PF `REBUKES’ LUSAMBO

…stands with artists

IN an indirect rebuke of Lusaka Minister, Bowman Lusambo, the Patriotic Front has sided with artists voicing out concerns on national issues such as gold mining.

And Tourism and Arts minister, Ronald Chitotela, has called for calm in the nation and in particular amongst artistes assuring them of President Lungu's protection as long as they exercised their right to freedom of expression within the confines of law. Mr Chitotela, who is also Pambashe Member of Parliament says government regrets any public altercation that is perceived to have ensued stating that it had no blessings from the President. Speaking at a meeting yesterday with leaders of various associations of artistes, Mr. Chitotela reminded artistes that 'with great power comes responsibility" and appealed to them to respect the rights of others. "Every Zambian and artiste in particular expressing themselves will be protected by the President and my ministry as long as they exercise the right to freedom of expression within the confines of law. Remember where your rights end that's where another person's rights begin," Mr Chitotela said.

On various radio stations and social media, the PF sided with musicians who had been criticised and threatened by Mr Lusambo.

The PF officials unanimously sided with the artistes who had taken to social media and Facebook in particular to complain against Mr Lusambo’s threats.

PF deputy secretary general, Mumbi Phiri said the PF government would always listen to citizens whenever they raise issues premised on national development.

She said party secretary general, Davies Mwila had clearly indicated that the party would censure its members to allow people express themselves freely.

Ms Phiri was reacting to concerns by some PF officials that musicians who were calling on Government and the President to always consider the plight of Zambians over foreigners were offside.

She however said that the public should be wary of falsehoods that were usually spread online in the name of freedom of expression.

Ms Phiri said negative propaganda had been peddled in the recent past such as false claims by the opposition political parties that government had sold some companies such as ZNBC, ZAFFICO and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport among many others.

She said falsehoods had the potential to bring confusion in the country .

“If people speak and it makes sense we are going to listen,” Ms Phiri said.

She was speaking when she phoned-in during Radio Phoenix’s Friday edition of let the people talk where the PF media director, Sunday Chanda had featured to discuss pertinent national matters .

And Mr Chanda said the position of the party was to listen and respect constructive criticism even from those with positions that it doesn’t agree with .

“The position of the party is that we will and must listen and respect voices of people even when we don’t agree,” Mr. Chanda stated .

He guided that people in the party were also supposed to find better ways of engaging those that they may not agree with at any given time .

“One of the things that we do is that when we get criticism or counsel from citizens we take time to listen," he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Chitotela has clarified that there is no Gold mine in the country that has been sold to any foreigner.

He advised artistes to form cooparatives and apply for prospecting mining licence to explore the sector.

He disclosed that part of the K10 billion announced by the president will be apportioned to CEEC for fair and easier access by artistes and small scale businesses experiencing challenges to meet bank conditions.