Zambia’s ruling party has suspended eight of its senior officials, including party chairman Chitalu Sampa, for alleged indiscipline, a party spokesperson said on Friday.
The eight officials in the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) were suspended by the party’s national executive committee (NEC). They have been given ten days to defend themselves or face expulsion.
”We have already sent suspension letters to all eight leaders,” said party spokesperson Aka.
The other officials who were suspended include ex-foreign minister Katele Kalumba, who is currently in jail on corruption charges, and ex-interior minister Peter Machungwa.
All eight are members of the MMD’s executive committee, which is chaired by President Levy Mwanawasa.
They also all served in former president Frederick Chiluba’s cabinet, and are seen as close allies of the former head of state.
The executive committee also accused the suspended leaders of working with the opposition to destabilise the ruling party.
Since it came to power in 2001, Mwanawasa’s government has arrested Chiluba and a host of senior government officials for alleged corruption. – Sapa-AFP