Friday, March 29, 2024

Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda calls for calm after Guy Scotts potentially destabilizing actions

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Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda delivering the 2015 budget
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda delivering the 2015 budget

Peace and stability in the Nation

As one of the senior members and confidants of the family of the late Michael Chilufya Sata, the Fifth President of the Republic of Zambia, I wish to acknowledge and thank the people of Zambia for the love, compassion, kindness, and sorrow shared with the first family and the entire extended family during this period of grief and mourning.

From the day the President died to the current moment when his remains are lying in state, the family has been going through trying moments in contending with the loss of a person whom to us was not only the Republican President but also a loving husband, parent, grandparent, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend. We are aware and, therefore, very grateful for the incessant toiling of many stakeholders in preparing for a befitting burial for the late Republican and PF Party President.

We are, however, concerned that even before the late President is put-to-rest, the Acting Republican President has taken action to remove Mr. Edgar Lungu as Secretary General of the Patriotic Front Party. This decision may cause a massive cultural shock among mourners countrywide, fracture the smooth preparations for burial and impair the image of the ruling PF Party. The action to remove Mr. Lungu is untimely and has the potential to alarm not only Zambians; the majority of whom are grieving, but the international community as well; most of whom are keenly expecting us to maintain the peace and stability, which we have enjoyed since independence. Zambia is an admired and widely respected state, going forward, leaders at all levels of governance have an obligation to ensure that those who support the country in the wider international community do not feel that they misplaced their trust in doing so.

Suffice to say, the First Lady Dr. Christine Kaseba and the children have been under severe agony for the entire period that Mr. Sata has been unwell. The first lady is currently facing the devastating loss of her most affectionate spouse. Unfortunately, the unfolding events in the Patriotic Front Party are compounding her anguish and that of the children and the rest of the family. We do not deserve this.

The family is aware that many Heads of State, Government, and Regional and International Organizations intend to travel to Zambia to mourn and render a dignified farewell to our departed President. Given the prevailing circumstances, it may be restraining for them to travel and mourn with us. This will send a wrong signal about the quality of our unity peace and stability as a nation and deprive us of their fellowship and compassion during this trying period.

For the sake of unity and to ensure continued smooth preparations for the burial of our dear leader, I take this opportunity to appeal to all those who may be affected and frustrated by the action to remove Mr. Lungu as PF Secretary General to stay calm and to continue mourning the late President peacefully. Going forward, I also appeal to the Acting President to embrace consultation and reconciliation; the hallmarks of our departed President.

The PF is a beacon of democracy. In this regard, the Acting President should ensure that he closely works with the Central Committee of the PF Party in order to maintain utmost cohesion and unity. Leaders at all levels of the party’s governance structures should resist any action that is inconsistent with the spirit of togetherness, fellowship, and unity.

I take this opportunity to once again, appeal to the Acting President to reconsider the action to relieve Mr. Lungu of his portfolio in the Patriotic Front Party, and facilitate his smooth operation as the Chief Executive Officer of the Party. This is important not only as the nation prepares for the burial of the late President, but also as the PF Party readies itself for future engagements.

May peace and unity reign upon the nation.

Alexander Bwalya Chikwanda

37 COMMENTS

    • Honourable Edgar Lungu bounces back as PF Secretary General. Now, it will be Guy Scott to go. I don’t Gay Scott surviving this one. He will be forced to resign. Musungu opusa.

    • The problem with Scott is that he does not have the numbers in PF or opposition to go to parliament and change the constitution. Secondly which ever candidate he will put up with his friend Mmembe will be rejected. In both ways he his F…ked. The end result is that PF is finished. The will spend the next 90 days fighting who to choose as a candidate. Come January its going to end in tears…

    • The use of ‘our culture’ is veiled racism. Strictly speaking in this same culture family tensions and squabbles are played out at funerals.
      A house divided is so much better than the PF. The question no one is asking is why Guy fired Lungu? whatever the reason, Guy could have surely waited.

    • Ba ABC, before you go ahead and wholesomely denounce Guy Scott for disrespecting our culture by firing Lungu, have you considered whether it is cultural for Edgar and co to hold succession meetings even before you bury the incumbent?

    • The following statement does not apply to Mulenga Sata
      “the unfolding events in the Patriotic Front Party are compounding her anguish and that of the children and the rest of the family. We do not deserve this” since he was campigning even before his father’s casket disembarked of the plane. What sort of grieving is that?

    • Very eloquent yes, but also old, just like Scot, RB. We seem to be impressed by very little, our bars are so low, its unbelievable.

    • Eloquent but misguided. What culture are you guys clutching at? The one that dispossesses widows at the drop of a hat? The one that bars others from mourning if they are suspected of playing a ‘witchcraft’ hand in the deceased?? Don’t play decent when all you have is a make-believe semblance to culture. Your culture was blown away when you accepted Judaist culture in the name of the book you purport to follow only on Sundays! Disgusting!

    • There is something totally SILLY about what this man is saying and I beg to be treated like a reasonable human being by Mr ABC. The same Dr Kaseba told us before that her husband was well and working at State house and now we are being told that the family was in agony during the his ill-health. These people are unrepentant and arrogant. We were actually waiting for an apology for the lies that they told when the Head of State was ailing now we are told this. I GIVE UP!!

  1. Wise words from the elders. We are behind you elders and we know you have come a long way. We trust your leadership and understand that these words have been made not out of opportunism as the others including the cartel Judas Iscariot and the GBMs of this world.

  2. Awe ba lusaka times this is too much, how are you any different from the post be fare with your reporting, and give every candidate a chance to express their concerns. Back to politics HH has started playing chess (watch this space) and the other God father in PF has started to make his move just as predicted.

  3. This started out as heresy but now it is getting out of hand. So you are telling me all you guys are issuing individual statement? Arent you supposed to show maturity by getting together, deciding on way forward and giving us a unified front?
    You could do better than this before you start some chaos. These are the outcomes of one-man-parties, now no one knows who is supposed to do what.

  4. No No No ba chikwanda. We know that you want Lungu to take over because you are afraid of the cartel.
    There must be a reason for Guy to fire Lungu, it is possible Guy had received some intelligence about this drunk called Lungu. Lungu been a lawyer handed in power and now he say Scott is illegal, does this make any sense to come from a lawyer with a law firm? Umusungu can even do better than most of these buffoons in PF today & MMD & UNIP who have done nothing good to our economy.
    there must be a reason for firing Lungu.
    You talk about culture what is firing Lungu got to do with culture. Buluyaa!

    • Guy Scott should have waited until after the burial – that is the culture being talked about here. Remember, Lungu is still Defence minister and Justice minister so there is something fishy here. As for uncle Chikwanda being afraid of the cartel, yes it is true but Mmembe is more afraid because of the billions that he owes.

    • @Chete – 6.1
      I didnt realise the ZWD supports any other person than HH for plot 1. Do you mean the Post Newspaper or you are simply making the loudest noise (empty tin).

  5. “the First Lady Dr. Christine Kaseba and the children………under severe agony for the entire period that Mr. Sata has been unwell”

    Total garbage is being spewed here by Chikwanda.

    • Yes, under severe agony, and smiling from ear to ear in EVERY PHOTO!

      Just look at the pictures!

      She has been enjoying Zambian Taxpayers MONEY. She is not crying for SATA, she is crying because she has not stolen enough!

  6. “the First Lady Dr. Christine Kaseba and the children………under severe agony for the entire period that Mr. Sata has been unwell”

    is it just a couple of months ago when the same first lady was busy telling us that her husband was ok and working hard at state house?

    • Let us not be hypocritical. How many of us tell our sick relatives that they are doing slightly better and smile at them with reassurance even when we know they are worse off? What that woman has endured is beyong measure, we ought to reflect and keep faith with her. She has done nothing wrong to the Zambian people, I always remember that woman for always sharing a smile regardless how hard the circumstances were.

    • @LORD VOLDEMORT
      Yes we do that to give encouragement to the sick relative. We do not go about telling family members that all is fine and that my husband is fit and working hard. We dont drag our sick patients to the otherside of the world so we can receive pointless awards with beaming smiles.
      Lies do not take anyone anywhere and Christine Kaseba should have just withdrawn from the public eye and attend to her sick husband.
      There are always expectaions in our tradition (primitive or not) on a wife and just denying that your husband is sick (then he dies) is enough to face the blame of having been behind his death. Reasonable or not, there are family members currently playing on that thought.

    • @LORD VOLDEMORT (THE DARK LORD)

      “She has done nothing wrong to the Zambian people”

      Are you sure? Chewing millions of Zambian taxpayers money UNCONSTITUTIONALLY just to go and collect awards? And for what? Just because she is the wife of the President?

      Think this is a BIG, BIG WRONG to the Zambian people! This is simple LOOTING and PLUNDERING. She cannot even be prosecuted for Abuse of Office because she does not have one!

      Call a spade a spade. This is just legalised STEALING of poor Zambians money!

  7. PF was not a party. These things were happening in full view of the late Michael. Cadres matched without police permit to state house against senior party officials and my late president was just watching. What do you expect this time? Every one including ward Councillors have been spokes persons. Would you call this a party?

    In fact the only political heavy weight now left in PF is Guy. The clique comprising Chikwanda, Chimbwili, GBM, Jean Kapata. Chikwelete etc are nothing and were just recruited in the party started by Guy and Michael.

    Just wait after burial you will see a lot revelation on how Kabimba was fired. It was not the president who fired him. The chaps like chikwanda are damn scared. Come on baby. This is indiscipline chikwanda.

  8. Thanks for the words of wisdom Mr Chikwanda. But please tame these thugs including Lungu to check their language. May be it was a wrong time to fire Lungu. But, he forced Guys hand. Lungu, GBM, Kambwili and others have been making statements that were undermining Guy. He cant simply sit and watch. Observing culture should apply both ways and not one sisded. Infact I would expect the black zambian people to be more sensitive which is not the case. They have been worse than Guy. Cane them.

    • james you are very right. Thins should be good both sides. It seems these fat boom booms in Pf are undermining GS- Guy Scott. It was never like that in MMD. As Zambian, please be sensitive and respect the Ag president. I know a lot of them inclding Chikwanda would like to ascend to presidency. To hell with them.

  9. I will say what everyone else is avoiding to say,and that is that the architect of the chaos and confusion taking place in PF is no other than the late President himself. He appointed and kept Guy Scot as his deputy and then denied him the accompanying power.Where was the wisdom such a of a cosmetic appointment? Mr Sata could easily have given another position when he Mr Scot was illegible to act as Vice President or he could have allowed the constitutional amendment go through which would have evaded this mess. This is calling a spade a spade albeit that Mr Sata is not here to defend himself. But he did have enough time to correct this powderkeg misjudgement. I can not believe he didn’t see the potential repercussions of his making.

  10. Double standards ba Chikwanda. Mulenga Sata announced his candidacy for presidency at the airport, just on arriving from London, when his father’s casket hadn’t even been unloaded from the plane. What did you say about his behaviour? The truth is PF is divided and the earlier you put your differences apart the better.

  11. All that is happening here is pure racism no one is saying anything productive here all you guys are doing is criticizing Guy Scott without knowing the facts no wonder you will always Elect plunderers as presidents and that country will remain poor really who does what you guys are doing thinking only Black Zambian,s can govern that country if so what have they done all the presidents so far just did what they could for themselves and never for the poor hence the country still remains poverty stricken. Stop the nonsense and give Guy Scott a chance and see how the international community will view Zambia.

  12. This is chaos proves we need a new generation of leaders. This is true across the world not just Zambia. We need to clean up the mess our forefathers have left and make sure our children grow up in a better world. In Africa we have the stain of corruption .In Europe it is exploitation and racism, What a mess! 1990’S generation start moulding your political career.

  13. Does, or rather, will Scott ever consult fellow senior PF during his acting period? Expect mayhem, confusion, and bitterness all round!

  14. And where is the army in all this?
    Ba Minister of Defence, rally your troops and get rid of the cartel.
    Chikwi, Sata’s family was not in agony and will never be.
    Look at Mulenga, beaming and planning to ‘pyana’ ba Daddy.
    Won’t be surprised if he goes after ‘step-mother’ after all, she is a looker! By the way why isn’t this guy married and if he is, why haven’t we seen his wife?????
    Kapena niyakumbuyo!

  15. Mr. Chikwanda, I don’t understand you. Do you mean Dr. Kaseba and Sata’s children are watching TV, listening to radio and reading newspapers and online media on the unfolding events in PF simultaneously as they are mourning? Save for Mulenga Sata, I am tempted not to believe you.

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