Rupiah is panicking, says HH

Rupiah is panicking, says HH
By Zumani Katasefa in Chingola
Saturday October 18, 2008 [04:01]

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has charged that Vice-President Rupiah Banda is panicking to win the October 30 presidential election. And unruly Patriotic Front (PF) cadres on Thursday nearly disrupted a mammoth UPND rally held at Chingola's Kaunda Square in Chiwempala.

In an interview on Thursday after he addressed a series of rallies on the Copperbelt, Hichilema said the government's decision to reduce the price of fertiliser was a clear indication that Vice-President Banda was panicking to win the election.

"Rupiah Banda is panicking, he is just emulating the UPND manifesto. Things are bad for Banda, image builders are not working for him, that is why he is now panicking," said Hichilema.

He said reducing the price of fertiliser during an election period was tantamount to corruption.

"The MMD is confused; why reduce the price of fertiliser around this time? Twachula pafula, MMD kuya bebela," he said.

He said people on the Copperbelt had realised that it was only the UPND that could transform the country's economy.

"You saw the rallies that I held on the Copperbelt I challenge Banda to come here and see how many people will attend his rallies," he said.

He said once UPND formed government, people would be given free fertiliser for three years to ensure increased food production in the country.

Hichilema refused to comment on the outcome of the Kanchibiya parliamentary by-election where the PF emerged victorious.

And commenting on the behaviour of PF cadres who caused disturbance at his rally, Hichilema said the cadres' behaviour clearly reflected who their leader was.

He warned Copperbelt residents not to vote for leaders who would fan trouble in the country.

"But we are not worried about the behaviour of PF cadres, they were just jealous of our mammoth rallies on the Copperbelt, that is why they decided to come and disturb us," he said.

He said PF cadres failed to disrupt the rally despite their frantic efforts to do so.

The PF cadres gathered on Chiwempala road near where Hichilema was addressing his rally and started chanting PF slogans and raising their fists.

The cadres mostly taxi and minibus drivers also honked as they drove past the UPND rally, as police officers watched them helplessly.

The behaviour annoyed the UPND leaders who started exchanging bitter words with the PF cadres and threatened to beat them if they continued with their behaviour.

UPND national deputy chairman for cooperatives Fred Chimuka condemned the police for watching the cadres misbehave.

At the rally, Hichilema promised to sort out dirty water in Chingola.
Hichilema urged people not to vote for PF leader Michael Sata or Vice-President Banda saying they were too old and had no ideas to bring about meaningful development to Zambia.

In Mpongwe during a courtesy call on chieftainess Malembeka at her palace, Hichilema said he was happy to be received by the chieftainess in her area adding that once he formed government, he would partner with the traditional leaders in achieving national development.

At chieftainess Lesa's palace, the UPND leader told chieftainess Lesa that he respects tradition as he was also a village head from the village he hails from.

He said he wants to improve the living stands of Zambians including chiefs once his party forms government.

Hichilema said he would improve the chiefs' palaces and ensure that they had better infrastructure and clean water.

At chief Ndubeni's palace, Hichilema explained to the chief through an interpreter that once voted into office, his government would work closely with traditional leaders in various areas.

He said chiefs would be involved in fertiliser distribution to the grassroots.

Hichilema added that once in power, he would improve the medical sector and build clinics and hospitals in all parts of the country.