Friday, March 29, 2024

Zambian Opposition Leader Hakainde Hichilema Should be Left Alone

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The never dying debate on privatization of national assets that took place decades ago in Zambia has resurfaced and has reached a very complicated level. Once a would be debate between the oppositions and the government, has shifted to the debate between the oppositions.

Edith Nawakwi, president of Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) accuses the main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema of being one of the key suspects of abuse of the privatization process. She claims that Hichilema failed to declare interest while presiding on the sale of public assets in which he had personal interest.

Hichilema denies the allegation. He claims he had no interest in any public asset prior to privatization. He accuses Nawakwi of defamation and has taken the case to court of law.

A lot of politicians in Zambia have become richer than our founding father KK through politics. Within few years they have become millionaires (in dollars)

Although it is widely known that the main agenda for PF government is to weaken the opposition, the government is busy trying to dissociate itself from the issue. As usual, they continue to contradict each other.

Recently, PF Media Director Sunday Chanda was quoted saying the government has absolutely nothing to do with the privatization issue. A contradiction to what Chief Government spokesperson Ms. Dora Siliya had said earlier.

Per Mis Siliya, the government is studying revelations made by Edith Nawakwi against HH. In other words, the government is trying to get to the bottom of the issue. Implying that the government is having some behind door conversations with Mis Nawakwi as it is the only way they can learn more about what she is alleging.

Mr. Chanda, PF government has a lot to do with this privatization issue. Deputy Secretary-General Hon Mumbi Phiri has just confirmed it. If only she can be allowed to explain in details what she means by saying Miss Nawakwi is a blessing to Zambia.

Wow, ‘chiwamila garu kuluma mbuzi!’ Defaming Hakainde Hichilema is a blessing to Zambia while questioning the wealth of government top officials is a crime!

A lot of politicians in Zambia have become richer than our founding father KK through politics. Within few years they have become millionaires (in dollars). Are they not the ones who should be investigated? When are they going to explain their financial miracles?

If the answer is never, Hakainde Hichilema should be left alone.

By Venus N Msyani
Concerned citizen.

34 COMMENTS

  1. I always enjoy fair commentary on public issues. Venus N Musyani where hv u been? This is good stuff. Short and to the point. I’m sure newspaper editors who know their role in society will be looking for u.

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  2. The upnd f00ls don’t seem to get it. When you vying for public office you cannot choose when people question you and when they don’t. I am now fully convinced that HH is an under five childish baby hyena who cannot handle public scrutiny and yet he is good at giving it. If you not ready to answer people then leave politics to those who are man or woman enough. Kz

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  3. Venus, he cant be left alone. He is a politician and all what politicians do qualifies for our scrutiny. They should all know that. As for you you are choosing to misunderstand issues deliberately I think.
    You state:”PF Media Director Sunday Chanda was quoted saying the government has absolutely nothing to do with the privatization issue. A contradiction to what Chief Government spokesperson Ms. Dora Siliya had said earlier”
    Chanda was responding to accusations the PF were the ones persecuting HH. Dora was saying her government was observing developments in this case. Yes Politicians who have become rich just because they are politicians should be investigated not farce investigations like that on Dr Chilufya which go nowhere

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  4. Democratic politics place upon the unsuspecting voter, the burden to elect the worst evil amond the villains. There are no saints in politics. The one that wins is usually the worst among the villains. Democratic politics are worse than drug trafficking because at least in the former the druglord does not hide behind a facade. Politicians act in their self interest whilst disguising as saviors of the poor. They dance with the poor in Lukasha only to return to their air conditioned castles in Lusaka. I do not vote, if I did, I would vote for a billionaire at least like the drug lord he is not hiding behind a disguise to rob the poor.

  5. Why is the UPND god afraid to be questioned over privatisation? Let him man up and tell us when he become director in Sun International Zambia

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  6. Why is the UPND god afraid to be questioned over privatisation? Let him man up and tell us when he become director in Sun International Zambia. He cannot be made immune to questioning while he questions others

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  7. Hichilema will be worst dictator if given power. If these guys can not tolerate people questioning his shoddy deals, what more when the Tonga Bull will be in State House. Please God don’t give us any dictator

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  8. Hichilema will be worst dictator if given power. If these guys can not tolerate people questioning his shoddy deals, what more when the Tonga Bull will be in State House. Please God don’t give us any dictator.

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  9. Why is the UPND god afraid to be questioned over privatisation? Let him man up and tell us when he become director in Sun International Zambia. He cannot be made immune to questioning while he questions others.

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  10. I think it’s wrong to overlook a wrong, just because other people have done it too.

    The H. Hakainde issue has continued over the years, mainly because successive governments have failed to deal with it effectively. This is bad – I can only imagine how really frustrating it is to the majority of citizens who just want clear answers either way. And when the chief government spokesman declares government non involvement in the matter; where does that leave the people?

    A citizen brought to light matters of great concern for all Zambians, yet, what do you say…its not our baby?? Well, I think it is. You are the sitting authority – its your duty to address citizen’s concerns.

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  11. Everyone who wants to rule us must be checked. This is nothing new. It happens world over. Chiluba was checked and we were told by UNIP that MMD a batch of thieves – Zambians were tired of KK and team and so brought in ‘thieves’. They came and stole (including parastals) and left. We were told Sata cannot manage things – we neglected the advise. He came and started to mess up. We were told Lungu mismanaged money for a widow – we are seeing mismanagement. So nothing special about HH. We should know the truth about him. His friends in ZPA who he did deals with are now millionaires and have kept quiet. He has given himself for service and so we should scrutinise him – I guess the results will not have any effect whether he becomes the next president or not. But unless he leaves us alone -…

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  12. Leave HH alone
    This man has worked for his wealth as opposed to the current leaders who are raping this country with impunity
    How did Lusambo, Chitalu Chilufya, Kaizer Zulu you can name all of them, got rich overnight – Invesigate and arrest them
    HH is at least employing Zambians and are benefiting from the much sweated investments that he has

    Edith Nawaki, where was she when the national assets were privatised and given away like biscuits to foreign infestors

    What can she write home about on the acheivements she did in Government?

    We want some one that is clean not stupid, inept, clueless and thieving politicians to continue managing our country

    My vote will never go to these groups

    You are stressing us too much, you dont know how the masses are suffereing to survive…

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  13. The young HH was a big thief, and his thieving at a young age has brought a curse on him because of the suffering of the millions of people that were directly or indirectly affected negatively by his thieving! Those of us in the government know how government operates. The president and ministers don’t carry out inappropriate activities or stealing personally , they use surbodinate staff or hired staff staff like Mr. Hichilema was! Its in the process of using surbodinate staff or hired staff that these people also take their “share”! Like Hichilema did when he was hired or engaged by the Zambian government. There’s nothing that Hichilema can run away from here. Edith Nawakwi was in government at that time and she knows what was going on. The question how ever is ” how clean is…

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  14. No one should be left alone. If he committed an offence, he must be brought to book, regardless of when that was. If the law provides, let him be given an opportunity to come clean. It’s not anyone, but the law that.
    He’s always called those in power corrupt, thieves, plunderers, and inept. If truly they are thieves and corrupt, they too shall be prosecuted if they’re found wanting.

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  15. To all those being too emotional and defensive… even resorting to insulting anyone who wants answers, I would say, the best defence is being innocent! No point therefore, breaking your knees over this – am virtually certain, HH can handle his affairs well enough without your blundering intervention.

  16. I always wonder what goes on some of our heads. If you have information about theft, you simply go to the police and present your facts so that the competent authority can prosecute. You don’t go to the media and accuse someone. So if EW has evidence, why can’t she proceed to court? HH has gone to court because he wants the courts to pronounce themselves on the matter. It is only through this process that truth can come out. It is easy to see that this story is engineered and stinks. We have so many problems as a nation. Trying to divert attention of the nation to this issue is unfortunate. HH has challenge anyone who has evidence to go ahead and present it. So what more do you want him to do? Others when they are accused of big crimes which even my 8 year old can see, they go on…

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  17. It is easy to see that this story is engineered and stinks. We have so many problems as a nation. Trying to divert attention of the nation to this issue is unfortunate. HH has challenge anyone who has evidence to go ahead and present it. So what more do you want him to do? Others when they are accused of big crimes which even my 8 year old can see, they go on megaphones to lie to the nation through their teeth. “You can fool some people some time but you cannot fool all the people all the time”. This is very good counsel to some. God will expose each and everyone that has stolen from the people, whether in this life or the life to come.

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  18. The PF are shaken with the continued rise in his popularity have you noticed how they have stopped saying “this area is a no go area”.
    I will repeat, PF NEC, have to ask ECL to resign and thing about considering
    1. Miles Sampa
    2. Vincent Mwala
    3. Davis Chama
    4. Brian Mashimba
    5 Sunday Chanda (I listened to Sunday Chanda debate with Mubita and considering he is defending a corrupt PF he did really well)

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  19. Great article!!! Unfortunately, PF supporters will ignore the fundamental points raised in the article. A lot of corrupt deals have been done by people in the current government and people have become rich over night. The evidence is still fhHresh and easy to investigate. But PF folks don’t want to hear this and would rather point fingers at HH who at least has come in the open to explain how he became rich and his role in Privatization. HH is even willing to go to Court over the allegations. Can Kaizer Zulu, Mr. Lusambo, Mr. Chagwa, etc do the same? If they are not willing to follow suit, then they can stop pointing at the speck in their brother’s eye and forget about the logs in their eyes. Leave HH alone if you are not willing to tell us how you became rich over short periods of time.

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  20. Edith Nawakwi is a former Minister of Finance and an “Opposition Leader” and should back off and leave HH alone. Opposition Leaders who aspire to be elected future Presidents shouldn’t fight fellow Opposition Leaders.Edith should be holding the current State President and the Ruling PF Party to account for their quickly acquired Wealth. Edith was a Minister during the Privatization Programme and should take full Responsibility for the failures and successes of that Programme. Consultants are employed to give Professional Advice which Minister Edith Nawakwi was at liberty to accept or reject.HH cannot be held Responsible for the a Govt led Privatization Programme.

  21. Which rise in popularity is that for your HH. Hichilema can not win in Zambia, let him try another country, not Zambia! Even in 2016 you told has your Hichilema had become very popular, that he had penetrated Eastern and Northern provinces, but he lost despite massive rigging in Southern province. Its time UPND will realised that their “young boy” HH is not saleable. Then they will move on! PF realized the massive and tactical rigging in Southern province in 2016 which involved registering even under age as voters, thereby doubling Hichilema’s numbers in the province! This will not happen for 2021 elections, as there will Defence Forces during registration for voters!

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  22. Do UPND supporters critically look at the performance of their Party? 5 times losing candidate. If it was boxing HH would have have been hospitalized.

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  23. THIEF, THIEF WITHOUT EVIDENCE. NAWAKWI SAID HH BOUT A HOUSE FROM LIMA BANK, BUT HH GAVE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE THAT THE HOUSE WAS ACTUALLY BOUGHT FROM A TOBACCO COMPANY. WHY DO PF TRUST LIARS? HOW DO YOU USE SUCH A WITNESS IN COURT? ONLY PERHAPS IN THE CORRUPT COURTS OF ZAMBIA!

  24. An honest investigation is in Zambia’s best interest as long as EVERYONE concerned is investigated— including the drunk in state house and that fat pig masquerading as a health minister.

  25. Instead of bickering, all we want as Zambians are answers chapwa. Let HH answer to Nawakwi’s accusations as a former minister of finance. We are not dealing with just an ordinary citizen ladies and gentlemen. And anyone who gets into politics like they question others, must be questioned too. There are no sacred cows in politics. Let HH rebuttal this with evidence. Lets not just be emotional about this because this privatisation issue led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent Zambians. I am one of those innocent victims thankfully alive because I was a multi tasker.

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  26. If HH says he was too young to steal, at 27 years old, when he was engaged by government, and if its proved he actually stole, then 30 years later, he is a very experienced thief with over 30 years experience! We don’t need an experienced thief in state house!

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  27. How ironic that people are still expecting HH to answer Edith even after embarrassing her with evidence. Are they genuinely daft or critically blinded by their hate for the man? Hypocrisy will kill some people

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    • HH SHOULD JUST COME OUT OPEN AND RESPOND TO THE ALLEGATIONS LABELED AGAINST HIM,HE IS NOT COMING OUT IS TALKING NOSENSE LET HIM EXPLAIN WERE HE TOOK THE MONEY FROM RANCOS AND OTHER COMPANIES.MULANDU SIOOLA

  28. HH is a smooth criminal behaving like a baboon in a maize field, We want our money… Privatization criminal no heart of the country.

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