MMD Copperbelt provincial chairperson Joseph Chilambwe has said President Rupiah Banda’s trips to China and other countries are meant to attract investments that would help develop the various sectors of the economy and improve people’s lives in the country.

He said it was unrealistic for some opposition politicians to criticise the president unnecessarily and make political capital out of his foreign trips.

He said President Banda was travelling to meet other presidents and international companies so that he could attract investments to Zambia and help create employment, especially among the youth.

Mr Chilambwe said this on Saturday at Bulangililo Basic School in Kwacha Constituency in Kitwe, when he addressed party members and residents during a meeting organised by Copperbelt MMD task force member, Joe Malanji.

He said some opposition politicians had failed to articulate issues in the country and had now resorted to demonising Mr Banda in some sections of the media regardless of whatever good things he does.

“When President Banda travels, they say he went to China on holiday. This is being petty and I hope Zambians can see the ignorance and pettiness of some opposition politicians.

“President Banda’s trips to some countries are meant to sign agreements that would help develop various sectors of the economy and improve people’s lives,” Mr Chilambwe said.

Earlier, Mr Malanji donated 10 mobile phones and 200 Chitenge materials to the party, and urged the members to continue supporting the MMD because it was the only party with a national character and a vision for the country.

Mr Malangi said opposition politicians attacking President Banda for his trips were just exposing their ignorance because a leader needed to move to market his country, and win the confidence of foreign investors.

He said it was sad that there was so much desperation among some opposition politicians such that they had resorted to insulting President Banda and telling lies about the MMD Government.

“It is mere desperation on the part of the opposition politicians which is making them insult President Banda and criticise him for working hard to improve people’s lives.

“They are doing all sorts of things because they are unsettled by the good works of the ruling party, and the problem is that they are even using youths to incite violence in the country,” Mr Malanji said.

[Times of Zambia]

Lusaka province MMD chairman William Banda has refuted allegations made by UPND vice president Richard Kapita that he has been threatening innocent Zambians of death if they refused to support the ruling MMD.

Speaking in an interview with Qfm in Lusaka, Mr. Banda challenged the UPND vice president to take him to police if he had proof concerning the allegations.

Mr. Banda described such allegations as abnormal because politics in the country is not about killing one another.

He said killing is a serious criminal offence and should not be tolerated by all political players IN THE country.

UPND vice president Richard Kapita was quoted by Qfm saying Lusaka province MMD Chairman William Banda has been threatening Zambians of death if they refused to support the MMD.

QFM

MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba says the ruling party will ensure that it gives the people of Milanzi a candidate of their choice to contest the forthcoming parliamentary by-election.

Dr Kalumba said this in an interview from Milanzi yesterday.

“We want to make sure that we give the people of Milanzi a candidate of their choice, and I am here (Milanzi) to witness how the lower organs are conducting the interviews,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said he is in Milanzi to witness the interviews for the aspiring parliamentary candidates and to ensure that all the candidates are given an equal opportunity in the adoption process.

Dr Kalumba said the constituency executive committee panel yesterday interviewed the aspiring parliamentary candidates while the district executive committee will do so today.

He said the provincial executive committee will interview the candidates tomorrow and the national executive committee panel will conclude the process on Tuesday.

He said the NEC panel, which will be led by Minister of Defence Kalombo Mwansa, will include Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives Peter Daka and Minister of Gender and Women in Development Sarah Sayifwanda.

Dr Kalumba said he is not in Milanzi to interfere with the interviews, but to merely observe and ensure that the process is fair.

He said this is vital to ensure transparency in the adoption process.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set April 29, 2010 as the date on which the Milanzi parliamentary by-election will be held.

The seat fell vacant after the death of member of Parliament Rueben Chisanga Banda last month.

GOVERNMENT says the red card campaign has no direction and has urged people on the Copperbelt to desist from wasting their time on unprofitable ventures and instead take advantage of job opportunities being created.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Ronnie Shikapwasha said yesterday that the campaign is in vain.

“Why should people go for the red card campaign when Government has created jobs? The Government has done so much and there are many companies coming up to provide employment for our people,” he said.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha, who is Government spokesperson, told journalists yesterday that people should expend their energies on constructive issues that will foster peace and development in the country.

He said Government is ready to dialogue with any citizen on issues of governance.

“The red card campaign has no direction. People want peace and to work hard. Copperbelt had become a ghost province but Government has now brought empowerment in Luanshya, Chingola and Kitwe,” Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha said.

He said it was not Government’s fault that Father frank Bwalya did not go to National Constitutional Conference (NCC) because everybody had a chance to go and contribute to the constitution-making process.

“If it is the constitution that Fr. Bwalya is concerned about, it is not our fault that he did not go for the constitution-making process. If it is to do with governance, our doors are always open to anybody who wants to discuss such issues,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bible Gospel Church in Zambia presiding bishop Peter Ndhlovu has condemned the red card campaign against a legitimately elected Government.

Bishop Ndhlovu told the Sunday Mail that the red card campaign is a recipe for anarchy and should be condemned by all peace-loving Zambians.

“We only have one country, Zambia. We need to do everything to preserve the peace that we are enjoying,” Bishop Ndhlovu said.

He wondered what some clerics are up to by waging a campaign aimed at toppling a lawfully elected Government.

Bishop Ndhlovu urged the clergy to preach the message of repentance and love instead of fanning anarchy.
He said it is the ordinary citizens who will suffer the consequences if the campaign degenerates into civil unrest.

“People want development, not the red card campaign. There are flood victims who need attention, some people have no food; those are the things we must concentrate on,” Bishop Ndhlovu said.

He said the people who are agitating for trouble in the nation have the means to flee the country if the peace Zambia is enjoying was to be lost.

He said the church should be in the forefront of uniting the nation instead of dividing it.

The bishop urged servants of God who have abandoned their flock to go back to the pulpit and preach the gospel.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…”
(Joel 2:25, ESV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

We serve a God of restoration! You may have had some disappointments or unfair things happen in your life; but instead of dwelling on the past and living in defeat, choose to focus on His promises because God wants to restore everything that’s been stolen from your life. He wants to restore your joy, your peace, your health, and your finances. But here’s the key: you have to have a vision for it. You have to get your hopes up and decide to get your thoughts and words going in the right direction.

Today, choose to focus on the future and release past hurts through forgiveness. Draw a line in the sand and say, “I am a child of the Most High God, and I’m not going to live my life negative and defeated. This is a new day, and I’m taking back what belongs to me!” That’s having a restoration mentality!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing to restore my life. Thank You for the truth of Your Word that sets me free. Fill me with Your power today so that I may stand strong and move forward on the path You have for me. I love You and bless Your Name. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Vice-President George Kunda yesterday told Parliament that the evacuation of Mr Sata was an emergency because he was on the verge of death.

Mr Kunda said during the vice-president’s question and answer session that the evacuation was an emergency because Mr Sata was not in a position to make any arrangements to go out of the country.

He said in response to Kasama Central MP Geoffrey Mwamba (PF) who claimed that his party was in a position to evacuate Mr Sata.

It was dangerous politics for Mr Sata to say that his evacuation was a public relations gimmick because Government was there to respond to the health needs of its citizens.

“Political leaders who fell sick should be very grateful if the government comes to their rescue,” he said.

The vice-president said the Government had to respond to a political leader who was sick at the verge of death.

At the time Mr Sata was evacuated, the Government was commended and there was reconciliation between Mr Sata and late president Levy Mwanawasa that should be appreciated.

[pullquote]On a point of order raised by Kabwata MP Given Lubinda (PF) that Mr Sata had apologised on his statement, Mr Kunda said that he was not aware of the apology except the remarks issued by Mr Sata.[/pullquote]

On a point of order raised by Kabwata MP Given Lubinda (PF) that Mr Sata had apologised on his statement, Mr Kunda said that he was not aware of the apology except the remarks issued by Mr Sata.

He said Mr Sata’s apology should be genuine because there was a statement he issued which was also an insult to the Government that evacuated him to South Africa.

Speaker of the National Assembly Amussa Mwanamwambwa directed MPs that he was aware of the difference between debating an individual and a policy after some PF MPs attempted to rise on a point of order when the vice-president was responding to Mr Sata’s evacuation.

[Times of Zambia]

PRESIDENT Banda is today expected to leave for Namibia to attend that country’s 20th independence anniversary and witness the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Hifikepunye Pohamba

This is contained in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by the State House press and public relations unit.

Mr Pohamba recently won elections in Namibia and is entering his second term of office.

President Banda’s entourage to Namibia includes former President Kenneth Kaunda and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Fashion Phiri.

President Banda is expected back in the country on Tuesday March 22, 2010.

The Zambia Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) says government’s inaction against erring public officers named in the Auditor Generals reports is beginning to dilute the credibility of the fight against corruption.

ZUFIAW president, Cephus Mukuka observes that it is very disheartening that even after the unearthing of the K27 billion scandals in the ministry of health, government is still reluctant in tackling corruption.

[pullquote]He says government should be seen to be taking action and not merely making political pronouncements on the fight against corruption.[/pullquote]

He says government should realize that such acts have the capacity to undermine the fight against corruption. He says government should be seen to be taking action and not merely making political pronouncements on the fight against corruption.

Mr Mukuka has also called on government to ensure that law enforcement agencies are capacitated and fully equipped with modern technologies in fighting corruption.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mukuka has challenged government to ensure that the 5.7 million pounds made available by the British government towards the implementation of the anti corruption policy is prudently utilized.

QFM