Maravi

Who’s Panji to make such big statements - Rupiah

Who’s Panji to make such big statements - Rupiah
By Ernest Chanda
Sat 08 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT

President Rupiah Banda says nothing gives Colonel Panji Kaunda the right to express concern about violence in the nation. Responding to questions from journalists at Lusaka's City Airport before departure for Eastern Province, President Banda said the government was handling national affairs well.

“What gives him the right to make such big statements? Who is he? That's my question,” President Banda said yesterday.

Asked to comment about Lusaka acting MMD provincial chairman William Banda's open declaration of violence on critics of the party's leadership, President Banda refused to answer the question.
When pressed further, President Banda still maintained that he could not talk since Banda was around to answer the question.

“No, no, no, don't put those words... William is here, go and ask him. No, no, all the same, I'm saying William is here, go and ask him. He's not here to justify that statement. But you want me to comment on that statement and you don't want me to advise you on who should be the candidate where? Anyway, William is over there, I can't, go and ask him,” said President Banda, in apparent reference to The Post’s lead story of Friday January 7, 2011, which revealed his move to impose Kennedy Zulu as his preferred choice of chairman at the forthcoming provincial conference.

And President Banda said there are no leadership wrangles in the MMD in Eastern Province.

He said the party conference would be peaceful.

The comment on Col Panji comes after he expressed fears that this year’s general elections would be the bloodiest if the government did not act on the violence and threats that were currently being experienced in the country.

Labels: PANJI KAUNDA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 2:01 PM