Machete-wielding MMD cadres try to disrupt PF rally

Machete-wielding MMD cadres try to disrupt PF rally
By Misheck Wangwe in Kasempa
Sat 23 July 2011, 14:00 CAT

MACHETE-wielding MMD cadres on Thursday attempted to disrupt a PF rally in Kasempa’s Nkenyauna area. The cadres, however, failed to disturb rally which was being addressed by party vice-president Dr Guy Scott, after the police came in to maintain peace.

The cadres, who arrived in two pick-ups, retreated upon noticing that they were outnumbered by the PF supporters. Dr Scott described the behavior of the MMD cadres as ridiculous. “This shows you how much Rupiah Banda and his people are panicking. They are desperate because they know PF is forming government,” he said.

And addressing a rally later at Kamakechi Basic School grounds, Dr Scott said it was time for the people of North-Western Province to join millions of Zambians who have resolved to change government because the MMD has betrayed them over the past 20 years it has been in power.

He said it was disheartening to see how Zambians in rural areas were suffering as if there was no government in place.

Dr Scott said North Western Province was endowed with abundant natural resources but the people in the area had not benefited anything because the MMD government was corrupt and did not care about the plight of the people.

He said the PF was ready to form government as its vision of empowering people in rural areas was clear.

Dr Scott said President Banda should not expect people to vote for the MMD when his government has failed to provide employment, especially those in rural areas.

“This province is not supposed to be underdeveloped as it is now. We have rich minerals here and investors are getting our resources but the people are not seeing the benefits of these mines. I urge you all to vote for the PF because this party would restore dignity in your lives. We will bring meaningful change in your lives,” Dr Scott said.

He said the PF would clean up the governance system in the country in order to provide the much needed job opportunities for the majority poor.

Dr Scott who earlier inspected the stockpiles of maize which have not yet been bought by the government through the Food Reserve Agency said the MMD had nothing to tell the people especially those in rural areas because it had even failed to buy their maize.

And Mandevu parliamentarian Jean Kapata said it was gratifying that the people of North-Western Province had joined the huge number of progressive Zambians that were pushing the agenda of change.

Kapata said the suffering that the people were going through would only come to an end if the MMD is removed from government.