Maravi

Kunda extols Levy’s dedication to corruption fight

Kunda extols Levy’s dedication to corruption fight
By Moses Kuwema
Sat 20 Aug. 2011, 12:01 CAT

VICE-President George Kunda has hailed late president Levy Mwanawasa as a very courageous politician who would be remembered for his dedication to the fight against corruption.

In his remarks at the third memorial service for president Mwanawasa at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross yesterday, Vice-President Kunda also praised the late president for having laid a firm foundation for the economic success the country was currently enjoying.

“He believed in the rule of law, he had a unique personality and character, he was very tolerant to the media. The media was left to operate freely during the time he served us as president, he was able to maintain peace,” Vice-President Kunda said.

Vice-President George Kunda, who was initially not on the programme as one of the speakers, said Mwanawasa whom he said introduced him to politics, played a key role in introducing the development planning, a concept he said was abandoned by the country.

“We had abandoned the concept as Zambians and I think this too was responsible for resuscitating the economy, the fruits of which we are enjoying now,” he said.

Vice-President Kunda said the government would soon construct a mausoleum for Mwanawasa as a permanent reminder of the good things that the late president did.

And Leslie Mbulu, who served as High Commissioner to South Africa and earlier as Secretary to Cabinet during president Mwanawasa’s presidency, attributed the current economic development in the country to a very solid foundation laid by the late president.

Mbula said president Mwanawasa had inherited a very bad economy as the manufacturing and mining industries had collapsed.

“As president of Zambia Dr Mwanawasa laid a very firm foundation for economic development, most of you may not be aware, Mwanawasa inherited a very bad economy, the manufacturing and mining industry had collapsed. It took Mwanawasa and his committee in arranging many workshops and through these workshops, by the time Levy died he had laid a very solid foundation for economic development of our country which we are now enjoying,” Mbula said.

Mbula said president Mwanawasa, did not only lay the foundation for economic development, but also performed his presidential duties with integrity.

“As we celebrate the life of Dr Mwanawasa we should reflect on the many things he did for Zambia. Let us emulate him by dedicating ourselves to his ideals of fighting corruption, protecting public resources, maintaining the rule of law, practicing genuine democracy by engaging in constructive criticism,” Mbula said.

Meanwhile, Mwanawasa's daughter Chipo said her father's leadership was not only known for sacrifice but also for hard work.

Chipo said Mwanawasa did his best as a leader and he was a legend who would forever be remembered.

Among the people that attended the memorial were, Mwanawasa’s widow and former first lady Maureen, former Chongwe member of parliament Sylvia Masebo, Patrick Mwanawasa and his siblings, leaders of opposition political parties and diplomats accredited to Zambia.

Mwanawasa died at Percy Military hospital in France where he was flown for medical treatment after suffering a stroke while attending an African Union summit in Egypt three years ago.

Labels: CORRUPTION, GEORGE KUNDA, LEVY MWANAWASA

posted by MrK @ 6:58 PM