By NORMA SIAME –

AS the political drama unfolds in the North following the resignation of Kasama Central Member of Parliament Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) from Cabinet, two ministers have been swapped.

President Michael Sata has swapped Northern Province Minister, Obius Chisala with Gender Deputy Minister Freedom Sikazwe.

The development comes in the aftermath of the confusion that has arisen after the abrupt resignation of Mr Mwamba as Defence Minister.

Mr Chisala confirmed this at the Zambia Police Annual Ball in Kasama on Friday evening, saying that he had been transferred to the Gender Ministry while Mr Sikazwe would return to Kasama as Northern Province Minister.

The provincial minister had earlier in the day faced calls by the party’s provincial executive to be sacked after he reprimanded some members that had held a meeting which resulted into violence during the week.

The angry party members threatened to march to Mr Chisala’s office and lock it to prevent him from accessing it.

The provincial administration block was, however, turned into a fortress surrounded by armed paramilitary police officers to prevent any potential riotous behaviour.

Provincial secretary Everest Chela Chela said members were annoyed by Mr Chisala’s statement in which he blamed delegates to the meeting that resulted in a free-for-all punch-up at the Kasama council chamber hall.

During the Thursday skirmishes, cadres believed to be supporters of Mr Mwamba allegedly set off fireworks in the council chambers disrupting the meeting.