Suspended members will not attend General Conference – Guy Scott

Interim Republic and Patriotic Front President Guy Scott now says only members in good standing with the party will be allowed to attend the General Conference this Saturday that has been called to elect party president.

This now means that the pro-Edgar Lungu 16 members of the Central Committee suspended will not be part of the extra-ordinary General Conference.

Dr. Scott said the PF is bound by its own constitution and will not do anything to the contrary, which risks splitting the party. He said those serving suspensions will not be allowed to attend the General Conference until their suspensions are lifted.

He said those suspended will have to answer charges before the disciplinary committee before they are cleared.

Dr. Scott announced this to the press at Government House after Sunday’s Central Committee meeting that set the date for the General Conference. He said that the committee went ahead with the meeting as a quorum was formed despite some members boycotting the meeting.

“We held our second Central Committee meeting at State House today. Article 58(k) of the PF constitution states that an extra-ordinary conference be held to elect a party candidate. In that central committee meeting, we resolved that we hold a general conference this coming Saturday. We are going there on Friday and voting will take place on Saturday,” said Dr Scott.

He said contrary to lies being peddled that he is not holding Central Committee meetings, the Sunday meeting was the second one within a week. 

Newly Party Deputy Secretary-General Anthony Kasolo explained that a quorum had been reached for Sunday’s meeting because 16 members who attended constituted the 50 percent constitutional requirement.

He said this number constituted 50 percent of the total number of Members of Central Committee, less the 16 that are suspended, leaving a total of 32.

Chishimba Kambwili, Geoffrey Mwamba, Miles Sampa, Wylbur Simuusa and Mulenga Sata were the presidential aspirants that attended the meeting.

Kambwili later said Dr. Scott just like late President Sata has powers to suspend or expel members from the PF.