Maravi

Zambians haven't seen the benefits of PF's victory

Zambians haven't seen the benefits of PF's victory
By Kombe Chimpinde
Mon 30 Apr. 2012, 14:00 CAT

PATRIOTIC Front secretary general Wynter Kabimba says those that feel the PF is highly indebted to them should be patient because majority of Zambians have not yet experienced the benefits of the party's victory.

And a senior PF member says Mike Mulongoti is lying that the President has not met him after the September 2011 elections. And Kabimba said in a telephone interview from India that those that participated in bringing the PF to government and power must be patient.

"For those that were participating in this cause because they were looking for jobs, let them be patient. They will be acknowledged along the way, but they should not shoot themselves in the foot by trying to cry foul," he said.

"Our people have not yet seen the benefits of the victory of the Patriotic Front. We are yet to put in place programmes that are going to address the unemployment of our youths and our women folk who are in the majority and the owners of that revolution. So surely they deserve to be the first ones to complain. That's my position as party secretary general."

Kabimba said that putting party priorities before those of the majority Zambians was what led to the fall of the MMD.

"This is what killed the MMD; people were not committed to the organisation but the benefits that they could derive. We should be committed to the values of ensuring that PF continues to grow. The supporters of PF must look at the victory of the PF in 2011 as a beginning of a long journey to serve the majority of the Zambian people," Kabimba said.

"So far, we have been the first political party to provide a much more inclusive government, but we do not have a policy of first come, first served and there is a queue for appointments. Appointments for jobs are prerogative of the President. And you cannot challenge the manner in which he perceives credentials for those he appoints. We had to set an example through me that the secretary general of the party was not going to be employed by government so I am not crying myself. What about those that just joined towards the end of 2011?"

And a PF senior official said contrary to Mulongoti's assertions, the President had met him twice at State House.

"Mulongoti is lying that he has not met President Sata. Let him come out clean and say what he is looking for from the President because the government is ready to show that President Sata has gone out of his way to invite him at State House together with Dr Mbita Chitala with the latest being the visit by UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon," the PF official disclosed.

The official said there were records to show that Mulongoti had been to State House.

The source said it was unfair for Mulongoti to mislead the public that he has had difficulties to meet the President.

The source said the President had opened up to him after the elections and that he had been to State House on a number of occasions.

The source added that Mulongoti's outbursts were of concern.

"As PF we are concerned that some senior members are beginning to mislead the public on issues that are straight forward," the source said.

The source advised Mulongoti to come out in the open and state his motive saying; " It is this kind of misbehaviour that jeopardises people's chances. The President cannot be forced to act with this kind of behaviour."

Mulongoti had expressed disappointment with President Sata for not having met him since winning the September 2011 elections.

Labels: MIKE MULONGOTI, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA

posted by MrK @ 5:27 PM