By NOEL IYOMBWA and ROGERS KALERO
EXPELLED NDC leader, Chishimba Kambwili and supporters yesterday defied a court order to stop performing any party functions by holding a convention.
Mr Kambwili, who has also been ordered to stop masquerading as NDC president has since been unanimously re-elected party president despite being warned that it would be contemptuous.
Mr Kambwili during his address to the delegates, repeatedly referred to his party as the Patriotic Front (PF) instead of NDC, but was quick to apologise saying his heart was still PF.
“I am sorry, forgive me for my mistakes, I meant NDC. I am making these mistakes because my heart is still with the PF. As you know, I was one of the founder members of the PF.
“Those who do not have confidence in my leadership, the door is open for them to leave the national democratic congress,” Mr Kambwili said.
NDC vice President Edward Mumbi said the convention was illegal and that due process of the law should take its course against the Kambwili faction.
He said there was a court injunction restraining Mr Kambwili from masquerading as NDC leader.
Mr Mumbi also said there was also leave to start contempt proceedings against Mr Kambwili.
He said the conduct of Mr Kambwili was uncivilized and that only a person who has never been to school could behave in that manner.
“What Kambwili is doing is illegal and it can only came from a person who has never been to school,” Mr Mumbi lamented.
He charged that Mr Kambwili has no respect for the judicial system, no wonder he was ‘a convicted criminal’.
When contacted, NDC spokesperson, Saboi Imboela confirmed that their faction held a successful convention.
Ms. Imboela said the congress has anonymously voted for Mr Kambwili and further said the Akafumba led faction remains expelled.
She said the party will not waste time on the expelled members who don’t have followers.
The general conference was held virtually in the 10 provinces and no one came out to challenge the former Roan Member of Parliament for the top most position.
The NDC leader advised those who were elected in the NDC national governing council (NGC) not to serve their personal interests but to serve the interests of the party and the country.
After being elected party president, Mr Kambwili appointed Saboi Imboela as party vice president, Ackson Kaonga as national chairperson, Paul Mbulo as secretary general.
Others appointed were Mary Banda as women chairperson, Charles Kabwita as national youth chairperson, Lombanya Msichili as national treasurer and Menyani Zulu as chairman for elections.
