The Zambian presidency has grossly been mismanaged and those in government are using unconventional methods to intimidate and instill fear in citizens as means of governing the country, Former State House deputy minister Mbita Chitala has observed.
Dr Chitala has described as shocking President Sata’s decision to appoint Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Wynter Kabimba to act as President alleging that the action was against the principles of good governance.
Dr Chitala who served as deputy minister at State House in Dr Frederick Chiluba and Dr Levy Mwanawasa’s administrations has said it was unconventional for a President to leave the country without citizens knowing.
He wondered why people would only be informed about the arrival of the Head of State in a foreign country.
Dr Mbita said the idea of managing the presidency using lies and deception was unconventional and that it should be stopped.
He said it was clear that government was not being sincere because of the contradicting statements from the acting Minister of Information Mwansa Kapeya and Defence Minister Edgar Lungu.
On Friday evening, President Sata left for Israel on a working holiday but the President’s trip was only announced to Zambians after the Head of State arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday this week.
Government was forced to break its silence over the whereabouts of President Sata after the country woke up to a flood of online media speculations that the Head of State had left for Israel for unspecified business while still others speculated that the President was in fact in London.
“All Zambians and those who support Zambia are deeply concerned and worried with how the presidency is being mismanaged. It is in this government that government procedures and etiquette are being done in the most unconventional way in a country that espouses good governance. We have become victims of untruths and deception being perpetrated by this government. The Ministry of Defence and Cabinet Office have allowed the President to do things that are not right. What is more shocking is that Mr Wynter Kabimba who has never been elected has been chosen to act as President in the absence of Mr Sata,’ Dr Chitala said.
He advised that it was important for government to give updates about President Sata’s schedule each time he was travelling outside the country because he was not representing himself but Zambians who had given him the privilege to govern.
Dr Chitala said the culture of secrecy adopted by the PF government regarding the management of President Sata was creating unnecessary anxiety and panic among citizens. He said it was unfortunate that government was subjecting citizens to speculation about the whereabouts of President Sata while at the same time intimidating and threatening them with arrest for questioning what was happening to the Head of State.
Dr Chitala said Zambians had become victims of government’s leaders who have been peddling untruths about President Sata’s whereabouts stating that Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defence were the major culprits in the presidential mess. He said Zambians and all those who were supporting the country were deeply worried with the manner the PF government officials had simplified the presidency by ignoring conventional ways of managing the highest office in the land.
Dr Chitala said each time President Sata travelled out, Zambians had all the rights to know where he was going so that they could know whether he was representing citizens because he was not a private property.
Dr Chitala said it was only under the PF that the President had been allowed to personally go to court where he has sued private citizens effectively waiving his immunity.
“It appears we now have a new system of governance where the presidency belongs to the ruling party and not citizens,” he said.
We need to get over the health Stigma pa Zed..
What a joke of a president !!
Though Sata is the Zambian Pharaoh, I sympathize with him ion his death bed. He has subjecting himself to this historic humiliation. The man has been terminally sick yet in denial. He shouldn’t have aspired for the Presidency since kissed death under Mwanawasa when God gave a last chance to repent. His heart has been weak ever since while cancer has been spreading. Sadly, he could not value his life. Kaseba is a shameless unethical woman. As medical Doctor where has she been to ignore the status of Sata? She is unethical Doctor. Why should Sata die for M’membe, Nchito and Mathani’s sins?
Though Sata is the Zambian Pharaoh, I sympathize with him on his death bed. He has subjected himself to this historic humiliation.
The blood of Sata will be on the heads of Mathani, Kaseba, M’membe and Nchito.
Had these predators left Sata alone, he could have given us another 5 years of hallucinations as a natural political comedian while watching his grand children in the backyard. Here end the era of 10 days pathological liars. They are lying all the way into his casket. What a legion of callous vultures he propped up for final theatrics!
I don’t like mr Chitala.
You have an acting president in the country. Why worry about president sata?
The president is fine in Israel.
Thanks.
Guy Scott has just confirmed what some us already know. However he is economical with the truth. Sata is critically ill at some medical centre. The people he made fun of for their illnesses are calling him to join them.Mwanawasa, Kunda, Mazoka, Chiluba, and Penza.
The truth is Sata is dying and he ain’t coming back vertically but will come back horizontally as high priority cargo some time in July /August. Though family members are pushing for burial as soon as possible so they can move on.
All of you in diplomatic missions for being part of the forest family prepare to go back to your jobs you were doing before. Because who ever is taking over will have his people in place. Sad hey?
Zambians ‘ cries have finally been heard and Zambia shall be free from tyranny again.
I pity Gay Scrotum. The man is also shaking in his pants because the man who stood by him no matter what is no more. He is facing an uncertain future as well because he is seen as a member of the K camp which is highly despised in the PF.
The day of the long knives in PF is fast approaching.
Mulenga Sata , should have appointed him self family spokes person and minimise the damage to his political reputation by telling the country the truth about his father’s health. Thats the only way he will gain the trust of the people so he can continue his political career without being in his father ‘s shadows.
Mulenga rise up and challenge the Kabimba cartel that wants to use you and damp you later.
“te ine wamwipeye” goes the statement from HEMCS as reported by ZW. so the question is who is he refering to? there are more secrets popping up now. yaaabaaa.. he has failed to contain what kaunda went through in his 27years at the helm! he must be dripping with blood of innocent souls crying in the wilderness.
The devil is meeting his day on the dearth bed….
A lot of people must be having the last laugh…. see who has now turned into a cabbage.
Every dog has its day…. Ukwa thought he was too clever. Even to the extent of starting to build his presidential palace ahead of RB. We now is having the last laugh?
August we have presidential funeral, elections in November what a good Xmas present. A new Zambia shall be born in 2015
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“Te ine namwipeye”, $.
By Ruth Schuster and The Associated Press
Published 11:11 26.06.14
The president of Zambia is in Israel for medical treatment, Israeli officials confirm, in contrast to statements by the government in Lusaka that Michael Sata is on a “working visit” at the invitation of Israeli President Shimon Peres.
Somebody suggested that there should be Sata’s family spokes person? I agree, but people who know that family will agree that NONE will want to associate himself to Kabimba, except Mulenga & Kazimu.
Excellent observation Mbita Chiatala, I like the way you have described this gross mismanagement of the presidency… OFFICE bearers should not forget that the president is the figurehead representing the masses and therefore, the masses have the right to know and be appraised on official and private trips undertaken by the head of state..
Well articulated M’bitter Chitala
Don’t just talk, call for some ministers who understand same. Let them bring it up in cabinet meeting and get our Zambia back from ka Kabimba. Zambians will not attend funeral lead by Kabimba, its a fact.
What a sin will Sata go to heaven with.
Teine namwipeye
wamwipeye ninani……? juju in the 21st century …. black we are and black we’ll always be. The devil was also bestowed with powers but I wear the armour of the one that died on the cross to cleanse me of all my sins and no darts from the evil one will touch me. We fight with the dark shadows, the wicked ones who have come short of the glory of the righteous one but all is not lost for whomever repents now and asks for renewal of his life will be cleansed and saved to live an everlasting life free from bondage…. including myself, Kabimba, Sata and you….. if you agree, say Amen!
Amen,Amen! ok LT, triple amens
bestowed is an overstatement….bali mufwitila …. how do you say the that in English? Forfeited? Azungu?
This is one of the most measured sensible unbiased comments on this saga I have read so far. It is heartening to know that Zambia still has people who can display maturity in the exercise of the freedom of speech. The PF leadership will do well to consult the resource clearly available to them. One of the issues that is really troubling me (and I have no malice in stating this) is if the president was as sick and “incapacitated” as he is rumoured to be did he have the capacity to “appoint” the acting president? I think not. I am keen to know what the legal and constitutional implications of the purported appointment are – legal Eagles could you weigh in?
Teine namwipeye
If you want the truth to be known about sata, let hh say something about sata and you will see how the govt will react. Remember when sata was in uk for another working holiday he had to cut short his holiday after hh said he could be in india. Unless hh say something the govt will ignore all those commenting on sata`s trip to Israel.
What is more shocking is that Mr Wynter Kabimba who has never been elected has been chosen to act as President in the absence of Mr Sata,’ Dr Chitala said.
Dr. Chitala, it is always important to speak the truth at the right time. it is a fact that :
1. Dr. Nevers Mumba was not an elected Member of parliament when Mwanawasa appointed him as Vice President.
2. Mr Rupiah Banda was equally not an elected MP when he was made vice President and later acted as Republican President after the demise of Mwanawasa.
3. Mr. Chikwanda is not an elected MP yet he acts as President.
Dr.Chitala, improve your argument here, i find your observation only short of personal hatred against Mr Kabimba. Take Courage, say it loud.
well observed my brother .chitala is jealous of HE is hon kabimba.lekeni kabimba atake
Dear Mr./ Dr. Detrick turned into Mbita Chitala,
With due respect sir, why are you do you hate Hon Kabimba? Is it because he is not a Bemba or from your Chief Zombe area?
Who told you that Sata has no right to appoint a Nominated MP to be an acting President?
Ba Detrick, you failed your own people in Mbala when you where in government at least even R. Penza, may his wonderfully rest in peace tried and left property there.
President Sata didn’t appoint you to any position the reason that makes you jittery and think Kabimba cant act. This is not your village’s government, and please we respect you so much. Try to remain objective and analytical in your so called Dr position.
Is this writing part of your thesis papers?
Wasn’t Sata involved in Ronald Penza’s death?
Stop playing the Tribal card. No Zambian should be judged by tribe but by character.
@John: Machende bako! CNP!
King used to laugh at Levy,mwamona nomba.Fyamusanga.
Death is real and NO ONE will EVER RUN AWAY from it. But we just ve to encourage each other & Pray to Our God.
Mbita is right but is not BECAUSE the only thing tht can save us is to ve a Constitution where we can ve a RUNNING MATE thts all NOT all the JEALOUSIES PORTRAYED by those who HATE Kabimba.
SATA & KABIMBA ve BEST FRIENDS in WORST & BEST times.
Mbita shut UP !
The secrecy surrounding Sata’s whereabouts is just working to heighten our perception that he is either dead or in a coma. We should just brace ourselves for the inevitable announcement of the president’s demise. It’s doubtful he is coming back to Zambia alive. Where in the world was a ‘working holiday’ shrouded in mystery? Sata’s PF has indeed cheapened the office of the presidency.
chitala call a spade a spade why didn’t you advice levy mwanawasa not to appoint nevers mumba to act a president when he went abroad since nevers was not an mp but a veep.chiwamila galu
This issue is going to divide the country. I hope now that we are not going into the s.t.u.p.i.d argument of tribalism going on against Kabimba. Let Kabimba act. Kabimba is a Member of Parliarment. If you don’t like what you are seeing then send your recommendations to the Constitutional Review Commission AGAIN and dictate that you don’t want to see any future president nominating MPs ever again under the new constitution. Imwe bafikala, with your Chitala, go and enjoy with the devil. Tatulefwaya ifya masangalatoni mu PF. The President has decided and it is to be done accordingly. There is no provision in the current or NEW constitution that says a nominated Member of Parliament cannot act as president, unless muli fikopo ifishekwete amano. Chitala is a failed i.d.i.o.t chapwa.
And what about Chikwanda? Is he not just a nominated MP but has been acting as President on most occasions..?
Fossil Chikwanda is at the old man’s bedside…we can do with him away indefinitely.
What is even shocking is that the cartel controlling Sata, as all along forced Sata to deny his sickness, and yet Sata`s children and relatives (including Sata`s wife who is even a doctor) have just been watching their relative deteriorating.
What ever happened to smiling?
Yeah, the man looks like he is constipated after a disagreeable meal of nshima with beans.
Only in Zambia. ..Wake up people from your docility and passivity. I shudder just to imagine what the deceitful empty tin Kabimba is conjuring up in that office at this very minute.
Even the army is sleeping. ..everyone is zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Bonse let us pray for our President and our Beloved Nation Zambia.We should believe in TIME and Bible that’s all.
Typical you are being lied to – the solution is let’s pray, economy is in a downward spiral; solution is overnight prayers for the economy to recover.
When are you zombies going to wake up…always quick to put your hands together to pray.
Yaba! And one wonders why we are stepped on as Zambians. Don’t you think the girls captured by Boko Haram have been praying? Has there been an answer? If your god cannot answer them what makes you think he would bother with that sick nitwit in Israel? Let him die. We need our country back.
Should Sata die a humiliating death many of his ministers will be held to account for their despicable lies and top of the list is the illiterate Mwansa Kapeya.
They must start running away right now…………they are not helping anyone. Your friend is not feeling fine and you are saying he is gone to find investors in Israel….Lol……Oh no!
I am truly shocked it seems no one has picked the real message in Chitala article and I fully support him on this one. Mbita is in fact calling for a “millitary coup” when he says the “ministry of defence” is abused! How are other ministries like Finance, Agriculture, Mines , etc not abused then if they fall under the same president?
He is right to question how an unelected Dic.khead Winter Kambeba can hold intruments of power even for one minute because the whole thing is undemocratic to me. How can such a fella be a boss to elected ministers when he himself is unelected? It does not make sense!
In fact, all MPs must be elected – that’s democracy. The UNIP constitution must ammended otherwise it is helping anyone.
There’s already a report on ZWD that the president is in a coma in Israel. I have reason to believe they are telling the truth. They never lie like Mwansa Kapeya and other PF minions. It’s time to find a credible acting president until next elections. Kabimba will just plunge the nation into ungovernable chaos.
….History has a tendency to repeat itself. God bless Zambia!!!!!!!!!!
On this one I want to ask because I’m genuinely ignorant. Is Honourable Chikwanda an elected MP?
You are complaining because Kabimba is Sala. Unless if it Chikwanda.
in as much as i would never vote for Hon. acting president Kabimba and indeed PF, i find the letter from Dr Chitala to be without due diligence. the current constitution allows the president to appoint anyone in the cabinet. in the spirit of good governance, this is totally unacceptable but come to think of it, even LPM did the same, how do you appoint VP a nominated MP? now in PF they’ve an elected MP as VP but for some reason he cannot act (dual citizenship?, colour? or both?). this is why we are calling for a good constitution. i feel the proposed constitution clause that says a VP must be elected as a running mate completely sorts out this current scenario. if Guy Scott had supported this, he was to be acting president. Guy has set a record of being the only VP who never acted…
It seems winter has so many enemies, when chikwanda was acting president, no one said he was not elected, but now it’s winters time, it’s wrong cause he was not elected, hey.
Sour grapes. The man campaigned for pf and at one time got involved in a car accident while campaigning in his home area. Now since he was a sangwapo like many others, he could not be given a position. Soon he was forgotten and he became bitter and critical of anything the gvt did. The grapes in his mouth had become sour.
The PF is right in the respect of a Zambian’s right to privacy and dignity. It is wrong to discuss an individual’s private life, including sickness irresponsibly. The real issue is that politicking is taking center stage from the opposition perspective.
This hide and seek game we are playing guys is not good. The National President is for everyone……….assuming MCS passes on….GOD FORBIDS, how are we going to have a united Zambia morning their President? Everyone at one point or the other will fall sick…..But here now what is the problem…..Hide and seek to whose benefit?