By Merlyn Mwanza
Government leaders are insensitive and cold to the plight of Zambians, says Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa
Responding to a Tweet by Felix Mwenge, who when commenting about the recent poverty statistics pointing towards a worsening situation, arguing that 12 million Zambians now can’t afford the basic cost of goods, Dr Sishuwa referenced a story in The Mast where Solicitor General Marshal Muchende was quoted as saying that the UPND administration was focussed on creating genuine millionaires in Zambia from genuinely earned income.
“In this dire economic situation, where most people are struggling to afford a single meal a day, the Solicitor General of Zambia Marshal Muchende says ‘under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, we want to create a number of millionaires in Zambia from genuinely earned income,'” Dr Sichuwa stated. “Talk of priorities! Our leaders are extremely insensitive and cold to the plight of those who put them in office. It is not the absence of millionaires in Zambia for which they were voted.”
In his posting, Mwenge highlighted the worsening poverty situation in the country.
“Zambia’s official poverty statistics released. About 60% of the population is poor, from 54% in 2015; rural poverty is now at 78.8% from 76.6%, urban poverty rises to 32% from 23%. This means: about 12 million Zambians can’t afford the cost of basic needs like food, shelter, clothes etc,” stated Mwenge. “About 2.5 million of the poor now live in urban areas. The likelihood of continuing to be poor in town after running away from the village goes up. Historically, poverty reduced between 2010 & 2015, but has now gone up, eliminating hopes of a better life for ordinary people. Many factors could explain the rise in poverty, including the COVID-19 pandemic. #Nodignityinpoverty.”
