Zambian opposition leader praises Mugabe

Zambian opposition leader praises Mugabe

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By Shapi Shacinda

ZAMBIAN opposition leader Michael Sata praised the policies of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe on Thursday as he voted in a close poll which could see him triumph over the man credited with turning Zambia's economy around.

Sata, a fiery populist who has exploited discontent with government economic policies, has mounted a strong challenge to incumbent Levy Mwanawasa in Thursday's poll, which analysts say is the closest since independence from Britain in 1964.

He hinted that, like Mugabe in neighbouring Zimbabwe, he would stand up to both the West and foreign investors.

"What Robert Mugabe has done is sensible," a grinning Sata, 69, told reporters after he cast his vote in Lusaka. "He hasn't roasted any white persons. He has just taken back what belongs to them (Zimbabweans)."

Mwanawasa, 58, has urged voters to give him a second and final five-year term, pointing to an economic record which has seen Zambia win some $7 billion in debt relief from Western donors, cut poverty and push economic growth above 5 percent.

But he has been forced on the defensive by Sata's repeated attacks, which have painted him as a sell-out to foreigners, particularly Western donors and Chinese companies expanding their interests in Zambia's vast copper mines.

Mwanawasa and Sata each have been tipped to win in different opinion polls, meaning Thursday's vote could be close.

Mwanawasa was grim-faced as he cast his vote at a rural primary school outside Lusaka and sped off in his official convoy without speaking to gathered reporters.

Polls are due to close at 6 p.m. (1600 GMT), and it could take several days for a victor to emerge.

"KING COBRA"

Sata has won fans by promising workers a bigger stake in state enterprise, major tax cuts and a 51 percent cap on foreign mine ownership -- thrilling voters but leaving economists wondering how his government would pay its bills.

The veteran politician, known locally as "King Cobra", rejected notions that Mugabe was mistaken to have seized white-owned commercial farms to give to landless blacks, a policy many economists say has helped drive once-prosperous Zimbabwe to its knees.

"Mugabe hasn't done anything wrong. It is the imperialists, the capitalist roaders who say he is a villain," Sata said.

Sata repeated threats that his administration would get tough on foreigners, particularly "bogus investors" who fail to contribute to Zambia's welfare and western donors who seek to guide its economic policies.

Sata's Patriotic Front has won many converts among ordinary Zambians, who despite the country's economic revival have yet to see a payoff in their pocketbooks.

"I'm here to vote in order to change the system. I am a very dissatisfied citizen," said Stephen Mukuka, a 35-year-old Lusaka businessman who was at the front of the queue at one polling station. "We want better things for Zambians."

Mwanawasa's opponents also say the president is simply not fit to lead Zambia after suffering what a minor stroke in April. Mwanawasa rejects the charge, saying he is "fit as a fiddle."

While the buzz on the streets centred on Sata, Mwanawasa supporters were not shy in expressing their admiration for a man who in five years in office has turned Zambia into one of Africa's economic stars.

"Farmers are doing alright now. There is more fertiliser and more to sell," said Ferry Meleki, an unemployed 40-year-old voted at Mwanawasa's polling station outside Lusaka.

Others said they were alarmed by the belligerent tenor of Sata's campaign.

"Mr Sata can work, but not as president. He is just too rough," said Langson Mweemba, a 38-year-old builder in the same district. "We can have jobs, but what we really need is peace. And I don't think that Sata is a peaceful man." - Reuters
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