By Mubanga Mubanga
President Hakainde Hichilema says Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his Running mate Makebi Zulu want to come back in government in order for them to eat the national reserves.
Speaking during a mammoth rally at Heroes Stadium grounds on Sunday, President Hichilema said he had locked the national reserves with a lock and he was not going to allow Mundubile and Zulu to access it.
“Those two were ministers in PF. The other one was the provincial minister in the northern. The other one was in eastern. These are the people who chewed the money for Zambia. They want to come back and eat the reserves. In that reserve, l locked with the key and closed it, he won’t see the money,” he said. “Those reserves are for the Zambian people. When there is a drought, we take a little from there to give to the Zambian people. When there is war, in the Middle East we can use our reserves to support the Kwacha. That is why you have seen the Kwacha is very strong”
President Hichilema asked why Mundubile was talking about the national reserves, after it had reached $6.5 billion, when they left the country in debt.
“You brought debt, and your friend manages to solve the debt, you then start saying things that are senseless. Why are they talking now? They have seen that we have $6.5 billion. They even have the energy to talk nonsense. They are saying that the reserves are not important,” he said. “I was very surprised. Those reserves are insurance. It is an insurance policy, it is an assurance. It is confidence, if we have a drought, we use the reserves to buy food to give to the people to eat.”
President Hichilema thanked the Zambian people for trusting him to lead the nation as President.
“Thank you for the trust which you gave us. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for your resilience. Zambia are a resilient people. We have gone through a lot of problems, but we have stood together as a people,” he said.
“In 2021, you placed your faith in this fellow here. All the way from the village, from Beengwa to here. You have placed your trust in us. As Chile one sings, from Bweengwa to plot one. It is you who put this fellow in plot one.”
President Hichilema said he knew that the cost of living was still an issue and was listening and working on it. He said he would continue working to lower the cost of living.
“Mukadandaula mumanyumba nimamvela ma dandaulo yanu (When you complain in your homes, I hear your complaints),” he said.
President Hichilema reiterated that every province would receive equal development.
He said nobody would be allowed to divide the nation ever again, saying Zambia wanted peace and unity.
“We have done many things yes, but there is still more to be done,” said President Hichilema.
