LEADERSHIP WRANGLE ENGULF LIVINGSTONE UPND WARD
By ANDREW MUKOMA
LEADERSHIP disputes have engulfed the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) in Livingstone’s Simatobolo ward barely three months after forming government.
Two party structures are at logger heads fighting for ward leadership positions as they all claim that they were duly elected during the intra-party elections.
The elections were held late last year following the creation of Simatobolo ward which was delimited from Kasiya ward.
Mr Roy Kaanga, a chairman from one of the factions has accused the Constituency chairman Mr Christopher Siamwenya and other officials of siding and endorsing the group that was running Kasiya ward before the formation of Simatobolo ward which he claims is not legitimate based on the party’s constitution.
Mr Kaanga said that he and his committee are the dully elected leaders who should be allowed to lead the ward.
And Mr Funwell Mutaka, a chairman from another faction claims that he is legit for the chairmanship in the new ward as he was the one elected during the inter party elections.
He added that those trying to overthrow him have personal interest with the operations of the party at ward level.
However, UPND Southern Province Spokesperson Neto Halwabala described the ongoing leadership wrangles in Simatobolo ward as a storm in a teacup which already has a solution.
Mr Halwabala has called for calm among party members in the ward and to avoid creating situations that will be unmanageable and bring pres-sure to the Head of State.
