By NATION REPORTER
HARRY Kalaba has been expelled as Democratic Party (DP) leader and banished from the secretariat on allegations that he had sold the party to the Patriotic Front and abandoned members.
An official statement has however revealed that Mr Kalaba was still in charge.
Mr Kalaba could not be reached for a comment by press time but the party’s deputy national chairperson, Ms Precious Ntambu said nothing had changed in the party and that members should not be alarmed.
Ms Ntambu said an emergency meeting that was convened to address the issue of insubordination where it was resolved to place DP vice president Judith Kabemba and DP treasurer Justine Nkonge on suspension pending a disciplinary hearing.
Drama characterised a DP meeting in Lusaka where faction members exchanged blows live on camera as the expulsion of Mr Kalaba was being officially announced.
Incensed supporters of Mr Kalaba chanted “they are lying” some DP officials addressed the media.
Ms Kabemba has been appointed as interim president and immediately announced that Mr Kalaba had been removed from the top position.
According to a demand notice, Ms Kabemba and Mr Nkonge who claim to be founding members of the party said Mr Kalaba had been expelled because he had embarked on activities intended to supplant the party with the PF.
They stated through their lawyers, L.M Chambers that Mr Kalaba unilaterally dissolved DP structures countrywide and allegedly replaced them with PF structures. The two stated that Mr Kalaba also unilaterally appointed a Mr Javis Chabi as national secretary of the party without consulting the executive committee as per requirement in the party constitution.
“The party constitution provides for elections not unilateral appointments of executive committee members and party organs,” the notice reads in part.
They stated that Mr Kalaba also lacked financial discipline and accountability, and had failed to disclose sources and well as amounts donated to the party as required by the DP constitution.
The two instructed Mr Kalaba to cease to hold office as DP president, saying that he was merely sponsored as a candidate for purposes of the 2021 elections and that he was not registered as an office bearer of the party.
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