LET’S TAME LOOSE TONGUES

FOR the last few days, the nation has been treated to the usual rabble rousing coming from none other than the so-called consultant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chishimba Kambwili.

Mr Kambwili, who appears to have a penchant for keeping himself in the limelight – all for the wrong reasons – has been trying to mislead the nation with false information that President Edgar Lungu sneaked out of the country to South Africa.

Mr Kambwili’s claims were published by one of the country’s daily newspapers. And like all statements that come from his foul mouth, it lacked merit and fact.

What was the genesis of this blatant uncouth lie? President Lungu had not been seen in public for a few days, having travelled to the Luangwa national park for a short holiday.

This is quite normal throughout the world for a President to be away from the public limelight even if one has not travelled, but to work behind the scenes.

But not so for our intellectual midget, who in his short-sighted “wisdom” had his own explanation over the President’s absence – that he had travelled to South Africa.

State House was quick to clarify that President Lungu had not travelled anywhere outside the country but was merely having a quiet holiday in Luangwa, Eastern Province.

Mr Kambwili, the embattled Roan Member of Parliament who has been fighting his expulsion from the ruling Patriotic Front has continued with his tantrums that the President travelled to South Africa.

While we appreciate that there is freedom of speech and a free press, we are concerned at the manner in which some political figures want to twist information with a hidden motive of trying to incite the public against the government leadership.

Mind you, it is such unsubstantiated statements that have brought havoc to many countries – and Zambia is not an exception.

Consider the recent riots in Kitwe during which furious mobs looted Chinese-owned businesses.

The Kitwe riots were sparked off by a statement attributed to Mr Hakainde Hichilema, president of the United Party for National Development (UPND) during a live radio talk show.

Mr Hichilema claimed that Government had sold ZAFFICO to the Chinese, ostensibly meaning that jobs were not guaranteed. That statement, to an uninformed audience was an invitation to “take up arms” to defend jobs.

Mr Hichilema, who ought to know better being the “big businessman” that he claims to be was referring to plans by the Industrial Development Corporation that it plans to have some of its subsidiaries listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange.

As any astute businessman would explain, there is nothing sinister about having a company listed on the stock exchange. It is a normal business practice that companies use to raise funds for expansion and even allow ordinary persons to buy shares and have a say in a company’s affairs.

Surely, anyone who issues misleading information knowing full well that it could lead to public unrest does not mean well for the nation.

It follows that such a person is a danger to the nation. Why then should the law enforcement agents watch with arms akimbo when such people are planning evil?

Why wait until all hell breaks loose before “hauling them in for questioning.” Why not be pro-active for once instead of acting after the damage has been done?

These loose tongues must be tamed somehow.