By Isaac Zulu
Kantanshi member of parliament (PF) Anthony Mumba says the PF should have investigated Miles Sampa’s assertions that PF ministers used to award public contractions to their own companies before suspending him.
Commenting on the decision by the PF leadership to suspend Sampa from party activities for a period of six weeks, which coincidentally is in the run up to the much awaited PF national convention slated for March 31, Mumba said Sampa worked with the PF ministers and might have some element of truth in what he was saying.
He said that the timing of the suspension of Miles Sampa is wrong.
“Speaking as Kantanshi member of parliament, I want to say that in any political organisation members have to play and adhere to the rules of that particular organisation. But I also want to say that the party leadership should have instituted investigations in the matter regarding the issues raised by Honourable Miles Sampa before suspending him,” Mumba said. “They should have investigated his allegations that some of the ministers that served in the PF government were awarding contracts to their companies. Mind you, this person worked with the PF ministers and he might have some element of truth in what he is saying. They should not pay a blind eye to that.”
He said that the timing of the suspension was wrong as it might be perceived as a ploy to disadvantage the PF Matero lawmaker from contesting for the position of party president.
“The timing is very wrong and might be perceived to be a scheme aimed at disadvantaging and sideling some PF presidential aspirants. I say this because, as far as I know, the convention will be held on 31st March, 2023 and then you decide to suspend a presidential aspirant for six weeks. The action that has been taken by the party leadership will potentially disadvantage Honourable Miles Sampa and might not garner the support and votes that he needs,” Mumba said.
He further charged that there are also allegations that some spouses of ministers serving in the UPND administration have started registering companies with a view to start benefiting from government contracts.
“There are also some unconfirmed reports that are indicating that some spouses of ministers serving in the UPND government have started forming and registering companies so that they can be benefiting from government contracts, which people should not pay a blind eye to,” said Mumba.
