I studied in UK, baloba ilyauma – GBM
Scott, GBM and HH during a live program on Radio Phoenix
United Party for National Development (UPND) Vice President and Presidential running mate, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has castigated those allegedly circulating rumors that he doesn’t have legit papers.
Appearing on a special program today, June 16, 2016 at Radio Phoenix alongside UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema, former Vice President Guy Scott and MMD factional leader Dr Nevers Mumba, Mwamba popular known as GBM rubbished claims that he is wanted by Zimbabwean authorities for faking the credentials he presented during the nomination day.
Commenting on scheme being advanced by PF Cadre Ngande Mwananjiti to push for the disqualification because he had fake papers from Zimbabwe, GBM said baloba ilyauma- (Literally meaning they have fished-dry ones, in apparent reference to the fact that, PF will find no evidence and or anything substantial in proving that his credentials are fake.
GBM explained that he studied in the United Kingdom and that he did not submit any academic papers from Zimbabwe but that all his academic documents were from the United Kingdom.
“You see, I was very smart, I never presented any papers from Zimbabwe because I know the relationship between Mugabe and President Lungu. They would have gone to fidget with the papers so I only gave them the papers from the UK,” GBM said.
“I am very sure this is the information that they supplied to the Electoral Commission of Zambia and this is why Judge Essau Chulu had to accept them. I also got a letter from the Zambia Qualifications Authority which also authenticated my qualifications. So my nomination is very valid. What they are doing is mere political propaganda. In Bemba, we say Baloba ilya uma – (Literally meaning their have fished-dry ones, in apparent reference to the fact that, PF will find no evidence and or anything substantial on in proving that his credentials are fake )”
Bishop Chihana
Meanwhile International Fellowship of Christian Churches President Bishop Simon Chihana has challenged Mr Ngande Mwanajiti to refrain from inciting the ECZ in disqualifying the UPND on basis on Mwamba because its very unlawful.
“We must stop embarrassing ourselves as Zambians in the eyes of the international community with matters that do not concern the outside world, like the issue of the validity of the education papers that were submitted by Mr. Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba to the Electoral Commission of Zambia.” Bishop Chihana said in a statement availed to Zambian Eye on Thursday.
”Even without having studied law but as a lay man, I feel it is being very unfair to ourselves, to the judiciary in general and Mr. GBM himself.
First we must understand that The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is headed by a learned man, whose life and experience has been in courts for so many years where a matter of verification of documents and evidence in question has been a routine. Does it mean that Mr. Mwananjiti is questioning the credentials and credibility of the returning officer who is the chairman of ECZ? “ Chihana asked
“The second thing that has been observed is that, if the bench of the ECZ had questions on the education papers for Mr. GBM, the definite thing would have been action in a different manner and resulting into a possible disqualification of the candidate. We can also say that, it would not be an individual or organization of whatever that is outside to query the legibility of the papers except those authorized. And in a case where ECZ would have loved to take the matter further, it would have been on prudent only them to write and establish the truth with the government of Zimbabwe.
And what Zambians need to know and not be swayed by wrong voices is that, Mr. Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba of the United Party for National Development – UPND never submitted a grade 12 certificate to the Electoral Commission of Zambia, but submitted degree papers in business studies obtained in UK and nothing completely to do with Zimbabwe or some local college.” Chihana said.
”Individuals or organizations, we must all learn to respect one another and be proud of those that have achieved something better in life and restrain ourselves from being malicious and being filled with petty envy and jealousies, because we may end up perceived as people affected by a fear factor that the presence of GBM as a running mate to Mr. Hakainde Hichilema could be doing a lot of harm to other parties.
If the aggrieved persons are not satisfied, let them query the EZC than going to our good neighboring country Zimbabwe”
According to a well placed source, Mr.Ngande Mwanjiti has started a process of challenging the candidature of Mwamba on the basis on his qualifications.