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FAZ Division One Zone Four side Zesco Victoria Falls are relishing their debut appearance in the Barclays Cup.
The Livingstone outfit starts the 2016 Barclays Cup campaign on Sunday with a preliminary round tie against Kabwe Youth Academy at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
Club striker Watson Lukoba said Zesco Victoria Falls players are thrilled to participate in a cup competition.
“It is a big achievement for us players at Vic Falls to play in cup competition for the first time in our careers. It is actually a big achievement,” Lukoba said.
The striker said his club was looking forward to Sunday’s debut Barclays Cup match against Kabwe Academy.
“It is very important that we win the first game against Kabwe Academy if we have to go far in the competition,” the ex-Kitwe United and Mining Rangers striker said.
“We want to go as far as we can and if possible win the cup. But the most important things is to expose ourselves as players,” Lukoba said.
Zesco Victoria Falls are the leaders of the FAZ Division One Zone Four table.
What happened in our Constitutional Court earlier this week is spectacularly shocking. The three judges involved in this strange decision must personally be made accountable for what they did over the weekend and in Monday. In fact, PF handling of the presidential election petition since the petition started including refusal to have the necessary documents served on Edgar Lungu in his capacity as respondent has not only baffled many Zambians but friends of Zambians around the world.
How can a court, which in its Friday midnight decision unanimously decided to hear the petition on Monday and Tuesday, and respondents on Wednesday and Friday suddenly u-turn and instead announce that three of its members decided over the weekend to denounce the unanimous decision of the five member bench? This, to say the least, is unprecedented in the history of the Zambia. It has never happened and neither is it supported by law that judges who were part of a full bench can sit on a weekend without parties to the case and without some of their colleagues to change a decision they arrived at unanimously with their colleagues which decision was announced to the parties and as per practice to the rest of the world?
The only other case I remember where this happened is when now Chief Justice Chidyausiku of Zimbabwe, as acting judge of the High Court, sat on a Sunday to hear a complaint by parties who had lost their case against eviction from a farm land they had invaded. In that case, one of the evictees Murilo on behalf of his colleagues lodged an application before the High Court protesting the Supreme Court’s decision which decided in favour of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union seeking eviction of the land invaders from land of a Commercial Farmer’s Union member.
Acting High Court Justice Chidyausiku ‘overruled’ the Supreme Court and went ahead to set aside the apex Court’s unanimous judgment something which earned the ire of the Court and which was completely at odds with common law practice in the ommonwealth. But this is Zimbabwe and I for one never would have thought even in my widest of dreams that instead of teaching the death of the rule of law in Zimbabwe, a day will come when students of law will rather be using Zambia as an example of what Professor Muna Ndulo rightly calls a ‘failed state’. Needless to say immediately after this case, Chidyausiku was appointed Zimbabwe Chief Justice and the rest is history.
Though like many other Zambians I am shocked at the unprecedented development in Court today, somehow I could foresee it coming. I know Edgar Lungu personally unlike most of those who support and are ready to die for him. Just like my young brother HH, Edgar [is] or at least used to be my friend. I know for certain Edgar Lungu did not win the August 11 elections; he did not and he knows it himself. I have never doubted throughout that he will abuse all the state institutions including the CC to defy the will of the people and the rule of law in order to maintain power regardless.
Because he did not win he used the Electoral Commission to steal the vote. Because he knew what will come out if the petitioner was heard, he would not want the petitioner to be heard as guaranteed for him by the Constitution. If the petitioner had been heard, the result will have been exposed in the open for all to read, see and hear for themselves something which would have resulted in an immediate eviction of Edgar from the presidency he is already holding illegally. Therefore, Edgar made sure the case died in its track and this is what happened this morning in the CC. Had it proceeded, Petitioners were going to show Zambians how the vote particularly the Lusaka vote was blatantly rigged and Edgar knew petitioners had solid evidence with them to prove how this happened? They still have that evidence with them.
Clearly today’s CC developments constitute the Zambian Penal Code’s Section 112 obstruction and defeating the course of justice and must as a minimum immediately be investigated. Petitioner’s right to be heard was obstructed by no less an institution than the court itself, it can’t be. This must be investigated immediately by police to establish what happened and culprits taken to court. Only this will restore Zambia’s image now seriously damaged. Zambia police must quickly move in and institute investigations into apparently serious misadventure in court. It is not enough to refer the three judges concerned to the Judicial Complaints Authority which has no penal sanctions to enforce its recommendations/decisions. Besides, the morning’s developments are too serious to be referred to administration with only jurisdictions to recommend to the same authority who happens to be the beneficiary of the misadventure.
Meanwhile, the three judges who changed the unanimous decision over the weekend have no choice but to resign their positions immediately. Given this has never happened before and is quite unprecedented and even illegal for judges to sit on a weekend without parties or their colleagues and rescind a unanimously arrived at decision, they must take responsibility and resign.
That is the epitome of judicial irresponsibility! It is indecisive and a mockery of the court for it to ‘rescind’ it’s own decision without any of the parties making any such request and without giving parties a chance to make representations, and worse, without notice! It appears obvious that there was political interference and the split makes it even more suspicious. So on what basis did the three judges dismiss the petition if the parties didn’t even advance arguments? This is by far the most irresponsible way of handling an election petition on the continent. It will be hard for the court to regain its credibility after this disastrous precedent. I can’t even begin to contemplate the political consequences.
SADC and the African Union must quickly move in and suspend Zambia from their organs. What has happened in Zambia is not an election but clear unconstitutional change of government and the international community has an obligation to act to restore democracy and constitutional order. From the time Edgar Lungu refused to surrender power to the Speaker of Parliament in line with article 104 (3) of the Constitution, he seized power illegally against the wording of the constitution. Now, he has unilaterally barred the CC from hearing the petitioner in line with well-articulated principles insisting on an independent judiciary. All the instruments of the AU and the SADC as well as requisite UN instruments eloquently insist of a free and fair election including the right to complain.
Chief Justice Ireen Manbilima, her deputy Amusa Mwanamwaamwa and other judges have a duty to not be part of this shenanigan and keep away from any purported swearing of an illegal president who seizes power in this manner.
Zesco United got some hard fought for revenge over Forest in their Ndola derby on Thursday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The defending champions beat Forest 1-0 to avenge the first leg loss by the same margin at the same venue on May 11.
Zesco battled to victory thanks to a 37th minute goal by defender David Owino.
The win lifts Zesco one place up the table with six games in hand from 5th to 4th on 40 points from 19 matches and are now fifteen points behind leaders Zanaco who have played 24 games.
Zesco are back in action this Sunday when they visit winless and bottom of the log Mufulira Blackpool at John Kachofa Stadium in Mufulira.
Thereafter they head back to camp to prepare for their 2016 CAF Champions League semifinal, first leg fixture at home against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa on September 17 at Levy Stadium.
Livingstone
THE Southern Province Medical Office has attributed the increased number of mosquito population in various parts of Livingstone District to the existence of potential breeding sites in the Tourist Capital.
Several Livingstone residents have lately complained of swarms of mosquitoes in their homes, eating places, markets, churches, schools, lodges, work places and many other premises of habitation.
Southern Province Medical Officer Jelita Chinyonga said about three potential mosquito breeding sites were the contributing factors to the increased number of mosquitoes.
Dr Chinyonga said in a press statement today that the three mosquito breeding sites sewer stabilisation ponds as well as the Livingstone streams (Maramba and Dambwa) and broken sewer systems and broken water reticulated piping systems.
“The Southern Province Medical Office and the Livingstone District Medical Office has started holding consultative meetings with stakeholders and the community to map up the way forward.
“We are also doing cascade training of sprayer operators in readiness for indoor residual spraying that will commence soon,” Dr Chinyonga said.
She also urged the public to use already existing interventions such as personal protection through the use of insecticides treated nets and mosquito repellants.
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) says the process of finding a new burial site for Lusaka will commence once the new cabinet is put in place.
LCC Public Relations Manager Habeenzu Mulunda told ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka today that the Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Local Government are spearheading the process of finding an alternative land for burial.
Mr. Mulunda was responding to concerns from members of the public over the limited space for burial at Chingwele and Leopards Hill cemeteries in Lusaka.
Equipment at the Luanshya Copper Mine and Muliayashi Mine, which are one of Zambia’s mines promising a profitable future.
The Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) has dismissed allegations of an imminent closure and of selling its capital underground mining equipment in order to recover money invested in the mine.
A source within the mine, who sought anonymity, has alleged that the mine was selling its capital underground mining equipment because it was facing a looming close down.
The source told ZANIS in Luanshya that the mine had put a Chinese man in charge of the sale, what he termed as sinister since the accounts office was usually responsible for all company transactions.
He also claimed that LCM was forcing employees to take leave so as to exhaust their leave days to reduce on the employee termination packages once the company halts operations.
And Luanshya Mayor elect Nathan Chanda confirmed having heard the allegations and called on the Chinese investors to come out in the open about their doings.
Mr. Chanda said that if it was true that the Chinese investors were pulling out, it was wiser for them to come in the open as they did when they went to invest in the district.
He has since pledged to stand with the miners once he is installed into office and side with the people of Luanshya and ensure that the mining industry is protected.
But LCM Public Relations Manager Sydney Chileya dismissed the assertions saying the company was only undertaking one of its periodical auction sales adding that there was nothing sinister with the action.
“The company has not had an auction in the past seven years and what is obtaining is that the company every once in a while conducts an auction to get rid of company property that was not in use which includes light duty vehicles. And this time around we decided to include some of the equipment from our underground mines that was not operational,” Mr. Chileya explained.
He dismissed the allegations as baseless saying currently, Mulyashi mine, which is fully operational, was the financial backbone of the company adding that it would be suspicious if it closed down or reduced its operations.
Mr. Chileya further said the company was still fully operational and that there was no looming closure noting that the mine has not yet even started reaping profits from the invested money.
He explained that the Chinese Investor has invested about US$368 million borrowed money into the mine.
He pointed out that it would not make any business logic for the mine to pull out when it had only settled 75 percent of the investment loan.
Mr. Chileya further said it was not the first time that the mine was selling equipment, adding that LCM also sold some of its equipment when it was changing the old winders for the newly acquired ones in 2012.
He meanwhile explained that the company loses money on servicing equipment which was not in use since the time Baluba mine was put on care and maintenance.
He observed that not all machinery was still being used as copper production had also reduced.
Mr. Chileya added that if the copper prices on the international market stabilized and Baluba mine swings back into action, it would need to work efficiently.
He said this was the reason for offloading old equipment which will be replaced.
He indicated that even with the reopening of Baluba mines, not all equipment would be used as the copper production was diminishing since it was mined out.
And commenting on the exhausting of leave days, Mr. Chileya said it was a normal human resource exercise aimed at revitalizing and increasing worker productivity by allowing workers to rest.
He said the company was running two operations which are the Baluba underground mines that have been put on care and maintenance and the Mulyashi open pit mine which is fully operational.
Luanshya district has been dependent on mining and has suffered harsh financial setbacks from the closure of some mines.
Last year, over 1,600 miners were sent on forced leave when Baluba mine was put under care and maintenance.
President Edgar Lungu chats with Constitutional Court Judges shortly after swearing in Ceremony of Constitutional Court Judges at State House
Green party President Peter Sinkamba has lodged a written complaint with the Judicial Complaints Commission for the removal of the Constitutional Court Judges on grounds of incompetence and gross misconduct pursuant to Articles 143 and 144 of the Constitution.
In his letter dated 6th September,2016 addressed to the Secretary of the Judicial Complaints Commission, Mr Sinkamba says the behavior of the entire bench of the court in the manner in which they handled the petition from start to finish brought the Constitutional Court into disrepute, ridicule or contempt contrary to Article 143(a) of the Constitution.
He adds that the behaviour of the judges was prejudicial or inimical to the economy of the country, and threatened the security of the State contrary to Article 143(b) of the Constitution.
Mr Sinkamba says the contradictory rulings the court made which bordered on breaching Rules of the Constitutional Court and the Constitution of Zambia are clear manifestation of incompetence.
He adds for the first time in the history of Zambia, lawyers for the petitioners and the respondents walked out and boycott the proceedings, a sign that the manner in which the bench was conducting the matter before it was fundamentally wrong.
Mr Sinkamba states that there is no doubt in his mind that the behaviour of the bench brought the Constitutional Court into disrepute, ridicule or contempt.
He says that while he applauds the fact that the bench vacated its illegal position to hear the petition outside the stipulated 14 days, on 5th September, the integrity and credibility of the Court was already brought in question.
And the Felix Mutati led MMD faction has backed calls for Constitutional Court judges to step down on moral ground.
Faction National Secretary Raphael Nakachinda says the Judges raped the supreme law of the land which they swore to protect and defend.
He says Judges failed to defend their own ruling on the interpretation of the 14 days stipulated in the constitution for hearing a presidential election petition.
Mr. Nakachinda says many people in the country have been left questioning the integrity of the judges, hence the need for them to step down.
Meanwhile, People’s party President Mike Mulongoti has backed the decision by the United Party for National Development (UPND) to seek the High Court’s determination whether the Constitutional Court did violate their right to have a fair hearing within a reasonable time when it dismissed the presidential election petition.
Mr. Mulongoti who is also a constitutional lawyer notes that a lot of time was spent on technicalities without the court explaining to the petitioners the implications of spending too much time on preliminary issues.
He says the whole essence of the petition is looking at the evidence, but that the petition process did not reach that stage before it was dismissed thereby defeating the whole purpose of the petition.
Mr. Mulongoti says by going to the High Court, the UPND is merely trying to ask the court to determine whether their rights were infringed upon and for those rights to be enforced.
He adds that the High Court will also determine whether the Constitutional Court performed its function in dispensing justice.
Mr. Mulongoti explains that the High Court has got unlimited jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters
He states that people should therefore allow the UPND to exercise their rights by seeking redress following the ruling of the Constitutional court.
And
YALI President Andrew NteweweThe Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has backed calls by citizens who have written to the Judicial Complaints Commission for the investigation and removal of Judges of the Constitutional Court on incompetence allegations levelled against them.
YALI President Andrew Ntewewe said his organization has read the argument forwarded by the some citizens who called for a thorough investigation by relevant authorities and that they share their stance to have the Constitutional Judges investigated for incompetence.
Mr Ntewewe said the indecisions showed by the Judges was a recipe for anarchy in the country.
“We have fully read the grounds by some citizens who have called for the thorough investigation, by the Judicial Complaints Commission, of Judges of the Constitutional Court and we share their stance that Judges of the Constitutional Court showed incompetence and failed to take charge of the proceedings when they kept giving conflicting rulings and directions to parties during the Petition, and redress to this can come from investigation of their incompetence by the Commission in line with Article 143 and 144 of the Constitution of Zambia.
“When the Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday and Friday last week that the matter will be time-barred by midnight of Friday, 2nd September 2016, competent judges ought not to have U-turned on their own ruling by extending the hearing of the petition with 6 more days outside the 14-days time frame set by the Constitution. This was not only a recipe for igniting confusion in the nation but goes to the very foundation on deciding whether the Judges are competent or incompetent,” he said.
He further added that “it is YALI’s considered view that if the Judges were competent enough, they would have guided and demanded that parties file their arguments to the petition within the timeframe as provided by the rules of the Court i.e. within 5 days for the Respondents from time the petition was filed on 19th August 2016 and 2 days for the Petitioners to reply. Sadly, the Court allowed parties to the petition to file responses almost at the close of the 14 day period in which the petition was to be heard. Had the Court showed competence and provided this guidance, the main petition would have been heard from August 27 to September 2, 2016.
“we believe there was nothing to stop counsel for the petitioners to invoke the provisions of Article 18(9) in applying to the court to dispense with the technicalities associated with the preliminary issues which occupied the court’s time until the expiry of the hearing period. It is our contention that Counsel for the petitioners cannot foist all the blame on the court; it is well-known that the petitioners, by application through counsel, had every right to invoke this provision of the Constitution in order to ensure that the court could get to the substantive matter as quickly as possible.”
“As the nation is much aware, one of the grounds upon which Judges can be removed is incompetence and for this reason, we support calls by citizens to investigate the competence of the Judges in line with Article 143 and 144 of the Constitution of Zambia. We hope the Judicial Complaints Commission will speedily table this matter which is at the core of protecting the integrity and competence of the Judges in conflict management,” he said.
Some citizens have written to the Judicial Complaint Commission to have the Constitutional Judges who handled the presidential petition investigated and removed due to incompetence.
FILE: PF Lameck Mangani and UPND Dr Canisius Banda interacting during the event.Dr Canisius Banda says while he remains vice president for politics, the future of UPND remains in his hands.
And Dr Banda has rubbished online reports suggesting that he was the next person to exit the UPND after allegedly being paid to defect by the Patriotic Front (PF) and that he was currently being accommodated at Cresta Golf View Hotel.
Instead, Dr. Banda told the Daily Nation yesterday evening that his task was now to provide leadership to the UPND members who were currently disturbed following the August 11, 2016 general elections loss.
Dr Banda wondered why he could be accused of going away from the UPND now when he could even be in a very good stead to succeed President Hakainde Hichilema as the President in future.
He said the online story was so wrong and false that it reeks of malice.
Dr Banda said it was almost as if he was now being pushed away by an insider.
“Is this another internal dirty job?”
“I am a very important member of the UPND because I have been around for a long time when the party had only about 20 Members of Parliament and today the UPND has 58 members of Parliament.
“In 2006, UPND was recording about 18 percent votes at Presidential level but now it is close to 50 percent votes, so all this has been happening with me as an integral member of the UPND,” Dr Banda said.
He said what members of the UPND wanted now was a resolute leader who could console and guide the membership from the disturbance of the general elections outcome.
Dr Banda maintained that visibility and presence of his name in the opposition United Party for National Development was still vital.
Dr Banda was responding to an article posted online that he was the next person to exit the UPND for PF.
The article suggested that the move by Dr Banda to exit the UPND had been orchestrated to divide the party during this trying time.
“Dr. Banda has been courted for the past 4 months but it seems now is the time for him to finally join the band wagon.
“Dr. Canisius Banda is currently being accommodated at Cresta Golf View Hotel as he awaits his defection payment,” read part of the article.
But Dr Banda described the story as total falsehood, adding that nobody had given him any money to ditch the UPND.
“Anybody can go to the same lodge and will not find me because I am currently at home and nobody has given me any money,” he said.
Dr Banda said he was currently surviving on his personal business and his salary as lecturer at the University of Lusaka.
Meanwhile, Dr Banda was of the view that it was time for political party leaders to confer and dialogue on matters of national interest such as freedom, peace and governance of the country.
Dr Banda also said there was no need for “tribal cleansing” and vandalising government and public property by anybody.
Dr Banda said there should be no damage to public property, burning of houses based on political lines.
“A Banda should be allowed to freely settle in Pemba district in Southern Province, a Bemba should equally be allowed and a Silumesi must be allowed to live in Northern Province because we are one people,” Dr Banda said.
Emirates Skywards, the award-winning frequent flyer programme of Emirates airline, marks its 16th year milestone with over 16 million members and the successful launch of new initiatives to enhance reward options for members.
Since the programme’s inception in 2000, Emirates Skywards members have redeemed a whopping 220 billion Miles on reward flights, hotels stays and exclusive access to the biggest events worldwide. The diversity of the programme’s partners and rewards are reflected in the airline’s global customer base and network spanning six continents and over 150 destinations. More benefits
With a focus on customer satisfaction, Emirates Skywards continuously forms exclusive partnerships and introduces new initiatives to offer greater value, choice and flexibility to its members. Most recently, Emirates Skywards has introduced Cash+Miles – allowing flight redemption using a combination of cash and Skywards Miles. Members in all four tiers – Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum – can start redeeming flights with as little as 2,000 Miles. This popular new initiative instantly reduces the cost of the tickets and can be used on any Emirates flight across all classes, making any seat available to Emirates Skywards members.
To date, Emirates Skywards has 14 airline partners including strategic partnerships with Easyjet and Qantas, offering members access to one of the world’s largest networks of global travel destinations. The programme also has 24 hotel partner brands covering nearly 20,000 properties worldwide. This includes a collaboration with the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programme which gives members double rewards through the ability to earn both Skywards Miles and Starpoints when they fly with Emirates or stay with Starwood. Exclusive access
As part of Emirates airline’s numerous sponsorships in sports, arts and cultural events, members have also enjoyed front row access to some of the biggest world events including the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival.
Since January this year, over 12,000 tickets across 40 sporting events have been made available to members. The tickets offer access to world-class sports including events in rugby, tennis, baseball, horseracing and Formula 1®. However, football is the biggest draw for Emirates Skywards members. Emirates sponsors six top European clubs: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Hamburger SV, SL Benfica, Arsenal, AC Milan, and in the last nine months, over 5,000 tickets were made available for Emirates Skywards members to watch their favourite teams play in the Spanish La Liga, Bundesliga, Portuguese Primeira Liga, FA Premier League, Lega Serie A, and Ligue 1.
Besides sports fans, Emirates Skywards also engages with artists worldwide. In 2010, it launched the annual design competition known today as Art of Travel. Each year, aspiring artists are invited to design the programme’s four membership cards, giving them a platform to showcase their talent on a global scale.
Emirates Skywards members also enjoy access to a global network of 39 Emirates lounges in major airports including six lounges at Dubai International Airport. Members are also given excess baggage allowance of up to 20kg.
The Lusaka High Court has denied United Party for National Development -UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and Party Vice President Geoffrey Mwamba an Exparte hearing, a hearing where only one side of the dispute is heard, in the matter where they are seeking an order to restrain Chief Justice Irene Mambilima.
The High Court has however ordered for an Inter-parte hearing in the matter, requiring both sides of the dispute to be heard.
The matter is before Lusaka High Court Judge Mwila Chitabo. The Inter-parte hearing has been set for today.
Mr Hichilema and Mr Mwamba have filed a petition in the Lusaka High Court after the dismissal of their 2016 Presidential Election Petition by the Constitutional Court.
They have contended that Justice Mambilima, Deputy Chief Justice Mervin Mwanamwambwa or any other authority must not swear- in President Lungu and Mrs Wina until the determination of the case where they are challenging the decision of the constitutional court.
Mr Hichilema and Mr Mwamba also want the court to stay the decision of the constitutional court which dismissed the presidential petition on Monday for want of prosecution.
They are seeking a Court order that the decision of the constitutional court that the petitioners had until 24:00 hours of last Friday to prosecute their matter is null and void and contravenes Article 28 sub-article nine of the Constitution.
Mr Hichilema and Mr Mwamba are further seeking an order directing the Constitutional Court to hear and determine their petition independently, fairly and within a reasonable time in line with the provisions of Article 18 sub-article nine of the Constitution.
They have cited President Lungu, Mrs Wina, the Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ, Attorney General Likando Kalaluka, Justice Mambilima, Justice Mwanamwambwa and the Constitution Court as first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respondent.
Gospel artiste ,The Proof, released the video for “Mumani ona” that features Pompi and Esther Chungu.
Video by: Big Deal Graphic
Director: Brian Kabwe (CB’s Finest)
Jonathan .B. Sinyangwe born 26th November, stage name The Proof, is a Zambian based gospel artist, his a Rapper| Singer | Songwriter and also a Drummer. He is studying Marketing (CIM). He named himself “The Proof” because he believes that he’s the proof that Jesus is alive and he abides in him. He gave his life to Jesus Christ at a very tender age and grew up in a Christian home with his father and mother who are both his biological and spiritual parents. He is the son of Pastor Sunday Sinyangwe, Founder of The Standing in the Gap prayer ministry and General Overseer of Shalom Embassy Ministries International. The Proof was inspired by his cousin Chanda a.k.a Makiss to start rapping and spreading the gospel through gospel hip-hop music when he was 13 years old with the quest of preaching to his young generation and since then he has always had a passion for music and he also discovered that he could play drums. He now serves in the church as a drummer. The Proof first entered the studio in 2008 where he recorded his first Verse in a song called ‘Praise the Lord’ when he was in a group called the O.G saints, it was a song of thanks and praise to God. He has recorded quite a number of songs over the years. “Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s workmanship and so The Proof will work for the Lord Jesus Christ and preach the gospel and bring salvation to his generation through music. He runs with the motto: Aspire to Acquire the Desire You Admire.
KAKA: I really feel constrained to comment on Pastor Nevers Sekwila Mumba’s letter but truthfulness in politics is a more effective strategy than misinformation.
MMD: We are glad you recognize the importance of Truth over Misinformation, but we wish to point out that your entire letter was a shallow response to the fundamental questions which Dr. Mumba raised in his letter and are saddened that despite your above confession, you chose to mislead not only yourself, but also the readers, rather than to speak the truth as it exists.
KAKA: Having presided over the ZCID as Chairman…. I cannot forget how ZCID guided Hon. Kunda in this process and lobbied for the NCC Act. I do not remember the role of the pastor.
MMD: In Dr. Mumba’s letter to President Lungu, he CLEARLY, states that the “The concept of the First draft was discussed in my office in 2003 when I served as Vice President with the late Justice Minister George Kunda”. Is the contention here that Dr. Mumba was not involved in the primary stages of this process? How can Dr. Katele Kalumba claim to remember the role that everyone else played and yet ignore the role that the Republican Vice President played before this was handed down the hierarchy to other relevant people? Does Dr. Katele Kalumba know that President Mwanawasa sent Dr.Nevers Mumba to Kenya to study their constitution making process way before it was announced? Or perhaps has Dr. Kalumba so comprehended the letter wrongly to ignore the fact that Dr. Mumba aptly recognized the roles which many other “commissioners” played in the process? It is also interesting that Dr. Katele Kalumba has all too soon forgotten that he only came to serve as MMD National Secretary between 2005 and 2011 when the process had already been underway. Dr. Mumba was Vice-President from 2003 until towards the end of 2004 and had ‘hands on’ approach in the process
KAKA: As MMD National Secretary, the NCC initiated by the late Levy Mwanawasa. It failed. A new process started during the new PF government. We welcomed it.
MMD: The Doctor here seems to have confused himself. The fact that he was MMD National Secretary between 2005 and 2011 is irrelevant as this was not an MMD project, but a government project. From the writing, he seem’s to suggest that the Patriotic Front Government started a whole new process following what he terms the “Failed NCC under late Levy Mwanawasa.” This is not only misleading but dishonest and can only be termed ‘selective memory loss’ and a denial of the role of previous leaderships played. The MMD concluded the process and delivered the Amended Constitution to Parliament while still in power in 2011, where it failed largely because the PF had boycotted the NCC sittings and really have no moral right to call it ‘their baby.’. In late 2015, the PF simply wrapped up an already well documented process and which is why as a party, the MMD in principle supported the final process in parliament and Dr. Mumba is on record as having called it an “MMD baby” which the PF went to the ‘labour ward’ to actually give birth to.
KAKA: Did I see Pastor Mumba anywhere close to the ring? Please help me remember someone. I seek fair comment. As to the rather unpastorly imputations about the Constitution, please spare ECL.
MMD: We can try to help our dear old KAKA where Pastor Mumba was and since he seeks a fair comment, here it is. As most Zambians will recall, around the period in question, (2003 to 2004), we saw the height of President Mwanawasa’s fight against corruption. It was during this time that Katele Kalumba became famous for his alleged widely publicized ‘charm and witchcraft’-related disappearing acts, one of which lasted a whole three months as was reported by then Police Spokesperson, Brenda Muntemba. We believe Dr. Kalumba led an erratic lifestyle, dabbling in the supernatural, allegedly turning himself into reptilian creatures and using African magic computerized gadgets, all in trying to run away from being prosecuted for corruption. As we all know, light and darkness cannot mix and it is this spiritual divide which created a natural barrier between the pastor and the Wizard which one KAKA has no recollection about.
KAKA: The Constitution conventions which started from Districts to the National level cannot be loaded on President Lungu.
MMD: Yet again, this is highly misleading. The fact that the credit of delivering it has gone to him as the ‘WALK THE TALK’ President who assented to it means that the Constitution as it stands today is his creation and that he must, at the very least, honor it, by following its provisions, rather than tearing it apart and breaking its very provisions with impunity. This we believe is what Dr. Mumba is calling for in governance, basic MORALITY AND INTEGRITY.
KAKA: ECZ did not give ECL votes. Zambian voted for him.
MMD: Our question is why has Dr. Katele Kalumba become the defender of President Lungu on this matter? Our contention is precisely that the votes were stolen and demand for the petitioners’ petition to be heard which will be accompanied by overwhelming evidence to prove their claim. The PF is jittery about this. If they are confident that they did not steal the UPND votes, let them stop the gimmicks and allow the petition to be heard..
KAKA: Ba pastor, can your heart be so weighed by petitioner’s hatred that you cannot look at a red ant and describe it as an insect instead you call it a reptile?
MMD: Ba KAKA, Dr. Mumba has no hatred for anyone, which most people in fact regard as his greatest weakness because they believe that as a politician, one has to have people he hates. To the Contrary, this is a man who entered Politics to bring the genuine Christian Principles of Love, Morality and Integrity to the political arena. Dr. Mumba loves all fellow human beings the same regardless of class, creed, political affiliation, tribe and even race. He loves President Edgar Lungu and Hakainde Hichilema alike, and that is why he can unreservedly campaign with the one and write a timely word of counsel to the other at crucial time like this and urge him to do the right thing contrary to many voices of appeasement directed at him from people such as yourself.
It is this courage that sets him apart up as a man of integrity, to fight for the right and speak the truth, even when its not popular, just like Elijah of old rebuked King Ahab, and just like John the Baptist rebuked King Herod.
Finally, The Bible tells us in Isaiah chapter 5 verse 20(King James Version (KJV)that “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Dr. Katele Kalumba, everyone knows that you dabble in ‘midnight science’ and that anyone who stands on truth, Morality and Integrity is quite threatening to your spirit. We plead with you to not mislead the nation but rather hold your piece if you have failed to speak the truth as you know it.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we wish to dismiss as cheap, this vain attempt by Dr. Katele Kalumba to discredit the letter which MMD President, Dr.Nevers Sekwila Mumba wrote to President Edgar C Lungu in good faith, over which he has received many congratulatory messages from some of the most unlikely people from all walks in Zambia and abroad. We wish to put on record that right now, our country does not need leaders who are cheap bootlickers, who think only of short term benefits, but more men and women who can stand on principle and think about the future of our beloved Zambia. If we standby and merely look on at how the Amended Constitution has been violated in this short time, one shudders to think what lies ahead once this lawless Government is sworn into power.
Meanwhile, for now, it is not dear old KAKA we want to hear from. It is Lady Chief Justice who holds the key to whether Zambia goes the way of a ‘Banana Republic’ or a young but stable multi-party democracy founded on a Constitution, not yet perfect but with a lot of promise. What is considered as one of the best Constitutions in the world, the American Constitution, has had hundreds of amendments as society continues to be dynamic. We pray that she will not feel overwhelmed or gagged by anyone. We want to count some ballot boxes again. We want to talk to Lady Chief Justice about some extra ballots that went into the boxes. We want to talk to her about some strange persons who were in the ECZ strong rooms and the role of the illegal ministers who stayed on. We want to also establish some missing polling stream results and some biased media coverage. We want to discuss with Lady Chief Justice how it editoris that in a land of justice, a petition brought before the highest court of the land can be thrown out without a single argument, witness, piece of evidence or judgment?
Lady Chief Justice can your hear us? How shall Lady Chief Justice brush all this aside and convince herself that ECL won this election? Are you there madam? Can you hear us? You are our only hope.
Lusaka Water and Sewerage CompanyThe Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company has called on its customers to conserve water in the wake of a substantial drop in water production from its borehole sources which account for sixty percent of the water supplied by the company to Lusaka City.
Interim Managing Director, Manuel Mutale says that some boreholes have dried-up while water levels have significantly dropped in others to a level where the company is forced to switch them off for some hours in order to allow for recharge.
Mr. Mutale said that this situation coupled with load shedding will make the distribution of water challenging and consequently reduce the water supply hours for most parts of the city.
He said that the utility company will continue with the water rationing program which was instituted in the second half of 2015 in order to ensure equitable distribution of water to all its customers. This means that there will be reduced supply hours of water.
He has further urged the customers to also show responsibility by conserving water during the dry season in order to ease the pressure of increased demand during this period of the year.
The utility company is equally concerned with the erratic supply of water both from a service delivery and commercial point of view and will therefore, endeavor to continue making efforts to improve the situation so that there can more stability and predictability of service delivery to its customers.
Water rationing was instituted in view of the reduced water production capacity. The level of water production for Lusaka City reduced from an average of 258,000m3/day in 2014, to a little over 190,000m3/day in 2016, representing over 25% reduction in water production, mainly on account of power load shedding and low yield on the 125 ground water sources spread around the City.
The company is confident that the many interventions put in place through several projects currently underway in the city will yield desired results to turn around the current situation.
