PF's central committee to decide Nakazwe's fate
By George Chellah
Saturday March 31, 2007 [02:00]
OPPOSITION Patriotic Front's (PF) central committee will today meet to decide the fate of Lusaka mayor Susan Nakazwe and councillor Boniface Musondamwaume. But when contacted, Musondamwaume promised to speak after the central committee expels him from the party.
PF sources yesterday disclosed that the central committee would convene in one of the conference facilities at Lusaka's Gospel Outreach Centre. "The meeting would take place in the morning at Go Centre. The number of members of the central committee is too big so the meeting cannot be held at the party secretariat at Farmers House," the source said. "That's why we have hired one of the conference facilities there to accommodate everybody."
The source revealed that mayor Nakazwe's expulsion would be among the many issues that would be handled by the central committee. "That one is a must, it's on the agenda because it's among the issues which they want to conclude once and for all. Then they would also discuss president Sata's proposals for changes to the party constitution among other issues," the source said.
And in a letter dated March 28, 2007 to Nakazwe, PF disciplinary committee chairperson Wynter Kabimba informed mayor Nakazwe about their recommendation to expel her from the party.
"I refer to the above quoted matter and the disciplinary committee proceedings held at the party secretariat on Cairo Road on Tuesday 27th March, 2007 at 15:00 hours which you personally attended.
The disciplinary proceedings were intended to accord you an opportunity to be heard on the charges which were levelled against you in accordance with the charge letter by the secretary general dated 09th February 2007," Kabimba stated. "You submitted an exculpatory statement to the said charges regarding your disobedience of the collective decision by Patriotic Front councillors during a meeting which you attended and held at the Civic Centre on Friday 02nd February 2007.
"After considering your exculpatory statement and your oral submissions to the committee it was resolved that: 'The committee recommends to the party's central committee that councillors Susan Nakazwe be expelled from Patriotic Front as a member.'"
When contacted, Nakazwe refused to comment.
But Musondamwaume promised to comment, after the central committee expels him.
"I have got no comment, not until I receive a letter of expulsion. I will definitely say something when I receive the letter of expulsion," Musondamwaume said. "I received a letter on Wednesday but I can't comment now because that's not final. The central committee will meet tomorrow and I will say something after they have decided."
Nakazwe and Musondamwaume were suspended for receiving Chinese President Hu Jintao at Lusaka International airport against the party directive.
Whats your position on this?
ReplyDeleteI think expelling her is too much.
The Post's headlines indicate that she has been expelled.
ReplyDeleteI don't have enough knowledge of local government (specifically if a mayor is representing her party or herself).
In the US, people can simply change designation - like Joe Lieberman did after he lost to the Democratic candidate. Maybe she can remain mayor as an independent? My guess is she may be joining the MMD.