FINANCE minister Alexander Chikwanda has advised political parties to compete in ideas of governance and not violence.
And Chikwanda says any attempts to ‘choke’ the media because of their stance is undemocratic.
Speaking when he graced Youth Day celebrations in Kitwe on Saturday, Chikwanda said Zambia was a democracy and people had the right to belong to a political party of their choice.
He said citizens, especially the youth, should not engage in violence and fight each other just because they belong to different political parties.
“Let’s compete in terms of ideas on how to address issues affecting Zambia and compete in line with democratic principles. Young people must refuse to be used by anybody to attack a political opponent. That’s an affront to our democracy. Refuse to be rented by some disgruntled politicians to cause violence,” Chikwanda said.
He said Zambians were naturally peaceful and everybody had an obligation to promote peace and unity in diversity.
He said politicians who were perpetrators of violence and hate must be rejected.
“Even in Parliament, some people show a lot of hate and bitterness and that’s not what Zambia needs.
This country needs people that would progressively engage each other even in politics,” Chikwanda said.
He further commended youths from the Rainbow Party that turned up in numbers in their political regalia to participate in the celebrations in a responsible and respectable manner.
“The youths, clad in red T-shirts from the Rainbow Party, keep it up. You are not forming government now but your commitment to this national event is commendable. This is as it should be,” Chikwanda said.
He also said the PF government would endeavour to deliver development and create jobs even in difficult circumstances.
“We cannot bring development overnight but even under severe difficulties, mining companies have continued to invest. Mopani here in Kitwe has invested heavily in their synclinorium shaft and people who lost jobs because of the copper trend challenges on the international market will soon be re-employed,” he said.
And Chikwanda said it would be undemocratic for anyone to attempt to ‘choke’ the media in the country because of their stance.
He said even the critical media should be supported.
“Attempts to choke the media is undemocratic and we cannot take that route. Even the media that publishes untruths, buy their newspaper and read it. This is a democracy but you know the truth about this PF government. The truth is that President [Edgar] Lungu is committed to developing this country and he is winning the forthcoming elections,” Chikwanda said.
He said no one would replace the PF by mounting untruths. Chikwanda said the youth was the most important resource the country had and that was why money had been put in education and health to enhance the productive capacity of young people.
Daily Post
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