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Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen has named his 23-man squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Zambia face Cameroon in Group D at the Africa Cup on January 17 on match day 2 in Lubango.
According to camfoot.com, Le Guen’s side includes key striker Samuel Eto’o of Inter Milan in Italy including veteran left-sided German-based forward Mamadou Idrissou.
And amongst the notable debuts in the team will be midfielder Enoh Eyong of Ajax Amsterdam in Holland who moved from sister club Ajax cape Town last season.
Cameroon open their Group D campaign against Gabon in the first match in Lubango on January 13 that will be followed by Zambia and Tunisia’s opening match of the tournament.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Idriss Kameni (Espanyol,Spain), Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor,Turkey), Guy Roland N’dy Assembe (Valenciennes,France)
Defenders:Rigobert Song (Trabzonspor,Turkey), Geremi Njitap (Newcastle United,England), Henri Bedimo (Chateauroux,France), André Bikey (Burnley,England), Benoit Ekotto (Tottenham,England), Nicolas Nkoulou (AS Monaco,France)
Midfielders: Aurélien Chedjou (Lille OSC,France), Alexandre Song (Arsenal,England), Jean II Makoun (Lyon, France), Stéphane Mbia (Olympiques de Marseille, France), Georges Mandjeck (Kaiserslautern, Germany), Joel Matip (FC Shalke 04, Germany), Enoh Eyong (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands),Landry Nguemo (Glasgow Celtic, Scotland), Achille Emana (Real Betis, Spain), Soman Tchoyi (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria)
Strikers: Paul Efoulou (Nancy, France), Achille Webo (Mallorca, Spain), Mohamadou Idrissou (SC Freiburg, Germany), Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan, Italy)
Vice president George Kunda walking out of the marquee to answer a call on his mobile phone
President Banda does not have the advantage of the late President Mwanawasa who was “legally savvy”. I believe it was a mistake to appoint Rt Hon Kunda SC as Vice President AND Justice Minister. I wonder whether he is not calling the shots and giving the President un-challenged legal advice.
I say this because, by its very nature, law is adversarial and to every legal opinion there is a counter-argument. Lawyers do not really seek the truth but ‘law.’ Therefore, it is possible to do something unethical and yet legal. Whoever was responsible for the decision not to appeal against the Chiluba judgement did nothing illegal, but it was immoral and highly unethical. Justice MUST be seen to be done.
A lawyer may know that his client did commit the crime, but he has every right to challenge the validity of ‘the evidence’ because the onus is on the prosecution to prove guilt. To lay-people like me, this would be immoral, but not to lawyers! However, we have brought this upon ourselves because we want to live by the letter of the law. The law is cold and unfeeling.
In many cases, we apply to the human heart for empathy in order to get mercy. Justice and mercy do not go together. This is why the Christian message hinges on the doctrine of atonement where the blows of justice were parried as it were by the Son of God, so that ‘by His stripes we are healed and the chastisement that brought us peace fell upon Him.’ We have ALL at one time or another needed mercy and not justice: at a police road block with a defective tyre in hard economic times, on a long queue when we are in a hurry and ‘first come first served’ will not do, and myriads of mitigating situations in every court of law!
Why am I saying all this? I believe that if the President’s closest confidante is a lawyer, he will almost always come up with very tricky decisions. To a lay-person, some issues may be simply black and white, but to legal minds, there are almost endless possibilities and arguments that can extend the degrees of freedom of actions but still remain within the boundaries of legality. You may call them loop-holes if you want.
The Vice President is a former Attorney General and what qualified him for that office has not been taken away from him, and he remains in the Justice ministry. Could it be that, being such a senior lawyer, the younger and less experienced feel intimidated and are likely to take HIS opinion than form their own? Could it be that he finds himself confused as to which hat he should be wearing?
I suppose a junior surgeon may feel daunted to operate on a seasoned surgeon as his patient, and yet medicine is more factual and evidence based than law. For the DPP to really work independently, Rt Hon. George Kunda should not be Justice minister or else another, more senior person should take the role of DPP. I could be mistaken, but the events that have unfolded so far do suggest that the DPP did not make decisions independently, and if he did, he should come out and say so to his legal licensing authority, the Law Association of Zambia to whom he is answerable as a legal practitioner, rather than let politicians speak on his behalf. In the medical field, it would be wrong for a politician to defend a doctor charged with malpractice by the Medical Council of Zambia! Or has judgment fled to brutish beasts and men lost their reasoning?
LUSAKA lawyer Christopher Mundia has said Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga has not done anything wrong to warrant the setting up of a tribunal under the Inquiries Act.
Mr Mundia said in Lusaka that a DPP can only be removed under the Inquiries Act after setting up a tribunal to probe alleged misconduct to determine the merit of particular allegations against him.
He said the current DPP Mchenga had not done anything wrong to warrant the setting up of such a tribunal to investigate him.
He said a tribunal could only be constituted if there was need to determine the merit of the allegations levelled against the office bearer.
Mr Mundia who is a State Counsel said Mr Mchenga was one of the young and intelligent DPPs that the country has had and he was professional in work.He was not protecting Mr Mchenga but the latter had proved to be a good DPP who should not be removed on mere allegations. [quote]
He said the people who were calling for the removal of the DPP had not even read the judgment on former president Chiluba’s acquittal. Mr Mundia said people were mishandling the acquittal of Dr Chiluba because what may appear as evidence to a layman may not be counted as evidence in the court.
He said the principle of law was such that even if there could be a good case before the court, it could be mishandled to the advantage of the accused.
And Deputy Minister of Justice, Todd Chilembo has said that a DPP can only be relieved of his duties if it was proven that he had committed gross misconduct.
Mr Chilembo said in an interview yesterday that if there was reasonable evidence that the DPP had committed an offence such as corruption or anything that was unethical, a tribunal to hear the evidence would be appointed and the tribunal would decide from the evidence if the DPP had committed an offence.
Mr Chilembo said the DPP would also be relieved of his duties if he attained the retirement age saying that a DPP like judges had security of tenure.
The office of the DPP differed from that of the Attorney General (AG), as the AG’s position was advisory while the DPP made decisions regarding prosecution of matters.
Mr Chilembo said it was sad that while matters regarding the registration of the London Judgment concerning former president Chiluba were open to the public, PF president Michael Sata continued to mislead the public on the status of the London Judgment because he issued wrong statements.
Mr Chilembo said the true position was that Mr Kunda had travelled for three days to London to testify over the Vulture Fund case and it was because of his testimony that the claim that Zambia was meant to pay reduced substantially.
LUSAKA lawyer Kelvin Hang’andu has appealed to the Supreme Court against the High Court’s dismissal of his petition over the decision by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) not to appeal the acquittal of former Republican president Frederick Chiluba.
Mr Hang’andu also wants the Supreme Court to stay execution of the ruling until the appeal was heard by the superior court because it was of the extreme urgency and needed determination within 30 days.
He said this in his ex-parte summons for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court and for stay of execution of the ruling in Lusaka yesterday.
Last week, Lusaka High Court Judge, Gregory Phiri dismissed Mr Hang’andu’s petition because it was improperly taken to court and that its cause was speculative in nature, form and bore an unclear cause of action.
This is in a matter in which Mr Hang’andu had petitioned the High Court over DPP Chalwe Mchenga’s withdrawal of the notice of appeal filed by dissolved Taskforce prosecutor Mutembo Nchito against the acquittal of Dr Chiluba.
Mr Hang’andu stated ,although, the DPP had the authority to stop the appeal against Dr Chiluba’s acquittal, he should have consulted the attorney general before doing so.
He said in his grounds of appeal the trial court misdirected itself in dismissing the petition because the appellant had neither executive nor administrative action taken or threatened against him in relation to Dr Chiluba’s case.
“The honourable court misdirected itself in dismissing the petition, on the ground that it was improper for the appellant to have found his cause of action on the mere fact of his being a Zambian citizen,” Mr Hang’andu said.
He said he could still prove his case on a balance of probabilities since even the uncorroborated evidence of a single witness was at common law sufficient to establish a civil claim.
Mr Hang’andu said the court misdirected itself by arbitrarily barring a genuinely filed appeal on behalf of the people of Zambia against Dr Chiluba’s wrongful or unfair acquittal that was deliberately misdirected in point of law.
He said his petition was too remote to sustain a challenge under Article 28 of the Constitution of Zambia was barring the citizens from questioning the State’s conduct of the criminal prosecution.
Mr Hang’andu said the foregoing circumstances and evidence set the Government above the Constitution and the Laws of Zambia or otherwise above the rule of law.
He said alternatively and without prejudice the private chamber hearing invoked to hear what at law ought to have been a hearing in open court by notice of motion on preliminary point of law was fundamentally irregular.
CHINESE Ambassador to Zambia Li Qiangmin has described as denial, ill-motivated, loss of sight and vision for some politicians to attack Chinese investment.
Mr Li commended President Banda for his consistent support to the process of ensuring resumption of production at the CLM mine.
Mr Li said it was sad that a ‘unique Zambian politician of rare breed’ could attack China with a claim that the Chinese did not bring any investment when the investment was there for all to see.[quote]
He was speaking during the production resumption ceremony at CLM mine in Luanshya yesterday.
He cited the construction of Tazara and the establishment of the Zambia-China economic and trade cooperation zone, the building of the Stadium in Ndola, construction of hospitals, schools and Hydro-power station as some of the investment under the aid of china.
“All those undertakings are not only well received and extensively recognised by all African governments and people on the continent but also applauded by the well travelled Western researchers and credible institutions.
“This politician’s remarks are absolutely baseless and ill motivated or he is just in denial or lost sight and vision which is very dangerous for any politician,” he said.
Mr Li praised the Zambian workers for working side by side with the investors to have the copper mine resuscitated.
He said during the last year’s global recession, Chinese funded companies, with government stakes and shares, forged ahead without reducing investment, laying off of employees and downsizing production.
He said the investment at the Luanshya mine would in two years time reach US$400 million and believed that the commitment of more investment, more recruitment and more output would demonstrate a more dynamic picture.
CLM chief executive officer Luo Xin’geng pledged the company’s commitment in continued investment in the mine.
Mr Luo said in Luanshya yesterday that CLM would put more emphasis on renovations and construction at the mine and the investment would next year increase to US$170 million from the current US$38 million.
Describing the production resumption as a Christmas gift to President Rupiah Banda, Mr Luo said that as production at the mine resumed, development of Mulyashi project was also in full swing.
Mr Luo said his company would strictly abide by the Zambian laws and regulations, respect Zambian culture and rely on Zambian employees to manage Luanshya mine and participate actively in the welfare of the community to benefit the people of Luanshya.
CLM board chairperson Tao Xinghu said the company would adopt new labour service articles and long term employment contracts next year.
Mr Tao said according to the company’s investment plan, the accumulative investment in the next two years would go beyond US$400 million and that CLM would have a production capacity of 60,000 tonnes of Copper after the development of Mulyashi mine.
Lusaka District has recorded four (4) cases of cholera since the onset of the rainy season.
Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Stephen Bwalya says four cases have since been successfully treated by health authorities.
Mr. Bwalya disclosed the development after inspecting the opening of drainages and collection of garbage by the Lusaka District Disaster Mitigation Committee in Kanyama compound.
He said government through the Lusaka District Disaster Mitigation Committee, under the office of the District Commissioner, has intensified mitigation efforts aimed at averting the possible spread of the disease.
Mr. Bwalya said interventions to curb the spread of the disease include the distribution of free chlorine, provision of safe water, installation of permanent water taps and construction of Oak dry toilets in high risk areas.
The Provincial Permanent Secretary has since urged residents in high risk areas to stop using water from shallow wells and observe basic hygiene standards.
And speaking earlier, Lusaka District Commissioner, Christah Kalulu said the Disaster Risk Reduction Plan (DRR) is working as evidenced by four cases recorded compared to 205 cases that were recorded last year during the same period.
Ms. Kalulu, who is also Lusaka District Disaster Mitigation Committee (DMMC) Chairperson, has called for collective efforts among the community and civic leaders and cooperating partners to ensure no further outbreaks are recorded.
She said the plan is the cumulative efforts of various key stakeholders aimed at breaking the annual occurrence of cholera outbreaks especially in unplanned settlements where the provision of safe water and other sanitary conditions remain a challenge.
Police in Kabwe have assured residents that everything possible was being done to ensure security was provided to them despite the rise in crime.
Central province police commanding officer Simon Mpande says residents should not panic following a spate of criminal activities in the area because police were ready to protect them.
Mr. Mpande was responding to concerns from residents who expressed fear for their lives following the reported presence of armed robbers in Kabwe.
Ngungu PF councillor Saidi Chibwana told ZANIS that people were apprehensive and not free because of the cases of attacks on a businessman Jean-Marie Mukopa and a day light robbery of cash from a shop.
Mr. Saidi appealed to the police to move fast and arrest the robbers before any life and more property was lost.
On Friday last week, armed men trailed Mukopa up to his home at about 23:00hrs in High Ridge area where they shot him in both legs before fleeing.
Another incident involving robbery of K35 million from a shop took place along Katebe street when a shop attendant who was preparing to go and bank the previous day’s takings, was attacked by armed men who went away with the bag that contained the cash.
Central Province Minister Ackimson Banda has said government will continue developing policies aimed at benefiting rural communities especially small scale farmers and business persons.
Mr. Banda said government was doing this in order to provide a platform for fighting and reducing poverty among the people through capacity building programmes.
Mr. Banda was speaking in a speech read on his behalf by Central Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Luke Mankapi when he officiated at training workshop for the Small Scale Industry Association of Zambia (SSIAZ) at ZANET lodge in Kabwe today.
Mr. Banda said the goal of strong private sector development emanates from the vision which aims at Zambia achieving a middle-income status by 2030 through a manufacturing led economy.
He said raw materials from agriculture should provide a basis for agro-industries development even among the people in rural areas.
He urged SSIAZ to source more funds to reach every farmer – peasant or commercial throughout central province so that the province could become the leading bread basket of the country.
Mr. Banda reminded the 26 participants drawn from within the province that agriculture, especially growing cassava, legumes and grains formed 67 percent of economic activities in Zambia.
The Minister told the participants that the province had abundant land and many farm resettlements blocks that had been planned and opened in some districts such as Serenje, Kapiri Mposhi, Mumbwa, Chibombo and Kabwe for anyone willing to go into farming.
Mr. Banda challenged SSIAZ to consider women when recruiting farmers to take part in growing cassava and other crops and also to put in place a deliberate marketing to ensure the cassava grown had a ready market.
‘Recruit more women and I also urge you to do research in cassava growing and processing. You should also engage the ministry of agriculture to be part of the project implementation programme in order to receive timely agronomic and technical advice in order to avoid diseases that went with cassava,’ he said.
He said government acknowledged and appreciated the financial and material support that the European Union Capacity Building for Private sector development (EUCBPSD) had given to SSIAZ to strengthen it to reach out to rural communities who were worst affected by poverty and unemployment.
He assured the EU that the provincial administration would help SSIAZ implement a programme that would be monitored for success.
And speaking at the same occasion, Central Province SSIAZ coordinator Charity Chimbuchimbu said due to the closure of the mine in Kabwe, the area became economically depressed with very low income and poor growth rate.
Mrs. Chimbuchimbu said it was against this background that new investment through programs coming from organizations such as SSIAZ would create an impetus for the participation of medium and small market enterprises (MSMEs) in the domestic economy.
She noted that the awareness and sensitisation meetings with the small scale farmers and members of the MSMEs would increase knowledge to access cheap and affordable finance from the rural finance programs created under citizens economic empowerment fund (CEEF).
She commended government for creating a conducive atmosphere for cooperating partners to invest in the country.
Copper output in Zambia, Africa’s largest producer of the metal, rose to 573,405 tonnes between January and October this year, compared with 480,665 tonnes in the same period last year, the central bank said on Tuesday.
The Bank of Zambia said in a report that cobalt production dropped to 3,537 tonnes in the period compared with 3,902 tonnes during the first 10 months of 2008.
It said the southern African country exported 555,939 tonnes of copper to end-October, up from 463,281 tonnes exported in 2008, while cobalt exports were 3,934 tonnes compared with 3,848 tonnes.
Zambia has projected a slight rise in total copper output for 2009 to 664,000 tonnes, compared with previous estimates of 600,000 tonnes due to rising production in its mines.
The Treasury says there are prospects of a significant rise in both copper and cobalt output when London-listed Vedanta Resources Plc (VED.L) completes its $500 million Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP).
The project is expected to lift production at Konkola Copper Mines, a unit of Vedanta, to 500,000 tonnes per year in 2010 from the current average of 200,000 tonnes per year.
Foreign mining companies operating in Zambia include First Quantum Minerals FT.MO, Australia’s Equinox Minerals (EQN.AX) and Swiss firm Glencore International [GLEN.UL]. (Reporting by Chris Mfula, editing by Anthony Barker)
Republican President Rupiah Banda has appealed to the new Owners of the Luanshya Copper Mines to, next year, consider reviving football in the Luanshya Town by sponsoring Roan United football club following the resumption of copper production at the mine.
Mr. Banda made the call when he commissioned the resumption of copper production at Luanshya Copper Mines today.
He said since copper production has now returned to Luanshya, it was important for the new Owners of the Mine to consider supporting soccer and revive the spirit of football through Roan United as the status quo was in the past.
The President said the mine employees had children who were capable of constituting a football team which should have the capacity to reach the finals and adding that he would be delighted to be invited to the final matches in the once ghost town.[quote]
He paid glowing tribute to first republican president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda who also attended the ceremony in Luanshya this morning.
Mr. Banda recalled the olden days when Dr. Kaunda was in power and the town was a hive of activity including Sport and soccer in particular.
And speaking earlier, Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima said the presence of Dr. Kaunda in the province was the best gift that President Banda had given to the people in the province in general and Luanshya in particular.
He said he was happy that Mr. Banda’s leadership was similar to that of Dr. Kaunda’s because both were visionary leaders who believed in providing a service to the people.
President Rupiah Banda has commissioned the resumption of copper production at Luanshya Copper Mine (LCM) Plc which was closed after the former owners Enyo holdings placed it under care and maintenance in January this year.
The Resumption of production of copper at LCM will rekindle the hope that had eluded Luanshya district after 2,300 miners lost their jobs following Enyo holdings’ pull out due to negative effects of the global economic crisis.
President Banda said the resumption of production at LCM barely 11 months after it was placed under care and maintenance is testimony of governments concern over Zambian people’s welfare.
He said quick action by his government to find a new investor to take over the mine has resulted into the reopening of the mine.
He observed that LCM has for many decades now, been the main livelihood for the people in the district.
“This explains why government moved in quickly to find ways and means of recapitalizing the mine when the previous owners Enyo holdings announced their intention to put the mine under care and maintenance,” he said.
President Banda expressed confidence that the reopening of the mine will led to an improved quality of life of the people of Luanshya, and contribute to the country’s economic development.
He said he was delighted that the China Non-Ferrous Metal Mining Company (CMMC) has already employed 2,250 workers and hopes that more jobs will be created for the suppliers of goods and services to the mines.
Mr. Banda further expressed happiness that CMMC has already invested US$38 million in rehabilitating mining equipment and machinery in all surface and under ground plants.
“It is my desire to see this huge investment to benefit the people of Luanshya not only through job creation in the mines but also through the development of other industries that can be sustainable beyond mining,” he said.
President Banda has since thanked the people of Luanshya for remaining calm and peaceful after the mine was placed under care and maintenance.
He also paid tribute to National Union of Mine Workers (NUMW), Mine Union of Zambia (MUZ) and other trade unions for following the right channels to address the challenges that arose as a result of the placement of the mine under care and maintenance.
Mr. Banda has further implored employees and people of Luanshya to give support to the new investors and urged CMMC to respect and pay workers handsomely.
And Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quiangmin pledged his country’s continued investment in the Zambian economy.
He assured that China will stand with the Zambian government during hard and favorable economic times.
Mr. Quiangmin said his government believes in withstanding the economic storm and promoting a win-win situation with countries in which it has invested.
“The Chinese company committed themselves to 3 NO’s which are ‘no reducing investment, no laying off employees, and no down sizing production,” he said.
He said China Non Ferrous Metal Mining Company which took over the running of LCM has reversed people’s perspective over Chinese investment in Zambia.
He said although Zambia and China where geographically miles away, the two countries enjoy long time-honorable friendship.
Mr. Quiangmin further pointed out that apart from the US$ 38 million already invested at LCM, CMMC will increase investment up to US$ 400 million in the next few years.
He further thanked the Zambian government for entrusting the take over of LCM in to the Chinese investment and for supporting the new investors during the hard economic times.
Meanwhile, LCM Chief Executive Officer Luo Xin’geng said CMMC has over come a series of difficulties through working together with the Zambian employees since it took over the mine on 24th June 2009.
Mr. Xin’geng said so far LCM has invested US$38 million and will increase the investment to US$170 million next year.
He assured that the Chinese investors will follow Zambian labour laws and respect culture and relay on Zambian employees to manage the mine.
“Moreover, we actively participate in the welfare of the community for the benefit of the people of Lunashya,”he said.
Present at the production resumption ceremony were Vice President George Kunda, first republic president Kenneth Kaunda, Mines Minster Maxwell Mwale, Commerce Minster Felix Mutati and his Energy counterpart Kenneth Konga.
Others were Labour Minister Austin Liato, Copperbelt Minster Mwansa Mbulakulima some Deputy Ministers and other senior government officials.
Also present were 14 Chiefs from within Luanshya district and beyond and some Chinese investors.
Meanwhile President Banda has met chiefs from various chiefdoms within the Copper belt province and held private talks with them.
Zambia trained behind closed doors for a second day running in Lusaka as Herve Renard declared the whole idea good of the team.
Renard and his 16-member team have been reclusive and chosen to hold its training sessions at a private school in Luburma away from the praying eyes of reporters and curious fans.
“It is perfect, the concentration has to be good,” Renard said as he raced out of the double-locked LICEF pitch in Lusaka.
Even the security guard at LICEF school has been given instructions not to let the media in.
Instructions include vivid description of each reporter to the security man and organization they represent with a warning for them not to breach the second and final gate that gains access to the pitch that is shielded away from sight by the LICEF school hall.
Even team manager Solly Pandor was cagey on the phone as to the true whereabouts of the team and listed Barclays Sports Complex as a probable venue Zambia was holding its training session on Tuesday morning.
The only semblance of the national team’s presence from a distance of the second gate inside the LICEF campus is the team bus, Renard’s car and the characteristic screams and shouts in Bemba of players obviously in action on the pitch.
At least the reporter managed to catch a glimpse of midfielder Isaac Chansa waving in the team bus as they raced back to the team hotel for lunch.
Meanwhile, the team breaks camp tomorrow and regroups on
Boxing Day for departure for South Africa, where Renard says another closed door training session will be the order of the day.
The team will be joined by the rest of the foreign-based call-ups in Johannesburg during the New Year period.
Should German-based Christopher Katongo continue as Zambia’s captain at the Africa Cup of Nations next month?
That is the question ex-Zanaco player Desmond Mugawa, one of the panelists on ZNBC’s Talking Football Show, put forward on Sunday.
Mugawa was right that Katongo’s form has dipped and has his form has also failed to inspire Zambia during their 2010 qualifiers but the striker of 2.Bundesliga side Armenia Bielefeld remains a revered figure amongst his peers in the team.
This is despite making it on the last breath to beat Rwanda to finishing third in Group C and to book their place to Angola.
Suggestions include one Joseph Musonda who currently captains South African club Lamontville Golden Arrows.
However, Musonda does not possess the kind of authoritative spark that saw him come to the fore when Jan Brouwer handed him his first cap at the end of 2001.
Moreover, Musonda does carry the dynamism of being able to work the media, one attribute that a modern football captain requires.
The Committee of Citizens has joined other civil society organizations in condemning the calls by the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) for the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga to resign.
Committee Executive Director Gregory Chifire says the call by LAZ is partisan and likely to bring anarchy to the legal profession.
Mr. Chifire told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that LAZ is an important institution that should always be associated with restoring sanity and order among the people through good interpretation of the law.
He noted that there are a lot of serious matters that LAZ should concentrate on than being a mouth piece for opposition political parties.
He said LAZ should pay attention to issues like the Nation Constitution Conference (NCC) and ensure that it provides guidance and advice to the people on the ongoing deliberations.
Mr. Chifire charged that the recent remarks by LAZ President Stephen Lungu are a clear indication that the organization has lost track and has instead resorted to politicking.
He has further advised LAZ to stop using the media whenever they want to confront members.
Mr. Chifire said it was saddening that the Association had chosen to call for the resignation of the DPP through the media instead of finding a mature way of advising him.
DPP Chalwe Mchenga has come under fire from both LAZ and some opposition political parties who are calling for his resignation for alleged having failed to operate in an independent manner.
On Sunday, Vice President George Kunda said the accusations against constitutional office holders such as the DPP by the opposition and LAZ are in an effort to weaken Government.
Mr. Kunda further accused the LAZ council of supporting a named opposition political party.
Malole Member of Parliament Emmanuel Munaile has observed that Mungwi district has not benefited much from the poverty reduction programmes (PRP).
Mr. Munaile says apart from the newly funded construction of Ngulula canal, most communities have not benefited from such programmes in a long time.
The Parliamentarian told heads of government departments in Mungwi yesterday that there was need for them to assist the community come –up with poverty reduction programmes such as construction of markets in areas where business was booming.
He further observed that poverty reduction activities should be given priority if the district was to develop.
He said for people to participate in various sectors of the economy there is need for the government to provide an enabling environment such as making sure that the roads were in a better condition.
Mr. Munaile has however bemoaned the poor maintenance of Nseluka/Kayambi road by Pubuta Investment.
And Mr. Munaile has bemoaned the inadequate funding that some of the government departments were receiving in the district.
Mr. Munaile said it was unfortunate some government departments were receiving as little as K100, 000 as departmental recurrent charges.
He said it would be difficult for such departments to efficiently and effectively carry -out government programmes.
The MP said however that there was need for more funding in agriculture for disease control and construction of dip tanks across the district.
