ZAMBIA HAS LOST MORAL FIBRE, SAYS KUNDA

IT is unacceptable and immoral for those entrusted with power to make false promises to the citizenry, says Joseck Kunda, executive director of Movement for Promoting National Values and Principles.

Mr Kunda said the country had lost its moral fibre as even some leaders lied to their followers. “It is sad and disheartening that as a country professing to be a Christian nation, the conduct of many of our citizens leave much to be desired. Worse still, our leaders are failing to set a good example for others to emulate,” he said. He said most politicians had failed to be morally upright as they were cited for being involved in unacceptable behaviour such as corruption, lying and sexual immorality. “Morality could be defined as an acceptable standard of living. A virtue, chastity, goodness, uprightness and beauteous attitude. Immorality is the opposite of morality for it means living a pervasive, wicked, corrupt, unacceptable and wayward type of life,” Mr Kunda said. He said morality was enshrined in Article 8 and 9, Act No. 2 of the amended 2016 Zambian Constitution and therefore could not be compromised.

Mr Kunda said those working in the public service should be exemplary in their disposition, conduct and attitude and live their lives above reproach.

“We all need to stand up and defend the morality of our country. To attain sustainable development in our country, we need to be surrounded with men and women of integrity. There is a need to uphold the strong moral values of our country,” he said.

He said leaders found wanting or in a compromised situation should step down from positions of authority without waiting to be fired by the President or any appointing authority.

“We need to have a sense of shame whenever we are caught in a behaviour that is unwholesome. The appointing authority should avoid being permissive, complacent and naive by failing to act on the wrongdoing of others. No single person must be treated as a sacred cow,” Mr Kunda said.