.Mumba

By SYLVESTER MWALE –
THE Supreme Court has ruled that Nevers Mumba is the legitimate president of the MMD after a protracted leadership battle between the former republican vice-president and Works and Supply Minister Felix Mutati.
Sitting in Kabwe yesterday, Supreme Court judges, Evans Hamaundu, Mumba Malila and Jane Kabuka upheld the lower court’s decision that declared Mr Mumba as the legitimate leader of the opposition party.
“After examining both oral and written evidence provided by both parties before the courts, the Supreme Court has decided to uphold the decision of the High Court which ruled that Dr Mumba is the legitimate president of the party,” said Mr Justice Hamaundu who read the judgment on behalf of the other two Supreme Court judges.
MMD acting national secretary Winnie Zaloumis had sued Mr Mutati, Mwansa Mbulakulima, Raphael Nakachinda and George Kangwa as first, second, third and fourth defendants.
Among other claims, Ms Zaloumis wanted the court to declare that the convention that elected Mr Mutati was illegal, rendering him illegitimate to lead the former ruling party.
Dr Mumba and Mr Mutati have waged a legal battle to wrestle power from one another since 2016 when the latter who is currently serving under the Patriotic Front (PF) Cabinet was elected at a disputed convention in Kabwe in April 2016.
Mr Nakachinda, national secretary in the Mutati faction was among the throng that heard the Supreme Court deliver its ruling in which it noted that the former Finance minister had no mandate to hold a convention that elected him.
In an interview outside court, MMD vice president Reuben Sambo said the court’s decision was a big victory for the party, especially that it came just a day after Dr Mumba was released from jail on bail. (Continued on Page 2)