KATELE : All Those Ditching MMD Will Regret

CHIENGI member of Parliament Katele Kalumba has warned that the few ‘treacherous’ individuals who are still scheming to resign from the MMD will live to regret because President Banda and the MMD still enjoy public confidence.

Dr Kalumba, who is former MMD national secretary, said in an interview from Chiengi yesterday that Zambians are too intelligent to change Government because President Banda’s administration is delivering on its promises to the people.

“President Banda still has many strategic options in his political armoury to boost even further public confidence in his leadership and the ruling party, the MMD. I believe days are numbered for the few traitors who continue to betray President Banda’s confidence,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said the MMD is still strong and popular because of its prudent economic management and consistency on policy.

“Because of the MMD’s size and long history of leadership, there are bound to be people who feel that perhaps the cat calls for change by the opposition are loud enough to scare the voting public and that opportunity is beckoning on the other side.

“It is my firm belief that the moment has not arrived. Zambians are too intelligent to give up something that is working for them,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said the strong economy, difference in the style of leadership between President Banda and Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata and MMD’s consistency on policy are indicators of the outcome of this year’s tripartite elections.

Commenting on Mr. Sata’s claims that the PF is taking over Eastern Province and former deputy minister of Works and Supply Lameck Mangani’s defection to the PF, Dr Kalumba said the MMD has experienced similar situations in the past but they have had no real negative impact on the ruling party.

“Significantly, I believe that the people of Eastern Province are still in the saddle of power after belonging to the opposition for a long time. I wish to give myself a little credit on this that it took a long time for me personally and others in the MMD to persuade the people of Eastern Province to leave UNIP and join the MMD,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said he does not think that the people of Eastern Province are about to give up stewardship of the MMD which is in charge of national affairs.

“I know that the east is composed of very significant population entities from Chama, Chadiza, Mtenguleni, Nyimba and Mambwe but I still believe that with intelligent leadership in the province, it is possible to unify them behind the MMD leadership. Unity of leadership in the province will have a positive impact on the other provinces,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said Mr Mangani’s resignation from the MMD is not insurmountable and can be repaired if the party remains united in its work, purpose and strategy.

“We have had similar losses before and we have been able to reduce the damage by intelligent and informed strategising,” Dr Kalumba said.

Meanwhile, JIMMY CHIBUYE reports that Zambians for Empowerment and Development president Fred Mutesa has urged Zambians to be wary of recycled politicians who don’t deserve a vote.

Dr Mutesa said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that any leader who has been in Parliament for more than ten years should be retired during the elections.

He said Zambians should not entertain politicians who jump from one political party to another.

“Unless Zambians open their eyes, the only change they will get is recycling the same shameless politicians,” Dr Mutesa said.

He said some politicians fear the possibility of losing the privileges they have enjoyed in the MMD and are now trying to revive their political careers by joining other parties, hoping the ruling party will lose the polls.