Maravi

Rupiah, William have failed to disengage from their violent past - Sichinga

Rupiah, William have failed to disengage from their violent past - Sichinga
By Patson Chilemba in Chinsali
Sun 11 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT

ROBERT Sichinga has told Chinsali residents that William Banda and President Rupiah Banda have failed to disengage from their violent past by unleashing more violence on the nation the same way they beat up the late Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe.

And Kapwepwe's widow, Salome, said the decision by her daughter, Chileshe, to stand as MMD parliamentary candidate in Chinsali is a good political lesson for her to learn politics.

Meanwhile, Dr Mbita Chitala apologised to the people for having helped a failed and corrupt leader like President Banda assume office.

Addressing campaign rallies at Matumbo and Presidents Park in Chinsali on Friday, Sichinga said violence was currently escalating in the nation because the likes of President Banda and Lusaka Province MMD chairman William Banda had failed to disengage from their violent past, such as one incident when they beat up Kapwepwe for differing on political opinion.

"Probably most of you have forgotten; Rupiah Banda, William Banda and Boniface Zulu are the ones who beat ba Kapwepwe at Luburma Market formerly Kamwala. When they come to you and want to make noise, wanting to beat you, you reserve the right to defend yourselves," Sichinga said.

"I am not inciting you to do violence, but when they attack you, you reserve the right to defend yourselves."

Sichinga made the remark during a rally at Matumbo in Chinsali's Shiwang'andu Constituency, but the people there appealed to him to repeat the same statement at Presidents Park in Chinsali Central, because the MMD was hoping to use Kapwepwe's name, hence their decision to adopt his daughter Chileshe as parliamentary candidate in the area.

He said people should dismiss any negative talk that PF leader Michael Sata was sick or that he fainted, as mere nonsense from the MMD.

Sichinga said instead of being responsible enough to purchase maize and pay farmers for their produce, those in MMD were going round threatening people that they would not be paid their dues if they voted for the PF.

He said PF would pay farmers their dues once in government because their policy was about putting more money in people's pockets.

And Colonel Panji Kaunda said thieves in the MMD would find it easier to steal votes if the people do not turn up in numbers to cast their ballots on September 20.

Col Panji said the implication of President Banda's threat to dethrone chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people of Chongwe district for not supporting him was that he would crucify anyone who did not support him.

He said Zambians should rise up in numbers to vote in order to stop President Banda from fulfilling his plan.

Col Panji assured the people that President Banda would definitely be out of office on September 20, 2011.

"If we don't vote in numbers these thieves will steal our vote. If the MMD have their own hospitals where there is medicine, then let them vote for Rupiah Banda. But if they go to the same hospitals we go to, where there are no medicines and women carry their own materials when going to deliver their babies, then let them vote against Banda," he said.

He said late president Levy Mwanawasa left people with eight bags of fertiliser but President Banda reduced that to four.

Col Panji said President Banda had now become like a rat, which was freely moving in the house without fear.

"Tell us what the MMD has done which is good, for them to demand a vote from you. They have run out of ideas and have now resorted to lies. Let them tell you what they shall do for you," said Col Panji.

And Chitala said he had now realised the error he made by being President Banda's chief campaign manager in the 2008 presidential elections.

He apologised for having participated in making a wrong decision of having Banda as President.
Chitala said the manner President Banda and his sons were plundering public resources defied logic.
Chinsali Central PF candidate Christopher Mulenga said the people of Chinsali were not visitors to suffering because they had lived with it under the 20 years of MMD misrule.

PF Chinsali district chairperson Evelyn Kangwa said Chinsali had been neglected as if it never spearheaded the country's Independence struggle.

After the rally, Sichinga, Col Panji and Chitala visited Kapwepwe's widow, Salome, at her residence in Chinsali and she warmly welcomed them.

During the visit, Salome said it was a good learning process for Chileshe to stand as member of parliament in Chinsali.

Sharing a light moment with Chileshe's sister, Chilufya and Salome, Chitala had said Chileshe was not well advised for deciding to stand in Chinsali because President Banda did not want to re-appoint her, hence the decision to send her into a hostile environment in order to give her enough rope to hang herself.

In response, Chilufya said Chileshe had a chance of winning because she was working hard in the campaigns and was well educated.

At this point, Salome chipped in saying it was a good political lesson for Chileshe.

Labels: MBITA CHITALA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, ROBERT SICHINGA, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 1:52 PM