LUSAKA, Jan 4 – Zambian President Rupiah Banda has fired a minister in his cabinet, a government official said Sunday but without giving any explanation for his removal.
"President of the Republic of Zambia, Sunday revoked the appointment of Hon. Gabriel Namulambe, MP, as Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training with immediate effect," said presidential spokesman Dickson Jere in a statement.
It is believed the sacking comes after Namulambe, who is from the same tribe as the late president Levy Mwanawasa, recently accused Banda of abandoning the legacy of the late leader by sidelining politicians who hail from the area where Mwanawasa came from.
However, Namulambe said that he was not bitter about his removal from the ministerial position.
"I am not bitter, do I sound bitter? I am sure my removal has brought about smiles to those that have been calling about my resignation.
"I am happy that I served under his administration… I cannot say much but I will issue a statement at a later stage," Namulambe told AFP.
In October Banda told opponents who wanted to challenge his nomination as the presidential candidate for the ruling party Movement for Multiparty Democracy ahead of the 2011 polls to resign.
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