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The Weekend in Pictures
RTSA procures traffic lights signal equipment worth K648 million for Kitwe.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has procured traffic lights signal equipment worth K648 million for Kitwe City Council (KCC).
RTSA Director, Freddie Mwalusaka, said in Kitwe today during the handover ceremony of the equipment to KCC that the procurement of the traffic lights is an initiative meant to address the increased flow of traffic in the city and minimize road traffic accidents.
Mr Mwalusaka observed that there is an increase in the number of vehicles on the road in Kitwe which does not correspond to the infrastructure, adding that the situation has resulted in over burdening of scarce road resources.
He said their were 307,000 motor vehicles in the country by December last year compared to 183, 000 in 2006.
Speaking earlier, RTSA Chairperson, Winston Mwandila, said the motorization rate and road traffic accidents being experienced in urban towns have become a major concern.
Mr Mwandila said according to the road safety assessment carried out by RTSA last year in Kitwe, the traffic light signals are too inadequate to manage the growing motor traffic in the city.
He said it was this desperate situation which compelled the agency to source the traffic signal equipment.
Mr Mwandila said there is need that appropriate traffic management schemes are employed to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in cities where human and vehicle population are growing at a faster rate than the road infrastructure.
Mr Mwandila also appealed to road users and the general public to ensure that the road signals were safeguarded and protected so that they could be utilized over their full design life.
Receiving the equipment, Kitwe Mayor, Stephen Chipungu, said the installation of the traffic signal lights will compliment the road rehabilitation exercise to be done by the Japanese International Development Agency (JICA).
ZANIS
It will be a disaster to vote for Sata-Ben Mwila
Former Defense Minister Ben Mwila has alleged that allowing Patriotic Front President to become republican president will be allowing Zambia to experience civil war.
Mr Mwila who is also National Democratic Focus president alleges that Zambians will be making a grave mistake by voting for Mr Sata to be republican president saying he will be abrogating the constitution with impunity which is not in the best interest of the Zambian people.
He said Mr Sata is not fit to lead the country adding that he is only fit to lead Patriotic Front.
And United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema said today that the PF/UPND Pact will not be coerced into choosing its presidential candidate for 2011 elections.
Speaking this morning on JOY FM’s The Platform Programme, Mr Hichilema said the PF/UPND Pact has taken a decision not to preoccupy itself with the presidency at the moment.
He said what they are preoccupied with is ensuring that there is unity in the membership of the two political parties. He accused the MMD of trying to stir trouble in the UPND/PF Pact by suggesting that particular tribes have their preferred candidates for the Pact’s 2011 presidential candidate.
Mr Hichilema said the PF/UPND Pact has nothing to do with tribe as is being portrayed by the ruling party. He wondered why the MMD is concerned about the PACT’s presidential candidate when they have been spelling doom for the PACT.
Mr Hichilema said the MMD are irked because they know that the exit doors are widening and time is running out for them.
QFM
UPND/PF pact not shaken by defections – Lubinda
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) says the PF/UPND pact is not shaken by the defection of more than 20 of its members to the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in Lusaka’s Munali constituency.
PF Spokesperson Given Lubinda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the pact is not shaken because there are more people who are willing to join them.
Mr. Lubinda said members defecting from the pact to join the MMD would regret their decision in 2011 claiming that the PF/UPND pact will emerge victorious in the general elections.
He said those who are leaving the party for the MMD do not realize that the PF/UPND pact was the rightful party with a vision.
More than 20 members of the opposition PF/UPND pact on Saturday left their parties to join the ruling MMD while over 80 more are said to have indicated their intentions to leave their parties and join the MMD.
ZANIS
Lightning burns woman, kills dogs
A 70-year-old woman is nursing serious burns in Choma General Hospital after her house was struck by lightning over the weekend.
Two of her dogs also died on the spot after being hit by lightening during the incident.
Hospital authorities who confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Choma today described the condition of the woman as stable.
The identified woman of new Kabanana compound in Choma was struck during a down pour.
Speaking to ZANIS from her Hospital bed today, the lady said the bizarre incident has left her traumatized.
ZANIS
Isaac Chansa Returns to Pirates
Isaac Chansa has rejoined Orlando Pirates.
The Zambia midfielder returns to Pirates three seasons after leaving the South African club to join Helsingborgs of Sweden following the expiry of his contract with the European club.
Pirates confirmed Chansa’s return in news posted on its official website on Sunday evening.
“I am so happy to be back home at Pirates. The club always had a special place in my heart; therefore it was only natural to rejoin the team after my stint in Europe,”Chansa said.
Chansa was part of the Zambia national team at the just ended Africa cup in Angola where the 25-year-old played lone match.
The ex-Power Dynamos midfielder came on as a second half substitute against Cameroon on January 17 in a match Zambia lost 3-2 in Lubango.
President Banda Should Dissolve the NCC
Henry Kyambalesa
The National Constitutional Conference (NCC) is a fraud. Among other things, it does not have any legitimacy in the eyes of the majority of Zambians, especially after having made highly controversial and contentious recommendations – such as the recommendations requiring a Republican presidential candidate to have a bachelor’s degree as a minimum academic qualification, and to have been resident in Zambia for 10 consecutive years preceding any given presidential election.
It should, therefore, be dissolved as suggested by Citizens Forum executive secretary Simon Kabanda, Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) president Joyce Nonde-Simukoko and other prominent members of Zambian society. It is not possible for a constitution-making process that is suspected of being highly politicized to produce a constitution that will be acceptable to the majority of citizens – a constitution that will stand the test of time!
We can hold the 2011 general elections under the 1996 Republican constitution and place an indefinite moratorium on the constitution-making process.
However, we can have a referendum requiring citizens to vote “yes” or “no” on whether the Republican constitution should be amended to include clauses stipulating that: (a) the Republican president should be elected by a minimum of 50+1% vote; (b) the Republican president should appoint government ministers from the general public rather than from elected members of Parliament; and (c) a specific date should be enshrined in the constitution during which general elections should be conducted.
These three issues need to be resolved, and amendments made to the current constitution based on the outcomes of the referendum, before the 2011 tripartite elections. There are a number of reasons why this should be done, some of which are stated briefly below.
The 50+1% Threshold: The Republican president needs to be elected by the majority of Zambians rather than by a simple majority as provided for in Article 34(8) of the current constitution. Amendment of Article 34(8) will, therefore, enhance our nascent multi-party democracy.
Appointment of Ministers: Ministerial appointments from the Zambian society at large can afford a Republican president a larger pool of competent people from which he or she can constitute a Cabinet. Secondly, it can provide for greater separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of the government.
Thirdly, it can afford presidential aspirants enough time to identify potential ministerial appointees well before tripartite elections rather than waiting for parliamentary elections to be concluded. Further, it would reduce the work overload on government officials who have to handle both ministerial and parliamentary functions.
There is, therefore, a need to amend Articles 46(2) and 47(3), which require the Republican president to appoint Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Provincial Ministers from elected members of Parliament.
Date for General Elections: There is a need for a constitutional clause which should provide for a specific day or date for holding general elections in order to forestall past suspicions that the ECZ director and the Republican president conspired to rig elections whenever they met to determine the dates for elections. The day or date to be considered should be during the dry season, and should give the new Republican president enough time to prepare for the hosting of Independence Day celebrations in October.
As an alternative to the dissolution of the NCC, Parliament should be tasked to appoint a group of at least ten prominent lawyers to examine the recommendations made by the Mung’omba Constitutional Review Commission for the purpose of correcting potential errors and inconsistencies in the recommendations. It makes no sense for a tiny fraction of Zambians who are members of the NCC to repeal or alter recommendations that were based on the submissions of citizens nationwide.
Striker Collins Mbesuma is still holed up in Luanda
NATIONAL team striker Collins Mbesuma is still holed up in Luanda after missing his flight to Lusaka last Thursday.
A national team player who sought anonymity said in Lusaka yesterday that Mbesuma was in the company of some Zambian players based in Angola.
“It was on Wednesday when Mbesuma, in a company of some Zambian players based in Angola, left the hotel,” he narrated.
“When we were leaving for the airport on Thursday, he was nowhere to be seen. His passport was left with the deputy ambassador, Mr Elijah Chisanga,” the source said.
President Banda sent a plane to bring the team to Lusaka after a fairly-good performance at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, which ended in Luanda last night.
The source wondered why Mbesuma decided to go out when the team was still in camp despite the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final loss to Nigeria.
Zambia lost 4-5 on post-match penalties after a goalless stalemate in 120 minutes.
“We all knew that we were still in camp but for Mbesuma to go out we do not know what he was thinking. Anyway, he knows what he was doing,” the source said.
Mbesuma, who campaigns for South African side Moroka Swallows, was an unused substitute at the Africa Cup of Nations.
When contacted, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) communications officer Erick Mwanza said he needed to consult before issuing a comprehensive statement.
“I left the team in Angola because I used a commercial flight. The team flew on a Zambia Air Force plane. I will ask the team manager (Solly Pandor,” Mwanza said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Luapula Chiefs Council warns Chief Bright Nalubamba
THE Luapula Chiefs Council has warned that it will not tolerate Senior Chief Bright Nalubamba’s continued attacks on former President Frederick Chiluba.
Council chairman Chief Chisunka of the Ushi of Luapula said in an interview yesterday that Chief Nalubamba is not a judge to convict Dr Chiluba in the press.
He was reacting to Chief Nalubamba’s reported remarks that Dr Chiluba allegedly squandered public resources and mismanaged the country.
“Let Chief Nalubamba not judge Dr Chiluba. He should stop talking about him because we will react. We are not happy with his comments on Dr Chiluba.
“If he is a judge, let him go ahead and sue Dr Chiluba. He should know that Dr Chiluba comes from people…we are the fathers of Dr Chiluba and we will, therefore, not tolerate this,” he said.
Chief Chisunka said Dr Chiluba was acquitted of corruption charges and that Chief Nalubamba should respect the court’s verdict.
He warned that chiefs in Luapula will differ with Chief Nalubamba should he continue attacking the former head of state.
“We chiefs in Luapula Province respect our subjects and don’t exchange words in public,” he said.
Chief Chisunka urged traditional leaders to be non-partisan and stop threatening their subjects who do not share their political views.
He said chiefs should be there to guide and advise politicians.
“We are supposed to work with whoever is in government. We are expected to hear from them and tell them what we want,” he said.
He appealed to traditional leaders to remain neutral.
Chief Chisunka said traditional leaders should not influence their subjects to support their preferred political parties.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
MMD cautions opposition over violence
THE MMD says it abhors politics of violence and insults and has called on opposition political parties to avoid verbal assaults against their political opponents.
MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya said Zambians are more interested in politics of development and not mud-slinging and name-calling.
Ms Siliya said the MMD is a party that believes in democracy but that it will not condone indiscipline from members that have gone wayward.
Ms Siliya condemned alleged threats by MMD Lusaka Province youth chairperson Chris Chalwe that youths would gang-rape Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi for allegedly insulting President Banda. Ms Siliya said the statement is unfortunate.
She said this in an interview on Zambezi FM radio in Livingstone on Saturday.
“Let us play politics of development and not politics of electioneering all the time. There must be a time for politics of development. The MMD believes in democracy and dialogue.
“We are not for violence, insults and name-calling. What the people of Zambia want to hear is what kind of developmental agenda we have and not who can mouth out the worst insult,” Ms Siliya said.[quote]
She said it is important that the country’s political space be filled with issues affecting people rather than insults and violence.
Ms Siliya said the MMD youth are forced to make certain statements because some opposition political leaders are always insulting President Banda.
She said every leader has a following and that when that leader is insulted or carelessly spoken about, his or her followers are bound to respond negatively.
“What people should realise is that President Banda, as leader of the MMD, has a lot of followers. So, when you begin to insult or speak negatively about him, you are inciting his followers to respond in a negative manner.
We should not forget that there are people who are so passionate about President Banda and respect him. However, two wrongs do not make a right, so we must at all times avoid violence and insults,” Ms Siliya said.
She said her prime occupation as the ruling party’s spokesperson is to market the vision of the MMD and attract as many members as possible.
Ms Siliya denied assertions that she is President Banda’s ‘blue-eyed girl’ who is above reproach and untouchable.
She said people are free to make their own opinions about her, adding that she has always added value to the party.
Ms Siliya said the MMD appointed her as the party’s spokesperson because it believed she has qualities apart from being hard-working and a team player.
She said she was humbled to have been considered for the position of spokesperson for the MMD, adding that it is a sign that the ruling party is moving with time.
Ms Siliya also endorsed the expulsion of MMD Livingstone Constituency chairman John Mwamulima, saying even when the party is committed to democratic principles, there is need for members to be disciplined.
She said President Banda believes in dialogue and discipline and that it is important that members respect rules and regulations governing the MMD.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Professor Clive Chirwa’s statement on joining the UPND-PF pact
Over the weekend Professor Clive Chirwa announced his decision to join opposition UPND-PF after quitting the ruling MMD. Below is his full statement.
REF: DECISION TO JOIN THE UPND
The resignation from MMD was a great relief and has opened up my route to joining Zambians who are serious about moving our people out of poverty for good. Based on the goals and policies for the regeneration of our country, I hereby decide to join the UPND in the struggle to liberate our people from the current inert government.
Yesterday afternoon the National Executive Committee (NEC) of UPND headed by President Hakainde Hichilema and I had a tele-conference meeting in which I opened up to them and gave them my reasons for joining their esteemed party. The UPND NEC welcomed me with open arms and the warmth they transmitted gave me great hope that at last I have joined a team that is committed to solving Zambia’s problems, a fundamental ethos of my campaign.
Today is a great day for me and my ambition to see Zambia occupy a place at the high table of international society where it dictates its future, where its people have ample food, good schools, best hospitals, best infrastructure and an economy magnetized by industrialization. That day is quickly approaching as UPND helps Zambia achieve that. The policies UPND is pursuing are right for Zambia and they are in keeping with what I have always said to my fellow Zambians in lectures, speeches and writings.
The pact between UPND-PF is strong and I joining them under the umbrella of UPND will strengthen it further. I believe my contributions to the pact will augment the already successful campaign strategy that is already bearing fruits. I believe the pact will scoop all nine provinces come 2011 and I am glad to be part of that.
May I therefore thank President Hakainde Hichilema and all the National Executive Committee members of UPND and assure them that I will do whatever is in my power to necessitate our victory in 2011.
May God Bless the UPND-PF pact.
Professor Efford CLIVE Mulubwa Kondwani CHIRWA
Sex reports during trials regrettable – MDP official
Microbicide Development Programme (MDP), Mazabuka Community Liason Officer, Kennedy Mundia has described as unfortunate claims by a Microbicide participant that women were subjected to having sex during trials.
Mr Mundia said during a heated District Development Coordinating Committee ( D.D.C.C ) meeting chaired by district commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba that the claims are false and meant to tarnish the image of the organisation.
Ms. Annety Maluma, 37 of Nakambala township, testified before the District Commissioner, Hamaamba that a named MDP would phone her and give the phone to an opposite sex to arrange for a sex encounter.
Ms. Maluma told the meeting she was ready to pin point the man and officer from MDP who used to telephone her.
But Mundia wondered why Ms Maluma did not raise the concerns with his office when such things were happening.
He told the meeting he would not say much because the participant stopped visiting MDP in 2008.
All participants were married and aged above 18 as a condition to be enrolled.
Management at Microbicide Development Programme (MDP) in Mazabuka has dismissed claims by the University of Zambia Biomedical Research ethics committee that none of the women contracted HIV and AIDs during the failed clinical trials.
MDP Project Coordinator, Rose Kasonde said when she presented the results for the failed clinical trials during a district development coordinating committee chaired by district commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba that 46 women contracted the virus contrary to claims by the ethics committee.
The University of Zambia Biomedical Research Ethics Committee during a press briefing in Lusaka said there was no cause to believe that the 46 women out of the 1,332 were infected as a result of their participation in the trials.
Dr Kasonde explained that the 46 contracted the virus at different levels.
She was responding to a question by Chief Mwanachingwala who wanted to know whether or not some women contracted HIV during the failed trials.
Chief Mwanachingwala commended MDP management for clearing his name because the ethics committee in their story that appeared in the Post edition of 11 January,2010 suggested that none of the women contracted HIV during the trials.
Last week, Chief Mwanachingwala said in a statement to ZANIS in Mazabuka, five doctors from the University who visited him at the palace pleaded with him not to attack MDP in the press.
He said the doctors failed to convince him on the outcome of the failed clinical trials but was shocked to learn that they misinformed the nation on the number of people that contracted the virus.
ZANIS
Zambia’s economy on course says President Banda
President Rupiah Banda says Zambia’s economic revival plan is on course contrary to negative reports being circulated within and outside the country.
Mr. Banda says he is aware of some people who have been spreading false statements that the country’s economy was headed for doom.
The President says the country’s economic performance is impressive as evident in the many programmes that his administration has put in place which were now bearing fruits.
He highlighted the different achievements with respect to the economy adding that his government had made a lot of progress in stirring economic development countrywide.
The President said in his address last night at a gathering of Zambians living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mr. Banda called on all Zambians to remain united and work towards developing the country.
He said all those who were spreading false statements and wishing his government failure were bent on dividing and destroying the country.
Mr. Banda urged all peace loving Zambians to condemn such people.
The President said his government will continue to develop the country on the foundation left behind by the late President Levy Mwanawasa.
And speaking earlier, Chairman of the Zambians living in Ethiopia Cosmas Mumba commended President Rupiah Banda for the quality leadership he has exhibited so far.
Mr. Mumba said President Banda’s good leadership skills were evident in the manner the country’s governance record has improved in the past one year.
He also commended the President for setting up a desk at State House charged with the responsibility of dealing with issues of the Zambians living in the diaspora.
He said Zambians living in the diaspora will now take advantage of the desk to invest back home.
The President is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to attend the 14 th Ordinary Session of the African Union which opened this morning.
The three day summit is going to witness the change of guard between outgoing chairperson Colonel Muhammar Gaddafi of Libya and Malawian president Dr Bingu Wamutharika .
Apart from political issues related mostly to the resolution of conflicts on the continent, the heads of state and government are expected to unpack the theme of the summit which has been widely viewed as one of the areas that holds a lot of potential for development on the continent.
The summit is also expected to discuss the report of the commission on unconstitutional changes of governments before considering adopting various reports, among them, the peace and security situation in Africa.
In addition, the summit will discuss the report of the ministerial meeting on the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The summit will also launch the AU flag and present awards to two African scientists who won the continental science prizes before climaxing into the 14 th ordinary session of the heads of state and government summit.
ZANIS
Its impossible to rig polls through mobile NRC issuance – Tembo
The Anti Voter Apathy (AVAP) says it is not possible for the MMD to rig elections through the ongoing mobile issuance of national registration cards (NRCs) exercise.
And AVAP has expressed shock to learn that government has allowed opposition political parties in Mazabuka to go round and carry out mobile announcements instead of the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) to undertake the programme.
AVAP Director, Bonnie Tembo said this in reaction to callers when he featured on a live phone in programme at Mazabuka’s community radio station dubbed Live Wire.
Several callers accused government of planning to rig elections through the mobile issuance of NRCs which they said was being done without the knowledge of the community.
Callers complained that they are aware of the programme as the department of national registration has not publicised its programme to rural communities.
But Mr Tembo challenged callers to take an active role and get involved in ensuring that they obtained necessary information about the programme to clear suspicion of rigging elections.
And Mr Tembo has urged home affairs minister, Lameck Mangani to seriously address the challenges facing the department of national registration in Mazabuka if potential applicants are to obtain NRCs and participate in next year’s general elections.
He said the situation where all political parties are asked to ferry their supporters in trucks to obtain the cards is a danger to national security.
Mr Tembo said government should also protect its officers as the development could lead to chaos.
He said registration officers should be directed to visit rural areas and not to sit in their ofices to issue NRCs.
Mr Tembo said government has allocated K 22 billion for the programme adding that there is no justification for officers to conduct the exercise at the BOMA.
ZANIS
Chibombamilimo’s house set ablaze
Unknown people have broken into and set fire to one of the bedrooms at the house of Mpulungu Member of Parliament Lameck chibombamilimo.
There were no casualties in the fire and only a security guard Isaac Mushima was at the house at the time of the fire incident.
In an interview with ZANIS, today, Mr.Mushima said the incident happened on Thursday night around 23:00hrs as he was outside the house trying to catch some fresh air.
Mr. Mushima said as he was outside, he suddenly noticed that some smoke was emanating from the house, adding that when he entered the room he uses for his bedroom, he found it engulfed in flames.
He said he then started struggling to put out the flames that were now almost reaching the ceiling boards and confirmed that when the fire incident happened, he was alone at home.
Mr. Mushima noted that had it not been for his quick action, the whole house might have been completely gutted.
He said in the inferno, he lost his mobile phone, a radio, personal documents including his NRC and several other personal effects worth thousands of kwacha.
Mr. Mushima who suspected foul play suspected some unknown people to be behind the fire as there was no evidence to indicate that the inferno could have been caused by an electrical fault.
Mr Chibombamilimo was a former Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development until he was fired by President Rupiah Banda last year for allegedly failing to show allegiance to his party and government.
ZANIS