– Over 100 cadres from the opposition Movement for Multi- party Democracy (MMD) in Mofwe Ward of Kaputa constituency have ditched their party to join the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
The cadres who announced their decision at a public rally held by area Member of Parliament (MP), Maxas Ng’onga at Kasepa ground on Wednesday said they have taken the decision because they want to be part of a progressive party.
The defectors said Mofwe Ward which is the only ward in Kaputa held by the opposition has been isolated and therefore decided to join the ruling party and work with the area member of parliament in fostering unity and development.
The cadres have since asked the MP and the party leadership not to discard them but use them in every other duties of the party.
And receiving the defectors, Kaputa Member of Parliament Maxas Ng’onga assured the defectors that they are welcome to the party and asked them to immediately form branches and start mobilizing other members.
Mr Ngonga noted that politics is about numbers and that he will by no means discard but that he will always work with them in growing the party.
He also urged the new members some of whom were officials in various branches under MMD to mobilise other members who wants to follow them to PF.
The MP who also gave the defectors PF chitenge materials also urged PF members to work with their new colleagues in growing the party.
Meanwhille, Mr Ng’onga has warned that he will not take kindly any person who will frustrate the new members adding that those that will do so will have themselves expelled.
And PF Mofwe Ward Chairperson, Lameck Mushili explained that Mofwe ward which was stronghold of the MMD had remained under developed because people were not willing to work with the government in taking developments.
Mr Mushili has since appealed to members in the ward to work together and support the government of the day to foster development.
He also urged the new members to feel free and make their contributions to the party.
Efforts to get a comment from MMD Mofwe Ward Stanley Chipasha on the defections failed as he was reportedly attending another meeting in the ward.
Ten of the 11 wards in Kaputa constituency are held by the ruling PF and only Mofwe ward is under the opposition MMD.