THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has said, though, the resignation of its party vice president Richard Kapita, is an individual democratic right, such decisions, however, have potential to influence other members to join the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
Mr Kapita, who defected to PF at a rally addressed by President Edgar Lungu in Mwinilunga on Saturday, said he decided to join the ruling party because Mr Lungu inspired him as he wanted to work with all those that wanted to develop Zambia.
Mr Kapita was one of the founding members of the UPND in 1998 and he was Mwinilunga Member of Parliament on the party ticket.
Reacting to Mr Kapita’s defection, UPND Southern Province Information and Publicity Secretary Rudolph Phiri said the opposition party had lost a valuable individual voter.
In an interview yesterday, he said, Mr Kapita, having been a senior party official and one a founder member, his decision to defect from UPND could entice other party members to follow suit.
“You know, losing a party individual whatever status, it means a vote has been lost already. Yes, we have lost a voter as a party but we not the party at large,” he said.
Mr Phiri said that Mr Kapita’s individual democratic right could also attract a few UPND members at grassroot level such as those that were close to him to defect.
He cited some party members from North-Western Province where Mr Kapita had commanded a larger follower of members at the time he was MP for Mwinilunga.
He, however, said joining politics was an individual decision because every party member regardless of the party affiliation had the right to join a party of choice.
“Every person has a democratic right to join any party of choice and Mr Kapita felt that time has now come for him to join PF because it’s his individual right to do so,” he said.
Tho should not raise anger among UPND supporters because even UPND has benefited a lot from other parties whose members defected to them. Eg, Felix Mutati, Banda the Vice President, etc.
It’s fair play
Good riddance. Never heard of him. Wonder what influence he had in the UPND. Exactly what benefit he will bring to the PF i don’t know. He holds only one vote and should not expect the PF cadres to treat him with kid gloves as he goes about boot-licking Edgar for a job.
It does not serve UPND well to underestimate and misjudge the enormous impact of Kapita’s defection to PF…..Its simply a huge loss to them and a big catch for PF.
The concomitant effect that keeps me flabbergasted is the docility within the rank and file of UPND to expeditiously remove the rotten head.
A lost kachema must be replaced before all the cattle is lost too. loyalty is not synonymous to passivity.
Muyopa chani ba mambala
Felix Mutati never joined UPND but only endorsed HH in the 2015 presidential by elections. Mutati status just like that of GBM and Masebo are not clear as at now. But rumor has it that they negotiating behind the scenes for reconciliation with PF. What must be asked is why we are going through this political development. Time for lies and mudslinging has catch up with those who peddle them. Large about them is Mmembe whose trick of defining individuals he perceived as his enemies in the control and exercise of power as corrupt has fallen out of favor with Zambians. People have heard enough from corruption stories which is not yielding benefits across board but only to lawyers and the DPP with Mmembe behind
Joining politics is an individual decision because every party member regardless of the party affiliation had the right to join a party of his choice.
” So leave Kapita & those that will follow him to achieve what they want to achieve.”
THEY ARE FREE PEOPLE
You are welcome to join our party, but such betrayal I don’t like it. Hope you joining for the good of the Zambian people not just satisfy your self.
Why worry Phiri Kapita, vote has been replaced by my vote.Never be cheated the reason why Kapita resigned is because he failed to account for party resources used during the 2015 Presidential Bye elections.
People of North-Western do not tolerant thief’s,thus,due to this effect it will have no negative impact but it will dilute PF as people think this is the party where wrong doers are accommodated.
All the people President fired due to malpractice are now the noise makers in PF.
How many people did Kapita defect with at the rally and did you hear how he was teased?
Now we have careless statements over Solwezi-Chingola road by RDA over contracts,country men and women how many contractors are we going to have on the same road year in year out?
Government of failures for failures by…
@ sudan you are just emotional,join PF to remove your anger.
Felix Mutati never joined UPND but only endorsed HH in the 2015 presidential by elections. Mutati status just like that of GBM and Masebo are not clear as at now. But rumor has it that they negotiating behind the scenes for reconciliation with PF. What must be asked is why we are going through this political development. Time for lies and mudslinging has catch up with those who peddle them. Large about them is Mmembe whose trick of defining individuals he perceived as his enemies in the control and exercise of power as corrupt has fallen out of favor with Zambians. People have heard enough from corruption stories which is not yielding benefits across board but only to lawyers and the DPP with Mmembe behind
For Zambian politics everything is possible. In a country where Ideologies never prevail, it is just a question of being staed and read the writings on the wall so that your pocket is well lined. Whether we like it or not, ZAMBIA’s ideology i.e. HUMANISM still lingers in our minds and we just have to blame KK for having ruled this country for 27 years continously. That means that we were all indocrinated in this Ideology. In a way Zambia is a one party state, only that this time around people are allowed to choose from the array of parties available, the more reason we need the 50 +1 per cent, so that who ever ascends to power has the majority, and not that the way the country is run will change-forget it. This is just to allow inclusiveness by all parts of the country.
Looking for employment. Join the ruling party. They will pay you handsomely. Those who are already members! hard luck for you. New members from the opposition parties are lucrative.
Quote The concomitant effect that keeps me flabbergasted is the docility within the rank and file of UPND to expeditiously remove the head end of quote. Wow! Dr Mpombo must be kicking his teeth for not thinking of this one.
Ninshi balitumpafye. Even those voting these turncoats into office will be fools
Rich-K. Thats my man. Boss remember the Manica Zambia Days? You are just awesome.
Mwinilunga Boma those rusting corrugated iron sheets could fall on our president’s head mwebantu! When Kaunda was about to visit they usuallly painted them but nowadays yayi
KAPITA IS GONE, ALL BECAUSE HH CAN’T WIN IN 2016
I am crying right now in Kalomo…HH has fooled us…He is a compulsive political loser with no stamina to stand against strong opponents and yet our people keep believing his story of “winning one day”, which day? You people why are we suffering at the hands of this single man…? Giving away 2016 is so painful. I understand why RK has left us. Please before we become shell or a sham, let us clean our house and float a better candidate. UPND is blessed with senior and seasoned men and women who can get 2016 at once.
I am at pains to see us forever fooled, that a 4 times loser will get 2016. Be careful, we could just be making PF stronger. Mark my words. Uchiyanda, achileke! Ndime BB in Kalomo.