1 July 2009
LOCAL Government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamashimba has said personal attacks will not deter him from demanding that the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Auditor General's office investigate how 100 hearses were bought.
He expressed regret that his predecessor, Sylvia Masebo allegedly called him names for demanding that the truth be established regarding purchase of the hearses.
And the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday confirmed receiving a report over the matter from Mr Tetamashimba.
" Yes I can confirm that we received a complaint from Mr Tetamashimba," said public relations manager Timothy Moono who refused to discuss the matter further.
Mr Tetamashimba said in an interview yesterday that it was unfortunate that Ms Masebo launched personal attacks by stating that he was the defacto vice-president and untouchable by the president .
"The issue of hearses has passed, she said she wanted President Banda to give her a green light and the president cleared her and she has spoken.
"Since the issue is under the ACC and the office of the Auditor General, the nation will know who is saying the truth and who is wrong.
" I did not specifically say that Ms Masebo was wrong for her to say that she is clean but all I expressed was suspicion in the procurement process," Mr Tetamashimba said.
Mr Tetamashimba said the nation would know who was telling the truth between the two and emphasised that he would from now onwards prefer to remain quiet on the matter.
He also said he would continue defending the administration of President Banda to the hilt despite the personal attacks.
Mr Tetamashimba said all he was doing was defending Mr Banda in the same way that Ms Masebo defended the late president Levy Mwanawasa.
"I do not care but I will defend President Banda to the hilt the way she defended president Mwanawasa to the hilt on hearses," he said.
On Monday, Ms Masebo said Mr Tetamashimba was part of the management meeting that agreed to buy the 100 hearses and should therefore desist from claiming to be ignorant on the matter.
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Benny,mind u we know who exactly u are,infact its like u knew about this issue way back,now coz of ur multcolor nature,u want to dribble the situation,hardluck,u must face the law coz u are not different from naman who dug a pit for modecai.Bye liar.
Benny naman tetam,we know who u are,ur multicolour nature,the pit u've dug,i promise u that u will fall into it coz of ur lieing toungue.The truth will reject u.