Maravi

Maureen rejects govt offered house

Maureen rejects govt offered house
Written by Lambwe Kachali
Thursday, November 06, 2008 4:53:28 PM

FORMER first lady Maureen Mwanawasa has rejected a house that the government had earlier offered to rent for her in Lusaka's Roma Township on grounds that she wants a modern house.

Highly-placed sources both at Cabinet Office and State House disclosed yesterday that after the burial of the late president Levy Mwanawasa, Maureen had agreed to move into a house in Roma that the government had offered to rent for her.

Sources said this followed President Rupiah Banda's instructions that the government should take proper care of Maureen and the family by offering her the accommodation she deserved.

Sources said President Banda also said Maureen should not be disturbed and that she should only move from State House after the government finds a house of her choice.

"At first a house was found in Roma and Maureen agreed. Even some of the goods were taken to that house. But I don't know what came to her mind because we were only told that she is not moving to the house in Roma because according to her, that house was not good. She wanted a modern house," sources said. "So everything changed and there were fresh instructions to look for another accommodation which is better than the house in Roma."

Sources said it was difficult to search for a much better house that would please the former first lady because of the election campaigns.

Sources said the government's aim was to please Maureen so that she could overcome the loss of her husband.

They said now that President Banda was supposed to occupy State House, the government had decided to temporarily accommodate Maureen at one of the lodges in Lusaka's Kabulonga residential area.

"She has agreed to be accommodated at this lodge because she thinks the place is big and nice. Of course, she was supposed to leave State House yesterday [Tuesday], unless for one reason or another, but I believe today [yesterday] she should be ready to leave. This lodge is on Kabulonga Road, although I can't remember the plot number, but it's a nice lodge deserving the former first lady. Government has rented this entire lodge," sources said. "But this is just temporary, so she will be there until government finds her a better house.

"That's the agreement with the owner of the lodge and I can confirm with you that her goods have already started being ferried to the lodge, although it is believed that some goods will be taken to Palabana farm."

Another source disclosed that government had already made a plan to build a house for Maureen.

The source said soon after Maureen is accommodated, the government would start looking for land where to construct her house, which is part of her constitutional entitlement.

"Yes, government has rented the former first lady the whole lodge but she will only be there for two weeks because there is a house within Kabulonga which government wants Maureen to move into, and currently they haven't just finished painting it. So, once it is done, I think she will leave the lodge and move to that house," said the source.

But when contacted, works and supply minister Kapembwa Simbao declined to comment and referred all queries to the Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Joshua Kanganja.

However, Dr Kanganja declined to give any details on the matter.

Dr Kanganja said Maureen had moved from State House.

"This is all I can tell you, if you want details ask other people. Madam Maureen has moved from State House to a place that government has arranged for her," he said.

Asked further when President Banda would move into State House, Dr Kanganja said he could not discuss such a matter with the press.

"The issue concerning the movement of the President, no. I can't discuss things like that with you," said Dr Kanganja before hanging up the phone.

Labels: MAUREEN

posted by MrK @ 4:55 PM