Bickering rocks W/Province PF over government jobs

Bickering rocks W/Province PF over government jobs
By Mwala Kalaluka
Wed 18 Apr. 2012, 13:28 CAT

CRACKS have emerged in the ruling PF ranks in the Western Province over appointments of 'well-deserving' party cadres into government positions following the party's ascension to power last year.

Some PF councillors said in an interview from Mongu that any extended failure by the party's top leadership to move into the province and stem the in-fighting within the PF over government appointments would prove costly to the ruling party in future.

Kanyonyo PF ward councillor Bright Tombi, who was flanked by his Namushakende and Imalyo counterparts, Mukubesa Ngenda and Martha Mwenda, respectively, said the situation in Mongu district was retrogressive.

"We here in Western Province or Barotseland, if you so wish, are complaining and it seems we are more disadvantaged even on the side of the government," Tombi said.

"Because initially, PF was not there in Western Province but there are people who made sure that PF exists in Western Province by working so tirelessly."

He said the hardworking PF cadres persisted in their advocacy work despite being castigated by other fellow party members and that it was time for them to reap their rewards.

"We have got some people who we are hearing that they were supposed to be promoted as their benefit for the work they have done but the positions are always turned down without reason," Tombi said.

"I know in Western Province, even in our own executive, there are a lot of lies and back-biting each other, tarnishing one another's names."

He called on the appointing authorities to ignore those peddling lies about certain individuals in the party and reward those who suffered for PF in the area.

Tombi said it was worrying that some PF leaders in the province were working at frustrating the appointment of Imalyo PF councillor, Martha Mwenda, as new Mulobezi district commissioner.

"We heard manoeuvers that she was appointed as DC but all of a sudden we are hearing stories that her appointment has been turned down and we don't know the reason," he said.

"That is why us councillors and the community are getting worried how these things are getting jumbled up."

Tombi said most PF members in the province were yet to feel the benefits of campaigning for the now ruling party last year.

"…We want the party to be recognised," said Tombi. "We are still behaving as if we are still in opposition. It seems some people are against others, we don't know why."

And Ngenda said as Mongu councillors, they would not rest until people that had sacrificed for the party were rewarded.

"If the appointing authority in Lusaka doesn't come to the aid of PF Mongu, it means that the PF in Western Province or Mongu in particular, will actually lose direction," Ngenda said.

"The leadership of PF in Mongu are just trying to bulldoze even to people who don't understand what leadership is. They just want to push people who are loyal to them even when they are doing wrong."

He said the confusion over government positions could derail the PF's development prospects in the province.

"That is why people are complaining that Western Province is not developing, because instead of developing the province, we are busy fighting each other," said Ngenda.