Mpombo accuses Rupiah of speaking in tongues

Mpombo accuses Rupiah of speaking in tongues
Written by George Chellah
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:12:23 AM

FORMER defence minister George Mpombo yesterday challenged President Rupiah Banda to be absolutely genuine on his stance over the MMD national convention as opposed to speaking in tongues. In an interview, Mpombo said he doubted President Banda's statement that he was ready to be challenged.

"If he is genuine, let him come out to say 'let's go for the elections'. Let him go to Mulungushi Rock of Authority. He shouldn't keep quiet," Mpombo said.

"Let him speak out whether he is for the idea of foregoing the convention or not. Let him be absolutely genuine and not speak in tongues."

Mpombo said nobody in the MMD had the capacity to force him out.

"If they forced a by-election, we would challenge them but it would be a very unpatriotic decision. If I stand, I can whip them like no man's business. That much they know and if they didn't know, they will find out. Kafulafuta is not a constituency that people can manipulate. I will not accept these jungle politics or any kangaroo court," Mpombo said. "We are ready for any eventuality. I am not stranded, politically. Our artillery forces, infantry, armored-personnel, squadrons of the latest fighters are on the ground in Kafulafuta waiting for orders. We are prepared for them. Our squadrons are ready to scramble in the air and destroy any MMD machinery in Kafulafuta."

On Evangelical Youth Alliance International president Moses Lungu's 48-hour ultimatum for him to stop attacking President Banda, Mpombo dismissed Lungu as having been hired.

"Skullduggery, that's the nature of Lungu so if Rupiah Banda wants to use such questionable characters, I am prepared for a cross country fight with anybody who is using Lungu. Lungu is just a religious quack masquerading as a cleric. The last time I met this chap was when the late president Mwanawasa died and we were having a church service in Kanyama," Mpombo said. "I went there with Mike Mulongoti and Gabriel Namulambe. After that, he has been pestering me for financial assistance and wanted me to connect him to the donors. He is a one-man army. For a long time he has been used as propaganda tool."

Mpombo insisted that Lungu was just being used.

"That one 48-hour ultimatum he is giving me, that's too long; I want him and his handlers to bring it to two hours. His handlers must be prepared for the severe consequences," Mpombo said. "He is opening up a political pandora's box. I want to assure Lungu that he will get a very good fight. But I will go for his handlers instead of him."

He cautioned the MMD leadership against engaging in tribal politics.

"Tribal politics like the ones they are sending Lungu to practice can plunge the country into undesirable political, economic and social conflict. Why is Lungu talking about tribalism now? Is it because he is from the same province as President Banda?" asked Mpombo.

Lungu was quoted in the Times of Zambia as having threatened to spill the beans in the event that Mpombo does not tell the nation why he resigned.

Lungu, who accused Mpombo of practising politics of tribalism, asked him to stop attacking president Rupiah Banda.

Mpombo said he was only against the MMD leadership and the manner they were running the party.

"I am talking against the leadership which is dragging the party into a terminal illness. Some selfish individuals within the party are the ones saying that let's forego the convention. MMD is a dynamic party, what we are talking about is the leadership," he said.

Mpombo said he had no reason to apologise to President Banda.

"What for? In fact, each day I wake up I thank God for having made a decision to leave government. My resignation should not be linked to any kind of financial position. I just couldn't continue under the leadership of Rupiah Banda," Mpombo said. "These chaps must understand democratic governance, I was elected by the gallant people of Kafulafuta. I am representing the people of Kafulafuta I am not a nominated member of parliament myself, so that's where my authority lies."

Mpombo said he could also impose sanctions on the MMD as a party.

"When I do that by resigning that will be the beginning of the end of MMD in Copperbelt rural and they know that. But I will not resign because others may think they have defeated me," Mpombo said.

"I am not a political lightweight in Kafulafuta and they know that. If a situation arose... that of the party firing me, we will take the matter to its logical conclusion."