Maravi

Thieves have taken over MMD - Mulongoti

Thieves have taken over MMD - Mulongoti
By Kombe Chimpinde
Mon 22 Aug. 2011, 14:20 CAT

CHARLATANS and thieves have taken over MMD, says Mike Mulongoti.
Commenting on massive and extravagant spending on campaigns by the MMD, Mulongoti, the former MMD elections chairman, said President Banda and his allies would face possible convictions for theft and profiteering from public resources.

Mulongoti, who is also a former works and supply minister, warned that it was only a matter of time before President Banda starts accounting for the money his administration was abusing through party campaigns.

“Mr. Banda and his people are staring in the gates of the jail and I can tell you when forensic investigations are done it will be a picnic. The day of reckoning is coming,” Mulongoti said.

“I am very ashamed that we were associated with forming MMD and associated in helping this Mr. Banda to become president. I did not know he was going to turn around and start getting money from hospitals and the poor people for his own personal campaigns. We have charlatans and thieves that have taken over.”
Mulongoti said that MMD’s display of wealth in the campaigns ahead of the September 20 elections stinks of corruption.

“That kind of display of wealth by a political party stinks in a country where there is so much poverty; it stinks. Nobody says political parties must not organise themselves but they do not do it in a manner where it stinks. You cannot be seen to be showing so much extravagance, when people are crying for medicine and employment,” Mulongoti said.

“Mr (former Egyptian president Hosni) Mubarak is in a cage today for similar reasons. This is going to come one day in Zambia. No matter how much time it takes. It took Mubarak over 30 years. He (President Banda) can afford to intimidate and pay people but I can tell you that time will catch up with him.”

Mulongoti said he was shocked at the amount of billions the MMD had injected in the campaigns when not so long ago, the MMD was nursing huge debts.

“MMD does not have companies where it raises money. So the question is, where is that money coming from? It can only come from the distortion of companies and mortgaging of the country by those who are in power through promises that they will be given a job or a contract. So the whole thing I can tell you, stinks,” Mulongoti said.

“Late (Levy) Mwanawasa stood in 2006, he did not display that kind of thing. He was conscious of the fact that his first obligation was not the party but leadership to the Zambian people. Not this kind of display of abuse of resources.”

He said MMD’s abuse of resources was tantamount to money laundering which the ruling party could not defend.

Mulongoti said President Banda should not call himself a democrat because he did not qualify.

“It is democracy of pure mafias, where they want to take resources from companies to try and overwhelm others. Look at the manner in which Chitenge materials are being distributed. There is so much chitenge (material) that it won’t be long before dogs are wrapping chitenge for MMD. If that is the way you are going to do politics, I want to repeat, it stinks,” said Mulongoti.

Labels: MIKE MULONGOTI, MMD

posted by MrK @ 9:35 PM