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–The suspension of acting President Guy Scott as party leader by some members of the Patriotic Front (PF)’s Central Committee has taken a new twist.
Fourteen Central Committee members have now reconciled with Dr Scott and tendered their profound apologies to the Acting Head of State.
Earlier, the Central Committee suspended President Scott as party leader amid a power struggle ahead of elections in January.
However, it is not clear whether PF National Chairperson, Inonge Wina, and Information Minister, Joseph Katema, have tendered their apologies to Dr Scott or not as the duo have not signed the communique.
In a communique made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, the 14 members un-reservedly withdrew their action and regretted the embarrassment they have caused on Dr Scott.
“We, the under-signed members of the PF party Central Committee who met to suspend His Excellency Dr Scott as acting President of PF party, do hereby tender our profound apologies. We therefore un-reservedly withdraw our actions regarding this matter and we regret the embarrassment this may have caused on Dr Scott,” the statement read in part.
Those that appended their signatures in the statement tendering their profound apologies to Dr Scott are Education Minister, John Phiri, Northern Province Minister, Freedom Sikaswe, Jean Kapata (Tourism), Yamfwa Mukanga (Transport) and Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister, Susan Kawandami.
Others are P Kashula, J. C. Chisanga, B. Chali, Rasford Mwale, Sylvester Mtonga, Atanny Mwamba, Mofya Chiposo, W. Kamayoyo and Stardy Mwale.
A power struggle ahead of elections in January has engulfed the PF with stakeholders and party members appealing to the party to bury their differences or risked losing in next year’s presidential election.
Defence and Justice Minister, Edgar Lungu, is hinted to be the party’s favourite to contest the presidency and consequently take over from late president Mr Sata’s legacy.
A few days ago, the Central Committee led by PF Isoka MP, Malozo Sichone, accused Dr Scott of demonstrating "unconstitutional conduct".
Mr. Malozo argued that since the president’s death, it has become clear that Dr Scott has been following his own agenda of hiring and firing people for no apparent reason and without consulting the highest organ of the PF party, the Central Committee.
But acting President, Guy Scott, in a separate interview could neither refuse nor accept the apology by the 14 Central Committee members.
Dr Scott said he would issue a comprehensive statement to the nation tomorrow.
“I’ll issue a comprehensive statement to the nation tomorrow,” Dr Scott said.
PF Secretary-General, Bridget Atanga, recently informed the nation that the decision by the Central Committee was invalid, as only Dr Scott has got powers to call a meeting of the Central Committee.
Mrs Atanga stated that Dr Scott, who took over after President Michael Sata died last month, remains interim president until the poll.
