Incest, rape a national crisis – Chigaga
By Tony Nkhoma
MWILA Chigaga has challenged President Hakainde Hichilema to urgently address the rising cases of incest, defilement, and rape, warning that the country is facing a moral crisis beyond the economy.
Chigaga, widow of the late former Finance Minister Gibson Chigaga, expressed concern that national leadership had turned a blind eye to the escalating scourge of sexual violence.
Speaking in an interview with The Mast, Chigaga said it was unacceptable for President Hichilema to remain silent when Zambia was recording alarming levels of sexual abuse.
“Mr President, are you not aware of this national crisis, or is the economy the only crisis you are worried about? We put it to you that maybe you see nothing wrong in children being raped,” she said.
Chigaga stressed that the high incidence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), particularly defilement, incest, and rape, which required urgent leadership from the highest office.
“Zambia is shameful. Every single day cannot pass without a news item on incest, defilement, or rape. The country’s leadership is silent on a serious matter of this nature. This is strange and annoying at the same time,” she charged.
She urged President Hichilema to immediately convene a national task force or commission of inquiry that would include security wings, church bodies, chiefs, and community leaders to investigate and combat the vices.
“Convene an emergency task force and chair it yourself to establish the root cause of this crisis. Keeping quiet or ignoring it is making the situation worse,” she said.
Chigaga further criticised Civil Society Organisations, including the Non-Governmental Gender Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) and Women for Change (WfC, for failing to rise to the occasion.
“As for NGOCC, let them all resign immediately. They have failed the nation,” Chigaga said.
She emphasised that while economic challenges were real, the rampant rise of incest, defilement, and rape represented an equally devastating national emergency that required urgent action from both government and society.
