Muvi TV cameraman opts for K30m in William's assault case
By Joseph Mwenda
Wed 29 Aug. 2012, 10:30 CAT
MUVI TV cameraman Lloyd Kapusa has withdrawn the assault case against UPND president Hakainde Hichilema's adviser William Banda, after agreeing to a K30 million out of court settlement, general manager Costa Mwansa has said.
And police sources have disclosed that Monday's arrest of Banda was stage-managed to give an impression that the officers at Woodlands Police Station denied him police bond as directed by the command.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mwansa said Kapusa, who was nearly strangled by Banda, and his lawyers agreed to a K30 million settlement from Banda who was released from police custody around 18:00 hours.
"I left the young man and the lawyers to discuss. Yesterday Monday we told them that they should formally charge him (Banda), but the lawyers are saying they agreed that they should push for settlement," he said.
Mwansa explained that Kapusa was asked to decide Banda's fate.
"You know what happened before he was arrested? We pushed that matter to the lawyers but I told Kapusa that you also should do what you want to do. So it's like when they went to negotiate between his (Banda's) lawyers and our lawyers, they landed on some settlement.
I think they charged him some settlement… ranging over K30 million to the gentleman. But to the surprising turn of events, I just hear that bamugwila (they arrested him). So I am still waiting for Allan Mulenga (chief of security) and Kapusa to tell me what the outcome of that was. As it is now, there was no official withdrawal (of the case) unless they have done it this morning," explained Mwansa.
He confirmed that at the time when police were locking up Banda on Monday, the K30 million had already been paid to the Muvi TV lawyers.
"Ija yamene mwenzokopa mailo muchungulo (Those photos you were getting yesterday afternoon…), according to the information that I had, the settlement had already been done. Ija ndalama banabalipila ma lawyers bake (That money was already paid to his lawyers). But over the withdrawal of the case, inabwela yakanga (it failed) that's how come he was locked up.
I am waiting to hear what is being done because the matter was taken over by director administration Mr Tembo who is dealing with the lawyers. I will give you the correct figures this afternoon but what I was told is that it was nothing less than K30 million," said Mwansa.
Muvi TV was represented by Lusaka lawyer Milner Katolo while Banda was represented by Martha Mushipe.
Meanwhile, police sources explained that Banda's arrest on Monday was merely meant to show that he had been locked up when the case had already been withdrawn.
"Muvi TV was paid and they agreed to settle the matter out of court, but there were directives to have Banda locked up for that offence until today when he was supposed to be released on bond. So after you (reporters) left, Banda was released yesterday evening around 18:00 hours," sources said.
Banda attempted to strangle Kapusa last week for filming his arrest at Woodlands police in a different matter where he was charged for being in possession of property suspected to have been proceeds of crime.
Labels: MEDIA, WILLIAM BANDA
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Police arrest, lock William up
By Moses Kuwema
Tue 28 Aug. 2012, 11:10 CAT
WILLIAM Banda has been arrested for attempting to strangle Muvi TV cameraman Lloyd Kapusa. Police acting spokesperson Ray Hamoonga said Banda, who is UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema's adviser, was yesterday charged with the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to section 248 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Hamoonga said Banda was expected to appear in court soon. Meanwhile, Banda arrived at Woodlands Police Station around 13:23 hours in the company of his lawyer Martha Mushipe. After his arrival, Banda, Mushipe and Kapusa's lawyer Milner Katolo went into a meeting with the police.
Banda remained in the police station for close to three hours and later demanded some flip-flops, saying he could not go into the cells without them.
After some time, Banda's relatives who included his wife, managed to get the flip-flops, after which the police led him to a cell.
Asked for a comment as he was being led to the cell, Banda responded: "I am a politician, I have no problem," as a handful of UPND cadres and relatives restrained him from talking to journalists.
Last week, Banda almost strangled Kapusa when he appeared at Woodlands Police Station where he was charged and arrested by the joint investigations team in connection with two counts of being in possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime contrary to section 71 (1) of the forfeiture of proceeds of crime Act No. 19 of 2010.
Muvi TV then opened a docket against Banda and subsequently the police asked him to report to Woodlands Police Station on Saturday.
However, Banda could not report to the police, claiming family commitments.
Labels: WILLIAM BANDA
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William Banda arrested
August 23, 2012 | Filed under: Local News | Posted by: web editor
By YANDE SYAMPEYO
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) member William Banda has been arrested and charged with being in possession of property suspected to have been acquired from proceeds of crime.
Mr Banda was formally arrested at Woodlands Police Station yesterday, according to a statement from government joint investigations team acting spokesperson Christopher Chibanku.
“Mr Banda has been arrested on two counts of allegedly being in possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime, contrary to section 71 (1) of the forfeiture of proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010,” Mr Chibanku said.
He said in the first count, Mr Banda has been arrested in connection with the possession of five (5) vehicles, a Toyota Prado registration number ABZ 1661, Toyota Prado registration number ABR 9874, Toyota Harrier registration number ALB 3619, Toyota Surf registration number ABG 9009 and Toyota Cresta registration ABX 1408 “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.”
In the second count, Mr Banda is alleged to have been in possession of cash amounting to K100,800,000 “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.”
Mr Banda, who has been released on bond, will appear in court on August 30, 2012.
And Mr Banda’s lawyer Rabson Malipenga told journalists in an interview that his client has been released on K50 million bail, in his own recognisance.
Meanwhile, Mr Banda, a former MMD Lusaka Province chairman, attacked a MUVI television cameraman on arrival at Woodlands police station.
Mr Banda was seemingly angered by the presence of journalists and particularly the MUVI TV cameraman who was filming him.
He confronted the cameraman and attempted to grab his equipment. However, quick action by some police officers interrupted Mr Banda’s action.
Mr Banda was then ushered into the police station and formally arrested.
Labels: WILLIAM BANDA
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L/stone cops to probe attack on mourners
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone and Kombe Chimpinde in Lusaka
Fri 29 June 2012, 13:23 CAT
SOUTHERN Province deputy commissioner Fred Mutondo says the police are investigating the attack on a funeral procession allegedly committed by the UPND in which three women were injured.
And the PF in Lusaka has accused former MMD provincial chairman William Banda of organising and ferrying Lusaka-based cadres to Chama North and Livingstone to cause commotion ahead of the July 5 by-elections.
In an interview, Mutondo said the police had received a report on the matter although he could not confirm whether or not it was UPND cadres behind the attack.
But police sources have revealed that the people behind the attack were UPND cadres.
"We have the matter as it was reported to the central police station and it is being followed up thoroughly. I can confirm that people were attacked and three people were injured in the scuffle. We hear that there were a lot of vehicles so we can't tell who really attacked them," Mutondo said.
A police source confirmed that the reported assault was committed by UPND cadres at the junction of Kaunda Road and Maramba Road at a place known as A 1.
And in an interview at her residence in Maramba's Malota area, Susan Zulu, 41, one of the victims, said the UPND cadres who were in a convoy led by their leader Hakainde Hichilema's vehicle blocked and surrounded their vehicle and started beating the mourners.
"We pleaded with them that we were from a funeral and that we were not on a political campaign, but they would not listen. They started by beating my friend, Angela Nyambe of MA 229 with a hosepipe on her back and came for me and others. They had weapons in their pockets and pieces of hosepipe," Zulu said.
Also injured in Tuesday's attack were Samson Nguni of MC 176 and Charity Nguni of MA 227.
And PF provincial chairman Kennedy Kamba said he was dismayed that Banda who had since defected to the UPND has not abandoned his violent way of politics exhibited when he was in the MMD.
But Banda has threatened those making the accusations with litigation.
"I am aware that through the tactics of William Banda, the UPND have hired cadres who are behaving like thugs and ferried them to Chama and Livingstone. This is why these cadres are harassing innocent people who they are mistaking for PF cadres," he said.
Kamba said PF youths would not retaliate by ferrying cadres from Lusaka or Copperbelt but that they would allow the law to take its course.
But Banda said he was shocked that people still associated him with violence.
"People want to bring stupid dirty things to me. Ask MMD. They are the ones that are ferrying cadres. See, I don't like these stupid allegations and those that are making them are very foolish," Banda said. "One of these days I will take someone to court for such accusations."
Banda said that he was busy and did not want to pre-occupy himself with responding to the PF and their allegations.
He said although the UPND and MMD were working together in the Livingstone and Chama North by-elections, the two parties were not campaigning together and held separate activities.
Labels: CADRES, LIVINGSTONE, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, UPND, WILLIAM BANDA
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William Banda joins UPND
By Abigail Sitenge
Thu 10 May 2012, 17:40 CAT
WILLIAM Banda has defected to the United Party for National Development, saying he has been inspired by the leadership of Hakainde Hichilema. But SACCORD says it is surprised that the UPND had welcomed Banda to the party despite his violent behaviour.
Banda, the former MMD Lusaka Province chairperson, announced his defection during a briefing organised by the UPND yesterday.
"In politics you never know who becomes what; I decided to join the UPND because I know most of the people were saying that UPND is a party for only Tongas. Now, I am not a Tonga, I am coming to you," he said.
"For those who do not understand the political arrangement of this country, I want to remind them that UPND is not a party for Tongas, it is for Zambians. When the UPND started, other tribes like my tribe, like myself did not want to join you because we thought it was joking. Let me remind you that politics in Zambia was started by Tongas."
Banda, who last week relinquished his position as Lusaka Province chairperson, accused MMD national secretary Major Richard Kachingwe of abrogating the party constitution.
He warned that the MMD was headed for doom if Maj Kachingwe remained party secretary because he was trying to hound out of the party those challenging wrong decisions.
But Maj Kachingwe said Banda had brought hooliganism in MMD and that he tormented a lot of people.
He said having Banda out of the party leadership was good riddance.
"People are celebrating in compounds if he doesn't know. I have received text messages. Spare me well, Mr Tekere. He (Banda) has tormented a lot of people. We imported terror in MMD and there are boys who are looking for him," Maj Kachingwe had said.
Meanwhile, UPND Lusaka youth chairperson Edwin Bauleni has urged members to accommodate Banda and others who have defected with him and ensure that they work together for the benefit of the party.
And UPND political advisor to the president Douglas Siakalima, in welcoming Banda to the party, said it was unusual for members of opposition parties to join another opposition political party.
"It is unusual for people to join an opposition political party. In normal circumstances, these people would have gone to PF, the ruling government so this is why I pay special tribute to these people," Siakalima said.
He said if being a president was determined by writing an examination, Hichilema would have been a president a long time ago.
"He is brilliant, he is a modest person, but the only thing why he is not president is these numbers which were lacking," said Siakalima.
But Southern Africa Centre for Constructive Resolutions of Disputes information officer Obby Chibuluma in an interview said Banda did not add any value to any political party now.
"To us we feel that Mr Banda does not add any value to any political party at this stage, his record is very bad. He has been well known for violence during his political career in the MMD as way back at the time he was in UNIP and for the UPND to welcome him it's actually very surprising," he said.
Chibuluma hoped that the 'UPND would not rush into giving Banda positions.
"We hope that the UPND will not go a step further to even give him positions because surely the best Mr Banda would have done is to retire from politics," added Chibuluma.
Banda is appearing in court for alleged violence in Chongwe ahead of last year's elections.
Labels: MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, SACCORD, UPND, WILLIAM BANDA
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Police arrest William Banda over ‘90 days'
By Chibaula Silwamba and Moses Kuwema
Thu 22 Dec. 2011, 13:59 CAT
POLICE yesterday picked up William Banda and eight other party officials for alleged unlawful assembly.
Lusaka Province police commissioner Charity Katanga confirmed that Banda, who is Lusaka Province MMD chairperson and eight others were warned and cautioned for unlawful assembly. She said the nine were picked up from Woodlands suburb around 16:00 hours yesterday.
"Mr. Banda was in the company of 20 people at a certain restaurant holding a meeting without police notification," commissioner Katanga said.
"They are at Lusaka Central police station where they have been warned and cautioned. After the warn and caution, they will be released and will come back next week. That is when other details will follow."
According to police sources, Banda and his colleagues were picked up from Twin Palm area in Lusaka's Woodlands suburb where they were allegedly having a meeting, which the law enforcement agencies claim was meant to incite the public against the PF government.
"They are suspected to have been inciting people against the government that it has not delivered on its 90-day development promise," the source said.
"They are at Lusaka Central Police station as we are speaking and have been charged with unlawful assembly."
When contacted, Banda could neither confirm nor deny.
"Hehehe! You are trying to confirm? They will be arresting us daily," said Banda, promising to call back later.
However, repeated efforts to call Banda again proved futile as he was cutting the call.
During his campaigns President Michael Sata had promised to undertake and complete some projects within 90 days once elected into power.
However, some of the people feel the President has not honoured some of his promises.
But President Sata has called for patience and time.
Labels: MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, WILLIAM BANDA
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Sata deserves respect, says William Banda
By Roy Habaalu and Ernest Chanda
Fri 16 Dec. 2011, 18:50 CAT
WILLIAM Banda says President Michael Sata deserves respect. Banda who is Lusaka Province MMD chairman and seen as an architect of some of the violence around the September 20 elections, said in an interview that he had no grudge against President Sata.
He said President Sata deserved respect because the people of Zambia had confidence in his leadership. However, Banda said he would die for former president Rupiah Banda.
Banda said MMD parliamentarians and members that had joined the PF were scared of being investigated.
"My main principle in politics is loyalty just like I am going to die with my loyalty to President Rupiah Banda. At the moment he's my president. If he quits, whoever will become MMD president will be my president," said Banda.
He vowed that his loyalty to Rupiah Banda could not be broken regardless of the sufferings he was enduring.
Banda who is charged for proposing violence in Chongwe prior to the general elections said he would not abandon Rupiah Banda even if he was found with cases to answer.
Rupiah Banda has been linked to money laundering and abuse of office in relation to the purchase of Plot No. RE/A/29/488A Leopards Hill Road, Kabulonga.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) is also investigating Rupiah Banda's Mpundu Trust Account.
But Banda said: "Even if they find cases (against Rupiah Banda) I am not going to run away from him. He has been my president. If it means that somebody wants to put him on the chopping board, I will be with him. I will not run away from him and that I promise you, that's how I live my life," said Banda.
Separately however, some MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) members have vowed to fight Rupiah Banda's if he imposes Nevers Mumba for the party presidency.
Well-placed sources revealed that majority of NEC members would not support Mumba's candidature.
Rupiah Banda's support for Mumba as a candidate for presidency has created divisions among members.
"We are going for a NEC meeting this Saturday and Banda has insisted that he attends. We shall allow him to attend; after all he is still the party president. But a lot of us in the NEC are against him imposing Nevers on the general membership; that is not the democracy on which this party was founded," the source said.
"First of all, it is Banda who made us lose the elections, so how can he again impose a person on us? And if you remember Nevers used to boast in the past that he is a kingmaker in his party. But why is he trying to hijack the MMD? We have our own people in the MMD and we shall be led by them. When you look at the record Nevers has, it's about killing parties, so we will not allow him to kill the MMD. There are many of us who are against him and we will make sure we choose our own."
The NEC is scheduled to hold a meeting tomorrow where the impasse over the issue of presidency will be ironed out.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, WILLIAM BANDA
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Silvia Masebo testifies in William Banda case
TIME PUBLISHED - Friday, December 9, 2011, 10:41 pm
Chongwe Member of Parliament, Silvia Masebo has told the Lusaka magistrate court that Lusaka Province MMD chairman, William Banda organized MMD cadres to go to Chongwe and beat up PF cadres. This is in a matter in which Mr. Banda and four others are facing charges of assault on some Chongwe residents.
Ms Masebo said on 3rd September 2011, she received a call from one of the PF Members in Chongwe, informing her that MMD cadres were beating people in the area. She said when she got to Chongwe she found some PF members who were attacked, by the road side on great east road.
Ms. Masebo says later on she saw Mr. Banda come near her and calling for reinforcement and a few minutes later some MMD cadres were brought in buses and vans.
She says Mr. Banda ordered the cadres to beat and clear all PF cadres because former President Rupiah Banda was to pass there as he was scheduled to have a rally in Chongwe. An emotionally charged Ms Masebo told the court that the MMD youths were armed with Pangas and sticks and were throwing stones at PF supporters.
Ms Masebo positively identified Mr. Banda and another accused person in court, as some of the people who were in the fore front in the Chongwe violence. And Lusaka resident magistrate, Rogers Kaoma warned Ms Masebo against using unpleasant language in court.
This was when responding to a question from defense lawyer Hopday Kabwe, who asked her on whether or not she wanted to outweigh former President Rupiah Banda’s campaign strategy. Ms Masebo had earlier responded that it was nonsense and ridiculous for someone to think that she wanted to outweigh Rupiah Banda.
Trial in the matter continues
MUVITV
Labels: CADRES, COURTS, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, SYLVIA MASEBO, WILLIAM BANDA
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Court warns Rupiah's son to desist from violence
By Maluba Jere
Thu 01 Dec. 2011, 13:30 CAT
CHIEF resident magistrate Joshua Banda yesterday warned former president Rupiah Banda's son, James, to desist from engaging in violence and learn to settle disputes amicably. Magistrate Banda made the general observation after acquitting James who was in court for allegedly assaulting former Finance Bank executive director Noel Nkhoma.
It was alleged that James, a 51-year-old businessman of house number 34 Mutende Road Woodlands, on October 12, 2011, in Lusaka, assaulted Nkhoma thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.
Nkhoma on Monday withdrew the case against James, saying they had reconciled.
Magistrate Banda said if what was alleged against James was true, then he needed to desist from engaging in such violent acts which he said were unproductive, unhealthy and might land him in serious problems.
He said there was need for people to settle matters in amicable ways and not resorting to assaulting each other.
Earlier, in his ruling on an application by Nkhoma to withdraw the charge against James, magistrate Banda said the application was made pursuant to Section 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) which states that "If a complainant at any time before a final order is passed in any case under this part, satisfies the court that there are sufficient grounds for permitting him to withdraw the same and shall thereupon acquit the accused."
Magistrate Banda consequently acquitted James.
Labels: POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA, WILLIAM BANDA
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William Banda's charge changes to assault, unlawful wounding
By Maluba Jere
Sat 12 Nov. 2011, 08:30 CAT
CHIEF resident magistrate Joshua Banda has substituted William Banda's charge of proposing violence to four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and unlawful wounding. When the matter came up yesterday, Division Prosecution Officer Christopher Kanema told the court that the matter was coming up for mention and possible application.
Kanema then applied to have Banda's indictment substituted and that he should take plea with other accused persons he is now charged with. Magistarte Banda then re-allocated the case to another court.
William and four MMD cadres appeared before magistrate Rodgers Kaoma where they pleaded not guilty to four counts of assault and unlawful wounding.
In count one, William, Patrick Chungu, Somili Mushiku, Simon Banda and Sebastian Mainde are charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to Section 248 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that William, Chungu, Mushiku, Banda and Mainde on September 3, 2011, in Chongwe, jointly and whilst acting together assaulted Priscilla Ndhlovu thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.
In count two, the five are alleged to have on September 3 this year, in Chongwe, assaulted Andrew Lombe thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.
In count three, William and his four co-accused are alleged to have jointly and whilst acting together assaulted Precious Malama thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.
In count four, William, Chungu, Mushiku, Banda and Mainde are charged with unlawful wounding.
In this count, it is alleged that the five on September 3 this year in Chongwe jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown unlawfully wounded Lackson Kabimbi.
All the accused persons told magistrate Kaoma that they understood the charge but pleaded not guilty.
One of the defence lawyers Hobday Kabwe applied for bail pending trial, saying all the charges against his clients were bailable.
Another defence lawyer Sunday NKonde informed the court that apart from William, his four clients in the matter were unlawfully detained by the police from as far back as October 11 this year.
But the state, conceding that the four accused were in detention for that long, said it was not deliberate but that the accused could not be taken to court earlier because their co-accused William was not being availed at the police station by his lawyers.
Ruling on the matter, magistrate Kaoma said as rightly observed by Nkonde, issues of detention were not for the lower court and as such he could not delve into them.
However, magistrate Kaoma granted the four accused K15 million bail each in their own recognisance with two working sureties in the like sum as well and ordered the accused to produce proof of residence.
The matter comes up for mention on November 29 while trial is expected to commence on December 7.
Labels: COURTS, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, WILLIAM BANDA
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I'll be arrested, jailed, says former President Banda
By Patson Chilemba
Thu 29 Sep. 2011, 14:30 CAT
RUPIAH Banda on Tuesday told MMD NEC members that he knows the PF government will prosecute and send him to jail.
Highly-placed MMD sources who attended the meeting, which included MMD national executive committee (NEC) members and the party's newly-elected members of parliament at Golf View hotel in Lusaka, disclosed that most former ruling party senior leaders were aware that they would be prosecuted on various offences, and the matter was raised during the meeting.
The sources said that the former president mentioned during the meeting that he was aware he would be asked to answer certain charges by the PF government.
"He said ‘I will be arrested and I will go to jail but I am clean. Everything I did is above board. So if they come for me, fine'," a source who attended the meeting said.
The source revealed that Banda also expected the other senior MMD leaders to be prosecuted.
"We know that we will be prosecuted. That one we know. We are aware of retribution. He Banda said ‘a lot of you will be targeted'. He said ‘you must report all this to the police. Don't ever react because you know that you will be targeted and they will be coming for you'," the source said.
However, the source said most MMD members had reservations about reporting matters to the police because they viewed the police force to be pro-PF.
And the sources said Banda asked MMD members to be sympathetic towards incarcerated Lusaka Province party chairman William Banda.
"He said ‘William is in cells now, but we just don't have to say because our friend is in trouble then you say no onani amangiwa look at him, he has been arrested. You sympathise with that person," the source said.
The sources said MMD leaders also discussed ways in which they could revive the party, but that most people could not express themselves convincingly because they were still licking their wounds and were in low spirits.
The sources said Banda advised party members to remain united.
"He said we must not be disillusioned, pointing fingers that ‘you did this, you did wrong. Let's work as a family. On the violence part, I Banda have spoken to my colleague President Michael Sata that ‘no, let's tell our people to stop this'," the source said.
The source said the party leaders acknowledged that mistakes were made but that they should avoid getting into the game of pointing fingers at each other.
"We know we did not take advice, people told us. But we said this is not the time to blame each other. Yes, we made mistakes but if we start pointing fingers, we won't help the party," said the source.
Another source revealed that MMD chairperson for legal affairs Bwalya Chiti demanded to know when Banda would eventually leave the party presidency and that the former head of state and other leaders responded that another meeting would be held soon to look into the issue.
The source also said Dr Boniface Kawimbe who was the presidential campaign manager was taken to task by other NEC members that he kept the former president away from people who could offer him sound advice.
"He encircled the president from the other members such that the president himself could not listen. Issues were raised during the meeting that the change the nation had witnessed was like the one which was witnessed in 1991 because people then thought the UNIP government did not want to listen to them. The same had happened because people felt the MMD did not want to listen from them," said the source.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA, WILLIAM BANDA
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Chipata PF youths foil William's attempt to flee into Malawi
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Tue 27 Sep. 2011, 14:20 CAT
RULING PF youths in Chipata have carried out a citizens arrest on fugitive Lusaka Province MMD chairperson William Banda and handed him over to the police. Banda, who was with his family, was picked from Lombardo Lodge which is located near Kanjala Hills near the border with Malawi and was found with three firearms, two pistols and a Greener shotgun, which are being held by police.
He is reported to have also been found with K143 million in cash. The visibly shaken Banda was ‘captured' by a group of PF youths who decided to launch a manhunt for him upon hearing that the violent MMD Lusaka Province chairperson was in Chipata.
PF Eastern Province publicity secretary Mung'omba Ngoma said the youths pounced on Banda on suspicion that he was en route to Malawi.
He said PF vice-provincial chairperson Andrew Lubusha set up a task force to specifically look for Banda after hearing that he was hiding in Chipata.
"Yesterday (Sunday) we followed him to his son's residence and we missed him. We had a tip from members of the public and so today (yesterday) we mobilised about ten youths and we went to Lombardo Lodge. We didn't even hoot, we just entered into the lodge premises and just saw people scampering in all directions and that's how we moved in and captured everybody who was there," Ngoma said.
He said Banda produced a gun when confronted.
But the police have since confiscated the three firearms found in Banda's possession.
"This is a very good lesson to the whole nation that when you are in the ruling party, you should not intimidate people because the things that you do will one day come back to you," he said.
Ngoma has since called for calm among the PF youths to allow police to complete their investigations into the alleged violence he caused before the elections.
Lubusha explained that the PF youths did not detain Banda but merely handed him over to police for safety reasons.
Lubusha said the PF wanted peace and that that was the reason they had apprehended Banda.
A number of police officers had a tough time trying to disperse a crowd of people that wanted to catch a glimpse of Banda.
By press time, Banda was still at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Chipata Central Police Station.
When asked about Banda's fate, Eastern Province police commanding officer Mary Chikwanda said he would be handed over to Lusaka Division as he had no case in Chipata.
Labels: PF, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, WILLIAM BANDA
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Hijackers caused MMD to crash, says Muteteka
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Mon 26 Sep. 2011, 14:50 CAT
THE people who hijacked MMD after 2008 have caused its crash, says party national youth chairman Moses Muteteka. And Muteteka has explained that former president Rupiah Banda lost because he surrounded himself with people who were not adding value to the party but simply after personal benefits.
In an interview yesterday, Muteteka said the vigilante-type of politics that fugitive MMD Lusaka Province chairman William Banda exhibited contributed to the party's dismal performance in Lusaka and other areas. He said key members of the presidential team were not serious and lacked commitment.
"Politics is a very serious business and therefore whoever is in politics must be extremely serious because it is about life and death to govern," said Muteteka, who is also MMD member of parliament for Chisamba.
"What has happened to MMD is a reflection of how weak we were. We have learnt a lesson and now we have to reorganise as MMD and stick to our ideology. It's not too late. We can still reorganise because some of us are still young in politics and we are very passionate that tomorrow we can provide leadership of this country."
Muteteka said the new MMD members who increased their influence after the death of president Levy Mwanawasa have caused the end of MMD's 20-year rule.
"You can't tell by the time you are co-opting some members what they will do when they are inside. Not all members performed to expectations. Actually, some members contributed to our fall," he said. "I am one person who came out to tell off people like William Banda about the way he was conducting himself. He has contributed to this.
Just like William Banda, there were others who were overexcited and have now seen what it means to be overexcited. They were frustrating hardworking members. You beat one person, you don't know how big their clan is. The whole clan will decide not to vote for MMD just because of one person you have beaten. It doesn't pay to be overexcited."
Muteteka explained that Banda's team was ill-composed and faulty to carry out effective campaign to secure victory for MMD.
He said the influential youth and women who constitute the majority of voters lacked representation on the presiden
tial campaign team.
"I myself as national youth chairman was told that ‘just stick to your constituency'. The youths wanted to hear from me what commitments we have for them. And I stayed in Chisamba and we have won. We needed people like Mrs Maureen Mwanawasa to be part of the campaign team.
"Mrs Mwanawasa has a rich profile and detailed CV curriculum vitae.
She has participated in supporting president Mwanawasa in 2006 elections and people know what she did," he said. "She has a lot of influence and she inspires other women. What was wrong with including her in the campaign team? There are people who wanted to hijack the whole system.
Most of these people Rupiah Banda's inner circle, personally when I was working for late president Mwanawasa, I participated by bringing them in MMD. But when they came in, they thought they can hijack the experts. These are silly mistakes that have cost us. They should have given respect to people who are positioned. The loss is regrettable because it has put a lot of people in jeopardy. Positions being held by some people must be explained in terms of job description. Some people just get into a position and they don't know
the demands of those offices. And this is the more reason they can't perform. That is what has cost us."
Muteteka said the 22 PF ‘rebel' MPs, apart from Rupiah Banda's inner circle, were also to blame for MMD's loss.
"President Banda is not as bad as he has been made to appear. For me, Banda was a very listening person and very humble but people took advantage of him and they have messed him up," Muteteka said.
"Those rebel MPs, I have nothing to say. But let them reflect on their past and actions because they attracted the president to pay attention to them when some of them had nothing to deliver."
Meanwhile, Muteteka pledged to work with President Michael Sata, adding that the newly-elected President should leave "his doors" open to advice.
He further called on all Zambians to rally behind President Sata, whose election he described as the will of the people.
Muteteka appealed to Zambians to support President Michael Sata and the ruling PF.
"As member of parliament, I will cooperate with the ruling party PF government and the President Sata because it's not about me but the people of Chisamba," said Muteteka.
"I want to appeal to all Zambians to rally behind the government of the day because if it perfoms well, it is for the benefit of this country. If it fails, we all regret. For now, we have a captain who needs a lot of support. We know his weaknesses, we know his strengths.
Where he has weaknesses, we are available…let us be available and help. The Church, the clergy, let us all rally behind what the people have decided. Today, this is the President. Let us advise him. Let him also open his doors for advice even from people like me. Let him leave his doors open. It is for the sake of this country."
Labels: MMD, MOSES MUTETEKA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, WILLIAM BANDA
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Police summon William Banda
By Bright Mukwasa
Fri 09 Sep. 2011, 14:01 CAT
POLICE have summoned MMD Lusaka Province chairman William Banda over his alleged involvement in the violence that took place in Chongwe last weekend. In an interview, Lusaka Division commanding Officer Mhlakeni Zulu said Banda would be appearing before the police today so that they record a warn and caution statement from him over the violence.
"As I told you earlier that we shall take time to investigate. We have tried that and we have interviewed at least a few - three or so people. They have given us the information so we have decided to caution Mr Banda on the same basis of assault," Zulu said.
"He's Banda scheduled to come tomorrowtoday though we wanted him today, but he's reported to be out of town. Tomorrow he will be back and 14:00 hours tomorrow today that's when we are expecting him."
On Saturday, Banda and his MMD cadres physically attacked villagers in Chongwe for supporting PF, leaving several injured.
With the aim of pleasing President Rupiah Banda who was scheduled to address a rally in the district, cadres led by William Banda smashed windows of two Land Cruiser vehicles belonging to Sylvia Masebo and beat up and severely injured helpless men and women in full view of the police.
Earlier on Tuesday, Banda admitted to Radio Phoenix, in an interview, that he and ultimately President Banda were at the centre of violence in the country.
When asked if he was at the centre of the violence by a Radio Phoenix reporter, William said: "Yes I am at the centre, President Rupiah Banda is on the centre of everything, whether you are not there, whether… You see these things you also people you must vary them which friend, which paper which person is talking against Radio Phoenix. For example if I talk about Radio Phoenix which I know I always hate, whatever Radio Phoenix do I'll never say you have done the right thing. So, I'll exaggerate issues, I'll create issues in order to impress others; so it depends which people are talking. I want to avoid talking to you people on the phone because I know what tricks is going on now, people are phoning they are saying I'm from Radio Phoenix tomorrow you hear a different thing."
Labels: RADIO PHOENIX, WILLIAM BANDA
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Rupiah backing William Banda's violence - Panji
By Patson Chilemba in Mpika
Fri 09 Sep. 2011, 14:01 CAT
POLICE are failing to arrest Lusaka Province MMD chairman William Banda because he has the backing of Rupiah Banda to commit violence, says Colonel Panji Kaunda. And Col Panji said Democratic Republic of Congo's Katanga Governor Moses Katumbi's participation in Zambian politics borders on national security.
Commenting on the failure by police to arrest William for beating up people in Chongwe, Col Panji said he was not surprised that police had failed to arrest William because the President was urging him on.
Col Panji said sometime back he warned that this election would be the bloodiest if the government did not take steps to address the matter.
He said MMD cadres had on several occasions committed violence, but police were always hesitant to arrest them.
Col Panji said no action had been taken against the MMD cadres who violently tried to disrupt the pact forum in Chipata despite a docket being opened by the police.
"So I am not surprised that William Banda is doing it. It's not him doing it. This is Rupiah Banda urging him to go on because if Rupiah Banda was against violence, he should have immediately withdrawn William Banda from what he is doing," Col Panji said.
"It's an offence to pull down posters. It's an offence to disturb any meeting of any party. So what they are doing, beating people, almost killing people openly is to intimidate Zambians from going to vote. They want to scare us from attending meetings for the PF because they know they are going. So we are looking forward to the police tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow to see that William Banda is arrested."
Col Panji said he wanted to see a realisation on the orders Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde recently issued to all the commanding officers to arrest those who were committing violence, especially that William had admitted that he was at the centre of the violence.
"If they don't do it then they are telling Zambians that it's a free-for-all, we can all pick up our guns and start shooting each other because it is allowed. This time the stakes are very high, you are talking of change of government. And if people are intimidated, my advice is defend yourselves," Col Panji said.
"I don't care what they say. If the police can do it for us, we will stop. If police don't act, we must defend ourselves."
And Col Panji said this was the first time ever that a foreign leader was directly interfering in the country's campaigns.
"It borders on national security. What else are they doing apart from broadcasting? Are they bringing arms in here? Are they giving money to the MMD? Are they bringing in materials here? So all these are issues which we must address. After the election the new government must ask DRC President Kabila why his people were interfering with our elections," said Col Panji.
"So that is the issue we must seriously look into and ask the President of Congo ‘your man in Katanga was doing this', or else we shall be enemies. We shall close borders."
Labels: DRC, PANJI KAUNDA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA, WILLIAM BANDA
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William and Rupiah's violence will backfire
By The Post
Thu 08 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
IT is very difficult to make sense of William Banda's statement on Radio Phoenix yesterday in which he admitted responsibility for the political violence that is today characterising our election campaigns.
When asked by Radio Phoenix if he was at the centre of the violence, William said: "Yes, I am at the centre, Rupiah Banda is on the centre of everything…"
William's brazen admission that he and Rupiah were at the centre of the political violence the country is witnessing is difficult to understand.
It is difficult to understand why William has become so brazen about political violence. William is now openly and without shame admitting being at the centre of this violence. This is something normal people will find shocking. William has brazenly admitted being at the centre of this violence, together with Rupiah!
But still, what does this amount to? What does this mean? Is this an exhibition of unbridled arrogance on the part of William and Rupiah?
What seems to be distinctly lacking in William is a sense of shame, remorse and restraint. Many people have spoken against William and his violence. On Monday, the Law Association of Zambia called for William's arrest. Nothing has happened. Not even a police call-out has been sent or issued to him. No statement - warn and caution statement - has been recorded from William. He seems to be untouchable. Why? Is it because he is in it with Rupiah and touching him would mean touching the President? Why this impunity?
We saw how the other week, Wynter Kabimba was summoned to the police and a warn and caution statement recorded from him for simply saying that PF cadres and supporters have the right to defend themselves when attacked and should do so if attacked. But for all this violence William has been at the centre of, even by his own admission, no warn and caution statement has been recorded from him. Why?
This should not surprise us because the police has over a long period of time now shown open inability to arrest MMD cadres who attack opposition supporters. The violence that took place in Chongwe was in full view of police officers.
The police watched people being attacked, property being destroyed. They know all those who were involved in that violence, in that destruction. But no one to date has been arrested. This is what gives William the courage and the arrogance to say what he said on Tuesday.
This arrogance, this violence is dangerous because if not stopped, it can only do one thing, and that is to breed counter-violence. And if this happens, then the whole country will be on fire. It should also be realised that the MMD and its supporters and cadres are in the minority. The majority of our people belong to the opposition.
We have advocated the use of violence only in self-defence. What this means is that if everyone is only to resort to violence in self-defence, then no violence will take place.
There is need to protect every life because human life is sacred, a gift from God to be valued at all time sand under all circumstances. Of what value is this development that they are bragging about or lying about every day if there is no respect for human life? We are asking this question because one cannot claim to be concerned about development when he has no respect for the lives that are supposed to be benefitting from it.
One cannot claim to uphold the sanctity of life if he is not even ashamed to publicly admit that he is at the centre of political violence. Only an animal has no remorse or shame in injuring, maiming or killing another. Those who involve themselves in the violence William says he and Rupiah are at the centre of are no better than animals. The violence they are engaged in against political opponents is something that puts them next to animals.
As we have stated before, what seems to be distinctly lacking among the leadership, cadres and supporters of the MMD is a culture of tolerance, civility and humility which places the humanity of others before self and accepts that all citizens have a right to participate in the shaping of their destiny directly without fear of reprisal.
It is not possible for us to have a meaningful multi-party political system without a culture of tolerance, of respect for our political opponents.
Political opponents are not enemies that should be harmed or killed. Intolerance of political opposition leads to nothing but tyranny and dictatorship.
What we are witnessing is frightening political degeneration. What do signs of political degeneracy and decay look like? Political degeneracy and decay have many manifestations, and these are some of them.
Tolerance is very important in politics and generally in life. Any type of politics that does not recognise this runs every possible risk of tyranny in the name of politics. Moreover, a political system that recognises individual freedom and dignity can never allow the political violence that we are seeing today and is better placed to promote meaningful political participation.
That is, the right of individuals to self-determination in the pursuit of their constitutional rights in an open society not subject to monopoly politics.
Tolerance is likely to encourage meaningful political participation and discussion, that is, the right of individuals to engage in critical and informed debate on personal, local, national and other broader issues which affect the individual and his social space without fear or favour. And such discussion should promote rational voting, that is, the right of individuals to choose their representatives at various levels of government, under an institutional background which entrenches human freedom and dignity.
Rational voting cannot take place in an electoral system that is propelled by violence.
The MMD leadership, especially this one of Rupiah, has established a reputation for intolerance that is difficult to match. People are being intimidated, threatened and harassed in all sorts of ways for taking independent political positions. Citizens must belong to them or be condemned. They are not even ashamed to attribute enmity where it may not exist.
They thrive on the use of unsuspecting idle youth of low literacy who they intoxicate with tujilijili and all sorts of alcoholic drinks and then unleash them on the population to create a state of fear and force everyone, out of insecurity and exclusion, to be with them, to vote for them.
This is not the way to govern. This is against the rule of law which requires equality before the law or equal protection of the law. You cannot have free and fair elections under this atmosphere of violence, threats, intimidation, blackmail of everyone who is not with or for Rupiah and the MMD. This impunity, this violence, will backfire on Rupiah and the MMD. But the whole nation will eventually have to pay the price for all this.
William and Rupiah's violence can be stopped and must be stopped. They are in the minority in their violence because the great majority of our people hate violence.
Labels: CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, CORRUPTION, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA, WILLIAM BANDA, WYNTER KABIMBA
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William Banda accepts responsibility
By Ernest Chanda
Wed 07 Sep. 2011, 13:58 CAT
LUSAKA Province MMD chairman William Banda says President Rupiah Banda is at the centre of violence in the country. In an interview with Radio Phoenix yesterday William further admitted his involvement in the MMD orchestrated violence that has rocked Lusaka.
Banda and a group of MMD cadres physically attacked and injured PF supporters in Chongwe's Waterfalls area last Saturday over their party candidates' campaign posters stuck on some of their buildings.
William told them that they could not have such posters when President Rupiah Banda who was scheduled to address a rally in the district the same day was going to pass through that road.
When asked if he was at the centre of the violence by a Radio Phoenix reporter, William said: "Yes I'm at the centre, President Rupiah Banda is on the centre of everything, whether you are not there, whether… You see these things you also people you must vary them which friend, which paper which person is talking against Radio Phoenix. For example if I talk about Radio Phoenix which I know I always hate, whatever Radio Phoenix do I'll never say you have done the right thing. So, I'll exaggerate issues, I'll create issues in order to impress others; so it depends which people are talking. I want to avoid talking to you people on the phone because I know what tricks is going on now, people are phoning they are saying I'm from Radio Phoenix tomorrow you hear a different thing."
Earlier when contacted by The Post, Banda said, "You The Post newspaper, you are just calling me for nonsense," and hang up.
Labels: MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA, WILLIAM BANDA
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Kabimba challenges police to arrest William Banda
By Ernest Chanda
Mon 05 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
WYNTER Kabimba has challenged police to arrest William Banda if they have any interest in serving the public. Commenting on Lusaka Province MMD chairman William Banda's physical attacks on innocent villagers in Chongwe's Waterfalls area on Saturday in full view of over 40 police officers, Kabimba, who is Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general, described Banda as a devil walking the earth.
Kabimba said his statement, asking PF members to defend themselves was justified by Banda's uncontrolled violence in police presence. Over a week ago, police at Lusaka Central summoned Kabimba and recorded a warn and caution statement from him for calling on PF members to defend themselves from MMD orchestrated violence.
"I told police when they summoned me that the people of Zambia have lost confidence in the police.
And if an individual person in the name of William Banda with impunity commits acts of violence in full view of the police then my statement to PF members that you will not be accorded any police protection and therefore stand by yourselves and defend yourselves is valid," Kabimba said. "That call is timely and it is justified.
How else will PF members go about campaigning in the face of this actual violence if they do not defend themselves? And that is what I urge PF members to do because people like William Banda and his team are criminals and we'll refer to them as such.
And I want to challenge the police; I hope Mrs Masebo has reported this incident to the police. I want to see the police summon William Banda and warn and caution him at the same rate that they did to me."
Kabimba said if police failed to summon Banda then they would validate his observation and that of Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson justice Irene Mambilima that police were soft on MMD cadres.
He said under the circumstances, President Rupiah Banda and MMD should take responsibility for any violence that would erupt during and after elections.
Kabimba also challenged churches and non-governmental organisations that condemned him over his call to PF members to defend themselves to also condemn Banda's criminal acts.
"And I want to see those churches that were busy condemning me, including former archbishop of Lusaka Catholic diocese Emmanuel Milingo, I want to see them condemn William Banda.
I want to see those NGOs that were saying that Kabimba is inciting violence condemn William Banda. If indeed all these churches mean well and speak in the name of God, here is a devil walking this earth in the name of William Banda, and I want to see them condemn him and condemn his boss Rupiah Banda," said Kabimba.
"I don't have to warn the police; I am just telling them that they risk plunging this country into fire if they do not tame William Banda. William Banda is supposed to be in the cells now, William Banda is supposed to be behind bars."
On Saturday, Banda and his MMD cadres physically attacked villagers in Chongwe for supporting the PF.
With the aim of pleasing President Banda who was scheduled to address a rally in the district, Banda smashed windows of two Land Cruiser motor vehicles belonging to Masebo, and beat up and severely injured helpless men and women in full view of the police.
Labels: MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, WILLIAM BANDA, WYNTER KABIMBA
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MMD resorts to violence in Chongwe
By Ernest Chanda in Chongwe
Sun 04 Sep. 2011, 14:50 CAT
MMD cadres led by Lusaka Province party chairman William Banda yesterday morning physically attacked and assaulted villagers in Chongwe's Waterfalls area over PF campaign posters, in full view of over 40 police officers. And the MMD cadres also smashed windows on Chongwe PF parliamentary candidate Sylvia Masebo's two vehicles, injuring her driver Pethias Mutale.
According to victims spoken to at the scene, Banda arrived at their village at about 10:30 hours and ordered the villagers to remove all PF campaign posters since President Banda was due to address a rally in Chongwe.
After they refused to follow the orders, Banda threatened to beat them up and soon after drove off for about one hour and thirty minutes before returning alone with the same orders to the villagers.
He then started telling off the police officers and pushing them around at the scene and declared that he could not be stopped by them (police) as he had the authority of President Banda.
He then pulled out a walkie-talkie and ordered the cadres to follow him where he was.
The victims said they were shocked that within minutes, three minibuses and three vans arrived full of MMD cadres armed with machetes.
Banda then ordered the cadres to "sort out" the helpless villagers and attacked then with stones while pulling down PF campaign posters around the village.
One of the victims of the attacks, Chama Mulubwa, who was bleeding from the mouth by press time said he was beaten up for wearing PF regalia.
"They beat me up without me doing anything. They stoned me and kicked me all over. And when I fell down they continued kicking and stoning me. I could have died," he said.
Another victim Getrude Chanda, who suffered a swollen right eye said she was trying to rescue a baby from the back of her colleague Jacqueline Chibwe who was being attacked by the cadres.
Chanda said in the process she was attacked and hit with a big stone in her face causing her to fall down.
And Chibwe said the cadres looted foodstuffs from her house such as chicken, mealie-meal, vegetables and whatever they could lay their hands on.
Another victim, Judith Chanda, complained that they did not do anything wrong to deserve such barbaric acts.
Chanda said that she and her colleagues were just chatting and were suddenly pounced on by the MMD cadres.
Natalia Banda, 69, complained that she was pulled from under the bed in her house where she was hiding following the attacks.
Banda said when she was taken outside, she was beaten and stoned for no reason.
Andrew Lombe, another victim, had his house doors broken by MMD cadres.
Lombe explained that when the cadres found his wife inside the house, they dragged her outside and beat her up.
Masebo's driver Mutale explained that the MMD cadres threw stones at the Toyota Landcruiser he was driving.
Mutale said upon noticing that he was under attack, he quickly came out of the car through the passenger door.
"We were there and Honourable Masebo was trying to compromise with the police. William Banda was not there at the time. He just came and started using vulgar language against Honourable Masebo. And then he said, ‘there is nothing you are going to do, I am going to call my boys,'" Mutale said.
"Moses Muteteka, the former deputy minister, tried to calm William Banda down but he said ‘f*** off. There is nothing that you can tell me.' Muteteka just stood like a child and William Banda started pushing police officers. In fact, one of the police officers was very senior because he had white stuff on his cap. After we pleaded with police to help us, they said they cannot do anything since the cadres have authority from above."
Later in an interview at the scene, Masebo said the country had gone to the dogs. She warned President Banda that he would reap what he was sowing.
"This country has gone to the dogs, William Banda has totally turned MMD into a terrorist party. From 04:00 hours, MMD started removing posters of me and Michael Sata and all the PF flags," said Masebo.
"If you rule a country by blood, you will leave the same position through blood. What Rupiah Banda has sown today in this country, he is going to pay. These cases will not rest. One day these cases will come again, and I pray to God that that day will come after the 20th of September."
Labels: MMD, PF, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, SYLVIA MASEBO, WILLIAM BANDA
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Cadres harass Rev Mutale at Chiluba's funeral
By Chibaula Silwamba and Edwin Mbulo
Tue 21 June 2011, 04:02 CAT
VIOLENCE has characterised the funeral of former president Frederick Chiluba where MMD Lusaka Province chairperson William Banda-led cadres harassed and insulted the late head of state’s preacher Rev Edith Mutale and chased some journalists.
In an interview yesterday, Rev Mutale, a close ally of Chiluba and his family, narrated that MMD cadres manning the entrance to the house of mourning on Sunday harassed and barred her from mourning the former president and was only protected by the deceased’s step children.
“When Dr Chiluba died in the early hours of Saturday, I was one of the first people to be informed. The whole day Saturday I was at the funeral house from 04:30 hours to 22:00hours and there was no incident at all. I stayed with Mrs Regina Chiluba because people know that I have a relationship with that family,” Rev Mutale said.
“On Sunday, about 16:00 hours, I went to see how Regina was doing and how things were. When I dropped by the gate, the first person I saw standing by the gate was Mr William Banda. I ignored him and I proceeded to go to the entrance of the house so that I could get into the house.”
She said she found MMD women dancing and singing at the entrance.
“I tried to get into the house but the MMD women blocked me. They started to push and shouted at me: ‘You are PF! We will not allow you to enter the house’. I was amazed because that house had been open to me as and when I wanted because I have a relationship with Dr Chiluba and the family. Even in times when he needed help, I was there. In times when the Levy Mwanawasa government took him to court, I was in court most of the time supporting him. Even on the day of his last judgment I was there,” Rev Mutale said.
“When he went to hospital in South Africa, Regina phoned me that ‘mum please come, your son is very sick, he has collapsed.’ She called me like on a Thursday, on Friday morning I flew into South Africa and I stayed there for two weeks and prayed with him. He would tell his wife that ‘I want ba mayo mother Edith Mutale to prepare food for me not any other person’. I would prepare food.”
She said it was sad that MMD cadres could harass and insult her.
“MMD women told me that ‘get out through the gate. If you don’t, we shall undress you!’ They started to hurl insults at me. Anyway, I did not leave. I went through the kitchen. Then Bwalya and Mando – Mrs Regina Chiluba’s children – heard and came and said, ‘mama, what is going on?’ I said, ‘I have been barred to get into the house’. They were very upset because those children know that in me, they have a grandmother,” Rev Mutale said.
“Bwalya and Mando took me inside. I did complain a lot to Mrs Regina Chiluba because I felt humiliated. Mrs Regina Chiluba was very sad. She cried a lot because she knew that she found a mother in me.”
Rev Mutale said Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata, whom William Banda and MMD cadres barred from attending the funeral was very close to Chiluba.
“When I was at the funeral on Saturday, Mr Sata phoned me saying ‘I hear you are there. I can’t come for the funeral. Tell Mrs Chiluba’. I told Mrs Regina Chiluba that Mr Sata phoned and said ‘he can’t come because there are plans to harm him’. Mrs Chiluba said ‘that is not right’,” Rev Mutale narrated.
“Mr Sata phoned again. Then I gave Mrs Chiluba the phone and said, ‘speak to Mr Sata’ and she got the phone. She was still crying and I heard her say, ‘bashiChilufya Chilufya’s father, please come. Those who are stopping you don’t know how you and Dr Chiluba were close and loved each other. You could differ on political ground but not on a personal level’. She was speaking on the phone telling him ‘that please come, I need your help. I need the love of everybody who was friends of my husband’.”
Rev Mutale said Sata and Chiluba had been friends for many years and the former always supported the latter at the expense of losing an election.
“Mr Sata was always supporting Chiluba, always seeing him off and welcoming him from South Africa. Some of the people that are even saying they are friends with Dr Chiluba were not friends. My heart is bleeding. We need to allow Mr Sata to mourn a colleague. Mr Sata and Dr Chiluba traversed, did things together and governed this country for 10 years,” Rev Mutale said.
“William Banda comes from Malawi to come and confuse us. Did William Banda love Dr Chiluba more than Mr Sata? Sata loved Dr Chiluba whom he worked with more. William Banda was in the UNIP government which harassed Dr Chiluba.”
Rev Mutale urged President Banda to prevail over William Banda and his cadres.
“We should all mourn Dr Chiluba because he was president of Zambians and not just for MMD. Chiluba touched so many hearts. William Banda and his vigilantes must be caged so that we mourn Chiluba with dignity, he deserves it. Chiluba was president of Zambia for 10 years; he deserves to be mourned in a manner that is befitting a leader,” Rev Mutale.
“I call upon President Rupiah Banda to cage William Banda and all the vigilantes so that people can mourn Chiluba in an acceptable manner. William Banda cannot be a gateman at the Chiluba residence to refuse people to mourn Dr Chiluba. That is unacceptable.”
She said William Banda was a deportee.
“When was he a Zambian? The man was deported. He is still living in this country illegally and he has come to destroy the peace of Zambia,” Rev Mutale said.
She said the conduct of William Banda was bad.
“This is not the time to bring things like this. This can cause anarchy and confusion in the country. I plead with President Banda. In any case, President Banda was in Chipata mourning his uncle, they buried, why didn’t he come back to be part of the people that are mourning. How does a head of state be absent from another head of state’s funeral? He should have been the first person to receive people,” Rev Mutale said.
“This violence has just started; it’s saddening and disturbing. This is unacceptable. We have gone back to the one-party-state and vigilante era of William Banda whom they have again brought back to come and kill the Zambian people.”
Rev Mutale said the MMD cadres’ conduct at the funeral was unfair for the Chiluba family. “Dr Chiluba’s children are still alive and will still need the help of Mr Sata and he can play a father figure for them. This is not good for the family, Regina and children. Even relatives of Dr Chiluba are feeling bad. They want their son to be mourned in a dignified manner,” said Rev Mutale.
And a group of state security agents and MMD cadres yesterday chased and barred a Radio Phoenix journalist from entering the Belvedere lodge which has been turned into a house of mourning.
Narrating her ordeal, Nancy Chenge, who was assigned to cover the Anglican Church literacy workshop at nearby Mary’s Magdalena Parish, mistakenly drove to Belvedere Lodge.
“I had not realised that we had bypassed the church and when we turned into Belvedere Lodge some security officer in green attire and a woman wearing a G4 Security uniform tried to stop us but the driver did not see the signal to stop,” Chenge said.
She said the security officers followed them and asked why they were there and ordered them to leave.
Chenge said when she saw women clad in MMD chitenge materials singing solemn, she realised that she was at the mourning place for Chiluba and left.
She said even after leaving the lodge security personnel pursued the journalist up to the church and parked by the road side for a moment but later drove away. Chenge said the security personnel were moving in a green bus registration number GRZ 555BY.
Meanwhile, Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi wondered why William Banda, who was deported by Chiluba to Malawi, was harassing and chasing people like herself that served in the Chiluba-cabinet from the funeral.
Nawakwi said it was strange that William Banda, who never worked with Chiluba, could be chasing former ministers in the late president’s 10-year reign.
“Ask President Rupiah Banda why William Banda is chasing people like Edith Nawakwi from Chiluba’s funeral? I worked with Chiluba as his minister for 10 years. How can William Banda who was deported to Malawi be chasing us?” Nawakwi asked.
“I met president Chiluba late last year and we discussed a lot of things, William Banda can even ask Regina Chiluba, and now he wants to chase us from the funeral. Let William Banda allow Zambians to mourn Chiluba in peace.”
On Saturday, Lusaka Province minister Charles Shawa and party provincial youth chairperson Chris Chalwe harassed opposition leader Cosmo Mumba. Earlier that day, MMD cadres were looking for The Post journalists so that they may beat them up, but after being alerted, the media personnel dodged the trap. The Post has avoided going to the funeral house since then. William Banda’s cadres have also vowed to beat up Sata.
Labels: CADRES, FUNERALS, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, WILLIAM BANDA
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