Luapula changing for the better - Sata
By Godfrey Chikumbi in Mwansabombwe
Mon 29 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says Luapula is now on its way to becoming a shining example of real development in Zambia as his government is providing necessary infrastructure. Meanwhile, Mwata Kazembe has appealed to President Sata to revitalise parastatals in Luapula Province.
In a speech read on his behalf by chiefs and traditional affairs minister Nkandu Luo during Umutomboko traditional ceremony of the Lunda people in Mwansabombwe district on Saturday, President Sata said through allocation of resources to strategic projects in Luapula, the province would become a shining example of real development in Zambia.
President Sata observed that lack of a proper road network in the province had cut the people off from markets for their produce as well as capital investment.
He noted that due to a poor road network, the people of Luapula had been unable to transform the abundant natural resources into improved living standards.
President Sata said Luapula was changing for the better due to various developmental projects that the government was currently undertaking.
"Time has come for all of us to bid farewell to the days when Luapula used to be a sleeping giant. Through careful allocation of resources to strategic projects, Luapula is on its way to becoming a shining example of real development in Zambia. Luapula is certainly a destination of all would-be local and foreign investors," President Sata said.
He explained that the entire road network in Luapula had been earmarked for rapid construction, pothole patching, edge repairs, road markings, road signs installation and construction of rumble strips.
"Luapula has a total road network of 4,073 kilometres. Today, I am proud to mention that the entire road network has been earmarked for rapid construction," President Sata said.
He said the government, under the Link Zambia 8000 road project, was constructing the Kawambwa-Mushota-Luwingu, Pedicle,
Kashikishi-Chiengi-Lunchinda-Kaputa and Chembe-Milenge roads.
Other roads are Kasanka-Mansa-Luwingu road, Kawambwa-Mporokoso road and the road linking Mununga, Kawambwa, Mwenda and Kashiba.
"As I speak, these road projects are underway and will uplift the face of the entire Luapula Province for many generations to come. Hundreds of jobs have already been created and hundreds more jobs will continue to be created as these major road projects unfold," he said.
President Sata also noted that the Luena sugar farm bloc, the Chishinga cattle breeding centre in Kawambwa and the palm oil production in Mwense were among many other development projects that government was undertaking in Luapula Province.
And Mwata Kazembe lamented that parastatal companies in Luapula had not benefitted the people as expected.
Mwata, who spoke through his spokesperson Criticles Mwansa, during Umutomboko appealed to the government to devise ways and means of revitalising parastatals which would help create employment.
He named Kawambwa Tea Company, the defunct Mununshi Banana Scheme and Mansa Batteries as some of the parastatals that needed government attention.
"I want to appeal to the government of the day to devise ways and means of revitalising these entities if we are to move in line with the desire to create jobs for the local people. We stand ready to provide all the support as the people," he said.
Meanwhile, Mwata Kazembe lamented that there was little progress in fully realising the development of Mwansabombwe following its declaration as a district by President Sata last year.
Labels: CHIEFS, LUAPULA PROVINCE, MICHAEL SATA, Mwata Kazembe, PF
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Mwata Kazembe calls for peace
Written by Chibaula Silwamba in Kazembe, Mwansabombwe
MWATA Kazembe of the Lunda people of Luapula Province has said post-election violence must be nipped in the bud wherever it occurs, following, Thursday's presidential elections. And Mwata Kazembe attributed voter apathy to poverty.
In an interview soon after he cast his vote at Kazembe West council polling station, situated just outside his royal palace in the Lunda capital of Mwansabombwe, Mwata Kazembe called for peace and unity in the country after the election.
"That is archaic and violence wherever it occurs, it must be curtailed in the bud," said Mwata Kazembe, who wore his royal headdress.
He urged whoever wins the elections to look at all the nine provinces equally.
"Zambia comprises nine provinces, 'One Zambia, One Nation.' I think that is the spirit," Mwata Kazembe said.
On voter apathy that has characterised the presidential elections and the Mwansabombwe parliamentary by-election, Mwata Kazembe said there was need for people to be sensitised on the importance of electing their leaders.
"In elections, I think poverty goes with apathy," Mwata Kazembe said. "If at all there is any apathy noticed, it's because people are not encouraged because people should be there to see the essence of having a leader, then they will get on board."
Mwata Kazembe, who was the last person to vote at the polling station at about 18:08 hours, said his decision to vote at the end was fatherly.
"Normally when there is food, I think the parent should be the last person to have the share. First you let your kids take their shares, you being the parent you should have the last share," said Mwata Kazembe. "Exactly, this is what I have done."
Labels: LUAPULA PROVINCE, Mwata Kazembe
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Mwata advises HH to be brave
By Mwala Kalaluka in Mwansabombwe
Monday October 13, 2008 [04:00]
MWATA Kazembe yesterday advised UPND president Hakainde Hichilema to be brave and courageous during his campaigns for the October 30 presidential election.
And business came to a standstill at Kashikishi main market in Nchelenge yesterday when Hichilema toured the market stands when conducting a door-to-door campaign.
Speaking when Hichilema paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Mwansabombwe yesterday, Mwata Kazembe advised the UPND leader to strengthen his party at the grassroots.
He said when a party was strengthened at the grassroots, it would be strong because politics starts from the grassroots. "We need to strengthen our presence at the grassroots level, that is where politics starts from there," Mwata Kazembe said. "If we get very strong on the ground, then we are home and dry.”
Mwata Kazembe said people of Zambia wanted a leader who was concerned about their welfare. He said Zambians want development and that is why there was need to elect a leader whom they would look up to.
"I know time is not with us. I think with me, you have my blessings. You have to be courageous and brave,” said Mwata Kazembe. "I think in future, we would love to have a leader who people should be looking up to for hope. People have been looking for development and so this is the kind of leader that we want. And I think wherever you will be, this is the same message that people will tell you.”
And Hichilema said he could not pass through Kawambwa without meeting Mwata Kazembe because he had discussed with him various important issues before. Hichilema said he could not meet Mwata Kazembe earlier because he was delayed at Mansa where his plane was blocked from landing because Vice-President Rupiah Banda was in the area. And business came to a standstill in Kashikishi yesterday when Hichilema, who was conduccting campaigns at every station from Mansa to Nchelenge, stopped to talk to the traders.
The traders followed Hichilema chanting UPND slogans but some traders ignored Hichilema's presence, while others chanted Patriotic Front and MMD slogans. However, Hichilema managed to draw a big crowd as he went around the shops. Hichilema passed through Kashikishi village and toured the new main market before proceeding to Kawambwa.
Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, Mwata Kazembe
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Leaders engaging in electoral corruption should be arrested - Mwata Ka
By Patson Chilemba in Mwansabombwe and Mulimbi Mulaliki in Solw
Wednesday October 08, 2008 [04:00]
MWATA Kazembe of the Lunda people of Luapula Province has said leaders that are engaging in electoral corruption should be arrested. And Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata said Zambians should not shed blood to get what rightfully belongs to them.
Speaking shortly before a meeting with Sata at his palace in Mwansabombwe on Monday, Mwata Kazembe said politicians that engaged in electoral malpractices should be arrested. He said Zambians should be allowed to vote for a leader of their choice.
Mwata Kazembe also urged Zambians to maintain peace before and after the elections.
And during a huge rally, Sata urged Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) director Dan Kalale to ensure that ECZ conducted a free and fair election. He said Zambians should not shed blood to get what rightfully belonged to them.
He said people should not risk the country's future by electing someone with double allegiance.
Sata told Mwansabombwe residents that they had waited for years to be freed from the slavery of poverty.
"We have waited 44 years," he said.
On the forthcoming Mwansabombwe parliamentary by-election, Sata said the election followed MMD member Maybin Mubanga's disrespect for Mwata Kazembe.
However, he promised to restore the authority of chiefs once elected.
"You people of Zambia, you should have respect. Wait. There are only 25 days remaining. You get Mwata and you start playing around with him?" Sata wondered. "I have promised that Mwata you stay at your palace. I want to add more power to you than what your grandfather had."
Sata further said he would abolish the title of sub-chiefs.
"You can't have a sub-chief. A chief is a chief. Village headman is village headman," he said.
Sata further said PF would pass a law to ensure that members of parliament, particularly those from rural constituencies, stayed within their respective constituencies in order to share in their people's sufferings.
Sata also officially introduced Mwansabombwe parliamentary candidate Samuel Chitonge to the people.
Meanwhile, MMD cadres in Solwezi allegedly attacked PF cadres that were campaigning for Sata in the district.
PF councillor for Kitwe's Bupe ward, Elias Kamanga, who is coordinating the campaigns in Solwezi in a walk-in interview at The Post offices complained that MMD had continually attacked his cadres that were campaigning in the area.
"We have taken over the support MMD had in this province so they are now jittery because they know that most people in the province are now supporting PF," he said.
However, Kamanga complained that police had not protected the PF cadres despite having reported the matter to them.
"I am appealing to MMD cadres campaigning not to resort to violence; let them tell the people as to what the MMD government has been doing for them. We are scared that this kind of behaviour is being perpetrated by the party in power," he said.
Kamanga disclosed that on Monday around 21:00 hours, MMD cadres attacked them at their campaign base about 200 metres away from the police station and that it took police officers one hour to arrive at the scene.
But MMD youth provincial chairperson Newton Malwa accused PF cadres of provoking MMD cadres who were conducting a peaceful and issue-based campaign.
He said PF was not even a factor in their campaign in North Western Province because Sata was not popular due to his insults.
"Sata has been insulting the people from this province and they have resolved not to support him, the only contender we consider in this province is UPND presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema, not Sata," Malwa said.
Meanwhile, North Western Province Police commanding officer Fabian Katiba confirmed that three PF cadres were assaulted in Messengers' compound during door-to-door campaigns.
He said police issued medical reports to the trio for them to receive medical attention.
However, Katiba said police had not yet received a report on PF cadres and officials that were attacked by MMD cadres at their campaign command centre.
Labels: LUAPULA PROVINCE, Mwata Kazembe
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Mwata regrets Levy's illness
By Mwala Kalaluka in Kawambwa
Sunday July 27, 2008 [04:00]
MWATA Kazembe of the Lunda people of Luapula Province yesterday said the Lunda royal establishment deeply regretted President Levy Mwanawasa's illness. And police officers reinforcing security at yesterday's Umutomboko Ceremony of the Lunda people manhandled journalists as they jostled to enter Mwata Kazembe's palace to cover his talks with Mwata Yamvwa.
Addressing people at the main arena during the ceremony, Mwata Kazembe asked God to strengthen the first family and prayed for unity in the country in President Mwanawasa's absence.
"We as Lunda royal establishment would like to join hands with the rest of the country to pray for the quick recovery of the President," he said.
Mwata Kazembe also spoke about Mwata Yamvwa of the DRC who graced the Umutomboko for the first time in its history.
He said this year's ceremony was very special for him.
"For the first time from Kola which is our ancestral land, I feel greatly honoured by this gesture. I also feel greatly honoured by Paramount chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba for being the first Chitimukulu to attend the Umutomboko," he said.
"This justifies the fact that we both come from Kola and that we are enjoying a good relationship."
Mwata Kazembe thanked Lunda chiefs from North Western Province, among them Kanongesha, whom he referred to as a brother, for attending Umutomboko and that this would be reciprocated by his royal establishment.
Mwata Kazembe reiterated his desire to work with the government and urged all those issuing disparaging remarks against the Lunda royal establishment to desist from doing so.
"We should aim to work together for the development of the nation," he said.
Mwata Kazembe thanked the government for the Chembe bridge project but said the roads between Chembe and other parts of Luapula including Kashikishi should be worked on urgently.
Earlier, there was commotion as the journalists who were not allowed to attend what was termed a private meeting tried to force their way into Mwata Kazembe's palace.
When Mwata Yamvwa and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Katanga Governor Moses Katumbi arrived at the palace to have a private discussion with Mwata Kazembe, Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Clemet Siame said not all reporters from DRC and Zambia could be allowed into the palace.
He said only Mwila Mutale, a reporter from the Zambia National broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), would be allowed into the palace.
Siame said the government wanted to have a private discussion with Mwata Kazembe and Mwata Yamvwa and that they needed to be left alone.
At this point, the rest of the journalists tried to force their way into the palace.
But police officers manhandled them and one of the journalists from Zambia Daily Mail, Monica Mayuni, was almost undressed but she was only saved by sympathisers who gave her a chitenge material to cover herself.
Only five journalists from DRC were allowed to attend the meeting.
Mines minister Kalombo Mwansa officiated at the ceremony.
Opposition leaders present included UPND's Hakainde Hichilema, New Generation's Humphrey Siulapwa, some Patriotic Front members of parliament including some chiefs from DRC and Zambia attended the ceremony.
Labels: MWANAWASA, Mwata Kazembe
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I'm not ready to fight Mwata, says Minister
By Chibaula Silwamba
Friday June 13, 2008 [04:00]
LUAPULA Province minister Chrispin Musosha has said he is not ready to fight Mwata Kazembe. And Luapula Province Royal Foundation chairperson chief Mwansakombe said Mwata Kazembe was being a bit ‘naughty’ by denying Musosha entry to his palace. Giving his position on statements attributed to senior chief Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people of Luapula Province against him, Musosha said he respected Mwata Kazembe like any other chief in the country.
The Mwata has asked President Levy Mwanawasa to relieve Musosha of his duties because he has allegedly allocated himself all the road contracts in the province. The Mwata even refused to see Musosha recently when he accompanied presidential affairs minister Cecil Holmes who paid a courtesy call on him.
"I am not ready to fight the Mwata; I respect each and every chief in the province. I have chiefs who are from my tribe in Mansa and I have never quarrelled with any of them. I have lived to respect the chiefs.
The Mwata being one of the chiefs in the province should enjoy the kind of respect from each one of us in government and as such whatever he may say, I am not ready to fight him. I am not here to fight anybody, my President never sent me here to come and wage war against anybody but to make peace and help develop my province and I am strictly here for that," Musosha said.
And chief Mwansakombe said the Mwata Kazembe should give respect to Musosha.
"In fact, this is news to me that he denied Musosha entry to the palace. That is being a bit naughty; we need to have courtesy for our political leaders.
In fact, he is the provincial minister, he should have brought him in and discuss whatever problems the Mwata is facing rather than denying him entry into the palace. Otherwise, we have to give some respect to people who are in power unless there is something that I don't know which is happening in Mwata's Kingdom," chief Mwansakombe said.
However, Mwata Kazembe yesterday declined to comment on Musosha and chief Mwansakombe's statements.
On reports that he, his relatives and close allies in MMD had shared almost all road construction contracts in Luapula Province, Musosha said his company has never had contracts in the province since he became minister.
"My company is called Pine Road and General Contractors and if you go through all the records of the RDA Road Development Agency, I have never participated in any of the road contracts in the last three or four years.
The last time I worked on a road in Luapula Province was two years ago and this contract came from Forestry Resource Management through BCHOC Consulting Engineers along Kabelenga Road in Lusaka. They are the ones who contracted me to build Matanda-Kaliongo Road," Musosha explained.
"Two years before I became a member of parliament, I was given two road contracts; the one I have talked about and Chimupati Road in Serenje under SHEMP Small Holder Enterprise Marketing Programme in the Ministry of Agriculture. The two contracts gave me over K2 billion and this money, part of it I spent it to prepare myself for elections and it was part of this money I used in April 2007 to buy road construction equipment in United Kingdom.
So from the last time I was awarded a contract in 2005, I have never worked anywhere in Luapula. Those who are taking wrong information to the Mwata and others, it's unfortunate."
Asked about Sure Gate Road Contractors, Musosha said that company was owned by his cousin and he had not influenced any decision for that company to acquire any contract.
"He has been operating as a contractor for sometime; right now he has a contract in Choma and another contract in the Copperbelt," he said.
"Another example is my own son who graduated last Friday from a school of construction and I am encouraging him to form his own company. Does it mean that I should be held liable for his mistakes or activities? No! We have to prepare him as we retire and right now, I am still busy with political life so there is nothing wrong in him carrying on with the construction companies."
Further asked about a contract in Nsumbu National Park under Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), Musosha admitted Pine Road and General Contractors have a contract there but it was obtained through a normal tender process.
"Yes, we are working there in Northern Province," said Musosha.
An association of contractors in Luapula has petitioned President Mwanawasa and demanded that he should be removed from the province because had was getting all the contracts at the expense of other contractors.
Labels: CHIEFS, LUAPULA PROVINCE, Mwata Kazembe
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Mwata seeks to reconcile with Levy
By Chibaula Silwamba
Tuesday June 10, 2008 [04:00]
MWATA Kazembe has requested to meet President Levy Mwanawasa in the spirit of reconciliation to assure the President that he is not against him and his government. Presidential affairs minister Cecil Holmes yesterday confirmed that he last week went to meet Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people of Luapula Province at his palace following the chief’s request to meet President Mwanawasa.
According to sources in Mwansabombwe, the Lunda chief’s royal area, Mwata Kazembe wants to meet President Mwanawasa to assure him that he is not against him and his government as perceived.
“Mwata Kazembe and chief Puta requested to have an audience with President Mwanawasa to assure him that they are not what they are thought to be that they are against him and his government,” the sources said.
“Following Mwata Kazembe’s request, Holmes wanted to hear what the Mwata had in mind to arrange for a meeting with President Mwanawasa. During the meeting, Holmes told the Mwata that he will convey the message to the President.”
The sources said Mwata Kazembe also complained to Holmes that Luapula Province minister Chrispin Musosha was arrogant and he should be removed.
“As you know the Mwata chased Musosha from his palace during that day of the meeting and he told Holmes that he did not want Musosha because he was arrogant and he had taken so many contracts. He requested that Musosha should be removed from the province,” the sources said. “But Holmes told him that, ‘you are a chief and a father of the people and you should call them and talk to them in privacy’.”
The sources said Mwata Kazembe, who supports Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata, wanted to realign himself with President Mwanawasa because the two leaders had reconciled.
“Sata’s reconciliation with President Mwanawasa has forced the Mwata to want to come closer to President Mwanawasa,” the sources said.
When contacted yesterday, Mwata Kazembe indicated that there would be nothing wrong with him meeting President Mwanawasa because he was his President.
“Aah! Well he is my President,” Mwata Kazembe said.
Asked if he had initiated the proposal to meet President Mwanawasa, Mwata Kazembe declined to comment and could not disclose why and what he discussed with Holmes.
“Unfortunately, anything bordering on politics I don’t comment. I am a traditional ruler and I don’t think I should be commenting on political matters,” Mwata Kazembe said. “He is my minister; he just came to see me. It’s important once in a while you interact with the people in the system.”
Asked whether he wants to meet President Mwanawasa to clear the perception that he was against the government, Mwata Kazembe said people were entitled to their own opinions.
And Holmes said Mwata Kazembe had requested to meet President Mwanawasa. He said he had travelled to Luapula Province to hear what the chief wanted to discuss with the President.
“Myself, I just went to meet him. I had a message from the President. I am just a messenger, I am just a carrier, the message was private, I can’t tell you,” Holmes said. “There is nothing much, it’s just that once in a while we have to visit our traditional leaders.
He had a request to meet the President but you know as the President was out of the country I thought that it was important you don’t keep a chief waiting to hear. So I went to sit with him and just hear why he wanted to see the boss.”
Holmes declined to give details why Mwata Kazembe requested to meet President Mwanawasa.
“I can’t say that. I have to report back to the boss who sent me there,” Holmes said.
He said there was no need for the government to fear that somebody Mwata Kazembe in Luapula Province was against President Mwanawasa and his government because ordinary people would be the ones that would suffer.
“I don’t believe in rumours, he Mwata Kazembe is not against the President and the government. I believe that the best thing is to sit down and talk to each other because we are all stakeholders because we need to take development to Luapula Province and if we start fearing that somebody doesn’t want us there then there is a problem, it’s the people who suffer. So it’s important that as we hear these things, we move …I think for me I want to tell you that I had a very successful meeting with His Royal Highness,” Holmes said.
Asked if he would arrange for a meeting between Mwata Kazembe and President Mwanawasa, Holmes said it was not always that the President would meet every person who requests to meet him.
“Certain things the chief or any other person wants sometimes I can do them before they meet the President. If I can resolve it the better.
You know the President is a busy person, you can’t find that everybody who wants to meet him can meet him but we need to facilitate. If it is possible, let’s meet those who want to meet the President and discuss issues and if we can resolve them then there is no need for them to meet the President,” said Holmes.
Mwata Kazembe has frequently criticised President Mwanawasa’s government. In September 2006, he said MMD would leave his chiefdom for failing to develop it. In the run-up to the tripartite elections, Mwata Kazembe whipped some MMD cadres who chanted slogans in support of President Mwanawasa and MMD candidate Maybin Mubanga.
He said the cadres who had gone to his Guest House were foolish and had no respect for his thrown.
Labels: MWANAWASA, Mwata Kazembe
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Mwata defends Chiluba
By Patson Chilemba
Tuesday June 19, 2007 [04:00]
Chiluba has done a lot of good things which should not be forgotten, said Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people in Luapula Province yesterday. In an interview, Mwata Kazembe said former president Frederick Chiluba did a lot of good things when he was in power and that some attacks on him were just personal vendetta.
“Does it mean that everything Frederick Chiluba did was bad? Chiluba did a lot of good things, only that we Zambians are forgetful. Some of those attacks are just personal vendetta,” Mwata Kazembe said.
Asked if he had any word of comfort for Chiluba, Mwata Kazembe responded: “I’ve time and again talked to him. I’ve been calling him and I don’t think I need to console him through the papers.”
Mwata Kazembe’s remarks come in the wake of Chiluba’s total condemnation and denounciation as a thief following London High Court judge Peter Smith’s judgment that established that Chiluba had defrauded Zambians out of millions of dollars.
Labels: CHILUBA, Mwata Kazembe
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Defending the indefensible
By Editor
Tuesday June 19, 2007 [04:00]
It is true that not everything that Frederick Chiluba did was bad.
But we should always bear in mind that Chiluba was employed to do good, not bad. He was well remunerated for this. It is said that there is a constant struggle between good and bad or evil, and evil has to be punished.
Those who commit crimes have to be punished regardless of the good things they have done before. It doesn’t mean that if one has saved many lives before he commits murder then he shouldn’t be punished for that crime. If this was so, our prisons would be empty because all men, even the most seemingly cold-blooded, have a core of decency, and if their hearts are touched, they are capable of doing good.
Whatever the good thing that Chiluba might have done cannot be used to absolve him from his thefts of public funds. Chiluba had no good reason to steal from the Zambian people who had done so much for him. But we shouldn’t forget that criminals usually do a lot of good things. Pablo Escobar did a lot of good things for the poor people of the neighbourhoods where he grew up. He was actually a very popular figure in those neighbourhoods. But we don’t think that this alone should have been used to free him from the drug trafficking charges he was facing. There are very few individuals who are bad at everything and to everyone.
And usually criminals like giving people gifts; they usually share their loot with others. This may be true of Chiluba. He was generous with state funds. Chiluba’s friends enjoyed themselves when he was in power; cash and other gifts continued to flow in their direction. Even his then girlfriend, Mrs Regina Mwanza, now his wife, became rich from Chiluba’s gifts. She bought houses and her businesses were not short of capital – Chiluba provided whatever she needed. But this was from stolen public funds.
There are many people in this country who Chiluba assisted in so many ways who today have difficulties condemning his crimes, his thefts because they were beneficiaries, they ate with him.
And the Mwata Kazembe who is today defending Chiluba, extolling his goodness was one such beneficiary, was one such recipient of gifts. But life has taught us that gifts and bribes make even wise men blind to the truth, and prevent them from being honest in their assessment or criticism. This may explain why the Mwata Kazembe thinks some attacks on Chiluba are just personal vendetta. It is important to learn to distinguish the crimes of our friends from their good deeds. Chiluba stole public funds and this is not a good thing, a thing that should be praised and defended. Chiluba abused public office in a manner that is difficult to justify or defend.
Denouncing Chiluba’s thefts cannot be said to be personal vendetta. Punishing crimes cannot be said to be personal vendetta. We were taught that those who committed crimes and were responsible for injustice, evil, and all those other bad things we are today denouncing would be punished in hell. This could not be interpreted as an expression of personal vendetta. We have denounced, and we will continue to denounce Chiluba’s thefts and crimes, but we have not done so, and we will not do so, out of personal vendetta.
We should learn to criticise and denounce that which is wrong regardless of who is involved in it or who is the perpetrator. We know that there will sometimes be conflict between duty to the nation and personal loyalty to a friend, between our obligations to our country and to our friends. But the crime Chiluba has committed to the people of this country is too big to ignore, to gloss over or allow impunity to prevail over it. While a country like ours is made up of individuals, it is greater than any of its individual citizens, and loyalty to the country, to the nation takes precedence over loyalty to an individual; obligations to the people take precedence over loyalty to an individual, to a friend.
Every man, even the worst criminal, has friends who love him. But this should not blind people from seeing the truth. Regardless of what Chiluba gave us; regardless of what Chiluba did for us, we should be able to see the fact that this man is a thief who has stolen from his own people, abusing their trust in him. We should learn from the experiences of our neighbours. It was painful for the African National Congress and the progressive people of South Africa to see Reverend Allan Boesak go to jail for abusing public funds that were entrusted to him. This was a man who had done so much for the liberation of his people, for the anti-apartheid struggle.
Those who condemned him knew very well that they were condemning the action of a man whose integrity and devotion they never questioned, a man whose sacrifice in the liberation struggle may have been far greater than their own. But they also knew that their man had stolen public funds and the law stipulated certain punishments for that type of crime regardless of who was involved. The people of South Africa had to live with the fact that Rev Boesak was a thief, their hero had stolen and had to go to jail.
The sooner the friends and supporters of Chiluba accept the fact that their hero, their friend is a thief who should be punished, the more peace they will have in their hearts. It is not personal vendetta to call a thief a thief; to denounce crime and call for it to be punished. There are many nice people, people who had done many good things who are today languishing in jail for crimes. Why should Chiluba be treated differently? Yes, there are some people who ate with him and would like to be seen to be sympathising with him and paying some solidarity to him.
But there is a better and honest way this can be done. It cannot be done by trying to vilify the innocent people that are trying to bring this thief to justice, to account for what he stole. The best they can do for Chiluba is to pray for him to accept his fate and pay his penance or simply tell him that fisanga abaume. Trying to justify crimes, thefts and banditry won’t do any good to Chiluba and those supporting or defending him.
Labels: CHILUBA, EDITORIAL, Mwata Kazembe
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Katumbi is my nephew, like it or not - Kazembe
By George Chellah
Wednesday March 07, 2007 [02:00]
MOSES Katumbi is my nephew whether people like it or not, Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda people of Luapula province has said. In an interview on Monday, Mwata Kazembe, who was reluctant to discuss the matter, said Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi was his blood relation and nobody could change that fact.
"You know I usually don't like giving my thoughts on cases of corruption because most of those people involved are my relatives. People like Chiluba, he is my son from here. So if I talk about that some people might think I am biased that's why I don't like talking about it," Mwata Kazembe said. "But for Katumbi, Katumbi is my nephew and nobody can change that whether people like it or not, Katumbi is my blood relation. He is my nephew." When asked whether he has attempted to advise his nephew to come back and answer the corruption charges he is currently facing in Zambia, Mwata Kazembe responded: "Katumbi has been willing to come back to Zambia on condition that he should be put under house arrest and not to take him in jail... to Chimbokaila," Mwata Kazembe said. "So if the powers that be can meet those conditions, Katumbi is willing and can return to Zambia even tomorrow."
Last week in parliament, Vice-President Rupiah Banda said authorities would question Katumbi if he visits Zambia. And on complaints by losing MMD Mwansabombwe parliamentary candidate Maybin Mubanga that he (was intimidating witnesses in the Mwansabombwe petition, Mwata Kazembe denied the allegations. "I don't know what is wrong with Mubanga. I can't intimidate his witnesses and I will never do that. I understand how bitter Mubanga is for having lost an election but I will never intimidate his witnesses. I understand the law better than Mubanga himself,” Mwata Kazembe said. "In fact, I am even on record of encouraging him to go to court so that we can settle this matter once and for all. People should learn to accept defeat honourably. These people... the MPs are just passing birds, they come and go that's why our current MP is Chitonge for now. Mubanga can come and contest in 2011 if he wants." He advised Mubanga to use his money properly and not on costly activities like he was doing. He also advised him to be respectful. "Even the person he is saying that I was intimidating, Mubanga doesn't live with us here so who told him that? Let him give you the number of that same person I intimidated so that you can get exactly what happened from the person herself," Mwata Kazembe said. "This person came all the way from her place to come and provoke me at the palace. I even told her that you people are embarrassing me... in fact, I was going to cane her because she just came to provoke me. "As for Mubanga, I am the Mwata and he is my subject and let him accept that."
But Mubanga said Mwata Kazembe was threatening witnesses in his petition case, where he has asked the High Court to nullify the election of Samuel Chitonge. And Mwansabombwe PF member of parliament Samuel Chitonge advised Mubanga not to draw the Mwata in his petty politics. "Mr Mubanga has petitioned so what else does he want? Let him just wait for the courts to determine the matter. He should even have respect for the Mwata because that sort of behaviour is the highest level of insolence," Chitonge said.
Labels: CORRUPTION, Moses Katumbi, Mwata Kazembe
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