Home Affairs minister Stephen Kampyongo says the resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba has left him surprised because, despite being best friends in Cabinet, he never confided in him about his decision.
And Kampyongo says leaders are not expected to point out problems and then run away from them, adding that he would like to know the extent of the greed among government leaders which Kalaba was refering to.
Meanwhile, Kampyongo says there will be need for PF to hold an INDABA to address the issues which have been pointed out by critics.
Speaking when he featured on Hot FM’s Hot Seat program, Thursday, Kampyongo said Kalaba always consulted him on several issues, but kept him in the dark over his move to resign.
“It (Kalaba’s resignation) is a difficult one because you are talking about a person who was not just a colleague in cabinet, this is a brother to me, a comrade. A man I have known prior to politics. His decision [to resign] I would assume is a personal one. He has exercised his democratic rights on what he should do at any given time. I will respect his decision. Like I have said he has been a brother to me and we have worked very well with him. We talk, consult each other but on this one, he didn’t give me a privilege, we didn’t discuss it. So I will respect his decision. I may not understand fully the reasons that he has cited and in what context because we are people’s representatives and people of Zambia are very intelligent now. If you say you are greedy, to what extent? And that’s why I’m saying I can’t understand,” Kampyongo.
The Home Affairs Minister said he would not run away from problems but be part of the solution.
“On the other issue of corruption; of course I must say that we are all concerned when we see the Auditor Generals report coming out and issues of misapplication of funds that are cited in the report. It’s a concern not only to the Head of State but to all of us. But what do you do? For me my decision will be not to run away from the problem but to be part of the solution,” said Kampyongo.
“On PF ministers leaving; it’s not unusual in a democracy to see people leave. You may recall that before, we had GBM leaving and a few others. We had my dear brother Miles [Sampa] leaving, today we are back together as one family. I think this is normal. We have seen people resign from other political parties and move to other political parties, it’s normal. What is important is to allow people to exercise their democratic rights and decide where to be at any given time. As a party we are not going to shy away we are going to ensure that we deal with issues as they are pointed out. Because that’s what leadership is all about. It’s not about saying here is a challenge and you shy away and run away from the challenge, no. It’s not by being defensive but looking at matters as they are pointed out and then deal with them.”
Wise words, Steven.
Amazing that Kampyongo can be surprised at Kalaba’s resignation given the horrific short comings of the PF Govt. From the illegal and immoral arrest of HH, the failure to contain a cholera outbreak, the $42 million wheel burrows, $280 000 ambulances, Mukula trees, the story is endless….
2018 will be a shocker.
I am shocked that Kapyongo can think in a mature way. Kalaba has taught him a lesson.
Mumbi Phiri must be mourning over Kalaba.
Chilangwa chipuba, Kapyongo akwatapo amano.
A rare voice of sanity in PF. Kampyongo has raised a point deserving a degree of consideration.
HARRY KALABA HAS ACCUMULATED SO MUCH IN FOREIGN TRIPS AND KNOWING THAT HE TURNED A BLIND EYE IN HIS CONSTITUENCY- HE WAS CONVINCED HE WILL NEVER BE RE-ELECTED. THE BEST THING FOR HIM ACCORDING TO HIM WAS TO RESIGN AND CITE CORRUPTION AS A REASON FOR HIS RESIGNATION. HOWEVER, IF THE PF GOVERNMENT IS CORRUPT AND HE NEVER COMPLAINED TO ANYONE THAT SIMPLY MEANS HE WAS DEEPLY CORRUPT, TOO. OF COURSE, THERE HAS BEEN DEEP CORRUPTION IN THE GOVERNMENTS OF ZAMBIA AND THE DEEPEST CORRUPTION WAS DURING LEVY MWANAWASA. PF SINCE THE DEATH OF SATA HAS BECOME VERY CORRUPT, TO. NO WONDER THE FILTHY IN TOWNS AND CITIES CAUSING CHOLERA AND MANY MORE LAPSES.
THE OTHER REASON FOR KALABA’S RESIGNATION WAS HIS DWINDLING HOPE FOR BECOMING THE NEXT PRESIDENT.
“On the other issue of corruption; of course I must say that we are all concerned when we see the Auditor Generals report coming out and issues of misapplication of funds that are cited in the report…”
I HAVE NEVER HEARD SOMEONE BEING BROUGHT TO ACCOUNT FOR THE WRONGS IN THE AUDITOR GENERAL’S REPORTS. PLEASE, LET US KNOW WHICH PERSON OR GROUP OF PERSONS HAVE BEEN JAILED FOR ABUSING PUBLIC FUNDS. THERE ARE TOO MANY WARNINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT WITHOUT ACTION WHICH NOW DON’T MAKE SENSE. PLEASE, DON’T WON CORRUPT INDIVIDUALS- PUNISH THEM IMMEDIATELY AND CITIZENS WILL THAT YOU ARE SERIOUS AND THEY WILL BE HAPPY.
wise words
apa mwaiche wandi hon wasosa namano , nowilatila corruption tayuimwene iwe ati ,its there for all to see.
Bakalamba ba Zulu, where I am not convinced by these corruption allegations is the lack of action by the accusers. If Kambwili can stand up today, point at a date, a person, a document in hand and the ACC or police have a tangible matter to investigate, then I will believe you. Anti-corruption went wrong when Levy decided to unconstitutionally remove then DPP and put this important national function in the hands of unscrupulous, greedy and vile individuals. It is these same individuals who have brainwashed citizens into believing anti-corruption is fought in the media and by hurling filth at individuals. The USA created institutions like FBI that are specialised in such vices, it doesn’t matter who is president but since the 40s, this powerful institution has fought corruption for the…
look mwaiche wandi , look twamona ifingi , ilelo ilyotwayambile PF ,balungu and bonse aba abalelya tabaliko awiyo , ipusha chishimba first PF -MP , its me who even went with him first day to speak na sata . My boy is 12years next month he is more PF than all of you .But this is not the PF we knew awe .
Come and call can give you details , ACC and Police died with UNIP
…Americans, not individuals in the media. Levy’s blunder is there for all to see. Had Levy instituted reforms in ZP, today we would have specialised investigative wings and other institutions to fight corruption. That said, the constitution has already paved way for the creation of the institutions like the Public Protector and independence of the judiciary. Now everyone, opposition included should start moving motions in parliament to reform ZP.
Bakalamba naimwe, how does being more PF and being in PF longer make you wiser and automatically qualifies you to be leader??? Sata himself didn’t choose Kambwili, who are we to challenge his decision?? He knew why he chose Chagwa. Both were ministers but Sata never left Kambwili as acting, why??? It is the “true greens” that caused confusion by not respecting Sata’s wishes that drove Chagwa to seek solace from RB.
Citizen , stop blaming PLM for people believing PF is corrupt…..tell lungu first to deny that is a corrupt theif
Lungu is the only leader in the whole world , add zuma maybe, who does not deny that he is a corrupt theif…
How many years ago was Levy a President? If Levy made a plunder, why haven’t PF fixed that? And because ACC is dysfunctional, you are calling upon the Citizen to provide evidence, instead of ACC? This is a totally flawed assumption, and using this as an argument daily, is now exposing you and your motives.
Interestingly, Kampyongo is saying the same things Harry said, and the same things ECL said concerning corruption in PF. Why this outcry for Harry to resign from PF? People, start thinking with your heads and with your…
No doubt there are some personal interests behind these call for Harry to go.
THE BIG QUESTION IS WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT ALL THE ACCUSATIONS LEVELED AT YOUR PARTY AND YOU YOURSELF. ZAMBIA IS SLIDING DOWN AT A RAPID PACE?
Just accept that Kalaba is on a higher moral ground that you are Kampyongo. The level of corruption in PF is unprecedented and we can safely say that almost everyone is corrupt. The gist of the matter is lack of seriousness exhibited by the head of state, you inclusive in the fight against this vise. Are we not ashamed that we are the only country in African to have recorded thousands of cholera cases in this modern day and era when vaccines are in abundance? With a population of less than 17 million people, our towns are like shanties with no proper reticulation systems, water, waste management etc. Take an introspection whilst there is still time and do the right thing, remember, Kapoko he is dancing pelete everyday.
Bamwine are you blaming under development on PF government which has actually been focussed on that the past 7 years they have been power! Please commend PF government for doing so much in a short time! Infrastructure was completely run down during Kaunda’s last 20 years (one party state) in power and MMD’s disastrous 20 years! So is it wrong for PF to construct more bituminous roads, schools, hospitals, universities, houses for security personnel etc? Hence creating more jobs which had stagnated for 40 years! This is not a joke but a very serious matter which needs serious minded leadership, not jokers like HH, GBM and Kambwili!
After borrowing $17 billion even a grade 7 can do a better job……by now we should have no cholera and employment levels reaching 60 to 70 % …..
Kampyongo should tell those making noise in Luapula including their provincial minister that Kalaba only exercised his constitutional right and his decision should be respected. Kampyongo should stop noise makers in luapula because Kalaba was our great diplomat number one who deserves respect.
Even the protesters exercised their constitutional rights who are you to blame them. This is the democracy you talk about. If hh ?oes about insulting others because he has rights when he is arrested by police using the constitutional rights he shouldn’t complain because everyone has rights.
Just shut up you con artist….it takes a wise person to see that there is no direction in the PF administration.
Just wait until those corruption charges come around maybe then you will open your blind eyes.
Note that as MP Kalaba is still part of the same government that he calls corrupt. Remember parliament is a wing of government. So is Kalaba telling us that he will fight the corruption from parliament? Or he is just protesting without fighting it?
Kampyongo says allegations of Corruption by Hon Harry Kalaba are of Concern. Good! What is Lungu and PF going to do about Rampant Corruption in the PF govt? Does the PF govt believe in a Zero Tolerance Policy towards Corruption in Lungu’s govt?If so we want Action..Action and not just words. A war against Corruption must punish the Culprits becoz there is No War without casualties.A prayer without Action is futile. We also know that a fish rots from the Head Downwards. So who will fight corruption in the PF govt?
Sorry but you miss the point….lungu does not even deny that he is a corrupt theif….there you go….fish rotting from the head.
Mr.Kalaba and Mr Kambwili having been in PF cabinet should be not only be able to say that the government is corrupt but also be able to give evidence at ACC for possible prosecution, otherwise it’s the usual wholesome pronouncement of corruption which may amount to jealousy. Note that when people start saying that they are the founders, it means there is nothing for new comers except founders. It’s rubbish.
If one stands on moral grounds, one would make a decision immaculate and sincere. Morality would be incomplete to just excuse oneself from participating in the plunder of the poor people “s means of survival, unless one takes action, speak openly about it and report to the relevant authority . Morally the objective is to prevent or stop the perceived wrong doing . You dont want to see injustice ,act against it. I expected to see Kalaba put up a fight against all the corruption he had seen going on in Government. We are all sighing over the details of the AG report, and we need action taken quickly in the interest of justice for all. Now you , Of what good cause is his resignation be without disclosing for action the alleged corruption?
Kampyongo says allegations of Corruption by Hon Harry Kalaba are of Concern. Good! What is Lungu and PF going to do about Rampant Corruption in the PF govt? Does the PF govt believe in a Zero Tolerance Policy towards Corruption in Lungu’s govt?If so we want Action..Action and not just words. A war against Corruption must punish the Culprits becoz there is No War without casualties.A prayer without Action is futile. We also know that a fish rots from the Head Downwards. So who will fight corruption in the PF govt?
Pf ran govt doesn’t mean all civil servants are pf. It means that it’s the party in power overseeing different political party entities. You’ve alk sorts of people from all walks if life in the pf lead govt. You have unip mmd greens bantustans etc working in the same pf govt. I know that you under5s thinks pf govt only comprises pf members from president to undertaker. How do you know that corruption is only been championed by pf members when the issue of mukula even bantustans like nkombo was mentioned and you’ve kept silent about his name. Pf run govt is everyone’s govt you under5s.
Just reading your first sentence is enough, the rest is flawed.
PF is in government. PF has at its disposal the government machinery. PF is responsible for this country. Your lack of leadership and direction is not an excuse. You claim you have 6.5 provinces, so to you that only counts when it comes to counting votes, but doesn’t count when it comes to taking responsibility? What a D.U.L.L argument.
Being in government comes with responsibility, you cant start whining and giving excuses about civil servants. Your friend Ndaje started this argument, and since then you are all taking it. That is really S.I.L.L.Y
YOU SEE EDGAR WAS WRONGLY ADVISED TO FIRE AND EXPEL KAMBWILI.THIS MAN WAS HOLDING THE PARTY. NOW IT HAS REMAINED WITH BA MUZUNGU WANGA LIKE CHILANGWA. WHO DO YOU THINK CAN VOTE FOR PF IN 2021. YOU ARE DOOMED COPPERBELT,LUSAKA LUAPULA,NORTHERN AND MUCHINGA FOR KAMBWILI.THE END OF PF/MMD
IN 2021 ELECTION NO ONE WILL WIN 50% PLUS 1.NDC WILL COME THIRD AND WILL ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH UPND AND FORM GOVERNMENT THUS UPND/NDC.BYE BYE TO PF IN 2021.ANY RIGHT THINKING ZAMBIAN CITIZEN CANT VOTE FOR PF LABELLED WITH MUKULA SAGA,42 FIRE TENDERS,AMBULANCE,ROAD PROJECTS JUST TO MENTION A FEW.
east. muchinga.luapula. north. we cant vote for a tonga. The only was is maybe Kambwili to stand on upend/mdc pact lol.
we cant CANNOT trust a tonga who is threatening to kill us once given instruments of power
even if monze was developed to level of USA they will still vote for u5
can you trust such radicals like spakalilo and jj.
this is a katemba party musenge lost a simple mp election and started smugglii maize. if kc is popular let him leave pf . milupi left his seat and recontested under a new party and won
kc is just a preschool scare scrall
You are in dream land to think Kambwili can win presidential election! Why Kambwili was fired was because he’s too proud and had no respect for ECL, in short he wanted to be Vice President to ECL so that he takes over from ECL in 2021! Is Kambwili surely presidential material? Ni kaponya fye ulya!
And you must be the case for chainama to think PF will EASILY have 50+1 if ever PF rightly got it in 2016. There are just so many blunders, so many unexplained cases, so many frustrations within PF. Make no mistake, don’t think within PF there is totally no one who supports Kambwili. Being a communication minister, Kambwili knows a lot about ECL, more than you do. Don’t underrate him. Politics is a dirty game, who knows Kambwili is waiting for the right time before he pulls the trigger..aim..and sho.t, whether he will hit the bull or miss, it still remains to be seen. We still have 2.5 years before campaigns start. Let PF kill itself first before Kambwili finishes it off…How about that?
Iwe Kapyongo what democratic rights are u referring to when Sampa did what he did?? its nothing but lack of discipline in the whole rotten system!!!!
ba Zulu lekeni ubufi, Mulenga Mpankata was the first PF law maker and he was followed by late Manda of Kantanshi. Yamfwa was the third after wasamwana killed Manda with the help of George Anthillgrave. Kambwili wa lelo he only joined the band wagon he was not there in the first 4 years. ask Edwin Lifwekwelo.
The real reason for Kalaba’s resignation is only known by himself.
Mr. Kampyongo, please allow us to judge you fairly. Do you see the reason why Harry Kalaba resigned, as opposed to the one you have asked, why he should not have resigned? It has been said that there is “no smoke without fire.” If such a fire exists in PF, by that I mean “CORRUPTION,” do you see the possibility it can be put-off, or you are simply saying that he should have accepted to toe the line? Had he decided to remain and toe the line, what should have been his approach – passive resistance to corruption or active denunciation of it? Had he opted for the later, what is the likelihood he could have been shown the backdoor, as the saying goes: “It’s our way or the Highway?”
CORRECTION:
“If such a fire exists in PF, by that I mean “CORRUPTION,” do you see the possibility it can be put-off, or you are simply saying that he, Kalaba, should have simply accepted to toe the line?”
I am shocked that Zambians can be hoodwinked and surely believe that Kalaba resigned his Ministerial position because of corruption in Government. Do people really know who Kalaba is? Wait and you will soon know the truth.
Presidential hopeful!!!!!
The call for a PF “INDABA” by Kampyongo show that there are cracks in the PF machinery – some are “more equal than others” in the plunder of the nation through corrupt activities. NOTE: Kampyongo should not be surprised that Kalaba did not “consult” him on this one because of the obvious – Kampyongo is up to his neck in corrupt activities as cited by Hon Kambwili. We are in a mess because PF cadres are fearless – ACC, POLICE, and JUDICIARY cannot bite the hand that feeds them…..
issues of corruption has become the weapon to change gorvnt without proof ,i see no need to sound alarm wen we know were to report and if you say nothing can be done then why even talk about it politicians please stop this kind of politics of greedness
NB , you ever are foolish as you cannot see it due to your political patronage , ignorance and stupidity , look this country is breaking down every day , come see i show you ;****
for the first time i heard Mr Steve K saying wise words against his frd I thank God