Maravi

Rupiah is a high priest of tribalism, says Mpombo

Rupiah is a high priest of tribalism, says Mpombo
By George Chellah
Sun 16 May 2010, 04:10 CAT

RUPIAH is a high priest of tribalism and a danger to national security and unity, George Mpombo has said.

Reacting to President Rupiah Banda’s statement through his special assistant for press and public relations Dickson Jere, that almost all provinces of the country are represented at State House at every senior level, Mpombo maintained that President Banda is a tribalist.

“There is ample evidence to show that President Rupiah Banda is a high priest of tribalism. He is a danger to the security of the country because to him… for instance, Dr Kenneth Kaunda jettisoned him off from being minister of foreign affairs because of his tribal conduct,” Mpombo said.

“What we are saying is that why should Mr Rupiah Banda have all senior positions and advisors from Eastern Province? We are not saying they should be Chewa or Ngoni. Rupiah is surrounded by tribal impis like that guy for information Dickson Jere, Dr Richard Chembe special assistant for economic affairs, Joseph Jalasi special assistant for legal affairs, including principal private secretary Eddie Mwanza.

“Let them not talk about Mr Differ Mulimba senior private secretary and Rapson Chilufya senior private secretary because these are clerical staff, very junior people. These are the ones that receive mail. They just I mean…just receiving mail and then pass it over. They are not senior positions.”

He said what President Banda was doing could plunge the nation into irretrievable political anarchy.

“A man that is deeply rooted in tribalism should not seek public office because this kind of arrogance, I don’t know whether it’s arrogance or something because Mr Banda wants to justify whatever he does whether wrong or right,” Mpombo said.

“So the man who actually deserves counsel on tribalism is President Banda. I strongly maintain my ground that Rupiah Banda is a high priest of tribalism.”
He said the explanation by President Banda did not make sense.

“He should know that Zambians are not dull to be hoodwinked by his defective explanation, the explanation by Mr Banda is quite defective. As a man who is leading people, he must be a servant of the people. A man who is leading, who wants to be presidentagain must always look to the people and adjust where necessary,” said Mpombo.

“He was arrogant over the Zamtel issue despite what people said, even on the Zesco optical fibre, all sorts of things. But can one be a president with all those kinds of attitude?

“So I am literally standing my ground that Mr Banda is a high priest of tribalism in Zambia and is a danger to our political security. He is a danger to the development of this country, he is a danger to our national unity.”

In a statement issued last week, Jere stated that: “The President said it is not possible for him to appoint a cabinet of 73 people in order to have all the tribes in Zambia to be represented in Cabinet.”

The President said Cabinet ministers were appointed on merit regardless of tribe, race, sex and creed as stated in the Zambian Constitution.

President Banda said almost all provinces of the country were represented at State House at every senior level.

Labels: GEORGE MPOMBO, RUPIAH BANDA, TRIBALISM

posted by MrK @ 4:23 AM