MMD Women National Chairperson Faustina Sinyangwe has warned her predecessor Catherine Namugala to desist from issuing unwarranted attacks on the MMD leadership.

Mrs. Sinyangwe said Ms. Namugala is no longer a member of the MMD following her expulsion and that her attempts to call for a national convention are lacking in the ideals provided for in the party constitution.

She said Ms Namugala’s motives to fight the MMD through a parallel structure are an act of selfishness and will not yield positive results.

Mrs. Sinyangwe added that for as far as the MMD is concerned, the next national convention will take place in 2016 and that there is no crisis that would warrant an extra ordinary National executive Committee (NEC) convention.

Mrs. Sinyangwe was speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka this morning.

And speaking at the same occasion, MMD national treasurer Mwansa Mbulakulima has clarified that MMD president Nevers Mumba is not on any salary or allowance for being party president.

Mr. Mbulakulima who is also Chembe Member of Parliament said Dr. Mumba’s services as party president are purely out of sacrifice.

He said allegations by Ms. Namugala that the MMD leader is demanding more contributions from MMD parliamentarians to sustain his lucrative life are unfounded.

[QFM]

First Republican President has called on youths not to allow themselves to be used as tools of violence.

Dr Kaunda said time had come for youths to position themselves as front-liners in promoting peace and forge development.

Dr Kaunda said this in Lusaka yesterday during a church service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross to celebrate youth week.

Dr Kaunda said Zambians and youths in general should embrace the motto, “One Zambia One Nation” which had managed to unite the country’s 73.

“We should abide the by the commandment which says love your neighbour as you love yourself, and youths should not be used as tools of violence,” he said.

He said it was important for the country to continue existing in a peaceful environment that continued to exist since independence.

And deputy Minister in the office of the Vice President Davises Mhango called on stakeholders in the country to join hands with the Government of the day in order to eliminate many challenges young people go through in the nation.

Mr Mhango said government alone will not manage to resolve and tackle adequately the many problems and challenges, which have engulfed the young generation.

He said this can be achieved through the contributions of all concerned stakeholders the problem would easily be resolved. Mr Mhango said government remains committed to job creation for the youth in the nation.

He said this was the reason why Government established some schemes such as the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) with a sole purpose of empowering many youths and the general citizens deserving to benefit from the funds.

He challenged the youth in the nation that this is the occasion for them to reflect the contribution young people have rendered toward the development of the nation for the benefit of all people.

He said good Youth learn from their good parents’ better morals which make them become profitable in society as opposed to involving themselves into violent activities, which just ruin their future.

He praised Dr Kaunda for having fought for the liberalization of the nation when he started fighting together with others not still existing for our independence.

He said Dr Kaunda liberated this country when he was still a youth adding that all young people should emulate the good works of the First President.

Grace Ministry Pastor Eddy Chanda said it was sad that youths in the nation were being used by politicians for their political advantages to cause violence during bye elections.

The Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has appealed to government to consider advising Malawian Judge Lovemore Chikopa to return to his country and only come back to Zambia when the tribunal he is supposed to chair commences sitting.

SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma has said that the continued stay of the Malawian judge in the country is unnecessary.

Mr. Chibuluma said that there was no need for Judge Chikopa to continue staying in the country at the expense of tax payers’ money when he can return to his country.

He said that it was clear that the tribunal is on hold and that no work can be done in that regard.

On Friday, parliament herd that Malawian Judge Lovemore Chikopa who was invited by Government to chair a tribunal instituted by President Michael Sata to probe three judges is still in Zambia.

Vice President Guy Scott told the House that Judge Chikopa was in the country and that the tribunal to be chaired by the Malawian Judge was still on.

“Mr Speaker, Judge Chikopa is around and the tribunal is on,” he said. He was responding to MMD Vubwi Member of Parliament (MP) Eustarkio Kazonga who wanted to know the whereabouts of Judge Chikopa following his appointment to chair the tribunal.

Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) President Nevers Mumba has dispelled allegations that he is soliciting for an increased monetary contribution to the party from the Members of Parliament to sustain his lucrative lifestyle.

Dr. Mumba noted that he does get paid by the party for being its leader.

Dr. Mumba has however told Qfm in a telephone interview that party’s parliamentary liaison committee had recently meet and suggested to increase monthly monetary contribution for MP’s to the party.

He said it was not for him to decide whether the MP’s increase their monthly monetary contributions or not adding that he is is not aware as whether such a suggestion to increase the MP’s contribution was sustained at the meeting.

Yesterday the group calling itself the MMD True Blue ( MTB ) accused Dr. Mumba of requesting Members of Parliament to increase their contributions to KR 3 500.

The group accused Dr. Mumba of requesting Members of Parliament to increase their contributions aimed at supporting his flamboyant lifestyle at the expense of reorganise the party.

Mrs. Namugala accused Dr. Mumba of having a lavish lifestyle hence asking MPs to increase their contributions to the party so that he can sustain his lifestyle.

She added that Dr. Mumba’s behaviour has shown that he is uncaring and does not have the interests of the party at heart because most of the MPs are fighting electoral petitions which are costly.

Ms. Namugala said her group is calling for a national convention to elect new office bearers with a fresh mandate to mobilise the party to its former status.

Editor’s Note

Headline Changed as the earlier one was inaccurate. Apologies for the wrong impression created