By Daily Revelation Correspondent
Citizens First (CF) leader Harry Kalaba has told the people of Mwinilunga to discard the UPND and PF – referring to NRPUP – because they are corrupt political parties which will focus on getting public contracts for themselves instead of working on the deplorable Solwezi-Mwinilunga road and other matters of public interest.
Kalaba proceeded to Mwinilunga following a thunderous reception in Solwezi, where traffic was brought to a halt as his motorcade made an almost 45-minute passage through the district’s main Independence avenue. The streets were filled with people clamouring around the open van which was carrying him, with others clamoring around the others vehicles in the motorcade. As the motorcade made its way along the avenue at snails pace, other onlookers stood by the sides of the road curiously looking on as others enthusiastically cheered the CF leader on and reciprocated waving their hands over their heads to symbolise the party’s tree symbol. Other onlookers took out their phones to record the occasion, as cars from both sides off the road hooted in unison with the Hondas that escorted through the roadshow.
After the roadshow, Kalaba immediately proceeded to Mwinilunga where he held a rally around late afternoon.
Kalaba told Mwinilunga residents that he had driven on the deplorable Solwezi-Mwinilunga road and witnessed first hand how the people had been neglected by the UPND administration, which claimed the province as its bedroom.
He said the UPND could not continue getting a free vote in the area when they had failed to perform. Kalaba said those in Mwinilunga were heavily involved in farming and could not be getting fertilizer in medas, promising that he would be giving them 8 bags each.
Kalaba also said the PF also had their own 10 years in government and there was nothing new they would offer.
He said the two parties would concern themselves with public contracts for individuals at the expense of people’s time and interest.
“If there is an area where UPND won it’s here but they have neglected to you. You can’t vote for them with this road ,” Kalaba said. “Let PF go. The PF have come back with ichili lampi (the lamp) now, are you going to allow them? They ruled for 10 years, what is it that they want to achieve? Let Harry Kalaba also govern.”
He continued: “Don’t vote for PF, and UPND, they focus on stealing. Balikwata imisango iyakowela. Tabaishiba ukutwala development kamo balyamo (They have got dirty ways. They want kickbacks in everything).”
He said as opposed to the K1000 President Hakainde Hichilema said he had increased for social cash transfer beneficiaries, he would increase the same to K2000 to be received monthly. Kalaba said he was the one who signed for the cash transfer during his time as Foreign Affairs minister under late president Michael Sata.
He said he would give artisanal licenses to small scale miners so that they could access their resource.
“I also want to address the issue of vote stealing by UPND. In Solwezi they were saying I can’t win here because they will give you salt in the night, that you are not difficult here all you need is salt,” said Kalaba. “And I am happy to hear that out of all those standing for president I am the first one to visit this particular area where we are holding the rally.”
