By Staff Reporter
Charity Banda says the PF’s loss in the 2021 general elections was a blessing in disguise so that the party could rid itself of “opportunists.”
And Banda said she only respected people like former minister of information Dora Siliya because she was appointed into government by former president Edgar Lungu
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Banda said the party must be careful over the adoption of candidates in Kabwata, by going for genuine and trusted members and not “mere opportunistic” elements just because they have got the power to bribe people.
She said the recent resignation of people like Kabwata constituency chairperson Ng’andu popularly known as Uncle T was good riddance, and that people must watch the space because “many like him” will follow him out of the door. She said PF lost not because they did not work, but probably because “God wanted to show people who were genuine and not genuine members of the party.”
“The loss was a blessing in guise to know which members are genuine and those who are not. Those who are genuine in PF cannot think of leaving,” Banda said, saying things which did not make sense to her like mobilisation committees were created to give positions to new comers. “Awee Lesa alibomba ukweba ati tuluse not that PF was not powerful and did not work but because he wanted to sort out people…Those who were coming just wanted to be MP.
“Ako ka Uncle T just came from the blues because kalikwete bar kale running’a. Niba katyetye mwendamwalimwa (That Uncle T just came from nowhere and found himself in leadership. These are people who arrive when the meal has already been served)” Banda said.
She said people like Siliya “kuwayawayafye”, saying she respected her only because she was brought in by the president.
“On our expense they have gotten rich. They don’t make sense to me. Even when they were fighting with Jay Jay (for Petauke adoptions), how many times has she stood in Petauke?” Banda asked. “She stood first and lost and went into the foreign missions. She again stood twice under MMD and won. She also won under PF. Bushe efyo chaba? So ninshi those who come into the party can’t serve without a position?”
Banda said the Kabwata by-election was a litmus test for PF, and if they adopt people who have no history in the party, they won’t go anywhere. She said money should not be the motivating factor in the adoptions.
“Me when I joined PF in 2001, Ba Sata started mentoring me. I was first Constituency chairlady for Lusaka central. We created wards. But I never said adopt me for Lusaka-Central,” said Banda.
