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The National Revolution Party (NRP) has called on President Rupiah Banda to set up a tribunal to investigate the death of late President Levy Mwanawasa.
Party Secretary General Kelly Walubita Jr told Q fm that Zambians would be interested in knowing the circumstances that led to the death of the late President.
Mr. Walubita was backing former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa that there is need to investigate the death of her husband. He said there are a lot of speculations concerning the death of Dr. Mwanawasa, adding it is incumbent upon the government to help respond to these speculations.
Mr. Walubita said there have been a lot of suspicious deaths of prominent politicians in the history of the country. He named some politicians whom he says died suspiciously as late Paul Tembo, Ronald Penza, Peter Lishika, Major Wezi Kaunda, among others who died during the Chiluba regime.
He said the death of the late President also might have been a planned one, urging the government to take seriously, the former first lady’s concerns.
[Q fm]
President Rupiah Banda cuts the African Freedom Day cake
THE Government has criticised some opposition political parties who have continued to stay away from national celebrations even after being invited to the events.
Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha said it was sad that some opposition leaders had continued to stay away and called on them to separate their differences from national activities.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha, who is Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, was speaking in an interview during the Africa Freedom Day celebrations held at the showgrounds in Lusaka yesterday.
Gen Shikapwasha wondered why some opposition leaders who were so vocal had failed to differentiate between political functions and national events.
“We are not bothered by the opposition staying away from national events but if they claim to be popular why have they continued to ignore such important gatherings and what assurance is there that they are not capable of cancelling such important events given a chance to govern the affairs of the nation,” he asked?
[pullquote]
Gen Shikapwasha wondered why some opposition leaders who were so vocal had failed to differentiate between political functions and national events.[/pullquote]
He said it was clear that some opposition leaders were ignorant and did not understand events such as the Africa Freedom Day, which had brought about freedom not only in Zambia but Africa as a whole.
The minister urged the opposition leaders to reflect on their action and that the MMD Government remained committed to dialogue with every person despite their status or political affiliation.
The Government would continue to embrace the peace and unity which the country had enjoyed over the years.
Tribute was also paid to political parties in the country which had showed leadership and continued to attend such events each time they were invited.
Among some notable people who attended the celebrations were former secretary-general of UNIP Grey Zulu, freedom fighter Sikota Wina and his wife Princess Nakatindi.
The Citizen’s Forum has challenged the ruling Movement for Multi party Democracy (MMD) it would be democratically incorrect to force president Rupiah Banda on the MMD members as their representative for the next tripartite election set for 2011.
Forum executive director, Simon Kabanda said that the MMD has a responsibility to ensure that democratic values are advocated for at every level of governance.
He urged MMD to take the leading role in upholding democracy and tolerance in Zambian politics.
Mr. Kabanda noted that ruling MMD currently has no choice but to enhance democracy in the country in oto create sanity in national politics.
He has challenged the MMD national executive committee NEC to give Zambians a chance to elect a person of their own liking rather than to impose President Banda as the party’s sole candidature for the 2011 elections.
Mr Kabanda has also noted that there is need to ensure that the ruling party takes on board observations of those holding divergent views by giving them the space to express themselves.
He has therefore called on the MMD leadership to ensure that the national convention goes on as requested by the party members and that people chose a party representative of their own.
Former Republican president Frederick Chiluba has said the increased level of investment in the country is a result of the international community’s confidence in Zambia’s economic management and political leadership.
And veteran politician and freedom fighter Sikota Wina says Ghana’s founding president Kwame Nkrumah has been vindicated that Africans can manage and govern themselves given the development on the continent.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, during the commemoration of the Africa Freedom Day, Dr Chiluba said Zambia’s economy had continued to grow.
“The economy has continued to grow. I took a casual walk this morning at Manda Hill and I was impressed with what is happening there because that will change the face of Lusaka.
“What it means is that the economic policies that were launched in 1991 are very good and now the investors and the international community are expressing their confidence in our economy by coming to invest more and more,” he said.
[pullquote]“They are enjoying the freedoms we introduced in our new Constitution, the freedom of conscience and association. When they like to celebrate they do, when they don’t want they stay away,” he said.[/pullquote]
Dr Chiluba commended President Rupiah Banda for uniting Zambians.
He said the construction works and new shops being built were a sign of progress in the economy.
Asked to comment on the political parties that boycotted the celebrations, Dr Chiluba jokingly said the opposition leaders were enjoying the fruits of democracy.
“They are enjoying the freedoms we introduced in our new Constitution, the freedom of conscience and association. When they like to celebrate they do, when they don’t want they stay away,” he said.
Mr Wina said the achievements in the country and on the continent were testimony to the fact that Africans could govern themselves.
“The white man said Africans couldn’t govern themselves. The achievements in this country and all over the continent despite the few mishaps proved that Nkrumah (Kwame) was right when he said Africans could govern themselves,” he said.
He said the struggle for independence was worthwhile.
Mr Wina commended President Banda for undertaking various initiatives to grow the economy.
LOSING MMD candidate in the Mufumbwe Constituency by-election Mulondwe Muzungu has petitioned the election result of United Party for National Development (UPND)’s Eliot Kamondo, arguing that the polls were marred by violence.
According to the petition lodged in the Lusaka High Court on Monday, Mr Muzungu stated that it was his prayer that it should be determined that Mr Kamondo was not duly elected and that the election was null and void.
In the affidavit verifying the election petition obtained by the Times of Zambia, Mr Muzungu said the elections were characterised by undue influence that resulted from violence and threats to life and property.
He further stated that there were rampant physical attacks on the members of the MMD and members of the general public, resulting in severe injuries to people and damage to property.
“I verily believe that as a result of the acts of violence that characterised the parliamentary by-election, members of the MMD and the general public feared for their safety while others chose to leave their residences and fled the area without participating in the said elections,” he said.
He said at a rally held on April 30, 2010, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema offered and promised to deliver 20 head of cattle to the voters in Mufumbwe as an earlier promise made to them that he would deliver the said animals if they voted for Mr Kamondo.
He said the said promise was designed to unlawfully induce the members of the public to vote for Mr Kamondo and alter their independent and voluntary decision at the polls.
Mr Muzungu in his petition also stated that on April 14, this year, Vice-President George Kunda was addressing a rally at Matushi area when a riot broke out in the area and that a 10km stretch of the Mutanda-Chavuma Road was blocked with stones and logs by UPND cadres.
Mr Muzungu said UPND cadres who were throwing stones at motor vehicles surrounded several MMD members and threatened people who were to attend the vice-president’s rally.
During the polls, Mr Kamondo polled 5,313 votes; Mr Muzungu got 5,009 votes while Steven Kamwendo of UNIP got 180 votes.
President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced more individuals to key administration posts including ambassadorial assignments to Zambia and Azerbaijan.
Obama also announced his intent to appoint Melissa Savage and C. Kenneth Smith to serve as members on the Board of Directors of the Valles Caldera Trust.
Obama nominated Mark C. Storella for Ambassador to the Republic of Zambia, Department of State and Matthew J. Bryza, for Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Department of State.
President Obama said, “These talented and dedicated individuals will be valued additions to my Administration. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”
Mark C. Storella a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently serves as the Senior Coordinator for Iraqi Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad while Matthew J. Bryza another career member of the Senior Foreign Service is serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of European and Eurasian Affairs.
Melissa Savage, Appointee for Member, Board of Directors of the Valles Caldera Trust, is currently the director of the Four Corners Institute, a nonprofit organization that provides scientific advice to communities restoring their natural environments. She is also a forest geographer with a specialty in fire ecology and the southwestern conifer ecosystems.
C. Kenneth Smith, Appointee for Member, Board of Directors of the Valles Caldera Trust is an associate professor of Forestry and Geology at the University of the South in Tennessee
First Quantum MineralsInvestors fled copper miner First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (FM-T55.36-7.43-11.83%) Tuesday amid worries it could lose control over more of its operations in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The 12-per-cent drop in First Quantum’s shares was compounded by another drop in base metal prices, including a 3-per-cent drop in copper, as investors continue to seek out safe investments such as gold.
While First Quantum expected its share price to fall on news that a Congo court annulled mining rights for its Frontier and Lonshi mines, company president Clive Newall said the drop was deeper than expected because of the volatile markets.
“There was already clearly a flight today from the perceived high-risk companies,” Mr. Newall said in an interview.
First Quantum said this week the ruling was an “obvious retaliation” for its decision to go to international arbitration over Congo’s decision to stop construction of its Kolwezi copper-and-cobalt project last fall.
Chairman Philip Pascall called the move an “orchestrated attack” for the company’s “refusal to resolve this dispute by agreeing to submit to arrangements with unspecified third parties.”
“The legal challenges facing First Quantum in the DRC appear to be moving from bad to worse,” TD Newcrest analyst Greg Barnes said in a research note. “This latest news with respect to Frontier and Lonshi only seems to reflect a further escalation of (First Quantum’s) challenges in the DRC.”
About 25 per cent of Vancouver-based First Quantum’s operations are in Congo, and Mr. Newall said it plans to stay there despite the political and legal issues in recent months.
”We still have faith in the future of the DRC,” Mr. Newall said. “We are very reluctant to be driven out of this environment that we put a lot into.”
The company has been in Congo since 1997, and operating mines there since 2000. It also has operations in Zambia, Mauritania, Australia and Finland.
The latest news out of Congo caused BMO Nesbitt Burns to cut First Quantum’s stock rating to “market perform” from “outperform” and its share price target to $65 from $110. “It introduces uncertainty into the company,” BMO analyst David Radclyffe said in an interview.
The worst-case scenario for First Quantum is that Frontier production could be cut. However, he noted that hasn’t happened and about 75 per cent of the company’s cash flow comes from outside Congo.
The company’s largest operation is the Kansanshi mine in Zambia. It also runs the Guelb Moghrein mine in Mauritania and the Bwana Mkubwa processing plant in Zambia, which processes stockpiled ore from the Lonshi mine.
He said the Frontier mine was still operating as of late Tuesday, but the threat of closing is there. The Lonshi mine is not currently in production, but the company is doing exploration work at the site.
The Congolese court ruled the Lonshi and Frontier copper mines were awarded illegally and should revert to state-owned Sodimico.
A diplomat says Africa is still far from attaining the idea of forming a single African government.
Discussing about African Freedom Day on Muvi TV’s Matter at Hand programme, Ambassador Love Mutesa saidAfrica is not yet stable to form a United States of Africa government.
He said the continent is not ready for a single government because its economies are at different levels of development.
Mr Mutesa pointed out that the political systems also cannot guarantee a single government as some countries on the continent is being run by dictatorships, others have joint governments while others fail to observe human rights.
He said there is need to harmonize the problems that the continent is facing before anybody could think of proposing for a United States of Africa.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mutesa said the continent faces a problem of selfishness which could not pave way for a United States of Africa.
He noted that selfishness would make it hard for majority African leaders to accept only one person to lead a continental government.
Dr Mutesa, however, said if a single government could be achieved, it would be cheaper for Africa when it comes to sending delegations to represent the government at world conferences.
He cited an example of the New York General Assembly where the continent would send only one leader to represent Africa than sending over 50 delegates.
[ QFM ]
FLASHBACK: President Banda talks to Matero Member of Parliament Faustina Sinyangwe after a church service at BIGOCA in Matero
The Patriotic Front says it has information that president Rupiah Banda plans to appoint its Rebel Members of Parliament to Ministerial positions.
PF spokesperson Given Lubinda disclosed to QFM that president Banda also plans to appoint someone who has derailed the constitution making process as Deputy Chairman of Committee of the whole House, taking over from Mr Mkondo Lungu who has been appointed Home Affairs Minister.
Mr Lubinda says the Patriotic Front does not support what he terms as dubious appointment of opposition Members to cabinet by president Rupiah Banda.
He however states that the PF is not moved by the information that the President is planning to appoint PF rebel Members of Parliament to Ministerial positions.
And Mr Lubinda says President Rupiah Banda should desist from claiming that he has appointed a Minister from the opposition because UNIP ceased to be a party standing on its own when he was appointed republican Vice President by late president Levy Mwanawasa.
He says the PF-UPND pact is aware that the MMD and UNIP have formed an undeclared Pact.
Meanwhile Mr Lubinda says the PF-UPND pact will be officially launched after the forthcoming Luena parliamentary by-elections.
[pullquote]Meanwhile Mr Lubinda says the PF-UPND pact will be officially launched after the forthcoming Luena parliamentary by-elections.[/pullquote]
The Luena seat fell vacant following the resignation of Former Independent Member of Parliament Member Charles Milupi who has taken over the leadership of the Alliance for Democracy and Development.
Mr Lubinda says both party leaders of the pact understand that members are anxious for the official Launch of the Pact stressing that even the Leaders themselves are also concerned about the amount of time it is taking to launch the pact.
Mr Lubinda explains that the delay in launching the Pact has been caused by the unprecedented by-elections that have come along the way.
He says each time the parties are about to Launch the pact they are faced with the challenge of preparing for a by-election.
There have been calls from both pact members to hasten its Launch so that the Members can speak with one Voice.
KABWATA MP Given Lubinda and his counpertpart from Munali
Patriotic Front (PF) says that Zambians will not allow Former President Dr Fredrick Chiluba, government, and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to rig the 2011 elections in favour of MMD.
PF Spokesperson Given Lubinda who has repeatedly accused Dr Chiluba of being at the centre of rigging some of the past elections said that Zambians would ensure that the MMD government through ECZ fails to not manipulate their votes.
Mr. Lubinda said the PF supporters have since advised their Leader Mr. Sata to go on a self imposed exile so that his supporters are left to directly deal with the ECZ if they attempt to attempt to engineer the 2011 elections.
He said the people have told the party leadership that their votes will no longer be secret because the secrecy element would be manipulated ECZ.
He added that the people would ensure that they vote transparently so that they could estimate the number of votes that the party President has in particular areas before the official counting is done by ECZ.
He has since warned government not to allow Dr Chiluba to rig the elections as it had done in the past to avoid anarchy in the country after the 2011 elections
Chimwemwe Member of Parliament Willie Nsanda arrives at the Lusaka local court where he was divorced by Phebby Mwamba
A LUSAKA Boma Local Court yesterday dismissed a case in which Patriotic Front (PF) Chimwemwe member of Parliament Willie Nsanda sued another man for committing adultery with his former wife, Phebby Mumba.
Mr. Nsanda sued Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) director of programmes Ernest Mwuamba for allegedly committing adultery with Mumba at a guest house in Lusaka.
The ruling was delivered yesterday by presiding magistrate Henry Mwananshiku.
Mr. Mwananshiku in dismissing the case said Mr. Nsanda never found the two sleeping together and there was no exhibit to prove the allegation.
He said though Nsanda tried very hard to convince the court that there was adultery committed, there was no proof.
“This case is dismissed in the sense that Mr Nsanda never found the two sleeping together and he did not get any exhibit to prove his allegation.
“Although he tried by all means to prove it, he never found them committing adultery and according to all witnesses from both parties, there was nothing like that. This case is over,” he said.
Mr Mwananshiku said such suspicions are always there due to human nature.
He advised Nsanda to read the Bible, where he will find the painful reality that human beings are like lost sheep.
Making submissions before the ruling, Nsanda insisted that Mwuamba and Mumba knew each other.
He said if Mumba did not know Mwuamba, she could not have answered his phone-call the way she did when she was phoned using the latter’s mobile phone.
“In these cases people die with a ‘no’ (answer). Even I can’t admit,” Nsanda said.
And Mwuamba maintained that he never had an adulterous affair with Mumba.
“I want my name to be cleared so that I can move on because I was wrongly accused,” he said.
After the verdict Nsanda indicated that he wants to appeal against the ruling.
But outside court he told journalists that he will appeal against the earlier ruling in which the court granted Mumba divorce from him, and ordered that they share property they acquired together equally.
Nsanda said in the case where Mumba sued him for divorce, the court allegedly forced the MP to admit that Mumba was his wife. He said this was against his will.
“In this case (the adultery one) the court is saying there is no evidence from witnesses but in that other one there was no witness who said she was my wife. She did not bring any relative to prove that she was my wife,” Nsanda said.
He accused the court of hurrying the divorce case and that judgement was ready within 30 minutes.
Nsanda said since the court forced him to admit that Mumba was his wife, it equally forced him to sue Mwuamba for adultery.
He said there was no way Mumba could sue him for divorce because she allegedly fled the matrimonial home on her own.
Nsanda said this was the reason why he did not take the matter to court before Mumba sued him for divorce.
And Mwuamba said there was nothing he could say because the court had already ruled accordingly.
In his evidence-in-chief, Nsanda told the court that he saw Mwuamba fondling Mumba at Mutende Guesthouse in Ibex Hill area.
He said he did not approach the two because he was very annoyed.
Today the continent of Africa marks its liberation that to many has turned sour. But rather than immerse ourselves in lamentations of what is our present state of affairs, I thought it would serve us better to contemplate on why self-rule has been quite the opposite of the aspirations of our freedom-fighters. I very much doubt that these great sons and daughters of the mother-land, were willing to shed their blood and lose their lives for the stunted freedom witnessed today.
There have been many explanations that have tried to explain why Africa’s progress has been rather like the tortoise in that lovely fable “The Tortoise and the Hare”, whilst the rest of the world has been the hare (I will not ignore the positive fact that the tortoise eventually got there). Some of the explanations have been downright ludicrous- such as the suggestion and asinine belief that Africans are intellectually inferior, and others have been quite extreme- such as the conspiracy theories that somehow the fate of Africa lies in the white man, and as Africans we can never completely break free. Out of all these various postulations, I lean towards the moderate theories, being that moderation requires looking at “both sides of the coin” before reaching a conclusion. The theory I wish to promote or highlight is that we as Africans [unfortunately] decided to adopt and nurture a system of rule that had removed any element of “Africanism”. As African countries were gaining independence, we for the most part kept the same old colonial constitutions which were designed to keep power in the hands of a few people. Yes we made some changes, but these changes were simply cosmetic. With my lame attempt at humor, I am saying Sir. Roy Welenksy’s shoes simply had African feet slip into them, but the people the shoes trod on stayed the same! That is why the development of our democracy is so stunted- it is because our current system of power [inherited from colonialists] was stunted from the beginning.
Consider the developed nations, and note how they have amalgamated their traditions and customs with modern systems of rule, resulting in prosperity. The United States goes by the theme of its forefathers- that is human freedom. The British- well we all see how they sing “God Save the Queen” with unmatched enthusiasm. The Japanese maintain traditions dating back thousands of years even into their business practices. My favorite has to be Russia’s come-back as a power contender on the world stage. Vladimir Putin was the architect of Russia’s rise from the collapse of the USSR. Want to find out where Putin based his philosophy on? Emperor Peter “The Great”, an icon in Russian Tsarist history. Why then are we Africans looking to cultures which do not fit our mindsets? We certainly have our own rich history to draw inspiration from before colonialism.
For Africa to move forward we have to make serious consideration of incorporating our African customs and traditions in our system of rule, without compromising the values of democracy, After all, democracy has various versions as “the west” itself has espoused. It is undeniable that our traditional Chiefs practiced a system of rule comparable if not equal to democracy, as Chiefs [up to this day] rarely make arbitrary decisions. But colonialists made a mockery of our Chiefs, and only used them to channel colonial interests if and when it suited them. Today in Zambia, we see our politicians using the exact same formula to advance their political interests.
On this day we have assigned “Africa Freedom Day”, let us question why we are in our present state by relating our history to our freedom. Marcus Garvey said “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”. I will add “and this tree will not stand”. Happy Africa Freedom Day to all my brothers and sister across the globe!
President Rupiah Banda has pardoned 350 prisoners, including Darius Mukuka who was convicted to 18 months imprisonment for defaming him.
President Banda has since ordered the Minister of Home Affairs to remit the sentence slapped on Mukuku by Ndola Magistrate Court on March 18, 2010.
Mr. Mukuka is currently serving 18 month simple imprisonment at Kanseshi State Prison in Ndola.
President Banda in a letter to the Minister of Home Affairs said he has signed the Order of Release for the 350 prisoners.
The 350 prisoners who were serving various sentences have been released as part of the commemoration of Africa Freedom Day which falls on today May 25, 2010.
This is contained in a statement released by the president’s special assistant for press and public relations Dickson Jere.
[ QFM ]
Vice president George Kunda
The United Party for National Development has charged that President Rupiah Banda is contemplating relieving Vice President George Kunda on grounds that he is a danger to the nation.
UPND Spokesperson Charles Kakoma made the revelation that the party has information that President is about to remove the vice president from cabinet in the next few months.
Mr Kakoma said the President has begun questioning the vice president’s ability to lead the nation in his absence.
Mr. Kakoma pointed out that it will be a miracle for Mr. Kunda to survive the President’s contemplation because it is serious.
And Mr. Kakoma said Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) President Charles Milupi was duped by President Rupiah Banda that he would be appointed vice president after the 2008 presidential by-election.
He disclosed that it is for this reason that Mr. Milupi has now decided to form his own political party to challenge President Banda because he was frustrated.
[ QFM ]
