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Mpombo accuses suspended Moonga of dragging MMD into petty politics

Mpombo accuses suspended Moonga of dragging MMD into petty politics
By Patson Chilemba and Lambwe Kachali
Monday April 07, 2008 [04:01]

EFENCE minister George Mpombo yesterday accused suspended National Executive Committee (NEC) member Christine Moonga of dragging the MMD into petty politics that threaten the party’s unity. And MMD spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba blamed party national secretary Katele Kalumba for failing to defend President Levy Mwanawasa from the attacks by Moonga.

Commenting on the suspension of Moonga following her remarks that President Mwanawasa was practising tribalism openly, Mpombo, who spoke in his capacity as NEC member in charge of energy, said it was correct for the MMD to suspend her.

"Every member has a right to comment on party issues but when one assumes a very arrogant and cantankerous attitude towards the party leadership then there is more than what the ordinary eye sees," Mpombo said. "My own worry is that the lady is engaging in senseless political canibalism, eating each other to create a very disruptive political culture in the party."

Mpombo said Moonga, being a NEC member, should have followed the right procedure to express her grievances.

He said Moonga had 'destroyed bridges of communication' by creating an impression that there was dictatorship and turbulence in the MMD.

Mpombo said Moonga had made serious allegations of open tribalism against President Mwanawasa.

He said the attacks would expose the President to ridicule and undermine his standing in society.

"As a senior party official at NEC level, she's got several areas of raising this particular issue with the leadership. What I mean is to wash dirty linen, where you start going at the President, because that is not helping the situation," he said.

Mpombo said MMD as a party stood on the principles of democracy but that it was not democracy when party members went out to attack the President in a vicious manner.
When asked to comment on Moonga's question as to who had brought the party's image into disrepute between herself and finance deputy minister Jonas Shakafuswa, Mpombo said two wrongs would never make a right.

"If what was reported about Honourable Shakafuswa is correct, then that is morally and politically unacceptable, but she should have raised the issue within the party leadership," he said.

Mpombo said the MMD decided to suspend Moonga to enable her explain what she had done.

"As a fellow NEC member, I feel the decision taken by Mr. Jeff Kande was meant to protect the party. In my view, as a first step, the decision was correct," said Mpombo.
Last Tuesday, Moonga in a statement expressed disappointment over the manner in which Shakafuswaí' statements at Parliament were being handled.

Moonga stated that there was nothing to investigate about Shakafuswa's insults because the truth was plain and clear as evidenced by his wife and son's apology on his behalf.
A day later, the MMD suspended Moonga for her remarks.

And Tetamashimba said it was not true that President Mwanawasa was a tribalist.
He blamed Kalumba for failing to defend the President from the attacks.

"I'm surprised that Katele has not come out to defend the President. Katele was told to punish Shakafuswa for his previous utterances. That was even before Moonga raised that letter you published," Tetamashimba said. "Ìt's wrong to blame President Mwanawasa for tribalism. The person who must come out to defend the President is Katele."

Tetamashimba said Kalumba told President Mwanawasa that he was going to talk to Shakafuswa because he was still young.

Labels: CHRISTINE MOONGA, GEORGE MPOMBO, MMD, NEC

posted by MrK @ 4:29 AM