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Cracks have emerged within the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) as the Council of Presidents has frozen the membership of the New Era Democratic Party (NED).
New Era Democratic Party President, Pumulo Situmbeko, directed her members to stop attending UKA meetings, citing concerns about inheriting former President Edgar Lungu’s enemies.
In an audio clip that has gone viral on social media, Situmbeko is heard instructing one of her members to cease discussing UKA during radio appearances.
She urged her members to distance themselves from UKA and focus on mobilising the party at the grassroots level.
“I told you to lie low; I even told you I am not in support of you going on radio stations for interviews. These people are not playing. Even for UKA meetings, don’t go there because Lungu has many enemies, and if you are found with him, you will inherit his enemies,” Situmbeko said.
She expressed frustration that some of her members, particularly the Secretary-General, were defying her directives due to a lack of financial support for mobilization and attendance at UKA meetings.
Situmbeko warned her members to be cautious in their dealings with UKA, as their association with the alliance could make them targets of Lungu’s adversaries.
She labeled Lungu as the “number one public enemy,” claiming that many Zambians, especially those in the ruling party, do not support him.
On Thursday, UKA Chairperson for Communications Jackson Silavwe confirmed the freezing of the New Era Democratic Party’s membership in the alliance.
“Today, the UKA Council of Presidents convened at the UKA Secretariat in Woodlands and addressed matters pertaining to the alliance and the country. Among other resolutions, the Council decided to ‘freeze’ the membership of the New Era Democratic Party in the Alliance until further notice,” Silavwe said.
Additionally, Mandevu Constituency lawmaker, Ephraim Shakafuswa, was appointed as the UKA Media Director and Sam Chiti was named Mobilisation Chairperson.
Davies Musonda was also appointed as the UKA Vice Mobilisation Chairperson.
Silavwe assured that the UKA Council of Presidents remains committed to ensuring that the alliance continues to mature for the benefit of all Zambians.
“The alliance will remain vigilant to the different political dynamics both internally and in our nation to ensure effective checks and balances,” he added.
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