Thabo Kawana writes
FORMER PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU IS NOT BEING PERSECUTED, HE HOWEVER NEEDS HELP.
I have noticed how some people are championing an agenda to show as though Former President Edgar Lungu is being persecuted by this Govt when in fact not.
The fact that those perceived to be close to him or in his perceived inner circle are being asked by Law Enforcement Agencies to account for their newly found wealth which they acquired mainly whilst they where in public office does not amount to persecution, it doesn’t even amount to prosecution but merely inquiry as is the case for any person or indeed any entity in our country and within boundaries of the Law, especially those Laws around corruption and money laundering including procedures as they relate to the Financial Management Act (FMA) when it comes to utilization of public resources.
The country will recall that when someone (a private individual) brought into the country a Bugatti car, DEC impounded the vehicle and the owner was made to account for the source of his funds. He did so and after investigations, the vehicle was handed back to him.
Recently, the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) a Govt entity had it’s newly acquired motor vehicles seized by DEC and the Board made to account for not only the funds used to purchase the said motor vehicles but, procedures to do so as well. After investigations, the vehicles were handed back to them.
The country may also recall how Former First Lady Mama Thandiwe Banda was summoned for questioning by Law Enforcement Agencies over the Mpundu Trust flats on Leopards Hill Rd and some other property in Tanzania believed/suspected to be hers where acquired and source of funds. Mrs Banda demonstrated how she got a Bank Loan to build the Mpundu Trust flats and how she had no knowledge of the property in Tanzania. After investigations, the Mpundu Trust flats were handed back to her.
There is therefore, nothing strange or outside the Law in summoning the Former First Lady Mama Esther Lungu over the 15 luxurious apartments believed/suspected to be hers in State Lodge area and the source of funds used to put up the same. All she needs to do (if they are hers) is to account for them and the source of funds, simple.
Just as no one is special before the Law, so is no one above the Law including our Former First Family.
The same has to happen to Hon Tasila Lungu and Mr Dalitso Lungu (children of Former President Lungu). They too like any other citizen ought to account for their perceived wealth and source of funds. Nothing sinister or outside the dictates of Law. No persecution here perceived or otherwise.
But I say Former President Lungu needs help because I notice that his utterances over the perceived persecution of his family members and close associates leave much to be desired and are uncouth to say the least.
I say so because his recent outbursts of referring to the Sovereign British Government’s debacle stating that the leader of that country lied his way to office leaves a bitter taste coming from a man of his stature and hinges on a possible strain of relations enjoyed by our country and that of the Brits in as far as diplomatic etiquette is concerned.
Such utterances don’t come from people of his stature and he of all people should know that.
Former President Lungu requires urgent help of actualization of the Office of the Sixth Republican President and a Spokesperson appointment like yesterday. A Spokesperson in that Office will communicate the thoughts and feelings of the Former President void of emotions and uncouth outbursts.
Former President Kaunda had the likes of Muhabi Lungu as Spokesperson and he did a good job, Former President Chiluba had the likes of Emmanuel Mwamba and he too did a good job. Just recently, Former President Banda had Kennedy Limwanya and later Chibeza Mfune and they both did a good job.
Who is Former President Lungu’s Spokesperson?
Considering that the Former President lost terribly to the current President and clearly never thought he would lose hence declaring publicly and with audacity that he would firstly, hand over power to himself and secondly, arrest the current President after elections, one would be expecting too much to think the man would speak publicly without emotional outbursts (Ku loser ma elections ku baba bane).
Hence the urgent need for high caliber men and women to be attached to the Office of the Sixth Republican President to quickly help the Former President to transition into becoming a States Man and not a political grouping leader.
Here I am talking about Senior seasoned men like the great Mikatazo Wakumelo who specialize in settling in Former Presidents.
Let us quickly find the right people to work in the Office of the Sixth Republican President and put this whole episode of hangovers from electoral defeat and foul cry of persecution behind all of us.
Former President Lungu is not being persecuted or indeed prosecuted, he needs help.
My personal opinion
Thabo Kawana.