Nevers' accusations a mark of failed leadership - Sata

Nevers' accusations a mark of failed leadership - Sata
By Mwala Kalaluka
Tue 18 Dec. 2012, 14:00 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata says some opposition politicians' wild and baseless assertions that the PF wants to introduce a one-party state are a mark of their failed leadership.

Dismissing the above assertions, President Sata said through his special assistant for press and public relations, George Chellah, in a statement yesterday that the debate was time-wasting and a mischievous excuse by some politicians to taint the reputation of the PF as well as divert government's attention from more important issues.

"Nobody within or outside government shall ever advocate for a one-party state. Our history, as a nation teaches us that multi-partism has been the central part of all political transitions this country has ever experienced," President Sata said. "Therefore, as custodians of the Zambian people's interests, we find this attempt to debate democracy and the already existing multi-party system of governance, time-wasting and a mischievous excuse by some politicians to taint the reputation of the PF as well as divert government's attention from more important issues."

On embattled MMD president Nevers Mumba's claims that the PF was behind the recent troubles that had engulfed the former ruling party, President Sata advised Mumba to put his act together and perform his mandated role as an opposition leader.

"Baseless and wild accusations against the ruling party and the government, is in itself a mark of a failed leadership. Thus, let my dear brother be brave and face these self-inflicted problems," President Sata said. "As outsiders, we can only watch, sympathise and wish him well as he struggles to stabilise this once vibrant and progressive political party."

The President reiterated the PF's commitment to deepening democracy, equality and respect for the will of the Zambian people.

President Sata emphasised that the government has already facilitated an atmosphere where Zambians in their diversity, including all political parties, were enjoying various rights and freedoms as stipulated in the laws of the land.

Mumba said yesterday that the current wrangles in the MMD were not caused by his members but by PF as it was bent on getting rid of him.