Copperbelt MMD canes Chongwe

By ALEX NJOVU  
THE MMD on the Copperbelt has castigated prominent Lusaka lawyer Rodger Chongwe for his continued attacks on President Banda and his administration.
In an interview in Kitwe yesterday, Copperbelt party information and publicity secretary Yotam Mtayachalo warned Dr Chongwe to refrain from making derogatory remarks against the MMD government.
Mr Mtayachalo said Dr Chongwe and other senior lawyers should promote dialogue instead of discrediting Government through the media.
He described as irresponsible and outrageous Dr Chongwe’s remarks that the MMD will continue rigging elections.
“Dr Chongwe as a renowned lawyer should not make statements which he cannot substantiate because they are not backed by any facts. Dr Chongwe should realise that his allegations are very serious and have the potential to undermine the electoral process in Zambia to the point where political parties can dispute election results when they have genuinely lost the polls,” he said.
He said it is unfortunate that Dr Chongwe is trying to convince Zambians to reject the outcome of this year’s tripartite elections.
Mr Mtayachalo allayed fears that the 2011 tripartite elections will be rigged because President Banda has assured the nation and the international community that the elections will be free and fair.
He said President Banda must be commended for his political will to ensure free and fair elections by allowing as many Zambians as possible to register as voters.
“The utterances are coming from the background that MMD is headed for victory in this year’s elections because Government, under President Banda, has scored tremendous success in many sectors of the economy,” he said.
Mr Mtayachalo said opposition political parties are panicking because they have slim chances of winning this year’s elections.
He said the 2008 presidential elections were the most credible and transparent because polling agents from various political parties verified and signed the results.
“It is sad that small and one-man political parties without any agenda are not adding any value to the political dispensation of the country because they are bent on destabilising Zambia.
Dr Chongwe should realise that it’s only him and his family and a few Zambians who can fly out to safety when there is a breach of the peace,” Mr Mtayachalo said.