Maravi

Sata questions logic in Rupiah buying 2 luxury cars for K3.6bn

Sata questions logic in Rupiah buying 2 luxury cars for K3.6bn
By Bright Mukwasa
Thu 13 Oct. 2011, 13:40 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata has questioned the logic by his predecessor Rupiah Banda to buy two luxury vehicles worth K3.6 billion amidst other pressing needs in the country. And prominent Lusaka lawyer Dr Rodger Chongwe says the buying of the two vehicles is a manifestation that former president Banda and his executive ran a corrupt regime.

Speaking when he swore in Zambia National Service Commandant and his deputy, Brigadier General Nathan Mulenga, whom he elevated to Major General, and Brigadier General Alick Kamiji on Tuesday, President Sata expressed disappointment at the expenditure on the two luxury vehicles.

"This country, we are not ashamed. I am standing here, my predecessor brought in two Lexus vehicles, four wheel drive at K3.6 billion, what for? K3.6 billion and they came by air, what for? I expect we have people who are dying without receiving their pensions from NAPSA and yet NAPSA can take $98 million give to a foreign company who has not started anything; they can get $15 million and give to some unknown bogus imaginary company. Take $75 billion give to somebody else. And Mr Minister of Agriculture, I will not take it kindly for your maize to be soaked."

Former president Rupiah Banda justified the US$98 million NAPSA deal, saying he was happy that the pension authority had not been detracted by the best newspaper The Post.

And Dr Chongwe said the expenditure on the luxury vehicles was insensitive when the country had no medicines in hospitals, schools were dilapidated and roads were dilapidated.

He said the buying of the vehicles must be taken seriously and investigated by the current government.

"Mr Banda as president and his executive, whoever they are, must be held responsible and must explain to the people why it was necessary to spend such huge sums of money, when our own people are wallowing in poverty. That's theft, that's corruption. And the current government should deal firmly with behaviour like that by our previous leadership," Dr Chongwe said.

"There should be a thorough investigation into the activities of the previous government regarding their expenditure and regarding their receiving of the money. It is becoming obvious now that the government of Mr Rupiah Banda was marred in corruption and deceit."

Labels: CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, NAPSA, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 3:04 PM