Maravi

Mabenga is a noble man, says Rupiah

Mabenga is a noble man, says Rupiah
Written by Patson Chilemba
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 4:03:05 PM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday said those speaking against the appointment of Michael Mabenga (r) as lands deputy minister are talking nonsense, saying Mabenga is a noble man and has done nothing wrong.

And in apparent reference to The Post, President Banda said he will demand commission from the newspaper for always using his name to sell the newspaper.

During a swearing-in ceremony for ambassadors and ministers at State House, President Banda said he had read what was being said about Mabenga, who is also MMD national chairman.

"I read what they say about you. That is nonsense. They don't like this word when it comes from me, 'Rupiah said nonsense, Rupiah'. Soon I will ask them to pay me commission for using my name to sell their newspaper. You [Mabenga] are a Zambian like any other, and if you do something wrong, there are courts there, police there. They should go there and report and take you there. You have done nothing wrong and you can see I have received a lot of congratulations from many people as a result of appointing you," President Banda said. "Because people know that you are a noble Zambian. The fact that someone may call you this and call you that, it doesn't stick unless they can prove it. So I am very happy that you have joined government. You are the chairman of the ruling party, so it is your party that has been ruling this country. It's only natural that you should be in government, as you are coming in now."

President Banda said he knew Mabenga well and trusted him both as a person and his ability to serve the Zambian people.

Mabenga abused about K30 million Constituency Development Fund (CDF) during the 2001 elections.

The Supreme Court judgment arose from an appeal against a decision of the High Court where losing Mulobezi member of parliament Sikota Wina successfully petitioned the election of Mabenga due to alleged malpractices.

The Supreme Court commented on the misuse of CDF stating that, "this in fact amounts to theft of these funds. ...the learned trial judge cannot be faulted for arriving at the conclusion that K29,800,000 was withdrawn to finance the appellant's [Mabenga] election."

On the appointment of Lameck Mangani as home affairs minister, President Banda said the Ministry of Home Affairs should be alert and ready to deal with the problems the country faced.

He said this was a very difficult time politically and some people would want to use the difficulties the country faced to assume power.

"Don't be misled by those who have got their own agendas for disrupting this country, hoping that something bad will happen to Zambia and that they will benefit. How can you benefit from problems, people who suffer? So I call upon you as Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that there is sanity in the country and fairness for everyone in the country," President Banda said.

On the appointment of Joel Ngo as Ambassador to Brazil, President Banda said he had known Ngo for many years. He said Zambia and Brazil had a lot in common and there was a lot the country could learn from Brazil's leaders.

"They have a great leader whom we all admire in the South to South relationship," President Banda said.

President Banda also appointed Major Richard Kachingwe as High Commissioner to Malawi.

He advised the ambassadors not to listen to stories that would be written back home.

"They just want to use you, and when you are found that you are taking part, you will be called and I don't like to call my colleagues. When you have settled down for the period I have sent you there, go to school, to represent your country," said President Banda.

"You can only achieve that when you don't listen to what is happening in this country because those people have got their own agenda. They sincerely believe they can come in, it is not possible."

Labels: MICHAEL MABENGA, MINISTRY OF LANDS, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 3:05 PM