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Mike Mulongoti addressing the media at the conference
Opposition All People’s Party (APP) president Mike Mulongoti says the Republican President’s physical presence at any assembly means authority even without uttering a word.
Mr Mulongoti says the physical presence of the President at any national or official event was important for the high office.
He said the Republican President’s positions are cardinal in the governance of the country.
The opposition leader said this in an interview in Lusaka today.
Mr Mulongoti said people should be concerned on what could happen in the country if the two offices were vacant because the duo are important players in key issues of the nation.
Kalusha Bwalya has confirmed that FAZ wants Honour Janza to take over as Chipolopolo caretaker coach following the resignation of Frenchman Patrice Beaumelle.
Beaumelle has left the Zambia top job to join Ivory Coast as an assistant to Herve Renard.
Janza is currently serving as FAZ technical director.
Kalusha said FAZ will meet soon to chart the way forward after Beaumelle’s departure.
“Just the same as we did when Herve Renard left Patrice was in charge and now that Patrice is not here the technical team is still there. The person who has been number two to Patrice has always been Honour Janza and Kampamba Chintu has been assisting,” he told Radio Icengelo in Kitwe.
Kalusha said the current technical bench, which has Davies Phiri as well, will be in charge as Zambia competes in the 2015 Africa Cup qualifiers to take place between September and November.
“We will sit down with the FAZ executive and our stakeholders to look at the current situation. I think the guys (current bench) will do the qualifiers and then we will pick it up from there,” he said.
Zambia will begin the Morocco AFCON qualifiers with a home Group F match against Mozambique on September
Meanwhile, other Group F teams are Cape Verde and Niger.
President Sata with Bob Sichinga and Foreign Affairs minister Harry Kalaba in Brussels
Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba is scheduled to attend the first ever USA-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC.
The Minister will be attending the Summit with other Senior Government officials.
Speaking ahead of the Summit, Mr. Kalaba says the meeting he is set to attend is very important as it tackle important issues of trade and investment in Africa and the commitment of America to Africa’s security and democratic development.
Mr. Kalaba says the summit will also be an opportunity to interact with other countries and forge stronger ties for cooperation with the west.
He said as Zambia continues to pursue economic diplomacy, this summit will add to the efforts Government is making in promoting trade and investment.
This is contained in a statement signed by the ministry’s Public Relations officer Alick Banda, today.
The minister said that the USA remains an important partner in the contribution to the development of African countries.
Mr. Kalaba is confident that the outcome of the Summit will be important for all African countries.
The United States will be hosting a USA-Africa Leaders Summit scheduled from 4th to 6th August 2014 in Washington DC.
US President Obama will be on hand to welcome leaders from across the African continent to the Nation’s Capital for a three-day U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the first such event of its kind.
The summit, the largest event any U.S. President has held with African heads of state and government, will build on the President’s trip to Africa in the summer of 2013 and it will strengthen ties between the United States and one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest growing regions.
The Meeting will discuss among other key issues trade and investment in Africa and highlight America’s commitment to Africa’s security, its democratic development and its people.
It will also highlight the depth and breadth of the United States’ commitment to the African continent, advance shared priorities and enable discussion of concrete ideas to deepen the partnership.
The Summit also aims at fostering stronger ties between the United States and Africa.
File:Patriotic Front Secretary General Winter Kabimba and Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe on arrival at Luwingu where Mr. Kabimba first addressed a mammoth rally at President’s Park before officiating at the district conference. Looking on is Lupososhi Member of Parliament Lazarous Chungu
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba has charged that some elite and educated Zambians want to hijack the constitution making process.
Mr Kabimba said the PF Government will not allow a small group of elite Zambians to drive and influence the process of enacting a new constitution.He said President Sata’s administration was voted in by poor Zambians from places such as Kanyama and Chibolya who should have a say on how the process should be handled.
Mr Kabimba who is also PF Secretary General was speaking Sunday evening on ZNBC TV on a live programme called Sunday Interview.
“The constitution will not be decided by a small group of educated Zambians who use Chizungu (English) in social clubs because they are people who vilified Mr Michael Sata. They mocked the man and never attended his rallies, I was there myself and I never saw these type of Zambians who now want to hijack the process,” he said.
Mr Kabimba added, “The people that voted for Michael Sata don’t even speak Chizungu. They live in Kanyama and when we speak to them they tell us that they want development first, they want roads, better health care and good education.”
He said the PF administration will not abdicate its role of delivering development to all parts of the country.
“Our manifesto has 28 programmes and the constitution happens to be just one of them. We will go and ask the people what their priorities were but we will not leave the poor behind because they are the ones that gave us the mandate.”
The Justice Minister also revealed that Government has not yet met to discuss the draft constitution.
“We are yet to meet. Government has got rules and regulations on how it operates. I cannot be disclosing everything to the press because you cannot run government through the press. We are still on course with the constitution and the public will be briefed at an appropriate time,” Mr Kabimba said.
[pullquote]
Kabimba said government has not yet met to discuss the draft constitution.
[/pullquote]
He also revealed that he will soon be organising a meeting with some key stakeholders on the constitution making process drawn from the civil society to get consensus on some of the issues regarding the process.
The Justice Minister also explained that the ongoing Justice and Legal Reforms are not in conflict with the constitution making process.
“We are the only Government in the history of this country that wants to comprehensively reform our legal and justice system and I believe this process does not conflict with the constitution making process, if anything these two processes are complimentary,” he said.
On the issue of MPs salary demands, Mr Kabimba said the MP’s demands can be justified because they go through a lot of suffering when visiting their constituencies especially for rural based areas.
“I was listening to the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Vernon Mwaanga on Radio Phoenix the other day and he said there was really nothing wrong with MPs demanding for better remuneration but maybe the timing was not okey and I agree with him.”
Mr Kabimba however stated that both the PF Central Committee and the PF cabinet are yet to meet to discuss the new salary demands by MPs.
“If we want our MPs to deliver and work efficiently then we must be ready to answer questions around their remuneration. I have travelled to rural parts of this country and I have seen how MPs struggle,” he said.
And Mr Kabimba who is also President of the Council of African Political Parties has called for a cease fire and an end to the conflict in Gaza.
“What is happening in Gaza today is very sad. Not only for the people of Gaza but for the international community. To see 1,300 plus lives most of them children and women die in a conflict like that cannot be justified by anybody in the 21st century.
It is high time that the international community took a stand to bring the two parties to a cease fire, to bring the two sides to the negotiating table so that what is happening in Gaza table does not repeat itself.”
File: Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Harry Kalaba crosses Ngwerere stream on a pair of planks in Lusaka at a site in Mandevu Township where the Government intends to build a modern foot bridge
Foreign Affairs minister Harry Kalaba is scheduled to attend the first ever USA-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC.
The Minister will be attending the Summit with other Senior Government officials.
Speaking ahead of the Summit, Mr. Kalaba said the meeting he is set to attend is very important as it tackle important issues of trade and investment in Africa and the commitment of America to Africa’s security and democratic development.
Mr. Kalaba said the summit will also be an opportunity to interact with other countries and forge stronger ties for cooperation with the west.
He said as Zambia continues to pursue economic diplomacy, this summit will add to the efforts Government is making in promoting trade and investment.
This is contained in a statement released to the media by Public Relations officer Alick Banda.
The minister said that the USA remains an important partner in the contribution to the development of African countries.
Mr. Kalaba is confident that the outcome of the Summit will be important for all African countries.
The United States will be hosting a USA-Africa Leaders Summit scheduled from 4th to 6th August 2014 in Washington DC.
US President Obama will be on hand to welcome leaders from across the African continent to the Nation’s Capital for a three-day U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the first such event of its kind.
The summit, the largest event any U.S. President has held with African heads of state and government, will build on the President’s trip to Africa in the summer of 2013 and it will strengthen ties between the United States and one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest growing regions.
The Meeting will discuss among other key issues trade and investment in Africa and highlight America’s commitment to Africa’s security, its democratic development and its people.
It will also highlight the depth and breadth of the United States’ commitment to the African continent, advance shared priorities and enable discussion of concrete ideas to deepen the partnership.
The Summit also aims at fostering stronger ties between the United States and Africa.
ZAMBIA Railways Limited chief executive officer Muyenga Atanga giving instructions to his staff on company’s operations during tour of ZRL Kitwe station.
The Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) has maintained that a modern train is coming to Zambia before the end of this month.
Company Chief Executive Officer, Professor Muyenga Atanga, has told QFM News in an interview that the people of Zambia will be surprised with the state of the art modern train the company is bringing to Zambia this month.
Professor Atanga states that the modern train will be one of the greatest gifts the Zambian people will receive as they commemorate 50 years of Golden Jubilee.
Professor Atanga says the people will see a train they have never seen before and they will be proud of the achievements of the Zambia Railways Limited.
He says the company is comprised of hard working and focused personnel who are willing to add value to this country and that they will always strive to bring the best to the country.
DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito has said that the delay to issue instructions by his office to refer cases to the High Court for trial is as a result of shoddy investigations by some police officers.
Mr Nchito said this yesterday at the closure of the Lusaka sittings for the Legal and Justice Sector Reform Commission in Matero Township.
He said that some police officers’ investigations needed to be re-visited before a matter was referred to the High Court.
Mr Nchito said police officers were creating a problem by placing this blame on his office, knowing that they were the ones who delayed cases because of to rushed investigations.
The DPP was responding to concerns by petitioners who wanted to know why murder and aggravated robbery cases took long to be referred to the High Court for trial.
Mr Nchito said the office of the DPP had made it mandatory that a file taken to his office should be verified within two to three days but that the delay arose when there were too many queries that needed further investigations.
He said sensitive cases like murder needed to be verified thoroughly before referring them to higher courts compared to political offences and that citizens should understand that procedures differed in such cases.
“Police investigators should stop putting the blame on the DPP’s chambers, they know what delays the cases. It’s sometimes their shoddy investigations but when in court they will say we are waiting for instructions from the DPP. I think that is where the problem lies,” Mr Nchito said.
Mr Nchito said political cases were also delayed once referred to the High Court due in some cases to procedure.
Some petitioners submitted that the Ruth Mbandu case and others like it had dragged on for a long time, while other cases were progressing well, including the election petitions which had even been given a time frame to be disposed off.
“This is sad. Those with non-bailable offences are rotting in jail because of the DPP’s chambers. Citizens and the nation at large are all following with keen interest these matters. We have noticed that political cases are being disposed off faster than murder and aggravated robbery cases,” they said.
The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has appealed to the government to implement the International Health Regulations (IHR) as guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) in a bid to safeguard the citizens from international health threats such as Ebola.
UPND Vice President Dr. Canicius Banda told QFM News in a statement that all points of entry need to be manned by suitable public health officers at all times.
Dr. Banda noted that on each of these requirements, Zambia is not ready, and with the fiscal crisis that the country is currently facing, people need to pray that this Ebola outbreak just does not reach the country.
He said this is also why his party shall continue to call upon the Justice Minister and PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba, to stop smuggling people into the country.
Dr. Banda stated that it is because of such activities that Ebola can be brought into the country, and subsequently the lives of citizens can be severely endangered.
He has since urged the government to focus on doing the right things for the sake of national unity and development.
Dr. Banda, who is also a professional Medical Doctor, explains that the signs and symptoms of Ebola include headache, sweating, sneezing, body malaise, vomiting blood, coughing blood, blood in stool and prostration.
He furthermore explained that the disease often shows one to three weeks following exposure and that it can be spread from person to person through direct contact.
He said nearly everyone that catches Ebola dies and that it is for this reason that the people should continue to pray for each other.
THE Church must not fall prey to a small section of people who want to hijack the constitution-making process, Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba has said.
Mr Kabimba said Government is aware of a scheme by a small group of people who want to hijack the constitution-making process under the guise of championing the will of the people.
The minister said this in Lusaka yesterday in a speech read for him by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabriel Namulambe during a special Sunday service dubbed ‘Harvest Sunday’ at the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Kaunda Square
“As Patriotic Front in government, we get disappointed when the church aligns itself with individuals and groups of people who want to frustrate efforts in uplifting the standards of our people,” Mr Kabimba said.
He also said it is disappointing when the Church decides to rush to the media on matters that can be addressed through direct engagement.
“Our view as Government is that we should all work towards civil engagements rather than hostile media-based confrontations during times of differences of opinion,” he said.
Mr Kabimba, who is PF secretary general, said all stakeholders should direct their efforts towards consensus instead of being confrontational.
“The church wants a people-driven constitution, and so does the PF government and this is why we are working hard to open up platforms for dialogue and consensus building on this important issue,” Mr Kabimba said.
He said it is clear that the development goals of the PF government and the socio-economic roles played by the Church are in tandem.
“The church wants to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and shelter the homeless. In the same vein, the PF government is making tireless efforts through increased social sector investments and implementing a set of pro-poor policies and programmes,” Mr Kabimba said
He said Government cannot successfully carry out the development agenda on its own without the support of the Church.
Meanwhile, the Grand Coalition championing for the speedy enactment of the new republican constitution has praised the Catholic Church for being bold and resolute in accommodating the grand coalition in holding prayer meetings at their premises despite intimidation, harassment and threats from the powers that be.
The Grand Coalition urged Zambians to rise up and be counted in this crusade stating that the constitutional ball is in their hands.
Grand Coalition Spokesperson, MacDonald Chipenzi said that Zambians have waited for a new constitution for a long time and time to rescue it is now or never.
Mr. Chipenzi reminded the government that honoring electoral promise is more honorable than pretending that they never promised.
Mr. Chipenzi said that the earlier the government hands over the document to the owners, the better, if not, the Grand Coalition will use all means possible, civil and uncivilized, to smoke out the constitution from wherever it is being kept.
Mr. Chipenzi said that the Grand Coalition is currently in Mansa District in Luapula Province which is the sixth province that the Grand Coalition on the Campaign for a new people-driven Constitution has organized and successfully held prayers meetings demanding for government to immediately release the final draft constitution.
He stated that many people are asking whether these prayers have yielded anything especially that government has remained adamant in releasing the document to the people.
Mr. Chipenzi, who is also FODEP Executive Director, said that the prayers have achieved a lot among the achievements include: rising of public awareness, confusion in the governments circles laying bare their deceit on the process and we are yet to see more panic on the party of government once we roll-out our activities in the provinces and districts.
HOME Affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula cuts ribbon to flag off the march past for Labour Celebrations in Kitwe
Government says it will construct an artificial insemination centre at a cost of K 247,000 in Solwezi District to improve cattle breeds in area and beyond.
Vice President Guy Scott says that already a contractor for the project has already been awarded for the job and is already on site.
He said government through the ministry of agriculture will this year also construct a dip tank at Miranda in Chief Moment’s chiefdom at a cost of K180, 000 to assist in reduction of livestock diseases.
He added that government has this year increased the number of farmer input support programmed beneficiaries in Solwezi from 11,300 to 12,500 out of which 1,570 will be from Chief Moment’s chiefdom.
The Vice President said this in a speech ready on his behalf by Home Affairs Minister, Dr Ngosa Simbyakula during this year’s Lubinda Ntongo traditional ceremony of the Kaonde speaking people held at Chief Mumena’s palace in Solwezi, yesterday.
Dr Scott implored traditional leaders to take a leading role in discouraging practices that hinder development such as gender based violence and marrying off their school going girls at a tender age.
Speaking at the same occasion, Lubinda Ntongo Ntongo National Chairperson, General Sunday Kayumba implored the people of Chief Mumena to take advantage of government’s developmental projects taking place in the area to better their lives.
Meanwhile, prominent clergy, Bishop Kazhila implored traditional leaders and the people of North-western province to be united and be focused to Jesus Christ in order to enhance development in the province.
Bishop Kazhila said time for worshiping idols, ancestors, wizardly and Satanism is over and therefore people need to focus their faith in Jesus.
Information Minister Dr Joseph Katema with Dr Cristopher Kalila
Government has embarked on an exercise to review the National Information and Media Policy in the country.
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Joseph Katema, has disclosed that his ministry has so far collected views from eight provinces across the country with only Lusaka and Western provinces remaining.
Mr Katema has since urged media institutions in the country to submit their views, adding that once the policy is adopted by government it will have bearing on their operations.
The Minister said this after touring various media stands at the ongoing 88th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show in Lusaka today.
Dr Katema, who was accompanied by Director for Press and Media Development, Isaac Chipampe, toured ZANIS, ZNBC, Prime TV, Muvi TV, Radio Phoenix, Hot FM, Zambia Daily Mail and Multi Choice stands.
This year’s 88th Agricultural and Commercial Show is being held under the theme “2014 Breaking New Grounds and Commemorating Fifty Years of Zambia’s Independence.
And Dr Katema said Government will continue to break new grounds by creating an enabling environment in which the media can flourish without any impediments.
Dr Katema said government has demonstrated this through the liberalisation of airwaves which has given rise to a number of radio and television stations countrywide.
He added that government has also demonstrated this commitment by giving the public media editorial independence.
FILE: Zambia national team players go through a training session under the guidance of then Head Coach Herve Renard (right) and Physical Trainer Patrice Beaumelle at the Olympic Youth Development Center in Lusaka
DEPARTURE OF ACTING ZAMBIA NATIONAL TEAM COACH PATRICE BEAUMELLE
The Football Association of Zambia wishes to officially announce Mr. Patrice Beaumelle has decided not exercise his right to renew his contract with the Association following its expiry on 31st July, 2014.
Beaumelle who until recently had been acting as Head Coach for the Zambia National Team following the departure of Herve Renard leaves Zambia after five years of commitment, dedication and hardwork which during both coaches tenure saw the Zambia National Team lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy for the first time in February, 2012 in Libreville, Gabon.
FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya thanked Beaumelle for his tireless dedication to duty and for showing commitment to the country especially since the departure of Renard.
In his letter dated 3rd August, 2014 addressed to the FAZ President Beaumelle thanked the Association for showing confidence in his abilities.
“From the outset, let me express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity you gave me to serve as coach of the Zambia National Football Team; a position I served with honour, to the best of my ability and thoroughly enjoyed through the many games and championships we competed in.
“As I leave the Chipolopolo, I wish once again, to proffer my deepest gratitude to you Mr President and through you to the Patron of FAZ, the Minister of Sports and FAZ partners who worked with us, staff of the Football Association of Zambia and Zambia national team, the players and people of Zambia who are very passionate about their game and supported me throughout the last one year.
“I wish you well for the future and believe that with your leadership, FAZ and Zambian football will continue to soar to greater heights and attain many more glorious days.
“Working with the Chipolopolo, the various junior teams including Women National Team which qualified to its maiden African championship has been a real pleasure. The journey was exciting and challenging and had many good and difficult situations but I take with me the good memories.” Beaumelle said.
FAZ expects that the current Zambia National Team technical bench to continue in the interim.
Nkweto Tembwe
Communications Manager
Football Association of Zambia
Movement for Multiparty Democracy President Nevers Mumba has said that during his campaign and visits of party structures in Luapula he never attacked any individual nor did he talk about other opposition political parties as was portrayed by some media houses who twisted facts to suit their agenda.
Dr Mumba says political stakeholders are not responding to the issues he raised during his tour of Luapula Province.
Dr. Mumba who recently toured the Province noted that many people did not discuss the issues he raised but instead believed the falsehoods reported in some sectors of the media who are bent on ruining his reputation and that of the the former ruling party.
He said people should base their discussion on issues and challenges which the people are facing in Luapula such as the perpetual feel fuel shortages in the province.
[pullquote]It would be immoral for any member of our party to use anyone’s disability to campaign[/pullquote]
“There are things which were reported in some sectors of the media which are not true. My tour of Luapula province was not about talking about individuals and other opposition political parties no; we went to Luapula to help party officials win the by-elections and visited party structures.
“The campaign meetings which we had were successful and we never talked about individuals, for example I was accused of mocking Mr. Chilangwa I personally do not know him, of course I know he is deputy minister but I have never met the gentleman.
” It would be immoral for any member of our party to use anyone’s disability to campaign, in any case I have a very good relationship with the disabled in the country, I worked with them closely when I was vice president so they know that those I can’t say the things some people are saying come from me,” Dr. Mumba said.
He added “I also did not say anything about our colleagues in the UPND.”
“I think people are not discussing what I raised as primary concerns of the people in the province; issues such as the perpetual feel fuel shortages, issues such as the high mealie meal prices instead people have centered their responses on the lies reported in a named media house.”
[pullquote]“I also did not say anything about our colleagues in the UPND.”[/pullquote]
And the opposition leader says people of Luapula Province will demonstrate through the local government by-elections to the ruling party that it is a one term government.
On the prospects of the party in the province Dr. Mumba said people in Luapula are fed up with the lies of the Patriotic Front and want to go back to the party they know well.
He said he had visited the grassroot structures and seen for himself that structures are still intact and that what they only needed was for leaders from lusaka to visit them and explain what is happening to their party.
He expressed confidence that the party will demonstrate that it is regaining its popularity in the province which is the ruling party’s strong hold by scooping the majority of local government by-elections in province.
“I think our members are eager to work and now they have renewed hope in the party leadership. What they needed was visitation from senior members of the party; we have just done that and our meetings were successful.
We visited 6 constituencies starting with Kawambwa, Mwense, Chiengi and Chembe among others and the reception from the members of the public wherever we had campaign meetings were overwhelming an indication that they want their party (MMD)back in office.
The MMD leader was in the province to check party structures and conduct campaigns for the candidates in the six local government by-elections.
While in Luapula the opposition leader paid courtesy calls on tradition leaders Mwata Kazembe and Chief Puta.
