There are divisions in the youth leadership of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) over the sentiments made by the party’s NEC Member who is also Director of Youth Bon Kalindo.
Over the past week, Kalindo who is well known by his stage name Winiko was seen in a video mocking the Tonse Alliance led by President Lazarus Chakwera that they have turned away from their promises.
In the video, Kalindo is heard saying politicians disgust him and that he has lost interest.
“Ine Zandale zimandinyasa Kwambiri moti nkazakumanaye Chilima nzamuuza kuti iwe bladifulu zako.
“Mumaziwa kuti andale akuti mudya katatu pasiku chomwe amachita iwo nkukweza mafuta nde mudya bwanji katatu pomwe mafuta akwera,” [Politicians promise to ensure that people have three meals per day but the same politicians later hike prices of cooking oil],” Winiko was quoted in the play while attracting ululations from the audience.
He added: “Moti anthu ayamba kuganiza zoti tingobwelera ku Aiguputo basi (People now feel it’s better to return to Egypt).”
Following the remarks, some of the youth in the party ganged up against Kalindo and called for his resignation if he fails to apologize to the party president who is also the country’s vice president Saulos Chilima.
“We as youth, we respect Hon. Kalindo according to his position in the party but disrespecting our leader for no reason is uncalled for,” read part of the statement.
The statement continued; “Our expectations was that he should be offering solid and wise leadership among the youth and steer the youth directorate for the good of the party. Instead he is the first person to start throwing stones to the leadership of the party.”
In a developing story regarding the matter UTM said they are distancing themselves from the said statement which said it is seeking clarification from Kalindo on the alleged attack on the party’s vice president.
“We would like to distance ourselves from a communique circulating in social media platforms seeking clarification from Hon. Bon Kalindo on recent sentiments purportedly attacking the party president and state vice president,” read the statement seen by this publication.
According to the statement, Kalindo did not satirically attack Chilima.
The statement further reminded the general public that Kalindo is a NEC Member of UTM and he is the one manning the youth directorate and that he has remained royal to the party ideologies.
“However he is a talented gem parading in the entertainment circles as Winiko and we believe whatever sentiments made at the said venue was nothing but comedy antics which we are so proud of.”
“For records sake, Hon. Kalindo is a member of UTM, but Winiko is not a member of UTM,” added the statement.
The statement further stressed that whatever is done under Winiko is not in any way connected to Kalindo for a fact that Winiko is an independent character.
Kalindo is yet to comment on the matter.
