By Mubanga Mubanga
Nsansa ward councillor in Chingola, Benson Tonge, has denied ever being among the councillors who endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema during the meeting at Mulungushi International Conference centre in Lusaka on Monday.
In an interview with Daily Revelation on Wednesday, Tonge said the councillor from Katete who delivered the endorsement of President Hichilema during the vote of thanks, did so in her personal capacity.
”I am not part of those who endorsed HH and at no point were the councillors sat and agreed to that. She did it in her capacity,” Tonge said. ”This statement serves to clarify the recent remarks made by the Katete councillor, who, during a vote of thanks, claimed that all councillors who attended the Presidential invitation meeting in Lusaka had endorsed the President.”
Tonge clarified that there was no formal discussion, resolution or collective agreement to endorse President Hichilema.
”We wish to make it clear that there was no formal discussion, resolution, or collective agreement either during or outside the meeting regarding any endorsement. The statement came as a surprise to many of us. As Chingola PF/Tonse members, we distance ourselves from the purported endorsement,” Tonge said. ”The meeting itself was cordial and productive. It was not a partisan political gathering, but an official engagement aimed at fulfilling our civic duties as elected leaders. Therefore, an individual’s opinion should not be mistaken for a collective position.”
He urged his fellow councillors to raise important matters any time when given an opportunity, rather than misrepresenting the position of others.
