Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa has dismissed media reports that tribalism and violence has rocked the ruling Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) party ahead of its Eastern Province conference slated for next January.
Dr. Mwansa said what was obtaining on the ground was stiff competition among the people wishing to contest positions in the party in Eastern Province.
Responding to questions from Journalists in Lusaka today, Dr. Mwansa said the MMD was resolving the process of candidacy.
He cited positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman as those being looked at.
“There is no tribalism in MMD in Eastern Province. There is only stiff competition for persons vying for party position at provincial levels,” he said.
The Minister said the MMD was very strong in the East and no amount of violence would disrupt it from holding free and fair elections in that province.
The Eastern Province conference is expected to be opened by President Rupiah Banda next year. The Provincial conferences were deferred to next year to allow party members celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivals.
And Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa has disclosed that Government intends to construct 9,000 housing units for defence forces in the country to mitigate the critical shortage of accommodation faced by militarypersonnel.
Dr. Mwansa said the project was due to start in various cantonments across the country.
He said Government was concerned about the welfare of men and women in uniform hence it was in a hurry to improve their conditions of service.
The Minister said this last night in Lusaka when he officiated at the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) annual ball held at ZAF Chamba Valley
He further said Government was committed to ensuring that Defence Forces were adequately prepared to meet the country’s challenges.
He reminded the defence personnel that peace and stability the nation had continued to enjoy could not be taken for granted but should be guarded jealously.
He commended ZAF for being supportive to Government when called upon to do a service in national interest adding that Government shall continue making concerted effort towards equipping the defence force to enable them perform their duties efficiently.
Dr. Mwansa also commended efforts made by Air Power Ladies Club to spearhead the construction of hospitals and nursery schools in ZAF bases among them Eugenia, Kabwe and Samora Machel respectively.
He further warned the members of the defence and security services to avoid engaging themselves in partisan politics as the country drew closer to the tripartite elections next year.
He urged them to be disciplined and exhibit high moral behaviour .
And speaking earlier, ZAF Commandant Andrew Sakala commended Government for the modernisation programme which had enabled the Force enhance its delivery service to the people.
Lieutenant-General Sakala said ZAF would continue to carry out its mandate and meet its obligations with professionalism and dedication.
He told the Minister that the personnel would remain loyal to the Government.
Annual balls accords officers and their families a chance to interact with their civilian counterparts.
This year’s Annual Ball was celebrated under the theme, “Achieving Efficiency through concerted Efforts”.
ZANIS
whr z dolla yasila? Mwansa concetrate on appeasing the men in uniform than denying the truch,such petty talk shud b left 2 generous dolla yasila,big nose reverand general or the dimwit mulongoti
The best thing for any well meaning govt is not to be defensive all the time. Accept responsibility and work to remove the bad elements that tarnish your party’s name.
There is no doubt that MMD is a very violent and tribal party. Rupiah actually promotes and encourages these terrible vices to flourish.
Just denying it will not correct the bad image already created through your inept governance
What happened at the last provincial gathering Sily Wily broke lose and you had to change the date for elections!!!!. We dont easly forget such issues.
No one expects you your honor to admit that there is tribalism in the party. By virtue of you being zambian minister, by Zambia standards, you are expected to be ‘loyal’ (say/do as the president would like) to his excellency the president, or else you would be sacked. So this is not new(s) at all.
Alah, so even Eastern Kumawa has now been tribalized ka! You bet it is ka Nkosi ya Mbeba trying to sideline Tumbukas, Nsenga and others claiming only Ngonis should rule. No wonder we are not progressing at all because what can one expect from these decendants of Zwangendaba Ingwana (Zwangendaba the coward) who fled from Shaka Ka Sezangakona, nearly four years later on the day of the dead moon when Dingane’s gallant Impi was battering the Scottish regiment to pieces, Zwangendaba was crossing the Zambezi River still legging it even harder fronm am already dead Shaka.