Maravi

RB’s recklessness is punishing innocent civil servants - Sata

RB’s recklessness is punishing innocent civil servants - Sata
By George Chellah
Tue 15 June 2010, 07:50 CAT

RUPIAH’S recklessness is punishing innocent civil servants, Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata has said.

Commenting on the government’s recent delays in paying salaries to civil servants, Sata yesterday said the mere fact that the government is failing to pay civil servants confirms that President Banda’s administration is misapplying funds.

“The aimless and unproductive travels of Rupiah have left a number of civil servants including some police officers without pay,” Sata said. “What sort of a President is this one who goes on holiday just after returning from Europe and yet the civil servants have not been paid? Rupiah’s recklessness is punishing innocent civil servants.”

He said President Banda was too selfish for a leader.

“Rupiah should be considerate for the sake of the Zambian people and not only for his pocket. Why does he travel endlessly? Now that they have sold Zamtel I am sure that those who bought Zamtel can afford to give him tickets for him to travel the whole world so that our money can be spared for worthy causes,” Sata said.

“Why are they not paying people? It seems they brought in a new system at the expense of the workers because the ministers and senior government officials are receiving their pay right on time. They want to reduce civil servants to street beggars.”

He said it was clear that President Banda was managing the country like his farm in Chipata.

“Is Rupiah and his friend Frederick Chiluba not ashamed that people have not been paid or they are delaying in paying them, including those who guard them? Are they not ashamed that people are leaving their homes on an empty stomach to come and stand on their doors?” Sata asked.

“Civil servants are leading lives of refugees in their own country. How do you delay or not pay someone who is getting a poor salary? They want civil servants to be punished like council workers in certain councils who go for months without pay.”

He advised President Banda to show leadership and sort out the problems civil servants were facing.

“Rupiah and his people at the Ministry of Finance have blown the State House allocations so they are now dipping in people’s salaries. No wonder the civil servants keep saying Rupiah and his MMD kuyabebele because they have nothing to offer,” he said.

Sata said some senior members in the labour movement had betrayed the workers they claimed to represent.

“Civil servants have been calling me complaining about delays in getting their pay and surprisingly the unions and their leaders are quiet as if it’s okay not to pay people,” said Sata.

“We know that some labour leaders have been compromised with money from the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) hence their silence on these matters. Our trade unions have gone to sleep.”

Labels: LEADERSHIP, RUPIAH BANDA, SATA, ZAMTEL

posted by MrK @ 3:46 PM