Maravi

Sata protests to levy over unza shooting

Sata protests to levy over unza shooting
By Chibaula Silwamba and Mutuna Chanda
Monday May 26, 2008 [04:00] P

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata yesterday revealed that he personally telephoned President Levy Mwanawasa to protest over the shooting of two University of Zambia (UNZA) students by police officers. And Sata explained that he did not attend the Africa Freedom Day celebrations at State House yesterday because he was still sick and did not want to stress himself. In an interview at his residence, Sata said President Mwanawasa was sad at the shooting of students at UNZA.

“I have protested to the President and he is taking action. I don’t have to issue a statement like UPND president Hakainde Hichilema because Hichilema has no access to Levy. But me immediately it happened, because I was the first person to be informed that a boy has been shot at the university, I drew his Mwanawasa’s attention. I called him and I told him. He is aware. He is very human, he is sad,” said Sata.

And explaining his absence at State House yesterday, Sata said he was a sick person and there was nothing special to stress himself at the Africa Freedom Day celebrations.

When reminded that President Mwanawasa had extended a personal invitation to him during their reconciliation that he should be attending celebrations at State House, Sata said President Mwanawasa was more aware than any other person why he did not attend the celebrations.

“When there is a large crowd, even those who do not mean well will come and strain you more. But when we are two, then it is something else; there is less stress because it’s one-to-one. But when you go to a crowd like that one, there will be cadres from all over the place and even those who don’t mean exactly what they want, they want to be seen in the pictures,” Sata said. “I have not resumed work and if I have not resumed work, celebrations is part of work and celebration is much more strenuous than sitting in the office. So it wasn’t a question of anything. President Mwanawasa is much more aware than all of you.”

And PF vice-president Dr Guy Scott said PF had not been invited to the celebrations at State House hence no one from the party attended the celebrations.

“We didn’t get the invitation. We didn’t want to go and gate crash. We don’t know what happened; we were waiting for the invitation,” Dr Scott complained. “I hope no one went there impersonating to be from the PF.”
And President Mwanawasa yesterday honoured six people during the presentation of Africa Freedom Day awards at State House.

President Mwanawasa honoured Shantilal Ramabhai Parmar, Gabriel Robert Phiri and Jonathan Sinyangwe Musisi with the order of distinguished service, first division.

He honoured, posthumously, Moses Chihemeso Luneta with the companion order of freedom second division.
He also honoured chief Chisomo of the Lala people of Serenje with the President’s Insignia of Honour for facilitating for freedom fighters in his area during the struggle for independence.
President Mwanawasa awarded posthumously Peter Hajuunza with the President’s Insignia of Recognition for his contribution to farming.

And in an interview after receiving the award, Phiri who worked as a teacher before retiring as director of elections, described the award as fantastic. He called on teachers to dedicate themselves more to the teaching profession.
During the ceremony, Dr Kenneth Kaunda mesmerised the invited dignitaries when he danced to a song by the combined defence forces choir that was sang in honour of the freedom fighters on the continent.

Among the opposition leaders that were present during the ceremony were Reform Party president Pastor Nevers Mumba and United Liberal Party leader Sakwiba Sikota.

Pastor Mumba, in an interview, said Africa Freedom Day should make everyone reflect on whether progress had been made.
And Sikota said he had been saddened by the xenophobic attacks on foreigners in South Africa. He said the South African government should educate its people that many countries in Africa made huge sacrifices in their freedom struggle.
And President Mwanawasa has said he was extremely satisfied with the loyalty of soldiers despite them working under very difficult circumstances.

Speaking at State House in Lusaka on Saturday evening when he swore in Brigadier General Eliad Mutwale as deputy army commander and Colonel Joseph Mweene-Miti as Zambian National Service (ZNS) deputy commandant, President Mwanawasa said the army was working under very difficult circumstances due to inadequate funding.
President Mwanawasa immediately promoted Brigadier General Mutwale to the rank of Major General while Colonel Miti was elevated to the rank of Brigadier General.
President Mwanawasa, however, said he was holding discussions with finance minister and his defence counterpart over funding to the defence forces.

He urged the army to be alert at all times and not take the prevailing peace for granted.
“I expect that you’ll mould the men and women in uniform into a formidable defence which we can rely on in times of threat,” President Mwanawasa said. “SADC is the most peaceful region on the continent but we should not take that for granted. A lot of things can happen and are happening.”

He said it was the duty of the defence forces to ensure that peace and security prevailed.
“We as a nation are a nation in a hurry. We must develop. We must improve the living standards of our people wherever they may be and whatever station they are,” President Mwanawasa said. “Because we want to develop fast, it’s essential that there’s peace and security. It is the duty of the defence forces to preserve this peace. Zambians must go about their calls freely knowing that security is being maintained.”

And President Mwanawasa told Brigadier General Miti to ensure that the street kids programme that ZNS was administering was handled properly.

“Ensure that you mould the boys and girls into hardworking and responsible citizens,” said President Mwanawasa. “These are people who had lost faith in themselves but we have given them chance. Ensure that the trainers do their job. Government will try to empower you and the children when they finish their skills training. We want to forget about the programme knowing that it is in safe hands.”

He also commended ZNS for improving food production in the last six years and that more was expected.

Labels: POLICE BRUTALITY, SATA, UNZA

posted by MrK @ 3:43 AM