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Dr Nevers Mumba during the news briefingMMD President Nevers Mumba has said that he will only resign from politics when Zambia is liberated from poverty.
This follows a media statement by MMD Die Hard Youths National Coordinator Gerald Chiluba that Dr Mumba had resigned from active politics.
But Dr Mumba told The Independent Observer in an interview that the statement from Mr Chiluba was fake.
He said Mr Cphiluba was being used by PF to champion cheap propaganda.
“Fat chance! They are dreaming. We are in politics until Zambia is Saved. They should be brave enough to contend with me if they wish. I have not retired. I will not retire until God fulfills what he has promised. That statement is not from MMD but PF,” he said.
“MMD is preparing to go for the Convention and we are making headway. We cannot succumb to cheap propaganda. I will not resign from active politics not until Zambia is liberated from poverty.
Earlier today Mr Chiluba had issued a short statement commending Dr Mumba for resigning from politics.
The opposition UPND has described the killing of a ZAF officer by alleged Zambia police officers as enough confirmation that the police service has been infiltrated by PF “thugs”.
In a statement Mutale Nalumango the UPND national Chairperson said her party has provided evidence and written countless letters highlighting police brutality but that the efforts have fallen on deaf ears.
Below is the statement as issued by the UPND.
We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Sgt Nchimunya Moongwa, the deceased Zambia Air Force (ZAF) airman who died in police custody. It is alleged that the late was beaten to death while in Police custody at Woodlands Police Station.
So far we do not understand how a person can be beaten to death in police cells at Woodlands Police station considering the close proximity to their offices and that the victim may have been screaming for help.
The brutal beating of the serviceman Choongwa is confirmation enough of what we have been saying all along that the Zambia Police is infiltrated by PF thugs who are not only badly trained but are carrying out orders from Mr. Edgar Lungu.
We have for a long time provided evidence and written countless letters to the Inspector General of Police, highlighting Police brutality and infiltration by PF militias in the Zambia police, but all these efforts have fallen on deaf ears. This is because Edgar Lungu has deliberately designed the Police to be an extension and integral part of the PF in order to carry out murderous orders and brutalise citizens into submission and fear, even on offences such as traffic as was the case with the deceased.
The killing of Nchimunya a 33 year old ZAF airman should leave no doubt in the minds of citizens that Lungu has turned the Police into a lawless organisation that is designed to instill fear in the minds of citizens. Clearly they are not succeeding in instilling fear other than creating contempt for the police.
Lungu must tame his militia and thugs in police uniforms because the latest route he has taken of extending his militia’s murderous activities, to members of defense and security raises insecurity of unprecedented levels.
The killing of Choongwa by the police is a further indication that Lungu may not be in total control of the Zambia Defense Forces as regards the security of the Nation.
Lastly, the beating that led to the death of the ZAF serviceman by the PF thugs dressed in police uniforms, should be a wakeup call for the nation, that we are dealing with a ruthless, visionless and directionless regime, that will stop at nothing to brutalise, intimidate and KILL citizens in order to achieve their evil objectives. How can a traffic offence be a basis for killing someone?
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya(l) and United States of America Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schutz(r) chats after a Press Briefing at Ng’ombe Health Centre in Lusaka
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya has disclosed that about 1.2 million people are living with HIV in Zambia as at the end of 2016.
Dr Chilufya told Parliament in a ministerial statement yesterday that Lusaka and Western Provinces have the highest HIV prevalence rates of 16.1 percent and 16 percent respectively.
Dr Chitalu says Muchinga and North Western provinces had the least prevalence rates of 5. 9 and 6.9 percent as of 2016 statistics.
He says more than 3, 300, 000 people accessed HIV counseling and testing services against the annual target of 4,116, 679 by the end of the 2016.
Dr. Chilufya adds that HIV testing has improved since 2007 when only 19 percent of women and 12 percent of men had been tested and received their results within 12 months.
Dr. Chilufya has further disclosed that more than 200, 000 males were circumcised against the annual target of 72, 084 representing 22 percent.
Antonio MwanzaThe FDD says the decision by the Chief Justice to dismiss a petition to form a tribunal to investigate Madam Dora Siliya, Minister of Agriculture over the Maizegate scum is suspicious and lacks merit as it is contrary to the assertion by Her Lordship the Chief Justice that there is prima facie evidence to the fact that Madam Siliya’s involvement in the whole scam is questionable.
FDD Spokesperson Antonio Mwanza said the Committee which investigated the matter in Malawi found that Transglobe Export Produce Ltd wrongly and fraudulently involved Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Dr. George Chaponda, and MP to get who was aided by his counter party from Zambia.
He said the witnesses from the two countries submitted there were some wrongful dealings in the export of the Maize to Malawi which should enough for Chief Justice to prosecute.
“With such evidence plus other details in the Report, it is inconceivable that the Chief Justice could claim that there is lack of evidence to prosecute the matter. It is such suspicious decisions by our courts that have resulted in the public’s loss of confidence in our judiciary. Justice must not only be done but it must be seen to be done. It is clear in our judicial system that the rich and connected seem to be untouchable for serious crimes they are committing while the poor and less influencial are rotting in jail for petty crimes.
“In conclusion, we want to applaud His Excellency, President Mutharika for demonstrating leadership in this matter by occasioning the investigations and most importantly by firing his Minister of Agriculture for his fraudulent involvement in this Maizegate Scandal. Such decisive kind of leadership is what Africa requires in order for it to rid itself of corruption and theft of public resources,” he said.
File:UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema addressing media from his residence
The office of the Fourth Republican President, Rupiah Bwezani Banda has reacted sharply to United Party for National Developement (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema utterances that, for the love of money, the former president Rupiah Banda together with his son Nenani Banda had traveled to Morocco because they had an assignment to ensure that the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is isolated by the African Union.
IN a statement released to the media, the office of the fourth President said that the UPND leader should not drag the name of the former head of state into his undignified poltical exchanges simple because of his failure to get to state house.
The statement further advised the UPND leader to learn to check his fact before uttering anything in the public.
This week, Mr Hichilema was quoted by the The Mast Newspaper saying Banda’s love for money was very dangerous, hence his partnership with President Lungu who was also ready to give up the country’s sovereignty “just to fatten his pockets”.
“There are two citizens in this country who must be held accountable should Zambia be plunged into chaos – Edgar Lungu and his godfather Rupiah Banda. These two are playing very dangerous games all because of their love for money. They are busy fraternizing with Morocco a former African coloniser, which is unhappy with the independence of the Sahrawi. And we know money has been exchanging hands in this whole scheme, no wonder he has taken that trip to Morocco, not that so-called Crans Montana Forum. It’s a scheme to deceive Zambians, but not everyone can be lied to,” Hichilema, the UPND president, said yesterday. “Rupiah and his Edgar Lungu are in agreement to help Morocco push aside Sahrawi. How can you support an African country that is colonizing another African country? That is insane and we must stop this! Even the AU has refused to accept this, and us as Zambia want to go for it all because of a few selfish individuals who have been bought?”
He said Banda was President Lungu’s envoy and advocate in a scheme to isolate Sahrawi from the rest of Africa.
“My friend, they have regrouped, just like they did to steal our victory but this time around they have regrouped and stealing even from foreign countries. The old man (Banda) is not even ashamed to be travelling to cut deals on behalf of Lungu. We are aware of what is going on and watching closely,” Hichilema said. “Lungu must tread carefully, especially on how he is involving the country in corrupt deals; this will create tension between states. We cannot have people who are busy pushing for the continued suffering of the people of Sahrawi who have been seeking independence from Morocco for a long time now.”
He said it was not right for President Lungu and Banda to advocate for the continued suffering of the people of Sahrawi since it’s struggle for independence.
“Lungu and Rupiah Banda must draw a boundary. Rupiah was booted out of government by Sata’s PF because of his government’s corruption and this Lungu guy is doing exactly the same. But they should not plunge Zambia into chaos with their wrongdoing,” said Hichilema.
Below is the full statements Released by the fourth President’s Office
The United Party for National Development (UPND) did what they know best when HE. President Edgar Lunga addressed the nation on the grounds of parliament. The action by the UPND MPs has raised gigantic reaction from us political commentators and politicians themselves. Some have agreed with the action while others have condemned it to the point of likening the UPND MPs to dogs in the animal farm. I will neither condemn nor agree with the action by the Honourable Members.
According to Hon. Garry Nkombo who is the leader of opposition in parliament and also Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament, the UPND MPs where incensed by the political songs the Patriotic front (PF) members of parliament started singing for the head of state “Lungu nga talipo bonse aba nibangwele”. I remember the song during my school days especially during sports. It is one that when you are trailing and your opponents sing it you feel like you can sink in the ground. Am sure the UPND MPs must have felt the same. That is not to say the action they took is justified.
This is not the first time the UPND is doing this, they did the same during the previous address, they have done it now and I have no doubt even in the future events they will still find a good reason not to attend the national address.
Let us put it this way. What was the speaker of the National Assembly going to do if the UPND MPs decided to remain in the house and they too started singing songs that are pro HH the moment President Lungu walked in house? What were the PF MPs going to do if that was the case? Was the reaction going to be the same? The questions are many but I hope these particular ones set the tone of what I want to say.
[pullquote]The problem is not the UPND MPs walking out of parliament. The bigger problem is failing to deal with what makes them walk away from parliament.[/pullquote]
The problem is not the UPND MPs walking out of parliament. The bigger problem is failing to deal with what makes them walk away from parliament. The problem also is not the fact that the courts have denied the UPND a chance to have their petition heard before the courts of Law. The problem is that this country remains at odds and the political divisions keep getting deeper by the day. We must not forget that the UPND is still very wounded from what happened during the last elections. When you have a wound anything small can trigger the pain and one gets to react. The UPND is still very bitter at their competitor the PF. This is why they keep doing what they do in parliament.
Parliament is not the house of political campaigns but a house of Laws. The laws of the land are formulated in parliament. Parliament must therefore be kept neutral to allow healthy debates. Unfortunately the opposite is very true, our parliament is full of politics. The Speaker on the other hand is quick to reprimand the MPs from the opposition and slow to act when those from the ruling party mess up. The speaker fails to raise the point of order when it matters the most. Parliament is contained of ‘Honourable Members’ members and the business in the house must be honourable too.
After the president noticed that the opposition MPs where not in the house he too did not seem to care. That unfortunately is a sign of pride on his side. This country is to be governed by him (President Lungu) and therefore when addressing the nation it is important that every Member of Parliament is in the house. He is Head of State and must show serious concern when things like this happen. It is not good leadership to have an I don’t care attitude. This country remains very because of two political parties that have made politics ‘Us against them’.
In conclusion, I want to urge the UPND MPs to put whatever differences they have with the PF aside in the interest of fairly representing those who voted for them in parliament. The speaker of the National Assembly must be seen to act in a poised manner when it comes to giving course in the house. The PF must refrain from turning the house of laws into a campaign rally. If our country remain divided like this it will be the future generations that will feel the pain. President Edgar Lungu therefore must show concern when things are not right and stop pretending as if all was well. We need some order in parliament and Zambia as a whole.
President Edgar Lungu(l) congratulates Godfridah Sumaili after the swearing in ceremony at State House
National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister Godfridah Sumaili has announced tough measures to curb the mushrooming of false churches and prophets in the country.
In a ministerial statement to Parliament yesterday, Reverend Sumaili said that her ministry is working with the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) and the ministry of commerce to make it mandatory through a legal instrument for churches to register under the Registrar of Societies instead of the current practice were some churches have opted to registrar under PACRA as a company.
Reverend Sumaili said that the registration of churches under the Registrar of Societies will make them accountable unlike when churches are being run as companies.
She said that in the interim her ministry has put in place administrative measures whereby PACRA will not register a church or faith based organization without clearance from the ministry of national guidance and religious affairs.
Reverend Sumaili added that her ministry is also working closely with the church and religious umbrella bodies that are currently registered with Registrar of Societies to ensure effective oversight and compliance of their member churches.
She has since announced a number of administrative provisions for the registration of church and faith based organizations .
And Reverend Sumaili said that her ministry will also extend the scrutiny of churches to foreign missionaries that come to Zambia for short or long term missionary activities.
Kitwe District Commissioner, Chanda Kabwe (in hat) and Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kang’ombe during a tour of Chisokone Market to checked on the status of garbage.
By Christopher Pikiti-Kang’ombe
There are so many leaders both in the ruling party and the opposition who yield a lot of influence on the people they lead in Zambia.
In certain rare cases, such influence is applied correctly to implore the people to change their mindset on matters affecting society.
However, most of us politicians appear to be scared of engaging the people we lead and influence them to think in a different way which will ultimately change society.
I arrived in South Africa this afternoon 21.03.17 for a series of meetings and compared to Kitwe, the city of Johannesburg is clean.
Instead of misusing our influence as leaders in Kitwe by failing to bring about positive change, we must get all residents to be involved in the transformational agenda for the great city of Kitwe.
Everyone worthy to be called a leader must positively influence the people. We must not be pre-occupied with elections when its time to work and achieve positive change.
I am grateful for the support from both the Minister of local government, Hon. Vincent Mwale and His Excellency , President Edgar Lungu for the agenda for a better and cleaner Kitwe.
This is what I call the correct usage of our political influence on the people we lead at the highest level. Kitwe can become then next Kigali or the next Johannesburg if only we engage the residents and make them understand what we want to achieve in terms of cleanliness and better city outlook.
Bus stations should be well arranged and managed with no illegal bus operators. Trading by our marketeers should be in designated markets such as Chisokone and Nakadoli to accommodate both those who do street vending and those already inside the market.
I pledge to provide leadership that will listen to all stakeholders especially the informal sector and also Bar/ Tarven and Bottle store owners on better trading conditions.
I hope to learn more whilst in South Africa on how cities in the global village are being transformed.
If the foregoing observations are not in order, i welcome your constructive criticism on the paragraphs concerned or the entire wording above.
The Author is the Mayor of the City of Kitwe on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia Mayor
Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya(right) talks to one of the nursing students in the Nursing School library during his tour of Hospital facilities
Government plans to construct an 800 bed capacity mother and child hospital in Lusaka.
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya says the hospital to be called King Sulman will be funded by the Saudi Arabian government.
He further says there are plans to set up a specialist clinic and also upgrade the existing Levy Mwanaswasa hospital to a third level health facility.
The Minister said this in an interview with journalists shortly after presenting the Ministry of Health quarterly report to President Edgar Lungu at state house.
He said government also plans to construct general hospitals in Petuake and Chinsali to ensure that there is access to medical services.
And Dr Chilufya added that government has also reduced its drug debt to 1-hundred and 50 thousand kwacha.
The Minister has also disclosed that government plans to put up a system that will attract Zambian doctors and specialist working in the diaspora to come back and serve in the country.
He said his ministry will continue to strengthen health Care systems so that the country can be healthy and productive.
Dr Chilufya also disclosed that his ministry will take before Parliament various bills that will enhance medical services in the country.
And the minister says the ministry of health will ensure that by the end of this quarter the remaining nurses that were recruited in December will be put on the pay roll.
He said of the 7400 nurse that were recruited in December 2000 are not yet on the payroll.
Dr Chilufya also disclosed that the World Bank has allocated 45 million US dollars for TB prevention for mining towns.
Dora SiliyaMinister of Agriculture Dora Siliya has expressed joy at the quick results from the Israel state visit by President Edgar Lungu.
Ms Siliya says the visit has resulted in an Israeli company investing about 90 million US dollars in the agricultural sector in Zambia.
Ms. Siliya said this when she signed a memorandum of understanding between government and Green 2000 D.K agricultural equipment and knowhow limited of Israel at her office in Lusaka.
The Israel Company will be investing about 60 million US dollars in Manshya Farm block and Mpika district of Muchinga province and another 30 Million US dollars in Luena farm block in Kawambwa district.
She said the company will also provide educational kits on farming and agriculture to schools as a way of introducing modern farming methods in schools which will result in the younger generation embrace the sector with greater understanding.
Meanwhile, Daniel Pinhassi in charge of business development in Africa from Green 2000 has assured government that their experience in agriculture which spans over 30 years in the industry is equal to the task.
There was nonstop point of orders in Parliament on Tuesday as PF Members of Parliament demanded to know if UPND MPs were in order when they boycotted President Edgar Lungu’s address to Parliament last Week on Friday.
Several PF Members of Parliament rose on a point of order asking the Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini if the action by UPND MPs on March 17th was in order.
Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Martin Malama was the first when he asked the Speaker in his point of Order if the opposition UPND MPs were in order to shun the Presidential address.
Others who rose on a point of order are Shiwa Ng’andu MP Stephen Kampyongo, Mandevu MP Jean Kapata, Msanzala MP, Peter Daka and Makebi Zulu of Malambo Constituency among many others.
But the Speaker ruled that he has resolved to refer the matter to the committee on privileges.
Soon after the Speaker’s ruling, Monze UPND Mp Jack Mwiimbu rose on a point of order seemingly to counter and asked the Speaker if the PF members were in order to sing political songs in the House on Friday.
Mr. Mwiimbu said the action was against the decorum and etiquette of the House.
In his ruling the Speaker said the issues raised were serious and required proper examination.
Calm only returned to the House after the speaker limited the number of points of order on the same topic and permitted Minister of Religious Affairs Godfrey Sumaili to issue a ministerial statement.
Meanwhile, Some Lusaka Youths have petitioned Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Patrick Matibini demanding action be taken against UPND Members of Parliament for shunning President Edgar Lungu’s address to parliament.
In their petition to the Speaker, the youths contend that the boycott by UPND MPs is an insult to the people of Zambia hence the need to take action against lawmakers
The Youths have recalled that in 2001, then UPND Leader Anderson Mazoka lost elections in the disputed general election which saw the UPND go to court, but that at no point did he instruct his Members of Parliament to boycott then President. Levy Mwanawasa’s address to the House.
They are asking the Speaker to withhold the salaries of the Members Parliament until such a time that they will recognize President Edgar Lungu as the duly elected President.
And the Evangelical Youth Alliance International (EYAI) has also written to the Speaker seeking tougher punishment for the UPND Members of Parliament whom they have accused of failing to firmly represent their electorates.
EYAI Executive Director Reverend Moses Lungu tells QTV News that this is because the MPs are failing to reason on their own, but are working under instructions from their political party leaders.
Zesco United Football teamZesco United will face Enugu Rangers of Nigeria for a place in the group stage of the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup.
Enugu were relegated to the Confederation Cup after Zamalek eliminated them 5-3 from the pre-group stage of the 2017 CAF Champions League this past weekend.
Zesco will be away in the first leg in Nigeria during the weekend of April 7.
The Ndola side will later host Enugu in Ndola on April 15 to decide who goes through to the group stage.
Zesco are targeting qualify to the group stage in Africa for a second successive season after making their semifinal debut in the 2016 CAF Champions League.
The Zambia Under-20 squad has regrouped in Lusaka ahead of the Four Nation Invitational Tournament in South Korea that kicks off on 23 March.
Coach Beston Chambeshi has summoned 21 players for the Korea outing that will be a preface to the Fifa 2017 Under-20 World Cup in that country.
The four participating teams are hosts Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Zambia.
Chambeshi will be without four foreign based players, who are Conlyde Luchanga (Hapoel Ra’anana), Patson Daka (FC Liefering), Mumba Mwape (Getafe) and Fashion Sakala (Spartak Moscow), who have gone back to their clubs.
The quartet has been replaced by Stephen Chulu (Kabwe Warriors), Happy Nsofwa (Mufulira Police), Musonda Siame (Kafue Celtic) and Joseph Phiri (Red Arrows).
The team entered into residential camp on Sunday at Cool Breeze Lodge in Lusaka.
Zambia Squad
Goalkeepers: Mangani Banda (Zanaco), Samson Banda (Zesco United), James Phiri (Circuit City)
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema
United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has blamed the ruling Patriotic Front for moral degradation in the country.
Mr. Hichilema says it is appalling to hear President Edgar Lungu saying he’s disturbed by the increase in the moral gradation in the country.
He says if President Lungu meant what he said, he was going to stop PF cadres from abusing women and youth from other political parties.
He has further accused President Lungu of spending much of his time socializing and not identifying solutions to the economic challenges as expected by Zambians.
Mr. Hichilema says the people of Zambia are only interested in seeing the economic challenges they are facing addressed and nothing else.
Kelvin Sampa
The ruling Patriotic Front has prepared a bill to take to Parliament which will see the repeal of the Law Association of Zambia Act.
If the proposed Law of Societies Bill” is passed, it will allow for the formation of various associations to represent lawyers in Zambia.
The bill is sponsored by PF Kasama Central Member of Parliament Kelvin Sampa through the private Member’s motion.
In December 2016, Mr Sampa revealed that he will take to Parliament a motion to amend the LAZ Act and call for the formation of another body to represent lawyers.
By allowing the creation of other associations to represent the lawyers and repealing the Law Association of Zambia Act, the PF Government will effectively disband LAZ.
According to the Bill advertised in the Zambia Daily Mail, the “Law of Societies Bill” seeks to provide for the formation and regulation of various law societies or associations in Zambia.
Most senior PF officials have often spoken out about LAZ’s strong stance on governance issues and have accused the association led by Linda Kasonde of being pro government.
The PF currently enjoys a comfortable majority in Parliament with 89 seats at 53.6 percent with the main opposition UPND holding 53 seats at 34.9 percent.
Independent MPs hold 14 seats representing 8.4 percent while the MMD has four seats representing 2.4 percent.
