By PETER SICHALI
UPND has refused to apologise to Paramount Chief Chitimukulu and the Bemba royal establishment for demeaning the Mwinelubemba.
UPND spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa says Mr Patrick Mucheleka is a member of the Bemba royal establishment and enjoys immunities which no other member of the UPND does.
Mr Mweetwa said the issue involving Mr Mucheleka and the Bemba royal establishment does not concern the UPND and therefore will not engage in public argument with the establishment.
He said UPND respects traditional leadership and will not publicly engage in any argument with the royal establishment.
“We are aware that Mr Mucheleka is part of the Bemba royal establishment, consequent upon which at personal level he enjoys certain immunities that allows him to interact with the Bemba royal establishment in a manner that he understands himself that ordinary citizens may not be privileged to the Bemba royal establishment in that manner,” Mr Mweetwa said.
He said his personal immunity are as a member of BRE are limited to him as an individual.
Mr Mweetwa said the party was fully aware that the Chitimukulu cannot be criticised publicly.
Mr Mweetwa also said UPND will not respect suspension of rallies because it is illegal.
Mr Mweetwa said the suspension of rallies has no legal backing and will not be respected by the UPND.
He said powers to hold rallies are derived from the Republican Constitution and any other directive will not be respected.
“Powers to hold elections and campaign rallies are derived from the Republican Constitution therefore the ban by ECZ is null and void,” Mr Mweetwa said.
Mr Mweetwa said has urged party members to go flat out and campaign like the PF.
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