LUSAKA, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Tuesday refuted reports by the country's leading opposition figure that it intends to sell two of the country's national parks.
Last week, Hakainde Hichilema said the government was currently negotiating for the sale of the Kafue and Luangwa national parks.
But Chief government spokesperson Kampamba Mulenga said the government has no intentions now or in future to sell any national park because of their nature as national trophies and heritage.
The allegations were unfounded and malicious and should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve, she added.
"This is an absolute lie. How can we do such an outrageous thing? As a government these two national parks will remain among our treasured trophies and pride as a nation," she said in a statement released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
According to her, the rumors being peddled by the opposition were only calculated to derail and slow down the government's zeal to fulfill the promises it made to the people.
She has since challenged the opposition leader to name the buyers of the two national parks.
