UPND MEDIA TEAM BOOED BY FACEBOOKERS OVER ATTACK ON GEORGE MTONGA

UPND MEDIA TEAM BOOED BY FACEBOOKERS OVER ATTACK ON GEORGE MTONGA.

The United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Team has come under heavy criticism from Facebook users after appearing to attack fellow party member George N Mtonga over his position on the sale of surplus maize.

Mr. Mtonga had proposed that once the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) completes its maize purchases, the surplus maize should be sold to markets outside Zambia.

His position, however, appears to have sparked a response from the UPND Media Team, headed by Mark Simuuwe, which questioned Mr. Mtonga’s standing and called for his views to be disregarded on the matter..

But instead of winning support, the response has triggered a wave of criticism from some Facebook users, many of whom argue that Mr. Mtonga is raising a legitimate economic issue that deserves debate rather than condemnation.

Among the comments monitored by Zambian Watch News was one from Memory Ngoma, who said the entire UPND Media Team should be retired.

“The entire UPND media team must be retired in national interest. They can’t articulate any government policy but busy fighting someone who is fighting for the party.” she wrote.

John Dakar also questioned the decision to engage Mr. Mtonga on economic matters.

“Mark Simuwe can’t be compared to Papa G. Let Mark leave economics to George and let him focus on his law.”

Another Facebook user, Pimpa Mwiinga, suggested that personal rivalry could be behind the disagreement.

“Ba Simuwe is jealous of George N. Mtonga and thinks he is going to get his job. Otherwise George has a point to sell the surplus to others.”»

Derrick Njovu also questioned why Mr. Mtonga should be attacked, pointing to an earlier position that farmers would be free to sell their maize to markets of their choice after FRA purchases.

“UPND media has always been a let down. A statement was issued that after FRA concludes buying, farmers can sell to their market of choice. So why should George be disowned?”

For some Facebook users, Mr. Mtonga’s proposal is not an attack on Government but a suggestion on how Zambia could deal with maize surpluses and create additional markets for farmers.

The controversy also raises questions about whether the UPND Media Team and its members are speaking from an agreed party position or responding individually to opinions coming from within the party.

– Zambian Watch News.