GOVERNMENT has warned politicians to refrain from inciting people to protest against former President Frederick Chiluba’s acquittal.

Minister of Home Affairs Lameck Mangani said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that inciting people to protest against Dr Chiluba’s acquittal will bring chaos in the country.

“Such statements are the ones that bring anarchy and chaos in the country. As Government, we will not allow this,” he said.

Mr Mangani was commenting on veteran politician Simon Zukas’ statement that people will be mobilised to protest against Dr Chiluba’s acquittal because Government has decided not to appeal against the acquital.[quote]

Mr Mangani said Government allows people to exercise freedom of speech but that statements that border on inciting people to protest will not be accepted.

“It is like the case in which Post Newspaper managing director Fred Mmembe’s contempt proceedings were quashed by Judge Wood. Did you see us in Government going to the streets to protest? We didn’t mobilise anybody to protest over the issue because we respect the judiciary and we want it to operate independently,” he said.

Mr Mangani said in Dr Chiluba’s acquittal, Government cannot pressurise the Director for Public Prosecution (DPP) to appeal against the acquittal.

“Mr Zukas is a freedom fighter who lives in the past. He should know that there is need for everyone to respect arms of Government that make decisions.

“People who are fighting for an appeal against the acquittal of Dr Chiluba are fighting democracy. The best is to refrain from such talk because this can bring division in the country,” he said.
Mr Mangani urged politicians and members of the public to respect the rule of law.

“People are talking as if they are Judges. They wanted the case to go in their favour, but we cannot be judges ourselves, that’s not how we should think,” Mr Mangani said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda has called for creation of more opportunities in communities for economic activities that could enhance the standards of living of the people.

Mr Kunda has also said that investment in real estate was one way in which grassroots communities can have sustainable income-generating programmes.

He said this in Lusaka yesterday at a fundraising breakfast meeting for St. Theresa Catholic Church in Lusaka’s high-density Chainda Township.

Mr Kunda said opportunities must be created at community level to empower those who are keen to work.
“As long as one has enthusiasm and the desire to progress, the opportunities are becoming available.

Even with degree programmes, there are fast track programmes being put in place for those who want to undertake such courses,” he said.

Mr Kunda said it is now Government’s desire that communities take advantage of opportunities being availed to embrace self-reliance.

He said that Government is committed to working with the church in order to enhance economic sustainability in communities.

Mr Kunda said that the church complements Government’s efforts in upgrading and training the people in various skills.

He said although various Government institutions offer training skills, they are inadequate for the needs of all Zambians requiring such skills.

Mr Kunda said it is encouraging that the community in Chainda has risen to the challenge and decided to empower its members with various skills in carpentry, basic automotive engineering, fabrication of various equipment and literacy lessons to improve educational standards.
He said that the Government will always support Church activities that contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.

Mr Kunda applauded the Chainda community and the Catholic Church for their programmes to sustain income-generating activities.

He also commended Chainda community for acquiring real estate because this is the best way of sustaining programmes.

Mr Kunda appealed to the community to jealously guard the property against vandalism.

He said it is only such efforts that can raise the living standards of communities countrywide.

“I understand that the hall will be available for hire to interested parties for functions so as to raise money that will go towards supplementing the running of various programmes and activities that are planned for at this centre,” Mr Kunda said.

Mr Kunda, however, said that Government cannot do everything alone and thus welcomes the church and community efforts that are complementary to those of State.

Member of Parliament, Sylvia Masebo, asked the office of the Vice-President to quickly release funds to Chainda to mitigate poverty.

Ms Masebo said the growth of the community is in the hands of the disaster management office especially that all the problems of Chainda were a disaster.

Parish priest, Patrick Barry, said the church will continue working with Government to undertake various activities that will contribute to national development.

Fr. Barry also said the multipurpose hall will not benefit the Catholic community alone but will embrace the whole community regardless of religion, race or tribe.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“…those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness”
(Proverbs 14:22, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Do you wake up every morning expecting favor and blessing on everything you do? Do you plan for what is good? When we plan for what is good, the scripture tells us that we find love. The scripture also tells us that God is love. So, when you plan for what is good, you will find God in the midst of your plans.

I encourage you today; don’t let the negative voices of the world or other people in your life get you focused in the wrong direction. It doesn’t matter what is happening around you, God’s plan is always for your good. Remember, you and God are a majority.

Do you need more of God in your life? Do you need more love, peace, and faithfulness? Plan for what is good, and you will find God. You’ll find His peace and joy and move forward into the life of victory He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Father in heaven, thank You for the good plan You have for my life. I choose Your plan and ask that You direct my mind and thoughts according to Your purposes. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

The Centre for Election and Governance (CEG ) Trustee Gershom Musonda says MMD Parliamentary Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga’s observation on diplomats should be taken seriously.

Mr. Musonda observed that the behavior exhibited some diplomats is uncalled for and are against the principals of international diplomacy.

He said this in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.

Mr. Musonda said it is wrong for the diplomats to continue attacking government in the media instead of using the normal established channels of government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that compels them to dialogue with government over pressing issues when aggrieved.

He advised the envoys to unnecessarily stop criticizing and attacking government when government is working on various developmental issues among them strengthening bilateral relations.[quote]

Mr. Musonda cited that Zambians envoys accredited to other countries adhere and follow the laid down regulations and wondered why it was completely the opposite for those accredited to Zambia

Mr. Musonda said he expects diplomats help the country in attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and its vision of becoming a middle income country by 2030.

He said has further advised the diplomats to use the forums with government aimed at enhancing the country’s good governance record.

Mr. Musonda said gave an example of a former Zambian Ambassador to Libya Dr. Mbita Chitala who was recalled and reprimanded by late President for attacking some African Heads of States.

Yesterday, MMD Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga advised diplomats to stop attacking government in public in the media.

ZANIS

MMD chief whip Vernon Mwaanga has urged foreign missions in Zambia to desist from attacking the Zambian Government because that was against demands of international diplomacy.

Mr Mwaanga said in Parliament yesterday when he contributed to a debate on President Rupiah Banda’s address during the opening of the fourth session of the National Assembly that there had been tutorials given to the Government by some diplomats serving in Zambia.

He said it was not right for diplomats to give tutorials to the Government and even attack decisions made by Parliament.
“Even in poverty our sovereignty as a country still stands,” he said.

He said foreign missions should follow established channels to render advice than doing it through the media.

He urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to follow up the matter because it had channels through which foreign missions were supposed to communicate to the Government.

Mr Mwaanga who said he was a trained diplomat said diplomacy was supposed to be conducted through established channels.

And the International Federation of Christian Churches (IFCC) president Simon Chihana urged diplomats accredited to Zambia to desist from commenting on internal matters of the country.

Commenting on the incessant statements by some cooperating partners on the acquittal of second Republican president Fredrick Chiluba, Bishop Chihana said Zambia was a sovereign State and implored the diplomats to stop meddling in internal matters.

In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, he said if Zambia’s representatives in foreign countries commented on internal matters of the nations where they serve, he was certainthose would be deported within the shortest possible time.

As such, he said, ambassadors accredited to Zambia should respect the country’s sovereignty.

“Zambia is a sovereign State and we would appreciate if foreign ambassadors accredited to this country stopped commenting on internal matters. Let internal matters be left to Zambians and let them realise that strangers cannot speak on the country’s internal matters unless they are invited to do so,” Bishop Chihana said.

He said though the cooperating partners were assisting Zambia , that should not be a guarantee to comment on internal matters.

“They should not use their aid as a weapon to condemn our court rulings because if they respected the ruling that was made in London, why not respect the ruling in Zambia after all both were done by competent judges,” Bishop Chihana said.

He said that ambassadors accredited to Zambia should play a role of reconciling the various political players in the nation as opposed to promoting divisions among citizens.

Recently some diplomats commented and expressed shock at the acquittal of Dr Chiluba by a magistrate’s court.

[Times of Zambia]