By Chinoyi Chipulu
The use of offensive language in public by President Hakainde Hichilema and cabinet ministers is against Christian values, says former Ndola Pastor’s Fellowship chairperson Reverend Chilekwa Mulenga.
Rev Mulenga urged President Hichilema to tame his tongue and refrain from being sarcastic in his language as Head of State.
Rev Mulenga was reacting to a video where President Hichilema was addressing his party members at the UPND Secretariat on Wednesday where he said the previous regime were still making noise because they don’t think.
Another video of Mines minister Paul Kabuswe and Copperbelt minister Elisha Matambo said the UPND is cleaning the feces left by the PF government.
But Rev Mulenga said the President should observe the sanctity of the office he holds and refrain from being sarcastic.
“The utterances by Mr Hichilema yesterday goes against our Christian and cultural values. In a Christian Nation with a rich cultural heritage, such an unwholesome language shouldn’t be promoted on the lips of a Republican President and any public servant for that matter,” he said.
“We respectfully urge President Hakainde Hichilema to observe the sanctity of the office he holds, tame his tongue and refrain from being sarcastic in his language as Head of State. The Presidency has decorum, etiquette and honour that everyone should observe.”
He said the words of a President had a great influence on society.
“What is President Hichilema teaching the young people in this Nation and especially his party cadres with such vulgarity aimed at his political opponents? We call out President Hichilema and respectfully criticise his ostentatious morally and unregenerate language in the face of citizens and directed at his predecessor, one senior than him even in age,” he said.
He said Zambia was a Christian Nation that should lead by example even in the manner politics were conducted.
“We counsel H.E President Hichilema as Head of State who understand the NVPs as enshrined in our Republican Constitution Article 8, to lead political players in promoting political hygiene and civility in the use of language on the political field,” said Chilekwa
“Not long ago, two of President Hichilema’s senior cadres went vulgar as per video attached. Stop being vulgar on the political arena. You claim to be Christians, therefore be the salt and light; be the face of Christ on the political arena.”
