Is President Sata Taking Us for A Ride?

The appointment of one time Finance Minister in the Kaunda administration, Alexander Chikwanda, may not in itself be considered corruption in the literary sense but corruption in the sense of moral judgment on the part of the President Michael Sata. Bringing a tired old man, after decades of inactivity, to head an important topmost financial institution in Zambia amounts to a travesty of conscious judgment. Alexander Chikwanda went into oblivion after the end of UNIP and president Kaunda but only to be resurrected a couple of decades later. Chikwanda has been inactive for far too long to deserve an appointment as a Finance Minister and, indeed, his appointment defies logic. This, on the part of Sata is a clear lack of tact and unconscious decision-making. This unconscionable behaviour by the president raises questions as to his moral turpitude and capacity to lead a nation of  overly expectant citizenry.

No to long ago, Sata as the opposition PF party leader was the avowed nemesis and thorn in the flesh of Chinese investors. Sata's election rhetoric were directed among others the corrupt Rupiah Banda administration and the Chinese who were widely believed to abuse and exploit Zambian workers and contravention of the Zambian labour laws. We anticipated that the PF government would be more than stern against the Chinese. We were hopeful that the PF government would not fall for the Chinese prowess at corrupting many a leadership in Africa. Turn around the corner, the same man, now adorning a presidential coat, President Sata, is now consorting with the Chinese in the manner reminiscent of the just eclipsed era of Rupiah Banda administration.If, indeed, Sata is the man of his words, we would be enchanted to see him swiftly address the issue of Chinese labourers that were irregularly issued work permits for jobs that are more than abundant in the nation. The PF administration is already alluding to the fact that the Chinese cannot be ignored, they are a factor in the current economic dispensation. However, how long will it be before the Chinese financial muscle begins to break the president's back? This remains to be seen.

The President's attempt to appoint Xavier Chungu as Permanent Secretary is extremely disconcerting and a betrayal of the Zambian electorate who vested so much confidence in Michael Sata in the hope that he would   make every effort to appoint upright men and women in his government. However, several appointments to date have raised more than just eyebrows but serious concerns. Where was Sata when Xavier ran away and went into self-imposed exile to escape from criminal prosecution for his involvement in the embezzlement of public funds? Has Sata forgotten that Xavier was charged along with late Chiluba for the stealing more than US$50 million? As a matter of fact, Xavier Chungu has not been acquitted of the criminal charges. We would like to advise President Sata not to sympathize with corrupt convicts like Xavier and many others that are still roaming the streets as free man. To appoint Xavier Chungu would have been a clear message that Sata is not serious about his crusade against corruption.

We want commitment in the fight against corruption and zero tolerance, as we have always advocated for, must the order of the day. Corruption should not be tolerated and this fight must be as transparent as possible.   We are therefore disgusted that President Sata made an attempt to appoint Xavier Chungu as Permanent Secretary for Luapula Province. This action by the president must be roundly deplored by all the Zambian that are sick and tired of corruption. What a ludicrous and ill-timed manoeuvre! We applaud Whistle-blowers at the Zambian Cabinet Office for their vigilance in stopping Sata in his tracks. We urge Mr. Sata to exhibit seriousness with appoints. They are many upright Zambians more deserving of such positions than deadwood, convicts and thieves. Zambians now understand and appreciate the power they wield and are thus not scared to use it at the ballot. The president must be careful with the manner he conducts his business lest his DON'T KUBEBA be turned against him and such that he winds up a one-term president.