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THE MMD Die Hard Youth Wing has charged that those party members against the National Executive Committee (NEC)’s decision for the former ruling party not to contest the Lukulu and Kapiri-Mposhi by elections are disgruntled masqueraders.
MMD Die Hard Youth Wing national coordinator Bowman Lusambo said in an interview yesterday that there was no youth in the party who was against the decision not contest the two by elections.
Mr Lusambo said contrary to assertions by some so-called MMD members, the resolution not to participate in the Lukulu and Kapiri-Mposhi by elections was arrived at collectively and not by president Nevers Mumba alone.
“No MMD youth is against the decision by the NEC that the party should stay away from the Lukulu and Kapiri-Mposhi by elections. In fact, as the MMD Die Hard Youth Wing, we are happy and behind the decision which was made by NEC.
“MMD is a very big party and thus the decision was arrived at collectively and not by one individual. We are, therefore, warning those masquerading as MMD to stop issuing falsehoods because they have been paid to do so. They are wasting their time because MMD will never be derailed from our goal of getting back into power in 2016,” he said.
Mr Lusambo said the decisions advanced by the former ruling party to boycott the two forthcoming by elections were valid as the MMD wanted to concentrate on re-building and re-organising itself coupled with a “24/7” recruitment exercise ahead of the 2016 general elections.
“By so doing (re-organising, re-building and recruiting), when we have the general elections in 2016, Nevers Sekwila Mumba will be 100 per cent ready to face any opponent,” Mr Lusambo said.
And Mr Lusambo has described as unfortunate and shameful Government’s “harassment” of Zambian traders, especially mealie meal dealers, at border areas.
Mr Lusambo accused Government of having failed in its agricultural policies and thus was venting its anger against mealie meal traders at border posts, warning that the move to interfere with the operations of those business persons would not help Government in any way.
He bragged that when the MMD was in power, people from neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) used to buy things from various sectors of Zambia’s economy, but that mealie meal shortages being experienced in some parts of the country currently did not occur because of that.
“We (MMD) left things in order. I assure you that come 2016, MMD will bounce back and the country will be transformed because will pick up from where left,” he said.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) party leadership in Kalabo has assured its area Member of Parliament (MP) Chinga Miyutu of its total support of his ministerial positing in the PF government.
The UPND party leadership led by District Constituency Chairman Muyambango Kwaleyela says it will rally behind Mr. Miyutu in all his programmes to develop the constituency.
ZANIS reports that the opposition party made the resolve during a meeting with Mr. Miyutu, who is also the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Sports.
The resolution followed Mr. Kwaleyela’s demand from Mr. Miyutu to clarify on what transpired in Lusaka leading to his appointment as deputy minister since the UPND in the area was aware of his appointment.
Mr. Miyutu was among several opposition MPs who were appointed to deputy ministerial posts by Republican President Micheal Sata.
Mr. Kwaleyela told Mr. Miyutu that UPND was initially worried of his position in the PF government as reports reaching Kalabo indicated that he had crossed to PF, a situation he described to be disturbing if the information received were true.
He however, Mr. Miyutu clarified his position on the matter saying that he was still the area MP despite his appointment as deputy minister in the PF government.
He said he had accepted the appointment to work with the PF administration, a situation he said he will utilize to serve his constituency even better.
Republican President Mr. Michael Sata on 5th March, 2013 appointed Mr. Miyutu and his Sinjembela constituency counterpart Poniso Njeulu to deputy ministerial postings.
“ It was an invitation he said was difficult to refuse to accept as it is disrespectful to refuse an invitation from an elderly person and more so a Head of State, “ he said .
He also said he felt compelled to respond positively to the president’s invitation because he did not know what it meant and even when he was told while there, he felt it was worthy taking as doing so was an added advantage to position in parliament.
Mr. Miyutu further said he accepted President Sata’s appointment as deputy minister of sports as the president explained to him why he chose him to be part of his government and that as an MP his role was to serve the people he represents and uphold the constitution, adding that his appointment was within the confinements of the law.
Mr. Miyutu has since advised the UPND to be calm and get the benefits of his position in government.
Mr. Miyutu who is in a familiarization tour of Kalabo district and his constituency respectively following his ministerial posting .
Commissioning of the Chipata-Munchija Rail Line in 2010
GOVERNMENT says it is in the process of securing wagons in order to operationalise the Chipata-Mchinji Railway line project in Eastern Province.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda said in Chipata on Saturday that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government was now in the process of securing wagons in order to operationalise the railway line project in Eastern Province.
Colonel Kaunda said the railway line had taken time to become operational because it was being run by Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) whose concession was cancelled by the Government.
In September last year, Government through Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda announced the cancellation of concession of RSZ operations in the country.
Col Kaunda said the lack of political will by the MMD Government also contributed to the delay in making the project a success after its official launch in 2010.
“There are two factors why the project had not become operation, the first thing is because RSZ whose concession was canceled were not serious with the project and the other was because of the laziness of the previous government(MMD) which had politicize the project but the PF Government will operationalise the project this year,” Col Kaunda said.
He said the PF Government through Zambia Railways is set to acquire wagons to enable the project to start functioning.
He said companies under Public Private Partnership (PPP) would soon start transporting goods to NACALA port in Mozambique using the railway line.
Col Kaunda said the railway line would not become a white elephant again, because the Government was determined to link the railway line project to Tanzania –Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) via Petauke District.
And Chipata Central Member of Parliament (MP) Reuben Mtolo Phiri said the operationalisation of the Chipata-Mchinji Railway line project by the Government would act as a catalyst towards the economic emancipation of Eastern Province.
Mr Phiri said transport plays a major role in business adding that the railway line was an important component in the enhancement of economic development.
He said the railway line would significantly reduce the cost of doing business not only in Eastern Province but Zambia.
Mr Phiri also said he was expecting that part of the Euro Bond money would be pumped into the project to revamp the Chipata-Mchinji railway line.
THE Government has assured farmers in Zambia that it will address the issue of fertilizer distribution to avoid delays in planting in the next farming season.
Central province Permanent Secretary Anne Sinyangwe who was speaking during a field tour for farmers organized by the Zambia Institute of Research
(ZIR) in Kabwe said, Government was in the process of opening tenders for supply of urea while D compound would be sourced locally from Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ).
Ms Sinyangwe said this was being done because Government wanted to bring to an end the uncertainty which characterized the distribution of inputs during the 2012/13 farming season.
“We want to make sure that there are no delays in the distribution of farming inputs from now onwards,” she said.
She, however, asked the farmers to consider diversifying to other crops such as cassava, millet and sorghum saying diversification was key to food security.
Meanwhile, Ms Sinyangwe warned unscrupulous dealers who were in the habit of selling fake seeds to farmers saying this would soon be a thing of the past as government would introduce a seed laboratory to curb the situation.
She also said Government was considering investing in technology and research in view of climatic changes.
And Kabwe Central Member of Parliament (MP) James Kapyanga said field trips played an important role in dissemination of information to farmers and educated them on good agriculture practice.
The field trip was attended by farmers from different areas of the province.
PRESIDENT Michael Sata is scheduled to arrive in China on Thursday, 4th April 2013 for a state visit .
Whilst is China, which is also the World’s second biggest economy, President Sata will also attend one of Asia’s leading regional economic for a called , Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Boao, Hainan province south of the capital of Beijing.
President Sata and 25 other Heads of State and government leaders will share opinions on pressing issues with a view of promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.
ZANIS staffer Shupe Nkunika reports from Beijing . China that this is according to a tentative programme released by the Zambian Embassy in China.
President Sata and his Algerian counterpart Abdel Kader Bensallah are the only two African leaders who will attend the BFA to be held between April 6th to 8th in Boao island of Hainan Province over 100 kilometers south of capital, Beijing.
The Head of State who is expected to make a presentation at the BFA will also hold official bilateral talks with his host President Xi Jingping which will culminate into the signing of bilateral agreements at Sheraton hotel in Sanya.
The BFA will be held under the theme ‘Asia Seeking Development for All: Restructuring, Responsibility & Cooperation’ and is scheduled to take place between April 6th to 8th this week.
President Sata will also deliver a key note at the Sub Forum, Africa: Rise of an Ancient Continent.
He is also scheduled to meet government leaders of Shenzen on to discuss issues surrounding economic zones.
Shenzen has experienced rapid economic development which has transformed it from a small fishing village to one of China’s leading industrial hubs.
Zambia is currently planning to establish industrial clusters in all the ten provinces with the aim of improving trade and commerce in the country.
He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese Premier of the State Council Li Kequiang and chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Part Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, Home Affairs Minister Effron Lungu and Commerce Minister Emmanuel Chenda and other government officials, are expected to accompany the Republican President.
On arrival in Beijing, the Head of State will be received by Mines Minister Christopher Yamfwa, Transport Minister Christopher Yaluma and Tourism Deputy Minister David Phiri.
The Head of State will meet the Zambian community living in China and attend the Zambia-China economic and investment forum to be hosted by the Zambian Embassy and China Non Ferrous Metal Mining Company before concluding his business in China.
Director of Communications in the Office of the MMD President Muhabi Lungu has slammed Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba for threatening to withhold Rupiah Banda’s monthly pension.
Mr. Kabimba was quoted in the local media threatening thats government will have no choice but to stop releasing Mr. Banda’s monthly pension if he continues involving himself in politics.
Mr. Kabimba’s warning stemmed from Mr. Banda’s international lawyer Robert Amsterdam’s continued defence of Mr. Banda in the media from perceived political attacks on his client.
[pullquote]It is petty and childish for a learned Counsel to be making such threats when he fully knows that Mr. Banda voluntarily retired from politics and he deserves to get his pension because he worked for it,” Mr. Lungu stated.[/pullquote]
But Mr. Lungu said the Justice Minister is being childish by threatening Mr. Banda over his pension which he rightly worked for.
“This is the kind of politics that we surely should be moving away from as a nation. It is petty and childish for a learned Counsel to be making such threats when he fully knows that Mr. Banda voluntarily retired from politics and he deserves to get his pension because he worked for it,” Mr. Lungu stated.
He said it is unfair for Mr. Kabimba to expect Mr. Banda or his lawyers not to defend him when he is constantly being attacked and ridiculed by some sections of the media.
“Does the Justice Minister expect Mr. Banda’s friends or indeed his lawyers to keep quiet when he is being maligned every day in the newspapers? I think the Justice Minister needs to show maturity on this matter. He is being childish, this reminds me of those kinds of people Kenneth Kaunda would call “scared little men in suits.”
Mr. Lungu urged all well-meaning Zambians to denounce the kind of politics that Mr. Kabimba is playing for the interest of the nation.
“Hon Kabimba is playing the kind of politics we call mob rule, he expects everybody to agree with his reasoning even if it does not meet the basic standards of fairness and soundness.”
President Michael Sata has clarified that Rwandese Lundazi Catholic Parish Priest Fr Viateur Banyangandora was deported because the clergyman engaged himself in internal and active politics of Zambia.
Mr. Sata said government decided to deport Fr. Banyangandora, who has since returned back in Zambia, to teach him a lesson about engaging himself in external matters of a foreign land.
President said this in Chongwe today during the Easter Sunday Mass held at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church.
The Head of State said it is after consultations with the Rwandese government that his administration learnt that Fr. Banyangandora had ‘repented’ and have since recalled him back to serve and continue evangelizing in Zambia.
Mr. Sata said he then directed Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu to allow Fr. Banyangandora to return to Zambia and continue his work in bringing the lost sheep to Christ.
He reiterated the Zambian government’s commitment to enjoying warm cordial and bilateral relationship with Rwanda despite that country being ‘war torn’.
In January, this year, Fr. Banyangandora returned to Zambia after staying four months in his native country Rwanda.
President Michael Sata also said that development in Zambia can accelerate when there is peace. President Sata said that without love, there can be no meaningful development in the country. Mr. Sata commended the Zambian people for exhibiting peace even in difficult situations.
The President used the occasion to donate KR50,000 (K50million) towards the construction of the wall fence at the church.
The Catholic mass was attended by some cabinet ministers, among them Chongwe member of Parliament and Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo, Emmanuel Chenda (Commerce) Chris Yaluma (Transport) Joseph Katema (Community Development) Joseph Kasonde Health, Some Permanent Secretaries, senior government and PF party official and Christians from other church denominations.
He condemned acts of hatred saying the vice could not unity and develop then nation.
“As Christians we ought to forgive each other when one offends the another noting that no one is a perfect person as he or she lives on earth, “he said.
“If we have hatred forget about going to heaven. Let’s learn to forgive one another because no one is perfect and if you have hatred, forget about going to heaven,” he said.
The head of state said the Easter holiday should allow Christians to reflect and be considerate to one another’s doings by showing love and forgiveness.
Mr. Sata on Easter Friday attended a church service at St Ignatius catholic church in Lusaka to demonstrate his Christianity.
President Sata accompanied by his wife, the First Lady Christine Kaseba aboard a presidential Chopper arrived at Chongwe basic School grounds at 09:30 hours and left at 13:50 hours after attending close to four-hour church mass.
And President Sata said once resources were abundant, it is the wish of his administration to employ ‘everyone’ so that they could live a sustainable life.
And St. Pails Catholic Church In-Charge Gabriel Mwanamwalye urged Christians in their respective portfolios to have passion for the poor.
Father Mwanamwalye said poverty is Zambia was rife and implored the Christians and the politicians in particular to govern the country well so that the nation’s wealth is fully distributed even to the less privileged people.
He supported the PF Government’s strives to fighting corruption because the vice is detrimental.
The Catholic Priest called on Christians to be hard working and responsible in the development of the country because government alone cannot manage.
St. Paul’s Catholic Church Chairperson Andrew Sakala disclosed that the church has embarked on various income generating ventures to raise funds to enable the church over-come it challenges of water, construction of a kitchen as well as contributions from church members.
Mr. Sakala thanked President Sata and the first lady Dr. Kaseba for worshiping with them in rural areas despite their national busy schedule.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II commended President Sata for linking not only Chongwe district but the nation as a whole to the link Zambia 8000.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya observed that Zambia is headed for development under the leadership of President Sata hence the massive defection of opposition members to the ruling Patriotic Front from their respective political parties.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya said unlike other past heads of State, they only rehabilitated major roads instead of creating new ones.
She further commended President Sata for re-aligning some districts among them Siavonga from Southern to Lusaka thereby adding the number of traditional leaders from seven to nine.
The Soli traditional leader said this in preference to Chief Chipepo of Siavonga and a named chief from Itezhi-tezhi.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya, who is also House of Chiefs Chairperson, appealed to President Sata to remove the House of Chiefs from the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs because that way, chiefs would be directly responsible under a right ministry.
She called for training among the traditional leaders at the Chalimbana University College because such trainings were long overdue.
The Soli chief urged chiefs in the country against engaging themselves in active politics because it was de-meaning their status in society.
Red Arrows have dealt Zanaco a major blow ahead of their CAF Champions League trip this week away to Orlando Pirates.
Arrows beat Zanaco 1-0 just six days before the Bankers face Pirates in Johannesburg.
Mundia Lubinda secured the three points for Arrows in the 5th minute of this delayed FAZ Super Division Week One game played at Sunset Stadium.
Zanaco are still without a league win after two games played in the Super Division with one point.
Zanaco trace their last win to February 23 when they since beat Napsa Stars 4-2 in the Charity Shield semifinals.
They currently trail Pirates 1-0 from the first leg of the Champions League first round tie.
Meanwhile, Arrows shift to four points after two games played ahead of their big day away at Godfrey Ucar Chitalu stadium this weekend when they visit Kabwe Warriors.
“They will flog Him and kill Him; and on the third day He will rise again.”
(Luke 18:33, AMP)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Every year all over the world, people honor Good Friday as the day Jesus was crucified. It was the darkest, most painful, discouraging day of His life. To others, it looked as if it was over. It looked as if His enemies had gotten the best of Him. But God had other plans. Jesus’ enemies put Him in the grave on Friday, celebrating their victory, but Sunday morning was a different story. The grave could not hold Him. Death couldn’t contain Him. The forces of darkness couldn’t stop Him. On the third day, Jesus came out of the grave and said, “I was dead, but now I am alive forevermore.”
One principle that the resurrection teaches us is that God will always finish what He started. No matter how dark it looks, no matter how long it’s been, no matter how many people are trying to push you down; if you will stay in faith, God will always take you from Friday to Sunday. You will see your day of breakthrough because God will complete what He started.
If you are going through a dark time today, remember that your day of resurrection, your “Sunday,” is on the way! Keep standing, keep believing because soon you will rise up and embrace the victory He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for Your resurrection power that is alive in me. I choose to keep my eyes on You, the Author and Finisher of my faith. Thank You that no matter how dark it looks, my day of breakthrough is on its way in Jesus’ name! Amen!
FILE: People in a queue for mealie meal in Chililabombwe
Police in Kitwe have told to delagation from of Home Affairs officials that some senior Government officials are involved in the smuggling of maize and mealie meal into the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC
Kitwe District staff officer, Joseph Chitabo said that the Police are fearful of losing their jobs if arrested those perpetrating the smuggling of Mealie Meal.
Mr Chitabo said that the people involved in the vice are senior government officials adding that it was difficult for officers to get in the way of such individuals for fear of losing their jobs.
It also came to light that Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Stephen Kampyongo is well aware of the development.
However, Mr.Kampyongo has assured the officers that the law is there to protect them and that there will be no sacred cows.
Mr Kampyongo said it was saddening to learn that some public officers were actively participating in the smuggling of mealie-meal.
Mr. Kampyongo said disciplinary measures would be given on such officers as no one is above the law.
“As Government, we have always sent food across the boarder but we have to control the movement of illegality. It does not pay to watch crime and ignore it,” Mr. Kampyongo said.
Agriculture Deputy Minister Rogers Mwewa said Government would ensure that all those involved in the smuggling of mealie meal were dealt with and commended Copperbelt Police Commissioner Mary Tembo for trying had to stop the smuggling.
Meanwhile, Government has directed mealie-meal traders at Kasumbalesa boarder to remove the commodity from their depots at the boarder and sale it in Chililabombwe within 24 hours.
Home Affairs deputy minister Alfrida Kansembe said all mealie-meal traders at the boarders should sale the commodity at a retail price from Chililabombwe shops.
Ms Kansembe said during an on-the-spot check that Government will seize the mealie-meal and demolish the depots at the border if the directive was not implemented.
Ms Kansembe, flanked by Home Affairs deputy minister Stephen Kapyongo and Agriculture deputy minister Rogers Mwewa, said Government was aware that mealie-meal was being sold at exorbitant prices at an expense of poor Zambians.
“We have given you two days to start offloading the mealie-meal bags to Chililabombwe retail shops and police officers will ensure that all mealie-meal is moved and sold at K55,000.
“Get trade permits otherwise government will seize your mealie-meal and demolish all these depots, we cannot watch you participate in illegality,” she said.
And Assistant commissioner of police Kannedy Chiswe said police had recovered 24,532 25kg bags of mealie-meal, 1033 abandoned ones, 2820 50kg sugar bags and 57 bicycles.
Mr Chiswe said some people were given money in advance to supply mealie-meal.
The Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has urged the nation to reflect during this Easter holiday and consider what God has done for them in the past and present to come up with a better future..
ZEC Spokesperson Paul Samasumo says all Christians and non Christians alike should reflect very carefully this Easter so that they could reconcile their lives with Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of God.
Father Samasumo says Christians should thank themselves and appreciate their being on earth because the Easter period gives hope to them.
ZANIS reports that the ZEC spokesperson was speaking in an interview in Lusaka today on the sidelines of the four-days Easter Holiday which is celebrated by Christians in Zambia and world-wide.
“Easter is an important ceremony in the Christian calendar because it gives us hope. During this period, all those calling themselves Christians should reflect and find time to go to church, should love and pray for one another, our families, the nation and those in difficulties,” Fr. Samasumo said.
He said the death of Christ our Lord symbolizes the love Jesus the way he loved the people hence reconciling with him is the only key.
Republican President Michael Sata , yesterday, joined hundreds of parishioners at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Lusaka for Easter celebrations at which Priest Joe Kearney urged Zambians to embrace love for one another.
The President took time to share a light moment with several congregants and also shook hands with children who jostled to see him before he and his entourage entered the Cathederal just in time for the Easter mass.
A solemn occasion engulfed the church service when the youth performed the ‘Passion of the Christ’ movie in sketch depicting how Jesus Christ was crucified.
A solemn sketch was being performed where Jesus was questioned, denied three times by one of his disciple Peter, beaten by soldiers and subsequently crucified on the cross as some parishioners could not help but shade tears.
President Sata watched silently as Choir members took turns in showering the sketch with various gospel melodies. Thereafter President Sata kissed the cross as a way of showing homage to God.
And In his sermon quoting from the Bible readings in Isaiah 52:13 and Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, Fr Kearney called on Zambians to remain united and show love for one another.
Fr Kearney called on the parishioners to embrace the cross of Jesus Christ in any way each person liked by either kissing or touching the cross to demonstrate their deep understanding with their Lord, Jesus Christ.
Vice President Guy Scott says the Patriotic Front (PF) has eaten up the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) to a point that the former ruling party is virtually dead.
And Dr Scott has appealed to the people of Lukulu district to vote for the Patriotic Front (PF) candidate Eileen Imbae in the April 23 Lukulu parliamentary by elections.
“ Their (MMD ) failure to field a candidate in the Lukulu and Kapiri Mposhi by elections is proof enough that the MMD is heading for extinction, “ said Dr Scott.
ZANIS reports The Vice President said this yesterday when he addressed scores of people at a rally to drum up support for Ms Imbae in the newly created Mitete district in Western Province.
Dr Scott said the dream and hopes of the PF where the same as that of the MMD at its conception but that the difference was the people who were implementing those dreams.
He said MMD leaders forgot about the people they promised to serve and became corrupt and selfish adding that they got more interested in amassing wealthy for themselves at the expense of the people.
Dr Scott urged MMD members to ditch the former ruling party and join the PF which he said is a vibrant and action oriented party.
And Dr Scott said the PF Government is creating new districts in the country in order to take development as closer to the people as possible.
He said the creation of Mitete district will result in the construction of between 230 to 250 houses for civil servants in the area.
The Vice President also promised to install a telecommunications mast in Mitete district so people can be communicating saying they cannot be a district without telecommunication network.
He also pledged Government’s commitment to construct the Kaoma Lukulu road via Mitete which is under the Link Zambia 8000 project, adding that Government will in the maintain bring a pontoon to connect the district to other surrounding areas.
Dr Scott said the PF Government is also enhancing border controls in order to control cattle disease which is an impossible undertaking if border posts remain porous.
Speaking earlier, Community Development Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister Jean Kapata said Mitete district will benefit eight rural health centers of the 600 health posts Government intends to construct countrywide.
Ms Kapata said Mitete district has remained underdeveloped in the last 48 years because the MMD Government failed to deliver development to the area.
She said it has only taken the PF Government one and half years to upgrade the area to district standard saying as a result a big hospital, high school, police post and many other infrastructure will be constructed in the area.
And PF campaign manager for the Lukulu by elections Nathaniel Mubukwanu urged the people of Lukulu district to vote for Ms Imbae who he described as a reasonable woman who will work tirelessly to ensure that people’s lives are improved.
Mr. Mubukwanu said the people of Lukulu and Mitete should vote for the ruling party candidate if they want to see meaningful development to take place in the area.
And Gender Minister Inonge Wina said the opposition are inciting citizens to challenge the PF Government over governance issues because they want to keep the people of Zambia in captivity.
She said the captivity that the opposition want to keep the people of Zambia in is underdevelopment and poverty which she said is the only thing the opposition know how to do best while they are busy amassing wealthy for themselves.
She warned the people of Mitete not to listen to opposition leaders as they only want to use the people of Zambia to their own benefit.
Mrs. Wina also urged women in Mitete district to form clubs in order to access women empowerment funds under her district and improve their living standards.
PF Deputy Secretary General Bridget Atanga urged voters to shun parties that only had tribal and regional inclinations saying there is need to promote unity in the country.
Mrs. Atanga said the PF Government was made up of members from different races and tribes, which she said makes the ruling party unique and attractive.
And Ms Imbae pledged to take development to Mitete once voted into office, saying she will leave no stone unturned to ensure people’s living standards in the area were uplifted.
The Health Workers Union has defended nurses and other health practitioners for allegations of negligence by the public.
The Union says the allegation of poor service by health workers which has led public outcry is exaggerated.
In an interview with Qfm news, Union National Organizing Secretary Bruno Tembo says people must realize that the health sector is strained by inadequate manpower.
Mr. Tembo says it is unfortunate in some health institutions in the country, 50 patients are allocated to one nurse in a shift and that this development has a negative effect on how she attends to all them.
He says it will only be fair if the development is blamed on government which has the mandate to recruit more health staff.
Mr. Bruno says nurses are doing their best to ensure that those seeking medical attention are attended to and that this must be appreciated.
Recently a woman at Kitwe Central Hospital delivered in a car and accused health personnel of negligence and Health Minister Joseph Kasonde has instituted investigations to establish what transpired.
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has accused the Patriotic Front of having infiltrated institutions that are mandated with safeguarding the welfare of Zambians.
Mr. Hichilema has cited the Human Rights Commission, the Zambia Police Service and other Law enforcement agencies as having been operating under political instructions.
The UPND leader says such developments are detrimental to the growth of the country’s democracy and good governance.
He says the government has instilled fear in public institutions which has resulted in them deviating from their objectives to serving the interests of ruling Patriotic Front.
Mr. Hichilema says even the Zambia Center for Inter-Party Dialogue (ZCID) which he says was vibrant under the MMD regime has gone mute.
He says since the PF assumed office in September 2011, ZCID has never presided over any complaints from the opposition as it is scared of the wrath of the PF.
The UPND leader was speaking in an interview with Qfm news.
File:President Michael Sata greets children at St Ignatius Catholic Church
President Michael Sata was among thousands of people who gathered at the Saint Ignatius Catholic Church to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ who died on Good Friday.
Easter holiday is mostly attended by Christians not only in Zambia but world-wide to demonstrating reconciliation with God. Jesus resurrected on Sunday morning after being crucified and dying for three days.
President Sata who arrived at the church at 14-50 hours stayed for over three and he left at 18-10 hours local time, watched a one-hour sketch performed by the church members depicting the death of Jesus Christ.
Mr. Sata also kissed the cross to symbolize homage to Christ. Other Christians followed suit in kissing the cross of Jesus.
Saint Ignatius Catholic Parish Church Priest Joe Keaney who presided the church service urged Christians to exercise love and unity during and beyond the Easter holiday.
Priest Keaney said vengeance is not for Christians but implored them to forgive one another because this is what Christianity is all about.
The mass was attended by some cabinet ministers among them Commerce Minister Emmanuel Chenda and Transport minister Chris Yaluma, Permanent Secretaries, senior government officials, Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor Dr. Bwalya Ngandu, former Commerce Minister in the Rupiah Banda administration Felix Mutati.
Others included veteran politician Aaron Milner, dedicated believers.
Yesterday, President Michael Sata urged Zambians to celebrate Easter responsibly and remember the plight of the less fortunate of our society.
In his Easter message, the President described Easter as an important feast on the Christian calendar.
The head of state reminded leaders to have love for everyone as that would help to keep the promises they make to the people and also help Government in stirring the country forward.
as we celebrate Easter, Christians should do so responsibly and be mindful of those less fortunate than themselves.
“Easter should be a time of good will and expression of unconditional love to one another. Let us love each other. This is the greatest teaching that Jesus left us,” President Sata said.
