Dr. Nevers Mumba has addressed and corrected a false story circulating online on on facebook page “THE CANDIDATES,” which purported that he made disparaging remarks about State Counsel John Sangwa following Sangwa’s announcement to step away from active legal practice and pursue a political path.
In a statement, Dr. Mumba clarified, “Let me be CLEAR: I have made no such statement. In fact, my position is quite the opposite.”
He stated that he warmly welcomes Counsel John Sangwa into the national political arena, describing him as “one of Zambia’s most distinguished legal minds” who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and made profound contributions to the legal profession and the country. Dr. Mumba said Sangwa’s decision to engage in political discourse is commendable and timely, given the nation’s quest for renewal and progress.
Dr. Mumba shared that his own entry into politics was driven by a desire to serve beyond the pulpit, and he cited President Hakainde Hichilema’s transition from a finance and investment background to national leadership. He emphasized that national leadership is not the exclusive preserve of career politicians and that the table should allow distinguished Zambians who have shown exceptional competence in their fields to participate without undue prejudice.
“After all, there is no specialized university that grooms Presidents, it therefore follows that the choice of people to run for President must be Zambians with outstanding leadership ability across various disciplines and vocations, and on this, Counsel Sangwa qualifies, no question!” he said.
Dr. Mumba acknowledged that Sangwa joins politics at a time when Zambian politics is a “cut throat and a bare knuckles fight,” but added, “if he made it in the courtroom, he must now take some of that strength he gathered along the way to the political battlefield.”
He expressed disappointment with the online publication, stating, “This is not the kind of reporting we need.”
The story Dr. Mumba was reacting to had claimed under the headline “JOHN SANGWA OVERATES HIMSELF – Nevers Mumba” that the former Vice President said State Counsel John Sangwa was overrating himself and could not become President sooner than those who had long suffered in opposition. The false report also alleged that Dr. Mumba said Sangwa should stick to law and risked being bruised in the political arena.
Every Zambian has a chance to knock at the doors of Precedency.
Talk about MMD assuming it still exists. A once vibrant party brought to its knees, clinging to UPND now for both political and economical survival