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President Michael Sata has appointed two tribunals to probe Ndola High Court Judges Emelia Sunkutu and Timothy Katanekwa.President Micheal Sata has since suspended the two Ndola High Court Judges.
The tribunal to probe Justice Sunkutu will be headed by former Chief Justice Mathew Ngulube while the tribunal to probe Justice Katanekwa will be headed by Justice Frederick Chomba.
President Sata has also appointed Justices Sylvester Simachela and Bobby Bwalya as members of the two tribunals while Chilombo Maka-Phiri will be the Secretary of the two tribunals.
President Sata held a swearing in ceremony Tuesday morning at State House for the appointed Justices.
He however could not specify why the two judges are being investigated and when the tribunals will start sitting.
Mr. Sata said that there was need for Zambians to know the truth about the two judges and expressed confidence that two retired Justices will execute their mandate with no challenges.
Nkana face ex-coach Patrick Phiri’s Green Buffaloes in 2013 Barclays Cup quarterfinals this weekend.
The two sides will clash in a last eight doubleheader on Sunday at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Sunday’s meeting will be the two teams third this season with Nkana heading into the cup fixture enjoying good form over 2009 Barclays Cup runners up Buffaloes.
Nkana drew 1-1 away in Week Four on April 13 in Lusaka before beating Buffaloes 1-0 on August 31 in Kitwe.
The two sides will meet in a 12:45 kickoff.
Nkana have never won the tournament from three appearances and head into their four outing looking to finally make their first final.
Meanwhile on the same date, three time winners Zesco United have been handed a fair draw when they take on division One south side Green Eagles at 15:15.
And in Saturday’ Barclays Cup doubleheader at the same venue, Red Arrows have been drawn against Division One North promotion chaser National Assembly in a 12:25 kickoff.
Nchanga Rangers will play Zanaco in the other quarterfinal at 15:15.
Nkana are breathing down Zesco United’s neck and on Wednesday visit Roan United hoping to topple their main contenders from the top of the table.
Leaders Zesco, who visit Nkwazi today, are just one point above second placed Nkana on 37 and 36 points from 19 and 17 league matches played respectively.
The Ndola side head to Lusaka to play Nkwazi hoping to put behind them their 3-1 away loss at struggling Power Dynamos that saw their lead cut from two to one point.
Meanwhile, third placed Red Arrows host Zanaco at Nkoloma Stadium.
Arrows have 33 points from 17 games played while Zanaco are on 32 points after 19 matches.
Victory for Arrows and a defeat for Nkana at Roan will see them move into second place thanks to a better goal difference.
However, a home loss to Zanaco will see the latter replace Arrows in the number three spot.
The continued acting of Madam Justice Chibesakunda as Chief Justice lacks integrity and obviously there is bad faith on the part of the President, aided by the PF Minister of Justice. But while we blame the President for the omission, Zambians may begin to ask whether the Honourable Acting Chief Justice is not a willing accomplice!
Events immediately preceding the postponement of nominations for the three constituencies involving Honourable Mwale, Siliya and Sililo point to questionable conduct by the Minister of Justice Hon Wynter Kabimba, which require a truthful answer or answers by the Minister. Barely hours after he threatened to “engage the court” the Judiciary Public Relations Officer made that infamous statement that has been disowned by the Attorney General. This was immediately followed by the Acting Registrar’s statement, also disowned. As indicated in a previous statement, Minister Kabimba should be cross examined on oath to establish what process he initiated and whom he had audience with at the “court”. And what about the Solicitor General’s Opinion rendered to the PF Secretary General? Unless and until he does so, speculations will continue that it was the Acting Chief Justice he consulted.
The statement a few days ago that Madam Chibesakunda herself attended to and allowed the application by the Attorney General has not been repudiated; if it is true it is worrisome for one would ordinarily NOT expect the Chief Justice to hear a single judge application when there are other junior Supreme court judges. In this instance the process requires fairness and transparency. The axiom that “justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done” is very much at play here. Currently there is a pending contempt case involving MMD President Dr Nevers Mumba in which he was accused of making certain statements against Madam Chibesakunda. Although she is not on the panel hearing the case, the waters are still muddy. Further two of the three successful petitioners at High Court level are MMD MPs who also were successful in their Judicial Review application. Then there is the questionable conduct of the Minister of Justice, who has yet to tell the truth about whom he spoke with immediately before the lightning speed ruling emanating from the “court”. And now Madam Chibesakunda has herself granted the appeal and stopped the nominations of Siliya et al. Who or what is driving this hitherto unseen enthusiasm in a case? Surely the public require answers even before the hearing of the case because these are NOT empty speculations. The circumstances are at par with the Nixon tapes; there is a smoking gun and someone is really worried that the gun may be found. This Chief Justice saga will go down in Zambian judicial history as the scandal of the year!
It is not funny to question the highest court in the land; we must put an end to these unpleasant developments which continue further to erode public confidence in the judiciary. Rights of citizens must not only be protected and defended but must be assured by an independent, impartial and untainted judiciary and court system. The conduct of the Minister of Justice does not bring forth such confidence. Minister Kabimba has failed to justify the continued acting appointment of Madam Chibesakunda or make a convincing case of the apparent abolishment of the office of substantive Deputy Chief Justice, when there is a substantive holder of the position in the name of Madam Justice Irene Mambilima (of this later).
Since the Acting Chief Justice will not step down on her own, the only honourable step for her to take is to recuse herself from the case involving the three Honourable MPs namely Mwale, Siliya and Sililo.
We demand and continue to call upon the President to correct this self-created judicial scandal of the year forthwith by submitting another name to the National Assembly.
By Godfrey Miyanda
BRIGADIER GENERAL,
HERITAGE PARTY
[10TH SEPTEMBER 2013]
PF Cadre displays a placard shortly before President Michael Sata arrived at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport for the opening of the UNWTO 20th General Assembly -Picture and caption by THOMAS NSAMA
Thanks to Geoffrey Mwamba, the hunt for a successor has kicked off in earnest. The current battle in the PF between the “endorsers” and the “successors” has made succession a centerpiece of the party. It has become clear that the “successors” allegedly led by Wynter Kabimba, believe that the president is unwell. His impromptu trips abroad for treatment coupled by his move to build a retirement house, this early in his reign, is a possibility that he could soon retire. On the other hand, the “endorsers,” who include GBM and Willie Nsanda are convinced that the president is enjoying good health and therefore deserves the two terms. Daggers are drawn in the swath of PF darkness and people are getting hurt.
Who would Sata choose
File:President Sata kneels in prayer at Saint Ignatius catholic church
Okay, let’s assume for a moment the “successors” are right. If the president were to retire today, who would he choose to inherit his mantle? Would it be GBM or Wynter Kabimba, Miles Sampa, Given Lubinda, or indeed, his son Mulenga Sata? Would Sata pick from some of the PF stalwarts and confidants like Edgar Lungu, Emmanuel Chenda, Fackson Shamenda, and Chishimba Kambwili?
Let me start with GBM and Kabimba because it has become clear that their clash is that of ambition for the presidential succession. While their common denominator is allegiance to the president, each is working tirelessly to be a notch ahead in the Sata succession. They both believe the president might retire and that they are the “anointed successor.” This has become especially true after August 3, 2013 when GBM and his supporters endorsed Sata as the sole candidate way ahead of the next presidential elections.
In truth, when GBM hastily pointed fingers at his nemesis Kabimba, and accused him of holding covert campaigns of succession, he did so in a state of panic and from a point of insecurity. GBM and Kabimba hate each other’s guts. Their jostling for power has persisted since both joined the PF. We have watched them butt heads. Each believes he is the most powerful and a closer ally of the president. GBM’s endorsement tactic is aimed at flushing Kabimba out of the PF party. Kabimba is not bothered. He thinks GBM is sitting on eggshells. If anything he is relishing GBM’s maneuvers because they put him [Kabimba] in the political spotlight. He has some support. His strategy, therefore, is to lie low and allow GBM to find enough rope to hang himself.
The question is who would Sata anoint between the two? What would happen if he endorsed Wynter Kabimba? Many say that it would mark the end of the PF as we know it.
Wynter Kabimba
Wynter Kabimba
Kabimba: Date of birth, January 12, 1958. Education: Law degree, UNZA; advocate of the Supreme Court and the High Court. Current position: Minister of Justice.
They say Kabimba’s tongue is like a machete that hacks without drawing blood. Walk into the corridors of power and you will hear echoes of disgust, dislike, or downright hatred for him. They say he is a man infatuated with his own reflection in the lake; a band-wagoner with severe egocentrism. He exudes a negative attitude at first sight. His self-centeredness is beyond redemption and his arrogance is as irritating and as unfathomable. He is a divisive individual who cannot win an election because he does not relate well to people. At the age of 55, he has archaic and retrogressive ideas like abolishing English in schools and replacing it with Zambian local languages.
Geoffrey Mwamba
How about Geoffrey Mwamba? Date of birth, March 15, 1959; MP for Kasama Central; Current Position: Minister of Defense; Education: Grade12.
Like Kabimba he too is seen as a PF hijacker. Many people say that he is not a politician, but a political shylock—a usurer of the worst kind who uses money to win elections. They say he invested in the PF in order to salvage his business at the hands of the MMD. Those who know Mwamba say he can be despotic, tyrannical, temperamental, and that he is an illiberal with a frosty smile; perhaps no different from the incumbent. And just like the incumbent, he too hates to be surrounded by intellectuals. He would usher in the same old politics of exploitation of men by man.
With these two gentlemen out, who would Sata turn to?
Given Lubinda
The good old days..the then Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda celebrates the award with President Sata and First Lady Dr Kaseba
Okay, how about Given Lubinda? He has been quick to attack GBM and his supporters. Lubinda: date of birth, May 15, 1963. Education: Diploma, Agricultural Business. Current position: MP for Kabwata. Lubinda is the black sheep of the PF, perceived by his opponents as a master-defector, Judas and a chameleon. They say he is “Cactus Singh” because he carries a dagger in his thick hair with which to stab his colleagues in the back. Lubinda began to build castles in the air when he was Minister of Foreign Affairs. He found himself in the presence of the president more than any other cabinet minister. What Lubinda saw—the president’s poor health and unbecoming conduct during trips abroad—made him to start having illusions even in ignominy. Sata would not endorse him, not over his dead body.
Edgar Lungu
Home Affairs Minister, Edgar Lungu tries out one of the 70 motorbikes donated by UNICEF to the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship in Lusaka yesterday. Looking on is UNICEF representative Iyorlumun Uhaa
Some speculate that the president may turn to his most trusted subordinate Edgar Changwa Lungu. Date of birth: November 11, 1956; Education: LLB; Current Position: Home Affairs Minister. Generally easterners are reliable and trustworthy. Back in 1901, Scottish missionaries described them as great egg-warmers. White settlers picked on that and employed them as house-servants. During KK’s reign, his best bedtimes were when Reuben Kamanga and Grey Zulu were his assistants. Sata feels equally safe to leave Lungu in his nest only for a brief moment.
How about Chisimba Kambwili, Emmanuel Chenda, and Fackson Shamenda?
Chishimba Kambwili
FILE: Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili pauses for a photo in front of the 90 days legacy swimming pool
Kabwili; Date of birth June 3, 1969; Education: Diploma in Business Management/Administration. Current position: Minister of Youth and Sport. Nothing much can be said about Kabwili apart from he is perhaps the most violent cabinet minister. He is a PF cadre with no diplomacy. He settles scores with blood. Sata uses him as a grenade to blast dissidents. A grenade is a tool.
Chenda and Shamenda
Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda flanked by ZNUT President Henery Kapenda (l) and ZNUT General Secretary Newman Bubala (r) checks the vehicles on the occasion of the handover of vehicles to Provinces and Women’s Committee by ZNUT at ZNUT Offices in Lusaka,
Chenda and Shamenda are honorable men. I know both personally. Shamenda is my “big brother.” I grew up with him in Maiteneke/Chiwempala, Chingola. He was always a leader in the hunt for wild berries and catching birds. As for Chenda, I shared a wall fence with him in Lusaka and we spent some time together. Unfortunately, they are both no nearer to spinning the PF mill the way Sata does. They do not possess the dashing personality and gravitas to pull off a national election. In a nutshell, they have a presidential ambition still to make.
Miles Sampa
Deputy Minister Miles Sampa
If I were Sata, I would give Miles Sampa and his peers some serious consideration. Here is why: Sampa is young; born on December 26, 1970. He holds a Bsc in Agric. Economics, an MBA and is conversant with Banking Law. Most people born between 1960 and 1970 are liberal and want to be as technologically adept as the rest of the world. They do not have any colonial hangovers and are not intimidated by Europeans the way their seniors are.
Others
In the PF such young people include Obius Chabu Chisala (1962), Wlybur Simuusa (1962), Dr. Joseph Katema (1961), Yamfwa Mukanga (1965), Joel Bweupe Ng’onga (1962), and Nathaniel Mubukwanu (1969). Such young men tend to be resourceful and self-sufficient. They grew up in tough economic times of IMF and the World Bank. They saw their parents pruned and declared redundant. They do not want it to happen to them. They are, therefore, likely to make technology the key driver to economic growth. They are likely to embrace globalization, free market capitalism, education, and strict pragmatic policies.
That is what this country urgently needs; an individual with enough political clout and ingenuity; one who can make a 360-degree turn and cultivate professional excellence among Zambians and make an exogenous rate of improvement in labor productivity. We need a young energetic leader who can embark on a comprehensive program of industrialization, with a focus on innovation, invention, and manufacturing; one who can drag our lazy intellectuals out of bars and make them help in the creation of a technologically apposite and apropos society, and save us from the shame of a sluggish people.
Sata’s preferred successor – Mulenga Sata
President Sata greeting Son Mulenga Sata in Livingstone recently
Would president Sata anoint Sampa or any of the aforementioned young men? I doubt it. Why? He already has a successor in mind, his first son Mulenga. Although the president would like us to believe that he harbors no presidential ambitions for his son, and his son may give the impression that he is not a man grasping for power, the human hereditary principle demands so. It has become clear in history that authoritarian and autocratic leaders are often monarchical.
Sata is the autocratic leader of the Patriotic Front party. The PF is his personal party. He methodically created it with his bare hands and owns the patent. It was like starting a business. He first consulted with his family and then informed Guy Scott that he was resigning from the MMD to form his own party. Scott and Sata’s close friends believed in him. They knew he alone could use his dashing and caustic charisma to pull the poor to his side. After ten years he succeeded.
When he got into office, he rewarded his confidants and turned his attention to acquiring absolute power. That’s what he is working on. The authority he wields over the Zambian people makes him believe he can create a Sata dynasty and pass the responsibilities and power to his son. It has become clearer to political scientists in Zambia that the president is intent on shoehorning his son to inherit the reins of power. Multiple ingredients for achieving the goal are already in place.
Well positioned as Deputy Mayor of Lusaka, Mulenga is different from sons of his father’s predecessors, who more or less stayed away from politics. He is a president-in-training. Now he is beginning to come out in the open more. He is serving as a bridge between the anti-successor PF cadres and his father. It is a great way of positioning himself strategically and of ensuring his family has a grip on power that will outlast its patriarch’s career. With the support of the cadres, Mulenga has become more powerful that any member of the PF Central Committee. The battle between the “successors” and the “endorsers” is therefore futile and a sheer waste of time. The PF already has an anointed successor.
All is set for the 2013 Barclays Cup quarter final draws to be conducted at Football House in Lusaka on Wednesday morning.
Three-time winners Zesco United are in the draw along side Nkana, Nchanga
Rangers, Red Arrows, Zanaco, Green Buffaloes, National Assembly and Green Eagles.
The six Super Division teams qualified for the Barclays Cup after finishing in the top six as at Week 15.
On the other hand, Eagles and Assembly are in the competition for topping the Division South and North leagues respectively half way into the 2013 season.
Both last year’s champions Napsa Stars and runners up Power Dynamos failed to qualify for the 2013 edition.
Meanwhile, quarter finals will take place as double headers at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe and Lusaka’s Nkoloma Stadium on 14 September.
Last four matches are set for Arthur Davies on 26 October and the final is expected to take place on November 23 at Nkoloma.
The opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has threatened to shred President Michael Sata’s speech if he does not read it in a honorable manner during the official opening of Parliament on 20th of September.
MMD president Nevers Mumba says his party does not expect President Sata to degrade the standards of the august House by turning it into a comedy hall.
Dr. Mumba says Parliament should not be used as comedy hall and that the President’s speech to the house should give honor to the house.
Dr. Mumba further demanded that the PF government takes the Access to Information Bill to parliament for enactment as the house reconvenes.
Meanwhile, Acting Chief Government Spokesperson Fackson Shamenda says the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) remains committed to having the Access to Information Bill enacted into law.
Speaking to QFM News, Mr. Shamenda, who could not guarantee whether the Bill would be tabled in the next session of Parliament, says the PF government is also making progress on many others media reforms in the country.
Mr. Shamenda who is also labour Minister, however says he is not aware at what stage the Access to Information Bill owing to the fact that the Minister who was spearheading the taking of the Bill to Parliament was not well.
Mr. Shamenda has advised all stakeholders interested in the passing of the Bill to be patient with government as its enactment is a promise the PF will fulfill
President Michael Sata being entertained by traditional dancers on arrival at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport for the closing of the 20th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly August 28,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
ZAMBIA has been ranked the seventh happiest country in Africa, the 2013 World Happiness Report has said.
The ranking places Angola as Africa’s happiest country, according to a new global survey of 156 countries released on Monday this week.
The happiest countries globally were Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Netherlands and Sweden.
Angola “surprisingly” toppled last year’s leader, the perennial African paradise of Mauritius, according to the report.
“This will likely generate debate given the perception of Angola as having high corruption and inequality levels, and frequent criticism of its human rights record by campaign groups,” the report said.
Algeria, Libya and Nigeria rounded out the top five happiest countries on the continent, while Ghana, Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and Lesotho were the next five African nations that were the most content.
No African country ranked in the top 50 of the survey, now in its second year, while the five lowest ranked countries were from the continent.
The ranking also threw up some other surprises, including placing countries such as Somaliland, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo well ahead of others perceived as more prosperous and stable such as Botswana, Senegal and Tanzania.
The report is sponsored by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network which was established by United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and comes ahead of the annual General Assembly.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were expected to replace the Millennium Development Goals which end in 2015.
The report defines happiness both as an emotion (where you happy this morning?) and an evaluation of one’s life as a whole.
The authors say the survey is meant to contribute to the debate as to the direction of public policy and to push authorities to align such policy to what really matters to their citizens.
You can follow the link below to download the full report
THE late Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Kennedy Sakeni managed to successfully deregulate and depoliticize the public media.
The public media namely Times of Zambia, Zambia National Broadcasting Services (ZNBC) and Zambia Daily Mail had since become the envy of the public with the unbiased, balanced and professional approach to news coverage.
Government representative Edgar Lungu said this during the burial of Mr Sakeni who was given a well-deserved heroes sendoff that was characterized with a three-gun salute by the army as mark of honour for the late minister who was put to rest yesterday in Mushinke Village in Luapula Province.
Mr Lungu who is Home Affairs Minister said with Mr Sakeni at the helm of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, Government scored landmark achievements.
These, he said, included enhancement of the flow and public access to information, which was one of the key priorities on the Government’s development agenda.
“With Mr Sakeni’s leadership, Government has managed to deregulate and depoliticize the public media, and results are there for all to see,” he said.
Mr Lungu said Mr Sakeni was a pragmatic and focused leader as evidenced by the actualization of the long awaited Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), which had been pending for many years.
“The IBA is now operational and is set to contribute significantly to the growth of the electronic media in the country,” Mr Lungu said.
Notwithstanding that, Mr Sakeni’s short but highly productive stay at the at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services resulted in the issuance of licenses for the establishment of the ‘record breaking’ 17 community and commercial radio stations and television stations countrywide in short space of time.
Mr Lungu said this brought to over 70, the number of community and commercial radio stations now on air countrywide, a thing he said was contributing immensely to a well informed society.
As Chief Government spokesperson, he said, Mr Sakeni proved pivotal in guiding the nation on various government policies and pronouncements in the development of the country.
Mr Lungu said Mr Sakeni’s successful track record extended beyond Zambia as the late minister on the international level led the country’s election as a member of the United Nations Committee on Information in New York early this year.
And Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Wynter Kabimba the party had lost committed, loyal, focused and selfless leader in Mr Sakeni who was also PF Mansa Central Member of Parliament (MP).
Mr Kabimba who is also Justice Minister said the late minister stood for good values of peace, loyalty and commitment to the party and the President.
The PF secretary general sent mourners to laughter when he recounted how Mr Sakeni scold him and Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba when the two had stopped talking to each following their differences some time back.
“Now that Kennedy (Mr Sakeni) is gone, GBM you should not start a fight because Kennedy will not be here to separate us,” he said amid laughter from mourners.
And Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibin’s representative Garry Nkombo said it was gratifying that Mr Sakeni held ministerial positions under all the governments in which he served.
Mr Nkombo said this showed that the late was a hardworking and trustworthy individual who inspired confidence and could be relied upon to serve the country effectively.
Earlier, Uncle to Mr Sakeni, Webby Mwansa thanked Government and in particular President Michael Sata for giving the late minister a dignified funeral.
Almost the entire Cabinet ministers and notable among them; Mr Mwamba, Fuckson Shamenda for Labour, Emmanuel Chenda, Commerce, Chishimba Kambwili, Sports, Christopher Yaluma for Mines, John Phiri for Education and his Local Government counterpart Emelyn Kabanshi attended the burial programme.
Also in attendance was a horde of deputy ministers, permanent secretaries and district commissioners from corners of the country.
Other dignitaries included heads of all the public media institutions namely Times of Zambia, Zambia Daily Mail and ZNBC.
Kabwata MP Given Lubinda who is former Information Minister and MMD president Nevers Mumba also attended the burial of Mr Sakeni.
Mr Sakeni 56, who died last week on Thursday, is survived by a wife, Lillian and several children.
Mongu District Commissioner Maurice Litula addressing Irate Mongu-Kalabo roads workers who are protesting for improved salaries and working conditions in Mongu
More than 150 works working on the Mongu- Kalabo Road in the bridge department in Mongu Western province yesterday downed tools demanding for more money and better conditions of service.
The irate workers, who marched from Mandanga area to the District Commissioner’s Office, alleged that their employer AVIC international was not following laid down labor demands in addressing them on many issues.
David Mwiya an electrician who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved group alleged that workers at the bridge department have for a long time being subjected to inhuman treatment, unpaid for overtime hours, no proper working suits among others.
Mwiya also alleged that Chinese instructors are fond of insulting works at any slight disagreement adding that workers were being fired at will on a daily basis.
“We are being treated like foreigners in our own mother land as if we do not have leaders, these Chinese always insult us, they fire us anyhow and they do not even pay us accordingly,” Mwiya complained.
He said the workers who are supposed to earn K800 at the end of the month have in the recent past being paid less the amount for reasons that have not been explained to them.
“We are being paid less the amount of money we work for, instead of getting K800 at the end of the Month we are always getting less the amount.” He added.
Mwiya also said the works are also being denied sick leave saying that if a worker was reported to be sick an amount was deducted from his pay to cover for the day.
“Even when you are reported sick, these people are always removing from our monthly pay to cover for the day,” he said.
AND addressing the irate workers after their compliant, District Commissioner Maurice Litula said he would hold a meeting with AVIC international management in an effort to get to the bottom of the matter.
Litula said government’s desire is to see both employers and employee work in harmony and that exploitation of Zambian citizens in any way will not be tolerated.
He said the Mongu-Kalabo road project is one road project that is at the heart of the Patriotic Front (PF) government but that does not mean that people should be mistreated.
“The PF government is committed to ensure that the Mongu- Kalabo road is completed in good time, but that does not mean that our people should be treated like there are nobodies,” Litula cautioned.
A CONSORTIUM of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has demanded that the second draft of the Constitution be released for public scrutiny by September 30, this year.
The consortium comprising of about 260 CSOs have since engaged the Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba and the Technical Committee on Drafting the Constitution.
Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, representative of the CSOs, Andrew Ntewewe said the group was dismayed by the prolonged delay in finalizing the Constitution review process.
“The group is of the view that this work would have been finalized by now if the government premised this important task on a clear and well-thought out road-map” he said.
Mr Ntewewe implored government to make firm commitments on a definite timeline for the release of the second draft national Constitution and mode of adoption.
He maintained that the CSOs would not campaign for the draft Constitution if the correct process would not be followed and was not reflective of the basic minimum principles which include equality before the law, clear separation of power and amendments requiring majority support.
Women for Change Executive Director Beatrice Grillo said the CSOs had also embarked on a campaign for a People-driven constitution.
Ms Grillo reiterated that the CSOs were of the view that a referendum was the best mode of adoption of the national document.
She said that the nationwide campaign would culminate into public sensitization programmes through prayer meetings, mass community civil education, radio and television programmes to stimulate youth action on the referendum.
Spokesperson of the Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution Ernest Mwansa at the weekend said the final draft constitution has been finalized and was currently being edited.
Mr Mwansa said that the drafts persons had completed compiling the final draft constitution and were currently making few adjustments to the document.
He said the drafts persons had submitted the finalized document to the Committee to go through.
FILE: Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu shakes hands with UNICEF representative Iyorlumun Uhaa after receiving 70 motorbikes donated by UNICEF to the Department of National Registration Passport and Citizenship in Lusaka
HOME Affairs minister Edger Lungu says the Patriotic Front (PF) will have to pay for the property that was damaged at Northmead primary school after cadres clashed.
Mr Lungu said in an interview yesterday that he had discussed with the Minister of Education John Phiri to pursue the party to pay for the damage of property at the school.
Recently cadres from the ruling party clashed at Northmead Primary school following perceived internal party differences.
“The matter has already been discussed, we agreed that the ministry of Education should pursue the party to pay for damages of the property at the school. The ministry of Education is currently handling the matter,” he said.
Mr Lungu said Government would not protect anyone engaged in illegal activities whether from the opposition or ruling party.
“The law would be applied evenly to everyone, no one is a sacred cow when it comes to the application of the law,” he said.
And People’s Party President Mike Mulongoti appealed to political party leaders to control their cadres and discourage them from engaging in violent activities.
Mr Mulongoti said if the trend was not stopped, it might turn into something very serious which the country might fail to contain.
“The growing trend of violence must be stopped because it might affect all of us. Violence knows no boundary, it might affect anyone if unchecked,” he said.
Former Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) Executive Director Professor Clive Chirwa who was arrested by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), today pleaded not guilty to two counts of failure to disclose interest and abuse of office amounting to over K200,000 before Kabwe Principal resident Magistrate John Mbuzi.
Chirwa aged 59 who is jointly charged with ZRL Director of Finance Regina Mwale 50, pleaded not guilty to two counts when he took plea before Magistrate Mbuzi today.
In the first count, Prof Chirwa is charged with failure to Disclose Interest contrary to section 28 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No.3 of 2012.
Particulars of the offence are that Prof. Chirwa, between 1st November, 2012 and 31st December, 2012 as Chief Executive officer ZRL recommended at the Zambia Railways Board meeting that Clavel Incorporated Limited, a company in which he is a shareholder be given a contract to train Zambia Railways employees without disclosing interest contrary to section 28 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No.3 of 2012.
In the second count, Prof Chirwa who is jointly charged with Ms Mwale, 50 is charged for Abuse of Authority of Office contrary to section 99 (1) of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that between 1st November, 2012 and 30th April, 2013 Prof. Chirwa and Ms Mwale whilst acting together abused the authority of their office by authorizing a total payment of K289, 128.84 to Fallsway Apartments of Lusaka for accommodation for the benefit of Pro Chirwa without following laid down procedures an act which is prejudicial to the rights and interest of ZRL a public office.
Professor Chirwa is being represented by Yosa Yosa of Simenza and Sangwa associates while Ms Mwale is represented by Collins Chizao of Mulilo Kabesha and Company.
The court has since set October 22 and 23, 2013 as trial date while the accused are on police bond.
Losing PF Mkaika Parliamentary candidate in the recent by-election David Phiri has refuted media reports suggesting that he attempted to commit suicide on Saturday two days after losing by a huge margin to MMD’s Peter Phiri.
Reports had suggested that Mr. Phiri allegedly felt distressed after reading an article on online that stated that he was not useful to anyone including himself because even his family members allegedly rejected him after losing in the by-election.
Mr. Phiri has however dismissed such media reports as lies being spread by unfortunate immoral people as he has happily accepted the people’s decision in Mkaika.
Mr. Phiri has also told Qfm in a telephone in interview that he does regret joining the PF despite not being reelected as Member of Parliament.
He says his loyalty to the PF is still intact and that he will endeavor to consolidate the ruling party in Mkaika.
Meanwhile the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has urged losing candidates in any election in the country not to view their defeats as the end of their political careers.
ZEC spokesperson Paul Samasumo has also urged family members to be more supportive to individuals that get distressed after losing an election to avoid situations where an individual reaches a state of dejection to a point of committing suicide.
Meanwhile, political Activist Dante Saunders has charged the ruling Patriotic Front’s dubious means of winning by-elections are now failing.
Mr. Saunders says the Mkaika by-election outcome is a reflection of the outcome of the 2016 general election.
He says not even violence will stop the Zambian people in voicing out through the ballot box as seen in the Mkaika by-election.
Mr. Saunders adds that the PF should now realize that violence will not work to their advantage as the people have had enough.
Patriotic Front (PF) Lusaka District chairperson Goodson Banda says the motive behind the closure of his office by some party youths spells a hidden agenda by some people within the party with regards the endorsement debate.
This follows the closure again of his office by the same youths after it was reopened yesterday following its earlier closure after the Northmead Secondary School PF fracas two weeks ago.
Mr. Banda has told Qfm in an interview that there are no differences within the ruling party in the District that can warrant the closure of his office because the entire party membership is behind president Sata as the sole PF candidate in the 2016 general elections.
Mr. Banda has appealed to party youths who are engaging in acts of criminal trespass by closing his office to desist from such acts as they amount to anarchy.
He says he still remains PF Lusaka District chairperson.
Mr. Banda has warned that such confrontations as being perpetrated by some people within the party has a potential to distract the ruling party from its developmental agenda and affects the performance of the party during elections.
The PF Lusaka district chairperson has disclosed that party Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has already engaged President Sata over the closure of his office.
