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President Lungu shake hands with Vice President Inonge Wina during his arrival from Uganda at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
President Edgar Lungu is tomorrow expected in Mazabuka District to commission a new refinery at Zambia Sugar.
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Amos Chanda says the same day, President LUNGU will address a rally in Mazabuka.
Mr. Chanda says the President is also expected to travel to Monze to commission Chief Choongo’s new palace, meet chiefs, and later inspect rehabilitation works at Bweengwa Primary School.
He says while in Bweengwa President Lungu will address a rally at the school grounds.
Mr. Chanda says on Thursday President Lungu will travel to Sinazongwe to commission the 150 Mega watts Maamba Coal Power Plant.
He says the President will thereafter address a rally and later travel to Gwembe for project inspection and public meetings.
Mr. Chanda said this in a Statement issued to ZNBC News today.
President Lungu during his arrival from Uganda at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport LusakaPresident Lungu with vice President Inonge Wina during his arrival from Uganda at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Lusaka
With just over a month left to vote in the referendum stakeholders have continued to express concern on the holding the referendum.
In a statement Council of Elders of the Zambia Elections Information Centre (ZEIC) Chairperson Fr Leonard Chiti said it is concerned that people still do not understand the Referendum, why it is coming and how they will participate in it.
He said the platforms created for citizens to express themselves of the issue have continued to show that there are still a lot of misunderstandings on what voting In the Referendum is all about.
“Our citizens’ platforms are showing that there are still a lot of misunderstandings on what voting in the Referendum entails, and some citizens appear to confuse the referendum with partisan elections. What is making us even more concerned is that the referendum issue does not feature so prominently in the campaign messages of different politicians.
“Regrettably, there has not been much voter education to conscientize citizens on their participation in the referendum, and why they should vote for or against the referendum question. As different parties and candidates intensify their campaigns, we appeal to them to carry along the message of the referendum in their campaigns for the 11 August 2016 elections. We encourage politicians to spare some time during their campaigns to talk about the referendum, and to desist from misinforming voters that those who vote Yes are for a certain party and those who vote No are also for a certain party,” he said.
He added that ZEIC regularly receives information from the public in a bid to help citizens understand the importance of the Referendum.
“The ZEIC regularly receives information from citizens on their thoughts and concerns around various issues. Through the various ZEIC platforms, ZEIC has received citizens’ views on the Referendum Process and the contents of the Bill of Rights. By so doing, we hope to contribute to increased citizens’ participation in the process. The ZEIC is also partnering with its stakeholders such as the Law Association of Zambia to conduct public debates on the Referendum and the Bill of Rights.
“It is our hope as a Council of Elders that within the next few weeks, campaign messages will amplify the issues of the Referendum on the Bill of Rights to enable voters to participate from an informed position,” he said.
Caritas Chipata Director Dennis Phiri has advised aspirants in the August 11th general elections to avoid violence and insults during the campaigns.
Father Phiri said during his homily at St Atanazio Catholic Parish in Chipata on Sunday that political parties in the country must avoid all forms of violence before, during and after the elections and maintain peace.He said the people must be the beacon of peace adding political party leaders had a duty to unite the people hence the need to avoid violence during the campaigns and keep Zambia as be the beacon of peace.
Fr Phiri said that peace was the blessed joy of a successful life adding that ordinarily one would expect that with all the scientific discoveries and inventions in the world, humanity would enjoy more peace and harmony.
“It is the fullness of life in the presence of the living God. It is the fullness of life in the mutual love of human beings. It is the fullness of life in the community of creation with all other creatures. This can only flow from Jesus Christ the Prince of peace,” he said.
He politicians must also keep the peace and tranquillity during the campaign period stating that violence during the election campaigns could plunge the country into bloodshed.
He said peace advances the communities and any community that welcomes peace was welcoming an opportunity for both spiritual and material prosperity.
“With the peace that Christ offers us, we must be ready to transform our world from the culture of war and hatred to a culture of peace. He invites us to be instruments of His peace. My dear brethren in Christ, we need this peace in Zambia more than ever before,” he said.
Fr Phiri said Zambians must win elections without bloodshed stating that every political leader should get rid of the ugly face of violence which was showing itself the country ahead of the elections.
“There has already been bloodshed; we don’t want any more bloodshed in the name of Jesus. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule. Zambia is called a Christine nation. This political violence being witnessed is actually harming Zambia’s reputation of being a peaceful country and threatens its investment climate and tourism potential,” he said.
Fr Phiri said war always marks the failure of peace and said it was always a defeat for humanity.He explained that forgiveness, dialogue and reconciliation were the words of peace, in the Zambia and the World.He said there was need for Zambians to pray for reconciliation and peace in every part of the country.
Fr Phiri said politicians from PF, UPND, Rainbow, MMD and FDD among others must learn to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish.
He said violence was immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding.
“Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends up defeating itself,” he said.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema addresses a rally in Senanga
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia will only move forward if people continue to remain united.
In a statement Mr Hichilema said unity is a formidable weapon in the fight against the country’s number one enemy which poverty.
“Unity is the foundation upon which modern Zambia was born and the cornerstone on which our future depends.
Unity is also a formidable weapon in the fight against our common enemy – poverty. Only when we stand united as a nation do we have the spirit and the power needed to move our great nation forward for the benefit of all our citizens, regardless of gender, tribe and political or religious affiliation,” he said.
He accused the PF government of threatening the unity of the country in their attempt to maintain its grip on power.
“The PF government has threatened our unity in an attempt to maintain its grip on power. They have failed to uphold our nation’s treasured value of respecting one and others differences, hindering freedom of speech by shutting down newspapers, promoting hateful and divisive sentiments, and even denying opposition parties the right to campaign freely. It is disappointing to see that instead of continuing in our trend as a democratic and prosperous nation, today the PF are seeking to lead us down a path of violence and intolerance out of desperation and pure self-interest.
My appeal today is for us all to remember that there is far more that unites than divides us as a nation. We must not become distracted from the real issues and challenges our people are facing on a daily basis,” he said.
He also said his party believes in the unity of the country.
“The UPND party believes that united, we are stronger. When we join our hands and minds to work together we can move forward towards a more prosperous Zambia, where every individual has the ability to grow to become the best version of themselves, and where every business has the opportunity to flourish and create jobs
“Debate and expression of opposing views are signs of a healthy democracy, allowing us to reflect and challenge ourselves. We as the UPND party will always encourage open discussion as a means of ensuring that we are united in respecting each and every Zambian. Let us see “One Zambia, One Nation” as a daily reality, so that together we can find the strength to move our great nation forward,” he said.
Some Zambians have taken to Twitter and Facebook to show outrage after the Telegraph newspaper published an article about a new book authored by a young Scottish Lady in which she describes Zambia as a war torn country with children orphaned by HIV.
Louise Linton, a Scottish lady who is now pursuing a career as an actress in California has written a book titled ‘In Congo’s Shadow’ about her brief stay in Zambia as a volunteer.
In a Telegraph article, as an 18-year-old, Louise, a former pupil of the prestigious Fettes College came to Africa with hopes of helping some of the world’s poorest people but that her gap year became a living nightmare when she inadvertently found herself caught up in the fringes of the war in Congo during her stay in Zambia.
She went on to describe what the Tutu and Hutsu rebels would do to the ‘skinny white Muzungu with long angel hair’ if they found her.
A line in her book reads: “Life was idyllic at first, a gap year student’s dream. My new home was beautiful and I made close friendships with the local Bemba people. I learned some of their language, planted a vegetable garden and created a little school under a Mukusi tree, writing about my experiences in my diary. I was still struggling with the loss of my mother and found special comfort in my bond with Zimba, a six-year-old orphan girl with HIV who called me “Ru-eese”.
But some Zambians ripped into her book and trolled her on Twitter and asked her to apologise for painting the country black.
Her Twitter handle @LouiseLinton and a hashtag #LintonLies was full of Zambians expressing anger about her book with other asking her to recall any of the copies sold.
Muchemwa Sichone @WriteRevolt said in her entire story, Louise Linton only mentions one child, an orphan living with HIV. Trying to stereotype Africa Huh? #LintonLies.
Some said Louise has brought sadness among Zambians when she revealed the HIV positive status of an innocent young girl named Zimba.
Some said on Twitter, “I haven’t read the book but the excerpts that I’ve read are disturbing and wrong. #LintonLies Child soldiers at Road blocks??? While other commented, “Absolutely shameful & embarrassing book you wrote about Zambia”
Others have asked Information Minister Chishimba Kambwili to issue a statement and ask the Scottish Government to apologise for what they called a misrepresentation of facts about Zambia.
When I was a kid, my parents would prepare tomato soup for my sister and I, with bread rolls on the side to dip in. Memories like that are so comforting, and they never leave you. Maybe that’s why I still love tomato soup to this day. So today I’m going to share this delicious tomato soup recipe from Jamie Oliver; which brought back such fond memories for me; it is a great recipe, tasty and easy to make. Enjoy!
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Serves: 6
Ingredients
2 carrots
2 sticks of celery
2 medium onions
2 cloves of garlic
About 3 tbsp olive oil
2 organic chicken or vegetable stock cubes
2 x 400g tinned plum tomatoes
6 large ripe tomatoes
Method
To make your soup – peel and roughly slice the carrots, onions and garlic; and slice the celery. Put a large pan on a medium heat and add olive oil.
Add all your chopped and sliced ingredients and mix them together with a wooden spoon. Cook for around 10 to 15 minutes, until the carrots have softened but are still holding their shape, and the onion is lightly golden.
Put the stock cubes into a jug or pan and pour in 1.5 litres of boiling water. Stir until the stock cubes are dissolved, and then add to the pan your tinned and fresh tomatoes. If you have green stalks still attached to the tomatoes, add them because they add an amazing flavour. Stir and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes with the lid on. Serving
Remove the pan from the heat; and season with salt and pepper. Use a blender to pulse the soup until smooth; season again before dividing into your serving bowls.
Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.
You can find her work onwww.kantakakes.com. Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.
Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing General Manager Lakshmanan Ganapathy explains the printing process in the plant to the Zambian team which is in Dubai to observe the printing of ballot papers for the August 11, 2016 general elections.
A team comprising Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) officials, political party representatives, Zambian security wings and other stakeholders has arrived in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (U.AE.) and started proof reading details on the ballot papers for the August 11, 2016 general election and the referendum.
And Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company, which has been contracted by ECZ to print ballot papers for the presidential, national assembly, mayoral, council chairpersonship, councillors and referendum elections, has declared that it is ready to start the printing process.
ECZ Commissioners Christopher Mushabati and Emily Sikazwe urged the team from Zambia to work diligently to the satisfaction of the Zambian people whom they are representing in Dubai.
Justice Mushabati urged the team members to devote their time to the important duty in Dubai so that all is done in a satisfactory manner.
He said the team was sent to Dubai to observe the printing of ballot papers on behalf of all Zambians.
Justice Mushabati advised the team to be ready to work long and awkward hours during the printing period.
He has since warned of punitive action again any member of the team who will default more than three times during the period in Dubai.
“If you default for more than three times, we will have to send you back to Zambia and you will have to account for the imprest,” he said.
And Dr. Sikazwe has implored the team to work as a united force towards achieving one goal for the Zambian people.
“We are team Zambia and so we are expected to work as representatives of the people of Zambia,” she said.
Meanwhile, Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company General Manager Lakshmanan Ganapathy said his company was ready to start the printing process as soon as the proof reading of the details on ballot papers is completed.
Mr. Lakshmanan said the company has dedicated the whole month of July to the printing of ballot papers for the forthcoming Zambian elections.
He explained that templates for all ballot papers were ready for proof reading by relevant authorities adding that printing can take two weeks and another week for packaging the ballot papers.
And Mr. Lakshmanan said Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing, which was established in 1978, has a track record of printing ballot papers for elections in many countries in the Africa, the Middle East and other regions
Some of the countries that had their ballot papers printed by Al Ghurair are Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Uganda, Haiti, Madagascar, and Guinea Conakry.
He however explained that company did not print presidential ballot papers for the recent elections in Uganda saying it only printed for district chairpersonship, mayoral and local government elections. Other ballot papers for the recent Ugandan elections were printed in the United Kingdom, South Africa and in Uganda itself.
Mr. Lakshmanan said none of the 12 countries whose ballot papers have been printed by Al Ghurair in the past ten years has ever raised dissatisfaction over the professionalism of the company and the quality of the papers.
He said the quality of the paper used to print ballot papers the company has printed in the last 26 ballot paper printing projects cannot lose any markings on it if the normal ink is used on it.
This therefore dispels the fears which some sections of Zambians had insinuating that the quality of some ballot papers was that which can fade a few hours after being marked with normal ink.
The 2016 general elections are contested by nine political parties namely Patriotic Front (PF), United Party for National Development (UPND), Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), United National Independence Party (UNIP), Green party, Democratic Assembly (DA) and the Rainbow party.
Others are United Progressive People’s (UPP) party and the People’s Alliance for Change (PAC).
The presidential candidates are Edgar Lungu of PF, Hakainde Hichilema of UPND, Tilyenji Kaunda of UNIP, Winter Kabimba of the Rainbow party, Green party’s Peter Sinkamba and Edith Nawakwi of FDD.
Other of Saviour Chishimba of UPP, Andyford Banda of PAC and Maxwell Mwamba of the DA.
Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing General Manager Lakshmanan Ganapathy explains the printing process in the plant to the Zambian team which is in Dubai to observe the printing of ballot papers for the August 11, 2016 general elections.The template of the Referendum ballot paper for the referendum voting in the August 2016 elections.The template of the presidential ballot paper for the August 11, 2016 elections
President Edgar Lungu at the Regional Summit Meeting in Uganda on Monday with Israel Prime Minister Mr Netanyahu.
ISRAEL and Seven African countries including Zambia with a population of almost 300 million people have agreed to collaborate on security and economic matters to improve the lives of citizens.
And Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country was a perfect parter to African countries on various fields especially security and economic development.
Israel and seven African countries agreed to encourage new avenues of cooperation based on human capacity building and the use of new innovative technologies for sustainable development.
This is according to a communique read by Uganda Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Mutesa yesterday at Uganda State House during the closing ceremony for one-day mini-Regional Summit on Counter Terrorism.
The Summit was attended by Zambia’s Republican President Edgar Lungu , Mr Netanyahu, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, Ethiopia Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, South Sudan President Salva Kiir, Rwanda President Paul Kagame, Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Tanzania ‘ s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Augustine Mahiga.
President Lungu’s presidential jet touched down at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda yesterday around 14:42 hours (Uganda time) and 13:42 hours Zambian time where he was give a military gun salute.
He was a companies by Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba and Special assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda among others while he was received by Uganda Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Oryem Okelo, Ms Kapijimpanga and other officials.
Yesterday, Uganda also hosted a ceremony at Old Entebbe Airport to mark the 40 years of Israel Commando’s Raid to free Israel hostages in 1976.
“During the Summit, it was observed that terrorism has remained a major threat to peace and security of many countries in Africa and beyond.
“The leaders emphasised the need for increased regional and international cooperation in all fields inclu cyber security,” Mr Mutesa said.
He said the leaders appreciated the invitation and hospitality accorded to them and their delegations by President Museveni and they looked forward to other bilateral and regional cooperation between African countries and Israel.
And Mr Netanyahu said his country was the best partner go African countries various fields especially in security and economic matters.
He said Israel has developed capacity to fight terrorism and had advanced agriculture technologies which African countries could exploit.
“I believe in Africa’s future and partnership with Israel. I believe Israel is coming back to Africa while Africa is also coming back to Israel,” he said.
And Mr Museveni thanked the Heads of States for attending the mini Summit on Counter Terrorism after a short notice.
He said the leaders discussed a number of issues especially security and economic cooperation during their closed door meeting which he described as long and thorough.
President Edgar Lungu at Entebbe State house with Israel Prime Minister and Other Regional Leaders Group PicturePresident Edgar Lungu at Entebbe State house with Israel Prime Minister and Other Regional Leaders Group PicturePresident Edgar Lungu at Entebbe State house with Israel Prime Minister and Other Regional Leaders Group Picture
Police in Lusaka have arrested five UPND cadres after they were found defacing PF billboards along Cairo road on Sunday night.
The five are Lawrence Banda, Soft Bwalya, Benjamin Mavuli, Simonda Simonda and Jaid Hamize.
Police Deputy Spokesman Rae Hamoonga said the cadre were found removing PF posters and replacing them with their posters along Cairo road yesterday between 22:00 and 23:00 Hours.
Mr Hamoonga said the cadres were using a Toyota Land Cruiser Registration AAL 5818 and upon searching the motor vehicle two machetes were found.
“The same also injured Kasosa Mukuka in the head who sustained a cut in the head after confronting them.
Mukuka has since been issued with a medical report.
The five have been charged with assault and contravention of the Code of Conduct of the Electoral Process Act 35 of 2016.
One of the defaced PF postersPF cadre Kasosa Mukuka who was beaten up by UPND cadres after he attempted to stop them from defacing PF postersUPND cadres after they were nabbed
The latest Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FESWNET) report says Maize prices in Zambia will start rising by August as regional demand for the commodity rises.
The report shows that the 2016/17 marketing season which opened in May has started with much higher maize price levels compared to the previous season.
“Given this situation, maize prices will trend above the levels that prevailed in the previous season for the duration of the outlook period. The prices will be relatively stable between June and July but start rising early (by August) initially steadily then more steeply as the lean season starts in November,” it says.
The report forecasts that throughout the outlook period, maize retail prices will remain at least 60 percent above the recent five-year average.
This is attributed to strong regional demand for Zambian maize as most of the marketable surplus will be in the hands of the medium and large traders and the FRA.
It says although the FRA is planning to purchase 1 million MT of maize during the June to September period at the new fixed price of K85/50 kg, they may fall short of their target.
“Additionally, the private sector has extended its purchase area to include some high producing areas in northern Zambia where the FRA purchased most of their maize in the last marketing season. The very attractive regional market will support very large maize volume purchases by the private sector this season,” it says.
“Since the FRA will purchase above the 500,000 MT strategic reserve target, they will enter the market to sell the grain to the millers for price stabilization during the lean period (Nov –Jan period). However, due to the expected high regional demand, prices are likely to remain high and the intervention is likely to have limited impact on the market as was the situation in the just ended marketing season.
Zambia attained average 2015/16 maize production despite a late start of the season and erratic rainfall with an estimated maize production is 2.87 million MT against the national requirement of 2.9 million MT.
Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba
Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba has refuted reports that President Edgar Lungu has snubbed an envoy of United States of America President Barrack Obama.
Mr. Kalaba also says his Ministry has not received any formal complaint from the United States Embassy that President Lungu has snubbed the American envoy.
Mr. Kalaba was speaking in an interview with journalists at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport shortly before President Lungu’s departure for Uganda.
He said any diplomat who fails to access President Lungu is free to approach the Ministry of Foreign affairs to be scheduled to fit into the President’s programme.
Meanwhile Mr Kalaba says Zambia’s International Image is still intact despite the closure of the Post Newspaper.
He has reiterated that government did not influence the closure of the daily tabloid as the Zambia Revenue Authority -ZRA acted independently to enforce its obligation of collecting tax.
Chikwanda was telling us we will have 7% inflation. It is more than THREE TIMES that now.
I have not heard a single word about the massive debt and how Zambia is going to repay it. Now Citigroup and J P Morgan are closing in to feast on rich pickings for themselves all because of PF stupidity. We will be paying for generations to come.The IMF will come and will lend us money. And these banks will then take it back in interest payments while Zambians continue to struggle in poverty!
Thankyou Lungu! Thankyou Chikwanda!
Citigroup, JPMorgan Favor Zambia’s Dollar Debt in Bet on IMF Aid
Citigroup Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are among investors stocking up on Zambian dollar debt, anticipating that a growth revival and an International Monetary Fund aid package will help the southern African nation plug its yawning budget deficit.
Citigroup started adding Zambian debt on June 10, while JPMorgan moved its holding of the nation’s dollar bonds to overweight, seeing room to “earn considerable pickup” amid signs of an improving economy. The bonds returned 7.3 percent in June, the most among 18 African nations monitored by Bloomberg.
The yield on Zambia’s dollar bonds due in 2024 has fallen more than 500 basis points from a February high of 16.3 percent, but is still more than 3 percentage points higher than that of debt by similarly rated Ethiopia. Ranked five levels below investment grade by S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, Zambia, heavily reliant on copper, expects negotiations with the IMF to start in October and move to board level in December.
“We continue to like the position” in Zambian bonds, said Luis Costa
With developed-nation yields likely to remain lower for an extended period after the U.K.’s vote to leave the European Union, Zambian debt offers returns that are hard to find elsewhere, according to Citigroup.
“We continue to like the position” in Zambian bonds, said Luis Costa, Citigroup’s London-based chief strategist for eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “The IMF deal is a supportive factor. From the risk-reward point of view it is a very interesting long, despite Brexit.”
The yield on Zambia’s Eurobonds due 2024 dropped 6 basis points to 10.57% by 3:35 p.m. in the capital, Lusaka.
While the southern African nation has said it expects an aid program from the fund by the end of the year, a deal may not be that easy as it’s likely to require the government to cut energy subsidies. The IMF in March estimated the payments could cost the Zambian treasury $660 million this year. Increasing prices at a time when inflation already exceeds 20 percent may be unpopular in the build-up to general elections next month.
Better Rains
The 2016 budget shortfall will probably be slightly smaller than last year’s 8.1 percent of gross domestic product, Deputy Finance Minister Christopher Mvunga told reporters in May. That’s still more than twice the 3.8 percent deficit Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda targeted in his 2016 budget statement.
JPMorgan sees a stabilizing exchange rate and improved rainfall supporting Zambia’s economy, while expecting that fiscal austerity will get the government through the coming months. The bank expects the fiscal deficit to remain below 8 percent of GDP in 2016.
President Edgar Lungu, who will seek re-election in Aug. 11 polls, said in May the country will only access IMF support if the lender’s conditions are acceptable, and not all investors are convinced about the positive outlook for the nation’s debt.
While Zambia’s Eurobonds have remained buoyant, underpinned by anticipation of an IMF support package materializing within months of the new government being formed after the August vote, the optimism is misplaced, according to Rhombus Advisors LLC, a consultancy that advises hedge funds and private-equity firms on African economies.
Zambian ‘Ambivalence’
Given “the ambivalence of local authorities, we have considerable reservations about any investment strategy that is dependent on an IMF support package,” Omotunde Mahoney of Rhombus wrote in a research note on June 21. This “would set the stage for a potentially significant correction in Zambian asset prices.”
While there may be delays on the path to an IMF agreement, demand from China will support the copper price, buoying the economy, which relies on the metal for more than 70 percent of export revenue, said Lutz Roehmeyer, director of fund management at Landesbank Berlin Investment.
“We are positive on economic growth and expect normal demand for commodities,” said Roehmeyer, who is overweight Zambian dollar bonds. “African exporters should perform well with rising commodities.”
Vice President Inonge Wina(I) Sees off President Edgar Chagwe Lungu (L)before departure for Uganda at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Lusaka yesterday Picture by Josephine Nsululu/Zanis
President Edgar Lungu has challenged those alleging that the August 11 General election will be rigged to provide evidence.
President Lungu says some opposition leaders should not use speculations of rigging as an excuse if they lose election.
The President also says persistent allegations of rigging shows that the opposition leaders are not ready for the election.
He labelled those with unfounded allegations of election rigging as cry babies.
President Lungu was speaking in an interview with journalist at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport enroute to Uganda.
Meanwhile, Phoebe Sakala reports from Kampala that President Lungu will be in Uganda, to attend the 40th anniversary of the Entebbe operation.
This was a successful counter-terrorist hostage-rescue mission, carried out by the Israel Defense Forces, at Entebbe Airport in Uganda.
This hostage rescue happened on July 4, 1976, a week after an Air France plane with 248 passengers had been hijacked by Pro-Palestinian militants.
President Lungu, who has been invited by President Yoweri Museveni, will be among 6 other heads of state, who include Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyau.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, judith kapijimpanga, who is also accredited to Uganda, has confirmed this in an interview with ZNBC in Uganda.
According to a programme released in Kampala, the heads of state will later hold a closed door summit on counter-terrorism, and later issue a communiqué, after the commemorations.
The whole programme is expected to end at 17 hours.
President LUNGU is later expected to return to Zambia, the same day.
Vice President Inonge Wina(I) Sees off President Edgar Chagwe Lungu (L) before departure for Uganda at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Lusaka yesterday Picture by Josephine Nsululu/Zanis.President Edgar Chagwe Lungu at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport during the departure to Uganda yesterday Picture by Josephine Nsululu/Zanis. President Edgar Chagwe Lungu at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport during the departure to Uganda yesterday Picture by Josephine Nsululu/Zanis.
ZAMBIANS will be endorsing Gender Based Violence (GBV) if they are going to vote for Hakainde Hichilema and his running mate Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba in the August general elections, Kelvin Fube has warned.
Mr Fube, who is Patriotic Front (PF) deputy elections chairperson, said Zambians should heed President Edgar Lungu’s call to seriously scrutinise presidential running mates in political parties that would be participating in the coming general elections because some had documented records of Gender Based Violence.
He said President Lungu had challenged Mr Hichilema to explain how he had preferred Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba as his running mate over his long and faithful vice-president for political affairs Canisius Banda to forewarn Zambians about the danger of making wrong choices on leadership. Mr Fube said in a statement yesterday that the women rights movement and the church had betrayed Zambians for failing to condemn Mr Hichilema for selecting Mr Mwamba as his running mate despite having a record of engaging in GBV.
He challenged the Women’s Lobby Group, NGOCC, WILSA, Catholic and United Church of Zambia (UCZ) women and Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Linda Kasonde to state their position on Mr Hichilema’s running mate because GBV was an evil that should never be condoned in a civilised society. Mr Fube alleged that the UPND had embraced personalities whose characteristics was nothing but causing terror in communities and that the UPND leader had embraced The Post Newspaper for neglecting to honour its tax obligations which he said was a criminal act.
“Voting for Mr Hichilema will be directly endorsing GBV which his running mate Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has embraced whole heartedly. It is a betrayal that the women’s rights movement, the church and other right thinking Zambians have failed to call Hichilema’s bluff on his endorsement of GBV as per record in The Post regarding his running mate,” he said. And Mr Fube said Zambians should re-elect President Lungu and his running mate Inonge Wina because of their dedication to delivering development to the country.
He said Zambia was in safe hands under President Lungu because the Head of State was a God fearing leader.
He said President Lungu was the best presidential candidate among all the candidates and that his humility and respect for citizens had placed him far ahead of the coming presidential race.
