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Mufulira Blackpool secretary Patson Ngoma has refused to blame inexperience for his side poor start to the 2016 FAZ Super Division season.
Win less promoted Blackpool are bottom of the 18-team league table with six points from 13 games.
Several stakeholders at Blackpool including interim coach Glad Kilambe have attributed the team’s low display in the league to inexperience.
But defiant Ngoma said the current Blackpool squad is good though it must up its game.
“We may not say our players are inexperience but they just need to put in much in training. It is all about the tactical discipline that we should put in place,” he said.
Ngoma is uncertain whether Blackpool will recruit players during the mid-season transfer window.
“It is every team’s wish to recruit players but what I know is that we have to do with what we have because if you improve on what you have, you will have a better team,” he said.
Blackpool are heavily relying on players who helped the club to win promotion to the top flight league last season.
Police officers sending away Mr Maambo (left) outside the nomination centre at the Civic Centre
Confusion characterised the filing in of nominations for the UPND Parliamentary candidate in Livingstone today, with party members claiming Matthews Jere and former Justice Permanent Secretary, Joseph Akafumba, had adoption certificates.
Some UPND cadres almost blocked Mr Jere from filing his nomination papers demanding that the process be halted to await clarification from the party secretariat on who was the right candidate between him and Mr Akafumba.
UPND Livingstone Constituency Chairman, Milford Maambo, who was manhandled and only rescued by alert police officers, urged electoral officials to change the filing in of nomination papers from 10:00 hours to 14:00 hours for the party’s senior officials to give direction on the matter.
In an interview with journalists shortly after the fracas, Mr Maambo said the party had issued two adoption certificates.
“We have two candidates with adoption certificates and the party’s national management has not given direction as to who is the right candidate, so what will happen here if Jere files his papers will be illegal,” he said.
However, Mr Jere proceeded to file in his nomination papers successfully, saying the process had not been easy for him.
“We are aware that there was a cartel peddling lies that I would be arrested today so that their preferred candidate would take my place but I am sure they feel embarrassed now,” he said.
He denounced violence and called for peaceful and issue-based campaigns.
And when contacted for a comment, Mr Akafumba said the party gave him a standby adoption certificate to file as a candidate in an event that Mr Jere was stopped from filing in his nomination papers due to investigations pertaining to the corruption and suspension of the Livingstone City Council.
He said it is unfortunate that there was a misunderstanding but clarified that the party did not want to be caught unaware.
He said Mr Jere was the adopted candidate and he would support his candidature.
Meanwhile, former Livingstone District Commissioner, Omar Munsanje, successfully filed in his nomination papers and called for completion of pending projects and initiation of new ones.
Mr Munsanje also pledged to address water, sewer and sanitation challenges for the benefit of residents.
“My chances of winning are high because PF has done a lot for the people of Livingstone. As someone who worked in government, I have information on what the people of Livingstone need on my fingertips,” he said.
And UNIP candidate, Ian Munkombwe, said he would bring radical change to Livingstone once elected and would ensure the city was identified by its status as the tourist capital.
MMD candidate, Michael Kashinka, said he would promote cross-border trade with neighbouring countries.
Mr Kashinka emphasised the need to attract investors and more tourists to the city to increase economic activity.
In terms of factions within the party, the aspiring Member of Parliament claimed there was unity in the party and members would support the party leader who would be deemed to be the right one.
Charles Namuchana, an independent candidate, said he would work on the roads, dilapidated bridges and rid the city of corruption.
Another independent candidate, Edwin Simwimba, said he had done his homework and deserved to be elected as he was working in collaboration with the local authority in offering services to the needy in communities.
By press time, Rainbow party, United Progressive Party (UPP) and independent candidate, Joram Mwinda, were yet to file in their nomination papers.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema
The UPND says it will announce the presidential running mate by Friday this week.
Party Spokesperson Charles Kakoma says the presidential running mate will be unveiled in time for the filing in of presidential nominations on Friday.
Mr. Kakoma explained that the UPND constitution stipulates that selection of the running mate is the discretion of the Party President and not the Party Members.
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has remained mute on the issue surrounding his running mate triggering speculation.
Meanwhile, The Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ -has maintained that Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company of Dubai will print the ballot papers for the August 11, 2016 General Election.
The ECZ says there has never been any material presented before it to warrant the cancellation of the contract awarded to Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Company.
ECZ Chairperson Esau Chuulu says the Dubai Printing Firm best fulfilled the technical specifications of the tender dossier and best responded to the pre-established evaluation criteria.
Justice Chuulu says the Zambia Public Procurement Authority -ZPPA- did not find anything wrong with the procurement process for printing of ballot papers.
He was speaking during the Electoral stakeholders’ meeting in Lusaka.
And Justice Chuulu said the commission will sponsor political parties’ agents to Dubai to witness the printing, packaging and dispatching of ballot papers.
He said the political parties’ agents will also witness the landing of ballot papers in Zambia and verify them prior to distribution to district and polling stations country wide.
Meanwhile Justice Chuulu said the 2011 Register and 2015/2016 Provisional Register will be used to ascertain registered voters and candidates during nomination.
On the other hand no Presidential candidate has filed nomination after the opening of nominations yesterday.
ECZ Public Relations Manager Chris Akufuna said on Monday that, Thursday and Friday are the only confirmed dates when some Presidential candidates will file nominations.
SACCORD executive director Boniface Cheembe
Some stakeholders have called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to be more flexible during the filing in of nominations.
Speaking in separate interviews SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe and YALI President Andrew Ntewewe said ECZ should not be rigid when dealing with candidates who had reported late for nomination due to various reasons because the commission risks looking biased when it does not allow for dialogue.
Mr Cheembe said though the commission should not be blamed, it is only reasonable it considers accommodating those failed to file in their nomination and allow them to participate in the electoral process.
“When time is not fulfilled it delays others who want to file in their nominations. Clearly this is an issue that has to be addressed because unfortunately as Africans we have a problem with time keeping therefore as SACCORD we would like to appeal to ECZ to consider accommodating those who come within 30minutes of their time elapsing so as to take in part of our culture which is that of coming late.
“It maybe helpful to perhaps be a bit more flexible and allow those who failed to file in their nomination to do so and avoid a situation were they start engage in accusations directed at the electoral body as being unfair and not flexible,” he said.
He added that ECZ should not allow the situation to question their credibility.
And Mr Ntewewe said ECZ should be firm but flexible when the situation requires them to do so especially that the country will be holding elections under a new constitution.
He said the country’s electoral body has been praised as being the best in the region hence the sport light will be once more on them as stakeholders in the region would want to learn something from them.
He said it is incumbent on the ECZ to ensure that they exhibit high levels of professionalism and ensure that the institution is seen to be independent.
He said it is only fair that if some candidates who are delayed due to various reasons are attended to by polling agents if they are still at the civic.
He said polling stations usually don’t close while voters are still in a queue waiting to vote hence the same should be extended to candidates.
The duo however called on political parties to put their houses in order saying the same behavior can be extended to public offices when elected.
Yesterday a number of Mayoral candidates from FDD and MMD failed to file their nominations after arriving late at the various civic centers something that led to FDD leader Edith Nawakwi storming the ECZ offices at 18hours were she engaged into a verbal spat with ECZ Chairperson Esau Chulu.
Former Chembe MMD Member of Parliament (MP), Mwansa Mbulakulima, has filed to contest the Milenge Parliamentary seat in the forthcoming elections on the PF ticket.
Mr Mbulakulima, who was carried on a hammock and accompanied by a sizeable crowd in PF party regalia, arrived at the civic centre at 10:15 hours this morning for the nomination session.
Milenge Constituency Returning Officer (RO), Elias Siame, declared Mr Mbulakulima’s nomination papers valid at 11: 20 hours and wished the former law marker well.
And Mr Mbulakulima has thanked President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the entire PF administration for rallying behind him ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Mr Mbulakulima said the PF could have made it difficult for him but President Lungu and his administration prevailed to accord him another chance serve the people of Milenge.
“I appreciate the combined efforts of the PF and MMD especially President Lungu and his team for realising that they need a leader who could propel them,” Mr Mbulakulima said.
He assured President Lungu that he will win the Milenge seat with a handsome margin and urged the electorates to vote enmass on August 11, 2016, to avoid a re-run.
Mr Mbulakulima, who ruled out a re-run, said the PF is winning the forthcoming elections and dispelled the alleged rigging fears by the opposition political parties.
“It is a foregone conclusion that the opposition is no match and President Lungu and the PF is headed for victory. I and my team are just looking at maximising the votes without rigging”, he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Mbulakulima admitted that Milenge District has remained under-developed and that it requires concerted efforts to take it to appreciable levels of development.
He said once elected into office he will engage government to complete a 65km stretch of the electrification project remaining to connect Milenge to Samfya power supply.
He observed that Milenge’s road network is in a very deplorable state and one area that requires urgent attention to bolster development.
By press time the FDD and UPND candidates had not yet arrived for the filing in process.
And Patriotic Front Parliamentary candidate for Roan Constituency, Chishimba Kambwili, has expresses confidence that the PF will win the August 11 election by 95 per-cent.
Dr Kambwili was speaking in Luanshya this afternoon after he filed in his nomination as aspiring Member of Parliament for Roan Constituency at Roan Antelope Secondary School.
Dr, Kambwili, who is also chief government spokesperson, said the PF has exhibited unprecedented development in its five-year tenure of office and called on the people of Luanshya and Zambia as a whole to give President Lungu the 50+1 votes in the forthcoming elections.
“What we are focussing on now is to fight for a 50+1 vote in the Presidential race; I am appealing to the people of Zambia to give President Edgar Lungu another mandate judging on the party’s performance and development agenda for the country,” Dr Kambwili said.
He added that as per PF campaign slogan “Sonta apo wabomba” his works will speak for him as the people of Roan make their choice.
And United Party for National Development (UPND) Roan Parliamentary candidate, Rueben Kayekesi, has also successfully filed in his nomination and expressed confidence of scooping the seat.
Mr Kayekesi promised that when elected to office, he would promote job-creation, good sanitation and women empowerment.
In Luanshya Constituency, the ruling party is fielding Stephen Chungu, with Munalula Minyoi from the Rainbow party and Helen Banda from the UPND who have successfully filed in their nominations at the civic centre.
By press time, only three candidates had filed in their nomination for Luanshya Central Constituency at the Luanshya Civic Centre with two aspiring candidates for Roan Constituency.
(L-R), Zambia International Property Expo Chairman, Christopher Jannou, Nkwashi’s Executive Chairman Dr. Musokotwane and Nkwashi’s Head of Portfolio Management Mumamba Mwansa
The Zambian property market has evolved to be one of the fastest growing in Africa. The 2nd Annual Zambia International Property EXPO at Mulungushi International Conference Center that took place from May 5th to 7th 2016 hosted leading companies in the industry. Nkwashi took part in the Premier Property event which was graced by the Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Margaret Mhango Mwanakatwe and His Royal Highness Chief Chibesakunda.
The EXPO was an occasion for Nkwashi to showcase our real estate development in Lusaka East to members of the public. Our presence at the EXPO emphasized how the Zambian property market is gradually getting more affordable for the average citizen regardless of their earning power.
Mr. Mwansa (right), speaks at a seminar about why Zambian Property is becoming cheaper.
The EXPO was an occasion for Nkwashi to showcase our real estate development in Lusaka East to members of the public. Our presence at the EXPO emphasized how the Zambian property market is gradually getting more affordable for the average citizen regardless of their earning power.
Nkwashi’s Head of Portfolio Management, Mr. Mumamba Mwansa, gave an enlightening seminar at the event with focus on why the property market in Zambia is getting cheaper. The lucrative market has raised Zambia to be one of the best countries for property investment in Africa.
The thriving Zambian property market is drawing Zambian’s living in the diaspora to invest back home. This point was driven home when keynote speaker at the seminar, Natasha Chiumya, the Managing partner of Folotiya & Chiumya Legal Practioners, gave evidence of the rising number of Zambian’s looking to invest in their home country.
Nkwashi took part in the Premier Property event which was graced by the Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Margaret Mhango Mwanakatwe and His Royal Highness Chief Chibesakunda.
The three-day EXPO had a record attendance compared to the last year, which is evidence that Zambian’s are just recognizing the foolproof benefits of property investment. Multiple companies and corporations actively participated in this Premier event, which made it a labyrinth of lucrative property options for members of the public.
The Zambian International Property EXPO proved to be the convergence of the brightest minds in the industry, and it was a unique opportunity for Nkwashi to network and share developmental prospects to stakeholders. The EXPO was organized by ZIPE Chairman, Mr. Christopher Jannou who is an American developer, investor, award-winning producer and author that has been developing affordable housing in Africa since 2010. He is the host of weekly syndicated radio show “Business Intelligence: Africa,” which airs on ZNBC in Zambia.
Executive Director, Annely Vihmann, from Estonia is the Lusaka-based Creative Director of Bond Girl events also organized the affair. The former New York-based model and hospitality professional now runs fashion and entertainment events around Africa. She is also a Parson’s trained landscape architect.
The 2nd Annual Zambia International Property Expo at Mulungushi International Conference Center.
UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka says Police have once again denied his Party permits for rallies in Lusaka.
Mr Katuka said the continued denial of permits is a complete violation of their democratic rights of freedom of expression and freedom of association.
“We have once again been denied permits to conduct our campaigns. This is a complete violation of our democratic rights of freedom of expression and freedom of association.
“We had applied for permits in Mandevu and Kabwata for this week, but despite submitting applications the required 7 days in advance these have been denied on the grounds that the police are busy with nomination filing. It is now too late for us to file for new permits and develop a new programme,” said Mr Katuka in a statement.
He added that the action by Police limits their movements, threaten to discredit the election process as it is increasingly looking like their actions are calculated to block and frustrate the movement of his Party members.
“During the official campaign period such attempts to limit our movements threaten to discredit the election process and it increasingly looks like part of a calculated strategy to block and frustrate our movements at every turn.
“We have a democratic right to campaign and the people have a democratic right to hear from the candidates and make their own mind up. But this will not deter us, Police can do whatever they want to do, our voice will be heard no matter what,” he said.
Chief Mazdimawe of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province has officially dissolved a marriage between a boy who is doing Grade 9 and his young wife who is in Grade 6.
“This Marriage is dissolved accordingly, the boy is in grade 9 and the girl is in grade 6 from Chaponda village,” Chief Mazdimawe announced.
He said household poverty were the reason for the girl and boy to marry,due to lack of support because her father deserted the family and moved to Lusaka some years back.
“So I have sent them both for counselling with my all weather partners ZCCP CHIPATA office and I have already bought uniforms, books and secured a place for the girl tomorrow. She is in class at Mazdimawe Primary school,” he said.
“As for boy, I’m sending him back to Madzimoyo day Secondary school as a weekly boarder in Grade 8 since grade 9 class registration for this year’s exams has already passed. It’s a done deal.”
He said whenever an early marriage is dissolved, support for the girl or both is vital if Zambia is to completely eradicate this cancer.
“As regard to this Mazdimawe Foundation, the Foundation is born to spear head the campaign against early marriages, mentorship programmes so that we engage the girls directly and also source for support to enable them continue with their education. Thank you very school management at Mazdimawe primary school and Madzimoyo day secondary school.”
The young husbandThe couple and some family members
Most political parties are witnessing an avalanche of unexpected defections of their members who have not been adopted to contest various elective positions in the August elections.
Both the ruling PF and the UPND have in the last few days suffered some defections as some members left out of the adoption race have crossed parties or opted to stand as independent.
As the filling in of nomination papers for Members of Parliament takes off today, it is expected that the country will see more movements across party lines by some dissatisfied members.
The latest casualty is the PF after the Central Committee omitted Pavuyma Kalobo, the man believed to have been the popular choice for the party members in Wusakile Constituency in Kitwe.
Mr Kalobo who is known in the area as the man behind the infamous illegal mining unit known as the Jerabos has now opted to stand as an Independent candidate.
In Chawama, popular aspiring candidate Potiphar Tembo was a last minute omission on the PF final adoption list after it settled for immediate past MP Lawrence Sichalwe forcing Mr Tembo to seek adoption on the UPND ticket.
In Chirundu, the UPND has suffered a similar fate after Workwell Sumaili who is believed to have come out tops in the primaries was left out of the final adoption list has now decided to cross over to the PF who have since adopted him.
Meanwhile in Lundazi, PF aspiring candidate Lawrence Nyirenda has resigned from the Pf opting to stand as an Independent after he was not adopted.
Below is a statement issued by Wusakile constituency PF aspiring candidate Mr Kalobo
We have for the past few days been consulting with the people of Wusakile constituency on the way forward after the announcement of our unsuccessful attempt to stand on the PF ticket.
As much as we respect the decision made by the Central committee of the Patriotic Front not adopt me, we equally respect the electorate of Wusakile constituency who have challenged us to petition the decision made by the MCC as they believe the decision made by the executive body does not represent theirs.
However, we have accepted what the party has decided and we have moved on, in so doing we are going ahead to participating in this year’s election by standing on an independent ticket. The people have made a call to me, who am I to refuse this noble calling.
We understand the implications this may bring about but we also wish to clearly state that we still support His Excellence President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front, what we simply doing here is responding to the peoples call.
Thank you for the support and God bless you all Putting the electorates of wusakile constituency First
FILE: Minister of justice Ngosa Simbiyakula and HP President Party General Godfrey Miyanda
THE REFERENDUM ISSUE: WHY THE PRESIDENT AND HIS DISSOLVED CABINET HAVE GOT IT WRONG!
[By Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda – 29th May 2016]
OPENING
This is an abridged (shortened) version of my paper of the same title. The paper arises from a robust “blog debate” on the Lusaka Times on 27th May 2016, following my article titled “Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda Responds to LT Bloggers”. I undertook to submit this as a follow up paper. I learnt a lot, including a new phrase which I liked “Keyboard Warriors” (courtesy of @A Phiri anabwela on 27th May at 12.23 pm). I shall regard these as guerrillas on the internet since they follow no rules, respect no rules and respect no one; I shall stay out of their line of fire!
I suspect that the Constitutional Court (CC) will come like a thief in the night, probably after the election or just before – hence I am rehearsing my case in the Lusaka Times Court (LT CC)! I know that the judges in the LT Court are ruthless, especially the Deputy Chairperson, Her Ladyship @Mushota. Many of these LT judges pass judgement without considering the Applicant’s submissions.
I have arranged this paper as follows: Introductory; Nature of My Referendum Argument; The Law as to Referenda in Zambia; The PF Government’s Case; Why the President and His Dissolved Cabinet Are Lost Over the Election-cum-Referendum Clone.
INTRODUCTION
The decision to combine the 2016 general election with a referendum is rather casual and too serious to be left floating all over the country unchallenged. This is an undemocratic, inconsiderate and insensitive political ploy by the PF Government to get votes.
THE NATURE OF MY CASE
On or about 15th March 2015 the Cabinet declared the holding of the ‘Referendum alongside of General elections in 2016’. The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Referendum Act 1967 to cure some alleged inconsistencies. The amendment was actualised through Act Number 5 of 2015, whose purpose was to amend the Principal Act in part. This Act was assented to by the President on 14th August 2015. Since 15th March 2015 nothing tangible has been done to effect the Statutory Order to hold the Referendum contemporaneous with the President’s opinion and decision – they are still fidgeting today, 15 months later!
The President assented to the “new constitution” on 5th January 2016. On 11th April 2016 I filed a petition in the Constitutional Court established under Article 128 of the Amended Constitution.
The Petition contains 17 challenges; the Referendum issue is just one of them. It is my position that these challenges should and ought to be heard and determined BEFORE the combined election and referendum is conducted otherwise the case will become a mere academic exercise.
Meanwhile the President and his Vice President, who are a party to the case, have been publicly canvassing and insisting that the Referendum will go ahead simultaneously with the 2016 elections. Also the Vice President informed Zambians in London on 26th April 2016 about the forthcoming combined General election and referendum.
The ECZ recently announced the purported referendum question consisting of a “Two-In-One” question:
“Do you agree that the Constitution be amended to expand the Bill of Rights and to amend Article 79 of the Constitution?” (not exact words).
On or about 21st May 2016, during the launch of the PF manifesto, the President answered his own question and said he was going to VOTE YES and directed the audience to do likewise because the PF Central Committee had so decided; he repeated this instruction on another live broadcast during the Africa Freedom Day at State House on 25th May 2016.
I object to this cloned election-cum-referendum because the whole process is inconsistent with the Constitution and the Referendum Act, even as amended. The President has abdicated his heavy responsibility of complying with the Referendum Act and is attempting to annul the entrenched Article 79, a protective provision, without alerting the citizens about the implications of VOTING YES for this multi-dimensional question. The question goes against the public policy rendered to the National Assembly on or about 30th November 2015 concerning single issues by the Minister of justice. At that time he indicated that only single issue questions should be subjected to a referendum and NOT multi-dimensional ones. Once again the Zambian people have been deceived and are being manipulated by the Custodian and Defender of the Constitution who, having decided in March 2015 to order the holding of a referendum, has refused or neglected to comply with the provisions of the Referendum Act. THIS IS MY CASE.
THE LAW AS TO REFERENDA IN ZAMBIA:
The law regarding the holding of referenda in Zambia is found in the Republican Constitution as well as the Referendum Act CAP (Chapter) 14. In the said Constitution the relevant provision is Article 79 (3); in the Referendum Act the relevant provision is Section 2. The Executive have since amended in part CAP 14, to suit their electoral schemes in total disregard of the letter and spirit of the foregoing provisions.
THE GOVERNMENT CASE THUS FAR:
In their public justifications the Executive do not seem to have a constitutional or legal basis for their decision to try to clone the general election with the referendum. The only reason given publicly and defended vehemently is one of COST!
GODFREY MIYANDA’S CASE:
For ease of reference I have classified my “referendum argument” in two parts. I have named Article 79 (3) as “The Mandatory Referendum” (excuse my layman’s language). I have named Section 2 of the Referendum Act as “The Discretionary Referendum”:
a. The Mandatory Referendum: Article 79 gives power to Parliament to alter the Constitution, subject to restrictions indicated in the provision. The relevant and specific article for my argument is Article 79 (3) which provides that “A bill for the alteration of Part III of this Constitution or of this Article SHALL NOT BE PASSED unless before the first reading of the bill in the National Assembly it has been put to a National Referendum with or without amendment by not less than fifty per cent of persons entitled to be registered as voters for the purposes of Presidential and Parliamentary elections.”
I contend that Article 79 (3) is a protective provision to ensure that no one, not even the President, tampers with Part III, which I submit is the fortress of the current Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. The Executive are not only trying to amend Part III but, by their mischievous Double Tobela question, they want to remove the protective. This is tantamount to a parent advising his children NOT to put a lock on the money safe while the robbers are around. Article 79 prevents even Members of Parliament from making any changes to Part III without consulting the citizens who are the masters and employers. This scheme by President Lungu and his dissolved Cabinet is an attempt to overthrow THE PEOPLE who are the “Class A shareholders”!
b. The Discretionary Referendum: The power to order a referendum under the Referendum Act is vested in the President. The relevant provision is Section 2 (1) which reads “The President may, IF IN HIS OPINION it is necessary or desirable so to do, by Statutory Order, direct that a referendum be held on any question or questions specified in the order.” This power is exclusive to the President and to no other person or body. I contend that he may consult but must make the decision and issue the order under his hand.
Additionally, I contend that the question conjured up by the Minister of Justice, in collusion with the ECZ, is definitely NOT a single issue, hence it is not suitable as an issue under the Discretionary Referendum. The current Part III contains at least 32 articles and thus is multi-dimensional. These articles will increase should the proposed clauses, which are not yet published, be added. The majority of our citizens are illiterate so they will do as they have been directed by the President without knowing what they are voting for. What stubbornness is this, following the mess that has been created in the last voting in the National Assembly during the passing of the so-called new constitution?
WHY THE PRESIDENT NAD HIS DISSOLVED CABINET ARE LOST OVER THE ELECTION – CUM – REFERENDUM ISSUE:
I submit that the President, who is the Custodian, Protector and Defender of our Constitution, has failed to carry out his duties in terms of Section 2 (1) of the Referendum Act. The Act grants power to the President to order or direct that a referendum be held on any question that he has specified in a Statutory Order; I further contend that he has no power to delegate the powers under Section 2 (1) to another person or body. Further, since it is him who decides whether to hold a referendum or not, the President has the initiative and the time to choose when to hold it and to mobilise funds before he orders the referendum to be held. No one was holding a gun to his head to call for a referendum in the manner that he and his dissolved Cabinet have willingly acquiesced.
I contend that under this Discretionary Referendum, formulation and determination by the President of the referendum question is a condition precedent to the ordering of the referendum.
Last but not least I submit that in terms of Section 2 (1) the Double Tobela question schemed by the Minister of Justice and the ECZ is unconstitutional and illegal. It is irrational for the President to ask other persons or bodies to formulate an opinion on his behalf. This defies logic and is inconsistent with Section 2, the power to order a referendum. This amounts to refusal to carry out the President’s constitutional and legal obligations.
Those bishops urging citizens to VOTE YES are equally lost and are misleading their flock.
CONCLUDING THE MATTER:
The live directive by President Lungu to the whole nation at Heroes Stadium, sometime in May 2016, is inconsistent with the cited provisions herein. This was done in bad faith as part of the PF campaign strategy and message, turning the Referendum issue into a partisan PF affair. It is strange that the very person who wants to know the answer to a question he formulated has provided the answer and is telling citizens to vote accordingly; he did so on at least two occasions (at Heroes Stadium and State House on Africa Freedom). I regret to describe this act as duplicitous and a betrayal of the people’s trust.
The first-ever Nakonde Fashion Week kicked off on the 20th of May, attracting a sizable audience who came to watch models strut their stuff in various outfits designed by Afrikawala.
The maiden show featured both men and women clothes, half of which was traditional wear in line with the theme ‘Letting Africa Shine through Fashion.’
Speaking on behalf of the Nakonde DC, acting District Administrative Officer Mr Morris Kabanda said fashion plays a big role in preserving culture therefore it must be supported.
“We want to see that we maintain our cultural and traditions through dressing. We understand that with social media we are exposed to so many things, especially dressing from other cultures, but that cannot make us lose our identity as Africans in the way we dress.” he said.
He said fashion shows featuring traditional wear need to be documented for future generations to learn from.
“It is through fashion shows like this that our children and their children will be able to see how we were living and also learn the role dress plays in Zambian life.”
Karen Nakamba ,CEO of Afrikawala and the organizer of the event , who opted to speak in Namwanga, said she was very proud that the show had been a success and had a sizable turn out.
“The reason I had to do this, I grew up in Nakonde and I know the things we love in Nakonde. I was once a clearing agent and if you agree with me other businesses are booming here, so the fashion industry has to have a place in Nakonde.”
She also said it was important for women to support one another
“As someone who did fashion and crafts designing in Uganda, I decided to launch the show here because this is home so I am thankful for the support, especially from the women.”
Mwembe Muntu, who provided entertainment in-between segments of the show, performed his old and new songs, among them the popular ‘Ngauletwishika’.
He drew reactions from the crowd after performing Black Muntu songs a capella.
Afrikawala, which was initially based in Lusaka is a combination of two words, Afrika and Kawala, the latter which means shine in Namwanga.
Pictures from the event
Acting District Administrative Officer Mr Morris Kabanda speaks during the fashion showKaren Nakamba speaks during the Afrikawala Fashion ShowL-R. Model Promise Nambela, Nkumbu Namusamba and Cecilia Kongwa pose at the Afrikawala Fashion ShowMC Katabwa Mulumbwa introduces models Nkumbu Namusamba, Afrikawala CEO Karen Nakamba and model Seth Bwembya at the Afrikawala Fashion ShowModel Cecilia Kongwa during the fashion showModel Cecilia Kongwa during the fashion showModel Navile Chalomba during the fashion showModel Promise Nambela at the Afrikawala Fashion Show in NakondeModel Promise Nambela at the Afrikawala Fashion Show in NakondeModel Siphiwe Lumbiwe Nawakala at the Afrikawala Fashion ShowModel Siphiwe Lumbiwe Nawakala at the Afrikawala Fashion ShowModels Nkumbu Namusamba and Seth Bwembya at the Afrikawala Fashion Show
FDD President Edith Nawakwi(r) having an interview with the Journalists immediately after the briefing of Aspiring Presidential Candidates,Running mates and their Agents at Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka
Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) presidential candidate Edith Nawakwi last evening stormed Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and told off Chairperson Esau Chulu.
Ms Nawakwi who was furious over the decision by ECZ to prevent FDD Mayoral Candidates from filing in nominations because they were late arrived after 18:00hrs at the Commission in Lusaka’s Longacres area.
She fought Justice Chulu in the car park and complained that her candidates were stopped from filing despite that they had arrived 15 minutes before close of nominations. She explained that the party had to raise nomination fees for the candidates hence the delay and asked the Justice Chulu to extend the filing in period.
But Justice Chulu refused and told Ms Nawakwi to appreciate that the Commission had even reduced the nomination fees.
He mocked the opposition leader by saying the candidates should have some change after the reduction of the fees.
Ms Nawakwi was annoyed and told Justice Chulu that he was not there to serve the people but his paymasters. She charged that Justice Chulu was going to preside over shame election.
Meanwhile the MMD suffered the same fate in Mansa after also failing to file their nomination due to logistical challenges which led to the candidate arriving at the civic centre late.
Raphael NakacindaMMD National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda says his Party has not gone into an alliance with the PF to become “Chola boys” for the ruling party as partners.
Speaking when he featured on the Oxygen of Democracy program on Prime TV, Mr Nakacinda said as a partner the MMD will field it’s own candidates for MPs, Mayors and Councillors but will support the PF presidential candidate Edgar Lungu.
He said his party has been holding high level meetings with the ruling party to ensure that they structure a deal that is not only good for the Party but for the people of Zambia as well.
He said working with the PF once they return to power, his Party will participate in the governance of the country by influencing policy implementation through what he called “trading of policies” something he said would help the Zambian people.
He explained that the Party leadership did not go into an alliance without consulting it’s membership but that the membership was consulted and a decision was reached through consensus.
He also dismissed assertions that the leadership has taken the MMD to PF because they want to “eat” saying there is nothing to eat because the country is going for elections and that if he wanted to eat he would have done so in 2011 or 2015 when the PF formed government.
Asked if the Party had candidates for positions of MP Mr Nakacinda replied in the affirmative saying the party has candidates in almost all the constituencies.
Mufulira Blackpool secretary Patson Ngoma has refused to blame inexperience for his side poor start to the 2016 FAZ Super Division season.
