Handle succession carefully - Lupando

Handle succession carefully - Lupando
By Mutuna Chanda in Kitwe
Sunday August 24, 2008 [04:00]

FORMER vice-president Lupando Mwape has advised Zambians to handle the matter of President Levy Mwanawasa's successor very carefully. And Mwape has described President Mwanawasa's death as more than devastating. In a telephone interview on Friday, Ambassador Mwape said the succession of President Mwanawasa was a very critical matter.

"Choosing a leader is a very critical matter which should be handled cautiously; it's not a matter of moving with the wind. People must be extremely careful and make sure that all questions that have not been asked are answered," Ambassador Mwape said.

He said this when asked for his thoughts over the possible successors of President Mwanawasa.

"It's a difficult question because I am now in civil service," Ambassador Mwape said. "If I make a statement on politics, it will be misconstrued. It's a difficult situation because right now whatever I do, I will do it out of emotion. Now it's about how I will mourn my brother and then Zambians can have a chance on whom they want to be their leader."

On speculation that he had been campaigning for the presidency, Ambassador Mwape dismissed such sentiments as malicious.

"I have also heard rumours that 'Mwape has sent salaula (second hand clothes) to beef up the campaigns of an opposition candidate in Northern Province', I've not sent any container of salaula or a bag of cell phones, not even personal effects. If you came to my house and I give you food, is that campaigning? That's not campaigning. I've got a bunch of orphaned children whom I'm supporting educationally. Let me be out of politics, I am a civil servant," he said.
And Ambassador Mwape said President Mwanawasa had left with the positive ideals that he stood for.

"President Mwanawasa's death is more than devastating to me," said Ambassador Mwape. "I not only served as vice-president under him but I was also his closest confidant. He trusted me. He confided in me.

The nation has lost an excellent industry in Levy. He stood for pride, rejuvenation of the economy and restoration of integrity in leadership. He was a man of his word; a prolific leader with a very unassuming disposition. His character was impeccable."

Meanwhile, PF has appointed Nkana member of parliament Mwenya Musenge as its provincial chairman replacing Matthew Mulanda.

Musenge confirmed that he had been appointed PF chairperson for the Copperbelt Province while Mulanda had been elevated to the party's Member of the Central Committee (MCC) without portfolio.
Musenge said his role would be to ensure that Sata wins the presidential by-elections in the province.