Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:33:42 +0000
By Oscar Malipenga
HAKAINDE Hichilema and Fred M’membe are actively encouraging divisions in PF in preparation for 2021 elections, says Patriotic Front (PF) media and publicity committee vice chairperson Sunday Chanda.
Mr Chanda accused Mr Hichilema and Mr M’membe of being behind the so called divisions and disunity which was being talked about in PF.
He said the emergency of the Mast newspaper is proof to championing that cause.
Mr Chanda said before the August 11, 2016, Mr Hichilema went to bed with the defunct Post Newspaper and their marriage had not been dissolved and it was behind the so called divisions, disunity or tribal wars being talked about within the PF.
Speaking during the Patriotic Front (PF) Interactive Forum at Pamodzi hotel in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chanda told journalists that the UPND and a newspaper had tried all that they could to exaggerate what it was being called weaknesses, infighting and disunity within the PF.
“We have seen particular tabloids friendly to the UPND trying so hard to pronounce what they exaggerate to be disunity in the Patriotic Front.
“Now the calculations by these colleagues is the same as we had before the August 11, 2016 general elections and it is still the same grouping that Zambians have been referring to as the infamouse ‘cartel’,” Mr Chanda said.
He charged that the marriage of convenience between Mr Hichilema and the defunct Post newspaper was still active, sponsoring confusion in the PF ahead of the 2021 general elections.
“Let’s make it very clear that a party such as the PF is a living organism. At some point, we will agree to disagree and will sharpen our contradictions. It is part of our democracy.
“That is what makes the Patriotic Front very unique and different from other political parties. It is our unity of purpose,” Mr Chanda said.
He said the Patriotic Front’s unity of purpose was very different from what drove the UPND, adding that the PF was being driven by the fact that it was grassroots movement.
Mr Chanda said the PF was founded by a common man and that it was a people’s party.
“The difference again is that you have the UPND that is a corporate party, rich man’s club, a club that we were told is led by two of Zambia’s richest men and we see in their politics the manifestation of these financial arrogance but that is not what the Zambian people are looking for.
“So be assured that the disunities and divisions that is being reported about within the Patriotic Front are neither here nor there,” Mr Chanda said.
He said the strongest candidate in the 2021 general election was President Lungu and that was why some people were even against his candidature ahead of the 2021 general elections.
“UPND is scared of the Lungu candidacy in 2021 general elections because he would have delivered and the economy is going to get well, this government is going to deliver and independent sources have confirmed that the Zambian economy is back on track,” Mr Chanda said.
