Maravi

If you loved Levy, vote for me - Sata

If you loved Levy, vote for me - Sata
By Lambwe Kachali and Patson Chilemba
Thursday September 18, 2008 [04:00]

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata yesterday urged Zambians who loved late president Levy Mwanawasa to vote for him in the October 30 presidential election. And Sata said it was not true that he had endorsed UPND president Hakainde Hichilema in the October 30 election. Featuring on the 2008 Presidential Election Programme on Radio Phoenix, Sata claimed that none of the presidential candidates shared common ground with the late president apart from himself.

Sata said since his reconciliation with president Mwanawasa, he had endeavoured to follow his footsteps by fighting for just causes of Zambians. He said the late president waged war against corruption, poverty, hunger and it was necessary that the next government accomplished those programmes. Sata said Vice-President Rupiah Banda, who is MMD presidential candidate and Hichilema did not match his understanding of president Mwanawasa's vision.

“Rupiah does not know what we discussed with president Mwanawasa; he does not know what we shared that day. President Mwanawasa was the fighter against corruption and it's only me who has his vision. Therefore, I appeal to all those who gave their vote to president Mwanawasa in 2006 to give it to me on October 30 because it's only me who wants to end corruption, reduce tax, poverty among other problems,” Sata said.

He further said he would support all foreign investors as long as they did not come along with their labourers. He said once elected Republican president, he would not allow investors to pay slave wages to Zambian workers.

“…because investors feed their dogs better than workers and their dogs are fatter than their workers,” he said.

Sata said within 90 days of PF in government, all retirees who had not received their benefits would be paid.

And Sata called on the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to reimburse farmers who sold their maize to the agency at K45,000 before it was adjusted to K55,000 per 50 kilogramme bag.

On Tuesday, FRA announced the increase of the price of a 50 kg bag of maize from K45, 000 to K55, 000 with immediate effect. FRA also extended the maize purchasing period from September 2008 monthend to October 31, 2008.

But Sata said it was unfortunate that the FRA had decided to increase the floor price of maize to K55, 000 this time around when most farmers had already sold their commodity to FRA at a lower price.

He said FRA must pay all farmers who sold their maize at K45,000 the difference of K10,000 per 50 kilogramme bag of the commodity.

Sata threatened that PF would commence legal action against FRA if it did not give the affected farmers an additional K10, 000 per bag of their maize. He further questioned the motive behind the decision by FRA to increase the maize floor price midway the maize marketing season.

Sata said the decision was questionable and amounted to electoral malpractice as the increase had come at a time when presidential election campaigns had kicked off.

And reacting to a message posted on Hichilema's website claiming that the UPND leader had Sata's endorsement, Sata said that was a false claim.

One of the statements on Hichilema's website read as follows: “I will consider a government of national unity in which Mr. Sata could be prime minister (head of government).”

And according to information posted on www.michaelsata.co.zm, Sata stated that Hichilema had commenced his campaigns with a lie.

“Following the launch of the MCS campaign website, a copy website called www.hakainde.com has been launched and commences the campaign with a lie that Mr Sata has endorsed HH. On Tuesday 16th (14:30) September, Mr Sata refuted this ambitious claim. 'I cannot be a vice to someone who is under five and inexperienced...He has never met me to discuss a government of national unity…it's a lie',” he stated.
Sata stated that in the 2006 general election, he had more presidential votes, members of parliament and more councilors than Hichilema.

“In 2006 when he represented 3 parties, HH reduced the Mazoka-led UPND from 49 to 22 MPs, he reduced FDD from 11 to 2 MPs, he reduced UNIP from 15 to 2 MPs...so what credentials has he got to consider me as vice?” Sata asked, “...if in his eyes I am too old, why then should he consider me for vice? It's all in his dreams and wishful thinking. We are filling nominations next week and very confident PF will form the next government.”

Labels: MWANAWASA, SATA

posted by MrK @ 6:42 AM