GOVERNMENT has dismissed as mischievous allegations by FDD president Edith Nawakwi that the country is headed for a K5 billion budgetary deficit.
In a statement issued to the media, acting Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Fackson Shamenda said Ms Nawakwi’s allegations are “symptomatic of a frustrated and failed politician who wants to use lies to gain cheap political mileage”.
“Ms Nawakwi once served as Minister of Finance under the MMD government when corruption and general mismanagement of the country thrived, which this government is now working hard to reverse,” Mr Shamenda said.
He said the FDD leader should not pretend to have answers to the management of the country’s economy.
Below is the full statement
Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services
STATEMENT BY HON. FACKSON SHAMENDA, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON ALLEGATIONS BY FDD LEADER EDITH NAWAKWI
Government wishes to dismiss as mischievous, the allegation by FDD leader Ms Edith Nawakwi that the country is headed for a K5 billion budgetary deficit.
This allegation is symptomatic of a frustrated and failed politician who wants to use lies to gain cheap political mileage.
Ms Nawakwi once served as Minister of Finance under the MMD Government when corruption and general mismanagement of the country’s economy thrived, which this Government is now working hard to reverse.
She should, therefore, not pretend to have answers to the management of the country’s economy now which she failed to provide then.
On by-elections, Ms Nawakwi who at one time served as a Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, should desist from cheap politicking on an issue she ought to be well familiar with.
The current Constitution provides that a by-election is held within 90 days when a vacancy occurs for an elected Member of Parliament.
By-elections are therefore a constitutional expenditure and obligation. The current Constitution gives a Member of Parliament freedom to resign and join another political party.
As a democratic and law abiding leadership, this Government cannot stop anyone from defecting from one party to another. It is their democratic right to do so.
And defections have not gone one way. Both the ruling and opposition have had their fair share of loss or gain of defectors. Why should it be right for the opposition to receive defectors and wrong for the ruling party to do so? This is undemocratic.
And the fact that FDD is not receiving defectors does not mean that the practice must be demonized.
Ms Nawakwi is, therefore, urged to concentrate on rebuiding her crumbled political party instead of peddling falsehoods she cannot substantiate.
This Government reiterates its commitment to good governance, the rule of law and prudent management of public resources for the betterment of the Zambian people.
Hon. Fackson Shamenda, MP
ACTING MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
10th August, 013.
Nawakwi is former finance minister of Zambia currently only female president of party. Shamenda is former labour leader currently minister of labour presiding over PF govt failed labour policies and a failed minister who can not protect Zambian tax payers.
And just what does shamenda know about finance budgetary and management??
I can’t believe he called Nawakwi a failed politician. Who is he then? The ***** can’t even keep his face clean and he thinks he is a successful politician. Who can’t be a minister in PF??????
This man is sick.
Where was President Sata when Edith was Finance Minister? Where was President Sata when corruption was thriving? Was he a leader of the PF? Shamenda please be level headed when reacting to divergent views.
How much does it cost to shave ones Hair and Beard??
Are Minsters in Zambia so poor that Shamenda cannot afford one. He’s too scruffy for a Minister.
Mr Shamenda its not about insulting that will convince us that you are in control of expenditure. Stop this temptation and bad habbit of responding angrily and give us facts. How much has been spent or committed today against budget and what is the projection? Please give us a break from your tantrums and show maturity and leadership for once!!!!!
Have respect for your father you foolish Tonga Bull
Please scruffy shamenada don’t regards all divergent views as insults and learn to respond with stupid emotion.
For your own information sata was part and parcel of MMD for ten solid years. He was involved in all sorts of corruption. Mezaf, 2 billion kwacha gorvt money he took to mmd party Conversion the list endless.
‘If you take yourself seriously in politics than you have had it.’ – Lord Carrington
This is exactly what Edith is doing. She clearly knows that what she is saying is a load of toss, but she has to remain relevant.
Shamenda busy insulting instead of giving us figures that will convince Nawakwi.Why the anger? could it be that while replying he was busy removing lice from his beard and chinena?
Ba shamenda you are a waste of time.A typical example of a failed politician surely you can’t see sense in what the madam is saying.awe mwe.
….just listened to Finance Minister’s press conference ..10th August……somehow admitting to budget deficit….now am confused and doubt if they are playing for the same team…..if they are but scoring in opposite goal posts……
Post the link please
Budget deficit as per quarterly report prepared by the Finance Ministry is K3.4 billion, rebased. If deficit in first quarter of 2013 is K3.4 billion, how much it will be by year end, is anybody’s guess.
We have to tighten our belts, Mealie meal bag will be K120 by December.
Barbers Union has issued a statement that they will provide free service to anybody who has long beard but wants his head shaved.
They will be available outside the Ministry of Labour for the whole of August.
Mr Shamenda has never inspired me even at the time he was with ZCTU. Just recently me and my colleagues visited his office concerning our NAPSA claim benefits us to why his office can not come in to lift the suspention to pay us? The answer he gave us was there`s nothing him and government can do, honestly is that a good answer coming from a minister who has a heart for the people? Shame on him !!!
Mr.Shamenda That’s GBV, don’t talk to our mother like that.
Ba Shamenda, that’s the best you can do? Calling her frustrated? And what is the source of that frustration? – watching an incompetent government mess up big time perhaps?
Don’t disrespect the lady otherwise some people may describe you as an old decrepit I’d.iot whose brain is infested with faeces and jizz due to his mother’s preoccupation with the same.
This baboon has never been to university but just got lucky because he was in the labor union movement.Today he has the audacity to insult a distinguished lady who has achieved a lot like Nawakwi.
Bakamba University is not everything! Nawakwi is just making noise. Can she give us evidence now not speculation. Maybe her banana business is not doing well hence the reason she sold her soul to PF hoping to be rewarded accordingly, but unfortunately was dumped just like a …… Ps. Naifwebene twali joba bakamba
The finance minister, Mr. ChIkwanda is in phase with Edith Nawakwi but out with Mr. Shamenda. Honorable Shamenda should just shut his mouth if he has no facts.
Don’t be foolish being at the university does nt mean sense wat kind of thinking is tht mr kabamba,ur thinking is very shalow.
Ba mandevu at it again
Mr. Shamenda you are a liar. You better apologize to Edith Nawakwi and to the nation. A honorable minister passing “Fake Information” to the Nation. How can we trust such ministers. This is the same minister who has forced KCM mines to keep workers which KCL wanted to lay off. KCM may close if it is not making profit, it is just a matter of time and the impact will be worse than it was going to be-many workers will lose jobs. Signs of KCM going down: The Chief Executive of the mine has resigned. I do not know whether this is what is called job creation and development. The minister knows better. IT is clear that Hon. Shamenda is now yapping like Hon Kabimba without thinking.
Each time this man opens his mouth the whole country stinks with his politically bad breath. Did this man hear what his minister of finance said….or the man is there to oppose what other intelligent ministers say? By the way, what is he carrying on his chin, a dead goose?
we are in trouble