UPND president Hakainde Hichilema’s special advisor Douglas Siakalima says defence minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba is a victim of a strong PF force that is refusing to pay public debt.
Siakalima says Mwamba, who is Kasama member of parliament, is not for the idea of the PF government to allow Post newspaper owner Fred M’membe and director of public prosecution to forfeit the K18 billion debt they owe to the Development Bank of Zambia.
He has accused Patriotic Front Secretary General Wynter Kabimba of forming a cartel within the PF to turn against Mwamba.
Siakalima alleges that Kabimba, who is also Justice Minister, is trying to shield Post newspapers editor-in-chief Fred Mmembe and the Nchito brothers over the DBZ debt.
In an interview with Qfm news,Siakalima says the misunderstanding between the two top party officials only show how confused and disorganised the ruling Patriotic Front is.
He says it is surprising to note how it was quickly reported in The Post that Kabimba had been cleared by the Anti Corruption Commission whereas Mwamba had been found with a case to answer over his corruption allegations.
Siakalima states that he knew from the announcement of the investigations that the Anti Corruption commission (ACC) would come up with inconsiderate outcomes.
He notes that it is not healthy for the country to be getting reports through the press, particularly The Post which had a biased interest in the matter, that only one of the two cabinet ministers is corrupt without the ACC giving an official statement.
Siakalima has since challenged the ACC to come out in the open and tell the nation the outcome of their investigations into the allegations against the two ministers.
Mwamba and Kabimba are engaged in a shadow boxing battle of succession. The Post has taken the side of Kabimba, whom in case of any unforseen eventuality at State House, they will back to take over the leadership of the PF and eventually the country.