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The Zambia Council for Social Development (ZSCD) has charged that government is wasting time by once again extending the registration for NGOs in the country under the NGO Act No 16 of 2009.
Government has again extended the registration period for NGOs by sixty days effective 4th February to 5th May 2014.
ZCSD Executive Secretary Lewis Mwape told QFM News in an interview that mainstream NGOs in the country will never register under the NGO Act and that government’s extension of the deadline is a sheer waste of time.
Mr. Mwape said it is frustrating that the Patriotic Front (PF) government keeps reneging on the promises they made to the people prior to 2011 tripartite elections.
He said that one of the promises President Michael Sata gave the NGOs was that he was going to repeal the NGO Act No 16 of 2009 and replace it with something appealing to NGOs.
Parliament has rejected by 69 to 42, a motion moved by Mazabuka Central MP Garry Nkombo urging Government to put in place a roadmap for the enactment of a new constitution.
The motion also sought to urge Government to expedite the process of enacting a new constitution considering that the work of the technical committee has been completed and is ready for submission.
The vote had two abstentions
The House was forced to vote manually after electronic voting failed following a technical glitch after a division was called.
The house which started debating the motion at 15:30 only adjourned sine die at 21:27 after Speaker Patrick Matibini read out the results of the vote.
And in winding down debate, mover of the motion, Mr Nkombo said it evident that the PF government cheated the Zambian people when it pledged to enact a new constitution in 90 days.
“Mr Speaker, it is now clear that when the PF Government pledged to enact a new constitution in 90 days, they infact played the Zambian people,” he said.
He reminded MPs that they are the mirror of society and that their conduct in and outside the House should represent the aspirations of the Zambian people.
Meanwhile, Responding on behalf of Government, Home Affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula cautioned stakeholders against taking a partisan position on the issue constitution making.
Dr Simbyakula argued that there is no constitutional crisis in Zambia adding that all stakeholders should approach the issue in a sober and calm manner.
“The technical committee is just about to hand over the report and the draft constitution to the Executive, we are at a cross roads. We must guard this process jealously especially at the stage this has reached, the adoption process is where all the past processes have failed,” Dr Simbyakula said.
Accident in which a Rosa Minibus and Truck involved werre involved in a head-on collision on the Kitwe-Ndola Road.
Twelve people were confirmed dead while many others sustained serious injuries in a Road Traffic Accident involving a Rosa Minibus and a truck and trailer along the Kitwe-Ndola Road.
The minibus registration number ACP 5143 headed to Ndola from Kitwe with passengers on board collided head on with the truck laden with bags of mealie meal.
The accident happened on a stretch of road where one portion of the dual carriageway for traffic flowing from Ndola to Kitwe had been closed to facilitate maintenance leaving vehicles to now share the remaining side.
Copperbelt police commissioner Joyce Kasosa and Kitwe Central Hospital spokesperson Grey Chishimba both confirmed the fatal accident which happened around 14:00 hours at Kamfinsa stream, about two kilometres away from Kamfinsa Mobile Unit junction.
Ms Kasosa said 12 people were confirmed dead in the accident while many others were trapped and seriously injured in the accident.
“So far, 12 people have been confirmed dead and we suspect there could be others still trapped in the vehicle wreckage,” Ms Kasosa said.
She said the accident happened when the driver of truck registration number ABR 8707 belonging to Makora Investments, which was coming Ndola tried to swerve a pothole but in the process collided head on with the passenger minibus.
Ms Kasosa said the truck first hit a Toyota Chaser registration number ACL 8156 before it later collided with the minibus causing all the vehicles to careen off the highway.
President Sata receives an affidavit of oath from newly-appointed Supreme Court Judge Justice Albert Wood during a swearing-in ceremony at State House in Lusaka
President Michael Sata has directed High Court and Supreme Court judges to uphold high levels of integrity and help clear the backlog of cases in the country’s justice system.
He said this during a swearing-in ceremony for two Supreme Court and five High Court judges at State House in Lusaka today.TYhe President said that members of the bar should uphold maximum levels of integrity both in and outside their courtrooms.
Those sworn in were Justices Evans Hamaundu and Albert Wood, as Supreme Court judges, while Justices Charles Chanda, William Mweemba, Betty Majula-Mung’omba, Mwila Chitabo and Chilombo Maka-Phiri were sworn in as High Court judges.
Mr Sata said the judges should always show exemplary behaviour even in the way they carried themselves so that society could look up to them for inspiration.
“My biggest worry is the backlog of cases in the courts you have been appointed to. Please assist the Chief Justice to reduce the backlog of cases from our courts,” Mr Sata said.
He said as a person who had been in a court of law before, he understood the agony of waiting for unnecessarily too long for a trial court to dispose of cases.
Mr Sata also said he wanted to swear in more female judges.
“Madam Chief Justice, I want to swear in more women judges because they are more exemplary and presentable than men,” said Mr Sata, who was in a jovial mood and cracked jokes with the judges and others who attended the ceremony.
Last month, Parliament unanimously ratified the appointment of the two Supreme Court judges and five High Court judges.
Patriotic Front Chama South Member of Parliament (MP) Effron Lungu, who moved the motion of the Parliamentary Select Committee, said the nominees were interviewed and qualified to hold the positions since they had vast experience in the judiciary.
Dr Lungu said the committee found that all the nominees had the minimum qualifications prescribed in the Constitution of Zambia to qualify to be appointed as High Court and Supreme Court judge.
In supporting the appointments, United Party for National Development Monze Central
MP Jack Mwiimbu said the nominees were of good standing and were admitted to the bar a long time ago.
Vice President Guy Scott says the Patriotic Front Government is closer to a position where they can change the constitution unilaterally with two thirds of the votes following its increased numbers in Parliament.
Moving a motion for the house to suspend Standing Orders 20 and 21(1), if necessary, and Standing Order 101 to enable the House to complete all business on the Order Paper and all matters arising there from and that, on such completion, the House do adjourn sine die, Dr Scott said things have changed in the house and that gone are the days when the ruling party won motions by one vote.
Dr Scott pointed out that from the 20 by-elections that have been held so far, the PF grabbed ten seats from the opposition and returned one of its seats.
He says this is in addition to the fact that ten opposition Members of Parliament are working with the PF government by virtue of their appointment to deputy ministerial positions.
Dr Scott said the PF now boasts of over 80 seats, a clear majority of the house.
The vice president advised opposition Members of Parliament against being combative because the ruling party has the votes.
He stated that the PF is in a better position to change the constitution unilaterally than the opposition is to block a vote or bring an impeachment motion.
Zamalek coach Mido says they expect a tough game against Nkana.
The two sides meet in a 2014 CAF Champiosn League first leg, last 16 clash on March 22 in Kitwe.
“Nkana is a very good side, we know them because they played against us before. We will watch their latest matches and draw our plan,” Mido told Star Africa.
The ex-Egypt international striker has been in charge of Zamalek since January and is unbeaten in his eight games in charge with five wins and three draws in all competition.
FAZ Super League side Red Arrows on Tuesday afternoon announced the hiring of Oswald Mutapa as new club head coach.
The ex-Zambia Under-20 and Nkwazi coach fills the vacancy left by George Lwandamina, whom Arrows fired in January before Zesco United hired him last month.
In a media statement, Arrows revealed that Mutapa will be assisted by Charles Kafula and Songwe Chalwe who remained as caretaker coaches following Lwandamina’s departure.
“Mr. Oswald Mutapa takes over as Head Coach while Charles Kafula and Songwe Chalwe will remain as Club assistant coaches,” the Zambia Air Force club said.
Mutapa bounces back into coaching for the first time since his dismissal as Nkwazi coach on 30th April, 2013.
And Arrows have further named ex-Chipolopolo keeper Kalililo Kakonje as goalkeeper coach.
“We have also introduced a goal keeper coach and former National Team goal keeper Kalililo Kakonje will be in charge of the goalkeepers.”
Arrows begins the 2014 FAZ Super League campaign this Sunday with a Week One encounter against promoted Nakambala Leopards at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Young Leaders African initiative (YALI) says there is no need for youths to celebrate youth day when government has failed to empower them.
YALI Executive Director Andrew Nthewewe said no one should condemn youths who have decided to shun this year’s youth day celebration because the majority of the youth feel frustrated because government has sidelined them in many activities.
Mr. Nthewewe said government has failed to address the many challenges young people are facing such as high levels of unemployment as top priority.
He said government should come up with a clear strategy of how they will create employment for young people and empower them.
Mr Nthewewe said from the time PF government to power they have not had a clear strategy to empower young people.
Wednesday, 12th March marks the commemoration of youth day in the country.
The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has exposed a scam in the ministry of Local Government and housing involving allowances totaling about K1.2 billion paid out to officers for activities not undertaken in most instances.
During the review of audit queries for the ministry highlighted in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year 2012, one of the activities which came out prominent as having been undertaken on a monthly basis in 2012 was stock verification, which however the Director in charge of authorizing the activity denied authorizing the verification before later acknowledging authorizing the same.
The Director who had also earlier denied signing for the allowances he is purported to have received despite documentation showing he had signed for the allowances,later acknowledged receiving payment for certain months for the stock verification exercise contradicting his earlier statement that a director cannot engage in stock verification.
The Director who had difficulties explaining his role in what acting PAC Chairperson Felix Mutati described as the allowances gallow failed to answer clearly most questions asked by Committee members prompting the Committee to adjourn the session to this afternoon to allow the officials from the ministry of local government to seek further advise from the accounts department and avail other officers who also received the allowances.
Former local government permanent secretary Bernard Namachila was also named as being one of the people who received the allowances beyond the 30 days in month as stipulated.
Media Institute of Southern Africa Zambia Chapter Acting Chairperson Helen Mwale says access to information is not a privilege but an entitlement which every citizen should be able to enjoy.
Speaking at the MPs access to information workshop Ms Mwale observed that though access to information is recognized in the constitution there is need to actualize its legislation as the constitution does not expressly provide for this right.
She bemoaned the lack of commitment and political will in enacting the law despite the country belonging to the african union which recognizes the right to public information.
“Despite Zambia being part of the African Union which recognizes the right to public information, citizens continue to wait for this law to be enacted due to government inertia or lack of political will”. Ms Mwale observed.
She wondered why the country is still waiting for a law which was promised 24years ago when the country reverted to democratic rule in 1990.
“It is now over 20 years since the country reverted to Multiparty democracy but the laws that are supposed to enhance citizen participation in governance and also to make informed choices continue to lag behind. This is sad”. She said.
She also expressed worry that the country only seems to practice democracy during elections without putting in place laws to actualize the governance system that can successfully exist if access to information from public institution is not limited or denied.
she further called for the logical conclusion of the ATI Bill saying the ATI Bill enactment promise is like constitution song that is on power play and seems never to come to an end or a logical conclusion.
And speaking at the same event Parliamentary committee on information chairperson Kabinga Pande said his committee is determined to have the ATI Bill brought to parliament before the end of the year.
He said that the tabling of the bill in parliament has taken long because government was still making consultations on it.
He furthered said his committee will be meeting the minister of information in the next few weeks so as to have a clear picture on the progress on the consultations.
He also stressed the importance of having the ATI Bill enacted saying it will give the media the independence it requires to report on issues without difficulties in accessing certain information from some institutions.
National Restoration Party (NAREP) President, Elias Chipimo junior, has urged Republican President Michael Sata to adopt the kind of leadership shown by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who has taken a 20% pay cut.
President Kenyatta has together with his deputy William Ruto taken a 20% pay while Ministers have taken a 10% cut on their perks to help bring down the government’s wage bill.
Mr. Chipimo told QFM News in an interview that such a bold decision shows that a leader has a heart for his country and inspires people’s confidence.
He lamented that the Zambian government is consuming more than 60 percent of the national income yet people are not willing to take pay cuts.
Mr. Chipimo said there is need for Cabinet to take similar measures as the Kenyan government has done by cutting down on certain expenditure even outside their salary structures.
And Forum for Democracy and Development Spokesperson, Antonio Mwanza, told QFM News in a separate interview that it will be commendable for the PF government to consider the measures taken by the Kenyan government.
We would love to Congratulate Zambia’s FRED PHIRI the man Behind LOVE GAMES for picking up this awesome award at the AFRICA MAGIC VIEWERS CHOICE AWARDS 2014 for Best Television Series(Comedy/Drama).
Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia executive director Pukuta Mwanza follows proceedings during the meeting to demand for the release of the draft Zambia constitution
Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) Executive Director, Reverend Pukuta Mwanza, has observed that it will be more costly to abandon the constitution making process at such a crucial stage than going for a referendum.
Reacting to Republican Vice President Dr. Guy Scott who told Parliament last week that a referendum will cost Zambia double the amount of funds needed to hold a general election, Reverend Mwanza says so much money has already been spent on the constitution making process and that it will be unacceptable to abandon it now.
Reverend Mwanza said the same way the PF government has been sourcing for money to hold induced by-elections is the same way they should source for money to hold the referendum.
He warned that the PF needs to be careful with the way they handle the constitution making process or it would cost them in 2016.
Reverend Mwanza said Zambian people are already frustrated by the delay in releasing the draft document.
Reverend Mwanza who could not hide his emotions told QFM News in an interview that 2016 will not be easy for the PF going by the stance it has taken over the constitution.
And Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ) Board Chairperson, Bishop David Masupa has observed that Dr. Scott’s remarks on the referendum being costly are not motivating and shows that government is not eager to deliver the constitution.
Bishop Masupa said the PF government knew from the beginning that having a referendum will need money and wonders why government is now talking about the exercise being costly.
Bishop Masupa said that it is clear in the minds of the Zambian people that the only way to adopt the new constitution is through a referendum.
Mr Speaker, if I were in Parliament today this would be my contribution on the private members motion debate on the constitution road map…
The real question is why are we here, why are we all assembled here in this house called the National Assembly.. The answer clearly lies in our current constitution…in the preamble it reads, we the people assembled here through our representatives in Parliament…this means that all 13 million zambians have selected this house, this floor to state their views…I ask Mr Speaker, what are these views of the zambian people today
First, is it true that the Zambians believe mealie meal prices are over 50% higher today than just two years ago?
Is it true that Zambians believe fuel is too expensive today than two years ago when there was a national common price?
Is it true that Zambians believe the removal of subsidies was not meant to help their livelihood but for the PF to raise more money for their budget overrun..simply as a result of unplanned expenditure such as creation of new districts and the constitution consultation process country wide?
Is it true Zambians believe that the PF is more corrupt than any other government..that Zambians believe the PF is the most untrusted government since independence.
Is it not true that Zambians are unhappy with the borrowing tenacity of the PF and never want to return to pre 1991 when our debt was 7billion dollars?
That the PF cheated it’s way into government promising more money, lower taxes, windfall taxes and most of all a new constitution in 90 days?.
Is it not true that these are the issues the Zambians who are assembled here through their representatives are talking about in buses, the streets, bars, at weddings, funerals, in offices etc?
The real question Mr Speakers is, who is against the Zambians assembled in this house….
In a very loud voice the Zambians have made it clear that they want a NEW CONSTITUTION …..not for the sake of it but to address fundamental flaws in the current constitution particularly on the following…
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Zambians want to deal with this matter by ensuring never again should we be governed by a minority government but a government for the people by the people of the people
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Firstly, Zambians believe that since 1991 after the return to multiple party politics, there was never the same corresponding reduction in presidential powers to support the harmonious dispensation of democracy in Zambia…successive administrations always proved selfish and never saw through the peoples wishes…the Mvunga, Mwanakatwe and even the NCC attempts were derailed by either administrations in power or the opposition settling scores with each other….but the real losers where Zambians who have been waiting for presidential powers that match our democratic desires…this would ensure autonomy of the Judiciary, freedom of the Press and most of all guarantee over sight by the Parliament..
Secondly, Zambians have made it clear that they prefer some sort of parliamentary system which provides oversight to the Executive…Zambians entrust the speaker and the MPs to always be on their side and not add more powers to the Executive and a President who already has too much power..
In the last 20 years of the return to multiple party politics, Zambians have expected that this house, where they are assembled through their representatives, that there will be men and women of integrity, of honour, men and women whose education will show that they indeed learnt the power of free thinking in school and are just not educated as job seekers, that the peoples representatives in this house are men and women who will rise above political parties and represent citizens in their democratic right to ask for a new constitution. Zambians believe that this house, the national assembly, especially on the PF back bench, that there are men and women who are brave enough to rise to the occasion and stand with Zambians on a very matter they were sent to this house for, that is to make laws..Mr Speaker, which law is more supreme than the constitution. Any MP Mr Speaker refusing to push for a road map will be abrogating the privilege bestowed upon them by Zambians…..let’s not flip flop when we promised Zambians a new constitution in 90s…let’s not flip flop Mr Speaker…
Thirdly, the other reason why zambians want a new constitution and made it clear during the provincial consultations is the need for 50 plus one in a general election….visionary Zambians, decent Zambians, Zambians, the owners of our country are concerned about the ugly head of tribalism and regionalism which has been threatening our country since independence. This is a jubilee year,,,let’s put things right…with 73 languages 10 provinces, and many political parties, tribalism ugly head has come up again..Zambians want to deal with this matter by ensuring never again should we be governed by a minority government but a government for the people by the people of the people..that means 50 plus one. The Zambians are saying that it’s their parliament Mr Speaker, let’s listen to them.
Today, we are assembled on behalf of all Zambians asking that the government provides a clear road map on the adoption of a new constitution.
Mr Speaker, this motion is not about the opposition, or against the executive or the PF, it’s not even about whether the President is competent or not, it’s about the future of our country, it’s about the wishes of the Zambians people…the time has come for change, real change in our country….in the way we think and do things…after all its a jubilee year and with 50 comes maturity…at least we hope so.
Those who promised a new constitution in 90 days will be judged harshly by posterity if they do not keep their word for a change.
But the past is gone, we have yet another opportunity to put things right, to provide the people of Zambia with a road map, after huge taxes have already been spent on the constitution process. On the eve of our youth day in this jubilee year, let us all focus on real change….we will see those that are against the children, the youth, women and men of Zambia by their words and actions.
But as for the majority of us, Mr Speaker, once again let’s not flipflop.
