ANYTHING coming from the Office of the President and the Government can be politicised with gross distortions deliberately meant to damage the image of these two institutions.
When President Edgar Lungu visited Siavonga residents in Lake Kariba in Chief Simaamba recently, some residents raised concerns on people who were politicising the load-shedding currently being experienced in the country.
Speaking in an interview Mr Luminiga Palatema charged that some people needed to take time and visit Lake Kariba to understand the devastating effects of climate change.
Mr Palatema said many parts of the lake which previously held a lot of water had dried up, leaving bare land.
Even with expert explanation on what is causing load-shedding, some people have continued misinforming the nation by peddling lies and inventing stories on what is leading to rationed power in the country.
It is now interesting to note that even the brief water shortage that has hit some parts of Lusaka has been attributed to load-shedding.
It is, therefore, heartening for the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company to dispel rumours that the three-day water shortage was not caused by load-sheding.
The company public relations officer Topsy Sikalinda says stories that were published in some sections of the media suggesting that the water shortage was due to power failure were not true.
Mr Sikalinda revealed that the company carried a normal maintenance operation in some parts of the city and that there was nothing like damage.
He said the company decided to carry out maintenance in order to improve the water challenges that some parts of the city were experiencing.
Mr Sikalinda said the firm would continue to update members of the public if there was any problem.
He said the water utility company has completed with the maintenance and made an assurance that everyone would have water in their homes.
Mr Sikalinda said there was no sign that the situation was to get worse in a few months, emphasising that to the contrary the situation was likely to improve.
With this assurance from the horse’s mouth, we then wonder who is spreading fat lies on load-shedding and the brief water shortage in Lusaka.
Who is this Kachepa who is using the media without getting clarification from experts who understand these issues better?
With the politicising of anything from Plot One and Government, we feel if Zambia experienced an earthquake or some natural catastrophe, some people would accuse President Lungu and the Government as being responsible.
If we reconsider the issue of load-shedding, isn’t everybody being affected whether they are in the ruling party or opposition?
How come then these issues are being discussed together with the value of the Kwacha, poor rains and even the dressing of the President?
The proliferation of online media and newspapers must work to disseminate information that will enlighten Zambians instead of alarming them by crying wolf.
Even when political leaders differ on a subject they should remember that there is only one Zambia that we should consider as being more important than our views.