Expelled United Party for National Development (UPND) Namwala Member of Parliament Robbie Chizyuka says he does not recognise his expulsion from his party for alleged gross indiscipline.

Major Chizyuka said in a statement to ZANIS last evening that the action by UPND national executive committee to expel him is in defiance of the court injunction in the Lusaka High court.

” Mr Hakainde Hichilema is aware that on 21st November, 2009 Lusaka high court judge Musonda will hear my application for an
injunction to restrain the UPND and Mr. Hichilema from suspending me, ” said Major Chizyuka.

He explained that Mr Hichilema’s defiant action against the injunction, it was time Zambians looked closely and wisely into the
mirror image of Mr. Hichilema whom he labeled as a ” new dictator.”[quote]

With reference to UPND’s allegation that he failed to exculpate himself, within the seven days period, Major Chizyuka said to-date he has not received the suspension letter which stipulated the charges requiring his response.

The embattled MP urged UPND to be honest to the public to show when he received that the expulsion letter, who gave him the letter and where he signed for receipt.

He said as far he was concerned, he was just learning it in the media on Sunday 4th October, 2009.

” I was in my constituency attending the Shimunenga ceremony when this entire saga was unfolding as news.
Upon reading my suspension in the Post Newspaper, and realizing that I was not given a hearing let alone a warning on the alleged misconduct, I realized that the party was up to some hidden, malicious and already predetermined actions against me,” he said.

Furthermore, Major Chizyuka has challenged the expulsion saying he cannot exculpate himself before the injunction is cleared in court.

ZANIS

Four aspiring candidates for the Solwezi central constituency seat have successfully filed in their nominations for the parliamentary by-election set for November 19 this year.

Forum for Democratic Alternative (FDA) candidate Muhammed Kalela was the first one to file in his nomination at about 10:25 hours accompanied by his party president Dr Ludwig Sondashi and 10 of his supporters.

He was followed by the United Party for National Development (UPND)/Patriotic Front (PF) PACT candidate Watson Lumba who was accompanied by the UPND president Hakahinde Hichilema,and 10 of his supporters filed in at about 11:07 hours.

Others were an independent candidate Tomas Kafula and Movement for Multi-Party democracy (MMD) Albert Chifita at about 11:33 and 13; 30 hours respectively.

Solwezi central constituency by-lection returning officer Elizabeth Kanoka announced the four valid nominations filed in by MMD, UPND/PF Pact, FDA and independent candidates saying no nomination was rejected.

Ms Kanoka announced the results some few minutes after 15 hours.

In another development UPND/PF pact and MMD supporters crushed at Chawama after police allegedly relocated UPND/PF pact from the show grounds to Chawama.

UPND party spokes person Charles Kakoma has accused the police of causing and the violence that happened between MMD and the pact after their candidate filed -in his nomination by relocating them from the place they had earlier been given a permit for.[quote]

“There was bad violence which was supported by both the police and MMD supporters and I am very disappointed that the police exhibited total unprofessionalism,” Mr Kakoma alleged

He said his party was allocated Solwezi show grounds by the police as their gathering point to address party issues which was later alleged given to MMD by the police.

Mr Kakoma said number of an disclosed people were caught up in the fracas and suffered injuries, lost property, cars bashed and windscreens shattered.

Northwestern province police chief Fabian katiba refused to comment over the matter and referred all queries to police spokes person Bonnie Kapeso in Lusaka who by press time said he had not yet received any report on the matter.

ZANIS

PARLIAMENTARY chief whip, Vernon Mwaanga, says Government has no intentions of calling early general elections because the MMD was constitutionally elected into power.

Mr Mwaanga whose position is equivalent to that of a cabinet minister said Government under the leadership of President Banda will continue with its mandate of running the affairs of the country until the MMD’s term of office comes to an end in 2011.

Mr Mwaanga said this in Parliament on Tuesday when contributing to debate on the 2010 national budget.
He said political parties calling for early elections are merely politicking and trying to agitate for anarchy in the country.

Mr Mwaanga said President Banda has performed exceptionally well, adding that he is optimistic that Zambians will give MMD another term of office beyond the 2011 general elections.

“Now, I have heard some politicians saying Government should call for early elections. Let me say this, we have no intentions of doing that because we were elected constitutionally and we will continue with our term of office until the general elections.

“So, as long as the MMD is still in power, the best is yet to come because even international investors have shown confidence in the way we manage the affairs of this country,” he said.

Mr Mwaanga said opposition political party leaders should resist attempts to transform into professional critics but offer credible solutions to the problems the country is facing.

He said Government is looking forward to a time when the opposition will join hands and work to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

“As a country, if we have to reach the desired level of development, all members of Parliament must join hands with us (Government) so that we can service and uplift the lives of our people, because if we continue attacking each other for political gains, development will remain adamant,” Mr Mwaanga said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]