Maravi

PF MPs accuse Sata of being divisive

PF MPs accuse Sata of being divisive
By Patson Chilemba
Saturday March 22, 2008 [12:00]

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) members participating in the National Constitution Conference (NCC) yesterday charged that their president Michael Sata is making it impossible for the party to remain united through his various statements. Reacting to Sata's statement that he never directed expelled members of parliament to stop making their

K300,000 monthly contributions, spokesperson for the PF members Peter Machungwa stated that it was regrettable that Sata kept changing positions over the matter.
Machungwa stated that Sata told the members to stop contributing the money and called it "blood money".

However, Machungwa stated that despite the directive, the members resolved to continue making their contributions in an account at a bank.
"In fact the details of all correspondence on what transpired on this matter was published in The Post newspaper dated March 10, 2008 covering the entire page six of that newspaper," stated Machungwa.

Machungwa stated that PF members attending the NCC had always advocated unity and amicable resolution of internal problems in the party, but Sata continued to make it impossible for the party to remain united.

Machungwa also stated that it was shocking that in spite of the court injunction restraining the party leadership from interfering with the rights and privileges of members, PF went ahead and expelled six members of parliament.

Meanwhile, top PF leaders have disclosed that Bahati member of parliament Besa Chimbaka apologised for withdrawing his K300,000 monthly contribution to the party.
But Chimbaka, who is one of the PF members of parliament participating in the NCC and also signed to withdraw the monthly contributions, said he met the leaders but told them that their actions of expelling party members was wrong.

PF vice-president Dr Guy Scott, Edward Mumbi (secretary general) and Dr Charles Mulenga (deputy secretary general) confirmed in separate interviews that they met Chimbaka at Wynter Kabimba's office.

Mumbi said Chimbaka personally called him and arranged to have a meeting with him.
He claimed that in the meeting, Chimbaka apologised that he was misled by the 'rebel' members of parliament to stop the monthly contributions.

"He said he was not there in court when the president Michael Sata allegedly told the rebels that they should stop making their contributions. He said he only came to learn of it when the president said that the money he referred to as blood money was that from NCC," Mumbi narrated. "He apologised and said he was ready at that very instance to renew his contributions."

However, Mumbi said he refused to get the money from Chimbaka until he had notified the Clerk of the National Assembly in writing.
Mumbi said he would charge Chimbaka for refusing to stand by his word.

Kabimba said it was a pity that an old man like Chimbaka could not stand by his word.
Dr Scott said Chimbaka's refusal revealed lack of sincerity.

Labels: MPs, PF, SATA

posted by MrK @ 9:07 PM