KALABA RESIGNS

...Luapula celebrates

LUAPULA Province is reported to have gone into jubilation following reports that Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba had resigned, with some PF cadres taking to the streets in celebration. Mr Kalaba’s resignation was allegedly meant to preempt an imminent reshuffle by President Edgar Lungu with several big names facing the chop. And insiders have revealed that the Patriotic Front (PF) was under siege with some senior members believed to be on the verge of ditching the party before they are fired. Luapula Province PF Secretary Francis Musunga says Harry Kalaba's resignation as Foreign Affairs Minister is a huge relief to the party. Reacting to Mr. Kalaba's resignation on Tuesday, Mr. Musunga who is also Samfya Town Council Chairman said the PF in Luapula Province would now breathe a collective sigh of relief following Mr Kalaba's exit from government. "Honorable Kalaba's resignation is a huge relief. It should have come earlier than this because we became fatigued of Mr. Kalaba's clandestine activities which include sponsoring anarchists who are now removing party flags in Mansa," said Mr. Musunga. He said his resignation was long overdue especially that President Lungu had kept him even when

he allegedly continued to sponsor confusion in the Province. Mr. Musunga explained that he had appealed to Mr. Kalaba to be patient with himself before engaging in an agenda to become President. “I personally talked to Honorable Kalaba and advised him against being too fast and overly excited to challenge President Lungu. He became big - headed and forgot that it is PF that made him who is. He was a nothing before PF picked him to contest the Bahati seat,” According to impeccable sources, the imminent reshuffle sent jitters into the PF hierarchy with some central committee members who are also cabinet ministers opting to quit before they are fired. Works and Supply minister Mathew Nkhuwa who was rumoured to be among those quitting, has rubbished the claim. Mr Kalaba reportedly resigned as Minister of Foreign Affairs, saying his resignation was necessary for the good of others. But by last night State House had not received Mr. Kalaba’s resignation letter. “I have just dropped my resignation letter as Foreign Affairs Minister with President Edgar Lungu - a position I have cherished and held for over four years. I have taken my decision to resign as Foreign Affairs Minister with a heavy heart but quite succinctly with a clear and resolved mind. “I have no shed of doubt that this was a necessary undertaking and an unavoidable one looking at the path our country has taken – a path of insatiable greed and shame which is clearly unacceptable and unsuitable,” Mr. Kalaba wrote on his Facebook page yesterday. He said his fundamental belief was that his allegiance should not be with a position, party or person but it must be with the country and its people. “To some, this may appear like an act of defiance, yet to those close to me, to those who have watched me wreath in perpetual pain and mourn over my country, this may more or less be a relief because I have finally found peace in my mind and heart even in the face of losing the comfort that the position of minister brings…” He added: “We cannot proceed to manage national affairs with cold indifference when the levels of corruption are swelling and being perpetrated by those who are expected to be the solution. But Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda said State House had not received Mr. Kalaba’s resignation letter. “As at now, neither myself, the private secretary nor the President himself has received Mr. Kalaba’s resignation letter. “We have not received any such letter. I returned to the office a few minutes ago at 19:55 and there is no such a letter,” Mr. Chanda responded to the Daily Nation query.