Mawere ditches Kalaba, endorses Mundubile and Makebi By BARNABAS ZULU

MOSES Mawere, the Citizens First presidential running mate has abandoned Harry Kalaba and instead thrown his support behind the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu under the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance.

And the Exodus Party for Peace and Prosperity (EPPP) has expelled its president Mr Mawere, following his decision to withdraw from the Citizens First-Orange Alliance and endorse National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Kalaba said although the party had hoped to continue working with Mr Mawere under the Citizens First banner, it respected his decision to pursue a different political path.

“Citizens First is founded on the principles of democracy, freedom of association and respect for the right of every individual to make their own political choices. It is in this spirit that I acknowledge the decision of my running mate, Moses Mawere, and Chishimba Kambwili to join colleagues in the Tonse Alliance.,” Mr Kalaba said.

Mr Kalaba said the party was releasing the duo with its blessings and wished them success in their future political endeavours.

“While we would have preferred to continue this journey together under the Citizens First banner, we respect their decision and wish them well in their future political endeavours. We thank them for their contributions to our movement and release them with our blessings and best wishes,” he said.

Despite the high-profile departures, Mr Kalaba maintained that CF remained committed to its agenda of building “a united, prosperous and corruption-free Zambia founded on integrity, accountability, transparency, non-violence and servant leadership.”

He assured its members that the party’s mission remained unchanged and that it would continue offering what he described as principled leadership and practical solutions to the country’s challenges.

And the Exodus Party for Peace and Prosperity National Chairman Ndambo Ndambo has announced the expulsion of Mr Mawere, stating that his decision was made unilaterally and without consultation with party structures and alliance partners.

Mr Ndambo described the move as being in bad standing, ill-timed and contrary to the interests and procedures of the party.

He said the party had resolved that Mr Mawere’s actions amounted to a breach of the party constitution and had therefore triggered the termination of his membership.

“The membership of Hon. Mawere to the party is hereby terminated forthwith and subsequently expelled subject to ratification at the Extraordinary National Delegates Conference to be convened within 60 days,” Mr Ndambo said.

The party has since appealed to its members to remain calm, steadfast and committed to strengthening the organisation for the benefit of the country