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Dr Guy Scott Acting President of Zambia 12-11-2014
Acting President Dr Guy Scott, writing as PF Vice President has advised Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda not to entertain anyone that would show up as a PF candidate before the party’s presidential nomination wrangles are resolved by the courts of law.
In a letter dated 16 December 2014, Dr Scott informed the Chief Justice that he was committed to ensuring the party followed its procedures as outlined by the PF constitution.
Dr Scott reiterated that Justice Chibesakunda must not entertain anyone that would show up to file for the 20 January 2015 Presidential bye-Election.
The High Court is yet to set the date for the hearing of the matter as instructed by the Supreme Court.
High Court Judges Mulenga and Isaac Chali had dismissed Matero MP Miles Sampa application but the Supreme Court full bench ruled that the matter be heard in the High Court.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sampa has filed for a stay of execution of the Consent Judgment in the Lusaka High Court.
Judge Mungeni Mulenga has not granted the Stay.
Edgar Lungu’s lawyer have also filed an affidavit in opposition of Mr. Sampa’s application contending that Mr. Sampa cannot set aside a Consent Order which declared Mr Lungu PF President that he is not part to.
They also contend that Mr. Sampa should comply with the Supreme Court Judgment that directed him to file a joinder to earn him any rights to contest the Consent Judgement.
Below is the full letter sent to the Chief Justice
Western Province Commissioner of police Fanwell Siamundenge (l) and Colonel Chewe (r) welcomes Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani at Mongu airport.
Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani has commended Police Officers in Luapula Province for the commitment and passion they have shown towards their work.
Ms. Libongani said Police Officers in the Province have been exemplary despite operating under difficult conditions ranging from lack of Police posts and staff accommodation.The Inspector General of Police said this when she called on Chief Nshimba’s Chiefdom at Kilwa Island in Nchelenge district recently.
Ms. Libongani who is on a three day tour of the Province said the presence of Police at Kilwa Island is a good thing as people there will be assured of security especially that the Island is near the Democratic Republic of Congo.
She also said the Zambia Police Marine boat which was recently procured will help Police Officers on the Island to conduct patrols on Luapula river and lake Mweru in fostering the maintenance of Law and Order.
And Chief Nshimba of the Shila people of Kilwa Island appealed to government to establish a Police post and build houses for officers on the land mass or isle.
The Chief’s Representative Jones Mbita said Police in the area need bicycles and other modes of transport which could help them conduct patrols to other parts of the Island.
He said there was also need for Police Officers to be stationed permanently on the Island adding that security was vital for his people especially that Kilwa Island is near the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Despite being a Monday and a working day, rallies in Mansa, Samfya and Chilubi yesterday attracted large crowds, as Mr Hichilema continues to deliver his message of unity and development across Zambia.
The UPND leader, who was accompanied by former Finance Minister Katele Kalumba and former Luapula Province Minister Besa Chimbaka and others, continued to spread the message that in 2015 Zambians have an opportunity join together and move Zambia forward. Together they have preached unity and peace, committed themselves to forming a representative and open government, and pledged to tackle issues currently facing the country, including the high cost of living, unemployment, and overdue government payments.
The UPND leader told the crowds “I love my country. It is my country. It is your country. It is our country. It is one Zambia. It is one nation. It is one people,” he said.
Hichilema talked about the great potential of Luapula and its capacity to feed the whole country, as it is endowed with massive water bodies such as lakes and rivers and has good soils for agriculture. He spoke about the need to channel investment into these areas to unlock this potential.
The UPND leader and his entourage described the non-payment and mistreatment of farmers as unacceptable, they set out the work there is to do to open up the regions to trade and stimulate local business, and they pledged their hard work and devotion.
They also made clear that any government formed under Hichilema would continue with development and infrastructure projects underway. Mr Hichilema explained “Infrastructure will continue to be an integral part of the government agenda. The change we would like to make is to ensure that contracts are awarded in a more transparent manner which guarantees quality and value for money for the Zambian people”.
Meanwhile, former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa is now busy campaigning on the Copperbelt where Mr Hichilema is expected to return next week after launching his Zambia United tour in Kitwe last month.
Tomorrow Mr Hichilema will return to Lusaka after a visit to Mwense in the morning. In Lusaka four big rallies are planned ahead of ECZ nomination filing.
Chilubi Island NalumangoChilubi Island rallyHH addressing a rally in ChilubiHH Arrival in SamfyaKatele Kalumba addressing a Samfya rallyHH in SamfyaHH in SamfyaMansa rally kneelingMansa crowdsMansa rally HHHH thanks Mansa
Wynter Kabimba speaking at the launch of the Rainbow Party
Former PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has announced the formation of a new political party which he will lead to be known as the Rainbow Party under the slogan United We Can.
Addressing a news briefing at Mulungushi International Conference Centre this morning, Mr Kabimba said the Rainbow Party will win the 2016 general election and transform Zambia.
Mr Kabimba described the current social and economic situation in Zambia as a scandal.
He also took a swipe at the recent happenings in the Patriotic Front saying vote for a President using Pangas was undemocratic.
‘The demands from the people have been very simple. You wanted a political party that will be different from all existing political party whose constitution and manifesto would enhance democratic governance, ensure high economic growth, reduce poverty amongst the majority of our people and equitable access to economic opportunities, these has been your demand,’ Mr Kabimba said.
He continued, ‘For those of you gathered here and those of our fellow citizens outside this hall. In this regard therefore, such a political party would be the party of the popular masses of our country, the intellectuals, the youth, the workers of this country women, traditional authorities, farmers, religious groups, business community and all men and women of good will.’
‘We did not want to see or belong again to a political party that is owned by individuals, a political party which is regionally or ethically inclined or dominated and devoid of clear ideological direction.’
Mr Kabimba took a swipe at existing political parties adding that they lack the ideological understanding required to transform Zambia.
‘The common features of existing political parties is that they exist to only serve as vehicles for capturing state power in order to foster what we call a parasitic agenda of the elite in this country,’ he said.
Mr Kabimba said the political party we are announcing today is owned by no other than the people.
‘You are therefore the founders of this party. You the same founders have tasked me to leave this party and I want to pay gratitude to you for this task which I hereby accept with humility and profound gratitude to you,’ he said.
He added, ‘I together with the leadership of the party shall serve as your servants to enable us achieve the goals which we shall set out for ourselves and for this country. Our country has since Independence attempted to achieve high economic growth in order to eradicate poverty and inequality amongst its citizens.’
The former PF strongman however said it is saddening that 50 years on, 60 percent of Zambians live in abject poverty and squalor and have difficulties feeding and clothing themselves.
‘Our people still have limited access to basic education and health care services. The levels of inequality in Zambia are equally alarming and you may be surprised to hear these statistics today that the lowest 10 percent social economic group in this country consumes a bare 1.5 percent of our GDP whereas the 10 percent of the elite take up 47.4 percent. That is a scandal for any country of human being. These disparities are unacceptable as they pose a political risk to our country,’ he declared.
Mr Kabimba said, ‘We would like to see Zambia benefit from the current boom in commodity prices and increased FDI. None of the current political parties has the leadership with the capacity, commitment and appropriate ideological understanding to effectively tackle these fundamental issues.’
‘The Zambian worker who toes to produce the wealth of this country is today worse off than he was decades ago. The political elite of this country has become the worst enemy of the people and survives for the sole purpose of enriching itself. It is now my singular honour and privilege to announce to you countrymen and women, the youth of this country that this party shall be known as the Rainbow Party with the Slogan United We Can.’
Mr Kabimba also castigated the Patriotic Front for voting in their leader in what he call undemocratic manner.
‘I have never seen a political party that votes using Pangas in the air. A Panga cannot be a secret ballot. It just shows you the decay in a political party. So those of us that are gathered here and those of us that believe in the vision are saying no to decay in political parties,’ he stated.
He added, ‘I have no doubt in my mind that in 2016 we are going to form government and we shall transform this country, there shall be no Pangas. The Pangas you see today is being tolerated by those in authority. We shall not tolerate indiscipline.’
Several politicians who have recently fallen out in the Patriotic Front including Geoffrey Chumbwe, Goodson Banda and Robert Chikwelete flanked Mr Kabimba at the news briefing.
FORMER Eastern Province Patriotic Front(PF) Chairperson Lameck Mangani has endorsed the candidature of United Party for National Development(UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr Mangani who is former Chipata Central Member of Parliament said Mr Hichilema was so far the best presidential candidate in the run up to the January 20th 2015 presidential by-election.
He said he had decided to endorse Mr Hichilema following confusion that had erupted the ruling PF.
Mr Mangani said Mr Hichilema once voted into office he would make the better republican president and take the country to the greater height.
“I am endorsing the candidature of Mr Hichilema out of my democratic right.So far he is the best candidate for January 20th,2014,”he said.
He said UPND was a peaceful political party saying he would concentrate campaigning for UPND leader before officially announcing his defection to UPND.
Recently,former Mkaika MP David Phiri,former Lusaka Deputy Permanent Secretary Chinjili Zulu joined the UPND from PF.
UPND vice president-political Richard Kapita addressing Mandevu residents during the party’s public rally
When Edgar Lungu launched his presidential campaign he claimed to the Zambian people that he was planning to follow in the footsteps of the late Michael Sata and would continue on the path he laid out. But yet, only one week later, Mr Lungu seems to have changed his mind as he has since announced two election pledges that would see a reversal of President Sata’s position and are contrary to the late President’s wishes.
In enacting the retirement age increase Acting President Guy Scott was simply delivering on late President Sata’s intentions. Secretary to Cabinet Rowland Msiska has strongly defended the decision of the PF cabinet decision to increase the retirement age and Lungu supported that decision process. If he is so opposed to it how come he did not take a stand on the issue as a member of the Cabinet? Why is he only doing so now at campaign rallies?
The second reversal is with regards to the PF Government position on the recognition of Henry Kanyanta Sosala as the Chitimukulu. Mr Lungu has now announced that if elected he will give the Paramount Chief the recognition that President Sata for so long withheld. This may come as a shock to some of his biggest supporters in the PF ranks, such as Nkandu Luo who has more than once warned that Sosala could face arrest for posing as Chitimukulu.
Perhaps having watched the positive reception UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has received across the country, as he has reiterated time and time again his commitment to reversing the retirement age increase and recognising Henry Kanyanta Sosala, Mr Lungu is getting desperate and saying anything because he knows he is rapidly losing support.
I was among those who criticised Mr. Lungu last week for his failure to set out a clear agenda for office on the basis that a President needs to be a leader with real vision, commitment and energy if we are to fulfil the potential our country has. I now add to this my concern that Mr Lungu appears to be already diverting from that plan only one week later. He seems lost and confused and doesn’t know what he believes in.
Zambia needs a leader who knows what he or she believes in and has the courage and conviction to stick to their policies.
THE Governments of Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania yesterday signed a power inter connector memorandum of understanding (MOU) project worth USD 1.2 Billion.
Mines, Energy and Water development Minister Christopher Yaluma said the agreement signed yesterday would set out principles that underlined the relationship amongst the three governments of Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania.
Speaking in Livingstone yesterday during the signing ceremony, Mr Yaluma re affirmed the commitment of the Zambian government to the realization of the Zambia-Kenya-Tanzania power interconnector project which would link the Eastern African Power Pool (EAPP) to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
Mr Yaluma said once completed, the project would promote electricity trade, enhance security of electricity supply and foster regional trade.
He further noted that the project which is expected to start in December next year and expected to be completed in December 2018, would also stimulate investment in power generation to meet the increased demand from the large market that would be created by interconnecting the two sub regions.
My Yaluma however said the three countries could not fully realize the project in the absence of financial support from development partners and asked for more support.
“However, the three countries cannot fully realize the project in the absence of financial support from the development partners and other financing institutions. Therefore, I wish to appeal to our development partners to support the project by providing the required financial support,” Mr Yaluma said.
And Tanzania Minister of Energy and Minerals Professor Sospeter Muhongo said what was happening now in Africa was a fulfillment of what the continents forefathers wanted.
Professor Muhongo said Africa was still faced with a number of challenges in the education sector, infrastructure development and finances among others.
He said one key challenge was electricity which was a major factor to development.
Professor Muhongo said 50 percent of Africa’s population lived in rural areas and had no access to electricity.
“We need an investment of between 300 to 500 billion dollars as a region to meet some of these challenges. We want by 2030, both rural and urban Africa must have access to electricity,” Professor Muhongo said.
Some of the developing partners to the project which witnessed the signing ceremony included the European Union (EU), COMESA, the Norwegian Fund and World Bank.
Others were African Development Bank and China Development bank including some other financial institutions.
Acting President Guy Scott listens to Defence and Justice minister Edgar Lungu shortly after Cabinet meeting at State House on October 29,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Edgar Lungu says he is not at “war” with Acting President Guy Scott because they are both members of the ruling party and have the same interests.
Mr Lungu dismissed perceptions that he has differences with Dr Scott and needs to reconcile with him.
He said this in an interview with journalists yesterday shortly after a closed-door meeting with United States (US) Ambassador to Zambia Eric Shultz.
“There is no need for reconciliation because we are not at war. As you may be aware, he is still my vice. It is just a perception,” he said.
Mr Lungu, who is Minister of Justice and Minister of Defence, said Dr Scott will join the campaign when he is ready and he cannot join now because he is busy with State matters.
“So far, the campaigns are going on well and I assured the Ambassador that we will win the elections and ensure that peace is maintained,” Mr Lungu said.
He was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo, PF secretary general Davis Chama and Chipili member of Parliament Davies Mwila.
And Mr Shultz said it is important for the country to continue on the path of peace and to continue attracting investors.
Mr Shultz said he will meet all major political players to ensure that peace is maintained during the transition.
“Yesterday [Sunday], I met the Acting President and I will be meeting all major political parties. It is important for the country to maintain peace because that is what attracts investors,” Mr Shultz said.
He said the campaigns have been interesting so far.
Mr Shultz is also concerned about the high level of poverty in rural areas and that it is important for the next President to address this.
“The extent of rural poverty is worrying and it needs to be urgently addressed,” Mr Shultz said.
Zambia coach Honour Janza has described injured defender Nyambe Mulenga’s unavailability for the 2015 Africa Cup as a big blow.
Nyambe including two other call-ups namely goalkeeper Satchmo Chakawa and midfielder Changwe Kalale suffered injuries in a car accident on Sunday on their way to Zambia camp in Lusaka.
“What has happened to the player and other two is painful but looking at the situation we have to soldier on with the pain to pay back his desires that Zambia will play well at the Africa Cup,” Janza said.
Nyambe has been ruled out for twelve weeks with a right leg fracture.
Changwe and Chakawa are also out for the long term but no immediate details were available about their injury status.
And Janza has called up Red Arrows defender Bronson Chama to replace Nyambe.
“Of course we are looking at positions. We have brought in Bronson Chama,” Janza said.
And Janza revealed that three players from the victorious Zambia Under-20 team at the just ended 2014 Cosafa Cup in Zimbabwe have been drafted into the team.
“We have included Patrick (Ngoma) and Patson (Daka),” Janza said.
“They will be with us and we also pondering on the goalkeeper, Mangani.”
Ngoma who scored seven goals at the Cosafa U20 Cup is from Red Arrows while Patson Daka is from Nchanga Rangers.
Zambia Under-20 captain and goalkeeper Mangani plays for Zanaco.
Meanwhile, Zambia kicked of their nine-day home-based players training camp on Monday at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
The team will break camp on December 22 and regroup on December 27.
The Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) has disqualified Samuel Matete and three other apirants who wants to challenge incumbent president Elias Mpondela at next weekends elective annual general meeting.
ZAAA general secretary Phil Kubombela said Mpondela is unopposed after nominations for Matete and three other aspirants were declared invalid.
Kubombela said Matete’s nomination was written on unofficial form and that it was signed by someone who was not authorised to do so by their club Nkana Athletics Club who had already nominated Mpondela.
“You have a case where the club (Nkana) already nominated Mpondela but someone who had no authority decided to write a letter endorsing Matete who is not even a member of the club,” he said.
But Matete has dismissed ZAAA’s decision.
“I have not been informed about the development and as far as I am concerned I will contest the elections,” Matete said.
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has moved swiftly to assure its members that Minister of Justice and Defence Minister Edgar Lungu remains the PF president and Presidential Candidate for the Patriotic Front.
In a statement released to the media, PF Secretary General Davies Chama advised the party members to continue campaigning for Edgar Lungu and to continue canvassing for support from zambians to ensure that the PF candidate emerges successful on 20th January 2014.
Today, the Supreme Court has sent back to the Lusaka High Court the case in which Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa challenged the consent Judgement that declared Defence Minister Edgar Lungu as PF President.
Below is the full media statement
MEDIA STATEMENT
15TH DECEMBER 2014
SUBJECT; HON. EDGAR LUNGU REMAINS PF PRESIDENT
Following the Judgment from the Supreme Court made today regarding an appeal made by Mr. Miles Bwalya Sampa, we wish to state the following;
That the Consent Judgment from the Lusaka High that declared Hon. Edgar Chagwa Lungu as PF President and PF Presidential Candidate remains valid.
That Hon. Edgar Chagwa Lungu remains the PF President and Presidential Candidate for the Patriotic Front.
That the Supreme Court has sent back the matter to the High Court to determine whether Mr. Sampa and others can be allowed to join the case.
We therefore wish to advise our members to continue campaigning for the PF President, Hon. Edgar Lungu and to continue canvassing for support from our citizens to ensure that our candidate emerges successful on 20th January 2014.
Elias Chipimo speaking at the press briefing at the NAREP Secretariat
NAREP President Elias Chipimo Jr has rubbished rumours that he has withdraw from the January 20 presidential election.
Mr. Chipimo said such rumours are baseless and should not be entertained.
He has since cautioned some members of NAREP from selling their souls for small pieces of silver.
Mr. Chipimo said it is obvious that out of the 15 parties taking part in the election, a few would drop off before nomination date but emphasized that it will not be NAREP.
‘Elias Chipimo and NAREP are not for sale and we are not quitters. We have no intentions of dropping off from the race,’ he said.
He was speaking at the NAREP Secretariat when he addressed a news conference.
Below is the full statement read out by Mr. Chipimo.
Money, Crowds and Politics
Ladies and gentlemen, we have 36 days to go until the presidential by-election. Following the nomination briefing for presidential candidates held by the Electoral Commission of Zambia last Wednesday, it appears for the time being, that over 17 contestants will take part in the forthcoming election. No doubt many of the current presidential aspirants will drop out of the race. I want to assure you that NAREP will be among those that will remain firmly in the race. We are not quitters, nor are we doubters of God’s word and His faithfulness.
One false rumour after another is being spread about us by those who fear our candidacy. They say we have pulled out of the race when nothing could be further from the truth. Let me make it very clear to everyone including those of our members that are being used for a few pieces of silver to sell their birthright that Elias Chipimo is not for sale to the highest bidder.
I can assure you that under NAREP Zambia will not be a tool for the private business interests of foreign backers. We shall protect the interests of every Zambian and grant them the economic freedom to make choices that are in the best long-term interests of themselves and their families.
We are a Party that was founded on principles. We have a message of economic freedom for every Zambian. We stand on the values laid out in God’s word. We believe in fighting for the poorest of the poor: the rural farmer, the widows, the street-children, the street vendors and marketeers, the labourers earning K15 per day, the call boys and bus drivers, truck drivers and taxi drivers. We also believe in fighting for a better Zambia for the doctors, nurses, factory workers, private sector employees, civil servants and our military and service personnel.
We believe in our women and our youth and we will address the unemployment crisis by making all of the vulnerable groups contractual suppliers to government in a revised public procurement programme that will lift the masses out of poverty. NAREP is the only Party that has a clear plan to empower Zambians from the remotest rural location to the to the most successful local enterprise. While others simply make promises, we are the Party that can explain how we will fulfil them.
Do not let money determine your choices this election. Do not let false promises decide who you will choose as your next president. Instead, ask yourselves about the character of the leader you want for your country and make the choice that you will vote with a clear conscience on 20 January next year. Let us not vote for someone just because they have the money to put up billboards. Let us vote for someone who can unite the country and bring about the development that can benefit all.
The Bible says: you will know them by their fruit. Power will not make anyone a better person, it will simply expose their full character. Let us therefore look carefully at the character of every presidential aspirant and ask ourselves whether they have a vision; whether they promote peace; whether they have demonstrated a commitment to unity and whether they fear God.
I am calling upon the Church and all the Church leaders in our land to stand as an example of faith in God’s word and pray that our nation will vote for a leader that fears Him. A leader whose heart is firmly fixed on lifting our nation and our people out of poverty. Remember that the battle is not with the crowds or the dubious money. The battle will be in your knees and in hour hearts.
I thank you and may God’s grace be with you all.
Elias C. Chipimo, Jr
President
National Restoration Party
Monday 17 December 2014
Defence Minister Hon. Edgar Lungu’s lawyer Tresford Chali
The Supreme Court has sent back to the Lusaka High Court the case in which Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa challenged the consent Judgement that declared Defence Minister Edgar Lungu as PF President.
The Supreme court said that Miles Sampa should be joined to the case because he had locus standi or sufficient interest as demonstrated by the Consent Judgment.
Sampa’s interest only arose when Bridget Attanga was replaced by Davies Chama.
Attanga was not served as the Court Injunction was only served on Anthony Kasolo.
The full bench of the Supreme Court ruled that Judge Mulenga misdirected herself when she ruled the matter exparte.
The full bench ruled that a respondent can be joined to a matter even if a consent judgement has been delivered.
The Lusaka High Court will now have to determine whether or not Miles Sampa should be joined in the Consent Judgement.
Defence Minister Edgar Lungu will remain the PF’s Presidential Candidate.
Miles Samoa has been allowed to be joined to the matter of the consent judgement and the case has now been referred back to the High Court to be heard by the same Judge Mungeni Mulenga.
This means that Miles Sampa can now file in fresh submissions challenging the consent judgement which declared Edgar Lungu President. Lungu is however free to file in his nominations this Saturday.
However, with only less than a week for nomination filling for a PF candidate, it is not clear if Miles Sampa can file in a fresh injunction stopping Mr Lungu from filling in his nomination.
