By PETER SICHALI and OLIVER SAMBOKO
MMD president Nevers Mumba should be truthful about his dealings in DRC and stop blaming others for his predicament in that country, Chief Chikwanda of Mpika has said.
Chief Chikwanda said it was important for Dr Mumba to be honest and tell the nation the truth about his DRC misadventure and allegations that led to his arrest.
“Just telling the nation that he was arrested and interviewed on several allegations bordering on treason is not enough. Instead he should explain the exact allegations that he was being interviewed for,” the chief said.
Chief Chikwanda said telling the nation that he had gone to that country for business is not convincing especially that Dr Mumba is a person vying for political office.
And Chief Chikwanda has challenged those aspiring for political office to be open in their dealings.
He said those aspiring for political office including the presidency should be subjected to scrutiny.
“It is important for Zambians to thoroughly check leaders aspiring for political office to ensure that people with questionable characters are not put in office because this would put the peace, security and general wellbeing of the country at risk,” Chief Chikwanda said.
Chief Chikwanda said there was need to subject those aspiring for the presidency to integrity test so that governance does not fall in wrong hands.
Dr Nevers Mumba was on December 10, 2020 arrested in DRC by heavily armed security wings.
Dr Mumba confirmed at a press briefing on Friday that he was apprehended and interviewed for five hours on allegations bordering on treason but did not specify them.
Meanwhile, Zambian DNA spokesperson Spuki Mulemwa has said that political leaders should always try to conduct themselves in a dignified manner when visiting other countries to avoid bringing the image of the country into disrepute.
Mr Mulemwa said while every Zambian was free to travel outside the country, they should not dent the image of the country.
He said whatever happened to Dr Mumba when visiting other countries was of interest to the people of Zambia because he was former Republican Vice President and a leader of a political party which was in him Government in the past.
Mr Mulemwa also challenged Dr Mumba to come out in the open and disclose the actual charges that landed him in trouble for five days.
He said Dr Mumba’s blame game would not work considering that he himself caused his own troubles by entering Congo at a time when there were political disturbances in the mineral-rich neighbouring country.
