THE CHAMINUKA MURDER: WHAT MESSAGE DOES ZAMBIA’S RESPONSE SEND TO THE WORLD?
THE CHAMINUKA MURDER: WHAT MESSAGE DOES ZAMBIA’S RESPONSE SEND TO THE WORLD?
By Charlotte Salivaji Naess – Governance Activist
Stelios Sardanis was part of a family whose connection to Zambia stretches back decades. Chaminuka isn’t simply another hospitality establishment. It has become part of Zambia’s tourism, conservation and investment story, with a long-standing presence in our country and recognition beyond our borders.
It’s against this background that the brutal killing of Stelios Sardanis at Chaminuka must concern us as a nation.
A country is judged not only by the crimes that occur, but by how its institutions respond when they do.
When a murder of this magnitude occurs at a place like Chaminuka, with its history and deep connection to Zambia, the story doesn’t remain within our borders.
Neither should we underestimate the importance of institutional CONFIDENCE, particularly among investors in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Citizens need to know that when a serious crime occurs, the institutions entrusted with protecting life and maintaining law and order respond with professionalism, urgency and determination.
Justice must mean that those responsible are identified, brought before the law and held accountable.
That’s how CONFIDENCE is protected.
That’s how a country demonstrates that CRIMINALITY will not define it.
And THAT is how we REASSURE our citizens, visitors and investors that their safety, their contribution and their confidence in Zambia matter.
The death of Stelios Sardanis is first and foremost a devastating loss to his family, friends, colleagues and all those whose lives were connected to Chaminuka.
But it also leaves Zambia with a wider question that deserves serious reflection:
What message will our response to this crime send to our own people, to investors, to tourists and to the rest of the world?
Zambia, let us choose LOVE ❤️