SCOTT

By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE, CHARITY MOONGA and CATHERINE NYIRENDA –
THE suspensions of the 16 PF members of the central committee, including national chairperson Inonge Wina, have been lifted.
PF secretary general Bridget Atanga said the suspensions were lifted by acting President Guy Scott during a lengthy central committee meeting held at State House yesterday.
“It was nice for me to see people with smiles, joking, forgiving each other. For those who were suspended, they have written one letter to his Excellency the acting President Guy Scott apologising and he has accepted the apology,” Ms Atanga said.
Dr Scott, however, asked the 16 members to go a step further and write individual letters apologising over their conduct.
Ms Atanga said in an interview yesterday that the central committee meeting held at State House to forge the way forward for the party, was a success and that it was nice to see members of the big family, “joking and smiling at each other with forgiving hearts”.
The committee agreed to go ahead with the conference slated for Mulugushi Rock of Authority Conference center on Saturday.
She was happy as the secretary general of the ruling party to see people put their differences aside and forge ahead for the peace and unity of the country.
She said that the members have realised that violence would not help them and as Christians they would continue believing in the bible and the rule of law which does not condone violence.
Ms Atanga said it was not good for members to abrogate the constitution and hoped the good spirit that was exhibited yesterday by all members would continue.
The PF had in the recent past rocked with infightings due to some differences exhibited by some members as the nation goes to the Presidential elections on January 20, 2014.
It was also agreed that the register that would be used would be the one that was used in the 2011 general conference.
PF chairperson for elections Sylvia Masebo announced that the party will use the 2010/11 delegates’ register at the general conference scheduled for this weekend.
Ms Masebo said no one would be barred from the convention because the secretariat had the register which could not be doctored not even by a Member of the Central Committee.
Ms Atanga has asked the Lusaka High Court to dismiss with costs matters, where two party members have dragged her to court on grounds she describes as frivolous and vexatious.
Ms Atanga has submitted before Judge Mwila Chitabo that the claims by Francis Fube Mulenga were based on mere speculations that should not be supported by the court.
There is no basis upon which Mr Mulenga was seeking an injunction to block the general conference and as such a discretionary remedy could not be sought on mere speculation which was a waste of the court’s time.
In her affidavit in opposition to summons for an order of interim injunction filed by Mr Mulenga and Mr Mumba, Ms Attanga said Mr Mulenga did not state his standing with regard to the PF other than merely describing himself as the plaintiff.
As far as PF records are concerned, Mr Mulenga ceased to be a member of the PF in 2006 when he resigned following his non-adoption to stand as a member of Parliament for Chilubi Constituency in 2006.
She said that it was not true that there was no consultation with the central committee as the plaintiff indicated, as a meeting was held and a press statement which was jointly signed by acting President Guy Scott and former secretary general Edgar Lungu was issued on November 4, 2014.
Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata has also been granted an ex-parte order restraining the Patriotic Front and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) from preventing him from contesting as President on account of his parentage.
Lusaka High Court Judge in charge Isaac Chali granted Mr Sata the ex-parte order against Bridget Atanga as secretary general of the PF, her servants and agents from preventing Mr Sata to contest the PF Presidency slated for Saturday at Mulngushi Rock of Authority in Kabwe.