UPND Western Province wrangles turn nasty
THE internal leadership wrangles of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) in the Western province have taken a nasty twist with the current episode resulting in rival factions leaving nothing to imaginations with insults while those directed are left threatening each other with law suits.
The latest episode in the protracted political wrangle that saw the beating-up of Mongu Mayor Mr. Akayombokwa Kusiyo and Nkeyema council chairperson Mr. Maliti among other officials in May this year at the UPND Western provincial secretariat has been captured in a recording of Fridays October 17, 2020 in which the Party’s embattled provincial chairman Musangu Njamba is heard hurling unprintables at a member of the party only identified as Ilitongana.
Investigations have revealed that Mr. Musangu has been offended by accusation from Ilitongana purporting that he is a sell-out and a double agent running errands for the UPND whilst being bank rolled by the Patriotic Front. Ilitongana is said to have been the source of the story that claims that Mr. Musangu was spotted driving a government vehicle which is creepy, given that Mr. Musangu is a member of an opposition political party.
In the recoding Ilitongana is heard identifying the chairperson by name followed by the chairperson asking Ilitongana if he had an affair with his wife, then proceeding to insult Ilitongana‘s mother and father without any regard. A calm Ilitongana is heard bidding Mr. Musangu (provincial Chairperson) to be calm and avoid insulting as he was a leader to which Musangu is heard retorting “am I your mother or father’s leader?” and continued hurling further insults and threatening to take Ilitongana to court for accusing him of driving a public vehicle, a matter which was previously addressed by the UPND president [Hakainde Hichilema].
Commenting on the recording, Western Province UPND aspiring provincial chairperson Mr. Eugen Kapatiso stated that it was time for people to judge the quality of people that UPND had to manage the party in the province. Mr Kapatiso wondered why Mr. Musangu was threatening to sue Ilitongana when the recording was a clear indictment against Mr Musangu as a leader of the party in the province.
When contacted for a comment, Patriotic Front Western Provincial Chairman Kufuka Kufuka declined, saying he was not watching confusion in the opposition as his preoccupation was creating a safe space in the (ark) PF for peace loving Zambians in the province to belong. He stated that his party was too busy on the ground to be poking its nose in the neighbour’s bedroom. “Let them fight we only pray they kill don’t each other because we need their votes as PF in 2021,” he said.
Meanwhile, Patriotic Front Mobilisation Coordinator Mr. Glenn Kalimbwe stated that he is not surprised when the UPND turn against each other. “If you recall, Musangu Chamba was in court versus Chengamali, then Mongu mayor had to flee to safety in May and now this audio. I am not surprised to hear that. Violence seems to follow the UPND to the extent of having imaginary enemies like in Lavushimanda.”
The UPND, he said, should have taken advantage on this day to reconcile its members since they do not want to reconcile with anyone else.