Malawian President Peter Mutharika has arrived in the country for a two day state visit and to grace the 89th Agriculture and Commercial Show.

The Malawian Head of State arrived this afternoon at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) at about 16:35 hours Zambian time and was received at the airport by his host counterpart President Edgar Lungu.

Professor Mutharika was also met at the airport by Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba, Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Given Lubinda, Lusaka Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta, and other senior government and party officials.

The Malawian Head of State inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Zambia Army.

The two Presidents were treated to an array of entertainment by the traditional dance troops and the PF women choir before leaving the airport.

While in the country, Professor Mutharika is also expected to hold bilateral talks with President Edgar Lungu at State House before attending a state banquet at the Intercontinental Hotel later.

According to a Programme released by Cabinet Office, Professor Mutharika will be accompanied by his wife Getrude.

Apart from officiating at the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show on Saturday, Professor Mutharika is also expected to lay wreaths at Embassy Park the Presidential burial site before paying a courtesy call on Zambia’s first President Kenneth Kaunda at his office in Kabulonga.

THE Patriotic Front (PF) mobilisation meeting which was scheduled to take place at Monze Golf Club yesterday turned violent when United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres invaded the premises.

About 500 people among them former UPND provincial youth secretary Twaambo Ndhlovu were defecting to the PF.

Before the defectors were formally received, about 150 suspected UPND cadres wielding an array of weapons including knives and pistols stormed the meeting and started attacking the people that had gathered for the PF meeting. Some of the attackers threatened to harm PF national mobilisation chairman Paul Moonga.

The aggressors threw stones at the crowd seriously injuring two people who were rushed to Monze District Hospital.

Police officers stood by and watched helplessly as some PF members begged them to stop the attackers.

And Mr Moonga has called for the arrest of a suspected UPND cadre only known as Cornhill for threatening him with death.

“We are under siege. I can’t address the meeting and yet police are here failing to stop what is happening,” he said.

Mr Moonga described the violent incident as shameful. He said he had a lot to share with the people had it not been for the fracas that transpired.

And PF member Given Hamanyanga has expressed disappointment at the violence by the UPND cadres.

Calm was eventually restored after police fired tear gas at the attackers who scampered

A total of 23,000 local authority retirees across the country have not been paid their full terminal benefits.

Zambia Local Authorities Retirees and Pensioners Association (ZALARPA) National Secretary Sellah Sakayi said of the 23,000, only 10,000 retirees have been paid partially while 13,000 are awaiting their full benefits.

Mrs. Sakayi told ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka yesterday and appealed to government through the Ministry Local Government and Housing to speed up the process of paying the said retirees.

And Mrs. Sakayi disclosed that her association will soon engage the Ministry Local Government and Housing to discuss the matter.

She said other key stakeholders from Copperbelt, Central and other provinces across the country have also been invited to the meeting.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Sakayi has called on government to operationalise the much anticipated and talked about pension reforms.

The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has urged government to urgently address issues that have the potential to derail Zambia’s development.

SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe appealed to President Edgar Lungu to develop clear and attainable plans on poverty reduction, curtail political violence and bring stability to university academic calendars.

Mr. Cheembe further stated that the continued threats on learning institutions staff, including the unnecessary closures of universities, has a negative effect on the country’s educational system.

He said the level of poverty in the country is alarming hence government should ensure that economic development meets corresponding economic aspirations of the people.

In a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Cheembe also expressed concern with the continued growth in the country’s financial debt noting that this risks stifling the economic stability of future generations.

Mr. Cheembe said there was need to ensure that challenges that the Zambian citizens are facing are quickly addressed through deliberate government interventions.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

31ST JULY 2015

As UPND, are excited with the installation of His Royal Highness Henry Kanyanta Sosola as the Chitimukulu to the throne for the Bemba speaking people.

We join the entire country in celebrating this leadership milestone and wish the Mwine Lubemba God‘s blessing as he discharges his royal duties at such a critical moment in the history of our country. He takes over the throne at a time when the country needs guidance from traditional authorities of the the caliber of His Royal Highness who’s role as unifier cannot be questioned.

The UPND is proud of the all Zambians who joined us pressuring Government to ensure that the Mwine Lubemba was installed. Our now party Vice President Hon Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba had to sacrifice his ministerial position to ensure that this was brought to bear.

We note that it was only Hon. Mwamba from the entire senior leadership of both the government and the ruling Patriotic Front who took the lonely and dangerous path at great personal cost to vouch for the recognition of the Mwine Lubemba while some Ministers in the current Government sided with the persecution driven by the PF Government at the time led by then Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu. Lungu, deployed 500 police officers at the Mwine Lubemba‘s Palace to prevent him from executing his royal functions.

AS UPND, we shall continue to respect the important role our traditional leadership plays in uniting this country for the development of our people. Congratulations to the Bemba speaking people and His Royal Highness Chitimukulu.

Charles Kakoma

UPND Spokesperson