MMD clarifies expulsion of 18 members

The opposition MMD says it is not party President Nevers Mumba who expelled the 18 National Executive Committee members and two former National Secretaries but the NEC meeting attended by 40 individuals.

MMD Spokesperson Raphael Nakachinda says statements insinuating that Dr Mumba expelled the officials in question are not factually correct.

Mr Nakachinda says the truth, which can easily be verified, is that it was a NEC meeting attended by 40 individuals that carried out the expulsions.

He says these 40 individuals, from every corner of Zambia, formed a quorum as per the MMD constitution that demands that 50% of the 67-member NEC which is 34 people is the minimum threshold for a meeting to be considered duly constituted.

Mr Nakachinda adds that there were over 10 vacant NEC positions at the time, meaning that the quorum required was less than 30 people.

He further states that the notice and agenda for the meeting was circulated to all NEC members a week in advance.

Mr Nakachinda says the NEC meeting overwhelmingly voted for the expulsions and it is disappointing to see media houses reporting that it was Dr Mumba who did it, as if he has magical powers to impose his will on 40 adults.

He further states that the legally constituted 40 member NEC meeting was not some “faction” as reported by some media houses.

Mr Nakachinda has since appealed to all media houses to avoid referring to the expelled former members by the titles they previously held.