NGO HYPOCRISY
IT is now almost two months since the Hatembo siblings disappeared, and in that time, the Human Rights Commission has remained silent and none of the non-governmental organisations have raised alarm nor indeed offered a word of sympathy for their plight.
This is hypocrisy of the worst order.
We are particularly disappointed with the Church because the bible clearly calls for advocacy for the poor and voiceless. Only Lusaka Catholic Archbishop Alick Banda has expressed any word of concern in sympathy and solidarity with the Hatembos.
And yet the bible says, “Do what is right and just. Rescue from the hands of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Jer 22 vs 3.
The bible further says follow justice and justice alone. The Church has a duty to help differently-abled Nasilele reclaim the land her grandfather bequeathed her. She may be differently-abled but is certainly entitled to it.
We are shocked that even the NGOCC which represents women has kept silent in spite of the fact that Felluna has left behind her 35-year old daughter Nasilele who is in urgent need of treatment.
This has exposed the highest level of hypocrisy by the Church, NGOs, Human Rights Commission, which were more than willing and did indeed fell over each other to condemn the government for the killing of Prosecutor Nsama Chipoya and UPND sympathiser Kaunda.
They fought for space in print and electronic media show themselves as civil rights sympathisers.
Confronted with the poor unknown villagers in the person of Milton and Felluna Hatembo our fiery crusaders have wilted and are mute in spite of overwhelming evidence of clear wrong doing on the part of those that have either abducted or indeed are harbouring the siblings.
Our civil rights campaigners, always in the forefront of public advocacy have shown themselves to be none other than corrupt self-seeking individuals hoping to benefit from any change of government from which they might gain favour and become tenderpreneurs.
We are aware that defending the weak, poor and restless is not fashionable and indeed carries great danger of retribution, but the cause of justice, fair play and equity demands that we speak for them.
As we have said before, whether the Hatembo siblings have been abducted or are in hiding it is no longer material. It is clear their conduct is neither normal, rational nor considerate.
No mother would abandon a sick child unless compelled by circumstances that are beyond her control.
We have no doubt that if the Hatembos are alive today, the Church, community or indeed NGO will know their whereabouts and should therefore take it upon themselves to report to the police, who have launched a manhunt for them and their abductors.
Between the UPND’s Cornelius Mweetwa who claims that the Hatembo’s are being held for their own safety by the Zitukule Consortium, and the Consortium itself which has denied any knowledge, the truth must lie.
Either the UPND are lying or the Consortium which on two occasions paraded the siblings before the press, is lying.
It is unthinkable that the Hatembos could have themselves organised the press briefing, paid for the facility and then disappeared into the bush.
Somebody knows the truth and must be prepared to own up to the authorities for this matter to be settled. to