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Zambians won't allow thieves to rule, declares Chona

Zambians won't allow thieves to rule, declares Chona
By Chibaula Silwamba
Saturday August 16, 2008 [04:01]

Zambians will not allow thieves and greedy leaders to rule and destroy their country, former Task Force on corruption chairman Mark Chona has declared. And outgoing British High Commissioner to Zambia Alistair Harrison promised to be visiting Zambia frequently. During a farewell luncheon, which he and his wife Victoria hosted for High Commissioner Harrison on Thursday at their farmhouse in

Lusaka’s Makeni area, Chona said despite the situation being worrisome in Zambia due to President Levy Mwanawasa’s illness, Zambians would not allow thieves and those with narrow minds to rule the country.

“This country was meant to be stable because even in the most difficult times, we survived and even thrived. But there are people, of course, who thrive in chaos but here they have not been allowed and they will not be allowed whether they fall in the category of thieves or those who have chronic propensity for power,” Chona said.

“Even those have not been allowed before and they will not be allowed even now because the Zambian people want unity, they want peace, they want stability, they security and do want continuity on what Mwanawasa has built so far…

This edifice which President Mwanawasa has built on the foundation made by former presidents Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Frederick Chiluba will not be allowed to be destroyed by greedy people; by people who have very narrow interests.

Zambians have standards and you can drive them to the edge but they will not actually go beyond the precipice.”

Chona said Zambians would withstand whatever difficulties they might face.
“Let me refer to the current situation; I know that as you leave Zambia probably you are worried what will happen to this country.

The President is sick and we are all concerned. Anxiety and worry are not good for the health of an individual; they are not even good for the health of the nation,” Chona observed.

He said those who thrived on chaos would be overwhelmed by the spirit of unity and love among Zambians.

“I do believe sincerely that as you leave the country, do know that, yes, there are concerns, there are anxieties but very often it is the success in solving those anxieties that has given Zambia the strength that it actually has,” Chona said. “The investors, yes they be worried as to whether the situation will be the same but I think if they look back at the history of our country, they will actually know that this country has overcome some of the most difficult problems and they will overcome whatever problems there maybe because they Zambians have always been united and flourished in unity.”

However, Chona observed that most political parties had problems. He observed that following President Mwanawasa’s illness, the ruling MMD had also been engulfed in problems.

“Now, we look at our political parties, very few don’t have problems. PF has problems – there are discussions, UNIP has problems, MMD now because of the President’s illness you can see the problems but one thing which is important for us is that Zambia and Zambians are like their eagle.
The noble eagle in its flight far, far away. They have an eagle’s point of view,” he said.

Chona also commended High Commissioner Harrison for his support to the fight against corruption and respect for traditional rulers in the country among many other things that he had done in his three years in Zambia.

“We just want you to know that from the depth our hearts that we are profoundly grateful, whether it is in supporting the Task Force on Corruption without which not very little would have been achieved.

For you personally, you went beyond the call of duty in doing some of the things which I had to ask you to do,” Chona said. “Alistair has been in many ways extra-ordinary; he is extremely gentle.

It is fantastic to see how respectful he has been, visiting our traditional leaders and everything that has been said or done by him has not passed our attention. We have always listened to what he has had to say and as a result of his work, together with his diplomatic colleagues, I think Zambia has benefited a lot.”

And High Commissioner Harrison said he had always been positive about Zambia because it was a peaceful and stable country. He said Zambia was such a peaceful, stable and friendly country.

“That is the most precious thing that Zambia has achieved since independence and before. It is a tremendous example to Africa and the world and that peace and tranquility will continue to be Zambia’s greatest asset,” he said.

“I have been very positive about Zambia because I believe that the future stretches out in a very positive way; the economy will continue to grow and the Vision 2030 middle income country status is a challenging one but an attainable one.”

High Commissioner Harrison said he and his wife Sara were sad that they were leaving Zambia. However, he promised to be visiting Zambia frequently.
“It’s a great sadness leaving Zambia; we are devastated to be going. It has been an absolutely wonderful three years here in Zambia,” High Commissioner Harrison said.

“I also know for absolute certain that my family and I will come back to Zambia as often as we can; we have so many friends here. It is such a wonderful country.”

The farewell luncheon was attended by Vatican Ambassador to Zambia Apostolic Nuncio Nicola Girasoli, European Union delegation leader Dr Derek Fee, Zambian Airways chief executive officer Mutembo Nchito who is also Task Force on Corruption prosecutor, French Ambassador to Zambia, Irish Ambassador to Zambia Bill Nolan, Finnish Ambassador to Zambia Sinika Antila, veteran politician Simon Zukas and his wife Cynthia, Stanbic Bank managing director Joseph Chikolwa, Radio Phoenix managing director Errol Hickey who is also Zambia Tourism Board chairman, Post managing editor Amos Malupenga, among others.

Labels: CORRUPTION, MARK CHONA, TASK FORCE

posted by MrK @ 4:29 AM