Former Transport and Communications minister Dora Siliya has announced that she will stand as Member of Parliament (MP) for Petauke Central.Ms. Siliya harshly criticised the Patriotic Front’s governance record in the 3 yrs of late President Sata’s tenure.The former MMD Spokesperson said never before in her adult life has she witnessed an infringement on civil liberties as what transpired between 2011 through to 2014.
“Never before, at least in my adult life, have I seen citizens liberties infringed upon as in the last 3 years. the Panga carrying xenophobic attackers in South Africa shock us, but I believe they also remind us of the path our country almost took, with Panga carrying cadres on the streets of Lusaka and in various by- elections.” Siliya said before a packed press briefing in Lusaka this morning.
On Thursday the Supreme Court upheld the ruling of the High Court that allowed the former Petauke lawmaker to recontest the seat after it was nullified for electoral malpractice.
The judgement comes almost after two years since the Petauke Central seat was nullified by the Supreme Court in June 2013.
Ms Siliya said, “After much reflection, I have decided to stand again in Petauke. My conviction is that governance does well when ever more women and the youth participate too. We have to create an atmosphere where women and the youth do not fear politics because of insults, persecution and simple mindedness by those who want power only for themselves.”
[pullquote]Never before, at least in my adult life, have I seen citizens liberties infringed upon as in the last 3 years[/pullquote]
She added that although the period remaining before the term ends is short she will stand again and honour the people of Petauke for giving her support during her political career.
“There is no greater honour than serving people who have thrust confidence upon you by electing you to serve them. No greater honour indeed,” she said.
Ms Siliya has however not indicated which political party she will stand on as no political party has approached her to stand on their ticket.
“As far as am aware, no national secretary of any political party, not even allegedly my own, the MMD, has called to request me to stand on their ticket. I am consulting widely but ultimately it is the people of Petauke who will decide which platform I use whether as an independent candidate or not. I will advise at the right time,” she said.
She said she is looking to work with politicians of like minds, who value that political office is purely through the people’s power.
“I want to join men and women who are not afraid to make tough decisions and move our country forward. I want to be with a party that has room to improve intra-party democracy and will emphasize discipline. I look forward to working with a group of politicians especially youthful men and women who want to start a new movement, an agenda to champion one Zambia one nation and prosperity for all,” she said.
Zambian watchdog guessed wrongly because they said Dora was joining PF. Ba watchdog learn to report facts. She is joining the upnd in case you didn’t know
At least PF is no longer a Bemba Party unlike the — you the one.
At least PF is no longer a Bemba Party unlike the — you know the one.
How can one guess a fact?
Cizungu cabvuta!
It looks to me she is talking about Rainbow Party. Winter is now an attraction!
Dora you are so two faced. Can you compare the terror you rained in this Country by yo MMD through William Banda and RB to what has happened under PF. MMD thugery was the worst, your lawlessness, yo disrespect to adults. You were ans am sure still very vulgar violent.
Plz don’t lie to us like we have such a poor memory
BUT SHE WILL EVENTUALLY STAND ON PF TICKET….ZWD will be vindicated just wait.
Its a straight forward issue she is joining PF.Who doesn’t know her special relation with RB
When you say “… her special relation with RB…”, do you mean sharing the proceeds of corruption?
Sata was just a stup!d and uneducated thief that got into State House on the basis of L!ES and CHEATING.
And then managed to cause huge confusion by borrowing and then wasting and stealing huge amounts of money.
While he spent his time on MEDICAL TOURISM and renaming districts and airports.
For sure HE was the most USELESS and EVIL President Africa has ever had.
It is a miracle Zambians put up with his nonsense for three years!
That is the true legacy of late illiterate dictator Satan
Dora has come to realise what someone else has already told us on ZWD, here and elsewhere that PF leaders, cadres and most Zambians are hypocrites in condemning South Africa over xenophobic attacks when the past 3 years has seen Zambians being killed by paga carrying cadres and nothing was done to them. First get rid of the pagas among your cadres and then you can talk about xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Still I give credit to Siliya for speaking out.
To be very honest with you based on the current political events, everyone would guess that Dora is going to be adopted by the PF.
However, based on her rantings this morning, it is very clear that she will stand on UPND Ticket.
Bravo Dora!!!
Whatever party she chooses she has every right as any Zambia. What is this fuss about?
Whatever party she chooses she has every right as any Zambian. What is this fuss about?
I want to be with a party that has room to improve intra-party democracy “” THE OWNER OF THA PART WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS
To be honest most MPs add very little value! Petauke has had no MP for two years. They have lost nothing. Most constituencies with MPs have benefitted very little. My MP is totally ineffective. The guy is irrelevant.
How do you assess the performance of an MP?
Zambia is full of confused people who refuse to learn and reason.
The prime duty of an MP is to enact laws!
I totally agree. The so called democracy in Zambia is a serious sham. Quite frankly we DO NOT need those folks called M Peeze. This concept called Zambia could easily be governed by 10 people (1 from each province) and prosper better than in the current format where citizens do not get value for their money for having so called representatives. Case rested.
Ba chisusu just shut up! You have a big mouth and only complains when something directly affects you. We have seen injustices in this country under Levy Mwanawasa, RB and FJT. I doubt if Dora was really that young, I’m only 30 and I can remember most of such cases. WHo is Dora trying to f00l anyway? Let her go ahead and recontest the seat but let her be honest or at least refresh her memory, it seems she has a very bad one.
Chakugwila kumoyo!
How satanic was Sata’s presidency? This however, is the cost of freedom and you should guard your new constitution jealously once you get it because it seems you paid a price for it through Sata’s barbaric rule. Its unconstitutional for a constituency to stay without an MP for 2 yrs. Its 90 days at most for many countries. Adjust this clause, Dora should learn the mood on the ground before deciding the party to stand on. This does not imply to mean a better aspirant cannot be elected. Its upon the constituents to decide. Fight for your rights with total dedication.
God must love Zambia.How else do you explain that he rendered the illiterate dictator invalid within one year and got rid of him before he had an opportunity to total lying destroy the country.
So God did not know what laid ahead when he gave you Sata? Be advised that there are so many wrong things in the country now and prior to Sata’s ascendancy to power. The man just tried to correct something in the country and obviously some people were going to get injured in the process. Look what is happening to Nchito, when making corrections, definitely some people will be affected one way or the other hence it is mischievous for Dora to make such a claim. Imagine she is still free and going to contest the seat she had earlier won due to her corrupt practices. A pity how corrupt people are the ones who cry first when they are exposed and punished.
Dora should just stand on PF ticket if she is to stand a chance of winning. Standing on UPND will just make her loose the sit. PF is getting more and more popular country wide at the moment due to a change in leadership at the top. Edgar seems to be a more likable and reasonable person than his late boss. HH’s message is bit like that of Sata in terms of promises and people can see through all these sugar coated promises of heaven on earth!!!
Ok is it Sata who drafted and implement the law regarding electoral corruption? The answer is no. Law has to be applied fairly and equally. The person who complained about the corruption during election Time was not Sata and accusing Sata when he can not defend himself is beyond imagination . The courts of law are corrupt and are not fit for purpose. How on earth the can you remove the mp for corruption and allow the same Mp to stand? This is waste of money and resources. The law it self is a useless as the people who are suppose to apply it and these are judges and courts.
For once I have agreed with Dora,Sata was the worst dictator.Who has forgotten how he almost killed HH at a radio station in Ndola.How lunatic Fr Bwalya was poured chibuku over his dirty clothes.Freedom of assembly was gone and surprisingly pipo were clamping for him.