By YVONNE CHATE –

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) in Luanshya on the Copperbelt has suspended its Baluba ward councillor Gershom Mpundu for gross misconduct.
PF Copperbelt provincial chairperson Amon Chisenga and Roan Constituency chairperson Albert Matatiwo confirmed the suspension of Mr Mpundu in separate interviews.
Mr Chisenga said Mr Mpundu was seen associating with members of a named opposition party at a public gathering.
Mr Chisenga said the party would not tolerate members or councillors to apply double standards as they were required to be committed to PF.
“If members in our party want to resign, let them do so, because if we find them associating with other political parties we will show them the way out. One cannot belong to two political parties,” he said.
Mr Matatiwo accused Mr Mpundu of involving in activities that could destabilise the party if he was condoned.
He said Mr Mpundu had been suspended and his fate was yet to be decided by higher authorities of the party.
“Mr Gershom Mpundu has been suspended from the PF because he was involved in activities that could have destabilised the party had he continued. So he seizes to be PF party member until we receive further instructions from higher authorities in the party on what should be done,” he said.
Mr Matatiwo said the party did not want double standard members, but expected its members to be committed to one party only.
He urged members in the ruling party especially those from Roan Constituency to ensure they remained loyal to the party.
Mr Mpundu separately confirmed having received the suspension letter but was not aware of the reasons.
He said this was the third time that the party had suspended him but denied any wrong doing.
Mr Mpundu said he was however not told the reason why he was suspended but was only blocked from attending the council chamber meeting by party members on Monday, this week.
“I just received a suspension letter without giving any reasons why I was being suspended but I am still a PF member despite the suspension. I cannot say much for now. I only saw cadres blocking me from attending the council meeting though I was suspended from the party and not from the council,” he said.