Rupiah accuses The Post of distorting politics

Rupiah accuses The Post of distorting politics
Written by Mutuna Chanda and Abigail Chaponda in Chingola
Sunday, June 07, 2009 3:52:53 PM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday refused to state whether or not he has cleared former Local Government and Housing minister Sylvia Masebo to explain the deal involving the procurement of 100 hearses from China, among other issues. Asked about whether or not he has cleared Masebo to talk about the hearses deal, President Banda instead accused The Post of trying to distort politics.

President Banda was asked shortly after he addressed the Zambia national soccer team players at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Directors Lodge in Chingola before the match between Zambia and Rwanda in Chililabombwe.

“Can you imagine after such a wonderful occasion, you are back to your usual politics so that you can distort them,” said President Banda as he laughed. “We are looking forward to the unity between Mr Hakainde and Mr Sata so that in the next elections, their candidate will be HakaSata.”

Last week, Masebo revealed that in line with the Cabinet handbook, she had applied for clearance from President Banda to allow her as a former minister to divulge information on the transactions that took place during her tenure.

Her explanation was in response to Local Government and Hosuing minister Benny Tetamashimba's letter to her dated May 31, 2009 and copied to Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja, Post editor Fred M'membe and permanent secretary Coillard Chibbonta, that she had bought 150 vehicles for the Keep Zambia Clean campaign, hearses and unfit speedboats without involving him as her deputy then.

Masebo said it was clear that there was a deliberate ploy to malign and dent her image.

“I received the letter from Tetamashimba yesterday [Monday last week] and I want to say from the outset that it is very unfortunate because there is a clear and deliberate ploy to malign me, drag my name in the mud and dent my image,” Masebo said. “But I can't respond to Tetamashimba for now. Having served as minister, according to the Cabinet handbook, I have to get permission or clearance from the President before I can divulge information on any matter concerning my former ministry. I have since, through the Vice-President, applied for this clearance from the President and I am waiting to hear from the President.

“Once that clearance is given, I will give the public full details on the purchase of all the equipment by the ministry during my tenure, in particular in the year 2007 and 2008 relating to the council equipment. This will include the Make Zambia Clean and Health utility vehicles, tractors, garbage trucks, 40 fire fighting tenders or equipment, chiefs' vehicles and hearses.”

Masebo said she would also talk about the land next to Lusaka Girls School.

“My keeping quiet on a number of issues does not mean I have something to hide or I have nothing to say,” Masebo said.

“I am simply guided by the Cabinet handbook. However, it now seems that I have no choice but to lower myself to Tetamashimba's level in dealing with this matter so that I can vindicate myself and in particular [the late] president Levy Mwanawasa who is not here. I am saddened that this is the way government is being run, that a former minister has to be called upon to explain when the government is supposed to be continuous; files and all the officers are in the ministry to provide answers.”

Masebo said unless she had committed a crime during her tenure, Tetamashimba should be able to explain because all the information on the transactions was in the ministry.

“And if I have committed a crime or done anything wrong, there is no need for anyone to write to me. All they need to do is to report me to the appropriate investigative wings,” said Masebo.

“So for now, I will not go into details except to say that I wait for clearance from the President before I divulge any information on all the transactions. I have nothing to fear or hide. Those who are interested to know the truth can even ask for a tribunal to be appointed so that all the information can be brought out for the benefit of the public.”