NGOCC condemns Livingstone violence

The Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has condemned the recent spell of violence reported in Livingstone where an official from the Patriotic Front party was killed.

NGOCC Board Chairperson Beatrice Grillo said the recent reports of violence in Livingstone were saddening and appealed for political parties to coexist for the betterment of the country.

In an interview with ZANIS today Ms Grillo urged political party leaders to control their cadres saying there was need for leaders to be tolerant to opposing views.

She called on the police to be professional as they conduct their duties of promoting and maintaining peace in the country stressing that police should not be seen to take sides but instead should curtail wrongs regardless of who committed them.

The Board Chairperson further said it was important for every citizen to play a role in keeping the peace the country has enjoyed since independence.

Ms Grillo expressed condolences for the family of the deceased stating that this was the time for the family to be strong and look to God for strength.

And Ms Grillo has called for the team drafting the new constitution to consider including a clause that will deter Members of Parliament (MPs) from switching from one political party to another so as to avoid by-elections.

She said in a situation where an elected MP stepped down to join another party, there was need to stop that person from re-contesting the seat up until the five (5) year period for another election and in the meantime allow for the runner up in the previous election to take up his position.

She explained that having the person who came second in an election take up the position of the person who has resigned would ensure that people did not switch parties and cause the country go for unnecessarily  polls when such monies could be used to other worthy areas.

Ms Grillo also advised the people of Mpongwe and Livingstone who will be going to vote tomorrow to choose their leaders wisely taking into consideration the character of the candidate.

She encouraged voters to examine the candidates and choose leaders who will not betray them or their needs.

Yesterday, riots broke out in Livingstone bringing business in the tourist capital to a still after UPND cadres protested the arrest of their leader Hakainde Hichilema in connection with the death of PF Monze District Chairman Harrison Chanda.

The late Mr Chanda is believed to have been killed during a political clash between suspected PF cadres and their UPND rivals in Livingstone on Monday.