Maravi

We're heading for victory - Rupiah

We're heading for victory - Rupiah
By Chibaula Silwamba and Inonge Noyoo
Saturday September 27, 2008 [04:00]

WHEREVER our late president Mwanawasa is, he should be feeling very happy that we are heading for victory, MMD presidential candidate Rupiah Banda said yesterday. And Vice-President Banda's declaration of assets filed in the Supreme Court yesterday revealed that he was worth K2.935 billion.

Addressing MMD members outside the Supreme Court in Lusaka soon after filing in his nomination papers before Chief Justice Ernest Sakala and Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson justice Florence Mumba, Vice-President Banda promised to dedicate his presidency to make the lives of Zambians better than they were now.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you very much! Can we keep quiet please? Fellow MMD supporters, I just want to say a few words!” shouted Vice-President Banda, as his supporters chanted songs in his praise. “I thank you and I want to promise you that I shall uphold this democracy of ours which was brought about by the MMD as a party.

I want to thank you for continuing to support this party which was left to us by the late lovable president Mwanawasa. Wherever he is, our president is looking down upon us and feeling very happy that the party he formed…that we are heading for victory.”
Vice-President Banda urged all MMD members to campaign and ensure that they retained the presidency.

“From here, each one of us should return where they came from to campaign for the victory of the MMD and for Rupiah Banda,” Vice-President Banda said.

He urged party members to tell the voters what the MMD would do for Zambians.
“Once again, I want to promise you that I shall dedicate my three years as president to you to make sure that your lives are better than they are now,” said Vice-President Banda amid cheers from cadres who regularly interrupted him with slogans.

“There are some of the things that you have already seen that we have started, myself and my colleagues in Cabinet to do. We have reduced the price of fuels, we have reduced the price of mealie-meal, and we shall continue to make sure that the Zambian people live a better life than they are living now.”

Vice-President Banda observed that the huge crowd of MMD supporters that witnessed his filing of nomination papers was evidence of the strength of the governing party.

In his declaration of assets to the Chief Justice, Vice-President Banda revealed that he had a 450 acre farm in Chipata valued at K550 million, a farm tractor valued at K40 million, a residential house on Chila Road worth K900 million and two properties in Chipata valued at K250, 000.

He also declared an Isuzu pick-up vehicle valued at K15 million and a Toyota VX motor vehicle valued at K30 million.

Vice-President Banda declared that he had 100 per cent interest in Robert Hudson Zambia Limited and Allenwest Zambia Limited, adding that no dividend had been received from the two companies.

He also revealed that he owned shares in Chilanga Cement, Zambia Breweries, Investrust Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Intermarket Bank valued at K1.150 billion.

Vice-President Banda's declaration was valued by Moores Rowland chartered accounts.
Vice-President Banda arrived at Supreme Court grounds at 10:25 hours aboard a luxury Scania Marcopolo bus bearing his portrait and campaign messages which read: “Vote Rupiah Banda.”

As the bus and motorcade arrived, MMD cadres carrying placards bearing Vice-President Banda's portrait, thronged it. It took the motorcade about five minutes to manoeuver from the gate to the entrance of the Supreme Court entrance. As Vice-President Banda disembarked from the bus, the cadres erupted into ululations, chanting slogans and songs for him.

Vice-President Banda was accompanied by several ministers and MMD national executive committee (NEC) members, who included George Kunda (justice), Dr Kalombo Mwansa (mines), Sylvia Masebo (local government), Dr Eustarckio Kazonga (local government deputy minister), Gabriel Namulambe (sports), Kapembwa Simbao (works and supply), Patricia Mulasikwanda (gender), Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha (home affairs), Catherine Namugala (community development), Geoffrey Lungwangwa (education) , Mike Mulongoti (information), Professor Fashion Phiri (foreign affairs deputy minister), Katele Kalumba (MMD national secretary), Benny Tetamashimba (MMD spokesperson) and Maybin Mubanga (NEC chairperson for agriculture).

Others were former Republican vice-president Enoch Kavindele, who sweated as moved closer to Vice-President Banda as he was getting into his official vehicle.

Opposition United Liberal Party Lukulu member of parliament Ireen Imbwae, UNIP deputy national secretary Rev Alfred Banda, New Generation Party president Humphrey Siulapwa were at the Supreme Court to support Vice-President Banda as he filed his nomination papers while Forum for Leadership Search director Edwin Lifwekele, was one of the 200 supporters for Vice-President Banda.

Earlier, some MMD cadres 'hunted' for The Post journalists with a view to beating them up.

Meanwhile, an MMD cadre was almost run over by a bus after he fell from a moving vehicle onto the tarmac but managed to walk out of its way.
At the Supreme Court grounds, MMD cadre Esther Nakawala and other cadres almost caused confusion as they shouted in protest for not having been given MMD chitenje materials and caps bearing Vice-President Banda's portrait.

Despite Mulasikwanda's plea that they tone down their voices, the cadres dared her and continued demanding that they be given the chitenje materials.

“There is no way you can be giving chitenge to people who just joined the MMD from FDD instead of giving the chitenge to us the founder members of the party,” the cadres complained and warned. “Twalalwa! Twalamuma! [We will fight, we will beat you up!”
Nakawale only stopped shouting after she was given a cap.

Labels: RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 3:41 AM