GBM sues Kabimba in his capacity as PF secretary general

FORMER Defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba has challenged the decision by the Patriotic Front (PF) to expel him from the ruling party.

Mr Mwamba, who is Kasama Central Member of Parliament (MP), has asked the Lusaka High Court to stop what he termed his suspension and expulsion by declaring that it was null and void.

The Parliamentarian wants another declaration that his expulsion is illegal because the right procedure was not followed in expelling him.

Mr Mwamba, who has sued Wynter Kabimba in his capacity as secretary general of the PF, has stated in his writ of summons filed by his lawyers, Makebi Zulu and Company in the Lusaka principal registry yesterday that he is a member of the PF as well as an MP for Kasama Central Constituency.

He said he was elected as MP on September 20, 2011 and thereafter, served as minister of Defence in the Zambian Government until December 23, 2013 when he exercised his right as a matter of principle and resigned from his ministerial position.

Mr Mwamba said his resignation was necessitated by the option given to him by President Michael Sata to choose between Chief Chitimukulu-designate, Henry Kanyata Sosala, who happened to be his relation, and his job as minister of Defence.

The Kasama lawmaker said he opted to resign from his position in preference to his family.

Mr Mwamba alleged that following his resignation, he heard and read media reports that purported that he had been suspended from the party.

He said on Sunday, February 16, 2014, he learnt through media reports that the PF Northern Province executive committee had taken disciplinary action against him and purportedly made recommendation for his expulsion from the party.

Mr Mwamba said on February 17, 2014, the provincial executive committee announced his expulsion but that the purported charge, suspension, notice of hearing, recommended expulsion, and subsequent expulsion were never officially communicated to him.

“No formal charge of any purported misconduct was ever preferred against or if preferred, the same was not and still has not been communicated to the plaintiff,” the document submitted before court reads.

Mr Mwamba said he was not given an opportunity to be heard in the events leading to his purported suspension, recommendation of expulsion and subsequent expulsion.

He said because of the stated reasons, he had suffered damage, loss and inconvenience.