Former Zambia Defense Minister to join PACT

Former Zambia Defense Minister to join PACT

by Mazuba Mwiinga

Former Zambia’s Defense Minister who resigned on Tuesday is said to be intending to join the newly formed Pact between opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) and Patriotic Front.

According to inside sources in the opposition UPND in Southern Province , George Mpombo resigned with intentions of joining the pact of two opposition party giants, UPND led by Hakainde Hichilema and Patriotic Front of Michael Sata.

A UPND top official in the Province said that “Mpombo has read the signs on the wall that come 2011 MMD will no longer be in power and all those MMD cadres will suffer.”

Mpombo resigned in circumstances that have left many speculating the reasons behind his sudden move of leaving government and Party Executive committee position.

George Mpombo stepped down from his Cabinet post as well as ruling MMD Party position of Chairman for Energy.

Mpombo who recently fell in a swimming Pool at Royal Sun Hotel in Livingstone after a Monkey charged at him when he was taking its photo, announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing personal reasons. He is well known for his blatant loyalty to presidential leadership.

Mpombo’s resignation came at a time when incumbent president Rupiah Banda has been adopted by the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) to be the sole contender for the party Presidency during the Party’s National Convention slated for next year. Mpombo told a press conference on Tuesday that “MMD should allow the Party Presidency to be contested at the Convention”.

President Rupiah Banda is yet to comment on Mpombo’s sudden resignation from government and Party NEC.

Copyright: 2009, Mazuba Mwiinga/Innovative Journalists