Maravi

RB is a perpetual liar - Syakalima

RB is a perpetual liar - Syakalima
By Jack Zimba
Friday October 03, 2008 [04:00]

VICE-president Rupiah Banda is endemically corrupt and a perpetual liar as revealed by his own political record, opposition UPND presidential spokesperson Douglas Syakalima has said.

And Syakalima described Rupiah Banda's campaign agent Benny Tetamashimba's remarks on UPND president Hakainde Hichilema's assets as worrying because it exposed his "crass dullness and ignorance" about appreciation of assets.

Briefing the media at the party's secretariat in Lusaka yesterday, Syakalima said Vice-President Banda would perpetuate corruption if he were elected president because of his past activities.

"Clearly, RB's past and present activities are a bad testimony and clear indictment that if by any mischief RB had to win this election, his primary role will be to perpetuate the promotion of corruption," he said.

Syakalima also described Vice-President Banda as a "visionless leader" who could not claim to be pursuing the legacy of the late president Levy Mwanawasa.

"Although RB insists that he is running this race pursuing the legacy of the late president Mwanawasa, RB himself is visionless and has no sight that it is difficult for many people to follow him to an extent that even his shadow finds it difficult to follow him," he said.

And on Tetamashimba's assertions that people were questioning the accumulation of wealth by Hichilema, Syakalima said assets such as land, real estate and animals never depreciate but always gain value.

"Tetamashimba's lack of basic understanding on important yet simple issues is seriously worrying and we fear for the future of our country if such leaders are allowed to continue to be in charge of our destiny," he said.

Tetamashimba had questioned how Hichilema's asset value had increased by K15 billion in two years, since his last declaration of assets in 2006. He also questioned the change of name of Hichilema's security firm.

"It is crystal clear that the MMD and Rupiah Banda's camp are in disarray and panic. Issues raised by Tetamashimba at the briefing yesterday on Wednesday have exposed the MMD's desperation as it is clear now that Zambians want change," Syakalima said.

UPND spokesperson, Charles Kakoma described the tour to North-Western Province last week by Vice-President Banda and his campaign team as a "flop".

Kakoma said the people of North-Western Province had made it clear that they voted for Levy Mwanawasa in 2006 and not for the MMD, and that after him, they would vote for Hichilema.

Party vice-president, Richard Kapita said it was wrong for Vice-President Banda and his campaign team to aim their attacks at private businesses and individuals that were not in the presidential race such as The Post newspaper and its editor Fred M'membe.

Kapita also said Banda's endorsement by some chiefs in Southern Province would not amount to anything as the people in the province always went against the chiefs’ words.

"We have never been supported by the chiefs since 2001, but the people always support us," he said.

He said most of the chiefs that had attended the meeting that endorsed Rupiah Banda for president had also supported the third-term bid by former president Frederick Chiluba in 2001.

Kapita alleged that some chiefs were given K5 million for fuel by the MMD campaign team.

"I would like to congratulate chief Mwanjabantu of Eastern Province for refusing to take the K5 million that they were dishing out to chiefs," Kapita said.

But National Royal Foundation of Zambia chairperson, chief Bright Nalubamba said he never received any money from the RB campaign team, adding that he felt insulted by the insinuation that he was bribed to endorse Vice-President Banda for president.

"I have never sold my opinion for anything. I can't sell my opinion for K5 million or even K20 million," said Nalubamba.

Labels: BENNY TETAMASHIMBA, DOUGLAS SYAKALIMA, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 5:12 AM