Violent elections worry GOP’s Jackson Silavwe
GOLDEN Progressive Party President Jackson Silavwe
By Derrick Sinjela and Gregory Kakoma Kasoka
GOLDEN Progressive Party (GOP) President Jackson Silavwe has vehemently condemned the violence being perpetrated by both the ruling and the opposition political parties participating in ongoing local by-elections.
Currently serving as Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) Spokesperson and Chairperson for political parties ‘OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT’ under ZCID, Mr. Silavwe described acts of violence by ruling and opposition party cadres as disruptive on the peace and democratic gains that Zambia enjoyed as a multiparty dispensation
As Zambian political parties vie for the Tuesday 5th June 2018, Chilanga Parliamentary seat, which fell vacant as a consequence of United Party for National Development (UPND) former Member of Parliament (MP) Keith Mukata lost the seat, Silavwe said the chilling accounts from the victims of political violence indicated a planned act by senior party leaders at provincial and national levels.
“By allowing such blatant acts of violence on their political watch, political leaders are demonstrating that they have become irrelevant and unfit to preside over the nations affairs both as ruling and opposition parties. The onus is on Zambians to take back their country from political leaders that do not put the interests of the majority first,” advised Silavwe.
Daring Inspector General of Police, Kakoa Kanganja, Silavwe regretted that the Zambian Police Service had been compromised professionally, evident by a police command that is polarised and paralysed by partisan politics.
“GOP calls for the resignation of the police command top brass for making the country unsafe for ordinary Zambians. We also call for reforms in the police service to bring back the lost confidence to this vital state institution,” prayed Silavwe as he prodded President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to outlaw political violence in Zambia.
Cosmo Mumba with Mulongoti
Silavwe described President Lungu as a repository of power on behalf of all the Zambian people, compelling him (ECL) to admonish law enforcement institutions to effectively curb political chaos.
