Maravi

PF vows to scrub out MMD Govt from power

PF vows to scrub out MMD Govt from power
By Mwala Kalaluka in Chilanga
Sunday September 14, 2008 [04:00]

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata has said his party is putting necessary political ingredients in place to scrub-out the ruling MMD from power during the October 30 presidential polls. Meanwhile, Sata has promised to maintain police Inspector General Ephraim Mateyo, Zambia Army Commander General Isaac Chisuzi and Zambia Intelligence and Security Services (ZISS) director Regis Phiri in their positions if he gets into State House.

Addressing a well-attended campaign rally at Chilanga's Freedom Compound Grounds on Friday afternoon, Sata said in Bemba that his 'friends' in the MMD had destroyed the party that people like him and Chitalu Sampa founded on sound principles.

“Colleagues, what we want is for this country to be brushed clean, tulefwaya ukuchapa (we want to do a clean up),” Sata told a very excited crowd. “On October 30, even those who do not sleep with hunger will do that. Insasa kuchinjana.”

Sata said unlike in 2006 when the MMD had a government to anchor their campaign on, the forthcoming presidential poll was an on-your-marks-set-go election. He said only those with reputable proven records would make it.

Sata, who quoted a Bemba wise saying: “Bucenjeshi bwa nkonko pungwa taasakama (a hawk is never worried by a hen's tricks)”, said it was imperative that Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson justice Florence Mumba allows people to use their votes to speak their mind without any interference.

He also cautioned people like retired politician Vernon Mwaanga, whose manners he said he knew very well when it comes to elections, not to fan any electoral malpractices.
“I know him (Mwaanga) very well. I know his behaviour very well.

This time justice Florence Mumba - I felt pity for Ireen Mambilima in 2006 - but you have just come into office and remember that even your relatives are also suffering. Let the people speak what they want to say. If we fail, put someone else.

Do not force things we do not want on us,” Sata said. “Forty-four years after independence, people in Chilanga are giving birth in wheelbarrows and you have no shame…44 years after independence, women are still going to Tanganyika (Tanzania) just to buy plastic plates.”

Sata advised Zambians to vote wisely this time around and remove the shame of poverty and economic decline, which has dogged them for many years.

“This is our year, this is our time and we have already purchased DDT, Vim, Savron and scrubbing brushes. Tulechapa (we are cleaning up),” Sata said. “How can a government close the University of Zambia and you get K400 billion and share at the National Constitutional Conference (NCC)? What type of reasoning is this?”

Sata observed that God in his wisdom had given Zambians another opportunity to vote again and for a purpose they should not squander the opportunity.

But Sata cautioned that hope for the future should not be entrusted in Vice-President Rupiah Banda because he was politically out of touch.

“Rupiah Banda is out of coverage area,” he said amidst applause. “Rupiah Banda is not a member of parliament, he is not a member of the MMD.”

Sata accused Vice-President Banda of being unappreciative over what the late president Levy Mwanawasa had done for him.

And Sata said Vice-President Banda had not been very forthright on his recent directive that high prices of fuel should be looked into by finance minister Ng'andu Magande and energy minister Kenneth Konga.

Sata further said that in 2006, the MMD told people that he was a dictator.
“But me a dictator is the one who challenges them when they increase their salaries. From today onwards, there is one month 16 days remaining, even if you do not vote or you vote for me, I will still question this government,” Sata said.

Roan PF member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili said that Vice-President Banda was an old man.

“Rupiah is old and has forgotten politics. When you ask him a question in Parliament, you can cry, because he takes five minutes to respond to a question because he does not know how to answer,” Kambwili said. “Now, can you put such a person to lead the country's affairs and expect the country to make progress?”

Meanwhile, Sata, who said he had not forgotten his loss to the MMD in the 2006 general elections through what he called stolen votes, assured that Mateyo, Gen Chisuzi and Regis Phiri would not lose their jobs but that Zesco managing director Rhodnie Sisala would not be maintained in his portfolio.

Sata also read a letter, which he claimed was from defence and security personnel, who were asking him to ensure that the responsibility allowance that the government leaders want to award themselves, be given to the police officers as risk allowance. The crowd applauded Sata as he made these pronouncements.

Several PF parliamentarians, the party's members of the central committee and chief Chimbuka from Chinsali attended the rally.

Chief Chimbuka, who narrated his involvement in the Cha Cha Cha Movement, said he would support PF even it means foregoing his entitlements from the government, especially that he had opted to campaign openly despite being a traditional ruler.

Labels: MMD, PF, SATA

posted by MrK @ 4:08 AM