By NOEL IYOMBWA
THE UPND should not be allowed to “mortgate” Zambia by taking monies from foreign mining groups and promising them unknown rewards in exchange, former UPND Mbabala Member of Parliament Ephraim Belemu said.
In an interview, Mr Belemu challenged the UPND leadership to explain what sort of deals it has made with international companies which are believed to be financing its campaigns.
He said UPND president Hakainde Hichilema should realise that Zambia was not for sale to outsiders.
Mr Belemu’s remarks follows reports that the opposition party has promised a South African mining group to hand over Zambian mines if it formed government.
Mr Belemu said the unexplained foreign funding of UPND campaigns could lead to the country being auctioned.
He said the reports were serious and called on the media to help the country by interrogating the opposition party over the source of its huge campaign funding.
Mr Belemu said the PF government has done a lot in terms of securing the wealth of the country as evidenced by how it has addressed challenges of some mines such as Konkola Copper Mines among others on the Copperbelt.
Mr Belemu said the UPND should convince Zambians that they mean well and why they should vote for them rather than relying on foreigners to win elections.
“Zambia under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu has not sabotaged the country’s wealth by securing mines at Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani respectively so the UPND should bear in mind that Zambia is not for sale.
Meanwhile, the UPND has denied promising Oppenheimer Mining Group of South Africa to hand over Zambian mines if it comes into power.
Some social media reports suggest that the party entered into an agreement 12 years ago that saw the UPND receiving financial support and campaign vehicles.
The South African mining group is alleged to have handled over campaign vehicles.
