ESTERDAY, former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo was sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour for assaulting a National Democratic Congress member of Luanshya during a by-election in 2019.
We welcome the jailing of Mr Lusambo as this has sent a strong message that the law is blind to the status of those who transgress it.
Delivering the sentence in Luanshya, magistrate Penstone Chiluba noted the importance of leaders conducting themselves in a manner that befits their status in society.
Indeed, it is dishonourable that as minister then, Mr Lusambo engaged in electoral violence when he used a machete to injure Stanley Musukwa of Mpatamato Township in Luanshya on April 11, 2019.
Leaders must always endeavour to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner. Ethical behaviour by political leaders helps build and maintain public trust.
It is crucial for leaders, especially ministers, to refrain from engaging in any form of violence. Leaders who avoid violence help build and maintain public trust.
When they act peacefully and responsibly, it reassures the public that their leaders are committed to the well-being and stability of the nation.
In fact, violence undermines democratic processes by intimidating voters and manipulating election outcomes. Peaceful conduct by leaders ensures that elections are free, fair, and credible, which is essential for a healthy democracy.
Leaders who engage in violence can incite further unrest and conflict.
By promoting peace, leaders help maintain social stability and prevent escalation of conflicts.
It is critical for leaders to serve as role models for the public. When they conduct themselves peacefully, they set a positive example for others to follow, encouraging a culture of nonviolence and respect.
Political violence can deter investment and economic development. Peaceful leadership therefore creates a stable environment that is attractive to investors and conducive to economic growth.
Further, violence often leads to human rights abuses. By committing to non-violence, leaders help protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens, thereby ensuring that everyone can live without fear of harm.
The peaceful conduct by leaders is essential for maintaining public trust, promoting democracy, ensuring stability, setting a positive example, fostering economic growth, and protecting human rights.
Therefore, the sending to the dungeon of Mr Lusambo is a clear example of the ‘no one is above the law’ maxim, which means that every individual, regardless of their position, status, or power, is subject to the law.
All people, including government officials and lawmakers, must follow the same laws. This leads to everyone being treated equally and fairly under the legal system.
It implies that individuals in positions of power can be held accountable for their actions. They cannot use their status to avoid legal consequences.
By seeing to it that everyone is subject to the law, it protects the rights and freedoms of individuals and ensures consistent and just application of laws.
In less than two years from today, Zambia will be having a general election in 2026 and it is important to foster a peaceful environment to avoid the bloody violence acts which characterised elections not too long ago.
Electoral violence undermines the democratic process by intimidating voters and manipulating election outcomes. By prosecuting those responsible for violence, it helps protect the fairness and legitimacy of elections.
Electoral violence is criminal as it can lead to broader social unrest and instability. Addressing it through legal means helps prevent escalation and promotes a peaceful political environment.
As such, making political leaders face the law for electoral violence is essential for maintaining the rule of law, deterring future violence, protecting democracy, promoting peace, building public trust, and encouraging ethical leadership.
Jailing of Lusambo good lesson
ESTERDAY, former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo was sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour for assaulting a National Democratic Congress member of Luanshya during a by-election in 2019.
We welcome the jailing of Mr Lusambo as this has sent a strong message that the law is blind to the status of those who transgress it.
Delivering the sentence in Luanshya, magistrate Penstone Chiluba noted the importance of leaders conducting themselves in a manner that befits their status in society.
Indeed, it is dishonourable that as minister then, Mr Lusambo engaged in electoral violence when he used a machete to injure Stanley Musukwa of Mpatamato Township in Luanshya on April 11, 2019.
Leaders must always endeavour to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner. Ethical behaviour by political leaders helps build and maintain public trust.
It is crucial for leaders, especially ministers, to refrain from engaging in any form of violence. Leaders who avoid violence help build and maintain public trust.
When they act peacefully and responsibly, it reassures the public that their leaders are committed to the well-being and stability of the nation.
In fact, violence undermines democratic processes by intimidating voters and manipulating election outcomes. Peaceful conduct by leaders ensures that elections are free, fair, and credible, which is essential for a healthy democracy.
Leaders who engage in violence can incite further unrest and conflict.
By promoting peace, leaders help maintain social stability and prevent escalation of conflicts.
It is critical for leaders to serve as role models for the public. When they conduct themselves peacefully, they set a positive example for others to follow, encouraging a culture of nonviolence and respect.
Political violence can deter investment and economic development. Peaceful leadership therefore creates a stable environment that is attractive to investors and conducive to economic growth.
Further, violence often leads to human rights abuses. By committing to non-violence, leaders help protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens, thereby ensuring that everyone can live without fear of harm.
The peaceful conduct by leaders is essential for maintaining public trust, promoting democracy, ensuring stability, setting a positive example, fostering economic growth, and protecting human rights.
Therefore, the sending to the dungeon of Mr Lusambo is a clear example of the ‘no one is above the law’ maxim, which means that every individual, regardless of their position, status, or power, is subject to the law.
All people, including government officials and lawmakers, must follow the same laws. This leads to everyone being treated equally and fairly under the legal system.
It implies that individuals in positions of power can be held accountable for their actions. They cannot use their status to avoid legal consequences.
By seeing to it that everyone is subject to the law, it protects the rights and freedoms of individuals and ensures consistent and just application of laws.
In less than two years from today, Zambia will be having a general election in 2026 and it is important to foster a peaceful environment to avoid the bloody violence acts which characterised elections not too long ago.
Electoral violence undermines the democratic process by intimidating voters and manipulating election outcomes. By prosecuting those responsible for violence, it helps protect the fairness and legitimacy of elections.
Electoral violence is criminal as it can lead to broader social unrest and instability. Addressing it through legal means helps prevent escalation and promotes a peaceful political environment.
As such, making political leaders face the law for electoral violence is essential for maintaining the rule of law, deterring future violence, protecting democracy, promoting peace, building public trust, and encouraging ethical leadership.