John Tembo: "Treat former presidents with respect, dignity"

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President, John Zenus Ungapake Tembo, has expressed disappointment at the treatment accorded to former President Bakili Muluzi, asking government to treat former leaders with the dignity and respect "they deserve".

MCP President, John Zenus Ungapake Tembo: Treat former leaders with respect

Tembo was speaking to Zachimalawi following government's decision to deny Muluzi funding for his medical attention in South Africa.
Muluzi, who has a reccuring back problem following dislocated disks, has been fighting the Anti-Corruption Bureau's attempts to have him examined by an independent doctor. The graft-busting body wants to ascertain whether Muluzi is not feigning illness so he may appear in court to answer corruption charge.
Muluzi snubs such overtures.
Said Tembo: "If we treat our former leaders badly, what message are we sending to our youths, aspiring politicians?"
The MCP leader said Malawi should respect its former leaders, and not borrow a leaf from Zimbabwe, where he said opposition leaders are ill-treatment by the ruling authorities.

Zimbabwe's flamboyant leader, Comrade Robert Mugabe

"Muluzi should be given funding. His health is a concern to all of us. Those who are in power today will one day need help from those who will take take over; what is happening here is setting a wrong precedent," said Tembo.