Vice-President George Kunda yesterday told Parliament that the evacuation of Mr Sata was an emergency because he was on the verge of death.
Mr Kunda said during the vice-president’s question and answer session that the evacuation was an emergency because Mr Sata was not in a position to make any arrangements to go out of the country.
He said in response to Kasama Central MP Geoffrey Mwamba (PF) who claimed that his party was in a position to evacuate Mr Sata.
It was dangerous politics for Mr Sata to say that his evacuation was a public relations gimmick because Government was there to respond to the health needs of its citizens.
“Political leaders who fell sick should be very grateful if the government comes to their rescue,” he said.
The vice-president said the Government had to respond to a political leader who was sick at the verge of death.
At the time Mr Sata was evacuated, the Government was commended and there was reconciliation between Mr Sata and late president Levy Mwanawasa that should be appreciated.
[pullquote]On a point of order raised by Kabwata MP Given Lubinda (PF) that Mr Sata had apologised on his statement, Mr Kunda said that he was not aware of the apology except the remarks issued by Mr Sata.[/pullquote]
On a point of order raised by Kabwata MP Given Lubinda (PF) that Mr Sata had apologised on his statement, Mr Kunda said that he was not aware of the apology except the remarks issued by Mr Sata.
He said Mr Sata’s apology should be genuine because there was a statement he issued which was also an insult to the Government that evacuated him to South Africa.
Speaker of the National Assembly Amussa Mwanamwambwa directed MPs that he was aware of the difference between debating an individual and a policy after some PF MPs attempted to rise on a point of order when the vice-president was responding to Mr Sata’s evacuation.
[Times of Zambia]
Government should not get credit for Evacuation of anyone as it is the tax payers who foot the bill.
Mr Sata should have been educated that once you have a heart attack you are more likely to have another one. He has put himself in a dangerous position where he now has to wait for GBM to do emergency evacuation when/if things happen again.
Dont all these *****s have economic issues of the country to discuss in parliament?
#2 These people are greedy and selfish. Look at what happened to Mwanawasa. Everyone knew that he was supposed to be taking it easy. He was supposed to concentrate on looking after his health. Instead he listened to his wife who was not ready to leave state house yet. The rest is history.
But why should a person be grateful to a government of their own? This is the problem with Zambia. We think that if a government does something you need to thank it. Well, they get paid for their work. And will we be evacuated to SA if we fall sick? Really pathetic from politicians.
They forgot about Bonshe!
Who was in their party but not important enough.
The life of our citizens should not be politicised. The problem with sata and some opposition leaders and indeed some govt leaders is that they have not matured into statesmanship & hence are so petty that they feel they have to open their mouth even when it is not necessary. The guy should have just left it at thank you & his make up with Levy but no he is so desperate to prove a political point & it has left him looking ridiculous. Govt institutions are not about who the president is but are supposed to be for all. We need to temper our criticism with love and rational thinking instead of being willing to fan flames of hate that we cannot control. Al Gore could have sworn upon whatever to fight Bush to the end but no he chose the civilised option. Let us strive for that that builds.
Fagats surely u *****ssssss government dud not send mr sata to south Africa . What is wrong with this VP.he should know that the people of Zambia evacuated sata to SA. Talk things that people want to hear than shit issues
#1 Govt controls your tax Kwacha – what are you talking about?
The Kundas oare now on Sata and the PF. Interesting battle this will be. Abena Ndola will not just keep quiet on this issue I know. The wife is suing Sata while the husband is doing something else. Mmm…. interesting
PF is a party whose leaders clearly have no vision for Zambia. Did Fat Albert really have to say that his party was in a position to evacuate Mr Sata? Is that what he was elected to say in the Parley? Are these the type of leaders fit to run this country? It appears to me that PF is Sata and Sata is PF. For PF Sata is their constitution. To them the man is infallible just like some believe their church leader is! What will happen in the event that Sata dies? Will PF as a party survive?
It is time our politicians see beyond themselves and talk about national develoment. All we see in Zambia are Parties that just talk about their leaders. Let us move away from idolising our leaders and hold them accountable for implementation of good policies. That is the only way to develop our…
..beloved country
#11 and 12- What a shame. These are people who were to form cabinet if Sata was to rule. God forbid!!!!!!!
Ken Ngondo shoud then differ with RB maybe by going the Ndola man`s way by insulting him(RB).Chances are that he might end up being evacuated to south africa as part of the reconciliation process with RB.:-?
what does Kunda know about it he was nobody at the time
15 BBC something, Typical PF kaponya ignorance. Kunda was Vice President at the time. What is wrong with your memory, but of course you guys do not read even if you are given a free newspaper. God save Zambia!
Important point is that we used to have all the facilities in Zambia to cure all our citizens not so long ago. Why do we have to fly them to SA and make it a big deal about it?? Zambia has got top consultants working abroad and if the govt stop all this shipping business of dying politician to sa and pay the zambian consultants, them all should surely be good. Come on guys where is the sense here? If i was a politician, i would not be all happy about this at all!!
What is wrong with PF rank and file? I bet you’ll even question why a dry leaf must fall from a tree. yes that is tax payers money…Zambians’ money, but who has the authority and power to decide and action what, where, why, how and who it should be spent on?
It appears PF would rather buy toilet paper than buy school books for the Zambian child. What do you call that…lack of understanding….. or focus? You can’t see beyond your noses can you?
It is very interesting to read about Sata printing budges for campaigns and on the other side Hakainde printing his. Ironically, they still insist that they will field one candidate.Who are they cheating and whose time are they wasting? While they are busy trying to reconcile themselves us the MMD will be busy covering miles and miles of politics……..responding to negative commentators above on Sata’s evacuation for treatment. You see the money used in flying and treating sata was from tax payers.But remember that that money is managed by government and thus will decide how and where to use it.No one would have blamed government if sata was not flown and died.That is why Sata needs to thank the late president and government….in this Sata has only exposed himself as being thoughtless…