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| National |
| Bowler sues UDF secretary general |
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by
Denis Mzembe, 12 December 2003
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14:47:04
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Prominent businessman and former UDF director for Youth Brian Bowler is suing United Democratic Front secretary General Kennedy Makwangwala for K10 million ($92,593) for defamation.
Bowler said he is suing Makwangwala for alleging two weeks ago in the Daily Times newspaper that he (Bowler) resigned from his position as director for youth because he thought there was money in holding a position in the National Executive Committee.
The paper quoted Makwangwala as saying Bowler did not get what he wanted as director of youth.
Bowlers said on Friday that as one of the founding members of UDF and having assisted the party in various ways, he finds Makwangwala’s statement “disturbing, unwarranted and untrue”.
“I have consulted my lawyers and I am suing him [Makwangwala] in his personal capacity because he is not the party spokesman,” said Bowler.
Bowler was replaced by Henry Moyo, an old guard and contender he defeated at the party’s national convention in August this year with 1,012 votes against Moyo’s 184 votes.
He said prior to his resignation he wrote the UDF SG raising pertinent issues regarding the party’s young democrats.
“He [Makwangwala] was aware of the serious issues taking place and he never even bothered to respond. So for him to say I left because of money, I not only find the statement disturbing but also as damaging to my reputation. Why should I be insulted because of my zero tolerance to violence,” he said.
Bowler has various business interests including the upcoming third cellular network and Bowler Beverages.
He has also expressed his intention to stand as a member of Parliament in the Capital City.
Commenting on the development in an another interview UDF publicity secretary Ken Lipenga said on Friday what Makwangwala said about Bowler was unfortunate.
“What he said was unwarranted, untrue, uncalled for and insulting to Mr. Bowler. I don’t know where the SG got the idea that this gentleman, who by all accounts including his own is very well to do, came to look for money in the party,” Lipenga said.
He said the party could not play any role in Bowler’s decision to sue Makwangwala.
“It is an individual decision. But clearly, we would have wanted the matter to be resolved amicably,” he said.
Makwangwala himself speaking on a fading line which later died off said: “Someone may have misquoted me. He is not a poor man and I know he was too busy for the position.”
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