By Isaac Zulu and Merlyn Mwanza
President Hakainde Hichilema was not elected into State House to become a sales man for state assets, says Nickson Chilangwa.
But Zambia’s former High Commissioner to Australia George Zulu said President Hichilema was simply fulfilling a campaign promise that he would sell the Gulf Stream, saying the MMD sold a lot of state assets from the UNIP era without having to go through parliament.
Speaking in an interview, Chilangwa, who is the Patriot Front acting secretary general, said that the PF leadership will do everything possible within their powers to protect the country’s assets from any salesmen, including moving an impeachment motion against President Hakainde Hichilema.
He said that the selling of national assets requires that a resolution is passed in Parliament by two thirds majority, and therefore it will be unlawful for the UPND administration to sell off the Gulfstream jet and 20 per cent shares in Kansanshi Mine.
“They want to sell 20 per cent shares in Kansanshi Mine as well as the Gulfstream jet. But from the legal point of view the selling of national assets requires that a resolution is passed in Parliament by two thirds majority. And we will do everything possible within our powers to ensure that we protect our country and its assets from any salesman. People were not elected to come into State House to become salesmen so that they can start selling government assets. No,” Chilangwa said. “So if they go ahead and sell 20 per cent shares in Kansanshi Mine and the Gulfstream jet, we will move an impeachment motion. This is not an issue that we cannot accept lying down. We are of the position that we are going to do everything within our powers to fight this as a political party and as members of parliament with our partners.”
He said that the UPND government should show policy direction on how it intends to reduce poverty, as opposed to selling national assets.
“They are supposed to give us direction, inspire people and reduce poverty, but not to sell national assets. If anything we must start controlling most of our own assets, especially those that are national capital,” said Chilangwa, who is also Kawambwa member of parliament.
But Amb Zulu said President Hichilema was fulfilling a campaign promise to sell the Gulf Stream following assertions that the transaction was not clean, claiming it was done under dark negotiations.
He said some people “saw USA dollars for the first time” during the transaction.
But asked on the fact that no one has been arrested despite allegations of corruption in the transaction, Amb Zulu said just because no one has been arrested so far did not indicate that people will be arrested in due course, saying the government has to prepare water tight cases which will stand in the courts of law.
“Those who plundered are trying to say yai, don’t sell,” said Amb Zulu.
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