Mangani won't have it easy in E/Province - Andrew
By Francis Lungu
Wed 09 Oct. 2013, 14:01 CAT
ANDREW Banda says Lameck Mangani will not have it easy to organise the PF in Eastern Province because he does not have the ability to do so in the opposition MMD stronghold. But Mangani says Andrew is not in the MMD party leadership structure to speak on these issues.
In an interview, Andrew said the MMD was thankful to President Michael Sata for appointing Mangani as PF chairperson for the province because he would make it easy for the opposition MMD to mobilise.
Asked on Mangani's allegations that the MMD was winning parliamentary by-elections in Eastern Province because of the rigging structures left by his father Banda as it was impossible for a candidate to get a zero vote at a polling station no matter how poor he or she could be, Andrew said the PF leadership in the province was cheating President Michael Sata that all was well.
"We (MMD) thank (President) Sata and the PF for appointing Mangani provincial chairman. Let us see if he can organise the PF in Eastern Province," he said.
But Mangani wondered in what capacity Andrew was speaking within the MMD because he was not in the party leadership structure.
"Andrew is speaking as what, an MMD official or the son of Rupiah Banda who was once the leader of the party?" Mangani wondered.
He said Andrew should not be excited with the victory of MMD in Mkaika because the PF leadership in the province knows what happened and the tricks the former ruling party used to win.
"We are aware of what Andrew did during the campaigns in Mkaika, there is nothing to be excited about. Actually the PF is gaining ground in Eastern Province, the tide is changing in favour of the PF. I am not interested in politics of tribe if that is what Andrew is promoting because his father was MMD leader then he thinks can speak on MMD affairs," Mangani said.
But Andrew said the ruling party was losing elections in the East also because it was not doing the ground work.
"They did not do their work; that's all. Politics is about work; they did not campaign, and they were cheating the President (Sata) just like people have been cheating other presidents in the past, that all was well when things are not okay on the ground. There is no fertiliser in the country but they tell the President that all is well," Andrew said.
Statistically, however, Mangani said the ruling PF was penetrating into Eastern Province because it won the Msanzala Parliamentary by-elections, a seat previous held by the MMD.
He said the MMD just returned its Mkaika and Chipata Central Parliamentary seat, where Mangani himself lost.
"PF won all the three local government elections in Lundazi and won two out of three in Nyimba and even in Petauke, PF won two out of the three local government seats, so what is Andrew talking about?," questioned Mangani.
But Andrew claimed that Mangani was not his match in political mobilisation because he (Andrew) had been in politics for 25 years.
Meanwhile, Andrew accused Mangani of having personal hatred towards the Banda family, which behaviour he said was unAfrican.
"Mangani's behaviour is unAfrican and unZambian. One day, he wakes up, he says Rupiah Banda is meeting chiefs for him to stand again. Patronising leadership! What is it that he has against our family? Can he tell us where his father is so that we also talk about his family… But we are not interested in personalities; we are interested in the law. I was arrested and let the law take its course," he said in reference to his arrest over the political violence that characterised the Mkaika parliamentary by-election, in which MMD retained the seat.
"I was charged with an offence of violence in Chipata during the Mkaika parliamentary by-election and the matter is in court, and I will prove it in court that I am not the one who committed that crime and that those people (suspected PF supporters) prove that they did not abduct me," he said.
Andrew also maintained that he would go ahead with legal proceedings against ZNBC and the Zambia Daily Mail for reporting that he was brandishing machetes during the campaigns ahead of the Mkaika poll.
"I am not leaving you (ZNBC and Zambia Daily Mail); I am proceeding with this legal action against ZNBC and Daily Mail… the sooner they retract the better… They accused me of travelling with a machetes all over and hacking people… that thing is not dead; I am reviving it," declared Andrew.
Labels: ANDREW BANDA, EASTERN PROVINCE, LAMECK MANGANI, MMD, PF
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Rupiah pumping money in Mtolo's campaign - Mangani
By Moses Kuwema in Lusaka and Christopher Miti in Chipata
Tue 09 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
LAMECK Mangani says former president Rupiah Banda has pumped a lot of money in Mtolo Phiri's campaign to ensure he loses the Chipata Central seat.
In an interview, Mangani, who is the Patriotic Front candidate for the July 25 Chipata Central by-election, said Banda was still interested in seeing him lose the seat.
"The message we are getting as PF on the ground is that MMD have got enough resources and these resources are from the former president. Remember, prior to the general elections in 2011, the former president swore that I will make sure that Lameck Mangani loses, so that interest may still be there this time to ensure that I lose the seat. In short, I am saying I cannot rule out the possibility of some money sneaking into this by-election," Mangani said.
Mangani also said each time the former president visited Chipata, he had always met with the MMD candidate Mtolo Phiri.
"There is nothing wrong with meeting Mtolo but it is easy to speculate that these meetings are meant to strategise for the Chipata Central by-election," he said.
Mangani, however, said with or without money, he was optimistic of winning the seat because the PF's message to the electorate was that of development.
"The message we are giving to the people is that you are sending a representative who is going to speak for you on issues that are affecting you. We are not changing government, there will still be a president called Michael Sata and there will still be a government running, so we have to associate ourselves with a government that is already there. I think that message is going on very well with the people," he said.
Meanwhile, the PF has accused the Chipata District Conflict Management Committee of sitting on their complaint about the use of former president Rupiah Banda's campaign regalia by the MMD in the ongoing campaigns in Chipata Central Constituency.
But conflict management committee chairperson Josphat Chipandwe says the PF's complaint will be tabled today.
In an interview yesterday, Bonnie Tembo, a member of the PF election committee said they wrote the conflict management committee last week but that there was no feedback.
Tembo said it was shocking that in Feira, the conflict management committee was very decisive on the similar matter and the issue was resolved.
"Here (in Chipata) we are told that they (conflict committee) are consulting Electoral Commission of Zambia. How long are they going to consult ECZ? I was just reading the story (in The Post) concerning the torn campaign materials. Now the question is when are they giving us the hearing concerning the Rupiah Banda regalia because he is a retired man. According to the presidential benefits act, it's a taboo for someone or an agent to start appearing as if someone is still in active politic," he said.
Tembo said the PF was just following the precedent set by Feira (Constituency in Luangwa district).
He said the PF would not sit idle but would engage the district electoral officer on the matter.
"If the conflict management committee will continue sitting on the reported conflict, then it won't help us. What will help us is dialogue. So that's the issue that we are waiting for as PF and we think that it's not fair for the committee to keep quiet. Coming from the advocacy and lobbying background, we don't just sit idle at all because we are also answerable to the higher authorities; they are also waiting," Tembo said.
He advised the conflict management committee to sit up because dialogue was key.
But Chipandwe wondered why the PF were complaining on the matter.
"Don't allow people to disturb the programme or distort the issue, they (PF) know very well they are coming tomorrow (today) maybe the one who is talking (complaining) would like to make issues out of nothing. Treat that as a dead issue, we are on it," said Chipandwe.
Labels: LAMECK MANGANI, MMD, MTOLO PHIRI, PF, RUPIAH BANDA
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Nevers' attacks on Judiciary unnecessary, says Mangani
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Thu 04 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
PATRIOTIC Front Chipata Central candidate Lameck Mangani says MMD leader Nevers Mumba's attacks on the Judiciary are unnecessary.
And Mangani (left) says Mumba went too far by attacking him that he was prompted by poverty to petition the election of Mtolo Phiri.
Mumba has questioned the credibility of the Supreme Court following the nullification of Dora Siliya's seat for slandering the Patriotic Front candidate in 2011.
"The people of Zambia cannot be surprised with the outcome of the Chipata Central petition, they know what happened; the outcome of the Petauke Central petition. The Judiciary, in my view, has been very impartial and they have done their work properly," Mangani said.
And Mangani says the diminishing fortunes of the MMD will be made public on July 25, 2013.
Reacting to attacks on him by Mumba, Mangani said being a religious man, he did not expect Mumba to use bad language.
He said Mumba knew deep in his heart who was practicing politics of the belly between the two of them.
"He knows how I joined politics; he knows my position and my standing in politics. Up to now he (Mumba) is a president of a political party but he is still living in a rented home. So I don't expect him to say those things. I respect him he is my traditional cousin but I think he went too far," Mangani said.
He said Mumba knew that the fortunes for MMD were quickly diminishing in the province.
"The diminishing fortunes of MMD will be seen in the outcome of the elections of Chipata Central, Petauke and Mambwe. You will see the outcome very soon. So he (Mumba) doesn't need to go to the radio and insult me. He is getting angry because he knows that he is almost losing in these three constituencies," Mangani said.
And Mangani said the people of Chipata Central and Eastern Province in general had resolved to work with the government.
"The people of Chipata cannot be shy to indicate their position on this matter. So everywhere we go I think the mood has changed, even some of the people that I thought were staunch MMD, they have resolved that for the sake of the Eastern Province and for the sake of Chipata, we are going to give the Patriotic Front a vote on 25 July, so the mood is very good," Mangani said.
Labels: JUDICIARY, LAMECK MANGANI, NEVERS MUMBA
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Chipata has trooped to PF with a bang, says Scott
By Staff Reporters
Fri 28 June 2013, 14:01 CAT
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott says people of Chipata have trooped to PF with a bang. And Lameck Mangani says his works in Chipata Central speak volumes.
Meanwhile, UNIP candidate Elina Nyirenda says she has high chances of scooping the Chipata Central seat.
Addressing PF members after he escorted Mangani to file his nomination papers, Vice-President Scott said there was need to join Chipata and Eastern Province to the rest of Zambia.
He said the people of Eastern Province could not be left alone.
Most aspiring candidates that were not picked by the PF like Hanif Badat, Moses Mawere, Pilila Jere, Hanile Jere were among the people that accompanied Mangani.
And Nyirenda said she would be a good servant for the people of Chipata.
"I am young with fresh ideas and I think we should do away with recycled politicians who don't help our society in any way. So I am looking forward to helping the people of Chipata Central," Nyirenda said.
About five people were expected to file nomination papers before returning officer Michael Ngulube.
By press time only MMD's Reuben Mtolo Phiri, Mangani and Nyirenda had filed their nominations.
NAREP and an independent candidate Jean Nkunika were still being awaited.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma says the UPND's decision not to field a candidate in the Chipata Central by-election was purely a party strategy and not a way of rallying behind the MMD.
Addressing MMD cadres who had gone to drum up support for the MMD candidate for Chipata Central, Nevers Mumba announced that a UPND official, a Mr Chuzu, had informed him that Hakainde Hichilema would support the MMD and would not field a candidate in the by-election.
But MMD deputy secretary Chembe Nyangu said Mumba's statement was based on information received from UPND officials in Chipata Central at the 11th hour.
Nyangu also said the MMD had "put out" plans to adopt a Mr Kangwa as its candidate in Solwezi East.
"That is the way to do things because if we keep fighting amongst ourselves, we just lose it to PF," said Nyangu.
Labels: CHIPATA, GUY SCOTT, LAMECK MANGANI, PF
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Kabimba is misinformed - Mangani
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Tue 11 Dec. 2012, 11:58 CAT
LAMECK Mangani says PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba's comments about him are a result of misinformation.
Commenting on Kabimba's statement that the PF has been reluctant to admit Mike Mulongoti or give a position to Lameck Mangani because the party wants to run a civilised country and avoid what was happening in MMD, Mangani, a former home affairs minister in the Rupiah Banda administration, said Kabimba must have been misinformed about his association with Mulongoti.
He said he was a loyal member of the PF.
"I don't know in what context the secretary general mentioned my name together with that of honourable Mulongoti, but I have a feeling that this may be a result of a lot of misinformation regarding my association with honourable Mulongoti. The mere fact that we all came from MMD to join PF almost at the same time, people may think that whatever honourable Mulongoti is doing, I am aware of it. More important is the issue of honourable Mulongoti forming a political party. I have no idea and at no time did I ever sit with him to plan about the formation of a political party," he said.
Mangani said he never had any contact with Mulongoti on the issue of forming a party.
On the issue of violence, Mangani said he always advised cadres to refrain from violence.
"I don't understand why this time around I can encourage people to start beating each other, possibly within the same political party. The incident that they are talking about that there was an interruption of a (Chipata) district meeting, I was not even aware that there was a district meeting taking place," he said.
"Later on I learnt that it was not even a district meeting as such, it was only about seven people that had met to discuss issues relating to the party and there was a controversy where the chairman was being harassed. And it was this chairman who asked for people to come and rescue him. This chairman can testify but they are saying these people were sent by me. Again that is misinformation."
Mangani said Kabimba should have taken time to verify some reports from Chipata before acting on the matter.
"I received information that about six cadres from Kapata market were telling their friends that they were going to frame me. They were saying they would tell the leadership in Lusaka that I have promised to give them K100 million if they attacked or killed some party officials. And I got this information from the party cadres," said Mangani. "Again, this is a fabrication and if the secretary general's comment is based on this misinformation, then it's unfortunate. The most important fact is that if there are details of that nature, he (Kabimba) should be able to call me to verify the details of the stories that he is receiving. I did make a contact when the story of Chipata came up that there was a district meeting and was disrupted, I contacted him but he told me he was very busy and would get back to me later but up to now he has not called me."
Labels: LAMECK MANGANI, WYNTER KABIMBA
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PF reluctant to admit Mangani, Mulongoti as members - Kabimba
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Fri 07 Dec. 2012, 12:00 CAT
WYNTER Kabimba says PF has been reluctant to admit Mike Mulongoti or give a position to Lameck Mangani because the party wants to run a civilised country and avoid what is happening in MMD.
In an interview, Kabimba said the beating up of MMD national secretary Major Richard Kachingwe by MMD members was an act of uncivilised leaders that had hijacked the party and were very desperate for power.
"That's why we have been reluctant to admit people like Mulongoti to the membership of the party. That's why we have not been able to give a position to Mangani to be a member of the party, to take any position in the party because such members act out of desperation," he said.
Kabimba said the PF wanted to run a democratic and civilised country and what MMD was exhibiting was neither civilisation nor an act of democracy.
Kabimba said police must deal with the incident firmly and whoever was connected to the incident, directly or indirectly must be brought to book.
He said the MMD was suffering from being transferred into the hands of people like Nevers Mumba that had hijacked the party and never cared about its image.
Kabimba said what happened to Maj Kachingwe was shameful and that was why the PF was guarding the party against infiltrators and those from outside that wanted to assume positions in the party before undergoing the period of probation.
Kabimba said MMD members that were supporting Mumba must begin to raise questions on whether Mumba was a right leader or not to move the MMD forward instead of the culture of violence which was coming under a leadership of a person who called himself a pastor and a man of God.
He said Zambians must judge Mumba for what he was as there was no difference between him and William Banda special adviser to UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.
"If indeed Nevers Mumba was not the mastermind, let him come out and condemn this violence. It's him to appeal to the police to arrest that group of thugs. If he fails to do that, the police must pick him up and question him as a mastermind," he said.
Kabimba said the accusations that Maj Kachingwe was close to the PF and President Michael Sata was not an offence and no justification for violence.
He said every organisation had civilised ways and means of dealing with a member who departed from its values and principles and not violence.
"The man (Mumba) is emerging in my view as a hypocrite in the eyes of God and there was no way God who is a God of justice is ever going to reward Nevers for these activities and he must realise that. These activities can only bring him down," he said.
He said the issues which Maj Kachingwe raised were constitutional matters within the realm of the constitution of the MMD, and everything must be dealt with constitutionally.
Maj Kachingwe on Saturday invalidated Mumba's presidency, saying he was not a member of the party at the time he was elected.
After announcing Mumba's invalidation at the secretariat, cadres loyal to Mumba manhandled Maj Kachingwe, forcing him out of his office.
Labels: LAMECK MANGANI, MIKE MULONGOTI, MMD, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Munkombwe wants 2nd term for Sata
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone and Christopher Miti in Chipata
Tue 30 Oct. 2012, 14:00 CAT
THOSE who think that President Michael Sata will just do one term amid the massive support he receives and the votes he amassed are politically crazy, says MMD member Daniel Munkombwe.
And Lameck Mangani says it is the people that will decide in 2015 and 2016 whether President Michael Sata will continue as President or not.
In an interview Munkombwe, who is former deputy minister in the office of the Vice-President said the PF should protect President Sata and not subject him to only one term.
"It is a political party that determines the presidential candidate and it is wrong for anyone to start campaigning to be a candidate when there is a sitting President. Wynter Kabimba PF secretary general is 100 per cent right when he says no one should destabilise the party.
"It is political craziness by anyone to think that President Sata will just do one term after all the massive votes he received during the 2011 elections and the other past elections in which he was coming second-highest to the MMD," he said.
Munkombwe said the Constitution provided for two terms for anyone to hold office and that it was only God who had the power to take that way.
He said in determining who becomes president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda was kept for too long by UNIP and was indomitable but that the current situation only provided a maximum of 10 years and the PF would serve the Zambian people by letting President Sata contest the 2016 elections.
"The PF should allow President Sata go for a second term. He has spearheaded the PF for a long time until victory was attained and he still has life to continue, and mind you, it's only God who determines life. I'm older than President Sata; I'm 80 and half years old. I know that he has the energy to steer this country out of its unemployment misery and poverty.
"I want to avoid platform politics as much as possible as I'm leading a very comfortable life with my family, but when I see something in the governing party, I'm forced to react mildly as I do now. I have done my contribution to the nation and will continue in any small way," said Munkombwe.
And in an interview on Saturday after officiating at the Chipata Central Constituency cultural dances festival, Mangani, who is former home affairs minister and losing Chipata Central PF parliamentary candidate, said President Sata was given a five-year mandate by the people of Zambia and it's the people that will decide.
"As far as I am concerned there is no division in the PF and the way the people have projected what are perceived to be differences between the defence minister and secretary general, they (people) are projecting as if there is serious division. I think this is an in-house thing which very soon the President will be able to address," Mangani said.
"Although PF is a democratic party, we have times for campaigns. We have just finished the elections; we are only one year old in government, so I don't think it is opportune time for us to start the campaigns for 2016."
Mangani said the government's major preoccupation should be to ensure that it delivered development to the people.
Mangani said the government should reorganise and market itself.
"What you have seen today (cultural dances festival) is part of the reorganisation, we have to make sure that we market our party.
We have to make sure everybody is involved and we have to create structures on the ground and show presence. So early campaigns may not be helpful to anybody, not even to the party not even to the people that are perceived to be candidates," Mangani said.
He warned party cadres to be careful with their opponent's ploy of creating an impression of confusion in the ruling party.
And Chipata district PF chairperson Peter Msimuko urged party members to remain united, adding that there was strength in unity.
The cultural dances festival was attended by over 2,000 women from Chipata Central Constituency.
Labels: DANIEL MUNKOMBWE, LAMECK MANGANI, MICHAEL SATA, MMD
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Opposition has lost it - Mangani
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sat 23 June 2012, 13:24 CAT
LAMECK Mangani says the opposition in the country has lost it by concentrating on taking over office instead of providing checks and balances. And Mangani says the UPND still has a lot of work to do if it is to form government.
Commenting on the current state of the opposition politics, Mangani, the former home affairs minister, said the opposition had concentrated much on issues like the Judiciary which were already being handled by the other wings.
"The opposition has lost it; right now we have a very important document, the constitution. Instead of educating their members on the key areas on the draft constitution so that they can effectively contribute what they want to achieve in the whole constitution, the opposition spend more time on issues which can be handled by the other wings. For example, we have talked too much about the court and Judiciary and so on but these matters are before court," Mangani said.
"There are issues relating to job creation which are very critical and they (opposition) are supposed to help government sort out some of these problems. They are concentrating much on issues relating to 'taking over'. They want to frustrate so that they take over, but it doesn't work like that. A good opposition should provide checks and balances, that's the most important matter," he said.
Mangani said there were so many areas that the opposition could help government to improve.
"I think they (opposition) are handling very infertile issues that are not helping the welfare of the people in the country. Another part is that when you advise, you should refrain from vulgar language because when you are using very abusive language, your advice will not be appreciated. Some of the areas that the opposition could be addressing could be good but the people that you want to advise will not listen because of the manner you are presenting your advice," he said.
And Mangani said the UPND had not yet produced a national character.
He said the UPND should have a membership throughout the country.
"The UPND is basically in Southern Province and nowhere else, so they have a lot of work to do if they are to form government. They have to produce a national character and a national character means that they should be an opposition that is very attractive; they should have a membership throughout the country. That is a lot of work than just target on a few statements made by President Sata; it will not help them," Mangani said.
Labels: LAMECK MANGANI, MMD, UPND
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Sata will never interfere in Judiciary - Mangani
By Christopher Miti in Chipata and Fredrick Mwansa in Itezhi-te
Thu 19 Apr. 2012, 12:59 CAT
LAMECK Mangani says President Michael Sata will never interfere with the Judiciary. Mangani, who received a thunderous welcome to Chipata district following the nullification of the Chipata Central seat after he challenged the election of MMD's Reuben Mtolo Phiri, said going by the outcome of many electoral petitions, President Sata does not interfere with the Judiciary.
"Out of many seats that have gone through the court process, there were almost 40 and less than 10 have been in our favour as a ruling party.
And everybody who thinks that there was unfairness in the nullification of the Chipata Central seat then it's something else. What of these other seats, including that of our provincial chairman (Lucas Phiri whose petition was dismissed)? Despite providing all sorts of evidence, it didn't go through so this shows that the PF doesn't want to interfere with the judicial process," Mangani said.
He said people's celebrations over the nullification of the Chipata Central seat could not be taken in a different way.
"Nine months ago when I resigned from the MMD, I came in a similar manner and you could see that I was always checking my back on what would happen to me next. I want to thank all the people, all the witnesses," Mangani said.
He said he would have special programmes on Breeze FM to explain to the people in the province why it was important for them to work with the government.
"We (Easterners) cannot afford to continue to be in the opposition. We provided opposition from 1991 but I feel we need to be within the inner circle of government. The President had been very supportive to all of us the candidates that stood because he thought there was unfairness in last year's elections but he has not taken a biased move of wanting to influence the judiciary. The Judiciary has performed on its own," he said.
Mangani said if Phiri wants to appeal against the high court ruling, it was his right.
"As far as we are concerned, this seat as per high court ruling has been nullified so if they want to go to court, it is their constitutional right and we have no power," Mangani said.
Several people, including several MMD cadres, were part of the crowd that gathered at Chipata Airport to welcome Mangani.
Mangani's motorcade caused traffic jam in the central business district as it made its way to his residence in Moth area.
Traffic officers from Chipata central police station controlled traffic from the airport up to Mangani's residence.
Meanwhile, PF Eastern Province chairperson Lucas Phiri says the party will appeal against the dismissal of the Chipangali and Petauke election petitions by the High Court.
Phiri, who arrived at the same time as Mangani, said the lawyers were already looking into the process of appealing against the High Court judgment on their election petitions for Chipangali and Petauke.
He said the people who petitioned the elections had gone through thick and thin and that some even failed to take their children to school.
Phiri said it was not easy to sponsor witnesses.
Labels: LAMECK MANGANI, MICHAEL SATA
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Mangani expresses concern over ‘trivial' plunder cases
By Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 21 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT
LAMECK Mangani has expressed concern over the nature of cases being availed to the public and taken to court by the combined team of state security wings which is probing former leaders on corruption related matters.
But home affairs minister Kennedy Sakeni in a separate interview said that officers needed more time to investigate the cases as most of them were white collar crimes which were sophisticated.
Mangani, who is former home affairs minister, expressed worry at the slow pace of investigations which had been dominated by cases of leaders being in possession of some bicycles , saying this was causing unnecessary anxiety. "These are clearly my views. I feel that they have been too slow in handling these issues," he said.
"Matters of suspected fraud or theft need swift action but it seems our agencies have had difficulties."
Mangani feared that only a little maybe yielded from the investigations.
"Zambians will not get much from what they expected from these investigations. In my view apart from the bicycles, I have not heard any serious issue that has been uncovered," he maintained.
"We know a lot of things happened. Are we sure it's just bicycles that were bought from suspected stolen proceed? A lot of things happened for example they were people in the previous leadership who would go to Toyota Zambia and buy seven Land Cruisers at once. Those people are walking freely. Is that harassment, is that? I am not privy to the investigations but if anything, these cases are too slow and this is why people are even free to comment on these matters."
But Sakeni said the investigations needed more time because they were white collar crimes.
He also said that the government was not interested in persecuting Rupiah Banda and his family as claimed by the former president.
"There is no persecution, Mr Banda, knows very well how he persecuted other people when he was in government. He was persecuting people himself. They are stories of people who were being innocently fired by him left right and center for political expedience and those that were being arrested and detained. A vivid example is that of Mahtani," he said.
"The government has no time to persecute people. Banda must not think Zambians are foolish. Did Banda have that kind of money to build those flats in a short time? Banda cannot today say that he acquired a loan from bank to build them that is abusing his authority. How can the whole of the President apply for a loan, knowing too well that they won't deny him the loan. That is clear abuse of authority. The mere fact that when he immediately got in office he went to be the bank to borrow that money is evidence. That is using your office for pecuniary interests," Sakeni said.
"He has not told Zambians where he got money to buy 150 vehicles prior to the elections. Where did he get the money to buy those trucks? Banda has failed to account for money in his own party. He was sending trucks and loads of food staffs in all provinces for campaigns, where did that money come from? Let him remind himself."
And Dr Fred Mutesa said there had not been a case that qualified as plunder yet unearthed by the combined team of investigative wings probing corruption related cases of leaders that served in MMD.
Dr Mutesa, who is Zambians for Empowerment and Democracy (ZED) leader said that his party was somewhat disappointed that this was not so even after so much hype by the PF that there were leaders in the previous government that plundered the nation's resources.
"It is a good thing that the PF government have taken some of the cases of people alleged to have involved themselves in corrupt practices to the courts of law because this is both the accused and Zambians to know exactly what really transpired," said Dr Mutesa.
Dr Mutesa however said that those cases unearthed so far did not correspond with the hype seen on the issue plunder of national resources.
"We are somewhat disappointed there was a lot of hype and still is, that a lot of former MMD leaders plundered this nation but looking at the cases that have gone to court really, we are still waiting for cases that qualify as plunder," he said.
Dr Mutesa however said taking the cases to court was a good opportunity for those accused to defend themselves and the prosecuting team to state its case.
He said Zambians were keen on knowing how former leaders managed the affairs of the country.
Labels: CORRUPTION, KENNEDY SAKENI, LAMECK MANGANI
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Rupiah will be compelled to speak, says Mangani
By Kombe Chimpinde
Mon 23 Jan. 2012, 12:57 CAT
RUPIAH Banda will be compelled to speak on the Mpundu Trust issue, says Lameck Mangani. In an interview, Mangani said that the summoning of the former president's wife, Thandiwe, was very interesting considering the fact that she was the director of a multi million dollar trust for her children, when she was merely a teacher.
The former first lady has been summoned to appear before a joint team of investigators at the Task Force office on February 3 on allegations of abuse of authority and money laundering.
This is in a matter involving the manner in which Mpundu Trust Limited and its directors acquired property sub division A number 29 of farm 488 A, on Leopards Hill Road.
"The former first lady never worked for three, four in fact five years when president Banda was vice-president and president. She was a teacher, so the type of value of the trust was far beyond the levels of the remuneration of the first lady as a teacher…," Mangani said.
He said whether Banda accompanies his wife or not for investigations, it would be interesting to know how Thandiwe would detach the Trust from the Banda family.
Mangani said Thandiwe was a citizen of Zambia although she was married to the former president and that she should be able to account for the hefty accounts that had been linked to her.
"What everybody is interested in is to know what really happened, since she is one of the directors that have been summoned along. We expect them to tell the truth," said Mangani.
"According to our Constitution, she does not hold public office, so if she has wealth that cannot be explained, it will be up to her to explain where she got the wealth. This is not the first time, we went through this during late former president Frederick Chiluba's time when his wife Regina had to give an account of property she had. This will send a clear message that no one is above the law. What we are trying to do is refine our society, that when you are given a mandate of serving the people, you are obliged to explain certain things that Zambians have doubt about."
Thandiwe has been summoned over allegations of abuse of office in connection with the establishment of the Mpundu Trust.
Labels: CORRUPTION, LAMECK MANGANI, RUPIAH BANDA, THANDIWE BANDA
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PF is in E/Province to stay - Mangani
By Christopher Miti in Petauke
Mon 05 Dec. 2011, 14:00 CAT
THE Patriotic Front has come to stay in Eastern Province, says Lameck Mangani.
And former Heritage Party Petauke Central member of parliament Ronald Banda says Dora Siliya turned Petauke into a factory of insults prior to the September 20 general elections.
Welcoming former Msanzala independent member of parliament Colonel Joseph Lungu, Nyakawise independent ward councillor James Lungu and Lusangazi independent ward councillor William Banda to PF at a rally held at Nyamphande Basic School on Saturday, Mangani said although some people would continue mourning about MMD, the PF was there to stay.
"No matter what we do, no matter what we say, Michael Sata is the President of the Republic of Zambia between now and the next five years. In 1991 when UNIP lost power, UNIP members used to say Dr Kaunda is just on holiday, he will bounce back. Did Kaunda came back? Frederick Chiluba was there for 10 years, Levy Mwanawasa was there for seven years, unfortunately it was only our brother (Rupiah Banda) who was only there for three years. So the PF government is here to stay," Mangani said.
He said the decision made by Col Lungu on behalf of the people of Msanzala was a wise one.
"This is a decision on behalf of the people of Petauke and on behalf of the people of Eastern Province. Col Lungu is not a selfish man and is doing this on behalf of the people so that he is able to serve them better. Now Col Lungu, knowing that he is a good leader, he did not want to do it join PF alone. That's why he has come together with two councillors and all the people that he was working with," Mangani said.
He said Col Lungu and the two councillors would be adopted to recontest their seats under the PF in the by-election.
Mangani also reaffirmed government's commitment to fighting corruption and improving the agriculture sector.
Col Lungu said as long as he remained in Msanzala, no one would win the seat.
He said he had fulfilled his plans of joining the ruling party after winning as an independent candidate.
PF Eastern Province vice-chairperson Mike Tembo urged PF members to welcome the new members and stop bickering.
Tembo said the people of Eastern Province would send a clear message through the by-election that they had "confessed their sins of belonging to the opposition when other people were changing".
And Banda said most people in Petauke felt insulted because of Siliya's campaign of insults prior to the September 20 elections.
"Nsenga women, including the alangizis (counsellors) were embarrassed because of Dora Siliya who was insulting our president. What we want now is for Petauke to turn into a factory of votes for Col Lungu and PF," Banda said.
He said MMD was finished and that Col Lungu defeated it even when he was independent.
Banda said it was indisputable that MMD existed merely on paper.
He said MMD was a party for criminals and liars.
"I think some of you who have radios you have heard that some MMD members have started burying money underground. If you worked for your money, how can you bury it underground? This means that there is something that you are hiding. Rupiah Banda will never come back, he went for good and the person who is there now is Michael Sata," Banda said.
Col Lungu, who was initially MMD contested as an independent after the former ruling party adopted Peter Daka.
He had only been MP for two months.
Former Zambia Federation of Employers' president Dr George Chabwera, PF provincial women's chairperson, former aspirant for MMD provincial chairpersonship Chishala Chilufya and former MMD Petauke district treasurer Elias Mwale were among the people that attended the rally.
PF losing candidates for Msanzala, Mkaika, Petauke Central and Lumezi constituencies also attended the rally.
Labels: EASTERN PROVINCE, LAMECK MANGANI, PF
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There was big looting under Rupiah - Mangani
By Kombe Chimpinde, Henry Sinyangwe in Lusaka and Christopher M
Mon 28 Nov. 2011, 13:59 CAT
THE abuse of resources that Zambians witnessed in late Fredrick Chiluba's 10-year rule will be nothing compared to the looting that went on during Rupiah Banda's three years in power, says Lameck Mangani.
And MMD Solwezi Central member of parliament Lucky Mulusa says the unearthing of K2.1 billion from Austin Liato's farm shows the recklessness of some individuals who served in the previous government.
Commenting on the K2.1 billion that law enforcement officers dug out at Liato's Mwembeshi farm last Thursday, Mangani, in an interview, said what had been unearthed showed the levels of looting that happened in the Banda regime.
"There was basically big looting. We are also aware that some of the innocent .
Zambians are keeping vehicles illegally acquired by MMD and keeping them in tents," Mangani said. He said the case of Liato was a clear example of how greedy some leaders were in Africa.
"Even during the Meanwood and NAPSA transactions, I remember honourable Liato supported it heavily when people questioned the deal and said it was not correct. He took it upon himself and went all the way to defend the transaction. I am not a police officer but these could be areas of interest for investigations," Mangani said.
"In fact I am aware that most of the ministers have been moving in and out of Zambia trying to hide one or two things. I want to warn, however, that there is nothing that can be hidden even the houses that we hear some people bought will be known soon."
Mangani said he was also aware that some former government officials had engaged lawyers to try and alter property titles.
"This sends bad signal about the previous government we had. How could the president allow such a thing? If Liato was a gold dealer as reported earlier on, when did he start being a gold dealer as a minister?" he asked.
Mangani said it was not only Liato but many others who were engaged in corrupt acts and were on the verge of being discovered.
"There are many people that could be in a similar position like that of Liato. So I want to appeal to the police to continue investigating these matters for the benefit of Zambians," he said.
"…We African leaders, what is killing us is greed. Liato was a minister of labour, he is aware that some of the labourers are getting as little as K150,000, what was his moral conscience when he was going to work, he has money in a trench of over K2 billion, and for someone to have K2 billion after the elections, how much was there before?"
Mangani said such greediness, if not curbed, could destroy chances of the country developing to higher levels.
He said the K2.1 billion hidden at Liato's farm generated a lot of suspicions about the MMD.
However, the MMD has distanced itself from the case and has since suspended Liato with immediate effect saying the matter could not be defended by the party as it was personal.
"If it was clean money, why keeping it in the trenches and not the bank? This matter gives a lot of suspicions on the part of the MMD and they should not call it a witch-hunt," said Mangani.
And Mulusa, in an interview, said some individuals in the former cabinet had caused much damage to the country.
''That discovery of K2.1 billion from Liato's farm has really saddened us especially those of us who were never part of the previous government.
We are new members of parliament, we came in innocently and we campaigned for the party hoping that the party would be retained but we did not know the extent to which this party, the MMD, has caused so much damage," Mulusa said.
He said he could only apologise for the campaign messages which were delivered in the run-up to the September 20 elections in order to convince the people to vote for the MMD.
We can only imagine the damage that MMD would have done had we managed to retain power. We now feel that we need to step up our efforts to serve the people and ensure that while the MMD is still living, it is transformed into a party with a productive outcome, said Mulusa.
And Chitambo MMD member of parliament Mushili Malama said the MMD should not die following the wrongdoings of the previous leadership.
"While the previous leadership did some wrongs, we feel that it should not die but must be given a fresh set of leadership to ensure that it carries on with the noble dream that underwrote its birth in 1991," said Malama.
Labels: AUSTIN LIATO, LAMECK MANGANI, NAPSA
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Mangani tells Rupiah to own up over gold scam
By Chibaula Silwamba
Tue 08 Nov. 2011, 11:40 CAT
FORMER president Rupiah Banda must come out in the open to explain State House's role in the gold scam, says Lameck Mangani. Commenting on revelations that Banda's former press aide Dickson Jere introduced gold buyers to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and immediate-past commissioner Aaron Zulu, former home affairs minister Mangani said all the people who were involved in the gold sale should come out and tell the truth to the nation. He said there was no way DEC could be a transaction centre of gold.
"Now that State House was fully involved, the former president must come out in the open. What does this mean because now Dickson is being linked, heavily, to this? Was Dickson acting alone or he was being sent?" said Mangani, a one-time Banda confidant but now a member of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
"If he Jere was acting alone, where was he deriving his powers from? The revelations are a very sad development. I am confident that a lot of issues will come out of the gold story."
Mangani said there was need to establish who was behind Jere's role in the gold deal. Intelligence sources revealed that the gold sale deal between the buyers and DEC was sealed with the help of State House.
"According to the briefs we have received from our team on the ground, Mr Dickson Jere confirmed that he called Mr Aaron Zulu then commissioner of DEC and told him that ‘there are people coming to look at the gold, attend to them'," the sources said.
"In fact, senior DEC officials told our team that ‘those people who bought gold came from State House'. Mr Zulu instructed security personnel at the gate of the DEC premises that ‘there are people coming, when they arrive usher them in'."
The sources revealed that there was no bidding in the sale of the gold and the transaction was "orchestrated at State House" during the Banda regime.
Recently, President Michael Sata revealed that Switzerland-based businessman Nichola Bogdan Buzaianu, whom he said was linked to the gold sale, had come to Zambia that week and met Banda, his son James and Jere.
President Sata castigated the police and instantly fired Lusaka division commanding officer Mulakeni Zulu for failing to apprehend Buzaianu and his crew, who were wanted by the DEC.
Banda confirmed meeting Buzaianu but said he was not a fugitive and there was no gold that went missing as portrayed.
Banda said he welcomed the DEC's investigations of the sale of gold linked to Buzaianu.
Later, Buzaianu, through his lawyers demanded an apology from the Zambian government over the gold scam allegations.
However, sources later told The Post that Jere introduced gold buyers to DEC and Zulu.
PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba said Banda would be embarrassed over the gold scam.
Investigators last month interviewed Jere, Zulu and former secretary to the treasury Likolo Ndalamei, among others, over the gold scam
Labels: DEC, GOLD, LAMECK MANGANI, MONEY LAUNDERING, WYNTER KABIMBA
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RUPIAH will be bruised, says Lameck Mangani
By Chibaula Silwamba
Tue 25 Oct. 2011, 15:20 CAT
RUPIAH Banda will be bruised, says Lameck Mangani. And Mangani has urged former president Banda to apologise to Zambians for the mistakes he made instead of exhibiting petty jealousy and frustrating his successor, President Michael Sata.
Commenting on Banda's alleged manoeuvres to ‘surrender' the former ruling MMD to UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, Mangani warned that Banda risked being bruised politically if he continued to use his agent, Hichilema, to defend him before he answers for the wrongs he committed while in State House.
"Former president Banda, under the circumstances, the first step he could have done was to simply step down as a party president and move away from party politics. He took MMD to an election; MMD was defeated and the normal thing he can do in the most immediate arrangement is for him to step down," said Mangani.
"When he steps down as president of MMD, then he will be ready to answer few questions and when time comes, he is a human being, tell Zambians that ‘sorry I made mistakes on this and that'. It will be up to the Zambians to decide that ‘let us forget this and forgive the old man or not, or let this old man go to court or not'."
He said the political arena was not ideal for Banda.
"Immediately he goes into the political arena the way he is moving using other agents like Hichilema, he may be bruised very badly. That is the danger that I see. Former president Banda risks being bruised politically if he uses agents like Hichilema to start defending him on issues Zambians feel were wrong.
It will not be good for him," said Mangani, a one-time home affairs minister in the Banda Cabinet. "My personal advice is that let him step aside. After all, he has done his part. He took over from late president Levy Mwanawasa and Zambians made him President thereafter."
He said one important thing that Banda did, for which Zambians would not forget him, was that he handed over power peacefully.
"In handing over power peacefully, he avoided a problem that happened in Ivory Coast, and Zambians are aware of that. If he humbles himself by telling MMD that ‘please choose another person, I am in my retirement, anything you want me to explain, I am ready to explain'. Humility is very critical," Mangani said.
"You will see that if he does that, it will be Zambians that will be telling Sata that, ‘please leave the old man alone'. But if he wants to be aggressive for nothing, he will have unnecessary problems in old age and it will not be good for the family as well."
Banda is 74 years old.
He said Banda must learn from developed countries where former presidents do not antagonise their successors unnecessarily.
"When a president has lost the election, he goes quiet; they don't go into a fight with a person that has taken over from them. Petty jealousy is unnecessary. Sata did not put himself as President; it is the Zambians that put him there," Mangani said.
"The way things are moving and which I know even my colleagues in MMD are aware of is that it is impossible to reverse the process; Sata is President for the next five years. The best thing to do is to cooperate with him so that whatever decisions he makes will be for the interest of all Zambians, including Banda himself."
He said President Sata's anti-corruption crusade or abuse of national resources fight should not be personalised as if it was a personal fight between President Sata and Banda.
"Immediately we reduce it to that level like there is a personal fight between the two, then we are losing focus. What we should do is that every leader that assumes the Presidency must know that when you leave office, people will definitely question you why you made certain decisions," Mangani said.
"Even Mr Sata when he leaves office, he must be ready to explain to the Zambians on some of the decisions he will make. That is normal. If Mr Banda is clean and people are asking him, ‘Can you explain on some of the decisions you made?' you cannot say that Sata is personalising that. He just wants an explanation. If those matters are bordering on security that the
ACC or DEC may be required, you can't stop him because he is now President and he must protect the interests of all Zambians, including our assets."
He said Zambians wanted answers on the sale of Zamtel.
Mangani said Zambians questioned the sale of Zamtel to Libya's LAP Green Network.
"Now Sata comes to the scene and says, ‘Please, Minister of Justice, can you make sure that you probe this and let Zambians be satisfied with what happened'. That cannot be seen as personal victimisation of Mr Banda. Zamtel was a national asset," Mangani said. "Just like the issue of procurement of fuel, it affects everybody. If the process is not cleaned up and if there was corruption in the procurement, it affects every Zambian. As president, you must look at which areas Zambians are hard hit on, which affect their lives."
He said Hichilema was supposed to belong to the young generation of politicians that offer constructive criticism.
He, however, observed that Hichilema was falling into the trap of politics of confrontation, insults and baseless arguments.
Mangani said Hichilema was a letdown to the young generation.
"The young generation must create a new level playing field where issues should be at the centre of our political debate," said Mangani.
Labels: LAMECK MANGANI, MICHAEL SATA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
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Extend mealie-meal handouts ban, Mangani urges govt
By Moses Kuwema
Thu 13 Oct. 2011, 13:30 CAT
LAMECK Mangani says the government's ban on mealie-meal handouts to defence and security personnel should be extended to water and electricity. In an interview, Mangani (left), the former home affairs minister, said the proposal to give the defence personnel money instead of mealie meal was good.
"The best is to give them money for water bills, electricity everybody should manage things on their own and in the long term it will be relatively cheaper to run these things. The concept of Niva Boma public property will die, everybody will feel responsible," Mangani said.
He said currently, very few people cared even if they left taps running in their homes because the government was responsible for paying their bills.
"That's why we have a lot of bills that have accumulated which are very difficult to dismantle in all these institutions, the police, the army. The soldiers can buy mealie meal or whatever they want to buy on their own and eventually we have to look at issues of water and electricity, they have to pay on their own," he said.
And Mangani said the country needed to be told what the Salaries Commission came up with during its sittings as disparities in salaries for defence and security personnel had continued.
"You remember there was a salaries commission that was appointed. I think it would be a good idea that we try to find out, what did that commission do because there are a lot of disparities in the way salaries are given out particularly with the servicemen.
What did they do because a lot of money was spent on that commission? This is important so that we harmonise the salaries. For example when you look at an equivalent of a captain in the army versus the police, the disparity is too big so those are the issues. The salaries commission what did they come up with? Did they just use the money and throw the report away? What did they do?" said Mangani.
On Monday, President Michael Sata advised defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba to harmonise the conditions of service for defence and security personnel.
"Mr GBM let me know because we know the cost of mealie-meal. I don't mind giving the soldiers that increment instead of giving them handouts. Don't give soldiers, don't give the police, don't give prisons...don't give all these people handouts, give them the money they deserve and there's a very big gap between the police, the army, the air force and ZNS," said President Sata.
Labels: GBM, LAMECK MANGANI, MEALIE-MEAL, MICHAEL SATA
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Mangani urges PF members not to avenge MMD violence
By Chibaula Silwamba
Mon 26 Sep. 2011, 12:40 CAT
LAMECK Mangani has called on ruling Patriotic Front members not to fight opposition MMD members as revenge for the tribulations they went through. And Dr Rodger Chongwe congratulated President Michael Sata and commended him for putting the fight against corruption top on his agenda.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Ondiga have congratulated President Sata on his election. In an interview yesterday, Mangani said although many PF members and sympathisers were brutalised by the MMD, they must not take revenge.
"I know the emotions are very high. Most of our people were beaten, some of them were detained, and others had their properties destroyed and in isolated cases others even lost their lives," said Mangani. "A lot of people are very annoyed particularly about the people they know very well were perpetrators of violent acts, like William Banda, who behaved as if there is no law in this country. They terrorised and abused everybody. I know it's difficult because I also feel the pain, but you should leave vengeance to God."
Mangani said a lot of people saw Sata's Presidency as a relief to Zambians. He said Zambians fought a good fight and now had a new government.
"The best favour you can do to President Sata is to allow him settle down to some serious work without disturbances. Stories of a brother beating a brother worry any leader as an aftermath of an election. My appeal to everybody is that we should avoid excessive reactions arising from all the problems we faced in the campaigns," Mangani said. "You fought these battles because you wanted to fight injustice and God has allowed you that your wishes be granted. So let the same God help Zambians and President Sata to work together despite our political differences."
Mangani recalled that in Chipata, there were cases of PF members being detained for up to two weeks on flimsy grounds.
Mangani said the MMD tried to rob people of Chipata Central of their PF victory by trying to cheat on the day of voting. He said the country had laws and President Sata would like to preside over a decent and disciplined nation.
"So let us give him chance to look at bigger issues like improvement of the agriculture sector, tourism, tax regime and mining agreements, problems of unemployment and several other issues, instead of disturbing him with minor incidences of people trying to fight each other," Mangani said. "Nevertheless, all those that connived with the MMD cadres to steal money from government for the purpose of the campaigns should not think that they will be let free. The law will visit them at an appropriate time."
And Mangani wished former president Rupiah Banda well.
"I only hope that now that he is out of the office, he will be able to reflect on a number of issues and one of them is the danger of having mediocre characters. And he should reflect on the danger of family members, particularly the children, interfering with issues that affect the people," said Mangani. "This loss may be a good signal that the MMD will soon go into oblivion like UNIP."
And Dr Chongwe said the election of President Sata was refreshing news and congratulated Zambians for being vigilant and electing the 74-year-old leader.
"Mr Sata is a popular leader for this country and we hope that he will do good for us and his country," Dr Chongwe said. "We say goodbye to our colleague and friend Mr Banda but we are not sorry to see him go. In fact, we are very happy and it's a pity that although he actually completed his three years period it looked as though it was 10 years because he brought sorrow, despondency and disunity in this country. So we are happy that he has gone."
Dr Chongwe said he was happy to hear President Sata say that one of his first priorities would be to fight corruption.
"We hope that from yesterday when he was sworn in, he has started his job to clean up the corruption that is endemic in Zambia, in all institutions including the Anti Corruption Commission, itself," said Dr Chongwe.
Losing presidential candidates Charles Milupi of the Alliance for Development and Democracy (ADD) and Ng'andu Magande of the National Movement for Progress (NMP) also congratulated President Sata.
Magande said: "You President Sata have shown us the younger ones what perseverance means. My wishes to Your Excellency are a successful tour of duty."
Prime Minister Odinga said: "I join other leaders in congratulating President Sata on his decisive win in the just concluded polls, the outgoing president Banda for showing statesmanship and providing leadership at the critical moment in the life of his country and the people of Zambia for choosing peace and democracy in the ballot as a means of changing leadership."
Prime Minister Odinga said Zambians had given Africa a good example about democracy.
"For those of us who refuse to buy the idea that Africa is a lost cause, who cling to the hope that the 21st century could be Africa's, every democratic election and peaceful transfer of power on the continent emboldens our belief and presents us with the reason to hope even more that our struggling countries are on the right path towards a full transition to democracy," said Odinga.
"The people and leadership of Zambia have done the continent proud and given us hope by what they achieved in this election."
In his congratulatory message to President Sata, Ban said he was pleased that Zambians had shown Africa and the world that change could be brought about peacefully when democracy was allowed to flourish.
US President Barack Obama also congratulated President Sata.
"I hope that all Zambians will find common ground as you address the challenges and seize the opportunities facing your country and our world," said President Obama.
Labels: BAN KI-MOON, LAMECK MANGANI, PF, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RAILA ODINGA
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Chipata 'mourns' Rupiah regime
By Joseph Mwenda and Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sun 18 Sep. 2011, 13:55 CAT
PARAMILITARY police officers in full riot gear yesterday struggled to control thousands of Chipata residents who filled up the central business district in a march-past organised to signal the end of President Rupiah Banda's regime.
This happened when PF Chipata Central parliamentary candidate Lameck Mangani and his entourage marched from his residence in Moth to Mpezeni Park near Kapata Market where he addressed his supporters. The procession forced shop owners, marketeers, cyclists and taxi drivers to abandon their businesses and join in what was termed as a revolutionary march-past.
As the jubilant multitude walked past the Great East Mall, shoppers in all the shops went out to witness the largest ‘crusade' ever witnessed in Chipata.
The situation caused a huge traffic jam as both lanes of the Great East Road were overtaken by the procession.
After close to an hour, riot police officers armed with teargas canisters, launchers and short buttons then came rushing towards the scene and tried to disperse the PF supporters.
This did not work as PF officials confronted them with a four-hour police permit that was granted to them earlier.
The procession then went on with heavy police presence attracting some shop owners in Chipata's downtown area who could not resist the ecstatic mood brought about from chants of "we want change" by the people.
Police officers who were deployed to control the situation watched helplessly as the PF supporters took over Kapata Market bus station currying a mock coffin of President Rupiah Banda.
At Mpezeni Park, Mangani briefly addressed the supporters, thanking them for what he described as massive support rendered to him during his campaign trail.
"On Tuesday, please let's go in numbers and show Rupiah Banda that Chipata has changed. Let's show him that people want change and his time to retire has come. After you vote, remain at the poling station, sleep there until all the votes have been counted," said Mangani.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, CHIPATA, EASTERN PROVINCE, LAMECK MANGANI, MMD, PF, RUPIAH BANDA
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Easterners should counsel Dora, says Zulu
By Christopher Miti and Joseph Mwenda in Luangeni
Wed 14 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
EASTERN Province women should counsel Dora Siliya, says PF Luangeni Constituency candidate George Zulu. And Lameck Mangani says Zamtel was sold in a dubious way. Addressing a rally at Chikando Basic School on Monday, Zulu said Siliya had embarrassed Easterners because of her sex campaign.
He said Dora should be confined in a small house and counselled on how to stay with people. Zulu said Luangeni had a lot of problems, among them bad roads. He said PF leader Michael Sata's intention was to upgrade Chikando Basic School. Zulu urged the people not to believe the MMD propaganda on PF leader Michael Sata.
And Mangani, who was in Luangeni to drum up support for Zulu, complained of the manner Zamtel was sold.
"This company was established by Dr Kaunda but it was not making profit. We came up with an idea to sell this company because it was not making profit but what people wanted was for this company to be sold in a transparent manner and not in a dubious way. The minister who was in charge of this ministry was Dora Siliya from here, so when things are not okay, we cannot just say niwakwathu ai (she is from our place, no). I went to President Banda, I said, yes, ‘Dora is our sister but people are complaining about the way the company has been sold'," Mangani said.
"The people who came (to buy), the preparation of the paper work were all not done in a transparent manner. So this company was sold to a Libyan firm where there is war and I don't know what will happen because the people who bought Zamtel, the sons of Gaddafi (fugitive Libyan leader) people have risen against them," said Mangani.
He said he used to advise President Banda when he was in government because he realised that all the people of Eastern Province would be embarrassed in an event that he failed to perform.
"If the President who is there from Eastern Province did not do well, Zambian people will say Easterners are fools because when you entrust them with leadership, they don't care for people and that there was a certain old man (President Banda) who didn't do well. So I wanted to help so that this old man can do his work well," Mangani said.
He said the MMD and President Banda could not stop the wind of change that was blowing over Zambia.
Mangani urged Zambians to try Sata this year because trying was not a problem.
Provincial PF vice-treasurer Joseph Ponyerani Phiri urged the people to vote for the PF which was determined to improve their living standards.
Labels: CORRUPTION, DORA SILIYA, GEORGE ZULU, LAMECK MANGANI, MMD, ZAMTEL
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Rupiah is going, says Mangani
By Chibaula Silwamba
Fri 02 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
The signs in Luapula and elsewhere are definite that President Rupiah Banda is going, says Lameck Mangani. And Mangani has advised President Banda not to cling to the presidency after the September 20 elections because that will be against Zambians' wishes and can cause anarchy.
Mangani, a former home affairs minister in the Rupiah Banda Cabinet but currently Chipata Central PF parliamentary candidate, said the late former president Frederick Chiluba and PF ‘rebel members of parliament' cheated President Banda that he was popular in Luapula Province when in fact people disliked him.
In an interview from Chipata, Mangani said President Banda must emulate first Republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda who stepped down after his electoral defeat in 1991.
Mangani said President Banda must avoid rigging electoral results because that could create "problems" for him and the country.
"The signs in Luapula and elsewhere are definite signs that he is going," Mangani said. "The only thing that he can do is to avoid rigging the elections because, if he does, it will have serious repercussions on him.
He is treated as a freedom fighter and as a freedom fighter he cannot sink so low as to rig an election because it will dent his image and also create a problem because Zambians know who they want to vote for.
So once somebody who they don't know has won, it will create discontent in the country. The best thing to do is to accept the results of the elections and allow transparency to prevail. Any attempts to rig will create problems."
Asked if he feared that President Banda's hold on power after the elections would cause anarchy, Mangani responded: "If he is going to force himself against the wishes of the people, then it can create problems."
He said President Banda must respect the people's wishes after the elections and leave power.
"He should emulate Dr Kaunda. When Dr Kaunda saw that it is impossible to change things, he stepped down. He never went to the extent of trying to rig. No! He simply said: ‘the people have spoken, let me step down'," Mangani said.
"Dr Kaunda is still a living example. Let him follow what Dr Kaunda did, then he will have all the respect that he deserves as a former head of state.
But if he is going to force himself, then he will be trapped in a situation where people will think he is a dictator and they will treat him very harshly."
Mangani said a lot of people had been deceiving President Banda.
"President Banda has fallen into the same trap Dr Kaunda fell in in 1991, where people kept on cheating him that ‘all is well' when things were not okay.
We have been told by the rebel MPs members of parliament and the former president that Luapula is very good for him and MMD," Mangani said. "But on the contrary, I think the President has seen the actual situation on the ground that things are not the way he has been cheated.
The situation within the next few weeks will be ugly, not only in Luapula but in most parts of the country because Zambians are determined to change government. He will see the true picture within the next few weeks before we cast our vote."
Mangani said many MMD members and officials had just been pretending.
"Naturally, people don't want to tell the President the truth but the President on his own should have the ability to investigate the truth of what is obtaining," Mangani said.
"Chiluba and rebel MPs gave President Banda a picture which is not true on the ground as being evidenced by what is happening right now. It's very unfortunate. Again, he did not need Chiluba and the rebel MPs to tell him; he is the President and should have known that ‘these people are cheating me'."
Mangani said President Banda had "all the machinery" to know the truth but he decided to be receptive to deception, thereby creating problems for himself.
"That is the danger of having praise singers because they don't want you to look at the other side of the story.
They just say, ‘you are the only one, you are the most popular and all Zambians like you', which is not possible," said Mangani. "Now the truth will prevail.
The next two weeks will be very tough for him and the MMD. No matter how much money they will give voters, people have learnt the PF ‘Don't kubeba' slogan. People will get their MMD money but they will not vote for them."
During his campaign trail in Luapula Province this week, President Banda received a cold reception and even failed to address a rally in Mansa.
Labels: LAMECK MANGANI, RUPIAH BANDA
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