Directionless CSOs bashed
…told to advance citizens’ plight
A CONSORTIUM of opposition political parties has taken a swipe at civil society organisations as well as the clergy for neglecting citizens’ causes.
They particularly singled out their silence over the plight of the Saturnia Regna pensioners whose fate hangs in the balance but are scheming to hold mass protests against the government.
Speaking at a press conference in Lusaka yesterday, Zambia Republican Party president Wright Musoma said it was unfortunate that the once vibrant CSOs in the country had become a shadow of their former selves and have opted to be used by disgruntled politicians with selfish motives to advance their agenda.
Mr. Musoma observed that CSOs were behaving like political parties instead of advancing causes which affected citizens such as pensioners at the largest private scheme Saturnia Regna whose fate remained unknown and most members having died from depression due to nonpayment.
He said CSOs were playing double standards by deliberately remaining silent on serious and pertinent issues affecting citizens and trivialising matters such as insinuations of corruption against President Edgar Lungu which had no basis.
“We would like to express our shock and concern at some CSOs which have neglected their core values such as speaking for the Saturnia pensioners whose fate hangs in the balance.
“They have opted to remain silent on such important issues affecting the livelihoods of our citizens but are planning mass protests against government on purported corruption,” he said.