Stop hate speech, says Sikota Wina

OPPOSITION parties are a let-down because they are not playing their rightful role and are too focused on spreading hate speech instead of providing checks and balances to government, veteran politician and freedom fighter Sikota Wina has said.

Mr Wina said criticising the Government of the day must not be the daily preoccupation of the opposition.

And Mr Wina has charged that the opposition was not playing its role as expected.

He told the Daily Nation in an interview that the opposition today had concentrated much on spreading hate speech and insulting those in power rather than putting them in check and reminding them of the promises they made to the Zambian people.

“The opposition play a very important role in the development of any country, by put- ting those in power in check and making sure they do the right thing. But that is not happening,” Mr Wina said.

He challenged the opposition to assume proper opposition role, saying the main purpose of any political party, whether in Government or in opposition, was to serve the people. He said while the ruling party held the “shots,” the opposition “checks” the shots being fired to ensure that the right thing is done,” adding that the opposition should be the driving force of governance.

Meanwhile, Mr Wina indicated that criticisms of Government by the opposition must be “constructive” rather than “destructive,” saying when need be, the opposition must criticise, but also give praise when due.According to him, mounting unnecessary incessant pressure on Government through skilful arguments and invectives in the media, was not the right way to earn support from the Zambian people.