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Zambians are looking for another leader - Waza

Zambians are looking for another leader - Waza
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Fri 13 May 2011, 04:01 CAT

Zambians are looking for another leader to serve them, says Dr Waza Kaunda. Featuring on Radio Maria’s Face the Media programme on Monday, Dr Waza who is first Republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s son, said Zambians were resolved to change leadership in the coming elections although the MMD was resisting to allow the people’s will to prevail.

“Zambians are looking for another leader to serve them but the MMD is refusing to do what my father did (to hand over power), but we are saying no to this,” Dr Waza said.

He said it was clear that Zambians were tired of the MMD leadership and it was time people realised that PF leader Michael Sata was the only opposition leader who could defeat the MMD.

“Michael Sata is experienced, he has been a minister in all the governments. He knows this country very well, he knows all the corners of Zambia. Give him a chance. Why rob him of victory simply because you say you don’t like him?” he said.

“I heard people going around the country saying let’s look at the leadership. My opinion today is that only Sata can lead us into defeating MMD. Those who are talking about other elections, they can dream about it in their own homes.”

And commenting on President Rupiah Banda’s administration, Dr Waza said he risked bearing the label of dictator if he did not let the people’s will prevail in the coming elections.

He said President Banda was bent on maintaining his hold on power and had even halted the use of the parallel vote tabulation (PVT) by the opposition and other election monitors including the international community in the monitoring of the coming elections.

“Unfortunately the end of dictators is not good. What we are saying now is that we need a fair system of election, a system that is acceptable and fair not only to donors but it must be fair even in our homes. Zambians should use their vote to get better services, including health,” Dr Waza said.

He said Zambians needed the PVT more than they needed it in 1991 as it was the only way rigging of elections could be halted.

He said the government should be made accountable through the ballot and that people had been killed in Mongu, Mazabuka and Mansa because the government of the day had gone to sleep.

He further said it was unfortunate that President Banda had embraced Frederick Chiluba who was an abuser of human rights.

“Chiluba deported William Banda and late John Chinyula to Malawi. Now President Banda has embraced this man. Chiluba is a criminal who should be charged with kidnapping, with false allegations. President Banda has embraced this person,” he said.

Dr Waza has since urged ECZ chairperson Justice Ireen Mambilima to ensure that what happened under her leadership previously, when people had continued to cast their ballots some days after the closure of polls does not repeat itself this year. He called on civil servants who run the elections not to allow manipulation.

Labels: MICHAEL SATA, PF

posted by MrK @ 4:39 AM