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Govt should tell whole truth on Levy's illness, says Fr Umberto

Govt should tell whole truth on Levy's illness, says Fr Umberto
By Mwila Chansa and Mutuna Chanda in Kitwe
Thursday July 17, 2008 [04:00]

Father Umberto Davoli of St Francis Friary in Kitwe has said it is scandalous and criminal for the government to keep the whole truth about President Levy Mwanawasa's illness to itself. And Fr Umberto said MMD spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba was right in his suggestion that the party considers looking for a leader when President Mwanawasa returns from France where he is currently undergoing treatment.

In an interview at the Post Newspapers offices in Kitwe on Tuesday, Fr Umberto said the government's behaviour was an indication of its lack of respect for citizens who had the right to know the whole truth about what was happening to the President.

"In my opinion... they are downplaying it but I can't really know the state in which he President Mwanawasa is because the information is purposefully being hidden," Fr Umberto said.

He urged Vice-President Rupiah Banda to ensure that the nation was told the whole truth about the President's condition.

"Every time we hear that there are prayers here and prayers there. Yes, people should pray but that is not the big news. The big news should be is the President really getting better? Will he come back and continue with his duties? That is what should be said publicly in the papers and radio stations," he said.

Fr Umberto also said for posterity, it was important that the truth about the President's illness be told now because government leaders would be perceived as irresponsible if events developed against them.

"Every citizen would like to know what is happening to their President, but what the government is doing shows their lack of confidence or trust towards the people of Zambia who have got the right and need to know.

Whatever government knows about what is happening in Paris should be made public," said Fr Umberto. "I feel very bad although I am not Zambian, but I love the country, the President and the people."

And Fr Umberto said although he usually did not agree with Tetamashimba, he believed he was this time right to suggest that the issue of succession at party level should be discussed when President Mwanawasa returns from Paris.

Fr Umberto said there should be a preparation for someone to take over should it be realised that the President could not continue and that discussions on the matter should not only be limited to the "big bosses" but that people should have a say.

And Kitwe District commissioner Macdonald Mtine yesterday called for continued unity in the country during the time of President Mwanawasa's illness.

Addressing a gathering during prayers for the speedy recovery of President Mwanawasa at New Beginnings Church in Kitwe, Mtine said Zambians were more united than ever.

"We have come to pray for the speedy recovery of our President so that he can come back and continue to lead us on the path of development. I can assure you that he needs our prayers," Mtine said. "Even the first family those who are at his bedside and others who are here in Zambia need God's guidance. We also have our leadership under the Vice-President Rupiah Banda and top leaders in Lusaka who have continued to lead us. They need our prayers so that God gives them wisdom."

Mtine said the government learnt of how much the country loved President Mwanawasa at the time "when there was false news" that he had died.

"One thing that I learnt that day was the kind of love that we have for President Mwanawasa," said Mtine. "Even the pretence that we used to have of a bit of bitterness that 'he doesn't belong to our tribe, he doesn't belong to our church or party', faded. We all wanted him to live."

And Kulamba Kubwalo Cultural Association Kitwe district chairman Obed Chaseba urged the church to pray for the country's leadership while President Mwanawasa was away.

Chaseba said whenever someone was ill, the devil had a way of sowing confusion and bickering among people.

Labels: MWANAWASA, UMBERTO DAVOLI

posted by MrK @ 3:57 AM