Defiant Longwe scoffs at threats of arrest
By Thandizo Banda
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) factionalism has escalated as member Charles Longwe denies impersonation allegations after being reported to police by some party officials.
Longwe has urged the police to focus on serious national issues like dealing with the challenge of “junkies” rather than getting involved in petty intra-party disputes.
He said in a statement his commitment to holding a general assembly in 2026 remained steadfast.
Longwe alleged that the current UPND leadership was just “masquerading”.
“We wish to comment on the statement attributed to the UPND media director Mark Simuuwe as reported by various media outlets claiming to have filed a complaint against myself and others with the Zambia Police Service Headquarters in Lusaka,” he stated.
Longwe described Simuuwe’s conduct as inappropriate.
He accused him of lacking understanding of his role as media director.
“As a servant he [Simuuwe] should not engage in internal political conflicts in the manner he has chosen. Mark has gone off the hinges, and can someone please tie a leash around his mouth,” Longwe said.
He said there were individuals within the party who should guide the media director towards more appropriate conduct.
“However, they, too, appear to tolerate his questionable actions. Mark has publicly declared his intention to campaign for a position on the national management committee at the upcoming general assembly scheduled for next week.
It may be prudent for him to consider resigning from his role as the party’s media director,” he said.
Longwe accused Simuuwe of advocating the criminalisation of an internal party matter.
“His actions undermine the diplomatic efforts we have engaged in with foreign missions in Zambia, such as the USA Embassy and the British High Commission among others and jeopardise the positive relationships that the government, under His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has worked diligently to foster,” he said.
Longwe said the matter had necessitated damage control for the ruling party.
“Is it appropriate for him to suggest that UPND is intolerant of differing political views within the party,” he said.
In commenting on the report made to police of alleged impersonation Longwe clarified that the call for a General Conference indicates vacancies for all positions at the National Management Committee (NMC) level including that of the President.
“Did Mrs. Getrude Imenda, acting as the Party Secretary General, not issue a notice for the General Assembly scheduled for April 15, 2026?Did Hon. Likando Mufalali, acting as the Party Chairperson for Elections (franked by Mark), not announce that nominations for presidential aspirants are open to all members for a fee of K100,000?,” he asked.
He questioned which term of the party presidency was being referenced to that is meant to run concurrently with the term of the republican president?
“Was the term not effectively terminated with the calling of the General Assembly, and will it not expire when the next individual assumes the office of party president?
Mark’s statements are alarming, and it would be advisable for someone to restrain his commentary.
This “bulldog” is off its leash!,” he said
“To the police command, I would like to emphasize that there are pressing issues
involving “junkies” causing disturbances to innocent civilians in our city. Resources
should not be diverted to trivial intra-party disputes of one individual seeking to
advance his personal ambitions at the expense of the party.
Clearly, he is not of our league,” he said.
