UTM talks on Chakwera’s action over Veep Chilima

UTM Party spokesperson Frank Mwenifumbo says they will not comment on President Lazarus Chakwera’s move to withhold delegated functions to Vice-President Saulos Chilima.

He said this in a statement yesterday after Chakwera’s announcement on Tuesday that he will not delegate functions to Chilima pending investigations on his alleged involvement with United Kingdom corruption suspect Zuneth Sattar.

The Veep is president of UTM Party which is one of the major partners of the nine-party Tonse Alliance administration.

Reads the statement: “We are not going to make further comments henceforth until this issue comes to its logical conclusion. We continue to give our unwavering support and following to our president Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima.”

Mwenifumbo said UTM as a party, is shocked and saddened  at the turn of events leading to the “suspension” of Chilima.

Chakwera’s move to withhold Chilima’s delegated functions follows a report by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) which names the Vice-President to have allegedly dealt with Sattar.

“As such, the best I can do for now, which is what I have decided to do, is to withhold from his office any delegated duties while waiting for the bureau to substantiate its allegations against him,” he said.

Leader of Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa said in a statement yesterday that it is important to note that those mentioned in the ACB report are innocent until proven guilty by court.

He said: “An outright crucifixion of people at this stage would be unfair to the mentioned individuals. In some cases, it may also be construed as being motivated by a political end game.

“It is my prayer that this is not the case.”