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State disburses K492bn

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THE Ministry of Finance and National Planning disbursed K942.1 billion for development programmes and operations in all ministries, provinces and spending agencies in the month of March 2010.

The release of money brings the total budget released since January 2010 to K2.906 trillion.

Ministry of Finance spokesperson Chileshe Kandeta said in a statement yesterday that the ministry had made a deliberate strategy to inform the public frequently on all financial activities regarding the Budget as a way of enhancing accountability.

He said out of the K942.1 billion released in March, provincial administrative headquarters received funds as follows: Lusaka K2.3 billion, Copperbelt K3.3 billion, Central K2.3 billion, Northern K4.3 billion, Western K4.7 billion, Eastern K3.1 billion, Luapula K2.6 billion, North-Western K8.6 billion and Southern Province K2.9 billion.

Mr Kandeta said the Ministry of Education received K225.6 billion or 24 per cent of the total funds under the disbursement schedule.

Of this amount, Lusaka Province basic schools received K11.4 billion and high schools K3.7 billion, Copperbelt basic schools received K22.5 billion, high schools K4 billion and teacher education institutions K1.2 billion.

Central Province basic schools received K16.9 billion, high schools K2.7 billion and teacher education institutions K455 million. Northern Province basic schools received K20 billion, high schools K3.7 billion and teacher education institutions K389 million, Western Province basic schools received K9.8 billion, high schools K1.9 billion and teacher education institutions K219 million.

Mr Kandeta said the Government had continued in its commitment to timely dismantle debts to ensure debt sustainability over the long run.

In the same month, K103.6 Billion was released for constitutional and statutory expenditure of which K3 billion was allocated for servicing the multilateral external debt, K12 billion for non-Paris Club bilateral debt, K44.6 billion for interest payments on treasury bills and K44 billion for interest payments on Government bonds.

[Times of Zambia]

PF/UPND getting desperate – Siliya

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THE allegations by the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) and Patriotic Front (PF) that the MMD was training 200 cadres at Lilayi Police College and had mobilised 70 vehicles to use in the forthcoming Mufumbwe and Milanzi by election were a reflection of the desperation by the opposition.

MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya said both the PF leader Michael Sata and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema were now making wild allegations against the ruling party.

Ms Siliya said the UPND and PF leaders had run out of ideas and the effect of losing elections several times was haunting them.

She said the opposition leaders and their members have now resorted to telling lies in a last ditch attempt to impress the people.

“This is a reflection of true desperation by the opposition. These are wild and unfounded allegations that they have resorted to,” she said.

Ms Siliya was reacting to a statement by the PF/UPND Pact yesterday that the MMD had mobilised 70 Government vehicles to use in the Mufumbwe and Milanzi by-elections and that it had connived with the police to train over 200 cadres at Lilayi Police College.

She said the MMD would use no trickery to win the elections but would put to use its proven track record that Zambians have all come to understand and appreciate.

Ms Siliya said it was unfortunate that the opposition political parties, especially the PF and the UPND had abandoned the responsibility of selling their manifestos to the people but were busy discussing the MMD all the time.

“They are not talking about the economy. Zambians are not interested in them and will not be swayed by such wild allegations,” she said.

Ms Siliya who is Petauke MP (MMD) said Zambia wanted to hear more talk about economic growth and not the lies and allegations that the opposition were making.

She challenged the PF and the UPND to travel to Milanzi and Mufumbwe and identify the alleged Government vehicles that the MMD was using.

“When leaders speak there should be sense in the things they say,” she said,

She said the fact that the PF and UPND were making such allegation ahead of the by-elections clearly showed how they were scared of losing the two seats.
The by-elections in both constituencies are set for April 29.

Meanwhile, ELECTION materials have arrived in Mufumbwe in North-Western Province ahead of Thursday’s nominations for the April 29 Mufumbwe Constituency parliamentary by-election.

District electoral officer, Aaron Kamalondo, who is council secretary, confirmed yesterday the arrival of ballot materials and said all was set for nominations.

“Materials came yesterday, only the ballot papers are remaining. You know those can only be brought days before the election, and they can only be printed after nominations,” Mr Kamalondo said.

He said campaigns for the seat left vacant following the death of MMD area member of Parliament Misheck Bonshe last month would officially kick off after nominations.

While UNIP had reportedly named its candidate, the ruling MMD and the UPND-PF Pact, who are keeping their cards close their chests, would name their candidates before Thursday.

UPND provincial chairman, Wishikti Katambi said in Solwezi that the party had done its assessment on the ground and would start the campaigns after the nominations.

“We are law-abiding, so we will start campaigns after nominations. Solwezi Central was tougher, this one is a walk-over.

‘‘With due respect, we shall meet on the battlefront,” Colonel (retired) Katambi said.
Party provincial secretary, Obet Mayambu said recently that the opposition should not expect an easy run after winning last November’s Solwezi Central parliamentary by-election.

Mr Mayambu said MMD would leave no stone unturned in retaining the Mufumbwe Constituency seat after learning a lot from the Solwezi by-election where the ruling party may have underestimated the opposition party.

[Times of Zambia]

MMD Has Failed to Provide Educational Opportunities for All

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An unidentified woman and her daughter selling vegetables and other foodstuffs at Kapapa market in Chipata, Zambia

by Henry Kyambalesa

I wish to comment on the article which appeared in the Times of Zambia of April 4, 2010 under the title “How MMD Government [Has] Improved Education” by George Chisanga.

It is shameful that both Mr. Chisanga and the Times of Zambia can publish such trash in a newspaper. Firstly, the title of the article should have been about teachers because there is nothing in it that addresses the issue of education in Zambia during the 19 years the MMD has been in power.

Secondly, Mr. Chisanga is most probably not a journalist because all the verbiage he has published in the newspaper is based on his own opinions rather than a sampling of teachers’ views about the adequacy of their conditions of service with respect to their salaries and allowances.

Thirdly, he has alleged that funding to Kabwe Trades, Lusaka Trades, Nortec, and Lukashya Trades has been superb. Would students, faculty and administrators in these institutions honestly agree with him? [pullquote]“Imiti ikula e mpanga,” [/pullquote]

And, among other empty claims, he has cited schools which have been constructed or being constructed from the scratch as one of the highlights of MMD’s quest to improve education in the country. Well, many of these schools have been constructed with funding from donor countries!

My soul bleeds to read such trash being peddled in government-controlled news media. Does Mr. Chisanga think that Zambians are fools who cannot notice the rot in Zambia’s educational system? If his article represents MMD’s view about education in Zambia, then I do not see why any Zambian would want to vote for MMD candidates in 2011 because MMD’s failure to deliver anything of substance in all important areas of human endeavor actually affects every citizen irrespective of their political affiliation.

During the UNIP era, I do not remember seeing school-age children begging on the streets, or selling all kinds of wares in town centers around the country. The blame for this phenomenon falls squarely on the shoulders of the MMD government for its failure to provide adequately for the educational needs of our children.

Since the MMD came to power, we have seen tens of thousands of Grade 7 and Grade 9 students being spilled onto the streets every year. We need to seriously consider the prospect of extending educational opportunities to all Zambia’s children because they are the jewels of our Motherland. “Imiti ikula e mpanga,” a Bemba maxim tells us. It is, therefore, surprising that we have continued to pay lip-service to the educational needs of our country’s youth.

But even in the face of such obvious failure, President Rupiah Banda and Vice President George Kunda are on the campaign trail for re-election in 2011 without any shame!

There is a lot MMD leaders need to do in this endeavor between now and September 2011 in order to improve their chances of winning. Among other things, they need to abolish examination fees and Grades 7 and 9 elimination examinations, and to provide for free education through Grade 12 as an initial step in making education more accessible to all Zambians.

Besides, high-school graduates who would obtain a Division 1 should be automatically awarded scholarships upon being accepted at any Zambian college or university. All other high-school graduates and working Zambian men and women wishing to pursue further studies should be granted with low-interest loans upon being accepted into classroom-based or correspondence-based programs of study offered within Zambia.

Loan recipients who would graduate with “Distinction” should be excused of 75% of their debt obligations, while those who would graduate with “Merit” should be absolved of 50% of their debt obligations. And all college and university graduates who would sign contracts to work in the teaching, healthcare or agricultural professions within Zambia for at least 4 years should be absolved of 100% of their debt obligations.Apart from government loans, they should encourage commercial banks and other financial institutions operating in Zambia to consider lending for education as part of their business. The Indo-Zambia Bank students’ loan scheme launched at Mulungushi University in April 2009 is a good start in this endeavor.

To accommodate primary school leavers in secondary schools, as well as continuing Grade 9 students, they need to take the following measures: (a) provide for immediate expansion of facilities at secondary schools which do not currently have extra space for Grades 8 and 10 classes; (b) allow interested secondary school teachers destined for retirement to delay their retirements, as well as hire more of the trained teachers who are currently unemployed; and (c) step up enrolments in training programs for secondary school teachers by at least 5%.

There is a need to make a sustained effort to cater for the basic needs of the educational system, including: (a) schools and classrooms that are adequately equipped for both teaching and learning; (b) qualified, self-motivated and well-paid teachers or lecturers in every classroom; and (c) competent school administrators on competitive conditions of service, and adequate office supplies and fixtures.

Funding for education and other essential public sectors can be sourced partly from abolishing some of the top level sinecures in government and retire the holders of such sinecures early with full benefits. A lot of material and financial resources can be saved in the long run by taking such a measure, including salaries and allowances, office furniture and fixtures, buildings, automobiles, gasoline, utilities, telephone expenses, and so forth.

Also, there is a need to go through government expenditures line by line, program by program, agency by agency, department by department, and ministry by ministry in order to eliminate unnecessary application of public funds.

Moreover, the government needs to reduce taxes and interest rates so that individuals and businesses can keep more of their earnings for investment and consumption and, in the process, stimulate economic activities and job creation. The new businesses and employees would eventually expand the tax base by contributing to tax revenues.

The people are tired of government leaders who talk the talk without making any tangible or serious effort to walk the walk, so to speak.

The Weekend in Pictures

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1.

President Banda talks to PF leader Michael Sata at Good Friday celebrations at Saint Ignatius church

2.

President Banda. Felix Mutati, Edith Nawakwi and Michael Sata during Good Friday at Saint Ignatius

3.

An usher offers Eucharist to President Banda at Saint Ignatius church during good Friday celebrations

4.

President Banda interacts with parishioners at Saint Ignatius church on Good Friday

5.

Forum for Democracy and Development president Edith Nawakwi and Patrotic Front leader Michael Sata as he talks to Lands minister Daka at St Ignatius Church.

6.

Forum for Democracy and Development president Edith Nawakwi and her daughter pay homage to the cross during Good Friday.

7.

Patrotic Front leader Michael Sata during Good Friday celebrations at Saint Ignatius church

8.

Former Lusaka Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo and his wife Maria Sung wait for exit formalities when they arrived at the Lusaka international airport

9.

Former Lusaka Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo trailed by his wife Maria Sung arrives in Zambia.

10.

Former Lusaka Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo

11.

Scores of Matero residents wait for their turn to obtain a national registration card at the community hall.

12.

A police officer looks over Matero residents who are queuing up to obtain national registration cards.

13.

A police officer looks over Matero residents who are queuing up to obtain national registration cards

14.

A traditional dancer 'fund raising' during a dinner dance at Pamodzi hotel at the weekend

15.

A traditional dance troupe salutes the audience after a performance at Pamodzi hotel

16.

Youth performing the Passion of the Christ play at Chelston catholic church

17.

Zambia Sugar managing director Steve Langton about to receive a Lusaka Stock Exchange award from Commerce minister Felix Mutati

18.

National Milling Corporation managing director Peter Cottan hands over 10 bags of mealie-meal to State House minister Ronal Mukuma for the State House football team.

MMD will lose Mufumbwe seat says Mpombo

Suspended Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) member George Mpombo has predicted a massive defeat for his party in the Mufumbwe parliamentary by election.

Mr. Mpombo said the MMD would fail to win the elections in the constituency because they have failed to take development in the area.

He said if the MMD returns the seat in Mufumbwe then it means that there is political recovery on the part of the party.

Mr.Mpombo who has been a critic of his own party stated that the MMD has failed to involve the electorates in the developmental initiatives.

He predicted that if the MMD loses the election in north western province it would be the beginning of the end for the ruling party.

The Kafulafuta Member of Parliament said he has been calling for the re-organization of the party to ensure that it was always on top.

He added that the current MMD government is disorganized making it impossible to reclaim the political status it enjoyed some time back.

Mr Mpombo also stated that the MMD has a bigger chance of winning the Milanzi constituency seat because the party has dominant support Eastern Province.

However, MMD national chairperson Michael Mabenga has warned the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) pact of a clear defeat in the next by elections to be held on the 29TH of April in Mufumbwe and Milanzi constituencies, respectively.
Mr. Mabenga said the act does not threaten the ruling party in the forthcoming elections because it has learnt its lessons and the seats at stake are already under the ruling party leadership.

QFM

Luapula PF MPs vow to decampaign Sata

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PF leader Michael Sata

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) members of Parliament from Luapula Province have declared that they will decampaign party leader Michael Sata for allegedly trying to secretly concession land in the province.
The MPs have also told Mr Sata to forget about getting votes from the people of Luapula Province in the 2011 elections.

Speaking on behalf of the other MPs, Luapula Member of Parliament Peter Machungwa said yesterday that Mr Sata’s secret deals were likely to put the country at risk. In his reaction to revelations by former PF general secretary Edward Mumbi that Mr Sata’s US$27,000 was meant for land which he allegedly promised to give to a team of foreign business people had he won the 2006 elections, Dr Machungwa said Mr Sata should not be entrusted with the running of the nation because his actions were likely to put Zambia at risk.
He said it was now evident that Mr Sata was not the right person for the country’s highest office saying the opposition leader would concession the entire country if given the instruments of power to rule Zambia.

Dr Machungwa added that the PF leader had also told his donors that apart from the nine known Zambian provinces, there was also a 10th province called Muchinga Province in Northern Province. He said the people of Northern Province should also be careful with Mr Sata because they may one day just wake up and find that part of their land had been concessioned.
“In fact there is already a PF chairperson for Mr Sata’s Muchinga Province. According to Mr Sata, Northern Province is divided into two areas. This should be of great concern for the people in the province because something fishy may secretly have happened for the PF to come up with such a province,” he said.

Dr Machungwa, who is also spokesperson for the PF MPs attending the National Constitution Conference (NCC) declared that the MPs from Luapula Province would now gang up and explain Mr Sata’s secret dealings to the electorate in the province. He said the revelation that Mr Sata promised to give land to a group of foreign business people was sad and urged Zambians to be careful with some leaders they entrust with power to run the nation.
“Let us be careful as Zambians and not elect leaders that are fond of making secret deals to only benefit themselves. As MPs from Luapula Province we will now tell our electorate why they should not vote for Mr Sata. We will explain the secret deals Mr Sata has been making on Luapula land,” he said.
He said Mr Sata’s failure to explain the source of US$27,000 was a sign that the money was not genuinely obtained.

Dr Machungwa said Mr Sata’s exposed secret deals should be an eye-opener for Zambians and should not be taken lightly, especially that the person who disclosed the issue was a former PF general secretary who once worked closely with the PF leader.
On Friday, Mr Mumbi disclosed that the controversial US$27,000 grabbed from Mr Sata in South Africa was given to him for a deal to concession a mineral-rich piece of land in Luapula Province to a team of foreign business people had he won the 2006 elections.
[Times of Zambia]

Catholic Church distances itself from Father Bwalya’s ultimatum on RB

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Fr Frank Bwalya

THE Roman Catholic Church has distanced itself from a statement by Change Life Zambia Director Frank Bwalya claiming that President Rupiah Banda’s attendance of the Good Friday celebrations at St Ignatius was a mockery to the Catholics.

And the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has also distanced itself from the statement made by Fr Bwalya that President Rupiah Banda should not have attended the Good Friday mass in the Catholic Church. ZEC spokesperson Paul Samasumo said Father Bwalya was not a spokesperson for the church and what he said were his own personal views.

The church described Fr Bwalya’s statement as one aimed at denting the image of St Ignatius and yet he did not represent the parish in any way. Superior of the St Ignatius Parish, Charles Chilinda said there was no wrangle between the Government and the catholics and advised the president not to respond to Fr Bwalya’s seven days ultimatum to apologise to the catholics because that was not the ultimatum from the catholics but from Fr Bwalya.

And St Ignatius, Vice-Parish Council chairperson Evaristo Njelesani said as a parish, it welcomed people who wanted to fellowship with them and that Easter was a big event in the Catholic Church and attendance was open to everyone.

Speaking at a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday at St Ignatius, Father Chilinda said the Catholic Church was grateful and humbled to see President Banda, Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata and Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) leader Edith Nawakwi as it was a big inspiration to unity.

[pullquote]Speaking at a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday at St Ignatius, Father Chilinda said the Catholic Church was grateful and humbled to see President Banda, Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata and Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) leader Edith Nawakwi as it was a big inspiration to unity.[/pullquote]

“ Fr Bwalya is not speaking for St Ignatius; he is from Copperbelt, we can only speak for ourselves and what we are saying is that the president must not apologise, let him ignore the ultimatum because Fr Bwalya is speaking for himself and not the Church, Fr Bwalya has no authority over St Ignatius,” he said.

He said Fr Bwalya was using any opportunity to champion his mission and urged him to stop using the media to create an impression of enmity between President Banda and Mr Sata when in actual fact they were good friends.

Fr Chilinda said the Catholic Church brought everyone together and that it would continue welcoming the president each time he wanted to join them in prayers because the Church was the house of the Lord.
He said politics should be influenced by Christian values which was not the situation saying what was being witnessed was politics of conflict and unChristian events and utterances.

Fr Chilinda has advised the media to stop focusing on the negatives each time they write their articles as Friday’s function was aimed at promoting unity, peace and love. “There is no better time for reconciliation than this one, let’s have a media that promotes peace,” he said.

Father Samasumo said only he and the secretary general of ZEC Joe Komakoma were official spokespersons for the church. He said if a bishop spoke, his views could also be taken as the official position of the church and not any other priest.

Father Samasumo said the church at St Ignatius Parish invited Mr Banda to be one of the congregants at the special church service as a way of building solidarity, unity and reconciliation among people in the country.
He said among those invited were Mr Sata, Ms Nawakwi and United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema.

“There is no way we can invite someone and later start condemning him for attending our church service,” Fr Samasumo said.He said the statement by Fr Bwalya was unfortunate.

The church was reacting to Fr Bwalya’s statement in which he gave President Banda a seven-day ultimatum to apologise to the Catholic Church failure to which the church would make him feel unwelcome whenever he attends any service for the rest of his life.

Fr Bwalya was quoted on QFM Radio and the online publication LusakaTimes.com as having said that President Banda’s attendance of the Good Friday celebrations at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church last Friday should be viewed as a mockery to the Catholic Church by all Zambians.

Speaking to QFM in a telephone interview yesterday, Fr Bwalya said the action by the president was not different from that of former president Chiluba when he went to the same church and received communion when he knew it was wrong for him to do so.

He said it was wrong for the president to attend the celebration because he is presiding over a government that has accused the Catholic Church of promoting genocide in the country. He said the action was an act of insult to Catholic priests.

[Times of Zambia]

TIZ advises MMD government against selective prosecution of cases

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Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) chapter President Reuben Lifuka (L)

Transparency international Zambia TIZ president, Rueben has advised the ruling movement for multi party MMD to avoid picking on corruption cases that are only beneficial to the party in power due to its political connotation.

In an interview with Qfm, Mr Lifuka reveals that even though government would argue to say that pushing forward its research on finding details to opposition patriotic front president, Michael Sata’s once upon a time confinement to a maximum prison is beneficial to the electorate in the country, it also shows that the government is only picking on cases that will be politically beneficial to MMD.

He said that it is very evident that all the information being revealed on the time Mr. sata served a prison sentence will be to the detriment of the PF and possibly the pact as well but to the benefit of the MMD.

He has therefore urged the MMD to give the very same attention in addressing the increasing number of government officials being highlighted in the auditor general’s report.

[pullquote]He has therefore urged the MMD to give the very same attention in addressing the increasing number of government officials being highlighted in the auditor general’s report.[/pullquote]

Mr. lifuka says that it is immoral for government to allow the misappropriation of such huge public resources go unnoticed while it pushes for cases such as Mr. sata’s all for the benefit of the MMD.

He says that President Banda and his government should set the national priorities way above party politics and tactics.

He says that people have so many unanswered questions and the MMD should not just get sentimental and focus on the issues that are being put forward by the people.

QFM

MMD confident of scooping the two by elections, Mabenga

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MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga addresses journalists at the party secretariat in Lusaka
MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga addresses journalists at the party secretariat in Lusaka

Movement for Multi party Democracy MMD national chairperson Michael Mabenga has warned the opposition patriotic front PF and united party for national development UPND pact of a clear defeat in the next by elections to be held on the 29TH of April in Mufumbwe and Milanzi constituencies, respectively.

Mr. Mabenga says that the pact does not threaten the ruling party in the forthcoming elections because it has learnt its lessons and the seats at stake are already under the ruling party leadership.

He has therefore assured the two opposition parties who have merged to build a stronger force against government that the pact does not have a chance of scooping the next elections and the MMD is working tirelessly to maintain their seats.

He also states that his party has already learnt enough lessons from the two elections that were conducted in the recent past and it will not allow the forthcoming seats to go into the hands of the opposition.

He also maintains that his party is working within the electoral code conduct and currently, very observed of the laid down stipulations.

QFM

Zanaco Eject Asec to Advance

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Zanaco kept Zambia’s 2010 caf club cup interest burning when they drew 1-1 away to Asec Mimosa of Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan today. Zanaco qualified 2-1 on aggregate thanks to a 1-0 home win over Asec in Lusaka on March 20.

However, Zanaco were made to work hard to advance to the pre-group stage of the Caf Champions League after trailing 1-0 into the break.

This is after Marc Dion Sebe had put Asec ahead in the 44th minute.

Zanaco equalized in the 52nd minute through midfielder Trinity Chalanshi who headed the ball to level scores.

This was Chalanshi’s first match since returning from suspension. Zanaco advance to the pre-group stage 2-1 on aggregate where they take on Entente Setif of Algeria away in the pre-group stage, first leg during the weekend of April 23-25.

 Entente Setif qualified to the pre-group stage after defeating in Union Douala of Cameroon 5-0 on Friday evening in Setif.

Setif advance 7-0 on aggregate after also winning 2-0 away in the first leg a fortnight ago.

Winless City Suspend Coach

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City of Lusaka coach Hector Chilombo has become the second coaching casualty in the Super Division just three games gone into the new season.

Chilombo has been replaced by Chris “Gaza” Tembo who was appointed his assistant this season.

“We have suspended Hector Chilombo and now Chris Gaza (Tembo) is in charge,” City communications officer Matimba Nkonje said Sunday afternoon.

Nkonje said the decision was reached today after an emergency executive meeting.

Chilombo has struggled at the helm of City since the start of the season losing all three league games.

City have conceded eight goals along the way with none scored.

And Tembo’s first game in full charge will come on Easter Monday when City visit third placed Red Arrows at Nkoloma.

Chilombo joins fellow former Zambia international Linos Makwaza who was fired by Forest Rangers on Friday after the Ndola side lost its third successive league match going down 1-0 at home against promoted Nchanga Rangers.

Meanwhile, in Mondays matches, Lusaka Dynamos visit Nkwazi, Power Dynamos are at Kabwe Warriors, National Assembly host Choma, while Roan United travel to Chingola to play Rangers.

Forest, under new coach Dan Bwalya,  take on fellow winless side Nkana in Kitwe.

Green Buffaloes take the day off because opponents Zanaco are away in Cote d’Ivoire to face Asec Mimosa in Abidjan today in a Caf Champions League first round return leg tie.

Vanquished Zesco United return to league action on Wednesday following their early Confederation Cup exit when they host Konkola Blades at Kafubu stadium in Luanshya while they await for their re-laid turf to fully grow.

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

MMD NW Province recommends three candidates for adoption in the Mufumbwe by-election

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HE MMD in North-Western Province has recommended three candidates to the national executive committee (NEC) for adoption in the Mufumbwe by-election.

In an interview with the Sunday Mail, North-Western Province chairperson Pinakin Patel said that former diplomat Mulondwe Muzungu, Stanford Mulusa and Stephen Masumba have been recommended for adoption.

He said the fourth aspirant, Mr Shinika Mulusa, was disqualified during preliminaries because he failed to pay the K1.5 million participation fee.

Mr Patel said all the three aspiring candidates hail from the North-Western Province, saying the party did not want to “import” candidates because Mufumbwe is a rural set-up.

He said retaining the seat will be a tough battle for the MMD because the Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development have teamed up in Mufumbwe.

Mr Patel said that the MMD in the province will accept whoever the NEC will adopt to represent them in the by-election. He said they will put up a spirited campaign to ensure that they retain the seat.

“We have done our part, it’s now up to NEC to sit down and analyse the three candidates. We will respect the NEC verdict; we have to rally behind whoever they give us,” Mr Patel said.

He said the preliminary selection process was transparent from the constituency, district and provincial executive committees. He said all aspirants freely expressed their interest to contest the election, and that the one who was disqualified just failed to pay the participation fee.

Mr Patel said it was premature for their former youth secretary Newton Malwa to say that the party was considering bringing someone from foreign service to come and contest the elections.

Mr Malwa who has since resigned from his position was quoted as having said that the MMD would lose the Mufumbwe seat if they did not adopt a candidate whom the local people wanted.

Mr Patel said Mr Muzungu’s name was suggested by the people of Mufumbwe, and he expressed interest when he was contacted.

“On whether or not Mr Muzungu will be adopted, is up to the NEC to decide,” he said.

When contacted MMD national secretary Dr Katele Kalumba said the NEC panel that was sent to Mufumbwe has come back and a candidate will be announced either today or tomorrow.

The Mufumbwe by-election has been set for April 29, following the death of Home Affairs deputy minister, Misheck Bonshe.

Meanwhile, Mr Patel said the MMD in North-Western Province has accepted the resignation of Mr Malwa whom they wish well in his endeavours.

He said there were no bitter feelings about Mr Malwa’s move because they were one family.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

RB is tolerant of critics and allows freedom of speech, Mangani

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Minister Lameck Mangani

MINISTER of Home Affairs Lameck Mangani has accused Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata of using “dirty tactics” to silence his critics in the opposition party.

Mr Mangani said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Sata does not tolerate party members who oppose him.

He was reacting to press reports that quoted Mr Sata as having said President Banda is using old UNIP tactics to silence his critics.

Mr Mangani said Mr Sata’s charges are baseless and that to the contrary, President Banda is tolerant of critics and allows freedom of speech.

[pullquote]He said it is because of the democracy in MMD that Kafulafuta MP George Mpombo, who has been charged by the party for alleged misconduct, has continued attacking the party and President Banda with impunity.[/pullquote]

He said Mr Sata’s intolerance of divergent views can be seen in the expulsion of 16 members of Parliament from PF for upholding their obligation to be part of the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).

Mr Mangani said the MMD has never expelled or locked up any of its members for opposing Government or President Banda.

He said it is because of the democracy in MMD that Kafulafuta MP George Mpombo, who has been charged by the party for alleged misconduct, has continued attacking the party and President Banda with impunity.

“Mr Sata is the one who has been using his supporters and security to apply ‘silencing tactics’ against those who oppose him,” he said.

He wondered why Mr Sata chases those who oppose his views instead of allowing democracy to prevail.

Mr Mangani said President Banda has not been using State security to imprison or kill those who oppose him.

He said Mr Banda has allowed a lot of freedom of speech and people freely express themselves knowing that they are in a democratic country.

Mr Mangani said no one has been imprisoned or frustrated for opposing Government’s views.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

UPND officials vows to vote for RB

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Rupiah Banda and George Kunda at the MMD card renewal exercise
President Rupiah Banda

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) officials from three constituencies in the Southern Province have vowed to vote for President Banda in next year’s tripartite elections.

And a headman in Chief Nalubamba’s chiefdom in Namwala has charged that the alliance between the Patriotic Front (PF) and the UPND will not benefit the people of Southern Province.

The officials from Choma, Mbabala and Namwala constituencies have also vowed to support and follow Namwala member of Parliament Robbie Chizyuka wherever he goes.

In separate interviews with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS), the officials who included Mapanza prominent businessman Justine Chilala, UPND Mapanza Ward 2 Youth chairman Maybin Haanangoma, UPND Mbeza Ward chairman Besten Nyama Chivunga and Choma businessman Munchanga Siabasimbi, all acknowledged that government has worked hard to implement development projects that have improved the living standards of the people hence the need for continuity.

Mr Chilala said construction of the Mapanza Bridge and the Choma -Namwala road point to Government’s commitment to taking development to rural areas.
He said there is no need to have another government next year but to continue with President Banda so that developmental projects embarked on can continue.
He encouraged Major Chizyuka to continue working for the people saying his expulsion from the UPND does not hold any water.

“As far as we are concerned, we need an MP who is working not just sitting and warming seats in parliament. We want Major Chizyuka because he went to parliament not to enrich himself but to fight for the poor,” he said.

Mr Muchanga Siabasimbi, said he is happy that Government’s has tarred the Choma-Namwala road.
Mr Siabasimbi, a retired detective inspector, said the tarring of the road will boost trade.

Meanwhile, Mapanza Ward 2 Youth chairman Maybin Haanangoma has encouraged government to continue working towards improving the living standards of the people in the province.

Mr Haanangoma said people in Mapanza and Namwala are impressed with the tarring of Choma-Namwala road and the construction of the once dangerous Mapanza Bridge.

He added that he does not care about the expulsion of Major Chizyuka from the UPND and that he will follow him wherever he goes because of his good works.
Besten Nyama Chivunga urged government to remain focused and continue addressing problems affecting many Zambians.

Mr Chivunga, who is Mbeza Ward chairman (UPND) wondered why some MPs just oppose government at the expense of lobbying for development projects for their electorates.

“Here in Namwala we are extremely happy with our MP for working hand in hand with government to bring about these many development projects. Its not good to just oppose government. Why some MPs oppose government on a daily basis is because they do not know that they were elected into office to work for the people and its only through working in harmony with Government that such developments can be seen,” Mr Chivunga said.

And headman Mwanamundambwa of Mbeza has said Mr Chizyuka’s advice to the UPND not to continue with the pact is timely and genuine one.

Headman Mwanamundambwa said UPND president Hakainde Hichilema should be reminded of political setbacks people of Southern Province have gone through in such political arrangements.

The traditional leader said if the PF leader Michael Sata became president, Mr Hichilema would not be rewarded with a leadership position.
Mr Haanangoma cautioned Mr Hichilema against being too comfortable with his leadership.

“Our President thinks he can run the party in any way he likes. He does not accept advice and fails to accept divergent views. There should be democracy and the party should at least maintain strong men within the party instead of chasing them,” he said.

Mbeza Ward chairman Besten Chivunga charged that Mr Hichilema should be reminded that it’s the people of Namwala who voted for Major Chizyuka and not him.

“Where was Hichilema when we were fighting for the Kafue flats. Was it not Major Chizhyuka who fought for our land back. We love Major Chizyuka, we shall go wherever he goes,” he said.

Mr. Chivunga also thanked government for the many development projects that have been implemented in the constituency.

Among the projects is a girls technical high school which is being constructed at a cost of K32 billion, a basic school at Namwala Boma which will cost K8 billion, the Monze-Nieko road which was upgraded at K37 billion and about 14 community schools which have been upgraded at the cost of K50 million each.

And a senior citizen in Chief Nalubamba’s area in Namwala district feels President Banda must continue as Republican President next year.

Charles Chiboola of Halupumbu Village said President Banda has exhibited high levels of maturity, humbleness, kindness and is focused on development of the country.

Senior deputy headman Shandalama of Mbeza in Chief Nalubamba’s chiefdom said the people of Namwala are happy with government.

Senior headman Butele said the people of Namwala will for years remain indebted to the Government and Major Chizyuka for the impressive developments taking place in the district.

Senior Headman Butele, who is also former head teacher for Mangwele Upper Basic School in Namwala, said the people of Namwala now have confidence in the government.

A herdsman in Haamubbwatu area of Mbabala constituency said the construction of the Choma-Namwala road and Ngonga bridge is a dream come true to the people of Namwala and Choma districts.

Lucky Haanampota, who was found at the Ngonga bridge, said the construction of the bridge will enhance agriculture and business activities.

Pupils at Haamabbwatu Basic School said missing classes during the rainy season is now a thing of the past because water from the Ngonga River does not flood the new bridge.

And Major Chizyuka says he is impressed with the huge amount of development work that government is doing in Namwala constituency.

Major Chizyuka said after a tour of development projects in his constituency that he is humbled by the billions of Kwacha that government has poured in his constituency over the past three years that he has been MP.

Speaking after inspection of the Choma-Namwala Road, Ngonga and Mapanza bridges and schools, Major Chizyuka said “Namwala district has had a fair share of the national cake”

ZANIS

US impressed by Zambia’s corruption fight

8

AMERICAN acting Ambassador to Zambia Michael Koplovsky says his Government is impressed with President Banda’s government efforts in fighting corruption, saying policies that have been put in place encourage foreign investment.

Ambassador Koplovsky said the launch of Zambia’s first Anti-corruption Policy last year and other pieces of legislation that will strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission are clear indicators that President Banda is determined to rid the nation of corruption.

Speaking in an interview in Solwezi on Thursday, Mr Koplovsky the US government is pleased that President Banda has further committed himself to supporting the Anti-Corruption Commission and Auditor General’s office.

He said plans to enact the Public Interest Disclosure Bill (whistleblower) will bolster the fight against graft as it will provide protection for individuals who will report corrupt activities.

“Besides the country being peaceful and stable, these initiatives will help make Zambia one of the best countries on the continent that encourage foreign investment,” Mr Koplovsky said.

He said the US government has also helped the Patents and Companies Registration Office reduce the number of days it takes to register a company.
He said for foreign investors to come to Zambia, the tax regime must be predictable and companies must have access to finance.

He cited the Doing Business Report by the World Bank as one barometer that shows that the country is making tremendous efforts in attracting foreign investments.
The American Ambassador said his country was working with the Zambian government in putting policies that would attract investment.

Mr Koplovsky, who was on a tour of American-funded projects in the North-Western Province, said the United States is further pleased by Government’s decision to set up a secretariat for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

He said this will help create a global standard for revenue transparency in the extractive industries.
Mr Koplovsky said through the implementation of the EITI, Zambia will bring together companies, civil society and government representatives to monitor and account for payments being made to governments by extractive companies operating in their country.

He said countries that have met all of the reporting and operational indicators set out under the EITI guidelines have achieved a greater level of transparency.

Mr Koplovsky, who also visited Lumwana mine, said he is impressed with the firm’s excellent corporate citizenship.

He said if there were similar investments in other parts of the country the economy would grow.
He said investments in the mining industry have a multiplier effect and would see other sectors benefitting.

Mr Koplovsky further said there is need to respect development agreements that were entered into with mining companies when they came to invest in Zambia if the country is to retain more foreign investment.

Mr Koplovsky said Zambia should respect the development agreements it made with mining investors as the country explores the possibility of re-introducing the windfall taxes regime and other impositions.

“If the country goes ahead and imposes the windfall taxes regime, it will send wrong signals to other investors who are beginning to have interest in investing in this country,” Mr Koplovsky warned.

He said although he supports proper taxation of extractive industries, it is important that any changes on taxation to the mining industries be done in full consultation with the investors.

Last year, President Banda launched the National Anti-Corruption Policy, which is Zambia’s first anti-corruption policy.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act is also being revised to incorporate good governance practices contained in the international anti-corruption instruments to which Zambia is a signatory.
To further strengthen the ACC, the government has disbanded the Task Force on Corruption.

President Banda also announced that a serious frauds unit will be established under the strengthened Anti-Corruption Commission to specifically investigate complex corruption cases.

[Zambia Daily Mail]