UPND President, Hakainde Hichilema, has suspended party Vice President for Politics Dr. Canisius Banda for gross misconduct.
In a letter dated September 22nd, Mr Hichilema explains that in addition to other negative activities, Dr. Banda has issued several inflammatory, derogatory and defamatory statements against other senior members of the Party.
He said news articles in the Daily Nation edition of the 17th and 19th attributed to him had brought the name of the Party into ridicule and public odium in the minds of right thinking Zambians.
Mr. Hichilema reminded Dr. Banda that he has made several attempts to talk to him over the matter but to no avail.
He explained that, by virtue of the powers vested in him, under Article 74(d) of the UPND party Constitution, he has charged Dr. Banda with gross misconduct.
The letter says Dr. Banda has seven days in which to exculpate himself pertaining to the charge levelled against him.
Dr. Banda has been a subject of impending defection to the PF among Party members, an issue he has categorically denied.