Maravi

MMD plans to stage-manage defections in Luapula - PF MP

MMD plans to stage-manage defections in Luapula - PF MP
By George Chellah
Wed 10 Feb. 2010, 10:50 CAT

CHIPILI Patriotic Front (PF) member of parliament Davies Mwila has disclosed that the MMD is planning to stage-manage defections using their own cadres on the pretext that they are from PF in Luapula Province.

And Kennedy Sakeni has said President Rupiah Banda must not go to Luapula Province masquerading as a messiah because his disgraced friend Frederick Chiluba brought a lot of misery on the people. In an interview yesterday, Mwila disclosed that the MMD was planning to stage-manage defections using their own cadres.

“The group which they want to fake as defecting from PF it's that one which left MMD and supported Mr Sunday Maluba as an independent candidate in Mwansabombwe. Of course, this was after Mr Maluba was not adopted as the MMD candidate,” Mwila said.

“Mr Maluba went with this MMD group and these are the ones they want to use as defectors. This group has never been PF, they are all MMD so they will just be cheating themselves. We know that the district administrator's office in Kawambwa is busy organising these fake defections.”

And commenting on President Banda's planned trip to Luapula where he is expected to visit Mansa, Chiengi and Samfya districts, Sakeni, who is former Luapula Province MMD chairman and home affairs deputy minister, said the district commissioners from Kaputa and Chiengi were coordinating to ferry people in readiness for the stage-managed defections.

“Our people in the MMD told us that they had a meeting at which they decided that they will pay about K50,000 to K100,000 per person to those purportedly defecting from PF. They also disclosed that they intend to announce a staggering figure of about 3,000 or so defectors,” he said.

“But the people are saying that we shall eat the money because K50,000 or K100,000 does not come for free. But since President Banda is willing to give that money for free, ‘we shall eat it but our hearts know the truth’.”

Sakeni said the MMD in the province was too desperate.

“As far as we are concerned we are happy that they President Banda and Chiluba have teamed up because it makes them mincemeat for the PF to smoothly sail through,” Sakeni said.

“It makes our job much easier to defeat them both. Let them reflect on what happened in 2008, the man Chiluba camped in Luapula for almost two weeks campaigning for him but what happened? He achieved literally nothing.”

He cautioned President Banda against masquerading as a messiah when he gets to Luapula Province.

“People here are very informed,” he said.

Sakeni said Chiluba must not even attempt to masquerade as a messiah because he was responsible for most problems the province currently faced.

“There is more hunger, more poverty in our midst and the people are not amused. Especially in Kawambwa, Kawambwa Tea Estates workers have almost 30 months unpaid wages. And it's quite unfortunate that the same people who actually sold out these companies - Mununshi Banana Scheme, Mansa Batteries - can come here actually and masquerade as messiahs. When they actually brought a lot of misery on our people,” he said.

He said a few people could be hoodwinked to vote for President Banda but the majority were not even interested.

“They won't be moved by any handouts. We know the target is traditional rulers but the beauty about our traditional leadership here is that whoever goes there they will accept him. I would just ask our traditional rulers that 'please just get the gifts' they give them humbly. In fact, these gifts are due to them,” Sakeni said.

“They should just eat with them but they know what the majority of the people want. Chiluba is no longer a factor I can assure you and definitely if he comes with him President Banda then he is trying to hide behind his friend he is backing. Otherwise, nobody respects him. What I am saying may sound a lie to someone who is far away so I am inviting you to come to Luapula and just conduct a random survey and get ordinary people's views about Chiluba.”

He said President Banda must think twice about Chiluba's support.

“If he has to revive his fortunes the starting point is performance, his government must be seen to perform to the expectations of the people. And at least use credible people in his campaign. It will help him, not people who are disgraced. Chiluba is disgraced and he can't revive Rupiah's political fortunes,” Sakeni said.

“How do you imagine a former president going through what he went through whether the allegations were unfounded or not. But you are aware of the London judgment those are issues that people in villages are able to know that this man is connected to a lot of mischief, which happened during his rule.”

He challenged PF rebel members of parliament to visit their constituencies if they were as popular as they claimed.

“Let them not just make noise in Lusaka. They should come and meet us in the field. We want to meet them in the field. We are here and we know what's happening. People of Luapula are aware of Chiluba's cases and the acquittal so no one can come and cheat them,” Sakeni said.

“Actually, there are problems in the MMD here because those rebels have been promised to contest their seats on an MMD ticket but the local MMD rank and file is resisting because they have their own candidates in mind. Just watch as the drama unfolds. Luapula is sealed for PF.”

And according to a statement issued by State House special assistant for press and public relations, Dickson Jere yesterday President Banda is today scheduled to leave for Luapula and Copperbelt provinces on a four-day working visit.

Jere stated that President Banda was expected to commission some developmental projects.

“The President will travel to Luapula Province on Wednesday where he is expected to commission the refurbished Post Boat in Samfya District, which services Chilubi and other islands on Lake Bangweulu. President Banda will later hold talks with traditional leaders, heads of government departments and some members of parliament. Thereafter, the President will officially open the newly constructed office building of the Auditor General for Luapula Province before leaving for the Copperbelt Province,” stated Jere.

“While on the Copperbelt, President Banda will officially hand over the newly constructed 280 housing units for the Zambia Police Service in Ndola, which were constructed by government to help ease the accommodation shortage for police officers. The President will also attend the installation of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Alick Banda as the new Bishop of Ndola. President Banda has been invited to grace the event by the Roman Catholic Church. President Banda will return to Lusaka immediately after completing his scheduled business.”

Labels: DAVIES MWILA, KENNEDY SAKENI, MMD, PF-UPND, RUPIAH BANDA, SUNDAY MALUBA

posted by MrK @ 12:46 PM