Wed, 14 Jun 2017 11:00:33 +0000
By VIOLET TEMBO
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Ndola district party secretary Benjamin Chitondo has stated that the protest staged by some party youths on Friday at the Ndola Civic Centre against Copperbelt Minister had no blessing of the party.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Chitondo expressed ignorance on the matter.
However, Mr Chitondo has accused the Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo of having ignited the fire by his utterance against the lower organs.
“I was not aware of the planned move by some of our youths, mostly from security that staged that protest calling for the removal of the provincial minister. We had been ambushed.
“We were not aware that even banners had been painted, we all walked to the Civic Centre in shock to find protesters.
“But what I can say is that the blame should be placed on the Minister for there are so many burning issues and we have tried to quench the fire.
“He called officials from the lower organs poor that they cannot acquire land in Ndola, accused them of holding dark corner meetings with councilors.
“And his celebration after the land agency licence was revoked by Ministry of lands angered the youths,” he said.
Mr. Chitondo also disclosed that the district office has also been under pressure with over hundred polling agents from Kabushi constituency engaged by the party that have not been paid their dues.
Chitondo has since advised the provincial minister to put his house in order.
Efforts to get a comment from Mr Lusambo failed as he was reported out of office by press time.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chitondo said the revoking of the land agency licence has placed the party in an awkward position as the 28 wards were expectant of being awarded plots.
Mr. Chitondo stated that the Vice President Ms. Inonge Wina during her visit to the district, directed the local authority to award the said plots to 28 wards to enable the party raise funds for mobilization purposes.
He indicated that the gesture was one way to strengthen the party at grassroots as the party had no money to award wards for various activities.
He expressed confidence and hope that the issues at the local authority will be resolved in due course.
On Friday, some PF officials exchange punches with police officers when they protested against the provincial minister at Ndola city council.
This occurred prior to Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale holding a meeting to resolve land irregularities.
