Maravi

Hichilema is too prejudiced - Scott
By Allan Mulenga
Sat 27 Apr. 2013, 14:00 CAT

REPUBLICAN Vice-President Dr Guy Scott says it's unfortunate that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema cannot open his mouth without taking note of someone's race, tribe or gender.

Reacting to Hichilema's statement that he is the most stupid white man he has ever seen, Vice-President Scott, who is currently in London, said it was regrettable that a person with an ambition to lead the country could be so prejudiced.

"...Well, I have read everything he has said about me and I think that's not the way to go. It is unfortunate really that this man cannot open his mouth without taking note of someone's race, tribe or gender," said Vice-President Scott.

Hichilema on Thursday said Vice-President Scott abrogated the Electoral Code of Conduct by continuing to campaign in Lukulu West after the close of the campaign period.

He said it was shocking that Vice-President Scott deliberately disregarded the law by his conduct.

"Ine nikalibe kuona muzungu opusa kwati uja (I have never seen a white person as stupid as that one Vice-President Scott)," said Hichilema when he officially welcomed Dr Canisius Banda to the party, where Banda has been co-opted as vice-president for political affairs.

Hichilema said the UPND would petition over the areas where the party had lost by-elections because even President Michael Sata did the same when he was in the opposition.

Hichilema urged his supporters not to give chance to President Sata or Vice-President Scott to go ahead with electoral malpractices.

"Mugwileni pamukosi ati nka!" said Hichilema.

But Vice-President Scott said Hichilema was trying to take Zambia back to the era of tribal and racial prejudices.

"Zambia is past these tribal and racial prejudices but he is trying to take us back to where we came from, which is most unfortunate, especially that this is a person with ambition to lead the country," said Vice-President Scott.

And chief government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni said it was derogatory for Hichilema to describe Vice-President Dr Scott as "the most stupid white man" he had ever seen.

Sakeni, who is also information minister, urged Hichilema to desist from politics of indecency and insults.

"This is uncivilised, unZambian and unacceptable. The Zambian culture and its people's upbringing entail respect and sober language towards the elderly and leaders in society," he said.

"Mr Hichilema is therefore advised to desist from politics of indecency and insults. Let him be civil and sober in his reaction and approach to national issues."

Sakeni said politics of name-calling and insults were long gone.

"Name-calling and insults will gain Mr Hichilema and this country nothing except to take the country's politics back to the Stone-Age era. This government reiterates its commitment to decent and result-based politics that uplift the living standards of the Zambian people," said Sakeni in a statement.

Labels: GUY SCOTT, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, TRIBALISM

posted by MrK @ 7:08 PM