By Lumbiwe Mwanza
THE Government will go to sleep if the opposition is not providing checks and balances, therefore people must not be gagged but should have a say in issues of national interest, says Political scientist Alex Ngoma.
And Dr. Ngoma has advised the opposition not to thrive on purposefully breaking the law in its quest to air out its grievances.
Last week, opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with various opposition groups held a protest to denounce the public financing of the Lusaka-Ndola road.
However, they were arrested for unlawful assembly and speaking to The Scoop today, Dr. Ngoma says Zambia is not a dictatorship kind of country, but a democratic nation that should allow its citizens to express themselves to be able to be heard.
Dr. Ngoma points out that currently, the opposition is only playing their role of providing critical checks and balances concerning the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) on the construction of the Lusaka -Ndola Dual Carriageway and therefore, the police should not be used to silence anyone.
“You are talking about human beings. They are not saints. Therefore, we have to start somewhere as a nation. How can we talk about a PPP when the other partner is using our money? That is what doesn’t make sense and that is why people are protesting and they should not be silenced by the police,” Dr. Ngoma said
And Dr. Ngoma has also cautioned the opposition against breaking the law in its quest to provide checks and balances.
“Having said that, those that wish to provide checks and balances should provide constructive checks and balances. They should not be seen to be breaking the law and also the government should be more open to dialogue on issues that the opposition inquires about,” he said.
