Zambia’s president snubs opposition leader

  1. Posted on Tuesday 24 July 2012 - 10:27
    Mabvuto Phiri
    Image of Mabvuto Phiri
    Mabvuto Phiri, AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
    Political tension between Zambia's leader, Michael Sata and leader of the country's largest opposition-MMD-leader, Nevers Mumba intensifies. The leader of the opposition stormed State House to seek audience with the President over his decision to continue poaching members of the opposition party into Government portfolios.
    Nevers Mumba
    As part of his inclusive approach to government since coming to power, Sata has appointed opposition MPs to positions in public office.

    Predictably, the appointed politicians have received cold shoulders from their respective political parties, which promptly threatened to expel them for breaking ranks.

    Heart broken Mumba stormed the official presidential apartment Sunday in an attempt to seek clarification from the head of state over his continued appointment of members of the opposition without consultation.

    Under Zambian parliamentary rules, a member of the house who switches sides is liable to be expelled from his party, and as such he or she automatically loses his seat in the house.

    But Mumba had a shock of his entire life when he was dressed down and subsequently asked to leave by State House officials over what they term exhibiting Childish behaviour.

    Dr. Mumba is unhappy because President Sata has yet again offered jobs to two additional Members of Parliament (MMD MPs, Mkaika’s David Phiri and Richard Tonde Taima of Solwezi East).

    This comes at the time when MMD plans to expel all of its nine members of parliament that have traded their political office for inferior posts as deputy ministers in the PF administration.

    However, President Sata accuses Dr. Mumba of distorting facts to cause confusion in the country.

    Mr. Sata said this through his Special assistant for Press and Public relations, George Chellah.

    All Dr. Mumba could ask for was divine power over what is happening in his once mighty party, as President Sata’s eyes remain focused on developing Zambia.

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