Establish inquiry into Kafwaya’s death, release Mundubile, Makebi & others. Reject politics of hatred & vengeance-Davies Mwila-

PRESS STATEMENT BY HON. DAVIES MWILA: National Chairperson, BM8 ECL Movement and Former Secretary General, Patriotic Front GOVERNMENT MUST CHOOSE DIALOGUE, JUSTICE AND NATIONAL HEALING The BM8 ECL Movement is deeply concerned about the current political situation in our country and, in particular, the continued detention of President Brian Mundubile, Hon. Makebi Zulu and 18 […]

PRESS STATEMENT BY HON. DAVIES MWILA: National Chairperson, BM8 ECL Movement and Former Secretary General, Patriotic Front

GOVERNMENT MUST CHOOSE DIALOGUE, JUSTICE AND NATIONAL HEALING

The BM8 ECL Movement is deeply concerned about the current political situation in our country and, in particular, the continued detention of President Brian Mundubile, Hon. Makebi Zulu and 18 others.

1. CALL FOR AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO THE DEATH OF HON. KAFWAYA

Government must establish an independent, credible and transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Hon. Kafwaya.

The circumstances surrounding his death deserve proper investigation, and the Zambian people and, most importantly, the bereaved family deserve answers.

We cannot build a peaceful and democratic nation by ignoring serious questions surrounding the loss of human life. The truth must be established, and justice must be allowed to take its course.

2. RELEASE PRESIDENT BRIAN MUNDUBILE, HON. MAKEBI ZULU AND THE 18 OTHERS

We call upon Government to immediately release President Brian Mundubile, Hon. Makebi Zulu and the 18 others, unless there are genuine and demonstrable grounds for their continued detention under the law.

Our position is that their continued detention appears to be politically motivated, and Government must provide clear, credible and verifiable evidence to justify such action.

The country cannot continue down a path where political differences become grounds for persecution. Zambia needs healing, reconciliation and dialogue.

What is happening today is deepening divisions and creating resentment among our people. This is not the Zambia we want to leave for future generations.

Those in authority must remember that leadership is temporary, but the consequences of decisions made in office can affect a nation for generations.

You may force a person into silence, but you cannot force conviction out of their heart. A person who is coerced against his will does not necessarily change his beliefs; often, he becomes even more determined.

We therefore appeal to the President and Government to rise above partisan politics and demonstrate statesmanship by choosing reconciliation over confrontation.

3. ZUMANI ZIMBA’S STATEMENTS DO NOT REPRESENT THE TONSE ALLIANCE

For the avoidance of doubt, statements recently attributed to Mr. Zumani Zimba were made in his personal capacity and were not issued following consultation with or clearance from the leadership of the Tonse Alliance.

His views should therefore not be interpreted as the official position of the Tonse Alliance.

The Alliance remains committed to its principles, its leadership and its political objectives. We reject attempts to create confusion, division or the impression that individual statements constitute official decisions of the Alliance.

4. THERE IS NO POWER VACUUM IN THE TONSE ALLIANCE

We further wish to make it categorically clear that there is no power vacuum in the Tonse Alliance.

Hon. Brian Mundubile remains the President and leader of the Alliance, and that position has not changed.

The Tonse Alliance remains intact, united and focused on the future.

Attempts to create the impression that the Alliance has collapsed or that its leadership has changed are misleading and should be treated with the contempt they deserve.

5. A MESSAGE TO THE NATION

As leaders, we must understand that Zambia belongs to all of us. Government belongs to the people, and political power is temporary.

We must therefore reject politics of hatred, vengeance and permanent confrontation.

We may disagree politically, but we must never lose sight of our common humanity or our responsibility to preserve the peace and unity of our country.

Zambia needs healing, not further division.
Zambia needs justice, not vengeance.
Zambia needs dialogue, not political persecution.
Zambia needs statesmanship, not intolerance.

We call upon all Zambians to remain calm, peaceful and committed to the rule of law.

The BM8 ECL Movement will continue to advocate for democracy, justice, national unity and the protection of the rights of every Zambian, regardless of political affiliation.

Issued by:
Hon. Davies Mwila
National Chairperson, BM8 ECL Movement
Former Secretary General, Patriotic Front.