Maravi

Banda didn’t promise anyone a job, says Teta

Banda didn’t promise anyone a job, says Teta
Written by Agness Changala and Mwala Kalaluka
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 8:44:36 AM

MMD information chairman Benny Tetamashimba has said President Rupiah Banda did not promise anyone a job during his campaign for the presidency.

Featuring on Muvi TV's Matter at Hand on Monday night, Tetamashimba said President Banda did not promise anyone a job but added that elections were about power.

Tetamashimba said the people in the rural areas voted for the MMD because they appreciated the developmental programmes that the government had implemented in those particular areas, unlike the urban dwellers.

Tetamashimba said he would have been mocked and laughed at by some people had he failed to secure victory for President Banda during the election.

"Elections are about power. Why did people support the opposition? It's because they wanted to govern," he said. "President Banda did not promise anyone a job because if he did, he would have given them immediately he was inaugurated."

Tetamashimba said Cabinet was already in place and that the only vacancy available was that of Vice-President.

"There is Cabinet in place and the only one vacancy that's there is for the Vice-President," he said.

However, Tetamashimba said President Banda was taking his time to announce the new Cabinet but that reshuffles were expected.

"You may see reshuffles because even if President Levy Mwanawasa was here today, he was going to make reshuffles," he said.

Asked how the MMD was expected to form government in view of the crisis within the ruling party, Tetamashimba said President Banda did not need leaders in the party to form Cabinet.

He said the Zambian Constitution allowed the President to appoint Cabinet ministers from Parliament and that in an event that the numbers were insufficient, he had a privilege to nominate eight members.

Tetamashimba said the MMD could form government without looking outside because most senior members of the party were already in Parliament.

He also said the government was ready to work with opposition members who were willing to put their efforts together for the benefit of the country.

"It does not matter whether PF [Patriotic Front] or any other opposition political party but what we would advise our President is to sit with other political leaders and see if they would allow their members to work with our government for the benefit of many Zambians," Tetamashimba said. "And if they agree they give the names of people they feel can work with the government."

And Tetamashimba reiterated that President Banda should be appointed acting MMD president.

"What am I proposing? I am not saying that Rupiah Banda should be confirmed or appointed to be acting president of the MMD, I am not saying that," he said. "What I am saying is that Banda be elected as vice-president of MMD and on election to the position of vice-president, he acts as president in line with the provision of the act."

Tetamashimba said even MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga could not be appointed as president or vice-president.

"MMD chairman Michael Mabenga can only resume the duties of party president or vice as the case may be while he is being called national chairman," said Tetamashimba.

Recently, there have been calls from the Copperbelt and Western provinces that President Banda should be appointed MMD president.

Labels: BENNY TETAMASHIMBA, BRIBERY, CORRUPTION, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 8:46 AM