as the ruling party suspends eight of its officials for endorsing President Hichilema and Gary Nkombo for the 2026 general election
THE UPND in Mazabuka has reportedly violently been divided after factions emerged after some officials in the districts decided to endorse President Hakainde Hichilema and their Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo for the 2026 general election.
The ruling party in the district has been engulfed with in-fighting and that so far, eight of the officials have been suspended for six months in what they have termed a decision made by the kangaroo court.
The suspension of the eight officials follows their participation in a press briefing, where they endorsed President Hichilema and and Nkombo as their preferred candidates for 2026 general election.
The endorsement of Mr Nkombo came soon after the Mazabuka law maker was fired as Local Government and Rural Development Minister.
According to Byta FM Radio, there were attempts by one faction to use maximum force on the District Disciplinary Committee to suspend eight district officials.
This was after the said officials endorsed President Hichilema and Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament, Gary Nkombo for the 2026 general election.
According to UPND Mazabuka district acting secretary, Ronald Mwiinga, some members in the executive committee harassed him at night for refusing to sign suspension letters for the eight officials.
He has named one of the official who stormed his residence with the suspension letters as Mazabuka Central Ward Councilor, who is also district youth vice chairperson for administration, Chrisphine Hamangaba.
Others named in the melee were Kaonga Ward Councilor who is also district youth vice chairperson for politics, Clifford Joleya, as well as district executive committee vice treasurer, Augustine Shabalima.
But UPND Mazabuka district vice chairperson political Clifford Joleya when contacted refuted claims by Mwiinga, describing them as baseless and unfounded.
