.DR. SCOTT

By NAKUBIANA MUMBUNA –
ACTING President Guy Scott has suspended 16 Members of the Central Committee (MCCs) including party national chairperson Inonge Wina.
The suspensions come barely 24 hours after the central committee announced on Friday that it had banned Dr Scott for 60 days for what it termed violation of the party constitution.
He said at Government House yesterday that the 16 central committee members had been suspended for holding illegal meetings.
Dr Scott, who is also acting party president, said he had decided to suspend the 16 following the recent events in the party which had caused a great deal of anxiety and apprehension.
“I have today decided to suspend the 16 in accordance with the powers vested in me under Article 61 of the party Constitution,” said Dr Scott who did not allow journalists to ask any questions after his address.
Apart from Ms Wina, Dr Scott, who was flanked by newly appointed PF secretary general Bridget Atanga and her deputy Anthony Kasolo, also suspended Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Joseph Katema, who is the chairman for health in the PF , Willie Nsanda, Obvious Chisala, Jean Kapata, Malozo Sichone, Stephen Kampyongo and Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe.
Others who have been suspended are Copperbelt Province Minister Mwenye Musenge, John Chisanga, Benson Chali, Rasford Chipalo, Fabian Chiposo, Sylvester Mtonga, James Kapyanga and Lazarus Chungu.
Dr Scott has since announced that the central committee meeting would be held today at State House.
He said it was unfortunate that illegal central committee meetings were being held when it was agreed that the only central committee meeting would be held today.
“We are just trying to do what is required in the PF Constitution which is to hold a convention where the people themselves will be free to choose who they want to lead them, so I really do not understand why this confusion is there.
“And according to the PF constitution, I am supposed to chair the central committee meeting,” he said.
Dr Scott, who was also accompanied by Kasama Member of Parliament Geoffrey Mwamba, later met party cadres at Government House who had gone to show their solidarity.
Meanwhile, the central committee says it has learnt with regret that a media statement has been issued by Dr Scott, purporting to suspend 16 officials that include MCCs and MPs.
“We are shocked by this action as we had earlier today met and resolved to extend an olive branch to Dr Guy Scott. The meeting also resolved to allow the general conference slated for next week, to elect a party president and presidential candidate,” they said.
According to a statement issued by the central committee in Lusaka yesterday, the committee resolved to attend the meeting called by Acting Secretary General Bridget Attanga that takes place today at 12:00 hours at State House.
“We are therefore surprised by this action to suspend party officials without cause and justification as the central committee had resolved all outstanding issues including matters related to Dr. Scott,” the statement read.
The statement was issued by Davies Mwila, Yamfwa Mukanga, Esther Banda, Samuel Mukupa , Alfredah Mwamba and Emmanuel Mpankata, on behalf of the central committee.
They said the suspensions are illegal, and therefore null and void.
“We wish to advise Dr Scott to take the opportunity of the meeting at State House to raise any concerns he may hold,” they said.
They said the party had resolved that the wrangles that had plagued the party in the last few months should be put behind to ensure that a Presidential candidate is quickly adopted and the candidate begins his campaigns countrywide.