It seems that as President Michael Sata fell ill last week, a cartel within the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party came forward seizing control of the situation – up to the point that not even senior cabinet members were informed.
The medical evacuation to Israel raised a lot of questions, especially on how Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba, who has never won an election, ended up as Acting President and not the usual Minister of Finance Alexandra Chikwanda, who is President Sata’s relative, or Edgar Lungu, the Defence Minister.
Zambia Reports has found answers. Here is a detailed report on what happened on June 20,2014 at State House as told by a senior Intelligence Officer.
“You know what? President Sata’s health is shrouded in trickery and lies, even among top officials. When it emerged that President Michael Sata’s health condition worsened and his diabetes couldn’t be controlled, none of the Senior Ministers were informed. Finance Minister Alexandra Chikwanda was at Lusaka Golf Club just near State House while Edgar Lungu the Defense Minister was at his Rendezvous at 8 Reedbuck Road in Kabulonga, just five minutes drive from State House,” the source said.
“They both thought their boss was resting, not knowing that arrangements were being made to evacuate the President. George Chellah (Special Advisor to the President for Press and Public Relations) had told President Sata that Minister Alexander Chikwanda was unwell and Edgar Lungu the Defense Minister was unreachable.”
“When Sata was wheeled to the Airport, only Wynter Kabimba and Service Chiefs were present forcing Sata to handover power to Wynter Kabimba but with instructions not to hold any Cabinet meeting, reshuffles or changes to any Minister or Permanent Secretary. Chikwanda and Lungu only became aware after President Sata was evacuated at 20 hours Zambian time on June 20, 2014.”
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