President Levy Mwanawasa has lifted the suspension of MMD Lusaka Province Chairman, Geoffrey Chuumbwe.
Announcing the lifting of the suspension of Mr Chuumbwe to ZANIS in Lusaka today, MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga said Dr. Mwanawasa, who is also MMD President, unconditionally accepted the apology from Mr. Chuumbwe who was suspended some three weeks ago.
Mr Mabenga revealed that in his letter to Mr Chuumbwe copied to Mr. Mabenga, MMD National Secretary Katele Kalumba dated 8th May President Mwanawasa said he decided to lift the suspension of Mr. Chuumbwe because of the manner in which he put his statement.
MMD National Chairman, revealed that President Mwanawasa was against acts of violence expressed by Mr. Chuumbwe just like he condemned China for delivering arms at the time when the Southern African country was facing political instability.
Mr Mabenga said Dr. Mwanawasa noted that Mr Chuumbwe as a leader should know that the strength of a President is in dialogue and not violence.
Mr Chuumbwe will, therefore, resume duties as MMD Lusaka Province Chairman.
Meanwhile, a Church organisation has described Patriotic Front Leader Michael Sata’s meeting with President Levy Mwanawasa today at State house as a demonstration of biblical principles.
Independent Churches of Zambia Board chairman Reverend David Masupa said the church was happy to see president Mwanawasa and Mr Sata reconcile in the interest of the nation.
Reverend Masupa said Mr. Sata has been a critic of president Mwanawasa since 2001 and that it was now time to work together in developing the country.
In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Reverend Masupa commended President Mwanawasa for embracing Mr Sata as a compatriot in the development of the country.
He noted that the reconciliation between the two opposing leaders was a showcase to the outside world and a true reflection of biblical principles based on the bible teaching on forgivingness.
Reverend Masupa further said the reconciliation should not only be between the two Leaders but also between the PF and the ruling MMD government at large.
Reverend Masupa said the church was sick and tired of seeing political leaders insulting each other saying the country now needs a new culture of politics aimed at benefiting and developing the country.
PF Leader Michale Sata today met President Levy Mwanawasa at State House where they held a closed door meeting before addressing the press.
An atmosphere of reconciliation was demonstrated with both leaders expressing their willingness to meet again and discuss national issues.
Chuumbwe “Mugabe must be killed”
Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF has accused Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa of siding with the opposition in its bid to oust President Robert Mugabe, in yet another sign of worsening relations between the two countries. Relations between the two countries have been deteriorating ….
Interesting. Bring back Moonga and Mbita too.
#2 Has Chinamasa been reprimanded for the verbal assault he made on President Mwanawasa? If he was not, then Chuumbwe also should not. This is politics at Regional level my friend.
LPM has just confirmed how far he has moved to ensure that the right wing forces are strengthened facing Mugabe. I hope that LPM and the MMD will be made to face the music for supporting reactionary forces against Mugs.
Chuumbwe was right, any which way, sanity must come to Zimbabwe. Ba Rev Masupa, from God’s vision for Chiluba’s 3rd term now to Sata’s reconciliation with Mwanawasa being Biblical? I really wonder what goes through the minds of these chaps of the cloth who are ever looking for opportunities to proclaim their untested and dogmatic doctrines. Sata’s U-turn was only a thanx for having been accorded an opportunity to access quality medical care, nothing to do with the Bible or Jesus!
Congrats Mr. President for ‘forgiving’ Mr. Chuumbwe. But i don’t this this man had done anything wrong. He was just calling a spade a spade. Am prety sure his wishes are your wishes too about Mad Mugabe. We need that mad man out ASAP.
I still satnd by Chuumbwe’s comment.Robby shud be removed by force.
I will still stand by Chitala’s comment. Africa should be one.
Zambians get too over excited.The meeting between Sata and Levy is nothing but maybe just indication of how politicians should inter relate.Sata is still in a state of confussion and shock he lost a son and he is still just coming from the ICU,this very fact leaves much too be desired.Alot of guyz understand the feeling of escaping death.Levy however should be thanked for having given Mr Sata a shoulder to lean on in a time of need.Levy ,thanks you are great.As for Sata We will ask for Gods guidance to help you put pull thru ,you really need it
#9,you are rite.Sata is in a state of confusion.Morever,Levy has to b extremely careful with Sata coz he is a trickstar and this is jst one of Sata’s tricks.Lets wait and see…
It does not make sense to lift Chuumbwe’s suspension after his *****ic comments that Mugabe should be overthrown. LPM must realise that Chuumbwe’s comments may be a recipe for Bob to wage war against Zambia to divert his country’s attention from his own failures, evil misdeeds and repression. By reprieving Chuumbwe, LPM is sending stinky signals to Bob that he approved Chuumbwe’s stupid and dangerous comments. LPM should know that Bob is wounded and capable of spoiling Zambia’s economic strides hitherto achieved. LPM must appreciate that Mbita Chitala’s and Joyce Moonga’s comments were more progressive than Chuumbwe’s. In all fairness, Mbita and Moonga should both be reprieved.
Correction: At #11 in error I mentioned Joyce Moonga instead of Christine Moonga. Which is which one sometimes wonders.
It`s so fascinating trying to find some logic in the way MMD runs it`s affairs.Mrs Moonga gets expelled for speaking out against Shakafuswa`s derogatory remarks about women and yet Chuumbwe is embrassed after his alarmist statement on Mugabe.Politics of appeasement won`t take our country anywhere.So long as Chuumbwe is willing to hero worship Levy then the entire MMD will look the other way and ignore Chuumbwe`s remarks that could even destabilise our nation.These are the kind of destructive politics that need to be stopped.
If Chuumbwe was suspended by the president who is the leader of his party the MMD, then the president should also be able to lift his suspension. However, if he was suspended by an organ of the party such as the NEC or the provincial committee then the president should not arbitrarily lift his suspension. But then, as #13 has pointed out, who can fathom the way MMD affairs are run?