Three opposition MMD members of Parliament currently serving in Government have said no amount of pressure will stop them from pursuing their dreams of serving the people who elected them and the country in general.
The three MPs said in separate interviews yesterday that time for political campaigns was long gone and that energies should be directed towards serving the majority of poor Zambians.
Ikeleng’i MP Elijah Muchima said it was now time to concentrate on matters that affected the people instead of politicking.
Mr Muchima who is Lands, Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister said the MMD was a champion of democracy in Zambia and should appreciate the fact the republican Constitution facilitated for the appointment of opposition political party leaders to ministerial positions.
“There is no harm for us (MMD MPs) to be appointed as deputy ministers. We must lobby for development and it will not help the country in any way if we just want to criticise for the sake of criticism.
“For me, I really don’t regret my action. Development of Zambia and that of my constituency is important,” he said.
Mr Muchima said he had at one time spoken to constituency officials from the MMD, United Party for National Development (UPND) and Patriotic Front (PF) on the need for them to work together and that they had agreed to do so.
He said during the meeting with major political players in his constituency, it was appreciated that time for politicking was long gone hence the need to embrace one another to foster development.
Solwezi East MP Richard Taima said he was aware that some officials were going to his constituency in an effort to sway the electorate.
Mr Taima who is Commerce, Trade and Industry deputy minister said he had remained loyal to the MMD and he had continued to remit his monthly contributions to the party.
He said that his victory in Solwezi East was done on a clean slate and was ready to defend his seat.
“I am very ready to defend the position. I am a peoples choice and won on a clean slate,” he said.
He however said he did not support the idea of causing unnecessary by -elections as they were a cost to taxpayers money.
Another MMD MP who sought anonymity said the decision to work with the Government of the day was meant at propelling national development as well as local development.
The MP said the decision to accept to work with the government was not political but rather aimed at serving the Zambian people.
“Wherever I go, I preach development and not politics. Politics is for 2016, but if they (MMD) don’t trust us that is sad,” he said.
The MP said it was unfortunate that the MMD was going in an alliance with a political party that wanted to use it.
“They (MMD) are being cheated by other people who have never ruled and their aim to form government is not clear,” the parliamentarian said.
Other MMD MPs in Government are Keith Mukata (Chilanga), Josephine Limata (Luampa), Dr. Patrick Chikusu (Katuba), David Phiri (Mkaika), Nicholas Banda (Kapoche), Patrick Ngoma (Feira) and Forrie Tembo (Nyimba).
food on the table
The people of Zambia want development and improvement of the living standards. The people of Zambia know that the 20 years of MMD misrule is an opportunity cost that cannot be gained by furthermore continuing to support bantustan enclave politics or a visionless pastor whose only concern is power without any development programme for this country. The patriotic front has shown political will and commitment to transform this country for the betterment of its people. Prosperity for Zambia is not far under the experienced leadership of President Sata and the PF. I therefore urge all opposition MPs to think conscietiously of working with the ruling party in order to meaningfully contribute to developing this great country.
Fool. Sata was in 10 of those 20 years. Just get that big head of yours out of your rear end!
Whether Hakainde Hichilema likes it or not, his political days are numbered. There will be polical amagedon soon. We are going to work with Mr Sata this time arround.
So one the party state is coming to pass.
that’s all that Zambia needs: ….positive thinking….
If only all the people’s minds thought like that, we would be much better off.
well Put, work for the people and politic in 2016. Guys, thats the way to go.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia
What these MPs are saying is that there should be a one party state.
Sata dismissed all the MP’s in PF who wanted to work with MMD. so whagt has changed NOW. why is SATA not appointing UPND MP’s????
They are deadly forbidden by their Commander the Chauvinist Male Pig (CMP)
Opposition leader and then president-Sata then and now is like night and day on this issue of opposition MP’s in govt.He only sees his political interests-thats the only constant (and very self serving)
Wise words guys
The opposition is meant to provide an alternative and checks and balances. With wa weakened opposition Zambia will take double the time to develop. Filebepa fye ubufi. Nifisebana wikute fyonse. What utter rubbish!
WISE MEN from MMD
I fail to understand, these MPs are still MMD members so why make a big deal out of it? Let them save the Zambian people full stop.
these MPs are just money seekers. The problem with Zambia is the quality of leaders who are managing our affairs. Even their education levels are a disaster compared to the education levels in the country. We are back to the Chiluba era where uneducated cadres run parastatals and boards. Surely how can Willy Nsanda be in charge of RDA board? We are jokers in running this great country with huge potential. No wonder we are underperforming. I would rate the performance at 40%.
Hunger hunger is poverty
ya right like they will do that. guys don’t remain dull all your adult lives i know u were clever as kids but believing this?? :-?
LETS CHOOSE THE BEST MULTIPARTY OR ONEPARTY STATE INSTEAD OF CAUSING CONFUSION
We need a one party state, period. What democracy are we talking about in Zambia?
Conference table ‘Made in China’
What Sata is failing to tell us is that he has a bunch of dull MPS. he has no quality from his party. It’s just unfortunate that he has gone for another drop out in Masumba chap. the president cant go for UPND MPs because of the bond and pride these Tongas have. MMD are vulnerable to such because they also used the same tricks to weaken the opposition. people will say he is not weakening mmd, to tell you the truth come 2016 Chilanga will be PF, folly tembo will be PF in short all the 9 mps serving sata will be PF. PF are set on 2016 and not working for the people
Sata did not elect the MP’s my man..the people of Zambia did and if he was given trash by the people;what and where do you expect him to choose from…think before you open your dirty mouth.
Back to square one. Let all the MMD and UPND MP’s join PF. TRUE ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION AND ONE PARTY STATE. Lets share all ministrial positions equally by province, the same for all foreign positions, same for parastal executive positions and boards, build two universities in each province like Muchinga Province has benefitted, next constitution to allow President Sata to run for one term then the next president to come from the following provinces Northwestern, Western, Southern, Copperbelt and Lusaka on a one term basis. They after rotate, good democracy indeed, no fighting…… Let’s be serious for once. Remember all the fired soldiers, diplomats, senior civil servants, unemployed youths, retirees. REMEMBER WE ARE NOT IMMORTAL.. GOD IS WATCHING
In no proper, multi-party democratic country could a President appoint a person who is in court for uttering a false qualification and get away with it. The fact that the man was adopted, elected by people who knew about the case in court and then appointed to serve in a government position just goes to confirm how ethically and morally bankrupt we are as a people. Some may rejoice over this but no one should expect any moral standards from such leaders. A person with Masumba’s record could not be elected in America le alone be appointed by Obama without Congress stopping such a trversity in its stride. We as a people must work on raising the standards we are to expect from leaders. Without such, they will continue to change from one party to the next without any scruples or principles.
Mr.Muchima and Taima must be the worst MPs in Zambia.You have jumped to PF to secure your busineness not for development of your constituancies.
Mr.Muchima you have been in goverment ever since but look at the road leading to Ikelengi’ and
zambezi source.You must be ashamed of your self.
Mr.Taima look at the road from Solwezi to Kipushi which is inpassable but you have been in goverment.
please dont take the luck of Masumba for granted.Masumba was a new comer and people have not yet know him.But for Taima and Muchima dont fool us.You have failed 15 years in parliament.Useless MPs.You may not even deliver but just please your Sata.
Resign if you are men.
So we are back to one party participatory democracy, full circle now,after everything was plundered, now invest more peoples money , and plunder again, thats Africa for u. Parasites.
I have great respect for DR PATRICK CHIKUSU, you will never hear him utter disparaging remarks against his party MMD. He just goes about with his work in the Ministry of Health and you can tell that he’s a technocrat beside being a Politician. The other MMD MPs (in PF govt) should actually take a leaf from him. I think wisdom also goes with the level of education.
The MMD serving in government are irrelevant to the party because they have divided loyalty
1.They Vote with Government in Parliament and
2.They dont help their party with campains for fear of being fired by their masters in Government.For example Mumfumbwe
These guys are an affront to democracy and the party must get rid of them,its better to have a few loyal members than a bunch of them with divided loyalty
yaba nyokola njala bamambala
Who determines what the people want? is it mr Sata? These MPs are just a bunch of opportunists without a single trace of principles. Just admit ur serving your selfish self centered interest. People without principles are a risk a democracy.
Banana Republic! Every fool now wants to “concentrate on development”! Like we never used to hear this under the one party dictatorship and wise leadership of Kaunda
……..And we know were Zambia finally ended! Yes right in a tunnel complete with imaginary light at the end. So Sata and your minions please just go fcuk yourselves with your outdated and primitive politics!