COLLECTIVE DECISIONS

THERE is a misinterpretation in our Zambian politics of what collective responsibility entails. Zambians have been left wondering as to whether there is any morality in local politicians who change their behaviour like chameleons immediately their political fortunes change – particularly if it is on the downside. A typical example is Mr Chishimba Kambwili, the Roan Member of Parliament and former Minister of Information who behaves as though he was never in the Patriotic Front government. For quite clearly, Mr Kambwili, since his expulsion from the party last year has suddenly seen all the wrongs in the government in which he served. Immediately after he was expelled – even though he has contested the expulsion in court – all in the PF became corrupt. That has been his swansong. But the question that boggles the minds of many Zambians is why people like Mr Kambwili never saw the rampant corruption they claim exists while they were serving – in very influential positions. We agree with Lusaka-based lawyer Hobday Kabwe’s assertion that former government ministers who disclose information that came to them by virtue of their positions are breaking the law and therefore face arrest. As Mr Kabwe noted, ministers take an oath of office when they are appointed not to expose or reveal information that come to their knowledge in the course of their duty. “It is criminal for a minister whether in office or not to start revealing government secrets or information that come to their possession by virtue of being in public office. They are to keep such information to themselves alone, so it is illegal for any fired minister to start exposing what they came to know because of being in a certain position,” Mr Kabwe said. Being in leadership carries with it a lot of responsibilities – in and out of office. It is why there is collective responsibility under which it is assumed and expected that all will abide. But in the case of Mr Kambwili, this is too high a moral benchmark to uphold. Being the intellectual midget that he is, Mr Kambwili cannot appreciate this. At the weekend, Christian Democratic Party president Dan Pule tried to explain that Mr Kambwili, as a former Cabinet minister was sworn to collective responsibility and his utterances to the contrary represent his lack of principles and deliberate ignorance. As Dr Pule said, a decision made in Cabinet becomes binding whether one agrees or not. He said this was so throughout the world. This, unfortunately is something Mr Kambwili has failed to understand and continues to be just a loose vocal cannon.