The President Needs to Rest, Says Nevers Mumba Judging by his struggling performance to read a speech at the opening of parliament yesterday, President Michael Sata should rest and focus on his physical recovery, says MMD leader Nevers Mumba. In a statement posted to the party’s website, Dr. Mumba said that “it is with deep sadness and forbearance that I am compelled to make a detailed comment on the unusual events that transpired before and during the opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly on Friday the 19th of September 2014.” Dr. Mumba goes on to note the “unacceptable infringement on the freedoms of the media” committed by the government when they banned all non-state media from attending the event. “Clearly, this is proof that President Michael Sata and the Patriotic Front government have no belief in freedom of media nor are they interested in freedom of information. This behavior also creates room for speculation, given the fact that a shroud of secrecy seems to be the intended objective of excluding the private media. We condemn this action in the strongest words possible,” he said. Dr. Mumba also said that the parliamentary speech failed to deliver any indication on the policy direction to be taken by President Sata’s cabinet. “It is indisputable that the President failed to give the policy direction to the National Assembly and the nation as a whole. We, the citizens are unaware what policy issues will be debated by the members of parliament since no such direction was given,” he said. Lastly, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy President said that it was finally clear to all Zambians the lack of good health of the head of state. “It is not right, nor is it a proper display of concern to expose the president in the manner he was exposed during the opening of Parliament. We wish to advise that greater concern, care and courage needs to be exercised by those closest to the president, both for his sake as an individual, as well as for his family and the country at large,” he said. “Resulting from the above, serious questions regarding the health of the president have to be raised. An honest explanation of the current state of affairs needs to be given to the nation and necessary precautions taken thereafter. Questions as to how the affairs of the nation are being conducted by implication have to be raised and answers provided for. We all have to ensure that the intent of the constitution and the rules that govern the process of the governed are being strictly adhered to.” Dr. Mumba concluded: “The President needs to rest. If any one claims to love the President, they will agree with us that he needs to be given enough time to recover from his illness.” zambiareports/2014/09/20/president-needs-rest-says-nevers-mumba/
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 13:24:48 +0000