By CHUSA SICHONE-
CRACKS in the MMD have resurfaced with party big-wigs, including the two vice-presidents Michael Kaingu and Brian Chituwo, being named as part of a group plotting to topple their leader Nevers Mumba.
The other top officials implicated in the move to topple Dr Mumba are former Petauke Central Member of Parliament (MP) Dora Siliya, former Solwezi MP Lucky Mulusa and party acting national secretary, Kapembwa Simbao of Senga Hill Constituency.
MMD youths led by Lusaka Province youth chairperson Scorpion Kadobi, Lusaka District chairperson Nathan Mwanza and Northern Region Die-Hard youth wing chairperson, Given Ziba revealed this in a statement in Lusaka yesterday.
The revelation by the youths has angered MMD acting national secretary Chembe Nyangu, who warned of immediate suspensions for divulging party affairs in the media.
The youths alleged that the senior party officials held secret meetings at Pamodzi Hotel on Sunday last week where they strategised on how to get rid of Dr Mumba.
They said similar meetings had taken place in the light industrial area in Lusaka.
“It has come to our attention that a group of disgruntled men and women in the MMD have regrouped and are scheming to unseat Dr Nevers Mumba from his position as MMD president.
“As MMD youths, we have received intelligence information that this group of visionless men and women has never accepted the fact of history that Dr Mumba was democratically and overwhelmingly elected as our leader,” they said.
They alleged that the group also phoned MMD Die-Hard youth wing chairperson, Bowman Lusambo inviting him to be part of the gathering.
“This group met as recently as last Sunday at Pamodzi Hotel by the bar area with the sole purpose of finalising their evil plan to hijack the MMD.
“We also know the venue in the light industrial area where this group has also been having similar meetings from,” they said.
They challenged the mentioned officials to immediately leave the former ruling party as they allegedly did not mean well for it.
They claimed the MMD was on a path to recovery following its defeat from power in the 2011 general elections.
In an interview, Mr Lusambo confirmed having been contacted by people he did not want to name but said were part of the meeting at Pamodzi Hotel.
“Yes I was contacted and I have all the details of the meeting, but I cannot disclose anything now. I am still mourning my late mother,” Mr Lusambo said.
But Mr Nyangu said in a separate interview that he would take disciplinary action on the youths he labelled as “unruly” over their conduct.
“You cannot run a party with such unruly youths. During the period I am acting as chief executive officer of the party, I am going to take disciplinary action against all those erring members so that I can instill discipline in the party,” he said.
Mr Kadobi countered the threat by stating that he was not afraid of being suspended from the MMD.
He said he would not remain quiet and watch the party destroyed by a few individuals.
Party leader Dr Mumba said he was not aware of any plot to oust him as he was enjoying a close working relationship with Dr Kaingu and Dr Chituwo, among other party members.
“I am not aware of any meeting to plot to remove me. There is nothing like that. I can tell you that I am enjoying a wonderful relationship with my vice-presidents,” he said.
Dr Kaingu laughed off the allegations and said he would issue a statement today, while Dr Chituwo said he did not have to ask for permission from anyone for him to talk to any party member.
He said well-meaning party members were supposed to approach him before rushing to conclusions.
Efforts to get comments from Mr Mulusa, Ms Siliya and Dr Simbao failed as their mobile phones went unanswered.
