OPPOSITION’S SILENCE WORRIES MPOMBO
THE wall of silence by opposition parties after the August 12 elections sends disturbing signs to our democracy, veteran politician George Mpombo has said.
Mr Mpombo said there was nothing like early criticism in a democracy because it would be too late to start talking when things turn sour.
He said positive criticism should be encouraged as soon as the President is in office and anything his government does should be properly checked by opposition parties and the media.
Mr Mpombo said the appointment of Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane before he was sworn in as a Member of Parliament was a breach of democracy but all opposition leaders were quiet on the issue.
He said for democracy to thrive in a robust manner, there must be a continued process of questioning the government’s actions.
“As soon as the President is sworn-in, it means government business has begun,” he said.
Mr Mponbo, a former minister of Defence challenged the opposition parties to put the government to task over the numerous promises made to Zambians.
“They promised cheap fertiliser to the farmers and we are heading towards the farming season, those are the issues the opposition should be talking about to make sure it is fulfilled. Keeping quiet and waiting for next year for them to start talking is shuttering the rationality of modern democracy,” he said.
Mr Mpombo however said Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) president
Sean Tembo should be encouraged regardless of the nature of his attacks on the government because he was pointing out some issues that should be corrected.
“Mr Tembo is a veritable example of effective opposition,” he said.
He said Mr Tembo might not have done well in the August 12 election but he was keeping the spirit of checks and balances alive.