Rupiah’s desperation has stifled public institutions, says Mtesa

Rupiah’s desperation has stifled public institutions, says Mtesa
By Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 12 May 2011, 04:00 CAT

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda’s desire to remain in power at all costs has blinded him to the interests of Zambians, says Dr Fred Mtesa. In an interview, Dr Mtesa, who is Zambians for Empowerment and Development president, said President Banda’s desperation to hold on to power had led him into stifling all public institutions.

“After becoming president by default, President Banda should have used this time to ensure that a more democratic system is put in place, ensure media reforms, proper electoral reforms, credible judiciary and the corruption fight is strengthened. Unfortunately he has been overcome by his own desire to hang on to power at all cost regardless what harm this may cause to society,” said Dr Mtesa in an interview.

Dr Mtesa observed that democracy under President Banda was non-functional as he was a dictator, who wanted things to be done his way.

He said claims by the head of state that he was a true democrat were false, saying that was just an “outward expression”.

Dr Mtesa said it was sad to see the country try to build democracy with undemocratic leadership.

“This is the more reason why we should elect a leader and government that is not scared to implement the wishes of the people. We need people that will look beyond themselves and not those who are blinded by personal interests,” Dr Mtesa said.

Dr Mtesa said President Banda’s desperation for power had stretched him to implement policies that were unsustainable and were appeasements to those he was soliciting support from.

“His eye is only focused to the elections and nothing else. And he is obviously saying ‘in case we lose I must get my pension and to win I must appease the people’ by implementing reckless projects that are not sustainable,” Dr Mtesa said.

Dr Mtesa said that it was unfortunate that those that had stood for the truth were perceived as his enemies.

“Because power is centralised in the president, who is the appointing authority, we have seen threats from the appointing authority on people who have not cooperated with the ruling party,” Dr Mtesa said.
Dr Mtesa advised President Banda to concede to calls for change by Zambians this year.

“In 1991 UNIP tried everything including giving maize coupons to Zambians and they thought they would win the election,” Dr Mtesa said.

And Dr Mtesa said there is need to have a united and progressive opposition force to deliver the change majority Zambians wanted to see.
He said that his party had been having informal talks with other opposition political parties on the need to unite ahead of the elections.

“The coming together should take place before elections, but we need people that can facilitate this. I don’t think there is an insurmountable obstacle. I have personally spoken to a number of opposition political party leaders. It should not be difficult to find a formula that works,” Dr Mtesa said.