Maravi

MMD is divided, says Sondashi

MMD is divided, says Sondashi
Written by Patson Chilemba, Allan Mulenga and Katwishi Bwalya
Saturday, January 31, 2009 11:04:36 AM

MMD presidential aspirant Dr Ludwig Sondashi yesterday charged that the ruling party is divided. And MMD spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba challenged party national secretary Katele Kalumba to be courageous enough and tell the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on February 7, the people who think that they own President Rupiah Banda.

Commenting on Kalumba's statement that MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga offered the acting presidency to President Banda because some officials tried to create divisions in the party by thinking that they owned the President, Dr Sondashi said Kalumba's comments confirmed that MMD was divided.

"This is what I was talking about. So what the party chief is saying speaks volumes that the party is divided and what NEC members should do is to consider my appeal carefully and with cool minds. I don't speak things from without. If [MMD deputy national secretary Jeff] Kaande thinks I'm useless, let it be so but I will be proved right," he said.

Dr Sondashi said MMD officials who thought they owned President Banda were misleading both themselves and the President. He said some people were advocating for President Banda to be acting party president even when this was against the constitution.

Dr Sondashi urged NEC members to speak boldly against the actions of a few selfish individuals when the NEC meets.

"My view is that they [those thinking they own President Banda] should just enjoy positions given to them without misleading the President. And Mr Banda is misleading himself and must know that people will say 'yes sir, yes sir' just because they need positions and kickbacks," Dr Sondashi said. "Some people who advised me not to aspire for the presidency last time are the same people bringing up issues that Rupiah Banda should stand in 2011."

On Presidential affairs minister Gabriel Namulambe's statement that he contested the presidency but got zero votes during NEC election, Dr Sondashi said he was not the only presidential candidate who did not get any vote. He said even people like Nevers Mumba and Enoch Kavindele did not get any votes but that did not mean that they were not popular. Dr Sondashi said Namulambe had become President Banda's minion.

He further charged that he did not expect some NEC members to admit that they received kickbacks in order to adopt President Banda as interim party president.

And Tetamashimba challenged Kalumba to be courageous enough and tell the NEC meeting on February 7, the people who think that they own President Banda.

Tetamashimba dared Kalumba that should he fail to table the matter before the NEC meeting, he would instead personally do so.

Tetamashimba said contrary to Kalumba's assertion, no minister was closer to President Banda apart from Vice-President George Kunda by virtue of his position.

"If he thinks I am closer to the President, he is lying because I am the newest Cabinet minister he has appointed and then all ministers are at the same level. In my view it is only George Kunda who is closer to the President," Tetamashimba said. "If anything, the people who are complaining are the ones who stand before ministers when welcoming or seeing off the President at the airport. When the President is coming, it is Mabenga and Kaka [Kalumba] and if they are not there it is Kaande who stand before ministers, so what are they saying?"

Tetamashimba hoped that Kalumba got clearance from Mabenga because no one was allowed to issue press statements.

"It is Mabenga himself who directed that no party official should speak to the press without his authority," he said.

Tetamashimba also admitted that the NEC was divided into two camps.

"That is why they are issuing those statements; can't you see? Among the NEC members there are those who are for RB. That include Mulongoti [works and supply minister], Namugala [tourism minister] and myself," said Tetamashimba.

On Wednesday, Kalumba said Mabenga and other senior party officials nominated President Banda as party interim president in order to maintain unity. He said there were party officials who thought they owned President Banda.

Labels: BENNY TETAMASHIMBA, LUDWIG SONDASHI, MMD

posted by MrK @ 11:04 AM