Andrew canes M’membe for attacking HH
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) deputy national chairperson Andrew Banda has defended President Hakainde Hichilema against attacks from Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe, who has accused the head of State of being a puppet of the West.
Mr. Banda, who served in the foreign mission under late presidents Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda, says Dr M’membe has a history of disparaging Zambian presidents as well as the UPND, starting with its founding leader Anderson Mazoka
“I will not go into details about Rupiah Banda for reasons best known,” he said. “[But] it is not that Zambians don’t know. You see, the problem with my brother [Fred M’membe] is that in 1991, he President Kaunda – you could have been young then – a tin pot dictator, and then came in Chiluba, whom he campaigned for at first and was close friends with, but [he] turned around and called him something else [a thief].
He then turned to Levy, who he ended up calling a cabbage, and as Zambians we all know what great job Levy eventually did in the fight against corruption and [revamping the economy]” Mr. Banda has taken great exception to Dr. M’membe calling President Hichilema a puppet of the West. “President Hakainde Hichilema is not a puppet as he was voted into power by Zambians, even though others may not believe that he is republican President,” he said. “President Hichilema was voted into power by some 2.8 million people and they must be respected by those in opposition and those who may hate this man. “Others have said this man is a dealer and is a puppet, and if he is a puppet, then who is a leader? Is Fred himself a leader? And if HH is a puppet, who is Fred, a puppet of himself?” The Mast recently quoted Dr. M’membe, who has taken umbrage to the United States Africa Command opening up an office of security operation at the US Embassy, saying imperialists are planting puppets all over and are very much alive in Zambia. He said Zambia is under the imperialists’ onslaught who are after the country’s resources. Dr. M’membe said: “Leaders today who are more satisfied with just getting commissions and a few shares in the deals they strike with the Oppenheimers, thinking they are leaders when they are nothing but puppets who are not even good for their own Bantustans.” But Mr Banda said Dr. M’membe’s record is there to show how he has behaved towards the country’s leaders as well as the late Mr. Mazoka, whom he tormented throughout his ill health and unfortunate death.
He said Dr. M’membe has now moved to attacking President Hichilema, whom, even while in opposition, he tormented with many labels and accusations. “If indeed President Hichilema is a puppet, a tribalist and not a leader, if President Hichilema is all those things, why did Zambians vote for him?” he asked. “It is clear that Dr. M’membe believes nobody should be there [in power] except himself [Dr. M’membe]. “The way forward for me is: criticise this government on the issues of the economy with facts and reasonable fairness. If they don’t give hope, say so. These are the real checks and balances. But to get persistently personal is not right, and actually reflects low calibre on those who are attacking and it is not good for our country.“ If Dr. M’membe becomes President in 2086 or thereafter, then Zambians will also accord him the respect deserving a head of state. “The new dawn administration is going through a difficult period because the coffers were found empty as a result of the previous people who were in government, but the evidence of the upright approach to governance of the country, including focus on the poor, is there, particularly when you see the CDF policy direction which has taken financial resources to the doorsteps of all citizens in all corners of the country.” Mr. Banda said stating that Mr. Hichilema is not a leader is an insult to the 2.8 million Zambians who voted for him. “It means they voted for a puppet,” he said. “The unfortunate part is that those who don’t like Hakainde, like Fred M’membe, will live with him for five years. The contact between Zambians [and President Hichilema] is five years, whether they like it or not. “It has taken 23 years for the UPND to come into power and 15 years for Mr Hichilema to become President.” To judge our leader in nine months at this negative rate and speed is a bit unfair.
Mr. Banda said Dr. M’membe should stop misleading young people with the “failed” ideology of socialism. He says many young people never lived under socialism and may not appreciate its negative effects. “The ideology of socialism Fred M’membe’s party is propagating failed lamentably in USSR, let alone in Zambia and Zimbabwe. How does he expect the same system of government to work now 30 years after its demise?” he asked. “Even China, the second biggest economy in the world, has discarded socialism with a mixed economy, [then] Zambia should experiment with failed ideologies?”“