Maravi

Sata 'sees light at end of the tunnel'

Sata 'sees light at end of the tunnel'
By Mwala Kalaluka and Inonge Noyoo
Wednesday September 24, 2008 [04:00]

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata has said he is finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel in his seven-year bid for the Republican presidency. And Sata yesterday managed to file in his nomination papers for the October 30 presidential election four hours past the scheduled time as the High Court had to determine his eligibility.

Meanwhile, scores of PF supporters threatened to bring down the main gate leading into the Supreme Court building after police officers locked the gate to prevent them from getting inside to express their solidarity with Sata.

Speaking to journalists at the Supreme Court before filing his nomination papers, Sata said the light of freedom and liberation was getting nearer for Zambia.
“From 2001 and now, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel; the light of freedom; the light of liberation,” Sata said amidst shouts of 'Lelo Sata' from his supporters. “We are winning. We are not declaring that we have won like Rupiah Banda, because we have worked for it. We have been ready for it.”

Sata said the issues he wanted to concentrate on in his presidential campaign were the immediate lowering of taxes, increase employment opportunities so as to put more money in people's pockets.

Asked to comment on Kasama Central PF member of parliament Saviour Chishimba's move to file an injunction that sought to bar him from contesting the presidency, Sata said Chishimba was not a member of PF.
Sata also rubbished assertions that he was only popular in urban areas as opposed to the rural communities.

“I am more popular in rural areas because people in rural areas suffer more than people in urban areas,” he said.

Sata 's presidential bid was almost thwarted by Saviour Chishimba's application for an injunction to have him blocked from filling nomination papers on grounds that his PF presidency was self-imposed. Chishimba asked the court to issue an order against Sata, adding that his presidency was ultra vires the PF party constitution.
But Sata's lawyers, in their notice to raise preliminary points, argued that Chishimba did not disclose any cause of action against their client. They argued that Chishimba's claim did not disclose in what capacity Sata was being sued.

However, High Court judge Philip Musonda dismissed with costs Chishimba's application for lacking merit and not disclosing the nature of claim against Sata.
During the four-hour wait for the High Court outcome, Sata's wife Dr Christine Kaseba attempted to pay the K20 million-nomination fee for Sata but was prevented from doing so by the cashier.

At 11.55 hours when the ruling was passed, Sata proceeded to take oath before High Court Registrar Mwamba Chanda. He then filed his nomination papers before Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson justice Florence Mumba, ECZ deputy director Priscilla Isaac and ECZ commissioner Joseph Jalasi.

Sata declared, among other assets, seven guns valued at K26.2 million and a motor vehicle - Cressida - valued at K15 million. He also declared that he had 33 per cent shares in the Michael Sata Family Trust Limited, being held for his children, and family.
Sata further revealed that he had 33 per cent shares in City Advertisers Limited where he derives an income of approximately K6,000,000 per annum.
He declared that he owned Gerald Julianos Oil but had not yet derived any income from its operations. Sata further declared that he owned 825,554 shares valued at K11, 557,756 in Standard Chartered (Z) Limited, 20,000 shares valued at K15 million in BP and 20,000 shares in Chilanga Cement Plc valued at K3, 150,000.

Sata stated that he had K559, 755.08 in his Standard Chartered Bank current account, K1, 120,501.02 in Zambia National Commercial Bank current account, K46, 673,351.60 in the Finance Bank kwacha account and US $933.07 in the Finance Bank dollar account.
Sata disclosed that he owed China Hainan K45million and that he was owed K20 million by MMD member Mbita Chitala through a High Court judgment pending appeal.
And addressing thousands of supporters after successfully filing his nomination papers, Sata urged them to be calm.

He advised the slogan-chanting cadres to be peaceful and not succumb to any kind of provocation because it was clear that his opponents were afraid of him.
“We have now filed our nominations. We are remaining with 37 days for this government to go. You have to be calm. They will provoke you because ba mvela mantha but be peaceful,” he said.

Earlier, Sata - in negotiating for his cadres to be allowed access to the Supreme Court grounds - said no conspiracy against his presidential candidature would succeed because he spoke for the people. He advised police officers to open the gates and allow his people to witness the nomination's process.

“The police should stay out of this confusion because this is not a police state. We are here because of your conspiracy and you are refusing to open the gate. Open that gate,” Sata demanded. “Don't be used. My people are being very peaceful but you are not being cooperative. We are here for you; we want to liberate you because you are suffering like us.”

Meanwhile, access to the Supreme Court grounds was highly restricted and there was a heavy police presence on all roads leading to the court premises before Sata arrived there to file his nomination papers.

PF cadres from several parts of Lusaka, using various forms of transport, arrived at the Supreme Court as early as 07.00 hours to hear the outcome of the court injunction filed by Chishimba and to express their support for Sata.

However, around 08:20 hours, police officers manning the court's main entrance on Haile Selasie Avenue locked the gate on grounds that the number of PF cadres inside had surpassed the required number of 200 supporters.

But the slogan-chanting PF cadres led by Nkana PF member of parliament Mwenya Musenge, Lusaka Central PF member of parliament Dr Guy Scott and Chingola PF member of parliament Dr Paul Katema demanded that the gate to be opened.
Kabwata PF member of parliament Given Lubinda later arrived on the scene and some cadres asked him if they should just bring down the gate so that they could all go inside. By this time, a number of PF vehicles carrying placards bearing Sata's portraits had formed a line in front of the gate and some cadres climbed on the bonnets dancing to campaign songs blaring from two loudspeakers mounted on one of the vehicles.
“Sata nga talipo bonse aba ni bangwele. Twa laizandamuna lelo muledabwa (there will be confusion if Sata is not allowed to contest because the rest are fools),” the cadres sang as they begged the police to allow them access into the court premises.

Some cadres accused police officers of being MMD stooges.
Dr Scott said in an interview that he did not understand why the police were being cautious and jittery over the issue of allowing cadres inside the court premises during the nomination process.

“We have done this twice, in 2001 and 2006. They say they want to be cautious but they are just causing confusion there,” he said.
The police had no option but to open the gates around 08.55 hours when Sata's motorcade arrived to a loud round of chants.
Sata, together with his wife Dr Kaseba, arrived in a speedboat that was being towed by a Toyota Hilux.

All the cadres that had converged outside the gate rushed into the court grounds as soon as Sata's motorcade entered the premises as the police were forced on the sides. A female police inspector was brought down in the process.
Later, Lusaka Province police commanding officer Greenwell Ng'uni said the PF cadres had been very peaceful.

After successfully filing his nomination papers, Sata headed for Lusaka's Matero Township to launch his presidential campaign in what he described as an orphaned constituency. He launched the campaign with a vow to give Matero Constituency a new representative in Parliament.

In a short address to scores of party enthusiasts at Matero Market, Sata said because their current member of parliament Faustina Sinyangwe had abandoned them, PF, in the constituency was being run from a ramshackle office.
“Because you are an orphaned constituency, that is why you have a small office,” Sata said. “Your friends, the MMD went to a hotel and the UPND went to Mulungushi International Conference Centre, but for me I have come to see how you are suffering in your orphaned state.”

Sata gave a one-month ultimatum to the area councillor to facilitate the construction of a better office.

Sata asked his supporters to be on the lookout for people that would be buying voters' cards.

The roads leading into Matero were jammed with vehicles and a crowd of people as they led Sata into the township via Lumumba Road.

Labels: PRESIDENCY, SATA

posted by MrK @ 5:37 AM