South UPND cracks

DIVISIONS have erupted in most UPND run local authorities in Southern Province following manoevers by some sitting MPs to influence who should be elected as new deputy mayor and vice council chairperson among the councillors.

According to a source within the opposition party, some MPs in the region were influencing party structures to revolt against sitting mayors and council chairpersons.

‘’The MPs are fronting their favourite Councillors to be elected as deputy mayors and vice chairpersons so that they can at least retain some forms of influence in the running of council business but they are facing stiff resistance from mayors and council chairpersons,” said the source.

The source said the deputy mayoral and vice council chairpersons elections have exposed the deep cat and mouse relationship that exists between MPs and mayors/council chairperson adding that this could be the reason why there is no tangible development taking place in Southern Province.

The source named Siavonga and Kalomo as some of the districts where MPs and their council chairpersons eye to eye.

Government is yet to announce another date for holding of elections after they were prematurely postponed on Friday, following deputy mayor of Chinsali’s petitioned to the concourt to halt the elections, pending determination of the matter where he is challenging his eligibility to re-contest his position.

ConCourt judge, Justice Mungeni Mulenga has since dismissed the application on grounds that the matter was supposed to be commenced by way of judicial review proceedings and not through originating summons as the court cannot exercise its power under Order XV of the Constitutional Court rules.