PRESIDENT Mwanawasa has said it is irresponsible for Lusaka provincial MMD chairman, Geoffrey Chumbwe to issue a statement that Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe should be removed by force.
Mr Mwanawasa said the statement embarrassed him because Mr Chumbwe is not the ruling party or Government spokesperson.
Dr Mwanawasa was answering questions from journalists shortly after arrival from Mauritius where he was attending the Southern African Development Community (SADC) conference on poverty reduction.
He said the statement had effects of souring the relationship with Zimbabwe but hoped the Zimbabweans would appreciate that Mr Chumbwe had no authority to speak for the party.
“The statement is highly irresponsible which has been condemned by the party. Mr Chumbwe is so junior in the party’s hierarchy. In fact I was personally embarrassed when I heard the statement, ” Dr Mwanawasa who is SADC chairperson said.
He said that the Zimbabwean issue was being handled well by SADC.
Mr Chumbwe on Saturday last week told journalists at Lusaka International Airport shortly after the President left for Mauritus that SADC leaders should consider removing Mr Mugabe by force.
And when contacted for a comment Mr Chumbwe said he maintains his statement over Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, all is set for the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to be held at State House today.
[Times of Zambia]
If war breaks in zim ,zambia can be affected coz of such statements from dull politicians, so i will fire him to set an example for all. This man sld leave office now.
“And when contacted for a comment Mr Chumbwe said he maintains his statement over Zimbabwe.”
It is always gr8 to maintain one position and prove that you are responsible for your words and actions. It is sad to change like a chameleon.
However, the statement by Mr Chuumbwe was very misplaced. Mugabe needs to be handled carefully and so I feel my President LP Mwanawasa is right on his stand about the remarks by Mr Chuumbwe.
Mbita was fired just fire him.
Leave Chuumbwe alone. He is 101% right. Can’t you guys see the situation in Zim is critical? sekuru Bob is a desperate dictator. He has abused basic human rights…..the right for freedom. Zimbos exercised 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!!!!!
Levy has made the politically correct statement. Chumbwe is however right. Mugabe is digging in and he can only be removed by force. Negotiations for his peaceful exit failed just after the elections. Africa can not continue to allow tyrants to be in power simly because they control the guns. Kibaki wanted to remain in the same way and would have succeeded if Odinga hadnt resoponded appropriately in those circumstances. Mugabe can only be removed by Zimbabweans themselves in this fashion. No country will interevene militarily on their behalf. If the man had interests of his country at heart, he would have let another ZANU-PF person take over just for a fresh start for the country.
It has been fashionable for SADC leaders to stroke the Mugabe pain.Levy has broken the tradition and of silly ‘quite’ diplomacy.Robert is buying arms to butcher hungry discenting voices instead of feeding the many hungry mouths.Pressure must be mounted on Zimbabwe.In fact civil society could call for a day of peaceful demonstrations against the Mugabe dictatorship in cities all over the world.Mugabe is a pirate who has hijacked Zimbabwe and is ready to sink with it rather than surrender to the will of Zimbabweans.Levy is doing his part.He needs support from FBOs,NGOs and civil rights orgs.Mount the Pressure,Robert will crack!
Mbeki no longer has credibility to be mediator in Zimbabwe.He has demonstrated biase towards Mugabe.Moreover his own party does not agree with his misplaced stubborn approach over Zimbabwe.
Viva Chumbwe
And whr z Jeff kande & Traitormashimba to effect suspensions?
Its bad lets heed from the Zimbabwe fiascal
“Levy counsels MMD MPs over dangers of 50%+1”
RESIDENT Levy Mwanawasa yesterday cautioned MMD members sitting on the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) over the 50 per cent plus one majority presidential vote .
#10 Bamashina!!!What`s up?
Do not have a slave mentality or an inferiority complex.Have the courage to present your own views under your own ID.No one is going to eat you alive.
Confidence BABA!!!
If using my ID is going to give you some courage then please be my guest.
Mugabe should thank his stars that Nelson Mandela is no longer president of South Africa. Madiba lost his patience with Mugabe years back. Bishop Desmond Tutu is another one who does not mince his words on Mugabe. Add to the list Obassanjo and Abudulai Wade of Senegal. It is pleasing that Mwanawasa, Kikwete and Khama have also come out in the open that they are not Mugabe supporters. There must be demonstrations at all Zimbabwe embassies and High Commissions all over the world. Mugabe is not made of steel – he is a mere mortal. He will definitely crack. However, Zimbabweans should be in the lead.
Did Chuumbwe speak for the MMD or for himself and his family?
The views of Mr Chuumbwe are just misplaced and not wrong. We all feel Mugabes time is up.
Please kick Mugabe out. We will be in trouble here in the country side to Mugabe’s territory. Please please if you can hear us help us. This beast will eat us with fresh blood