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The Evangelical Youth Alliance International (EYA) has backed President Rupiah Banda’s observation that Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Africa were criticizing African governments.
President Banda told delegates at the just ended World Economic Forum in Dar-es-salaam , Tanzania that NGOs in Africa were at all times attacking serving heads of state a situation he said was retrogressive.EYA President, Moses Lungu said the observation by President Banda is timely.
Reverend Lungu said most NGOs have abandoned their roles of service delivery to the people and shifted their goal posts to attacking and suppressing the governments of the day.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Rev. Lungu observed that Chief Executives of the NGOs have become agents of imperialism whose core agenda is to advocate for regime change of governments.
Rev. Lungu reminded the NGOs that President Banda is mandated by the Zambian people to drive the nation to economic recovery.He said the NGOs’ motive was clear and that it was a recipe for anarchy and civil unrest that could lead the country into the doldrums of poverty, disease and under-development.
Meanwhile, Rev. Lungu has observed that the violence that marred the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election was a desperate move by the opposition UPNDF/PF pact. He appealed to government not to relent in bringing the culprits to book because violence is detrimental to national security.
The Clergyman expressed fears that slowly the violence that characterized the Mapatizya polls in Southern province and now in Mufumbwe would engulf the entire nation and lead to a civil war if left unchecked.
Rev. Lungu charged that the UPND/PF pact threw away the Electoral Code of Conduct in the
Mufumbwe elections and adopted the ‘Mapatizya formula’ to instill fear in the electorate.
The EYA president further appealed to the Electoral Commission of Zambia to intensify Voter Education Programmes.
(Q FM)
Nkana’s four-match unbeaten run came to an end today when they were beaten by Choma Eagles in Maamba.
The 11-time league champions lost 2-0 away to Keegan Mumba’s Choma in the Gwembe Valley and in the process slip from third to fifth on the Super Division table.
Nkana’s loss comes on the back of an important 1-0 home win over Zanaco a week ago on May 1 in Kitwe.
Meanwhile, Choma and Nkana were scoreless going into halftime today before Oscar Kachika put the hosts ahead in the 66th minute.
Lewis Macha made it 2-0 in the 70th minute to hand Nkana’s first league defeat since losing 1-0 away to Konkola Blades on March 27 in a week 23 match.
Elsewhere Nchanga Rangers share top spot with Zesco United after a 2-2 away draw at Power Dynamos in Kitwe while Nkwazi beat Roan United 1-0 at Edwin Imboela stadium in Lusaka.
At Woodlands stadium in Lusaka, Green Buffaloes thumped promoted national Assembly 4-1 thanks to goals from Kennedy Chola brace.
John Musukwa and Dears Kakunta added a goal each while Fackson Kapumpu scored Assembly’s lone goal of the match.
UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema
The Evangelical youth alliance international has heaped the blame on the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) for the Mufumbwe violence.
Evangelical youth Alliance Executive Director Moses Lungu said the violence that took place in the last elections is an indication that the opposition are hungry for power.
Rev. Lungu said at a press briefing at his office today that it is a pity that the politicians are more interested in power other than people they wish to govern.
He said if the opposition was not desperate and hungry for power; the violence that took place was not going to be recorded.
The clergy said that the behavior of the opposition in the last elections is contrary to the biblical principles that Zambia is anchored on.
He added that if not careful Zambia might lose its peace it has enjoyed over the last years.
Rev. Lungu castigated the UPND president Hakainde Hichilema as having a violent language and uncultured.
And Rev. Lungu said the calls to have the electoral code of conducts reviewed were uncalled for.
He pointed out that the current code of conduct is adequate, but only lacks implementation on the ECZ as an authority.
Rev. Lundu said that the ECZ should emulate other acts that have been created unlike what is currently observed.
He stated that the current electoral code of conduct could work only if much emphasis on implementation is enhanced.
[ QFM ]
MMD Lusaka province chairman William Banda
The Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Lusaka Province Chairperson William Banda has called on the opposition parties to stop insulting President Rupiah Banda.
William Banda says insulting the Head of State amounts to committing a felony and urged the pact leaders to differentiate development from mere politicking.
He warned the United Party for National Development and Patriotic Front (UPND/PF) pact leaders Hakainde Hichilema and Michael Sata that government will deal with them.
Mr. Banda was speaking to a state run news agency in an interview in Lusaka.
He said that the ruling MMD does not want to be dragged into uncivilized cheap politicking.
Mr. Banda urged the opposition to concentrate on organizing their respective political parties claiming that the pact is about to break.
He said the MMD is not threatened by the formation of political alliances because it is evident from the past that pacts in Zambia do not work.
[ QFM ]
VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda on return to Zambia from South Africa
VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda returned to Zambia from South Africa yesterday where he had gone for a medical review, condemning rumours about his purported demise as satanic and contrary to Zambia’s Christian and cultural values.
Mr Kunda who arrived at about 12:58 hours aboard a South African Airways flight, accompanied by his wife Ireen, was received by hundreds of well-wishers who included ministers, senior Government officials, hordes of MMD members, his children and grandchildren.
The joyous Mr Kunda waved the MMD symbol as he alighted from the plane, much to the jubilation of hordes of people who thronged the runway at Lusaka International Airport to welcome him back home.
He took time to greet Government officials, MMD officials and cadres who included various singing and dancing groups, who painted the airport runway ‘blue and white’ – the MMD colours. The Vice-President robustly walked to the VIP lounge where he addressed journalists.
“It’s so nice to be back home. I have missed nshima. It’s three weeks and I am grateful to the President, Government, the party leadership, the provincial (MMD) chairman, and all the Zambians who have received me. This shows that the people of Zambia were praying for me; there is a lot of sympathy and encouragement,” Mr Kunda said.
He said the rumour that was circulated in the country about his purported demise was the work of sadists who were hoping to destabilise the working of Government. He said his medical review has been politicised by some opposition political party leaders who were hoping that his purported demise would turn out to be true.
[pullquote]“Mr Sata, let me tell you, there is a lot we know about your health. However, we have remained committed to Christian values. Your health remains between you and your doctor,” Mr Kunda said.[/pullquote]
“What kind of hatred is this,” he asked. Mr Kunda said Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata phoned the Zambian High Commission in South Africa asking them to confirm his alleged demise.
According to Mr Kunda on his second telephone call, Mr Sata accused the High Commissioner to South Africa Leslie Mbula and Government of lying about his purported demise.
“When he was told that I was still alive, his reaction was ‘thank God he’s still alive,” of course with a forked tongue,” Mr Kunda said.
“Unfortunately I got the rumour which was circulated in Zambia about my purported demise. This must have been fabricated definitely by some criminals, sadists and in fact satanists, because this is not our culture. These are some of the things that are coming from outside the country such as homosexuality,” Mr Kunda said.
He said it was unfortunate that there were bizarre and eccentric characters in society who thrive on inflicting pain on others.
Mr Kunda said the enemies of Government and the ruling MMD wanted to create tension in the country, weaken the system, and make them lose the capacity to defend the President.
“To the contrary this ungodly and criminal act has made me stronger and somewhat elevated me to the status of a martyr,” he said.
[pullquote]“Unfortunately I got the rumour which was circulated in Zambia about my purported demise. This must have been fabricated definitely by some criminals, sadists and in fact satanists, because this is not our culture. These are some of the things that are coming from outside the country such as homosexuality,” Mr Kunda said.[/pullquote]
Mr Kunda said he went to South Africa aboard a commercial aircraft on prior arrangements with his physician, contrary to rumours that he was evacuated in an emergency.
He said he stayed in a hotel for two days prior to commencing medical review at Morningside Clinic. Mr Kunda said he started going to the clinic for medical review during the reign of the then President, Dr Levy Mwanawasa who facilitated the treatment of many people outside the country, including Mr Sata.
He said President Banda has continued with this practice due to his kind heart.Mr Kunda said a medical review may entail admitting a person into hospital and this is what happened to him. The Vice-President said like any other person, he needs medical treatment, what he needs from the people of Zambia are prayers for good health.
Mr Kunda said speculations of his purported death, devastated his family and children some of whom are still in school.
He charged that Mr Sata was behaving like he has never been a subject of similar rumours.
“Mr Sata, let me tell you, there is a lot we know about your health. However, we have remained committed to Christian values. Your health remains between you and your doctor,” Mr Kunda said.
Mr Kunda said as Catholics, they pray for the sick. He urged Christians in Zambia to condemn politicians who thrive on spreading falsehoods and wishing sick people dead.
A mother rejoices after receiving books for her children
Mothers day may not be a recognized Zambian holiday but before you castigate the West for inventing useless holidays take time to just appreciate your mother.
Your mother loved you even before you were born. She gently caressed her tummy those nine months she carried you. She would secretly or publicly talk to you even before you met. When “D” day finally arrived she labored for you for 6-18hrs. During that time she probably said some 4 letter words directed at the midwives or your father but never directed at you! When she finally pushed you out or when the doctor handed you to her and she held you, it felt like heaven. She thought you were the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
The next year you kept her up most of the nights but she was only too glad to be at your service. When you could finally walk, talk and perhaps even climb furniture, she looked at you proudly like someone had awarded her a Nobel peace prize. Those nights you were down with malaria, diarrhoea or a fractured limb she never left your side. She urged you to get an education though you would have rather dodged school. She scolded you for playing with Bana Mulengas kids but she was only trying to protect her precious child from bad company.
When you became a rebellious teenager she still loved you and spent most nights praying you would turn out right. You graduated from university or college and she was ululating the loudest in the crowd. Her little angel had done it. You got married and though she would have preferred someone taller or slimmer she was still happy for you. Now shes a grandmother and the joy you’ve brought in her life is overflowing. How she longs to baby-sit her grandkids for you. Alas you left Zambia in search of greener pastures. For this precious woman who has always been there for you, for your number 1 fan why not appreciate her on this Mothers Day.
To all you mothers out there Happy Mothers Day!
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us”
(2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
As a believer, God wants to do His work on the earth through you. You are His ambassador or representative. You have been given His authority and power. It’s easy to get focused on this natural realm and all the things that we need, but do you realize that you are equipped to be somebody else’s miracle?
Every single day, we have opportunities to show God’s love and compassion to others. We have the opportunity to meet their needs, bring them healing, and offer hope and encouragement. Every day, we can sow good seed into the lives of others that will reap an eternal harvest.
I encourage you today to look for ways to be a blessing to someone else. When you pour into others and help meet their needs, God will make sure that others pour into you. Let’s continue to work together to build His kingdom to the glory of God!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for choosing me and using me. Once again, I surrender every area of my life to You. Show me ways to be a miracle to others so that my life brings glory to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
Zesco United have gone top of the Super Division table for at least 24 hours after beating Red Arrows 2-0 at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola today.
Unbeaten Zesco, who three games on the trot, rise from second to first on 16 points, one less than Nchanga Rangers whose unbeaten run will be put to the test on Sunday away to Power Dynamos.
Zesco secured their win through Clifford Chipalo and Jackson Mwanza who were on target in the 10th and 88th minutes respectively.
At Railway Ground in Kabwe, Kabwe Warriors beat Lusaka Dynamos 3-0 thanks to goals scored by Hendrix Mumpa on 20 minutes, Joseph Bwalya 16 minutes later and Festus Mbewe six minutes after halftime.
However, the victory was overshadowed by the news that Warriors coach George Lwandamina who was not at the match and away on CHAN duties in Lusaka was leaving the club by mutual consent just eight league games in charge.
Elsewhere, Konkola Blades came from behind to draw 1-1 with City of Lusaka at home in Chililabombwe.
Evans Musonda put City ahead in the 47th minute before Chipulu Chileya equalized eight minutes before the end of the match.
The other fixtures will be played on Sunday with Nkana away to Choma Eagles, National Assembly hosting Green Buffaloes and Nkwazi awaiting Roan United.
Fr. Frank Bwalya
Change Life Zambia (CLZ) Executive Director, father Frank Bwalya has observed that political violence has began to increase in the country because political leaders have shown no will to deal with it.
Father Bwalya said the civil society organization in the country were worried of the rampant violence being exhibited during political campaigns.
He said only political leaders themselves have the key to stop the spread of the violence being perpetuated by cadres who obey every instruction they give them.
Father Bwalya said cadres should not be blamed because they could not do anything without the consent of their political leaders.
He appealed to political leaders from the both the opposition and the ruling party to take keen interest in conducting their political campaign without violence.
The CLZ Director noted that the operations of political parties in the country was worrying as regards to violence and they should to take a strong stance against it.
He said that political violence is affecting the lives of Zambians and if no action was taken by those in leadership position, it would paint a bad picture on the country’s developing democracy.
[ QFM ]
A post-match brawl between Entente Setif midfielders Khaled Lemmouchia and Francis Ambane overshadowed Zanaco’s exit from this year’s Caf Champions League.
Cameroonian midfielder Ambane who came on in the last 10 minutes of the match got into an altercation with his Algerian team mate in the midst of missing two chances on goal.
The two squared up after the final whistle before being briefly separated but their fight got ugly in the Nkoloma stadium car park leaving Lemmouchia with a bloodied face as the police shielded Ambane from the wrath of some of his teammates who turned against him on the team bus.
Ambane left in a separate car with Setif official and Algerian diplomatic staff under guard from the police.
Meanwhile, back on the field of play, the game was scoreless going to halftime before Zanaco took the lead in the 51st minute through Makundika Sakala who headed in an Allen Mukuka cross.
Setif leveled eight minutes later through striker Nabil Hemani who drilled in free kick.
Man of the match Lazhar Aissa made it 2-1 in the 76th before Kennedy Nkethani equalized in the 80th minute.
Zanaco bow out 3-2 on aggregate and have now been relegated to the Confederations Cup.
They will know their last 16 opponents when the draws for both the Champions League group stage and Confederations Cup pre-group matches are made on May 13 in Cairo.
SOME political parties have said they cannot support and champion the legalisation of homosexuality in Zambia because the practice is unChristian and alien to the nation.
The MMD and United Party for National Development (UPND) said separately in Lusaka yesterday that Zambia was declared a Christian nation and the issue of homosexuality had no room in this society.
But the Patriotic Front (PF) said it had not dealt with the matter because it was concentrating on more important issues.
MMD acting spokesperson Mike Mulongoti said the ruling party could not embrace or support the gay rights because the party was founded on Christian norms.
“Zambia is declared a Christian nation and anything that is unChristian and alien to our society is deemed to be an abomination,” Mr Mulongoti said.
Mr Mulongoti, who is Works and Supply minister said the MMD strongly condemned people championing gay rights.
He said supporting anything that was unChristian was outrageous and the MMD would not want to associate itself with such activities.
Mr Mulongoti said there was no political leader from the ruling party who had associated themselves with championing homosexuality.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said his party could not support or talk about the gay rights because it had no room in the country.
Mr Kakoma said the fact that the gay rights were rejected at the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) was an indication that the UPND was not in support of homosexuality.
“The UPND was part of the NCC deliberations that rejected anything to deal with the homosexuality rights. We equally reject these rights,” he said.
PF spokesperson Given Lubinda said his party would not preoccupy itself with less pressing issues because it was currently more concerned with the welfare of the people.
Mr Lubinda said the PF had not even sat to discus the matter because the party wanted to concentrate on how best it would find solutions to pressing needs of serving the families in the country.
President talks to journalists during the press conference at State House.
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said Government cannot constitute an independent enquiry to probe the violence that led to loss of life and property in Mufumbwe as demanded by a consortium of non-governmental organisations.
Speaking to journalists on arrival at the Lusaka International Airport from Tanzania yesterday, President Banda said it would be contradictory to set up an enquiry when the matter had already gone to court.
“We have gone to court. It’s better to leave the matter with the court. We do not need an enquiry we will be contradicting ourselves,” he said.
The Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP), Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) and Caritas Zambia on Wednesday demanded that President Banda should immediately set up a commission of enquiry to probe the violence in Mufumbwe.
The NGOs said the enquiry should exclude the police because they were part of the violence.
On the just ended World Economic Forum, President Banda said the meeting discussed issues affecting Africa as a continent.
He said the meeting discussed how the continent could be brought together to speak with one voice.
President Banda said problems facing the continent could only be resolved through unity.
“I was so proud for Tanzania to host such a big, big conference, they did it so well,” he said.
He said he had learnt a lot by talking to other delegates and by listening to specialised speeches from people with a lot of experience in agriculture and education.
He explained that Education Minister Dora Siliya accompanied him to Tanzania because the conference had a lot to do with education.
President Banda was responding to Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata who questioned why Ms Siliya accompanied the head of State to Tanzania.
The president was welcomed at Lusaka International Airport by acting Vice-President and Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa, senior Government and party officials.
Meanwhile, President Banda held consultative talks with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete on the security situation in the Great Lakes Region.
President Banda is the current chairperson of the Great Lakes Region.
Special assistant to the president for Press and public relations Dickson Jere said this to Zambian journalists in Dar-es Salaam shortly before Mr Banda left for Lusaka.
“In his capacity as the Great Lakes Region chairperson, President Banda held consultative talks on the security situation in the region,” Mr Jere said.
The president also held discussions with TAZAMA Pipelines regional manager Abraham Sawanyama and Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) manager for special duties Pascal Mulenga.
THE Government has terminated the contract of prosecutor Mutembo Nchito with immediate effect, acting Chief Government spokesperson Mike Mulongoti has announced.
He said the decision has been necessitated by the dissolution of the Taskforce on Corruption.
Mr Mulongoti said the Taskforce on Corruption was disbanded in October last year and
Government saw no reason to maintain Mr Nchito and other officials who were engaged in their private capacity to prosecute corruption cases.
He said officers from the Zambia Police, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and other security wings who were attached to the Taskforce on Corruption had been redeployed to their respective institutions.
“As such, those who were from private practice have also been written to because the Government has decided to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC),” Mr Mulongoti explained.
Mr Nchito declined to comment on the matter yesterday saying only “I am in the gym as you can hear from my breathing.”
Mr Mulongoti, however, explained that the Government commissioned an audit at the Taskforce on Corruption after it was disbanded and all officers were informed of further steps to be taken after the audit.
He said the continued stay of Mr Nchito at the Taskforce on Corruption depended on the needs of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“So if the DPP feels he does not need any of these officials anymore, he informs them and that is what has happened,” Mr Mulongoti said.
He explained that Mr Nchito would continue with the cases that he was handling in court.
Asked whether the decision showed less commitment towards corruption fight, Mr Mulongoti said the resolve to fight graft was a national matter and as such it did not depend on individuals.
On October 29, last year, Vice-President George Kunda said the Government would consolidate operations of ACC after disbanding the Taskforce on Corruption, which had become expensive to finance.
Mr Kunda said Government also decided that the Taskforce on Corruption would become a special wing at ACC and all its cases would be taken over by the commission.
The Taskforce on Corruption was formed by late president Levy Mwanawasa to investigate graft during the administration of former president Frederick Chiluba, which ended in 2001 after he served two five-year terms.
The Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) has confirmed that it has intentions to enter into a pact with the United National Independence Party (UNIP) as the country heads towards the 2011 tripartite elections.
MMD National Secretary Katele Kalumba said the ruling party has always been a movement from which most political parties in the country originated from.
Dr. Kalumba said the MMD has never closed its doors to anyone who wants to join its ranks.
He said it is not strange that UNIP could find a common ground with the ruling party even though it was an adversary party during the early 1990s.
The MMD Chairperson said a pact between the UNIP and the MMD cannot be peculiar in any way stating ANC and National party did it at the time Zambia was fighting for independence.
Dr. Kalumba said it is not only UNIP which has shown interest in forming a political pact with the MMDbut also other parties he did name.
He said there are possibilities of discussions with what he called ‘Very Big Political Parties’ in the country which he refused to mention.
[ QFM ]
FLASHBACK: Mines Minister Maxwell Mwale hugs investors in the mining sector from China
A Government official has revealed the underlying reason behind Government’s decision to scrap off the windfall tax in the mining sector.
Deputy Minister in the ministry of Mines, Boniface Nkata says if Government had continued to charge windfall tax on excess profits in the mining sector amid the Global financial crisis the affairs of the country would have become ungovernable.
He said the pulling out of most foreign mining firms from the mines created a lot of job losses which created tension in the country which, he stressed, was almost going to lead to a vote of no confidence by the Zambians in the incumbent Government.
In an overheard conversation with fellow government official, Mr Nkhata explained that government had predicted a situation where people would have been up against government because of the loss of jobs and thereby advantaging the opposition over the ruling party.
He said that the opposition parties had also contributed to inciting people to rise against Government.
He said that Government feared a situation where an early election would be called because of failure by Government to Govern the Country through its strategic revenue earner the mines.
Mr Nkhata said that after the abolition of the windfall tax, Government has been able to restore jobs that were lost following the closure of most mines.
He added that the issue of windfall tax raises so much dust and disturbances in the Governance of the country and that Government would not consider re-introducing it.
