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Over 4,000 Civil Servants who were retrenched in 1999 under the Public Service Reform Programme in national interest have expressed anger and frustration at government’s failure to pay them their dues.
In a statement Bernard Azele who is Chairman of the group said they won a court case against government in 2011 but that government has not paid them their dues despite the court ruling in their favour.
Mr Azele said just like another person they need to pay rent, send their children to school hence was wondering were government thought they are getting the money to foot their bills as it has held on to their money for more than 5 years.
“We also live in the same capitalistic world as everybody else where we are expected to pay, rent send our children and grand children to school. Now if we are not being paid for the court case we won, what service are you going to offer? We think government may wish to know that many colleagues have had strokes and eventually died leaving there money behind,” he explained.
He said government should look into the plight of retirees in the country.
“We are saying quality service to the retirees is a right for every citizen and the government to prioritize certain issues such as that of retirees. We have been pushed into debts before we had to think ways to survive because government has neglected us.
We think it is prudent that government should realise that we were the engine of our great nation Zambia to be where it is today, why should we be suffering in our own country?” he said.
File:SACCORD Executive director Boniface Chembe captured in the audience during the presidential debate
SACCORD has called on members of various political parties in the country to respect the decisions made by their leaders if the country is to have free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.
Commenting on the national indaba by political party leaders which was held on tuesday at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe said there is need for the followers of political parties should ensure that they support the commitment by their leaders.
He said yesterday’s resolutions by the various political parties that attended the indaba should be supported by all well meaning Zambians including stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
“We hope that all stakeholders will support the solutions that were arrived at and especially those who belong to political parties and those who support these parties, expect that once they respect the decisions of their own parties and support them in ensuring that the country we create an environment for holding free,fair credible and peaceful elections.
“As SACCORD we commend our political leaders for taking time off their busy schedule during this busy campaign period to dedicate themselves to discuss what we had increasingly deemed to be a national crisis and which required a national solution namely political violence. We have taken not of the resolutions that were arrived at by our political leaders and those resolutions are salient and require the support of all Zambians including all stakeholders involved in the electoral process it is clear that political violence had become an immediate and clear present danger to the peace, stability, unity and security of our country hence the need to address the scourge by our political leaders,” He said.
He also reiterated the call for Zambia Police Service to administer the POA in a manner which does not discriminate.
“We hope that the Zambia Police Service will be able to endeavour as much as possible to allow all Zambians irrespective of their political affiliation to enjoy their freedoms of association, expression as well as assembly. We hope that perpetrators of political violence who injure people, murder people, destroy public or private property will not be tolerated irrespective of their political affiliation, but brought to book away from the tendency of what appears to only bringing those who belong to the opposition to book,” he said.
He further said politicians should desist from politics of hate speech.
“We also believe that it is important that issues of hate speech are addressed. You can not resolve the many problems that our great republic face, we have got problems of poverty, unemployment, poor infrastructure and high levels of illiteracy and those can never be addressed through hate speech but rather through politics of ideas policies, manifestos and messages and that is what the people of Zambia want,” he said.
Copperbelt University
Government says a Committee has been appointed to assess the fulfilment of conditions set for the re-opening of the Copperbelt University.
The Committee which was set up on Tuesday is expected to finish the assignment by 7th April, 2016.
The Committee comprises Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary,
Mr. Owne M’gemezulu, Secretary to the Bursaries Committee Ms. Irene Chirwa and Kitwe District Commissioner Mr. Chanda Kabwe.
Others are CBU Chaplin Fr. Chilufya and Copperbelt Police Commissioner Ms. Charity Katanga.
Higher Education Minister Michael Kaingu on 3rd February, 2016 shut down CBU and UNZA following days of violent demonstrations and arson attacks.
A number of conditions were set before the two institutions could be allowed to reopen.
The Committee was appointed to determine the fulfilment of the conditions with a view to open CBU and prepare a report and recommendations to Dr. Kaingu whether the University has fulfilled the conditions and is ready to re-open.
Some of the conditions outlined by Dr Kaingu were that the universities must ensure the sufficient and effective security measures have been put in place to regulate the entry and exit of visitors to the Universities.
This should include sealing off all porous points, strictly enforcing the use of students’ identity cards, installation of floodlights and security cameras and provision of walkie-talkie radio communication to security officers.
He also asked the universities to ensure that all students are made to sign a commitment form to pledge not to indulge in violent protests.
Other conditions were that the universities were to ensure that the office of the Dean of Students designs programmes aimed at instilling discipline in students by sensitizing them on social dialogue, non-violent engagement and other dispute resolution processes.
Dr Kaingu also asked the university managements to surcharge all students on Government Bursary for damage caused to both public and university property.
He also demanded that all those that were identified and submitted to the Ministry of Higher Education as ring leaders for the violent protest should be expelled as they are inimical to the academic life of the Universities. These include students and staff.
PF Deputy Spokesperson Frank Bwalya says his party is relieved that former vice President Guy Scott has finally left the party and endorsed UPND President Hakainde Hichilema.
Speaking at media briefing this morning Mr Bwalya described Dr Scott as a pebble in the shoe of the party which made it difficult for the party to move forward.
He said despite President Lungu’s tolerance by letting Dr Scott remain as a member of the party’s Central Committee he continued to rebel against the leadership of the party President.
“Dr Guy Scott remained a member of the Central Committee which is the supreme organ of the PF and he was entitled to the respect of senior members of the party. He was accommodated and respected despite his notorious appetite for negative statements about our party and President Lungu in particular.
“So it became the case of bringing a horse to the river but failing to make it drink. In short what we are saying is that Dr Scott was not side lined and forced to rebel against our party and its leader Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The open secret is that immediately Dr Scott’s plan to impose a leader on PF was defeated he embarked on a destructive mission to stop Mr Lungu from becoming Republican President and he did it in a manner that threatened the survival of PF. His comments that time and even recently clearly point to the fact that he didn’t vote for Mr Lungu. So he has just decided to openly work against Mr Lungu again just to spoil the soup, ukufilila munsenga, as the Bembas would say.
“Given the above background one would be right to say that Dr Scott was like a pebble or stone in the PF shoe that was making it difficult for us to walk properly. Now that Dr Scott has decided to endorse the man who called him the most stupid white man, we are relieved. If Dr Scott had not done what he has done he would have remained the destructive enemy within who keeps stabbing family members in the back. We believe that since enemies don’t mean well it is a lesser evil to allow them to leave and fight you from outside than inside,” he said.
He also accused Mr Hichilema of paddling tribal talk.
“Many Zambians heard for themselves the UPND leader on Radio Phoenix on Tuesday 29th March 2016 in the morning accusing the PF government of persecuting people with surnames from a certain region for belonging to UPND. Since Mr Hichilema talked about one region it is common knowledge that what he was saying was that Tongas were being transferred or fired from the civil service on suspicion of belonging or indeed belonging to UPND. This is a very dangerous statement coming from a man who wants to govern our peaceful country, a country that is making strides to overcome tribalism.
“One thing is clear that civil servants are not allowed to participant in active politics let alone partisan political activism that derails government programmes regardless of their tribe. Successive governments have been firm in dealing with renegade civil servants and I do believe that if the UPND formed government they would not tolerate it.
“But to claim that it is civil servants from one region who are being fired or disciplined for destructive political activity is not only wrong but highly irresponsible because such reckless statements have potential to fuel tribal hatred and rivalry, factors that have caused serious problems including genocide in other countries. I am Tonga and I know many professional Tongas who belong to various opposition political parties and don’t worry about losing their job,” he said.
Below is the full press Briefing
PATRIOTIC FRONT PRESS STATEMENT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016. SALUTATIONS Distinguished members of the Media, Patriotic Front officials, Distinguished invited guests, Brothers and sisters.
INTRODUCTION
We have called this press conference to address some matters that sections of the public have started raising in the aftermath of the decision by former Republican Vice President Dr Guy Scott to endorse the candidature of the United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Mr Hakainde Hichilema in the forthcoming presidential and general elections. We believe that many Zambians who look at our party, the Patriotic Front (PF) as the only party with a demonstrated commitment to unite our country and lead it to prosperity are genuinely seeking answers to certain questions so that their hearts can be at rest in the midst of a political environment highly polluted by unprecedented malicious propaganda and notorious falsehood.
It is our intention during this press conference to also address other matters of equal importance to our party and Zambia.
PRESIDENT EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU – MR WALK THE TALK WITH A BIG FORGIVING AND LOVING HEART
Following the decision by a few of our members to endorse the candidature of the UPND leader Mr Hichilema some people have started asking whether this development points to President Lungu’s failure to embrace and accommodate all party members especially senior members that opposed his ascendancy to the position of PF Party President and later that of Republican President.
The truth is that President Lungu has a very big heart to accommodate any willing member and has demonstrate a rare form of forgiveness and love towards those that many Zambians thought he would discard given the happenings after the death of President Michael Chilufya Sata. Mr Lungu said that he saw nothing wrong with members of a political party competing for leadership in a constructive manner within the perimeters of democratic contest. So when he was sworn in as Zambia’s sixth Republican President he walked the talk by opening his arms to embrace everyone. That is how my brothers namely Mr Chishimba Kambwili, Given Lubinda, Mulenga Sata, Miles Sampa and many others found themselves in the inner circle of President Lungu as full cabinet and deputy ministers.
President Lungu decided to appoint a woman as Republican Vice President for reasons including those well known to the Zambian public regarding affirmative action to promote the participation of women in the governance process by promoting them to key decision making positions.
Dr Guy Scott remained a member of the Central Committee which is the supreme organ of the PF and he was entitled to the respect of senior members of the party. He was accommodated and respected despite his notorious appetite for negative statements about our party and President Lungu in particular. So it became the case of bringing a horse to the river but failing to make it drink. In short what we are saying is that Dr Scott was not side lined and forced to rebel against our party and its leader Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The open secret is that immediately Dr Scott’s plan to impose a leader on PF was defeated he embarked on a destructive mission to stop Mr Lungu from becoming Republican President and he did it in a manner that threatened the survival of PF. His comments that time and even recently clearly point to the fact that he didn’t vote for Mr Lungu. So he has just decided to openly work against Mr Lungu again just to spoil the soup, ukufilila munsenga, as the Bembas would say.
Given the above background one would be right to say that Dr Scott was like a pebble or stone in the PF shoe that was making it difficult for us to walk properly. Now that Dr Scott has decided to endorse the man who called him the most stupid white man, we are relieved. If Dr Scott had not done what he has done he would have remained the destructive enemy within who keeps stabbing family members in the back. We believe that since enemies don’t mean well it is a lesser evil to allow them to leave and fight you from outside than inside.
Nevertheless, we are left wondering why this man who claims to be a very experienced politician has decided to hang on to a party that he claims is finished. Moreover, a party led by a man he hates with passion. When he was announcing his endorsing the man who called him the most stupid white man at Chainama Hotel in Lusaka on Monday 28th March 2016 he even sung his usual song that he wouldn’t go back to PF and yet he is clinging on to his PF membership. Is this the proverbial case of one eating what he claims to be rotten? This is very strange but we don’t know whether Mr Hichilema had this behaviour in his mind when he called his friend the most stupid white man he had ever come across. Anyway, it is now very interesting to note that Mr Hichilema claims to be more popular because even the man he branded the most stupid white man is supporting him.
PUPPORTED DEFECTIONS FROM OUR PARTY PF AND WHETHER WE SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT THEM
As far as we are concerned there has been very few real defections from our party to other parties. Some people are mistaking those who are endorsing the man who called Dr Scott the most stupid white man while clinging on to PF membership as defectors. These people including Dr Scott and Mr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba are not defectors but members of PF who have decided to go public with their scheme of de-campaigning Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. So the case of Dr Scott is like that of a husband proposing to marry his own wife. We wish to let the public know that real defections are coming and when they happen everyone will see how attractive the PF has always been.
As for Mr Miles Sampa he is not a defector from PF to UPND. He left our party to expose the scandal of belonging to two political parties at the same time namely Democratic Front (DF) and PF. The public knows that he formed DF at the time when his uncle President Sata was still with us. Then he led DF into the so-called Orange Alliance. DF got deregistered and the Orange Alliance ejected him. So Mr Sampa just came from his own house to go and endorse the man who called his friend Dr Scott the most stupid white man.
In fact, DF has not lost anything because it was deregistered and the Orange Alliance expelled him. We just pray that this political novice has realised that two months is a long period in politics given what he has gone through after voluntarily leaving PF.
We know that some people would want to cite Mr Robert Sichinga as a PF member who defected to UPND but that would be tantamount to refusing to believe the man. He said when UPND paraded him that he was not re-joining UPND because he had always been their member. In this case we can safely say that what kept alive his relationship with PF was a job from basebele (in-law). Of-course when the PF presidency became vacant many people overrated themselves.
Therefore, we are very proud of former UPND Vice President Mr Richard Kapita and former trustee Mr Maybin Mubanga who left UPND and joined us. Many more are on their way coming.
We wish to state categorically that we are not worried about those power hungry individuals who have chosen to endorse other candidates as a way of fighting Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Their schemes are bound to fail.
Against the foregoing, we wish to state that PF is very strong and will keep getting stronger. The huge numbers of people applying to stand on our ticket in various constituencies is but just one indicator of the popularity of our party.
THE ACCUSATION BY MR HAKAINDE HICHILEMA THAT PF IS VICTIMISING CIVIL SERVANTS WITH SURNAMES FROM A CERTAIN REGION
Many Zambians heard for themselves the UPND leader on Radio Phoenix on Tuesday 29th March 2016 in the morning accusing the PF government of persecuting people with surnames from a certain region for belonging to UPND. Since Mr Hichilema talked about one region it is common knowledge that what he was saying was that Tongas were being transferred or fired from the civil service on suspicion of belonging or indeed belonging to UPND. This is a very dangerous statement coming from a man who wants to govern our peaceful country, a country that is making strides to overcome tribalism.
One thing is clear that civil servants are not allowed to participant in active politics let alone partisan political activism that derails government programmes regardless of their tribe. Successive governments have been firm in dealing with renegade civil servants and I do believe that if the UPND formed government they would not tolerate it.
But to claim that it is civil servants from one region who are being fired or disciplined for destructive political activity is not only wrong but highly irresponsible because such reckless statements have potential to fuel tribal hatred and rivalry, factors that have caused serious problems including genocide in other countries. I am Tonga and I know many professional Tongas who belong to various opposition political parties and don’t worry about losing their job.
Therefore, we wish to assure all Zambians that PF will respect their constitutional right and freedom to belong to a political party of their choice. We shall never engage in witch-hunting targeted at one tribe in a country where it is common to find members of the same family belonging to different political parties. Moreover, PF shall continue to promote the motto of “One Zambia One Nation”.
Therefore we urge Zambians to reject leaders who are trying to ride on tribe for cheap political milage. Such leaders are a danger to continued peace and stability in our great country.
One Zambia One Nation.
God bless Zambia.
I thank you. FRANK BWALYA PF DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON
Zambia next 2017 Africa Cup Group E opponents Guinea Bissau are feeling confident about securing their home game against Chipolopolo in June.
Guinea Bissau stealthy rose to the summit of Group E after 1-0 home and away victories over bottom placed Kenya to take a one point lead of the pool.
The Group E victories were coach Baciro Cande first in charge since taking over from Paulo Torres who left the job in February due to a four-match CAF ban that ruled him out of the qualifiers.
Torres was banned following a bust-up with a match official in their 0-0 away draw against Zambia last June.
Guinea Bissau next host Zambia on June 3 in a penultimate Group E fixture looking for a win that could end Chipolopolo’s interest in the qualifiers.
“We are now top of the group and with two matches remaining we can think about the dream,E Cande is qouted by Portuguese sports daily O Jogo.
“We want to build on this latest win as we head to the next game.”
Guinea Bissau have 7 points while second placed Congo and third positioned Zambia are separated on goal difference tied on 6 points.
Kenya are bottom with 1 point from four games played.
Some 14 years after beating the demon of drugs and substance abuse, Kabelo Mabalane is taking it back to the streets.
The award-winning kwaito musician and actor will lead a community march in Eersterust, east of Pretoria, on Saturday.
“When I left rehab 14 years ago the first place I went to was Eersterust where I joined the community in action against drug abuse.
“The scourge has worsened and I’m going back to pick up where I left off,” he said.
Mabalane said the drugs have become worse with the proliferation of drugs such as nyaope.
A statement from the Eersterust Stakeholder Coalition released in February further coaxed Mabalane into action. In it, the community laid bare the hard and cold facts of their desperate situation.
me 14 years after beating the demon of drugs and substance abuse, Kabelo Mabalane is taking it back to the streets.
The award-winning kwaito musician and actor will lead a community march in Eersterust, east of Pretoria, on Saturday.
“When I left rehab 14 years ago the first place I went to was Eersterust where I joined the community in action against drug abuse.
“The scourge has worsened and I’m going back to pick up where I left off,” he said.
Mabalane said the drugs have become worse with the proliferation of drugs such as nyaope.
A statement from the Eersterust Stakeholder Coalition released in February further coaxed Mabalane into action. In it, the community laid bare the hard and cold facts of their desperate situation.
Mwinelubemba Chitimukulu Kanyata Manga II after being crowned at Mwenda ngombe during the installation ceremony . The ceremony was attended by president Edgar Lungu.
By Henry Kanyanta Sosala
Preamble
Many people on the copper-belt who hail from Chief Mumpolokoso’s chiefdom in Northern Province, including some other non-Bemba chiefs have constantly queried me as to why the Bemba Royal Establishment took such drastic measures of going so far as to dismiss Mubanga Albert Mumbi, Chileshe Yulaya Mumba (ex- Chief Chewe) and Grimson Mwila (ex-Chief Chimbuka) as Bemba chiefs.
Unity and competition are the cornerstones of the Bemba’s successful political system. Our unity lies in that the seventeen gazetted chiefs and fifteen non-gazetted sub-chiefs are linked to another, nor primarily through subordination, but through a complex and flexible kinship between chiefs and sub-chiefs themselves and then with a total allegiance to a common Mwinelubemba Chitimukulu.
Dr. Audrey wrote in Political System of the Bemba Tribe: ‘’Authority, power and prerogatives depend upon descent and kinship and all branches of the royal clan can claim connection with the original family of which a traditional Chitimukulu was head. The Chitimukulu is the oldest name of a royal chief. It is the name carried by the most senior members of the crocodile totem and as such it demands the most respect. The sway of the Chitimukulu is as much moral and spiritual as temporal. His temporal power too is the greatest of the chiefs. He lives in and rules Ulubemba, the stronghold of the tribe and all appointments of chiefs to help him hold the widening sphere of Bemba rule comes from him.’’
All those who want to destroy the Bemba chieftaincy and tribe aim to break up the unity and allegiance to Mwinelubemba Chitimukulu and create a weak Bemba multi-chiefdoms tribe that could easily be scrapped. The Chiluba administration gave motor vehicles to some subordinate Bemba chiefs so that they could sever their allegiance from Mwinelubemba Chitimukulu and thus weaken Bemba power and influence.
The Nkandu-Luo Cartel
The Michael Chilufya Sata’s reign was the darkest epoch in Bemba history because Bemba chieftaincy was at the brink of complete and total ruin. This was a time when the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs publicly defamed, antagonized, humiliated and dishonoured me and Bashilubemba (the hereditary councilors).
That was the time I became a tourist centre for disgrace and a cabbage bag for the powers-that-were.
President Sata censured Honourable Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba for having visited me since there was a national policy drawn up after I was de-gazetted as Senior Chief Mwamba of the Bemba people by cabinet at the instigation of President Sata to ‘’totally hate and isolate me.’’
Honourable Mwamba being a member of the Bemba royal family failed to betray his tribe unlike Mubanga Albert Mumbi or Dr. Xaviour Chishimba for the sake of money and position. In fact before Honourable Mwamba had paid a courtesy call on me in Kasama, he even took a precaution measure by inviting two officers from the Office of the President to monitor our meeting. And yet President Sata rebuked him ‘’for failing to show collective responsibility on his part as a Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament for the ruling party.’’ (The Post 24th December 2013).
The Micro-Biologist and Immunologist Professor Nkandu Luo suddenly became the expert in Bemba traditional affairs. President Sata stated: ‘’Professor Luo should have a better understanding of the Bemba succession process since she hails from the royal family.’’ (The Post 9th May 2013). (She is actually a Bisa and not from the Bemba royal family). In fact, the President was adamant that Professor Luo ‘’ had a better understanding of the Bemba succession process, which had been in existence for over 200 years than Bashilubemba.’’ And on the other hand, what was amazing was that when President Sata entered State House in 2011, Chileshe Yulaya Mumba, suddenly and automatically became the most senior Bemba royal family expert and champion.
On 21st June 2013,the Honourable Minister, misled Parliament ‘’…..we have a chief who was nominated without following a proper transfer system and was not initiated……….The withdrawal of Chief Mwamba from his position is based on the fact that he never served as Chief Nkolemfumu and also refused to be initiated traditionally…Mr. Speaker, Chief Mwamba refused to be initiated traditionally. Unsolicited, he went to Radio Mano to say he would not be initiated because that would conflict with his religious principles.’’
And to the contrary, W.V. Brelsford in Succession of Bemba Chiefs wrote: ‘’Another guiding line is that there is no sequence of chiefly names leading to the Paramountcy, only relationships and a new Paramount may step up from being Mwamba or Nkula or from being a man with no earlier post. The sequence of Chitimukulu, Mwamba, Nkolemfumu, Mpepo need not necessarily be a permanent order of names to the Paramountcy.’’
The greatest problem in Africa is that the ‘’educated’’ believe that they have acquired knowledge in all spheres of life. And to them ‘’education’’ is the master key that can open all doors of life. However, the truth is that you cannot think a traditional muddle clear: you have only to obey it clear. As Alexander Goldenweiser put it in his book, Anthropology: An Introduction to Primitive Culture: ‘’What the anthropologist really deals with, then, is not the past but the present…people in general, and primitive in particular, do not think or analyze their culture they live it. It never occurs to them to synthesize what they live or reduce it to a common denominator, as it were.’’ (ibid., p.43).
In intellectual matters you can think things out, but in customary matters you think yourself into cotton wool. The point is that in cultural norms, intellect or reason is not sufficient to explain strong elements of ritual nature. This is because ritual deals with objective realities and definite contents and demands. And in this respect, the mystical nature of chieftainship is an extraordinarily eclectic dissertation particularly valuable in that it allows western culture to view itself from the outside, thereby permitting the objectivity impossible for the ignoramuses puffed up with western accumulated book knowledge whose opinions and axioms are perverted.
W.V. Brelsford in ‘’Succession of Bemba Chiefs: A Guide for District Officers’’ wrote: ‘’The appointment of chiefs lies primarily with the Paramount-in-council, which is the Superior Native Authority.’’
In the Supreme Court Judgement No. 25 of 2008 between Chief Mpepo (Ackson Chilufya Mwamba), appellant and Senior Chief Mwamba (Paison Chilekwa Yambayamba), respondent reads on J18__ 623:’’In the case of the Bemba customary law of succession, it is generally agreed by the parties that a chief below Chitimukulu, it can be Senior Chief Mwamba, Senior Chief Nkula or indeed any other, is chosen or appointed by the Paramount Chief-in-council. When the choice of a Chitimukulu is an issue, the body mandated to make the appointment is known as Bashilubemba. The composition of the two bodies, including the necessary quorum for transaction of business, was not part of the evidence. Besides, what the evidence failed to establish is the role of Chandamukulu, the Queen Mother (including Mukukamfumu, the Queen for Chinsali side), in the selection process of Chitimukulu and the chiefs below Chitimukulu.’’
The greatest problem with Professor Nkandu Luo was her inconsistency or short memory because according to The Post newspaper of 1st May 2013, she was quoted as having said that it was Queen mother Chandamukulu who appoints Chitimukulu and she wondered what would happen since Chandamukulu had just died.
And to the contrary, she was again quoted in The Post of 3rd October 2013 as having said that it was Queen mother Ngoshe Mukote who appoints Chitimukulu. The already quoted Supreme Court’s judgement in part reads:’’…. Besides, what the evidence failed to establish is the role of Chandamukulu, the Queen Mother (including Mukukamfumu, the Queen for Chinsali side), in the selection process of Chitimukulu and the chiefs below Chitimukulu.’’
After meeting the members of Ngoshe Mukote family on 9th November 1924 who were claiming the Nkula throne, the colonial District Commissioner, H.G. Willis wrote to the Secretary for Native Affairs on 18th December 1924: ‘’..I agree that Ngoshe Mukote branch of the family has no good claim, they had been driven away many years before the Government came and to revive such claims is impossible.’’ One normally wonders how the Honourable Minister managed to decipher what was ‘’impossible’’ after one hundred years! The Supreme Court judges only mentioned ‘’…Mukukamfumu for Chinsali side,’’ because there was absolutely no evidence of any trace of the existence of Queen Ngoshe Mukote in Chinsali District since that lineage became extinct at about 1867. The two questions are: what are the sources from which the Minister obtained such false historic information. And second, who has since been appointing Chitimukulus for the past one hundred years? It would certainly be hard to find in the Zambian political history, a more tragic case study on abuse of positional power than the story in the case of Honourable Professor Nkandu Luo. It is really a question mark on her integrity that such a supposed prominent professional could be involved in deceit and falsehood.
And as already alluded to the Chiluba regime in its quest to destroy Bemba chieftaincy, ignored Chitimukulu-in-council as the only legitimate appointing authority of Bemba chiefs and recognized Mr. Paison Chilekwa Yambayamba as ‘’Senior Chief Mwamba’’ under Statutory Instrument 102 of 2000 dated 3rd October 2000. However, the Supreme Court Judgement No. 25 of 2008 between Chief Mpepo (also known as Ackson Chilufya Mwamba) Appellant And Senior Chief Mwamba (also known as Paison Chilekwa Yambayamba) respondent ruled that ‘’It was wrong for former President Chiluba to recognize the plaintiful as Senior Chief Mwamba because that was against the wishes and decision of the Paramount Chief-in-council and therefore a contravention of Section 3 of the Chiefs’ Act. It was pointed out that there was no dispute at trial that the appointing authority of chiefs subordinate to Chitimukulu was the Paramount Chief-in-council and not the President of Zambia or indeed the High Court of Zambia. In this view, the President should have referred the matter to the Paramount Chief-in-council for review and hence customary law was not followed.’’ (p. J 11- 616).
However, deliberately wielding his wild powers over the Bemba traditional system and the Supreme Court ruling, President Michael Sata gazetted Chileshe Yulaya Mumba as Chief Chewe (SI 126 of 2011 of 11th November 2011) and Grimson Mwila as Chimbuka(SI 24 of 2013 of 28th February 2013).
It’s here where one realizes the undeniable reality that the entire nation, including all institutions are held on the presidential hook! For example, the Attorney –General, who is supposed to be the government’s legal expert could do not advise the President about this terrible and shameless abuse of office. Why should the government’s legal advisor let the President misuse his Executive powers and sink so low as to interfere with a tribal arrangement that has been in existence for more than 200 years!
The family tree is of crucial importance as far as claims to the royal heritage is concerned. For example, the gospel of Matthew in the Bible begins with the genealogy f our Lord Jesus Christ. And by showing Christ as descended from King David, Matthew wants to explicate that Jesus is the royal heir to the throne. However, these PF cadres have no family trees in their files and Grimson Mwila had in fact merely written a letter to the President applying to be appointed a chief and President Sata wrote to the Clerk of the House of Chiefs to have him gazetted. And there was not even the slightest courtesy of notifying the Bemba Royal Establishment.
On the other hand, President Sata claimed that he had de-gazetted me on 8th May 2013 because I had not undergone initiation. But again and again Bashilubemba had been stating that: ‘’I could not go through the rituals because my superior had only gone through the process almost at the end of his life and after his demise the rituals could only be performed after the burial.’’
In Parliament on 21st June 2013, when in answer to Honourable Dr. Chituwo on the reasons for my de-gazetting, Honourable Luo said: ‘’ I should not create my own way of handling matters. According to the law that I am supposed to follow, the royal establishment chooses a chief who is initiated through customary tradition. In the Bemba tradition, when a person is selected to be a chief, that person has to go through the traditional rituals before he can be called a chief. He is also given what are called the instruments of power, and the instruments of power in the Bemba Chiefdom are called Babenye.’’
In A History of the Bemba, Andrew Roberts wrote: ‘’The senior Bakabilo are no mere servants of Chitimukulu, but are themselves the hereditary holders of historic titles, some as old as the Chitimukuluship itself. Since they are essential to the maintenance of chieftainship through their control of chiefly appointments and their responsibility for chiefly rituals, they are in a real sense the source of chiefly legitimacy.’’
Indeed, according to President Sata and Honourable Luo I was de-gazetted because I had not been initiated in accordance with Bemba customs. But the question is: Who performed the rituals on PF cadre Chiefs Chewe and Chimbuka to make them qualify to be gazetted as Bemba chiefs? If on the other hand, they had undergone through Bisa rituals how did they qualify to be gazetted as Bemba chiefs? Note what Andrew Roberts emphasized on, ‘’Bakabilo are in a real sense the source of chiefly legitimacy.’’
How true are Dr. Kaunda’s words on abuse of power: ‘’The attraction of power is that it extends the range of a man’s personality and allows him to fulfill himself through the personality of others. Power enables men to multiply the impact of their personalities on the world and other men. Hence it is often the source of pride and arrogance. People in power use the vast power at their disposal to mould the lives of the subjects to the point where they cease to be free persons and become, as it were, limbs and organs of their bodies; there will expressed through theirs and their voices speaking through their mouths. ’’
The Mubanga Albert Mumbi Saga
On the 26th February 2015, I was instructed by the Inchenje Council which comprise of Bashilubemba to invite Mubanga Albert Mumbi (the now ex-Chief Mumpolokoso) to attend Ilamfya Bemba Superior Council which was to be held on 16th March 2015 since there were very serious allegations which had been leveled against him. And in my letter dated 26th February 2015 which was delivered to him by two of our Bashilubemba, I stated:
It is alleged that in August 2014, you sent a motor vehicle to transport His Royal Highness Chief Chimbola to become Mwinelubemba Chitimukulu so as to replace Mr. Henry Kanyanta Sosala who had been appointed by Bashilubemba.
It is alleged that in August 2014 you applied to the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs to establish you own traditional ceremony known as ‘’Ukusefya Chishamwamba,’’ which meant breaking away from the unity of Bemba chieftainship and allegiance to Mwinelubemba Chitimukulu.
In that letter I emphasized that these were very serious allegations and I strongly advised that he needed to exculpate himself in person and I went further to advise that should he be unable to travel, then Bashilubemba would also accept his exculpation in writing. ‘’And failure to comply to both will mean that the Ilamfya Council members will table your issue and come up with their decision based on the information at hand.’’
Our two emissaries told the Ilamfya Council members that he told them to read the letter for him and after they refused then it was given to his retainer who told him the contents. And then he told Bashilubemba that the Ilamfya Council should be postponed to another day since
he also would be holding an important meeting with his village headmen on the same day.
Andrew Roberts wrote: ‘’Subordination is deeply ingrained in Bemba society, and it is not too much to say umucinshi (respect, deference, propriety) is one of those essentially untranslatable key words which characterize a whole society.’’
The Ilamfya Bemba Superior Council on 16th March 2015 was attended by 133 persons consisting of chiefs, sons of chiefs, Bashilubemba, citizens, government officials etc., resolved to dismiss Mubanga Albert Mumbi and others from being Bemba chiefs. However, the minutes we submitted to the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs for the de-gazetting of the chiefs were not processed. And Albert Mumbi was heard boasting that he had been assured by Honourable Joseph Katema that ‘’the decision of Ilamfya is useless, you will remain a chief as long as you are gazette by us as government.’’
The Cartel’s Evil Strategy
The recent constituted Bisa nationalism pioneered by Professor Nkandu Luo had the strategic evil plan of transferring the Bemba paramountcy to Chileshe Yulaya Mumba, a man of common stock and therefore reduce the Bemba tribe to nothingness.
And this came from the horse’s mouth. Kingsley Kaswende reported on Yulaya Mumba, the PF-cadre Chief Chewe: ‘’..in making a claim for Chitimukuluship, Chief Chewe, for instance, seems to consider an alternative scenario in his case, ‘In fact we from Ichinga do not consider Chitimukulu from the miti clan as a royal. We can do without your Chitimukulu and the boundary will be east of the Chambeshi river. Nkula-chewe-Kaponge-we-Chinga. Chief Chewe will be the overall Paramount chief of Ichinga country’.’’ (Bulletin magazine Volume IV. Issue 3 April 2014). And furthermore, the government approved their traditional ceremony called, ‘’ukulambalala,’’ as opposed to the Bemba ‘’Ukusefya Pa Ngwena.’’
And on the other hand, Albert Mumbi, who was gazetted as Chief Tungati was transferred to act as Chief Mumpolokoso because the people rose against him was recruited by the Luo-cartel to make another division and another ceremony was approved called ‘’ukusefya Pa Chishamwamba.’’ He was promised to be promoted to a position of Senior Chief inspite of being on the lowest rung according to Bemba hierarchy. His task was to include Bemba chiefdoms of Mumpolokoso, Shibwalya Kapila, Tungati, Chipalo and Senior Chief Shimumbi to break away from the authority of Mwinelubemba Chitimukulu.
Let me give you the clear picture of the strategy: In Muchinga, Yulaya was to be the Paramount chief over Senior Chief Nkula, Chief Chikwanda, chief Mpepo, Chief Luchembe, Chief Mukwikile, Chief Mubanga and Chief Nkweto. ( Mr. Geoffrey Ng’andu the current Chief Mukwikile was to be deployed in the diplomatic service in order to create an opening for Yulaya’s appointee, but he was only to serve for a period of one year and to be recalled and that could have been the end of his story).
And this meant that Mwinelubemba Chitimukulu was supposed to remain only with Senior Chief Mwamba, chief Nkolemfumu, Chief Makasa, Chief Chimbola, and Chief Munkonge. And the so-called ‘’Senior Chief Mumpolokoso’’ had one time travelled to appoint Chief Chimbola as Chitimukulu.
The Power of Dismissals
And the dismissals were based on issues that were raised during the March 1975 Davidson Nyambe Muttendengo Commission. President Kaunda was at variance with Senior Chief Nkula (alias Dickson Mutale Chitabanta) of Chinsali District. Senior Chief Nkula grew up together with President Kaunda during their childhood at Chinsali. In the opinion of many people, Senior Chief Nkula stuck to traditional values which required President Kaunda to pay a courtesy call on him and not vice versa. Besides, the chief knew in detail the background of President Kaunda’s parents who came from Malawi. On the other hand, in an exhibition of power, President Kaunda suspended Senior Chief Nkula for being disloyal to him.
Article 96 states: The overwhelming view in the evidence received by the Commission was that unless the suspended chief is stripped of his office by the Paramount Chief and the Bakabilo in consultation with other Bemba chiefs, he retains it, whatever action Government may take.’’ And article 97 states: ‘’It is clear from the evidence received that Mr. Dickson Mutale chitabanta has not ceased to hold the office of Senior Chief Nkula and that he will continue to be so until and unless the Paramount Chief and the Bakabilo in consultation with all Bemba chiefs decide otherwise.’’
On the other hand, Part XII of the amended Constitution states in section 174 (1): ‘’The institution of chieftaincy and traditional institutions are guaranteed and shall exist in accordance with culture, custom and traditions of the people to whom they apply.’’ (2) Parliament shall not enact legislation which (a) ‘’confer on a person or authority the right to recognize or withdraw the recognition of a chief.’’; or (b) derogates from the honour and dignity of the institution of chieftaincy.’’
J13 __618 of the Supreme Court judgement reads: ‘’Alluding to the case of Ignatius Muhau Vs Attorney General and National Airports Corporation, a case founded on the principle of judicial review and where it stated that the court cannot enquire into the merits or demerits of the decision made by a body with the power to make decision. Professor Mvunga, S,C., submitted that the decision of Bashilubemba would not be attacked on any ground of illegality, impropriety or unreasonableness in the Wednesbury sense……’’
An ancient scholar, Eliphaz said, ‘’God upsets the plans of the crafty, so that nothing they try seems to succeed. He traps the wise in their own schemes and what they thought would succeed, doesn’t.’’ (Job 5: 12, 13). And the great physicist, Albert Einstein once said, ‘’God doesn’t play dice.’’
Epilogue
It is amazing that the three Bemba-speaking Republican Presidents I.e., President Kaunda, President Chiluba and President Sata have each frantically attempted to disintegrate Bemba chieftaincy. On the other hand, there was only due respect from President Patrick Mwanawasa and President Rupiah Banda. And in addition we did not face problems with Honourable Inonge Wina, a traditionalist, when she served as the first Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs. Whereas it was hell with Honourable Nkandu Luo and we are currently facing the same hell fire from Honourable Joseph Katema who are both Bemba-speaking. And that it is widely believed in the Bemba royal circles that: in the relay race of hatred for the Bemba chiefs, Honourable Nkandu Luo has passed on the baton to Honourable Joseph Katema.
The question is why? And indeed there are various reasons since each individual has had personal reasons for their deep hatred for the Bemba chieftaintcy and which boils to the hatred of the Bemba people! And three dismissed chiefs are now boasting that the government would still keep them on the pay-roll and to-date the accountant at the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs has not yet received instructions from the relevant authorities to delete them from the payroll!
It is just amazing how Chileshe Yulaya Mumba and Grimson Mwila suddenly came on the scene from nowhere and began to masquerade as genuine senior royal family members in the Ngoshe Mukote lineage and with no royal family trees and the government began to offer them senior positions in Bemba chieftaincy and appointing them on Boards. It was in March 2015 when the Ilamfya Bemba Supreme Council passed the resolution to dismiss the three and nothing had since been done and it’s only the amended constitution that has come to our rescue. This was deliberately done to make it abundantly clear especially to me that I am not in the least wanted in the ‘’system.’’
Of course there would be vehement denials but judging from the aforesaid, but do not reality on the ground fall entirely within the passage from Atkins Court forms, 2nd ed., Vol. 25, which states that, ‘’……..the scope of the defense of justification does not depend upon the way in which the plaintiff pleads his case, but on the meaning or meanings which words or actions are capable of bearing.’’
Mopani Smelter in Mufulira
Glencore plans to invest over $1.1 billion in Zambia to sink three shafts with new technology that will extend mine life by over 25 years.
“We firmly believe that we shall be able to overcome the challenges that we face today as a company and become profitable and operationally-efficient,” Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) said in a statement.
It said the investments would be made between now and 2018 and it was expected that Mopani would be turned into a world-class mining operation by 2023.
Glencore said it was fully committed to Mopani and had invested over $3 billion in upgrading infrastructure and in major capital expansion programmes since 2000.
Mopani Copper Mines in November last year laid off more than 4,000 workers after a fall in metal prices.
The UPND has said that the country’s economy is fundamentally broken and needs steady hands to fix it.
And UPND President Hakainde Hichilema said more people will join the opposition party as they have seen that it is the only viable alternative to the ruling PF.
Speaking when he featured on Radio Phonix’s Let the People Talk Mr Hichilema blamed the current economic challenges that the country is going through to the over borrowing of the PF government.
He said the PF had borrowed over 9billion US Dollars in just 5 years 2billion more than what UNIP borrowed in over 2 and half decades that they were in power.
He said the challenges are not just related to the high cost of living for families but the entire country was living on borrowed money “kaloba” he said escalated under the leadership of President Lungu.
“The country is challenged, it’s not just challenged in terms of high food prices, in terms of electricity shortage, it is not only challenged in terms of us we living on kaloba, the PF government especially under Lungu has borrowed over 9.75 billion US dollars in 4 years more than UNIP did in 27 years.
“When we are challenged economically, like I said before this country’s economy is fundamentally broken, I say so because I understand economics and I understand finances, now when the social fabric of society is broken what does it mean? Unemployment for collage graduates, marketeers cannot feed their families business which she used to then you need to talk about these things as a people,” he said.
Meanwhile Mr Hichilema said he will be meeting more people who will be joining the party from other political parties.
He said the endorsement of DF President Miles Sampa and many others who have already endorsed his candidature was just but the beginning of a political storm taking place in the country.
He said the UPND was growing at faster rate and that people were tired of the poor leadership being offered by the PF government.
He added that the challenges in the mining sector were among the many issues that people were pointing to as examples of how the PF leadership has failed the nation.
He explained that crying over commodity prices was not why the PF was put in office but that it was put there to find solutions to challenges when the country faced them as opposed to blaming everything on external factors.
He said for the 11 years there was a boom in the prices of copper something he said was an opportunity for the country to diversify the economy as commodity prices are recycle which any government should know.
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE MOVEMENT FOR MULTI PARTY DEMOCRACY (MMD) AT THE INTER PARTY DIALOGUE ON ESCALATING POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Mission Statement
The Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) wishes to put it on record that we are committed to Zero Tolerance on Electoral Violence and all its off shoots of thuggery, insults, unpalatable language, politics of name calling and character maligning.
We are victims of political violence in the recent past which left our party secretariat badly damaged. We all can speak with a measure of knowledge about the ills of this vice. Violence represents for the most part, if not always a failure to reason intelligently, reasonably, and respectfully. Violence is a desperate act which happens when we are not sure about our chances in the competition. Violence is arrogance caused by a crisis of estimation in terms of our true stature/profile
1. On our part, the president of the MMD with his National Executive Committee has repeatedly called for civil engagement in politics. We have on several occasions and at different fore made public statements to condemn politically related and motivated violence
2. There is no one who can deny the fact that an unprecedented level of violence has been unleashed into our politics. The scenes are frightening; they are disturbing and indeed worrying. Our children are being made to witness these horrors. The youth are being encouraged to accept that, their place in the political process is that of being vehicles of violence. Society at large is being forced into accepting that this culture will be part of the political process for Zambia.
The answers to this problem are within this room today. They are not out there somewhere. We are all commanders of our cadres. If we talk honestly and openly, we in the MMD have no that we shall not just experience a de-escalation of violence but will certainly eradicate it.
Among us, are leaders of the two political parties who have been at the center of the recent spate of violence namely the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND)? From you fellow leaders, more is expected. You need to send clear messages to your cadres that you detested political violence. You have to speak firmly about how you will not support those who practice violence. You must tone down on your public posturing with those “militarized” youths in Military attire.
It is our hope that this indaba will achieve on its main objective. Going forward we propose these deliverables.
1. A professional Police Service that will uphold the rule of law in maintaining public order without bias to the ruling party.
2. As we get closer to elections, we call on all candidates and representatives of political parties to refrain from the use of language or actions that risk inciting violence.
3. The electoral code of conduct must be respected by all participants.
4. A commitment be signed by us all to pledge our zero tolerance to violence and a communiqué be generated and read by the conveners
If this Indaba does not achieve the above, we will have wasted the ecclesiastical efforts and time of our esteemed bishops who have spearheaded this Indaba
We are convinced that, delivering a free, fair, safe and credible election is important to Zambia’s democracy and international reputation in light of the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation.
The Zambia National Women Team has launched preparations for the final qualifying round of the 2016 African Women Championship against the Mighty Warriors of Zimbabwe.
Shepolopolo travels to Zimbabwe for the first leg on April 9 in Harare before the Lusaka return on a date to be confirmed.
Coach Albert Kachinga’s 23-member squad set up camp in Lusaka last week on Thursday.
Kachinga has returned faith in the players that helped Zambia to advance to the final qualifying round after eliminating Namibia 5-3 over two legs.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe reached the final round after seeing off Tanzania’s Twiga Stars with a 3-2 aggregate win in the previous round.
Overall winners between Zambia and Zimbabwe will join hosts Cameroon for the final tournament to be played from November 19 to December 3 later this year.
Dr Guy Scott
FORMER vice president Guy Scott has revealed his involvement in the deregistered Democratic Front (DF) led by Miles Sampa.
Dr. Scott revealed that the DF, which has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Party for National Development (UPND), was intended serve as a cushion for PF MPs who would not be adopted by the ruling party.
Speaking during an interview broadcast by Millennium Radio yesterday, Dr. Scott said the party may have to find a new name following its deregistration.
He also said UPND president Hakainde Hichilema’s statement that he was ‘the most stupid white man on Earth’ had no impact on him and that he was not bitter about it.
He said his political party was DF and has since denied endorsing Mr Hichilema on Monday but that he only declared his support for the UPND.
“I never used the word endorse, I said our party; this new party which is called DF at the moment now has to be called something else and because of all this kafwafwa, we will work with the UPND” Dr. Scott said.
He said most of the loyalist and founder members of parliament under the PF were being pushed out of Parliamentary Constituencies to be replaced with those from the opposition MMD.
“We are working together with UPND and one of the reasons we did that is that many of the loyalists , the old founders of PF are being pushed out of parliament,” he said.
He said he was aware of a scheme by PF top leadership to oust him out of Lusaka Central Constituency by pushing for Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe to stand under the PF.
He however said even if she was to be the one adopted under the PF ticket, there was no guarantee that she would win because other parties would field candidates capable of beating her.
“We have been told unofficially that I must quit Lusaka Central and give it to Margaret Mwanakatwe who is MMD. So MMD is invading PF. I just do not want to find PF MPs on the street and having to do their own negotiations one by one with UPND or whoever, I want to make a safety net for them.
“I have no choice if the central committee decides or the president decides that it goes to Mwanakatwe on PF ticket, then that’s what will happen. It doesn’t mean somebody else won’t come along from UPND or rainbow or DF.
Someone else may come along and beat her. I mean, that is what is happening. When you start chopping up that party, that is just the kind of thing that befalls you,” he said. And Dr Scott said Mr Hichilema’s words against him were simply politicking and that he was not bitter about it. “As for someone calling me ‘the most stupid white man’, so what? That’s politics; if you had someone at school who called you the most stupid brown man he ever met, are you still bitter about it, ninkani zandale (that politicking) and it has no impact at all,” he said.
In 2013, Mr Hichilema referred to Dr Scott then Vice President as the most stupid white man he had ever seen for campaigning in a by-election in Lukulu west when the campaign period had ended.
After an exciting new year release, the multifaceted rapper/singer Rosah is back with a new EP offering; ‘To The Hungry Soul‘, March 29 2016.
“This project sent me on a journey inward to further define my sound, which I am discovering is more of a feeling than a sound,” says Rosah. Spoken word meets Hip-Hop and Soul on this four track compilation — featuring, first time, all original piano compositions. When asked about her inspiration she had this to add, “I drew a lot of inspiration from memories of singing with my family every night before bed, growing up; that’s where I learned to love the power of music and the heart of family – with both, you get to be yourself while continually discovering who you are.”
This digital release is currently streaming and available for download. Audiences have described her music as “a wave of power and mellow nostalgic charm” – take a listen at this location
Leaders of 18 political parties who met yesterday from 1430 hours to 22 hours agreed to end political violence through their leadership structures.
The leaders expressed concern on the unfair application of the Public Order Act by the Zambia Police Service.
The leaders also agreed to end the use of perceived military regalia alongside pangas ahead of the general elections.
They also called on each other to refrain from the use of hate speech and offensive language especially against each other.
They recommended to hold a follow up meeting before the elections as a way of keeping the momentum created through the indaba.
FDD President Edith Nawakwi was happy with the resolutions and promised to support the implementation agreed upon in the meeting.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema also expressed happiness and vowed to ensure that all political parties abide by the agreed demands to end political violence.
And President Edgar Lungu described the meeting as candid and acknowledged the need to implement the resolution for the benefit of all citizens in the country.
President Lungu thanked the organisers for bringing political leaders under one roof.
Below is the full Communique
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED FOLLOWING A MEETING WITH POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS CONVENED BY THE THREE CHURCH MOTHER BODIES AT THE CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY CROSS IN LUSAKA
The 18 political party presidents met today on the 29th day of March, 2016 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka to discuss the issue of political violence as Zambia prepares for the August 11, 2016 elections, facilitated by the three Church Mother bodies namely Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) unanimously affirm the following over and above all other interests:
Committed to ending political violence through various political leadership structures as a way of addressing the issue starting from the party structures and amongst political parties.
Concerned with the unfair application of the Public Order Act by the Zambia Police in targeting political party supporters negatively.
Agreed to end the use of perceived military regalia alongside machetes and pangas as they have played a role towards fanning violence and therefore political party hereby commit to curb their use so as to eliminate fear and intimidation.
Agreed to use existing leadership structures in various political parties to encourage members to desist from violent acts, thus strengthening a culture of political dialogue and tolerance within and amongst political parties.
Agreed to depoliticise the markets, bus stations and other public places in the country in order to allow for all Zambian to enjoy their use freely.
Aware that the media has contributed to the polarisation of political parties through its conduct, and we recommend initiation of a platform for dialogue to encourage positivity and inclusive coverage of all political parties.
Agreed that the political party leaders refrain from the use of hate speech and offensive language especially against each other to avoid political violence. Leaders of political parties believe that there is need for interactive platforms to meet as political leaders to establish healthy relationships.
Recommend that political party leaders agree to hold a follow-up meeting before the elections as a way of keeping the momentum created in addressing political violence through this meeting called by the Church.
In view of the above we the political party leaders present shall endeavour to advocate for a violent free political environment ahead of this year’s elections as a way of expressing our political tolerance for the development of the country.
Happy Easter everyone, I hope you had a great long weekend and you are all fully rested. I hope you took advantage of the hot weather and lit up the barbecue (or braai); and most importantly I hope you remembered what the holiday was truly about; and you gave thanks to The Lord for his grave sacrifice.
My weekend was filled with barbecues and get togethers, seeing family and friends and doing a lot of eating. One of the recipes that I absolutely love is this stickyBBQ chicken. Though this recipe is a bit late and would have been ideal for before the Easter weekend, it is one of those gems that you can use whenever you decide to get the barbecue out. I am a huge fan of chicken and I pretty much eat all things chicken; so it was only fair to share this delicious, sticky and utterly scrumptious BBQ chicken recipe with you all. Now, the marinade on this is great because it can be adapted to any meat including, ribs, pork or beef – so the next time you are having a braai, try this out, it is guaranteed to go down a treat with everyone.
Cooking and prep: 1 hour
Serves 4
Ingredients
12 chicken wings
1 can of cola/coke
8 tbsp tomato ketchup
8 tbsp soft brown sugar
2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (optional)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp of salt
Method
Prepare your BBQ stand and fire.
Now make your BBQ sauce; place your saucepan on a high heat and pour in your cola, add your ketchup, brown sugar, sweet chilli sauce, paprika and salt, and mix well.
Bring to the boil and reduce the heat to low, allowing it to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is a lot thicker and sticky enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Dip each piece of chicken into the BBQ sauce. Using a spoon, tongs or a spatula, place each piece onto the BBQ stand and barbecue until cooked through, after about 20 minutes.
You can throw on some lightly toasted sesame seeds or chopped spring onions to garnish. (Toast your sesame seeds by lightly frying them in a pan until slightly browned).
Serving
These will go down a treat with a lovely coleslaw or fresh cherry tomato salad. They also go down well on their own as a snack, or an appetiser. Sit back, relax and enjoy this light and easy meal with a nice cool beverage.
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.
