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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.
Brownies are a great dessert, there is something very comforting about them, and of course they are exceedingly delicious. There are two ways to make brownies; one is with melted chocolate, and the other is with cocoa powder – both equally delectable and mouth watering. Today I will be teaching you how to make them with cocoa powder. By cocoa powder I mean; Milo, Cadbury or Galaxy cocoa powder i.e. the stuff that you use to make hot chocolate. Yummy! The great thing about this recipe is you probably have all of these ingredients in your pantry and won’t need to go out and buy them. So what are we waiting for? With these 5 simple ingredients you will make these extremely fudgy and incredibly tasty brownies. Let’s get started!
Preparation and cooking time: 45 minutes
Serves: Makes 8-16 servings
Ingredients
115g cup flour
225 sugar
113g salted butter, melted
2 eggs
75g cup cocoa powder
Method
Measure and prepare your ingredients. Preheat the oven to 175°C. Grease a 9-by-9-inch baking tray. You can line it with grease proof paper or just dust it with flour to help prevent the brownies from sticking to the tray.
In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients; flour, sugar and cocoa powder. In another small bowl, whisk together the butter and eggs. Add the egg mixture into the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Pour the mixture into the baking tray; using the back of a spoon to spread evenly.
Bake the brownies for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove them from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes. Cut them into 16 squares and serve, or for bigger portions, cut less squares e.g. 8 or 12.
Serving
Once your brownies are cut, serve them with; whipped cream, icecream, a drizzle of honey or syrup. To be honest you can have these in any way that you want. Enjoy your sugar overload!!
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.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has said action must be taken to close the gap between the rich and the people in Zambia.
Mr Hichilema said in a statement yesterday that each citizen must be given the opportunity to participate in the economy and improve his or her situation in life as a way of closing up the gap.
He said it was the responsibility of the government to ensure that the benefits of growth were shared.
Mr Hichilema said it was for this reason that UPND’s 10 Point Plan has a big focus on reducing inequality.
He said his government is going to tackle inequality by supporting the vulnerable and disadvantaged that were struggling to find jobs and access services such as education and healthcare.
“We will support youths through training initiatives and working with employers to open up apprenticeships and skills transfer opportunities,”he said.
Mr Hicilema said UPND is going to ensure access to education was equal for the girl and boy child.
He said this would ensure that the government tackles the issues that mean girl child school attendance remains lower such as child marriage, teenage pregnancies and expensive fees.
He said his government is going to lower food prices by increasing the productivity of our farmers.
He said corruption sees a huge percentage of the country’s wealth end up in the pockets of a few but there would be no sacred cows in the UPND government.
He said Zambia’s resources were for Zambians not a few select individuals.
“These are just some of the things we will do. To those who ask why previous governments have failed to eradicate poverty, we say it is because of a lack of political will and corruption,”he said.
Returning officer Samuel Phiri checking the document for Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) mayor election candidate Mailess Phiri Mvula at Chipata Municipal Council Chamber
CONFUSION yesterday erupted after opposition Forum for Democracy and
Development (FDD) presented two adoption certificates to returning officer Samuel Phiri for Chipata mayoral election slated for August 11th.
The confusion started after Oswald Mphande, a well known Chipata resident had earlier presented an original adoption certificate to returning officer at the Chipata Municipal Council chamber were filing in of nominations for mayoral were taking place.
But after, Mr Mphande had presented his purportedly original adoption certificate, a group of FDD officials led by national chairperson Portipher Chungu disputed the adoption of Mr Mphande on mayoral election as fake and fraud.
Mr Chungu was forced to call FDD national secretary Nathan Mulonga to make it clear to the returning officer that the person which the party had adopted was Mailess Phiri.
TMr Phiri who was seeking clarification from FDD gave Ms Phiri a go ahead to file in her nomination papers for the mayoral election.
In an interview after the confusion, Mr Chungu said no one gave Mr Mphande an adoption certificate although it was looking original.
He said Mr Mphande committed a punishable offence by purporting that he had been adopted by the party whilst not.
“Actually I am going to report him (Mr Mphande) to police for fraud. I am very disappointed that he can act in such a manner. He was even telling me that he is going to de-campaign me in the Chipata Central since I am standing,” he said.
By press time, FDD were in chambers concluding the file in nominations while United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate for mayoral election Musa Nyirenda had already concluded.
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) mayoral election candidate Mailess Phiri Mvula presenting papers to returning officer Samuel Phiri at Chipata Municipal Council ChamberForum for Democracy and Development(FDD) national chairperson Portipher Chungu explaining the predicament over who was the genuine candidate on mayoral elections between Mailess Phiri Mvula and Oswald Mphande to returning officer Samuel Phiri at Chipata Municipal Council Chamber
Nevers MumbaTHE Registrar of Societies has maintained that Felix Mutati is the legitimate president of the MMD.
This is despite a challenge by Nevers Mumba who stormed the registrar’s office demanding that such a decision be reversed to favour him.
Home Affairs spokesperson Moses Suwali said the Registrar of Societies had recognised Mr Mutati as the newly-elected MMD president following the just-ended party convention on May 20 this year, held at the Mulungushi Rock of Authority in Kabwe.
Mr Suwali said the registrar received a letter from the Mutati-led faction to change the presidency and declare Mr Mutati as the favoured candidate.
“The Registrar of Societies received a letter from Mr Mutati and his group and as per procedure the changes were made according to the Act of the society,” Mr Suwali said.
He said despite Dr Mumba claiming that Mr Mutati and his faction were suspended there was no documentation to prove the claim.
On Friday, Dr Mumba said he was the legitimate leader and it was wrong for the Registrar of Societies to recognise Mr Mutati as MMD president.
MMD spokesperson Raphael Nakachinda said Mr Mutati’s team presented records to the Registrar of Societies to show that Dr Mumba and his leadership could no longer legally represent the party as their term of office had come to an end following the election of new leaders.
Zambia on Monday night wrapped up their two-match friendly tour of West Africa with a draw.
Chipolopolo were held 0-0 away by hosts Gambia in Bakau in a warm-up coach George Lwandamina had 95 percent of his players minus TP Mazembe duo of Kabaso Chongo and Nathan Sinkala.
The game came just four days after Zambia lost 1-0 away to Togo.
Zambia fly out to Bissau on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s penultimate 2017 Africa Cup Group E qualifier against Guinea Bissau.
Guinea Bissau lead Group E on 7 points, one point ahead of Congo and Zambia who are second and third respectively on 6 points.
Former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa has today filled in her nomination papers to contest for position of Lusaka Executive Mayor on the UPND ticket.
Dr Mwanawasa was accompanied to the civic centre by a group of supporters that included Former Vice President Guy Scott, Former MPs Sylvia Masebo and Obvious Mwaliteta.
And addressing her supporters, Dr Mwanawasa pledged to transform the city of Lusaka if elected into office.
She said top of her agenda will be to tackle the perennial cholera outbreaks and water shortages are addressed.
“The last few years, the councils are like a pit where all the money from the treasury geos for salaries, our new approach among others will be creating a city council that will be able to engage into capital projects for the councils,” Dr Mwanawasa said.
She said she wants to see a Lusaka City Council in the next five years that will be able to contribute to the treasury in form of tax contribution.
“We want to have a council that will be financially viable and be able to pay its own salaries and have a good capital base to enable it borrow and invest in infrastructure development,” she said.
She added, “The role of the Mayor this time is executive and one has to be elected into office and for us as UPND, we want to make this office of Mayor to be about the people of Lusaka. We want to see change in the provision of water, the quality of roads and electricity provision and this will entail restructuring Lusaka and not displacing the people entirely as we have seen.
Others you filed in their nomination papers include Wilson Kalumba for PF and Reverand Alfred Sakala of UNIP while Fisho Mwale and Elias Mpondela filed in as Independent candidates.
Dr Mwanawasa files her papers for Lusaka Mayoral postDr Mwanawasa after successfully filing in her nomination papersDr Guy Scott flanked by Slyvia Masebo at Civics Centre
