By Patson Chilemba
Do not become the new thugs in town, President Hakainde Hichilema has told off ruling UPND youths.
And President Hichilema described as shameful the transactions surrounding the purchase of the presidential jet under former president Edgar Lungu, saying it was disgusting and the people must be careful when electing presidents next time.
President Hichilema also said “we shall cross the bridge when we get there”, when responding to the question on whether he will be ready to lift Lungu’s immunity if investigations point to impropriety on his part.
Addressing the press yesterday, President Hichilema reaffirmed his commitment towards ending caderism in markets and bus stations, urging UPND leaders not to agitate party youths into the same hooliganism which saw PF cadres take over the running of markets and bus stations.
He said if it was bad when it was done by the PF, it should also be bad when it is done by the UPND, whom he said were elected to power on the premise of law and order.
“To my colleagues in the UPND, this debate ends today…to my youths do not undermine your government. Do not become the new thugs in town,” President Hichilema said, adding that policing should be left in the hands of the police and not UPND cadres taking matters into their own hands. “Do not be the enemy of our government.”
President Hichilema urged the youths not to spoil their own dish as he had his own plans for them, saying the leaders agitating the youths will be in direct conflict with him.
“Women don’t start singing songs that will agitate violence,” President Hichilema said, saying the same youths they were influencing now would come for them one day.
Asked by The Mast if he had forgone his promise to sell the presidential jet, President Hichilema maintained that the position had not changed, saying if he was driven by the feel good factor he would have flown in the Gulf Stream to the United States.
He said his bone of contention has always been with the manner the jet was purchased, saying he now has correct figures and has been proven right, and will therefore be taking the matter to Cabinet and parliament.
He said very soon the people will be able to see who loved this country and who did not as the figures were frightening, wondering how a normal person could do such a thing.
“It’s disgusting, it’s shameful…be careful when you elect presidents next time,” the President said.
Asked by Daily Revelation if he will lift his predecessor’s immunity if investigations point to wrong doing on his part following his promise to recover all that is alleged to have been stolen from Zambians, President Hichilema said “we will cross the bridge when we get there.”
“But our intention is not to harass anybody. Our intention is for citizens to recover what is theirs. Our intentions are very noble, except someone else who has a very different agenda. You see what I used to do Patson, remember don’t forget we have been in the opposition for a long time,” President Hichilema said. “When I was mainstream opposition (for) 15 years, every time people made accusations about me that I stole money…have you forgotten what my responses used to be? I said take me to court, arrest me. I was confident…I think we must work on the premise that you are strong because you are innocent. But I won’t say more.”
Contrasting his own lean delegation to the United Nations General Assembly with what he said used to happen in the past, the President decried the excessive extravagance, saying he did not need to hire a boat nor throw parties in the expensive New York.
He said for subsequent trips he will not need the impress carriers.
President Hichilema said in pushing the economic diplomacy platform, he engaged Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and the two leaders resolved to focus on trade and economic development, and that the term ‘smugglers’ used to describe Congolese was not appropriate as they were customers.
He said he will be engaging manufactures to export more goods to Congo to take advantage of the huge market in that country.
He also addressed debates over his invitation to the White House.
“At the White House you get invited, you don’t just go there…if you meet the US President in a Garden party somewhere it doesn’t mean you getting invited to the White House,” President Hichilema said.
The President further warned those who were aspiring for positions in the government as permanent secretaries or even heads of quasi government institutions like the RDA to search their souls, saying some wanted to be there so that they could engage in the same corrupt activities those in PF used to engage in.
“That will not happen…you maybe having a wish which you will not like,” he said.
He said roads were attractive under the PF because that was where it was attractive to steal.
“We don’t believe in ubomba mwibala alya mwibala,” said the President, adding that the Auditor General complained to him that in years past they failed to do audits as the people in government then did not want them.
He said going forward, all the audit reports will be going to the National Prosecutions Authority, and would report the matters himself there if there happened to be delays.
He wowed to ensure that every asset that was taken away from Zambians is recovered, and people must not complain that the government was involved in witch-hunt.
President Hichilema warned those who were celebrating that there seemed to be no progress in the manner investigations were going on, and that the nation would be able to see who would have the last laugh.
He wondered how a country could borrow US$ 20 billion without a record on how it had been utilised.
President Hichilema further dismissed assertions that he went to the White House to talk about gay rights, saying there were already constitutional provisions over that matter and besides he was an elder in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
