Shikapwasha wants to be MMD president

Shikapwasha wants to be MMD president
By Lambwe Kachali
Saturday January 19, 2008 [03:00]

HOME affairs minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha yesterday declared that he would contest the MMD presidency and thereafter succeed President Levy Mwanawasa as Republican president. And Lt Gen Shikapwasha said MMD presidential aspirants campaigning now were killing President Mwanawasa's initiatives of delivering to the people of Zambia.

In an interview, Lt Gen Shikapwasha said he would without reservations vie for the MMD presidency and was hopeful that he would become the next Republican president after President Mwanawasa.

He said he did not want to engage himself in the ongoing presidential debates because there was something in which he believed. Lt Gen Shikapwasha said currently he was working hard with President Mwanawasa to ensure that the MMD government succeeded. He said he would ensure that President Mwanawasa left office a happy and proud President.

He said if he became the next president in 2011, he would follow President Mwanawasa's footsteps as far service as delivery was concerned and ensure that the legacy and prosperity that he would leave behind for Zambia continued.

Asked why he was so confident about becoming the next president when there were so many presidential hopefuls within the MMD, Lt Gen Shikapwasha responded: "Just wait and see. Names for the presidential candidates are there and my name is on the list. I know what I am talking about, so just wait and see. I am going to contest and I am very much ready. Just wait, time is coming and everybody will know. Time will come to prove for yourself."

Asked further if he was a threat to first lady Maureen Mwanawasa as she had also been mentioned as one of those with presidential qualities, Lt Gen Shikapwasha:
"I am talking about myself and not others. I have said wait for time to come and you will prove that what I saying is right. Time will come to answer those questions. That's all I can say now."

And Lt Gen Shikapwasha said some presidential hopefuls who have started their campaigns were hindering President Mwanawasa initiatives to deliver effectively to the people of Zambia. He said although every MMD member was free to contest positions of their choice, it was important that they took into account their role and obligations to Zambians.

Lt Gen Shikapwasha said he had no time to waste because Zambians wanted development in all sectors of life.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Shikapwasha said Zambia had continued to lose millions of money through copper theft, especially on the Copperbelt. He said the anti-copper theft squad would not rest until such crimes in the country were eliminated.

Lt Gen Shikapwasha was commenting on the latest alleged copper thefts by Chinese nationals on the Copperbelt. He said there was need for people to educate themselves about the repercussions of theft.