. LUNGU

By CHUSA SICHONE, CHARITY MOONGA, ISAAC MUKANDO and CHATULA KAMPO –
THE Patriotic Front (PF) has condemned what it described as regionalism and tribalism that characterised the just-ended Katuba Constituency by-election in Chibombo District.
Katuba Constituency campaign manager Edgar Lungu, who congratulated the UPND for scooping the seat, said regionalism and tribalism that were witnessed in Katuba must be condemned by all Zambians.
“We gave the process our best, but issues of regionalism and tribalism carried the day.
“Let us learn from the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Rwanda and be mindful that regionalism and tribalism are a negative force which we should never embrace” said Mr Lungu, who is Defence Minister.
But UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said the victory by his party in Katuba was a vote of no confidence in the PF Government.
He refuted allegations of tribalism, saying it was the excuse the ruling party made whenever it lost elections.
“You cannot say that people who live in Katuba are all Lenjes, all Zambians live there. That is just a mere excuse the PF gives when it loses,” he said.
Jonas Shakafuswa, who stood on UPND ticket emerged winner, polling 4,781 votes against his closest rival PF candidate Moses Chilando, who got 2,747 votes.
Returning officer Mutandi Mwanamwalye declared Mr Shakafuswa winner at about 10:20 hours yesterday.
MMD candidate Cecil Holmes was third with 734 votes, followed by National Restoration Party’s Joseph Mushalika, who got 566 votes, while the only female candidate Patricia Mwashingwele of the Alliance for Better Zambia polled 393 votes.
UNIP candidate Friday Malawo got 124 votes, while National Revolution Party representative Shakespeare Mwakamui only managed a paltry 23 votes.
Mr Shakafuswa was carried shoulder high by his jubilant supporters shortly after he was declared the duly elected candidate to regain the seat he lost to late former MP Patrick Chikusu in 2011.
Meanwhile, the PF has scooped three of the four local government by-elections held on Tuesday.
The PF scooped the Ipumbu Ward in Mpongwe Constituency.
Out of a total of five polling stations, P’’s George Chaseba polled 432 votes, followed by UPN’’s Lenia Yendama with 189, UNIP’s Fredrick Mutisikigwa polled 11 votes, while NAREP’s George Mulabika had six votes.
The PF also scooped the Namando Ward by-election with a landslide victory in Luampa District of Western Province.
PF candidate, Shisahau Muthala, polled 336 votes, beating his rival from UPND, Kaumba Chinyama, who only managed to get 146 votes.
In Kitwe, PF candidate Davies Simunyola scooped the Wusakile ward local Government.
The ruling PF retained the Wusakile ward after Mr Simunyola polled a total of 823 votes, while closest to him was UPND candidate Dorothy Mulenga, who got 291 votes.
In Chililabombwe, UPND candidate Kelly Simukoko polled 139 votes to win the Mvula ward by-election, while PF was second with 123, MMD 37 and an independent candidate polled 33 votes, while five ballots were rejected.