MMD faction leader Felix Mutati says the Church and civil society  have a responsibility to advise and correct the mistakes of the politicians to avoid degeneration into bad governance.

Mutati, who is also ACCA Global Advocate, was guest speaker at the International Conference on Internal Resource Mobilization and Stemming Illicit Financial Flows in Nairobi, Kenya.

He said failure by the church and civil society to participate in governance would lead to political degeneration and all parties will be deemed as accomplices.

“Let me thank you Fr Chali for inviting me. And I think the church, NGOs and civil society in general, you have the responsibility, particularly to correct the mistakes of us politicians, the weaknesses that we have got and the sins that we commit. And if you don’t do that, if that results in bad economic management, bad governance, then invariably, you become accomplices. So you are in it with us and your motto should be that ‘don’t let government walk alone because when the economy tumbles, it affects all of us,” said Mutati.

He also urged churches to help in creating a tax resource base and encouraged congregants to comply.

He shared the country’s experiences in the Mining and manufacturing sectors and the resultant decisions that were effected after being in rush to sign development agreements such as free duty on imports and not paying tax on profit.

And Fr Charles Chilufya, who is the Director Justice and Ecology office at the Jesuits Conference of Africa and Madagascar, said if African countries managed to collect enough money through taxes and avoid illicit tax evasion, there would be more of resources towards social and infrastructure development instead of relying on debts which in turn bled the economy.

He said that his organisation picked on Mutati due to his credentials which include vast experience in politics, holding various ministerial positions and being the ACCA Global Advocate.

This is according to a statement issued by Mutati’s media team, Sunday.