The House of Chiefs has condemned Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata for allegedly lobbying the British government to help to reinstate the disbanded Task Force on Corruption in Zambia.
House of Chiefs chairperson Chief Madzimawe said in an interview yesterday that such acts of desperation are not good.
The chief said it is surprising that Mr Sata went to lobby for the reintroduction of the Task Force on Corruption when he knows very well that there are existing structures in the country which adequately deal with cases of corruption.
He said what Mr Sata should be doing is to call on donors to financially assist existing structures such as the Drug Enforcement Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Zambia Police.
During his recent visit to London, Mr Sata is alleged to have also sought support to split Zambia through the Barotseland Agreement.
“The motives behind Mr Sata’s actions are difficult to understand. The House of Chiefs has preached over and over that politicians should talk about issues, but this seems to fall on deaf ears,” Chief Madzimawe said.
On the Barotseland Agreement, Chief Madzimawe said even Mr Sata himself, if elected President, would not like to inherit a split country.
He said seeking this kind of support is not beneficial to Zambia.
“We are a unitary state and calls for the secession of Western Province must be dismissed,” he said.
Independent Churches of Zambia president David Masupa said Mr Sata’s trip to the UK is regrettable.
He said it is not right for a leader of a political party to lobby for such kind of support from former colonial masters who have recognised Zambia as a sovereign state.
Reverend Masupa said most people will recall that Mr Sata was against the Task Force and called it an illegal body which practised selective justice.
“Mr Sata is showing citizens that he is not a serious leader and the British government must begin to see this and ignore him,” Rev Masupa said.
He said it has now become clear that Mr Sata is desperate for power and will go to any lengths to try to assume power.
“He has shown that he does not care about the people of Western Province by calling for it to be separated from Zambia,” he said.
Rev Masupa said the MMD is a responsible Government which cannot allow Zambia to be split into two.
He said Western Province is part of Zambia and this is the reason Government has initiated several projects in the province.
Committee of Citizens executive director Gregory Chifire said Mr Sata is a man of “double standards” who is on record as having labelled the Task Force an illegal institution.
Mr Chifire said the PF leader has shown that he has no leadership qualities and does not understand what it means to be a sovereign state.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
We have been waiting for Chifire to give a statement on the ARMS DEAL, whats up?
Remem,ber the Arcades Protea Hotel meeting attended by Mr. Clive Chirwa, Mr. Mutembo Nchito, Mr. Amos Mulupenga and Mr. Mark Chona to discuss the PF-UPND Pact leadership? Mr. Sata was appointed by the group to lead the pact. All those present at this meeting were the major beneficiaries of the the Task Force on Corruption spoils!!!! Twlya again bane….God forbid! Fwebena Zambia fwe bamano tulemilolelo!!!!
I agree that setting up parallel structures is not cost effective but there may be justification at times… in the case when the exisitin law enforcement agencies seem to be biased and in the pocket of the government. Therefore independent and autonomous agency that is not dependent on government for instance for its operational funds and day to day accountability might be the only option… until a time when we have stenghthened our institutions of governance and there is clear separation of powers in the 3 main arms of the government.
Masupa, Chifire, and Madzimawe are all MMD cadres. What good do you expect these characters to say about Sata? Come on LT, get indepedent views from non partisan people. I wonder where you guys did your journalism! Common sense will dictate that you ask credible people who are not biased on the subject; not these MMD cadres that can never critize RB even if he was wrong. You mean you guys don’t watch CNN, BBC, Al jazeera, or read Washingtone Post, or even E-News? News must be fair and balanced, NOT this crap that we are fed on in Zambia!
what a chief….no wonder its called its task force…its jst meant to speed the recovery of stolen moneys on behalf of the existing structures due to lack of specialisation.
Rubi sh as usual, MMD daily mail. I don’t know what these workers will do after September?
useless chief and corrupt foolish
i don’t think i will ever have the courage to vote for Sata in my life time.
that is why one chap yesterday posted nonsense saying that no Tonga Lozi will be President of this country. so you chaps you have agreed with sata to isolate us( western province) from this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
donchi kubeba
being a lozi yoourself, you should analyse this story then after you wash your brain and see why you have burried your head in sand
Can the zambia daily mail for once stop misinforming the public. I dont think it is true that sata lobbied Britain to help split western province from the rest of the country. Pliz zambians do u need to even ask sata to verify this true lies? u just need to be normal to tell this is a lie. Chief nzamane or whatever pliz shutup yo beak. Stupid reverand and chifire go to hell.
No 11 SATA is on record to have said in his presentation that he will implement the Barotseland Agreement once he gets into power. What lie is that? You may support SATA with your blind support but you can not deny facts….
its because of such monkeys that people nolonger have faith in churches…ati his trip is regretable mulibe nansoni
House of chimbwiz
House of Chiefs? Who give a f***# about a chief? You people are the worst hypocrites in my beloved Zambia. You are corrupted by the spoils of thieves, who are plundering the nation coffers by building you palaces and giving you posh cars, while your subjects are living in shacks fit for pigs. Your so called subjects are Zambians and they deserve better because they earned it at independence. Our fathers did not die for independence, so that there descendants can be enslaved by another Zambian. There is no place for chiefs in these modern times, and you should learn something from the Queen of England, she does not interfere with the wishes of her subjects. Learn to keep quiet on things which does not concern you.
Chief Madzimawe holds MMD membership Card Z137.Simple as that.
The truth of the matter is that Sata is not presidential material. Let him continue yappping and yappping. Nothing tangible comes out of that kaponya mouth. Chief Madizmawe is a wise man. Even you kaponyas can agree with me if you have achance to talk to him on one to one basis. So all you kaponya bloggers do not support Sata otherwise we may not see the difference between you and you chief kaponya Sata. I end here!
You know very well that Sata will do everything to destroy western province.Western Province is a poor province if you split it then you know that Western province pipo will remain in poverty.Please God will pray that RB get elected.For sure God will answer our prayers.
When will “our” chiefs become non-partisan???