Sinda MP rubbishes UPND Councillor’s claims

SINDA Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Masauso Tembo has denied having taken a UPND councillor for Chilongozi Ward in Sinda to State House to meet President Lungu.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr. Tembo said remarks by UPND Chilongozi Ward Councillor, Newsteady Phiri, were unfounded and mere fabrication meant to attract media attention.

“Mr. Phiri approached me and asked, if he could join the ruling PF, to which l replied that everything was based on his decision. After making up his mind he approached me and said he had resolved to join the ruling party as there was no hope that UPND would win a Presidential election as was evidenced by Hakainde Hichilema’s persistent losing in the last five elections,” Mr. Tembo said.

Mr. Tembo however explained that, it was after a lengthy period of being pressured that he introduced Mr Phiri to the PF Media Director, Sunday Chanda for further consultation on his move.

Last week Mr Phiri narrated how President Lungu allegedly bribed him with a K20, 000 to induce him to ditch the opposition party.

This was during a press conference at the UPND secretariat in Lusaka by party leader Hakainde Hichilema and attended by his vice president Geoffrey Mwamba.

Mr. Phiri accused Sinda Independent MP Masauso Tembo of having taken him to State House to meet President Lungu.