Rest in peace Vespers – HH
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has written a moving farewell note to Vespers Shimuzhila, a University of Zambia (UNZA) student who died of suffocation last week due after police officers threw teargas into student hostels following a riot.
And MMD faction leader Nevers Mumba has described the death of Shimuzhila as heartbreaking, and has called on politicians not to use her death to gain political capital.
Hichilema was among thousands of mourners who attended the Church service of Shimuzhila at UNZA SDA church in Lusaka.
“It is saddening to lose such a young life when this death could have been avoided by giving what was due to the students,” the opposition leader wrote on his Facebook page after the church service.
“More so that this irresponsible Government does not want to take responsibility but would rather point fingers at innocent citizens and the deceased herself.”
Hichilema wrote that no life should be lost as a result of an irresponsible leadership, adding “We maintain that all our people must be treated with utmost respect. Life is much more important than teargas, guns or false accusations on us, who have no powers to issue orders to State security operatives.
“Vespers Shimuzhila is gone but those who killed her and issued orders will be held accountable for this debauched act.
“We appeal to Zambians to remain strong but watchful of anyone acting against the tenets of democracy and economic growth.
“Dear Vespers Shimuzhila, rest in peace. Our role now is to continue where you left and that is valuing education.
“People power! Our power and our land!
“Together we can and indeed we shall ensure a better and safe Zambia for all,” Hichilema stated.
And MMD faction leader Nevers Mumba in his message of condolences to Shimunzila’s family said: “The loss of life at the University of Zambia is heartbreaking. As a father of two daughters, I cannot even start to imagine the pain and anguish of the bereaved family. I send my deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends.
“It is at a time like this that men and women of the collar must rise up to provide guidance to a despondent people. In times like this, politicians will always be skewed in judgement. Vespers’ death is not politics but someone’s daughter being laid in a grave, never to return. The voice of church leaders must be louder than the voice of politicians at this stage. The politicians are playing a political blame game which will not heal the breach which has been committed. The grieving nation needs a counselor. This counselor must preferably be the church and not a politician.”
Dr Mumba hopes Shimunzila’s death will force positive change in the country.
“During this time of mourning, the church should call for measured statements from all sides. The police is under probe. From where we stand, the police misconducted themselves in the death of Vespers Shimuzhila. Justification for their action should not only be made to investigators but in court. Let us not waste this death. Let us use it to clean up our hearts, attitudes and actions as a nation.
“The Church should guide the politicians not to use this death for political gain but as an opportunity to see how far removed we are from God’s principles of love, justice and peaceful coexistence. We must face ourselves as a people. We must deal with the ugliness of hatred, vengeance and unbridled appetite to destroy and kill each other to prove our political prowess. God is calling us back to the values of love and peace which are a prerequisite to national unity and prosperity. We are one people. The death of one of our children must affect all of us. Until we return to God as a nation, the current path of hatred and un forgiveness which we have chosen could shipwreck our national aspirations.”