Friday, December 19, 2014

Zambia: Ruling party in turmoil ahead of 2015 polls

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba has dismissed claims by acting President Guy Scott that the Patriotic Front (PF) wants to use public funds for campaigns for the forthcoming presidential election.
Mr Kalaba said the party has received and continues to receive financial support from local well-wishers contrary to Dr Scott’s claims that it intends to use public funds for campaigns.

He said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday in reaction to Dr Scott’s statement that he will not be blackmailed into allowing the illegal use of government resources for partisan interests.
This was after 14 Cabinet ministers passed a vote of no confidence in Dr Scott and further called on him to resign from his position for allegedly endangering the peace and security of the country.

But Mr Kalaba said the PF is in government to protect the abuse of public funds and that the party has enough friends and well-wishers, who are rendering support towards the campaigns.
“Dr Scott is just shooting in the dark. We are not using public funds to campaign for the forthcoming election,” Mr Kalaba said.

He said Dr Scott’s claims are baseless and unfounded and that the people of Zambia should take the claims as a mere fabrication of the truth.

And Mr Kalaba said the 14 Cabinet ministers will work within the boundaries of the law to remove Dr Scott from his position as acting President.

He said Dr Scott should just resign on moral grounds for putting the peace and security of the nation at risk.

“Dr Scott has read our cards very well, which have interrogated his conscience. His real morality will question him if he continues to act as republican President,” Mr Kalaba said.

He was reacting to Dr Scott’s refusal to step down from his position.
On Wednesday, 14 Cabinet ministers called on Dr Scott to relinquish his position for allegedly posing a threat to national security.

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