Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) presidential candidate Keith Mweemba, a lawyer and proprietor of MTN Super League side FC MUZA, has dismissed claims that he is being backed by the government in his bid to take over the FAZ presidency.
Speaking during a special program on ZNBC TV dubbed Road to Football House, Mweemba rejected the accusations and challenged those spreading the claims to present evidence.
“First of all, if you understand how government machinery works, if I had government machinery and backing behind me, I would have no competition right by now. It’s as simple as that, I would have no competition,” Mweemba said.
“I wouldn’t be proud to have that. Elections: We want to go and compete on a level playing field. But the only thing I can tell you is that regardless of what government is in existence at the particular time, I understand football and government is a major stakeholder. This is where people should not be scared to speak the truth. The government is a major stakeholder,” he added, asserting his readiness to work with any administration.
“It doesn’t mean that when you talk about government funding or government involvement in football, then you’re a government candidate. If I had a government backing, I would have had no competition in this race,” he charged.
Mweemba Explains Genesis of Accusations
Accusations of government backing have persisted, in part due to Mweemba’s past professional ties with President Hakainde Hichilema, for whom he served as legal counsel. However, Mweemba clarified that his relationship with the president is strictly professional, emphasizing that he has represented various politicians from across the political spectrum.
“These allegations come from our opponents who are terrified, who are so scared of losing an election. Look, there are many things I know. Some of these people have even misled the leadership; they have even written letters to the leadership of this country. Pointing out all sorts of accusations.”
“Keith Mweemba is a lawyer by profession. I am a legal practitioner. I have so many clients. I’ve handled the cases for so many clients, including politicians. One, Chishimba Kambwili of the National Democratic Congress, is my client, so many cases I have handled for him. GBM (Godfrey Bwalya Mwamba) himself was my client; Nervous Mumba, the incumbent himself, President HH [Hakainde Hichilema] has been my client, the former Republican president, Rupiah Banda, was my client. Fresher Siwale, a politician and member of the opposition party, is my client,” Mweemba explained.
“Now the point I’m making is that now that the patron of FAZ is the Republican president and because now he’s my client and I’ve handled some cases for him. And because that is his client, then automatically, he has got government support. That’s the issue here. If you ask any of these people making these accusations, just ask them to produce just one or a single piece of evidence to prove that Keith Mweemba has got government backing; Ask them that question. They won’t even show you any evidence. It’s propaganda.”
The FAZ elections are scheduled to take place in Kabwe on May 9, after being halted on March 29 in Livingstone due to a court order. Mweemba has denied involvement in the legal action that led to the suspension of the initial elective Annual General Meeting, which saw over 100 FAZ members from across the country travel in vain.
Mweemba is vying to replace incumbent FAZ president Andrew Kamanga, who is seeking a third term after first being elected in 2016. Also in the race are former FAZ Secretary General Adrian Kashala and former Chipolopolo player Emmanuel Munaile.
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