• PF Supporters hoist Lyambai Lingweshi at Mangango Parish Hall after he was declared the winner of Tuesday’s Mangango parliamentary by-elections in Kaoma District. Picture by Sylvester Mwale

By KAIKO NAMUSA –

THE ruling Patriotic Front (PF) acknowledges with humility the resounding acceptance it has received from the people of Mangango following its victory in Tuesday’s parliamentary by-election, President Michael Sata has said.
President Sata said the victory in Mangango, where its candidate Lyambai Lingweshi emerged winner, reinforced the people’s belief and optimism in the Government’s policies and programmes in line with the PF manifesto.
President Sata said this in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah.
Mr Sata said the victory was a clear manifestation of the fact that the people of Mangango were not interested in politics of character assassination, violence or regionalism.
“The people of Western Province have sent a clear message that they are not interested in politics of name-calling, violence and regionalism,” President Sata said.
“We would like to assure the people of Mangango and Zambia in general that this administration will intensify its sustained efforts to take development countrywide and ensure that all growth projects are implemented with immediacy.”
Mr Sata also expressed gratitude to the Zambian people for their continued display of confidence in his Government following the nationwide local government by-elections in which the ruling party scooped 18 out of the 25 ward by-elections.
“Without doubt, the PF, which is the people’s party, has continued gaining incredible ground in Western, Central and Southern provinces.
The latest victories in areas like Mkushi, Kalabo and Kaoma underscores our party’s growing recognition across the country,” President Sata said.
The Head of State reiterated that the Government remained steadfast and would continue to engage progressive forces within the opposition in its pursuit to accomplish pro-poor measures that would culminate into fast economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.
Mr Lingweshi polled 3,109 votes against his closest rival, Godwin Putu of the United Party for National Development (UPND) who got 2,375.
MMD’s Charles Mwenzala, whose party had held the seat since 1991, was fifth after polling only 136 votes while Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) candidate Mweene Naluwa had 623.
Jane Chingumbe of United National Independence Party, the only female candidate in the race, garnered 365 while Fourth Revolution Party’s Mukumbuta Kabuyana closed at the tail with a paltry 31 votes.
Meanwhile, Chief Government spokesperson Joseph Katema congratulated the people of Mangango for choosing to work with the ruling party in developing their constituency.
“By electing the PF candidate, the people of Mangango have shown that they are happy and satisfied with the PF’s programmes, policies and projects aimed at improving their well being. Clearly, the victory signifies the trust and commitment the people of Mangango have in the PF Government,” Dr Katema said.
Dr Katema, who is Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said in a statement yesterday that the people of Mangango had further shown that they valued good leadership and detest opportunistic and self- centered leadership.
He also congratulated political parties that participated in the by-election, saying this was a sign of Zambia’s flourishing and competitive democracy.
(See stories on the countrywide by-elections on Page 2).