Honking and the quest for social change
The scene at Manda hill Foot Bridge was chaotic. The Police had stopped two vehicles that were honking loudly and incessantly. And without a known cause!
The two 4 X 4 stood out because they were the only ones causing public nuisance on this road.
The occupants were women! As soon as police stopped them and pulled them aside, they showed signs of disregarding lawful instructions and actually attempted to flee!
However, the Police were ready for a showdown. The motorbikes brought traffic to a halt and ensured that the two vehicles were impounded. The women frantically began to make phone calls – another offense when you are driving!
At Lusaka Central Police, the two traffic offenders introduced themselves as Members of Parliament for Mandevu and Munali Constituencies! It was Hon. Jean Kapata and Hon. Mumbi Phiri!
Mrs Josephine C. Mumbi Phiri is not new to controversy. She was beaten for her rude remarks outside Parliament (outside the debating chamber) by Kawambwa Member of Parliament, Elizabeth Chitika-Muolobeka.
Parliament also disciplined her and fined her K250, 000.00 for attacking her fellow MPs for passing and giving themselves ‘too much money’ (gratuity) while on a program on Muvi television. She collected the gratuity too!
She is a devout Catholic. She rose to ‘prominence’ in 2005 when her son perished in the Kawambwa disaster in which 28 pupils from Kawambwa Secondary School died in truck accident.
The State decided to burry all the 28 near the scene of the accident. But Mumbi Phiri refused that her son be buried in Kawambwa and with the help of the Catholic Church repatriated the remains of her son to Lusaka for burial.
For Jean Kapata, she is a nurse by profession and practice. Recently victims of a PF abduction Sam Zulu and Mubanga Chileshe testified in court that Jean Kapata proposed that their legs be chopped off for ‘holding a press conference’ against PF leader Michael Sata.
Kapata witnessed the brutal beatings of Sam Zulu and Mubanga Chileshe and went to a backroom to a fetch an Iron Bar which was however promptly taken away by Paul Moonga (PF Lusaka province chairperson).
At the police station, the duo told the police that there was a car ahead that blocked traffic hence their honking! The Police would have none of the nonsense! It was clear that the two MPs were participating in civil disobedience activities called by the 18 NGOs and the illegality of their action was dawning upon them.
The MPs were charged with traffic offenses together with other seven motorists.
Kapata and Mumbi became riotous! They refused to be arrested! They also denied the charges preferred on them. Traffic offenses attract fine on admission of guilt. However in the event that an accused person denies the charge, he is arrested charged and taken to court.
The duo chose to sit outside claiming the Police station was too dirty for them.
Officers called their superiors to brief them of the ‘valuable’ suspects and their riotous behaviour. The directives were simple. ‘’No one is above the law. Like Frederick Chiluba they were protesting against, they were not above the Law. Enforce the law!’’
At this stage the two MPs were enjoying their own drama with Given Lubinda Member of Parliament for Kabwata and some members of the 18 NGOs joining them.
But the drama was short-lived! The police bundled the two MPs in the female police cells. And reality dawned upon the MPs. Within minutes, Jean Kapata said that her blood pressure had shot up. She also demanded for food for her diabetic condition! Mumbi asked for her medicine from the car.
The Police would have none of the comedy! They shut the door!
The two MPs case illustrates the futility of those civil disobedience campaigns in Zambia!
How can you bring about social change while refusing to suffer any of the inconveniences and sacrifices that come with a revolution?
How can you bring about social and political change whilst seated in the comforts of your air-conditioned car, while sipping that epitome of urban luxury – bottled water in a container that costs more than the contents?!
Who would not hoot or honk in that environment if it would further the cause of social change? Because any other demands such as attending a rally in sweltering heat, or marching or gathering might attract the dreaded anti- riot police team on you and that is clearly out of question!
If honking does provide an effective anti-dote for the guilty we carry for not doing more for this country including VOTING, then honking we shall!
And one journalist epitomises the behaviour of a few elite. He advocates for change that he himself is not ready to carry out. He speaks strongly in a revolutionary manner but lives his life like a ‘hot-bloodied’ Capitalist.
And the slightest threat of arrest, the journalist quickly runs into an embassy or seeks shelter at an Ambassador’s residence leaving his juniors to face the vagaries of the law alone.
THE 18 NGOs
The leaders have been assessing the activities they embarked on. There is confusion in the camp!
Some leaders feel cheated!
Senior Citizen had promised to buy 3000 ‘Vuvuzela’s’, 10,000 T-shirts, 3000 whistles and ‘petty cash’ to organisations to hire minibuses, taxis and private vehicles to honk during the hours of the honking activities!
And none of these promises have been fulfilled nor have the materials been made available!
The crook that the senior citizen is, he hopes that the momentum will gather without money! The Senior Citizen knows the disaffection against the MMD in urban areas is so strong that it does not need money to galvanise, but requires only a mere spark.
But his fellow leaders are waiting for the promises he made. How will they go ahead to form another strong lobby organisation if there is trickery and fraud from the inception?! The Senior Citizen now insists the money he got from ‘donors’ is meant for his Project in his village.
And there is a setback. Organisations with greater credibility and stronger voices are missing. The Law Association of Zambia, the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) (although 3 Catholic NGOs form part of the 18), and Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) have expressed reservations to join the new body owing to their early experiences where the OASIS Forum was hijacked by a few.
At their review meeting at Transparency International offices on October 5th 2009, the NGO leaders felt strongly that the activities have taken off ‘successfully’ and they should soldier on.
Many felt that the Chiluba Case was a ‘cause for Justice’ and that initiators such as Senior Citizen and their private agendas were irrelevant at this stage.
They stated that the Chiluba case could help them galvanise the people around the organisation and will help launch it for anti-government activities. They encouraged themselves to support actions that will make Zambians ‘appropriate the cause’ as theirs.
Some questioned the NGOs’ alliance with the PF/UPND as it was easily exposing their intentions. However others felt that the relationship was positive and that political parties held people-based infrastructure that could be used for rallies, demonstration and other forms of protests.
They also agreed that ‘callers’ to radio programs should be ‘empowered’ to ensure that a darker picture is portrayed against government and that its decision not appeal the Chiluba case was ridiculous! (There is a Forum of callers that besiege radio stations masquerading as ‘’Zambians’’! These include ‘Imbuwa’ calling from his shop in Chilenje, ‘Proud’ from his shop at Garden Market, ‘Mark’ from Munali, ‘Lloyd’ and other callers in ‘Cloud’, ‘Banda’ and others from ‘Lusaka’.
But some were still sceptical. If honking was a traffic offense, it would not be proper for organisation to pursue a ‘good’ agenda if they were using illegal methods! Others also felt that since Lusaka lawyer, Kelvin Haangandu had taken a petition to the High Court to review the decision of the DPP and compel him to appeal, it would be prudent to support such an action. However they resolved that public pressure should still be brought against government and even if the matter is court, ‘’no one will notice the contempt!’’.
The team also resolved to send a team to the Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde to help ‘resolve’ the impasse. The meeting with the IG should be sued to assure the police that their activities were ‘not designed to bring down a legitimate government’
At their meeting with the IG, the leaders agreed to use other methods other than honking and whistling. They are expected to now call off the honking and whistling. However the leaders also persuaded the IG to drop charges against Mumbi Phiri and Jean Kapata. Kabonde (IG) made no commitment to drop the charges.
CONCLUSION
The NGOs are dismayed at the ‘level’ of infiltration in their ranks.
They NGOs also ought to be careful for a simple reason that many such as Senior Citizen will attempt to use them to pursue private agendas.
The NGOs should recognise that President Rupiah Banda’s government is in the process of consolidating power from Mwanawasa’s regime to his own and is transitional in nature. Banda is also trying to consolidate power in the MMD and faces pockets of internal revolt from the likes of George Mpombo, and Ng’andu Magande. He also faces constant plots and plans against him from the PF/UPND pact.
In this environment, his security organs will be sensitive to the type of criticism being given. The organs will also ensure that the criticism and consequent activities should not threaten the stability of Banda’s government.
So when NGOs pursue political agendas that should naturally be pursued by political parties, they risk being treated as such and their actions will be judged by those political standards.
Editor’s note: this analysis was sent to us by one of our readers. It does not in anyway represent the views of the Watchdog
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good story young man todays civil society is just made up of crooks and criminals whose intentions is to gain political milage or become rich from donor funds. now, be advised that the law is very much alive and any one found wanting over these illegal demonstrations will be arrested and prosecuted. some of these people as i mentioned in my other related story i know them personally and i’ll start exposing their private life, if you continue insulting the president you ‘ll be sorry you fools (civil society).
Bravo Watchdog! Keep up with the balanced news. I’ve always wondered why anything said in favour of Government is deemed to come from MMD members.
Good analysis. i like the way it highlights issues. i wish to encourage ZW to keep up promoting informed debate. i agree that most of us are not suitable to bring a revolution (Like Mumbi Phiri and Jean Kapata,coz we are not ready to sacrifice. Che Guevara ran and slept in rugged mountains and thickets of forests while these CSOs want us to be a nuisance!The colusions of Mark Chona and others should be exposed and the two should be arrested.
No secret the CSO is a none starter because evidence is overwhelming that it is over infiltrated by the MMD through OOP(SB)who are way ahead of CSO leaders.The Greatest mistake was to use Mark Chona as senior citizen in Donor funding channel.This is the same crook that ran away from KK into Lexingburg (SP)with public funds for external debt repayment.He only returned to Zambia under MMD regime after many year in self exile.Under Mwanawasa he is is the one that betrayed the country to give Medicals stores to crown agencies putting national security and Zambian in foreign hands all for corrupt interest.Mwanawasa realized very late about the damage cause hence unceremonious dismissal from the Task Force.
Look at how even in these blogging threads have been successfully demonized the CSO members as unpatriotic and enemies of the people and country.That tag is too heavy to carry. Radios and newspapers like blogs are taking no break in streaming propaganda as anti CSO bloggers are doing around the clock.If we can’t take it, lets not expect other to bear it.
Stop insulting CSO as flip floppers. They guys have tried their best under very limited support and a disengaged public in disdain of the CSO effort. Do not pretend that its all effort against a seasoned well coordinated machinery of divide and conquer. Instead of giving up everything where you are for a sacrifice as you want CSO to do, you are just here blogging 24/7 not realizing that blogging is garbage in garbage out exercise without an audience.
Who told you that blogging has any leverage in this country? You cannot even read between the lines how the CSO has been undermined from the word go but keen to defame them.
More mistrust has been sawn in the CSO organization by MMD machinery. Its no secret that Kamuchekas have taken over the CSO program like cancer such that whatever is planned flashes on MMD desks on real time basis.
CSO talk to donors, Mangani goes in preemption it to the dismay of CSO.
CSO receives funding, its blown up before even trickling down to members. CSO gets support from a Gas station sympathizer; MMD preempts it and goes for the businessman failure. I can predict, its over for this businessman he better prepare for losses and some crisis until an MMD sycophant buys him out cheaply.
CSO deliberates transformation into Oasis Forum Two; MMD machinery debunks it with exposure. Mark Chona tries to coordinate CSO as a channel of donor funding, he gets MMD signals of full knowledge yet they don’t mention his name. do you know how much tormenting silence on such from GRZ can be on a poor vulnerable chap? Mark Chona certainly has caught a nerve breaking cold that the CSO has put him in the red at the hands of the MMD machinery. He has tried to break his silence by commenting on Chiluba to induce MMD reaction but to no success. Now the man doesn’t know what MMD machinery is thinking about him as a ring leader if not the Ronald Penza , Paul Tembo or Edward Shamwana option out of deafening silence on him.
Now with such acrobatics of clear MMD machinery controlling the heart of CSO, how do you expect CSO members to trust each other and ignore all worrying evidence of kafwafwa on their hands? Yes CSO can have rhetoric, but like you and I they are human beings with own lives and economic interest to protect. MMD has used divide and conquer tactics making it hard for CSO members to trust each other. So please stop demeaning people who have tried what you and I have failed to do.
James Chewe
I will not waste time to describe you or tell you off for your useless remarks.You cannot teach me English,i was taught better!
When i say ”most of uss”,it’s because i have spoken to other Zambians & they agree that this website seems to be pro-MMD as can be seen by the various articles that sort of try to promote the MMD & govt’s interests just like in Zimbabwe where Mugabe’s spokesperson Charamba is known to be Editor of one well known newspaper & also contributes articles on various fora and print media where he posts several articles to promote Mugabe & his cheap propaganda.
Bwana James,no one gives a toss if you know the owner or Editor of this site,just be objective & contribute to discussions without going into personal attacks against those speaking out,it leaves you wondering what your case is anyway,why would you be defending the Editor?? My gosh!
Honking is a baloney to this country. The civil society may be you have lost direction. There is a way of pushing for change not the imature and barbaric way you are doing things. You want the efforts directed on development to be redirected to you? Shame on you the Civil Society. Yes we do acknowledge that there are some questions regarding the judgement of the former Head of State, but honking will not take the country anywhere and it will not solve the problem. Infact it will make it worse. Just stop and form a mature stratagy. That is a childish approach to to solving issues.
I tend to agree with many contributors that this is not WD analysis. Just be open minded mr. Editor and tell us who sent you this piece of trash. No matter what you say, it will be difficult to convince us you did write this trash. Am now asking myself, why is that most articles posted on WD are siding with the chiluba and MMD. Just cautioning Senior Citizen, dont fuel anger in Zedian hearts. People are very annoyed and if you have a family you know what i mean, poverty!!!
Kalyos!!
I do not understand the law in Zambia> Is it not true that if the DPP is suspected to have have failed in his duty, misbehaved or is medically unfit he can be brought before a tribunal? If the DPP did not do what was right by failing to appeal Chiluba’s acquital, why is no one applying for a tribunal? Is it not true that all these PF MPs shenanigans in collusion with NGOs and donors are designed to bring down a legitimate govt? Is it not true that the opposition want to render the cities (where they enjoy massive support) ungovernable? I call upon the President as custodian of the constitution and peace of Zambia to begin to act against these anarchists. KK, Chiluba and Mwanawasa never hesitated to throw people into jail because they understood that a tiny spark can set up a bonefire! It is time to act and throw away political nonsense. Those who drag down the name and office of the President with defamatory rhetoric have gone far enough and now the law (some of them studied) must visit them. Shut them up in remand, to await trial and let them have the pleasure of the company of the people who think Zambia is hopeless.
And you father, i hope you have children? This is not breaking news. It is an analysis. Someone’s opinion which you can chose to either believe or ignore. You can even write your own. Yes, i agree the Watchdog has a huge responsibility of conveying news. That is why they should take everyone on board
JIGGA i think you are missing the point. So you want the Watchdog to stop publishing articles you don’t agree with. Zambians are more than the loud mouths around. And speak for yourself don’t say most of us. Say ‘I believe’. The media can withhold the name of an author if they so wish or are asked to. Personally i know the person behind this Watchdog and can assure you have nothing to do with Dickson Jere or anyone else.
Why do you want only your opinions and those similar to your to be heard. Imagine if you were the editor of a newspaper, no one will dissenting views would air a comment. I have seen Dickson Jere being torn apart on this platform and i give this site kudos being very neutral.
Biased article! Are’nt journalists supposed to report the news without the dramatization?
The author of the above artice would be better off writing novels than reporting facts.
i dont think you realise the importance your website plays in conveying news of the happenings in our country to Zambians in the diaspora.
You have a very large responsibilty on your shoulders and you seem unable to carry it without faltering!
Editor’s note: ”this analysis was sent to us by one of our readers. It does not in anyway represent the views of the Watchdog”
Yeah right Mr Editor! Why do you always allow unknown people to post such articles,this is why most of us have always believed this(zambianwatchdog) is Dickson Jere’s playground.I also see similar articles in the Times of Zambia & Daily Mail & usually the author’s name is not stated,you see something like ”By a Correspondent”,i think Zambian media should have the guts to publish the author’s name,finshi mutina kanshi,yaba!
Positivist, i have been in this business and i know why the editor doesnt want to come in the open. i bet what we need is a platform where people no matter how differing their beliefs are, must be heard as long as harmony is brokered between parties. I would rather see a situation where the pro and anti MMD are sitted in a dignified manner propounding their veiws on how to make zambia a better place than they found it. not these politics of character assassination even among the media. we all know that times, daily and znbc are toothless when it comes to reporting the truth but as long as we will gag the private media, zambia and its people risk going back to the drakonian period. look at what is happening in embattled north korea. probably, the most secluded country on earth. all this was and is due to the leadership in successfully gagging all forms of media such that the only thing the people hear is Kim Jong Sung etc
Watchdog,watch out for that trash,am mark no one pays me to expres my views in the manner we are being governed.its simply,my right of expresion,that doser is from, mwamba,chiluba,s pres aid. that trash,can only come from,criminaly minded,thugs.my free advice,to u mwamba,and yr bose.is that learn to keep quit,at times pipo are hurt,g over that sponrsod,judgment,it only serves to further hurt pipo,when u continue,open,g yr mouth.plize,learn to hve a sense of shame,bcs everything abt u is shameful,and that u know.
Senior Citizen is inciting people against the Govt? This is clearly ridiculous. We all know where his loyalties ly
What’s with the shouting? It’s annoying!
This has many flaws but remains a good analysis
Hey jimmy, why should you disput that it was wrote by a blogger. Every one is entitles to their views no matter how disgustfull they may be to you
Ba editor, we are no longer children, we read and analyze issues in depth. this is nothing but your story. just accept that the people can no longer be muzzled and every time such a thing happened, people resorted to revolt. this is what brought Kaunda to his knees.