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(LUSAKATIMES) Sata,HH urge RB to rescind ZAMTEL decision

Sata,HH urge RB to rescind ZAMTEL decision
Thursday, July 30, 2009, 16:35

The Patriotic Front (PF) – United Party for National Development (UPND) pact has asked President Rupiah Banda to rescind government’s decision to privatize ZAMTEL shares.

PF President Michael Sata said at a press briefing in Lusaka today, that the decision to privatize 75 percent of ZAMTEL shares should be reversed immediately as it was not being done in the public interest. He said the privatization of ZAMTEL means a very big loss on the part of the majority of the citizens.

Mr. Sata has since called upon Zambians and PF-UPND pact members to continue to pressurise government against its decision. He said the privatization of ZAMTEL shares was too much and added that it would not in any way help recapitalize the company. He urged government to reduce the percentage of shares being privatized.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sata announced that PF-UPND pact was meeting with some MMD members to discuss their upcoming resignation from the MMD.

And Mr. Sata has condemned the recent harassment of journalists from both the public and private media in by some suspected MMD cadres.

He said the continuous beating and harassment of journalists should immediately be stopped in the country.
He said it should be understand that journalists were important people who try by all means to ensure that they educate, inform and entertain the public.

And UPND President Hakainde Hichilema said government should realize that ZAMTEL was of very great value to Zambians and that privatization of 75 percent shares would be a very big mistake on the part of government.

He said privatization of 75% ZAMTEL shares would mean taking away something that is of importance and value from the Zambian people.

Mr Hichilema called on the government to be very careful with its decision. He said Zambia and its people do not want to lose a company like ZAMTEL just because of government’s move to privatize 75% of its shares.

And Mr. Hichilema has said the PF-UNPD pact was strong and would liberate Zambia and its people when it comes into power in 2011.

He also said the pact was very united and that it would by 2011 remove the ruling MMD through the ballot box.

ZANIS

Labels: MICHAEL SATA

posted by MrK @ 5:07 PM