Maravi

Rupiah continues onslaught on traditional leaders

Rupiah continues onslaught on traditional leaders
By Edwin Mbulo in Monze
Thu 08 Sep. 2011, 14:01 CAT

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda continued his onslaught on traditional leaders at a rally on Tuesday, branding a chief he did not name as a "double-dealer" after Bweengwa MMD parliamentary candidate Bbuku Tisibu complained that party members were being intimidated. And the Ministry of Education in Monze ordered for the closure of schools to enable school-going children attend President Banda's rally at the Railway Grounds.

Addressing a rally with a sparse crowd in Monze where he is on a campaign trail, President Banda in an apparent reference to chief Hamusonde after Tsibu complained of intimidation against the MMD in Bweengwa, said he knew the person who was intimidating the MMD and called him a double-dealer who always goes to State House to say that the people of Bweengwa were with the him.

"My brother who spoke earlier Tisibu said houses were set ablaze. We shall not condone violence, let us all reject all forms of violence, we don't want to be refugees. Even if I was to lose, you will not see me on the podium advocating for violence," President Banda said.

He said leadership should be given willingly by voters and not by force from people who wanted to get into power adding that calls for change were unsubstantiated.

"We don't want violence, you will never become a leader by force, leadership must be given willingly and not by force. Why do they not learn from history. Or learn from my case, I did not force people to vote for me. Even the late president Levy Mwanawasa he did not go round to force people, he was invited by the people who were in leadership," said President Banda.

He, however, did not make any reference to the violence where MMD cadres led by Lusaka Province chairman William Banda, brutally attacked and injured villagers in Waterfalls area before President Banda's rally in Chongwe last Saturday.

Earlier, speaking in Tonga, Suresh Desai said Monze had lagged behind in development because the people voted for a leader who he likened to a bull which was outside a kraal.

He said President Banda would win this year's elections followed by the PF leader, while HH would be in distant third position.

MMD's former parliamentary chief whip, Vernon Mwaanga in his address said Southern Province needed to support President Banda because it would need the Eastern Province support when a candidate from the area aspired for presidency in future.

When asked in an interview who had been intimidating the MMD, Tisibu confirmed that he had complained to President Banda and named the traditional leader as chief Hamusonde.

And sources at the ministry said the school authorities were directed to suspend lessons for pupils to attend President Banda's rally.

Some of the pupils at the rally in separate interviews also confirmed yesterday's directive.

The children were entertained by some musicians who have become a feature at President Banda's meetings.

President Banda is also being accompanied by ULP leader Sakwiba Sikota, MMD secretary Maj Richard Kachingwe and Southern Province MMD chairman Edgar Keembe.

Labels: CHIEFS, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 4:42 PM