Zambia: President's Son New Luxury Cars Cause Uproar

It appears that there is no shortage of political revelations for Zambians these days. In the midst of former President Banda's sons being scrutinized for questionable purchases before the elections, the new President's son Mulenga Sata, is now at the center of controversy following revelations by Committee of Citizens executive director Gregory Chifire that he recently acquired two expensive vehicles worth 1.8 billion Zambian Kwacha (about US$ 200,000).

Zambians weigh in on the revelation at Zambian Watchdog website:

Mpimpa says:

True to the PF political slogan of more money in your pockets, We have not seen this money, we still go to bed having only eaten one meal, and yet our neighbours are buying luxury cars at 1 billion. What an example Mr. President. Please walk the talk this is inclusive of your immediate family. God have Mercy on us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

President Michael Sata's son (holding a camera). Photo courtesy of Zambian Watchdog.

KimZ adds:

Mukanwa mukikopo,then why are we questioning RB’s sons if we know that they have that privelledge of acquiring property as children of the sitting President? Or just because it’s done by the son to the man you love so it’s normal? Right now,people are demonising Liato over K2.1 billion and Liato has been a Minister for a long time.Mulenga,whose father has not even clocked 90 days in Office has so far spent K 1.8 billion. You can imagine how much he will spend by the time his father has ruled this country for 5 years.

The article notes that Mulenga's primary occupation was as an importer of dogs for the Zambian market and so Sipho humorously weighs in:

naine ndeya muku order ama puppies kuti wa wina!!! [translation: Even I will start importing dogs, maybe I can win/become rich].

On a more serious note, Kabanshi laments:

Its sad to see that just because the father is president he has no right to own such a car,if a person like me owns such nobody would know whats happening,i this this publication along with some of the people that comment should show maturity in the way they discus matters of national interest.Normally you read very lousy comments that don’t make sense at all and just because people have an audience every Jim and jack thinks they have news .This man who calls himself a leader of this NGO that i have heard of today for the first time will just bring stories that he probably was discussing with friends in the bar and of course this paper thinks everything is right without credible sources .Shame!!!

Black Doyo defends Sata's son:

Poeple get your facts right! mulenga is a higly qualified civil engineer. this guy is learned.

Netizens have also been reacting to an unprecedented move in Zambian politics after the the president implored law enforcement agencies in the country to investigate his son and encouraged Mr Chifire to report any suspected unlawful activity linked to the first family to the relevant law enforcement agencies.

Discussing this on Tumfweko.com, Tumbo Tumbo says:

HE Sata has done what RB and other Presidents can never do. Subjecting his own son to DEC and Police is commendable. Chifire must be very careful, just like some blogs which judge others in newspapers without those accused having an opportunity to respond or defend themselves. MULENGA Sata is a gentleman.
I hope Chifire has evidence.

HE Sata must also tell and reveal to the nation what has happened to the report he asked about from Cabinet, and investigating wings about DR MITI whose appointment was revoked within 24 hours of being appointed as Ambassador to WHO, Geneva. A Public feedback to Zambians is crucial just like his own Son, MULENGA. We have a reliable, fearless President in HE Sata. Let Miti and MULENGA be cleared from the investigating wings of GRZ!!! Publicly!!!

Mulenga, through his lawyers, has given Gregory Chifire 48 hours to apologise or take him to court. Chifire says that he is not intimidated and is just waiting for the police to call him so that he can go and tell them what he knows.

Start the conversation

Authors, please log in »

Guidelines

  • All comments are reviewed by a moderator. Do not submit your comment more than once or it may be identified as spam.
  • Please treat others with respect. Comments containing hate speech, obscenity, and personal attacks will not be approved.