Some Lusaka residents from different walks of life have expressed doubts regarding Michael Sata’s true whereabouts after the government’s sudden announcement that the president had arrived in Israel for a state visit.
Some of the residents also said the government should be open and sincere about the President’s health because he was not an ordinary citizen, but a public figure who travels on the .
The residents talked to during random interviews in the capital city said there were a lot of inconsistencies regarding Sata’s travel.
Some residents interviewed said it was customary for the presidency to announce to the nation the president’s travel prior to his departure.
Samson Gonde of Kabwata said there were more questions than answers regarding Sata’s trip to Israel.
“This announcement by the government that the president is on a state visit to Israel has just come as a slap in our faces because the citizens were not told about his intended visit. There was no word whatsoever. We have only got surprised that the president has arrived in Israel and we don’t know where he is coming and when he left the country. This is not good at all,” Gonde said.
Another resident Brina Kabwe said the government spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya was not being sincere for issuing a short and incomplete state about Michael Sata’s trip to Israel. She said the government statement on Sata’s trip to Istrael had raised more malicious speculation about his failing health.
Ms Kabwe said the government was not handling the issues surrounding Michael Sata’s health prudently.
She said the citizens would be more sympathetic and understanding to the president had the government and State House been transparent about Sata’s failing health.
“There is growing speculation about the president’s health largely because there is no information. If they government opens up and tells us that the president was ailing, no one can stop him from seeking medical attention anywhere because he is our president,” she said.
And Jonas Mema of New Kasama said State House and the Government owed Zambians an explanation on Sata’s trip to Israel. She said the government must now allow the republic president to travel anyhow without informing the citizens adding that this matter hinged on national security.
He said there had been a lot of propaganda on Michael Sata’s health and this lack of transparency fanned speculation that the president was on a secret mission to seek medical attention elsewhere.
“We have even heard that he has gone to Israel for prayers in the holy land and that he is very sick. All these statements are because there is no correct and adequate information coming from the government,” the 17-year old Mema said.
On Sunday, Chief government spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya said Michael Sata was Israel on a State visit. However, the authorities in Israel have indicated their leader Shimon Peres was not meeting Sata any time this week because he was scheduled on his own state visit to the United States of America.
But back at home, Michael Sata was expected to host Japanese Prince Akishino and his wife, Princess Kiko, who arrives in Zambia on June 28 for a five day stay aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties between Zambia and Japan.
There is growing speculation about Michael Sata’s failing health after his images went viral on social media showing a frail looking president, but the government insists Sata was well and performing his duties diligently.
The post Zambians Concerned by Unknown Whereabouts of President Sata appeared first on Zambia Reports.