The MMD in Eastern and Copperbelt provinces, and some civil society organisations have castigated Kafulafuta member of Parliament (MP) George Mpombo and his Chilanga constituency counterpart Ng’andu Magande for allegedly holding on to the party to secure their stay in the National Assembly.
And some youths have condemned some opposition political parties and other civil society organisations for their continued unjustified attacks on President Banda and his administration over matters that are purely for the courts or police to deal with.
Eastern Province MMD chairman Kennedy Zulu, commenting on the duo’s constant attacks on President Banda, urged them to quit the party and test their popularity in a by-election.
Mr Zulu said the incessant attacks the duo is making against President Banda, including calling for the removal of MMD from power, send a clear message that they are no longer members of the MMD.
“I don’t know why they are holding on to MMD because their persistent attacks against the party and President Banda have shown that they are no longer MMD. They are behaving like a man who insults his wife during the day, but wants to embrace her in the night,” Mr Zulu said.
Mr Zulu said if the two are as popular as they claim they are, they should emulate president Charles Milupi, who relinquished his Luena seat when he formed ADD.
He said any credible political party cannot adopt Mr Mpombo as parliamentary candidate because he has proved to suffer from indecision by suddenly quitting his Cabinet portfolio, but clings to a political party he insults relentlessly.
He wondered if Mr Magande was serious about intentions to contest for the MMD presidency at the party convention when he is calling for the removal of the party from Government.
He said the MMD in Eastern Province is behind President Banda because he has demonstrated qualities of a mature, responsible and dedicated leader.
Meanwhile, the MMD in Masaiti has called on Mr Mpombo to stop telling people that he initiated the construction of Masangano High School in Kafulafuta.
District chairman Michael Katambo said in Ndola yesterday that Mr Mpombo has failed the people in the area and should not claim that he initiated the construction of the high school.
“The construction of Masangano High School is under Government programmes and should not be seen to have been initiated by Mr Mpombo,” he said.
Mr Katambo said Masaiti district was behind President Banda and will not support Mr Mpombo at the MMD national convention.
And Copperbelt youth vice-secretary Benson Tembo has warned Change Life Zambia director Frank Bwalya against distributing and selling red cards in Chifubu constituency because doing so could cause disturbances.
Fr Bwalya refused to comment on the matter.
And Forum for Leadership Search executive director Edwin Lifwekelo said in a statement yesterday that it is unjustifiable to condemn President Banda, who has demonstrated political will and maturity by ensuring that the courts of law and the police operate independently.
He said this is evident in the case of former deputy minister of health Dr Solomon Musonda, who has been arrested and charged for causing grievous harm with intent to maim, disfigure or disable.
Mr Lifwekelo has also said that Mr Mpombo and Mr Magande have lost touch with reality.
Mr Lifwekelo said Mr Magande should rejoin the United Party for National Development (UPND) and that Mr Mpombo has become a liability to the MMD.
“Both are not adding value to the country. Even as councillors, Magande and Mpombo cannot win,” he said.
And Evangelical Youth Alliance International executive director Reverend Moses Lungu has said political parties and the civil society must respect those in leadership and the laws of the land.
Rev. Lungu said it is always important for people to be patient when dealing with legal issues.
Gallant Youths of Zambia have challenged the Catholic leadership in Zambia to clear itself from any connections with the opposition PF.
Gallant Youths of Zambia national co-ordinator Mr Henry Mulenga says as youths they would always look up to the church but recent events point to the church taking political sides.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]