UPND decline to name donors

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has declined to reveal its source of political funding.

 

UPND Deputy Secretary General Kachunga Simusamba said there is no law that compels the opposition political party to name its political funders.

 

Mr Simusamba charged that revealing the names of individuals and organizations assisting the UPND will be naïve due to the nature of Zambian politics.  

 

In a statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today, the deputy Secretary General thanked the organizations and individuals that have continued to support the opposition party as it shows confidence in the party’s ability to deliver.

 

Recently, Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya Tayali challenged political parties contesting the January 20, 2015 Presidential by-election to disclose the source of financing for their campaigns.

 

Mr Tayali, however is alleged to have charged that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was courting South African businesses to finance his political campaigns.

 

Mr Simusamba said UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema is a free citizen accorded rights by the Zambian constitution and is at liberty to interact with any one in his business and political undertakings.

 

He however challenged Mr Tayali to report Mr Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND to Law enforcement agencies if he is convinced that a crime has been committed.

 

Mr Simusamba urged the Zambian Voice leader to stop fishing in the dark and linking the UPND leader to plundering public resources during the privatization programme.

 

He said four regimes have come and gone without finding any wrong doing on the part of Mr Hichilema during the privatization process.

 

Mr Simusamba urged the political analyst to exercise patience and wait for the filing in of presidential nominations to know the worth and assets of Mr Hichilema.