By Isaac Zulu
National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader Saboi Imboela says the Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has become a group of job seekers who are just supporting those in government.
And Imboela has demanded that NGOCC should give its position on the decision taken by the government to remove the Chief Registrar of Societies from her position and surrender her to Cabinet Office for doing the right thing.
In a Voice Note, Imboela said from the time the UPND formed government, women from different walks of life have been victimised, yet the NGOCC which is supposed to advocate for women’s rights has been quiet.
She said the Speaker of National Assembly Nelly Mutti has been abrogating the Republican Constitution, but the NGOCC has not said anything about it.
Imboela said when the NGOCC started its work in Zambia it used to advocate for women’s rights and gender equality, but today the organization has become a group of job seekers who are just supporting those in government.
“The Speaker of National Assembly has been abrogating the Constitution and the decorum of Parliament has been compromised. And the NGOCC is not speaking out on the decisions that she is making. Whoever abrogates the Constitution, whether it is a man or woman, should not be supported,” Imboela said. “The NGOCC started well, but today they have become job seekers. They are getting money on the pretext that they are speaking for women and yet they are satisfying their bellies. Time yo tidyela masuku pamutu is gone.”
She said Zambia has not been making strides in increasing women representation in Parliament because organisations that have been advocating for gender equality in the country have failed the womenfolk.
“When you go to Malawi, they are 10 per cent better than us,” Imboela said.
And Imboela has demanded that the NGOCC gives its position on the decision that has been made by the government to remove the Chief Registrar of Societies from her position and surrender her to Cabinet.
She said the removal of the Registrar of Societies from her position is example of how women are being victimised in the country.
“Honourable (Given) Katuka is appearing in court and I am also in court. And the NGOCC has been quiet. Honourable Mumbi Phiri was detained for a long time, you never said anything. You only issued a statement after she was released through a nolle,” she said.
Imboela said the women will be waiting to hear and see what the NGOCC will do about the issue regarding the Chief Registrar of Societies.
“Madam Thandiwe Mhende has been abused and victimised for doing the right thing, for protecting the Constitution. She has been removed from her position because of her integrity. So ba NGOCC we want to hear what you are doing about this. Tell us when we can give her solidarity,” said Imboela. “They have touched one woman, they have touched all of us. Ba NGOCC you provide leadership. If you don’t provide leadership, as female politicians, we will provide leadership.”
