STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT SATA’S SECRET DEPARTURE FROM ZAMBIA
[Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda – 1st July 2014]
I have been asked to express an opinion on the circumstances surrounding the secret departure of our President from Zambia. So far I have been constrained to comment because the topic is neither a joke nor a subject for making political mileage; also I do not have credible facts to make a meaningful assessment other than to speculate. This debacle has exposed the whole country to a serious security danger.
It is operationally highly questionable to suggest that the Secretary to Cabinet is responsible for communicating the movements of the President to the Service Chiefs. Also the failure by those in the Executive to act on the reported incapacity of the President is unacceptable. Although I have been out of the Defence and Security environment, I do not think that operational procedures have changed so much as to give the Secretary to the Cabinet operational responsibilities; he is a mere manager of the Cabinet’s Office or Secretariat; he is the Chief Civil Servant, the Cabinet’s “Chief Clerk” but with powerful administrative functions for the whole Civil Service. However I contend that strictly speaking the Army, Air Force, Police Service and Intelligence communities are not civil servants and do not fall under him for operational control.
To allege that the Secretary to the Cabinet is the custodian of the Instruments of Power is at most a misinterpretation or exaggeration of his administrative functions because this may suggest that as custodian he may refuse to act when called upon. It is not the paper that is kept by the Secretary to the Cabinet that makes the appointment constitutional but the act of the President consciously appointing someone. He can do this even on a piece of un-headed paper which is authenticated by someone else. That is why the Government Gazette authenticating the appointment almost always follows the event. When I first acted as President my appointment by President Chiluba was verbal but in the presence of four ministers who included now President Sata and me. There was no civil servant but the Secretary to the Cabinet was later informed and acted on the instructions. He is NOT and must never be “custodian of presidential authority” as this would contradict the Constitution!
Additionally, the powers of the President are not shared with anyone, let alone the Secretary to the Cabinet, unless delegated. The President has and must always have direct access to the Service Chiefs and vice versa. If this were not so the President’s own security would be compromised as well as that of the whole nation. The President is not even one of the Commanders of the Services as is nowadays portrayed. As Commander-In-Chief he or she is really the political head. Operations are the preserve of the Service Chiefs, but under political direction. If the Secretary to the Cabinet becomes the link between the President and the Service Chiefs as alleged then the President would lose one important function of his executive powers, that of being the War Head of the country and nation who is not in touch with the Service Chiefs!
The Constitution of Zambia is clear and predictable in guiding what should happen when the President is incapacitated or is suspected to be incapacitated. However the present inaction is either due to lack of knowledge or stage fright by those who ought to have acted. In this regard the Cabinet must surely take full blame.
The statement by the Minister of Defence that the Secretary to the Cabinet did not communicate to the Army for the sentries to vacate the State House front gate is not the part of the Standing Orders. The Minister’s statement suggests that the Defence and Security Chiefs were not aware of the President’s movements. But more ominously it suggests that there is another group taking care of the President’s security. Who or what is this group? Who is paying them? Are they Zambians or foreigners? Is our President in control of things? If not who is in charge? How did they assume the security of the President?
This sad scenario must make all of us be concerned for President Sata and his close ones and treat it as an emergency, regardless of our political views or disenchantment with the PF’s misrule. Each one of us has an appointment with death, whether we accept it or not, and this appointment with death will never be cancelled but will surely arrive! I appeal to all our consciences in this unpredictable situation to come together, pray for the President and his family, and for the nation to avoid a potential outbreak of lawlessness created by the PF themselves. It is not in our interest to go the Congo or Rwanda way. We are in this situation because many politicians who aspire to high office do so for narrow personal or partisan interests; but there are national concerns of nation-building that must now take centre stage. I believe that it is possible for all of us to unite to confront this situation and rescue our President, who is the fulcrum on which turns the unity, security, survival and advancement of the Sovereign State of Zambia. Let us “cease fire” and somehow cross this bridge and then we can put our boxing gloves back on when this situation (the absence of the President) has panned and petered out.
Although I have other issues with the PF and their party president, this is for another and appropriate occasion. God bless Zambia; God save Zambia.
GODFREY MIYANDA,
BRIGADIER GENERAL,
HERITAGE PARTY
[1ST JULY 2014]
“The only time politicians tell the truth is when they call each other a liar”…..so don’t believe the official line from plot 1 as to the nature of Sata’s clandestine departure.
I don’t necessarily like Gen Miyanda, but he makes some good points here.
Reading through your viewed Mr Miyanda It still eludes me why you have not joined one of the formidable parties to contribute more because you have become comfortable sitting in the shadows when you have a lot more to offer.
I don’t want to know you as someone who just throws one press statement once in a whole I think you still have a lot more to offer I would say. Join one of the big 3 parties surely.
Thanks.
The general has hit the nail on top !! These man is full of wisdom.While people like HH,Father Walya,Pastor Mumbwe and Chipimo have been busy trying to gain political capital out of the president`s health`s uncertainty him he has decided to remain objective.Thumbs up general you are the man !!! I couldn’t agree more.
*This man is full of wisdom*
Thank you General, What amazes me is the cowardice of retired senior civil servants to come out or post an explanation such as the one given by Gen. Miyanda. People like Dr. Musokotwane, Dr Kanganja, Mr Leslie Mbula, Dr. Moses Banda, Dr. Sketchley Sachika and even Dr Rowland Msiska himself kept quiet while Zambians speculated on this matter. These people and many more still alive today at one time or another were Secretary to Cabinet. Surely they could have guided Zambians on the correct functioning of govt. Or did they keep quiet for fear of losing the chancy recycling into a lucrative position in the PF govt as senior civil servants or diplomats?? Sadly, that could be the case or could be out of sheer cowardice.
People used to say the country is led by Sata in autopilot mode now I understand what they meant. Numerous pictures of the incapacitated Mr Sata once president of Zambia are appearing on the internet and other social media portals. We are soon to be embarrassed by some national newspaper with the headline most Zambians know is out there if our useless ministers become even more useless by not communicating the next action plan. Just give the hated Kabimba the presidency so that we can trample him in 2016.
thanks general, you are always on top of things but you are too quiet to create a political impact. is it luck of resources? as you propound on this issue, ZWD reports that sata has been sneaked in the country. its a circus
If the way the Zambian people have been exerting their time and energy on Sata`s trip was the same way they exerted their energy on hard work and academics Zambia could have had been a rich country.Social media today is just littered with Sata that,Sata this.We lack priorities in our country.
Gen Miyanda, truly nationalist, Excellnet analysis!!
In fact the cartel are at it….Things are not ok in the country, Cartel have hidden him overseas, take the son to S.Korean ,on arrival Mulenga is publicised as the president arriving and sneaking into State house, when In fact Sata is still out of the country.
To distract Zambians, the cartel have hired an FB blogger to dishonour the only critical online media so that whatever it reports on Sata, is discredited. Strategy aimed at buying time for cartel to wield power and put Kabimba frontline and pace when that time comes to announce elections within 90days. The FB and online media ” war” must be viewed in this perspective with a critical thought by strategist. Kabimba and the cartel can’t let their hostage free….
General Miyanda you are persuasive but you miss some points on the role of secretary to the cabinet. Yes Secretary to the Cabinet is the head of the civil service but he is more than that. He is secretary to the cabinet and the president is the chairperson of cabinet. Cabinet is the highest making body of the executive. The Army, Airforce and the Police are part of the Executive which is supervised by the Cabinet whose chief is the president and whose secretary is the secretary to the cabinet. The chief clerk and transmitter of information to all and sundry and custodian of all cabinet records including transfer of power. Someone has to do the job! President of course has direct access to everyone.
General you are spot on. Your article is well researched and balanced. When I talk about political experience, this how it should manifest it self.
General Miyanda I want you in the advisory role in the future government. I admire your sober way with which you debate national issues with honesty.
I think Tulatwabane is Kabimba trying to defend the indefensible. He knows that the manner in which he was made acting president is dodgy because the president was unconscious when all that happened.
HOW MANY MPs HAS GEN MIYANDA’s VILLAGE FIMO FIMO PARTY? HE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE A ONE MAN PARTY AND REALLY SLEEPING A LOT. I WONDER WHO WAKES HIM UP FROM HIS LONG SLAMBER. MAYBE BAKASHI EBEBA ATI, ‘BUKENI ABANENU NABALANDAPO NAIMWE LANDENIPO FIMO’.
@Peter: Where are your comments on the role of the Secretary to the Cabinet and the implications of the Service Chiefs NOT being aware of the movements of the Commander-In-Chief? I don’t seem to see them. If you have not understood what I have written just ask for further explanation. Or do you need more time and are still writing your comments? Do you agree that you and me also have an appointment with death which we cannot put off? Do you agree that we need unity at a time such as this until the President of all Zambia returns? We shall benefit from your reasoned argument for or against. Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda.
Sorry, Dr Musokotwane was Secretary to the Treasury, though he was Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Finance and Economic Development).
He is a NASHALA NEKA party,he is too selfish to join others.
The stupidity in your comment and lack of respect is the reason our country is not top 3 in Africa.
Wow!! This man is wise. I salute you for your wisdom and intelligence regarding this matter and for shedding more light on the issue
Brig General, the whole circus of PF with a lackluster attitude on sensitive national issues is not only alarming, but a national crisis beforehand.
So you think that “the present inaction is either due to lack of knowledge or stage fright by those who ought to have acted. In this regard the Cabinet must surely take full blame.”???
There are other alternatives. Kabimba may have POISONED Sata to provoke this situation, and thereby staged this COUP D’ETAT intentionally! But that would be crediting him with a level of intelligence he has not yet shown!
But the REAL way out of this mess is the calling of a MEDICAL BOARD by the Cabinet to check the state of Satas health. But as you have correctly said, they are a spineless bunch of headless chickens, with no capacity to think constructively.
With these clowns, the next disaster is already on the way!
I FIND MIYANDA’S STATEMENT VERY VERY MATURE THAN THOSE OF KA UNDER5 TONGA BULL SPONSOR OF ZWD
Another master piece from one of the best brains of the country. I don’t understand why men like these are not in decision making positions at the high level. BGGM always talks sense and I would rather listen to his interpretation of the constitution any day than these dimwits masquerading as national leaders.
@ Maverick, i totally agree with you.
General is ‘The President We never had’.
How sad we only see those rhetoric politicians, as a nation and not people with sound Judgement?
Now they are sayin HH is popular??? Because he has started playing to the gallery??
I’m not guaranteeing that BGM will make a perfect Presido, but there is a bemba saying that: ” icikwanka, bacimwena kumampalanya”
Anyone who does not show wisdom elsewhere, will not show it when in high office.
Secondly, a selfish person, will not be liberal when in high office.
So Zambia, lesson learnt: change for the sake of change is not change, but unchanging.
Nasosa mukwai………
@Maverick, @Praiseworthy, well spoken guys.
Well spoken General. I suggest you try to meet the President and talk to him. I know it won’t be easy but try because I’m highly concerned about this kangaroo type of operations. His experience in politicals has failed but just maybe he can listen to you on a personal level. I hope his health will not hinder you from getting the best out of him
Sata can not listen to the general they do not see eye to eye remember he is the one who made these people leave MMD? Just let continue messing up the voters such sort out pf.
Thank God we still have politicians with level heads. General I salute you for your wisdom and objectivity. You have brought out issues we must concern ourselves with as a people and not how we can score on the apparent misfortune of the president. May other politicians including those in the PF learn from you
THE GENERAL’S IGNORANCE ON THE ISSUES HE HAS TALKED ABOUT IN THIS STATEMENT IS APPALLING AND MISLEADING. THE APPOINTMENT TO ACT AS PRESIDENT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE, HOW CAN IT BE DONE VERBALLY OR ON ANY PIECE OF PAPER? IF IT WAS DONE BY PRESIDENT CHILUBA, IT WAS A SERIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL LAPSE LIKE THE EXPOSOSURE OF TUNNELS. LET US BE SERIOUS ON SERIOUS NATIONAL MATTERS. I AM FORMER SENIOR CIVIL SERVANT, I RESTRAIN MYSELF TO SAY MORE.
Did you comprehend the point the General was making? It is the conscious act by the president followed by authentication in the Government Gazette that makes the appointment constitutional. Therefore if there was no conscious act by the President even if there is the said special paper such an appointment would be illegal
Tulatwabane,
Can you shed light on the current situation, ie secretive disappearance of the president and the correct way of handing over! Not your flimsy critic of the General, you might have been a senior civil servant but he is former SG of a party and VP and former Acting President!! I am waiting for your contribution!!
The main point is here is conscious act by the president.
What does the constitution exactly say on the matter
@Tulatwabane: I know my ignorance that’s why I find out what I don’t know. It is not a sin to be ignorant; but it is almost a crime NOT to find out.
1. Read my statement as a serious civil servant should – the words”follow the event” mean that after any verbal appointment the decision is published in the Gazette.
2. Since you are not ignorant debate role of the Secretary to the Cabinet, esp Article 53.
3. Which part of the constitution have I not understood according to you which makes my statement appalling and misleading? Read @ Ulemu 10.1, @ King 10.2 and @ Cabbage 10.3 who have READ and UNDERSTOOD.
4. Debate why SC should know about the movement of the President bifo the SVC Chiefs.
I am ready to learn from you so be factual in response. Brig Gen Miyanda.
@TULATWABANE: What a misguided AR.SE yOu are!! Your IGNORANCE is quite nauseating! You dont even know anything about the Civil Service Bureaucratic procedures not only in Zambia but anywhere in the World!
And YOU have NEVER been a senior civil servant let alone an office messenger (as you claim) because even Junior clerks know that verbal instructions count as much as written ones!
Even in International Law, we know that an agreement “NEED NOT be in writing” so long it can be collaborated!! Before you let your ar.se loose [in the case of Miyanda] his appointment could be collaborated by at least 4 Cabinet Ministers!
Don’t ever think a President or Prime minister will be waiting for a piece of paper before they can do anything!
Just shut your Ar.se up – you have NEVER EVER…
You are my president and i will keep on voting for you.coz i never made a mistake from 2001,2006,2008 and 2011.
And the General goes on to argue that the defence service chiefs are cardinal to the security of our nation, and thus they ought to have a direct communication link to their Commander in Chief, the President and NOT through an emissary, the Secretary to the Cabinet who is a political stooge. Any fair minded person ought to agree with BGGM here. For all I know the man was a veep so he should know what he is talking about, albeit the MMD during his watch and his boss FTJ wasn’t servicing the best interest of the Zambian people, at least not to their expectation anyway. But you would expect him to know a thing or 2 about both govt and military operations.
My only issue is why we as a country aren’t getting the best out of the likes of BGGM, with all his knowledge.
Sorry this was meant to be under #12 below as a continuation to #12.3 reply.
FOR A CONTRACT TO BE LEGAL IT HAS TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS. SIMILARLY AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE BEEN DULY DONE IT HAS TO HAVE BEEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAID DOWN PROCEDURES.
THE CLANDESTINE DISAPPEARANCE IS TOTALLY WRONG AND A SECURITY RISK.
@Tulatwabane: what are u debating? Contract law or presidential executive powers and procedures? Any way I am sure you are aware that a verbal agreement is a perfectly valid contract! But stick to the subject matter so that we don’t get distracted. Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda///
Tulatwabane and General seem to know each other. There is some coding and encoding taking place in this verbal tennis going on between them. Just as a side remark ~ “tulatwabane” is a dreaded pseudonym of a thief in the Copperbelt. It implies someone who wants to share your load no matter what. So, tulatwabane, apologise to Gen or run and never look back. It’s always best to discuss something with valid points and if you don’t know the subject matter then stay clear or just do a Mushota!
@ Tulatwabane, but that’s exactly the point the BGGM is making or trying to make. So I’m not sure what you are going about. Just to reiterate the points made by others in your above comment at #10, the point the way I understand is orders or handover made by a President consciously is more valid and legitimate, worth more than the paper they are written on.. i.e. it is the actual ‘act‘ which is more valid not the document it is written on. The paper is there merely to record the act in order to convey the message and for historical purposes. In other words a ‘fake’ handover written on a legitimate piece of paper is illegitimate. I hope this helps.
Some contracts can only be valid when in writing, signed and sealed. Similarly instructions which have legal implications have to be made in the required form for them to be valid. The appointment of an acting President is constitutional matter, it cannot be done verbally. In case of a dispute how can it be proved? Even the appointment of officers by the President are not valid until certain formalities are fulfilled. Infact such appointment become valid on the date of signing the necessary documents. Let us debate factually, professionally and intellectually without insulting. The General is a Christian who would not like those who defending him to use insults.
And who has insulted you @ Tulatwabane?
R.E. Your ‘contract’ analogy, yes and the General perfectly alludes to a piece of paper and ‘gazette’. Again the legitimacy lies in the act and the paper is simply a historical record. A President can issue verbal orders in any case.
By the way a ‘contract’ can be signed on any piece of paper and it doesn’t have to be template with letter head so BGGM is still right even with your ‘contract’ characterisation.
Great statement . PF is just a bunch ignorant retards.
King,
For your information all the holders of political positions depend on civil servants for guidance. The civil servants do all the donkey work for politicians, even most of the thinking if want to know. That is why it is imperative that we should have a professional career civil service, not cadre one, if our country has to develop.
@Tulatwabane12: now it is you misleading the readers by your blanket statement. Just admit you don’t understand what you are debating. I suggest you write your own statement on your identified topic and then we can respond to it as your points here are incoherent. E.G. which are these “holders of political positions who depend on civil servants” and for whom you do the thinking? Be specific with examples!
I agree with the need for a professional career civil service but that is NOT the subject matter of my statement. Brig Gen Miyanda///
General. Forgive my stupid question, but are you insinuating that politicians and other individuals in high ranking government positions do not rely on technocrats? Or did I miss something in your response? Please clarify
Spoken like a true leader.
#OneZambia
It’s now time for Dr Roland Msiska and Dr Christine Kaseba…na Sata..na and those other useless doctors Sata has appointed in various strategic positions to advise their boss that no medical doctor anywhere is the world can save his life at the moment.What the man needs is palliative care period! I always wonder what type of doctors are they who surround Sata. Do they really love him or they just use him for their own pockets? Let the man take a rest, this is the time he should be spending time with his numerous children and wives, make sure that his wills are in place,Sata you can’t fight the will of God,never. Amen.
Gen. Miyanda, you are a true leader.
The disappearance of President Sata should be blamed on the insatiable appetite for power of Winter Kabimba and some members of the cartel. They want the Presidency at all costs, without due regard for the 14 million Zambians.
Secondly, Gen. Miyanda, I appeal to you, with all this wisdom, rescue your country. Put your political differences aside, go and meet your brother, President Sata and save the country. Work with your brother, Sata for the sake of the country. You are a Christian, a non-tribalist, a nationalist, experienced and a man of integrity. These are times when real human beings step forward, forget the past, forgive and sacrifice for the sake of the rest of society. I challenge you, Sir.
If anyone is to be disciplined on this very serious matter it has to be the minister of Justice (whose selfish ambitions have obscured all legality, reasonableness and principle). The VP must be following him for the serious malfunction of both his brains and his office. The presidents one major function is to secure a nation, but in this one instance we came close to a serious treasonable offence of stealing the presidency thereby compromising the nation’s security. Kabimba is a danger. Remember that Kenyans have been here FOR elections!
If only Father Bwamba,Hyena Hyena,Nevers Mumbwe,Mike Mulongo and Peter Chipuma could have been half wiser as the general has demostrated we could have had a good opposition in the country.
Isaac, the last time I checked General was still in opposition
Well spoken general. To those arguing that it should have been written down for it to be legal, perhaps it exemplifies the cunning nature of society. Granted that all legal requirements should be met, we need to understand that emergencies may sometimes prevent elaborate handover but I do not think a verbal handover in the presence of 4 cabinet ministers (most likely senior ones) would be deemed illegal
@ Maverick, I used to ask the same question about why Gen has never(and may never) be elected to presidency until I understood the characteristics of a typical Zambian voter- He/she is likely to vote on tribal lines; for someone who can buy sheik sheki most (rich one) and organize those hooligans we all respectfully call cadres and the most talkative of all.These are just few…
You are right. Zambians enjoy being lied to by politicians and that is the reason they vote the way they do. Zambia needs clear thinking people like Gen Miyanda not ENOCK KAVINDELE type of people.
@ Thisisme
I had enough of ignorant comments like yours! READ THE CONSTITUTION!
It is quite specifically and clearly stated there that it MUST BE “IN WRITING” !!!!!!!
@Thisisme, I hear you on the wisdom of our electorates… we have a very misinformed electorates which is a great shame. Unfortunately this isn’t unique to Zambia. We also have a brainwashed electorates even in the West who just vote based on sound bites and media propaganda. Problem is (unlike them) we badly need good leaders to move us forward.
Unfortunately, General Miyanda ( like a few women and men of our land who have aspired for office ) does not meet the criteria a typical Zambian voter looks for when casting the vote. Sorry to say but I doubt how many of our voters vote on substance other than who I know, who talks most and who can organize the most unruly of youths. In that case, our sense-talking general falls way below the strange bar we have set!!!
You are spot on mate !
Your words are so true and also make me hahahahahaha at some of my fellow Zambians and their thinking.
we told you that if you vote for these lunatics, Zambia will go Rwanda or congo way
Well explained general. This is where your sober and objective mind wills you well.
LT, Can you please confirm whether or not the president has sneaked back into the country?
Unfortunately Gen Miyanda’s wise words will as usual fall on very deaf ears.
To All: am signing off for now. Going cycling to beat the Lusaka traffic. If not too tired when I return I will make an effort to respond to further comments but that may be late in the late afternoon. Brig Gen Miyanda///
HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE WHEN YOUR FLAG SHOWS THAT YOU ARE IN CONGO
Space for comments does not allow for a detailed response. Suffice to say that appointment of an Acting President has to be done in writing on an appropriate form and duly signed by the President before he leaves the country. If that is not done then it would not be valid and not be gazetted. A verbal appointment or an appointment written on any piece of paper would not be valid.
Political leaders such as ministers and ambassadors, in some cases, depend on civil servants to perform their duties. Who writes speeches for ministers? Who writes responses which ministers give in Parliament? Who prepares the budget? Please do not bilittle the work that civil servants do. They run the government but not appreciated.
General-you do not have to convince us (Zambians) any longer with your perculiar wisdom and insights in the politics of our country. PLEASE PUT YOURSELF TOGETHER- I speak for many to say “WE NEED YOU AS PRESIDENT FOR 2016”. you have what it takes- please General!!! Thank you for your comment on our current leader.
@Chekov at 14.2: Sorry I signed off at 11.25. It is NOT a stupid question perfectly valid. Clarification is:
1. Yes u missed the point. I was responding to @Tulatwabane’s 14 sentence “civil do all the donkey work for politicians, even most of the thinking….”. Just bcoz one is a politician they stop thinking? Really? Politicians are custodians of policy, technos execute the policy. Policy and execution must be in consonance; the two are not in competition. @Tulatwabane introduced a different discussion.
2. See bottom of my 14.1 I support a career civil service. As Chairman of the Committee of Cabinet that dealt with the issue of District Commissioners I recommended that they fall under the SC. This was rejected in Cabinet. I still stand by that. Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda///
@Toto Fredito 27: point taken but we shall address this aspect in another forum. Thanx anyway. Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda///
Before I can ever listen to Mr Godfrey Kenneth Miyanda on any matter to do with governance, I want his to first answer these three question: 1. Why as veep did he re enact the Public Order Act after it was outlawed by the supreme court as being illegal? 2. On the day of the landmark ruling, why did this Miyanda appear in court, menacing the bench? 3. Chiluba was out of the country and Miyanda was acting president when Roger Chongwe and KK were nearly killed in Kabwe, did he order their attempted killing or not? And if not, how could he have not known? 4. When Chiluba was busy gerrymandering the constitution to curve out an illegal 3rd term for himself, Miyanda was clueless until he was kicked out of the MMD, what manner of soldier is that who fails to see war when it’s knocking on his own
door? 5. Is it true that when he was acting president, he was showering at State House with a Mozambican sangoma so that the presidency would land on his afro gurumuthu? 6. Can he shed some light on how Gen. Chitomfwa brought him back from Katanga in the boot of a Pegeot 504 to face treason charges? 7. Why did the whole entire general defecate in his combat just by seeing Kaunda’s vinyau dancing “fwemba” with him? 8. Why is it that nobody wants to join his party? 9. Why is it that all his MPs abandoned him? 10. Can he deny that he is a dangerous menace to society?
@Ngombala etc.. and your contribution to the debate on the subject at hand is?
@Ngombala Muhapi wa Lihana: you have said I should answer three questions but you have asked 10; surely you can count. As a rule I do not comment on defamatory statements, I act on them. Just bcoz you are incognito does not mean you can’t be found. Rumour mongering is an expensive pastime; others have regretted. For the sake of enhancing our democracy I will pretend I have not read your publication of the libels. Stick to the topic and all will be well. As for Dr Kaunda and Dr Chongwe THEY LIED about me regarding Kabwe in the document they published and circulated to the whole world. I respect Dr Kaunda even to this day but he has my correspondence on the issue you wish to be involved in and may be you remind him. Don’t come and say you were not warned. Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda///
Robin and Peter you seem to be too dull that’s why you comments are out of context. If you have failed to make sense from what Gen. Miyanda has said, you would have asked for more clarification than exposing your ignorance on matters of national interest. Finally Gen is not alone I am on of his supporters.
I happen to be one of those who were with Miyanda in the army, one thing I can tell you is that this ***** is a dangerous menace to society. If you think Sata is a dictator, try Miyanda, he will make Sani Abacha look like chicken feed. Ask Chinkuli, Mibenge or Masheke & they will tell you Godfrey is one of the most indisciplined & pig headed person one can ever wish to work with. His career in the army was curtailed because of insubordination & alleged coup plotting activities which he to date still denies despite Mumba, Sikatana etc testifying he was part of their coup plot.
Ok come out in the open and face General.
This shooting others down while hiding is the highest level of cowardice anyone fit to be called a man can display!!!!
You are spot on,he was in government and we all had a chance to scrutinise his character,He would be the worst dictator of all time after Paul Kagame.
@Gen Kabwe, if you are a General, what is your credible contribution to the subject at hand? If indeed you were in the Army and rose meritoriously up to that rank, then people expect a more focused debate, more depth and certainly more decorum from such a high ranking officer, even towards people whose views you do not agree with. I live in UK, a Country where senior Army officers, past and present, are a benchmark of orderliness because they are good strategists and providers of long-term solutions. So whats your credible contribution to waylay General Miyanda’s concerns which I and many others share?
Kabwe you are a coward hiding behind online media to make libelous statement. Are u able to come out and speak the way you are writing here? Grow up
@Gen Kabwe at 31 and 39: in these debates it is in order to hide one’s identity though I don’t. But these are libels you have published and I will not comment. If you are not a liar publish your full names, units served in and dates.
1. There was no Gen Kabwe in the Army in my time. The only Gen Kabwe I knew was in the Air Force and is late.
2. I would be shocked if the generals you have mentioned would regard me as I indisciplined and insubordinate. I stil interact with them.
3. Sir, if you are not an impostor disclose your names, units served in and dates. I am Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda///
@TULATWABANE. My brother, your argument has no logic. You seem to have very little knowledge/information and no points for the debate. The General has put up a thought provoking article that needs sober understanding and EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS THAN RUBBISHING THE POINTS WITHOUT highlighting your facts to gun down the Gen’s points. Thumbs General.
If the president is not going to have secrets then who do u think will have secrets, a street vendor lol. In US they have a presidents book, secrets by presidents and for presidents. some of these animals like nevers mumba and miyanda have nothing better to do
@boodoc saints 33: the President’s absence from Zambia can never be a secret; he is the Commander-In-Chief with mandate to declare state of emergency and at worst declare war if we are attacked. This is in conjunction with Service Chiefs. Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda///
General Miyanda is the best president Zambia will never have. Unfortunately not many see him that way and therefore will keep wasting our votes on candidates that lie to us and send the country backwards with their poor governance. I just don’t understand what is so hard to accept that a president is so human and will get sick, can get incapacitated. And we have so many ministers, service chiefs and all just watching all for the sake of trying to keep their jobs and loot the country even further. Surely if none of them can stand up and be counted, I promise you that the people of Zambia will speak and when that happens it will be too late.
@Kakonte,There is nothing hard to accept that a president is as human as we are and will fall sick but there is everything wrong when we try to hide and tell the nation the truth because he is not a PF property.Many of us have been praying for him but the people surrounding him are evil.The sooner H.E realizes that the better.
Gen Miyanda is more discplined and focused than most of the politicians we have in this country. Gen please visit Chitimukulu and do a joint publication. you two are really people that state positions with such clarity that it hurts. you state facts as they are like in this article. please continue doing this for mother Zambia not people who first wait to know who is talking before agreeing or disagreeing. so because its coming from you, definitely you hear people coming out with guns blazing even on things theyve never perused
@ine wine, you are right. I have made similar observation. BGGM and his royal highness Chitimukulu show wisdom in their articles, thats why they stand out. Most other politicians and their royal highnesses only show intelligence. The other chief who has shown wisdom is his royal highness Mukuni. I hope and trust we have more out there. The point is there is a difference between wisdom and intelligence. Our Country needs wisdom.
@Ine wine 35 and @Cactus 35.1: points of concern noted. Patriotism, service and selflessness.
We need a level headed, intelligent, un malicious, un corrupt, well informed and with a proper education (not buying degrees) and God fearing Man like Miyanda I wish we had the likes of such pipo of course, kabimba too is a masterpiece, no-wonder some pipo with evil long tongues and selfish ambitions are after him. Your time will come General, keep on, your wisdom will not go waste. Nawakwi you too are a Hero. Wish our presido well.
Wonderful speech, Great wisdom seasoned with Love.
A wise comment from a professional Soldier and politician. This is a wake up call for the PF politicians. Too much heavy and thick smoke has been generated to conceal the health status of a President. Apparently, the ignorance of the Secretary to the Cabinet has been exposed. Then Dr. Msiska should not be blowing hot air to deceive the nation that he holds the key to cultivating a replacement to Sata if the worst befell this nation. Miyanda’s comment entails that not all Zambians are dull.
Hindsight, or our ability to see our past clearly, is a learning function that, when damaged … renders us unable to look at the past to guide ourselves through the present & into the future. Without this ability, we cannot learn from our mistakes. We cannot clean up the wreckage of our actions. We are locked into a cycle of repeating the same thing over & over again, expecting different results. This is commonly known as the definition of insanity – B. Core. We made a mistake of electing a full cycle dying i.d.i.o.t. As though that was not enough, the Cactuses of this world reckon it’s time to elect an unrepentant coup plotting menace to society for president. This is lunacy!
@Gen Kabwe, are we reading the same article? Have you understood the article? If so, what is your credible contribution to waylay BGGM’s concerns which I and many others share? Simple and clear question.
@Tekenyani Baba at 1.9: I signed off at 11.25 and your comment was at 16.25 sorry.
1. Secretary to Cab is NOT a member of the Cabinet. He does not even speak in Cabinet and is never heard but he and his staff keep minutes of Cabinet proceedings.
2. Cabinet does NOT, repeat, NOT “supervise the executive” whatever r this means. Executive power is vested in President and no other body, not even Cabinet.
3. The Services are NOT part of the executive but are operational entities with specific mandate to safeguard the security of the state.
4. I will not argue with you since you have your own special knowledge.
UPND please adopt Miyanda as running mate to the president. U are assured of my vote and that of my family and many Zambians who love peace and unity. VIVA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. ABASH REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
General you have educated me no end. I have been observing how the present government has done unprecedented things and unfortunately with impunity. I note how bloggers generally run off-script and fail to comprehend the subject at hand. Is this not indicative of the quality they usher into government? That said I would love to have you as advocate in chief who should keep us on the disciplined path of responsibility. Thank you, General. As a defranchised Zambian (I live outside the borders) I have had no opportunity to cast a vote for you but would given that opportunity.
@Kalok 42: Thanx for appreciating. In the past citizens could vote abroad. Later this was discontinued due to “concerns about rigging and security of the ballots”. No one should be disenfranchised. It is possible ECZ may be doing something about this; if not I will take it up with them as we belong to some committees at ECZ. Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda///
The only thing I can say about this is that the PF has committed a blunder of the highest order. They need to clean up. This is unacceptable. We need to know where Sata is and how he is. Some of the bloggers have no idea what this means. This is a serious matter, any serious government would be upbeat and trying to find suitable words to convince the owners of the person (President), who in this case are all the Zambians. But this silly PF they are arrogant and not concerned at all. Zambians, you are to blame for all this. Where are the MPs? Where is the cabinet in all this? This is annoying to say the least. We need answers here and no jokes from Dr. scott, Mmmembe, kabimba and all the other idi0t$…………..
Good afternoon Brig Gen Miyanda,
It is always a joy to read your statements. Yet it is very painful to be ruled by people are of very low calibre when people like you are living and alive. May we learn from what you have written. Its so terrible for things to go the way there are going. Surely, if things continue like this, chaos will fall on us. kindly keep advising us whenever time allows. God bless you, God bless Zambia and God save Zambia.
@Marlon 43: you are welcome. Zambia does NOT belong to those in power who are but servants but to all citizens. You should feel free to contact them or indeed to fora such as this one. Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda///
iyeee…ndeloleshafye
GBBM
You are good
joint PF OR MMD