GBM, KATUKA TIFF SIGN UPND CRACKING - MPOMBO

THE attack by UPND vice president Geoffrey Mwamba on party secretary-general Stephen Katuka is a sign that the party is in the process of disintegration, veteran politician George Mpombo has claimed.

On Monday, Mr. Mwamba called Mr. Katuka “stupid” for allegedly holding numerous meetings to strategise on how to fight him.

At the height of calls for the party to go for a convention by a few daring members, UPND has found itself in another precarious situation as the relationship between its president, Hakainde Hichilema and Mr. Mwamba has seemingly hit rock bottom. Two weeks ago, Mr. Mwamba blasted some party members at a press briefing addressed by the two leaders for what he termed as “stupid and foolish sentiments” alleging that he had ditched the opposition after being bought by the PF.

Mr. Mwamba openly said those who were trying to malign him were stupid to think that they were dealing with him as an individual as he had a huge Mr Mpombo following and that henceforth, he would stamp his authority as vice president of the party.

But commenting on the development, Mr. Mpombo, a former Defence Minister, said UPND was becoming a political tragedy as it was just a matter of time before the political heavyweight leaves the UPND.

“It is also very clear from the combustible inflammatory rhetoric from GBM, that is just a matter of time before he officially lea es the party, although his soul and mind has already left,” Mr. Mpombo said.

He said should GBM be handled poorly and be forced to depart, UPND must forget about the positive strides it had made in the Northern and Muchinga Provinces.