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Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde stays-Shikapwasha

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Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha

CHIEF Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha says those calling for the resignation or dismissal of Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde are wasting their time.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Kabonde is a professional who has been in the police service for many years and knows what his job entails.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha, who is Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said Mr Kabonde has contributed greatly to the country.

He said the inspector general worked under him when he was Minister of Home Affairs and served the country diligently, just as he is doing now.

UPND women last Friday staged a protest and marched to the Zambia Police Service headquarters where they presented a petition to Mr Kabonde, which was received by police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso.

The women complained, among other things, that Mr Kabonde failed to prevent violence in Mufumbwe during the by-election and that he was biased towards the MMD.

“Mr Kabonde is a seasoned policeman who does not arrest people on political grounds. He arrests anyone who causes trouble regardless of their political affiliation,” Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said.

He said the UPND must not complain about the violence that took place during the by-election but should instead blame its leaders who took the ‘Mapatizya formula’ to Mufumbwe.

[pullquote]“Mr Kabonde is a seasoned policeman who does not arrest people on political grounds. He arrests anyone who causes trouble regardless of their political affiliation,” Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said.[/pullquote]

And Committee of Citizens executive director Gregory Cifire said it is sad that some people want to incite the appointing authority into firing a professional whose contribution to the country cannot be doubted.

Mr Cifire said such calls are misplaced because the inspector general acts independently.

He said the best would be to wait for investigations into the violence instead of blaming Mr Kabonde.

Leadership in Development executive director Moses Kalonde said President Banda should not be moved by calls to fire Mr Kabonde.

Mr Kalonde said in a statement yesterday that calls for Mr Kabonde to resign or be fired by the President are nothing but a calculated move to paralyse the Rupiah Banda-led administration.

He said civil society organisations such as Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes and the opposition UPND are allegedly championing this to make it seem as though Mr Kabonde is incompetent.

“Mr Kabonde must be given a chance, especially that there is a new Minister of Home Affairs, so that he can prove his capabilities,” he said.

He said the President has the prerogative of working with people whom he wishes to.

United Church of Zambia riots over Reverend

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UNITED Church of Zambia (UCZ) Matero congregation members yesterday burnt tyres and fought with police as they protested demanding the removal of presiding Reverend John Mukuka Mwelwa whom they accused of infidelity and abuse of church funds.

The fracas, which disrupted normal Sunday services, erupted when the members, mostly youths, ganged up at the church’s main gate to block Rev Mwelwa from entering the premises.

The protesters, who resolved not to allow Rev Mwelwa to conduct any service, threatened to physically ‘deal with him’ if he entered the premises.

Quick action by police officers from Matero police station prevented the protesters from causing damage.

The rioters accused Rev Mwelwa of infidelity with women seeking marriage counselling from him.

Among the protesters were young women, some of whom claimed to have spurned the reverend’s overtures.

“If you want to get married, you have to inform the reverend so that he announces publicly during church service but when you go to him, he starts making advances,” one of the protesters, who sought anonymity, said.

The protesters also accused Rev Mwelwa of impropriety.

Some of the protesters said when preaching, Rev Mwelwa allegedly brags about his material wealth.

“He boasts that we should not accuse him of stealing church money because he has his own money and that he cannot suffer even if he stops preaching today,” one of the protesters said.

Another woman alleged that Rev Mwelwa has been diverting building materials meant for pending church projects to construct his personal house.

“As a reverend, he is not supposed to handle any money meant for construction projects because there is a committee in charge of that. But he keeps all the money and when he buys building material, he takes some of it to his plot,” she said.

Several members talked to said although the youth started the protest, almost all member are behind it.
Some UCZ leaders later called for a meeting to ease flaring tempers but the members maintained their demand for Rev Mwelwa’s removal.

Addressing the meeting, Lusaka Presbytery Bishop Luckson Chibuye asked the protesters to seek God’s intervention before addressing the issue.

“I was supposed to go for my normal church service at Saint Paul’s but I was called to come here because of this problem. I have heard your demands but you should give me chance to sit with other leaders and sort out this problem.

“At the moment there is nowhere to take Rev Mwelwa. Before he came here, there was a due process that was followed and you must allow that same process to take place before he leaves this congregation,” Bishop Chibuye said amid murmurs of disapproval by the protesters.

He said he and other leaders that accompanied him to the meeting were not infringing on the members’ rights to call for Rev Mwelwa’s removal.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Zambia in historic bumper maize harvest

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GOVERNMENT has said there is no reason for the price of mealie meal to remain high following the historic bumper harvest of more than 2.7 million tonnes of maize recorded this year.

Agriculture and Co-operatives Minister Peter Daka said it was Government’s expectation that the price of mealie meal would reduce drastically to make it more accessible to an ordinary person.

In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Daka said the Government was confident that the millers would play their part by ensuring that the price of mealie meal was reduced.

“As Government our position is that there is no reason why the price of mealie meal should remain high following the historic bumper harvest the country has recorded. It will only be fair that the prices are reduced for the benefit of Zambians,” he said.

He said the price of mealie meal should be reduced because there was sufficient maize in stock and that it would only be fair for the millers to reduce the price of the commodity instead of resisting in the name of making profits.

The minister said Government was engaging millers for discussions on how best the price of mealie meal could be reduced and was confident that the objective of cheaper mealie-meal would be realised.

Last week, Mr Daka announced that Zambia had recorded an unprecedented bumper harvest of more than 2.7 million tonnes of maize, representing a 48 per cent increase from last year.

The record yield has been attributed to the positive policies put in place by the Government in the agriculture sector, such as the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and the enhanced extension services.

Zambia had a maize surplus of 1,085,709 tonnes and the increase in the number of people on the FISP programme from 200,000 to 500,000 also contributed to the bumper harvest.

Speaking when he gave a 2010 crop forecasting survey in Lusaka, Mr Daka said the only time Zambia had a crop output close to this year’s was during the 1988/89 farming season when a production of 1,943,219 tonnes was recorded.
This year, Zambia recorded 2,795,483 tonnes.

He reiterated that the aim of the Government when launching the FISP was to increase production.

And at the weekend, immediate past president of the Millers Association of Zambia Caleb Mulenga said the bumper harvest recorded in the 2009/10 season would translate into reduced mealie meal prices.

[Times of Zambia]

Zambia is still poor – Mucheleka

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The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) says that Zambia still has alarming levels of poverty despite the country having recently recorded an economic growth of over 40 percent.

CSPR Executive Director Patrick Mucheleka says that The 6.5 GDP growth recorded in the country between 2005 and 2009 does not correlate with the levels of poverty that are currently looming in the country.

Mr Mucheleka said that the growth benefits of the economy are only being felt by rich people and not the less privilleged people living in the rural areas of the country.

He stressed that the country’s economic growth figures do not tally with the poverty statistics which currently stand at 85 percent in the rural areas and 34 percent in urban areas because of lack of government funding to the key sectors of the country.

Mr Mucheleksa pointed out that as long as the people are not put first on the agenda of the government the poverty levels of the country will continue to rise to unexplained and untold levels.

He explained that government should take deliberate measures to ensure that there is equal distribution of wealth among the people of Zambia. He also said that government should ensure that it aligns economic growth to poverty reduction if all Zambians are to benefit from the country’s wealth creation.

And the Civil Society for Poverty reduction has called on the government to learn from the Australian government move of introducing super tax on its mining sector so as to improve the country’s service delivery.

He said Government should get back to the discussion table with the country’s key stakeholders and reconsider reintroducing the Windfall tax to the Mining sector so as to enable the country raise its revenue base.
[Q FM]

PF vows to solve fuel crisis

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PF Leader Michael Sata (left)

The Patriotic Front says once it is voted into power it will solve the fuel crisis within the first 90 days of its rule.
Patriotic Front Leader Micheal Sata says the Party will carry out explorations around the country to excavate fuel.

Mr. Sata said it is saddening that even after government proved that some areas like Northwestern Province have oil deposits, it is reluctant to carry out serious explorations. He said the country is endowed with natural resources that government can utilize to improve the lives of Zambians.

Mr Sata said he does not understand why government is adamant about surveying the amount of oil reserves that it has.

He was speaking at a news conference organized by the Press Freedom Committee of The Post in Lusaka last evening.

Meanwhile, commotion broke at the conference when a guest asked if Mr. Sata was fit to stand as President in the 2011 elections during a question and answer session.

The man was almost manhandled by the PF cadres and was rescued by the security personnel at the Hotel.
[Q FM]

I’m a better candidate for 2011 — Hichilema

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UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema yesterday declared himself the most suitable candidate for the 2011 presidential election on account of his younger age and modern leadership posture.

The UPND and Patriotic Front (PF), headed by Michael Sata, are running a pact which is yet to elect a candidate to lead the alliance into next year’s presidential election.

PF vice-president Guy Scott said, however, that there was nothing wrong with Mr Hichilema declaring himself the right candidate because the members of the joint committee of the pact would still have to decide who would be the candidate.

Addressing supporters on arrival from the United States of America (USA) at Lusaka International Airport yesterday, Mr Hichilema said many developed and developing countries had shifted from the practice of voting for old leaders and because of that, he wanted to lead Zambia starting next year.

He cited the example of Tanzania, Russia, United Kingdom and the USA, which had voted into office young and intelligent leaders aged between 40 and 50 years.

Mr Hichilema said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was 45 years old, while Tanzania’s Jakaya Kikwete was 50 and US President Barack Obama was only 48.

Newly-inaugurated British Prime Minister David Cameron, born on October 9, 1966, was 44 years old and Mr Hichilema, at 48, argued that he was the best candidate to take over Government next year.

Mr Hichilema said Zambia should join this category of leadership next year by electing him into office.

“The world knows what type of leadership this country needs and surely you the people of Zambia cannot see? I hope Zambians can make the right choices next year,” Mr Hichilema told the cheering crowd.

He said he had travelled to the US at the invitation of the government of that country to learn about international security, which was important to Zambia.

He was in the US for 18 days and arrived aboard a South African Airways flight at 12:30 hours.

Asked about the failure by the pact to launch at the end of March as announced at the beginning of the year, Mr Hichilema said by-elections in some constituencies around the country had kept the political parties busy.

[pullquote]But Dr Scott said even Mr Sata could declare himself as the most suitable candidate and urged people not to see anything wrong with that declaration.[/pullquote]

He said the launch would still go ahead and had not been cancelled, although that would now depend on the Luena parliamentary by-election that resulted from the resignation of Charles Milupi, who formed the Alliance for Democracy and Development.

But Dr Scott said even Mr Sata could declare himself as the most suitable candidate and urged people not to see anything wrong with that declaration.

He said there was nothing that would stop any of the two leaders to make such statements because they knew that the joint technical committee in the pact and other stakeholders would eventually decide who would be the candidate.

Meanwhile, Mr Hichilema condemned Mr Milupi for causing the by-election and blamed him for resources that would be spent on the poll.

He said Mr Milupi should have waited for 2011 in line with the advice he was given before he launched his party.

On calls for political parties to have a ceiling in terms of how much they should spend on any election, Mr Hichilema said Mr Milupi should have raised the matter in the National Constitutional Conference.

The UPND was not shaken by plans by the MMD to petition the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election results because about 300 witnesses would be lined up and some would testify that they were given suits by the Government.

Mr Hichilema also welcomed the demotion of former Home Affairs minister Lameck Mangani and the appointment of former chairperson of committees at Parliament Mkhondo Lungu to take over the position.

[Times of Zambia]

PF did oppose the windfall tax in 2008-Musokotwane

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FINANCE minister Situmbeko Musokotwane

FINANCE and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane says that although the Patriotic Front (PF) publicly opposes government’s revised policy on taxes in the mines sector, the opposition party is on record stating it prefers the current policy.

Dr Musokotwane has said that it is surprising and contradictory for the PF to give an impression in public that it opposes Government’s mining tax regime and yet this is what the party wanted.

Dr Musokotwane said this in Lusaka yesterday during a recording of ‘Culture Remodelling’, a television programme under the theme ‘Health Check on the Zambian Economy’.

He said that in 2008 the PF president Michael Sata wrote a letter to then Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande stating that the PF opposed the windfall taxes that Government had introduced.

Dr Musokotwane said that it was surprising and contradictory of the PF and its ally, the United Party for National Development (UPND), to now oppose Government’s decision to review the mine tax regime accordingly.

“The UPND/PF is amazing and surprising to condemn Government for removing windfall tax when there is evidence that Mr Sata had written a letter to my predecessor [Ng’andu Magande] opposing the decision.

It is strange that these people are on one hand making political pronouncements before people when it suits them and on the other they quietly support Government,” he said.

[pullquote]In the letter dated March 19, 2008 to Mr Magande, who was then minister of Finance, Mr Sata expressed concern at the introduction of the windfall tax, saying that this could stifle growth in the sector and cause job losses.[/pullquote]

Dr Musokotwane cautioned Zambians against taking such leaders seriously as they are showing inconsistence on matters affecting the nation.

He said the current taxation system is aimed at attracting more investment into the country and that it is in tandem with the global taxation methods applied in several mining countries across the globe.

Dr Musokotwane said that Government still collects windfall taxes from profit made by the mining firms in the country. In 2008 Government scrapped windfall taxes on revenue for mining companies following reduced copper prices on the world market.

In the letter dated March 19, 2008 to Mr Magande, who was then minister of Finance, Mr Sata expressed concern at the introduction of the windfall tax, saying that this could stifle growth in the sector and cause job losses.

Dr Musokotwane said it is, therefore, shocking that the same opposition party is now attacking Government for scrapping the windfall tax on revenue in the mining industry.

Meanwhile, Dr Musokotwane has said that Zambia’s economy is experiencing an unprecedented growth, which will soon have positive trickle-down effects to the country’s population.

He said Zambia’s economy has remained good and that global financial experts have cited the country as one that has emerged from the global financial crisis virtually unscathed.

He said the expansion of the economy is evidenced by the growth in the mining and construction industries, as well as in the recently announced all time bumper maize harvest.

“We are very confident that our economy will continue to expand,” said Dr Musokotwane.

Dr Musokotwane said the mining industry is this year expected to record higher production because of the newly opened Luanshya, Lumwana and Munali nickel mines.

He also said that the change in the national budget cycle effected last year has accelerated infrastructure development and other capital projects.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Hastings Bwalya Admits to Being Rusty After Win

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Welterweight boxer Hasting Bwalya has said that he was a bit rusty in his non-title win over American Ashantie Hendrickson in New York on Friday evening.

Bwalya beat Hendrickson on unanimous points decision in their six-round bout at The Capitale on the undercard to the heavyweight fight between Shannon Briggs and Rafael Pedro that the former won over the latter via a first round knockout.

“I was looking for a technical knockout,” Bwalya told the Times of Zambia in a post-fight interview on Friday.

“But it was my fight in six months, I am feeling rusty.”

Bwalya went the distance for the first time since he turned pro in October last year after stopping his last two opponents via knockouts within three rounds.

Bwalya’s scorecard against Hendrickson read 59-55, 58-56, 58-56, to push his record to 3-0.

His next fight will be on June 19 in Niagara Falls against a yet to be named opponent in another non-title fight.

Faz Super Division Week 11 Results & Standings

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Here are the collated results and standings of Faz Super Division Week 11 matches played on 22/05/2010.

FAZ SUPER DIVISION WEEK 11

22/05/2010

Zesco United 0- Nkana 0

Green Buffaloes 1(Reuben Tembo 45″)-Lusaka Dynamos 1(Jeff  Kapelwa 44″)

Power Dynamos 1(Peter Banda 46″ 0g)-Forest Rangers 1(Frazer Mwewa 48″)

Zanaco 3(Vanecious Mapande 66″ 84″, Mathews Macha 88″)- City of Lusaka 0

Konkola Blades 2(Chewe Mukuka 17″, Graven Chitalu 29″)- Nkwazi 1(Keegan Phiri 48″)

National Assembly 1(Simon Mbewe “?)- Red Arrows 1(Stanely Banda ?” pen)

Kabwe Warriors 2(Hendrix Mpumpa 4″, Joseph Bwalya 38″)-Nchanga Rangers 0

Choma Eagles 0- Roan United 0

[standings league_id=15 template=extend logo=false]

Traffic jams signify a booming economy – Shikapwasha

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Government says the traffic jams being experienced in Zambian Cities are a sign of a booming economy.

Chief government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha told QFM that government has been working hard to see the economy grow.

General Shikapwasha said complaining about traffic does not matter but acknowledging government efforts in developing the economy matters.

He advised Zambians not to listen to those making statements he described as ‘not adding value to the development of the country’.

He said it is important for people to understand that every nation with a booming economy experiences heavy traffic on its roads.

QFM

Committee of Citizens condemns RDA

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The Committee of Citizens (CC) has condemned the Road Development Agency (RDA) for allegedly misapplying over K1 trillion.

The recent Auditor Generals audit report on RDA has revealed that the agency misappropriated about US$250 million (K1.4 trillion) which was released for various road works in the country.

Committee Executive Director Gregory Chifire says the development will have a negative impact on the country’s attainment of most development targets.

Mr. Chifire told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that this is because a good road network acts as an engine in fostering national development.

He said this is why there is need for people charged with the responsibility of administering public funds meant for national development to always strive at being transparent and accountable in their duties.

He noted that by so doing all developmental plans embarked upon by government will be achieved and consequently better the lives of the citizens in the country.

Mr. Chifire charged that if properly utilized K1 trillion is a lot of money that can go a long way in enhancing the country’s development agenda.

He has since urged government to strengthen the investigations concerning the matter and ensure that the people involved are brought to book.

Mr. Chifire said government should ensure that it comes up with strict measures that will also work as deterrents to would be offenders.

He expressed happiness that government has dissolved the RDA and the National Road Fund Agency boards.

He explained that the decision taken confirms government’s strong stance on corruption and that this will also help in instilling donor confidence in the road sector.

Mr. Chifire has since appealed to people in the public service to be honest and transparent in the manner they utilize public resources if the country is to meet the 2015 targeted Millennium Development Goals especially on poverty reduction and economic growth.

The 2009 Auditor General’s report has queried RDA for delaying the commencement of the road works when government had released money for such projects and also the awarding of a contract to a firm that was allegedly suspended from participating in government contracts.

ZANIS

Set the Tone

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises”
(Psalm 34:1, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

When you wake up in the morning, do you expect the goodness of God in your life? Do you set the tone of the day for success, favor and blessing?

It doesn’t matter what happened yesterday, last week, last month or last year; today is a new day. This moment, you have the power to make a change in your life. Things may be bad all around you. People may be negative, complaining and discouraged, but don’t let that spirit rub off on you. Instead, choose to bless the Lord at all times. Let His praise continually be in your mouth. Remember, the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn shining brighter and brighter until the full day.

Stay determined to set the tone for each new day by speaking words of faith over your future. As you do, you’ll enlarge your vision and make room for God to do amazing things in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I choose to bless You at all times. I choose to set the tone to receive Your favor, grace and mercy. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me at all times. I choose to constantly speak Your praises! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

ULP urges government to reconsider fuel subsidies

https://i0.wp.com/www.lusakatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/RB_and_Sakwiba.jpg?resize=314%2C257
President Rupiah banda with United Liberal Party leader Sakwiba Sikota after Mr Sakwiba was bestowed with the status of a State Counsel at State House

The United Liberal Party (ULP) has called on government to reconsider its decision to stop subsidizing fuel.
ULP President Sakwiba Sikota said that government’s move to stop subsidizing fuel has a possibility of affecting the cost of doing business in the country.

Mr. Sikota noted that removing subsidies is also likely to affect prices of most goods and services and performance of the economy which has shown some signs of recovering.

He said tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors are some of the industries that would be affected with adjustment in fuel prices resulting from government’s decision to withdraw subsidies.

He pointed out that in the agriculture sector, it would mean that the cost of transportation of both farming inputs and produce will change while in the manufacturing sector production costs will be adjusted upwards.

Mr. Sikota said the withdrawal will also negatively affect economic activities resulting from reduced business owing to high prices of acquiring and transporting of raw materials in and outside the country.

He stated that Zambia will most likely fail to compete favourably in regional trade through the Common Market for Eastern and Southern (COMESA) customs union because of the high costs that will come with exporting of finished goods and other products to other countries in the region.

The ULP leader said that he agrees that government needs to channel resources to other equally important sectors in the economy for development projects.

But he said that the government could look for funds from other sources other than stopping to subsidies fuel.

He also told government to explain how it intends to utilize the Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF) for fuel since it will not be used to help mitigate the high cost of fuel in the country.

He added that The SRF was established to pile up stocks of fuel so that in times of shortages, fuel could be offloaded on the market to stabilize prices and also in times such as today when fuel costs increase rapidly, fuel stocks could be released at a lower cost.

“The ULP is proposing a gradual review of the subsidies on fuel so that it can also include finding cheap alternative sources of fuel,” Mr Sikota said

Mr. Sikota said a gradual withdraw of fuel subsidies will also give enough time to all sectors of the economy to effectively adjust their expenditure on fuel without incurring major losses.
[ QFM ]

MMD ready to file the Mufumbwe by-election Petition

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MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba announcing the suspension of Gabriel Namulambe in Lusaka
MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba

THE MMD says its lawyers have established overwhelming evidence of electoral malpractice in the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election and that the party is going ahead with its petition.

And MMD chairman for legal affairs, Bwalya Chiti says the lawyers went through the evidence and are ready to file in the petition.

MMD national secretary, Katele Kalumba said in an interview yesterday that the MMD is determined to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.

“Our lawyers have determined what we have and they are satisfied that we have a case to make,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said the party will not pursue the political option of conflict resolution to resolve the matter as some people have suggested.

Dr Kalumba said conflict resolution sounds attractive but that the nation should bear in mind that the rights of the people of Mufumbwe to choose a representative of their choice were violated.

“The people of Mufumbwe need to know that the representative who goes to parliament on their behalf reflects their wishes and that it is the person they voted for under conditions that are consistent with the law,” Dr Kalumba said.

[pullquote]In apparent reference to Ndola district vice information and publicity secretary, Alex Mubanga’s alleged statement that the MMD will unleash violence on Change Life Zambia executive director, Father Frank Bwalya, Dr Kalumba said he does not know what prompted Mr Mubanga to make the statement.[/pullquote]

He said the lawyers will petition the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election results and dismissed assertions that the MMD has compromised its evidence because of statements by some party members suggesting the party allegedly took part in the violence.

In apparent reference to Ndola district vice information and publicity secretary, Alex Mubanga’s alleged statement that the MMD will unleash violence on Change Life Zambia executive director, Father Frank Bwalya, Dr Kalumba said he does not know what prompted Mr Mubanga to make the statement.

“I don’t think his statement has a bearing on the grounds of the petition in Mufumbwe…it is totally unrelated,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said individual MMD members might speculate about what happened in Mufumbwe but that this has no bearing on the evidence and the petition.

And Mr Chiti says lawyers went through the evidence and are ready to file in the petition.

Mr Chiti said he had meetings with the lawyers the party has appointed and that they will file the petition any time.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Fire Kabonde as well, says SACCORD

IG Francis Kabonde

Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has called on President Banda to extend the action taken against Former Home affairs Minister Lameck Mangani to Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde.

SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma said that President Banda should be commended for taking action against Mr. Mangani.

He,however, says the President should state reasons for all the officials he dropped just as he has done with Mr. Mangani so that the public could know the People who are not capable of performing to expectations.

Mr Chibuluma said President Banda should similarly remove Mr Kabonde as Inspector General of police just as he has done to his former boss.

And Mr. Chibuluma has called on new Home affairs Minister Mkondo Lungu to uphold the expected high standards in the Ministry and ensure so the Zambia Police remains professional.

He noted that Mr. Lungu should use his experience to ensure that the Zambia police regain the confidence of Zambians which it has lost.

AND The National Revolution Party has welcomed President Rupiah Banda’s decision to remove former home affairs minister Lameck Mangani from cabinet.

Party Secretary General Kelly Walubita Junior said in an interview that President Banda did well to demote Mr. Mangani from the position of Home Affairs Minister to that of Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training.

He said the President’s action came at the right time when every Zambian was expecting his removal.

Meanwhile, Mr. Walubita has accused President Banda of appointing people to key positions on tribal lines.

He said the appointment of Lundazi UNIP Member of Parliament Mukondo Lungu to replace Mr. Mangani is one such example.

He said it is not right for the President to keep on appointing people from eastern province to lead the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Mr Walubita explains that the President could have appointed someone from another tribe to replace Mr. Mangani.

He has called the President to try to tribally balance his cabinet next time he makes appointments to key positions in government.
[ QFM ]