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Former PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba is tomorrow 16th December 2014, expected to hold a press briefing at Mulungushi International Conference in Lusaka at 09:00 hours.
This is according to a notice released by Kabimba’s administrative assistant Kachingwe Singoyi today
Below is the media notice
This serves to inform you that former Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General and Minister of Justice, Mr Wynter M. Kabimba, SC, ODS will tomorrow Tuesday 16th December 2014, hold a press briefing at Mulungushi International Conference in Lusaka at 09:00hrs.
Excuse me! Let me speak. If you let me, I shall speak calmly and rationally. When I am done let come on me what may for I have staked my life in order to fulfill nothing less than a dream for my country. The dream is nothing too big than to see a place in the world that changed the thinking of its people; a place that changed Africa. It is an impossible dream, I know, but so was the one about landing on the moon.
In speaking to you I am driven by the following words: “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars and change the world.” The source of these inspiring words is Harriet Tubman, a courageous woman who led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom along the route of the Underground Railroad.
I know you too are a dreamer. You dream in the magic of the night. Together we are 14 million dreamers. But like Yoko Ono said: “A dream you dream alone is only a dream, a dream you dream together is reality.” When you dream alone, you fantasize only to wake up and realize it was only a dream. Some of you by dint of your perseverance and remarkable acumen are able to realize some of your dreams. Many of you have failed, and when you have, you have failed yourself, and your family.
One of the most tragic things about Zambians is our failure to dream together; to advance passionately in the direction of our dream, and endeavor to live a life that befits all. The poorly educated, many who are illiterate and often blockheaded, and the few learned, many who are proud, selfish, narcissistic, and inept, make it impossible for us to create a Zambian Dream. This is our anathema; it is what has made it impossible to propel ourselves onward to new and heretofore incredible heights.
It is the lack of a Zambian Dream that has rendered our politics crappy and a huge disaster. Indeed, it is this lack of a Zambian Dream that attracts people of low morality to our politics. As currently evidenced our political arena is thronging with an incredibly large passel of ignorant, visionless, corrupt, re-circled, and get-rich-quick politicians whom we have little choice but to deal with as best as we can.
Edgar Lungu
Edgar Lungu addressing the Mandevu rally
Take Edgar Lungu for instance, it is clear he is visionless, and has no steering current. He is so myopic he is wallowing in Sata’s turbulent legacy. Who says Sata’s legacy is exemplary?
As president, Sata, to his fault, failed to share his dream with the people of Zambia. He wanted to run the country all by himself. Everything was about him. For more than three years his dreams were laid on a foundation of sand on which he built his own Government and created his own rules.
Sata lacked the desire to tap on the talent and intelligence of Zambians and use them to build a modern nation. He hated good performers because he feared they might take the limelight away from him, and he publicly lambasted the incompetent because they made him look bad. He failed to understand that his success as a president hinged on producing good leaders. Instead, he focused on attempting to produce more followers. He willed his own transformation and enthralled members of his party in an awe of what was in reality a mirage. In the end his style proved disastrous, generating as it has greater hostility in the PF, and leaving the party and the country at the precipice.
Sata’s legacy is not exemplary leadership, and yet, it is what Lungu intends to propagate. Lungu and many in the PF can’t see that Sata foundered. It is irrational of Lungu to become Sata’s copycat and replicate a chaotic reign. Also, it is iniquitous of him to enter a presidential race without a vision. He who leads on the vision of others lacks passion and therefore fails to provide direction or the drive to advance. He is like a fireman who rushes to the burning scene without water.
Unless Edgar Lungu defines his own vision, he will take us nowhere.
I like Lungu as a person, but sadly he is not daring and different. He is uncharismatic, uncreative, and impractical. He is buried in Sata’s thoughts. He does not understand that visionlessness is failure; that one’s vision is a valuable asset. Given a choice between him and Miles Sampa, I would go for the latter. Sampa is a young dreamer.
Rupiah Banda
Rupiah Banda in Mpulungu
I like Rupiah Banda as well. He and his likes are the reason I launched “Hunt for Successor” in 2011. I had hoped that Banda and the late Michael Sata would be the last of the septuagenarians (70 to 79) to rule the country. During their terms in office, Frederick Chiluba, Rupiah Banda, and Michael Sata were bereft of a true egalitarian vision. They lamentably failed to advance change; to raise a wakeup call and turn a dreamless and visionless country into a nation of collective practical dreamers responsible for their country’s destiny.
These three presidents, concealed behind a pretense of commitment, projected an ambiguous image of hope which in reality produced a false sense of expectation. Under them we continued to witness mining and industrial mortgaging and outright obliteration. Instead of glooming and flowering talented and educated Zambians, among them, engineers, metallurgists, geologists, innovators, and inventors, they groveled to bribes and sold our mines and other industries, completely breaking the spine of our nation. Corruption, and deception, continued to be the country’s modus-operandi.
It therefore breaks my heart to see Rupiah Banda trying to make a comeback. First, I did not think Banda, a man the world holds in high esteem for handing over power peacefully in 2011, would be overly self-centered and so desperate as to turn into a brute, and in typical hyena style, snatch the presidential candidacy from Nevers Mumba.
Banda is a good example of avarice and greed being alive and well in Zambian politics.
It is these two words, “avarice” and “greed” that have been the driving force behind our failure as Zambians. “Avarice” is defined as one’s insatiable desire to gain and hoard wealth. This is what is at play as Banda begrudges personal wealth.
By conducting a coup de grace on Mumba and the MMD, Banda has showed us that he is a run of the mill heartless and rapacious politician who does not care whether we advance as a people or not. One thing for certain is he will not win because he will not be able to string the MMD together in time for the elections. Between now and then, we shall see massive cross-carpeting and defections. Come January 21, 2015, the MMD will be as dead as UNIP, maybe worse, and Rupiah Banda will grapple with irredeemable dishonor.
As the ruling PF party is hounded by manipulators and schemers, and tragicomic power squabbles continue to consume it, and as fatal battles brew in the MMD, the presidency is for Hakainde Hichilema of UNPD to lose. Before I proceed, let me make it categorically clear that at no time has Hichilema paid for my articles. I do not know him. I may have been less critical of him over the years not because I am a member or support his party, which I am neither, but because my main target was president Michael Sata whom I had seen depart from his campaign promises and plan his own divisive and destructive political game. He created for himself uncontrollable and arbitrary power which if remained unchecked would have led to a one-party state.
Hakainde Hichilema
The demise of president Sata and the brittleness of the PF party have left Hichilema within striking distance. Unlike Lungu and Banda, Hichilema has made appreciable strides and his vision is well articulated. From the speeches he has given this far, it is clear he is inspired by hope and a better tomorrow.
Born in 1962, he is what this country needs; a young intelligent and healthy president who can bring greatness to Zambia; one who represents idealism and a “Zambia shall succeed” spirit;
one who will not hesitate to designate duties or offer opportunities to some of Zambia’s most intelligent driven young minds.
By virtue of his age, passion, and vision, he is the Holy Grail I set to seek back in September 2011 when I wrote my first “Hunt for Successor” article. I was looking for someone who would symbolize an end to stagnation and a beginning to prosperity; one who would change Zambia’s history and the culture of ineptness. I was looking for a youthful politician who would tackle the extremely high inflation, as well as the high unemployment rate, and show Zambians in rural and urban areas how to make a decent living.
Most of all, I was looking for a youthful leader who would surround himself with a coterie of people that would bring forth talent that has been untapped; one who would tolerate and work with those whose ideas were radically different from his; and lastly, one who would slay the ugly head of corruption, tribalism, and nepotism. Since Hakainde Hichilema has crossed the Rubicon, we should all give him a chance. If he wins, the period between January 20 and the 2016 election will serve as a litmus test. This, countrymen, is a golden opportunity.
The Supreme Court has adjourned the case in which MMD President Nevers Mumba is contesting the decision by Muhabi Lungu and the MMD NEC to adopt Rupiah Banda as its Presidential candidate for the 20th January 2015 Presidential by election.
Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda sitting together 6 other Justices adjourned the matter to Tuesday, 16th December,2014 at 11.30hrs.
Last week the Lusaka High Court ruled in favour of Muhabi Lungu in the case where embattled party President Nevers Mumba challenged his suspension by the NEC.High Court Judge Chalwe Mchenga ruled that Dr Mumba should have set out in definite terms what Mr Lungu should be precluded from doing during the period of the injunction.Dr Mumba had sued Mr Lungu in his capacity as National Secretary and asked the court to restrain him from interfering with the running of the office and functions of the party President.
Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson Irene Mambilima last week disclosed that the Commission has extended the nomination days to run from 17th to 20th December 2014 to accommodate the number of aspiring candidates which has so far exceeded ten.She advised political parties facing internal wrangles to resolve them as soon as possible as the Commission will not extend the date of nominations.
Nevers Mumba’s supporters.Courtesy MwebantuPolice officers attempt to keep Bowman Lusambo from Muhabi Lungu (not in picture) at the Supreme Court in Lusaka. Courtesy Mwebantu
The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Presidential Candidate Rupiah Banda this weekend flew to Kasama where he paid a courtesy call on Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Henry Sosala.
The Chitimukulu reminded all those present that traditional leaders do not formally endorse individuals, but that he “knows who is a good child and who is a bad child, who is lying and who is telling the truth.”
“I would like to encourage our people to vote for a genuine person, someone who will unite the country and not divide it,” Chitimukulu Henry Sosala said.
In turn Rupiah Banda thanked the Paramount Chief for his warm welcome and the bashilubemba for all their hard work to provide for the palace during times of hardship.
Rupiah Banda visits Chitimukulu
Upon departing the palace, Former Rupiah Banda then walked and talked with the people of Mungwi for one and a half kilometres up to the junction, on the way meeting Kasama Member of Parliament Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, whom he hugged and exchanged greetings.Kasama Central member of Parliament Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba then told the people of Kasama to vote for former president Rupiah Banda if they so wish.
[pullquote]
I am a transitional leader.With a new constitution, we can successfully and safely deliver the country into the hands of a younger leader
[/pullquote]During a campaign visit to Mpulungu, Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) presidential candidate Rupiah Banda promised to deliver a new constitution and to restore order to the economy.
Greeted by a boisterous crowd of cheering supporters, Banda said that if elected, he would be a president for all Zambians – serving those who voted for him as well as those who would not.
“I am a transitional leader, and I am promising you, the people of Mpulungu, that I will work hard during the coming two years to ensure that your farming inputs are delivered by 1st of August so that you are prepared for the farming season.”
Speaking before the assembled crowd of supporters, Banda pointed to his past record of success managing the economy.
“You will recall that mealie meal during my time was K35 per 25-kilo bag, and now it is more than K70 per bag. I will ensure that I stabilize the agricultural system and this will at last bring down the price of mealie meal,” he said.
The former president continued: “I have done it before, and I can do it again. We stabilized the price of fuel and made the price uniform across the whole country, but now, the price at the pump has more than doubled. We will work hard to bring down the fuel prices to acceptable levels like it was before we lost the last election.”
Banda said that if elected he would not allow any persecution or harassment of opponents, but would only be focused on delivering unity and the new constitution.
“It is my promise that I will deliver a new constitution that improves our democracy and holds leaders accountable,” Banda said, “one that features 50+1, requirements for running mates, and dual citizenship. With a new constitution, we can successfully and safely deliver the country into the hands of a younger leader.”
U.S. Ambassador Eric Schultz discusses free, and fair elections with Acting President Scott
United States Ambassador to the Republic of Zambia Eric Schultz yesterday met with His Excellency Acting President Dr. Guy Scott, reiterating United States commitment to partnership with the people and Government of Zambia. Ambassador Schultz again stated his appreciation for the warm Zambian welcome that he has received.
Ambassador Schultz expressed appreciation for Zambia’s legacy as a peaceful, stable democracy and his hopes for Zambia’s upcoming presidential election. Ambassador Schultz said, “The United States strongly supports a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful campaign and presidential election on January 20.” He noted the importance of Zambia’s maintaining its proud democratic traditions and the important role the Acting President is playing in upholding those traditions.
Ambassador Schultz reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to partnership initiatives such as the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to combat HIV and AIDS, the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact to bring reliable and safe water to residents of Lusaka, the service of Peace Corps Volunteers working in Zambian communities, the training the United States is providing to the Zambian peacekeepers deploying to the Central African Republic, and a host of other cooperative initiatives between the United States and Zambia. He also expressed confidence that U.S.-Zambia relations would be as friendly and positive in Zambia’s next 50 years as they had been in its first 50 years.
There is no doubt that online media continues to play a significant role in Zambian life today. It’s in this vein that I challenge the presidential candidates to an online interview. Luckily these questions don’t have to be answered in real time. However, candidates are encouraged to respond to these questions candidly and send their responses to Lusakatimes.
In about a week or two, I will have a tougher set of interview questions. Meanwhile, online readers are welcome to discuss the questions and maybe you can help out some of the candidates.
1. Why do you want to become president?
2. Describe yourself in one word?
3. What are some of your important family values?
4. Who has been your mentor growing up and why?
5. If you were given an opportunity to spend a day with anyone in this world, who would that be and why?
6. What are some of the key events that happened in your life and shaped your life?
7. What have been some of your biggest fears and weaknesses?
8. What’s the number one thing you will do after you are sworn in as president?
9. Do you think the Zambian President has too much power? If so, what will you need to do to reduce those powers?
10. What are some of the key issues missing in the current draft constitution?
11. How do you think dual citizenship will add value to the nation?
12. Do you think it’s about time provinces became independent?
13. What do you think will be your biggest challenge as the president?
14. What are some of the things you are going to reverse as president?
15. Do you see any significance in having Deputy Ministers and District Commissioners?
16. What will be your wife’s role as first lady? What does she have to offer to the Zambian people?
17. Do you think it’s about time we have a law that prohibits those in government and their close friends and family to bid for government contracts?
18. Do you think that previous governments have abused government media such as ZNBC, Times, Daily and ZANIS? What are you going to do to stop this once and for all?
19. Put these industries in order of how you will prioritise them as president—Mining, Manufacturing, Tourism, Agriculture, IT Technology.
20. How much money did the government earn from the mines in the last two years and how much will they earn in the next two years?
21. If you had to choose between eliminating HIV and eliminating Malaria which one would you choose and why?
22. What’s our current trade deficit if any? What will you do to overcome this?
23. What will be your foreign policy?
24. What’s the GDP of Zambia and its neighbors combined? How do you think we fair on that list?
25. Are you going to employ your friends and relatives?
26. Do you think we should be building a retirement home for the president?
27. If Zambia had the running-mate clause, who are the top two names you would have as your veep?
28. Besides you, who do you think is the better qualified candidate of all the people running for president?
29. When you are elected what is the first country you will visit and why?
30. How much is spent on the president annually and how much will be spent on you?
FILE: Miles Sampa with his supporters at Cabinet Office
THE full bench of the Supreme Court is today expected to deliver judgment in a matter in which presidential hopeful Miles Sampa is challenging the declaration of Minister of Justice Edgar Lungu as Patriotic Front (PF) president.
Mr Sampa appealed to the Supreme Court against two High Court decisions which dismissed his application and two others to join the matter as interveners.
When the matter came up before a full bench of the Supreme Court led by Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda last Friday, judgment was reserved to today.
The judgment will determine whether Mr Sampa, Kasama Central member of Parliament Geoffrey Mwamba and former diplomat Selemani Phangula will be joined to the matter as interveners.
Mrs Justice Chibesakunda said the court would not hear the second appeal in which Mr Sampa is challenging the consent judgment delivered by High Court judge Mungeni Mulenga, which declared Mr Lungu, who is also Minister of Justice, as duly elected PF president.
Opposition Forum for Democracy and development FDD leader Edith Nawakwi says the constitution is of paramount importance to the nation as it is the starting point of development in any country and will be her no number one priority when elected president in the forthcoming by elections.
speaking when she featured on a live program at Mansa’s Yageni Radio in Luapula Province Ms. Nawakwi said there is no country which has developed without putting in place a good constitution that ensures the full participation of it people in running the affairs of their nation.
The opposition leader explained that a good constitution ensures that people are protected from being exploited by their leaders and curbs a lot of ills that comes with a bad constitution.
She further said she would like to be remembered for being the leader who gave the people a constitution that empowers the nation adding that she would not dwell much on promises like other candidates as the time left to complete the term is too short for a person to embark on implementing their outrageous promises.
The Opposition leader who is on a campaign trail also said she will not offer easy solutions the challenges like others who saying they will live the venders on the streets when there can be better solution to the problem because no one wants to spend their lives selling on the streets.
And Ms. Nawakwi reminded the people of Mansa that they were promised a number of things by the PF during the Mansa Central Parliamentary by election promises she said have not been fulfilled up today.
She noted that it would be folly to vote for the PF in the forthcoming presidential elections because that be saying the people are happy with the fulfilled promises.
She said the Current government promised to reopen the Mansa batteries something she observed remains a promise to date.
She advised people in the province to ensure that the vote wisely by voting for a person who will help the province move out the jaws of poverty which has griped the province for a long time.
She said the province was rated as the third most impoverished province in the but it was possible to change that by voting wisely.
The opposition been holding meetings with members and would be voters in small groups and will return to Lusaka on Monday for the nominations.
And Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development FDD President Edith Nawakwi has called on women and youths to start aspiring for leadership positions as that is the only way the country will move forward.
Speaking when she addressed members in Mansa, Ms. Nawakwi said the country continues to lag behind because women and youths are left out of leadership positions when they are the majority in the country.
She observed that countries such Rwanda and Tanzania have by passed Zambia in terms of development because women and youths are fully participating in running the affairs of their countries.
She said the country’s resources can not be left to few individuals adding that the majority country’s population are youths and women.
She further added leadership positions will only go to the youths if they fight for them as the old people in these positions will not hand them over on a silver plat.
The opposition leader also found time to pay a curtesy call on chief Matanda were she reiterated her call to the people to judge everyone in the race to plot one equally as well as for people not to use their emotions when casting their votes but choose a leader based on their capabilities.
While in Chief Matanda’s area Ms. Nawakwi addressed a number of groups asking them to try her and give her an opportunity to prove herself as leader.
She said men have been at the helm of the nation for 50 years and that it was time to try a woman as the country does not belong to men only.
Nwakwi addressing peopleNwakwi addressing peopleNwakwi addressing peopleNwakwi addressing peopleEdith Nawakwi Meeting Chief Matanda at his palace
Edith Nawakwi Meeting Chief Matanda at his palaceEdith Nawakwi Meeting Chief Matanda at his palaceEdith Nawakwi talking to peopleEdith Nawakwi talking to people
Some youths in luapula province have vowed to teach the PF a lesson for not fulfilling their promises which they made during the 2011 general elections.
The youths who wanted an audience with FDD leader Edith Nawakwi said they voted for the PF in 2011 because of the hope uplifting their livelihoods but that it remains a promise with no signs of that ever happening.
The youths who spoke through Anthony Chomba said they were promised that Mansa Batteries will be reopened to help absolve some of the unemployed youths in the province but that is remains a promise three years down the line.
He explained that the challenges in the province are compounded by the lack of economic activities as most companies have either been sold to foreign owners who have failed to run them or they have been shut down.
Chomba said the situation has lead to most youths engaging in illicitly activities hence the need to vote in a leader who will ensure that their needs are addressed.
Meanwhile, Luapula Province FDD Campaign Manager Alfred Mwape said it is possible to address their problems and that the solution was note the reopening of old companies but to find other economic activities suitable to the situation in the province.
Mr. Mwape said if people continue demanding for the reopening of old companies politicians will continue feeding them with the same lies even when they know that it is not possible to reopen these institutions.
The campaign manager who was tasked to address the youths by the president said it was important for the youths to understand that the companies the politicians talk about reopening are in bad states hence whoever is promising to reopen them just wants their vote.
He added that the province would be better off if leaders promised to pump money into the agriculture sector as the province is endowed with plenty of water and good soil as opposed to empty promises.
He explained that the province shares the boarders with Democratic Republic of Congo which imports a lot of agriculture products such maize and beef products but that the market has been left to countries that are far from them such South Africa when the province can be turned into the bread basket of the neighboring country.
He also said the province has huge mining potential which should be developed and help absorb some of the unemployed youths in the province.
PF President Edgar Lungu has promised to recognise Henry Chanda Sosala as the new Paramount Chief Chitimukulu once elected republican President.
And Mr Lungu said that he will revisit the recently adjusted retirement and ensure that the debt owed by the Post Newspapers and its business is recovered if he becomes Head of State.
Addressing thousands of people that attended the Mandevu rally Sunday afternoon, Mr Lungu said he will listen to the views of the people when he becomes President.
‘My leadership will be about servant hood, I will be your number one servant and I will listen to the people of Zambia. As a servant you can’t overrule your bosses, all of you are my masters and am your servant,’ Mr Lungu told the cheering crowd.
Mr Lungu reaffirmed that under his administration, Zambia will maintain its Christian principles.
‘I am God fearing, how many of you went to Church this morning? Let us thank God for all we go through, am privileged to be here and that makes me humble and I will allow God to use me as he pleases.’
He added, ‘Zambia is a Christian nation, this is not just a slogan, it is a principle, it is a fundamental principle in which we believe. As Christians, I can promise you that I will keep my word. I have kept my word since I started politics and I pledge to keep my word as I go into State House.’
Mr Lungu also asked the Church to pray for politicians in order to remain humble even as they become powerful.
The PF President also took a serious dig at the Post Newspapers for the negative publicity his campaign has been receiving.
‘Tomorrow you will hear in the newspaper that Lungu’s Mandevu rally flopped, don’t worry about that, as my enemies are pulling me down, God is lifting me up. There is one newspaper that can’t sell if there is no Edgar Lungu.’
Mr Lungu further emphasised his respect for traditions and customs of Zambia by respecting all the Chiefs.
‘Yesterday I was in the Western Province and I paid a courtesy call on the Barotse Royal Establishment including his Majesty the Litunga, I had a nice time with him, there are my parents and he told me to continue being myself, nice and easy and that God will reward me,’ he said.
Mr Lungu stated that, ‘even when I go to State House I will listen to you and I will respect all the Chiefs. I will respect the Litunga, Mpenzeni and Chitimukulu, I speak about Chitimukulu because there are people that want to use this as political capital.’
He added, ‘Let me tell you a secret, when I was appointed S.G, I went to meet the boss and I asked him about the Chitimukulu issue and he told me that it was being resolved and the truth is that the Chitimukulu has now gone back to the palace and the police have been pulled out. Some unscrupulous people are cheating you that they will sort out the Chitimukulu problem. When I go to State House on January 20, I will sign a Statutory Instrument recognising the Chief.’
‘The other thing they are talking about is the constitution. I released the draft constitution within two months when I went to the Ministry of Justice. I can guarantee you that by 2016 there will be a new constitution,’ Mr Lungu pledged.
The PF leader also stated that he will go out and ensure that the debt owed by the Post Newspapers and its business partners is collected once he becomes President.
‘There are people in this country who are up to no good, they are denying the country taxes, what am saying to those people who are not paying taxes is that we will follow you. You will pay all the taxes. We will empower ZRA to collect as much money as possible from all the people in business. Some people have friends in Government who have been shielding them from paying taxes. Those billions should come back to the coffers of the state so that it can be used to develop this country.’
He added, ‘This is what they are scared off and that is why they are writing lies about me. We will collect the money. They are cheating Zambians that Edgar is not the right candidate but you know those are lies. I know he has heard and I know tomorrow he will write about me.’
Mr Lungu further stated that he will not be intimidated by anyone in running national affairs.
‘They are a few things going on, am a lawyer myself and a good lawyer for that matter. Those who are doubting should go to court and ask, how good was that chap? I am a very fearless person, fearless I was in court, fearless I will be in politics.’
On the retirement age of 65 years, Mr Lungu said he will revisit the issue once elected President.
‘That matter is unfortunate. The President first discussed it with us in 2011, he didn’t agree with it because he didn’t believe in it and when I acted as President I never signed it. I don’t want to cast aspersions on the Acting president but we are going to visit that law as PF because it is the cry and demand of the people.’
Mr Lungu has promised to investigate why it is easier for foreigners to get wealthy than it is for Zambians.
“After you vote for me, I will investigate why it is difficult for citizens to acquire wealth as quickly as foreigners. I will make the acquisition of land easier for Zambians,” Mr Lungu said.
Speaking at the same rally, Education Minister Dr John Phiri said Zambians should not vote for old tired politicians on January 20, 2015.
Dr Phiri said it is only the PF under the leadership of Edgar Lungu will the country be able to develop for the benefit of the Zambian people.
The Education minister said the people of Eastern Province have assured Mr Lungu 100 percent votes come January 20, 2015.
He said those enemies of Mr Lungu either within the party or outside the party will be scattering one by one adding that they will not achieve their miscued agenda.
And Kabwata Area Member of Parliament Given Lubinda said the UPND manifesto is a weak one and that it is utopia for them to implement what they are promising to the Zambian people.
Mr Lubinda said UPND president Hakainde Hichilema should not cheat people that he will govern the nation with a cabinet of 25 MPS.
He said people should vote for Mr Lungu who will be able to take forward the legacy of the late President Michael Sata.
Meanwhile, Chililabombwe Member of Parliament Ester Banda said Zambians should give PF a chance to rule this country for continued development.
Ms Banda said even when president Sata left the nation, he had to leave instrument of power with Edgar Lungu because he knew that he was a capable person.
She said there are so many people the late president Michael Sata would have left to act , but that he was satisfied with the able leadership of Mr Edgar Lungu.
And Itezhi Tezhi member of Parliament Greyford Monde told the crowd to vote for Mr Lungu because he will continue with the development projects that President Sata initiated.
Alliance for a Better Zambia (ABZ) president Frank Bwalya said it is clear that people want Mr Lungu to be the President.
“I am appealing to you to work hard so that Mr Lungu wins this election. I am working in the background to ensure that Mr Lungu becomes President of this country,” Father Bwalya said
And Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba assured investors and the diplomatic community that the country is stable and peaceful.
Speaking at a PF campaign rally in Mandevu constituency in Lusaka to canvass support for Party President Edgar Lungu in the January 20, 2015 presidential by-elections, Mr Kalaba urged diplomats and foreign investors not to worry about their investments and political stability of the country ahead of the January 20, 2015 polls.
He reiterated that the country has always been peaceful and will remain peaceful during and after the campaigns and elections.
And Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili echoed the sentiments of Mr Kalaba saying that the country would not plunge into chaos.
Mr Kambwili urged Zambians not to change government as doing so will be a recipe for political instability and loss of US$87 billion worth of investments that the PF administration has managed to bring into the country.
The Minister said Zambia under the PF remains a favourable investment destination and urged voters to ensure that PF continues in government to foster on-going job and wealth creation programmes across the country.
Mr Kambwili said the PF is committed to empowering the youths and had recently increased allocation to the Youth Fund from K4 million under the MMD regime to K29 million.
He said PF President Edgar Lungu once elected as republican president will ensure continuity of the robust economic development the late President Michael Sata initiated.
The rally was punctuated by performances by musicians Wesley Chibambo (Dandy Krazy), Jordan Katembula (JK) and Mozegator, among others.
Euphoria characterised the rally when Mr Lungu arrived aboard a helicopter, which flew over the arena before it landed while people sang songs of praise for Mr Lungu.
Crowd listening to Edgar LunguThousands that attended the rallyThousands that attended the rallyPart of the crowd that attended the PF Mandevu rallyEdgar Lungu
The Zambia Under-20 Team minted gold at the Region Five Youths Games in Bulawayo after thumping hosts Zimbabwe 3-0 in the final of the men’s football competition on Sunday afternoon.
After a goalless first half, the Junior Chipolopolo put up a fantastic second half display to silence the Young Warriors with three second half goals.
Patrick Ngoma put Hector Chilombo’s side in front after 53 minutes before Harrison Musonda doubled the lead a minute later.
Solomon Sakala completed the rout with a 74th minute goal as Zambia walked to the winners podium to get gold medals.
The Zambian youth side has won gold with a perfect record of results at the Zimbabwe games.
The team kicked of the campaign with a 6-1 win over South Africa before beating Namibia 2-0 and Lesotho 4-0 in the group stage.
Zambia advanced to the final on Saturday after thumping Malawi 4-0 in the semifinals of the competition.
Zesco United say their Chipolopolo defender Nyambe Mulenga is in a stable condition after fracturing his right leg in car accident in Kabwe on Sunday morning.
Nyambe, who is admitted at Kabwe General Hospital, was being taken to Lusaka in a Zesco minibus to join the national team together with under-17 star Changwe Kalale and Green Eagles keeper Satchmo Chikawa when the accident occured.
Zesco spokesperson Katebe Chengo said both Chakawa and Kalale are in a stable condition.
Chengo further confirmed that the driver of the bus registration number ABX 5368 Mwiza Ndovi died on the spot when the vehicle collided with a Toyota Prado that is reported to have lost control.
She added that the rest of the four passangers escaped with injuries.
“We regret to announce that the driver of the bus Mwiza Ndovi died on the spot, defender Nyambe Mulenga sustained fractured right leg and is in a stable condition.
Kalale who got a lift and Chikawa who came for negotiations are both stable,” she said.
Edgar Lungu has promised to sign the statutory recognizing Henry Kanyanta Sosala as the Chitimukulu the moment he walks through the doors of State House.
Lungu said the process of recognizing Sosala was already underway even before President Sata died.
Speaking this afternoon at a rally in Lusaka’s Mandevu compound Mr.Lungu stated that government has taken steps to recognise Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba People.
He stated that Government had withdrawn police presence from the Palace and the Paramount Chief was free to occupy the palace.
Mr. Lungu has promised to listen to everything that the people of Zambia instruct him to do once he is elected President.
Mr. Lungu says he will do everything that the people of Zambia want him to do because as leader he is a servant of the people and therefore must listen to them.
Mr. Lungu stated that once he is elected republican President he will ensure the enactment of the country’s constitution before the 2016 general elections.
Mr. Lungu has also warned companies that are not paying taxes to government that once he is elected President all unpaid taxed will be recovered and that no company will be shielded from paying taxes.
He said that once he is elected president his government will also respect the rule of law by respecting the decisions of the Judiciary.
The PF presidential candidate has also assured the nation that he will ensure that the retirement age of 65 years announced by government be revisited as he prefers that the process of setting the retirement age should involve consultations from all stakeholders.
He said that under his government Zambia will remain a Christian nation.
Mr. Lungu has since asked Zambians to pray for him and his fellow leaders in government that they continue being humble as they ascended to powerful positions of leadership.
And in an apparent reference to the Post Newspaper, Mr. Lungu bragged that there is a newspaper that is currently making good sells because of writing stories about him.
He said that it has become a well known fact to him that the newspaper he has not named cannot sell without him being part of its news content.
Mr. Lungu was accompanied at the rally by among others his wife Esther, PF Secretary General Davis Chama, Youth and Sport Minister Chishimba Kambwili, Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda, Education Minister John Phiri and Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) president Frank Bwalya.
The Crowd at PF Mandevu RallyCrowd at the beginning of PF rally
Crowd at the beginning of PF rallyThe Crowd at PF Mandevu RallyThe crowd at PF Mandevu RallyThe crowd arriving for a PF Mandevu RallyThe crowd at PF Mandevu RallyThe crowd at PF Mandevu RallyThe crowd at PF Mandevu RallyThe crowd at PF Mandevu RallyCrowd at the beginning of PF rally
Father Bwalya at the rallyGiven Lubinda at the rallyEdgar Lungu addressing the Mandevu rallyEdgar Lungu addressing the Mandevu rallyEdgar Lungu addressing the Mandevu rallyEdgar Lungu addressing the Mandevu rallyEdgar Lungu addressing the Mandevu rallyThe crowd at PF Mandevu Rally
Opposition UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has asked Zambians to use problems they are currently going through under the PF government influence their vote on the polling day of the 2015 presidential election.
Mr. Hichilema cautioned that if Zambians do not keep in mind the alleged problems they are going through when casting their vote they risk voting for a person who will make them go through the same problems.
Speaking this afternoon at a rally held in Kasama Mr. Hichilema has also asked the people of Zambia to think of how traditional leaders are being treated under the PF government when they cast their vote on January 20th 2015.
He says the people of Zambia should vote for him because he wants to ensure that farmers who sell farm produce to government get their payments on time.
Mr. Hichilema says he further wants to ensure that the country’s health institutions are adequately stocked with medicines.
He has also assured street vendors that he will not rid them once he is elected president because he does not have anyone else to take them if he clears them from the streets.
The UPND presidential candidate has also promised to install Henry Sosala as the Bemba Paramount chief Chitimukulu once he is elected republican president.
The UPND leader was accompanied at the rally by among others Lunte Member of Parliament Felix Mutati, former MMD National Secretary Richard Kachingwe, former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa and former PF Eastern province chairperson Lameck Mangani.
Maureen Mwanawasa addressing the Kasama UPND rallyFelix Mutati addressing a crowd in kasamaHH at the Kasama rallyMulondwe Muzungu addressing the Kasama rallyPatrick Mucheleka Kasama addressing a rally in KasamaHH with ChitimukuluCrowds gather for a UPND rally in Kasama
Incessant torrential rains have continued to hit most parts of Lusaka, leaving the capital city flooded and strewn with garbage.
A check by ZANIS crew this morning found the central business district, parts of industrial area, Down –town, Kamwala trading area and Kamwala South residential areas as well as Mass Media area, respectively highly flooded.
Traders and residents alike waded through the gushing floods while motorists struggled to drive through the flooded roads as some eventually plunged in ditches and drainages.
The downpour that lasted up to mid- day today in most parts of the Capital city affected most traffic lights on a number of main roads.
Traffic lights at the major road intersection points for example at the Mulungushi house on independence Avenue, civic centre , Kamwala SDA church and Cairo Road post office.
As the rain water began to recede, garbage emerged and was left scattered all over roads, pavements and walk ways.
One of the resident s spoken to Bwalya Chapela castigated the Lusaka City Council for failing to unblock drainages and ensure that the city does not get flooded.
Recently Lusaka City Council Public Relations Officer Brenda Katongolo blamed Lusaka residents for being responsible for the blocked drainages in the city.
Ms Katongolo charged that residents are in the habit of throwing litter carelessly and called for change of attitudes.
It has become predictable that with every rain season, Lusaka gets flooded even after the local authority endeavours to plan and prepare for flush floods.
Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Davies Mwango recently declared in Chisamba that government is ready to handle any disasters that may arise as a result of floods.
