TO KIDNAP A PRESIDENT - Part IV

03:20 PM

LIVE

“We interrupt this broadcast with news that Re-Re-Republican Pre-President Muleya Kapambwe has been abducted by a very proficient unit that paused as hospital uh staff from UTH. The president had collapsed in the Conference Hall during a press briefing. Some uh anonymous reporters present at the briefing said he collapsed after he drank from a bottle of mineral water. Two of the se-security detail’s vehicles that followed the ambulance lost control and were immobilized after losing their front tires, investigations report. A third vehicle that had followed behind closely for a time was involved in an accident with another vehicle along Alick Nk-Nkhata Road. This is a sad development. The questions we all keep asking ourselves are, where is uh the president? Is he still alive? And what do these people want? An update of th-these events will be televised at about quarter to seven, central time. Nothing is being concealed from the public but we are trying to get as much information as it becomes available. Natasha Mukuka here with ZNBC Ne-News.”

 

Eight Months Later

29th November, 2002

10:15 AM

Presidential Debate at Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka.

“A reminder to those who have just tuned in; I am Daniel Kabamba with Muvi TV, coming to you live from the Mulungushi Conference Center. What you’re tuned into is a substantive debate of the 2002 presidential campaigns brought to you by the National Commission on Presidential Debates. The audience has taken a vow of silence during these debates. No applause and no reaction of any kind will be tolerable. Without further ado, I present to you the fourth and last speaker of this debate, Kalemba Wankhumbu, as she takes to the podium.”

She started. “This morning is a particular honor for me because I seek to implore my people.  I have an abiding faith in the possibilities of this great nation. I stand here knowing that I owe a debt to the people I want to serve. I have lived, learned, worked and socialized with the people here before me in one way or another. I believe, with Kenneth Kaunda, that we are all connected as one people under God. Together we can realize the high social capital that is associated with economic growth, greater productivity, more efficient labor markets, and higher education attainment. If we work and make decisions together we can ensure that interventions are tailored to what the communities need and this can improve the sustainability of the outcomes.”

She then took a sip from her bottle of water, allowing the audience a second to think about what she has just said. Then she continued.

“To paint a clear picture of the struggles of my people, within the four minutes that I have been given, it is best for me to tell about the curse of debt upon Zambia. Aid does not help. The answer to poverty is not aid, it is capital. We depend almost entirely on Western findings and statistics to our own peril. We blindly recite lines that have been written for us. Unless Zambia stops to receive aid, it still remains a puppet of the donor agencies. If there is any lesson we must never forget from the struggle for independence, it is this: first, change happens, but at a price. Second, if we do not make an effort to develop our economies, no-one will, however sympathetic the outsiders seem to be. Third, the history of struggle is the story of a common destiny; we, as Zambians, must begin to have more faith in their own people, and less in external magnets.”

“It is also important to note that in Zambia, there is more political corruption than there is private corruption. It seems that the courts and anti-corruption agencies are prompt when it comes to prosecuting non-government corruption or corruption against the government. Political Corruption is perceived as more rampant in the country, especially in the context of elections. The government has the duty to ensure that it sustains a corruption-free society. It must punish the corrupt and ensure that those corrupted against get the necessary justice. Zambia needs courageous leadership at the highest level of government to be seen in the forefront on the fight against corruption. Zambia needs a leader who will not fear creating many enemies among those who have benefited from corruption.  A leader who understands that the fight against corruption requires swift prosecution and that the delaying of expediting of serious cases can be the difference between defeating and tolerating corruption. Corruption can be defeated in Zambia, my people, but not without fervent action.” She then flipped on to the next page of her notebook and stared at it for a moment before continuing.

 “This country also needs a leader who will not have a strong hold on power but will create a political and economic system that is inclusive and offers opportunities for the masses to take part in decision making. It is clear that incompetence in leadership is not a problem of the people who occupy the positions in government. Because of this, this country needs a leader who will restructure the leadership culture into one of accountability and equality. This country needs a leader with the capacity within themselves to appoint the professionals needed to implement these visions. A leader who is focused and will hit the ground running so as to implement the agenda that needs to be addressed. This country needs a leader who will pledge allegiance to the flag.” Saying that, she moved to the side of the podium and placed her left hand on it. Then gesturing with her right hand, she continued.

“Do we participate in the politics of cynicism or in the politics of hope? The hope of… a hope in the face of difficulty and uncertainty. Let me assure you that the economic ills we suffer have come upon us over several decades and will not go away anytime soon. But they will go away because we as Zambians now have the capacity to attain development. In this present crisis, the government has been the problem, but the community as a whole will be the solution.”

Then she admonished the audience in front of her and all those watching. “Out of this long political darkness, a bright day is coming. But this will only happen when the people get involved, get engaged and come together to demand it. And so my fellow Zambians, ask not what I will do for this country once elected into office, ask what you will do for our great country, mother Zambia!”

 

29^th November, 2002

10:15 AM

During the Presidential Debate, Elvis and Duke were at the warehouse, left to guard the now frail and weak former president, Muleya Kapambwe. Duke was turning on the T.V in the room where Kapambwe was.

“You are going to watch how Wankhumbu is going to take over this country and there is nothing you can do about it,” said Duke.

Major Sililo, had spent the last eight months searching long and hard for the men who had abducted the man he had sworn to protect. Finally, he had now found the warehouse. He scouted the area, peeping through the windows to count how many people were inside. Satisfied and poised, he drew his gun and cocked it. Then he screwed the silencer on before opening the front door and slipping in. In an instant, he saw Elvis and pointed his gun at him and said, “where is the president?”

He chuckled before responding, “at Mulungushi, campaigning, where else?”

“Wrong answer!” and saying that, Major Sililo put a bullet in his head. He started searching the warehouse for his president, opening door after door. Finally, he opened a door and saw Kapambwe and Duke. Without hesitating, he fired at Duke, dropping him dead and leaving blood draining on his jacket.

Major Sililo then reached for him and searched his jacket’s pockets. He found the keys and skipped over his dead body and walked over to where Kapambwe was handcuffed.

“I’m sorry I lost you that day, sir,” he said as he unlocked the handcuffs from him. Kapambwe said nothing, but had his eyes staring blankly at the television.

Major Sililo loosed Kapambwe from his cuffs and then turned to face him. “Get up sir. You need to go back and stop all that is happening.”

But Kapambwe did not respond, instead he stared on at the television.

“I am sorry Major Sililo, I can’t. That is the president that this nation needs,” he finally said.

 

-THE END-