200805081219 | Zambia's Official sacked over 'nepotism'

Zambia's Official sacked over 'nepotism'

Lusaka - Zambia's ruling party has sacked a top official who publicly accused President Levy Mwanawasa of nepotism in the appointment of his cabinet, a party spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Christine Moonga, a member of the national executive committee, was purged from the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) late on Tuesday after a meeting of senior party members found her guilty of "gross indiscipline". "The committee has decided to expel her from the party with immediate effect," said party spokesperson Benny Tentamashimba.

He said the National Executive Committee (NEC), the party's supreme body headed by Mwanawasa, found Moonga's remarks a serious violation of the party constitution.

Moonga, in a letter leaked to the press last month, accused Mwanawasa of nepotism in the appointment of his ministers and top government officials.

"The President should be the last person to comment on tribalism because he has managed to practice it well and openly," she stated.

Mwanawasa has constantly come under attack mainly by the opposition who accuse him of appointing close relatives to top government positions on the expense of qualified people.

He has consistently denied the accusations.