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I’ve no respect for Rupiah, charges chief Nalubamba

I’ve no respect for Rupiah, charges chief Nalubamba
Written by George Chellah
Sunday, August 09, 2009 9:32:04 PM

SENIOR chief Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people of Southern Province yesterday charged that he has no respect for presidents like Rupiah Banda who sing praises for thieves such as former president Frederick Chiluba. In an interview, chief Nalubamba, who was flanked by chief Chikanta, said he was anti-Rupiah Banda.

"I have no apologies to make for being anti-Rupiah Banda and anti-MMD because what is happening is not the legacy of Mwanawasa. I can even say it in front of my minister that I have no respect for Presidents like Banda who sings praises for a thief," chief Nalubamba said.

"Banda can call me today, my minister can call me, I will defend myself. I am anti-Banda... Banda has embraced Chiluba and I didn't like it. I have no apologies to make. Whether I was a friend to Banda in 2008 [during the presidential by-election] or not, there is no need for me to maintain the friendship when he has betrayed me by being friends with a thief."

Chief Nalubamba, who was speaking in his individual capacity and not on behalf of the Royal Foundation of Zambia Southern Province chapter, said he was not an appeaser.

"I will never appease anybody, even former president Kenneth Kaunda knows me that way. And it doesn't mean that just because I supported Banda in 2008, then I have no right to complain when things are going wrong, no!" he said.

He said he was a very principled man and not an opportunist.

"I have never taken anything from Chiluba. I have suffered because of my principles. I have met Banda once with my friends since he became President and secondly, I met him at State House alone. He knows, I didn't go there to appease him," he said.

Chief Nalubamba explained that he met President Banda to discuss issues of governing the country.

He observed that corruption had eaten the fabric of the nation.

"In a country where the head of state publicly embraces and commends a former president who was found wanting because of stealing what he had sworn to protect, secure and defend. Then you must know that corruption in that country has deeply eaten the fabric of the nation and that country is heading for an economic disaster so difficult to recover from," chief Nalubamba said. "It also tells you another story that encourages future presidents to steal at will because they know that they will be treated like Chiluba and their immunity may not be lifted. Besides, even if their immunity is lifted, they will enjoy their gratuity benefits as if they did nothing wrong in their term as president."

Chief Nalubamba wondered where the country was heading.

"I now admit that Levy was a great fighter against corruption because he did not allow his friendship with the man who put him there to blind him. That's why he bravely called upon Parliament to lift his friend's immunity so as to face the criminal charges his friend now faces. Imagine what would have happened if it was President Banda's term! Chiluba's immunity would not have been lifted," chief Nalubamba said. "Countrymen and women, I have no respect for a thieving President and I find it totally and morally unacceptable to shower him with praises and commendations. Countrymen and women our laws must change to deny benefits to a president who steals public funds. He or she should be reduced to an ordinary 'prison graduate'."

And chief Chikanta said just like in 1991 when the country voted for Chiluba, traditional leaders did not know that President Banda would turn out to be like this.

Chief Chikanta said it was unfair to call traditional leaders names just because they endorsed President Banda in 2008.

Labels: CHIEF NALUBAMBA, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 8:33 PM