GOVERNMENT has castigated opposition MMD leader Nevers Mumba and civil rights activist Brebner Changala over their attacks on First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda for his statement during Independence Day celebrations in Kitwe.

Chief Government Spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya said Government takes great exception to attacks by Dr Mumba and Mr Changala whom he described as ‘self acclaimed’ civil rights activist, against Dr Kaunda over his statement during Independence Day celebrations last Thursday.

Dr Mumba was quoted in the Sunday Times of Zambia newspaper as describing Dr Kaunda as a “senile retiree” whose petty criticism could not shake his party.

Mr Kapeya who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister said as a Christian and pastor, Dr Mumba should least be expected to be such disrespectful to elders.

The Minister said it was Government expectation that, as a leader of a former ruling party, Dr Mumba should have reflected more on his callous statement.

Mr Kapeya further described as mischievous accusations by Mr Changala that Dr Kaunda was dividing the country by actively participating in politics, as reported in yesterday’s Daily Nation newspaper.

“Accusations by Mr Changala that Dr Kaunda is dividing the country by actively participating in politics, as reported in today’s Daily Nation newspaper are mischievous, misleading and disrespectful which should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve,” Mr Kapeya said.

He advised Mr Changala to accept the reality that Dr Kaunda was a founding father of the nation who possessed vast knowledge and wisdom which the nation needed in order to move forward.

“Dr Kaunda’s role and guidance in the affairs of the country is beyond partisan politics. He laid a firm foundation of peace and unity which we are enjoying as a nation.

“Instead of criticizing him, young people like Dr Mumba and Mr Changala should swallow their pride and learn from Dr Kaunda’s vast knowledge and wisdom in leadership,” he said.

Mr Kapeya said Zambia as a nation, should count itself lucky that Dr Kaunda was still around and providing the necessary guidance and counsel.

He reiterated Government’s appreciation for the immense contribution Dr Kaunda had and continued to render to the development and well being of the country.

“This Government will therefore continue to accord Dr Kaunda the status and attention he deserves as former Head of State and founding father of the nation,” Mr Kapeya said.

National Restoration party president Elias Chipimo Junior has said that President Michael Sata’s concerns over the issuance of nationwide broadcasting licenses to private radio stations amount to denying citizens access to information.

Mr. Chipimo has told Qfm News that the decision by government comes at a time of great uncertainty within the country.

Mr. Chipimo explained that it is unfortunate that government is now failing to fulfil its promises to allow the majority Zambians have access to information by blocking radio stations from disseminating information to the people especially in rural areas.

He said that government is failing to address the basic issues which are confronting the people of Zambia.

[pullquote]“And you Mr Mwamba do you know why…stand up.…do you know why the previous administration did not give national wide coverage to all other people apart from ZNBC, do you know why?[/pullquote]

The NAREP leader stresses that denying the people access to critical information provided by the two radio stations will take the country backwards in achieving pure democracy.

Government had through the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) granted QFM, Radio Phoenix and Christian Voice nationwide coverage.

And People’s party president Mike Mulongoti says it is unfortunate that president Sata is insensitive to allowing the media to operate independently.

Mr. Mulongoti has since expressed shock that president Sata feels that once the privately owned radio stations are allowed to broadcast nationwide that might negatively dent the integrity of the country.

Earlier today, the President castigated Mr Mwamba for not consulting him on the issuance of nationwide radio licence to Radio Phoenix, QFM and Muvi TV was given a nationwide television licence.

“And you Mr Mwamba do you know why…stand up.…do you know why the previous administration did not give national wide coverage to all other people apart from ZNBC, do you know why?

“You are very intelligent; you thought all of us are very stupid, you thought all the people who died before independence are stupid. You come to the ministry and start giving coverage to all so that HH can now speak on Phoenix, can you tell me the justification,” he said.

[pullquote] ” You come to the ministry and start giving coverage to all so that HH can now speak on Phoenix, can you tell me the justification,” he said.[/pullquote]

The President said the reason why Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and missionaries were left with the nationwide licences was to protect the integrity of the nation.

“The opposition sits at Radio Phoenix and you know that very well, you are much aware that persons with shares are not Zambians but you go ahead to approve, did you consult.

“Did you come to see me about it, don’t use my ministry to fight your own political battles, go outside stand on the platform and we can meet you there on the platform, don’t use my Government,” he said.

President Michael Chilufya has castigated Vice President Dr. Guy Scott for issuing a statement through his Deputy Minister in South Africa glorifying the purchase of second hand vehicles.

Dr. Scott recently in abstentia officiated at the opening of Be Forward Zambia Offices, a Japanese used car exporter.

President Sata wondered whether it is right for the vice president to praise the importation of secondhand vehicles 49 years after the country’s independence.

And President Sata directed Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba to revoke nationwide licenses issued to privately owned commercial radio stations

President Sata singled out Radio Phoenix which he said is keenly used by the opposition and especially that it has sold some of its shareholding to a foreign entity.Privately owned commercial radio stations were recently given the leeway to broadcast countrywide.

He said government can only issue licenses to broadcast nationwide to missionary stations.

President Michael Sata expressed concern over the impact that such issuance of national coverage licenses to private owned commercial radio stations will have on the country’s integrity.

Speaking shortly before chairing a cabinet meeting at State House this morning, President Sata said the issuance of nationwide licenses to Radio Qfm and Radio Phoenix by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) may have been done without proper consultation.

The Head of State explained that the reason the national broadcasting license has been left only to ZNBC alone has been to protect the integrity of the state from possible careless statements that may come from political leaders with ill intentions.

And speaking to the press after the pre cabinet meeting, Mr. Mwamba said that the IBA will convene an urgent Licensing Committee Meeting to urgently resolve the concerns raised by the President.

He said the issuance of nationwide licence that might be affected will be Radio Phoenix and QFM.

Mr. Mwamba recently announced that government had issued nationwide licences to Q FM, Radio Phoenix and Christian Voice and Catholic TV.

President Sata this morning also blamed ZRA officials for misleading Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda over the issuance of a statutory instrument that lifted 10% export duty and allowed export of copper concentrates.

The President made a directive at State House this morning to Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner General Berlin Msiska to immediately start the preparations of the revocation of the SI.

“You cannot export soil” “. “We need to create jobs”, President Sata said.

President Sata urged young people not to erode the gains and sacrifices made by miners and freedom fighters.