Brian Hapunda Upset after Press Aide Snub Patriotic Front director of communications Brian Hapunda is reportedly upset after being overlooked for the position of special assistant for press and public relations for newly elected President Edgar Lungu. Hapunda, according sources, thought his ascendance to the lofty position that has made many aides ‘demi-gods’ would be automatic as he enjoys a close and trusted relationship with the former defence minister. But the announcement made on Sunday by Secretary to Cabinet Rowland Msiska revealed it was Amos Chanda who had earned the appointment taking over from George Chellah. Chellah and Chanda briefly worked in the same office before the latter was redeployed into foreign service. Chanda’s re-deployment to London where he served as First Secretary press was seen as a demotion but his return to State House is no surprise owing to his cunning and impeccable media relations qualities. Though unsurprising, Chanda’s appointment comes as a shock to the likes of Hapunda, Emmanuel Mwamba and Anthony Mukwita who had heavily positioned themselves for consideration. Sources said Hapunda is the most upset of the trio because he thought he had won Lungu’s heart by hovering around him. The sources state that Lungu would still squeeze the trio into some appointments as part of appeasements for their valuable efforts during campaigns. It’s believed that President Lungu had been strongly advised by the OP Special Branch against appointing individuals with grey areas in their intelligence reports. Both Hapunda and Mwamba have active criminal related charges before courts of law and appointing them to that office would have been a clear attempt of undermining the Judiciary. Hapunda was sacked by President Michael Sata for allegedly soliciting bribes and subsequently arrested for corruption while Mwamba has an active contempt case before the Supreme Court of Zambia. He also lacks any sort of media experience to handle the office of press aide. The Office of the President has advised President Lungu against appointing individuals who were not 100% trust worthy to hold sensitive position which will give them access to intelligence briefs. Hapunda and the likes of Mwamba will still have to be cleared by the OP to qualify for any appointment they are earmarked for in due course. The sources say the intelligence caution to President Lungu was to help him against making mistakes of appointing anybody who would be a risk to his Presidency and national security. zambiareports/2015/01/27/brian-hapunda-upset-press-aide-snub/
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 07:19:07 +0000
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