Maravi

Kunda describes search on his farm as savagery

Kunda describes search on his farm as savagery
By Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 08 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT

GEORGE Kunda has described as savagery the action by police who went to search his farm recently. And MMD presidential contender Felix Mutati has bragged that he is the best person to succeed Rupiah Banda as party president.

Speaking during an MMD card renewal exercise for Central Province held at V.K Motel in Kabwe last Saturday, Kunda said the Patriotic Front government wants to silence the opposition into submission so that they can steal without them saying anything.

"My father, 84 years old was woken up at 5 am. They (police) surrounded the village with heavy weapons, AK 47s. My father had a stroke recently. After waking him up, they started searching under the bed where my mother sleeps," lamented Kunda.

"That kind of savagery. Is that what we want in Zambia? They are difficult times coming for us, those who want to play public relations with these people (PF), they want to destroy this country. They want to silence and brutalise you into submission so that they can steal without you saying anything."

Police in Central Province last month seized 15 bicycles, two ploughs, two hammer mills and two sewing machines from Kunda's farm. Police also seized one bale of blankets, 46 bags of mealie-meal, and 10 hand cycle pumps and RB camnpaign materials including two Nissan light trucks.

And Mutati described himself as the copper bullet (Chipolopolo) among the five contenders.

Mutati, a former commerce and trade minister, boasted that he was one of the outstanding leaders Zambia had ever produced.

"Tuli five fwe balefwaya palya pa mpaso, palya pabuchi. Nabambi bakesa. Nomba mwebene mukansanga ati ichipolpolo ni nani? ni Mutati (we are five of us seeking leadership of the party. Others will come but you will find that the copper bullet is Mutati)," he said, consequently leading the party members present into singing 'Chipolopolo iyee'.

Mutati vowed, however, that he was and would remain in the MMD even if he lost the coming party elections.

"The late president Levy Mwanawasa brought me up in politics; he lifted me from an ordinary member of parliament, made me a deputy minister, then a cabinet minister," he said.

"He (Mwanawasa) sent me to go and work for the nation and not to fear. He handed me to RB (Rupiah Banda). When we were being appointed as ministers, RB said 'I am not able to find anyone better who can remain at commerce, so Mutati go back to commerce'. With our colleagues and since 2006, economic management was very solid, the economy was growing year by year."

Mutati said he hoped Central Province delegates would give him chance to lead the party.

"Central Province takes a position and you people do not change your stance. Please when we go to the convention demonstrate your unity and vote as Central Province," said Mutati.

At the same event, former local government minister Brian Chituwo said MMD members must vote for a leader who knew the party well.

"Please let us not choose strangers who don't know whether they are even our members," he said.

"Other candidates that have applied to be considered for the MMD top job include Pastor Nevers Mumba, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, Kabinga Pande and Moses Muteteka who is currently facing disciplinary action for "antagonising the party".

Labels: CORRUPTION, GEORGE KUNDA

posted by MrK @ 6:28 PM