MMD cadres storm LCC PR manager’s office

MMD cadres storm LCC PR manager’s office
By Ernest Chanda
Sun 03 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT

WILLIAM Banda on Tuesday led a team of MMD cadres and stormed the office of Lusaka City Council public relations manager Chanda Makanta with the aim of beating her up. This was after Makanta complained in a story to The Post about MMD’s interference in the running of bus stations in Lusaka.

Makanta's comment came in the wake of Lusaka Province MMD vice-youth chairperson Watson Mtonga’s declaration that his party had taken over the running of bus stations in Lusaka.

Sources at the Ministry of Local Government and Housing told The Post that Banda, who is also Lusaka Province MMD chairman, had stormed Makanta’s office more than five times in the morning, but did not find her.

“He went to the Civic Centre with a large group of MMD cadres just after 08:00 hours but they did not find Madam Makanta. After realising that she was not there, they went to the Town Clerk's office, demanding to know where Ms Makanta was,” the sources said.

“Finally at about 17:46 hours they managed to find her in the board room in the company of local government administrator Solom Sakala and Lusaka Town Clerk Andrew Mwanakulanga. Mr Banda and his cadres were furious to the extent that they were resolved on beating up Ms Makanta for accusing them of charging bus operators at Inter-city Bus Terminus and Kulima Tower bus station.”

The sources said Makanta was saved by Sakala and Mwanakulanga who told Banda that whatever statement Makanta issued represented the position of the council, and not her personal views.

When contacted for comment, Makanta refused to give any statement.

Last week, the MMD’s Mtonga declared that his party would control all the bus stations in the capital city.