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Aftermath of Katete Riots in Pictures
Acting President Edgar Lungu opens the national constitution convention
The national constitution convention has today kicked off in Lusaka with hundreds of people from various sectors of society gathering to make final contributions to the first draft constitution before the final one is formulated and handed over to President Michael Sata.
This national convention follows the successful holding of 82 district consultative forums, 10 provincial conventions and the recently held sector groups’ convention which was a specialized distinguished gathering of professionals and subject experts who were grouped in sectors according to their area of specialization and expertise.
Acting President Edgar Lungu officially opened the national constitution convention in the history of the country on behalf of President Sata.
Mr. Sata reaffirmed that under the Patriotic Front government, Zambia will not borrow or import a constitution from any other country but will formulate its own people driven supreme law of the land.
He said in a speech read for him by Mr. Lungu that the national convention, which marks the conclusion of the formal consultative process on drafting the Zambian constitution, demonstrates that Zambians are capable of rising above personal interests and work together for the common good of the nation.
The President noted that world over, the constitution making process was an art in compromise and consensus building which calls on citizens to give prominence to national interest as opposed to serving narrow partisan interest.
He said the constitution making should have a long term perspective and should not be motivated by short term gains.
President Sata has since urged delegates to utilize the platform provided by the national convention to selflessly contribute to the development of a new constitutional order because they carry the aspirations of millions Zambians.
He stated that the unsuccessful attempts of the past should motivate all delegates to finally put before the Zambian people a constitution that entrenches constitutional democracy, upholds the rule of law and establishes a credible governance system where the rights and liberties of all people are fully respected and protected.
The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment and determination to motivate the people of Zambia to give themselves a new people-driven and people centered constitution.
President Sata repeatedly emphasized that the process should be undertaken with a great sense of patriotism and reminded delegates and the technical committee not to simply pander to foreign interests or seek to incorporate standards and principles which do not reflect the country’s unique socio-political environment.
He added that Zambia seeks a modern constitution that will reflect its democratic progress but noted that the modern constitution should not be done without due regard to who the people of Zambia are.
And Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba, who is also the ruling Patriotic Front Secretary General said his party pledge to give Zambia a people driven constitution which he said his government has prioritised.
He said the PF government will do everything within its power to ensure that the Zambian people achieve their desired goal of a people driven constitution which will stand a test of time.
He echoed the President’s sentiments that Zambia will not borrow or import a constitution from other country but will work hard to formulate its own document that will shape the future of the country and its people.
Mr. Kabimba noted that Zambia has been peaceful since independence and has therefore called on all Zambians to remain peaceful and united as always.
And Technical Committee Chairperson Annel Silungwe praised President Sata for the political will he has shown in having the constitution making process completed.
Justice Silungwe has since commended all participants for the commitment shown in the ongoing constitution making exercise.
He disclosed that the resolutions of the national convention, comments that were made by the local and international experts on constitutional law and practice as well as resolutions adopted at the sector groups’ convention will be considered by the technical committee when preparing for the final draft constitution.
The national convention will receive and consider the comments and recommendations of the ten provincial conventions and further examine and deliberate on the clauses of the first draft constitution.
The convention will also prepare and submit a national convention report which will highlight the comments and recommendations to the technical committee for consideration in preparing the final draft constitution.
The proceedings of the national convention will be conducted in both thematic working groups and plenary sessions that will be assigned parts of the first draft constitution to consider before the convention closes on Wednesday next week.
ZANIS
Scorecard: ‘Chingalika’ Kitwe United Lead Div 1 North
Kitwe United are the new leaders of the FAZ Division One North League following their 2-0 victory over Ndola United at Garden Park Stadium in Kitwe.
Jacob Phiri scored a first half brace on Sunday to help ‘Chingalika’ displace Indeni from the top spot on superior goal difference.
United have now collected seven points in three matches and have scored four times and conceding only a goal.
Also sitting on seven points are Mufulira Blackpool who maintained their second place with an away 2-1 win over Prison Leopards in Kabwe.
Blackpool have scored six goals while conceding three.
Indeni, also on seven points, drop into third place after their goalless draw with Bresmar United in Solwezi.
MTN/FAZ Super Division
Week Three
06/04/2014
Napsa Stars 0-Konkola Mine Police 2(Chipulu Chileya 10″, Jackson Mwanza 84″)
Lime Hotspurs 2(Lameck Kafwaya 29″ 41″ pen)-Green Buffaloes 2(Stephen Kabamba 3″, Kennedy Chola 76″)
Nkwazi 2(Chipungu Musukuma 46″, Billy Imonda 82″ og)-Power Dynamos 2(Keagan Phiri 10″ og, Graven Chitalu 15″)
Nkana 2(Reynold Kampamba 4″ pen, Festus Mbewe 48″)-Kalulushi Modern Stars 0
Kabwe Warriors 1(Daniel Sibanda 63″)-Red Arrows 1(Kampamba Chintu 65″ pen)
07/04/2014
Konkola Blades 1(Nyambe Mulenga 43″ og)-Zesco United 1(Patrick Kabamba 26″)
Nchanga Rangers 4(Bonwell Mwape 6″, Alex Ngonga 39″, pen, Levy Zulu 68″, Felix Nyaende 82″ pen)-Roan United 1(Lyson Sikaonga 10″ pen)
Postponed
Zanaco-Forest Rangers
Week One
31/03/2013
Zanaco 0-Red Arrows 1(Lubinda Mundia 5″)
CAF Champions League
Second Round, Return Leg
06/04/2013
Johannesburg
Orlando Pirates 2(Khethowakhe Masuku 18″, Mpho Makola 77″)-Zanaco 1(Musonda Mwape 48″)
Division One
North
Kitwe United 2-Ndola United 0
Kalewa 2-FQM 0
Grineker 0-Nkwiza 2
Mansa 1-Kansanshi 1
Bresmer 0-Indeni 0
Prison 1-Mufulira Blackpool 2
Mufulira Wanderers 1-Chindwin 1
Premium 0-National Assembly 1
Chambishi 1-Mumbwa 1
SOUTH
Kafue Celtic 2-Mongu Youth Sports Academy 0
Luena Buffaloes 0- Nakambala Leopards 1
Mazabuka United 2- Young Green Eagles 1
Green Eagles 5-Panza 0
Paramilitary 1- City of Lusaka 0
Lusaka City Council 1- Lusaka Tigers 0
Lusaka Dynamos 1- Nampundwe 2
Livingstone Pirates 0- Riflemen 0
Young Stars-Kalomo Jetters*
Jetters failed to travel to Chipata
Australian firm discovers more copper in Solwezi
AUSTRALIAN firm Chrysalis Resources has intersected more and rich copper mineralisation at Wangolo Prospect in Solwezi in Northwestern Province.
The discovery is between Barrick Gold’s Lumwana Copper Mine and First Quantum Minerals (FQM)’s Kansanshi mine and falls within the Shikila Licence for copper project in Zambia by Chrysalis Resources.
According to Proactive Investors Australia, the highlights include four metres at 1.21 per cent copper, 4.5 metres at 1.38 per cent copper and 1.5 metres at 0.96 per cent copper.
The Wangolo Prospect was the subject of drilling in the 1960s which defined some copper mineralisation.
The new discovery at Wangolo has copper grades which are consistent with other copper mines in the area.
Chrysalis undertook drilling at the Wangolo Prospect in late 2012, and the latest results from holes drilled northwest of the thick crosscutting hydrothermal dolomite confirm the extension of the shallow northeast dipping contact mineralisation.
These results, which substantiate the earlier 1960s drill results, will be included in resource modelling to be undertaken during April/May 2013.
Further exploration of the two styles of Wangolo mineralisation will focus on extending the boundaries of the existing hydrothermal dolomite to the northeast and locating similar mineralised cross-cutting structures that are thought to be dyke-like.
Chinese firms express interest in helping Zambia improve the railway network
Firms actively involved in China’s railway sector have expressed interest to help Zambia improve her railway sector to create a ‘super link’ across the country.
The firms would also be willing to look at the possibility of setting up an intra-town speed train service in Lusaka.
Transport and Communications Minister Christopher Yaluma said in an interview the two companies that had expressed interest were China Railway Construction Company and china Railway Engineering Company.
The two firms are involved in capital intensive projects undertaken in China.
China Railway had also been involved with the construction of the 1,800 km Tazara railway line and had highly skilled staff and expertise.
“We talked to them and will continue to look at other people that can help revamp our infrastructure. All provincial airports will be upgraded to international standard to compete favourably in the tourism industry as all areas of country will be easily accessible,” Mr Yaluma said.
He said to link Zambia with its neighbours by rail was a challenging and ambitious programme. The railway sector had been run down but revamping it had fringe benefits such as extending the life span of the road network as the mining industry would utilise the road as opposed to the current situation.
The other benefit of having a working railway system was the reduction in costs of doing business.
The proposed super link will connect Durban in South Africa to Lubumbashi in DR Congo and Benguela and Lobito in Angola.
Another line would connect Mpulungu harbour which is a gateway to the great lakes region to the Tazara rail line in Kasama’s Nseluka area.
The other would extend from Kafue into Zimbabwe through to the port of Beira in Mozambique.
Government approves the Decentralisation Policy to empower provinces and districts manage their own affairs
Government has approved the long awaited National Decentralisation Policy which will empower provinces and districts manage their own affairs for effective social economic development.
The new decentralisation policy would promote people’s participation in democratic governance at the local level.
The policy would also promote participation of chiefs and other traditional leaders in governance and preservation of cultural and heritage, whilst respecting cultural diversity.
Local Government and Housing minister Emerine Kabanshi announced the approval of the new decentralisation policy during a press briefing held at her office in Lusaka yesterday.
Ms Kabanshi said Cabinet approved the new national decentralisation policy during its meeting held in February this year.
Ms Kabanshi was, however, quick to mention that not all functions would be transferred to the councils, but that Central Government shall retain some core functions over essential national matters.
“The central government shall also continue to build capacity in councils for them to improve performance of such core functions as planning and budgeting, personnel and financial management,” she said.
She said the Government through Cabinet office shall also provide leadership and direction to implementation of devolution and implementation of the national decentralisation policy.
The minister called on stakeholders to take keen interest in the implementation of the policy, which sought to ensure that benefits of government programmes accrued to citizens regardless of political affiliation, cultural and economic status or indeed gender.
She said Government had this year embarked on devolution of some central government functions to cities, municipal and district councils in a phased manner.
“Government places great importance on local government, as it is the engine for delivering public infrastructure and services, local economic development and participation,” Ms Kabanshi said.
She said the decentralisation policy would bring about benefits such as the political stability which would be secured by active participation of the local people in developmental activities.
People would also participate in politics through voting and other governance practices such as civic education and democratic accountability.
She said the policy would empower provinces, districts and communities to achieve effective social economic development.
“The policy will also promote cooperative governance with the national government, provincial administration, provincial assemblies and local authorities to support and enhance the development role of local government,” she said.
She urged the media to help the ministry inform and educate the public on the implementation of the policy which had already commenced with the creation of districts.
The vision of the National decentralisation Policy was to promote a decentralised system of governance within a unitary State and the mission statement was to promote decentralised and democratically elected systems of governance which enhanced community participation.
I was honestly awarded with the diploma and I completed the course-Steven Masumba
Deputy Sports minister Steven Masumba has testified before the Lusaka magistrate’s court that he was honestly awarded with the diploma he is alleged to have forged because he successfully completed his accounting course.
Masumba told Principal Magistrate Wilfred Muma that it was painful to be accused of things he did not know.
He said the diploma in question was genuinely given to him by the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) because he passed all the three levels.
Masumba, 31, of NAPSA Housing Units, Ibex Hill, is charged with one count of obtaining pecuniary advantage by false pretences contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
But in opening his defence yesterday, Masumba refuted the allegations saying there were not only untrue but also unfounded.
He said this was so because according to his full knowledge, the diploma in contention was awarded to him in an honest manner because he successfully completed the course contrary to NIPA‘s claims that he failed the examinations.
Masumba who produced before court a copy of his statement of results which he said he allegedly struggled to ‘fish’ out from Mwinilunga Trades Training Institute said he qualified in the entire course the reason why he was awarded with the certificate.
He said the statement of result produced by NIPA was not correct because it had a irregularities.
Masumba said contrary to the allegations, he amassed 82 percent in basic accounting level one while in level two he obtained 72 percent and not 38 and 57 percent as was alleged respectively.
He also refuted claims by NIPA that he was absent in some subjects in the third level and maintained that he sat for all the levels.
Masumba said the statement he produced before court was signed by NIPA examiner Clive Kawana whom he would call as one of his two witnesses.
He continues to defend himself on May 9, 2013.
Meanwhile, a witness yesterday told the court that out of the 20 bicycles alleged to have been stolen by deputy Foreign Affairs minister Gabriel Namulambe, only one was retrieved.
This is in a matter in which Namulambe is charged with theft by public servant.
Zambia Police Senior Crime Intelligence Officer Alfred Foloko told Principal Magistrate Wilfred Muma that according to investigations, the bicycles were not delivered to Lufyanyama as planned but were diverted to Namulambe’s constituency in Mpongwe.
Mr Foloko, 36, said around January 2012 a team was constituted to investigate the alleged theft of bicycles at the ministry of Mines.
He said it was later discovered that 20 bicycles had been stolen from the Kitwe bureau.
He said according to investigations, two of the bicycles were given by Namulambe to two employees while the other 18 were delivered to Mpongwe.
He said only one of the two bicycles was retrieved while the other 19 were not.
Trial continues on May 9, 2013.
HH asks Court not to award him damages after State enters a nolle prosequi in the defamation case
Jack Mwiimbu
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema yesterday asked the a Lusaka Magistrate’s Court not to award any damages to him after
the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mutembo Nchito entered a nolle prosequi in the matter which was scheduled to commence trial yesterday.
Mr Hichilema has advised the State to channel the said damages towards poverty alleviation programmes.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Hichilema said costs for damages were paid from tax payers’ money who were not part of the State’s mistake to arrest him and wondered why he should accept the said damages without any conscious.
Resident Magistrate Boniface Mwiinga discharged discharged Mr Hichilema in a matter in which he was facing an offence of defaming the Republican President.
Magistrate Mwiinga in his ruling said the DPP’s decision to enter a nolle prosequi in the matter was trite Law which could not be challenged but to set the accused person free adding that the State was at liberty to re-arrest him because the court had not acquitted him.
“This matter is closed for now following the DPP’s decision to enter a nolle prosequi under section 81 and 82 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the accused is set free, he is at liberty but be reminded that a discharge is not an acquittal,” he said.
This was in a case in which Hichilema was charged with one count of defamation of President Michael Sata contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars allege that Hichilema, on January 13, this year, with intent to bring the President into hatred, ridicule and contempt, did publish a defamatory statement which was covered in the Daily Nation of January 14 this year.
Divisional Prosecutions Officer Desmond Mwanza called the matter and informed the court that the State was ready to proceed with trial but had an application to make before the matter could proceed.
“Your honour the accused person is present in court today, and the State is ready to proceed with trial but we want to inform the court that the State has received instructions from the DPP’s chambers to enter a nolle prosequi in the matter,” Mr Mwanza said.
Guy Scott urges Zambians in diaspora to wage campaign against negative media targeting President and PF Government
Vice President Guy Scott has urged Zambians in the diaspora to wage a vicious counter campaign against the negative media campaign targeting President Michael Sata and the Patriotic Front (PF) government.
Dr Scott said it was the responsibility of every Zambian including those living outside the country to speak well about their own country when it comes under unfair attacks.
The Vice President said it was unfortunate that President Sata and PF government have been accused of bad governance record by certain sections of society when it was in fact true that progress has been made in the governance system of the country since the PF came to power in 2011.
Dr Scott cited the issuance of permits to all political players and equal coverage by the media as some of the positive strides scored by the PF government under the leadership of President Michael Sata.
The Vice President was speaking last night at the Zambian High commission when he addressed Zambians living in Kenya during a get together function.
On the appointment of opposition members of parliament into cabinet, Dr Scott explained that they were invited because the PF has the minority numbers in the house adding that the trend was not new as other former presidents like the late Dr Levy Mwanawasa also did the same to strengthen the governance system of the country.
“The appointments of opposition members of parliament are not meant to create a one party state as it is being alleged,” said Dr Scott.
The Vice President also dismissed media reports that campaigns by other political parties have not been going on in the country.
Meanwhile, Vice President Dr Guy Scott said investigations into allegations of corruption by former leaders is a universal trend which was not only happening in Zambia.
In apparent reference to former president Rupiah Banda who is currently undergoing court proceedings for alleged corrupt practices, Dr Scott gave an example of Brazil where former president Lula da Silva is being investigated.
And Dr Scott has assured Zambians living in the diaspora that the constitution road map is being driven by serious people and that the good job they are doing will culminate into a good document by July 2013.
and contributing to a question and answer session, former president Dr Kenneth Kaunda appealed to Zambians in the diaspora not to worry about the constitution road map as it is being handled by a team of able Zambians lead by Justice Annel Silungwe and other honest men and women who should wind up work by end of this year.
“I want to respond on behalf of the vice president the wonderful job being done by the PF back home”, said Dr Kaunda.
A Zambian catholic priest living in Nairobi Father Edeus Kalyepe asked the vice president to shed light on the constitution road – map which he said had lost momentum and was not within the 90 days promise made by the PF during its campaigns before the 2011 elections.
Meanwhile, Finance deputy minister Miles Sampa said government was looking at the possibility of creating an attractive package through which bank accounts could be opened for Zambians living in the diaspora in which they would be contributing funds to help devlop the country.
And president of the Association of Zambians living in Kenya Dr Dennis Mwanza said most of them here are want to come back home as soon as their tours of duty are over.
Among the prominent Zambians working in Kenya are former Copperbelt University vice chanvellor professor Mutale Musonda, former supreme court judge Dr Frederick Chomba, Evangelical Fellowship Church Director for East Africa Rev Dr Japhet Ndhlovu and Civil Society activist Samuel Mulafulafu.
Earlier, Zambian High Commissioner to Kenya Mary Zambezi said the mission in Nairobi had set-up a think tank comprising the prominent Zambians led by Prof Musonda to explore investment opportunities in Kenya to help create jobs and develop the Zambian economy.
ZANIS
Government justifies the move taken by immigration authorities to block RB
Government has justified the move taken by the immigration authorities to block former republican President Rupiah Banda from travelling to Kenya for the inauguration ceremony of Kenya’s fourth President Mr Uhuru Kenyatta. In a media statement released to the media, the Government said that the former president was late for the event anyway.
Below is the full statement.
Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services
STATEMENT BY HON. MWANSA KAPEYA, MP, DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATIO AND BROADCASTING SERVICES ON FORMER PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA’S TRIP TO KENYA
Government wishes to clarify reports surrounding former President Rupiah Banda’s trip to Kenya where he was scheduled to attend the inauguration of that country’s fourth President Mr Uhuru Kenyatta which took place today.
I wish to confirm that the Government Joint Investigation Team (GJIT) has been keeping Mr Rupiah Banda’s passport as part of the police bond conditions in his ongoing corruption and abuse of office cases.
When his lawyers requested for the passport, the State complied with the court order and Mr Banda was given his passport last evening to enable him travel to Kenya today to attend the inauguration of that country’s fourth President.
However, Mr Rupiah Banda was booked on Kenyan Airways Flight KQ724 which was due to depart Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 11:00hrs which is 12:00 hours East African time.
He should have arrived in Nairobi by 16:00 hours East African time. Meanwhile, the inauguration ceremony in Nairobi started at 09:30 hours East African time and ended at noon.
Clearly, Mr Rupiah Banda was late for the function way before he even stepped his foot on the plane to leave for Kenya. We wonder the motive behind his desire to fly to Kenya even when he knew too well that he was late and would have found the function long finished.
The country is aware that Mr Rupiah Banda was warned and cautioned by the GJIT for many other offences in which he is due to be arrested.
For that reason, immigration authorities at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport were within their rights to stop him from travelling if he is on the police watch list.
Hon. Mwansa Kapeya, MP
DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES
9th April, 2013
Cosafa Endorses Zambia’s 2013 Bid
COSAFA has declared that Zambia is on course to host the 2013 COSAFA
Senior Challenge Cup in July.
A delegation from COSAFA led by Chief Operations Officer Sue Destombes
was in Zambia last week on an inspection visit of facilities ahead of
the 2013 COSAFA Cup from July 6-21.
In a statement, Destombes said Zambia’s preparations for the revived
regional showpiece were on track.
“Ndola and Lusaka were first-class, with the Railway Stadium in Kabwe just needing some minor refurbishment to bring it up to international standard,” Destombes said.
“Ndola is an excellent facility, while Lusaka was recently upgraded for the Zone VI Games held in Zambia and so those two venues are ready. Overall the state of preparedness for the COSAFA Cup is very good. Our visit went predictably well,” he added.
And FAZ General Secretary Officer George Kasengele said Zambia was ready to host a successful event.
“Our commitment to organizing and hosting a successful tournament is unquestionable. This regional championship will demonstrate our commitment and ability to organise even bigger championships and our campaign for the 2019 Africa Cup will be further boosted by what will
be a successful COSAFA championship in July.
Phiri Phiri Happy With GBFC Early Form
Coach Patrick Phiri says Green Buffaloes’ 2-2 draw with Lime Hotspurs in Saturday’s FAZ Super Division Week Three match in Kitwe was a good result.
Buffaloes have picked five points from three games with one win and two draws so far in the new season.
Phiri said Buffaloes would have beaten Lime in the early kick off match at Nkana Stadium had they performed accordingly.
“I am happy, a draw is a good result we were away from home. This is a game we could have won in the second half,” he said.
“I could have been happier with a win. My players were relaxed too much and allowed Lime to come up.They thought it was going to be an easy match,” the ex-Chipolopolo coach noted.
Buffaloes were in front with a third minute goal from Stephen Kabamba before Lime skipper Lameck Kafwaya grabbed a brace prior to the half time break and the Army side needed a late penalty converted by Kennedy Chola to equalise.
Phiri added:” I just hope that we will go back to our old self and maintain a clean sheet.”
Breakdown in Rule of Law as Zambian Authorities Illegally Prevent former President Banda from Travel to Kenya
Despite a court order releasing former President Rupiah Banda’s passport and official notification to immigration authorities approving his travel to Kenya for the inauguration, today authorities acting under instructions from President Michael Sata forcefully prevented him from boarding his flight, says his international lawyer Robert Amsterdam.
Former President Banda, who is currently facing a politically charged case, arrived to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka today for his flight to Nairobi bearing both his passport and a copy of the court order, but was stopped by immigration authorities that refused to process him, says Amsterdam.
At this point, an administrative assistant to former President Banda presented the court order from the Magistrate, which clearly orders the release of the passport and the permission to travel for the period of one week, and spoke by telephone with Zambia’s Chief Immigration Officer, who said “we have received orders not to process former President Banda from an authority higher than the court,” says Amsterdam.
“Today’s incident at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka represents a complete breakdown of the rule of law in Zambia, and a further indication that former President Banda cannot expect a fair trial,” said Amsterdam. “This shameful and embarrassing conduct is the result of an authoritarian state acting under the orders of a frightened and enfeebled president who is willing to break the law, violate rights, and ignore the judicial process in order to attack his opponents.”
Amsterdam continued: “Keep in mind that former President Banda has never been convicted of any wrongdoing, recall that the accusations against him are completely suspect, and, judging by thoroughly illegal handling removal of his immunity, it appears the Patriotic Front has lost all credibility as normal democratic government. This is not a normal case, and this is not a normal government, and today’s outrageous defilement of the judicial system is yet another reminder of the destruction wrought upon Zambia’s image as a democracy.”
Munkombwe will come back to UPND to beg for a job once the party ascends to power-Chibwe
United Party for National Development secretary general Winston Chibwe has described newly appointed Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe remarks against UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema as unfounded saying the opposition party was not moved by his allegations.
Chibwe said in an interview that Mr Munkombwe served in all Governments and there was a possibility he could still come back to the UPND to beg for a position when it forms Government in future.
“As UPND, we are not moved by the statement from Mr Munkombwe because we know what kind of a person he is. Since he has served in many Governments, when UPND forms a new Government, we know he will still come back to us to lobby for a position,” Mr Chibwe said.
He advised Mr Munkombwe to concentrate on his new appointment and work diligently instead of attacking the UPND at the expense of the much needed service delivery to Zambians.
Yesterday, Mr Munkombwe charged that the opposition UPND is not succeeding politically because of its leader Hakainde Hichilema who is allegedly running the party on tribal basis.
Mr Munkombwe, a veteran politician, said the Patriotic Front’s (PF) recent scooping of opposition held Livingstone parliamentarian seat from the UPND, was a good indication that the ruling party had safely penetrated the province.
He said politics of tribalism and individualism allegedly being championed by Mr Hichilema in Southern Province had continued to cost the party’s ability to grow.
“UPND also died the very day late Mazoka died. If you make individual calculations, you can see somebody who will form a Government like I saw that MMD will not form Government. I don’t think UPND in its current state can form a Government.
“As a veteran politician, I can’t even give advice to arrogant leaders. Tribalism in itself is insufficient because it only confines itself to a small area and not the country at large. This is dangerous,” he said.
He said the death of UPND leader Anderson Mazoka also marked the ‘death’ and continuous sinking of the opposition party under Mr Hichilema.
[pullquote]“UPND also died the very day late Mazoka died. If you make individual calculations, you can see somebody who will form a Government like I saw that MMD will not form Government. I don’t think UPND in its current state can form a Government.[/pullquote]
He said the PF managed to win the Livingstone seat because it never confined itself to campaigns on tribal lines adding that the party would continue to pull more votes within the province.
He advised Zambians to denounce politics bordering on tribal lines saying such political acts were not healthy to uniting citizens and subsequently fostering national development.
“I have been in politics for many years and I can see that the people of Southern Province are getting tired, irritated for voting for UPND under tribal and regional basis,” he said.
He said the people of Southern Province had seen nothing concrete with some politicians promoting tribalism hence most of them had resorted to joining PF because of its inclusive policies.
Mr Munkombwe said the Livingstone seat was scoped by PF due to team work exhibited by the PF leadership.
He said the victory could not only be attributed to him alone but the entire ruling party because they promoted the spirit of togetherness and running the party inclusively.
He urged Mr Hichilema to consider forming a coalition of already existing opposition parties saying that could be an avenue for him to form a Government in future.
He said President Michael Sata was moving national affairs in the right direction and was confident that Government would deliver tangible developmental projects that Zambians wanted.
He pledged to play a cardinal role of stabilising the ruling party to make it stronger as long as he was still energetic because he was impressed with its political ideologies.
He said he managed to work with all Governments in the past because he was hardworking, honest and combative in politics which had helped him to be co-opted by many Governments.
Government to increase development pace – Chikwanda
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda says Government wants to increase the pace at which the Zambian economy is developing in order to improve the welfare of people in the country.
Speaking today when he met the Government leader of Shenzeng in the Chinese Province of Guangdong, Mr Chikwanda said government is not impressed with the rate at which Zambia is developing.
“We want it to develop 10 times at this rate, so we are currently working very hard so that we can develop the way that China is developing,” he said.
He said the country has enormous resources with a good climate and peaceful people who are culturally hospitable, which he described as value addition to economic development.
Mr Chikwanda observed that the most precious resource that a country could have is people saying China managed to develop because the construction works of its massive infrastructure was labour intensive.
He attributed China’s heroic performance in developing to the Cultural Revolution by Chairman Mao, the founding father of that country.
Mr Chikwanda stated that chairman Mao instilled confidence in the people of China saying people cannot make innovations without confidence.
“He made the Chinese people believe in themselves after which they worked together to contribute to the development of China,” he said.
He observed that Zambia has been lagging behind because there have been no innovations and that people have been adopting the western culture.
“People want to dress like those of the western,” he said.
Mr Chikwanda commended China for its support in implementing developmental programmes especially in infrastructure development, which he said is a major factor to development.
He stated that Zambia has nearly the same population as Shenzeng with a vast land of 752, 000 square kilometers though development in Shenzeng has grown at a tremendous speed.
And Mr Xu Qin said Zambia has the potential to grow due to its enormous natural resources of water and minerals.
Mr Qin said China wants to make Shenzeng as an economic model due to developments made through the establishment an economic zone.
Earlier, a high level delegation of Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other government officials led by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda today visited Shenzeng Museum to get a clear understanding of how the established economic zones transformed Shenzeng into one of the richest cities in China.
Shenzeng city leads in high-tech, financial services, foreign trade, shipping and creative cultural industries, which have also been enhanced with the country’s structural reforms and broader opening to the outside world.
ZANIS