Government has disassociated itself from the statement made by MMD Lusaka Province Chairman Geoffrey Chuumbwe that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe should be removed by force.
Government says while it appreciates and acknowledges freedom of speech, Mr Chuumbwe’s position is not the way to go about when resolving the problem in Zimbabwe.
Chief Government Spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti said this in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka this evening.
Mr Mulongoti was reacting to Mr Chumbwe’s statement made at the Lusaka International Airport shortly after President Mwanawasa left for Mauritius today.
Mr Mulongoti said Mr Chuumbwe’s statement is neither the party’s nor government’s position.
He stated that the Zambian government does not encourage change of regime through forced means adding that there is a better way of handling problems being faced in Zimbabwe.
He added that the solution to the problems in Zimbabwe lie in Zimbabweans themselves.
Mr Mulongoti has since cautioned party members against making alarming statements that relate to internal matters of sovereign countries.
This is a clear testimony that there is a leadership, team work and management crisis in Zambia. That chap was speaking in his capacity as an MMD official and not a mere citizen, I am basing my argument on where the comments were made. Lack of team work will fail us in Zambia. Most people in African politics join ruling parties for selfish gains and this must be stopped. Let principles and self believes divide and unite us.
what is wrong with Zambia s foreign policy one day its Nevers Mumba about Congo,then Vernon Mwanga in Congo,then Mbita on AU and now its Chuumbwe.Something is wrong some where in the Management of the country.It reminds me of a situation when Rwanda President boycoted some peace talks in Zambia
#1 Chuumbwe was speaking as a mere citizen of this world. He has a right to what he said anywhere.
It`s so typical for people to get carried away by blaming the govt for every single thing that goes wrong.We must NOT reach a stage were someone even blames LPM for their own hicup.
I would unreservedly commend Mulongonti for the prompt response in disasocciating the ruling party and the govt from such careless and unwarranted statement issued by Chuumbwe.The MMD must infact go a step further by expelling him from the party to show how serious it is against such alariming comments.
Chuumbwe`s comments might even render LPM`s relentless efforts on the Zimbabwe saga futile.
We want to continue enjoying peace,stability and economic gains without any hinderance.
Chuumbwe nafwaula big time. Such reckless statements have the momentum to cause overwhelming challenges for the MMD but until violent defeat. Liberation regimes in the region could easily identify dissastified Zambians and sponsor them against the liberal MMD in all dimension if perceived to be accomplicies of regime change of liberation governments.I have not been suprised with the unwavering reaction of Pragmatist here against Tsvingirai trying to draw zambia and Mwanawasa in his anti Zanu-PF. He knows that such a move could haunt MMD. Regional Governments could arm or stand financing dissidents or UNIP liberation party affiliated to subotage MMD.Come 2011, it could be hell for the MMD.
Whats wrong with a party official expressing a dissenting opinion
on our foreign or any other policy. Watch BBC 24 and learn how our friends enjoy their freedom of expression-i mean within their parties- with no fear of being muzzled by chaps
like Mulongoti or Teta. Talking about Teta, where is the gentleman, he’s been quiet for a long, its not like him.
The confusion in Zimbabwe has been a blessing for people like Shaka. Zim prostitutes are cheaper just 20 pin and you can have yamusanga musanga. You just choose from teachers, nurses, bankers etc
#6, chuumbwe has crossed the boundaries. His comment are very damaging. In fact he isn’t even qualified to make such comments. He should have left it to the foreign affairs secretary or minister. But, this is mmd. Thinking amongst leaders is a rare commodity. He really doesn’t the repercusions of removing mugabe by force. He is terribly, short sighted. chuumbwe together with chakafuswa must be dismissed from office, immediately and put Ms Moonga in place of chakafuswa. Because she reasons and knows what she’s doing.
It seems in the MMD anyone can utter anything reagrdless of their office. We all know that Mugabe should go but let the Zim people decide.
#3, what do you mean that Chuumbwe was speaking as a citizen? How do you differentiate personal views from ooficial/party/govt views? In leadership there is a thin line especially when you speak in public at an official function. He went to the airport as MMD Provincial chairman, and he spoke as such. He has just given zim govt more impetus to accuse zambia of siding with the west. The chap should be disciplined. Others have been disciplined before on similar matters. He has gone too far.
Infact its true abena BOB should GO,chuumbwe was just expressing his views.MIND YO LANGAUGE.
Let us be fair as the precedent has already been set. The others were fired for expressing there opinion on how they thought things were suposed to be.They condemned them outrightly and removed from office undesgraceful.Goverment should act now for us to know that they and not practising favourism
#10 i can tell that Chuumbwe was speaking as a citizen because he said that that was his personal view. Since when did exercising one’s freedom of expression at an official function become a crime? #8 what qualification should Chuumbwe possess before he can comment on zimbabwe?
Cause and effect at play!!
Mwikala patala mwine apatalika(to stay in peace you have to be peaceful)
Mwikala patalala mwine apatalalika
#13 Tom K, can you explain then why Ms Moonga’s personal oppinions on LPM have warranted disciplinary action on her person? There is no such thing as personal oppinion from public figures. People who want to have personal views on political issues or any public policy issue should never aspire for public or political office. Mugabe and the world over don’t know Chuumbwe as a private individual but as a minister in LPM’s govt. Only people outside govt and outside MMD have the luxury of issuing personal views on political issues. Comments #1 and 2 are quite valid.
#16 correction…Mugabe and the world over don’t know Chuumbwe as a private individual but as MMD Lusaka Province Chairman… not minister.
You guys,why are you concerned too much about Zimbabwe?Were they equally concerned during our time of anguish?Mugabe used to campign over our poor kwacha and never bothered to provide solutions to our by then crambling economy.Infact our kwacha was not even bad because it was 60 kwacha to a US Dollar.Stop showing your immortal igorance and concentrate on our national development.We harboured these people for their struggles and that, in return affected our economy.For we spent too much and got nothing in return, but only to be laughed at.
#7 when shaka was on news was he with a zimbabwean woman? women are wickened every where dear. Zeds stop bothering yourselves abt zims problems coz despite the crisis they are undergoing today zim is better than zed coz it has the resourses, infrastructure it just needs a good leader and it will boost in an eyeblink. Mind you the vic falls is viewed more on zim side, presetly zeds depend on zim ciment coz our ciment is exergerated expensive and it’s being exported to south africa. Zims problems are short has short legs but for ours are longstanding, our economy is horable compared to all southern africa countries and now since zim has this crisis we lift our ears & talk much.
#16 Calab point of correction, in a democracy everyone enjoys the freedom of speech! If Chuumbwe was a minister or party spokesperson then what he said would have been taken as an official pronouncement. But he is not and i am happy that Mulongoti has calarified this. As regards Ms Moonga, i am of the view that the MMD were wrong in suspending her. But then again the mmd has its own confused rules.
as for you chuumbwe don’t wash your dirty linen in your friends room, leaving your room clean.Presently we have the caurage to discuss abt zim coz mwanawasa is doing fine and lets wait and see after 2011. It was just 10years ago zeds were all over the streets of bulawayo stealing and causing problems esp those from the copperbelt, all zambians were lebelled as thieves in that town so don’t forget. Concentrate on how to sustain our ecomonomy so that zim will not laugh at us again, so that atleast we can be 2nd from the bottom in southern africa.
NOW, The MMD can weigh between Mrs Moongas, Shakafuswa’s and Chuumbwe’s case. They have a variety and we want to see justice to prevail. I HAVE ALWAYS SAID WHEN POLITICS AND THE LAW COLLIDES THE LAW IS ALWAYS CAUGHT IN THE WEB.
good point #19 & 21, it’s time to fucus on our problems coz when a friend is crying having lost their beloved ones it’s time for a guy selling coffins to laugh and make cush. Its wise to build our limping economy now, for us to be aleast number 2 from down taking advantage of zim crisis coz of late our zed workers went to work in all neighbouring countries including zim.
My appeal to Zambians is that we should concentrate on our own problems. Remember the list of challenges is very long including access to good health facilities, poverty, souring unemployment, illiteracy, rural underdevelopment, inequatable distrubution of resources, etc. These are the real issues affecting human development and national and subsahara-Africa democratic dispersion. Let us demand from those governing that these be attained. In so saying they as polical leaders in government must also learn to sacrifice. The ordinary Zambian has done so for a long time. Lets us revisit our focus now.
Chuumbwe has crossed the line and should be sacked, full stop.
Mbita Chitala spoke as a private citizen on African govt and was removed. This is a more serious utterance just near Chuchu. Verdict: Remoove him if you are impartial.
The truth is vey difficult to accept and it really pains, chuumbwe has a point but it depend where, how and who brings it up. The truth is Mugabe sld go, if they cant solve it amicably them violence can be employed just as congo and angola did, but the issue is who sld decide, is it chuumbwe? or the zims? and the truth is chuumbwe is a wrong material to say this so let him face the MMD, as their favorites like Shaka’s goes freely with their heads up.
chuumbwe’s comments were unfortunate but useful. Whilst sadc wants regime change in zim Its clear that zambia is playing the antagonist at the front end. With crazy Bob waiting for arms from china i cant put it past him to do something stupid which jeopardizes our sovereignty Chuumbwe’s remarks are a timely reminder to this freedom fighter who has lost his marbles,that, if he wants war he will get it and he will be embarrassed like S.Hussein, because already certain countries in sadc are scared look at S.A they dont want to have anything 2 do with those arms and mbeki is more or less like Bob’s poodle. Now to suggest that shaka and chuumbwe shud be disciplined and not moonga i disagree.
cont….. Moonga directly attacked the president in the media and she also leaked a confidential document to the Post, that document was for the president and the national secretary’s eyes now what does this woman do? just because no-one knows her and she wants to be seen in the papers she does the cardinal sin of attacking the president, i mean she’s entitled given how lucrative it is to attack H.E.LPM but i dont see any gravitas with that logic. Shaka and chuumbwe gave forceful statements which struck a chord with the public and which gives MMD more political mileage i mean no-one from UPND or PF has made a statement as regards zimbabwe that goes to show that they cant be trusted.
#20 Tom K, point taken…but again, in a democracy the marks of a wise leader, holding public portfolio, are to use that right of freedom of speech responsebly. A leader careless in his utterences is like a loose canon, causing un-intended destruction. Imagine Bush saying the ku klax klan are good, or LPM or any other leader for that matter saying the Lenje’s are the best for presidency. Do you think the impact of such statements from these people in public portfolios would be the same as if made by ordinary folk? As a person of political influence, the way you practice your freedoms must alwaz be responsible.
Who said ploitics is fair?
Chuumbwe should choose his words correctly.
#30 Great point and well illustrated. Of course I also share the personal opinion the Bob should go. As a nation and for the sake of our foreign policy, I’d rather our Sweet ZED joins the Zimbabweans in playing it cool. They know why they are quiet. Kenyans knew it best the other way and went noisy … their experiences are fresh as well. Still Waters run deep!
As for those who believe it’s time to take advantage of the current situation in Zim and be second from the bottom, I beg to disagree with you. Yes, and for sure yes, it’s time to work in all striving zeal to improve our situation in our sweet ZED but what good is it if our dream set as low as just being slightly better than nation b
…33 Contd:
Yes, and for sure yes, it’s time to work in all striving zeal to improve our situation in our sweet ZED but what good is it if our dream set as low as just being slightly better than nation befallen by calamity?
We can do better guys, without having to pay evil for evil. Set our goals higher … not so low, and so unclean! Zambian’s are best known for peace and Love. We were laughed at by the Zims but better see positive in that; take it as a corrective factor and soldier on without necessarily rejoicing over their calamity!
I agree with my colleagues who have the view Chuumbwe has fouled and needs to be admonished. The situation in Zimbabwe is very fragile and needs careful handling. If not well nurtured, particularly by Zambian Leadership, the relations between the two countries will be soured. We certainly cannot change geography and Zimbabwe will forever be our neighbour. Whatever our leaders say, pro or anti Zimbabwe should be monitored with keen interest, especially now. Chuumbwe was not speaking in his private capacity. The mere fact that he was speaking at the Airport and seing off our President makes it somewhat official, otherwise he could have made those remarks at his home.
Thugs! Thugs! Thugs! That is what we have as a government, since 2001! MMd must be removed by force for enslaving Zambia!
hey Chuumbwe was right and it’s gih time Mugabe goes !the earlier the better.
What is wrong with removing Mugabe by force when allother civilized means of doing so have failed? Laurel Kabila, Charles Taylor, Idi Amin, Bokassa, Obote etc were all removed from power by force only after all other means failed. Nearly three weeks after elections, Mugabe is still refusing to announce the results and some people think that Sekuru will relinguish power by peaceful means, my foot! Such Mbekian strategies have failed and will work, the only language Mugabe will listen to is one of a hot bullet knocking with on his thick skull.
it´s all about freedom of speach and when someone tells the truth,there will always be some people that the same truth will hurt.Some times i wish there was oil in Zimbabwe so that Bush and the gang would do something.I say so cos i feel for the common man in Zimbabwe and it is about time Mugabe checked what agwan in reality cos some time it will be so late.Period!!!!!
We must be very careful with the comments we make on Zim.this is a very sensitive issue and no one is sure of what the outcome will be. what if Mugabe remains President,will Zambia be zim`s enemy? chuumbwe should be admonished about the limits of his freedom of speech. leave Ms.Moonga alone. shez brave n jst opened some fellas eyes.
There is nothing like personal opinion being expressed by the man.He should have known that he was talking to the press and they were going to print his statement.When he was talking, he was talking, he was representing the whole MMD which is the party in gorverment. Let us not not take things so easy for the man knew the repercations that would follow. He was acting on behalf of someone senior who didn’t have the guts to come out in open.You should know that this borders on countries compared to what Mrs Moonga said.What she said was true and factual and Kande decided to suspend her and in this case,why can’t he be desciplined and it bring our relation with Zim to a halt.
Chuumbwe is very right, that tin-pot dictator needs a hot-rot to the head! Can somebody tell me which nations are colonising others in thi sday and age? Is n’t the same Chinese he is so passionately courting via neo-colonialism. Its time our instruments of integration (SADC, COMESA and the AU) proved what they are worth!
Mugabe’s end will be similar to Sgt Samuel Doe of Liberia if not worse than that. How old is he? 84!
chumbwe and shakfuswa same same outbursts
chumbwe and shakafuswa same same outbursts . levy should take action on both . if he fails then he’s failed us
Leave Chuumbwe alone. He is 101% right. Can’t you guys see the situation in Zim is critical? sekuru Bob is a desparate dictator. He has abused basic human rights…..the right for freedom. Zimbos exeecised their right to vote and he is holding on to results for close to a month now.WHY?? WHY?? He deserves to be smoked out of Harare. VIVA Chuumbwe!!!!!
when a fish dies,the first part that starts getting rotten is the head…..there should be retirement age for Presidents too. They say power is sweet and you can see it each and every place.
My worry is that of our situation too.What is up with the 50% plus results issue?We don´t wanna go through some mishaps come elections so Mr gov´t and chuchu don´t bother anybody if you think otherwise and let the NCC do their work. No room for rigging nomore………….hope for the best to come out soon in Zim.Find it so unusual that there re still people saying Mugabe is right when someone would call for the recount of the ballots when noone knows the official results.Something fishy