‘William Banda has found fertile ground for building militias’

‘William Banda has found fertile ground for building militias’
By Ernest Chanda
Mon 17 May 2010, 04:00 CAT

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) spokesperson Given Lubinda has charged that Lusaka Province MMD chairman William Banda has found fertile ground in the MMD government for building militias.

Commenting on Banda’s statement that he sent 2,000 MMD cadres to protect Frederick Chiluba who is on a campaign trail for President Rupiah Banda in Luapula Province, Lubinda said there was no doubt that Banda had the blessings of the government. He questioned the morality in having MMD cadres protect a former head of state when the government security wings were available.

“The first question I will ask my fellow citizens is ‘do we need militias in Zambia?’ And does a second Republican president require protection by 2,000 militia? Certainly not! In fact, by sending 2,000 militia Tekele Banda is indicating that Chiluba is an enemy of the people. And for Chiluba to accept security from MMD militia it’s an admission of guilt. It is only a guilty person who needs such security, otherwise a free person would walk with his head high,” Lubinda said.

“Now, Tekele has found another fertile ground for building up militias in the Rupiah Banda government because both of them have a history of stone throwing. This is the most dangerous combination. If Chiluba did anything good for this country, he would have been walking head high. But because he is a shame to this country he can even accept security from simple cadres.”

He explained that the bigger picture was about Banda’s history associated with violence.

“For some of our colleagues who may be too young to know or remember, William Banda was brought up in the first Malawian president Kamuzu Banda militia. Tekele was instrumental in building up militias whose job was to protect Kamuzu Banda from all his opponents. Tekele and his men were vicious,” he explained.

Lubinda warned Banda that his days were numbered and Zambians would soon deal with him.
“Tekele must be stopped because he thinks this country belongs to him alone. Youths are sensitive people who cannot be exposed to violence. They can get excited at any moment and start hacking each other. This behaviour also proves that Tekele transported those MMD militias who were harassing people in Mufumbwe. In fact, we can safely say Tekele has been using by-elections to build up his pioneers. He is a danger to society and must not be left unchecked,” Lubinda warned.

“But Tekele will one day be tamed by the Zambian people. His days are numbered and pretty soon he will step on a time bomb that will explode right in his face. I can assure him that before 2011 he will have been dealt with because Zambians can no longer put up with his nonsense.”
Briefing the media at the Lusaka MMD provincial offices on Friday, Banda revealed that he had dispatched 2,000 cadres to protect Chiluba in Mansa.

“And you The Post newspepala newspaper you are always talking about Rupiah Banda, William Banda, Rupiah Banda, William Banda every day. Why are you not talking about the violence, which is being fomented by PF? Well, since I have been requested by the distinguished cadres of the MMD, we are sending 2,000 cadres to Luapula.

The advance party of 350 people from Lusaka are on their way to Luapula,” Banda said as MMD cadres shouted in approval. “An advance party of 350 already they must be reaching somewhere far. Apart from that, I'm sending a re-enforcement of 2,000 cadres to go and protect Dr Chiluba.”

Banda constantly reminded MMD cadres of their obligation to protect Chiluba wherever he was.