UPND dismisses Luanshya defections

THE Patriotic Front (PF) must stop playing fake defections because this will not help to redeem the ruling party’s lost popularity, the UPND in Luanshya has said.

UPND Luanshya Central Chairperson, Muntanga Sinkala, said it was misleading for the PF to claim that UPND ward officials in Buntungwa ward had defected to PF.

Mr Sinkala said no leaders or members from Buntungwa ward had resigned from UPND to join the ruling party.

"We would like to categorically dispute the purported defections of the UPND ward officials in Butungwa ward of Luanshya Central Constituency. PF are trying to hoodwink and deceive themselves by faking defections," Mr Sinkala said.

He said PF's fast dwindling popularity on the Copperbelt was frustrating leaders in the ruling party and had now resorted to faking defections.

Mr Sinkala said PF leaders must not pride themselves in fake defections which would not help redeem them from the impending election defeat at the hands of the UPND on August 12, this year.

"The PF should accept the fact that their fortunes in the province are gone as Copperbelt is no longer their stronghold," he said.

Mr Sinkala said only one official who was enticed by money had left, the rest were not in the rank and file of the UPND ward structure in the constituency.

“Let it be known that PF using its corrupt schemes paid all the people who were paraded as defectors. This is a very shameful act by the ruling party who seem not to learn from past leaders like Rupiah Banda of the MMD who used the same schemes but ended in an embarrassing defeat.

“This desperation won't salvage the PF lost glory in Luanshya in particular and Copperbelt province in general. The UPND in Luanshya is as solid as a rock as it is fast gaining popularity on the ground, he said.

The UPND in Luanshya, he said, was ready to deliver the much- needed change come August 12, this year.