UPND REJECTS DIALOGUE
WE will not participate in the forth-coming national dialogue and reconciliation process because ZCID never consulted us over the appointment of the committee to chair the proceedings, says Charles Kakoma.
But ZCID spokesperson Jackson Silavwe said the UPND was “lying through its teeth” because a letter was written to them to second an eminent person of their choice to be part of the committee but that it refused to do so. Mr. Kakoma, who is the UPND spokesperson, said the dialogue will only be between ZCID and the Patriotic Front. He was commenting on the ZCID’s statement that it had constituted a four-man committee of eminent persons consisting Chief Ngabwe, Senior Chief Madzimawe, Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika, and Chifumu Banda to lead the dialogue process, Mr Kakoma said it was shocking that the ZCID would sideline major stakeholders and make wholesale decisions over an important process like the national dialogue without making any consultations. “It doesn’t matter whether they will start soon or not but they will be dialoguing with the PF. They are just doing those things on their own without the involvement of other stakeholders and they cannot be dealing with serious matters like this. These are sensitive matters that need agreement in all the processes. “So, what they have done is definitely wrong. They cannot proceed to appoint the leaders they have chosen without the knowledge and consultations of the major stakeholders. Maybe they consulted the PF because we were not consulted and if that is the case, they will dialogue with the PF,” Mr. Kakoma said. Mr. Silavwe said the UPND was not sincere over its claim because its deputy secretary-general, Mr Patrick Mucheleka was part of the meeting which resolved that political parties must second names of eminent persons of their choice to sit on the committee. “The UPND are simply lying through their teeth. All political parties were part of the meeting at which it was resolved that they submit the name of an eminent person who will sit on the committee. Mr. Mucheleka was in that meeting. “The door for them to submit a name is still open because what we want is not to shut anyone out because this is a national programme but if they don’t want to be part of the process as they are saying, we will still proceed with the process but that is not our wish,” Mr. Silavwe said.