Mutesa calls on opposition MPs to work with govt
By Moses Kuwema
Wed 05 June 2013, 14:01 CAT

ZAMBIANS for Empowerment and Development (ZED) president Dr Fred Mutesa says it is not impossible for opposition members of parliament to work together with the party in government.

Commenting on Vice-President Dr Guy Scott's statement that there would be no need for by-elections if the MMD and UPND offered to work with the PF in good faith, Dr Mutesa said cooperation between the ruling party and opposition members of parliament was feasible.

"I don't think it is impossible, it is something which should be feasible but there must be a formal request by the party in government and arrangements must be made to sit down on the round table and discuss in good faith. I like the Vice-President's openness which probably is not intended but it is quite revealing of the thinking within the PF," said Dr Mutesa.

Dr Mutesa wondered if there has been any offer or invitation by the PF to the leadership of the opposition political parties to sit down and look at the modalities of how they could cooperate.

"I don't think if it is done in good faith, the opposition would refuse to consider the offer. It is the underhand methods in which this is done that infuriates the people in the opposition. It did not begin with the PF, the MMD were doing it and I don't know why it is so difficult to reach agreements and say 'look, these are the working arrangements, we would like to have with you'," said Dr Mutesa.

Speaking during a public meeting in Luangwa after the filing in of nominations for the June 20 Feira by-elections, Vice-President Scott said the PF did not have enough members of parliament to govern by itself.

"The members of parliament we have in government from the opposition are borrowed. The PF does not have enough members of parliament to govern by itself. We are not trying to create a one-party state but to govern properly. If the MMD and UPND offered to work with us in good faith, there will be no need for by-elections or poaching," said Vice-President Scott.