The Tribunal
Jubilee Centre March 2nd, 2009
The appointing of the tribunal to probe into the alleged abuse of office and corruption against Hon Dora 
Siliya –MP and Minister of Transport and Communication Social exposes the lack of seriousness in the fight against corruption. If the Vice-president who is an eminent lawyer has informed our parliament and the nation at large that the Minister did everything as guided by the Attorney General when she signed MOU with the RP Capital why then is a tribunal necessary? The Attorney General is of age and is a distinguished person with a proven track record of fighting for human rights. He does not need any one to speak on his behalf. Why has he not spoken to the nation about his role? Remember the Sokoni letter? What did we learn from that saga? Today we are confronted with a similar situation because we have not learnt from history.
Zambia is one of the few nations in Africa whose citizens don’t wake up from bed wondering what part of their country is threatening to go into conflict. However, countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Uganda and Sudan to name a few are facing conflicts between government forces and the rebels forcing hundreds thousands of the citizens of these nations to flee into neighbouring countries. Some of these countries have found themselves in war situation because their leaders have refused to give up their desire to be powerful and embrace authority based on the constitution of their nations. We are a favoured nation who has yet to take advantage of its good fortune to build a prosperous nation.
We Zambians can sustain this peace and prevail only together- political leaders, clergy, business people, the media and people living in poverty bound together by circumstance and history as we turn challenges of today into opportunities of tomorrow. Neither group on its own could or would map out a meaningful vision from our faltering democracy to true freedom, justice and hope. To come up with all-inclusive vision for the nation requires those who hold power to organize things in such a way that the vast majority in the land have absolute say in how they are to be ruled. This can happen only when legislation is no longer passed, quite legally and behind closed doors, to take away assets of the Zambian people and give them into the hands of foreigners. We need a new Zambia where the Cabinet is not supreme but the Constitution.
As church leaders we have a leading role to play in how to model a nation where leaders give up their desire to be powerful and base authority on the Constitution. For us to be models we must pursue a vigorous Jesus-centered life in the way we practice leadership. Unless we are willing to give up our desire to be powerful and spectacular and embrace authority based on servant leadership, prayer, humility and brokenness, we will not model men and women who will live with integrity and compassion of Christ. Our nation is in need of Christian leaders who thinks, speaks and acts in the name of Jesus. You are that leader. May your voice be heard in the fight against corruption?
Lawrence Temfwe
