Maravi

We'll respect Levy's wish over succession - machila

We'll respect Levy's wish over succession - machila
By Chansa Kabwela
Thursday August 28, 2008 [04:00]

LANDS minister Bradford Machila yesterday said he is not aware of any Cabinet minister who is about to, or has betrayed President Levy Mwanawasa over succession.

Reacting to finance deputy minister Jonas Shakafuswa's statement yesterday that he was shocked that some Cabinet ministers who knew that President Mwanawasa preferred Ng'andu Magande as his successor are either quiet about the matter or have betrayed him even before his burial, Machila challenged Shakafuswa to come out with specific names of those who have betrayed President Mwanawasa, instead of generalising his allegations.

"Yes, we are aware that there was a certain line of thinking from the President on this matter," Machila said. "But to say we are betraying him in this same matter is an unfair and exaggerated generalisation in that we were and we are still committed to the President's vision and the efforts he was making for the development of our country and the betterment of our people.

If Honourable Shakafuswa has information of those who have betrayed the President on this matter, it is better he comes out with more specifics. Certainly, I would not expect that we can betray someone who sacrificed his life for the good of his people."

Machila said he was aware that a good number of ministers knew the President's inclinations on the issue of his successor.

"In our last full Cabinet meeting, there was seemingly an indication of who the President did not consider as his successor and all of us know this person by implication," Machila said. "But I am aware that other ministers who by the nature of the ministries they run had more contacts with the President, would be privy to that information preferred successor.

But let me say this, that at the end of the day, once we put our President to rest and go through the process of selecting his successor, I appeal to members to hold together, respect the outcome and immediately get to work in order that we secure victory and show that the loss of our President has not been in vain."

Shakafuswa on Tuesday said some ministers who were aware that President Mwanawasa preferred Magande as his successor had ignored this and shifted their allegiance just to protect their jobs and positions.

Labels: MWANAWASA, SUCCESSION

posted by MrK @ 6:21 AM