Maravi

Mabenga bursts out in anger over his lies

Mabenga bursts out in anger over his lies
By Lambwe Kachali
Friday October 10, 2008 [04:00]

MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga on Wednesday burst out in anger when he was asked to justify his lies that Vice-President Rupiah Banda did not bribe Claudius Sakala in 1991.

On Tuesday, an eyewitness Charles Manda dismissed as lies Mabenga's claims that the K20, 000 that Vice-President Banda gave to Sakala for him to defect from MMD to UNIP in 1991 was meant for a funeral.

Manda, who was MMD Mtendere ward youth chairperson in 1991, said Sakala had no funeral at the time Vice-President Banda gave him K20, 000, contrary to Mabenga's statement.
He said the first funeral at Sakala's house was when Sakala himself died in 2003.

And when contacted for a comment, Mabenga, who sounded angry said he did not want to talk about the past and retrogressive issues.
Mabenga said if The Post was hurt by the K20, 000 that Vice-President Banda gave Sakala in 1991, they should take the matter to court.

He said it was pointless for him to dwell on issues that happened as far back as 1991.

Asked why he refuted and described as libelous the story that reported that Vice-President Banda was involved in bribery when he contested as candidate for UNIP member of parliament for Munali constituency as published by Times of Zambia in 1991, Mabenga shouted: “I am not interested in retrogressive issues, past issues. If you (The Post) have a problem with the Acting President over that K20, 000, then go to court. It's only at the court where people make complaints. What's the main problem with you? Leave me alone, I am busy with campaigns here.”

He said the negative stories The Post was writing about Vice-President Banda would have no effect on MMD's election results.

“It's pointless for me to talk about something concerning K20, 000, an issue which happened in 1991, many years ago. In which way will it help to improve the lives of the people?

It is a retrogressive issue and what we are doing now is to focus on real issues that affect our people. And you people at The Post, you are not even tired of what you are writing on us. But even if you do that, we are not reversing, we are going ahead and come 30 October, RB will be in State House,” he said.

When reminded that leaders required to lead by example by being truthful as opposed to telling lies just to suit their political agenda, Mabenga angrily said before hanging up: “Mr. Kachali, don't you understand my English? What type of language do you understand better? How many times should I repeat that I don't want to talk about dead issues, retrogressive issues? You are wasting my time, I am busy campaigning.”

Last week, Mabenga said Vice-President Banda did not bribe Sakala with K20,000 claiming Sakala had a funeral and made a request to that effect. He said Sakala, after being helped by Vice-President Banda, decided on his own to show appreciation by resigning from the MMD and joined UNIP.

Mabenga said the act did not amount to bribery but good will by Vice-President Banda.

Labels: MICHAEL MABENGA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 3:31 AM