By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA –
THE Patriotic Front (PF) in Mufulira has ushered in a new district executive, bringing to an end a three-year leadership crisis.
The new executive was ushered in following Saturday’s elections held at Hindu Hall which saw the Dominic Mwale-led team dislodge the John Katati executive in the polls characterised by confusion.
Dr Mwale ascended to the position of Mufulira District PF chairperson after he polled 93 votes against 75 for his only rival, Mr Katati.
The position of district vice-chairperson was scooped by Michael Chisanga from Dr Mwale’s camp who got 93 votes against 77 votes for the other contender, Moton Chali from Mr Katati’s team.
Peter Shula scooped the position of treasurer after he garnered 89 votes to beat Mulenga Kosa who got 84 votes.
In the youth and women’s league, Dr Mwale’s camp dominated the show after they won nearly all the positions.
Beatrice Kapansa was elected women’s league chairperson while the position of district youth chairperson was not filled up after the contestants, Brian Mulilo and Jackson Kalowa polled 85 each.
Earlier, tempers flared at Hindu Hall with the two opposing camps accusing each other of manipulating the voters’ register.
This was after it emerged that there were two different voters’ lists for the elections.
Mr Katati, who was being accused of having formed a parallel structure after his executive was dissolved in 2010, had come with his own list of eligible voters which was, however, overlooked by the PF electoral body led by Home Affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula in preference to the one from the national secretariat.
This prompted the elections overseers in conjunction with State police to evict everyone from the Hindul Hall premises in order to use the recognised voters’ list in ushering officials inside.
This incensed Mr Katati’s group that openly used offensive language against Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili and Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge whom they accused of causing confusion at the conference.
Police had a tough time to calm down the two camps which almost engaged in physical confrontation.
The conference originally scheduled to start at 09:00 hours only started after 14:00 hours when the differences were resolved following a closed-door meeting involving Dr Simbyakula, PF deputy secretary general Bridget Atanga and the two rival groups.
Ms Atanga, who flagged off the conference, regretted the confusion which had rocked the PF in Mufulira and consequently affected the smooth operations of the party.
She called for an end to the squabbles as they were adversely affecting the performance of the party.
The conference closed after midnight when the election results were announced.
Dr Mwale said there was need for everyone to work together in taking the PF to higher heights.
