I can never be UPND project, vows Mundubile

By BARNABAS ZULU

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) aspiring presidential candidate Brian Mundubile says he has never met President Hakainde Hichilema in person, declaring that the only day he expects to meet the head of State will be when he will be handing over power after his defeat next year.
Speaking at the PF Secretariat when he addressed his supporters on Thursday, Mr Mundubile said he has never even spoken to President Hichilema on the phone as he did not even have his number.
Mr Mundubile has dismissed the propaganda that he had been compromised by the UPND, stating that he did not even know where President Hichilema’s residence was and that he had never attempted to establish any form of contact with him.
“I have never met President Hichilema, not even a day, and I don’t even know where he stays. Not a phone call, I don’t even have his number. I have never sent anyone to speak to him on my behalf,” Mr Mundubile said.
“The only day I will meet President Hichilema is next year when he will be handing over power to me at Heroes Stadium.”
Mr Mundubile was at the PF secretariat soon after renegade and expelled Mafinga Member of Parliament Robert Chabinga purported to have ordered the closure of the secretariat and holding of the convention after obtaining a defective court injunction halting all activities for the former ruling party.
The Mporokoso lawmaker, who previously served as Northern Province Minister under former President Edgar Lungu, is among several contenders for the PF presidency.
Speaking at the same event, former PF secretary general Davies Mwila endorsed Mr Mundubile, describing him as the most suitable person to lead the party.
Mr Mwila also dismissed assertions that the late Edgar Lungu had endorsed any candidate before his death.
“Before Edgar Lungu died, he was supposed to anoint a candidate but he did not anoint anyone till his death. No one should lie to you that Edgar Lungu endorsed them. Mundubile has the numbers,” Mr Mwila said.