Front suspends lawmaker, Miles Sampa, over attack on presidential candidates

The Patriotic Front (PF) has suspended Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa from the central committee after he allegedly issued disparaging remarks against the party’s aspiring presidential candidates.

According to the PF acting president Given Lubinda, the party’s central committee met and Sampa was given an opportunity to express himself and it was decided that he be suspended for six weeks.

He said that the sentiments made by Sampa left much to be desired and that it was unfortunate that he could make such statements against his colleagues, especially that he was a senior member.

“The party has decided to suspend Mr Sampa because he is a senior person who is a member of the central committee and as a deterrent we want to take this action so that people do not make the same mistake,” Lubinda said a press briefing in Lusaka on Monday.

Meanwhile Lubinda said the committee decided to stop the campaigns for all the people that were eyeing the PF presidency.

He explained that the party needed to put in place measures before the candidates could resume with their campaigns.

Lubinda said the campaigns were not sanctioned by the party and therefore they needed to stop not until the party gave a go ahead.

“The party has not agreed on the rules of engagement, and people are tearing themselves apart and are they going to remain as friends after the general conference,” said.