Mwila undermined Lungu, claims activist

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) secretary general Davies Mwila undermined President Edgar Lungu when he directed that street vendors should continue trading in Lusaka central business district (CBD), youth activist Twaambo Mutinta has said.

Mr Mutinta said in an interview yesterday that it was unacceptable for Mr Mwila to undermine the higher authority.

Recently, Mr Mwila warned Lusaka City Council to stop “harassing” vendors who were trading in the CBD.

But Mr Mutinta said the directive by Mr Mwila was misguided because the Head of State effected the ban of vending to prevent the outbreak of diseases such as cholera.

“The President is the highest authority in the land and he had a final say which must be respected by every Zambian regardless of their political affiliation,” he said.

Mr Mutinta said the PF secretary-general must respect the Head of State by honouring his decisions meant to bring sanity in the country.

He said that even if Mr Mwila held a high position in the ruling party, he should always respect the Presidency.

“That was a contradictory statement from the secretary- general.

The President wants to ensure that the country records zero outbreak of any water- borne diseases which is a good thing for the country,” Mr Mutinta said.

And efforts to get a comment from Mr Mwila and PF media director Sunday Chanda proved futile as their phones went unanswered. FILE PHOTO: Recently, Mr Mwila warned Lusaka City Council to stop “harassing” vendors who were trading in the CBD.