Zambia under attack

THERE is nothing new in the seemingly outrageous remarks made by Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe regarding policies that have contributed towards the creation of our current economic status. The difference is that spin doctors have chosen to target and demonise the minister for the obvious reason of stirring controversy and hopefully despondency. For example, there is no debating that personal emoluments together with constitutional expenditure gobble more that 81 percent of the national revenue leaving very little for other vital sectors of the economy. As a newspaper, we took issue with many of the policies, including the 300 percent wage increase for the public service which we condemned as undeserved and therefore a misplacement of resources. We spoke openly because we thought it unfair and certainly undeserved that public servants earn far much more than their colleagues serving in comparative professions in the private sector, where the bulk of the national wealth is made. The 300 percent award made them earn four times what employees in the private sector were earning. We based our criticism on factual figures and without meaning to undermine the government. Sadly, there is a new crop of critics that have taken it upon themselves to create negative stories intended to harm the country. They do so with malice aforethought. They will create stories, manufacture lies and indeed do everything possible to create instability and, in the process, demoralise the Zambian people. Regrettably, these lies often have a telling effect. A good example is the yield of our Eurobond which is performing more erratically than Mozambique, a country whose economy is nowhere comparable to Zambia. We are instead suffering from the worst effect of self-inflicted injury from which a section of our society is deriving tremendous satisfaction. What is worse is that individuals such as former Vice President Dr. Guy Scott, who was part of the cabinet that decided on infrastructure development as the chosen model for empowerment have chosen to scandalise the very policies they supported when President Michael Sata was alive. There is everything to be said about being principled. It shows integrity. There is no doubt some devious members of society are hell bent on destroying the peace and democracy this country continues to enjoy through social media abuse which has reached alarming proportions and need stopping. The sadistic determination by these disgruntled elements to tarnish the image of the ruling Patriotic Front government and the country just to achieve their hidden agendas and satisfy their egos is obvious and should not be underestimated by the powers that be. This is evident given the worrisome rate at which these disgruntled individuals are peddling false and alarming information against government officials through Whatsap, Facebook and other social media platforms. As things stand, it is very clear that for whatever the reasons, these people have waged a vicious cyber-war against President Edgar Lungu and Government officials in the name of freedom of speech. The President and ministers have in recent times have been disparaged and suffered relentless insults and all sorts of unsubstantiated allegations on various online platforms, yet knowing very well that it is a crime to spread false information via online platforms. Just yesterday, the unprincipled elements were at it again - their target this time around - Ms Mwanakatwe. Without shame, some misguided elements posted a fake statement on social media purporting to have been authored by her slandering late President Sata. Ms Mwanakatwe has rightly dismissed the statement as a total fabrication. She is spot on Obviously the aim of the bogus statement which has gone viral on social media is to mislead citizens and create an impression that there is disorder in the country and distract the government from succeeding in its endeavours. But as Ms Mwanakatwe observes, the false information being peddled by the unpatriotic Zambians would not distract or derail her from doing her best to ensure the vision of the late president is carried on by President Lungu and achieved. The fake post online should therefore be condemned with the contempt it deserves by all citizens because it is not only a total fabrication but cowardice on the people who posted it as Ms Mwanakatwe observes in a statement to clarify the matter. We agree with the minister and therefore join her in condemning those behind the fake statement and urge the Zambia Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) in collaboration with other security wings to trace originators and bring them to book. There is need for Government to take a tough stand against cybercrime by pushing the three cyber security bills for enactment to Parliament to curb the phenomenon, failure to which the country will be treading on dangerous ground. The internet is indoubtedly a powerful tool for communication which if used aptly helps to enhance development but if left unchecked, cybercrime has the potential to destroy the nation. We therefore encourage ZICTA to continue working closely with the law enforcement agencies to seal loopholes and ensure there is sanity in the Zambian cyberspace.