Embrace each other, activist tells politicians

By SIABANA KELVIN A COPPERBELT-based political activist has urged political players from the ruling and opposition camps in the country to stop politics of character assassination and focus on issues of development.

Michael Muleba said it had become a common for some opposition politicians and those from the ruling party to be acrimonious when discussing issues of national interest.

He said the duty of the opposition political parties in the country was to provide checks and balances to the ruling party but the situation was different in Zambia.

The activist said some opposition political parties who are not in good books with the ruling party were busy tarnishing the image of the ruling party and vice-versa, a situation which is unacceptable.

Mr Muleba said the opposition and the ruling PF should work in harmony by exchanging developmental ideas for the betterment of the citizens.

He said instead of working together to develop the country some opposition and the ruling political players were busy tearing down each other’s ideas in the media.

Mr Muleba said it was sad that some opposition politicians claiming to be sympathizers of the PF were only doing so for the sake of their pockets or stomachs.

Mr Muleba said the opposition political players should be objective and straight to the point when advising the ruling party on ideas they believe could develop the country not insulting each other.

"Zambia belongs to every Zambian and it is the responsibility of the opposition and the politicians from the ruling party to drive the developmental agenda to the electorate for the nation to record economic success," Mr Muleba said.

He said that the current crop of politicians in Zambia both from the ruling and opposition could push the country into turmoil if they continued engaging in politics of hatred.

Mr Muleba said since Zambia was regarded as the beacon of peace in Africa and globally, politicians from both camps should prove this to the international community by practising clean politics void of insults.