FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPND’S POLITICS OF INFLATED EGOS AND SPOILERS

The statements from the UPND following the outcome of the Katuba by election have made some interesting reading. As MMD youths, we have come to a conclusion that the UPND is over stating the significance of the Katuba victory.

The recent statement attributed to UPND Deputy Spokesman Cornelius Mweetwa that the MMD is a spoiler cannot go unchallenged.

As MMD youths, we wish to remind Mr Mweetwa that MMD is a mother of democracy in Zambia. This is the political party credited locally and internationally of introducing and strengthening multi-party democracy in this country.

By labeling the MMD as spoilers, Mr Mweetwa is deliberately attempting to alter history and satisfy his over rated political ego.

The MMD has played a significant role in Zambia’s development and any attempts by Mr Mweetwa and the UPND to rewrite history will not succeed.

All right thinking members of our great nation will agree that if there is any spoiler in our political history it has to be given to the UPND.

Throughout its history, the UPND has done more harm than good to our democracy because of its tribal and regional centered focus.

We wish to remind Mr Mweetwa and the UPND that just recently they rushed to contest the Mansa Central by election, an election they had no chance in hell of winning and their candidate lost miserably.

The UPND insisted on fielding a candidate in Mansa Central even when there was an understanding with the MMD to field a common candidate.

The UPND played spoiler in Mansa Central as it has always done to Zambian politics.

It is therefore illogical and pretentious for Mr Mweetwa to label the MMD spoilers when it attempts to defend its own seat in Katuba. We believe that if there was any political party that had a moral and political reason to win Katuba, it was the MMD.

We suggest that Mr Mweetwa should restrain himself from commenting in issues that he clearly does not understand.

We however will not blame Mr Mweetwa’s narrow approach to politics because he is still at nursery level learning how to practice the art of politics.

As MMD youths, we have not forgotten how Mr Mweetwa as UNZASU President just a few years ago was mobilizing students at UNZA in stone throwing activities at innocent people’s vehicles and property.

It is not shocking that this is the same man who wishes to mislead the Zambian people by issuing statements that cannot be substantiated.

Our message to the Zambians is that you fully know the record of the MMD in protecting and nurturing the state of our democracy. All the governance institutions worth talking about today were set up by the MMD government.

MMD is a party that is now on a serious rebuilding mission. Detractors such as Mr Mweetwa and the UPND will not derail our men and women in the MMD led by our charismatic and proven public worker Dr Nevers Mumba in taking the MMD back to State House in 2016.

Issued by: Bowman Lusambo-MMD Die Hard Youth Wing National Coordinator

Government has warned Radio Mano community station in Kasama to immediately stop airing programmes that create public discontent or else have its broadcasting license revoked.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Mwansa Kapeya issued the warning yesterday when he visited the radio station.

Mr. Kapeya said he has received complaints regarding the unprofessional conduct at Radio Mano, a situation he described as detrimental to the peace in society.

The Minister warned that government will not allow the radio station to continue airing derogatory programs without any form of censorship.

He said it was unethical for the Radio Mano to be abused by politicians whose motive is to attack government without proper justification.

Mr. Kapeya, who is also Chief Government spokesperson, said he will not hesitate to revoke the licenses of radio stations in the country that do not observe good broadcasting ethics.

The Minister has since called for professionalism among media houses in the country.

And Mr. Kapeya has advised the Board at Radio Mano to desist from taking their positions as personal-holder-posts.

The Minister said it is unfortunate that learn that the Board members were reluctant to renew their mandate despite their term of office expiring.

He said it is a requirement in the broadcasting licenses for community radio stations to hold regular elections for Board members in order to enhance good management of the institutions.

Meanwhile, Radio Mano manager Chrispin Ntalasha assured the Minister that his radio station will strictly adhere to the provisions of its broadcasting license to avoid being conflict with the law.
ZANIS

Zambia’s first privately owned commercial radio station Radio Phoenix has with immediate effect terminated contracts for all its employees.

A source close to the issue said the workers will be required to re-apply for their jobs on contract.

The source further said that the workers will be paid all their outstanding dues at the end of March.

Some investors from Botswana last year bought 25 percent shares in Radio Phoenix, a commercial radio station that was established in 1996.

Efforts to get a comment from Radio Phoenix Proprietor Errol Hickey proved futile as his mobile phone went unanswered.

The Zambia Police Service has reiterated its appeal to all wrecked car owners to clear off their cars from police stations around the country.

Zambia Police Service Acting Spokesperson Rea Hamoonga has since threatened that wrecked vehicles that have stayed at police stations for a long time would be sold off.

Mr. Hamoonga told ZANIS in Lusaka that wrecked cars have congested police stations hence the need for the owners to collect them.

He said the process of getting rid of wrecked vehicles will contribute to the achievement of the keep Zambia clean programme.

Mr. Hamoonga said most of the wrecked vehicles would be taken for scrap metal if they are not collected.

He explained that the police would inform the court for permission to start the exercise because the wrecked cars at police stations have different cases.

He has since advised members of the public to comply with all lawful directives issued to them by officers either from the Zambia Police Service or Road Transport and Safety Agency.

Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has formally received two complaints against the opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) who included those currently serving in the privileges parliamentary committee.

The Speaker disclosed in parliament today that the complaints would soon be processed accordingly.

Dr. Matibini said this when he made a ruling in the House today following a point of order raised by Patriotic Front (PF) Shiwangandu MP, Stephen Kampyongo on whether the opposition MPs who disrupted business of the House would not be allowed to seat because they breached standing orders 70 of the parliament procedures.

The Speaker said the opposition MPs had breached the parliamentary code of conduct with impunity therefore action would be taken accordingly.

“I have formally received two complaints against the opposition MPs for their unruly behavior exhibited in the last one and half days on grounds for your refusal to debate accordingly in the House surrounding the absence of the draft constitution. But I can assure this Honourable House that the complaints will be processed,” Dr. Matibini said.

Meanwhile, the Vice President’s question time was characterized by points of order aimed at pressurising the executive (government) to release the constitution.

The many points of order prompted Dr. Matibini to disallow them in order for the business of the House to continue.

“I will not allow any points of order until we complete the Vice President’s question time session,” Dr. Matibini said.

On February 26th 2014 and yesterday, Dr. Matibini was forced to suspend business of the House following a protest by the opposition MPs who demanded to know from the executive when exactly the draft constitution would be released to the Zambian people.

The Speaker noted that the opposition MPs were no longer interested to debate and accordingly suspended business of the House.

This boycott by the opposition parliamentarians in two days is the first of its kind in the history of Zambia. Other protests experienced were mere walk-outs but business of the House still continued.

The protest was caused by a ministerial statement presented to the House on Wednesday by Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba.

And the Vice President Guy Scott has said 25,000 metric tonnes (mts) of relief food is required for hunger stricken areas.

Dr. Scott told parliament today that 209,498 vulnerable people were recommended to be provided with food supplies amounting to 12,570 metric tonnes in 18 selected districts in the country.

He said 8,262 metric tonnes has so far been released to the targeted districts.

ZANIS