MMD problems deepen as faction secures signatures, demands convention within 30 days

Trouble in MMD have deepen as expelled Mafinga ember of Parliament Catherine Namugala has claimed that their faction has now secured the required number of signatures to petition the party to convene an extra ordinary convention.

Ms Namugala with expelled National Secretary Major Richard Kachingwe was expelled from MMD after differing with president Nevers Mumba.

They then formed a faction which has been calling for a convention to replace Dr. Mumba.

Briefing the press in Lusaka today, April 27, 2013,  Namugala said their faction has managed to collected more than the required one-third of the provincial executive committee members to petition the National Executive Committee -NEC- to hold a convention within one month as provided in the party’s constitution.

Namugala said they have so far received petitions from Northern, Central, Muchinga and Luapula provinces. She said petitions from other provinces were still being awaited.

She explained that Article 15 of the MMD constitution compels NEC to hold the extra-ordinary convention at the request of one-third of the provincial Executive Committee members or the National Executive Committee.

Namugala said the Chairman of the party Kabinga Pande should immediately call for the convention adding that the received petitions have already been submitted to the MMD Secretariat.

She called on the NEC to start preparations for the convention. She has urged Pande as chairman to rise to the occasion saying that is the only way the party would be in a position to win the elections in 2016.

Acting National Secretary Kapembwa Simbao could not be reached for a comment by press time.

Namugala and faction are claiming that Mumba is legally not qualified to remain at the helm of the MMD as he has not relinquish his membership from his former party.