PF members slapped with death sentence

THE death sentence slapped on the five Patriotic Front cadres by the High Court last week for killing a political rival is a step in the right direction that will send a warning to all political parties in this country that violence does not pay.

This was said by Action Governance Forum executive director Justin Mushoke.

Mushoke said his organization was against all those who engaged in violence for the sake of satisfying their political leaders who did not mean well to this country.

He said Zambia needed youths who were responsible for their lives and not those who could be used and abused by selfish politicians.

Lusaka High Court judge Gertrude Chawatama sentenced to death five PF cadres after finding them guilty of murdering a UPND cadre, Grayzer Matapa, in Mtendere township last year.

"The sentence given to these cadres is a protection of human rights for the citizens of this country; as a forum we are always against all those who engage themselves in violence for the sake of satisfying their political leaders who don't mean well to this nation," he said.

Mushoke advised youths not to be used by selfish politicians as Zambia prepared for the general elections in August.

He said there was need for political parties to engage youths in issues which contributed to the development of the country, and not in violence.

"There is also need for the Zambia Police Service to handle upcoming violence cases with the seriousness they deserve and not to side with any political party," he said.

He said Zambia in its current form needed leaders who were sober to provide solutions too many challenges the country was facing, saying the only weapon that would give this country good leaders was a vote.

"Youths should wake up so that hungry politicians do not use them for political gain which has no value for the youths and the nation at large," he said.