Maravi

Panji denies receiving vehicle from Chiluba

Panji denies receiving vehicle from Chiluba
By Sandra Mulowa
Thursday December 06, 2007 [03:00]

CHILUBA is lying that he bought a Toyota Land Cruiser for me because this did not happen, Dr Kenneth Kaunda's eldest son Col Panji Kaunda said yesterday. But Chiluba yesterday maintained that what he said was the truth and he would stand by it. Reacting to former president Frederick Chiluba's revelation on Monday that he bought him a Land Cruiser and a house in South Africa for his younger brother Kaweche using public money from the Zamtrop account, Panji said Chiluba lied and The Post allowed itself to be caught in Chiluba's web of lies by repeating the lies.

"You people got caught into Chiluba's web of lies with both feet," Panji said. "He was lying. I have never benefited from him. The vehicle I’m using is the same one that I have been using. I got it from the old man (Dr Kaunda) in 1998 which he got as part of his retirement package...No, never, nothing at all. I don't know where that is coming from (Chiluba's claims). He is lying."

Panji said he would phone Chiluba to find out why he was lying.
"I am looking for his number I will have to find out from him why he is lying," Panji said.

He also said there was no house that Chiluba bought for Kaweche in South Africa.

"There was no house for Kaweche. He (Kaweche) was renting a flat somewhere in Johannesburg," said Panji, adding that he wondered why Chiluba was making such claims.

However, Chiluba - through his spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba - yesterday denied having told lies about Panji. He said if there will be need for him to show proof, he will gladly show that he said the truth. Chiluba said he did not make any allegation without foundation. Mwamba said Panji was an adult who was not entitled to his father’s benefits.

“And since Panji is looking for Dr Chiluba’s phone number, Dr Chiluba has authorised you to give him the number,” Mwamba said.

On Monday during a press briefing, Chiluba said Dr Kaunda's family should be grateful to him and his government instead of calling him names because he did a lot to help the family. He challenged Mama Betty to explain the payment of US $7,100 on May 8, 2000 and US $24,318 on May 23, 2000, which was drawn from the Zamtrop account.

He said he had to use the Zamtrop account to assist the Kaunda family because he had no money of his own.

"Can Mrs Kaunda explain the Camry vehicle that my government bought for her? Can Mrs Kaunda explain the Toyota Land Cruiser bought for Dr Kaunda and her son Panji?" Chiluba asked.

Chiluba disclosed that he bought Panji a new vehicle after he was robbed of his own vehicle on his way to Chipata. He further revealed that his government bought Dr Kaunda's son Kaweche a house in South Africa after it was brought to his attention that the son of the former president was in distress.

Labels: CHILUBA, PANJI KAUNDA

posted by MrK @ 6:29 AM