Only truth can bring unity, Simutanyi tells HH
By Adrian Mwanza
GOVERNANCE expert Neo Simutanyi has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to address the post-election crisis the country is facing before calling for unity.
Dr Simutanyi said Hichilema should address the state-orchestrated events that resulted in the killing of former Lunte member of Parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya.
He was commenting on Hichilema’s call for Zambians to unite.
Dr Simutanyi said the nation would not unite without reconciliation and healing and advised Hichilema to face the truth.
“The President’s call cannot carry any weight because of several issues that happened during the elections. His call cannot help to heal the nation because of the raid that took place at Mr Mundubile’s house and resulted in the death of former Lunte member of Parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya,” he said.
Hichilema’s call for unity was not attainable with numerous unresolved issues.
Dr Simutanyi said the call was pointless if Hichilema did not acknowledge critical issues Zambians were concerned about.
He said the starting point was for Hichilema to convene a truth and reconciliation commission for people to express their grievances freely without duress and intimidation.
“There is no way the head of state can say we need to heal when people have a lot of questions like what happened during the elections,” he said.
He said there was a need for a report on what happened during the elections so that Zambians could have closure.
Dr Simutanyi said it was gratifying that Hichilema had hinted that something was wrong during the elections and he should tell Zambians what that meant.
“There is need for the head of state to tell Zambians what he is going to do about what transpired to give Zambian’s hope,” he said.
And Dr Simutanyi has wondered why Hichilema has not appointed a full Cabinet a month after being re-elected.
He said it was unacceptable that Hichilema was governing the country on his own with just a handful of ministers.
