The situation is volatile, says HH

The situation is volatile, says HH
Written by George Chellah
Sunday, June 14, 2009 4:13:32 PM

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has said the current situation in the country is volatile. In an interview, Hichilema expressed disatisfaction at the government's response to the strike by civil servants. He said it was clear that the government was not in control of the country.

"We don't want them to risk the security of the nation. That's why, seeing Lungwangwa (education minister) speaking on television, I said to myself ‘God help Zambia, why did you give us such mediocre leadership?'" Hichilema asked.

"MMD must just accept that they have no President except someone who is masquerading as minister of foreign affairs, ‘Mr Holiday is forever’. Look at the strikes how they have extended to other ministries. He should have left the Minister of Finance to attend the World Economic Forum and come back home."

And Hichilema said Zambians should not worry about the presidency of the UPND-PF pact because they have decided to be methodical.

"We are enjoying seeing the MMD scattered. Zambians must give us support. The alliance of parties now includes unions and civil society organisations, let them support us. There are no conditions; we have done something that nobody expected us to do. People were saying ‘can UPND and PF work together’? But we have done it and there is a lot of reaction," Hichilema said.

"And when something like this happens, people are excited and in the excitement people will say certain things. But let me say that Sata and Hakainde are calm and collected on this matter. We will remain methodical and focused. The comment from (Namwala UPND member of parliament) Major Richard Chizyuka shouldn't isolate the issues."

Hichilema said the issue of the presidency should not preoccupy people.

"The other time Lubinda was also saying that PF will move into Chitambo but I can assure you that PF will not move into Chitambo without consulting UPND. In fact, we had a meeting on the Chitambo by-election because that's how we are working now. People are excited and you should understand that. So on Chizyuka's comment, people must not worry about it because things are under control from both parties. We are rolling out and rolling out very fast," Hichilema said.

He dismissed information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha's remarks over the UPND-PF pact.

"I see Shikapwasha was saying something that is not true. I have never had a pact with Levy myself and credible papers like The Post know that. Shikapwasha is just a muscle of flesh, the brain is smaller than his body. His memory card is expired. I’m not an opportunist," Hichilema said.

"In fact, Shikapwasha had walked away from Levy after his death. Levy picked him from the dustbins after he lost an election under the Heritage Party. They know that their time is up, now they are the spokesperson of PF and UPND."

Hichilema described Prof. Lungwangwa as an irresponsible and unable minister.

"Lungwangwa has failed to meet his responsibilities and now he wants to push that on me. He is just a joker. When you look at him you can see a shadow full of jokes. He is behaving like a little child crying to a passerby to give him sweets," said Hichilema.