STATE House has advised civil society organisations calling for the revocation of a threatened state of public emergency under Article 31 of the Constitution against trivialising matters of national security.

Special assistant to the President for press and public relations Amos Chanda says the invocation of Article 31 should not be politicised because it was done to protect life and property.

He said this on Monday night in reaction to an appeal by a consortium of civil society organisations for Government to consider revoking the threatened state of public emergency.

“The petition [for the revocation of Article 31] is obviously misplaced. The decisions on national security are evaluated on the basis of what the President thinks is suitable for protection of civil liberties and life and property,” Mr Chanda said.

He said President Lungu’s decision to invoke Article 31 of the Constitution was done to protect life and property and not to harass citizens.

“Who is complaining that security services have been able to stop politically motivated acts of arson that were rampant? No law-abiding citizen today has been arrested or imprisoned because of the invocation of Article 31,” Mr Chanda said.

He said President Lungu will only revoke the threatend state of public emergency at an appropriate time.

“The President will revoke Article 31 when it has run its course. If Parliament does not vote for its extension, then it will stand revoked,” he said.

Mr Chanda said President Lungu is daily assessing the country’s security situation through law enforcement agencies.

And Mr Chanda dismissed United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema’s claims that President Lungu was using State institutions to intimidate political opponents.

“Mr Hichilema was arrested by the police, so that’s a debate he can have with them,” he said.

President Edgar Lungu has said that the Patriotic Front administration is committed to equipping the defence forces with modern equipment to enable them address new security challenges.

President Lungu said that the need for modern defence systems cannot be overemphasized in view of Zambia’s growing economy coupled with huge investments from local and foreign investors.

The Head of State was speaking when he officially opened the L 15 Simulator Training Centre at the Zambia Airforce – ZAF- in Lusaka. President Lungu launched the effective, safe and yet realistic training methods on highly computerized and technologically advanced L-15 fighter ground attack aircraft.

President Lungu commended China National Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation – CATIC for facilitating the state of the art technology.

He hailed the Chinese firm for being a committed partner to Government in modernising the security and defence wings.

President Lungu said the acquisition of the smart technology and assets which guarantee operational capability without compromising standards, is in line with the Zambia air force’s vision of creating “a lean, well equipped, well trained, professional and efficient tactical air force, capable of responding to the air power needs of the 21st century Zambia.”

“It is gratifying to note that systems in the simulator centre are capable of monitoring the aircraft from the ground and making it possible for ground crew to easily detect faults and rectify them,” President Lungu said.

“I also note that training can be done on the ground without taking to the air, hence saving on fuel.”

President Lungu noted that the world was becoming more technologically advanced bringing with it new security risks.

“With Zambia’s growing economy coupled with huge investments from local and foreign investors, the need for modern defence systems cannot be overemphasised,”

And ZAF Commander, Eric Chimese said opening of the Simulator Training Centre redefines and opens a new chapter in flying training of fighter pilots in the Airforce.

Lieutenant General Chimese explained that computer based ground training systems in Aviation have played a major role in building pilots’ skills and confidence by providing cost effective ways of training.

Meanwhile, CATIC Regional President, Li Houding said the L 15 Simulator Training Centre is the most advanced in Africa and will enable ZAF build up a cohort of well-trained pilots.

SOTAMBE Documentary Film and Arts Festival (SOTAMBE DFAF) is an event held annually in the month of September with the main aim to educate and raise awareness on social issues through film and arts.

SOTAMBE Documentary Film and Arts Festival conducts several activities throughout each year, always in accordance with the theme of the festival. Examples of such programmes include the celebration of the International Day of Albinism in 2016, Filmmaking Workshops in 2015 and 2016, Art workshop for Children in 2016, Art Exhibitions and the more intensive workshops such as the 4 Days Filmmaking Boot Camp in April 2017.

SOTAMBE DFAF powered by MultiChoice is the 4^th installment of the festival and it will be held in the period 26th – 30th September 2017 at the Kitwe Little Theatre under the theme “The Future Belongs to Us”. The theme highlights the involvement of young people in the development of the country, their active participation in decision making and the interest of youths in current affairs.

“We are very grateful to MultiChoice for partnering with us, as we share a common goal that is to contribute to the growth of the film industry in Zambia,” said Daniel Mwale, SOTAMBE DFAF Director.

This five day annual event consists of documentary movie screenings which are followed up with panel discussions targeting mainly students from colleges and universities, as well as screenings of locally produced movies that are followed by discussions with the producers and directors on challenges they faced during the production process. “It is pleasing to note that we have received more than 30 local submissions this year and so the viewers can expect a lot of action, laughter and serious moments on the screen,” unveiled Mwale. “The detailed festival programme is being drafted.”

Apart from the screenings and panel discussions, which are core to the festival, SOTAMBE DFAF offers great educational, skills training and entertaining additional programmes such as Art workshop for children (26 August 2017), a tree planting exercise at various schools (2 September 2017), “Business of Filmmaking in Zambia” – an entrepreneurship conference at Nkana Golf Club (29 September 2017) and an Outdoor Screening: The Best of 2016 held at the Mukuba Mall in the period 14 – 16 September 2017.

SOTAMBE DFAF is a community event that serves as a platform to promote social awareness and change and also provides educational themes through film and arts. It is therefore free of charge. This is made possible by the partnerships with corporates such as MultiChoice Zambia, the main sponsors of the festival and Flava FM the official media partner. “It is our request as SOTAMBE DFAF to all corporate houses to partner with us in various aspects of the Film Festival in order to allow the growth of the festival in the country. This effort will result in the upcoming and seasoned filmmakers and artists to actualise their dreams and also help in providing social change in the society through their products.”

Governance Elections, Advocacy Research Services (GEARS) Initiative Zambia says it is concerned with the recently organised protests by some patriotic Front cadres and party structures demanding for the dismissal or resignation of Minister of Finance, Mr. Felix Mutati.

McDonald Chipenzi who is Executive Director of GEARS Initiative said his organisation is of the view that the stage-managed protests are very unfortunate, retrogressive and unproductive.

The former FODEP Executive Director was quick to note that the protests are seemingly being done with the blessings of the top ruling party leadership.

“We find the allegations, that Mr. Mutati who is leading another faction of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has been mobilising membership for his party using his government portfolio, can be best described as baseless and against the spirit and letter of interparty co-existence and tolerance and against their political working relationship fostered into during the 2016 General Elections.

“Surprisingly, there has been some deliberate silence from the top leadership of the ruling party, in the likes of the Party President, Vice-President and the National Chairperson, who could probably be very privy to the signed Memorandum of partnership with Mr. Mutati and his group and its terms which the protesting cadres and structures may not be in the know,”

He said the ignorance of the hired cadres was a danger to the partnership of the two parties.

“Not knowing the contents of the political partnership entered into between Mr. Mutati and the PF, it would be wrong to expect that Mr. Mutati surrendered his political rights to the PF.

“GEARS Initiative feels that the calls by some PF structures should not have been entertained by the PF top leadership because it is an act of dishonest and betrayal and consequently might have a far-reaching negative consequences to the formation of credible and trusted future political alliances and partnership in the country and further have national ramifications economically, “he said.

He urged the look at what the positive contribution since his appointment as opposed to politicking.

“Before asking for his resignation or dismissal, PF should have reflected on the positive performances of Mr. Mutati as Finance Minister. Based on the stabilisation of the national economy since Mr. Mutati was appointed finance minister and from a layman’s viewpoint, Mr. Mutati is trying to make the country’s economic performance display signs of recovery and would be erroneously wrong to dismiss him now.

“Reflectively, at the time Mr. Mutati was appointed minister, there existed slow economic expansion, skyrocketing inflation rate at 21% with the national budget deficit at 10%. This was coupled by poor international credit ratings and a weakened Kwacha.

“However, Mr. Mutati seems to have reversed the economic downturn as can be seen by reduced inflation rates to a single digit, stabilised Kwacha, improved credit ratings, retention of investor confidence and projected positive economic outlook among other positives.,” he said.

He adds “in this regard, it will be against the interest of the common and greater good of the Zambian populace for PF top leadership to entertain political hooliganism, bullying and harassment of Mr. Mutati. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has a political and national duty to exercise transparent and accountable leadership towards his alliance partners and to the nation than displaying pretentious attitude towards the goings-on.

“GEARS Initiative finds it politically unfair for President Lungu, as a result of pressure from his party cadres and structures, to decide to recall Mr. Mutati or make him resign, instead, President Lungu must be firm and tell off the bullies within his party that he cherishes national interest as opposed to sectional, party and personal interests.”

A BLT is a classic sandwich filled with Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato. It is simple, yet effective; perfect for any occasion and any time of the day, particularly lunch. It is filling and absolutely delicious. So the next time you are packing lunch for the kids, surprise them with this sandwich, which packs a lot of flavour and is sure to leave them wanting more. To jazz it up a bit you can add a fried egg, or chicken, and try it with an extra layer of mayonnaise.

Prep 20 mins | Cook 15 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 6 garlic cloves, peeled
• 12 slices thick-cut bacon
• 1 medium avocado
• 50g mayonnaise
• 2 tsps coarsely ground black pepper
• 8 slices of bread (white or brown)
• 1 large lettuce, leaves peeled and cut in half
• 2 medium  tomatoes, sliced
• 125g Cheddar cheese

Method

Place the garlic in a microwaveable baking tray and top it with six slices of the bacon. Cover them with grease proof paper, or cling film and microwave for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the bacon from the microwave and separate the bacon. Cover the bacon again, and microwave for another 2-3 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.

Transfer the bacon and garlic to a plate lined with paper towel, to allow the oil to drain. Repeat the entire process with the remaining bacon. Alternatively you can cook the bacon in the grill until it is crispy.

Finely chop the garlic; peel and remove the pit from the avocado. Combine garlic, avocado, mayonnaise and black pepper in a small mixing bowl and mix well.

Toast the bread slightly and assemble the sandwiches; cut the bacon in half, spread the avocado mixture evenly over the bread slices; top them with bacon, lettuce, tomato slices, cheese and the remaining bread.

Serving

Serve with a side of fries and or coleslaw. Enjoy!!