TELESPHORE MPUNDU PROMOTING HATRED, SAYS MWEETWA

Mr Mweetwa said Archbishop Mpundu is expected to show leadership by bringing the people together as this will make the country better.

He was reacting to Archbishop Mpundu’s statement that the Our Civic Duty Association (OCiDA) has petitioned the United States of America (USA) government to impose financial sanctions, Visa restrictions and travel bans against President Hakainde Hichilema and six of his high-ranking government leaders for having committed an array of democratic rights violations against Zambia and its citizens.

Mr Mweetwa, who is also Information and Media Minister said even when the clergyman has rights to hold an opinion, it is absurd to mislead the Zambians who hold him in high esteem. The minister said placing sanctions on President Hichilema and other government officials will not have an impact on the victims but it will highly affect the ordinary Zambians.

“The UPND while in opposition did not call for any sanctions for a rogue government of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu because we knew that these were political issues which should be addressed politically and locally and the

Zambian people acted through elections,” he said. Mr Mweetwa also said the calls by Archbishop Mpundu fail to meet the international requirements to trigger the international community on the country’s affairs.

He said the statement was supposed to demonstrate that OCiDA had used all necessary channels, including the courts of law before engaging the international community.

He said as it stands, there is no legal process regarding the issues which have been raised.

Mr Mweetwa said the call is based on political malice and intend to paint black the image of the new dawn administration.

Infrastructure and Urban Development Minister, Charles Milupi said the two Presidents are set to meet at the Summit of Presidents on March 25, to conclude their earlier discussions on the authority.

Speaking in Lusaka during a Town hall meeting on unlocking Zambia’s economic potential through enhanced import, export and border processes efficiencies, Mr. Milupi disclosed that all border roads across the country will be worked on to promote trade.

And Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said the government will work on speeding up the clearing of goods at the border.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu said Zambia has engaged the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to protect Zambian truckers when they enter the Democratic Republic of Congo.

And Health Minister Sylvia Masebo said her ministry will not compromise on the safety and health of people at border posts.

Zambia Association of Manufacturers president Ashu Sagar said most of the police checkpoints must be scrapped because they are affecting the private sector.

Meanwhile, Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Officer Sokwani Chilembo said there is need to promote efficiency at the border posts. – ZNBC.