By ROGERS KALERO
NO one can teach or introduce UPND government officials to steal and become corrupt because some of them were already involved in a number of illegal activities like smuggling before they became ministers in government, a Patriotic Front (PF) official has said
PF Copperbelt Media Director Munalula Moola said UPND should not give an excuse that its ministers were being introduced to the vices by the PF leadership, but must admit that they have criminals in the new dawn administration.
Mr Moola was reacting to President Hakainde Hichilema suggestion that a clique was teaching UPND government officials to steal.
On Monday, President Hichilema said a clique of criminals whom law enforcement agencies are pursuing have now started teaching his ministers and permanent secretaries how to siphon money meant for the poor.
But, Mr Moola said the President must admit that there were criminal elements in his cabinet and proceed to uproot them instead of accusing the PF of teaching the new government officials to steal.
He said if someone agrees to be taught stealing or corruption, it means he or she was interested in the two vices and was eager to learn.
“What President Hichilema doesn’t know is that most of his ministers are actually very corrupt and they are not after serving the majority poverty stricken, but to boast their businesses. Even the tours they are making are meant to secure contracts.
“No one can teach an elderly person to steal if his or her conscience does not allow him. So those UPND ministers who may be implicated in dubious dealings that is their nature. No one has taught them to engage in such deals. We know these UPND ministers, others are former smugglers,” Mr Moola said.
Mr Moola said the UPND was stuck and the only issue they were talking about was fighting corruption to continue winning the support and confidence of the people, but Zambians were no longer interested in such rhetoric.
He said the New Dawn was failing to provide direction because the campaign lies have caught up with them and those who had confidence in them are equally ashamed and embarrassed of the New Dawn.
