The leader of the opposition MMD in Zambia says he is enjoying very good relationship with former Republican president Rupiah Banda and assured members of the former ruling party that their immediate past leader had not abandoned them as reported in the Patriotic Front aligned Post Newspaper.
The Post, quoting anonymous sources, are alleging that Rupiah had stopped funding the party and that Dr Mumba was now complaining of being left alone to run the affairs of the MMD.
Although a private newspaper, The Post is aligned to the ruling Patriotic Front and parrots President Michael Sata’s policies while aiming at silencing any formidable opposition that emerges and is reporting an imaginary rift between Banda and Dr Mumba.
Addressing members of the MMD at a retreat in Chilanga today, Dr Mumba has said his relationship with Banda is very good and that the two leaders compare notes on a number of things.
Dr Mumba said Banda has continued to sponsor the former ruling party and will always do so whenever he has the capacity like the case is with any MMD member.
The former Zambian vice-president under the Levy Mwanawasa regime said MMD members must fight to remove the corruption tag and improve its perception to the general populace.
Dr Mumba said MMD members must be vigilant in fighting corruption both within their party and in the PF government.
He said corruption has become rampant in the PF government since they took over power 10 months ago.
Dr Mumba is hoping that the party leadership will emerge from the retreat a rebranded force to compete favourably on the political scene in the country.