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The Non Governmental Organization Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has condemned in the strongest terms the statement attributed to Defense Minister Geoffrey Mwamba in today’s edition of POST newspaper suggesting that when a man beats his wife it’s a sign of love.
Speaking to Qfm news in an interview this today, NGOCC acting Executive Director Bridget kalaba said that her organization was saddened to see that a person of high ranking position in government such as the Defense Minster can make negative statements that degrade all women in the country.
Ms.Kalaba noted that the statement by the defense minister is also an indication that he has no regard for the women.
Ms. Kalaba said that women must be respected regardless of their status in society.
She further noted that the law on gender based violence should not be overlooked by all peace loving Zambians.
Yesterday, the Defence Minister was quoted as saying a loving way of beating a wife is acceptable in his culture. During a Brothers for Life corporate breakfast meeting in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mwamba said gender-based Violence in a ‘mild’ way was acceptable where he came from.
The working business breakfast meeting had a specific objective of securing support from the private sector towards increasing men’s involvement in addressing HIV, reducing gender-based violence and irresponsible alcohol consumption through the ‘Brothers for Life’ campaign.
“Dr Banda during his presentation, I saw a clip where gender-based violence was quite prominent. And again he did mention in his presentation that certain cultures take gender-based violence as a way of showing love to your partner. Where I come from, where Bishop Banda comes from, I think that is part of the game. If I don’t beat my wife, what I mean by saying beating my wife, I don’t mean beating my wife to an extent where she starts bleeding. There are two ways of beating. So I think gender-based violence, in a way, is also accepted but in a mild way,” said Mwamba.
All the five aspiring parliamentary candidates for the forthcoming Feira Parliamentary Constituency in Luangwa District have successfully filed in their nomination papers today.
And all the aspiring candidates have expressed confidence of scooping the seat that fell vacant following the defection of the incumbent, Patrick Ngoma, to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
ZANIS reports that United Nation Independence Party (UNIP) candidate Charles Kanyama was the first to file in his nomination papers at exactly 09: 00 hours and was followed by National Restoration Party (NAREP) candidate, Samuel Sikaonga at 10:36 hours.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) candidate, Elias Phiri, who was accompanied by party president, Nevers Mumba and Elections chairperson, Kenneth Chipungu, filed his papers at 11;15 hours while United Party National Development(UPND) candidate, Eularia Zulu, filed hers at 13: 30 Hours.
Ruling PF candidate and immediate past MP, Patrick Ngoma, who was accompanied by Republican Vice President, Guy Scott, Willie Nsanda, Lusaka Province Minister, Freedom Sikazwe and Geoffrey Chuumbwe, filed his papers at 14:45 hours before the nomination closed at 16:00 hours.
And in separate interviews with ZANIS, UNIP candidate Charles Kanyama said he is happy that the party opted for him and pledged to deliver the seat for former ruling party.
Mr Kanyama said he is the only youthful candidate and energetic to address major concerns of carrying out development in the area.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) candidate Elias Phiri assured the electorates of massive development once voted into office while United Party National Development (UPND) candidate, Eularia Zulu, promised to undertake a baseline study to accelerate development in the area.
Ruling PF candidate and immediate past MP, Patrick Ngoma, explained that he defected to the PF because of the massive developmental projects the government had embarked on in his area.
Mr Ngoma further explained that President Sata’s all-inclusive approach to national development and the government’s developmental agenda in the constituency has seen unprecedented development during one-and-half years the PF has been in office.
The seat became vacant following the then MMD MP, Patrick Ngoma, defecting to the PF last month.
Kabwe district commissioner Patrick Chishala listerning to concerns of the un registered taxi drivers, whose car have been impounded for failure to paint them in blue colour outside his office in kabwe
Kabwe District Commissioner Patrick Chishala has called for fervent prayers to end road accidents on the Great North road.
Mr Chishala said there is urgent need for people to unite in Prayer because the country cannot continue to lose innocent lives on the same road all the time.
The District Commissioner noted that there have been a lot of accidents on the Great North road especially this year, which have left many Zambians widowed, orphaned, disabled and vulnerable.
He added that a lot of families have lost their loved ones who may have been the only bread-winners.
He said it was for this reason that his office is holding consultations with the local clergy and to undertake serious prayers on the Great North road.
Mr Chishala further said that his office will soon announce the date on which the prayers will be conducted so that the clergy and christians from across the country could participate.
He observed that Prayer has the power to change situations adding that even in the Bible, christians prayed whenever they were challenged with difficult issues.
Great North-Road has recorded a number of fatal accidents in which over sixty people have died between January and May this year.
Meanwhile, Kitwe District Commissioner Elias Kamanga has stressed the need for intense screening of passenger vehicle drivers if road traffic accidents are to be minimized in the country.
Mr Kamanga said a number of fatal road accidents of late were result of reckless driving by mainly passenger vehicle drivers and in particular bus and truck drivers.
The district commissioner said this in the wake of the death of a female pedestrian in Kitwe who was bashed by a minibus along Kazembe Road and sparked uproar among members of the public.
A week ago, three people died on the spot in a road accident involving a truck and trailer that rammed into several other vehicles along Kitwe-Chingola Road.
Mr Kamanga in an interview yesterday called on the Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RTSA) to intensify the screening of passenger vehicles if such road accidents caused by reckless driving were to be curbed.
He said it was a pity that most of the fatal accidents involved either a minibus or a truck and caused by the reckless driving of drivers who in most cases were noted over-speeding.
“I want to appeal to the police and RTSA in particular to intense screening exercise for passenger vehicles so that we can have only competent drivers on the road because the rate at which we are losing innocent lives as a result of reckless driving is worrying,” he said.
Mr Kamanga said there was urgent need for police to ensure that all reckless drivers were fished out of the road and that traffic regulations were strictly adhered to by passenger vehicle drivers.
“The police have just to be firm with all road users and in particular passenger vehicle drivers to ensure lives people are safeguarded,” Mr
Kamanga said.
File: Father Frank Bwalya addressing a PF rally during the run up to the 2011 elections
Leader of the newly founded Alliance for Better Zambia Fr Frank Bwalya has accused the Zambia Police Service of holding up the process of registering his party.
In a statement issued by his personal assistant for press and public relations Emmanuel Chilekwa, Fr. Bwalya said the Zambia Police should release the papers in order for his party to finalise the registration process.
“Father Bwalya regrets and refutes the impression given in the media that the Registrar of Societies of blocking registration of the party called, Alliance for a Better Zambia, ABZ. There is nowhere Fr. Bwalya ever stated that the Registrar of Societies, Mr. Kanganja is delaying registration of our intended party, the Alliance for Better Zambia, ABZ,” the statement said.
“The crux of the matter is that Fr. Bwalya expressed dismay at the Zambia Police’s manner of asking him what he perceived as “funny questions”, which were political and not from a professional service men and women during the procedural interview held in Room 70 at Lusaka Central Police.”
It added, “In fact, Fr. Bwalya could not even bring in the Registrar of society because only until when Police releases the scrutiny papers handed to them, there is no way Fr. Bwalya could go to the Registrar of Societies for a return visit. The Registrar is just awaiting our presentation of the papers from Police.”
It said, “So, before then, there is nothing Fr. Bwalya could do to process the papers for registration of ABZ as a political party. It’s now over three weeks since the papers were lodged with Zambia Police, a process that is supposed to take a mere three days. Therefore, it is malicious and incorrect to infer that Fr. Bwalya has blamed the Registrar of societies for the delay in the registration of ABZ as a political party.”
Fr Bwalya has since appealed to Zambia Police to release the papers so that he could present them to the Registrar of Societies.
I tip my hat to two gallant Zambian musicians, Petersen and Pilato, for their timely “Bufi” song. PF cadres and kaponyas do not know how to respond to the words watile ukapanga road; bufi! Watile ukatupele nchito; bufi! Ati fuel ika chipaa; bufi! Actually, kaponyas do not know how to react to the current friable political mood. They are as thunderstruck as the rest of us. They do not know what has hit them. What they thought was light at the end of the tunnel has turned out to be an approaching train. It has hit them hard below the belt and shattered their hopes and aspirations.
The Kiss of Death
First, let me say this; the word “subsidy” is sanctified—it is a lifeline; a bail-out. It is meant to help the poor cope with high costs of food and other essentials. Presidents who remove subsidies do so at their own peril. In 1986, KK tampered with subsidies on food and fertilizer. Prices of commodities skyrocketed and the disgruntled took to the street. It is believed that this was his kiss of death. In the early 1990s, some of his lieutenants, including president Sata, turned against him. They incited street vendors to riot, and before KK knew it, he was gone.
The appropriate term for “subsidy removal,” is “live and let die.” It is the “kiss of death” synonymous with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The term, often referred to as “subsidy reforms” or “subsidy cuts,” has been in existence since the 1970s. The catalyst of the term is Iran. In 1977, Iranians, unhappy with the pro-U.S. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, began a revolution that would last two years. On January 16, 1979, the Shah fled to Egypt and ended up in the U.S. Hundreds of Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took 60 Americans hostage. In response, the U.S. president Jimmy Carter imposed an embargo on Iranian oil and drove prices of imports and exports up the roof.
African countries, including ours, were suddenly hit by inflation. Hunger and famine were widespread. IMF and the World Bank came to our “rescue.” The institutions’ money lenders were dispatched to Africa to dish out “low-conditionality loans.” One condition for lending was to remove subsidies on essential commodities. In Botswana they were turned away. The Botswana president told the IMF group that Botswana did not need to remove subsidies; that its people would “tighten their belts, pull together, and plough through the economic crisis with their cattle and diamonds.”
The Botswana president told the IMF group that Botswana did not need to remove subsidies; that its people would “tighten their belts, pull together, and plough through the economic crisis with their cattle and diamonds.
For 43 years subsidy reforms have not benefited a single African country
In Zambia, KK, faced with low copper prices, opened the doors for them even after Civil Rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson had appealed to him not to. Jackson, during his 1986 “Truth Trek to Africa” appeared on Television Zambia and denounced IMF/World Bank policies and lambasted the two institutions for removing subsidies and dragging poor countries into poverty and more economic woes. KK ignored his advice and joined the other 34 African countries.
For 43 years subsidy reforms have not benefited a single African country. President Sata must name one African country that has wiped out poverty as a result of subsidy reforms. If anything, countries have been returning to subsidies. In 2005, Ghana increased fuel prices by 50%. The move benefited mostly the rich and left the poor virtually unattended. The Ghanaian government abandoned subsidy reforms in 2008. In 2007, Gabon increased gasoline and diesel prices by 26% after a Stand-By Arrangement with IMF. By 2009, Gabonese government was unable to meet the IMF goals. Up to this day a third of the Gabonese population still lives in abject poverty.
The Truth about Subsidy removal
Removal of subsidies has absolutely nothing to do with the improvement of the country’s economy. If this were the case, countries that applied subsidy reforms in the 1980s and 1990s would by now be boasting of much higher GDP per capita. In truth, subsidy reforms are applied to cushion the IMF/World Bank loans and bring the debt to acceptable levels. President Sata should know this. He is being totally disingenuous by telling us that “maize subsidies have been a pillar for the huge economic inequality in our society as they only benefit the already well to do middlemen and not the targeted vulnerable groups of our society.” His statement plucked verbatim from the IMF/World Bank play book is unfair; if not an insult to our intelligence. It is a talking point imbedded in most of the IMF/World Bank reports.
Removal of subsidies has absolutely nothing to do with the improvement of the country’s economy. If this were the case, countries that applied subsidy reforms in the 1980s and 1990s would by now be boasting of much higher GDP per capita.
While the statement is true to a large extent, it does not apply to the Zambian dire situation where the middle-class, with their meager wages, and the poor in shanties and villages, cannot afford high-priced essentials arising from subsidy reforms. The same IMF/World Bank analysts admit that “subsidy reforms do very little to prevent price distortion and damage to farmers in African countries.” In fact, in their report entitled “IMF Working Paper of 2010,” researchers Javier Arze de Granado, David Coady, and Robert Gillingham, observe that “eliminating subsidies can have a sizeable adverse impact on the poor households.” In our country “sizeable” is an understatement.[pullquote]
The same IMF/World Bank analysts admit that “subsidy reforms do very little to prevent price distortion and damage to farmers in African countries.
[/pullquote]
Impact of subsidy removal across the world
If subsidy reforms were beneficial they would not cause so much mayhem. In 2008, the impact of subsidy cuts triggered deadly riots in Haiti, Tunisia, Egypt, and across the Middle East and spread to south Asia. In 2011, Bolivian president Evo Morales reversed his decision to support subsidy removal after massive protests, wildcat strikes and mounting opposition pressure. Today, many countries have abandoned subsidy removal. Former Chief Economist of the World Bank, and recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, Joseph (Joe) Stiglitz is right when he says that countries that sign up with the IMF and the World Bank end up with “a crashed economy; a destroyed government; and sometimes in flames with riots.”
Former Chief Economist of the World Bank, and recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, Joseph (Joe) Stiglitz is right when he says that countries that sign up with the IMF and the World Bank end up with “a crashed economy; a destroyed government; and sometimes in flames with riots.”
In the same breath, Greg Palast of The Globalizer writes that politicians who succumb to such stringent economic reforms are susceptible to “briberization.” They end up selling off the country’s key assets—water, electric, and gas. They increase prices of essential commodities and raise interest rates. In return they get 10% commission. This reward, in millions of dollars, is put in the Swiss bank account. We hope and pray president Sata is not one such heartless and unscrupulous leader.
Empty promises to poor, hungry and desperate people
If the president is indeed transparent and truthful to the Zambian people as he claims, he must stop peddling unfair reforms. Before he was sworn in, he spent a good ten years promising Zambians that he would cure the ills of society, including poverty, disease, tribalism, nepotism, and corruption. Understandably, sugaring promises is a campaign gimmick essential to winning an election. However, this works well in developed countries where there is some latitude for breaking promises.
In a country like ours, it is immoral and unjust to make empty promises to a people who are hungry and have absolutely nothing. President Sata has done just that. Campaigning under the sobriquet “King Cobra” he used the platform to hoodwink a penniless people; people with no food; no clothes; and many with no shelter. “I will put money in your pockets in ninety days,” he declared and yet he knew it was an outrageous promise. Being desperate the poor took his utterances literally. When the 90-day deadline past, PF supporters asked to give him more time. It is going to two years, he has not only failed to honor his promise, but now he has removed their lifeline.
Pleasing IMF
It is possible that subsidy removal on maize and fuel was initiated after Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda’s trip to Washington D.C. in April this year. His meeting with the IMF/World Bank officials coincided with the latest survey by the IMF that shows that energy subsidies are a drain on the economy of a country and should therefore be replaced by other means of consumer aid. This, according to the report, is one of the major ways of alleviating budgetary pressures faced by government. The message was relayed to the president and he bought into it. He did not take a moment to think about our villagers and shanty dwellers—the very people who put him in office. Instead, he went ahead and embraced economic policies that have been a killer for many years. And knowing him, his word is always final. He expects us to obey.
US,China and Russia largest subsidizers
While, admittedly, subsidies are a drag on economic growth, they make it possible for the poor to see another day. They are necessary everywhere even in developed nations. In fact the United States is the largest subsidizer of food and spends $502 million each year—that’s two thirds of the U.S. Department of Agriculture budget. The United States ensures no one goes to bed hungry. Poor families below a certain income, and the homeless, qualify for food stamps that enable them to purchase food products at retail.
As recent as February this year, China, which ranks as the second largest subsidizer at $279 million per year, was intensifying farm subsidy spending as an ongoing plan to promote self-sufficiency in grains. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is taking measures, as it has always done, to ensure that rural poverty and food insecurity are taken care of. Russia is the third largest subsidizer at $116 million per year.
[pullquote]Why can’t we emulate them and take care of our poor?[/pullquote]
Why can’t we emulate them and take care of our poor? Why can’t the president maintain fertilizer subsidies and strengthen our agricultural system? Why is he not talking about investment in agricultural science and technology? As usual the answer is “there is no money,” and yet there are many ways to raise funds to cushion subsidies. Here are but a few:
First and foremost, he must trim his cabinet and abolish some of the ministries. It is laughable to see a man who heavily promoted the idea of small government do the exact opposite. He must use the “small government” methodology to raise funds to meet the demand for seed and fertilizer and make them affordable to both large and small scale farmers.
Money realized from our mineral resources must be invested in education and pay lecturers a package worth their education and time.
He must encourage city councils to buy local and long-distant buses or simply revive the United Bus of Zambia and acquire roadworthy buses for our traveling safety.
President Michael Sata must recover $40 million from the Zamtrop account and invest in small scale industry for the poor. The money is there, somewhere, and it is ours.
All wealthy citizens, including the president and cabinet ministers, must pay higher taxes, money which should go to the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for our doctors at the University Teaching Hospital, so that our leaders are treated locally.
Lastly, the money raised from tourism should go to rural health services, rural electrification, and clean water supply.
The president has dispatched his ministers to bore the people with lame excuses. Chase them away because they do not know what they are talking about. Tell them subsidy removal benefits them and hurts you. Tell them to go and tell the president that before he removes subsidies he must first protect your interest and ensure you have food and transport.
The Zambia Postal Services (ZAMPOST) and Trust Company of Japan will next week officially launch an online sales agency for buyers of second hand vehicles.
ZAMPOST Postmaster General Mcpherson Chanda revealed this in an interview Ndola yesterday.
Mr Chanda said ZAMPOST will effective June 3, 2013 start offering a convenient, cheaper and fast mode of payments for buyers of second hand vehicles from Trust company of Nagoya, Japan.
Mr Chanda said following clearance by the Bank of Zambia and successful negotiations held between ZAMPOST and Trust Company of Japan, ZAMPOST will be a sales and collecting agent.
Mr Chanda explained that this is an added financial service offered by ZAMPOST apart from local and international money transfer services under the Postal Services Act.
He said in the next few months ZAMPOST envisages to sign up similar sales agency agreements with other international reputable car dealers.
“With this solution, customers will therefore have an option between paying to the car dealers through the commercial banking channels or to come to ZAMPOST as the designated sales agent,” Mr Chanda said.
He explained that with the value proposition customers will pay 40% for fees paid through ZAMPOST in comparison to bank fees.
He explained that currently it takes a customer about five days to get confirmation of payment of receipt of funds by car dealers but that under ZAMPOST sales arrangement the customer will get confirmation from Trust Japan within two hours.
Mr Chanda also noted that the arrangement will further reduce on the number of Zambians being swindled of their money when clearing vehicles at border posts.
File:Former president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda greets pensioners who visited him at Kabulonga office in Lusaka
The Zambia Local Authorities Retirees and Pensioners Association (ZALARPA) has joined calls by some sections of society urging government to immediately retain the subsidies on fuel and maize which government has removed.
ZALARPA President Mathew Nyakalale says the Association which comprises 8,000 pensioners will be negatively affected by the removal of the two subsidies.
Mr. Nyakalale said the removal of the subsidies has affected them because of non-payment of their terminal benefits coupled with the current high cost of essential commodities like mealie meal and the increase in bus fares.
Mr. Nyakalale said this in a press stamen released to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.
“The removal of fuel and maize subsidies has left retirees devastated. We urge the PF government to avoid making the same mistakes which were made by MMD,” he said.
He said urged the Government to avoid making mistakes which cost the previous MMD government to lose power because president Rupiah Banda never listened to the people of Zambia who put him in Office.
The ZALARPA President demanded that Government pays them their pension and live up to its 2011 campaign promises.
President Michael Sata has directed Ministers and their deputies to go round the country and explain the benefits of the subsidy removals aimed at diverting money to developmental projects.
[ZANIS]
Defence Deputy Minister, Colonel Joseph Lungu (second left)
Government has directed the Zambia National Service (ZNS) command to quickly setup a milling plant to help deal with the national shortage of milling capacity leading to high mealie meal prices in the country.
Defence Deputy Minister in charge of Rural Development and National Service Joseph Lungu said the move will help stabilize mealie meal prices by flooding the market with cheaper mealie meal.
Col. Lungu was speaking at Mangango ZNS Camp on his familiarization tour of ZNS offices in Western province.
He noted that ZNS has the capacity to become a major supplier of agro-produce in the region if given the necessary equipment.
Col. Lungu who bemoaned the maize yields the service has produced during the last farming season however said that government will empower the service with new farming machinery to promote mechanized agriculture production in all ZNS units.
He disclosed that government will purchase tractors, planters, sprayers and national centre pivot irrigation systems as a permanent feature for ZNS production units to which Mangango ZNS camp will benefit once it’s connected to the electricity national grid.
Meanwhile, the Defence Deputy Minister explained government’s removal of subsidies on fuel and maize to make the officers understand government operations.
He explained that government was losing about KR 300 through subsidies every month thereby deepening poverty levels in the country.
Col. Lungu said the removal of subsidies will help turn around the economy.
He further urged officers to remain committed to service by displaying loyalty, accountability and patriotism to government through quality service delivery.
The Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship is expected to introduce a new type of National Registration Cards (NRC) next month.
National Registrar General Mathews Nyirongo said the new National Registration Cards (NRC), which will be bio-metric with a chip, will contain additional security features such as finger prints to reduce fraud on the document.
Mr. Nyirongo told ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday that the new NRC will be used concurrently with the old ones for some time.
He explained that after carrying out a successful tender evaluation, the department shortlisted three foreign bidders for the contract of issuing new NRCs.
He said the project is sponsored by the United National Development Programme.
Mr. Nyirongo said the programme of issuing new National Registration Cards was a long process which will be carried out in three phases.
He said Lusaka province will be in the first phase followed by all provincial centres and lastly by all districts.
He said soon after the tender is awarded, the department will embark of a sensitization tour across the country to educate the citizens on the credibility of the new NRC as compared to the old ones.
He observed that the current NRC has been vulnerable to fraud as perpetrators of the act have found it easy to open and refill or disfigure the face on the NRC and replace it with a fake one.
Mr. Nyirongo said the current National Registration Cards’ security was compromised thereby lowering the integrity of the card.
A staunch Kalulushi Modern Stars supporter is nursing wounds after being bitten by a dog at Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola during Saturday’s FAZ Super Division match between his team and Zesco United.
Bernard Bwalya said he was bitten on the chest and hand as he was exiting the ground.
Bwalya narrated that he was going out of the ground when a dog which was in a vehicle over-powered its handler before it attacked him.
“I was going out of the ground towards the end of the match when a dog attacked me and bit me on the chest and on the hand,” he said.
“I am still feeling the pain although the wounds are slowly healing,” he added.
Bwalya stated that he rushed himself to Ndola Central Hospital after the incident and has been put on anti rabies injections.
The Patriotic Front in Lusaka province says yesterday’s agitation that led to PF cadres to pounce on Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) officials may have been caused by insulting and provocative language by MMD’s Die Hard coordinator Bowman Lusambo.
Speaking to Qfm in an interview, PF Lusaka Youth secretary Stanley Chumya says MMD die hard coordinator Bowman Lusambo is one of the cadres in the opposition MMD with an abusive language and that might have led to some PF cadres pounce on him.
Mr.Chumya has also refuted claims that Mr. Lusambo was beaten and threaten with death when he was abducted close to an hour.
Mr. Chumya has told Qfm in an interview that the PF’s action yesterday was only meant to stop an alleged demonstration by MMD members who were believed to have planned to protest against government’s decision to lift subsidies on fuel and maize.
Mr. Chumya has reiterated the need for the MMD members in the country to closely work with the ruling PF in fostering development in the country as opposed to engaging in violent politics.
Meanwhile the Human Rights Commission (HRC) has condemned in the strongest terms the harassment of a journalist during an incident in which suspected Patriotic Front cadres attacked Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) at Lusaka’s City Market.
A Muvi Television reporter is reported to have been caught-up in the locomotion while filming the incident in which suspected a PF mob pounced on MMD member.
In a statement released to QFM News, HRC spokesperson Samuel Kasankha says the commission is saddened with the violent attacks on journalists barely three weeks after Zambia joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Press Day.
The HRC spokesperson has since appealed to the political authorities in the PF and MMD to take action towards those who took part in the act at City Market.
Teachers in Kaoma District of Western Province have threatened to down tools if government implements its decision of removing double class and responsibility allowances.
Zanis reports from Mongu, that Three teacher unions said this when they stormed Kaoma District commissioner, Joster Manjolo’s office yesterday.
Zambia National Union of teachers (ZNUT), Chairperson Musangu Chipango says his members have objected the halting of their double class and responsibility allowances as the move will negatively affect the performance of teachers and thereafter that of pupils in the District.
Mr. Chipango has proposed that government should instead take stock of all its teachers in order to target only those that are getting these allowances illegally as opposed to an all inclusive withdrawal of the allowance as even the more deserving teachers will be unfairly deprived.
And Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) Chairperson, Inambao Mutata says his union supports the notion of equal pay for equal work but that it does not support teachers who were getting double class and responsibility allowances for poor quality service delivery.
Mr. Mutata however notes that the removal of the double class and responsibility allowances will disadvantage teachers attending to more than one class in under staffed schools and such a situation will also have an impact on pupils who are towards writing their exams.
Meanwhile Kaoma District Commissioner Joster Manjolo has since allocated transport to all the three teacher unions in the District to take stock of the teachers in about 100 schools spread across the Kaoma to find out deserving teachers for the allowances.
Mr. Manjolo has however maintained that government’s move to remove the responsibility and double class allowances will pay way to ensuring that only deserving teachers get such allowances.
The Zambia Local Authorities Retirees and Pensioners Association (ZALARPA) has joined calls by some sections of society urging government to immediately retain the subsidies on fuel and maize which government has removed.
ZALARPA President Mathew Nyakalale says the Association which comprises 8,000 pensioners will be negatively affected by the removal of the two subsidies.
Mr. Nyakalale says the removal of the subsidies has affected them because of non-payment of their terminal benefits coupled with the current high cost of essential commodities like mealie meal and the increase in bus fares.
Mr. Nyakalale said this in a press stamen released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
“The removal of fuel and maize subsidies has left retirees devastated. We urge the PF government to avoid making the same mistakes which were made by MMD,” he said.
He said urged the Government to avoid making mistakes which cost the previous MMD government to lose power because president Rupiah Banda never listened to the people of Zambia who put him in Office.
The ZALARPA President demanded that Government pays them their pension and live up to its 2011 campaign promises.
President Michael Sata has directed Ministers and their deputies to go round the country and explain the benefits of the subsidy removals aimed at diverting money to developmental projects.
Philip Mubiana accused of involved in a homosexual relationship walking into the court room while covering his face
Central Province Principle Resident Magistrate, John Mbuzi has rejected an application by defense lawyers to grant bail to two men appearing in court on allegations of practicing homosexuality.
The two are alleged to have committed the offence in Kapiri Mposhi kast month.
And Magistrate Mbuzi has adjourned the case to 5 June, 2013 for determination of constitutional issues raised by the defense.
This is in the case in which James Mwape, a bricklayer and Philip Mubiana a hair dresser both aged 21 and residents of Ndeke and Soweto compounds respectively in Kapiri Mposhi are facing four counts of engaging in homosexuality.
In the first count Philip Mubiana is charged with committing an unnatural offence contrary to section 155 (c) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia as read with amended Act number 15 of 2005.
Particulars of the offence are that Mubiana, on unknown dates but between 11 and 25 April 2013 in Kapiri Mposhi in central province did permit a male person, James Mwape to have canal knowledge of him against the order of nature.
In the second count James Mwape is charged with committing unnatural offences contrary to section 155 (c) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia as read with amended Act number 15 of 2005.
[pullquote]“The accused are being held in police custody to their advantage for security reasons so that society does not harm them looking at the offences they are accused of committing”, Ms. Banda said.[/pullquote]
Particulars of the offence are that Mwape, on dates unknown did permit a male person Philip Mubiana to have canal knowledge of him against the order of nature.
In the third count James Mwape is charged with committing an unnatural offence contrary to section 155 (a) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars are that on 5th May 2013 in Kapiri Mposhi Mwape had canal knowledge of a male, Philip Mubiana against the order of nature.
And in the fourth and last count Philip Mubiana is charged with an offence of committing an unnatural offences contrary to section 155 (c ) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws od Zambia as read with amended Act number 15 of 2005.
Particulars before court are that on 5 May 2013, Mubiana, while at Kapiri Mposhi district in central province did permit a male person James Mwape to have canal knowledge of him against the order of nature.
Magistrate Mbuzi declined to grant bail to the two men after an application by defense counsels when the matter came up for commencement of trial today.
The accused are being represented by William Ngwira and Mubanga Bwalya of SBN Legal Practitioners of Lusaka.
The defense applied for bail for the two accused stating that their clients were of fixed abode and that the offences that they are accused of committing are bailable.
The defense counsels also assured the court that the accused persons will comply with the bail conditions and avail themselves to the court when needed.
However, State Prosecutor and Divisional Prosecutions Officer, Hilda Banda objected that the accused persons should not be granted bail owing to their earlier abrogation of police bond which was given to them after they were arrested for the offences as charged.
Ms. Banda stated that the two had flouted the police bond which was given to them on 3rd may 2013 by committing the similar offence which they were charged for when they were released from police custody.
Ms. Banda also submitted that if given bail the two could interfere with their relatives who are state witnesses in the case .
She also submitted that considering the offences the accused are indicted for there is likelihood that society may rise against and harm them and hence they should be kept in police custody until further notice.
[pullquote]“One is innocent until proven guilty and on the issue of public perception there is no evidence before the court to state what the public perceptions are on this matter therefore, public perceptions should not be the basis of objecting bail for the accused because granting bail will be in the interest of justice,” Mr. Ngwira said.[/pullquote]
“The accused are being held in police custody to their advantage for security reasons so that society does not harm them looking at the offences they are accused of committing”, Ms. Banda said.
But Defense Counsel, William Ngwira argued that the opposition of bail by the state is against the presumption that an accused person is innocent until proven guilty.
Mr. Ngwira stated that the offences that the duo is accused of are based on allegations and not proven by the court and their continuous detention in police cells was against the fundamental provisions of the law.
“One is innocent until proven guilty and on the issue of public perception there is no evidence before the court to state what the public perceptions are on this matter therefore, public perceptions should not be the basis of objecting bail for the accused because granting bail will be in the interest of justice,” Mr. Ngwira said.
But in his ruling Magistrate Mbuzi refused to grant bail to the accused stating that the defense had failed to invalidate the state’s objection of bail on the basis that the accused persons may go and interfere with the state witnesses who are their relatives.
Magistrate Mbuzi also ruled that once given bail there is a possibility that the couple may go and commit similar offences as charged bearing in mind that they did so when they were granted police bond upon being arrested.
“The defense has not countered the grounds by the state to oppose the granting of bail on the basis of interference with the witnesses and the court order can be unreasonable because how will the court be sure the accused will not meet and commit similar offences… I therefore see a danger with the defense application therefore the appeal for bail is refused and the status quo remains,” Magistrate Mbuzi ruled.
And Magistrate Mbuzi has adjourned the case to 5th June 2013 for determination of constitutional issues raised by the defense.
This was after the defense applied for adjournment to prepare formal applications to raise constitutional issues in the High Court.
The defense applied that they needed time to raise and formally file the case of constitutional issues to the High Court and were hence asking for an adjournment.
But the state objected to the deferment of the matter arguing that the defense had not clearly stated the reasons for their application for an adjournment and the constitutional issues that they intend to raise to the high court.
However, Defense counsels submitted that they requested to be furnished with copies of medical reports on the accused to enable them get expert advice on the matter in contemplation of preparation of the defense.
“We wrote a letter to the state requesting for medical reports for our clients … we have not been answered until this morning when we have been served with a response that the state has rejected our request so in this court this trial is under ambush… we want to raise constitutional issues in the High Court in this matter”, Mr. Ngwira said.
“In the letter we pointed out to the state that the issue to be addressed is article 18(1) of the constitution which talks about the right to a fare trial… we are of the view that the medical reports should be made available in the interest of justice and for the accused to have fare trial”, Mr. Ngwira said.
Magistrate Mbuzi ruled that the defense can proceed with the application of the hearing of constitutional matters in the High Court while at the same time the Magistrates court continues with its business and quashed the defense application for an adjournment.
“If there are constitutional issues to be raised in the High Court you can proceed but that cannot stay the procession of the case in the Magistrate Court… so trial will commence,” Magistrates Mbuzi said.
[pullquote]“If there are constitutional issues to be raised in the High Court you can proceed but that cannot stay the procession of the case in the Magistrate Court… so trial will commence,” Magistrates Mbuzi said.[/pullquote]
However, after a five minute adjournment the defense reversed their earlier application for an adjournment based on the raising of constitutional issues in the high court.
Mr. Ngwira re-submitted that the defense will file for determination the constitutional issues raised with Magistrate Mbuzi and applied for an adjournment so that they can be allowed to prepare a formal application to the same court to determine whether the constitutional issues raised should be filed in the High Court.
Magistrate Mbuzi then adjourned the case to 5th June 2013 for determination of constitutional issues and commencement of trial.
Mwape and Mubiana entered a plea of not guilty last week.
The duo was arrested on 4th May 2013 for allegedly engaging in homosexuality contrary to the laws of Zambia as read with amended Act number 15 of 2005.
