MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba has said that now that the Presidential Petition has been successfully filed in, the law which President Lungu he has been violating with impunity has finally caught up with him as he now has no choice but to step aside. The Presidential Petition against his election was filed in at the Constitutional Court late this afternoon, Friday 19 August, 2016.

This is in line with the constitution provision, section 105(2)(a) “…the President-elect shall be sworn into office on the Tuesday following- the seventh day after the date of the declaration of the presidential election results, IF NO PETITION HAS BEEN FILED in accordance with article 103.” In this case, the President- elect would have been sworn in on Tuesday 23rd August if there was no petition in place.

During the PF thanksgiving rally on Tuesday 16th August 2016, President Lungu casually said, (quote) ” some people have decided to petition the election, so we will have to wait a little longer. The inauguration will therefore be delayed until they have their day in court.” (End of quote)

The correct status therefore is that now that the petition has been filed, it immediately triggers article 104(3) which states that “…where an election petition is filed against the incumbent, under article 103(1), or an election is nullified, under article 103(3), the Speaker shall assume Executive Powers until the bona-fide president-elect assumes office….”

In regards to the concerns being raised by many Zambians as to why Cabinet office has proceeded to prepare for the inauguration on Tuesday, it is worth noting, that the government system cannot be suspended without a legal instrument, in this case the petition. As the Opposition Alliance, we now announce that the petition to challenge the results of the last election is now before the Constitutional Court and it is expected that the law will now be followed strictly. The Speaker shall assume Executive Powers as interim president until the petition is disposed of.

In the meantime, there are some overzealous PF members that wish to mislead the nation by suggesting that the president-elect can only be petitioned on the second ballot. This is a misguided position meant to confuse Zambians, which does not align itself with the spirit of the new constitution. Those who were part of the last Constitutional Commission understand that one of the heavily debated reasons for amending the constitution was to create a level justice platform for both the petitioner and the petitioned instead of the previous system where the petitioned president was sworn-in within days of the election and no time-frame stipulated within which the petition was to be heard and decided upon. Some petitions lasted over 3 years thereby rendering them meaningless.

By having the speaker act as president, this now allows the justice system to operate without undue influence or advantage from the one occupying State House. We strongly urge the PF leadership to carefully study the Amended Constitution to avoid being embarrassed as they have been in the recent past.

Dr. Mumba, who was speaking on behalf of the Opposition Alliance, has commended the hardworking legal team that has been working tirelessly on this petition in the last few days, for a job well done. He also commended Zambians for demanding that they now wished to be governed by the rule of law under a progressive constitution.

This came to light this morning when Mr Mwamba failed to appear in the Magistrates Court at Lusaka Complex in the case where he is charged with threatening violence against the Head of State Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

When the matter was called in court 4 before Senior Resident Magistrate Ms Jenpher Bwalya State Prosecutor Dennis Manda informed the court that the state was ready to proceed with trial but that the accused was not before court. He said neither the sureties for Mr Mwamba were in court.

But one of the lawyers representing Mr Mwamba Ms Martha Mushipe informed the court that her client was unwell. She presented a note to the court showing that Mr Mwamba was put on bed rest for some days.

And when contacted for a comment about the development PF Deputy Spokesperson Frank Bwalya who reported Mr Mwamba to the police causing his arrest in March said he couldn’t speculate on whether Mr Mwamba was indeed unwell.

“I can’t speculate on whether GBM is telling the truth. But what I think is that his illness was sudden and it must have occurred immediately after he finished insulting President Lungu at a press briefing yesterday (Thursday) at his residence”, said Fr Bwalya.

The PF Deputy Spokesperson who was also President Lungu’s Deputy Campaign Manager in the just ended general election said Mr Mwamba’s sudden illness was God’s way to remind him that it was an abomination to insult the leader God had chosen for his people.

The matter has been adjourned to 28 September 2016 and bail for Mr Mwamba has been extended.

The Council of Churches in Zambia and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops has appealed to the Constitutional Court to adjudicate the possible petition justly and expeditiously.

In a statement, Council of Churches of Zambia President Reverend Alfred Kalembo and Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishop Telesphord Mpundu said the Church believes that the courts are the arbitrators of justice and play a critical role in strengthening the rule of law.

The church leaders have also appealed to the aggrieved parties on the results announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to adhere to provisions in the law for dealing and settling election grievances.

The two also appeal led to the victorious party to avoid celebrating in a manner that will incense and provoke the losing party.

“Both PF and UPND must take responsibility and make public pronouncements against violence and internally dialogue with their members and carders to resist any temptation to take the law into their hands and thereby disrupt the life of ordinary citizens,” they said.

They said, “In the event that there will be a petition against the announced results, we appeal to members from both sides of the political divide to wait patiently for the court’s adjudication and ruling.”

“We take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Zambia for exercising their civic right and duty with great magnanimity. Notwithstanding the fact that the task at hand was complex and new experiences came into play, to date most people in Zambia have handled the ending electoral process with patience, understanding and maturity.”

They said the Church does not doubt God’s hand in this and thank him for his continued love and mercy upon Zambia.

“As such, most of the local monitors and international election observers have acclaimed the quality of our elections and the commitment of Zambians to peaceful elections. They have also added their significant voices to calls for peace and national reconciliation. We are all witnesses to the electoral process as a nation, both as groupings and as individuals,” he said.

“Our common desire is to see the 2016 electoral process concluded in peace and harmony, and with the continued spirit of respect for divergent views, national unity, love and harmonious coexistence among Zambians. We are however alive to the anxiety and tension that has characterized the announcement of election results.”

The two leaders however expressed concern over reports that some communities are fighting each other particularly between the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development ((UNPD).

“Christians must always strive to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Let us then play our God-given role. As Church, we commit ourselves to preaching messages of love and reconciliation to the faithful because this is what we are called to do. Remember that we are one nation which is much bigger than our political fortunes, whether individual or collective. May God bless you all and bless our nation Zambia,” they said.

Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) Head Marketing & Public Relations Hazel Zulu says the regulatory body has increased the number of inspections on all imports in the second quarter of 2016 by 51.5%, reports Pan African Radio Journalist Hermit Hachilonde.

Ms. Zulu said the products were inspected in order to ensure conformity to required standards and to also to have them scrutinized if they were safe for public consumption.

She noted that during the 1st quarter of 2016, ZABS inspected well over 3000 product consignments imported from around the globe stating that in the second quarter the organization boosted the number to 5,932 consignments bringing the number of inspected goods between January and June this year to 9,847.

Ms. Zulu said the products entered Zambia through Nakonde, Chirundu, and Livingstone, Katima Mulilo, Kazungula, Chanida and Mwami borders among others.

She stressed that a progression of 2,017 product consignments was indicated translating into 51.5% and that the hike in the number of inspections on imports could be attributed to the rise in understanding and adherence levels to laid down procedures by importing firms.

And Ms.Zulu observed that the there was improved economic performance levels in the country going by inflow of impotrted goods on the local market the second quarter than the first quarter.

“The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has increased the number of inspections on imported general goods in the second quarter of 2016 by 51.5%”

“The products were inspected to ensure that they conform to the required and set Zambian standards and to also check that they are reliable and safe for public use and consumption.

During the 1st quarter of 2016, the Bureau inspected 3,915 product consignments imported from various countries. In the second quarter the Bureau increased the number to 5,932 consignments bringing the total number of goods inspected between January and June this year to 9,847”

“The products entered into the country through various border entry points particularly Nakonde, Chirundu, and Livingstone, Katima mulilo, Kazungula, Chanida and Mwami borders. This shows a progression of 2,017 product consignments which translates into 51.5%. “ she said

Chief Chitimukulu said the peace that characterized the elections should continue even after the polls.

He has since praised electorates countrywide for remaining peaceful and calm during the elections.

And the Mwinelubemba has observed that the recent general elections were conducted in a free and fair manner thereby rendering them credible.

He however said political parties opposing the outcome of the polls are at liberty to exercise their democratic right to seek legal guidance.

Meanwhile, Paramount chief Chitimukulu has expressed confidence that the Patriotic Front (PF) administration will efficiently complete the on-going developmental programmes following the re-election of President Edgar Lungu.

He is hopeful that more projects aimed at developing the country and improving the welfare of citizens will be undertaken during PF’s new five year mandate.

He has since congratulated President Lungu on his re-election.

The Mwinelubemba said this when newly elected Malole Constituency Member of Parliament Christopher Yaluma called on him at his palace in Mungwi district yesterday.

And Mr. Yaluma thanked the traditional leadership for playing a key role in ensuring that peace is upheld during the election period.

Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Zambia Justice Essau Chulu has announced that the Referendum on a new Bill of Rights and Article 79 has failed.

Justice Chulu announced during a news conference that the referendum vote has failed to meet the first threshold.

He said the estimates of eligible voters was 7, 528, 091 and the minimum threshold was 3, 764, 046.

He said out of these, only 3, 345, 471 voted and from that figure 1, 853, 559 voted Yes while 753, 549 voted No.

739, 363 were rejected votes.

THE security outlook in Southern Province has remained unpredictable following the recent re-election of President Edgar Lungu on Monday this week.

More than 150 United Party for National Development (UPND) supporters in Southern Province have been arrested for riotous behaviour related post elections which occurred on August 15, 2016.

Southern Province Commissioner of Police Godwin Phiri said the general outlook had remained unpredictable with sporadic outbreaks of tyre burning.

Mr Phiri urged residents in the Province to ensure that they take precaution and personal safety at all times.

In a press statement released yesterday, Mr Phiri said there were cases of continued tyre burning during the night particularly in Monze.

“Although the situation appears to return to normal during the day, precaution and personal safety is advised at all times as general outlook remains unpredictable with sporadic outbreaks of tyre burning,” Mr Phiri said.

He also said 22 suspected UPND cadres incarcerated for riotous behaviour appeared in the Magistrate Court in Namwala for plea on Wednesday.

“The cadres all denied the charge and the matter has been adjourned to August 24, 2016 and August 26, 2016 respectively for commencement of trial.

“Bail has been denied and all suspects have been remanded to prison,” Mr Phiri said.

He also said 33 suspects have been apprehended in Maala area of Namwala and they were all being screened.

“Chitongo and Kabulamwanda along the Choma to Namwala road are still unstable and suspected UPND cadres have continued to block the main highway,” Mr Phiri said.