Maravi

Livingstone mourns Sata’s loss

Livingstone mourns Sata’s loss
Written by Lambwe Kachali in Livingstone
Monday, November 03, 2008 10:32:41 PM

SOME Livingstone residents on Saturday night mourned Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata's presidential election loss. And Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe thanked Southerners for voting for President Banda. Meanwhile, there was jubilation among Chinese investors when President Banda surpassed Sata (left) who was until Saturday evening in the lead.

At about 20:00 hours, silence engulfed the tourist capital when President Banda overtook Sata in the race. The general mood in town was low. Most entertainment places, which were a hive of activities before the election, had fewer customers.

Some residents talked to said in African politics, it was difficult to defeat the incumbent government because of the rigging system.

Livingstone resident Mark Shula said UPND president Hakainde Hichilema was to blame over the loss of the opposition. He said if Hichilema agreed to form an electoral pact with PF, President Banda would have lost the election.

"I think Hichilema has now understood why Zambians were advising him to accept the proposed pact with PF. This is typical African politics; it's not easy to dislodge the sitting government. The young man HH is too drunk with his wealth. He will never be a president as long as he doesn't work with other opposition parties. Only a pact was going to work in this election," Shula said.

He said even in the 2011 presidential election, if the opposition does not join hands, the MMD will still win the election.

Shula said now that MMD had again won the Republican presidency, it was necessary for the opposition to work together as well as come up with a strategy of defeating the ruling party in 2011.

"If they don't do it now, they should forget about ruling this country," said Shula.

Another resident Charity Mutonga said although Sata had lost, he should not lose hope.

Mutonga said Sata was for the poor and people would continue to support him.

Some Chinese investors expressed happiness that their businesses would boost following President Banda's victory.

Some Chinese talked to, who did not want to be named, said they were just praying that MMD emerged victorious at the end of poll.

"We are now relieved, we thought Mr Sata was going to win but since he has lost, we are assured of staying in Zambia now. MMD is better," said one of the Chinese investors in the hospitality business.

And Munkombwe thanked all the people of Southern Province for their vote.

He said Zambians had spoken out and pledged that all the projects that MMD had initiated in the province would be accomplished on time.

Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, LIVINGSTONE, PF, SATA

posted by MrK @ 10:34 PM