Kambwili imposes nephew as Roan NDC candidate
EMBATTLED politician Chishimba Kambwili has imposed his nephew Joseph Chishala as NDC candidate in the Roan parliamentary by-elections, sparking consternation among opposition party members.
NDC officials including district leaders complained in Luanshya yesterday that Mr Kambwili had imposed his nephew and ignored the recommended candidate after scrutiny of seven applicants.
But when contacted for a comment, Mr Kambwili said he was not involved in the adoption process of the NDC and advised the reporter to get a reaction from vie-President Joseph Akafumba.
But NDC officials in Luanshya told the Daily Nation that Mr Kambwili had decided to adopt to his nephew who is a miner in Solwezi after his move to adopt his son failed.
Party officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said his son had no voter’s card.
Mr Kambwili had earlier attempted to adopt his wife Carol, but they differed because she was against the idea and was not confident of winning the Roan seat.
NDC officials added that they were shocked that after attempts to adopt his son and wife failed, Mr Kambwili extended his overture to his brother, Pastor Mutale Kambwili who lives in Chingola.
The constituency, district officials and some members of the central committee refused to adopt Pastor Kambwili, and in the process, the NDC consultant called his nephew on Monday night around 23.00hours and he arrived in Luanshya in the early hours of Tuesday.
The NDC officials said the party officials were disappointed that Mr Kambwili was turning the party into a family affair.
"That NDC candidate for Roan was just imposed on the party after his son could not be adopted because he has no voter’s card. That Chishala is not on any party structure, he is a miner from Solwezi who was called to be imposed on the party,” said an insider.
The NDC officials said Private Secretary Fabian Mutale resigned from his position after Mr Kambwili roughed him up for advising him against nepotism.
But Mr Kambwili told the Daily Nation to get a comment from party vice-President.
But when reminded that the Journalist could not go and get a comment from Mr Akafumba when it was him was being accused, Mr Kambwili told the Daily Nation Journalist to write what the NDC district leaders had told him.
"I have told you that I am not involved in the NDC adoption process, but if you want go and write what those NDC district officials have told you,'' he said.
When asked why he was present at the filing of nominations at Roan Antelope Secondary School when he had nothing to do with the NDC adoption process, he failed to give a satisfactory answer.
Meanwhile, the stage has been set for the Roan constituency by-election set for next month after the candidates from the four political parties successfully filed their nomination papers.
The four candidates were Mwansa Chama from People's Alliance for Change (PAC), Joseph Chishala of NDC, Morgan Banda from United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) and Patriotic Front (PF) Joel Chibuye.
And having successfully filed his nomination papers at Senama Council Rest House in Mansa district yesterday, Bahati PF candidate Charles Chalwe expressed confidence of scooping the seat.
Bahati Campaign Manager, Chitalu Chilufya said his team was more than ready to give the opposition parties a good run for their money stating that victory for the PF was assured.
Meanwhile, two candidates have successfully filed in their nomination Papers for the Kafue Town Council Chairperson by-election set for March 27th.
UPND candidate Beatrice Kayuni was the first to file in her nomination at 12:24 while PF’s Brigadier General Moono Simakoloyi filed in his nomination papers at 14:50hrs yesterday.