IT is a good sign that everyone is condemning the tribal talk that is steadily taking root into our country.
I am happy that people appreciate the gravity of this vice.
The just ended presidential election gave us a tip of an iceberg of the kind of future elections we can be holding if we entertain tribalism.
Today, when you enter into public places, people are openly talking about 2016 elections and how they must register in record numbers and gang up in order to counter the tribalism that was exhibited in the last presidential elections.
Recently, Elizabeth Molobeka openly told some supporters to vote for MMD’s Nevers Mumba because Tongas were going to vote for Hakainde Hichilema.
Daniel Munkombwe publicly told supporters that they should vote for their fellow Tonga because it was time for Tongas to Rule and that Bembas had dominated for too long.
These are serious divisive politics which have the potential to set the country on fire because some people are now even mocking each other work places.
I am not a lawyer but I would like to find out if issuing tribal remarks at a public rally is not an offence likely to cause breach of peace?
If not, then it is time to come up with a law that would stop people with insatiable appetite for power to put our country on the path of bloodbath.
It is time to create another law that would dethrone any chief who publicly endorses a presidential or political candidate because this is another divisive way of doing politics.
Chiefs are fathers of all and should never under any circumstances take sides because it is an embarrassment when a chief takes a side and the outcome goes a different way.
They are going to lose respect among the subjects.
Let us not fool ourselves that by condemning tribalism and making appeals for non-tribal politics, we are going to achieve anything going by the politics of the belly that is steadily creeping in.
When we look at a human being and his behaviour you can only tame him/her by creating laws that discourage people from practicing evil acts.
I am of the view that we enact a law that would forbid any politician from campaigning on tribal lines with those found wanting given a jail term similar to that slapped on defilers or those who commit treason.
If the law is there, then we need a stiffer punishment.
This is not a joking matter but an issue that needs urgent attention. Let us also accelerate development in all areas so that we turn all districts into cosmopolitan towns as another way to diffuse tribal politics.
People in other countries who have had ethnic bloodshed are not different from us so let us not take the peace we are enjoying for granted by practising politics of the belly.
For warned is for armed 2016 is likely to be the most tribal political campaign because people are itching for the wako ni wako.
Collins Mambwe
CHINGOLA

Ex-KDMP workers’ plea

I AM appealing to President Edgar Lungu to help former Grinaker LTA Konkola Deep Mine Project (KDMP) employees in Chililabombwe to get their benefits.
About 1,226 employees are suffering.
They sunk and constructed KDMP about 1,500ml but management has refused to pay them their benefits.
Former KDMP worker,
Kafwaya John,
Chililabombwe

Call boys harrasing traders

AFTER spending time at Main Masala and Chisokone markets in Ndola and Kitwe respectively, I have observed with sadness how call boys harass traders due to lack of proper marketing linkages as well as security.
The farmers would bring their produce and immediately after offloading from the vehicles, the calls boys take over and put the price on the merchandise.
After selling, the call boys reward themselves without properly brokering with the owner of the produce.
In short these call boys are in control and the owners of the produce have no say because these areas are huge markets for the produce due to lack of alternative markets.
The owners of the produce are reduced to nothing as they get less than the call boys.
Pastor Patrick Chapotamo,
Ndola

Lungu brings hope to N/West

I WOULD like to congratulate President Edgar Lungu and his intention to bridge up the gap in gender equality leadership as evidenced by the appointment of Inonge Wina as Vice-President.
I am also optimistic that things would change in North-Western Province because he intends to distribute wealth equally.
Mercy Kibela,
Solwezi

Pension letter was right

I AGREE with the writer on the concerns of monthly pension. This was in a letter that appeared in the Times of Zambia edition of January 27, 2015.
Surely, during this time and age, no one can live on K200.00.  My late husband was getting K300, after his death, it has been cut into half and I am now getting K171.00 per month.
I appeal to His Excellency the President Edgar Lungu and Vice-President, Madam Inonge Wina to look into our plight and increase our pension to at least K1,000.00 as proposed by the first writer.
ROYDA MWABA,
KITWE