ZCID neediest being inactive

Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID) has challenged civil society organisations that have been accusing it of being inactive on various controversial political matters to tell Zambians what it has done so far in resolving political wrangles prevailing in different political parties.

ZCID Executive Director, Horrance Chilando, stated that it is not true that his organisation is sitting idle and not doing anything as regards counselling political parties on practising dignified democratic values.

Mr Chilando cited Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) as one civil society organisation which has been on the neck of ZCID accusing it of non performance pertaining to its role.

In an interview with ZANIS, Mr Chilando observed that it was sad for the civil society organisations to embark on attacking each other, a situation he described as disappointing and unfortunate.

He urged SACCORD to bring out conflict resolution ideas rather than wasting its energy towards fighting its fellow civil society organisations.

The ZCID Executive Director said issues of politics are not supposed to be handled with emotions so they need to be taken with care which ZCID was doing.

Mr Chilando noted that it is not a matter of receiving media publicity that one is seen to be working but what actual results they are seeing on the ground.

And when contacted for a comment SACCORD Information Officer, Obby Chibuluma, said he did not want to engage in media battles with him.

Mr Chibuluma advised Mr Chilando to act responsibly in his speech because he considered him as a noble friend.

Certain sections of society have recently been accusing ZCID of not speaking out on matters of good governance and democracy among others.