JCTR raises concern over political violence

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has noted with concern the rising tendency to use violence to resolve political differences in the country.

The JCTR notes in a statement that politically motivated violence which is supposed to be an exception now appears to be the norm.

The centre notes with concern President Edgar Lungu’s lukewarm response to the rising political violence and the recent death of UPND member Grazier Matapa in particular.

The JCTR says while President Lungu during his inauguration in January affirmed that he will be a president for all Zambians, when a practical occasion emerged to reassert his claim, he clearly took a partisan position.

It adds that the Zambia Police Service committed grievous omissions and commissions in the death of Grazier Matapa.

The JCTR says police failed Matapa and the people of Zambia by acting unprofessionally, considering that Matapa had reported the matter to the police to the effect that his life was in danger.

The Centre says this implies that Grazier Matapa in effect died under their watch and that police should have exhibited remorse.

The JCTR further states that the failure to act in accordance with their constitutionally bestowed mandate is therefore an act of gross negligence and should therefore attract appropriate sanctions to whoever failed to act on the report.

The Centre adds that while the violent death of Matapa was traumatizing enough to the victims’s family and all citizens of good will, the dropping down of the coffin in public purview and subsequent splintering of the same was re-traumatizing.

It calls on political parties to strongly discipline if possible expel members who are engaging in violence.

The JCTR notes that the leadership of political parties have the capacity to stop the increasing levels of political violence that threatens the peace the country has enjoyed for many years.

The JCTR has since called for justice to prevail in Matapa’s murder.