IN UPND SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS.I RUE THE DAY I LIED UNDER OATH.
MBOLELA CHATE WRITES!
About a year ago l received phone calls in space of one hour that l needed to be at Mansa Police Station to sign as surety for our youths who were embroiled in the Muombe Mine saga.
When l got to the police station l was allowed to sign for three of the accused.Little did l know this was the beginning of the court fiasco to last over 8 months.
I had prayed that our leaders would understand the plight of our youths and just reprimand them .l was grossly mistaken.There was every determination to have our youths fixed by those in power.
Sensing the danger we gathered the accused and advised them to render an apology to the Provincial Administration ,the police command and the party.To my dismay this was felled on deaf years.There was every determination to fix the boys because they were working against the policy of the party of enticing and protecting foreign direct investment.
I tried to write on several fora to plead for the youths but to no avail.
When the case started in the Mansa Subordinate Court,the group was divided in two.Steven Chikota was in one group and Richard Kamenga was in the other.
I was always at the court to give support to our youths.Trial commenced in both groups.The evidence which was adduced clearly showed that some of our youths had a bad case and we’re destined for prison.
To the luck of our youths there was a Council Chairman bye election coming through in Mwense.Ceasing this opportunity we convinced Chikota to contest in the election as UPND candidate.
There were some misgivings that he had a court case. “Bowman Lusambo and Joe Malangi had running court cases but were adopted by PF go contest in their constituencies.What of us who are in power.what was the fear about.” we argued.
This decision unlocked our luck as our party had no option but to intervene in Chikota’s case because he was our candidate.
The Kamenga’s group continued appearing in court and judgement was set for Friday 09 December 2022.
On Wednesday 07 December 2022 l was at the farm. At about mid day l received a call that the Kamenga group wanted to meet me in town.
They reminded me that judgement was coming in two days time.And that the case did not look good for some of them.They pleaded with me to inform the court that one of the accused on whom l stood as surety was unwell.He had a bout of Malaria.They needed time to undo the case.
When the case was called l walked to the front and l informed the court under oath that James Mwandu was unwell.l had informed the Prosecutor about the development prior to getting into court so the state was aware and did not object.
Kamenga’s group needed time to smoothen up things and l had secured it for them.
The next Friday when the case was called the State entered Nolle Prosequi.
From the episode narrated above one would tell that the involvement of Chikota in the Mwense bye election unlocked lucky for the boys.Today it would have been a different story.
The Muombe Mine has been under lock and key since then.The police have been guarding the place since then.
To our surprise last week permission was granted to allow some cadres to do some illegal mining at the site.The police securing the mine allowed this activity to proceed.Who gave instructions to our Police Command in the Province to allow passage of illegal miners?
Those that visited the Provincial Administration were briefed that the Minister of Mines Hon. Kabuswe gave permission.This sounds logical because it falls under his jurisdiction.
One would ask,what difference does this bring to a right thinking individual because it bows down to one logical conclusion which is illegal mining.The only difference this time is that those in the corridors of power will share the loot.
Chikota’s was arrested because he wanted to ensure that the poor child of Luapula benefitted as well.This time no one will never be arrested because it is those in the echelons of power that are benefiting.Ukulyamo kusuma bane.But ifilala fyamunda yanama.
What is more offending is that the same people that were benefiting in PF are back in UPND.Reaping where they did not sow.Individual interest Vs Mutual interest.
Another excuse given is that the youths were complaining of hunger so the power that be decided to intervene.What rubbish is this?
I would want to know how much my boy Pushi in Nchelenge will get.How about Evans in Samfya. Poshila in Mansa .These are seasoned youths that made me go and stand in court and tell a lie.l could not sit back and watch my boys who had been neglected by the party go to prison.We were in trenches with these boys fighting PF . Today the same people we fought are back scorning at us.Akulasanikwa.
Once there is disorder in the house it is the father who is blamed.If the child misbehaves and the father does not take punitive action people take it that the misconduct comes with the blessings of the father.
The misconduct in the UPND the condemnation end at the President.Excuse to say he does not know can not hold because he receives intelligence briefings from government operatives.
Decision to take action or not rests in his hands.
Always rushing to defend the President’s inability to defend the interest of the party is not giving dividend to the well being of the UPND.Lets learn to speak out when things go amiss.
Those that followed the local government bye election we lost in ltala ward in Lunga District would attest that it was the issue of fertilizer that was at stake -‘bupuba bobe wemwine,twalikwebele ati leta umufundo weletafye ubupuba.’
In this song who was being referred to?Your guess is as good as mine.
Brethren let’s guard our stay in power jealousy.
I leave it to you to brood over if my decision to lie under oath was worth it.Moumbe mine where Chikota was arrested and battered today is a play ground for others.This is UPND for you where some animals are more equal than others.We leave it to HH to balance up the equation.
Happy Sunday pals.