By NCHIMUNYA MUGANYA –

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) Batoka Ward Councillor Markson Simwami and 350 others in Choma have defected from the opposition party to join the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).

Mr Simwami said the PF was more active than the opposition and had a brighter future.

He said he and other defectors were attracted to the robust developmental programmes being spearheaded by the ruling party in the district.

Mr Simwami said the people of Batoka needed development, hence his defection to help deliver progress to the area.

“I’m tired of being in the opposition UPND since 1999 and I have not seen anything, so people of Batoka I’m doing this for your own good,” he said.

MMD Choma District treasurer Timothy Sikaziba was among the people who defected to the ruling party at a youth induction ceremony held in Choma on Sunday afternoon.

Southern Province PF chairperson Daniel Munkombwe, who welcomed the defectors, said President Micheal Sata, in his campaign promises, preached about love, hence the need for members in the district to emulate him.

Mr Munkombwe, who is also the provincial minister, said the development strides the PF had initiated in the province were detested by the opposition party leaders who had resorted to making “unproductive noise”.

Choma youth, information and publicity secretary Joe Kamoko urged young people in the party to be productive and contribute meaningfully to the party.

Mr Kamoko said youths should not involve themselves in any form of violence for selfish interests.

But UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said the party was not shaken by the resignation of Mr Simwami from the party.