Times Reporter
1 January 2003
Political stalwart Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika has warned Government to be wary of politicians who are now forming alliances with people linked to corruption.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday Mr Mbikusita-Lewanika said there was currently an alliance of reactionary thieving forces in Zambia who were undermining President Mwanawasa's 'new deal' programme.
"Those who 12 months ago were fighting against corruption are in alliance with those they accused of being corrupt.
"Both these forces have an interest to replace Mr Mwanawasa or the new deal programme and that is why they should not be treated with kid gloves nor be given room or time to fulfill their agenda," he said.
Mr Mbikusita-Lewanika whose nomination for MMD national secretary has been put on ice after objections were raised within the National executive Committee (NEC) said the current problems in MMD would not be solved simply by the appointment of any one person to the position of national secretary.
He refuted reports that Mr Mwanawasa had withdrawn his nomination and asked for new names and that to date he has not been called before the NEC to explain his stand on the Barotseland Agreement.
He declined to comment on reports that the Litunga had warned Mr Mwanawasa against appointing him as national secretary.
"Nothing of the sort happened. What I have seen is a struggle within the MMD of people who are resisting the new deal and are now peddling rumours, lies and distortion of fact as their way of fighting the new deal administration by keeping the public misinformed," he said.
He said nothing would change unless the original agenda which demanded a high level of inclusiveness and broad participation was attained.
He said the Mwanawasa administration had provided the country a second chance to recommit itself to the struggle for democracy and development.
He said in the last 10 years the MMD Government departed from the original agenda and took on forms that were similar in character to the one-party state.
"We did not change anything. We maintained the same method of changing the constitution and retained the state of emergency. Today people who embraced these ideals are resisting the new deal's resolve to return to the original agenda," he said.
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