By Tovin Ngombe-
Sinazongwe Constitunecy Member of Parliament (MP) for United Party for National Development (UPND) Raphael Muyunda has been suspended from the party for alleged insubordination and acting as a party Spokesperson.
But the UPND provincial Publicity Secretary Douglas Mweemba said the issue was not official as it was coming from the disgruntled members.
In letter written to UPND Secretary General at the headquarters and the Provincial Chairperson for Southern Province by the District office, Muyunda has been suspended for embarrassing Sinazongwe people.
“Muyunda became a spokesperson for the party between UPND and MMD by appearing on Television Zambia and in newspapers such as the post to comment on matters that could have been dealt by our beloved president Hakainde Hichilema.†the letter read.
Sinazongwe Constituency Chairperson Alfred Sikalala and the District Chairperson Simeion Siatwiinda signed the letter saying Mr. Muyunda assumed himself as the party’s Publicity and Information Chairperson to speak on behalf of party president.
“Therefore the entire constituency and the District officials have strongly resolved to and recommend disciplining Sinazongwe MP by suspending him from the party here in Sinazongwe constituency with immediate effect,†reads the letter.
Siatwiinda said Mr. Muyunda fails to cooperate with the constituency and district officials from his first term and second term as MP.
“If he does not consult from his constituency what to represent Sinazongwe people in parliament, as a result the People of Sinazongwe have said he goes to parliament to serve his own interest not to save us,†Siatwiinda said.
He said Sinazongwe people were fed up with his bad conduct and if he wanted to leave the party he should go alone than involving them.
However, Mweemba said Mr Siatwiinda and his team that suspended the MP were no longer members of UPND because they supported the Independent candidate during the last year’s tripartite elections.
“As we know that he is the Chairperson but the moment he crossed to support the independent candidate he ceased to be UPND member,†Mweemba.
He said the provincial management committee looked at the letter on 27th March 2007 and it was treated as not being official.
But Siatwiinda said that the Party President Hakainde Hichilema issued instructions that all the members that supported independent candidates during the last years election would continue being members and holding their positions.
“We have decided to blow up the issue because the Provincial and the National leadership were mute over the issue despite sending the letter to them in February,†Siatwiinda said.
When contacted for comment over the suspension Mr. Muyunda’s cell phone has been always outside coverage.
Confusion is brewing among the camp that supported the Independent candidate Mr. Richwell Siamunene and Muyunda in Sinazongwe district as they treat each other as enemies
ZANIS/ END/TN
