
UNIP General Secretary Jemima Banda has accused opposition political parties that took part in the just ended Mpulungu by-election of allegedly being involved in corrupt practices.
And the Christian Coalition has advised UPND president Hakainde Hichilema to reconsider his association with Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata before he is allegedly soiled by what it described as the latter’s old fashioned politics.
Mrs Banda said it was unfair for opposition political parties to claim that the MMD was corrupt when deep down their hearts they knew that they allegedly left brown parcels to some headmen. [pullquote]We call upon Mr Hakainde Hichilema as a youthful leader not to confuse himself with the old fashioned politics of PF’s Michael Sata. We advise him to chart a clear political path for his career and position himself for the future[/pullquote]
On Wednesday, Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata accused the MMD of electoral malpractices and said his party would petition the Mpulungu parliamentary results. The seat was won by MMD candidate Given Mung’omba.
“We learnt about the corrupt activities when some headmen complained why UNIP did not leave any parcel when other political parties did,” Mrs Banda said.
The secretary general was campaign manager for UNIP candidate Germanico Simusokwe in the Mpulungu parliamentary by-election.
Mrs Banda said there was need for the opposition political parties to avoid applying double standards.
Mrs Banda complained about the verbal assault UNIP suffered from suspected PF cadres who allegedly referred to UNIP members and officials as foolish people.
She said if PF supporters could behave in an alleged arrogant manner when they were still in the opposition, it would be worse if they formed Government.
It was imperative that Zambians were careful when voting for political parties to form Government.
She was disappointed that PF could shower unprintables on fellow opposition political parties, instead of preaching unity in diversity.
Mrs Banda has cautioned Zambians to seriously look at the calibre of individuals aspiring for public offices like parliamentary seats before they made a mistake of electing crooks or criminals in public offices.
When contacted PF spokesperson Given Lubinda and Alliance for Democratic Development (ADD) president Charles Milupi denied that their parties were involved in corrupt practices in the Mpulungu by-election.
Meanwhile, Christian Coalition has advised Mr Hichilema to reconsider his association with Mr Sata before he is soiled by what they described as latter’s old fashioned politics.
The coalition has also commended President Rupiah Banda’s Government for the various developmental projects it is undertaking across the country especially in rural areas.
According to the coalition, Mr Hichilema should not confuse himself with the old fashioned politics of Mr Sata.
This is according to a joint statement signed by the Coalition president Godwin Musonda and the spokesperson John Mwendapole.
“We call upon Mr Hakainde Hichilema as a youthful leader not to confuse himself with the old fashioned politics of PF’s Michael Sata. We advise him to chart a clear political path for his career and position himself for the future,” reads the statement in part.
The coalition has since congratulated the UPND for scooping the Chilanga by-election.
[Times of Zambia]