PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Southern Province coordinator Opper Hamiyanze has condemned United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema for his failure to protect his members of Parliament from attacks by PF leader Michael Sata.

Mr Hamiyanze said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Hichilema should have condemned Mr Sata for his attacks on MPs taking part in the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) whom the opposition leader described as plunderers.

He said it was unacceptable for Mr Sata to claim that members of the NCC were plunderers, considering that they were given the mandate to take part in the Constitution-making process by the people of Zambia.

"I am very disappointed with Mr Hichilema and I condemn him for his failure to protect his members from attacks by Mr Sata. He is saying that the people in the NCC are plunderers and Mr Hichilema cannot protect his members from such attacks.

"The people sitting in the NCC are not doing so for their own good but they are there because the Zambian people want to be represented," Mr Hamiyanze said.

He said he would not contest for the position of provincial chairperson because of what he termed Mr Sata's vulgar language.

Mr Hamiyanze said he had been frustrated and intimidated by the PF leadership and decided to withdraw his candidature.

He said despite coming under severe attacks and insults, President Rupiah Banda had remained patient and was running the affairs of the country effectively.