As we marked the 59th anniversary of our country's independence, we couldn't help but reflect on the state of Zambia today. If Zambia were a father, he would be an irresponsible father, grappling with financial difficulties, mounting debt, and a running a divided home where justice appears to favour some while leaving others behind.
Our judicial system seems to be working more efficiently for the political elite than for the average citizens it is meant to serve.
Take, for instance, the recent situation of the hastily-organised Patriotic Front (PF) party convention, where Miles Sampa was elected as the party's president. Some dissatisfied party members promptly sought a court order to prevent Sampa from assuming the role of PF president, and their request was swiftly granted by an assigned judge.
In stark contrast, there are numerous pending cases, such as that of the whistleblower who received a notice from the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to vacate a secure safe house by October 6, 2023. These cases remain unresolved due to the heavy workload on the judges and other demands on the judicial system. The whistleblower challenged the decision in court, yet to this day, his case has not been determined.
This is just one illustration of Zambia at 59. There are numerous other instances that reflect how our “father”, at this age, is plagued by division and struggles to provide for its 18 million" children”. Inequality is pervasive, affecting every aspect of our society, from schools and hospitals to the distribution of our national resources.
Photo Credit: Image by www.slon.pics
