‘De-registered violent political parties’

THERE is need for laws to allow for deregistration of violent political parties to safeguard the peace the country has enjoyed over the years, former State House deputy minister Blackson Sikanyika has said.

Mr Sikanyika said the emerging culture of political violence was a threat to the country's peace and security.

He said it was unfortunate that supporters of political parties were resorting to violence instead of competing on ideas.

"Our freedom fighters sacrificed for the independence that we are enjoying today and there is no justification for physical violence," Mr Sikanyika said.

He said politics should be based on ideologies and not physical violence.

Mr Sikanyika said Parliament should come up with laws that would give powers to the Registrar of Societies and the Electoral Commission of Zambia ECZ to deregister political  parties and disqualify them from participating in elections.

He said it was the duty of every Zambian to safeguard the peace the country was enjoying by denouncing violent political parties.

"The Zambian political scene is contaminated with political parties and politicians that cannot compete on ideas. Instead they resort to violence.

"The country is heading for general elections and we would want to see more political parties sharing what they would do for the country if given the mandate, not violence because the electorate will not vote based on who is more violent," Mr Sikanyika said.

Last week in Mpika, suspected members of United for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema’s security detail brutally assaulted villagers and allegedly abducted two police officers whom they dumped about 40 kilometres from the scene after battering them mercilessly.

Police are investigating the violence and have summoned a UPND member of Parliement for questioning.