Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Technical Committee:TECHNICAL Committee on Drafting the Constitution spokesperson Ernest Mwansa speaking during a media briefing, as other members (from R to L) Patrick Mvunga, Reuben Lifuka, Suzanne Matale, Simon Kabanda, Chief Luchembe (third from left), Mwangala Zaloumis and Lubinda Aongola listen in
Former Technical Committee Spokesperson Ernest Mwansa has maintained that the 10 copies of the draft constitution and other accompanying documents have been handed over to the ministry of Justice.
This comes in the wake of statements made by Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and Permanent Secretary Joseph Akafumba denying that the draft constitution copies have been handed over to the ministry.
Mr. Mwansa has told Qfm News in an interview that the committee’s statement on the issue will not change because what was communicated to the public is the truth and nothing more.
Mr. Mwansa says the technical committee has already done its work and handed over the documents as instructed by government.
Mr. Mwansa adds that whatever statements are being made pertaining to the draft constitution now onwards have nothing to do with the technical Committee because the Committee has concluded its work.
Meanwhile the Oasis Forum says there is need for government to tell the nation the way forward on the constitution making process other than giving contradicting statements as this is not helping matters.
Oasis Forum Spokesperson Father Cleophas Lungu says Zambians need a new constitution as promised by the Patriotic Front government.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba speaks with women waiting for cervical Cancer screening in Mkushi where she is offering medical Services on September 9,2013-Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Black women may get less protection than whites from the vaccines recommended for preventing human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, a new study suggests.
The currently available vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, don’t target the types of HPV infection found most often in black women, the study authors said.
Experts have long believed that most cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with subtypes of the sexually transmitted virus known as HPV 16 and HPV 18. These are the strains targeted by Gardasil and Cervarix. (Gardasil also targets HPV 6 and HPV 11.)
But black women tend to develop cancer of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus or womb — and die from it more often than white women, even when screening programs are similar, according to background information included in the study. This led the researchers to wonder if blacks might be less likely to benefit from vaccination.
“HPV 16 and 18 occur less frequently in African-Americans than in whites,” said study researcher Cathrine Hoyo, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Duke University School of Medicine.
Hoyo’s team looked at women who had abnormal results on Pap tests — screenings to detect precancerous cervical abnormalities.
Of the nearly 600 women with Pap smear abnormalities in the study, about 86 percent had detectable HPV, Hoyo said.
“African-Americans had half the HPV 16 and 18 frequency as whites did,” said Hoyo, who is scheduled to present the findings Monday at a conference of the American Association for Cancer Research in National Harbor, Md.
The findings, if replicated in larger studies, could call into question the effectiveness of the current vaccines for all races, she said.
But women should still get an HPV vaccine, said Dr. Robert Morgan, co-director of the gynecological oncology program at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, Calif. “I don’t think recommendations on vaccination would change [based] on this data,” said Morgan, who was not involved in the research.
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year, and more than 4,000 women will die of the disease. Blacks are about 20 percent more likely to get cervical cancer, Hoyo said, and about twice as likely to die from it as white women.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends HPV vaccination for preteen boys and girls at age 11 or 12, before sexual activity begins. The vaccines, given in three injections over a six-month period, cost about $400 or more total.
In developing Gardasil and Cervarix, scientists relied on studies to pinpoint the strains of HPV most likely to lead to cancer. Studies were done on all ethnicities, Hoyo said, noting that there may have been insufficient numbers of black women in the research studies to pick up the differences in HPV subtypes.
“There has always been some skepticism about whether there are other strains that are important, other than 16 and 18,” she said. This study is not the first to report the differences, she said.
The findings, however, are not a reason for blacks not to get an HPV vaccine, Hoyo said. Testing of vaccines that target additional HPV subtypes are under way, and in time the problem may be solved, she added.
Research presented at medical meetings should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The Unspoilt Lower Zambezi National Park- however new mine coming soon
THE Lusaka high court has upheld the stay of execution granted to six environmental organisations against Government’s decision to allow the opening of a mining project in the lower Zambezi national park.
This means that the Kangaluwi mining project would not commence until the final determination of the appeal to the court by the organizations.
The organisations are challenging the Government’s decision on grounds that it was wrong in law and fact because it posed a danger on many people’s lives.
Judge Mubanga Kondolo said in upholding the decision yesterday that the damage to the environment that the project would cause was a matter of public concern and interest which affects all people born and unborn.
Mr Justice Kondolo said that if he lifted the stay of execution which was granted to the organisations on February 18, 2014, their appeal against the ministry of Mines, to allow the commencement of large scale mining in the national park would become nugatory and rendered academic.
He said that it would be rendered a mere academic exercise because the project entailed large scale mining which might seriously deface or otherwise affect the environment.
Mr Justice Kondolo said there was no need for the organisations to specify or prove exactly how they were affected by the project as was argued by attorney general Mumba Malila because the consequences of damage could affect anyone.
“I shall not pronounce myself on the rest of the arguments of the parties save to state that a damage to the environment is a matter of public concern and interest which affects all people born and unborn.
For this reason I find that the appellants do not need to specify or prove exactly how they are affected by the subject project” Mr Justice Kondolo said
Mr Justice Kondolo further said that the stay of execution granted against the minister’s decision would not amount to an injunction against the State because it was not civil proceedings as contemplated by section 16 (2) of the State Proceedings Act.
Mr Malila had in his request to have the stay of execution lifted submitted to the court that the stay was incompetent because it offended section 16 (2) of the State Proceedings Act .
He said none of the six live within the Lower Zambezi National park and did not show to the court how they would be affected or the nature of injury that they would suffer.
But the organisations had urged the court to confirm the stay saying they would suffer loss that could not be atoned for in damages because environmental degradation affected everybody and that no amount of compensation could atone for the extinction of animals, pollution and others.
The Movement for Multiparty democracy in Western province have challenged the people calling for the ousting of party president Nevers Mumba to go round the country and explain the real reasons as to why he should be removed from his position.
Speaking in an interview in Mongu, Western Province Party Chairperson Kantongo Kameya said the top leadership that is calling for the removal of Dr Mumba has not explained anything to the provincial committee hence making it difficulty for them to understand why they are calling for the convention when the president’s mandate runs up to 2015.
He said the provincial committee is set to pass a resolution on saturday but no district committee in the province has petitioned the province to call for an extraordinary convention which he says is a indication that all the districts in the province are behind the leadership of the incumbent party president Dr Nevers Mumba.
Meanwhile Youths in the province have vowed that they will not be used by disgruntled members with unknown agendas to destabilize the party in the province.
Provincial Youth Vice Chairperson Manton Matuka Toyambe said the youths in the province are aware that the people calling for Dr Mumba’s removal have been conducting meetings with enemies of the party in a bid to weaken the former ruling party.
He said people who should be thrown out of the party are the same people who are failing to explain why they have been going to bed with people such as PF general secretary Wynter Kabimba despite everyone knowing that the PF secretary general is not a fun of the former ruling party.
OVER 20 Patriotic Front (PF) women in Eastern Province who travelled to Lusaka to denounce their provincial chairman Lameck Mangani have been suspended from the ruling party pending expulsions.
The suspension of the women from their positions in the party was with immediately effect.
According to the resolutions presented to Acting Republican President Alexander Chikwanda in Chipata yesterday signed by PF districts chairpersons and read by Katete District Chairperson Joseph Makukula said the PF women currently in Lusaka should not be allowed to meet President Michael Sata.
Mr Makukula said the all district officials present felt that the said district chairladies were being funded by the opposition MMD to cause internal wrangle in the ruling party.
“The purported trip to Lusaka by these women was not communicated to their respective district officials particularly their chairmen.What came out so strongly was that all the district officials present felt that the said district chairladies are being funded by the opposition party, MMD and internal enemies within the party who are against the good leadership of the provincial chairman Lameck Mangani and his team,” they stated.
They stated that the leadership of Mr Mangani was appointed by the party and Republican President and he constituted a provincial team which it should continue to lead until 2016 general elections.
And Mr Chikwanda called for unity of purpose among the party members.
He said President Sata was a visionary leader who also loved everybody in the party
A BLIND business executive of Kanyama Township in Lusaka has been convicted by the Lusaka Magistrate Court for hacking into more than seven politicians’ mobile phones and stealing talk-time worthy more than K18,000.
Jairos Tembo 25, a losing Forum for democracy and development (FDD) candidate in the 2011 elections was convicted yesterday after principal magistrate Aridah Chuulu found him guilty in all the counts.
Ms Chuulu could however not pass sentence but reserved it to April 9, 2014 because Tembo was not a first offender in the similar offence as such, she needed his previous convictions to be produced before she can pass judgment.
Tembo who gave his particulars as being a journalist and businessman was charged with unauthorised access to data and theft of talk-time from several politicians and a business executive, owner of Muvi television, Steve Nyirenda who is his cousin.
Among the politicians who fell prey to Tembo’s dubious and fraudulent deeds are commerce minister Bob Sichinga, former defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba, Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda, Willie Nsanda, Michael Mabenga, Mike Mulongoti and retired politician Vernon Mwaanga.
Tembo of house number 230 old Kanyama township committed the offences between December and July 18, 2012.
Ms Chuulu said in her ruling yesterday that it was true that Tembo accessed several people’s phones and siphoned talktime which resulted in them losing money and eventually lodging complaints to their mobile
service providers.
She said Tembo, registered a fictitious sim-card under the name of James Sakala a dealer based in Mumbwa which he used to steal airtime from people’s phones.
Ms Chuulu said that investigations which were carried out revealed that Tembo was the owner of the number which was receiving talktime siphoned from people’s phones but the same number was registered under Sakala in Mumbwa when there was no such a dealer in Mumbwa.
She said that there was evidence before court that Tembo had in 2011 hired a vehicle to use in his campaigns in Feira and the numbers that he left with them were the same numbers that were registered under the name of a dealer, Sakala based in Mumbwa.
Ms Chuulu said that Tembo hired the vehicle for six days under the pretext that he would pay K650 per day but he later switched off all his three phones.
But Tembo during his defence denied all the allegations saying he was already in prison at the time people’s talk-time was being stolen and that at some time, he was out of the country in Namibia.
INFORMATION and Broadcasting Services Minister Joseph Katema has advised the media in the country against basing their news on gossip because it erodes the public confidence in them.
Dr Katema said the growing demand for information among the public had created fertile grounds for viability of the media in the country.
He said the onus now was on media institutions to take advantage of the growing demand for news by giving people factual information.
Dr Katema said this in Kitwe yesterday when he toured media houses to acquaint himself with their operations.
The minister who toured both the public and private institutions said the public was yearning for information but that it was up to the media to serve the people diligently by reporting factual information.
“If the caliber of information you are giving is gossip, people won’t take you seriously but if you are serious and meet their needs for factual information, they will take you seriously,” he said.
Dr Katema said Government was currently in the process of formulating a media policy on which it expected all stakeholders including the public to have an input on how they want the media regulated.
“We have already prepared questionnaires which we will be giving to all stakeholders to put their input on how they want the media to operate,” Dr Katema said.
He said it was Government’s intention to broaden the news source for the general populace because it believed information was power.
Dr Katema said for the nation to move forward and develop, there was need to have a well informed public.
He said this was why Government had put in place deliberate policies aimed at supporting community radio and television stations.
“Because of this, we are seeing various forms of media houses both private and public and this is good for the country,” he said.
And Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Bert Mushala said Government remained committed to recapitalizing the public media but that for now, it had left the mandate to the boards of the respective public media houses to suggest how best to revamp the institutions.
Ministry of Information Director of Press and Media Development Isaac Chipampe accompanied the minister and his permanent secretary on the tour of media houses.
Among those he toured included Zambia National Broadcasting Services Kitwe studios, Catholic-owned Radio Icengelo, Christian Baptist Radio Station, Yar FM and Flava FM.
GOVERNMENT has given Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) a performance target and a time frame to put back the operations of the mining company on track.
This follows recent revelations by Vice President Guy Scott in Parliament that ‘strange things’ were happening at KCM and Government was worried and keeping a close eye on the mining company.
Dr Scott had disclosed that the mining company had liabilities running in excess of 1.5 billion US dollars.
Dr Scott said the mining company had also failed to pay its creditors and also had loans from banks.
He said Government had tasked the Ministries of Mines and Finance to give a statement on the issue of KCM.
Dr Scott urged all Zambians to work together to ensure that Zambia did not lose out on revenue expected to be collected from the mining company.
He said Zambia stood to lose revenue in tens of billions of kwacha if the issue at KCM was not handled carefully.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Christopher Yaluma said a technical audit had been conducted on KCM and a performance target given to the company to improve operations of the mine.
“We have given them targets of how much they should produce at a particular period of time and as Government we will monitor them to ensure figures are being adhered to,” he said.
The KCM motherbody will also be required to pump in funds to ensure that the mine functions at an acceptable rate and sustain the operations of the mine.
He said KCM had also been directed to pay back the US$1.5bn owed to both local and international institutions.
Mr Yaluma said Government had also agreed with the mining company that there would be no more laying off of workers and the company agreed to the terms given by Government.
He said Government was working with KCM to assist put back the mine on track.
“We have discussed and KCM together with its mother company have accepted and committed to working with us to improve the operations of the mine,” he said.
President Michael Sata disembarks from Kenya Airways Plane
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has last night arrived back into the country from Brussels after attending the just ended 4th European Union (EU) and Africa summit.
And the EU-Africa summit has ended with a call for investment and closer economic integration of the two continents will accelerate that growth.
President Sata who made an intervention at the summit was accompanied by Foreign Affairs minister Harry Kalaba and Commerce minister Bob Sichinga.
Mr Sata who left Brussels with his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations George Chellah was seen off at the airport by Zambia’s Ambassador the Belgium and the EU Grace Kabwe.
In a communique at the close of the summit, leaders said they were convinced that the growth of the two continents would be mutually beneficial as both economies remained closely linked.
They pledged to work together to ensure that the growth of one continent would help the other.
“People must remain at the heart of our partnership, so we pledge today to provide them with the opportunities they need. It is the essence of our partnership that we tackle these challenges more effectively if we tackle them together, to the benefit of our citizens.
“Our joint agenda will have people, prosperity and peace and security at its core,” they said.
This is contained in a declaration released after the summit for the Heads of State and Government of the EU and Africa, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, the President of the African Union (AU) and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
The leaders also observed that Peace and Security were essential prerequisites for development and prosperity.
Conflict and instability can undermine all efforts to reduce poverty and to accelerate growth.
“We pledge to ensure a transparent, democratic, accountable and peaceful environment for those we represent, and to uphold our common values and goals in pursuit of good governance, democracy and the rule of law.
“We commit ourselves to respect all rights and principles set out in the Treaties and Charters that we have respectively signed and ratified, and to work together in all countries to respect our peoples’ demands for justice, reconciliation, respect for international law, human rights, gender equality and dignity, “the declaration read.
The leaders from the two continents said they strongly support the African aspiration and commitment to ensure peace, security and stability in Africa, in the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).
In order to improve the African capacity to predict and prevent
or respond to crises, the EU was committed to operationalise the multidimensional African Stand by Force and to recognise the African Capacity for Immediate Responses to Crises (ACIRC), as a transitional and complementary tool to the African Standby Force for further enhancing the AU’s capacity to respond rapidly to crises, and to reinforce the support to the Continental Early Warning System.
The summit welcomed the progress made to date in enhancing the capacity of the AU and regional organisations to manage crises on the continent.
“We acknowledge the successful deployment of peace support operations by the AU in Darfur (Sudan), Somalia, Mali and the Central African Republic and the collective efforts in the Great Lakes and South Sudan to reduce conflict in those countries, “the declaration said.
The leaders agreed that the Fifth Summit would take place in Africa in 2017
President Sata shaing hands with Justice Minister Wynter KabimbaPresident Sata greeting Defence Minister Edgar LunguPresident Sata shaking hands with George ZuluPresident Sata shaking hands with Peter KasandaPresident Sata not walking on the red carpet put out for him
Former Solwezi MP Lucky Mulusa speaking to Journalists shortly after judgement
Former Solwezi MP Lucky Mulusa has apologised to MMD President Nevers Mumba for being part of a campaign that attempted to oust him from the helm of the former ruling party.
Sources at the MMD Secretariat revealed that Mr Mulusa requested to meet Dr Mumba’s lawyers at Makebi Zulu & Associates to render his apologies.
The source said Mr Mulusa is deeply sorry for joining the group fighting Dr Mumba.
“He is very apologetic after he reflected about his recent actions. He is likely to hold a news conference this weekend to announce his full apology and chart his next political course. He has realised that he was wrongly advised to pursue the route of fighting Dr Mumba’s leadership,” the source said.
The former Solwezi MP was a key architect of the recent MMD power struggles when he teamed up with Vice Presidents Brian Chituwo, Michael Kaingu and Dora Siliya to launch a campaign to remove Dr Mumba from the party presidency.
And Mr Mulusa took to Facebook to post what appeared like his first attempt towards apologising to Dr Mumba, the MMD and the nation for engaging himself in the recent fights against Dr Mumba.
Below is Mr Mulusa’s Facebook posting.
Dear all,
The past one week has been extremely trying for my family, friends and all those who came to appreciate the role I was playing in the Zambian politics. To all supporters or none supporters to whom discomfort has been occasioned, I wish to offer my sincere apologies. In particular your guidance has been highly appreciated and will be followed in my future political and personal decisions. As for the MMD issue the members’ decision will be respected.
Evans Kangwa says Nkana will get through their slow start to their 2014 FAZ Super Division campaign.
Nkana drew 0-0 away to Promoted Green Eagles in Week One on March 15.
The 2013 champions are currently ninth on the table from one match played with two games in hand heading into Saturday’s visit to unbeaten Napsa Stars.
“We have just started; we have drawn with Choma Eagles I think is just the beginning we will pull through,” Kangwa said.
“We play against Napsa this weekend I think it will be exciting.”
Kangwa has already scored three goals this year two for Zambia and one in cup action for Nkana.
Meanwhile, Nkana’s hosts this weekend Napsa are unbeaten after two round of games played into the 2014 season and are perched in third place tied on six points with Nchanga Rangers and Power Dynamos in second and first place respectively.
2014 MTN/FAZ SUPER DIVISION WEEK THREE
05/04/2014
Roan United-Green Buffaloes
Napsa Stars-Nkana
Zesco United-Nchanga Rangers
Konkola Blades-Zanaco
Power Dynamos-Konkola Mine Police
National Assembly-Kabwe Warriors
06/04/2014
Red Arrows-Indeni
05/04/2014
Week 18
Nakambala Leopards-Green Eagles*
*Match switched while renovation works are carried out at Choma’s home ground
NEWLY-elected Lusaka Mayor Mulenga Sata (right) and his deputy Potipher Tembo
President Michael Sata’s son Mulenga is the new Lusaka Mayor after he went through unopposed during mayoral elections held at the Civic Centre in Lusaka today.
Mr Sata who is the immediate past deputy Lusaka Mayor will be deputised by Chawama Ward councilor Potipher Tembo who got 17 votes, beating Silwizya Ward Councillor Chikutano Nkhoma who polled 12 votes with Mpulungu Ward Councillor Christopher Shakafuswa getting 10.
Returning officer Moses Mwelwa declared Mr Sata as the duly elected Mayor at 14:45 hours, saying at the close of nominations at 13:00 hours today, he had only one valid nomination which was from the President’s son.
Among the 39 Councillors that voted was Republican Vice-President Guy Scott.
In his acceptance speech after being declared winner, Mr Sata who is also PF Lusaka District chairperson said his emphasis was on service delivery and the improvement of revenue collection.
He commended the aspirants for the position of deputy Mayor for the maturity they showed in their campaigns as well as others for the support and faith they had shown in him.
Mr Tembo pledged to promote reconciliation, peace and love and that the transparent manner the elections were conducted vindicated the PF as being a democratic party.
In Livingstone, the United Party for National Development (UPND) Simoonga Ward Councillor Milford Maambo has been elected as new Mayor.
Mr Maambo polled nines votes against Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD)’s Mwalibonena Ward Councillor Matthew Jere who got eight votes out of the total 17 votes that were cast.
Patriotic Front (PF) Akapelwa Ward Councillor Fred Sikazwe has been elected as Deputy Mayor after he polled 10 votes against UPND’s Dambwa Central Councillor Liswani Likando who got seven votes.
Returning Officer Vivian Chikoti declared Mr Maambo and Mr Sikazwe as duly elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the City of Livingstone today.
Ms Chikoti said the two civic leaders would be installed on April 10 this year.
In Chipata, MMD Kanjala ward councillor Jelasi Phiri is the new Chipata Mayor.
Mr Phiri polled 15 votes against his only challenger Chipangali ward councillor, Wilson Tembo who only managed 13 votes.
The position of deputy mayor went to Kazimule ward councillor Penias Mshanga who polled 14 votes beating his closest rival Sisinje ward councillor Samuel Lugomo and Nsingo ward councillor Rodgers Mwanza who got nine and five votes respectively.
Some senior members positioning themselves to take over the presidency of the Patriotic Front (PF) for the 2016 general elections are destroying and wreaking havoc in the party and tormenting genuine party members, Bwacha Member of Parliament Sydney Mshanga has said.
Mshanga has said that those scheming to take over the leadership of the PF should know and accept that there shall be one party president at anytime time and that all the members had the responsibility to respect and protect President Michael Sata.
He said ambitious senior party officials have been inventing reasons to hound out those perceived to be against their desires, stating that it was unfair for the party in Kabwe to allege that him (Mshanga) and Kabwe Central Member of Parliament James Kapyanga had rebelled against the party and that they were not working with party structures.
“For now, we must accept that there shall be one president for the PF and the country and that is President Sata. We must respect the President and it is not right to start scheming against him. And there shall be one MP at a time and I have the mandate from the people of Bwacha only that expires in 2016. After that I do not know what will happen,” Mshanga said.
Mshanga has revealed that there had been a lot of hostility against him and his Kabwe Central MP Kapyanga from some senior PF officials and wondered why the leadership in the party was deliberately frustrating their efforts to develop their constituencies.
Mshanga said he did not know why PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba was attacking and slandering him (Mshanga) and Kapyanga when he could have easily summoned them to discuss their perceived weaknesses.
He said it was disappointing that Kabimba who was recently in Kabwe insinuated that the two PF MPs in Kabwe had shunned the fundraising meeting organized by the party when they had informed the Justice Minister of the official Parliamentary programme.
He explained that since becoming an MP on the PF ticket, he had never known peace as the party structures had decided to revolt against him for some unknown reasons.
Mshanga complained that he and Kapyanga had been victims of hatred, malice and slander being perpetrated by some senior central committee officials who haboured ambitions to take over the reins of the ruling party.
“I do not know what wrong we have committed against our party and the leadership. Mr Kapyanga and I have been victims of hatred and malicious schemes. We have never known peace in the party and Kabwe from the time we were elected.
My family has also suffered and they have been asking me what wrong I have committed against the party. But I think these hate and malicious schemes are being perpetrated by people who are positioning themselves for the 2016 general elections. And this is what has deeply divided the party and for me, I am calling for unity and peace because we cannot go to the elections a divided people,” Mshanga said.
He said the people of Bwacha constituency had given him a five year mandate in which to represent them in Parliament and wondered why some people were scheming to have him replaced before his term could expire.
FILE: Bishop John Mambo following proceedings during the meeting to demand for the release of the draft Zambia constitution
Suggestions by government that Zambians should only listen to Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba on issues to do with the constitution are misplaced and most unfortunate, says Chikondi Foundation president Bishop John Mambo.
Mambo said it was wrong for government to imply that some ministers were more superior than others when in fact Cabinet was a collection of responsibilities chaired by the President.
And NAREP youths say that the ruling PF cannot outsmart the people of Zambia by wanting to hijack the constitution with its continued blackmail on the whereabouts of the document.
“The Justice Minister, Mr Wynter Kabimba is the very person that informed the nation that the committee was going to hand over the document to the President.
“We demand that the PF to come out in the open and tell the nation why there have been delays in the handing over the draft constitution which they promised to give the people of Zambia within 90 days once elected into office. It is now clear that the PF lied and used the people of Zambia just to get votes,” Banda said.
He warned that President Sata and the entire PF administration should not tamper with the contents of the draft constitution.
He said it was the Zambians that voted them into power and would soon vote them out of power and put them back in the ranks of opposition where they best belonged. He was reacting to directions from Information Minister Dr Joseph Katema to Zambians that they should only listen to Kabimba on matters to do with the constitution.
He explained that there was no way one person could be authorized to speak about a matter as important as the constitution, describing the decision as taking Zambia backwards on its achievements as a democratic nation.
“It’s unfortunate that even after 50 years of independence, our government is failing to manage the constitution making process and now they are dictating what we should hear or listen to?” he said. He said anything spoken by a minister at public forums should be reflective of government’s official position unless spoken to their family members and friends at private functions.
There should be collective responsibility in the Cabinet if ministers and other senior government official were to effectively discharge their duties.
Mambo said every minister spoke with the authority of what government position on matters of national interest was.
“Maybe the exception is only for the Vice President, otherwise all other ministers have equal authority on government matters,” he said. And Caritas Zambia executive director Sam Mulafulafu said it was unacceptable for government to instruct Zambians on who they should listen to.Mulafulafu said anything spoken by a government official especially a minister should represented the office they held and should be taken as the official government position especially on the constitution.
“The government should first of all resolve who among the ministers should be talking about the constitution, instead of telling us what to hear.
