New party’s challenge delayed

Controversial politician Ben Mwila is challenging the Zambian authorities to allow him to register his new party.
The former environment minister and ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) political heavyweight told IRIN that he would try and meet with Home Affairs Minister Peter Machungwa next week “to see if we can reach a compromise” over the issue of his party’s symbol and colours which is stalling registration.

MMD national secretary Michael Sata told the ‘Times of Zambia’ this week that Mwila was attempting to ride on the coat-tails of the MMD’s identity. “When you start using other people’s symbol and style that is not compliance. He should go with his own style, his own identity, nothing related to the MMD because he is already divorced from MMD.”
Mwila’s proposed party colours are purple as opposed to the MMD’s blue, with a three finger symbol compared to the MMD’s thumb and index finger.

Mwila, who was expelled from the ruling party last month for breaking a directive by President Frederick Chiluba against campaigning for the party presidency ahead of general elections in 2001, said “the authorities seem to be frightened” by his challenge. “They are trying to find all sorts of excuses” to prevent his party’s registration.
At the weekend, the police raided his home in an apparent search for weapons, but none were found.

Mwila acknowledged that he had announced his intention to stand for the post of MMD party president in the upcoming national elections, as under the current constitution, Chiluba is unable to contest for a third term. But he claimed that “all the signs are there” that Chiluba may have second thoughts about quitting. With MMD’s overwhelming parliamentary majority, Mwila claimed that Chiluba “will definitely amend the constitution” to allow himself a further term.

The former environment minister, who is also Chiluba’s uncle, is from the country’s northern province political power base. Mwila also boasts of being among the richest men in Zambia. He told IRIN that his political programme would be to “eradicate poverty”, using his experience as a businessman.