ThePatriotic Front (PF) in Lusaka will today make a decision on whether to expel its members Kelvin Fube and Julius Komaki for not appearing before a disciplinary subcommittee as asked. Lusaka Province chairman Paul Moonga said in an interview yesterday that the party will make a decision because Mr Fube and Mr Komaki were given ample time to appear before the disciplinary sub-committee but they did not show up.

“According to rules of natural justice, we asked the two members to appear before a sub-committee to exculpate themselves,” Mr Moonga said. When asked if the party is not ill-treating the two members, Mr Moonga said the PF leadership in the province is merely responding to concerns by ordinary members of the party.

“The two members have been accused by their fellow junior members that they have been undermining the head of State. But as a party, we decided to give them a chance to be heard,” Mr Moonga said. He said members in the seven districts of Lusaka Province recommended the expulsion of Mr Fube and Mr Komaki from the party.

Mr Moonga said the party has established a prima facie case against the two members. “We are wondering why these two members have been answering through the press. As a party, we gave them an opportunity to explain themselves but they did not,” he said. Mr Moonga said the party has a responsibility to respond to calls by its members demanding the expulsion of Mr Fube and Mr Komaki from the party. He said the PF is united and urged members not to abuse democracy. Mr Fube and Mr Komaki were this week asked to appear before the disciplinary committee to explain why action should not be taken against them.

Mr Moonga said Mr Fube has never been in any party structure and therefore should stop daydreaming about challenging President Edgar Lungu. But Mr Fube, who is attending the International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network annual conference in Livingstone, refused to comment on the matter. “I am here in my capacity as board chairperson of Competition and Consumer Protection Commission,” he said. Recently, Mr Fube said he would challenge President Lungu at the party convention next year. Mr Komaki has demanded that PF secretary general Davies Mwila steps down because he has allegedly failed to run the party