Maravi

GBM's exit is good riddance - Luonde
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Wed 25 Dec. 2013, 14:01 CAT

IT is good riddance for Geoffrey Mwamba to leave President Michael Sata's Cabinet, says Fr Richard Luonde. And former PF Copperbelt secretary Chanda Kabwe says the PF is an institution that is above individuals, and Mwamba's resignation was good for him, the people and the government.

Commenting on the decision by Mwamba to resign from his position as Minister of Defence, Fr Luonde said Mwamba's resignation from government was, in fact, long overdue.

"All is well and we must wish him all the best in his future endeavours. It seemed that he had his own issues. He has threatened to resign before and his resignation has not been a huge surprise. Our call to the PF is that life must continue, there are many other people that were more than capable of even performing better than Mwamba and also capable of executing duties diligently to the expectation of Zambians," Fr Luonde said.

He said although there were contradictions on his part, Mwamba had given his own reason for leaving government, and it must be appreciated by Zambians.

"Sincerity in politics is very important. It's good riddance for GBM to leave in the manner that he did. Leaders must always be sincere to themselves, we heard that he had serious frictions with the authority and President Sata cautioned Mwamba over Sosala and the controversy surrounding the Chitimukulu chieftainship. We don't know why the government has not recognised Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu; that's why we can't speculate. However, if Mwamba does not agree with his superior, who is President Sata, then let him go," Fr Luonde said.

He said there were many other chiefs that had not been recognised by successive governments in the past, adding that the PF had a responsibility to explain the status quo on why Henry Sosala had not been recognised as Chitimukulu so that people could understand.

Meanwhile, Kabwe said Mwamba had every right to resign and leave space for other people in and outside government that had exhibited undoubted sacrifice and commitment to serving Zambians through the PF government.

"Leadership is about respecting your superiors, taking instructions from the authority. If you cannot take instructions, that is a sign of disloyalty. We urge those in leadership to respect President Michael Sata and if one does not agree with the ideals of the party, they are free to leave," Kabwe said.

Mwamba announced his resignation as defence minister to his supporters at his Kasama residence on Monday, shortly after President Sata censured him over his meeting with Sosala.

President Sata said Mwamba failed to show collective responsibility on government's position regarding the installation of Sosala as Chitimukulu.

Labels: CHANDA KABWE, GBM, RICHARD LUONDE

posted by MrK @ 12:40 PM