU THE number of Tonse Pamodzi Alliance members detained following the August 13 general election could be about 300, significantly higher than what has officially been reported by the Human Rights Commission, whose estimation is about 84, Emmanuel Mwamba has said. Mr Mwamba, the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance spokesperson estimates that as many as 300 alliance members and supporters may have been detained in different parts of the country. Mr Mwamba said in an interview that the figure was based on information being gathered by the alliance but acknowledged that the Human Rights Commission (HRC) had cited a considerably lower number of 84 detainees. The two figures have not yet been independently reconciled, making it difficult to establish the exact number of people currently in custody. Among those said to be detained are Tonse Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, his running mate Makebi Zulu, George Chisanga, Bishop Trevor Mwamba and retired judge Annie Mwewa Sitali. Mr Mwamba appealed to the authorities to clarify where the detainees were being held, the allegations against them and when they would be brought before court. He suggested that some of the arrests could be connected to the opposition’s Parallel Vote Tabulation programme, election monitoring, vote-protection activities and preparations for an election petition. According to Mr Mwamba, the arrests appeared to have occurred in phases. The first group allegedly involved people linked to election monitoring and the transmission of polling-station results. A second group may have comprised individuals believed to have been involved in preparing the proposed election petition. Mr Mwamba identified Celestine Mukandila, retired judge Sitali and Jonas Zimba among those affected. He further claimed that another group was detained following the security operation at Mr Mundubile’s residence, during which former Transport Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was reportedly killed. The precise circumstances surrounding the operation, the arrests and Mr Kafwaya’s death remain matters requiring official clarification. Mr Mwamba also linked some of the arrests to the seizure of approximately K7.5 million. He said the alliance’s understanding was that the money had been intended for election monitoring, vote protection and parallel vote tabulation. However, the authorities would have to state whether the seized funds formed part of any criminal investigation and what evidence supported such a connection. Mr Mwamba said the Tonse Alliance believed that releasing those against whom no charges could be sustained—or promptly bringing those accused of offences before court—could help reduce political tension and uncertainty. He said some detainees were believed to be held in Kabwe, Ndola and other locations, although the alliance was still attempting to verify the information. Mr Mwamba also alleged that opposition supporters in some townships may have been subjected to raids and physical abuse. He called upon the police to investigate such reports fairly rather than allow uncertainty to fuel further anxiety.

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