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President Michael Sata shakes hands with former Republican president Rupiah Banda at the commemoration of Africa Freedom Day at the freedom statue in Lusaka
LUSAKA, 29th October, 2014— His Excellency Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, the Fourth President of the Republic of Zambia, has described the late Zambian President, His Excellency Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, as a passionate and determined competitor who should be mourned with dignity and honour.
President Banda has also appealed to Zambians to set aside the ideas that separate them and embrace the humanity and dignity that defines them as a people.In his message of condolences, President Banda has said the late President was more than a public servant and was a Zambian, in body, soul, and spirit.He has urged all Zambians to remain patient and have trust in one another as the country mourns the late head of State.
President Banda this morning phoned President Sata’s son, Mulenga, in London to convey his condolences to the Sata family.
Below is President Banda’s statement in full
Brothers and Sisters, we find ourselves in mourning today with the devastating news of our President’s passing.
Michael Chilufya Sata was more than a public servant. He was a passionate competitor, a man of conviction and determination. He was also a loving son, a husband, a father, and to me, despite everything we have been through, a friend.
Above all, Michael Sata was a Zambian, in body, soul, and spirit.
In these moments of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with the President’s family. Though the sadness weighs heavily on your hearts, may God grant you peace, strength, and resolve.
You may count on the support of your fellow countrymen in this difficult time.It is natural that some people may feel a passionate reaction to this sadness.
But it is most important in this moment to remain calm; to reflect and honour the President with dignity. Others may be unsettled and searching for answers, but we must remain patient and have trust in one another.
As a country, we have gone through this before, and we made it to the other side because we were united.
Let this be a time that we set aside the ideas that separate us, and embrace the humanity and dignity that unites us as a country and defines us as a people.
For now, we all mourn and pray for the Sata family, who shall feel our love and compassion. But we will also remain strong, and remember that the darkest hour comes before dawn.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia has learnt with deep sorrow about the death of Zambian President Michael Sata at the time Zambia is celebrating its Golden Jubilee.
MISA Zambia will remember President Sata for his contribution towards media freedom which included making the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Act of 2002 operational and allowing the Zambian media to self-regulate through the Zambian Media Council (ZAMEC).
We convey our deepest condolences to the President’s family as we mourn with the people of Zambia and pray for God’s comfort during this sad period.
May the soul of our departed President rest in peace.
Hellen Mwale
Chairperson – MISA Zambia
29 October 2014
President Sata being welcomed by Vice-President Dr Guy Scott on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport from New York on sepember 28,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Today we mourn the passing of our republican president. Make no mistake about it, whether we voted for him or not, whether we supported or opposed his ideas or style of leadership, he was our president. His parting is a huge loss to our nation and brings to the fore memories of the passing of the late Levy Mwanawasa.
The passing of Mr. Sata comes at a time when we have just commemorated and celebrated our Golden Jubilee. It is a time that will therefore carry with it, bitter-sweet memories in the years to come.
Our immediate concern must be to mourn our departed leader and to console the first family and our nation. This must not be a time to campaign but a time to mourn. This should not be a time for division but a time to heal. There can be no joy in the death of another but only a sense of awareness of our own death and what we each must do while we are alive to make the most of the remaining time allotted to us by our Creator.
Let us reflect the Zambian spirit that shows there is more that unites than separates us. Let us mourn the passing of our president with the sense of dignity and unity befitting the death of a head of state.
Elias C. Chipimo
President
National Restoration Party
29 October 2014
Matero MP Miles Sampa (r) dresses Vice President Dr. Guy Scott (l) a PF scarf on arrival at Kaoma air strip to drum up support ahead of the forthcoming Mangango August 19 2014, Parliamentary bye elections in Kaoma District, Western Province,
This is Part 2 of my comment on the just ended Golden Jubilee celebration in Zambia. It was drafted a week ago but interrupted by my “Apology to Lusaka Times Bloggers”. The articles are intended to put the just ended Zambian “Golden Jubilee” in perspective as I believe that the occasion that should have been used to seriously re-look at our independence journey and seriously take stock of national issues turned out to be a “celebration” as advertised, entertainment instead of a deep national reflection. Leadership has been lacking during this Jubilee season. Part 2 was to dwell on Governance, with focus on the Judiciary, the Executive and Parliament and to express an opinion on why President Sata did NOT allow his appointed Vice President to act as President.
Unfortunately as I was about to post this Part there was another interruption brought on by “breaking news” first from a series of sms’s from all over, then ZWD, LT, SABC and our own MUVI TV. I am compelled to amend Part 2 to be in two parts, namely this one which I now title “Golden Jubilee 2 the Preface” and “Golden Jubilee 2 the Main Discussion”.
Guy Scott does not qualify to act
The thrust of this specific argument is still on the Rule of Law and Constitutionalism. Part of the “breaking news” states that Cabinet has appointed Dr Guy Scott as Acting President. It is my contention that Dr Guy Scott does NOT qualify to be President of Zambia under the current Constitution; and further that in view of this he does NOT qualify even to be appointed Vice President. I contend that the position of Republican President is ONE office comprising two tiers for purposes of continuity (the President and HIS VICE).
It is ridiculous or laughable to suggest that a person who does not qualify to be President or, more accurately, is estopped expressly by the Constitution from ascending to the highest strategic office in Zambia, can be allowed to act in that capacity. President Sata’s act to appoint Dr Scott was either due to an oversight, ignorance or was under duress. President Sata may have realised the error but could not admit this publicly and sort to correct it by NOT allowing Dr Scott to act.
[pullquote]President Sata may have realised the error and sort to correct it by NOT allowing Dr Scott to act.[/pullquote]
Dr Scott has given two statements on his appointment: first in 2011 or early 2012 he revealed that he knew that he was not qualified due to the parentage clause, which he declared was going to be changed anyway. However he went on to reveal that at a high-powered meeting (PF and/or Cabinet) attended by powerful lawyers he said that he was advised that he qualified to be appointed Vice President but not President. Sometime this year he declared that he qualified to be President. He cited no provisions of the law, and neither did he disclose who his lawyer-consultants were. Are they the same ones who gave him the first opinion or they are different or has there been a secret amendment? I challenge them to appear publicly and debate this serious constitutional issue.
Article 33 (1) states that “there shall be a President of the Republic of Zambia who shall be the Head of State and of the Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force”. Article 34 (3) (b) states that “A person SHALL be qualified to be a candidate for election as President if ‘both his parents are Zambian by birth or descent’ ”, a very clear provision which has first to be amended if Dr Scott is to qualify.
It appears that the President relied on Article 45 (2) which states that “The Vice President shall be appointed by the President from amongst the members of the National Assembly”. I contend that this clause should NOT be read in isolation but with Article 34 (3) (b). In fact the whole of Article 45 should be read with Articles 33 and 34 in mind.
When I wrote “Golden Jubilee 1” I was concerned about the serious constitutional impasse that would arise and that seems to have arisen should the President pass on. I shall publish the remaining Part 2 later.
But I now urge the Cabinet to dump “Donchi Kubeba” and be truthful and engage even other citizens who may not be PF during this uncertain period for a smooth transition. But I declare that Dr Scott DOES NOT QUALIFY TO BE VICE PRESIDENT, LET ALONE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA.
Let us pray for peace and tranquillity. May God bless Zambia.
GODFREY MIYANDA, BRIGADIER GENERAL [29TH OCTOBER 2014]
Postscript: at about 08.35 hours Zambian time, as I was about to post this article, there was another interruption on ZNBC TV. Dr Roland Msiska, the Secretary to the Cabinet, has just confirmed the death of our President in London. My advance condolences.
FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya has paid tribute to slain Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper was shot dead by robbers on Sunday while visiting a friend near Johannesburg.
“It is a tragedy for South African football to lose one of it’s brightest stars in Senzo Meyiwa.
We are all shocked that soneone so talented and at the peak of his time can lose his life in such a manner,” he said.
Kalusha added:”On behalf of the Zambian football family, we want to express our sincere condolences to Orlando Pirates, the South African Football Association, his family and friends.”
South African Police on Sunday said two men entered his friend’s house about 18h00 and a third waited outside before they all fled immediately after the shooting.
Meyiwa kept a clean-sheet in Bafana Bafana’s first four matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Jericho Shinde says Nkana striker Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba deserves a place in the Chipolopolo squad.
The ex-Nkana and Zambia midfielder said Kampamba is ripe to command a place in the Chipolopolo starting line-up.
The 2013 and 2012 FAZ Super League top scorer is yet to break in the main Zambia team.
“It is long overdue that the young man play for the senior national team. Had he been included in the national team some two years back he could have matured into a very good player at international level,” Shinde said.
Kampamba has so far this year scored 18 goals in all competitions.
“Everything has got time and the little man should realise that as a striker is supposed to score goals, that is nornal. Otherwise this boy makes a lot of difference and deserve to be in the national team,” he added.
“That young man Sate Sate can spring from any-where and score goals,” Shinde praised Kampamba.
ames Thornton – BRITISH High Commissioner to Zambia
British High Commissioner James Thornton has paid tribute to the late President, Michael Chilufya Sata.
Mr Thornton said,“It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of His Excellency the President.
Michael Sata was a veteran politician who served in a variety of government positions, and as a tenacious opposition leader, before becoming President in 2011. He was a man who cared deeply about the people of Zambia and about the country’s development. During his Presidency Zambia continued its rapid economic growth. His government invested heavily in developing Zambia’s infrastructure, and has made some good recent progress in areas such as civil service reform. His Government was particularly active in promoting the rights of women and girls.”
President Sata inspects a guard of honour during the opening of parliament on September 19, 2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska has confirmed President Michael Sata’s death in London.
Dr. Msiska said President Sata died last night at 23:11 hours Zambian time at King Edward VII Hospital Beaumont Central London.He said First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba and his son Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata and others were present at the bedside at the time of his passing on.
Dr Msiska has urged Zambians to remain calm, united and peaceful during this difficult period.He added that the nation will be kept informed of other details regarding the funeral and burial arrangements.
President Sata left the country on 20th October for medical checkup in London accompanied by the first Lady and other members of the family.
President Sata was born on July 6,1937, and became Zambia’s fifth President on 23rd September,2011.
Confirmed: President Sata died in the early hours of today in London where he has been receiving medical treatment.
International media, including Reuters are reporting that Zambian President Michael Sata has died in London, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness, quoting three private Zambian media outlets said on Wednesday.
There has been no official comment so far from Government officials.
According to reports , President Sata had died on Tuesday evening at London’s King Edward VII hospital. The hospital declined to comment.
Sata, 77, left Zambia for medical treatment abroad on Oct. 19 accompanied by his wife and family members, according to a brief government statement that gave no further details.
There has been no official update on his condition and acting president Edgar Lungu had to lead celebrations last week to mark the landlocked nation’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain.
Concern over Sata’s health has been mounting in Africa’s second-largest copper producer since June, when he disappeared from the public eye without explanation and was then reported to be getting medical treatment in Israel.
He missed a scheduled speech at the U.N. General Assembly in September amid reports that he had fallen ill in his New York hotel. A few days before that, he had attended the opening of parliament in Lusaka, joking: “I am not dead.”
Sata has not been seen in public since he returned to Zambia from New York in late September.
Patriotic Front Copperbelt Vice Chairperson Steven Kainga has confirmed that the Provincial Executive Committee has with immediate effect dissolved the Luanshya District Executive Committee for Gross Misconduct.
Mr. Kainga says some party officials who have serving suspensions have not been attending meetings a move he says has led to disunity in the party.
He says the interim Chairperson has been calling for meetings but some party Members have decided to stay away from a move he says was against the party constitution.
He says the part was alive to the fact that some people where being denied a chance to attend meetings by those suspended due indiscipline.
Mr. Kainga has further confirmed that the Provincial Executive Committee will soon usher in a new district executive to run the affairs on the party in the district.
He says the party is looking at people who can immensely contribute to the development of the party and not those with intentions of dividing the ruling party.
Meanwhile Mr. Kainga has commended Mr. Lungu for dissolving the boards of NGOs aligned to the PF as most members did not even know that the boards existed.
“As a province we have no problem with the dissolved board if its meant for the growth and unity of party. We never even knew the boards and did not benefit from them,” he said.
The Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST) has attributed the escalating road traffic accidents and injuries to the unprecedented high levels and rates of motorization in the country.
Trust Chairman Daniel Mwamba said this in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Mr Mwamba charged that Zambia ranks high on the global rate of deaths and injuries resulting from road traffic accidents.
He said over 2,000 fatalities in road accidents are recorded annually and that the situation had degenerated into a public health crisis.
Mr Mwamba said his organization would embark on a road safety campaign aimed at improving child road safety in the country.
He said his organization will work in partnership with PUMA Energy Foundation and the International road safety NGO – Amend to implement the road safety programme to change unsafe behaviours on the roads in order to protect school going children from road traffic injury.
The Road Safety Trust will on Friday October 31, 2014 launch a child road safety programme at New Kanyama Primary School in Lusaka before being rolled out countrywide.
Mr Mwamba said the Road Safety Trust believes that the project will save lives and protect young children who are at great risk of road traffic injury.
And PUMA Energy Foundation Executive Director Vincent Faber expressed optimism that the partnership between the Zambia Road Safety Trust and Amend will help in educating Zambian children on the dangers of the road .
Mr Faber hoped that safety messages would be prioritized in the implementation of vital road safety activities across the country in order to foster road safety.
Government has lashed out at opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema for belittling the Kariba boat accident by politicizing the tragedy.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Joseph Katema said government takes great exception to Mr Hichilema’s statement in which he questioned the morality of the governance system that subjects citizens to modes of transport such as the one in which 25 people perished on Lake Kariba last Friday.
In a statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Dr Katema described Mr Hichilema‘s statement as political and insensitive to the tragedy and the deep grief and sorrow that has engulfed the nation following the death of the school children and others in the Kariba boat accident.
The Minister said that it was only appropriate that the country puts aside politics and finger-pointing and devote time to mourn the lives of the departed citizens.
Dr Katema who is also Chief government spokesperson has since advised the opposition leader and the public to desist from politicizing tragic events.
He assured the nation that government will ensure it gets to the bottom of the matter and establish the circumstances that led to the tragedy as investigations into the matter were still going-on.
Mr Hichilema in a statement released to the media is quoted as having questioned the morality of the country’s governance system for subjecting citizens to unstable modes of transport so many years after independence.
He urged the nation to begin to aspire for better services that will safeguard the safety and lives of people crossing water bodies.
On October 24, as Zambia was celebrating g its Golden Jubilee, 25 people among them 22 school going children perished when their 14 seater banana boat capsized as they attempted to cross Lake Kariba in Gwembe district in Southern Province.
Government has since declared tomorrow, Wednesday, October 29, 2014 a day of national mourning in honour of the 25 Kariba accident victims who will be buried in a mass grave in Gwembe on the same day.
Below is the full statement issued by UPND Leader Mr Hichilema
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
28th October 2014
The Kariba Jubilee Tragedy
It is with great pain and sorrow that UPND join the rest of the country in mourning the death of the 26 Zambians, majority of whom children, that drowned on Lake Kariba on their way for Jubilee celebrations in Gwembe District of Southern Province.
As we mourn this tragic loss, we call upon authorities to establish how such a tragedy accident could have happened so that there would be no recurrence in future.
To lose such a big number of people, who are in their prime and with so much to give to the country, is a big tragedy. These young people had families, friends and certainly hopes and dreams of a better life. They were alive one second and died the next. They did not expect to go so soon and in the manner they did. They were like you and me, full of hope and better prospects for the future. They were Zambians, they were our brothers and sisters, our children, they were the future of this country.
As we mourn these young men and women, let us remember to pray for their souls, as well as pray for their families and friends that they left behind. May God give their loved ones strength and peace that surpasses human understanding so that they may deal with their loss and sorrow. Remember that people that depart from this earth never truly leave, for they are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. It is also true that when we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over us. So may you take comfort in knowing that you have an angel to watch over you now, to watch over all of us.
However, let us also begin to question the morality of our governance systems that subject our citizens to such modes of transport so many years after independence. Let us begin to aspire for better services that will guarantee the safety and lives of our people. Let us not let our brothers and sisters die in vain, but let us use this painful experience to improve the water transport sector that put the lives of many more Zambians in similar dangers everyday.
We call upon government authorities to fully engage communities around the country that use water transport and sensitize them on safe methods of crossing water bodies, such as the need for life saving jackets and skills as well as on the need to rule on the numbers a boat can carry safely.
On behalf of the UPND, we join the rest of the country in mourning these gallant heroes who were on their way to commemorate a historic day in the history of our country.
We call on the entire country and the great spirit of the almighty God to be with the bereaved families in this time of pain and sorrow.
We are with those families in prayers and the UPND will do our best to comfort them in this period of anguish and sorrow.
Secretary to Cabinet Roland Msiska has launched the Government Wide Area Network (GWAN) aimed at interconnecting all government ministries and agencies countrywide.Dr. Msiska has since instructed heads of government institutions to ensure access to the facility is restricted to government business only.He noted that the coming of the facility poses great temptation to public officers who may want to stray into other unproductive sites thereby compromising the delivery of public services to the people.
He also urged heads of government institutions to come up with guidelines on how officers should use the facility to avoid leaking confidential government documents.The Secretary to Cabinet was speaking when he officially launched the Government Wide Area Network in Lusaka today.
Dr. Msiska stated that information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure was a vital component for facilitating improved service delivery by government especially in a knowledge based economy like Zambia’s.He said with this in mind, the Zambia Telecommunications Company (Zamtel) was in 2013, chosen to provide an internet protocol transport wide area network required to improve service delivery by all government ministries and agencies across the country.
Dr. Msiska said the completion of this project makes it possible for government to have full visibility and control of the network through a centralised network management and monitoring system.
And Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Mupanga Mwanakatwe disclosed that phase one of the project has been successfully completed and became fully operational on April 15, 2014.
Dr. Mwanakatwe said this has resulted in a highly secure, robust, efficient, scalable and reliable network, connecting a total of 24 government ministries including Cabinet Office, Office of the Auditor General and State House.He said phase two of the project will result in the interconnection of government ministries and agencies in all the ten provincial centres spread across the country.He added that a joint team of government and Zamtel personnel have completed surveys for phase two and will soon commence the works.
Dr. Mwanakatwe further stated that phase three of the project will interconnect all the government ministries and agencies in the remaining districts.He disclosed that through the implementation of GWAN, government will now enjoy a 73 percent reduction in the cost of internet despite an increase of 86 percent in capacity.
Dr. Mwanakatwe also stated that government has further been given a 90 percent reduction in cost of MPLS pricing, whilst capacity has increased by 400 percent.He explained that government was expected to make a total annual saving of about K95, 896,800 following the implementation of the project.
Government embarked on the ambitious project in 2012 to implement a national wide area network called Government Wide Area Network (GWAN) to interconnect all government ministries and agencies countrywide.This was in a bid to harmonize and consolidate internet services across the various individual ministries and agencies, which previously had independent internet providers.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy President Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba yesterday called for a day of prayer and fasting for President Michael Chilufya Sata and the nation.
Delivering his “Year of Jubilee” message at the Victory Bible Church Headquarters in Kitwe Dr Mumba cited 1 Timothy 2:1-3 which commands believers to pray for those in authority so that “… we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
Dr Mumba called on all the 52 Victory Bible Churches in Zambia and all ministries and leaders of Churches who have a passion for Zambia to join in this holy convocation.
He admonished all believers to pray and fast on Tuesday 28th October 2014 from 06:00hrs to 18:00hrs. Dr Mumba also announced the 2015 Victory Bible Church theme as “THE SEASON OF UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES.”
This contained in a press statement released to the media by the MMD media team.
