MMD leader Nevers Mumba
By CHILA NAMAIKO-
THE MMD in Southern Province is confident of scooping the Batoka Ward Local Government by-election in Choma District slated for August 19, this year.
Party provincial chairperson, Oliver Pelete said MMD aspiring councillor, Victor Mwiinga would win the seat because he was an indigenous resident who knew the challenges faced by the locals.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Pelete said MMD was a strong opposition political party in the province and was liked by the people of Zambia for initiating many developmental projects.
“As MMD, we are campaigning hard and we are confident of winning the Batoka seat next week when the people of Batoka will elect their new area Councillor,” he said.
The Batoka Ward seat fell vacate following the recent defection of Maxon Simwami as UPND area councillor to join the Patriotic Front (PF).
Mr Pelete said the party was conducting issued-based campaigns to explain to the locals the tangible developments they would benefit once they voted for Mr Mwiinga.
He, however, condemned the reports of suspected UPND and the PF cadres clashing at Batoka main market after a campaign trail on Thursday last week.
Some suspected UPND cadres allegedly attacked and beat up six PF officials. A female PF official identified as Frida Phiri of Choma’s Mochipapa Township, sustained a deep cut on her forehead and was rushed to Choma General Hospital for treatment.
Mr Pelete urged the parties to embrace peaceful campaigns saying violence should not be tolerated as it was an impediment to national development and the prevailing peace.
He said that the MMD’s desire was to see all political parties participating in various by-elections, carry out peaceful and unifying campaigns aimed at bringing Zambians together.
UPND Batoka ward campaign manager Revy Gamela said the campaigns were going on well and was confident that the party’s aspiring councillor Judge Hambayi would win the seat.
PF Batoka ward campaign manager Syacheye Madyenkuku said the ruling party was being appreciated for many developmental projects it was implementing and urged Batoka residents to vote for Mr Simwami.
