Edward Mulenga And Anthony Mulowa
19 July 2008
MMD national chairman, Michael Mabenga, has said he cannot constitute a committee to deal with party spokesman, Ben Tetamashimba's case because he has not received a copy of the party official's charge letter.
Mr Mabenga has also directed all party officials to stop debating the controversial presidential succession in public as the party would soon hold a national executive committee (NEC) meeting to handle the matter.
Mr Mabenga said in an interview in Livingstone yesterday that all the complaints, accusations and counter accusations must be handled through the NEC, which would soon hold a meeting to resolve the bickering.
Mr Mabenga said contrary to party deputy national secretary, Jeff Kaande'sannouncement that the chairman would constitute a committee to decide Mr Tetamashimba's fate, he could not constitute such a body without receiving the charge letter.
He said the deputy national secretary had not written to Mr Tetamashimba, but only telephoned him asking him to exculpate himself.
Mr Mabenga who said the stand-off was almost finished, said the public attacks among the leaders were embarrassing to the party and directed them to stop and follow the party channels.
"The stand-off is almost finished. My guidance to the party as national chairman is that the two senior party officials must stop arguing in public, let them resolve the matter according to the party channels. It's not proper.
"My job as national chairman is to hold the party together, to ensure that there is harmony in the party, that is why I cannot side with anyone and deal with issues according to the party constitution," he said.
A NEC member, Mr Walusiku Lisulo, had submitted a petition calling for a NEC meeting to discus Mr Tetamashimba's conduct.
But MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba has resisted the proposal to call for a full NEC meeting in the absence of the party president.
According to a letter dated July 15, 2008 under the heading the Un-Apologetic Stance of Ben Tetamashimba over his remarks, Dr Kalumba said he had resisted to call for the NEC meeting for fear of being misconstrued.
"Chairman, I have resisted this proposal of calling for a full NEC meeting in the absence of our party president. It can be misconstrued," he said.
On the problems in the party in Livingstone, Mr Mabenga said the issues had not reached the national level and would be dealt with appropriately.
The MMD in Livingstone has lately been embroiled in misunderstanding among party officials, which among other things, led to the suspension of the mayor, Grace Shafik.
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