Mangani urges PF members not to avenge MMD violence

Mangani urges PF members not to avenge MMD violence
By Chibaula Silwamba
Mon 26 Sep. 2011, 12:40 CAT

LAMECK Mangani has called on ruling Patriotic Front members not to fight opposition MMD members as revenge for the tribulations they went through. And Dr Rodger Chongwe congratulated President Michael Sata and commended him for putting the fight against corruption top on his agenda.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Ondiga have congratulated President Sata on his election. In an interview yesterday, Mangani said although many PF members and sympathisers were brutalised by the MMD, they must not take revenge.

"I know the emotions are very high. Most of our people were beaten, some of them were detained, and others had their properties destroyed and in isolated cases others even lost their lives," said Mangani. "A lot of people are very annoyed particularly about the people they know very well were perpetrators of violent acts, like William Banda, who behaved as if there is no law in this country. They terrorised and abused everybody. I know it's difficult because I also feel the pain, but you should leave vengeance to God."

Mangani said a lot of people saw Sata's Presidency as a relief to Zambians. He said Zambians fought a good fight and now had a new government.

"The best favour you can do to President Sata is to allow him settle down to some serious work without disturbances. Stories of a brother beating a brother worry any leader as an aftermath of an election. My appeal to everybody is that we should avoid excessive reactions arising from all the problems we faced in the campaigns," Mangani said. "You fought these battles because you wanted to fight injustice and God has allowed you that your wishes be granted. So let the same God help Zambians and President Sata to work together despite our political differences."

Mangani recalled that in Chipata, there were cases of PF members being detained for up to two weeks on flimsy grounds.

Mangani said the MMD tried to rob people of Chipata Central of their PF victory by trying to cheat on the day of voting. He said the country had laws and President Sata would like to preside over a decent and disciplined nation.

"So let us give him chance to look at bigger issues like improvement of the agriculture sector, tourism, tax regime and mining agreements, problems of unemployment and several other issues, instead of disturbing him with minor incidences of people trying to fight each other," Mangani said. "Nevertheless, all those that connived with the MMD cadres to steal money from government for the purpose of the campaigns should not think that they will be let free. The law will visit them at an appropriate time."

And Mangani wished former president Rupiah Banda well.

"I only hope that now that he is out of the office, he will be able to reflect on a number of issues and one of them is the danger of having mediocre characters. And he should reflect on the danger of family members, particularly the children, interfering with issues that affect the people," said Mangani. "This loss may be a good signal that the MMD will soon go into oblivion like UNIP."

And Dr Chongwe said the election of President Sata was refreshing news and congratulated Zambians for being vigilant and electing the 74-year-old leader.

"Mr Sata is a popular leader for this country and we hope that he will do good for us and his country," Dr Chongwe said. "We say goodbye to our colleague and friend Mr Banda but we are not sorry to see him go. In fact, we are very happy and it's a pity that although he actually completed his three years period it looked as though it was 10 years because he brought sorrow, despondency and disunity in this country. So we are happy that he has gone."

Dr Chongwe said he was happy to hear President Sata say that one of his first priorities would be to fight corruption.

"We hope that from yesterday when he was sworn in, he has started his job to clean up the corruption that is endemic in Zambia, in all institutions including the Anti Corruption Commission, itself," said Dr Chongwe.

Losing presidential candidates Charles Milupi of the Alliance for Development and Democracy (ADD) and Ng'andu Magande of the National Movement for Progress (NMP) also congratulated President Sata.

Magande said: "You President Sata have shown us the younger ones what perseverance means. My wishes to Your Excellency are a successful tour of duty."

Prime Minister Odinga said: "I join other leaders in congratulating President Sata on his decisive win in the just concluded polls, the outgoing president Banda for showing statesmanship and providing leadership at the critical moment in the life of his country and the people of Zambia for choosing peace and democracy in the ballot as a means of changing leadership."

Prime Minister Odinga said Zambians had given Africa a good example about democracy.

"For those of us who refuse to buy the idea that Africa is a lost cause, who cling to the hope that the 21st century could be Africa's, every democratic election and peaceful transfer of power on the continent emboldens our belief and presents us with the reason to hope even more that our struggling countries are on the right path towards a full transition to democracy," said Odinga.

"The people and leadership of Zambia have done the continent proud and given us hope by what they achieved in this election."

In his congratulatory message to President Sata, Ban said he was pleased that Zambians had shown Africa and the world that change could be brought about peacefully when democracy was allowed to flourish.

US President Barack Obama also congratulated President Sata.

"I hope that all Zambians will find common ground as you address the challenges and seize the opportunities facing your country and our world," said President Obama.