Chiluba has proved to be extremely selfish – Kalala
By George Chellah
Thu 05 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT
CHILUBA has proved to be an extremely selfish and self-centred individual, former State House special assistant to the president Jack Kalala has observed.
Commenting on Miko Chiluba’s attacks on Patrick Mwanawasa’s observations on former president Frederick Chiluba, Kalala dismissed Miko’s statement.
“In his statement written for him, Miko Chiluba made unsubstantiated and unfair claims which bordered on insulting members of the Mwanawasa family instead of addressing the political concerns that Patrick had raised in his statement. Similar claims have been made on a number of occasions by Miko’s father, president Chiluba, about late president Mwanawasa and members of his family,” Kalala stated.
“Miko’s claim that members of president Mwanawasa greatly benefitted from Mr Mwanawasa’s position as president were not only insulting but an attack on their reputation and integrity. Miko owes them an apology if he has any sense of decency in him.”
Kalala stated that the Mwanawasa family equally assisted Chiluba.
“Miko claimed in his statement that Mwanawasa could not have become president of Zambia if Chiluba had not played the pivotal role he did in the late President’s life. Yes Chiluba had made decisions to evacuate Mr Mwanawasa to South Africa for treatment. Similarly, president Mwanawasa did the same for Chiluba.
But Mwanawasa was grateful and acknowledged it publicly whereas Chiluba has not done so,” Kalala stated. “Instead, he has openly confessed that he hated Mwanawasa. Because of his intense hatred for Mwanawasa, he even parted company with Sata for reconciling with Mwanawasa. It should also be recalled that, in addition to saving Chiluba’s life, Mr Mwanawasa had provided free legal services to Chiluba when he was arrested for treason by Kaunda.
“This was long before Chiluba became president. In 1990 and 1991 Mr Mwanawasa played an important role in the political activities, which eventually led to Chiluba becoming Republican President in 1991. He fought so many legal battles, which earned him names such as Ichibumba…”
Kalala wondered whether Mwanawasa and others that contributed to the 1991 campaign that enabled Chiluba to become president demanded to be thanked by him.
“No, because they considered their contribution to be a national duty. This was not the case with Mr Chiluba who considered it a personal victory and an opportunity to enjoy himself. Mr Chiluba has proved to be an extremely selfish self-centred individual. He claims credit even for other people’s achievements,” Kalala stated.
“He thinks Zambians owe their existence to him and that they should forever be grateful to him for that. He even thinks that God owes him gratitude for having declared Zambia a Christian nation. Each time he opens his mouth, he is always praising himself: I…I…I… Whereas his fellow former president, Dr K.D. Kaunda, when he opens his mouth he wants to say something about the achievement of UNIP, it is: We…We…We…”
Kalala stated that Chiluba’s corruption case was in court when Mwanawasa took up office.
“President Chiluba had himself taken to court. The people he had been working with had accused him of having plundered national resources. They had called him a thief,” Kalala stated. “When president Mwanawasa looked at the evidence available and the extent of the plunder, being a lawyer and president, he decided to have the people involved to account for their deeds.”
Kalala stated that Miko should know that, unlike his father, Mwanawasa used his position to serve the country.
“He did not consider his position as a means to enrich himself and members of his family. He had actually made it clear to them that they should in no way use their relationship to him to benefit themselves,” Kalala stated. “It will be proved beyond doubt that he honestly gained the assets from his sweat and toil before becoming President, which has not been the case with president Chiluba.”
Kalala stated that Miko’s claim that Patrick owed what he is to Chiluba demonstrates dishonesty and malice on his part.
“President Mwanawasa had a vision and a plan for his children. He also had adequate means to support his family and to educate his children. Patrick and Chipo were already studying in South Africa before he became president.
The others were in private schools in Zambia. Before he became president, Mr Chiluba could not afford this for his children. After he became president, Mr Mwanawasa continued to pay for the education of his children using his private resources.
Another ridiculous claim Miko made and his father has been making is that Mwanawasa should be grateful to president Chiluba who made it possible for him to become President,” Kalala stated.
“Let us look at this scenario. If your house is on fire and you call firemen to help you to extinguish it, would it be logical for you to ask them to say thank you to you for having given them the opportunity to extinguish the fire and save your house from total destruction?
It would certainly be considered absurd and silly to do so. Let us face it. MMD was under siege and under intense pressure and serious threat of total defeat at the general elections following the aborted third term attempt by president Chiluba.
“The party needed an eminent person of good standing, which Mwanawasa was, to salvage it. No one in NEC and Cabinet could redeem the party after the third term debacle and the subsequent exodus of credible people from the party. The only hope was Mr Mwanawasa who had done so much for the party before and after its formation and the only one with the necessary credentials to defeat the formidable opposition posed by UPND and FDD candidates.”
Kalala stated that Chiluba should have known better that there was no way Mwanawasa could have accepted to defend corrupt deeds.
“The man profoundly loathed corruption… president Chiluba, Miko and their sympathisers should be reminded, lest they have forgotten, that president Mwanawasa had made it very clear during the 2001 campaign that between personal interests, including friendship and national interests, national interests would take precedence,” Kalala stated.
“This is what exactly happened. To understand better his stance and feelings on the actions he had taken on the cases of corruption, I advise these people to read his last testament, which was read after his burial and written in 2005, long before his death, and indeed his mission statement.”
Kalala warned the so-called pastors who are on Chiluba’s side that Mwanawasa’s loyal supporters stand ready and on firm ground to defend his legacy.
“We will not fear them as even the Bible has no kind word about them. This is what it says about them: ‘You become the friend of every thief you see and you associate with adulterers. You are always ready to speak evil; you never hesitate to tell lies. Psalms 50:18-19.
‘You are doomed! You call evil good and call good evil. You turn darkness into light and light into darkness. You make what is bitter sweet, and what is sweet you make bitter.” Isaiah 5:20. “You people hate anyone who challenges injustice and speaks the whole truth in court.” Amos 5:10,” stated Kalala.
Labels: CHILUBA, JACK KALALA, MIKO CHILUBA
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Miko Chiluba defends his father’s ‘integrity’
By Chibaula Silwamba
Wed 28 Oct. 2009, 04:00 CAT
FORMER president Frederick Chiluba's son Miko yesterday said Patrick Mwanawasa's remarks against his father were disrespectful and a direct betrayal to the former head of state. But Patrick said he had not shown any ingratitude to Chiluba though he had concerns about his party, the MMD.
Reacting to late president Levy Mwanawasa's son, Patrick's statement that Chiluba is a spent force in active politics and his contribution to the ruling MMD is destructive rather than constructive, Miko said Patrick was in a hurry to be famous but he was doing it the wrong way.
“For some reason or the other he decides to pick on a man that has had some influence on his life. His father was not elected to the position of president; he was handpicked by my father. So whatever Patrick has gained, he still remains a direct beneficiary to my father's goodwill. In that case I expect him to just keep his peace and be respectful.
You know what I mean? This is just a way of advising my young brother,” said 40-year-old Miko in an interview at The Post offices in Lusaka. “Patrick's remarks are a direct betrayal. That is how I feel. The young man has overstepped his boundaries. He is a young man. He will do well to pick his words and be a little bit respectful. You know what I mean? It seems he is in a hurry to be famous but he is doing it the wrong way.”
When reminded that Patrick, 26, was older than Jean, a 23-year-old son of French President Nicholas Sarkozy, who is a councillor and was vying for the presidency of EPAD, a quasi-government agency overseeing development in a French district, though he withdrew due to political opposition, and therefore some people could argue that even Patrick could engage in politics, Miko sharply responded: “Is he Sarkozy's son Jean being disrespectful to the elder statesmen? That is the question!”
But reminded that this reporter was posing that question to him in an effort to contextualise the arguments on whether Patrick was too young to participate in a political debate, Miko responded: “I know, I know. I know why you are asking.”
After Miko's response, Chiluba's press aide Emmanuel Mwamba chipped in, saying that Miko had answered the question very well.
“I think let us stick to the written statement,” Miko insisted.
According to his written statement, Miko stated that he was surprised by Patrick's remarks against his father.
“I have noticed with sadness that Patrick has continued to issue careless and irresponsible statements on the pretext that he is defending and upholding the legacy of his father. My humble view is that the legacy, works and contributions that our fathers made as Republican presidents will be recognised by the people of Zambia. We as children and interested parties should be the last to promote their good image,” Miko stated. “Patrick is literally my young brother and I feel justified to reprimand him and I feel obliged to rebuke this clear misconduct.”
He said it was inappropriate and irresponsible for Patrick, a child, to issue such remarks against someone who is literally his father.
“With these remarks Patrick disrespected himself and his own late father by speaking against Dr Chiluba and Mr George Kunda in this manner. Young people should break from the past by conducting themselves in a manner that does not promote insults and divisions but instead try to bring unity where there were divisions, healing where there were rifts and pain, and friendship where enmity existed.”
Miko said as far as he knew, Mwanawasa could not have become president of Zambia if Chiluba had not played the pivotal role he did in the late president's life.
He said Patrick should also learn the circumstances that allowed Mwanawasa to become Republican president.
“In 2001, Mr Mwanawasa was an ordinary member of the MMD and was not even in line of succession for the party president. He was not part of the NEC MMD's national executive committee. He was a mere ordinary member of the MMD,” Miko said. “Dr Chiluba promoted his candidature in the party and later in the country.
With the help of the people of Zambia, Mr Mwanawasa became Republican President. Clearly, Mr Mwanawasa was not even a political force at all! Yet Patrick and others are quick to embrace this presidency and enjoyed great benefits that come with such a position while insulting those that made it possible for them to be where they are.”
Miko said he was usually surprised that to a large extent, some members of the Mwanawasa family fail to express their gratitude where it was due.
“I will not, however, ask Patrick and others to show open gratitude to my father for the cardinal role he played in their lives and his immense contributions to this country. It will not be my duty to ask them to recognise my father's contributions but I pray that their conscience will probe them to recognise the truth,” Miko said. “Therefore, Patrick should not continue with activities that are destined to destroy his life.”
Miko said he held very strong feelings against Mwanawasa's rule.
Miko said if Patrick wished to join politics, he must get his act together.
But in an interview yesterday, Patrick said he had always been grateful to Chiluba for whatever he had done for the Mwanawasas.
“I am not showing any ingratitude to Dr Chiluba but rather I have got concerns for my party. This is the party that I love so dearly. I love it so dearly because in 1991 I nearly lost my father at a tender age and that is why I love my party so dearly. I feel so passionate about Dr Chiluba because he was the real man who saved my father's life but at the same time let us be honest. And I want people to understand me perfectly well on this issue.
Let us be honest, Dr Chiluba is not well at present. He just came back from South Africa because he was ill. Why does NEC want to push Dr Chiluba so far into politics? Can't they at least allow him to enjoy his retirement instead of them pushing him into politics this far?” Patrick asked. “In fact, I do recall that Dr Kenneth Kaunda never received his benefits for the entire 10 year period that Dr Chiluba was our president.
He Dr Kaunda was entitled to those benefits as the former president but he didn't receive them. Dr Chiluba argued that it was because he was in politics. But my father never took away those benefits from Dr Chiluba although he was active in politics.” He said when Chiluba supported the Patriotic Front in 2006 elections, nobody condemned him.
“My father allowed him to continue going about his political business and when he fell ill he was quickly allowed to go to South Africa. I am not saying these things should cancel themselves in terms of the way Dr Chiluba looked after my father when he was ill. I am just saying the things that have happened in the past should not preoccupy us right now but what should preoccupy us right now is where our party is headed in the future. I think that is a reasonable approach that I am trying to bring out to the people of Zambia,” Patrick said.
He said he would take Miko's advice as far as he thought it was reasonable.
“But I don't think he should be quick to judge me on the face of the headline he saw in The Post newspaper. I would rather he takes time to read the whole article that was published by The Post newspaper,” he said. “If Dr Chiluba is offended by my remarks I am sorry but I am just concerned about him.”
Patrick said there was no bad blood between the Chiluba and Mwanawasa families.
“I very much appreciate what Dr Chiluba and his family have done for our family and at the same time I want to appreciate what Dr Chiluba did while in office. But what us the youths must come to understand is that our forefathers or our veteran leaders in MMD will not be there forever in our party,” Patrick said.
He dismissed allegations that he was being sponsored to make political statements.
“Those are flimsy allegations… people know that I have been to university. I studied law before, I was not successful and that is not a secret at all, but I have been successful in my business administration studies. I have garnered so much knowledge and if you go to England where I was, there books are cheap and knowledge is free so I became a product of my own environment. Do they mean that in my five years whilst I was in England I was not able to have the specific knowledge and articulate talent to know what is happening in our country and to even talk the way I have been speaking in The Post newspaper? Of course not! This has always been me,” Patrick said.
“I have not been sponsored by anybody. Maybe there is something I don't know. Maybe they should come to the fore and tell the people of Zambia, who has been sponsoring me because me, I am not aware of being sponsored by anyone.”
Asked if he had ambitions to join active politics, Patrick said that was inevitable.
“Amos Malupenga wrote a fantastic book about my father's life and if those people that are raising these statements can take time to actually digest what was written in that book, they will come to realise that of course I do have political ambitions and as far as I am concerned there will come a time in future that I will stand as Kafulafuta member of parliament.
I have got that burning desire I shared with my father of helping out the people of Zambia and much more so now that he died whilst he was on duty. I think that it is inevitable,” Patrick said. “If people are already plotting my downfall, then let them go ahead. But as far as I am concerned, God will always be with me and the future is still bright for me.”
He dismissed assertions that he was too young to join politics.
“I was born on 8th March, 1983 and now I am 26 years old. I don't know maybe you can refresh my memory. How old was Vernon Mwaanga when he became a politician? How old was our current President, President Rupiah Banda when he joined politics? So are they just expecting me to bottle up all my beliefs in a bottle of whisky or just go and stand by the corner in Northmead over there and not let my voice be heard by the people? I have a voice and it shall be heard even if it means me losing my life, so be it, so God help me!” Patrick said.
When reminded that President Banda had said he joined politics when he was 17 years old, Patrick wondered why people were now saying he was too young when the current President joined politics when he was younger than he is.
“What are they scared of? If they have any programmes to neutralise me, let them go ahead,” said Patrick. “I mean, there is a saying that, 'in politics you can get shot 100 times and still survive but in war you can get shot once and you can die'. So this is politics and this is the first shot from Chiluba's son. I am game!”
Labels: CHILUBA, MIKO CHILUBA, MWANAWASA, PATRICK MWANAWASA
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