CHIEF Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya says government will soon inform citizens should it decide to act on former finance minister Edith Nawakwi’s allegations against UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.
On Sunday, UNZA lecturer Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa observed that the Patriotic Front was using Nawakwi to cloth Hichilema with a criminal tag, after realising that the tribalism issue had been defeated.
Dr Sishuwa also hinted that the PF government planned to arrest Hichilema using Nawakwi’s allegations.
In a statement, Tuesday, Siliya said if it is established that, indeed, Hichilema sold Musi-o-Tunya Intercontinental Hotel to himself, that amounted to corrupt practices.
“Government has received with great indignation reports that the former chairman for the Zambia Privatisation Agency (ZPA) Negotiating Team, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, was one of the key perpetrators of extensive abuse of the privatisation process. Government is disturbed by the revelations made by Edith Nawakwi, a former Minister of Finance in the government that implemented the privatisation of State-owned enterprises, to the effect that Mr. Hichilema, as chairman of the Privatisation Negotiation Team for the sale of Musi-o-Tunya Intercontinental Hotel, Rainbow Lodge and National Heritage Park, literally sold the entity to himself,” stated Siliya.
“Nawakwi, through her various media engagements, has categorically stated that Mr Hichilema failed to declare interest while presiding on the sale of public assets in which he had personal interest. Government finds Mr Hichilema’s conduct, if true, to be a clear case of corrupt practices, bordering on non-declaration of interest, in winning a bid. Government is, therefore, studying the matter and is following closely the reaction by the citizens who are the true owners of the property in question. The nation will be informed of the steps that the government will take should it become necessary to act on behalf of the citizens of Zambia.”