The Congolese Need To Change Their Ways ‘Zambians Have Tolerated Their Uncalled For Behaviour For Too Long’

WHAT happened to Derrick Chanda, that humble Zambian truck driver who was burnt to death by some lawless Congolese nationals, is very sad. But this is what happens when lawlessness is allowed to reign over a country. We understand the history of our neighbours in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a history of lawlessness, of impunity. But everything has got a time.

This lawlessness cannot go on forever, especially when the victims are innocent citizens of a neighbouring country. For a long time, Zambians have not had it easy travelling to or through Congo DR.

As foreign affairs minister Given Lubinda acknowledges, complaints against the harassment of Zambian truck drivers and other travellers to and through Congo have been there for a long time. The problem is not only at Kasumbalesa. There are also problems encountered by those who travel through the pedicle road to Luapula and the Copperbelt. Zambia has tolerated this uncalled for behaviour on the part of Congolese for a very long time.

In the days of Mobutu, it was understandable because that country, strictly speaking, had no functioning government. It was each person for himself; workers paid themselves from harassing others, especially those passing through their country. We all know the days of the kabokes. But more is expected from the current leadership of Congo DR, especially those running Katanga.

There is an effective leadership in Lubumbashi that should be capable of bringing the rule of law to our common borders. But it seems this is not their priority. Why? Probably because they benefit from this lawlessness. We have many Congolese truck drivers and other nationals passing through Zambia every day, but no one is subjected to unfair treatment on account of their Congolese nationality.

The governor of Katanga himself has a huge fleet of trucks, Hakuna Matata, that is hammering our roads every day. But they are not subjected to any unfair treatment by our immigration, customs, police and other authorities and nationals of Zambia. Katangese will have a lot of problems if the Zambian people and Zambian authorities started treating them the way they are treating others.

Today, it is not only Zambian truck drivers who are up in arms against them, but all truck drivers from the SADC region. Katanga depends on the SADC region for almost all its supplies. And almost all its exports pass through the SADC region. Hostility from the people of our region can spell doom for the economy of Katanga, and indeed even for the personal business of Katanga governor Moses Katumbi himself.

It is therefore in the best interest of the Congolese people to take this matter seriously and address the concerns being raised by the truck drivers from the SADC region and by authorities of the Zambian government. We do not want to see a situation where Zambians and other members of our region start to hit back at the Congolese. We don’t want a situation of revenge. You can’t build a united region, an integrated region on the basis of revenge.

But the violence of the Congolese, if not stopped, if not meaningfully addressed, can do only one thing, and that is to breed counter-violence. Burning another human being alive is an extreme form of barbarism that no civilised people or society can tolerate. People who carry out such barbaric acts are no better than animals. We urge the Zambian people not to take any revenge against any Congolese national.

It will be wrong for the Zambians to live by the low standards of the Congolese that they are today condemning. Let the rule of law prevail. Let all the grievances against the way our people are mistreated in Congo be dealt with in a lawful way. Sad and painful things like these happen, but such things should not turn us into animals.

Our example, our daily deeds as ordinary Zambians must produce an actual reality that will reinforce our belief in justice. No Zambian should go round harassing Congolese. Let us therefore boldly face the challenges facing us as a result of lawlessness in our neighbouring country of Congo DR, resolute to do our duty well and manfully; resolute to uphold righteousness by deed and word; resolute to be both honest and brave, to serve high ideals.

The Congolese are our neighbours, whatever their faults, whatever their offences against us may be. Let’s impress upon them our ultimate and essential friendliness towards them. Their behaviour is sometimes barbaric.

If the burning of Derrick alive is not barbarism, then what methods does barbarism employ? We would advise patience; we would advise tolerance; we would advise understanding; we would advise all those things which are necessary for people of neighbouring countries who share a common history to live together.

Let’s avoid violence against any Congolese. That does not mean we should be weak, but rather that we should, in strength and in unity, face all the troubles that are in front of us. It is time the issue of lawlessness in Congo is addressed and addressed firmly and urgently.

There is need to bring an end to the harassment of Zambians travelling to or passing through Congo. Failure to do so should certainly have consequences on the people of Congo and their leaders. Lawlessness and impunity have to end. As we have started to witness, every lawless act leaves an incurable wound, like one left by a double-edged sword.

The Congolese government has a duty to ensure that Zambian nationals and citizens of other countries travelling to or through their country are safe, are protected from harassment. And the SADC governments have a duty to ensure that the Congo DR government fulfils its regional and international obligations to protect the citizens of other countries that are found in their territory.

This is an obligation the leaders and people of Congo DR cannot ignore with impunity. If this behaviour does not change, there will be consequences. This is not advocating for revenge; it is simply a matter of reminding them of their obligations to others.

The same way we would not want to see a Congolese national mistreated in our country is the same we would not like to see a citizen of our country mistreated in Congo. The governor of Katanga lived in our country for many years and made a lot of money from here and no one mistreated him.

Even when he did wrong things, he was treated with the respect that every human being deserves. This is the civility and humility we expect from the Congolese people and their leaders. We want them to realise that non-Congolese are also human beings deserving their respect and compassion.

Posted by Editor on July 9, 2012. Filed under LATEST NEWS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

75 Responses to The Congolese Need To Change Their Ways ‘Zambians Have Tolerated Their Uncalled For Behaviour For Too Long’

Cycle Mata

July 9, 2012 at 2:54 pm

idiots congolese bums…..
HOT CHIC

July 9, 2012 at 2:55 pm

The congolese come to zambia and mastermind alot of crimes. who burns them? its no wonder their entrance into south africa is resticted.as zambians we want to tolerate anyone even when they kill us in their countries.let us deal with these law breakers firmly in zambia. these people are evil and crooks.
Barotse

July 9, 2012 at 3:35 pm

An eye for an eye, a tooth for tooth. Those scum bugs should pay for our brother, father and son of Zambia.
Enough is enough..these people have taken advantage of us for far too long it’s about time we dealt with them the Matero way.
kanda in Kitwe

July 9, 2012 at 3:45 pm

HAVE KNOWN CONGOLESE TO BE VERY BAD PEOPLE SINCE I WAS BORN. WHEN U MOVE WITH THEM ON THE BUS THEY WILL SHOW YOU THEY ARE CONGOLESE WHETHER IN ZAMBIA OR ANYWHERE. WHAT A COUNTRY. WISH WE COULD CHOOSE ANOTHER NEIGHBOUR BUT SORRY GOD STOPPED CREATING COUNTRIES LIKE WHAT OUR PRESIDENT SAID. JUST 3 DAYS WITHOUT TRUCKS GOING IN THEIRS COUNTRY THEY HAVE ALREADY STARTED COMPLAINING OF HUNGER. THEY NEED US MORE THAN WE NEED THEM PERIOD.
Narrant

July 9, 2012 at 4:00 pm

Maybe Zambia should take a leaf from Angola which doesn’t tolerate nonsense from the Congolese and treats them like dogs, sending them parking under stringent and, one would say, inhuman conditions.
shakira wapa zed

July 9, 2012 at 4:02 pm

pack utu samu twenu and get out imwe ba kasayi!!
crazy dude

July 9, 2012 at 4:11 pm

****** people!!!
crazy dude

July 9, 2012 at 4:14 pm

bali tumpa sana ba fik*l*.
Musonda

July 9, 2012 at 4:16 pm

Too much of anything is dangerous. Congolese have mistreated Zambians for too long now. Passing through Congo is indeed hell on earth while Congolese are involved in all sorts of illicit trades in Zambia and they have occupied most of the spaces in almost all the markets in Zambia, yet no one bothers what they do. Surely this matter should be addressed adequately to save the innocent souls of many Zambians. If anything, deport all Congolese nationals and let our brothers and sisters who are in Congo come back home and close the boarder permanently. Even the Bible in Galatians 5: 19 – 22 says that, it is wise to depart from such evil people. We have lost Mr. Chanda who, may be, was a bread winner of the family. May His Soul Rest in peace. Let all Congolese go back to their country!
Litana

July 9, 2012 at 4:20 pm

What is happening to our african countries is uncalled for.where are the police officers? What is their duty if not to maintain peace and safety in the countries! Zambia is peaceful nation and should not be treated in that way! Those people should face justice!
onward

July 9, 2012 at 4:27 pm

Well, law is law whether offence is committed in your land or anywhere. What suprises me is that at least police from could have uphrend a lot of suspects. What a big incidence easy to institute an investigation but nothing is head of on this matter from our collaeque from Dr congo.This is uncalled for, police from zambia, treat you the same but in other countries we are ill treated and even freedom of speech, movement,etc cannot be talked of. Truck drivers in congo pay a lot of money at every roadblocks and yet here we we mind our on business. One day……
Ken

July 9, 2012 at 4:37 pm

Why not just depot them all,this is why l love muslims,sometimes weakness is mistaken for patience,zambia wake up and show it that Chanda counts,why cage a lion that is just from eating your child,this is fu.ck.ing shit,kip them they will burn your president,he who kills by the sword shall die by it,after all what is there to learn from kasayis? Better zims.Congo go to hell,rest in peace Chanda.
Umufyashi

July 9, 2012 at 4:50 pm

Lets burn one or two of these thieves.
lukaka

July 9, 2012 at 4:59 pm

i sufered when i went to congo just at the airport they had to hide my passport and stated to ask for money ,thanx i was saved by the civic police .
bob

July 9, 2012 at 4:59 pm

Their behaviour is unacceptable,let them change for the better we are one.
OSAMA BIN LADEN

July 9, 2012 at 5:02 pm

These are the times i miss super Ken (KK) He would have instituted a clean up by now, not utuma commission of inquiry everyday just trying to hoodwink the poor Zambians ati fighting corruptin!?
How many taxi drivers have been killed and cars stolen from mother Zambia by the so called Congolese matha fackaz!?
ziman

July 9, 2012 at 5:11 pm

Ba Kasai baya sana mwe! I am almost 50yrs since time immemorial these chaps have been mistreating us. We had ba kaboke who would fine travellers using the pedicle for ****** trumped up offences like one having a bald head, icilema ica linso limo etc this was under Mobutu we suffered all sorts of harrasement. We will never forget when Ndola was taken over by the notorious bandits from DRC who were ruthless any1 who remembers the gunning down of 1 Eduardo Mutombo @ Lawn tennis club around Hillcrest in Ndola. Let them learn from this.
Kalok

July 9, 2012 at 5:16 pm

Just start using Tuta road you imbeciles! Always waiting for things to go beyond control before you open your drunken eyes!!! Leave the Congolese alone and plan your new strategy!!!
Lord farah

July 9, 2012 at 5:49 pm

@kalok chi color cha wiso tom bar noko waumfwa? Hw do u cal morning pipo ati embeciles? Yo balz like a water melon if u r a man, yo face like my ugly mputi if u r a woman. Polo wabatate bako iwe mbuzi!
OSAMA BIN LADEN

July 9, 2012 at 6:32 pm

@Kalok, congo n new yorko,star new yorko,tom bar norko!
dass

July 9, 2012 at 7:36 pm

Kalok knock harmer lay pay waunfwa knock all each nyo star nyoko tom barno call….ure an ***** mputi yobe
sikololo

July 9, 2012 at 7:36 pm

I think its pay back tym bacongo heals mwenako.
john sinyangwe

July 9, 2012 at 8:00 pm

lett us teach them ,kill them
KILL THEM ALL

July 9, 2012 at 8:30 pm

I WILL SPONSOR THE KILLING OF 10 CONGOLISE BAYA SANA KU SOWETO & COMESA THE DO WATEVA THEY WANT ALA.
sakas

July 9, 2012 at 8:44 pm

its a sad development, the best dialoge. More over we cnt fight congolease coz they are used to tht. Pray 4 peace coz states may b at war and its us pipo 2 suffer.
Hot gee

July 9, 2012 at 8:48 pm

Piece of advice to fellow zambians lets kill every kasai u cum across.tomorrow i will burn 1 who z my nieugbour.
Kito

July 9, 2012 at 8:58 pm

Ba LT, give credit to M’membe’s editorial article. You have vomitted it out as though it were all yours.
Rated

July 9, 2012 at 9:50 pm

SANCTIONS ON CONGO SANCTIONS. **** THEM I MEAN IT. FYANKALIFYA IFITOLE FYANKUMBA IFI CONGO. IF WAS A WITCH WAS GONA CURSE U ALL MWAMENA IFIPATO FIABA KOLWE PAMI SULA, MWALEKA UKUNIA BA MUMBWE
Candela

July 9, 2012 at 9:57 pm

these congolez r idi.ots. revenge is badly needed. an eye for eye..
Rated18

July 9, 2012 at 10:04 pm

@kalok STANYOKO NA STAWISO. NKAKUTULA AMAKANDI WAUFWA WE MUSHINDO WE. DO YOU KNOW WAT DA BEREAVD FAMILY Z GOIND THRU? IFIMABOLO KWATI FYANKUMBA. STANYOKO
bilken

July 9, 2012 at 10:36 pm

kill them and close the kasumbalesa border indefinately so that thiz congolese motherfuckers die of hunger..if not for the food they get from zambia,thiz dickheads would suffer without zambia…**** u all congole.
Tonton

July 10, 2012 at 2:50 am

Good day fellow zambians.I am a congolese citizen who studied at UNZA in Lusaka. I really feel hurt for the bereaved family of the late Mr Chanda. Congo as a country and its citizens in general need a lot of prayers. As a congolese citzen myself, the way we bahave at home and outside needs to change. We think we know everything and we are above the law at home and abroad. We must learn from our fellow neighbours (I mean zambians). These people have manners and I mean it coz I was at their highest learning institution and saw it.They are peaceful people.

@ KALOK
MES FRERES CONGOLAIS CHANGEONS NOTRE FACON DE VIVRE. NOS MANNIERES LAISSENT A DESIRER. MOI-MEME JE SUIS VICTIME DE TRACASSERIES POLICIERES DANS MON PROPRE PAYS CHAQUE FOIS QUE JE RENTRE VISITER MA FAMILLE. A PLUS FORTE RAISON LES ETRANGERS. LET CHANGE OUR BEHAVIOUR.
TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY, I PRAY TO GOD TO GIVE THEM STRENGTH IN JESUS’ NAME.AMEN.
one two

July 10, 2012 at 8:06 am

Congo,,,,know that when you injure one Zambian you injure all.We are coming for you ba fikala
Mwana Mfumu

July 10, 2012 at 8:51 am

congolese neighbours, we need each other. please stop this foolishiness
shaddy joe

July 10, 2012 at 8:52 am

we had enough from these guys,come rainy may a revenge is amust to a well meaning zambian.
kabova

July 10, 2012 at 8:55 am

Its a miracle that after over forty years our leaders have never put a strategy to find alternative options about the route. Its like waiting for an orange tree to produce mangoes. We know ba kabokes are like that. lets leave them by isolating them. They have always been a pain to us. They come and rod they burn our drivers like innocent Derrick. They hav a ****** soldier for a president. Atase
Greg Kadimba

July 10, 2012 at 9:03 am

If it had been an Angolan burnt like that,10 Congolese would have died that very day.
Carlos

July 10, 2012 at 9:09 am

Vengeance belongs to God. What do we gain from revenging? fellow Zambians, we are known to be peaceful people. What you are inciting could just lead to chaos. Lets preach peace and lets the law deal with the culprits.
rabs

July 10, 2012 at 9:30 am

it is writen do to others what you want them to do unto you. God forgive them for they do not know what they where doing. m.h.s.r.i.p
suicide lover

July 10, 2012 at 9:41 am

the bible says forgive ang forget…so please fellow contry men let us practise what we preach since we are a christian nation
Musonda

July 10, 2012 at 9:43 am

Each day that passes, I am in pain with the painful death of our brother Chanda. He went to Congo on a tour of duty and he came back home in pieces as a cargo and beyond recognition. Its so painful!! We have witnessed a lot of foreigners killing Zambians and we leave it to the law to take its course. If Zambia is ruled on the basis of Christian principles, then it is better to isolate Congo as Galatians 5: 19 – 22 says. There is nothing good we are going to do that will change the minds of these people; they are naturally wicked. Even Congolese themselves they confess that, that is their nature. What are going to lose as country by closing the border permanently? Is it the breaching creams, the soil they sell to women to eat or their immoral dancing queens? We can do away with Congo; they will never be good neighbours to us. We have got no problem entering other countries except the vicious Congo. Prevention is better than cure, the burning of our brother Chanda is testimony enough for us to open our eyes. We cannot wait for more lives to be lost.
anthony

July 10, 2012 at 9:55 am

its so painful, that our beloved brother can be killed like that. Congolese, you are our brothers and sister look at how we have hosted you from the time you fled you country and you still come to Zambia do alot of evil things , has any Zambia cut even a finger from you, illegal immigrants enter this country and accumulate alot of wealth., learn to love, and have a good heart for you fellow human being. may the soul of chanda rest in peace.
Muzo

July 10, 2012 at 10:16 am

Well said, we do not want revenge but those who were arrested for looting congolese shops should be released with immediate effect. The congolese govt are not doing anything about our driver who was burned so why should our govt arrest people who were just reacting to the sad situation?
KIZITO THE RACIST

July 10, 2012 at 10:30 am

we are judging you all the congoles nigaz as bad and cruel people.Action speeks alot more louder than words.YOU are as BEUTIFULL as HYENAS.During yo civil strife we gave yu asylum but it seems yu do not appreciate all that.We love you like aswering the call of NATURE.Here I come the racist.We know where you are hiding and we are comming for you!!!!watch Out congoleeee!!!!!!!!!!!
Mutola Nkhani

July 10, 2012 at 10:32 am

@Ken You are xtrimly right brotherman.
chanibaba

July 10, 2012 at 10:37 am

why should you arrest zambians, congolese will have no peace n our country actually i think burning their shops will help. may be they will go fast and leave us in peace in our own mother coutry zambia.LET THE Congolese o something or else they will not have peace in this coutry.heartless beings .
Mutola Nkhani

July 10, 2012 at 10:45 am

Kalok ulichipuba saanaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaana……………..walitumpa iwe chi refugee waunfwa chikasai!!!!!!!!!
chitechi

July 10, 2012 at 10:46 am

we know were you hiding in our markets, compounds and evry were. make sure u sleep your heads up.HEARTLESS PIPO AS U ARE NOT AFRICANS. SHAME ON U. WATCH OUT!
fgrtyryry

July 10, 2012 at 11:07 am

this guy not killed coz zambian his truc had mechanic default and could not stop he ran over a group of pipo out side road who were attending a burrial he killed 3 pipo on the spot and destroy the coffin and the dead man…the villagers reacted to that by buring the truck without knowing who was the driver,…even if the driver was congolese the outcome would hav been the same…
fgrtyryry

July 10, 2012 at 11:11 am

when reporting an event pliz make sure u hav the correct information and write it down in full…tumfweko,
by the way if this truck was serviced the accident would nt hav happend…