Every in the PF and some Cabinet ministers need to sober up and face the fact that Guy Scott is acting Republican and party president, says Wylbur Simuusa.
And mines deputy minister Richard Musukwa says unity is cardinal during the period of national mourning, and people with immoral plans of causing confusion and not respecting authority will simply be cursing themselves.
In an interview, Simuusa, who is chairman for mines in the central committee of the Patriotic Front and also agriculture minister, said acting President Scott deserved respect and his instructions must be followed by all Cabinet ministers because his current position was in accordance with the law. Simuusa said he was confident that acting President Scott would guide the nation successfully during the transition period. “We have a moral obligation to mourn our mentor, our parent, president Sata, with dignity, honour and respect.
It is extremely sad that some people are busy trying to do some manoeuvres to discredit the acting President when we sat as Cabinet and we were guided by the Constitution. The thing is Dr Scott will be in charge for the next 90 days and let’s respect that because that’s what the Constitution tells us,” Simuusa said. He said he was personally devastated by the death of president Sata, who introduced him to politics, made him a member of parliament for Nchanga Constituency and also minister in his government. “President Sata was an upright and distinguished leader who never looked at someone’s tribe, race or physical appearance.
He always wanted us to do good for the nation, to work hard to end poverty and it’s for us to uphold his legacy. We must be united as the PF going forward,” Simuusa said. He also said the PF constitution in its current form recognises Dr Scott as party president following president Sata’’s death.
“Yes, our constitution in article 54 recognises the vice-president to take up the role of president of the party in the event of death of the president, but there has been so much debate and this is due to people interpreting the law in different ways just like we had when accepting that Mr Scott can act as [Republican] President,” Simuusa said. “The law is meant to guide us and not cause confusion and we, as the members of central committee, which is the highest institution, will sit down and discuss after the burial and we do not expect the youths to start demonstrating or protesting. The law will be our guide; we drafted it and so we understand it.” He urged party members to avoid divisions which could cause the PF to lose the 2016 general elections. “President Sata wanted us to unite. I urge those perpetrating instability to stop it…and stop misinterpreting the laws and confusing the youth,” said Simuusa. “We cannot be demonstrating.
We have just lost our leader, how selfish are we? And are we respecting him by demonstrating? We need to mourn in peace.” Simuusa further urged his fellow party members with presidential ambitions to first put their desires aside until president Sata is put to rest. Last Thursday, Lusaka PF youths demonstrated, demanding that Dr Scott should not be recognised as party president because president Sata left Edgar Lungu in charge before he died.
And Musukwa, who is also Wusakile PF member of parliament, said the best way to honour president Sata was for everyone in the PF to bury their differences and mourn together. He said President Sata loved everyone in the party and the entire nation and there was no need for anyone to embarrass the nation by causing chaos.
Musukwa said Wusakile residents would never forget the determination of the late president, who initiated many projects, among them a $8.9 million water and sanitation initiative.
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Accept That Scott Is Acting President -Simuusa
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