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Former President Kenneth Kaunda,President Sata and Vernon Mwanga share a light moment during the requiem Mass of George Kunda at the Cathedral of the Chld Jesus In Lusaka.Courtesy State House press unit
Veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga says the need to have a new constitution is not because there is a constitutional vacuum but that the country has had a bad constitution which needs to be modernized.
Mr. Mwaanga says this is why both the Patriotic Front (PF) government and that of the previous Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) have spent huge sums of taxpayers’ money on the constitutional making process.
Mr. Mwaanga says it is for this reason why he finds as unfortunate President Michael Sata’s recent statement that people talking about the new constitution should be ignored despite the ruling PF having had promised in its manifesto that it will give the nation a new constitution.
The Veteran politician has maintained that if the PF government does not give the people a new constitution as per promise it will be a betrayal of what it promised the people.
Asked what should be the way forward regarding the current position on the country’s constitution making process, Mr. Mwaanga has told Qfm news in an interview that the government should engage the opposition, the Church and the Civil Society and explain why it is trivializing the issue of the new constitution after spending huge sums of taxpayers’ money on the constitutional making process.
He says this is also in view of the fact that the constitutional making process started many years ago the more reason the opposition, the Church and the Civil Society should continue pressing government to give the nation a new constitution as this what the people in the country are demanding.
Government has collected a total of 3 billion kwacha in revenues in the month of January this year.
Out of 3 billion kwacha which is said to be above the projected figure of 2.5 billion that was set for the month, tax revenues accounted for 2.8 billion kwacha while non-tax revenue was accounted for 203.9 million kwacha.
Acting Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa has disclosed that government also carried over 752.5 million Kwacha from the 2013 Fiscal Year.
Mr. Nkulukusa says this good performance of tax revenue inflows was mainly due to higher than projected collections under the income tax and VAT categories.
Mr. Nkulukusa, who is also Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary, the total income tax amounted to 1.6 billion kwacha which is 40.1 percent above target, mainly due to higher than expected payments from PAYE.
He says from the mining sector 808.4 million kwacha was collected as VAT while ZRA also enforced measures to strengthen administrative procedures related to VAT refunds and the Customs and Excise component totaled 344.8 million kwacha.
And Nkulukusa has further disclosed that in the month January this year the Treasury released 3.4 billion kwacha for implementation of developmental programmes, and for constitutional and statutory expenditures such as salaries and debt service.
He says the difference in revenue and expenditures was met through carry-over funds from 2013.
The Acting Secretary to Treasury further notes that It is important to note that the funding done in January brought to a close the issue of voluntary separatees, a different interest group from pensioners, as the entire outstanding amount, in terms of principle and interest, which has now been paid.
This is contained in statement released to Qfm news by Ministry of Finance public relations officer Chileshe Kandeta.
Nkana winger Simon Bwalya has dedicated the hattrick he netted in Saturday’s 5-2 CAF Champions League match against Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland to club supporters.
Bwalya’s three goals propelled Nkana to the next round of the CAF Champions League as the Wusakile side beat Swallows 5-4 over two legs.
“They welcomed me well so I have given them a present of goals,” he said.
Bwalya added:”You are the Lord who answers by fire. Thank you Lord for the hattrick.”
This was his third competitive match for Nkana after switching from Power Dynamos in January.
Bwalya’s team mate Ronald Kampamba registered a brace on Saturday.
Indeni coach Stephen “Barnes” Mwansa says pressure will be on Zesco United when the two teams clash in the 2014 FAZ Super League Week One match on March 15 in Ndola.
Indeni have just bounced back to the top flight league after one season in Division One North.
Mwansa said Indeni will prepare adquately for the Ndola derby against Zesco.
“It’s Zesco who have the pressure, we just have to prepare for them,” he said.
“We are going to prepare our players so that they are not scared of Zesco,” Mwansa said.
He declared Indeni ready for the 2014 Super League campaign.
“We are prepared to play in the Super League. Winning promotion means we are ready for the Super League.”
Indeni are currently beefing up their squad and they have so far recruited ex-Chipolopolo midfielder Kebby Hachipuka from Choma Green Eagles.
President Michael Sata has been advised to show leadership by not answering to every attack on his health from opposition leaders in the Country.
The Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) is of the view that despite people in the country having concern over his health, President Sata should not react to every statement coming from the opposition.
In today Sunday’s edition of the tabloid Newspaper, the Post President Sata is quoted to have responded to opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema after the opposition leader allegedly commented on the Head of State’s health.
CPD Executive Director Neo Simutanyi said that the Head of State should not lower himself to a level of responding to such comments from the opposition.
Dr. Simutanyi said that President Sata should concentrate on addressing issues that are of national concern.
[pullquote]“People are saying I am sick, it is Hakainde who is sick because he doesn’t know where he comes from and he doesn’t know who his father is,” said President Sata.[/pullquote]
The CPD Executive Director has told Qfm news in an interview that President Sata should address issues that are being raised on the governance of the country and not necessary comments from the opposition political parties.
Yesterday, President Sata said that it was UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema who is sick and not himself.
Speaking at Muwanjuni Primary School when he addressed a rally, President Sata said any leader who wishes another leader to die is not fit to lead.
“People are saying I am sick, it is Hakainde who is sick because he doesn’t know where he comes from and he doesn’t know who his father is,” said President Sata.
In response to Mr Sata’s comment, Mr Hichilema said that he was fine and added that being sick was a normal thing.
“To be sick is normal and is human. With God’s grace, I’m fine. The day when I get ill, I will seek medical attention and will ask Zambians to pray for me. There is no need for one to hide or be ashamed of illness,” said Hichilema.
Coach Masauso Mwale has celebrated Nkana’s progression to the first round of the 2014 CAF Champions League with a call on his players to up their game.
Nkana will now face Kampala City Council of Uganda in March after eliminating Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland 5-4 on aggregate following Saturday’s 5-2 win in the preliminary round return leg in Kitwe.
Mwale said Nkana must stop leaking goals.
“We allowed weak goals, we will continue to correct the mistakes,” he said.
“We have to prepare adquately, it is nover easy when you are going forward.”
Mwale, however, saluted his players for coming from behind to overcome a determined Swallows side on Saturday.
“This is marvelous, this is something not made here. God’s favour is upon this team,” he said.
“It is not easy when they score you and they are leading 2-0 and then you come from behind and win. The boys should be commended.”
Nkana will host Kampala on 1st March in Kitwe before travelling to Uganda eight days later.
GOVERNMENT has clarified that its position concerning Kangaluwe Copper Project is as interpreted by the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.
Chief government spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya however said in a statement that it was important to avoid issuing statements on the matter until it is finally adjudicated upon as the issue was before the courts of law.
“Government expects a fair balance between the benefits of mining and the protection of wildlife conservation, the policies and laws will be respected and adhered to and the investment will create employment opportunities for ordinary Zambians,” Mr Kapeya said.
Mr Kapeya’s press statement comes in the wake of conflicting statements between Minster of Lands, Natural Resources and Environment Protection Harry Kalaba and Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo concerning the large-scale mining project in the Lower Zambezi National Park.
Last week, Tourism and Arts Minister Slyvia Masebo said her Ministry was against the decision by the Ministry of Lands, Environment and Natural Resources to issue a mining licence to an Australian investor, Mwembeshi Resources under the parent name of Zambezi Resources in the Lower Zambezi.
In her submissions to the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism and Arts held in camera last week, Mrs Masebo said her Ministry felt that the mine project should not go ahead because it will put the existence of the Lower Zambezi National Park at risk.
She said the mine which will occupy about 25 percent will also reduce the tourism earnings which benefit government and the local people in the area.
“Government risks losing safari fees amounting to over K 84 million and photographic revenue amounting to over K 9 million if the mine is allowed to exist,” Mrs Masebo said.
She said the Ministry of Tourism and Arts follows a policy of sustainable tourism and granting of mining rights to Zambezi Resources goes against the principle of sustainable tourism.
“The Ministry’s considered view is that the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection reconsiders its decision to allow mining activities in the Lower Zambezi National Park,” she said.
Mrs Masebo further said that the important steps were ignored in that the basis for the issuance of the 25 years mining licence is not clearly known and the licence was issued before the environmental impact assessment process was completed.
She said plans to declare the Lower Zambezi as a world heritage site may not materialize and this might lead to an unprecedented campaign against Zambia’s tourism which is a key sector in diversifying the economy.
Journalists were prevented from covering Mrs Masebo’s submission to Parliament last week after she requested to have her session held in camera.
President Sata being welcome in Katuba by Defence Minister Edgar Lungu, while other top PF officials look on
PRESIDENT Sata has advised the people of Katuba to vote with their minds and not their hearts as they cast the ballot in the forthcoming poll slated for February 25 that has pitted PF candidate Moses ‘Big Moze’ Chilando against six other contenders.
President Sata reminded the people of Katuba of his record of delivery which dates back to the days he was Minister of Housing and Local Government when he helped electrify the area and supplied piped water, including telecommunications infrastructure they now enjoy.
Mr Sata was speaking when he addressed thousands of Katuba residents at a rally at Mwanjuni Basic School grounds where he drummed up support for PF candidate Mr Chilando as the race for coveted seat heats up with only nine days to go before votes are cast.
“The vote is yours,” President Sata said, “use it as you like and once you vote and the results come out, we are going to know what is happening but we will still be in government.”
His advice was echoed by Mr Wynter Kabimba, the PF Secretary General who beseeched the Katuba people to look at reality rather than fantasy politics being promoted by the opposition led by UPND president Hakainde Hichilema.
“If you want Katuba to develop,” Mr Kabimba said, “vote for PF. Don’t listen to opposition leaders who have failed and won’t take you anywhere. Zambia needs serious leaders such as President Sata.”
Mr Kabimba asked the gathered residents not to yet again “squander” a golden opportunity to make real change by bringing Mr Chilando whom he said does not only come on the scene with good credentials but stands on the shoulders of a giant called PF.
The campaign had its own dramatic political twists which included a “father against son” scenario which saw PF counselor Christopher Shakafuswa, the son of UPND candidate Jonas Shakafuswa throw his full weight behind the PF candidate ‘Big Moze’ instead of his own father.
PF national chairperson Inonge Wina was not to be left out in the campaign that is gaining momentum when she denounced the alleged tribal sentiment UPND has been using in order to win sympathy for their candidate.
Mrs Wina described as shame the fact that the UPND still wants to use the tribal card in an era when the spirit of one Zambia one nation is being promoted.
‘Big Moze’ has during the campaign trail continued to promise the people of Katuba a new game plan of politics and social delivery compared to the past politics.
And campaign manager for Katuba Edgar Lungu who is also Minister of Defence cautioned the people of Katuba not to make the same mistake three times by even thinking of voting for Mr Shakafuswa.
“Mr Shakafuswa brings absolutely nothing new to the Katuba table,” Mr Lungu said, “he failed under MMD and he failed under UPND…what will he bring to the table this time? Nothing like has brought nothing in the past.”
Even though the race comprises others such as Cecil Holmes, Shakespeare Mwakamui, Allan Malawo, Joseph Mushalika and Patricia Mwashingwele, it is seen by many political analysts as a two-horse race between ‘Big Moze’ and Mr Shakafuswa. The seat fell vacant on the death of Dr Patrick Chikusu last December.
President Sata also expressed concern at the number of children in the constituency that did not look well-fed enough and brought his attention to the gathered residents.
“When you go to vote on February 25 don’t look at Mr Chilando, look at those children,” said President Sata, “Those children did not ask to be born. It is because of your greed. Look at the way they are looking, the children are looking like orphans when their parents are here.
He said Katuba has not changed from the way he saw it last year and yesterday.
“I am seeing the same things and I am very sorry I brought this electricity when I was minister of Local Government and Housing. I promised to give mobile phone network and I am happy the masts are here,” Mr Sata said.
UPND Itezhi-tezhi Member of Parliament (MP) Greyford Monde
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott says the Patriotic Front (PF) will adopt and field Itezhi Tezhi member of Parliament Greyford Monde in any election if UPND leadership decides to expel him from the party.
Dr Scott said he is ready to go out to Itezhi Tezhi and campaign for Mr Monde so he can return his seat.
The Vice-President said at a rally at Uphill Primary School in Itezhi Tezhi on Friday afternoon that it does not make sense for people to vote for a member of Parliament from a party which is not in government.
“If they chase him we will support him in another election here on PF ticket. I will come [here] myself. Nizafokotoza, ni zakamba za campaign (I will explain Government programmes and campaign for him).
“There is no point in voting for a candidate of a party which is just waiting for power. UPND is waiting for power, they can wait for 20 years or 30 years. In 20 years or 30 years mu zafa (you will die),” Dr Scott said.
Dr Scott said Mr Monde is an agent of PF development agenda in Itezhi Tezhi and should be supported.
He said UPND has been planning to expel its lawmaker from the party for no apparent reasons, adding that PF welcomed him because he was development-oriented.
“When your MP came to see us, exactly, a year ago saying he was interested in seeing development in Itezhi Tezhi, we welcomed him. But his party, UPND, is trying to chase him chifukwa chachani (why expelling him)?” he said.
He also reminded the people that they should not vote for MMD, the former ruling Party, because it is a dead political party.
“This is your MP [Mr Monde] whether he is on UPND ticket or PF ticket, this MP is our agent for development in this area,” he said.
Dr Scott said PF government is not interested in tribalism and does not make political statements it cannot fulfil.
He said the PF government has come to change and improve areas that have lagged behind for a long time.
And Dr Scott said when the construction of Mongu–Itezhi Tezhi road is completed it will open up the district.
Dr Scott said the construction of the road will kick off this year and expected to finish by next year, adding that the contractor has since been selected.
“When that road is opened you [the people of Itezhi Tezhi] will become part of Zambia and part of the world. Even your mangoes, the people will come to buy them, now they don’t want to buy anything here because the road is very bad.
Speaking at the same function Mr Monde said UPND leadership discouraged him from lobbying Government to develop his Constituency, the action he did not agree with.
He said the people of Itezhi Tezhi are not interested in mere politics but in seeing development in the area.
“Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset — rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined]…”
(1 Peter 5:9, AMP)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
The very moment you first feel fear, you have to resist it. In other words, you have to act against it. If you make the mistake of dwelling on your fears and start thinking about all the reasons why you can’t do what God is telling you to do, then it won’t be long before you develop a negative mindset that will keep you stuck where you are.
In the Bible, when God told David to go fight Goliath, it says that David moved quickly toward the battlefield. In other words, he didn’t think about it. He didn’t allow fear to grip his heart and talk him out of it. He just did what God wanted him to do.
So many people today are just sitting on the sidelines of life. They have tremendous potential on the inside, but they keep letting the enemy talk them out of doing what God wants them to do. Every time they get a vision of victory for their life, the enemy brings fear; and they just swallow his lies hook, line and sinker. Don’t let that be you! Instead, obey quickly. Resist fear and boldly embrace every blessing the Lord has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, today I choose to resist fear. I choose Your Word. I choose Your love. I believe that with You, all things are possible. I choose to obey quickly and boldly embrace the victory and blessing You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Stopilla Sunzu’s stock in Ligue One continues to rise after guiding Sochaux to victory on Saturday night.
Sochaux beat Guingamp 1-0 thanks to a late second half goal from the Zambian defender.
Sunzu fired in a diving header in the 84th minute to hand Herve Renard’s side a valuable home win and result in their battle to try and get out of the bottom three demotion zone.
This was the second time that Sunzu has stepped up to save Sochaux after scoring another goal in their 1-0 home win over Nantes on February 1.
Sunzu has taken his tally to two goals in seven Ligue 1 matches since joining the club from DR Congo club TP Mazembe in early January.
Meanwhile, compatriot Nathan Sinkala also started and finished the game while striker Emmanuel Mayuka did not make the team for the game.
Nkana turned on the style on Saturday to crush Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland 5-2 in a CAF Champions League preliminary round, return leg match at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Nkana trailed 2-0 from the first leg and need to beat Swallows 3-0 to advance but twice the Swaziland side turned that uphill battle into a mountain to scale with goals in each half.
And it was Swallows who yet again took the lead to single Nkana that they now needed four goals to overturn the result after Zimbabwe striker Kudazanyai Matanda scored the opener in the 6th minute.
The goal was Matanda’s second against Nkana after scoring one in Swallows first leg win a week ago.
Nkana’s fight back began in the 19th minute when Ronald Kampamba fired in the equaliser before adding his second in the 24th minute from the penalty spot.
The hosts went 3-1 into the break after Kampamba sent a wonderful cross in for Simon Bwalya who headed in the games fourth goal in a dramatic opening 30 minutes.
Bwalya added his second in the 63rd minute before Wonder Nhelko raise the stakes with Swallows second on the day in the 73rd minute.
The ex-Power Dynamos striker completed his hat trick in the 85th minute after man-of-the-match Kampamba rolled the ball into his path to slot in the defining goal to complete a stunning comeback.
Nkana face KCCA of Uganda in the first round with the latter travelling to Kitwe for the first leg on March 1 before hosting the Zambian champions on March 9 in Kampala.
Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has said that the demand for a new constitution from the Patriotic Front (PF) government should not be left to political parties and the civil society alone.
Mr. Hichilema said that all Zambians should unite and get focused on the constitutional subject especially that it has become clear that the ruling PF is not willing to deliver a new constitution going by president Michael Sata’ statement that people talking about the new constitution should be ignored.
Mr. Hichilema said this was why all well meaning political parties, the church, the civil society and the nation at large must galvanize to ensure the PF government is not necessarily put in position of choice whether to deliver a new constitution or not.
In an interview with Qfm news this afternoon, the UPND leader also charged that the PF government must deliver a new constitution because it belongs to the people of Zambia not the ruling party.
He said this was also why people in the country should refuse to be digressed to other issues that will allow the coming up of a new constitution to be delayed even further.
And the opposition leader has maintained that the manner in which the ruling PF is dealing with the current constitutional making process is a further confirmation that it is a party that has allegedly lied on many other issues.
Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) President Fred Mutesa
The opposition Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) says it is not convinced with the clarification that the Ministry of Finance has given on the status of the country’s domestic debt.
On Thursday this week Acting Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa disclosed that government’s domestic debts is standing at K17.6 billion or approximately 14 percent of GDP as earlier announced by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda.
But ZED president Frederick Mutesa has charged if the Ministry of Finance maintains this position of the country’s domestic debt, the Auditor General’s office should also be allowed to audit both the Road Development Agency (RDA) and all the contracts that are being disbursed by it.
Dr. Mutesa has told Qfm news in a telephone interview that this is because his party’s concerns are that alleged delay to pay contractors working on various infrastructure projects is making government to accrue arrears which are also attracting interest.
The ZED president says this delayed payment to contractors is what his party fears will lead to the ballooning of the country’s domestic debt.
The opposition leader notes there is already an example of a contractor working on the Kasaba bay and Ndola-Kitwe carriageway projects, Ng’andu Consulting Limited which, due to delayed payment, is said to be accumulating interest of not less 2 hundred thousand kwacha per month.
He says given the number of other known infrastructure projects where government is also said to be having trouble to pay the contractors, the situation therefore should one of concern.
Muchinga Minister Colonel Gerry Chanda ( c ) with Chinese officials from China Civil Construction company and other Government workers inspecting the roads works on the Lot One of the Chama / Matumbo Road in Chama District. Lot One will cost about K371 million from Muyombe Turn off to Luangwa River.
Kanyama PF MP Colonel Gerry Chanda has revealed that he has never visited Chibolya compound since 2008 for fear of losing his life.
Chibolya is a notoriously crime infested area situated just a kilometre away from the Lusaka Central Business District.
In an interview, Colonel Chanda said angry residents of Chibolya have threatened to kill him if he attempts to demolish their illegal settlements.
“Chibolya was earmarked for development and the Japanese through (JICA) had offered support in 2008 for the project. We engaged the residents and they all seemed supportive. We wanted to demolish the unplanned structures, relocate the people and construct new houses for the residents and resettle them and issue them with title deeds.”
He added, “When the time came for the implementation of this project, I together with the Chinese contractors engaged to undertake the project went on site and we were attacked by residents armed with Pangas and knives and we had to run for our dear lives.”
Colonel Chanda said he does not see himself returning to Chibolya as long as the security situation there does not improve.
“You see, the biggest problem with Chibolya is the high influx of foreigners there mostly Congolese and Rwandese. These are the people who frustrate government efforts to develop the area. The foreigners who are mostly landlords of those illegal houses know that they will lose out if new houses are constructed and title deeds issued to genuine Zambians,” he said.
He said it is unacceptable that a place like Chibolya could exist close to the city centre of a major city like Lusaka.
