I am a disciple of President Hichilema – Mweetwa

…as he dispels rumours that he, along with Gary Nkombo and Sylvia Masebo have been planning to form a breakaway political movement from the UPND By MUBITA KATETE CORNELIUS Mweetwa has dismissed assertions that he, along with Gary Nkombo and Sylvia Masebo have been planning to form a political party after allegedly falling out of grace with President Hakainde Hichilema. Mr Mweetwa says he and former Lands Minister Masebo and former Mazabuka law maker, Nkombo will remain the true disciples of President Hichilema because they strongly believe in his leadership despite not being part of his new Cabinet. Mr Mweetwa has reaffirmed his loyalty to President Hichilema, declaring that he would remain a committed believer in the President’s leadership. He has dismissed speculation linking him to plans to form a political party with Mr Nkombo and Ms Masebo, describing the claims as attempts to create divisions within the UPND. Speaking during a media briefing yesterday, Mr Mweetwa said he had no intention of abandoning the ruling party or distancing himself from President Hichilema. “I am not a mere UPND party official or mere supporter of President Hakainde Hichilema. I am actually a disciple of President Hakainde Hichilema. I am a believer in the leadership of President HH (Hakainde Hichilema),” he said. He expressed gratitude to the President for giving him the opportunity to serve as Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson for five years. Mr Mweetwa said President Hichilema had the constitutional authority to appoint Cabinet ministers based on national interests, skills, regional balance and other considerations. He stressed that no Member of Parliament was entitled to a Cabinet position, saying the President had the responsibility to select individuals he believed could help deliver his national agenda. “I don’t have a sense of entitlement to be appointed by the President in the midst of 277 members of Parliament,” he said. He added that all Members of Parliament were equal under the Constitution and that no individual should consider themselves more deserving of a ministerial appointment than others. Mr Mweetwa further dismissed allegations that his exclusion from Cabinet was linked to his alleged association with former government officials or opposition figures. He said the newly appointed Cabinet was a fresh team for the President’s new term and should not be viewed as a continuation of the previous administration’s lineup. “I have one party that I belong to, the UPND, and I have one president that I support,” he said. Mr Mweetwa also reaffirmed his support for President Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda, saying he remained committed to efforts aimed at growing the economy and improving the livelihoods of Zambians. He urged UPND members to reject speculation and political propaganda that could create divisions within the party and government. “I stand on politics of principle, not politics of convenience and self-aggrandisement. I am not available for that,” he said.

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