THE split within Zambia’s ruling party – over whether to support a possible third term for the president – has deepened as the party suspended eight of its lawmakers and police banned a rally by opponents of the issue. But opponents to President Frederick Chiluba’s re-election bid, currently barred by both the national and the ruling party constitutions, remain defiant. Vice President Christon Tembo said he would not obey a police ban on a much-publicised rally set for Saturday, where he is due to speak against the measure. Meanwhile, eight parliamentarians from Northern province were suspended for voting against a provincial resolution backing a re-election bid by Chiluba, provincial minister Daniel Kapapa said. – AFP