Maravi

Kabimba tells GBM to stop fighting
By Prince Chibawah and Godfrey Chikumbi in Samfya
Wed 11 Sep. 2013, 14:00 CAT

WYNTER Kabimba has told Geoffrey Mwamba that they should stop fighting now that Kennedy Sakeni who was reconciling them has died.

Speaking during the burial of information minister and Mansa Central member of parliament Kennedy Sakeni at Mushinka Village in chief Mwansakombe's area yesterday, Kabimba, who is PF secretary general and justice minister said amid cheers that there was no need for him and defence minister Mwamba to continue fighting because they were one.

He said it was not necessary for party leaders to continue bickering.

"Let me say this, though it's not part of my coming; my friend GBM let's stop quarrelling and fighting; we are one. Let's unite and work together for the benefit of our party," Kabimba said.

He said he and Mwamba needed to support each other for them to execute duties as senior party leaders .

"It was Honourable Sakeni who got the two of us at Parliament to reconcile when we were not talking to each other," he said.

While Kabimba was saying this, defence minister Mwamba was heard agreeing with him.

After speaking, Kabimba walked to Mwamba and asked whether he had heard what he said. Mwamba responded, "Naumfwa boi, walanda bwino sana (I have heard my friend, you have spoken well)."

The two leaders also hugged and were seen talking to each other during the funeral procession.

And representing the government, home affairs minister Edgar Lungu said Sakeni advocated for the free flow of information through, among other ways, the issuance of 17 broadcasting licenses to different media institutions countrywide.

He said Sakeni ensured depoliticisation of public media institutions as it was part of the government's agenda.

"Everyone is now benefiting from the public media institutions. This is because they are currently operating without interference from the government," Lungu added.

He said it was therefore painful to lose a leader whom he said was determined to serve the government and the people.

Lungu further thanked the people of Mansa Central Constituency for having confidence in the PF by voting for Sakeni as their area member of parliament during the 2011 parliamentary elections.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini said the invaluable contributions of Sakeni to the work of parliament would never be forgotten.

In speech read on his behalf by Mazabuka UPND member of parliament Garry Nkombo, Speaker Matibini said Sakeni represented his people in the national assembly with honour and diligence.

"Hon Sakeni was highly committed to his work as an MP and with great enthusiasm brought to the attention of the house the issues affecting his people," he said.

Speaker Matibini added that Sakeni had served in all the governments due to his trustworthiness and hard work.

"Sakeni held ministerial positions under all governments. This shows that he was a hardworking and trustworthy individual who inspired confidence and could be relied upon to serve the country effectively," said Speaker Matibini.

And family representative Obby Mwansa thanked President Michael Sata and his government for the support rendered before and after the death of the late.

"Your government has been there for us since our relative (Sakeni) got sick up to now. We have never witnessed this kind of gesture," said Mwansa.

Labels: GBM, KENNEDY SAKENI, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA

posted by MrK @ 5:19 PM