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Father Bwalya writes Open Letter to Guy Scott

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Alliance-for-Better-Zambia-president-Father-Frank-Bwalya-blows-a-whistle-against-the-governments-refusal-to-release-the-Zambian-draft-constitution

OPEN LETTER TO ACTING PRESIDENT DR. GUY SCOTT

Dear Sir,

RE: YOUR RECENT DIVISIVE AND DESTABILIZING CONDUCT

PREAMBLE

I wish to begin by expressing my disappointment at the manner in which you responded to my revelation that you were a member of the new Rainbow Party. In responding to my revelation you asked me to go to hell. I think that a good leader should not answer people in the manner you did. Therefore, I urge you to be civil your language.

YOUR ARE A MEMBER OF RAINBOW PARTY

I insist that you are a member of the Rainbow party. My source of information is very credible. Some members of the Rainbow party who are close to me informed me about plans to form Rainbow party and tried to convince me to join.

When I asked who was behind it I was informed about a number of people including yourself.

So I am very convinced that you are a member of Rainbow party and your recent destabilizing conduct in Patriotic Front (PF) is part of your plan to diminish the fortunes of PF before you formally join your new party. But you must know that your destructive schemes are posing a serious security risk to all citizens.

STOP CLAIMING TO BE LAW ABIDING

I wish to disagree with you over your claim that you were committed to maintaining law and order and upholding the Republican Constitution because you notoriously disobeyed a court order. Information has come up that you were aware of the court order not to go ahead with your illegal general conference at the Mulungushi Rock of Authority near Kabwe after shunning the legally constituted general conference which was called by yourself. It is common knowledge that you have no respect for the law and our courts. You are lawless. If it had not been for the presidential immunity from prosecution that you enjoy as acting president you should have been dragged to court for the criminal offence of contempt.

It is therefore a scandal that you ran to the same courts to obtain an injunction to restrain PF leader Mr. Edgar Lungu from demoting you as PF Vice President. You want Mr. Lungu and PF to obey the order of the injunction you got and allow you to continue occupying the position of PF Vice President and yet you refused to obey a similar order from the same courts. This shows that you are a bad leader and you don’t deserve the respect of our people.

YOUR LACK OF RESPECT FOR SEPARATION OF POWERS

Your action to write a letter to the acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda instructing her not to receive nomination papers from Mr. Edgar C Lungu who is the duly elected leader of PF and sole presidential candidate is an example of your lack of respect for the separation of powers. Are you telling us that the acting Chief Justice is ignorant of cases before the courts of law for which she is Chief Justice? Are you telling us that the acting Chief Justice would not do the right thing without your counsel? And who are you to start instructing the judiciary? Do you think that just because you are a white man you are the only intelligent and wise person in Zambia and that the rest of us are stupid?

YOU ARE A CHEAP PROPAGANDIST

The cheap propaganda that you have been spreading has exposed you as a very shallow leader who is not fit to govern our country as acting president. Your claim that the reason why cabinet ministers have risen against you is because you have refused to allow Mr. Edgar Lungu to abuse public funds in his presidential campaign portrays you as a lair and cheap propagandist. You know in your heart and the country knows as well that the reason why Mr. Lungu demoted you as Vice President of PF is due to your indiscipline exhibited in your misguided letter to the acting Chief Justice which was an attempt to block Mr. Lungu from filling his nominations.

If I may ask you, what is the connection between your letter and the misconduct surrounding it, on the one hand and the issue of abusing state resources on the other hand? Even a grade one child can see that you were just playing cheap politics by trying to link the action of Mr. Lungu to discipline you to the issue of his alleged attempt to abuse public resources. You know better than any citizen that Mr. Lungu has never approached to help him abuse public funds. You also know that Mr. Lungu has been hiring private planes and motor vehicles for his campaign. However, you have chosen to lie and engage in cheap propaganda to tarnish the name of an innocent person just because he was not your preferred candidate.

STOP YOUR BAD WAYS

I wish to warn you to stop taking Zambians for fools. Our people have embraced you after deciding to forget about how you were fired by late Dr. Frederick Chiluba after that scandal of slaughtering pigs. Our people saw in you a man who meant well for our country until recently. Be informed that majority of our people are very upset with you. They have now seen your true colour as an enemy of the truth, peace and common sense. The manner in which have been insulting the collective intelligence of our citizens and mistreating an innocent man namely Edgar Lungu has convinced our people that you are an enemy of the Zambian community.

EPILOGUE

Finally, I urge you to repent and do your job of managing the transition in line with the law, professionalism and common sense. I know that you are very frustrated after failing to manipulate things to impose a presidential candidate for PF. But your decision to vent your frustrations in a manner that endangers the peace of our country shall never be tolerated.

Yours faithfully,

Fr. Frank Bwalya
ABZ LEADER

Re-instating fired nurses is a fluke – Nevers Mumba

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Nevers Mumba at supreme court.Courtesy Mwebantu
Nevers Mumba at supreme court.Courtesy Mwebantu

Opposition MMD president, Nevers Mumba, says the reinstating of 570 health workers is a mere fluke.

Dr Mumba says some of the fired nurses have left the country for greener pastures while others have since died.

He says it was unfortunate that government has re-engaged the nurses at the time of presidential election.

The opposition leader was speaking in Lusaka today when he addressed journalists at the party secretariat.

“It is unfortunate that the PF government has re-instated all the 570 health workers that were fired in 2013. It is a fluke because some of the nurses have left the country for Botswana and South Africa and other countries. PF is window dressing; it is a joke because some have since passed on,” Dr Mumba said.

He accused government of being adamant when he earlier on advised government to re-instate the fired nurses but it had to wait for presidential election to be near.

Government sacked all the nurses who staged an illegal strike in 2013 to the displeasure of some stakeholders.

Minister of Health, Joseph Kasonde, yesterday announced that his ministry has re-instated all the fired nurses.

Dr Kasonde told a media briefing in Lusaka that out of the number that were initially dismissed, 67 were immediately reinstated after clarification of their circumstances.

He added that 431 who had re-applied have since been re-appointed while 71 have had their cases processed and are free to collect their letters of re-engagement.

Dr Kasonde said only one staff member died.

The minister said the matter of the fired nurses will now rest.

FDD writes to ZNBC complaining of biased coverage

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Nawakwi meeting FDD members in Mongu
Nawakwi meeting FDD members in Mongu

The opposition Forum for Democracy and Development FDD has written to Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Director General complaining about the biased manner in which ZNBC has been covering their candidate in the forthcoming elections.

FDD National Secretary Nathan Mulonga says yesterday party President Edith Nawakwi successfully filed in her nomination papers as the party’s presidential candidate in the forth coming elections but that the national broadcaster deliberately blacked out the supporters who showed up in multitudes for the nominations so as to portray the President as a leader without a following.

Mr. Mulonga reminded the Director General that the institution is run using tax payers money hence should not be used as a propaganda tool for the ruling Patriotic Front PF whom he said the institution giving unregulated coverage.

The National Secretary further said the conduct of the national broadcaster is against both the electoral code of conduct and the professional ethics of Journalism.

He explained that in a democracy people have the right to information therefore ZNBC being a public broadcaster should cover all political parties equally.

This is contained in a latter addressed to ZNBC Director General by FDD National Secretary Nathan Mulonga.

Government declares Dec 26, Jan 2 holidays

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1 Dr Roland Msiska Secretary to the Cabinet
Government has declared December 26, 2014 and January 2, 2015, as public holidays.

According to a media statement issued by Secretary to the Cabinet, Roland Msiska, the declaration of the two public holidays was in recognition of the fact that Christmas Day and New Year ’s Day will fall on Thursday, December25 2014 while New year will fall on Thursday, January 1, 2015.

Dr Msiska stated that productivity is expected to be at its lowest after the celebrations of Christmas and New Year hence the declaration of the two public holidays.

However, the Secretary to Cabinet said institutions providing essential services will be expected to make necessary arrangements so as to ensure that the provision of services is not disrupted.

Dr Msiska stated that in exercise of the powers contained in Section three of the Public Holidays Act Cap 272, the acting President, Guy Scott, through Statutory Instrument No 66 of 2014 declared Friday December 26, 2014 and Friday January 2, 2015 be observed as public holidays.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Cabinet has announced that 24th and 31st December 2014 will be full working days and not half working days for the public service as the trend has been in the previous years.

HH succesfully files in his nomination

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HH succesfully files in his nomination
Hakainde Hichilema at the High Court in Lusaka
Hakainde Hichilema at the High Court in Lusaka

Drama ensued at the Supreme Court in Lusaka as opposition UPND cadres and supporters overpowered police to gain access to the court grounds.

The cadres further attempted to force their way into the court building to witness their party president Hakainde Hichilema file in nomination for the January 20, 2015 Presidential election.

Police reinforcements called to help quell the ensuing pandemonium watched helplessly as a sea of UPND follower thronged the Supreme Court grounds.
Traffic around the Supreme Court area was jammed as roads around the area were blocked by motor vehicles and huge crowds of UPND followers.

Mr Hichilema who arrived at the Supreme Court accompanied by his wife Mutinta, and party officials, successfully filed in his nomination before acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesa Kunda, who was flanked by Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson, Justice Irene Mambilima .

The 52 year old opposition leader commended ECZ for successfully organising and presiding over the nomination process in view of the huge number of people gathered outside the court building.

Mr Hichilema said he was the only candidate with an imperious leadership track record and pedigree to lead Zambia to greater heights.

He pointed out that it is unprecedented in the history of the country for opposition law makers to reach a consensus and endorse him as presidential candidate.

Mr Hichilema pledged to develop the country by ensuring that resources are equitably distributed and providing an enabling and conducive business environment.

He said his administration will invest heavily in education to develop the required skills necessary to develop the country.

Mr Hichilema said once elected he will immediately ensure that Zambia’s growing international debt accrued by the PF administration to finance infrastructural developments is halted.

He charged that the PF is a violent party and Zambia needs a peaceful leader like him to unite and protect the country from machete-wielding culture of the ruling party.

Mr Hichilema cautioned Zambians against engaging in violence during and after the elections but instead remain peaceful.

Former First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, veteran politician, Vernon Mwaanga, former ministers in the Chiluba regime, Dipak Patel and Suresh Desai, and former Justice Minister in the PF government, Sebastian Zulu, were among prominent people that came to witness the opposition leader file in his nomination papers.

Rupiah Banda should support Nevers Mumba – Northern Province MMD

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Nevers Mumba (L) with former president Rupiah Banda
FLASHBACK Nevers Mumba (L) with former president Rupiah Banda

Northern Province Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) Information and Publicity Secretary Cephas Bwalya has called on former President Rupiah Banda to support Dr. Nevers Mumba following the Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate Dr. Mumba.

Mr Bwalya said the party in the Province is happy that the confusion in the party has finally come to an end. Mr Bwalya said Mr. Banda should not fight the party.
The Information and Publicity Secretary accused members of parliament in the MMD that are supporting UPND President Hakainde Hichilema of being wrong seeds in the party.Mr. Bwalya further said that the MMD will soon announce nominations for members of parliament to stand in the 2016 Presidential and general elections.

The Supreme Court yesterday ruled that Dr. Nevers Mumba be re-instated as MMD party President and be allowed to contest the Presidential by-election slated for 20th January, 2015.

Meanwhile Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) leadership in Muchinga Province has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling to allow Dr. Nevers Mumba contest the January 20, 2015 Presidential by-election. Provincial MMD Chairman Frank Bowa said the party in the province is happy with the court ruling to re-instate the embattled party President Dr. Mumba.

Mr. Bowa said the party will now go flat out to campaign for its leader and ensure that he wins the forthcoming Presidential by-election.The Provincial MMD Chairman said the party in the province is still very strong and will give all the participating political parties a good run for their money.

Mr. Bowa has since called on all MMD party loving members to forget about the past and rally behind its leader Dr. Mumba whom he said is destined for State House after the January 20, 2015 Presidential by-election.

Acting President can’t be removed by Cabinet-LAZ

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Acting President can’t be removed by Cabinet-LAZ
Acting President Dr Guy Scott during the swearing -in-ceremony of four High Court Judges on November 25,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Acting President Dr Guy Scott during the swearing -in-ceremony of four High Court Judges on November 25,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA

The Law Association of Zambia(LAZ) has said that Acting President Guy Scott cannot be removed from his Acting position by cabinet through a vote of no confidence, but rather that the removal rest with national Assembly through a two thirds majority.

In a statement released to the media today, LAZ said that cabinet can only initiate the process of removing the acting president on medical grounds by informing the Chief Justice to set up a medical board.

The statement follows the move by 14 PF cabinet Ministers who passed a vote of No confidence in the Acting President Guy Scott.

Below is the full statement

LAZLetter

LAZLetter2

LAZLetter3

LAZLetter4

Barrick to suspend operations at Lumwana following passage of new mining royalty

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File:Workers at Lumwana mine
File:Workers at Lumwana mine

TORONTO – Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: ABX, TSX: ABX) today announced that the company will initiate procedures to suspend operations at the Lumwana copper mine in Zambia following the passage of legislation that raises the royalty rate on the country’s open pit mining operations from six percent to 20 percent.

The new taxation regime, which is expected to go into effect on January 1, 2015, eliminates corporate income tax, but imposes a 20 percent gross royalty on revenue without any consideration of profitability.

“The introduction of this royalty has left us with no choice but to initiate the process of suspending operations at Lumwana. Despite the progress we have made to reduce costs and improve efficiency at the mine, the economics of an operation such as Lumwana cannot support a 20 percent gross royalty, particularly in the current copper price environment,” said Co-President Kelvin Dushnisky.

“We sincerely regret the impact this will have on our people, as well as the communities and the businesses that depend on Lumwana, and we remain hopeful that the government will consider an alternative solution that will allow the mine to continue operating,” said Co-President Jim Gowans.

In the meantime, the company will initiate procedures to transition Lumwana to care and maintenance. Major workforce reductions are planned to commence in March, following the legally required notice period. The transition to care and maintenance is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2015.

In the absence of a modification to the newly-adopted royalty regime, Barrick expects to record an impairment charge related to Lumwana in the fourth quarter of 2014. Lumwana’s current net carrying value is approximately $1 billion.

Lumwana is located in Zambia’s Northwestern Province and supports approximately 4,000 direct jobs. The mine is a major driver of the provincial economy, purchasing close to $400 million in goods and services from Zambian suppliers last year and supporting a range of community projects in education, literacy, health care and training.

In the first nine months of 2014, Lumwana produced 138 million pounds of copper at C3 fully allocated costs of $2.98 per pound. The mine had 6.6 billion pounds of copper in reserves as of December 31, 2013.

Zambia U17 and U20 brace for CAF draws

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he Zambia Under-17 and Under-20 teams will know their respective opponents at next years CAF competitions they have qualified for when draws are made on Sunday.

Draws for the CAF U17 Cup and African Youth Championship will be held at 11h00 Zambian time in Cairo.

In the CAF U20 Cup, Zambia will go into the draws with Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa and hosts Niger.

Zambia will be making their debut at the tournament that Niger will host from February 15 to March 1.

And in the African Youth Championship, Zambia heads into the draw with Congo-Brazzaville, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa and hosts Senegal.

Senegal will host the tournament from March 8-22.

This is Zambia’s first appearance at the Under-20 tournament since 2007 when they finished fourth in Congo-Brazzaville under George Lwandamina.

New video by Ruff Kaida

Entertainment Editor
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New video by Ruff Kaida

ruff kaida

Ruff Kaida released his latest video for the song “Two wrongs “ that features Hamoba

BY KAPA187

ZUNO welcomes nurses reinstatement, UPND questions the motives

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nurses
nurses

The Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) has welcomed government’s decision to unconditionally reinstate all the nurses, midwives and other health workers who were dismissed in December 2013.

In a statement today (Friday, December 19, 2014), ZUNO President Thom Yung’ana said that his organisation was elated by this development describing it as a timely Christmas present to the health sector.

Mr Yung’ana said that it was pleasing that government had heard the cries of the general public who were the most affected because the dismissal of the 570 nurses, midwives and health workers had negatively impacted the health service delivery in the country.

“We are excited as a profession and we thank the Minister of Health Dr Joseph Kasonde for his leadership and for heeding the pleas of the general public, and in particular our pleas as the professionals who were affected,” Mr Yung’ana said.

He prayed that in the same spirit that it had reinstated the dismissed nurses and midwives, government would also reverse the wage freeze and the restrictions that had been placed on the recruitment of personnel in the civil service

Mr Yung’ana also appealed to government to be sensitive and pro-active towards workers’ plight that includes improvement of salaries and conditions of service, in order to promote industrial harmony and prevent similar occurrences in future.

However, the opposition UPND has said that it is hypocritical for the PF government to reinstate nurses who were fired for going on an illegal strike at a time when the country is about to hold the presidential election.

Health Minister Joseph Kasonde yesterday announced during a media briefing that all nurses that were charged with gross misconduct and dismissed after an illegal strike have been reinstated without losing their benefits.

But the UPND has questioned the motive behind such a move owing to fact that it has coincided with the holding of the 2015 presidential election.

UPND Lubwa Ward Youth Chairperson Chisankama Mudenda has told Qfm News that his party suspects that the PF government is only trying to solicit for votes in view of the election.

Mr. Mudenda has however, advised Zambians not to be deceived by such a move as it is only meant to divert the attention from the many issues the PF government has allegedly failed to address during the three years they have been in power.

Nevers Mumba expells Muhabi Lungu and his vice Chembe Nyangu

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Nevers Mumba expells Muhabi Lungu and his vice Chembe Nyangu
MMD president Nevers Mumba arrives at St Ignatius Parish for the way of the Cross service
MMD president Nevers Mumba arrives at St Ignatius Parish for the way of the Cross service

Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Nevers Mumba has expelled his Party’s National Secretary Muhabi Lungu and his vice Chembe Nyangu with immediate effect.

Speaking at a media briefing this morning Dr. Mumba said he had expelled Mr. Muhabi and Mr. Nyangu for insubordination and that it would be difficult to work with them as the party reorganises itself in the run up to the 20th January elections next year.

The opposition leader said the job of the national secretary is to organise the party and that keeping the duo would not be in the best interest of the party.

He said these two were insubordinate to him and accused Muhabi of using party funds to fight him despite being the person who fund raised the money for the party.

He explained that the decision to fire the duo is not in anyway a way of revenge against them but to ensure that party reorganises it self to ensure that it bounces back to power and that it would be difficult for the two work with others.

Mwansa Mbulakulima has since been appointed to act as National Secretary with Winnie Zalomous as his vice.

The opposition leader has also revoked ten Presidential Nominations but that the party’s National Executive Committee will have to ratify all these decision.

He also said the party will carry out an audit the books of the party to determine what has been happening in the last thirty days.

And Dr. Mumba says he is open to the idea of working with the former President during the campaigns but that the decision should came from the former Head of State.

He said Mr. Banda’s input would be welcome and that he is ready to work with him.

The MMD leader has also indicated that he will this afternoon be meeting members of parliament.

There will be no vindictiveness-Nevers Mumba

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There will be no vindictiveness-Nevers Mumba
Nevers Mumba at supreme court.Courtesy Mwebantu
Nevers Mumba at supreme court.Courtesy Mwebantu

MMD President Dr Nevers Mumba says he will not persecute people that suspended him from the party following yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling that reinstated him.

Dr Mumba told Journalists that he will carry out his work as MMD President in line with the constitutional provisions.

He said he still considers people that suspended him as part of the MMD family.

The MMD leader said he will not go after those that sidelined him in preference for Rupiah Banda as the official presidential candidate for the MMD in the January 20 election.

Dr Mumba said, “My initial comment is that I made a declaration at the beginning of this case that whatever happens, I am going to stay within the provisions of our constitution and this would be advice to everybody. If we cannot respect our party constitutions, we will not be able to respect the Republican constitution when the Zambian people give us an opportunity to govern,” Dr Mumba said.

He continued, “As a result of this ruling, my call to all our members across the country is to remain united. There will be no vindictiveness, no revenge, we are one family. We had a dispute and we brought it to the right forum and the right forum judged rightly be making sure that they bring back stability in our party.”

Dr Mumba said the way forward is for all of MMD members to hold together.

“We are going to nomination on Saturday and we are ready to mount a campaign. The ruling is clear as what needs to happen from this point. The only thing am calling for is that there is no more I am for Mumba, I am for Rupiah Banda, we are all for the political party, MMD and the court has reminded us. I have won the court case base on the constitution provision and am very humbled at the decision of the court.”

And MMD National Secretary Muhabi Lungu said he will consult his lawyers on the next course of action.

Asked whether he will support Dr Mumba’s candidature, Mr Lungu said it is too early to tell.

Scott is a danger to Zambia’s democracy – Changala

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FILE: Human Rights activist Brebner Changala takes photographs at the UPND Mandevu Rally.
FILE: Human Rights activist Brebner Changala takes photographs at the UPND Mandevu Rally.

Civil Rights activist Brebner Changala has charged that acting President Guy Scott is a danger to democracy and the security of the nation.

Mr. Changala says the move by Dr. Scott to write to the acting Chief Justice asking her not to entertain any Patriotic Front candidate during the filing of nominations until the legal processes are over is a clear sign of interfering with the court process.

Mr. Changala says it is unfortunate that Dr. Scott has failed to show good leadership by calling for dialogue with those that perceived to be his enemies within the ruling party.
He says it is expected by now the acting President would be speaking the same language with the rest of the Cabinet Ministers.

Mr Changala has told QFM News that what is happening now is a serious threat to good governance and has the potential to undermine the rule of law in the country.

Mr. Changala has since appealed to Dr. Scott to swallow his pride and do the right thing for the sake of mother Zambia.

Referee Sikazwe targets World Cup

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Kapiri Mposhi FIFA referee Janny Sikazwe says he is now targeting to officiate at the World Cup.

Sikazwe is next month set to make his third straight Africa Cup of Nations appearance after CAF picked him to officiate at the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.

The Kapiri Mposhi teacher said he would work hard to realise his dream of officiating at the FIFA World Cup.

Sikazwe added that he is excited to be picked to officiate at the 2015 AFCON.

“I was working toward my third consecutive Africa Cup and I am now happy that it has come true. It is a plus to my career as a ref,” he said.

“I am now looking forward to something bigger than the Africa Cup. I am now working toward the World Cup,” Sikazwe said.

He also pledged to do his best in Equatorial Guinea.

“What Zambians should expect from me is hard work, I will represent the country positively.”

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