WE have observed that Edgar Lungu and his Patriotic Front government have taken Zambians for granted because they have been allowed to steal the country’s resources and silence those with opposing views, charges Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba.

Mwamba, the UPND vice-president popularly known as GBM, pointed out that time was up for President Lungu whom he said had reached a point of “call back”.

He said today, Zambians could not express themselves on issues affecting their lives and surroundings.

“We’ve had enough, imagine closing The Post Newspapers to the extent of reducing its workers like they were cadres in the opposition yet they have an important role in society which was also benefiting the PF as a ruling party,” GBM stressed in a press statement.
“I appreciate the constitution of South Africa which has a provision for a political party to call back a non-performing or corrupt President. Edgar Lungu has reached a point of call back, the iron is there but unfortunately, no one in PF can push for a vote of no confidence and that could be the reason why the Speaker of the National Assembly [Dr Patrick Matibini] is sitting on the impeachment motion.”

He stated that in higher institutions of learning such as UNZA and CBU had been affected due to poor funding.

The former defence minister in Michael Sata’s government observed that under President Lungu’s leadership, the country had a burden to pay a huge debt incurred through reckless borrowing.

“Look at the Zambian people today! The majority are wallowing in abject poverty, they can’t afford three meals in a day, our youths, skilled or educated, have nothing on offer. In fact, they have a burden to pay a huge debt incurred from reckless borrowing by Edgar and his government,” GBM stated. “This unfortunately includes the unborn child who will not only pay the debt but may be born stunted due to poor nutrition. The intellectual capacity of our students in higher institutions of learning such as UNZA and CBU has been affected due to poor funding of their meals, accommodation and project allowances, worsened by poor management of their lecturers who have to fight for better conditions of service. Issues affecting students and their lecturers have no doubt affected their learning yet they are the human resource awaited to contribute to the development of the nation.”

He stated that traders, too, had been affected by the burning of markets, which the PF had to date not told the nation the cause.

GBM stated that there were no conducive trading spaces while those with space in markets were swindled by cadres illegally collecting levies from them.

He stated that civil servants were struggling to live decent lives as their salaries had lost value while President Lungu, besides the wealth he had “suspiciously amassed”, had also increased his salary.

“As UPND, we shall not allow austerity measures that are implemented using the animal farm formula. We have had enough, PF has gone too far. In Bemba we say ‘Edgar waya sana’,” GBM stated.

“Every sector has been affected by Edgar’s poor performance but he is showing no remorse other than fighting to remain in power as a means of enriching himself while Zambians get poorer and die prematurely. Today, Zambians can’t express themselves on issues affecting their lives and surroundings while journalists remain risking their lives to provide information to the community. Enough, Edgar should go, go, go.”

He urged Dr Matibini to table the impeachment motion for debate in the house.

“Edgar has also abrogated the Constitution he swore [to protect] during his inauguration as well as broken some biblical commandments which late president Michael Sata swore to use in governing this nation. Awee mwachilamo ba Edgar, Zambians today are among the hungriest population in the world. It’s too much, enough is enough,” GBM stated.
“Speaker Patrick Matibini should learn from the South African Parliament that impeachment is a part of democratic process and the House should not be used to protect criminals. Jacob Zuma survived three impeachment motions brought before Parliament without the Speaker showing any bias. The UPND demands that Matibini brings the impeachment motion so that it is debated.”

He stated that the country was not short of quality men and women, even within the PF, who could take over and do better than President Lungu.
GBM stated that it was time for President Lungu to leave the presidency for a leadership that would put Zambians first.

“If Lungu is popular, he will stay but we know he will go because he has failed the people of Zambia and the writing is on the wall,” stated GBM. “We are mindful to the cry of the majority that Zambia needs a fresh start and the only suitable political party, which is ready to begin the new transformation is the UPND. It’s no doubt that my president Hakainde Hichilema and I have travelled the country and understand it better than Edgar. ‘Dziko ni bantu’ is what we believe in as UPND.”