By Staff Reporter
President Hakainde Hichilema should not apologise for appointing anyone into government, including his own relatives, as long as they are qualified and have the right credentials, says Colonel Panji Kaunda.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Col Panji said the argument from the PF saying President Hichilema was engaging in nepotism by appointing Dr Denny Kalyalya as Bank of Zambia Governor and Mulilo Kabesha as Attorney General for allegedly being related to him, and Marshal Muchende for being his personal lawyer, was neither here nor there.
He said the President has so far appointed a well balanced Cabinet. President Hichilema himself rubbished claims that he was related to Kabesha during the press conference at State House.
“Are they qualified? If yes, are they bonafide Zambians? If they are qualified, there is nothing he should apologise for. Our father did the same for us his children for fear of people saying he’s appointing his own children despite us being qualified,” Col Panji said. “I am happy they are qualified and we should applaud him for being bold enough. In terms of personnel, his Cabinet is well balanced. We suffered under the same beliefs as the Kaunda children. The only time a Kaunda became something was when Wezi was appointed deputy minister at Home Affairs to General Chinkuli towards the end of KK’s time in office.”
Col Panji said the country should not sacrifice people who are more learned out of fear of being accused to be engaging in nepotism.
And Col Panji has urged the investigative agencies to be extremely patient, saying they must properly scrutnise to see if the cases that are being brought to them have substance in them, and take their time in investigating them before bringing them to the public.
“Yes it’s nice to hear about investigations but professional wise you might jeopardise them. The only time we should know is when they are going to court,” said Col Panji. “If we rush people will lose faith.”
But Col Panji said the public should however, never stop questioning things especially when they saw party and government officials amassing wealth which did not correspond with their legitimate incomes.
“If PF are complaining that they are being harassed, they are the ones we were seeing with flashy cars, houses. So we are bound to ask,” said Col Panji.
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