Maravi

Amsterdam is not welcome - Sakeni

Amsterdam is not welcome - Sakeni
By Kombe Chimpinde
Sat 09 June 2012, 13:00 CAT

MINISTER of Home Affairs Kennedy Sakeni says Robert Amsterdam is not welcome in Zambia. And Amsterdam said in an interview that the VISA issued to him by the Zambian High Commission in UK to visit Zambia had been withheld.

"I was given a VISA to come to Zambia but because there is so much talk about me by the Zambian government. I have been asked to wait until a few things are cleared," said Amsterdam who was recently hounded out of Singapore.

Opposition political party leaders in Zambia have petitioned the donor community over President Michael Sata's leadership through Amsterdam as their consultant.

Sakeni however warned in an interview that Amsterdam should not even have been issued with a VISA in the first place because of his questionable activities.

"His name is one of those that are talking about Zambia's internal politics. So how can he be given a VISA as a tourist?" asked Sakeni.

He said as minister in charge of internal security, he could not allow Amsterdam into the country.

"In fact let me tell you that from the word go, he is not welcome. We do not need him as tourist. Let him go and tour other countries. That is the position. We can't allow a foreigner to come and start engaging in our internal affairs. He should forget about that VISA," charged Sakeni.

And Amsterdam said the Zambian High Commission in UK had withheld the VISA shortly after it was issued to him.

Some opposition political parties have engaged Amsterdam as their consultant in their petition to the donor community over their fight with PF and President Sata.

In an open letter addressed to the donor community written and signed by the party leaders and Amsterdam, they contested several decisions that had taken place under PF.

The leaders who included Pastor Nevers Mumba, Hakainde Hichilema, Charles Milupi, Sakwiba Sikota, Edwin Sakala and lawyer Amsterdam, stated that it was their concern that continued unconditional donor support to the PF administration would further the disturbing trends that represented a sharp departure from the laws, norms, traditions, and constitutional culture of the country.

According to them, President Sata had engaged in a concerted effort to install family members and friends in all key positions of the country's economic management; assaulted the independence of the judiciary, and; systematically eliminated democratic rights of the political opposition and freedom of expression, among other things.

Labels: KENNEDY SAKENI, MMD, PF

posted by MrK @ 4:12 PM