PF schemes against NCC delegates

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Members of Parliament participating in the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) have accused the party’s leadership of inciting cadres to rise against them for taking part in the meetings.
But PF chairman for information and publicity, Given Lubinda challenged those making the allegations to report the said leaders to the police as inciting cadres to rise against them was a criminal offence.
Spokesperson for the MPs participating in the NCC deliberations, Peter Machungwa said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that PF cadres were being asked to raise complaints and charges against the MPs to justify the imposition of disciplinary measures against them.
Dr Machungwa said the rising against the MPs had already started in Bwana Mkubwa Constituency in Ndola, Kasama Central and Lukashya Constituencies.
He said such stage-managed activities would create a rift within the party and weaken the PF. He said the activities were also contemptuous in the light of the injunction granted to MPs taking part in the NCC.
“Under the circumstances we appeal to our colleagues masterminding these activities to be mindful of the greater interest of our party and the Zambian people in general. We have not instructed our lawyers to begin contempt proceedings because we are hoping that they would reason. We are taking a reconciliatory path,” Dr Machungwa said.
Mr Lubinda said for leaders to be accused of inciting cadres, Dr Machungwa and others were in a way branding the PF leadership of being anarchists and should therefore be reported to police.
“Let them furnish the police with evidence so that the police can investigate which leaders are inciting cadres. Every Zambian has the right to complain when their MP is not doing the right thing. If people are unsatisfied with the MP what has that got to do with the party leadership?” Mr Lubinda asked.