The Council of Churches says Stampede over food shows that Poverty levels have reached alarming levels

Rev Dr Suzanne Matale – CCZ General Secretary

The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has said that the death of 8 people in a stampede which happened during the distribution of food by a church organization must serve as an eye opener to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) government that poverty levels in the country have reached alarming levels.

In a statement released to the media yesterday and signed by Reverend Suzanne Matale, the CCZ General Secretary, the organisation said that many signs of high poverty levels such as increased criminal activities have been overlooked by government despite countless reminders from ordinary citizens, the civil society and the church that the social-economic situation in the country is continuously deteriorating with no signs of improvement.

CCZ further said that all the meaningful development which government is claiming to deliver to the people of Zambia especially infrastructure development across the nation is meaningless if they cannot afford the basic necessities of life for the Zambia citizens.

Below is the full statement

PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ZAMBIA ON THE DEATH OF PEOPLE AT A STAMPEDE OVER FOOD DISTRIBUTION BY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has learnt with deep regret the death of 8 people in a stampede which happened during the distribution of food by a church organization, the Church of Christ in Lusaka’s Olympic Youth Development Centre which also left many others injured and hospitalized.

We pass our condolences to the families of the victims of the stampede. We pray for peace and comfort during this sad moment and may the good Lord continue to strengthen them as they mourn their loved ones.

The Council believes that this development is a sign of high poverty levels in the country which has driven people to extreme desperation to an extent of risking their lives in an effort to secure food for themselves.

This incident must serve as an eye opener to the Patriotic Front (PF) government that poverty levels in the country have reached alarming levels. Many signs of high poverty levels such as increased criminal activities have been overlooked by government despite countless reminders from ordinary citizens, the civil society and the church that the social-economic situation in the country is continuously deteriorating with no signs of improvement.

We believe that the people of Zambia are entitled to a dignified way of life and not struggle to a point of sacrificing their lives to secure food after attaining independence many years, a freedom which we expect to come with all other freedoms.

All the meaningful development which government is claiming to deliver to the people of Zambia especially infrastructure development across the nation is meaningless if they cannot afford the basic necessities of life for the Zambia citizens.

The Council wishes to implore all the Zambians to be on the lookout for organizations using the high poverty levels to entice them to attend their events where they use the platform to drive their agendas in the name of rendering help.

It is encouraging to note that government responded positively in this matter by suspending operations of the Church of Christ which caused the stampede. This development must serve as a warning to all unscrupulous organizations coming in the name of Christianity to take advantage of innocent people. Government must further ensure that all church events involving large gatherings are scrutinized to avoid a re-occurrence of such an incident.

7/03/17

Rev Dr Suzanne Matale – CCZ General Secretary

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