Maravi

We’re not safe - Lubinda

We’re not safe - Lubinda
By Abigail Chaponda in Ndola
Wed 27 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT

The blood of all those killed by the police sent by President Rupiah Banda’s government “will not rest”, says Given Lubinda. And Fr Frank Bwalya says President Banda is possessed with a demon that can only be cast out by prayer and fasting.

Addressing a mammoth rally in Kawama on Monday to bid farewell to Fr Bwalya who returns to the pulpit after two years of sabbatical leave, Lubinda said Zambians were not safe in their own country.

“The blood of the people who were killed by the police sent by Rupiah Banda will not rest. The people we have entrusted to protect us are the ones who are killing us. We are not safe in our country,” Lubinda said.

“This is the reason why Fr Bwalya left the pulpit to fight and speak for the poor; he joined in the struggle because he knows the suffering of the people. Priests and bishops are speaking out because there is a corrupt government that does not care for its people.”

Lubinda also observed a moment of silence in respect of people who were shot and killed by police in Mongu, Mazabuka and Mansa and the crowd joined in singing the hymn Rock of Ages, in honour of all those killed in police shootings.

He said President Banda was Southern African Development Community chairman in charge of security but wondered why there was no security in Zambia.

Lubinda said he was ready to die for Zambia to ensure that the MMD government does not rig this year’s elections.

He said he was ready to be arrested by the police because he would lead Zambians in conducting the parallel vote tabulation (PVT).

Lubinda warned Copperbelt residents to be careful of MMD because they were going to use everything possible to hoodwink them with campaign gimmicks like writing off of all outstanding debts on parastatal houses.

“You see such desperate moves are the ones that chase away potential investors because they lose confidence. I pay NAPSA but now I am afraid that Rupiah Banda might just wake up and say that the money I contribute to NAPSA should be given to Dora Siliya,” he said.

Lubinda said it was not true that PF was controlling some councils in Zambia because all the councils were controlled by the MMD government.

“Even if we have PF mayors, they are paralysed. I want to reveal to you that the MMD government wants to be getting billboard moneys to be going to government and not to the councils. I warn you Rupiah Banda, your lies will land you in prison,” he said.

Lubinda also challenged local government and housing minister Dr Brian Chituwo to give Zambians the Commonwealth local government financial report.

“Other councils in Africa like Botswana, fund their councils 92 per cent and only eight per cent comes from the council. But we are the least in Africa; the MMD government only funds the councils three per cent. This is the reason there is too much corruption in the country,” he said.

Lubinda asked Siliya and President Banda to repent of their sins for selling Zamtel.

And Fr Bwalya said President Banda's government was useless and should go in order for Zambians to be liberated.

He said President Banda was a selfish leader and that Zambians should reject him.

“We must remove this demon because we have suffered enough. And we are not going to allow the MMD government to steal our votes because we are going to get them back no matter what,” he said.

In biding farewell to the people, Fr Bwalya said he would not stop speaking against the bad things that the MMD government and President Banda were doing until they were removed from power.

“I am not leaving you alone my friends. I am going back for work, but I will work hard. I will speak even more. My sabbatical leave has come to an end but every Sunday, I will be having meetings. I will not stop until Rupiah is removed,” he said.

Fr Bwalya then blessed the people with holy water.

Labels: FRANK BWALYA, GIVEN LUBINDA, PF

posted by MrK @ 12:02 PM