Zambian ruling party split deepens

Many ordinary Zambians oppose a third Chiluba term

Zambia's ruling party says it has expelled the country's Vice-President Christon Tembo and eight other cabinet ministers from the party.

The Movement for Multiparty Democracy has been split in two over President Frederick Chiluba attempts to secure a third term in office, which is barred under the present constitution.

Mr Chiluba's opponents were granted a temporary court injunction on Tuesday preventing their expulsion from the party, and they say they will fight the expulsions through the courts.

However, an MMD spokesman told the party's congress that they had brought the party's name into disrepute ahead of elections, which are due by the end of the year.

We... will employ every legal means to stop the President from going for another term

Labour minister Edith Nawakwi

Spokesman Vernon Mwaanga said: "It is the resolution of this convention to expel them."

No-confidence

President Chiluba's opponents say they want to recall parliament to seek a "no-confidence" vote.

President Frederick Chiluba: Wants his supporters elected in by-elections

And they boycotted the special party convention that on Monday cleared the way for Mr Chiluba to try to stand for a third term.

Meanwhile, students in the capital, Lusaka, opposed to Chiluba's plans set up barricades on the highway outside their campus, chanting slogans .

They said they wanted to send a message of support to MPs opposing moves by the president to hold on to power by amending Zambia's constitution.

By-elections

In order for the president to change Zambia's constitution he needs to have the support of two-thirds of the MPs - beyond his reach at the moment.

However, if Mr Chiluba succeeds in expelling his dissident MPs from the MMD, their parliamentary seats will automatically be vacated and there will have to be by-elections.

Analysts say Mr Chiluba will then hope to get his supporters elected.

"We, the leaders who oppose the amendment of the constitution, will employ every legal means to stop the president from going for another term of office," Labour Minister Edith Nawakwi told a news conference.

More than 80 of Zambia's 158 parliamentarians have signed a petition vowing to oppose Mr Chiluba's constitutional amendment.