By SYLVESTER MWALE –
WARRING factions in MMD yesterday clashed at the party secretariat after senior officials were prevented by police to hold a Press conference at Mika Hotel in Kabulonga.
Quick action by riot police prevented the situation from degenerating into a free for all punch-up after the supporters of party president Nevers Mumba and the pro-party chairperson Kabinga Pande traded blows and insults outside the party secretariat.
Scorpion Kadobe charged at district youth chairperson, Nathan Mwanza in the presence of the police before he went to the ground under a heavy jab on his chest from Mr Mwanza.
The fracas started soon after Diehard youth leader Bowman Lusambo and others arrived at the party secretariat where a group supporting Mr Pande and suspended MMD national secretary Muhabi Lungu had gathered.
Mr Lusambo’s team tried to convince the pro-Pande faction to leave the secretariat but their efforts attracted insults and a rough-up.
One of the pro-Pande supporters produced a knife as he tried to scare away Mr Lusambo and his team but police officers grabbed it  from him.
Calm returned soon after police officers asked Mr Lusambo and his team to leave the secretariat amid insults from the other group.
Mr Pande was initially expected to address the Press at Chrisma Hotel before police stopped the briefing on security grounds.
Thereafter, supporters gathered at Mika Hotel for a Press conference before they were again dispersed by police on the basis that they not notified police on the intended meeting.
The group then shifted to the secretariat where they started denouncing Dr Mumba and accused him of taking the former ruling party to the ‘grave’.
“We are giving him one week in which to address us and failure to do that he should consider himself out because he has already killed the party,” said Lusaka district chairperson Emmanuel Lungu.
Later Mr Pande said the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party had resolved in a meeting that all the suspensions and expulsions that were slapped on some members including senior officials by Dr Mumba were null and void.
Speaking at Mr Lungu’s residence in Chalala, Mr Pande said 33 out 55 NEC members who attended the meeting had agreed that all the officials who were suspended would retain their positions.
Mr Pande said the party’s supreme organ also resolved to hold a party convention within 30 days where new leaders are expected to be elected ahead of the 2016 general elections.
“All the suspensions and expulsions have been lifted by NEC today,” said Mr Pande who was flanked by several party officials including Kembe Member of Parliament (MP) Ronnie Shikapwasha, Rufunsa MP Kenneth Chipungu and Faustina Sinyangwe.
“This means that Mr Lungu continues as party national secretary, and I am the bonafide chairperson of the party.”
Mr Pande said the party had not failed to suspend or expel Dr Mumba but that it would follow the party Constitution in arriving at the right decision.