By Staff Reporter
I can’t work with thugs like Jay Jay and Munir, says incoming ruling UPND Eastern Province chairperson Johabi Mtonga.
And Mtonga said close to 10 seats including Petauke-Central where Dora Siliya lost to independent Emmanuel Banda (popularly know as Jay Jay), and Lumezi won by Munir Zulu were earmarked for petitioning, because of what he said dirty activities during the campaigns.
Asked by Daily Revelation on information that newly elected independent members of parliament in the province were planning to meet him to pledge to work with the new ruling UPND, Mtonga said that information had not come to his attention.
“But even if they can…you should get the guidelines from the party. These seats which are won by independents a number of them are thugs how can I work with them?” Mtonga asked.
He mentioned that there were plans by losing candidates in 10 constituencies in Eastern Province to petition the elections, from both the ruling and opposition parties.
“Most of our MPs like in Chasefu, Lundazi, Chipangali, Vubwi, Chadiza, Kasenengwa, Luangeni, Sinda and Lusangazi, Petauke, 10 of them they want to petition. And it is true in these areas which I have just mentioned to you, are the areas where there were a lot of dirty activities,” Mtonga said. “Giving money on the queue so bantu bovutika ubapasa. Busy arresting our aspiring candidates. Well it’s both sides, others who also stood on independent I have just gotten that information”
Mtonga insisted concerning Banda and Zulu, saying “How do I work with people like Munir, people like Jay Jay? They are thugs.”
Banda was recently spotted celebrating the victory of President-elect Hakainde Hichilema over President Edgar Lungu.
Sources say President Lungu heavily supported Banda with resources in the campaigns.
