Who is giving Lungu the courage – Chanda
By Fanny Kalonda
KAWIMBE Chanda has observed that Edgar Lungu is insulting Zambians by complaining about high mealie meal and fuel prices.
A few days ago when he escorted his son Dalitso to the Drug Enforcement Commission, Lungu started complaining about high mealie meal prices and other commodities.
But Chanda, a Lusaka resident, has cautioned Lungu against mocking people for problems his government caused.
“Lungu’s utterances when he was talking to Chilufya Tayali was evident enough for anyone to charge that he’s still in active politics. This is why the [PF] convention is not taking place. They’re buying time to find a way or plans on how they will endorse him as their preferred candidate for 2026 general elections,” he said. “Trying to play smart when you know that you’re the one who created the problem at hand through your unplanned borrowing and mismanagement of national resources without shame and later start pretending that you would be the solution to the same problem you created is an insult to the people of Zambia.”
Chanda said Lungu’s behaviour further explained PF manoeuvres over their convention scheduled for next month.
He wondered who or what has given Lungu courage to start politicking.
“Statements of money disappearing at their secretariat sound fake, they’re just playing monkey tricks and this is why there’s unending political confusion in PF because he’s not yet decided whether to retire from active politics or not. Surely, for a man once privileged with a republican presidency; instead of seemingly taking a back seat on matters of national importance where his counsel could help, he seems to enjoy making public appearances to make mockery of challenges the Zambians are facing,” Chanda said. “Edgar Lungu today has the courage to get in the mall just to check the high price of mealie meal and rice? Who’s giving him the courage? Such kind of politics is terrible because we pay his house rentals. We pay his electricity bills, we pay his security, maids and for all other essential commodities.”
Chanda wondered why Lungu never visited supermarkets when he was Chawama PF member of parliament to check on prices of essential commodities.
‘’I’m saying we because it’s us the taxpayers who are keeping him. He was a member of parliament for Chawama Constituency before he ascended to become a republican president, did he ever step his foot at Chawama market to check on high mealie meal prices and some other food stuffs?” asked Chanda. “Worse of, when he was President when Zambians were crying to him to reduce the price of mealie meal and bread did he respond? Instead, his minions started mocking Zambians to start eating kandolo (sweet potatoes) if they can’t manage a bag of mealie meal or a loaf of bread.”
On Thursday, Lungu cracked jokes veiled in innuendos against President Hakainde Hichilema when he accompanied his son Dalisto to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).
Dalitso is being investigated for corruption and money laundering related matters.
Lungu, who was accompanied by his wife Esther, a few PF central committee members and lawyers, satirically asked Chilufya Tayali and PF presidential aspirant Emmanuel Mwamba if they were not aware that fuel prices had been increased, and if the country had not experienced load shedding as he was coming out of the interview room.
Earlier, Lungu also chatted with Economic and Equity Party leader Tayali over a social media video clip which he said mistook him for the subject in it.
“…Tamwishibe ati balilunda fuel (don’t you know that they increased fuel prices)? You know fiction, when fiction becomes reality ninshi (then) you are in trouble. You will struggle,” he said mockingly. “Ine nalilandile ubufi, boza, wenye… (I said it’s lies).”
Before he got onto his vehicle, Lungu beckoned Tayali to say something.
“Chilufya ati shani (Chilufya, what do you say),” Lungu said.
Tayali responded in no time, “…methomenya (in reference to President Hichilema’s methodical). Your excellency, methomenya bulwele; ulya muntu uubepafye (methomenya is a disease; that person who just lies). The person who has got the propensity to lie. Napashilingile ku bepa (even where it is not necessary he lies). So bulya bulwele (that is a disease). It is actually a clinical thing. You can actually go to Chainama, there are doctors,” said Tayali.
“Does it run in the family or their political party,” Lungu asked Tayali as those that accompanied him watched in awe.
“Even when wakula wakota (you’ve grown old) you will continue lying. Methomenya bulwele (it’s a disease), your excellency,” responds Tayali. “It affects everyone if it is government. So filiya imwe mwali nga mwalikwete bulya ubulwele, bonsefye ngabalebepa (if you had that disease, everyone else would have been lying). That is why mulemona abantu balebepa (you are seeing people lying); it is contagious.”
Tayali said it had to do with the upbringing of a person.
“Fuel, tabalunda fuel? Mwalikwatapo load shedding nangu tamwakwatapo? (Hasn’t the price of fuel been increased? Have you never had load shedding?),” Lungu asked and Mwamba responded in the affirmative.
“Eko ili load shedding (load shedding there),” said Mwamba.
Tayali again chipped in, “No, what he meant was taila fikapo (it is not there). Balilunda fuel (they have increased the price of fuel) but tailafikapo (it’s not the final). Nalilanda ati ubufi, boza, wenye, I said it’s a lie),” said Tayali as Mwamba interrupted.
“You know, it is a sin. The bible is very categorical about it and he is a church elder,” said Mwamba in apparent reference to President Hichilema.
A number of party officials took time greeting Lungu who also chatted about the rainy weather.
Asked by journalists to comment on his son’s probe, Lungu said: “I don’t want to prejudice investigations”.