MORE setbacks have continued to hit the MMD, with the latest being the defection to the Patriotic Front (PF) of former Mines deputy minister Jazzman Chikwakwa.

Mr Chikwakwa defected along with MMD founder member Christopher Ngoma in the presence of first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda.

The duo's move comes barely a week after MMD Lusaka District chairperson Donald Chilufya resigned from the party.

Mr Chikwakwa and Mr Ngoma announced their defection at the residence of Dr Kaunda in State Lodge area in Lusaka yesterday.

"I want to take this opportunity by fulfilling your call.

"You remember that you called on us, as Zambians, to give encouragement to the current President, Michael Chilufya Sata and his Government. "His developmental programmes, from what we have seen, can make Zambia another paradise again.

"So, when we evaluated your call, your appeal to Zambians, I for one, Your Excellency, I have decided to follow it and declare that I've resigned from MMD, and with immediate effect," Mr Chikwakwa said.

Mr Ngoma said he could not say anything as Mr Chikwakwa had exhausted everything he wanted to say.

Mr Chikwakwa served as Luapula Province Permanent Secretary before he was appointed Mines deputy minister by former President Rupiah Banda.

Dr Kaunda said the defectors were making a good decision by choosing to work with Mr Sata and his administration.

Dr Kaunda said he appointed Mr Sata as the first Lusaka District governor because of his impeccable qualities and was thankful to God that after going through so many "pits and holes" he had finally become the Head of State.

"Young man, thank you for taking this decision. Support that man. He does not look at a man through glasses of tribe.

He does not look at a man through glasses of colour.

He does not even look at a man through glasses of flesh...He accepts one Zambia, one nation," Dr Kaunda said.

Masaiti District PF chairperson, Stardy Mwale declared MMD as "totally finished" in the area, adding that the defection of the duo was a "big plus" to the PF.