MMD President Nevers Mumba has written to President Sata asking to convene a meeting with stakeholders where the country’s divisive issues can be discussed and resolved as a family.
In a letter made available to the media, Dr Mumba listed four ministries that he accused of having misled the President on several national issues.
Below is the full letter.
April 17, 2014
His Excellency
Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata
President of the Republic of Zambia
State House
LUSAKA
Your Excellency
RE: THE STATE OF THE NATION
I refer to the above.
As your party’s mandate to govern has passed the halfway mark, it has now become necessary for the Zambian people to demand higher levels of accountability from you as President and your Ministers in Cabinet.
Most Zambians now believe that their fortunes as a people have dwindled at an alarming rate since your party took over government in 2011.
We further believe that your Ministers in Cabinet have abandoned you and have successfully alienated you from the same people who gave you the mandate to form government. They have abandoned you because they have abrogated their responsibility as your principle advisors.
1. The Minister of Finance has abandoned you into alienation by not advising you to avoid drowning the nation into unsustainable debt which will enslave our future generations. The anticipated national debt at the end of 2014 stands at $11 billion. This is a sum total of the current debt stock of $4.5 billion (inclusive of the recently contracted $1 billion bond). The domestic debt which stands at $3.5 billion and our monthly borrowing from the domestic market which is growing at a rate of 1.5 billion kwacha a month. This translates to $1 billion dollars every four months). All this careless borrowing has been done in three years of PF in government as compared to the $7 billion contracted by the UNIP and the MMD governments over a period of 35 years from 1971 to 2006. Your Minister of Finance has alienated you from all forward looking Zambians who understand the damage your government is causing to the economy. All this at exorbitant interest rates of 8 percent in regard to international debt and 17 percent in respect to domestic debt. This is unacceptable given the fact that other countries are borrowing at less than 3 or 2 percent on the international market while, we as MMD were borrowing at less than 9 percent on the domestic market.
2. The Minister of Home Affairs has abandoned you into alienation by not advising you not to turn the police service into a brutal force against your political opponents. He has failed to advise you to respect the human rights of Zambians. He has continued to use the police to stop us from holding meetings or travelling freely in the nation as opposition parties. He has failed to advise you from using your PF cadres as instruments of violence against your perceived political opponents. Recently, the MMD, UPND and ABZ Leaders have all suffered at the hands of unruly and armed PF cadres. There has been no statement from State House condemning these acts. Your Minister of Home Affairs has failed you and has by so doing made you, Mr. President a candidate for the Hague.
3. The Minister of Justice has abandoned you into alienation by not advising you to remain true to the promise you made to the Zambian people to deliver a people driven constitution within 90 days of forming government. Instead of advising you to do the honourable thing, he has been in the forefront of mocking Zambians that, they shall not eat the constitution and that it is now not a priority. This stance your excellency will mortally injure your political career.
4. The Minister of Agriculture has abandoned you into alienation by not advising you of the negative impact of the removal of subsidies from agricultural inputs which has resulted into un affordable mealie meal prices across the nation. The minister has failed to advise you that the reckless act of removing subsidies will result in the lowest harvest Zambia has had in a long time. This will trigger a serious food deficit in the nation. High cost of food stuff and in an economy without jobs, this is a recipe for riots as it happened in 1986 under the UNIP regime which undertook similar agricultural policies to yours.
We have decided to only deal with four of your ministers although all of them are guilty in creating the current environment of distress in the nation.
It is our considered view that you must find ways to deal with this crisis your government has created and face the reality that the nation is headed in the wrong direction. If you are not seen to confront these challenges, you would have succeeded in taking Zambia more than twenty years back and no Zambian will take such a situation kindly.
As a nation, we have faced several challenges over the years. We however, have a traditional way we resolve such problems. We have always used the concept of Insaka to work ourselves out of such difficulties. It will be in the interest of the nation if Your Excellency could convene an “Insaka” with stake holders where we can discuss these divisive issues as a family.
We challenge you and your government to act in the interest of all Zambians while you still have time.
I hope that this proposal will be acceptable to your Excellency.
Yours sincerely
Nevers Sekwila Mumba
PRESIDENT
He is advising from a timid perspective. Dont blame his ministers, tell him off as he knows all those issues as being wrong, simple.
Nevers is trying too hard to stay relevant. Your time came and went. Accept it and seek peace for your soul.
Ba Kay and those who may resason like you.Take note of the spirit of Dr Mumba behind his letter to Sata.It’s a letter of trying to work together for the good of mother Zambia.Zambia needs unity,reconciliation,healing etc.Dr Mumba is demonistrating as a unifying and reconciliation factor.Only those who’re tribal and trapped in believing that only their percieved candidate should speak.
Ba Kay,this is not timidity,but it’s application of wisdom.God sent His Son Jesus to come and save us from iternal damnation.God or the Son Jesus do not force to accept Him,but He just teaches us to choose between Life and Death.You can’t call that to be the timidity of God/Jesus.Dr Mumba is a national Leader and not just a politician.
THE SPIRIT OF ALL ZAMBIANS”UNITY”………….WELL SAID MAN OF GOD.HEMCS DON T BE MISSLED BY KABIMBA WHO WISHES YOU DEAD MORE THAN YOUR ENEMIES
There is nothing that any sane person can say to sata that he will listen to. He is where he always wanted to get to. That is all that matters to him. He has been called a dictator, thief, tyrant, demagogue, mad man all his political life so he does not care what else anyone calls him as long as he has power or secures it for his son. my advice to all political players is to get pangas, matchetes & guns and fight fire by fire
Mathew 12:29 states
“For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger–someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house”
THAT INSAKA SHOULD BE RECORDED SO THAT WE CAN SELL COMEDY VIDEOS
Sata may seem to be stubborn,insensitive and arrogant.There were kings in the Bible who were so stubborn and arrogant(the likes of Pharoah and Herod)and called themsels demi-gods.But with God nothing is impossible.I just pit this man Sata.It’s very dangerous to fall in the Hands of God.
Ba Nubian Princess,this is what we call Leadership.Even your man HH,said let’s not return panga for panga.True Leadership always looks for non-bloody solutions,but amicable.Dr Mumba is taking the best route tying to sort-out our national misunderstandings and solutions.This is leadership and wisdom at play.
BA NEVERS. INSAKA NI PARLIAMENT! YOUR INSAKA STYLE HAS NO CONSTITUTION BACKING. YOUR MPs ARE PLAYING THEIR ROLE IN MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION.THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU HAVE LOST CONTROL OF YOUR MPs. IF YOU WERE IN CONTROL YOU WILL ASK THEM TO BRING ISSUES TO PARLIAMENT, AS AT NOW WHAT EVER YOU TELL THEM THEY WILL IGNORE YOU. SO YOU WANT ANOTHER STRUCTURE WHERE YOU WILL BE IN CONTROL OF WHICH PEOPLE COME TO YOUR INSAKA.
SORRY SIR AT THE MOMENT THERE IS NO PLACE FOR YOU AND MUHABI LUNGU. KEEP YAPPING!!
@Double Jam, ulich1puba fye. What Mumba means is a discussion at political party level to iron out differences, most probably Insaka at political party presidential level. Muletontonkanya. You dont just rubb!sh everything.
THE MAN OF GOD WOULD HAVE SENT THIS MESSAGE DRICTLY WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH THE MEDIA,BUT CHELLAH AND HEMCS WOULD HAVE SHOWN THE ALL NATION SAYING DR MUMBA IS SEEKING FOR A JOB.SO ITS OK LIKE THIS THAT THE NATION WILL KNOW THAT THE MAN OF GOD IS ASKING THE PRESIDENT TO UNITE THE NATION SO THAT WE CONTINUE ENJOYING THE PEACE WE HAVE ENJOYED TO THIS DAY.VIVA NEVERS,ZAMBIA SHALL BE SAVED………
I think Nevers needs an “insaka” with his own party members before he goes to State House to meet other political party heads.
I think Nevers Mumba is a failure in politics, I thought he would deal and iron out issues within his party before making the proposal of Insaka…otherwise his legemacy at the proposed Insaka will be questionable. Secondly, Mumba should know that state house is open for all, let him just seek an appointment in a very sober way not storming as he did last time…so pastor Mumba, I call you pastor becos yo friend Bwalya is so proud of being called Fr. Bwalya…sort out yo issues within MMD before you proposed of the unconstitutional Insaka…otherwise believe me you, you are a failure in politics and you shall never be in state house…sata beyond 2016)))))))))))+++
ba mumba, sata is busy developing the country. utuma kangaroo courts are a sheer waste of time bawishi
Sata himself has abandoned the people and should take responsibility, dont allow him to put the blame on his useless ministers.
Sata invited at Nsaka, I will be first to say that “Pa Nsaka tapabula chiwelele”.
Wise man you are Dr Mumba, anxiously waitng for a reponse from the other camp!
Disgusting events happening in Zambia this week, its as though you are hearing news of the medieval times. I cant believe how this day and age normal people would sink this low on top of that behaveas if they are mentally challenged! Dumb founded for real!
Ba Cindy mulemoneka, pa Nsaka of LT, don’t be like Sata.
@ Nostra,
Will try to be available for the Insakas on LT.
I am enjoying the Politics of India.
Shri Narenda Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Kerjriwal the Major 3 Contenders.
But Modi is unleashing missiles which will kill some one……Hahahahha.
HH, Sata and Sakwila…Hahahahaha…Zed.
Who told you that the Zambian people want you Bembas call “Insaka” with anyone?
Speak for yourself.
The Zambian people want what is theirs he has taken from them, a people driven constitution now!
Chapwa kuya bebele
Nevers Who?
Let Sata and his pf hear if they have ears, but the problem is that the truth pains. For the vry first time i have come to like Nerves Mumba.
Me too.
Energetic rupiah banda{erb} has increased fuel with effect from midnight.viva pabwato.our slogan is more money in your pocket,lower taxes and more jobs.
I don’t know what the word Insaka mean but if it means sitting down and discuss ing issues with Sata, especially those that require intellectual engagement, it is a non starter. Talk about violence and intimidation, then yes.
This is crap! Only cowards and opportunists write like this.
Why should Mumba put blame on Sata`s Ministers and not Sata himself? And yet, Mumba knows well that the deterioration of governance standards and skyrocketing cost of living in Zambia is as a result of Sata`s poor, clueless leadership and his hatred for other ethnic groups.
If the company is crumbling, the buck stops at the CEO, and not functional unit managers. Its a basic principle of leadership!!!
Blago,for Dr Mumba,this is not being an opportunist,but having a bigger heart to solve a national problem.God sent Jesus to our level so that we could be helped.Dr Mumba wants the route which does not take heroism of an individual but acknowledging others in the running of a united Nation.As for you Blago,keep on worshing an individial as the only character who can save Zambia-you’re mistaken.Dr Mumba will shock you.Wina azalila with your hatred of the man.
BECAUSE HEMCS IS SICK AND PIPO LIKE MMEMBE AND KABIMBA HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE
Stop wasting time on Sata. He is a rouge.
Guys in all seriousness, I for one have never at any one time liked nor trusted this Pastor Mumba. But today, I have changed my minds. This Pastor for once has seen sense; to request for insaka with the Govt of the day? I applaud him greatly…
I support this man of God wholeheartedly in this kind of approach because as Zambians this is what we need, this is what will unite us all as Zambians; ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION…
War amongst ourselves will take us 50 years backwards that is a fact. We don’t need examples, we are land-locked and have seen it all. Ba pastor for mwandini, go ahead, I like your idea – hard as it may sound, its the best diplomatic way of handling issues. Thank God you went into the foreign service, you learnt something!
We don’t need insakas again. We know why Nevers wants an insaka because that is when he gains political mileage in his own way and gets jobs. Insakas mean, we can help you if you help us. Nevers is aware of the divisions in PF wrt the new shdow party in place which is organised by PF ministers and MPs and wants Sata to find a vehicle in MMD to carry him forward but Nevers knows that for Sata its RIP soon and will take over. How can a responsible politician today think that they can sit with Sata and chat a way forward for the nation? We dont need to give a second chance to such arrogant and corrupt leaders like PF. If it was Mwanawasa who was struggling to run govt then one can say, lets meet and talk and help. Nevers should try something else. This doesnt work.
This is a Chance for Sata to STOP “The Run Away Train” that will flatten him, & his legacy soon, if he continues the status quo, & does NOT Grab this chance.
I Have No faith in both Mumba & Sata, but thumbs up Mumba for being sensible, & considerate, as this is a Chance for Zambian’s to Stop the rot created by P.F, & redeeem the Country from continuing on a tribalistic – Idi Amin route of NO RETURN. Remember Rwanda!!
This is a Chance for Sata to STOP “The Run Away Train”- that will flatten him, & his legacy soon, if he continues the status quo, & does NOT Grab this chance.
I Have No faith in both Mumba & Sata, but thumbs up Mumba for being sensible, & considerate, as this is a Chance for Zambian’s to Stop the rot created by P.F, & redeeem the Country from continuing on a tribalistic – Idi Amin route of NO RETURN. Remember Rwanda!!
Sometime in order to move forward you have to take some backward steps.If its war satan wants, he is really pushing the correct bottons.(sic)
Joker. A new plan to go begging for a job kikikikiki
The problem with some Zambians is that they have depended on Mmembe to form the character of Kaunda, Chiluba, Mwanawasa, Rupiah, Sata, Nevers and HH. These people are not who media portrays them to be, get to know people. Mumba is actually very far from a job seeker, infact the person that knows this best is Sata himself, these two men are direct opposites. Of all previously listed he is the only one that has always been at opposing ends with Sata. Sata wants to cripple Nevers Bcoz be perceives Nevers as proud. When MMD lost the Bemba vote, Sata told Mumba to come join his fellow Bembas in PF, Sekwila refused. He stuck with MMD, even after the 2011 loss. The ones who are job seekers are against Mumba, correct your perception.
Waste of time! You think pf is a listening govt? Panga fighters are deployed all over. You may end up losing any of your body on your way to insaka venue.
Its our prayer that we can have a president like Sekwila who loves God. Praying for you ba Mumba it is well.Keep on praying for people we need yo spiritual and physical help.
Ala mwebantu leadership takes a gutsy person to stand up and speak even at the risk of being called all sorts of names. HH spoke up, Nawakwi has made a stand and now Nevers is also offering an alternative. Every opposition leader has offered their two cents on the escalating violence in the country and the one person who should have been in the forefront to speak out against all of this, is quiet. If there was ever a time to really show up and let the country know what your values are, where you stand, now would be a good time Mr. President. Your silence is unacceptable. This is not the kind of task to delegate to your ministers to talk about, after all, you have said yourself that they are all useless. Show some leadership Mr. Sata and address the issue head on.
This is a way forward. My only worry is lack of protocols by most opposition leaders. They should not start by stating their intentions in the press but this should only be the last option when there is no response from the executive. This is not only shipish and childish but also, tantamount to lack of seriousness.
now you say INSAKA, is this not tribalism? are tongas and lozis going to attend this meeting going by the name?
Nevers should withdraw that tribal and patronising word ‘insaka’ from that letter. what is that in Lozi, Tonga, nyanja or Luvale. Silly bemba cow!
@Kay, rather than focus on the term ‘insaka’ why not focus on the substance of the message. We lose opportunities to contribute constructively by always pointing out tribal issues. I think it is uncalled for at this stage.
Call it by whatever name dialogue is paramount. MCS please show leadership.
If you recall I made the same proposal in light of VJs suggestion on constitutional discourse. Nevers please dont Hi_jack the Idea as you own.
I hope you are speaking for all Zambians. Kaunda did it and so did Chiluba. I recall MCS and Levy met to narrow their differences.
Gen Malimba Masheke, Kavindile(EK) and Gen Miyanda show leadership as former Vee pees.
Dont allow KK to take centre stage because he needs a rest.
Anything to remove this evil and wasteful govt is better than discussion with a stoneage mindset of Chilufya Sata.He thinks his interests are more important than the nation so he’ll never agree to such insaka.
…be it a private car or a public bus, while driving, a GOOD driver can know whether a rear right or rear left or a front left tyre has low pressure. He will stop and replaced it with a good tyre before it goes completely flat.
The problem I see is that the driver…..
1) is pre-occupied with other things to notice the ‘low pressure tyres’
2) is aware of the ‘bad’ status of the spare wheel
that’s why he keeps on shuffling the same worn tyres from front to back and front again……
the trouble is we still got 2016kilometers to travel on worn tyres before we reach a tyre shop……to get new tyres…. probably change the driver as well or abandon the bus altogether and jump on another bus…..
I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH NEVERS MUMBA SEEKING AUDIENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT BUT HE HAS EXPOSED HIS WEAKNESSES FIRST BY: FIRST, THE LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT MUST BE CONFIDENTIAL AND CANNOT BE GIVEN TO THE PRESS BECAUSE THE IMPLICATIONS HERE ARE TWO-FOLD: a) SHOW THE PEOPLE THAT THIS IS WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE PRESIDENT. NEVERS MUMBA WAS ONCE A REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENT AND MUST KNOW SOME OF THESE THINGS, AND b) THE PRESIDENT SHOULD GIVE A COPY OF HIS REPLY TO THE PRESS FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW HOW HE WILL RESPOND TO WHAT NEVERS MUMBA HAS WRITTEN – IT DOES NOT WORK OUT THAT WAY. LEADERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES NEED TO REFLECT ON SOME OF THESE THINGS PLEASE. SECOND IS THAT HE LETTER HAS SAID EVERYTHING THAT HE WANTED DISCUSSED WITH THE PRESIDENT! THE MEETING WOULD BE FOR WHAT AND WITH WHO ELSE?
The letter is in public interest with national issues and the presidency is a public office.Therefore Sata’s needs for confideciality does not arise here.
If that letter was not revealed to the public, non of us would have known about it. However, the contents in that letter are not confidential. Those are issues that every zambian knows about. I believe Dr Mumba is also vindicating himself. Someday, he will be able to say, i have asked for dialogue with our president but there was no response. I am sure HH has done that before, and there has been no response.
@KALUMBA,
Its true my brother,the intention may be good but the method is totally wrong. Also,the language in the letter is that of putting SATA as one who knows nothing. If he really wanted to meet SATA and discuss such matters,he could have kept the letter confidence. We have a problem in Zambia and we need God to help us.I thought being a pastor,he could have used the Nathan vs David strategy in the bible. I hope the president will read,get the content and throw the paper or returning it to the sender.
Expect the tone in Chellah’s response and probably Mmembes’ comment in his paper to be sober for other reasons not that they really agree or see sense in what Sekwila is saying.
Good proposal, hope my son HH can do the same!!!
where is cycle mata?please say something about this violence.Address the nation,this can help all of us.
MAYBE, WE SHOULD START LOOKING AT SOME OF THESE ISSUES SERIOUSLY AND STOP CALLING PEOPLE NAMES. THE ISSUE OF CADRE VIOLENCE DOES NOT START WITH PF BUT A PERENNIAL PROBLEM AND AS SUCH EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE CONCERNED. A FEW EXAMPLES HERE: REMEMBER THE MAPATIZYA FORMULA? RECALL WHAT FATHER FRANK BWALYA SAID AFTER BEING ATTACKED ON THE COPPERBELT? HE TALKED OF HAVING ATTACKED BY MMD CADRES WHEN HE WAS CAMPAIGNING FOR PF IN KASAMA, SOLWEZI AND OTHER AREAS AND VOWED TO CONTINUE DESPITE THESE ATTACKS? WHO THEN ARE THESE PEOPLE WHO PERPETUATE THESE ATTACKS? IF UPND, MMD, NAREP OR ANY OTHER PARTY WERE TO FORM GOVERNMENT TODAY ARE WE NOT GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THAT PARTY WITH THESE SAME CADRES? UPND OR MMD ARE JUST THE DIFFERENT SIDES ON THE SAME NASTY EDGE. POLITICIANS ARE THE PROBLEM IN ZAMBIA.
useless letter. We were voted in by the people and our responsibility is to the people. You lost the election . Do not tell us how to govern. We know and will govern by the Zambian constitution. If we have broken the supreme law of the land tell us which one. Yours is to form your shadow cabinet and challenge us in parliament.” Insaka” has no consititution backing. Insaka ya chalo ni parliament. If you have failed to get to parliament , please do not snick in un consititution agendas.
Unwise thinking indeed. If u’r a politician, then your ambitions are wayward. No wonder you support things that are unrealisitic. You dont have the country at heart, yours is to feed your stomach and your ego.
Very good proposal Dr Mumba, this is not about individuality, its about the future of the nation. When a family has issues, the head of the family must be advised by well meaning people around him to call for a family meeting to resolve any issues pertaining to the family.
And this is what Dr Mumba has done, if the president has Knowledge and wisdom, he should consider this proposal as matter of unifying the country and acknowledging that something isnt rite in the nation.
MOST OPPOSITION LEADERS HAVE VERY GOOD REASONS FOR WANTING TO MEET THE PRESIDENT AND WOULD GET THE SUPPORT OF PEOPLE LIKE ME BUT IT IS THEIR APPROACH AND MY APPEAL TO THEM IS TO CHANGE THEIR APPROACH BECAUSE THEY ARE DEALING WITH THE PRESIDENT WHETHER THEY LIKE HIM OR NOT. I CANNOT REMEMBER PRESIDENT SATA WRITING AN OPEN LETTER AND GIVING THE SAME TO THE PRESS WHEN WRITING TO ANY OF THE PAST PRESIDENTS AND IF HE DID THEN THAT WAS ALSO A WRONG APPROACH. WHAT I KNOW ABOUT HIM WAS TALKING MUCH ABOUT ISSUES AND PUSHING TO MEET THE PRESIDENT. HIM SUPPORTING VIOLENCE? I DO NOT KNOW EXCEPT THE KANYAMA SAGA WHEN HE WAS LINKED TO IT, BUT LET US FIND A WAY OF DEALING WITH THIS UGLY SIDE OF OUR POLITICS. ONE CAN UNDERSTAND HH AND OTHERS DOING THINGS THIS WAY BUT NOT NEVERS MUMBA PLEASE.
Very respectable letter. If that was the stance of every politician, then Zambia would have developed a lot. However, i doubt it seriously if the president can allow that dialogue to take place. he has never organised a press briefing to talk about pertinent issues, except to fire ministers. i think this has caused a lot of hurt and frustration in the hearts of many zambians who want to air their views on the current economic status of our mother zambia.
Our president seems to be losing popularity very fast and he is not being told the reality that is on the ground, this was the problem that brought MMD and Rupiah to the Ground, Living a lie, even when they can see the truth. they deliberatetly blind their eyes and pretend all is well. I accept that letter and many issues can be ironed.
Letter to the President? This a letter to the press. We already know that, Sekwila. Tell us what we don’t know!
Thats what working together means mr mumba,do more of this and maybe we might bring you back simply coz u want dialogue and please advise hh to do the same coz the careless talk can ignite violence and later lead to tribal wars!
Nevers is pushing an already open door. The President has publicly stated his ministers are useless, do you have to remind him?
His Excellency shall dialogue with well meaning opposition parties.
Surely this is a letter to the press and not HEMCS, therefore needs not attract response