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THE Patriotic Front (PF) on the Copperbelt has successfully held elections in which Masaiti PF chairperson Stardy Mwale was elected chairperson.
The previous provincial executive committee was dissolved last year in August.
The elections were held at Ndola’s Hindu Hall and voting started on Saturday into yesterday around 03:30 hours after which counting started at about 08:30 hours.
Three officials from each constituency on the Copperbelt constituted the Electoral College bringing the number of delegates to more than 500.
The returning officer was PF chairperson for Elections, Sylvia Masebo.
Mr Mwale polled 293 beating Mines, Energy and Water Development Deputy Minister, Richard Musukwa who polled 222 votes to become the new chairperson.
The position of vice-chairperson went to Stephen Kainga who beat Menyani Zulu.
Nathan Chanda polled 337 votes against Jones Kaliati who polled 140 to assume the position of youth chairperson.
Hilda Kawesha beat three others and got 117 votes to emerge women’s chairperson.
Other people that were elected were David Bwalya Nsala of Kitwe as treasurer and Keith Maila of Mpongwe scooped the deputy treasurer position.
Tenant Chishimba got the position of information publicity secretary and he would be deputised by Kalulushi Mayor Howard Simpemba.
Amon Chisenga got the position of secretary and he would be deputised by Ken Siachisumo.
Fourteen other positions were elected and the new executive committee is expected to coordinate party structures in readiness for the 2016 general elections.
PF weekend elections
Meanwhile, former Mufulira PF district chairperson John Katati and his team have petitioned last week’s election results that ushered in a new district executive led by Dominic Mwale.
Mr Katati and other members in his previous executive suffered humiliating defeat at the hands of Dr Mwale’s camp which scooped all save for a few positions that were up for grabs in the district executive elections held a week ago at Hindu Hall in Mufulira.
But Mr Katati has petitioned the results of the elections to PF’s chairperson for elections Sylvia Masebo alleging that the polls were not free and fair.
He said in an interview yesterday, that he felt robbed of the victory because the elections were allegedly manipulated by some people to favour their preferred candidates.
“We have petitioned the chairperson for Elections Madam Sylvia Masebo to nullify last week’s election results because of the manner the polls were conducted which was not free and fair,” he said.
Mr Katati said he sent the petition letter last week on Tuesday to Ms Masebo which was copied to Party President Michael Sata and Secretary General Wynter Kabimba giving grounds why the election results should be nullified.
PF deputy Secretary General Bridget Atanga who flagged off the election could not be reached for comment as her mobile phone went unanswered while member of the Central Committee Ngosa Simbyakula who conducted the election said Mr Katati was free to petition because that was his democratic right.
United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichelem has distanced himself from assertions that he wished President Michael Sata ill health.
Mr. Hichilema said it is normal and human for anyone to fell sick hence there be no need for anyone to become emotional and too sensitive over someone’s illness especially when one is a public officer.
ZANIS reports that the opposition leader said this in a statement made available in Lusaka yesterday.
He said mocking someone over their health status is sad and unacceptable especially in a civilized society like Zambia’s.
Mr. Hichilema said he and his party, the UNPD do not subscribe to such behavior.
He claimed that his alleged comments over the health of president Michael Sata was misconstrued in order to divert people’s attention from matters of national interest that have surfaced lately.
Mr. Hichilema recalled that the issue came about via a question from a journalist at the last press briefing at the UPND secretariat when he was asked to comment on speculation that State House was not been sincere to the public on whether or not President Sata was unwell and his whereabouts.
Mr. Hichilema said his response was to ask State House to clear the air on the whereabouts of the President and definitely, state whether the President was unwell given that he is a public asset.
He said that the UPND also indicated that if the President was unwell, then Zambians should pray for his quick recovery and that the UPND wished the President well for him to govern up to 2016.
Mr. Hichilema stated that the UPND further indicated that it would like to defeat President Sata and the Patriotic Front at the 2016 elections given his alleged failure to meet many of his campaign promises and overall poor governance of the PF.
He claimed the sickness issue is aimed at diverting the attention of Zambians from demanding for a people driven constitution.
Meanwhile, CHIEF Chimbuka of the Bemba speaking people of Chinsali District in Muchinga Province has asked UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to explain the illness of President Michael Sata.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni of Eastern Province at his Ephendukeni palace in Chipata yesterday,Chief Chimbuka said he was dismayed that Mr Hichilema has continued talking against the health of President Sata to the public.
He said being one of the relatives ,President Sata had not briefed him about his sickness which Mr Hichilema had continued talking.
He said most of the relatives of President Sata were unaware of his illness which the opposition leader has continued to talk about.
He said it was always inhumane for people like Mr Hichilema to continue talking about the health of someone like President Sata.
Chief Chimbuka said Mr Hichilema has showed that he was too emotional with President Sata and charged that the opposition leader would continue to be a failure if continues with his outburst on the Head of State.
“HH has continued to talk about the health of President Sata.Let him explain the sickness of Mr Sata because as far as i am concerned we have not being briefed by President Sata that he is sick.He is my relative,”he said.
Chief Chimbuka said late UPND Leader Anderson Mazoka led the opposition political party very well because he did not practice on tribal lines unlike Mr Hichilema whom said was fond of tribalism.
And Chief Mpezeni said Mr Hichilema had no love for President Sata and asked the opposition leader not to play with illness.
He said Mr Hichilema should stop talking about the health of President Sata but questioned the Government on developmental which it had done implemented since it came into power.
Chief Mpezeni said Mr Hichilema should practice his politics very well because President Sata was appointed or elected to lead Zambia by the majority of Zambias.
He said politics was not about insults but reminding Government what it had not done.
He said Mr Hichilema should happy that the current Government had done a number of projects like schools and roads.
Chief Mpezeni said he was particularly happy that China Jiangxi International Corporation was working on Chipata-Vubwi road.
He also declared this years Nc’wala traditional ceremony as ready saying a number of chiefs have been invited.
National boxing coach Kennedy Kanyanta has announced that the Zambia Amateur Boxing Federation is this week set to begin the process of selecting boxers to represent the country at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
Kanyanta said the first open national selection will take place from 15-16 February in Lusaka.
Over 18 boxers are expected to take part in the two-day event at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka.
‘We are having the national open selection on 15th and 16th February at OYDC in Lusaka. This is in a sense of coming up with meaningful boxers to compete at games in Glasgow,’ Kanyanta said.
He added: ‘We are likely to have not less than 18 boxers and trim the team to the allocated number of slots by National Olympic Committee of Zambia.’
The Glasgow Games will take place from July 23- August and team Zambia is expected to regroup in April.
Nkana have been left with mountain to climb after losing 2-0 away to Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland today at Somhlolo stadium in their first return to CAF Champions League action since 2002.
The defeat was Nkana’s first ever against a Swaziland team ending an unbeaten record stretching as far back as 1983.
Nkana were guilty of poor finishing especially in the first half with midfielder Kelvin Mubanga, Claude Bwalya and Ronald Kampamba all had great chances going begging in the first half.
However, a spirited Swallows went on to dominate Nkana on their way to a historic kill over a once revered giant.
Swallows were rewarded for their perseverance courtesy of goals by Zimbabwean striker Kudzanayi Matanda and Swaziland international attacker Felix Bardenhost who scored in the 61st and 66th minutes respectively.
But it was Bardenhost’s goal that has the Nkana camp talking after Christopher Munthali was easily dispossessed of the ball inside the box to put the result beyond doubt.
Nkana must now score three unanswered goals this Saturday under the pressure of their demanding home fans to keep their ambitions of advancing to the second round alive.
Nkana: Rabson Muchelenganga, Donashano Malama, Masauso Zimba, Billy Mwanza, Christopher Munthali, Sydney Kalume, Simon Bwalya (Shadreck Musonda 71’),Kelvin Mubanga, Claude Bwalya, Ronald Kampamba (Jimmy Njobvu 80’),Francis Kombe (Lottie Nyambili 57’)
THE use of local languages as a medium of instruction in schools of lower grades has impressed Government has most learners have responded positively. Here, Education Deputy Minister David Mabumba monitoring the use of icibemba at Ray of Joy Primary School in Nchelenge
ALL the fifteen (15) Lamba chiefs on the Copperbelt Province have resolved to reject the newly introduced government policy to teach Bemba in Copperbelt rural schools.
ZANIS reports that the Chiefs confirmed this in a statement in Ndola today signed by senior Chief Chiwala who is the chairperson for Copperbelt Royal Council of Chiefs.
Chief Chiwala said traditional leaders in the province have thrown out the idea of having Bemba as a mode of instructions in schools both in rural and urban areas.
“We, the Chiefs of the Copperbelt Province observe that it is a violation of human rights to impose on children the teaching of vernacular language that is not their own,” Chief Chiwala said.
The traditional leader observed that Copperbelt province is the land of inheritance for Lambas and that indigenous Lamba people have occupied the land since time immemorial hence the language they have always spoken and used for writing is Lamba.
He explained that language plays a greater role in the development, promotion and preservation of culture in any given society and that it is injustice to introduce as a compulsory measure a Northern Province language to teach children in Copperbelt rural schools.
The traditional leader on behalf of his colleagues further said that Lambas at their own expense and working in collaboration with the curriculum Development Center in Lusaka have published books to be used in Copperbelt rural schools and that the literacy books are still being worked on.
He said to this end government should partner with the Lambas and avail funds for the publication of books as it has done with other languages.
Chief Chiwala further said that the resolve to reject the policy of having children taught in a foreign language in their own land was reached at after consultative meeting with the Lambas in the province.
“The position the Lambas have taken shall never be compromised and no amount of intimidation shall sway the people of Lamba land from this decision.
Throughout British Colonial and independent Zambia’s history, Lambas have been tolerant and sacrificed enough of their land for the sake of national development, mindful of the fact that Zambia is a unitary state in tribal diversity,” Chief Chiwala said.
Government recently announced new education reforms to teach all subjects in vernacular from grade one (1) to four (4) in all primary schools of Zambia.
Government has selected seven Zambian languages which are also aired on ZNBC to be used for teaching in schools.
Lusaka City Council has paused charges on the bars and night clubs that will be opening early and closing late in the city.
Speaking in an interview to Lusaka City Council Public Relations Manager Mulunda Habeenzu said the LCC have implemented civil laws on bars and night clubs that are to be followed and if they are broken punishment is given.
Mr. Habeenzu said the normal time for the bars to be operating is from 10hrs to 22hrs and night clubs is from 16hrs to 24hrs.
Most councils in the country have un- implemented by laws such as public nuisance laws that have affected the councils smooth operations.
Meanwhile, Mr. Habeenzu says bars and night clubs next to churches will be demolished.
He said the council will demolish the infrastructures if they are found not operating under the conditions they were built at first.
Many bars and night clubs in the city are operating next to churches and they disturb church services with their loud music , among others.
He also appealed to the parents not be sending there children to the bars and urged the operators to be very careful when allowing the youths to enter their bars.
Mr Habeenzu has since advised youths in the country to divert their energies in productive activities that will contribute to the growth and economical development of the nation unlike spending their time and energies on beer drinking.
UPND vice president for administration Canicius Banda during the rally in Mandevu
The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has also added its voice to the decision by the Zambia Police Service to start investigating former Defense Minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba when his case was close by the Anti Commission Corruption (ACC).
UPND Vice President for Politics, Dr. Canicius Banda, has told journalists in Lusaka that there is no doubt that there is selective application of justice in the country.
Dr. Banda says the PF has lamentably failed to fight corruption and now wants to start attacking those that have left the party with intimidations.
Dr. Banda notes that the remarks by President Michael Sata last year that no Agency should investigate his cabinet ministers without his permission are a clear indication that there is selective application of justice under the PF Government.
He adds that President Sata should revisit his PF manifesto because he promised the people of Zambia when in opposition that he will not tolerate corruption under his government which is the opposite now.
Dr. Banda says the interrogations of Mr. Mwamba and his family should be stopped because they are politically motivated.
The UPND Vice President wonders why Mr. Mwamba was not investigated when he was still a cabinet minister and wants to investigate him now that he left his ministerial position.
Meanwhile, the opposition Movement for Multi Party (MMD) youths have vowed to continue supporting former Defense Minister, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, not because of his name but because of his principles as a politician and leader.
MMD Die Hard Youth Wing National Coordinator, Bowman Lusambo, has told QFM News that Mr. Mwamba has the full support of the MMD youths because he has shown how a good leader should be.
Mr. Lusambo says very few politicians have the caliber to resign when they are enjoying the privileges of being a cabinet minister.
Mr. Lusambo says there is no need for the PF government to intimidate Mr. Mwamba with different methods just because he resigned on moral grounds.
He adds that the MMD youths will continue to rally behind Mr. Mwamba because he has demonstrated to the Zambians the true principles of leadership.
Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says his party is proud to have become the first opposition party in the history of Zambia to recall a sitting Head of State from holiday.
Addressing a media briefing in Lusaka Sunday morning, Mr Hichilema said the UPND has gone into history as the first opposition party to compel the Republican President to cut short his holiday.
Mr Hichilema also demanded that Mr Sata should retire his imprest since only spent seven days of his 14 day holiday.
“We know that the President and his entourage received imprest for 14 days. Since they cut short the so called working holiday, we demand to see proof that he and his entourage have retired imprest,” Mr Hichilema said.
He added, “The matter of retiring imprest borders on accountability and prudent use of public resources. Yes he cut short the holiday but we want to see him retire the rest of the imprest. We could use that money to get some drugs in our hospitals or help reduce the price of Mealie meal.”
Mr Hichilema also announced a number of demands as part of conditions towards the UPND buying a first class ticket for President Sata to fly to India.
“For the President to cut short his so called working holiday with ease when prodded as to what he was doing outside the country is a clear indication that he had no serious programmes to attend to there. In other words he was idling out there, wasting public resources, when Zambians needed him to attend to the many challenges at home created by his poor leadership, including lack of prioritization in public resource usage,” he said.
He added, “For whatever reason, Mr. Sata and his handlers believe that I owe him a ticket to India. Our definitive response on this matter is that Mr. Sata’s request for an air ticket to India may only be considered if he meets these conditions, Deliver a people driven constitution to Zambians through a referendum before the end of 2014, reduce the price of Mealie meal since most of our people cannot afford the commodity and re -instate the fuel subsidy in order to help reduce the cost of living for the many suffering Zambians.
Mr Hichilema said, “we also want him to deliver jobs to the youth and many unemployed Zambians who Mr. Sata lied to during the 2011 elections campaigns, re-instate all students expelled and cease court cases involving those who demonstrated over the constitution, re-instate unconditionally all nurses, midwives and other health workers fired by presidential decree for reminding Mr. Sata to fulfill his campaign promise of higher pay to workers and in liaison with the Congolese authorities, immediately bring to an end the killing of truck drivers at the Kasumbalesa border post.
The UPND also demanded that President Sata introduces windfall tax or its equivalent and stop the reckless borrowing especially when most of these loans are for consumption and not investment to save Zambia from building another debt mountain which will be difficult to dismantle.
He added, “ we want President Sata to repeal the draconian NGO ACT and replace it with one agreed upon by relevant stakeholders including NGOs and civil society(CSOs), remove Justice Chibesakunda from the position of acting chief justice because she failed the required Parliamentary ratification process to serve as Chief Justice. This will help restore public confidence and integrity in the judiciary.”
“As UPND it is our well-considered view that Justice Chibesakunda has over stayed acting in that crucial position which mirrors our justice system, we also want him to fulfill the many other campaign promises upon which PF and Mr. Sata were elected into office i.e. free education, clean water supply, ending electricity blackouts, media freedoms, rule of law, repeal of public order Act, restoration of Barotseland agreement.”
Mr Hichilema said Mr. Sata should know that being a public officer imposes an obligation on one to serve not only friends and relatives but the whole country.
“If he fails to fulfill the above conditions, he does not deserve his high salary and other subsidies he is getting from the people of Zambia, let alone an air ticket to India from me,” he said.
On the matter of illness, Mr Hichilema said the UPND does not wish Mr Sata ill health.
“As a matter of clarity, to be sick is normal and is human. No one should get too sensitive and emotional about it especially when one is a public servant. It is on record that Mr. Sata and some of his friends used to mock the late President Mwanawasa, Vice President George Kunda and Mr. Anderson Mazoka when they were unwell. Mr. Sata even called for a medical board to examine the health of the then sitting President Mwanawasa. He called the late George Kunda red lips, to mention just a few examples. This is sad and unacceptable in a civilized society,” he said.
Mr Hichilema said, “I and the UPND do not want to join Mr. Sata in this kind of behaviour which he is commonly known for.”
“As a matter of record the following is a summary of what transpired at our last press briefing at the UPND secretariat .This illness issue came via a question from a journalist as to what my comments were on the speculation that Statehouse was not being sincere to the public on whether or not Mr. Sata was unwell and his whereabouts (London or India for treatment after Addis Ababa).”
“In response I asked Statehouse to clear the air on the whereabouts of the president and definitively state whether or not the President was unwell given that the President is a public asset or liability. We also indicated that if the president was unwell, then Zambians should pray for his quick recovery and we wished him well for him to govern up to 2016. Further, we indicated that we as UPND would like to defeat him at the 2016 elections given his failure to meet many of his campaign promises and overall poor governance of the PF. We believe that the above summary closes this subject which in our view is aimed at diverting the attention of Zambians from demanding for a people driven constitution.”
Nkana FC face Mbabane Swallows this afternoon in a 2014 CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg away game in Manzini.Here is their starting XI.
NKANA XI: Rabson Muchelenganga, Donashano Malama, Masauso Zimba, Billy Mwanza, Christopher Munthali, Sydney Kalume, Simon Bwalya,Kelvin Mubanga, Claude Bwalya, Ronald Kampamba,Francis Kombe
Subs: Jimmy Njovu, Derrick Mwansa, Maybin Chishimba, Shadreck Musonda, Frank Chibuye, Lottie Nyambili, Charles Mweemba
President Sata with Vice President Guy Scott at Statehouse recently
The debate about the Patriotic Front’s (PF) Presidential candidate in the 2016 tripartite elections is over because President Sata will run for a second term, Vice-President Guy Scott has said.
“In 2016, Michael Sata no change… anyone who is saying that they will reward you is telling lies. There is no one who has been endorsed by the President, the Vice-President or the election chairperson who in this case is Ms Sylvia Masebo,” Dr Scott said.
He said this in Ndola yesterday when he opened the PF Copperbelt provincial conference which will choose new office bearers.
Dr Scott said the leadership on the Copperbelt must have the drive to help the ruling party, led by President Sata, win the 2016 tripartite elections.
He urged PF leaders in the province to render selfless service without expecting any payment as their collective effort will be for the benefit of the whole country.
Dr Scott called on party members to remain disciplined and “do the right thing” for the party and the country.
He said that the PF wants the Copperbelt to govern itself and people should not thrive on lies.
He said there is no one in the PF, who was not brought in by President Sata and this must be respected.
And Ms Masebo, who has been in the province since Thursday, said she has not experienced any intra-party violence in the run-up to the conference.
“We ensured that the atmosphere is free and fair,” she said.
Ms Masebo said the party is strong on the Copperbelt which contributed significantly to getting the PF into Government.
Meanwhile, voting for the PF provincial executive committee kicked off late and saw Wusakile MP Richard Musukwa battling it out against Stardy Mwale for the position of provincial chairman.
The vice chairman position attracted Menyani Zulu, Steven Kainga, and Newton Chabala while in the women’s category Hildah Kawesha, Selita Shanga, Agness Chomba, Beauty Daka, and Mary Banda were jostling for the chairlady post.
Other candidates were Dorothy Chimpimpi, Annie Nicho, and Mwansa Jordan who were vying for the position of vice chairlady.
In the youths contest, John Kalyati, Evans Sithiya, and Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chishimba were eyeing the provincial youth chairmanship slot while the position of vice youth chairman was a two horse race between Thomson Ngulube and Albert Bwalya.
BARELY 24 hours after Zambia commemorated the first anniversary of the horrific deaths of over 50 people in a bus accident in Chibombo, another five people died yesterday in another bus accident near the same spot.
The early morning bus accident of a Lusaka-bound bus from Mpulungu, has left 10 other passengers seriously injured.
The dead are a 6-year-old boy, two men and two women. They died on the spot. By press time, police were yet to identify some of the deceased passengers and survivors.
The accident involving a CV Transport Marcopolo bus happened between 02:00 hours and 03:00 hours, about 2kms from the spot where a Zampost bus collided with a truck and trailer last year on February 7.
Central Province police chief Standwell Lungu and hospital authorities at Kabwe General Hospital and Liteta District Hospital confirmed the road traffic accident in separate interviews yesterday.
“This fatal accident happened today (yesterday) between 02:00 hours and 03:00 hours at Mukalashi area,” Mr Lungu said. “This is about 2km from John Chinena Market. The dead bodies have been taken to Kabwe General Hospital.”
Mr Lungu said 10 survivors sustained body injuries and are admitted to Liteta District Hospital.
Mr Lungu said initial investigations show that the driver of the bus lost control of the vehicle and it overturned.
One of the survivors said at Liteta District Hospital where she is admitted that the accident happened due to over speeding by the driver of the bus.
Mrs Veronica Nampungwe, whose six-year-old son died in the accident, was travelling from Mpulungu and to Lusaka.
“The accident happened around 03:00 hours after we passed Kabwe. We told the driver to stop speeding because it had rained but, he did not listen,” Mrs Nampungwe lamented.
Mrs Nampungwe was in the company of her husband, Mr Sinyangwe and other family members and was at pains to accept the death of her son.
Liteta District Hospital acting medical superintendent Jerry Sinyangwe confirmed that 10 people were admitted to the hospital – eight women and two men.
“All of them are in stable condition. One female patient sustained soft tissue injuries,” Dr Sinyangwe who was attending to the accident victims said in an interview.
And Kabwe General Hospital medical superintendent George Chipulu said one man who sustained soft tissue injuries was discharged in the morning yesterday.
Dr Chipulu also said the five bodies are at the Kabwe General Hospital mortuary.
CHIEF Government spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya has said that investigations against Mr Mwamba should be allowed to proceed without undue interference from APNAC, or any other organisation which supports APNAC’s posturing on the matter.
In a statement made available to the media, Mr Kapeya said that the Executive was not involved in investigations against any citizens regardless of their social standing, or political affiliation in society.
“If the investigative wings suspect corruption, they are at liberty to institute investigations against anyone in line with their professional mandate,” he said
Below is the full statement
Republic of Zambia Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services
STATEMENT BY HON. MWANSA KAPEYA, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON APNAC’S SLAMMING OF GBM PROBE
Government wishes to advise African Parliamentarian Network against Corruption (APNAC) Chairperson Cornelius Mweetwa to let the investigative wings carry out their work without undue criticism.
Mr. Mweetwa as a lawyer understands the separation of powers and should be the last person to accuse the Executive of having a hand in the probe of former Defence Minister, Geoffrey Mwamba.
Mr. Mweetwa should not view the probe against GBM as persecution and a selective application of the law to harass the former Minister. As Chairperson of the Parliamentary Network which champions the fight against corruption and promotes integrity among law makers, the statement coming from the learned lawyer makes sad reading.
Having said this, Government does not in any way imply that Mr. Mwamba, or his family are guilty; rather government will allow the investigative wings to conclude their work.
The Executive is not involved in investigations against any citizens regardless of their social standing, or political affiliation in society. If the investigative wings suspect corruption, they are at liberty to institute investigations against anyone in line with their professional mandate.
[pullquote]“If the investigative wings suspect corruption, they are at liberty to institute investigations against anyone in line with their professional mandate,” he said[/pullquote]
The investigations being undertaken on Mr. Geoffrey Mwamba should be allowed to proceed without undue interference from APNAC, or any other organization which supports APNAC’s posturing on this matter. The Anti-Corruption Commission upon completion of its investigations will inform the nation on the outcome of the investigation.
The only role that the PF Government plays under the able leadership of President Michael Sata in the fight against graft is to provide leadership and the political will.
Government wishes to further dismiss with contempt remarks by the Forum for Development and Democracy, FDD that they will not participate in the forth coming Katuba by-election because of too many by-elections.
FDD must know that by-lections are occasioned by many factors such as death, as in the case of Katuba, and nullifications due to electoral malpractices. Whether this situation brings about numerous by-elections or not is no justification for denying people representation in Parliament in a constitutional democracy.
If FDD are unable to field a candidate in the Katuba by-election due to reasons best known to them, they should not give baseless grounds for staying away from participating in the by-elections. It is after all their democratic right to contest or not.
Hon. Mwansa Kapeya, MP MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
“For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.”
(Proverbs 1:32, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
God will never ask you to do something without giving you the ability to do it. But when we’re passive or complacent and think, “Yes, I know I need to do that. Maybe next week,” well, next week turns into next month. Next month turns into next year. When we put off what God has told us to do, we miss that season of grace. But if you’ll deal with things as soon as God brings them to light, you’ll have a special grace, a special empowerment. You’ll feel God’s enabling power helping you to do it.
Today, is there something you’ve been putting off? Something you know in your heart that you are supposed to do? Don’t let the season of grace pass. Don’t let complacency destroy you. Your destiny stands before you. God has something amazing in your future. Be bold; be strong. Step out in faith, be obedient and walk in the abundant rain of His blessing!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for the grace to do exactly what You’ve called me to do. I choose to step out in faith; I choose to follow Your commands. I choose to be faithful because I know that You are faithful. I love You and bless You always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
President Sata being welcomed by Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport from London on Feb 8,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
PRESIDENT Sata has returned home from London where he went for a working holiday after attending the African Union Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mr Sata arrived on a commercial flight at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport around 14:30 hours yesterday, after cutting short his planned 14-day working holiday.
Among those who welcomed him were Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, the hitherto acting President, Defence Minister Edgar Lungu and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba.
Meanwhile, Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) president Frank Bwalya has challenged government to explain why President Michael Sata has cut short his vacation 14 days holiday in London United Kingdom.
Fr. Bwalya said that government should also come out in the open and tell the nation if there is something serious that has made President Sata to cut short his holiday.
Fr. Bwalya said that there is need for government to tell the nation the truth on this matter.
Nkana return to continental club football on Sunday when they face Mbabane Swallows in Swaziland in a 2014 CAF Champions League preliminary round first left match away in Manzini.
It has been 12 years since Nkana enjoyed an African adventure way back in 2002 when they reached the third round of the same competition.
Nkana coach Masauso Mwale said he is hoping for a flying start to their decade long absence from continental competition on a high.
“We are here to win, it will be a good game and the weather is good. I think the boys are shaping up we for the game,” Mwale said.
“The boys are injury free. We need to play well and give the Zambian supporters a present.
“The playing turf is OK, it is not different from the one we have in Zambia.”
The match will also mark the CAF club cup debuts of numerous Nkana players including striker Ronald Kampamba who will be looking to take his prolific league form to Africa.
However, Francis Kombe, Billy Mwanza, Sydney Kalume and Lottie Nyambili all have some continental experience that could be vital as they embark on the road to try and qualify to the group stage for the first time ever.
Meanwhile, Nkana enjoy a good record away against Swaziland opponents with three-out-of-three away wins on the road since 1983.
And the two sides will make a quick return leg this Saturday when Nkana host Swallows at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Winner over both legs will face either El Merriekh of Sudan or Uganda club KCCA who are in action today in Khartoum.
