STEP BACK, FODEP TELLS LUNGU

By Lumbiwe Mwanza

ZAMBIA currently has no eminent national trustees that can be called to help in finding solutions to the existing challenges the country is facing as everyone seems to be championing politically-inclined motives, Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) President Mwenda Mumbuna has charged.

Speaking with the Scoop, Mr. Mumbuna expressed disappointment that the former Head of State Edgar Lungu has continued to champion politically-inclined motives which should not be the case.

He said that there was a need for all leaders that had served the highest office on the land to step back from politics and be the national trustees that would be called on to provide credible solutions to the various challenges facing the country.

“ECL is not helping matters in championing democratic values and providing the needed checks and balances aimed at developing Zambia. We need to have these people who have held the highest offices on the land to step behind and forget about party politics and become national trustees.

“We need to be going to him and say we have this situation, how do we handle it and he should be able to guide and provide the best solutions. But currently, we don’t have any eminent person with regard to such. All persons available seem to be promoting politically-inclined motives,” Mr. Mumbuna said.

He said that at some point, Zambia had the church as a trusted organization when challenges arose but that currently, that is not guaranteed.

“At some point Zambia had the church as a trusted organization to go to when we had issues in the country but currently, there is none,” he said.

Meanwhile, Revival Methodist church Bishop Paul Bupe said while it was the role of the church to provide checks and balances, there must be willingness from the Government to be rebuked.

Bishop Bupe said that the Government should not be reactive whenever there was criticism from the church.

He said that the church remained committed to speak for the poor and advocate for policies that benefited the majority of citizens.

“There should be willingness from the Government to even be rebuked. He that does not want to be rebuked is an infidel. That is what the bible says. Likewise, if the Government does not want to be advised, then the church does not know who it wants to listen to,” Bishop Bupe said.

He however affirmed commitment to continue partnering with the Government for the benefit of citizens.