By JOHN KOMBE
PATRICK Mucheleka is being petty by portraying checks and balances on government is jealousy, Rainbow Party president, Wynter Kabimba has said
He advised the UPND to be ready for opposition political party checks and balances now that they had formed government, stating that they must not trivialise pertinent national matters.
Mr. Kabimba was commenting on UPND deputy secretary general Patrick Mucheleka’s allegations that the former’s alleged attacks on President Hakainde Hichilema were fuelled by long-standing bitterness.
He said that contrary to the allegations, he was raising issues on corruption that was a concern of all including the opposition.
He said the President was not an officer of any of the investigative wings responsible for bringing the perpetrators of corruption to book.
Mr. Kabimba said that it was for this reason that he advised the President to allow the agencies to carry out their work in a professional manner.
He argued that the UPND government must allow the agencies to carry out their duties without interference.
Mr. Kabimba said Mr Mucheleka had diverted from real issues to personal and petty issues that had nothing to do with the matters raised.
He said that the opposition had a duty to offer checks and balances to the government and must not be gagged.
He stressed that the earlier the UPND realised that they were now in government and must be checked by opposition, the better.
Mr. Kabimba said that he would not speak out of bitterness, but out of duty as an opposition political party leader.
He said that unlike Mr Mucheleka, he was not looking for a job and would not speak to appease anyone.
“I am not bitter or jealousy of HH. I am not looking for a job, but I am speaking for the people of Zambia and will continue to do so,” Mr. Kabimba said.
He also observed that the UPND gave the same checks and balances when they were in opposition and must come to terms with the new reality.
Mr. Kabimba wondered why the UPND cannot live-up to the new reality of being in government. He said that his party was equally interested in the alleged corruption committed by the previous government and that it was in the interest of all stakeholders to see to it that those who committed crimes are brought to book.
