Daily Nation Newspaper

Directionl­ess CSOs bashed

…told to advance citizens’ plight

- By NATION REPORTER

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.

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