MMD leaders intimidating delegates - Muzyamba

MMD leaders intimidating delegates - Muzyamba
By Sandra Lombe in Livingstone
Tue 18 Jan. 2011, 04:00 CAT

MMD Southern Province chairman Solomon Muzyamba says some senior party and government officials are intimidating and manipulating delegates to the forthcoming provincial conference set for Monze this Thursday.

At a press briefing and answering questions from journalists at his office yesterday, Muzyamba warned the senior government and party officials to desist from intimidating delegates and said they were dividing the party and that might spell doom.

“ I have received reports from districts that identified people in high offices of government and the party are making intimidating calls to some district chairmen and delegates and seeking the influence of district commissioners to sway the delegate as to vote and support particular candidates,” he said.

“They are manipulating certain DCs and using them to influence the voting patterns and support particular candidates. I want to warn these manipulators that history will not judge them kindly.”

Muzyamba said people should be voted for on merit and not because they were the highest bidder.

Muzyamba said people should desist from spending their millions on deceiving delegates and bribery.

“As a ruling party, MMD should lead by example, so selection is based on merit,” he said.

Muzyamba said he could not rule out being disadvantaged due to the alleged intimidation of the delegates.

“I can’t rule out the obvious disadvantage because people will not vote on merit. I rate myself very highly but if the delegates are manipulated I can’t foretell the end result,” he said.

Muzyamba said the entire executive would be challenged at the conference and this shows how popular the party had become.

“ I have received reports that some of my challengers are not only using underhand methods but are also engaging in outright corruption by giving, among others gifts inform of chitenges and buns, bread - scones and cash. These are unacceptable practices,” he said.

Muzyamba said the perpetrators were liable to disciplinary action.

He said he would be making a report to the party and that some candidates were not bonafide members and were not eligible to stand for any position.

Muzyamba said one of his opponents, Captain John Mwamulima, was not a party member as he had been expelled and was not eligible to stand.

He said he was not aware whether Mwamulima had reapplied to join the party.

“It may just be that he has found unalert party officials and bought party membership,” he said.

But Capt Mwamulima in a recent interview said the Muzyamba-led executive had failed and was not vibrant and that there was need for new blood in the executive.
He said it was better Muzyamba retired and if he Muzyamba retained the position, the party would be doomed and dead.

And chairperson of women affairs Eunice Nawa said she would retain her position as she had good conduct and morals.

She said the rejoining to the MMD by Alice Simango did not mean she would contest the elections.

“If she does that, she will just bring back confusion and I will petition,” she said.