Zambia to deal with ‘interference’ in Malawi

Zambia is set to take action against its main opposition leader for allegedly causing political instability in neighbouring Malawi ahead of that country’s general elections, state radio said Friday.
Defence Minister George Mpombo assured the Malawian government that Lusaka would deal with opposition leader Michael Sata, who was recently deported from Malawi for allegedly trying to help organise opposition in that country.
“The Zambian government will ensure that political bandits are not allowed to transfer their mischief into Malawi,” Mpombo was quoted as having said by the state-run Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.
The Malawian government is believed to have formally complained to Zambia about Sata during the joint permanent commission on defence and security meeting in Lusaka this week.
“We will not allow Malawi’s sovereignty to be undermined. We will deal with such characters firmly and in clear terms,” Mpombo was quoted as saying.
Sata denied the accusations and has since sued the Malawian government over his deportation. –Sapa-AFP