Kambwili warns ‘corrupt’ minister

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 10:23:38 +0000

By Bennie Mundando

CONCENTRATE on cleaning the prisons because whilst you enjoy corruption money, that is your destination once you are out of office; and don’t be jealous of others because it will not take you anywhere, Chishimba Kambwili tells an unnamed minister.

In his write-up, dubbed “Tales of jealousy and envy,” Mr. Kambwili said he had earned his reputation as a politician because of his sincere dedication to serving the poor and that those who were not appreciated in their own constituencies were “as good as dead”.

He, however, warned that the said minister was destined for jail because he was involved in all manner of corrupt activities, ranging from fleecing money from contractors to hiring choppers to enable him travel to his constituency; and getting 5 percent commission on all contracts awarded by his ministry.

“Now let me warn this minister. We know that he is asking contractors to contribute money towards his bill for hiring choppers to go to his constituency, buying property worth K2.5 million cash, asking contractors to prepare money whilst he is in town or wherever he goes, bought a brand new Mercedes Benz within a week of being appointed minister and is getting 5 percent of all contracts awarded in his ministry.

“This minister must also concentrate on cleaning the prisons because whilst he enjoys corruption money, he must clean his destination, which is jail. Ukusabaila tekusuma (Careless talk is not good). Just work hard and make a name, don’t be jealous of others because it doesn’t take you anywhere. Get off your high horse,” Mr. Kambwili said.

He said the same minister was accusing him of paying women to cheer him and charged that such accusations had no iota of truth but coming from an individual driven by envy and jealous of other peoples’ achievements.

“He alleges that I paid women to cheer me and hail my name outside Pick n Pay. What this minister should know is that I have worked hard in my constituency and in my town as a whole. I am a people’s person and that is why I am loved by the common person. I cannot stoop so low to pay people to cheer my name because that would be deceiving myself.

“I have earned the right to be celebrated in my constituency because of my sincere dedication to serving the masses. As a politician, if you are not celebrated in your own back yard, then you are as good as dead.  But then, why should people cheering me become a problem to a certain minister? The fact is, I speak for the poor and it means that they are more inclined to cheer me on because I am their voice,” he said.