. KAMBWILI

By MILDRED KATONGO –
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili has dispelled rumours that he wants to be the presidential running mate in this year’s general elections.
Fliers are being circulated in Luanshya indicating that Mr Kambwili has ambitions of becoming the next vice-president, which is aimed at denting his image in the ruling party.
The information is also making rounds on social media.
Mr Kambwili, who is Information and Broadcasting Services minister, said at a press briefing in Luanshya yesterday that people behind the scheme were only enemies who wanted to destroy the relationship he enjoyed with President Edgar Lungu.
He said the message on the fliers suggesting that he did not embrace Tongas and Lozis was baseless.
“I woke up to a rude shock when I found that there was a document circulating in Luanshya and on social media that  I want to be the running mate to the President. That is not from me.
“There are just enemies who are doing that to tarnish my image and destroy the relationship I have with the President,” he said.
He added: “I cannot wake up and start insulting the President who is also my boss. Out of all the MPs he saw it fit that I should be in his Cabinet. I cannot insult him (Mr Lungu) and no one will cut the relationship I have with him.”
He said he holds nothing against the Tongas and Lozis as he embraced everyone and did not accept regional voting.
Mr Kambwili warned the people involved in the matter that they would face the law as soon as investigations were completed.
Meanwhile, Mr Kambwili said the Government was doing everything possible to ensure that Kalumbila Mine does not lay off its workers as planned.
He said the Government was written to and was aware of the plans, but was engaging the ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, as well as Labour and Social Security, to ensure that the decision was reversed.
“Government is aware that the mining firm is planning to lay off 750 miners because of the power crisis. I must say that we have taken a role and doing everything to ensure that the decision is reversed,” he said.