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Editorial: Security Risk
Monday December 1, 2014
(Editorial Comment)
SECURITY RISK
Dr. Guy Scott has become a security risk and the greatest tragedy is that a number of prominent Zambians are following him without realizing the danger to which he is putting the country.
If he continues to agitate and abuse state power in order to achieve political ends, he will put this country at great risk.
Conflicts that have led to failed States in Africa have started on even smaller matters.
Dr. Scott’s crusade started with the condescending, humiliating and highly patronizing manner in which he treated the Central Committee which he dismissed offhand when they suggested the adoption of Edgar Lungu as the Presidential candidate. They knew what they were talking about. If he had taken heed of their counsel, the country would have been saved from the current debacle.
He instead relied on counsel from the cartel which has financial and political interests to protect and in the process and hoping for a different result he summoned the National Council and Congress to elect a president.
This was opening the race too wide and it is simple logic that you do not throw a cat among pigeons, because the outcome is obvious. The presidency is a coveted prize that was bound to attract even the most ridiculous of contenders and time wasters that were bound to cause confusion and therefore undermine the limited unity that the party was enjoying.
There was absolutely no need for the rancor, subterfuge and drawn out polemics over the Patriotic Front leadership when the founder President had already indicated his wish. Why dissipate energy to complete a term when there is an even bigger election in 2016?
Any person with the slightest sense or gumption could see that it was impossible for the Patriotic Front, a party without cards and therefore without a centralized registration system, to conduct a verification exercise within three days in order to create an electoral college.
Even the most advanced countries in the world take time in preparing for elections because they are always a source of conflict and division better left to an opportune moment when the party or institution concerned has the time and luxury to heal.
This was not the case in this debacle.
The Central Committee used their collective wisdom and true to their allegiance to President Michael Sata endorsed Edgar Lungu because he would serve as a unifying, rather than divisive factor. Opening the fray in this critical hour would not only serve to undermine party unity but would indeed open the possibility of PF losing the elections in January.
Not that too many tears would be shed for this eventuality, but that the cost and ramifications would spread over the entire country to embrace many innocent men and women who would suffer as collateral damage in the ensuing intra party conflict.
Zambians should not be misled by Dr. Guy Scott. He is no longer Patriotic Front president and has no power to convene a meeting of the National Council and Congress required to elect a president.
Article 55(b) of the Patriotic Front constitution allows the national chairperson to conduct the affairs of the party in the same manner as the president when he is absent.
It is now the duty of all Zambians to ensure that peace and tranquility are maintained and safeguarded against individuals and groups of people who might want to promote anarchy and confusion for very selfish reasons.
The cartel will not rest until and unless they put a compliant and submissive candidate in State House to reprieve them from their financial crimes. They have seen the weakest links in our governance system and are exploiting them.
The happenings in Mulungushi have taught us as much.
[Daily Nation]
Posted by
Denkete
December 1, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Scot is indeed a big risk to our peace. I now understand why Robert Mugabe hates some whites.
Jeff
December 1, 2014 at 4:09 pm
The editor is trying to mislead us. Some of us through these debates have downloaded the national and pf constitutions and realized Dr. Scott is correct. We have to abide by the constitutions otherwise we enter a dangerous state of affairs where every man does as he pleases. Dr. Scott and group should be commended for there courage in these matters.
UMWAUME
December 1, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Why should we be held ransom because of one peeson called GUY SCOT and his catel? If we ZAMBIANS do not rise to the occasion and defend our country, I see blood shed runing down the river. If need be, we need to get to the streets and show them that we are capable to defend our choice and colonialism is long gone in 1964.
Deja Vu
December 1, 2014 at 2:23 pm
In a world where people are selfless even the opposition would not have contested for the presidency & PF could have left the guy continue. After all it will just be a little over a year. Why waste money. We had been crying against by elections. But here we are all running like Olympic Gold Medalists
kwa george
December 1, 2014 at 3:03 pm
IS IT NOT THE SAME PF THAT REFUSED THE CONSTITUTION THAT WAS GOING TO ADDRESS SUCH ISSUES?
WHY SHOULD BE HELD TO RANSOM BECAUSE OF CLUB CALLING ITSELF PF.
DIDN’T THE PF GOVT ALMOST DEREGISTER MMD FOR SUCH BEHAVIOR.
ftj
December 1, 2014 at 2:18 pm
Guy the useless Scott !!!
youths must take over now
December 1, 2014 at 2:19 pm
And how is Mr editor promoting peace by bringing up things that will frustrate people.this chap has issues against the president.
Ichishinka
December 1, 2014 at 2:33 pm
Lies
gass
December 1, 2014 at 2:33 pm
Wat is wrong with this white man,this is a black peoples country.
gass
December 1, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Wat is wrong with this white man,this is a black peoples country.w
Justine Mwansa
December 1, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Gass,
That is not good at all. Scot is right in whatever he is doing. Do not be mipic and look at the colour of one’s skin.
Munyelo Pwete!
December 1, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Good observation Mr Editor. The most annoying thing is that this chap GS who wants to hold us at ransom has nothing to loose.In the event of kafwafwa, he will just fly out with his family heading to his native village in Scotland leaving innocent Zambian maiming each pother. This chap is indeed a security risk but the people’s will shall prevail! God help our beloved country.
kelvin
December 1, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Our President Dr Scot is doing the rite thing and shud be recomended by all zambians.
Naganja NawaDada
December 1, 2014 at 2:43 pm
How can he be security risk. who has a final mandate eben if the cartel put the choice candidate? your vote or theirs. common. be logical
Judge Joe Bidden
December 1, 2014 at 3:19 pm
Nonsense
MGM
December 1, 2014 at 3:21 pm
True.
humphrey
December 1, 2014 at 4:36 pm
ZAMBIA IS NOT RISK AND SCOTT IS NOT CAUSING AN RISK. SCOTT IS DOING THE RIGHT THING WHICH THOSE RUTHLESS PEOPLE FROM EDGAR DO NOT WANT TO DO.PEOPLE ON THE STREET ARE CONDUCTING THEIR BUSINESS VERY PEACEFULLY. SO MR EDITOR BE A GOOD EDITOR BY NOT INCITING VIOLENCE AND SIDE WITH ANY ONE
chongs
December 1, 2014 at 6:29 pm
we ar poor because we think so poor not because our country is poor.both of these guys are hiding some things believe me this is the end of pf , pf will be like unip.you are giving this country to man who dreamed of been one , a person who has failed to maintain his life.
mj banda
December 1, 2014 at 7:29 pm
These whites including Scott were very evil if some1 is found doing what’s doing, why can’t Lungu arrest this Muzungu opusa and throw the bastard . This man has no heart for Zambia
Wangala Kasi
December 1, 2014 at 7:56 pm
Editor! Are you realy in your right mind? This dosent make any sense
chongs
December 1, 2014 at 8:12 pm
father bwalya and HH i think you guys you have regreted for not working with sata, HH today as am writting to you in your head you evem
remember that what sata asked to work with you .sata is no more next will be pf no more let lungu lead pf and how its going to die.
CHILANKALIPA
December 1, 2014 at 9:56 pm
If there is any security risk here, the dog masquerading as editor here is one such and deserves to be told in no uncertain terms that lawlessness and democracy are two separate measures of normality and abnormality.
How can a football team play against the opponent team when there has been a postponement of the match for legitimate reasons and claim to have won the cup in the absence of the opponents?
Look at the real democracies like US and UK, can any one with a dented record such as embezzling clients funds in a law firm even dare to come close to the corridors of campaigning for any public office without any public resistance on moral grounds?