Reckless statements from greedy leaders
Controversial and reckless statements have hounded the Zambian president ever since he came into office. Like his nickname ‘King Cobra” the president really spit venom especially when it comes to making informal speeches. After his inauguration Sata demanded an apology from Malawi for an incident which happened sometime back during a visit to that country when he was still in opposition. During that same time he once questioned the health of the former Zambian president Levi Mwanawasa arguing that the president should make public issues related to his health.
In a turn of events recently the Zambian leader was secretly flown out of the country on a private jet to India for a medical check and this has prompted a public outcry. Just like Zimbabwe, Zambia experienced an economic down turn a few years ago and many people left that country for a better living outside and some decided to settle in Botswana. In an address to Zambians living in Botswana the Zambian president was really blunt and venomous with his words at the same time insulting his fellow countrymen and Botswana.
Responding to questions from the people who attended the meeting Sata said, “All of you who are here with fake questions am very disappointed with you and embarrassed, are you not even ashamed of yourselves? You ran away from Zambia and thought we couldn’t find you and now today we have caught you. You are refugees in Botswana being exploited by the Botswana Government. You left Zambia to come and work here for an extra K1?” Maybe Sata had forgotten that he had mentioned that he was the first Zambian expatriate in United Kingdom in 1970. One wonders whether Michael Sata had already created jobs in this short space in office for these people he was insulting on the very day. And if Zambia had the best medical facilities and qualified personnel why would he sneak out of the country to seek help in foreign countries in the Far East? I guess power is sweet just like what his predecessor Fredrick Chiluba said after an election victory in 1991.
In the midst of their plushy government offices and state houses, most African politicians have a tendency to easily forget where they come from. Here in Zimbabwe parliamentarians promised people that they would develop communities once they were voted into office but years down the line we are now reading that some of them stand accused of gross mismanagement of public funds. Some went on to implement projects without even consulting the people. What is more surprising is that the legislators are complaining that the $50 000 allocated to each of the constituencies they represent is very little and they are lobbying for more, but at the same time they are abusing the same fund.