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Michael Sata and PF Cadres
Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) president, Michael Sata, has charged that the ruling Movement for Multi party Democracy (MMD) has over stayed in government and is beginning to run out of ideas.
Mr. Sata has also challenged republican President, Rupiah Banda to upgrade the health institutions in the country and stop trekking out of the country every time he has a small health complication.
Addressing a party rally in Chawama yesterday, Mr. Sata said that the president Banda has failed the nation from the time he was part of the first government to the point where he is heading his own.
He said President Banda has worsened the status of the social sector in the country ranging from the health sector to the education because he is a failed leader.
Mr. Sata also indicated that President Banda’s movements across the world has contributed to Zambia’s failure to record significant development during his tenure.
He said that President Banda has shifted his concentration and attention to unnecessary issues at the expense of Zambians.
The PF leader told the gathering Mr Banda has failed to deliver to because of his inability to set the right priority for national development.
[ QFM ]
The Common for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) says tremendous progress has been made towards the launch of the regional Customs Union.
The committee on Trade and Customs which met in Zimbabwe recently said the regional bloc agreed on the need for member countries to put in place practical and comprehensive programmes that would speed up the implementation process by the set deadline of 2012.
According to the e-COMESA Newsletter made available to ZANIS in Lusaka Sunday, there is progress in key areas and several recommendations have so far been made to ensure that the process is quickened.
The committee has since appealed to member countries that have not joined the Free Trade Area (FTA) to join as soon as possible since COMESA was now a Custom Union.
The meeting also highlighted a few milestones in the area of Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs) further urging focal points in member states to ascertain the report on NTBs and help in eliminating existing NTBs.
With regards to the Customs Union, the committee welcomed the improvement and recommended that member countries needed more time to examine the thresholds for sensitive products.
The meeting also advised the members to quickly submit their list of sensitive products in order for the committee to finalise the study that would be sent to member states before an intergovernmental committee meeting is held in August this year.
On the relationship between the regional integration agenda and multilateral trading system, the committee recommended that there was need to develop analytical work and develop a regional strategy on World Trade Organisation (WTO) issues.
It said this is in order to articulate coherent regional positions therefore reviving the COMESA working group on WTO. The committee further endorsed the initiative of focused training in institutions in member states on regional integration subjects. The meeting was attended by representatives from the 19 COMESA member states and representatives from WTO.
And Malawi offered to host the next meeting of the Committee meeting on Trade and Customs. Zambia is a member of the regional bloc and the country houses its headquarters.
Vice President George Kunda has described the MMD as an honest party that had ensured prudent expenditure of national resources which he said had resulted in donors having confidence in the country.
The Vice President said Zambia’s economy was too small and only managed to raise a national income of about K17 trillion which he said was not enough to execute all the pressing needs of the citizens.
Mr. Kunda however noted that with these limited resources Government was trying to improve the living standards of its citizens.
Mr. Kunda said Government would continue taking development to all parts of the country through projects such as construction of schools, roads, and hospitals.
The Vice President has also assured the people of Mufulira that Government would work on the Sabina-Mufulira road and the Ndola-Mufulira roads which were in a deplorable state.
Mr. Kunda also promised the sitting tenants in the Kankoyo mine houses that they would be given those houses.
He said he would make recommendations to President Rupiah Banda to decide on how sitting tenants could be given ownership of the houses.
Meanwhile the Mr. Kunda has disclosed that the MMD was revising the party’s manifesto and was also strategising on how to approach the 2011 general elections.
The Vice President was speaking when he addressed scores of MMD members at Mufulira Municipal Council Chamber today. And speaking earlier, MMD Copperbelt Provincial Chairman Joseph Chilambwe said the party in the province was steady and intact.
He said party officials in the province have embarked on a strong campaign journey to recruiting new members.
-Kitwe District Registration Officer Ali Simwinga has said the ongoing voter registration exercise was progressing well and about 1, 200 people have registered to date in the district.
Mr Simwinga said in an interview that among the registered people 1,000 were new voter applicants at various registration centres.
Kitwe district was targeting to register about 157,000 people within 90 days of the registration period.
Mr Simwinga who is also Kitwe town clerk said the registration exercise was facing a challenge with people who have lost their voters cards because they were expected to obtain a Police report before they could be registered.
He said affected people had registered a complaint that Police officers at various Police stations were demanding between K30 000 and K50 000 instead of the required K22, 000 for obtaining a report, a situation he noted would impact on the outcome of the exercise if not addressed by relevant authorities.
Mr Simwinga however, appealed to Kitwe residents to turn out enmass to register within the stipulated time of 90 days.
The Voters Registration exercise commenced last week across the country and ends in September this year with ECZ targeting to capture 2.5 million voters in readiness for next year’s general elections.
Former Second Republican president Dr Frederick Chiluba says he fully supports President Rupiah Banda’s statement that cooperating partners should not blackmail government as a way of resolving challenges.
Dr Chiluba said cooperating partners should not take the country for granted because they were providing support to various sectors of the economy.
He said cooperating partners should respect the country’s sovereignty and not hold it to ransom.
The former president said Zambia never applied for support from donors but they have been bringing back what was gotten from the country. Dr Chiluba was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe on Sunday on the sidelines of the 50th birthday celebrations of Dr Bernard Nwaka at Global Living Water Ministeries International Church where he was invited to grace the occasion.
He said even the conditions attached to the aid was not necessary compared to what the colonial regime got from the country which was more than what they are giving back as aid.
He said the opposition leaders who were criticising President Banda on the matter were doing so because they were ignorant of what they were saying and have not been to State House.
He warned people to watch out for such leaders critiquing the President if they got to power because donors did not vote for Government but the people of Zambia did.
[pullquote]He said even the conditions attached to the aid was not necessary compared to what the colonial regime got from the country which was more than what they are giving back as aid.[/pullquote]
Dr Chiluba was commenting on recent criticism by some opposition leaders over President Banda’s reaction to some cooperating partners’ interference into the country’s internal matters.
Last week, upon arrival from Namibia where he had gone on an official State visit, President Banda said cooperating partners should not blackmail government as a way of resolving challenges that the country was facing in various sectors of the economy.
And speaking during celebrations, Dr Nwaka said people especially Christians need to stand with Dr Chiluba because of what he went through when he declared Zambia as a Christian nation.
The clergy said Dr Chiluba should be respected very much and look at him as a father of the nation for the good that he did when he was president.
He cited the home ownership policy that he implemented during his tenure of office saying it was unfortunate that many people have forgotten soon and failed to appreciate Dr Chiluba.
Dr Nwaka said what the former president went through after his presidency was a spiritual battle which God has seen him through.
President Rupiah Banda clears off a fly after receiving credentials from diplomats at State House yesterday.
The Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) has described as unfortunate, republican president Rupiah Banda’s statement that co-operating partners should not blackmail the government by withholding donor support as a way of resolving challenges faced in various sectors of the economy.
And President Banda has been asked to apologize to the donor community for his undiplomatic behavior over their concerns raised on the accountability and usage of the resources they bring into the country.
AVAP executive director, Bonnie Tembo sai that national leaders should realize that Zambia is not an island and is dependant on the aid that comes into the country through donors.
He also indicated that President Banda as a national leader is expected to uphold a high level of diplomacy concerns that the donor community is bringing to the fore over the accountability of resources
Mr. Tembo said that government cannot go on to speak ill of the cooperating partners in national development even when it is clear that over half of the national budget is financed by donors for the implementation of programs every year.
He said it was surprising to note that even the vice president, George Kunda had the audacity of echoing the remarks from the president, when he is aware of the operations of government and how the nation needs to treasure cooperating partners.
Mr Tembo appealed to president Banda to apologize to the donor community and respect the cooperating partners for their contribution to national development.
He reminded him of the fact that the donor community’s aid to Zambia has never left the nation to suffer even when they accumulated serious debt which people could not pay back to the world lending bodies.
However, the Committee of Citizen’s executive director, Gregory Chifire, accused some donors of sponsoring regime change to some extent that they are bankrolling certain institutions.
Among them he cited, non governmental organization NGO, media institutes, religious organizations, political parties and some individuals.
Bank of Zambia of Zambia governor Caleb fundanga (right )
Bank of Zambia governor BOZ, Dr. Caleb Fundanga has assured Zambians that the country is on track in meeting the eight percent inflation target that government has set for end of this year.
Dr. Fundanga revealed that with the maize marketing just commencing, possibilities that Zambia will be able to meet the 8 percent inflation target are much alive.
The Bank governor indicated the bumper maize production that the nation has recorded this year is one of the most effective factors that would contribute to the attainment of the eight percent inflation rate target.
He said attaining low inflation rate should be encourage because it plays a critical role in national development and benefits everyone because of its cross cutting effects.
Dr Fundanga noted that he is hopeful that the rate will remain static at its current 9.1% till to the end of the year and at least drop to the eight percent as the year comes to a close.
He challenged Zambians to remain optimistic for a brighter future and a stronger economic status.
Mines and Mineral Development Deputy Minister, Gabriel Namulambe, has preferred to remain mute on his defense of late Republican President, Levy Mwanawasa’s legacy.
In an interview with QFM, Mr. Namulambe said he would not want to involve himself into politics barely a week after his reappointment as Deputy Minister.
He said being a Local Council man, he is still trying to understand how the Ministry of Mines operates.
He said he wanted to concentrate on business and developmental issues rather than discussing politics which do not yield any results afterwards.
Mr. Namulambe said whatever he had said earlier concerning the legacy of late President Levy Mwanawasa should not be brought back to public discussion because it is over.
He asked the reporter to find out views from Civil Society Organizations and some Non Governmental Organizations so that he hears what they have to say, hoping to make a response afterwards.
He added that politicians like Mr. William Banda and some opposition political parties must make comments on his reappointment, and not himself.
Early this year, President Rupiah Banda had relieved Mr. Namulambe of his duties as Science and Technology Minister for protecting the legacy of late President Levy Mwanawasa, but recently reappointed him as Deputy Minister of Mines.
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…”
(Romans 8:26, NLT)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Do you ever get focused on what you consider to be a disadvantage or weakness in your life? Maybe there’s something about yourself that you don’t like physically. You may have even been through an unfair situation: a divorce, a bad business deal, or a bad break.
We all have things that can feel like disadvantages, things that make it harder on us. But just because you have a “disadvantage,” just because you’ve been through a tough time doesn’t mean you’re supposed to sit back and settle where you are. No, God still has something great for you to do! He wants to show Himself strong in and through you. The Holy Spirit wants to help you during those times when you feel weak. If you will stay in faith and not get negative toward yourself or your future, then God can take what you think is a liability and turn it into an asset. What you think is a disadvantage God will turn around to be an advantage so you can move forward into the abundant life He has for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, today I give You all that I am. I invite You into the weak places in my life so that You can turn them into strengths. Thank You for working in my life and filling me with faith and expectancy. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Chief governmment Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ronnie Shikapwasha
Government has advised the Patriotic Front (PF) leadership to stop issuing derogatory remarks over the released draft constitution because it was not party of the process.
Chief Government Spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha said PF was making unsubstantiated criticisms about the draft constitution because it was ashamed that the process has now gone to the people to make submissions.
Lt. Gen.l Shikapwasha told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka on Thursday that the PF was now trying to cover its shame by issuing negative statements on the National Constitution Conference (NCC) because of the progress that has been made.
He said PF has no rights to comment on the draft constitution because it boycotted the constitution making process when the opposition political party was invited.
Lt. Gen. Shakapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister, said NCC had done a commendable job by giving the draft constitution to people to make their submissions.
He has since advised the people not to be distracted by political parties like the PF but ensure that the country had a good constitution.
The minister said people should be positive of government programmes because this was the only way the country could develop.
[pullquote]“Mr. Sata and the PF remarks should be dispelled with the contempt they deserve. They cannot be fooling Zambians on the NCC. When the late president invited them they agreed then boycotted for whatever reason so why comment on the process now. My advice is for people not to be swayed by such people” Lt. Gen Shakapwasha said.[/pullquote]
Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said people should not forget that the PF was the first group to boycott the constitution making process when the late president Mwanawasa established the NCC and wondered why they were now making comments.
“Mr. Sata and the PF remarks should be dispelled with the contempt they deserve. They cannot be fooling Zambians on the NCC. When the late president invited them they agreed then boycotted for whatever reason so why comment on the process now. My advice is for people not to be swayed by such people” Lt. Gen Shakapwasha said.
The PF have been quoted by one of the radio stations as saying that the NCC has rushed to release the draft document to the public to justify the huge expenditures it has incurred during its deliberations.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha has also advised the UPND not to issue negatives comments on the draft constitutions because they were part of the process.
UPND spokesperson, Charles Kakoma told ZANIS that his party was concerned about the timing of the launch of the draft constitution.
Mr. Kakoma said the NCC was behind schedule because it was expected to release the draft constitution by June 1, this year.
He also expressed concern that the country was unlikely to have a new constitution and one that will stand a test of time because many clauses like like the 50 plus one were rejected.
Mr. Kakoma has meanwhile disclosed that the party has send seculars to its organs on how to make submissions to the draft constitution.
He said among the submissions was that a presidential candidate should have a running mate, coalition government and having an independent elections body composed of all political parties.
The NCC has released the Initial Report of the Draft Constitution to the public and the public are supposed to make contributions for a period of 40 days.
[ ZANIS ]
The Movement for Movement Democracy (MMD) National Chairman, Michael Mabenga, says QFM reporters are becoming indisciplined.
In a telephone interview with QFM’s Alexander Musokotwane and Michael Mazakaza, Mr. Mabenga said the two are becoming indesciplined, adding that he has found them with a problem.
This was when the reporters asked him to give the party’s stance on calls from stake holders that the MMD should control and discipline its Lusaka provincial chairman, William Banda.
Mr Mabenga said he is finding a problem with the duo whom he accused of reading out questions to him instead of explaining what they wanted from him.
He sounded emotional when the reporters told him that they were not reading anything but merely asking for the party’s stance on the matter.
He, however, failed to answer nearly all the questions as he kept on interrupting the reporters in their questioning instead of paying attention.
[ QFM ]
Lucky Msiska says he is pleased with his team’s performance despite drawing with Botswana in a friendly international in Gaborone today.
Zambia and Botswana drew 0-0 in a match that marked former international Lucky Msiska’s debut match in full charge at national level since returning home two months ago.
“I am very happy with what I saw and we dominated the first half before Botswana enjoyed possession in the second half,” Msiska said who took a team comprising of mostly Under-23 players whom he will be working with in the 2011 All Africa Games and 2012 Olympic Games football tournament qualifiers as head coach.
“I now have a good idea what I will be dealing with now.”
Msiska said the team returns home by road tomorrow at 05:00 and will spend a night in Livingstone en route back to Lusaka.
TP Mazembe completed their week-long training camp of Zambia on the Copperbelt to draw 2-2 with Power Dynamos at Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe today.
However, TP were forced to rally after taking a 1-0 lead into halftime before Power returned to enjoy lead 2-1 until late the 83rd minute.
The DR Congo giants took the lead in the 27th minute through their talismanic striker Tresor Mputu.
Felix Nyaende leveled scores in the 70th minute before Simon Bwalya stretched Power’s lead three minutes later.
TP’s Zambian import Given Singuluma restored parity with seven minutes remaining on the clock.
The draw was the two sides second on TP’s tour after a 1-1 draw in the first game last a week ago at the same venue.
In other games played by TP, they drew 1-1 with Zesco United last Tuesday in Ndola before beat Nchanga Rangers 1-0 at Nchanga stadium in Chingola on Thursday.
Zanaco bounced back from their shock 1-0 home defeat against Nchanga Rangers last week to beat bottom placed Forest Rangers at Sunset stadium in Lusaka this afternoon.
The defending Super Division champions beat Forest 3-1 top move within six points of leaders Zesco United in their final of three delayed league fixtures.
Zanaco were 2-1 going into half time thanks to goals from Mathews Macha and Vanecious Mapande in the 17th and 32nd minutes respectively.
Forest got their consolation goal via Kameta Mutambo penalty four minutes after Mapande had scored Zanaco’s second following a handball by host side defender George Chilufya.
Mapande completed his brace when he headed in Zanaco’s third and final goal in the 47th minute.
Zanaco move from 6th to 4th on the table on 21 points to displace Power Dynamos who are now 5th.
Forum for Leadership Search (FLS) Executive Director Edwin Lifwekelo says a hand shake was not obligatory and a must for Chief Justice Ernest Sakala to have shaken hands with PF leader Michael Sata.
Commenting on the alleged refusal by Chief Justice Ernest Sakala to have shaken hands with the PF leader, Mr. Lifwekelo said every person by virtue of being a human had rights and Mr Justice Sakala had personal rights whether to shake hands with people or not because it was not compulsory.
In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Lifwekelo said Mr Sata should know that Mr Justice Sakala was obliged to accept his personal choice and his refusal to shake hands with him was a personal decision that should not be politicised.
In the same vein, Mr Lifwekelo advised LAZ to critically look into the conduct of lawyers before the law fraternity was taken into ridicule from right thinking members of the public.
And Committee of Citizens Executive director Gregory Chifire in a separate interview condemned Judge Kabaso Chanda for remarks he issued against Justice Sakala over his refusal to shake hands with Mr Sata.
Mr Cifire urged Judge Chanda to demonstrate respect on public matters instead of being used by selfish politicians. And Evangelical Youth Alliance President Moses Lungu said Mr Sata should know that Mr Justice Sakala was a respectable person in the country because of his high integrity and he should desist from dragging him into cheap politics.
Reverend Lungu said Mr Justice Sakala refusal to greet Mr. Sata was not an issue and had no direct link with the work and Office of the Chief Justice.
During the church funeral procession of the late retired Judge Peter Chitengi, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala is alleged to have snubbed greeting the opposition leader.
