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Zambia: Shakafuswa Says Time's Up to Break Off From Active Politics
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The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
27 March 2008
Posted to the web 27 March 2008
Ndola
FINANCE and National Planning Deputy Minister, Jonas Shakafuswa, has said he will break off from active politics after investigations against him by the National Assembly.
Welcoming the decision by the National Assembly to investigate the incident which occurred at the members' bar last week, Mr Shakafuswa said he had made up his mind and would leave politics.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Shakafuswa said politics had had a strain on his health and his life, hence his resolve to have a break, which he said, would last up to 2011.
He accused some quarters of the media of having fabricated some of the words attributed to him during his encounter with Chikankata member of Parliament, Munji Habeenzu.
"I think I have been harshly judged on the matter. Some words attributed to me by the newspapers are false," said the outspoken MP for Katuba constituency.
When asked whether his break from active politics would depend on the outcome of the investigations by the National Assembly, Mr Shakafuswa said: "I have already made up my mind, for now I need to lead a private life."
National Assembly media liaison officer, Chikomeni Banda, said on Tuesday that Speaker Amusaa Mwanamwambwa and the committee on privileges, absence and support services would investigate the matter to its logical conclusion.
Admitting that he "told off" Mr Habeenzu, Mr Shakafuswa said the investigations were welcome as they would afford the public a chance of knowing what exactly transpired.
As soon the findings were over, he said, he would decide whether to resign or request President Mwanawasa to relieve him of his duties.
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He said politics had taken its toll on his health adding that even on the day of the incident he was advised by the doctor not to work because his blood pressure had shot up.
He, however, had to attend the session because it was a crucial one as the national Budget had to be adopted before the House adjourned sine die.
On people calling for his resignation, Mr Shakafuswa said he was not scared of that but the truth had to be known first. He said he could survive without Government.
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