Maravi

Sata mocks Rupiah, Chiluba over their popularity claims in Luapula

Sata mocks Rupiah, Chiluba over their popularity claims in Luapula
By George Chellah in Nchelenge
Thu 10 Feb. 2011, 04:01 CAT

Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata has mocked President Rupiah Banda and Frederick Chiluba over their claims of popularity in Luapula Province. Addressing a public rally at Kashikishi in Nchelenge district on Tuesday, Sata advised the MMD and Chiluba not to cheat people about the situation in Luapula.

“They MMD have said, in Luapula it’s a no-go area for PF. Yes, we are grateful it’s a no-go area, we have seen it for ourselves,” said Sata mockingly as the crowd burst into laughter. “We thought it was truly a no-go area but we have seen if for ourselves.”

He said there was nothing President Banda could learn from Chiluba because Chiluba failed to develop the province.

Sata said without Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s leadership, the current road infrastructure in Luapula would not have existed.

“When we go to Chinsali they will show us Shambalakale Farm Dr Kaunda’s farm, in Ndola they will show us Teka farm the late Levy Mwanawasa’s farm. I was at Musangu Chiluba’s village and there is nothing,” Sata said. “Mr Chiluba must assist the people of Luapula by saying the truth but you should not come here to cheat people. He should look at these people who are suffering.”

He challenged people to show the development that Chiluba took to Luapula Province during his 10-year rule.

“People from Luapula should show what Chiluba left here. If he Chiluba can’t show what he did here including in his own village Musangu, what can he tell Rupiah Banda?” Sata asked. “I am grateful I have found you, just work hard. This is our country. Chiluba found you, Rupiah Banda found you and I found you and I will leave you.”

Sata wondered where the people of Nchelenge could have been going for medical treatment had the Catholic Church and the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) not built St Pauls and Mbereshi hospitals.

He said Nchelenge member of parliament Ben Mwila who is also National Democratic Focus (NDF) president had neglected the people that voted him into office.

“Your MP Mr BY Mwila, he is a president for nashalaneka party. You have elected Mr Mwila but does Mr Mwila even know that this road to Chiengi ends here?” Sata asked.

He told the crowd that President Banda, who was just co-opted from UNIP to replace Mwanawasa was even failing to look into the welfare of police officers.

“Currently, the police have no vehicles or transport. We are suffering together with the police and even when you look at the new uniform they have given them, our police officers now look like plumbers,” he said.

He said the PF rebel parliamentarians were just like the biblical Judas Iscariot.

“The people who are betraying you are your own children. They are lying that there is development here. Where is the development?” he asked.

Sata dismissed claims that he insulted Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people in Northern Province.

“They came here claiming that Sata had insulted Chitimukulu. But they have not told you how I insulted Chitimukulu or what I said. I can go and beg Chitimukulu and ask for forgiveness but they are not saying how I insulted him,” he said.

He advised civil servants in the province against being partisan and frustrating PF activities.

“I want to warn the district commissioner that only the police have powers to allow us to have a meeting and not the DC,” Sata said. “The DC went to the Catholics and said that ‘PF should not hold a meeting there Catholic hall’. But they told him to just leave. That DC and Mulobeka don’t know which government is coming in August.”

Labels: LUAPULA PROVINCE, MICHAEL SATA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 7:42 AM