Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata says it is too early to pick a presidential candidate for his party and the United Party for National Development (UPND) pact. Commenting on Robby Chizyuka's proposal that Hakainde as leader of the pact Sata said there is still time before picking a presidential candidate.
“Between now and 2011, anything can happen to both the young and the old,” Sata said and added that Chizyuka was not speaking on behalf of the UPND.
“Who is Chizyuka? He is just an MP. He is not speaking on behalf of UPND,” he said.
And Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili alleges that Chizyuka is being used to declare Hichilema as the right candidate for the PF-UPND pact. He says Chizyuka could be used by people who do not want the pact to work because it is premature for people to start commenting on a candidate for the 2011 elections. He said the pact has appointed a National Governing Council (NGC) which will choose the presidential candidate. But he added that Chizyuka is entitled to his own opinion.
And Mazabuka MP Garry Nkombo says both Hichilema and Sata are good enough for the job. He says as members of the pact, they will support either of the two candidates to be picked by the NGC. He, however said it is too early to start discussing issues of a presidential candidate for the pact.
“For the moment, we are faithful followers of the pact. Who becomes the candidate is not an issue at the moment. It may become an issue in future when the NGC meets to decide. So, there is no need for controversy and there is no reason for people to be anxious,” he said.
Mandevu MP Jean Kapata said it is not yet time to discuss who the candidate for the pact should be.
“We have just started this process, so, the UPND member of Parliament (Major Chizyuka) can’t say that. We have not reached that stage yet,” he said.
And Moomba MP Vitalis Mooya said it is better to leave the presidential candidate issue in the hands of the NGC.
“It is too early for that. What is important is for us to consolidate the pact,” he said.
Bweengwa MP Highvie Hamududu said the pact will choose a presidential candidate when the time is right.
Showing posts with label Chishimba Kambwili. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chishimba Kambwili. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
UPND on the Copperbelt threatens to rock Pact with PF
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) on the Copperbelt has threatened to disassociate itself from the pact with the Patriotic Front if Roan member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili continues to insult the people of North-Western province. In a statement issued June 9 Copperbelt UPND provincial trustee Setty Chitukutuku says Kambwili's alleged insults against the people of North Western province must stop as the practice was having a negative effect on the people from the region.
Chitukutuku who is also Lunda Cultural Association of Zambia (LCAZ) national trustee appealed to PF president Michael Sata to counsel Kambwili against practising divisive politics.
“If Kambwili will not be stopped within five days, the Lunda Cultural Association of Zambia will not hesitate to call upon all the people of the province to disassociate themselves and refuse to support the present negotiation between Sata and Hakainde Hichilema,” he said.
He said Kambwili was a senior PF member who should not continue denouncing other tribes.
“As people of the province with a stake in UPND, we cannot get involved or associate with a group of people who continue to insult us. If the leadership of PF and UPND do not correct the situation urgently, we will come up with measures that may affect both parties. We need peace as Zambia equally needs peace,” Chitukutuku said.
But Kambwili reiterated that he has never insulted the people of North Western province and warned that he would take legal action against Chitukutuku whom he accused of being an MMD sympathiser.
“I think enough is enough. I will take Chitukutuku to court so that he can state where I insulted the people of North Western province. The MMD knows that the PF-UPND pact will kick them out of office come 2011. If Chitukutuku himself does not support the pact, then so be it, but I want the people of North Western province to know that I did not insult them,” Kambwili said.
Chitukutuku who is also Lunda Cultural Association of Zambia (LCAZ) national trustee appealed to PF president Michael Sata to counsel Kambwili against practising divisive politics.
“If Kambwili will not be stopped within five days, the Lunda Cultural Association of Zambia will not hesitate to call upon all the people of the province to disassociate themselves and refuse to support the present negotiation between Sata and Hakainde Hichilema,” he said.
He said Kambwili was a senior PF member who should not continue denouncing other tribes.
“As people of the province with a stake in UPND, we cannot get involved or associate with a group of people who continue to insult us. If the leadership of PF and UPND do not correct the situation urgently, we will come up with measures that may affect both parties. We need peace as Zambia equally needs peace,” Chitukutuku said.
But Kambwili reiterated that he has never insulted the people of North Western province and warned that he would take legal action against Chitukutuku whom he accused of being an MMD sympathiser.
“I think enough is enough. I will take Chitukutuku to court so that he can state where I insulted the people of North Western province. The MMD knows that the PF-UPND pact will kick them out of office come 2011. If Chitukutuku himself does not support the pact, then so be it, but I want the people of North Western province to know that I did not insult them,” Kambwili said.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Tribal remark raises dust
A tribal remark by Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili has raised some dust and Local Government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamashimba has now asked Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata to discipline the MP for insulting the people of North-Western province during a public rally in Kitwe. During the rally, Kambwili allegedly blamed the people of Luanshya for voting for Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba as Member of Parliament for the area, saying he knew a lot of well meaning and successful Luvales but not Mr Kachimba.
But Mr Sata said yesterday that according to rules of natural justice, he would allow that Mr Kambwili be heard before he could issue a comprehensive comment.
And in his letter dated May 4, 2009 addressed to Mr Sata and copied to President Banda, the chairpersons for the Lunda Lubanza, Likumbi Lyamize, Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena and Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde ceremonies, Mr Tetamashimba said that as a person from North-Western Province, he expected the PF president to discipline his member for tribal remarks.
“As a person who originates from North-Western Province and to other Luvales, Lundas and Kaondes and all other tribes there, I want to know what you as president of the PF will do to punish Mr Kambwili and if you do not do that, we shall take it that your tribe where Kambwili comes from hates the people from the North-Western Province,” Mr Tetamashimba’s letter reads.
He said that the people of North-Western Province would defend themselves against tribes that insulted them. Tetamashimba, who is MMD spokesperson, said that the people of North-Western Province would also punish the leaders of parties that tolerated such ideas by ensuring that their parties were non-existent in the province.
“As North-Western Province we believe in One Zambia One Nation,” he said.
In his letter dated May 6 2009 to Mr Tetamashimba, Mr Sata said that it was important that Mr Kambwili was accorded an opportunity to be heard.
“I am unable to comment on your allegations against Mr Kambwili. Natural justice demands that the accused be heard; I am therefore referring your letter to Mr Kambwili for comment. On receipt of his comment I will be at liberty to reply to your letter,” read Mr Sata’s letter.
But speaking in an interview, Sata said that he had in fact expected Kachimba and not Tetamashimba to complain if he fel t insulted by Kambwili. He said it was wrong for people to survive on tribalism noting that if Kambwili made a mistake, then he did so as an individual and not collectively or as somebody from a particular province.
“I would have rather expected a complaint from Kachimba but the point is I do not see the reason why people should survive on tribalism,” Sata said.
And Kambwili May 6 said he did not insult the Luvale-speaking people but that he only criticised Mr Kachimba as an individual. Kamwili said he was not a tribalist as some people had branded him and indicated that the erroneous impression arose from what he termed as incorrect media report. He said while at the PF rally in Kitwe at the weekend, he said most Luvales he had met were intelligent and propagated progressive ideas unlike Mr Kachimba who was also of the same tribe.
Kambwili said that he had also said that the people in Luanshya were suffering because they voted for Mr Kachimba who was not giving correct advice on the mines.
“I said that I know a lot of Luvales who are successful and well meaning in society but that Mr Kachimba was not among them. He has continued praising the Chinese mine managers instead of questioning the slave wages they are paying Zambians,” he said.
Kambwili said Bembas and Luvales were one people who came from the Kola kingdom in the present day Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and that there was no way he could insult his own brothers and sisters.
But Mr Sata said yesterday that according to rules of natural justice, he would allow that Mr Kambwili be heard before he could issue a comprehensive comment.
And in his letter dated May 4, 2009 addressed to Mr Sata and copied to President Banda, the chairpersons for the Lunda Lubanza, Likumbi Lyamize, Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena and Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde ceremonies, Mr Tetamashimba said that as a person from North-Western Province, he expected the PF president to discipline his member for tribal remarks.
“As a person who originates from North-Western Province and to other Luvales, Lundas and Kaondes and all other tribes there, I want to know what you as president of the PF will do to punish Mr Kambwili and if you do not do that, we shall take it that your tribe where Kambwili comes from hates the people from the North-Western Province,” Mr Tetamashimba’s letter reads.
He said that the people of North-Western Province would defend themselves against tribes that insulted them. Tetamashimba, who is MMD spokesperson, said that the people of North-Western Province would also punish the leaders of parties that tolerated such ideas by ensuring that their parties were non-existent in the province.
“As North-Western Province we believe in One Zambia One Nation,” he said.
In his letter dated May 6 2009 to Mr Tetamashimba, Mr Sata said that it was important that Mr Kambwili was accorded an opportunity to be heard.
“I am unable to comment on your allegations against Mr Kambwili. Natural justice demands that the accused be heard; I am therefore referring your letter to Mr Kambwili for comment. On receipt of his comment I will be at liberty to reply to your letter,” read Mr Sata’s letter.
But speaking in an interview, Sata said that he had in fact expected Kachimba and not Tetamashimba to complain if he fel t insulted by Kambwili. He said it was wrong for people to survive on tribalism noting that if Kambwili made a mistake, then he did so as an individual and not collectively or as somebody from a particular province.
“I would have rather expected a complaint from Kachimba but the point is I do not see the reason why people should survive on tribalism,” Sata said.
And Kambwili May 6 said he did not insult the Luvale-speaking people but that he only criticised Mr Kachimba as an individual. Kamwili said he was not a tribalist as some people had branded him and indicated that the erroneous impression arose from what he termed as incorrect media report. He said while at the PF rally in Kitwe at the weekend, he said most Luvales he had met were intelligent and propagated progressive ideas unlike Mr Kachimba who was also of the same tribe.
Kambwili said that he had also said that the people in Luanshya were suffering because they voted for Mr Kachimba who was not giving correct advice on the mines.
“I said that I know a lot of Luvales who are successful and well meaning in society but that Mr Kachimba was not among them. He has continued praising the Chinese mine managers instead of questioning the slave wages they are paying Zambians,” he said.
Kambwili said Bembas and Luvales were one people who came from the Kola kingdom in the present day Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and that there was no way he could insult his own brothers and sisters.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Unrest in Sata's Patriotic Front
For some time now there has been an ongoing low level conflict with Michael Sata's Patriotic Front. It all started with some MPs revolting against the party position soon after the National Constitutional Conference Act was passed in 2007. The party decided it would not participate in the deliberations of the conference that was constituted under the Act instigating a revolt by 26 MPs. The fight has been in court, injunctions made to no avail.
Now the campaign has moved further by questioning Sata's continued leadership of the part. Some cadres are now suggesting that Sata should be replaced as leader of the party.
However, PF Copperbelt chairman Mwenya Musenge said in Kitwe May 4 that no PF official was currently ready to take over from Sata because they were all still learning from his vast experience in politics. He said Sata was the only leader that could lead PF to greater heights and it was important that party members continued learning from his vast experience before thinking of taking over the party leadership.
Musenge, who is Nkana MP, said no party member or official was currently ripe to take over from Sata because they were all students learning from the PF founder’s vast experience in politics.
But PF Kasama Member of Parliament (MP) Saviour Chishimba supported members calling for Sata's replacement saying they have a right to voice out their opinions on the type of leadership they want.
Dr Chishimba said in Lusaka May 4 that although Sata deserved praise for having held the party together under difficult circumstances, PF members still had the right to advocate for intra-party democracy. He understood calls from the youth on the Copperbelt for either him or Roan MP Chishimba Kambwili to take over the PF leadership and would not condemn them because he also believed in democracy.
“What I know is that the party convention was supposed to be held in March but could not take place. Of course the PF is for all the members but we need to thank Mr Sata for holding the party together because many opposition parties have gone under,” he said.
Now the campaign has moved further by questioning Sata's continued leadership of the part. Some cadres are now suggesting that Sata should be replaced as leader of the party.
However, PF Copperbelt chairman Mwenya Musenge said in Kitwe May 4 that no PF official was currently ready to take over from Sata because they were all still learning from his vast experience in politics. He said Sata was the only leader that could lead PF to greater heights and it was important that party members continued learning from his vast experience before thinking of taking over the party leadership.
Musenge, who is Nkana MP, said no party member or official was currently ripe to take over from Sata because they were all students learning from the PF founder’s vast experience in politics.
But PF Kasama Member of Parliament (MP) Saviour Chishimba supported members calling for Sata's replacement saying they have a right to voice out their opinions on the type of leadership they want.
Dr Chishimba said in Lusaka May 4 that although Sata deserved praise for having held the party together under difficult circumstances, PF members still had the right to advocate for intra-party democracy. He understood calls from the youth on the Copperbelt for either him or Roan MP Chishimba Kambwili to take over the PF leadership and would not condemn them because he also believed in democracy.
“What I know is that the party convention was supposed to be held in March but could not take place. Of course the PF is for all the members but we need to thank Mr Sata for holding the party together because many opposition parties have gone under,” he said.
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