MALANI KINGS ZIMBA DITCHES UPND, JOINS NRPUP
By Albert Nyirenda
Former Chadiza District Commissioner Malani Kings Zimba has officially left the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and joined the NRPUP led by Brian Mundubile.
Speaking during an NRPUP campaign rally in North-Western Province, Mr. Zimba publicly endorsed Mr. Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, declaring his support for the party ahead of the August 13 General Election.
Mr. Zimba has never hidden his ambition to represent the people of Lumezi North Constituency, maintaining that the area has lagged behind in development because it has lacked leaders who truly understand the aspirations and challenges of the local people. He said his desire has always been to serve the people of Lumezi North and contribute to the constituency’s development.
During the UPND parliamentary by-election held following the imprisonment of former Lumezi Member of Parliament Munir Zulu, Mr. Zimba was not adopted as the ruling party’s candidate.
Political observers believe that if NRPUP adopts Mr. Zimba as its parliamentary candidate for Lumezi North, he could enter the race with an advantage, having already established a political base in the constituency. Mr. Zimba enjoys considerable grassroots support and is widely known by the nickname “Dangote” because of his generosity and philanthropic activities.
Meanwhile, Lumezi North Constituency is expected to undergo a fresh nomination process following the untimely death of parliamentary candidate Mr. Mwale.
The fresh nominations are provided for under Article 52(6)(c) of the Constitution of Zambia (as amended), which states that where a candidate sponsored by a political party dies before the date of an election, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) shall cancel the election, call for the filing of a fresh nomination by the affected political party, and hold the election within 30 days of the filing of the fresh nomination.
The ECZ is therefore expected to announce a new nomination timetable for the Lumezi North parliamentary election in accordance with the Constitution.