Maravi

Nothing can stop upset people voting for change – Kavindele

Nothing can stop upset people voting for change – Kavindele
By George Chellah
Fri 13 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT

FORMER Vice-President Enoch Kavindele yesterday said nothing can stop people that are upset and determined from voting for change. And Kavindele said the sale of Zamtel has been calculated to defraud the people of Zambia.

Featuring on MISA-Zambia's Face the Media programme on Radio Phoenix, Kavindele explained that although a President enjoys the incumbency, nothing could block change when the people need it.

“The President does enjoy incumbency but that means then he will only have access to government facilities. For instance, he can use the helicopters, he can use government machinery as he goes because the President is always a President whether he is going to his village or going to an election, he still has access to those items,” Kavindele said.

“But you know when people are determined to change, they would change. President Kaunda in 1991 had all those facilities. UNIP had more money. MMD virtually had very little money. But you know, UNIP was humiliated… so money to some extent or incumbency to some extent can play a role.

“But if people are upset and say 'look we just need change' nothing will stop them from voting for that change. They will get your T-shirts, they will get the food you give them, they will get the money you give them. But when it comes to voting they will vote for the one they think or believe that are going to bring change for their betterment.”

Kavindele said people that want the MMD convention held outnumber those with contrary views. He said President Banda inherited a very difficult MMD.

“MMD from the third term debate has never been the same at all. And the fact that President Banda came in from another party to be president …chosen by the NEC to be president of MMD has itself also upset many people who are in the MMD.” he said.

And Kavindele criticised the use of government resources in elections.

“Each time there is an election there are too many vehicles without number plates and if you mark them properly you will see that after the elections those vehicles have number plates. So this…there will always be misuse of government resources not only by the MMD including any other political party that comes into power,” he said.

On the fuel shortage, Kavindele agreed with President Banda's recent remarks in Eastern province that there are too many vested interests in the procurement of fuel,” Kavindele said.

“So the greed exhibited by people is now causing the country's economy really to suffer because it's raining now and farmers need to get into their fields.”

Kavindele said the nation was beginning to see lots of unusual things.

“A week before independence celebrations we are told that Total were going to sell their shares…a week later we are told that government has bought those shares. And the same time we are told that there has been an expression of interest by several people both inside Zambia and outside Zambia,” Kavindele said.

“Now there has been no advert so if I want to buy shares in Indeni or if I want to buy Indeni who should I phone, the President or phone the minister? Those who have expressed interest to buy Indeni how have they expressed interest because this has not been put on the market? For as long as there is greed and corruption these things will never be sorted out.”

He maintained his argument over President Banda's children and their links to certain business transactions.

He insisted that issues surrounding President Banda's children in relation to some named business transactions were of public knowledge.

“Let the opportunity be given to other people as well,” he said.

Kavindele said business could not only be given to those that are politically correct.

On Zamtel, Kavindele said the sale of the parastal has not been handled in a transparent manner.

He said there were a lot of underhand methods in the Zamtel transaction.

“This has all been calculated to defraud the people of Zambia,” he said.

Kavindele likened the Zamtel transaction to the sale of Telecom Ghana, which has generated controversy after a change of government.

He said corruption has to be fought all the time.

Labels: ENOCH KAVINDELE, INDENI, PRIVATISATION, ZAMTEL

posted by MrK @ 3:51 PM