UPND DISOWNS INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

THEUnited Party for National Development (UPND) has disowned independent candidates who are using party president Hakainde Hichilema's name when campaigning.

UPND Copperbelt Provincial Chairman, Elisha Matambo, described the independent candidates doing so as masqueraders who should not be taken seriously.

He observed that a number of candidates were going round the province masquerading as UPND members when they were not.

Mr Matambo was speaking in Lufwanyama constituency's Katembula ward where he was drumming up support forMr Hichilema and all UPND candidates.

"We are also very much aware of some candidates from other political parties that are masquerading as our members when they go to certain areas where we have a lot of support.

"Such candidates have no blessings from president Hichilema and the UPND and must be treated with the contempt they deserve," he said.

Mr Matambo said all the UPND adopted candidates were introduced to the people and that masquareders have no blessings from president even if they come through his name.

He said that the main reason candidates who were not contesting on the UPND ticket had resorted into using Mr Hichilema's name was that they had realised the overwhelming support the party was receiving.

He said that the people of Zambia were solidly behind Mr Hichilema ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

Mr Matambo added that Mr

Hichilema would implement the free education policy and enhance agriculture in rural constituencies on the Copperbelt once elected.

He said there was a need for everyone supporting the UPND leader in the coming general election to also give maximum support to all his candidates because they understood his plans better.