Acting President Guy Scott says he is relieved by the conclusion of the second Patriotic Front (PF) general conference at which Matero member of Parliament Miles Sampa was elected party president.
Meanwhile, PF national chairperson Inonge Wina is confident that Minister of Justice Edgar Lungu, who doubles as Minister of Defence, is the best presidential candidate for the ruling party and he will win the January 20, 2015 election.
And suspected PF rival factions yesterday clashed in Lusaka’s central business district and temporarily brought business to a standstill.
Speaking on Monday night when he officially closed the second general conference at which Mr Sampa, who is Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, emerged winner, Dr Scott said he has been looking forward to a day when a successor for Mr Sata would be chosen.
“When I was awakened from my bed four weeks ago and informed that my friend Michael Sata had died in London, this is the day [general conference] I was hoping for,” Dr Scott said.
“It took me four and half weeks to bring this about. Fighting people left, right and centre who wanted to block me, take legal measures and to expel me,” Dr Scott said
He reiterated that there will be no short cuts in choosing Mr Sata’s successor.
He said he is proud of the delegates who attended Monday’s general conference because they proved that PF is a democratic party.
“And now, we have shown people that there are no short cuts. If you do the job differently you see the difference. Yesterday [Sunday] there was violence, pangas, threats and intimidation and today everyone is happy,” Dr Scott said.
He also turned down a proposal by PF member Christopher Shakafuswa to expel Mr Lungu for alleged gross indiscipline, disrespecting the party constitution and fueling division.
Mr Shakafuwsa also recommended the expulsion of Mrs Wina, Copperbelt Province chairman Sturdy Mwale, Minister of Tourism and Arts Jean Kapata, Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Nkundu Luo and her Foreign Affairs counterpart Harry Kalaba.
He also proposed that central committee members Willie Nsanda, Davies Chama, Benson Chali and Fabian Chiposa should be expelled
But Dr Scott said he wanted to give the senior party officials time and chance to think and see where PF is going.
And speaking to journalists on Sunday after Mr Lungu was declared duly elected PF president Mrs Wina said Mr Lungu was unanimously elected by the general conference.
“You have heard that they [delegates] have unanimously endorsed Edgar Lungu, the presidential candidate of the PF by 5,000 members of the party from all the 10 provinces of Zambia,” Mrs Wina said
Mrs Wina said the PF has a mammoth task ahead because the ruling party has started campaigns late.
“But I am very confident that we have the structures on the ground and our candidate will go through,” Mrs Wina said.
And HENRY SINYANGWE reports that in the fracas between suspected rival PF factions yesterday, Police quickly quelled the unrest during which a yellow Metro Cab operating under Mr Sampa’s empowerment project was damaged.
Police spokesperson Charity Chanda said police have instituted investigations to establish the cause of the scuffles.
“A brazier with burning charcoal was found in the front seat of the vehicle, but the police managed to remove it before the vehicle caught fire.
“We are still monitoring the situation as our officers are on the ground,” Mrs Chanda said.
She appealed to political parties to remain peaceful instead of engaging in actions that would endanger the lives of citizens.
PF secretary-general Davies Chama says the party is disappointment about the fracas.
“We deeply regret that along the way, property has been damaged and we hope the police can get to the bottom of this incident and bring the culprits to book as soon as possible. Order must be restored,” Mr Chama said
He said PF abhors violence in all forms regardless of who perpetrates it because it a peaceful and loving party.
“That is the spirit our beloved late President Michael Sata founded this party on. Peace,” he said.
He said PF president Edgar Lungu who is also the Minister of Defence and doubles as Minister of Justice is well known for nothing but peace.
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We’ve Shown People That There Are No Short Cuts -Scott
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