Charity Moonga
22 July 2008
VICE -President Rupiah Banda has condemned the continued bickering among MMD members saying it is portraying that there are divisions in the ruling party when in fact not.
And MMD national chairman, Michael Mabenga has said the party will soon meet to discuss problems that had recently rocked the ruling party.
Mr Banda said on arrival at Livingstone International Airport yesterday that the bickering among MMD members in the last two weeks of the President Mwanawasa's absence had exposed the troublemakers.
The vice-president, who was in Livingstone to open the 52nd Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) conference, said that there was need for MMD members to work together at the time when the president was hospitalised.
"The fact that some of us are quiet does not mean that we have nothing to say. Let us make sure that we do not disunite the country. Let us look after the party until the President returns.
"I have been in politics for more than 50 years now and am still here and those who talk too much are no longer there," he said.
He said there was no one who could claim to know everything and called on MMD members to learn to listen and work with each other.
Meanwhile, Mr Banda said funding had been released for the Livingstone-Victoria Falls border road and work would commence soon.
The Government would continue with the fertiliser support programme and was currently looking at ways to increase Government portion considering that the price of fertiliser had gone up.
Later when he met Senior Chief Mukuni of the Toka Leya people, Mr Banda commended the traditional leader for ensuring education, health, tourist facilities and other social amenities for his people.
Southern Province Minister, Daniel Munkombwe assured that there was no crisis in the MMD.
Earlier MMD provincial secretary, Emmanuel Siamweela commended the Government for ensuring development in Livingstone.
And Mr Mabenga said in an interview that it was hoped that the NEC meeting would help dismiss unwarranted speculation about the party leadership.
"We are going to hold a NEC meeting and members will be informed on the date to discuss party matters," he said.
Mr Mabenga told ZANIS separately that the NEC meeting would iron out all pertinent issues that had recently rocked the party.
He said the party wanted to deal with the anxiety and speculation that had arisen following President Mwanawasa's illness.
Mr Mabenga said the party decided to hold a NEC meeting to allow members speak out on any issue of concern behind closed doors.
He said the party felt that it was prudent to openly discuss behind closed doors issues that threatened to divide the party.
Mr Mabenga said it was hoped that the meeting would help dismiss unwarranted speculation and consolidate the party leadership.
MMD deputy national secretary, Jeff Kaande recently said the party had charged its chairman for information and publicity, Benny Tetamashimba for allegedly bringing the party into ridicule and giving out false information.
Mr Kaande said Mr Mabenga would constitute a disciplinary committee of six NEC members to look into the case involving Mr Tetamashimba.
MMD national secretary, Katele Kalumba had earlier resisted the proposal to call for a full NEC meeting in the absence of the party president.
A NEC member, Walusiku Lisulo recently petitioned NEC to convene a meeting to discuss Mr Tetamashimba's conduct.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Tetamashimba said he had not yet received the charge letter and that he was still carrying out party duties.
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