EDGAR Lungu will soon pay for abandoning late president Michael Sata’s vision, says UPND vice-president Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba.
Mwamba, popularly known as GBM, in an interview, said Zambians should blame President Lungu for the alarming levels of corruption and debt in the country.
“Corruption is everywhere but the one we are witnessing today under the PF is alarming. Look at the debt level of this county. When late Michael Sata died, I think it [debt] was at US$3.6 billion, now it’s over US$20 billion. Do Zambians realise that we all owe the international community and we have to pay back? But who has created this? It’s only one person, Edgar Lungu. And who has benefited from this debt? It is only one person, Edgar Lungu,” he said.

But the Ministry of Finance argues that both foreign and public (local) debt amounts to US$15 billion.

“First and foremost, I have been quiet on this matter of corruption simply because I want the Zambian people to realise that the government they ushered into power whether dubiously or otherwise didn’t mean well. They pretended that they were a pro-poor government…yes, late Michael Sata, may his soul rest in peace, that is what he wanted for this country. He wanted to make sure that the poor Zambians enjoyed the fruits of the nation…the national cake but this has not been the case. His vision has been abandoned by Edgar and he will soon pay for it,” GBM said.
“What president Sata wanted for this country is not happening. What is happening is the total opposite of what he really wanted to see happen. The Edgar Lungu that we knew…who was a very poor man…used to drink kachasu, today Edgar drinks the most expensive whisky which is imported. Look at the way the PF are living; lavishly, more than some of us who have worked for our money. We have a track record. I am able to show that this is how I started. I used to sell Kapenta from Mpulungu and Chilemba (beans) from Kasama to Lusaka. But today, most PF members who are not even into businesses have become millionaires.”

Mwamba said most PF leaders had built castles for themselves using public resources. He said it was unfortunate that ordinary Zambians were just watching and not acting.

“For me, I will tell you…Zambians, we asked for it. Our time to tell you about it will come, not now. There will be a time when we will tell you that this is what we warned you against. I think UPND is the only party that will alleviate the poverty levels of the many Zambians. We are not greedy people, we are not greedy politicians…we are not going into government in order for us to build houses…we’ve already got castles. We have whatever we want. All we want is to serve the people of Zambia…we want to help Zambians because we have seen the high levels of corruption in the country. The corruption we have seen in the PF government is unprecedented and everyone is now seeing it and are agreeing with us,” GBM said.

“We told the Zambians that when these chaps get into power, they will first look at their tummies and that is what they have done…but they are overdoing it. The levels of corruption today can even be seen by a child…they are getting 10-20 per cent from Avic through their representative…this ka little boy called Thomas…Thomas is a Chinese but that is his pseudonym. He is the one abetting corruption in this country at high levels.”

Mwamba said the living standard of an average Zambian would not be anything to talk about come 2021.

“Look at how Zambians are suffering now. You can imagine what will happen in this country by 2020, 2021. The new PF has abandoned president Sata’s vision. They have brought in people who insulted president Sata. Kaizer Zulu was chased by president Sata because of his activities but today, Edgar has embraced him. Dora Siliya in Kasama, I remember, called Sata a lot of stupid names but today Dora is in ‘Sata’s Cabinet’, Vincent Mwale in Parliament called us names, today he is even in the front bench of PF. Who has caused all this? I blame Edgar Lungu because he knew the vision of Sata,” he said.

“I now understand Edgar, he didn’t love Sata because he has abandoned his vision, he has abandoned Sata’s family, he has abandoned all those who were close to Sata. Most foreign jobs have gone to the MMD people. Those that supported Sata and were sent into foreign service have been recalled quietly. Those of you PF members still worshipping Edgar Lungu…surely…are you really serious? If you loved Sata, if I were you, I would say, ‘let me leave this job, let me go and suffer’ but you do not want that because njala yaminyokola (you are hungry). I feel sorry for you people still in PF. If I was still in PF, I would have resigned out of principle because I was not going to allow myself to be dinning and wining with Dora Siliya, Vincent, and Margaret Mwanakatwe in a party that we fought for to form government.”
Mwamba said the PF had been hijacked by the MMD.

“MMD members are even part of the Central Committee. Which Central Committee? Come on guys, stand up and be counted. Sata should be turning in his grave right now. He is not happy with what you are doing but one thing I know for sure is that someone will pay the price for abandoning Sata’s vision. You have let the people of Zambia down and you have brought poverty in people’s homes. Families now cannot even afford three proper meals a day, they cannot afford to take their children to school, and street vendors have nowhere to run to. Oh my God! We have lost Zambia under the leadership of Edgar Lungu and his political cronies. I feel sorry for you Zambians. Please wake up, the time is now and stand up and be counted,” said Mwaamba.