Dr Mumba’s ‘stupid’ remarks anger Sata

tp://www.daily-mail.co.zm” class=”f”>Zambia Daily Mail by Online Editor on 6/28/13

By KASUBA MULENGA
PRESIDENT Sata says his Government remains open to dialogue on national issues and that he expects a certain level of maturity from those who seek to engage Government on various national issues.
President Sata was reacting to remarks reported in the media and attributed to MMD president Nevers Mumba regarding the State’s decision to withdraw former President Rupiah Banda’s diplomatic passport.
On Thursday, Pastor Mumba described Government’s decision to cancel Mr Banda’s diplomatic passport as an ‘act of stupidity’.
President Sata said Pastor Mumba’s remarks do not reflect the maturity Government expects from opposition leaders.
President Sata said this in a statement issued by his spokesman Mr George Chellah.
Pastor Mumba was quoted as having said: “… I am a pastor and I am supposed to choose words I use but I am asking God to allow me to use the word ‘stupidity’, utter stupidity to behave like that.”
President Sata has advised Pastor Mumba to be genuine with his spiritual calling and stop misrepresenting God.
“Pastor Mumba’s biggest problem is the impression he creates around himself as though he has the monopoly on matters of spirituality to the extent of misrepresenting the Creator.”
The President said, “As a clergyman, he must be ashamed of this hypocrisy and stop abusing the freedom and democracy, which so many well-intentioned Zambians sacrificed for.”
President Sata told Pastor Mumba not to be a menace to the unity and peace the country has enjoyed since independence.
On Thursday Pastor Mumba told journalists that what Government had done was an embarrassment to the country and the region because former Presidents deserve respect.
Pastor Mumba said this at Chipata Municipal Council shortly after MMD candidate Reuben Phiri filed his nomination papers for the July 25 Chipata Central parliamentary by-election.