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Chipolopolo keeper Kennedy Mweene’s presence in the Mamelodi Sundowns team is a threat to his team mate Weyne Sandilands’ place in the Bafana Bafana squad.
Mweene started ahead of Sandilands in Sundowns’ league opener on Sunday.
But South Africa coach Gordon Igesund has warned Sandilands that he risks losing his Bafana place if he continue warming the bench at his club.
He was Bafana’s first choice keeper and captain at the 2013 COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Zambia last month.
“He (Sandilands) knows to be in the national team you need to play more consistently,” Igesund told Kickoff.
“And if he continues not to make the team for Sundowns then he is going to be a problem because you got to be competitive. That will open doors for goalkeepers like Ronwen Williams and Darren Keet.
Besides, Mweene and Sandilands Sundowns have two goalkeepers a Belgian plus another South African.
Mweene joined Sundowns last June from Free State Stars.
71 Barrick Lumwana employees have been dismissed in connection with pornographic film detected in company computers.The employees who were dismissed on Thursday following a case hearing included 40 junior staff and 31 senior staff.National Union of Miners and Allied Workers president James Chansa and
Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) general secretary Joseph Chewe confirmed the incident.
Mr Chansa said the dimissed workers were identified to have been watching pornographic film and that according to company policy that governed the computer system, doing so was an offence.
“Management upon hearing of the pornographic incident instituted an investigation and 71 employees were identified and so action of dismissal was taken against those involved,” Mr Chansa said.
He said the employees were identified on Wednesday, this week and that on Thursday the following day, they were dismissed.
The NUMAW president however said the union had moved in to try and reason with Lumwana management to rescind the decision to dismiss the workers.
“We know that this is an offense but looking at the number involved,we have moved in to try and reason with management to bring them back because this may definitely affect the company,” he said.
Mr Chansa said the union had also taken into consideration that the dismissed workers had families to look after.
NDOLA Magistrate Ben Akende is nursing serious wounds at Ndola Central Hospital (NCH) after being stabbed three times by his wife during a domestic quarrel.
Mr Akende, 51, of 41 Kuomboka Road in Kansenshi residential area in Ndola was stabbed twice on the chest and once in the stomach by his wife Gertrude of the same house.
Ndola District Investigations Officer Martin Chilando confirmed the incident which happened on Thursday at around 23.00 hours in the Akende’s bedrooms during a domestic quarrel.
“They started a fight around 23.00 hours while other family members were sleeping,and Mr Akende started screaming for help after being stabbed,” he said.
He said Mr Akende was rescued by his nephew who rushed him to Ndola Central Hospital.
The magistrates wife Gertrude, 41, is detained at Kansenshi Police Station and she will be charged with unlawful wounding. Mr Chilando said Ms Akende also sustained some injuries on the forehead and chest. He said she would be released for medical treatment before she appears in court.
Ministry public relations officer Chileshe Kandeta appealed to Zambians especially former ministers to stop issuing irresponsible statements on the fiscal situation of the country.
Press Statement
Recently, there has been a spate of dramatic statements about the fiscal position of government, worryingly and significantly, from some former Ministers.
The Treasury is concerned that these statements, which are predicated on serious distortions of facts, have the capacity to mislead the public and create unnecessary despondence.
In the Budget for fiscal year 2013, the size of the deficit and how it would be financed was indicated, debated by Members of Parliament and endorsed. In all years, because of the demands of development there have been deficits and there will be even bigger deficits as the development agenda unfolds.
What is important is that we continue to reduce the imbalance between outlays on recurrent or consumption component of the budget and growth promoting projects. Only in this way can we accelerate development, create more jobs and increase the nation’s stock of wealth. We are on course and moving in the right direction on this matter.
All countries including the most developed economies have deficits. In most cases these deficits are very sizeable proportions of the Gross Domestic Product. Zambia’s deficit is currently of the order of 5% of Gross Domestic Product and our thrust is to keep the deficits at that level or at least not significantly much above that level to avoid running into debt service difficulties.
The public should know that the state of the world economy has decelerated and the immediate prospects for higher growth rates are not very promising. All countries including Zambia are subject to externally induced shocks. One way to circumvent these shocks is to quicken development in sectors with huge potential for growth and short gestation. Agriculture and the energy sectors stand out and hence the enhanced investments in these sectors.
The question of dealing with short-term shortfalls is essentially a management issue. There is ample and adequate competence and skills in the Treasury to manage short-term crises and the country should be rest assured we have no insurmountable problems. The international financial community has all the confidence in Zambia because of our policy consistency and predictability.
The Treasury wishes to appeal to citizens especially those who have held responsibilities in government to desist from dubious accolades and irresponsible limelight which have effect of engendering alarm and erosion of confidence in our peaceful country. We all have individual and collective responsibility and duty to maintain a favorable image of our country.
Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu has questioned the circumstances that led to the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s decision to halt the filing of nominations for Malambo and Petauke Central by-elections, saying the move reeks of bad faith.
“Some years back, Patriotic Front (PF) candidate Darius Mumba was stopped from filing his nomination papers on account of alleged corruption,” Mr Lungu, who is also PF chairperson for legal affairs, said in Petauke yesterday.“When this happened, the ECZ went ahead with the filing process and did not halt or postpone the process…today, however, under similar circumstances, the ECZ has decided to side with the opposition again. To me, this is a clear demonstration of bias.”
Mr Lungu said: “As a result of this open bias, we have no choice but to call for new blood at the ECZ. We strongly feel some people have overstayed and lost touch with reality and must pave way for new blood.”
The minister said the ECZ needed “no further consultation after the Judiciary passed the landmark decision to bar corrupt candidates but here they are stuck in the moment again…it’s time for radical change”.
And Vice-President Guy Scott says he is disappointed at the postponement of the nominations for the three by-elections.
“The Patriotic Front was ready for the nominations. We came with the zeal to win all the seats and we are sad that our candidates cannot file nominations…. but we will be back,” Dr Scott said.
The Vice-President was speaking at Jumbe Primary School in Malambo constituency when he received 50 defectors from the MMD and UPND.
Dr Scott urged the defectors not to be discouraged by the postponement of the filing of nominations.
“You are welcome to the pro-poor party that is focused on development. Let’s progress and work together to ensure that Malambo constituency develops,” he said.
UPND vice-president Canisius Banda also complained about the postponement.
“We have spent a lot of money to prepare for this event and we are totally unhappy with what has happened,” he said.
Meanwhile the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has won praise for deferring nominations in three of the four parliamentary by-elections scheduled for September 5th.
The by-elections whose nominations were supposed to take place yesterday but have been deferred to 13th August, following a statement from the Judiciary, are Petauke Central, Malambo and Mulobezi.
Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) says the postponement of the filing of nominations for the three by-elections will enable the ECZ allow only candidates eligible to take part in the polls.
SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Chembe has also suggested that the ECZ should have also postponed the nominations for the Mkaika by-election in order to sustain a level playing field for political parties taking part in the four by-elections.
Mr. Chembe has also reiterated the need for the ECZ to call for a national dialogue meeting for all political parties to discuss in detail the Electoral law in order to ascertain any areas that maybe in conflict to holding free and fair elections in the country.
The SACCORD Executive Director was speaking in an interview with Qfm.
The Civil Society in Zambia has expressed shock at the Supreme court’s 360 degrees turn in claiming that parliamentarians whose seats were nullified were not eligible to re-contest their seats.
Reading a press statement on behalf of the Civil society, FODEP executive director MacDonald Chipenzi wondered how the judiciary questioned an election and nullified a seat without any petition filed in the High Court in accordance with section 93 (1) of the Electoral Act.
Mr Chipenzi said the behaviour of the judiciary had put the standing of the Supreme Court in question as public perceptions were now that the highest court of the land was being nurtured to settle political battles.
He said there was no way the judiciary could claim that the candidates whose seats had been nullified could not re-contest because the petitioners were not petitioning individual candidates but were petitioning the process.
Below is the Full Press statement
STATEMENT ISSUED BY A CONSORTIUM OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN ELECTIONS AND ELECTORAL PROCESS ON THE FORTHCOMING BY ELECTIONS ISSUED AT FODEP HOUSE AT 12HRS ON 9TH AUGUST 2013
Dear Colleagues,
We, the civil society in the electoral process in Zambia hereby want to make our position known on the debate raging on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)’s allowance of persons whose parliamentary seats have been nullified by the Courts of Law and the statement from the Judiciary regarding the same.
Shock and Awe
We have followed the debate with an extra keen interest as it is coming at the time the country is preparing itself to hold four more by-elections in Petauke Central, Malambo, Mulobezi and Mkaika constituencies. These by-elections have been primarily caused by a court action save for Mkaika which was caused by resignation of the incumbent, David Phiri of MMD to join the ruling Patriotic Front.
We noted that this is the first time in the history of Zambia that political parties, judiciary and some civil society have shown unprecedented interest in the matter since the nullifications and re-contesting of seats by persons whose seats have been previously nullified by the courts started. This is evidenced by the fact that there are no final election reports that have been compiled by various stakeholders involved in the electoral process in Zambia which have specifically made recommendations on the provisions Section 22 and 104 of the Electoral Act No.12 of 2006.
Constitutionally under Article 65 (6) only persons who are convicted by any court of any offence prescribed by parliament and connected with election of the members of National Assembly or who is FOUND GUILTY of such an offence by the courts trying an election petition are disqualified from contesting an election as members of parliament including voting for period of five years. This is also in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act No. 12 of 2006 section 19 (6) and 22 (b)
Therefore, we are unaware of any judgment passed by the courts CONVICTING OR FINDING guilty individuals whose elections have been nullified. The three seats out of four supposed to be re-contested on September 5 were nullified by the Supreme Court and this court never ruled that the concerned persons were Guilty or Convicted hence could not re-contest their seats.
Highest court in the land being used by political machinery
It is amazing that this same court today turns 360 degrees round through a statement that the concerned persons are ineligible to re-contest their seats. This is unfortunate and is lowering the standing of the Supreme Court which is the highest court of justice in the land. Public Perceptions are now that this court is being nurtured to settle political battles. How does the court question an election and nullifies a seat without any petition filed in the High Court in accordance with the provisions of section 93 of the Electoral Act No. 12 of 2006 and who is the complaint? Where has been the Supreme Court all along when persons whose election has been nullified were recontesting? What has prompted the Supreme Court to issue a statement rather than a judgment on the matter on the eve of the nominations?
It is clear that the Supreme Court is now undermining the Electoral Commission of Zambia. The statement from the Supreme Court was, in fact supposed, to have been issued by the ECZ upon receipt of court judgment interpreting the provisions of the law. Since, the Supreme Court has just issued a statement and not judgment; it is not binding on anybody but just an opinion from the Court.
Regarding the provisions of Section 22 and the response given by the ECZ on the need to understand the section to be read in tandem with provisions of Section 104, we are convinced that Section 22 and 104 respectively have not been followed as a result of Courts not passing clear judgments. We have studied the argument from both sides and realize that there is no need to throw such mud on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and that some of the sentiments are based on partisan interest and subjective view rather than objective and professional opinion.
Moving Forward
In appreciating and respecting people’s concerns and their democratic rights to provide checks and balances in the work of the Commission, we would like to advise that this debate should bring out the best for the improvement of our electoral process rather than aiming at annihilating individuals either in the political arena or at the Commission.
We therefore, find it unfair and unjustifiable for anyone to target the Commission’s Director, her staff and call for her resignation. Unjustifiable in the sense that the same people who had been saying that the ECZ is inert, were either mute or castigated the Commission when it censured the parading of chiefs at political party rallies which is a breach of the Constitution, Electoral Act and Regulations.
ECZ highly respected in the region
It is like the biblical saying of a “prophet without honor in his/her home country” is being fulfilled in the case of the ECZ. This is so because in the entire sub region; Zambia’s Electoral Management Body (EMB) is among the few that are highly respected and envied. ECZ is one of the few EMBs that has shown some resemblance of autonomy, impartiality and independence in Southern Africa and has endeavored to promote the spirit of consultations, transparency and openness to all stakeholders.
Since 2011, the ECZ has seemingly reclaimed public confidence and trust and it will be sad for the country to lose such an honor just for political mileage and benefits. There is need therefore, to give credit where it is due.
It is for this reason that we appeal to all stakeholders to exercise great restraint towards their attack on the Commission and if there are some weaknesses they have observed in the enforcement of the Electoral Code, Electoral Act or indeed any regulation, we implore them to use the relevant structures. Most of the complainants are part of bodies such as National Voter Education Committee (NVEC), Political Party Liaison Committee, Conflict Management Committee among others.
Regarding the issue at hand, we feel that other avenues could be used to address the lacunas and other weaknesses in the Act, its administration and enforcement. In this regard, we call on the PF government to implement its promise in the manifesto of reviewing the Electoral Act No. 12 of 2006 which will go a long way in strengthening our electoral process and ensure that we continue to enjoy our peace and security as a country.
Impartial fight against corruption
We also call on the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to be proactive in the fight against Electoral Corruption. This could be a sure way of averting the costly by-elections. The judiciary too, should play its role in enforcing the provisions of the electoral Act vis-à-vis the prevention and fight against Corruption. It has become so costly to fight historical corruption in this country. Therefore, the call for a strengthened electoral process in Zambia requires that all stakeholders play their role as provided for by our electoral laws.
As organizations concerned with the electoral process in Zambia, we feel satisfied with the explanation by the ECZ why the Commission is unable to enforce provisions of Sections 22 and 104 of the Electoral Act No. 12 of 2006. It is for this reason that we stand with the ECZ shoulder to shoulder in its efforts to restore impartiality, confidence and integrity in the electoral process.
We pray for level headedness when debating the issue at hand and also fair criticism on the Commission.
Finally, if the reports we have heard that ECZ has suspended the nominations and holding of the three by-elections are true, we wish to commend the ECZ for the move is a welcome move under the given circumstances. We would have wished to see to that even Mkaika is suspended until these issues are resolved because holding one by-election will give undue advantage to some political parties.
We are keenly watching the development in the electoral process ahead of the September 5
We wish to indicate here that we will soon launch an Electoral Support Network, which will be a civil society consortium concerned with election and electoral processes.
We Thank You!
1. Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP)
2. Southern African Centre for the Constructive Construction of Disputes (SACCORD)
3. Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP)
4. Operation Young Vote (OYV)
5. Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)
Coach Herve Renard has dropped four players from Zambia’s CHAN team to face Zimbabwe away in Harare on Sunday.
Renard’s home-based Chipolopolo squad take on The Warriors in a final round, first leg qualifier at Rufaro Stadium.
Power Dynamos midfielder Lubambo Musonda and his club team mate Julius Situmbeko failed to make it into the 20-member team announced on Friday – hours before departure for Zimbabwe.
Other casuaties are Shadreck Malambo of Red Arrows and Zesco United defender Bernard Mapili.
Renard has however included little known Young Zanaco midfielder Boyd Musonda in the squad.
Fit again Zanaco playmaker Rodrick Kabwe has also made the cut weeks after recovering from injury.
Team
Goalkeepers: Daniel Munyau (Red Arrows), Joshua Titima (Power Dynamos)
Defenders: Jimmy Chisenga, Bronson Chama (Both Red Arrows), Chris Munthali (Nkana), Kabaso Chongo (Konkola Mine Police), Kondwani Mtonga (Zesco United), Fackson Kapumbu(Zanaco)
Midfielders: Sydney Kalume (Nkana), Misheck Chaila (Konkola Blades), Bruce Musakanya, Stanely Nshimbi (Both Red Arrows),Roderick Kabwe (Zanaco), Boyd Musonda (Young Zanaco)
Chipolopolo defender Chisamba Lungu will miss next Wednesday’s friendly against Senegal in the French capital Paris.
Lungu has since been replaced with Zanaco midfielder Rodrick Kabwe.
FAZ confirmed on Friday that Lungu has failed to secure a visa to enable him fly to France from his base in Russia.
The FC Ural midfielder has joined a list of key Chipolopolo players who will miss the Senegal friendly among them skipper Christopher Katongo and striker Collins Mbesuma.
Zambia is using the Senegal friendly to get ready for their must win 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ghana in Kumasi on September 6.
The second half of the 2013 FAZ Super Division campaign kicks off on Saturday with bruised Zesco United hosting Kabwe Warriors Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Second placed Zesco, who are on 31 points, take on Warriors in Ndola eyeing to go top.
Zesco may go top of the table if they avoid losing to Warriors as leaders Nkana, who are one point above them, are not in action this weekend.
Tenant Chembo’s team beat Warriors 1-0 in the first leg match on 16 March in Kabwe.
Elsewhere, third placed Nchanga Rangers visits struggling Power Dynamos at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Power lie 11th on the table with 19 points in 15 matches while Nchanga have collected 26 points going into second round matches.
Nchanga lost 1-0 to Power in the two teams’ earlier meeting in Chingola.
Heritage Party President Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda said that the postponement of the bye-elections in Petauke Central, Malambo and Mulobezi by the “Supreme Court” raises more questions than it answers. In a statement to the media, General Miyanda alleged that the threatened “engagement” of the High Court by PF Secretary General has taken place.
Below is the full statement.
THE PF ‘ENGAGEMENT’ WITH THE SUPREME COURT HAS BORNE FRUIT
[By Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda – 9th August 2013]
The postponement of the bye-elections in Petauke Central, Malambo and Mulobezi by the “Supreme Court” raises more questions than it answers. The identity of the Judge who made the order is unknown; The threatened “engagement” of the High Court by PF Secretary General has taken place.
Suddenly the Supreme Court which has been silent all along became awake on Thursday evening and issued an order by a public relations officer instead of by the Court. We demand that the Supreme Court issues a formal order, signed by the Court that must also indicate whom Hon Kabimba “engaged” and what was the nature of the “engagement”. Who were the parties to the “engagement”?
At the time of the above article we were not aware that the PF Secretary General had sought the opinion of the Solicitor General. Was he doing this as PF Secretary General or as Minister of Justice or both? Clearly he was doing so on behalf of the PF.
How much did the PF pay for the service? Or is there a new policy which allows political parties to seek the opinion of the Solicitor General? How many times has the PF abused the AG’s Chambers in this way? This may appear trivial on the surface of it; but the behaviour of the PF Secretary General calls for such scrutiny because it suggests some collusion between the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court and the office of the PF Secretary General.
How is it that within hours of the “engagement” statement the Supreme Court was moved to make a statement about the bye-elections, which have now been postponed? It is improper and irregular for the Courts to hold court with only one of the parties to a matter.
Perhaps there was no party cited! Nevertheless we support the action by the ECZ because the Supreme Court, which overturned the High Court decision, must follow the law, prepare the Report and call on all the affected candidates to be heard before being named; this will be justice as per the current electoral law.
We further suggest that all opposition parties must now begin to obtain the Solicitor General’s opinion in all their cases, free if the PF has not been billed.By the way our statement titled “Minister of Justice or Partisan PF cadre?” was published on page 1 of the Daily Nation of 8th August and the full statement on page 6 of the 9th August 2013. It was also carried by the online newspaper the Zambian Eye on 8th Aug 2013 but has been removed from the website. Is it a coincidence?
GODFREY MIYANDA,BRIGADIER GENERAL,HERITAGE PARTY[9TH AUGUST 2013]
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma (right) and his Deputy George Zulu (centre) inspect the Lusaka fuel storage depot with Lusaka Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta before commissioning of the plant
2.
PALL bearers carry the casket of retired Supreme Court Judge Sandson Silomba at the Supreme Court in Lusaka
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Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda (far left), Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo (second from left), Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito (second from far right) and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba (far right) at the just ended 2013 Southern African Chief Justices Forum and Conference and Annual General Conference at Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone.
4.
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba (left) and Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito (right) sharing light moments at the just ended 2013 Southern African Chief Justices Forum and Conference and Annual General Conference at Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone
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Delegates at the just ended 2013 Southern African Chief Justices Forum and Conference and Annual General Conference at Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone.
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Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba (left), Southern African Chief Justices Forum chairperson Benjamin Odoki (middle) and acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda (right) during the just ended 2013 Southern African Chief Justices Forum and Conference and Annual General Conference at Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone
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ormer US President Bill Clinton (right) and Zambia’s acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda (left) at Royal Livingstone Hotel on Thursday night during the official opening of the 2013 Southern African Chief Justices Forum and Conference and Annual General Conference.
8.
A police officer explains how the police service operates to members of the public visiting the police service pavilion in the Lusaka Showground.
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Bank of Zambia Governor Michael Gondwe and a team from the central bank visit stands at the Lusaka Showground
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Show goers visit a block of pavilions for Egyptian, Ghanaian and Nigerian exhibitors at the Lusaka showground.
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A Zambia Railways worker pushes the mini-train train after it developed a fault at the on-going Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Showground
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Zambia Railways workers push the mini-train which was laden with children after it developed a technical fault at the on-going Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Showground.
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Defense Minister Geoffrey Mwamba is taken on a conducted tour of the Zambia Prisons Service pavilion by Zambia Prisons Service Public Relations Officer Doreen Ngoma at the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka.
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Defense Minister Geoffrey Mwamba and Agriculture and Co-operatives Minister Bob Sichinga inspect a plot of vegetables grown by the Zambia National Service at the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka
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Defense Minister Geoffrey Mwamba (centre) and Agriculture and Co-operatives Minister Bob Sichinga (right) listen to ZAMTEL Managing Director Mupanga Mwanakatwe (left) when they visited the Zamtel pavilion at the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka.
16.
Makishi dancers perform at the official opening of the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka
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Makishi dancer perform at the official opening of the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka
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Diplomats accredited to Zambia watch proceedings at the official opening of the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka
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The rehabilitation of township roads in Kasama
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The rehabilitation of township roads in Kasama
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A fire gutted Dergham Enterprises in Kamwala destroying property worth $50 000
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DERGHAM Enterprises Limited proprietor Khaled Gaballa at the entrance of his gutted shop in Kamwala.He said the fire was caused by a short circuit arising from ZESCO works in the area earlier in the day which had resulted in power disconnection the whole day.
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Cyclists enjoying the Chipata- Lundazi road
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The Chipata-Lundazi road completion is expected to boost economic development
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L-R:Sable Transport Managing director Nazir Alloo,Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Bert Mushala and Provincial Minister Malozo Sichone during the tour of Chipata –Lundazi road
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The roof of the International Bus Terminus under construction at Villa Grounds Livingstone
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With the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly drawing near, several business houses in Livingstone are renovating their premises.Above, workers change the paving the front of the Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) in Livingstone
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Lusaka Water and Sewerage worker fixing a leaking pipe
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NEWLY Appointed Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo, Builile Traditional Ceremony Chairman Senior Headman Natende walushiba also known as Dr. Katele Kalumba and Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya shares a light moment during the Builile ceremony in Chienge District over the weekend
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Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda listens to Zambia Revenue Authority Collector – Customs Services – Levy Simatimbe during his visit to Kasumbalesa border post recently
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Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda inspects the electronic traffic management system when he visited Kasumbalesa border post recently
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Information and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Mwansa Kapeya is taken on a tour of the Times Printpak pavilion my Times Printpak Marketing Manager Mark Nyasulu at the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka
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Chief Mumena of the Kaonde people in Solwezi, dances to a traditional song during the Lubinda Ntongo traditional ceremony at his chiefdom at the weekend
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Wife of Vice President Guy Scott, Charlotte, tours stands at the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka.
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Wife of Vice President Guy Scott, Charlotte, tours various stands in the Jubilee Hall at the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka.
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Wife of Vice President Guy Scott, Charlotte, receives maize seed from Zamseed Sales Officer Kalutwa Kalunga (left) when she toured stands and pavilions at the Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka.
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE PRESS RELEASE BY THE JUDICIARY-9TH AUGUST 2013
The attention of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has been drawn to the Statement issued by Mr Terry Musonda the Public Relations Officer of the Judiciary, in which it is suggested that the Supreme Court is not required to render a report under the Electoral Act, and that the decision of the Supreme Court is binding on everybody including the Electoral Commission of Zambia
To start with LAZ is deeply concerned that the Judiciary has elected to interpret the law on such a serious national issue through a press release by a person other than a qualified Judicial Officer.
The role of the Judiciary is to interpret the law through its Judgments and rulings delivered at a properly constituted tribunal as provided for by the law. Accordingly it is unacceptable for the Public Relations Officer to issue a statement on a matter which may well end up in Court for determination and/or interpretation of their Lordships and Ladyships.
The Statement by Mr. Musonda that the Supreme Court is not required to render a report under the Electoral Act is a matter which should have been left for a suitable Judicial pronouncement or Judgment as it has serious implications and repercussions. This is so because the Electoral Act contains mandatory provisions prescribing the criterion for rendering reports to the Electoral Commission. Furthermore, the High Court and the Supreme Court are superior Courts of our Judicature. They are required to be moved by some known process before setting out to make determinations or pronouncements like the one attributed to Mr Musonda. Even where these superior Courts choose to make pronouncements on their own motion, the expectation is that the Courts will do so while sitting in their capacity as Courts of record.
For the reasons above, LAZ takes the view that the said Press Statement by the Judiciary and the interpretations in the said Press Statements are not at all binding as they lack the force of the law which is characteristic in a Judgment.
LAZ wishes to reassert that it will continue to engage the Judiciary to ensure that its role in the dispensation of Justice and guiding the Nation on the matters regarding the rule of law are respected and guarded.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has announced the postponement of nominations dates for three by- elections which were due to be held today.
ECZ Acting Spokesperson Sylvia Bwalya confirmed this morning that nominations for Petauke Central, Mulobezi and Malambo have been postponed.
Ms Bwalya revealed that the nominations have been necessitated by the statement issued by the judiciary last evening barring candidates whose seats were nullified on grounds of corruption from filling in their nomination papers.
She however said the ECZ has not received any official notification from the Supreme Court to bar UPND’s Maxwell Mwale, MMD’s Dora Siliya for Petauke Central and Hastings Sililo of the MMD for Mulobezi.
Ms Bwalya added that the by elections for the three seats should be held within 90 days from the day of nullification as stated by the law.
I am one of of the Zambians that had hope in the PF government until I started seeing weakness in its top leadership.Mr.Sata my presido, please listen more to the cries and advice of ordinary Zambians who are your voters than your ministers whose agenda is that of only enriching themselves.
I thought you said your advisers will be Catholic priests and the likes of Dr Kaunda.Who is really advising your presidency? The state of affairs in Zambia is bad.You can’t see the wrong things happening because you are in State House and Surrounded by people who want to be rich like HH.
Your Labour Minister has stopped working and listenig to the cries of employees in companies that are doing fine but paying workers poorly like Lafarge, Gourock, KCM etc. No more money in our pockets.Is Shamenda now becoming Liato?Bring back Kambwili to Labor Ministry not that sleeping Shamenda.
Kabimba Winter has become the Dora Siliya of PF. Dora contributed to the down fall of MMD.She made people hate MMD.The same is what Kabimba has started doing. Mr Sata, do something about Kabimba and his selfish small group. We love President Sata and PF but not what is happening now. Sakeni has become the Mulongoti of MMD, you know how we hated Mulongoti’s talkativness like Siliya.
[pullquote]Kabimba Winter has become the Dora Siliya of PF. Sakeni has become the Mulongoti of MMD, you know how we hated Mulongoti’s talkativness[/pullquote]
Mr President find time and address the people of Zambia and assure them that you are working and delivering.
By the end of this year, make sure you fire all those you employed on thank you basis at the expense of true development because they campaigned for you. Most of them lack credility and can not deliver but are only interested in making some cash for themselves.
Is that the kind of government you fought for the past ten years in opposition? Or maybe you are now tired and have lost your vision for Zambia. You have the best manifesto, I wonder why you can’t deliver.
[pullquote]Is this the kind of government you fought for the past ten years in opposition? [/pullquote]
Get rid of bad eggs before you are all contaminated. Bad eggs around RB made him lose popularity, the same is happening to you. Open your eyes Sir, we still love you though we are seeing bad eggs in PF leadership. Put or employ right people in right or strategic positions, not failures.
Your record is good and the best so far but is it the same with the people you are working with? When people advise you it means they love you and want you not to fail. Please listen to good advise, thats all a President needs to make it. Leave a good legacy for your people.RB was bad but some people are begining to like him because they have not seen any diffrence in your leadership. Your human rights record is good, media coverage is now fair and okey. Opposition yalimi delelafye because you are tolerant, they just want to use your weakness to tarnish your image.
