‘RECYCLED MASEBO IS FRUSTRATED’

UPND chairperson for mobilisation Sylvia Masebo is a frustrated soul who did nothing tangible for the people of Chongwe when entrusted with leadership and still has nothing to offer to the current political space, the Patriotic Front (PF) in Lusaka has said.

The PF also urged the UPND official to tone down because she has no moral right whatsoever to call President Edgar Lungu who has demonstrated undoubted commitment and sacrifice for Zambia as weak.

PF Lusaka Province Secretary Kennedy Kamba said Ms Masebo was just a frustrated soul who did nothing tangible for the people of Chongwe when she was their member of Parliament and a full cabinet minister for many years.

Ms Masebo served as cabinet Minister in the MMD regime, when MMD lost power in 2011 she joined the PF and she served as a cabinet minister under late president Michael Sata and also served at chairperson for election. After the demise of Mr Sata Ms Masebo vowed not to rally behind President Edgar Lungu in 2015 and joined the UPND where she is serving as chairperson for mobilisation.

Mr Kamba said “Zambians know very well that Ms Masebo is just firing political blanks out of frustration and desperation when she calls President Lungu names because she is no longer relevant to the country's political space or its dynamics. She is simply a political failure herself despite many higher opportunities accorded to her to serve.

He was reacting to sentiments by Ms Masebo who was quoted in some sections of the media stating that President Lungu was the weakest Head of State the country had ever had.

“We want to remind Ms Masebo that Zambians are not dull, they do not have a short memory and they are able to make sound moral judgement on individuals like her who is now in the opposition and want to claim righteous or play smart.

“Everybody today knows that if there was a proper definition of a recycled and finished politician who wants to look relevant before the eyes of Zambians, it is Ms Masebo who has now sought refuge in the UPND.

“These are the very people that brought confusion in the PF and were ejected because clearly there is no progressive ideas or ideologies that can come from politicians who have outlived their usefulness.

Mr Kamba said contrary to Ms Masebo's claims, Zambians know very well that President Lungu has demonstrated that he is a strong leader who has executed the functions of the Office of the President exceptionally well. The people of Zambia know very well that even in terms of delivering development, President Lungu has set an unprecedented record.

It's sheer lack of reason, he said, for anybody to try and ridicule a vibrant President before a well informed public that knows President Lungu very well.

He said in an interview yesterday that even on issues of morality and national values, President Lungu has done exceptionally well.