GOVERNMENT says it is looking for a credible person to take over from former Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Justice Florence Mumba.
The government has also assured workers at ECZ that their calls and demands will be addressed.
Chief Government spokesperson Lieutenant- General Ronnie Shikapwasha said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.
“We will search for the right candidate to take over from Ms Justice Mumba. We will do this in accordance with the laws of the land,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha said it is important that someone takes over from Justice Mumba to ensure that the events lined up at the commission are not disturbed.
“We have by-elections coming up and other important events. So we want to ensure that everything is in place,” he said.
He also said Government will not ignore workers’ demands at ECZ because they are best suited to know the happenings at the commission.
“We cannot ignore the workers’ demands because they are the ones who work there and know what goes on.
Apart from being workers, they are also Zambians who are entitled to be heard by Government,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha said Zambians are relying on ECZ workers to deliver free and fair elections this year.
He also urged Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata to wait patiently and see how the issues at ECZ will be handled.
“He has said in his response to the President’s letter that he will wait and see how these issues will be handled, so let him be patient and wait,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha advised Mr Sata to concentrate on issues in his political party rather than minding what is happening in the ruling MMD.
He was responding to part of Mr Sata’s response to President Banda where he stated that MMD provincial chairmen went through unopposed because of personal preferences.
Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said the PF has never held internal elections.
“Why should he worry about provincial conferences in MMD when he held his conferences secretly? We in the MMD publicised all our provincial conferences. We are not worried about the PF. President Banda is busy providing for the people of Zambia,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha said Mr Sata has no agenda for the people of Zambia.
“He has no agenda, no manifesto, so even responding to him is a waste of time because we have more important issues to attend to,” he said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
florence mumba had become compromised and aligned herself with an editor of tabloid newspaper. that editor wants to be vice president if sata was to become president of zambia. read some of these newspapers with caution. the gutter newspaper wanted to use use mumba for personal presidential ambitions. he thinks afta sata he can run on PF ticket in 2016. I can assure him RB has is in control till 2016 thats what the pipo of zambia want
some gutter scribe with presidential ambitions wants to ride he back of sata. he has been promised vice presidency this year then he runs for presidency in 2016. this is all in futility bcos RB will carry the day come snap elections. MMD is more that ready
Shikas you say Sata has no agenda, no manifesto, has nothing to offer the people of Zambia, why is mmd government always talking about him. You are scared little men. Tunisia way is coming to Zambia just wait and see.
As Zambian’s we are more than ready to wait for this candidate. We are looking forward to a credible candidate for the job who is willing to serve the people of this country not only the incumbent or the preferred opposition candidate.
This is the man or woman we are looking forward to. Thank you!
Let Gregory Chifire take over as ECZ chairperson and Lifwekelo take over from kalale.These are men of integrity in the ruling party.Long nose will never say something sensible as he politicises even important issues.
Is this job not supposed to be advertised so that competent and properly qualifed people can apply and be considered for appointment?
Surely it is not a political position requiring an appointment of one considered a better MMD bootlicker.
He also said Government will not ignore workers’ demands at ECZ because they are best suited to know the happenings at the commission.
“We cannot ignore the workers’ demands because they are the ones who work there and know what goes on.
Apart from being workers, they are also Zambians who are entitled to be heard by Government,” he said.
Since when did MMD start thinking like that? The statement vindicates Sata about MMD government having a hand in the hounding of Judge Mumba. This is a very serious and very partisan stand in support of a partisan ECZ. The utterances by Shikapwasha shows how compromised ECZ is.
Shakapwasha you are really very dull. Not fit to be REV, how can you just say that Government will not ignore the workers demands at ECZ becoz they are best suited to know the Happenings at the Commission. Shakapwasha there are so Many Workers who demand for Something but you people threaten to Fire them.Whats so Special about the Dogs demands at ECZ
Just behave yourselves guys or else TUNISIA WAY IS COMING TO ZAMBIA!!!
ECZ should be above politics,its even wrong for the ruling government to say they are looking for someone credible to replace justice mumba..i think the best is for an organ like parliament(though also compromised) should have the final say on who should head ECZ,parliamenterians(though selfish)represent the views of the people they represent.You can never be an accountant and be your own auditor,one question that stands to be answered is;is it govt looking for a credible person or the MMD?
Which workers at ECZ, that driver Chilekwa, honestly ECZ workers how can you allow a simple casual driver to direct you. The guy was paid by MMD to push that agenda.
@ #3, MMD only responds to Mr Sata. If you watch your news and read newspapers, you’ll note that MMD talk development and nothing else. However, if you base your life on articles in the Post, you’ll become as negative as you sound. Show me one negative MMD article and I’ll show you at leat 20 insults, 30 lies and 40 false misleading statements from Sata. show me two negative MMD statements and I’ll show you 30, 60 and 80 insults, lies and false statements respectively from Sata…. In a nutshell, shame on you, Sata and the Post.
Just making noise.!!!!!!!!!!!111 we know you!!!!!!!!
ine kulasekakofye, yalizanda bane.. chinochalo need privatization. we have totally failed to govern it.
let it be ZAMBIA PLC meaning Zambia Private Limited Country… and the money the government will realise from it will share and go in diaspora like other citizens @ zed… am sure China will be the first one to bid for it. good idea?
#11 future GRZ official well said I have enjoyed your challenge to that PF sympathizer called nalabilako tyala at #3
since in mmd has been in power have never heard them so nice to the striking workers as they are doing with ECZ it is a sign that the stories of rigging election must be true so govt is afraid if they are forceful on them may reveal the previous rigging elections. we have clear evidence of the way gpvt handed nurses when where on strike losing even their salaries. But how come ECZ are darlings to the govt. as long as we have mmd in power forget fair and free and transparence election
Some of the positions were suporsed to be advertised by LAZ not being appointed by a political leader no. ECZ chairperson should be urshered in by LAZ
No ECZ Chair should be ratified by parliament…..also how can the GRZ start ‘looking’ for the Chair alone what about the Director? Or is Mpondela going to given the job after the mess at NHA….and the loans he incurred….?
Vernon Johnson Mwaanga- Chairman. Xavier Chungu Director
The Govt, wont advertise for that post. They are busy looking for a VJ type, a very broke compromised chap to take over who will be user friendly to the MMD.
An Edward Mumbi type or a Chizhuka type or a John Malambo alias “Chief Mwanachingwala” type. And Zambia has no shortage of such. Maybe a semi-illiterate William Banda
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I agree with No.19, VJ and Chungu can take over as ECZ chairperson and director respectively.
Nyele mukamwa #21,,, NO this big nose is beyond redemption, nothing of this this world can remedy the situation. His dullness is is gigantic. Am sure after he is dead he will reincarnate in a bat and he will start using his mouth both for eating and shi. ting. I woudnt be surprised that he does it even now!!!!
They should say,Movement for Mad Dogs, is looking for ECZ chairperson.Why should MMD be in the fore front in making decisions for electorates?The other thing that boggles my mind is on the appointment of the same ECZ chairperson.Does it mean only judges are supposed to be ECZ chairpersons?What about other professions?This time around judges should not be appointed in this position.
Workers at ECZ should not dictate the direction of the institution.It is high time most of those workers were pruned and new brooms were brought in.They should not hold the nation to ransom over issues which can be solved by their board of commisioners.We expect the new chairperson to crack a whip on insolent and spoiled workers who do not want to work.
There is no shortage of people the gov’t would like to head ECZ. VJ, Judge Musonda, Aka, Mumbi, Chungu, the list is endless. God deliver us !