PF suspends Mumbi Phiri for 30 days

Mumbi Phiri

The Patriotic Front PF Central Committee has suspended party Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri for 30 days for gross misconduct and bad behaviour.

Speaking during a media briefing on Sunday Party Secretary General Davies Mwila said the decision follows allegations of Phiri’s behaviour that embarrassed President Edgar Lungu and the party while attending a fundraising event in Chilanga recently.

Phiri, a nominated MP, reportedly got inebriated during the function and treated the President and the guests to a series of head-scratching moments.

“Following allegations of gross misconduct and impropriety levelled against Hon Mumbi Phiri arising from her conduct at a Party fundraising event in Chilanga District, which event was graced by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia and Party President for the Patriotic Front Mr Edgar Edgar Chagwa Lungu, a report was tabled before Central Committee to effect the necessary sanction. On 5th March 2018, Honourable Mumbi Phiri was requested to exculpate herself of the alleged bad behaviour reported to have caused embarrassment to the Party President and the Party membership at large and she was further asked to show cause within seven (7) days why disciplinary action should not be taken against her following the allegations,” Mwila stated.

He explained that Phiri had admitted having been wrong and pleaded for forgiveness, but in accordance with article 74, regulation 36 (a) and Article 19 of the party constitution and disciplinary handbook on page 13, the central committee resolved to suspend her.

He said said Phiri has been suspended both from the party and position as Deputy Secretary General for 30 days effective March 24, 2018.

“In her response, Honourable Mumbi Phiri asked for forgiveness as she admitted her wrongs. She maintained the same position during her appearance before the Disciplinary Committee. She was remorseful throughout the disciplinary process and while she deserved stiffer sanctions, Central Committee took into consideration that she was a first time offender and a committed and loyal member of the Party. Honourable Mumbi Phiri has been suspended from Central Committee and from her position as Deputy Secretary General for 30 days effective 24th March 2018.”

He said the party remains hopeful that Phiri will use her 30 days suspension to reflect lessons, but warned that the PF has no sacred cows and will therefore, not tolerate indiscipline from anyone.

And Mwila has described the impeachment motion against republican President as waste of time and money as it will not succeed.

He said the UPND did not have the numbers for the motion to succeed hence the PF were not bothered by the move from the UPND.

On dialogue Mwila said PF is ready to dialogue as long as the process was spareheaded by ZCID and local institutions.

He said international organisations can take part but that ZCID should lead the process adding that the process is not about to two parties, the PF and the UPND but that it should involve all stakeholders.

Meanwhile, announced that Information Minister Dora Siliya had been appointed chairperson of the sub-committee on information.