BY SIKAILE SIKAILE
THE CHALLENGE OF SUPPORTING A VICTIMISED PF CADRE
As human rights activists, we believe an injustice on any person somewhere is an injustice on any person everywhere. What is happening to Sarafina commonly known as (Copperbelt Laka), must be condemned with the contempt it deserves.However, I have my own misgivings in supporting these cadres when they fall on the wrong side of a repressive regime that we have been fighting all our lives.
When we raise issues of good governance, they scream to us and say, “Boma ni Boma”. We have put our lives on hold to fight against what Sarafina is going through today and we have lost most things that would have benefited us or those people close to us just for the sake of the country and humanity. We have no place to call home because we are hunted like no man’s business for fighting against a government treating its citizens like Sarafina. We have had our own share of brutality being exerted on us but thank God we have not succumbed to the works of Satan. Every one has a unique calling from God, but we are convinced in our case that ours is to defend humanity and speak for any citizen or human being who finds him/ herself in Sarafina’s situation. We thank God that we have stood firm even at gun point, we have refused to support wrong. Credit to God who strengthens us.
One characteristics of dictators is that, they changes like a camellion. You can be on their side today and praise them, tomorrow if they trust someone else they will be on you to squeeze you. Sarafina has been a very committed young lady when it comes to supporting Mr Lungu’s political ideologies. But there is another birder Mutale Mwanza who has more connections in state house and she happen to be an enemy of Sarafina thus this humiliation on our sister. Before anything Sarafina is a Zambian who should be protected by the laws of Zambia and this is why I’m calling on president Lungu to release her from that torture.
On the other side you may also wish to know that, when we were fighting for justice in Nsama Nsama’s and Joseph Kaunda’s murders sponsored by the state PF government. My sister Sarafina was using Facebook to show off the money she was given by PF for standing by them as they oppressed citizens with opposing views. We are moving targets for holding a view that every man and women alike must be treated fairly and equally, therefore, even those of you who insults me for speaking against injustice, I will come to your rescue the day you will be in trouble.Is that too much to ask from your own government. I always say injustice seems nice and sweet if not practiced in your house but in your neighbors house. Easterners says Malilo nipamunzako.
Just few days ago, we sympathised with Chishimba Kambwili and his family when state house was sent to humiliate them. We were angry to see how his wife and daughter were treated and humiliated in full view of the world because we have so much respect for our mothers. Women are the reason why you and me are on this earth. Their love is very amazing. Today the man is not only showing off the money he is empowered with but, he is now at the centre of abducting citizens and holding them hostage on account that they vilify the only man who never sells his resolve to stand for the people, HH. As though this wasn’t enough, personally I was singled out by Dr Chishimba’s agents and sold to the PF operatives like Joseph. Thank God there are alot of citizens in the security departments who appreciate what I do for Zambia.
Today we are fighting for the release of Sarafina from over detention. She wants sympathy from we the people who were in detention at the time she was counting money. Of course we will stand with her, she is a person first before anything else. Money never buys you freedom and justice. This is why you see us pleading with you to vote wisely because we have a foresight in these issues. If you were to look for our articles published in 2015, you will understand that we warned the nation what would happen to Zambia for having ECL as a president.The lesson we must all learn as we demand for immediate release of Sarafina is, let’s all demand for fair treatment for all even when we are paid all the money. Because we too will need to be treated fairly in any time of need, “umulandu mume”.
As we remind PF members to recognize the fact that an injustice somewhere is an injustice everywhere, we must all demand the immediate release of Sarafina from unlawful custody despite our differences in certain areas. The fact that she has clocked more than 48 hours, her being in custody is no longer lawful. PF would only want you to keep praising. The moment they detain HH for 127 days, praise them, they kill Nsama Nsama and Joseph praise them, they shoot a school boy Frank Mugala, Kennedy Mudenda, Vespers, Mapenzi Chibulo, Obed Bwalya, Matapa Glayzia, Malesu Mukonka etc praise them. They detain Mubita Nawa praise them. Unfortunately, this month is for the detention of the praise singers, Chilufya Tayali and now Sarafina.
Mr Lungu, free Sarafina free her forthwith. We know she now knows why we don’t choose money but, justice. Zambians let us unit and deliver our nation out of Pharaoh’s oppression.
SIKAILE C SIKAILE
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST FOR ZAMBIA AND AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL