Citizens First President Harry Kalaba has called on Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa to take disciplinary action against his Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana, for what he described as “disparaging and disrespectful” remarks concerning the health of Zambia’s sixth Republican President, Edgar Lungu.
Kalaba said he was relieved to read Mweetwa’s clarification that Kawana’s statements were personal and did not represent the position of the Ministry or the government.
“I therefore suggest that Mr Mweetwa, as the boss, should gag or muzzle Kawana who, in the recent past, has made very outlandish statements in public, sometimes aimed at even private individuals,” Kalaba stated.
He added that Kawana’s comments on President Lungu’s health were “unwarranted and uncalled for,” arguing that the former Head of State deserves respect, especially during the current mourning period.
“Kawana must remember that besides being a private individual, President Lungu is old enough to be his parent and does not deserve the disrespect he (Kawana) keeps piling on him whenever he wants to please his masters like a loyal pet,” Kalaba said.
The opposition leader went on to describe Kawana as “a dangerous and unhinged person to have as an Information PS” and urged Minister Mweetwa to consider issuing a warning or suspension to deter further “rants.”
Kalaba also called for unity during the mourning period of the late Edith Nawakwi, emphasizing the need for respect and national togetherness over political division.