PF is not for sale says Edgar Lungu

Secretary General of the Governing Patriotic Front Edgar Lungu has charged that the party is not for sale to highest bidders, reports our Correspondent in Lusaka.

Delivering his speech to mourners during a Requiem Mass for President Michael Sata at Heroes National Stadium on Tuesday, Lungu who spoke on behalf  of the PF charged the party will not be soled to those with money.

Lungu who received applauds from the crowds said Michael Sata founded the PF in 2001 as a party for the poor adding that the party shall maintain that. He said its leader Michael Sata whom he said was a great leader must be honoured by ensuring that the values that he stood for live on.

Towards the end of his speech Lungu became emotional and broke down as he spoke highly of Michael Sata. He said President Sata was his mentor and he has left a capable members within the party to carry on his pro-poor version.

Lungu who is Defence and Justice Minister earlier said: “Sata was PF and PF was Sata.” Then he asked a question on whether the PF will outlive Michael Sata. He said the PF will live on and persue the version of its founding president, Michael Sata.

He shed tears as he spoke and assured the countries in the region that the relationship the PF government has established will be maintained.

Interim President Guy Scott said he worked closely with Michael Sata adding that he made him into a politician that he is today. He said his role is to keep to ensure a smooth transition and let people elect the new President in 80 days time.

Dr Scott said President Sata was not a racist explaining that he had many Europeans, Indian and Zambian friends but he chose him to be his vice president. He said he will ensure that peace and unit prevails as the country elect a new president.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe who is also SADC Chairman described the event as a dark day. He said not only Zambia had lost but the entire continent. He said the people of his country were also in mourning following Sata’s death.

President Mugabe described Sata as a brave man of the people who will be dearly missed. He said there were a number of projects that he had agreed with Sata that the two countries work together.

He said Zambia cannot find someone like President Sata but can emulate his good leadership.