Davis Mataka
20 September 2008
INSULTS and malicious attacks on the Government and party leadership by some opposition leaders will not derail the MMD's focus on national development programmes, acting President, Rupiah Banda has said.
Addressing hundreds of Kasama residents who thronged Kasama Airport yesterday to welcome him, Mr Banda said he would not engage anyone in politics of insults and malicious propaganda because it was unZambian.
Mr Banda is in Kasama to attend the Ukusefya Pang'wena traditional ceremony of the Bemba speaking people at the invitation of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.
He said he would not be derailed by such attacks and would always conduct clean politics.
"As of this presidential candidate, (refering to himself), you will not hear me insulting anybody or engaging in malicious character assassination of other candidates, I want to conduct a clean campaign which is issue-based and being truthful to the people of Zambia to see us form the next government," he said.
The acting president, who arrived in Kasama around 10.00 hours to a rousing welcome by party functionaries and residents, reiterated that he wanted to explain to the people of Zambia why they should vote for the MMD in the presidential by-election.
He was accompanied by MMD national secretary, Katele Kalumba, chairperson, Michael Mabenga, party spokesman, Ben Tetamashimba, elections chairperson, Mike Mulongoti, and former Information minister, Vernon Mwaanga.
Others on hand to receive him were former vice-president, Nevers Mumba.
Mr Banda said that Zambians had shown the world that they were united especially during the State funeral of the late president, Levy Mwanawasa.
"I would like to thank you all, we showed the world that we are a united country and that the tenets of democracy are entrenched in Zambia going by the smooth transition when the NEC (national executive committee) voted for me as the presidential candidate.
"The legacy and vision of our late president will only be continued when such values are followed," he said.
Mr Banda said he was reliably informed that parts of the province had not yet received agricultural inputs such as seed and fertiliser and promised that they would be delivered before the rain season.
His entourage caused a frenzy in the town centre when he stopped to greet some marketeers and shoppers near Luwingu Bus Stop.
Business almost came to a standstill as people scrambled to catch a glimpse of Mr Banda.
Later in the day, Mr Banda paid a courtesy call on Chief Chitimukulu at his palace about 90 kilometres outside Kasama.
He also held talks with 18 Bemba chiefs for over two hours and is expected to grace the tradtional ceremony today.
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