Power struggle rocks UPND, Simuuwe warns cartels
By Thandizo Banda
SERIOUS cracks have emerged in the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) as some senior officials are positioning themselves to take over the party ahead of the 2031 general elections.
But the party’s media director Mark Simuuwe has warned the UPND will not tolerate cartels positioning themselves for the 2031 general elections.
In a statement seen by The Mast, Simuuwe said the party had noted with concern individuals creating 2031 cartels and issuing statements on social media that undermined the party and government.
“Take notice that 2031 cartels will not be tolerated in the party. If you have ambitions, wait for your time and if you are UPND, let the party’s highest governing organ, the National Management Committee (NMC), decide for you and guide,” he said.
Simuuwe said every organised party had rules, regulations, procedures and systems.
“…and members who cannot agree with the UPND way of doing well-coordinated programmes do not belong in the party,” he said.
Simuuwe said some people resigned from UPND in 2025 citing shrinking democracy after President Hakainde Hichilema endorsed the repeal of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crime Act, and never publicly rejoined the party.
Such people were now mobilising and undermining government policies and insulting UPND officials.
He said the party needed loyal members, not those who resigned and returned at will.
“We admit even those who left and have come back, but they should not undermine the party’s official positions,” Simuuwe said.
He said the UPND had survived for over 25 years because it was organised and did things in a structured and methodical manner, unlike other political parties.
“Other parties have died because everyone wants to be a leader. You had PF in which over nine people wanted to be presidents in the same party,” Simuuwe said.
He said there could only be one president and a vice president in the party at a time.
Simuuwe warned that his office would not allow unofficial statements meant to undermine the party rank and file and government efforts.
“Without order, the party cannot stand,” he said.
A well-known vocal UPND supporter has been extensively using social media to propagate what he believes Hichilema and the ruling party should do, who he should appoint and how government should manage the agriculture sector.
But his latest publicity stunts have provoked harsh rebuke from the UPND’s information community.
