By CHARLES MUSONDA
SCORES of United Party for National Development (UPND) members from Namwala have joined the Patriotic Front (PF), citing lack of development from the time the opposition party was formed.
The defectors included 37 village headmen led by Senior Headman Shimakumba of Ngabo area.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr. Shimakumba said they had travelled from Namwala to Lusaka to show their love for President Edgar Lungu.
He said people in Namwala want development in critical sectors like education, roads, and water. He said women in the district also want empowerment so that they can educate their children.
Mr. Shimakumba said he and his group sacrificed their transport money for the sake of President Lungu.
At the same event, Headman Chipembele said people of Namwala have been lost since the UPND’s inception as they have always been on the opposition side.
Mr. Chipembele said many people in Southern Province have realised that they should work with the ruling party.
And receiving the defectors, a member of the PF central committee Given Lubinda thanked them for making the right decision.
Mr. Lubinda said he, President Lungu, Vice President Inonge Wina, and other prominent figures were UPND members but quit the party after seeing that there was no leadership in the party.
He said President Lungu does not choose tribe in delivering development to all parts of Zambia. He said the PF is a peaceful party that embraces intra-party democracy as compared to the UPND.
Mr. Lubinda said most UPND members of Parliament like Mr Jack Mwiimbu have failed to develop their constituencies despite the many years they have held their seats.
