Maravi

Rupiah is stiff-scared of losing elections – Mpombo

Rupiah is stiff-scared of losing elections – Mpombo
By Abigail Chaponda in Ndola
Sat 06 Feb. 2010, 04:01 CAT

Former defence minister George Mpombo with Father Frank Bwalya (l) at Ndola Magestrates’ Court yesterday - Picture by Abel Mambwe

FORMER defence minister George Mpombo has said President Rupiah Banda is stiff-scared of losing elections to the extent of even fearing his own shadow.

And Mpombo yesterday pleaded not guilty to the charge of dishonouring a cheque contrary to section 33(1) of the National Payment Systems Act.

In an interview yesterday after he appeared before the Ndola magistrates' court over the case of a bounced cheque, Mpombo said President Banda had sensed the mood that his leadership had not been positive following his consistent assault on the legacy of the late president Levy Mwanawasa.

He said President Banda as a guest member of the MMD must do things the right way by facing the convention on square ground.

Mpombo's remarks come in the wake of MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba's statement that anyone to be elected at the MMD convention would not be the automatic presidential candidate for the party.

He said Kalumba's statement was against the spirit and practices of the MMD constitution where the candidate chosen by the convention automatically became the person to stand as presidential candidate of the nation since 1991.

He advised the MMD not to subvert the party constitution because doing so would divide and plunge the party into further political recession.

Mpombo said once a person was elected at the convention, that was a massive sign of confidence in that person's leadership.

He said Kalumba wanted to implement the national executive committee's endorsement of President Banda as the candidate for the ruling party in next year's elections.

“People must think, there must be honour in doing things. Why does he President Banda want to contest the presidency through the back door?” he asked. “Three years is enough for him, which other body has authority than the convention? We can't relegate the convention to a clique of individuals most of whom are appointed, he has been appointing people without credibility.”

Mpombo said President Banda was stiff-scared of losing elections and he had surrounded himself with political sycophants.

And after taking a-not-guilty-plea at the magistrates court, Mpombo said he felt stateless because of what his party was doing to him.

“I feel like I am stateless, if my party can take me to court, then I don't think I belong there. If they can evoke such evil on me, I don't think they regard me as their member. I m ready for them, I am not scared of anything. As I said I will cooperate throughout this trial,” he said.

In court, Mpombo, 55, a farmer of Five Katonte Farms said he understood the charge and pleaded not guilty.

Particulars of the offence are that on December 18, 2009, in Ndola Mpombo with intent to defraud paid Colywn Company K10 million on cheque number 000014 on an insufficiently funded account at Standard Chartered Bank, which rendered such cheque dishonoured.

The matter was adjourned to March 5, 2010 for mention and March 17 for commencement of trial.
Mpombo is being represented by Lusaka lawyers Wynter Kabimba and Bonaventure Mutale.

Several Ndola residents thronged the court to give Mpombo support.

Labels: GEORGE MPOMBO, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 3:38 PM