LEADER of Independent group in parliament Manasseh Maelanga stands by his earlier warning to the government on its intentions to appoint its political appointees, advisors, political offices, and national consultants.
‘’Many appointments have been made by any Government of the day, it is usual government business, however my call was made in light of the current prospect the Government of the day may take,” Mr Maelanga said.
“Specifically, it is made ‘’to caution’’ the government in terms of the number, responsibility and remunerations accorded to any political appointees.
“It is not raised to make an illogical argument. It is now evident that the DCCG leadership is unappreciative of this gesture made by this Office.
‘’It is basically aired in the spirit of improvement, so that the Government in general may improve from the past, of course, we could learn that ‘two wrongs don’t make a right’’,” Mr Maelanga said.
He added:
“If hypocrisy lies on our part, the gesture is to ensure that it does not shine most in you taking a similar path, for it may not resonate well with your slogan of change.
“It seems that the Prime Minister is quite defensive – unnecessarily picked a minute point to counter argue.
“It goes to negate the initial work that the government is engaged with in the current, and it also says a lot about the ills faced by the Hon Prime Minister.
“Unless these are mere sentiments shared by the DCCG Press Secretariat, the PM can illustrate more maturity than such responses.”
Mr Maelanga since the Prime Minister’s office responded as it did, he has this to say:
‘’First and foremost respect – the Prime Minister is asked to respect leaders and that means all leaders elected into Parliament.
“In the recent past it was broadcasted that he called on all MPs to grow out of their political ‘nappies’.
“If this is such a description that the Prime Minister can use to translate any important messages to elected MPs, then there deemed gross lack of respect from this Prime Minister to all national leaders.
“The Independent office understands that formalisation of such appointments will be done accordingly – the caution was therefore made to ‘improve’ and ‘develop’ for the better.
“However, the responses and label we get are ~hypocrites and oblivious~. Simply put, I am neither ignorant nor a hypocrite.
“You may need to listen and learn and if humility is a virtue try take some lessons.
“I may not engage further in this specific matter but will leave it for further public opinion and judgment to see who is the real hypocrite.
“No, that is not the rationale! But the gesture is to engage meaningfully for the betterment of our Nation and not to be paranoid.”
Mr Maelanga said as leader of the Independent group, he has the right to exercise his views on issues of national interest.
