THE Legal and Justice Sector Reforms Commission yesterday heard that wives who commence divorce proceedings must also be compelled to compensate their husbands in cases of marriage dissolution.

Making submissions before the commission chaired by Justice Frederick Chomba on Wednesday, Obed Munsanje said existing laws disadvantage men when it comes to marriage dissolution.

“Sometimes men are victims of circumstances, there are instances where a wife insists on divorce for the sake of getting part of the husband’s investment, so why should we have a situation where someone wants to end something and be compensated for her actions?

“I want to see equality where a similar punishment is meted out on women,” Mr Munsanje said.
But Mr Justice Chomba explained to Mr Munsanje that in most marriages in Zambia, men are considered to be breadwinners.

“How do you expect women to pay?” Mr Justice Chomba said.

In response, Mr Munsanje said it is not fair to compensate women even when they are the ones in the wrong.

“Your honour, whoever is found wanting should be given similar punishment given to me,” he said.

Another petitioner, Francis Siachongwe, narrated that his wife took him to court and applied for divorce and it was granted.

“Despite not causing the divorce, the court fined me K3,000 and K200 each as monthly support for children but the children are in my custody besides I paid dowry,” he said.

Earlier, Southern Province assistant secretary Kapumo Mulyanda said most Government institutions require urgent reforms for them to operate efficiently.

“We commend the late President Sata for embarking on massive infrastructure development and governance reforms, we hope these reforms will result in having additional courts and opening up of Legal Aid Board offices to help poor people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Legal and Justice Sector Reforms commissioner Patrick Chisanga says Choma Municipal Council has lost control of enforcing its by-laws resulting in some residents encroaching on a graveyard and building houses and other structures.

Speaking after a fact-finding mission following submissions by Frank Mudenda that some people had encroached on Boni Cemetery near Overspill township in Choma, Mr Chisanga said there is a breakdown in law and order in regulating by-laws by the local authority

“It is very sad to see disregard for the departed ones, honestly why should people build in a cemetery which is very active and when you look around, you even see fresh flowers on some graves,” he said.

Another commissioner, Annette Nhekairo, said tombstones are being razed in readiness for construction of buildings.

“It is sad indeed to see grave plates with names written on them being ripped apart with impunity,” she said.

But Choma Municipal Council director of planning Betty Liswaniso said she had no idea about the matter since she is new in the district.

Lusaka High Court Judge Enelesi Bob has granted an exparte injunction to restrain PF President Edgar Lungu from demoting him from his position as Vice President.

The Court has also restrained the Central Committee from dismissing or removing Dr Scott from the party.

The matter comes up on Monday where Lungu lawyers will argue that the demotion was earned and valid as a disciplinary measure for an erring member.

Earlier today, PF Secretary General Davis Chama had given acting President Guy Scott seven days to exculpate himself and show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for writing a letter to acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda without authority of consent of the Central Committee or the party President.

In a letter to Dr Scott dated 17th December , Mr Chama noted with sadness Dr Scott’s disloyalty to the ideals of the party as a member.

Mr Chama reminded Dr Scott that since the death of President Michael Sata his actions and acts to cause negative publicity in the media about the PF have continued.

Meanwhile, Patriotic Front officials in Lukulu District have called for the dismissal of party Vice President Guy Scott.

Lukulu PF District Youth Chairperson Amon Makai condemned recent actions by Dr. Scott who is also Acting Republican President saying his actions are not in good faith to the ruling party.

Mr. Makai revealed that from the meeting which was held yesterday at the party office, the consensus by party officials and members in the district is that Dr. Scott be expelled.

He feared that Dr. Scott might destroy the party if he is not disciplined by the executive committee.

Mr. Makai who was accompanied by the Constituency Secretary Kamanga Kaumba also alleged that Dr. Scott’s actions have not benefitted the party saying that since the campaigns started he has never supported party programs.

And PF Constituency Secretary Kamanga Kaumba said Dr. Scott should just be fired from the party saying he opposes everything that party officials do.

Patriotic Front (PF) cadres in Luwingu district of Northern Province have welcomed the demotion of party Vice President Guy Scott saying the decision was long overdue.

The cadres who stormed Zambia News and Information Services-ZANIS offices in Luwingu today said they are in support of the decision by party President Edgar Lungu to demote Dr Scott to avoid losing the 20th January 2014 Presidential election.

Speaking on behalf of the cadres Kampambwe Nkole accused Dr. Scott of not being interested in the affairs of the PF.

Mr. Nkole commended Mr. Lungu for his brave action to discipline Dr. Scott saying the move has been well received by the supporters of the Patriotic Front in Luwingu and the country at large.

And former Luwingu District Commissioner George Mwamba said people in Luwingu district were still in full support of the ruling PF.

The visibly annoyed Mr. Mwamba wondered why Dr. Scott was behaving as if he is not one of the founder members of the PF adding that Dr. Scott was supposed to unite party members and the country at large.

Mr. Mwamba charged that Dr. Scott has exhibited acts of insubordination to party President Edger Lungu and the party in general.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mwamba has appealed to the PF party leadership to embark on massive campaigns in the remote parts of the country and dispel rumors being peddled by opposition political parties who have taken advantage of Dr. Scott’s behaviour.

Patriotic Front (PF) Muchinga Provincial Political Secretary Catherine Chileshe has charged that Acting President Dr. Guy Scott should leave the Patriotic Front (PF) Party and join any other political party of his choice.

Speaking in Mpika today, Ms. Chileshe said it is sad to see Dr. Scott bulldozing and wanting to destroy PF in full view of every one.

Ms. Chileshe pointed out that Dr. Scott’s behaviour is an act of gloss insubordination and indiscipline which should not be tolerated by any well-meaning PF member.

She wondered how Dr Scott was going to leave a legacy of peace in the country in the three months he has been entrusted to act as President, if he cannot abide by the rule of law of his own political party.

She pointed out that it is a serious act of indiscipline for Dr. Scott to perform party activities without the blessings of the party President and members of the Central Committee.

Ms. Chileshe said Dr. Scott’s behaviour in the recent past has shown that he is not interested in seeing the PF succeeding adding that his maneuvers are calculated at seeing the party losing the January 20, 2015 presidential by-election.

Ms Chileshe said Muchinga Province is totally behind Party President Edgar Lungu adding that the province will not be disturbed by any act of obstruction by Dr Scott or anyone else.

United Poor People’s Party (UPPP) president, Alex Muliokela, has requested the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for more time to enable him file in his nomination papers before Acting Chief Justice, Ms. Lombe.

The 2015 aspiring presidential candidate told ECZ officials for an upward adjustment in the on-going nomination exercise.

Mr Muliokela was this afternoon expected to bring with him 200 supporters as required by law for aspirants seeking to contest for presidency.

ECZ officials could not reject Mr Muliokela’s request but obliged, saying they looked forward to seeing him present and declare his assets on December, 20th or 21st, 2014.

Mr Muliokela has still not paid registration fee for his party with the registrar of societies.

“I came here at the Supreme Court to inform the electoral body to give me enough time to file in my nomination papers because l can’t manage today. I’m happy that ECZ officials have permitted me to present my documents on Saturday or Sunday (December 20 or 21st),” he said.

ECZ Public Relations Manager, Cris Akufuna, thanked Mr Muliokela for informing the Commission on time.

Mr Akufuna said the Commission would have been in limbo had the opposition leader not come.

And Mr Muliokela told Journalists that he is confident that he would un-seat the PF on January 20, 2015.

He claimed that his door-to-door campaigns are effective and has won a lot of sympathizers’ hearts and passion ahead of next year’s presidential poll.

Meanwhile, opposition National Revolution Party (NRP) leader, Cosmo Mumba, says he would give the Zambian people the constitution within a period of one month if elected president next year.

Dr Mumba told Journalists ahead of the presidential filing in nomination exercise that he would not give the Lozi people the Barotse Agreement signed in 1964.

He said the constitution is critical at the moment for the Zambian people as opposed to the Barotse Agreement just for one ethnic group.

The opposition NRP leader is expected to file his nominations on December 21, 2014.

He appealed to the Zambian people to vote for him on January 20, next year.

Dr Mumba is among ten males and a female presidential aspiring candidates vying for State House.

Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani has advised political parties to notify the police every time they are holding campaigns.

Ms. Libongani said apart from political rallies, police have not been informed about processions like door to door campaigns and other party activities.

ZANIS reports that the Inspector General of Police said this in an interview at Mansa Police Station during her tour of the province.

Ms Libongani said the police is concerned with the general safety of everyone adding that it is through such activities that they have received reports of assault.

She however said the police have received positive response from political parties who are fielding in Presidential candidates on various campaign engagements especially public rallies and so far have recorded incident free rallies.

She added that the police have waved off the payment of fees on police reports on those who have lost their voters cards after a request from the Electoral Commissioner of Zambia.

She added that people should take advantage of this development to get voters card and exercise their right to vote in the January 20 2015 elections.

The Inspector General of Police has since urged youths in the country not to be used as tools of violence and to desist from political bribery during election time.

Opposition National Restoration Party (NAREP) president Elias Chipimo Junior has successfully filed in his nomination papers for the January 20, 2015 presidential elections.

And Mr. Chipimo nearly failed to file his nomination papers because 20 of his supporters did not have the required documents to be eligible for admission as a supporter.

The supporters either had only a national registration card or just a voter’s card and not both as required for them to be legitimate supporters of a presidential candidate.

Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) officials gave the opposition leader some time to enable him raise the required 200 supporters.

Mr. Chipimo however managed to make arrangements for other supporters who had both documents and filed in his papers before Acting Chief Justice, Lombe Chibesakunda.

Mr. Chipimo, a lawyer by profession, also declared his assets amounting to K16, 268,000 million and K100, 000 liabilities.

The opposition leader, who was flanked by his wife Mubanga, his son, his vice president Charles Maboshe and a handful of supporters, said the successful filing in of his documents signals the begin of marathon campaigns ahead of the January 20, 2014 presidential poll.

Mr. Chipimo dismissed assertions that he has failed to raise 200 supporters required by the Commission but said there were transport problems and limited time allocated to him as well as mobilizing them to reach at the Supreme Court.

He urged the Zambian people to scrutinise the presidential candidates and their source of funding.

He charged that he is merely using his own resources in this presidential election.

He was optimistic that he will emerge a victor on January 20, 2015 elections.

He has since urged his party members to go flat out in campaigning for him for the presidency.

Mr. Chipimo joins Forum for Democracy and Development president Edith Nawakwi who has successfully filed in her nomination papers today.

Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda announced that Mr. Chipimo’s papers were valid and congratulated him for his intentions to serve the Zambian people if elected president next year.

Lusaka lawyer and Forum for Democratic Alternatives president, Ludwig Sondashi and Green Party leader Peter Sinkamba successfully filed in nominations in the presidential nomination exercise which started yesterday.

Patriotic Front Secretary General Davis Chama has given acting President Guy Scott seven days to exculpate himself and show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for writing a letter to acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda without authority of consent of the Central Committee or the party President.

In a letter to Dr Scott dated 17th December marked confidential obtained by QFM News, Mr Chama notes with sadness Dr Scott’s disloyalty to the ideals of the party as a member.
Mr Chama reminds Dr Scott that since the death of President Michael Sata his actions and acts to cause negative publicity in the media about the PF have continued.

He states that on several occasions before and after the PF General Conference held on 29th November during which Mr Edgar Lungu was elected president, Dr Scott’s deeds are designed to destabilize the unity of the ruling party and the nation.

Mr Chama remind Dr Scott that the letter he wrote to the acting Chief Justice asking her not to entertain any PF candidate during the filing of nominations until the pending legal processes are completed,was not only provocative but an act of gross indiscipline and created a sense of despondency in the minds of PF members and could result in the PF not having a presidential candidate for the forthcoming presidential election.

He says this act alone has brought the name of the Patriotic Front in high disrepute.

Patriotic Front Mpulungu Member of Parliament Freedom Sikazwe says the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) should be prepared for a rude shock after the January 20th presidential by-election.

Mr. Sikazwe who is also Northern province Minister says the UPND is busy sending wrong information to the media that it had successful rallies in Northern Province when most of the rallies flopped.

Mr. Sikazwe says UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has a strategy of not going with the media in places he knows he is not popular so that he can manipulate the media that he held mammoth rallies such areas.

He says he was shocked to hear in the media that Mr. Hichilema had a successful rally in Mpulungu District when he showed up for the said rally after 18:00hrs which was only attended by children.

The Mpulungu PF Member of Parliament states that the UPND and other opposition political parties will not perform well in Northern Province because it is one of the strongholds of the ruling party.