Malema explains absence from Hichilema’s inauguration

Wilson Chipangura, Guest Reporter

PRETORIA – Economic Freedom Fighters commander-in-chief Julius Malema has shed light on his snub of Zambia’s new President Hakainde Hichilema‘s inauguration on Tuesday in Lusaka.

The swearing-in ceremony held at National Heroes Stadium was attended by sitting leaders from various African countries and their main opposition rivals.

Conspicuous by his absence was EFF leader Malema, promoting others to say he was given a cold shoulder by Hichilema.

Malema, however, revealed on Thursday that he was invited but could not attend due to pressing party business which had to be attended to urgently.

“We were invited to the inauguration of the new President and unfortunately we could not attend due to the pressures that we had ourselves here at home to deal with issues relating to local government elections.

“But we did communicate with the leadership of the ruling party and President elect then that we wish them well and when time permit we will go and have an engagement with them,” said Malema.

The vibrant opposition leader in South Africa also congratulated President Hichilema adding that his hope is he will not flatter to deceive.

“We congratulate the developments in Zambia and we want to take this opportunity to really congratulate the new President and we hope that it will not just be a new face and things remain the same as they change.

“We are happy that the former President of Zambia quickly recovered from his, a little bit of madness when he wanted to denounce the elections that were run under his own leadership.

“He became sober and normal after accepting that the results are what they are and therefore there is no need for him to create doubt on the credibility of elections that were approved by all observers.

“We think that this is a new journey for the people of Zambia and if they lead by example they will inspire a lot of confidence to the people of the region.

“Zambia has been a home to a lot of liberation movements during the dark days of our continent and it has led from the front and we hope that they will continue to lead especially with this type of development,” he said.