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Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Ambassador Peter Kasanda has challenged civil servants in Kazungula district to familiarize themselves with the Patriotic Front Manifesto as it’s the basis for policy implementation in the country.
Ambassador Kasanda said the PF Manifesto was a social contract between government and the people of Zambia as it highlighted the people’s needs, aspirations, difficulties and challenges.
He said the country was in a new political dispensation since the coming to power of the Patriotic Front in the September 2011 elections where a lot of promises were made and it was for this reason that every public officer had to know the contents of the ruling party Manifesto.
Ambassador Kasanda who was accompanied by Permanent Secretary for Parliamentary Business Simon Miti, Permanent Secretary for Policy Analysis And Coordination Division at Cabinet Office and Southern Province Permanent Secretary Chileshe Mulenga, said this in Kazungula district today when he addressed heads of government departments.
He said civil servants were government agents tasked with the responsibility of translating the PF Manifesto into government programs.
Ambassador Kasanda said job creation was contained in the PF Manifesto and this was being fulfilled partly through creation of new districts which currently stood at twenty eight (28) bringing the total number of districts countrywide to one hundred and one (101).
He said districts were important as they served as the core of service delivery.
Ambassador Kasanda further said government had identified a number of areas for job creation such as tourism and agriculture as they had numerous sub-sectors.
He urged civil servants to be committed to their jobs as their duties revolved around service delivery and meeting and satisfying the aspirations of the people using the ‘bottom up’ approach.
Ambassador Kasanda described Kazungula as a peculiar district in a positive way, but noted that it was facing accommodation, staffing and transport challenges that needed to be addressed at the earliest possible time.
And Permanent Secretary for Parliamentary Business Dr Simon Miti was shocked to note that money was released for developmental projects but it was not received at district level.
Dr Miti said there was need to identify the bottlenecks which were preventing funds from reaching the intended destination.
Meanwhile, Southern Province Permanent Secretary Dr Chileshe Mulenga observed that work output in the district was low as officers spent most of their time commuting between Kazungula and Livingstone where they resided.
Dr Chileshe urged the officers to be committed to their jobs and to desist from engaging in the mentality of ‘entitlement’ by waiting for government to do everything for them.
He challenged Kazungula District Commissioner Pascalina Musokotwane to lead by example by residing in her district and not in Livingstone and further called on the officers to invest by building their own houses in Kazungula as the district had a lot of economic potential.
Dr Mulenga said no one would come from outside to develop the country and it was up to the civil servants to take the lead in implementing developmental projects.
Ambassador Kasanda and his entourage are in Southern Province on a tour to assess the extent to which the directives and pronouncements made by President Michael Sata on Southern Province have been implemented.
FILE: Left to right, Former Zambian President Rupiah Banda, Swedish Ambassador to Kenya Joan Borgstam and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Ahmed Hassan leave the hall after opening the two-day conference on the Kenya 2013 elections.
Zambia’s immediate President Rupiah Banda today arrived in Nairobi to begin his latest assignment as leader of the 50-person Carter Centre international observer mission for next Monday’s presidential and parliamentary elections Kenya.
Officials from the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Carter Centre welcomed the former Zambian president.
This is according to a statement issued by the fourth President’s Deputy Administrative Assistant , Kennedy Limwanya.
As part of his pre-election schedule, President Banda is today expected to meet some of the eight presidential candidates and heads of the other election observer missions from the Commonwealth, European Union, African Union, and the East African Community.
He will also confer with the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Isaac Hassan and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Willy Mutunga.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Yamfwa Mukanga has condemned the dismissal of 11 senior managers at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) in Chingola without giving them reasons.
Mr Mukanga said it was professionally wrong to dismiss an employee without giving reasons for termination of employment.
He said in an interview yesterday that all mining firms in the country should follow laid down labour laws and regulations regulating their operations when dismissing employees.
The minister said Government would not tolerate companies breaching the laws of the country and that the Patriotic Front (PF) administration was interested in generating more jobs for locals.
He urged the Ministry of Labour to establish what lead to the dismissal of the Zambian senior managers.
“The mining companies should follow the labour laws of the country and the Ministry of labour should take up the issue. We do not have a problem if the company wants to downsize its workforce but the laws should be strictly followed,” he said.
Mr Mukanga said that he would personally follow up the matter and would be in a position to give an informed response after three days.
He wondered why only Zambian managers and not expatriates were affected by the reported downsizing at KCM and who would occupy their positions.
Last week, KCM fired 11 Zambian senior managers in full time and pensionable employment.
Hundreds of Kasama residents have threatened to protest to Northern Province Minister’s office over the continued massive Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) power disruption being experienced of late in Kasama that has caused loss of business and property in some cases.
Some residents who stormed ZANIS offices in Kasama today complained that the power utility company was not providing them a proper service as it switches off power any time, anyhow and it does not give notice.
They said the numerous switching on and off acts by ZESCO has resulted in loss of electrical appliances and loss of business at the central business district.
The residents who operate photo copier machines said customers are turned away when power is off which result in loss of business.
They said since Monday the power supply has been unstable and residents lamented that electricity supply to clients was inadequate and wondered why the public was not informed when ZESCO was going to switch off and on suddenly.
They added that power goes off from around 17. 00 hours and resume at around 22. 00 hours when people have retired to bed forcing households to rely on charcoal for domestic use in the evenings.
When contacted for a comment Northern and Muchinga Regional Operations Engineer Wesley Simwanza said ZESCO has had two of its power machines broken down at Kariba North bank causing shortage of power voltage of 345 megawatts.
Mr Simwanza added that one machine has since been repaired and the power deficit has been reduced to 165 megawatts.
He said ZESCO is working flat out to restore power and a notice has been issued to members of the public and its esteem customers to bear with the company for the unforeseen circumstance.
Opposition Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Mafinga Member of Parliament (MP) Catherine Namugala has attributed the loss by her party in the Mpongwe Parliamentary by-election to poor leadership in MMD.
Ms Namugala, however, congratulated Gabriel Namulambe for bouncing back as Mpongwe MP on the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) ticket.
Ms Namugala said in Parliament today during the 30-minute Vice President’s session question time that it was very unfortunate that the MMD has failed to defend the Parliamentary seat in Mpongwe, which she claimed was its stronghold.
“Mr Speaker Sir, MMD has dropped to number three in the Mpongwe parliamentary seat because of poor leadership in my party. This is very sad. However, I would like to congratulate the ruling PF and Mr Namulambe for retaining his seat on the ruling PF ticket,” Ms Namugala said.
In response, Vice President Dr Guy Scott counseled Ms Namugala and the entire opposition MMD to accept defeat because it has happened.
Dr Scott said in an election there are only two things – a win or a loss – and carry on in politics.
“It happens things fall apart in an election. MMD should accept defeat and thumbs that our PF candidate Mr Namulambe has emerged victorious in Mpongwe parliamentary election,” the Vice President said.
The MMD is in black and white engulfed with a serious leadership crisis that has deepened with some calling for the immediate removal of party president, Nevers Mumba.
Out of the 39 polling stations counted so far, Mr Namulambe has taken a comfortable lead with results.
Mpongwe has got a total of 48 polling stations but the contest was between the two front runners.
Provisional results indicate that the former MMD Chairperson for Elections, who is also former MMD Mpongwe legislator and now PF Mpongwe MP, Gabriel Namulambe, has so far amassed 4, 167 votes while his closest rival Rabson Chilufya of the United Party for National Development (UPND) has polled 2, 699.
Other candidates are MMD’s Miniver Mutesa who has polled 815 while Reagan Ndhlovu of National Restoration Party (NAREP) has only managed 554 votes.
Kenny Kuveya of UNIP trailed behind with a party 95 votes.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is this morning expected to announce official results for the Mpongwe parliamentary that were held February on 28, 2013.
The Zambia Police Service in Chinsali district of Muchinga Province have recovered a total of 61,000 United States dollars from the scene of the fatal Tanzanian Taqwa bus which claimed three lives.
Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Remmy Kajoba has confirmed the development in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Chinsali today.
Mr Kajoba said 21,000 United States Dollars was recovered from the accident scene while the remainder was recovered from the survivor who claimed that he took it from the deceased body of the bus conductor and wanted to take it back to the owners of the bus.
Mr Kajoba said the money was handed over to the Taqwa Bus Services Managers from Mbeya in Tanzania who came to claim the bodies of their workers and one passenger.
He said that the money was handed over to the company owners in the presence of one of the survivors who also confirmed that this was the money they had on the bus.
Other survivors currently admitted at Chinsali district hospital said they have not lost anything from the accident scene apart from one female passenger who is still unconscious.
The Taqwa Bus Services Managers have also taken all the goods, mainly boxes of body lotions which were on the bus.
Yesterday three people died on the spot in Shiwangándu district of Muchinga Province in the early of today in a fatal road traffic accident involving a Tanzanian Taqwa bus and a truck and trailer.
Five others have suffered multiple body injuries and have been admitted to Chinsali district hospital.
Both Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Remmy Kajoba and Muchinga Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Jewis Chabi have confirmed the accident in separate interviews with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Shiwangandu.
Mr Kajoba said the accident involving a Tanzanian Taqwa bus registration number T298 BLZ which was coming from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a Tanzanian registered truck number T302 BBR and Trailer number T453 AHP which was coming from Lusaka happened between 04:00 and 05:00 hours at Chikumba Village, 29 Km North of Shiwangándu district along the Great North Road.
Mr Kajoba identified the deceased as Osward Daison Mwawapa the driver, Mapinduzi Gilbert Siwale the conductor adding that the third victim, a passenger has not yet been identified.
The deceased and the five injured are all from the Taqwa bus.
Mr Kajoba explained that the bus was trying to overtake the truck when it lost control and hit into the trailer, horse and flipped on its left side.
The bus which was full of goods from Congo DRC had only 11 people on board while the truck which was also going to Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania was empty.
And Muchinga Deputy Permanent Secretary Jewis Chabi who was found at the accident scene appealed to family members and friends who had their relatives on the Taqwa bus to go to Chinsali and help in identifiying one victim who has not yet been identified.
Mr Chabi has also cautioned motorists not to be over speeding adding that some of the accidents on the Zambian roads are caused by reckless drivers who do not obey traffic rules.
Meanwhile, Chinsali district hospital Senior Nursing officer Stanley Patela has confirmed that the hospital received three Brought In Dead (BID) and five injured passengers.
Mr Patela said from the five injured passengers, four have stabilized while a female Tanzanian patient has been unconscious from the time she was taken to the ward.
The bodies of the three bus victims are currently lying at Chinsali district hospital mortuary.
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has scooped the Mpongwe parliamentary by election with a margin of 1531 votes.
Mpongwe parliamentary by election Returning Officer Joackim Mangwale who declared Gabriel Namulambe as the solely elected Member of Parliament for Mpongwe constituency said the PF candidate polled 4,600 votes while his closest rival, UPND’s Rapson Chilufya got 3, 069 votes.
Mr Mangwale said MMD’s Minniver Mtesa polled 901 votes while NAREP’s Reagan Ndhlovu was in fourth position with 588 votes and Kenny Kuveya of UNIP was in fifth position with only 110 votes.
And speaking shortly after being declared winner at 11:00 hours Mr Namulambe said time for politicking in Mpongwe had come to an end and further called upon all the losing candidates to work with him in developing the area.
Meanwhile the opposition UPND losing candidate Mr Rapson Chilufya has conceded defeat and advised the winning candidate to adhere to promises made during the campaign period.
“I have conceded defeat, the winner told the people of Mpongwe that if they wanted to see development they had to vote for the ruling party so now we are waiting to see that development,” said Mr Chilufya.
Mr Chilufya further said UPND had gained momentum in Mpongwe and that his team would not rest but keep on stabilizing their party in the area.
“As a party we have gained momentum we shall not rest but keep on ensuring that UPND is stable in this area, UPND is now established in Mpongwe,” he said.
And NAREP candidate Reagan Ndhlovu who also conceded defeat said he was not disappointed with the outcome of the election and that he would use the result to prepare adequately for 2016.
Mr Ndhlovu said the minimal voter turnout could be attributed to harassment of voters by some opposition political parties.
The Mpongwe parliamentary seat fail vacant after the MMD MP Gabriel Namulambe resigned from the former ruling party to join the ruling PF.
Meanwhile, The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has finally begun to establish its authority in the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) stronghold, Southern Province, by winning some local government by elections in yesterday’s polls.
The ruling party has boasted through its website that it has convincingly claimed the Basanga Ward local government seat in Itezhi-tezhi constituency after polling 542 votes against UPND’s 139 votes.
The ruling PF has further claimed another crucial victory in the UPND stronghold after winning Lambwe ward in Namwala while some results in other local government by elections are still yet to be announced.
Recently, President, Michael Sata appointed Itezhi-tezhi Member of Parliament, Greyford Monde, as Agriculture Deputy Minister, a move that angered the UPND, that quickly moved to expel the parliamentarian for choosing to work with the government of the day to improve the livelihoods of his constituents.
But it appears the people of Itezhi-tezhi are fully behind the move taken by their Member of Parliament after they voted for the PF for the first time in preference for the usual dominant party, the UPND, the party they have voted for since 2001.
“The result will come a s a bitter blow to the UPND especially following the decision by another of their Members of Parliament, Comrade Richwell Siamunene, to accept a ministerial position from President Sata,” the story reads in part.
Mr Siamunene was sworn in by President Sata at State house on Thursday as Commerce Deputy Minister, becoming the second UPND Member of Parliament to accept a ministerial position in the PF government.
The president during the Swearing in of Mr Robert Kamalata as Senior Private Secretary (SPS) in the office of the Vice President at Statehouse 27-02-2013- picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/Statehouse.
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The president during the Swearing in of Mr Richwell Siamunene UPND Mp as Deputy Minister Commerce, Trade ,and Industry at Statehouse 27-02-2013- picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/Statehouse.
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Dr Effron Lungu being sworn in as Foreign affairs Minister
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The president during the Swearing in of Dr Roland Msiska Secretary to the Cabinet at Statehouse 27-02-2013- picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/Statehouse.
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Member of Parliament for Sinazongwe constituency Richwell Siamunene talks to the media about the status of the Dengeza Bridge (in the Background) as Deputy Minister in the Office of Vice President Hurry Kalala (in checked shirt) listens
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Hunger is looming in Sinazongwe district in Southern province. Above is constituency Member of Parliament Richwell Siamunene (c) shows Deputy Minister in the Office of Vice President Hurry Kalala (l) the type of food his people resort to eat due to poor crop yield. Far left is area District Commissioner Dodo Sindaza.
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HUNGER is looming in Sinazongwe district in Southern province. Above District Commissioner Dodo Sindaza (l) explains to the Deputy Minister in the Office of Vice President Hurry Kalala whilst standing in a poorly performing sorghum field. Far left is Constituency Member of Parliament Richwell Siamunene.
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Workers at Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia in Kafue manufacturing equipment parts in the fabrication workshop
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Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia acting managing Director Zuze Banda (left) explains to Treasury secretary to the Cabinet Fredson Yamba the operations and rehabilitation works currently taking place at the Kafue plant. This was when the Ministry of Finance and National Planning visited the plant on Wednesday to see how the company is utilizing the funds given to them by Government in August 2012
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Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia acting managing Director Zuze Banda (left) explains to Treasury secretary to the Cabinet Fredson Yamba the operations and rehabilitation works currently taking place at the Kafue plant. This was when the Ministry of Finance and National Planning visited the plant on Wednesday to see how the company is utilizing the funds given to them by Government in August 2012
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Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia acting managing Director Zuze Banda (left) explains to Treasury to the Cabinet Fredson Yamba the operations and rehabilitation works currently taking place at the Kafue plant. This was when the Ministry of Finance and National Planning visited the plant on Wednesday to see how the company is utilizing the funds given to them by Government in August 2012
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Workers at Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia in Kafue manufacturing equipment parts in the fabrication workshop
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FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) Plant under construction in Solwezi
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FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) is building a new town which will be located near its Trident Mining projects in Solwezi. Above, workers working on a window frame as a finishing touch to one of the model houses of 1,500 housing units the mining firm will build at the new town in Kalumbila area for its miners. The workers were captured during a tour by media heads and other senior journalists to Trident’s Sentinel Mine
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FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) Copper Mine in Solwezi
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Ministry of Information permanent sectretary Amos Malupenga inspecting the just aquired three dimensional photographic holograms at Kenneth Kaunda International Airpot in Lusaka
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Ministry of Information permanent sectretary Amos Malupenga listens to zamcops members during the inspection of the just acquired three dimensional photographic hologrames at Kenneth Kaunda international Airpot in Lusaka
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Several passengers on the Lusaka and Copperbelt bound buses where this week stranded for sometime near Kafwimbi primary school in Isoka district along the Great North Road in Muchinga Province after two trucks and trailers collided head-on and flipped on one side blocking the road. In the picture, stranded passengers looking at the two trucks and trailers which flipped on one side after colliding head-on.Occupants from both trucks escaped unhurt
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Several passengers on the Lusaka and Copperbelt bound buses where yesterday stranded for sometime near Kafwimbi primary school in Isoka district along the Great North Road in Muchinga Province after two trucks and trailers collided head-on and flipped on one side blocking the road. In the picture above, some unidentified passengers on the Kitwe bound bus complaining about the bad stretch of the road between Chinsali and Nakonde which they said has of late contributed greatly to the road carnage
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Police officers from Chinsali district removing bodies of the bus accident which occurred in Shiwanga’ndu district of Muchinga Province
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Police officers from Chinsali district removing bodies of the bus accident which occurred in Shiwanga’ndu district of Muchinga Province
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Police officers from Chinsali district removing bodies of the bus accident which occurred in Shiwanga’ndu district of Muchinga Province
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Police officers from Chinsali district removing bodies of the bus accident which occurred in Shiwanga’ndu district of Muchinga Province
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Kabwe Distrct Commissioner Patrick Chishala addressing the irate Minibus and Taxi Drivers at his Office when they stormed his Offices to register their grievances over the the alleged loss of business due to the increased number of unregistered Taxies in Town
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Minibus and Taxi Drivers matching in protest over the loss of business due to a high number of unregistered Taxis alleged to be pirating in Town bringing down their business despite them paying tax and other lawful levies.
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Minibus and Taxi Drivers matching in protest over the loss of business due to a high number of unregistered Taxis alleged to be pirating in Town bringing down their business despite them paying tax and other lawful levies.
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Cabinet Ministers Emmanuel Chenda (right) and Geoffrey Mwamba (left) gives 10 year old Livingstone guitarist and singer Mordecai Munjoma, who is also a recent winner of the Talent Yapa Zed
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Police Patrol Streets in Livingstone following riots
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Police confrontation with UPND cadres who wanted to make their way into court
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UPND cadres suspected of obstructing the police arrive at Livingstone Magistrate Court
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UPND president Hakainde Hichilema (left) interacting with his lawyer Jack Mwiimbu (right) outside Livingstone Magistrate Court
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UPND president Hakainde Hichilema (middle) interacting with party cadres outside Livingstone Magistrate Court
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PALL bearers carry the casket of late Patriotic Front Monze District Secretary Harrison Chanda suspected to be murdered during political campaigns at Livingstone general hospital
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PATRIOTIC Front Chairperson for election Sylvia Masebo pays last respect to late Monze District Secretary Harrison Chanda suspected to be murdered during political campaigns at Livingstone general hospital
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PATRIOTIC Front Campaign Manager Obvious Mwaliteta pays last respect to late Monze District Secretary Harrison Chanda suspected to be murdered during political campaigns at Livingstone general hospital
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PALL bearers carry the casket of late Patriotic Front Monze District Secretary Harrison Chanda suspected to be murdered during political campaigns at Livingstone general hospital
Douglas Siakalima did not mince his words: “As a trained psychologist, I can tell you that President Sata has been showing signs that warrant a mental check up by an independent medical board as enshrined in our republican constitution.”
“Good grief,” I said. “What if he’s right?
For a moment I was bothered. To be honest, the thought has crossed my mind many times. It may have crossed yours too. Often there have been whispers and tittle-tattles in homes, on the street, in bars, and in workplaces, about the president’s impetuous behavior. Even his predecessors, KK, Chiluba, Mwanawasa, and Banda, have at some time or another, questioned his ability to run the top-most executive office.I wanted to make sure I understood what Siakalima meant. I pulled out the existing Zambian Constitution and reviewed Article 36: Removal of President on Grounds of Incapacity. Clause (1) states in part that a board of medical practitioners can “inquire into the matter and report to the Chief Justice on whether or not the President is, by reason of any infirmity of body or mind, incapable of discharging the functions of his office.”
In this age of democratic vigilance there is nothing wrong with questioning the psychological state of the president, more so when he at times appears erratic, volatile, unpredictable, and undiplomatic.We know that where ever president Sata goes he is almost certain to do or say something outrageous, or embarrass someone publicly. He enjoys it, but it could indeed be an aberration worth checking.For instance, last year in July, he humiliated his own deputy, Guy Scott, in full view of appointees at State House.
“You cannot even be a chief or leader in your own country England because the people there don’t know you,” he told a dumbfounded Scott. “You must consider yourself lucky to be vice president here.”
[pullquote]We know that where ever president Sata goes he is almost certain to do or say something outrageous, or embarrass someone publicly. He enjoys it, but it could indeed be an aberration worth checking.[/pullquote]
Earlier that year, at the same venue, he shamed the then Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu when the minister presented the report on radar contracts.
“This report is useless, very complicated. We wasted our money…I don’t know whether he is trying to protect Ms. Dora Siliya…”
He even took a jab at George W. Bush during his visit to Zambia.
“As far as you are concerned Africa doesn’t exist. And when we have a former colonialist like you coming back to pay back what you took out of this country we are grateful.”
I was thinking about the numerous people Sata has demeaned and disgraced, and the despicable things he has said and done when cabbages popped up.
I could hear them, hoards of people holding cabbages impaled on sticks chanting “no more cabbages!”
Standing in the midst with a cabbage in hand was PF leader Sata.
“This is your president,” he said. “This is president Mwanawasa!”
“No more cabbages!” The crowd chanted.
Sata spoke: “Levy Mwanawasa is a cabbage. I demand that Chief Justice Ernest Sakala appoints a team of three doctors to investigate his mental health.”
Some people began to kick cabbages like footballs.
“No more cabbages!” They continued to chant.The cabbages splintered.
FILE: President Sata receiving the commissioner of inquiry report into the cancellation of radar contracts
The year was 2006. Opposition leader Michael Sata had just evoked Article 36 of the Constitution on Levy Mwanawasa.Seven years later, in 2013, Douglas Siakalima would demand the same of Sata and urge acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda to appoint an independent medical board to investigate the mental health of the president.
“We believe President Sata’s recent behavior and statements raise questions about his current state of mind.”
Psychologist Siakalima is convinced our president is losing it; he’s going bananas, therefore he must be removed. PF cadres are mad with Siakalima. They are calling for his blood. “How dare he?” “How can this chap insult the president?” And like they often do, they have vowed to “deal with him!”
PF intelligentsia and spin doctors are treating the demand as “garbage.” Soon they will question Siakalima’s qualifications and throw them in the toilet. They will label him a quack psychologist, squeeze him out of his profession like a lemon, and leave him for the dead. Not, so fast.
In June 2005, responding to Sata calling him a cabbage, president Mwanawasa said the following: “I have already stated that insults are like Vaseline. I have developed a thick skin to insults. I will just listen to the people of Zambia.” The president blamed PF opposition leader Sata for condoning a culture of insults that had “crept into the nation.”
Can Sata handle criticism?
Today, Sata is president. How much of thick skin does he have? In the wake of some people in the opposition thinking he is losing his mind, how would he react if he were nicknamed, say “Kadansa” or something worse and people at opposition rallies chanted “no more Kadansa!” and ripped his effigies like the PF cadres did to cabbages. No disrespect to the president and no offense meant to those who bear the same name. Please treat this as a mere analogy.
For those who do not know Kadansa. He was a street preacher who engaged the public in various social and political debates. His favorite spot was the front of the Post Office on Cairo Road.
Does the president have enough skin to fend off such stigmatization? I doubt it very much. He has a fragile self-esteem, susceptible to the slightest provocation. He can’t stand mockery and criticism. Many who have dealt with him say he is contemptuous to those who choose to disagree with him and he often applies aggressive and intimidating reciprocal tactics.
Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema is accompanied by opposition his MMD counterpart Nevers Mumba as he left Woodlands police station
Let’s for a moment look at why Siakalima is calling for a medical examination. When the president heard that Nevers Mumba, Hakainde Hichilema, and Sakwiba Sikota had travelled to South Africa, he felt mortally threatened. We all know the president. He reacts to threats with defiance, rage and contempt, and resorts to attacking others so they appear at fault.
In this case, when he heard that the trio had used the occasion to accuse him of committing rights abuses and called for the temporary suspension of Zambia from the Commonwealth, his “I will expose you,” defense mechanism kicked in.
[pullquote]The president must allow power to flow from the people to him. People must criticize him when he is wrong. He should be respectful of human rights and allow opposition leaders to campaign freely. Most of all, he should be the pedestal of our advancement.[/pullquote]
Instead of addressing the issues at hand by challenging the three opposition leaders to produce proof, and open the State House doors to the Commonwealth team for them to conduct the investigation, he went into a defensive stance and cultivated a rebuttal based on belittling and disparaging his critics. First, he portrayed HH as a thief.
“Let him explain to the Commonwealth the source of his wealth,” he told State House attendants.
Then he accused two of the three opposition leaders of attempting to seek “criminal” asylum in South Africa to escape charges at home.
“The president of South Africa is not even ready to grant asylum to [Mr. Banda], or Mr. Hichilema, or Dr. Mumba. So the only person who is clean out of those who went to South Africa is Sakwiba Sikota.”
Cheap shots such as these make one doubt the president’s ability to think rationally. They show him in a panic and expose how fragile his sense of security is. The president must know that his tactics to deflate, devalue and derogate accusations against him have been long known. They may have worked when he was campaigning as candidate Sata. They will not work now that he is head of state. The world is watching. We are watching him.
It is time to act more like a president than a PF leader. For ten years we watched a combatant King Cobra, expose, confront, accuse, path-cross, mudsling, eye-poke, back-stab, shamelessly-cajole, hood-wink, and life-stake. Often times he was insensitive, heartless, uncaring, cold-blooded, merciless, manipulative, and pitiless. That King Cobra should have been left outside the State House gates.
A president Michael Chilufya Sata should be honorable, honest, truthful, scrupulous, conscientious, industrious, accepting, comprehensible, accommodating, accessible, democratic, and respectful of others. He should uphold the constitution. He must allow power to flow from the people to him. People must criticize him when he is wrong. He should be respectful of human rights and allow opposition leaders to campaign freely. Most of all, he should be the pedestal of our advancement. Anything other than this is of no benefit to the people of Zambia.
A knee injury has ruled out Power Dynamos goalkeeper Joshua Titima from Sunday’s away CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, return match against Recreativo de Caala of Angola.
Power team doctor Hilgard Mutembo has confirmed that Titima was not be part of the team which left for Angola on Friday morning.
Dr Mutembo revealed that the second choice Chipolopolo keeper sustained the injury in a friendly match Power played against Don Bosco of DR Congo three weeks ago.
“He will not be part of the team which is going to Angola. We want him to rest as a precautionary measure,” he said.
Titima missed Power’s 2-1 win over Zesco United in the Charity Shield semi-finals at the weekend.
Power will now fly to Angola with two Keepers Joe Kanyemba, who featured in the Charity Shield, and Eliotti Phiri.
Injury has also ruled out utility defender Govenda Simwala from the Confederation Cup fixture.
Part of the Press Statement by Seven Civil society organisations
Both in Livingstone and Mpongwe, the electoral code of conduct was breached and the police remained akimbo when such things were happening. The police continue to be reactive in the face of electoral violence rather than being proactive. As result of their laisser-faire approach, Zambia has continued to lose lives during elections. Recent incidences include Rufunsa and now Livingstone. The police have failed to really exhibit professional conduct during the elections. In most cases they themselves act as agents of electoral violence as opposed to peacekeepers during such time. To hide their inefficiencies, the Police have in the past blamed political parties and advertently ban political party rallies and gatherings.
[pullquote]we ask them to exercise the greatest respect for human rights and resist the temptation of turning the Police Service into a unit similar to the Gestapo that was under the NAZI in Germany[/pullquote]
We would, at this point, like to express our heartfelt condolences to the Patriotic Front (PF) and the late Mr. Chanda’s family of Monze on his untimely death in Livingstone while involved in electoral campaigns for the Livingstone Central parliamentary by-election. The death of Mr. Chanda who was PF Monze District Chairperson is highly regrettable and unfortunate. The death is also coming at the time when the police command in Lusaka announced that an additional 300 police officers had been deployed to the area.
The question
What were those police officers doing in Livingstone if it is not to protect property and human life?
Where were they when political party cadres where busy killing each other?
How did the late PF District Chairperson for Monze and his friends find themselves near the UPND camp and what was the motive behind their going to the UPND camp?
Why didn’t the Police, man the buffer Zone between the two political party camps so as not to allow stray cadres into each other’s camps taking into account that police are aware of the endemic political intolerance among political parties?
Had the police been proactive, Mr. Chanda’s life would have been saved. We, therefore, expect the police to use their professional skills and to conduct thorough investigations in the murder of Mr. Chanda and bring the real culprits to account. We cannot accept the loss of life on account of elections. It is unacceptable and must be rejected by all patriotic Zambians. It is a foreign phenomenon which should not be allowed to grow its roots in our peaceful country.
[pullquote]The nation is still remembers how dramatic the Rufunsa incident was and how police at the directive of political leadership, went on rampage arresting innocent people who were later released.[/pullquote]
As civil society organisations, we have noted with concern that police have not been acting professionally whenever handling electoral related issues. There has been a tendency by police to act high handedly whenever dealing with opposition political parties while those in power tend to get away with anything. Further, the police have been using emotions and political directives to carry out their investigations rather than applying their professional acumen. As the police go on with their investigations, we ask them to exercise the greatest respect for human rights and resist the temptation of turning the Police Service into a unit similar to the Gestapo that was under the NAZI in Germany. The Gestapo methods cannot work in a country like Zambia and those in charge of the Police must go back to their history books and learn the consequences of the same methods Hitler employed.
The tendency by the police to follow political directives blindly and their failure to bring perpetrators of violence to account has led them to lose confidence in the eyes of the public. The nation is still remembers how dramatic the Rufunsa incident was and how police at the directive of political leadership, went on rampage arresting innocent people who were later released. To date the perpetrators of this violence are not yet known. . This is really a sad development in the democratic growth of our country. Since the Police have agreed to be used as tools to catch and persecute opponents of the party in power, they have rendered themselves irrelevant in the eyes of other stakeholders as they now feel that the institution is applying double standards and selective justice.
Zambia Centre for inter-party dialogue(ZCID)
Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)
Anti-Voter Apathy Iniative (AVAP)
Foundation for Democratic Process(FODEP)
Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes(SACCORD)
Operation Young Vote(OYV)
Former Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Chairperson for Elections, and now PF Mpongwe candidate Gabriel Namulambe
Ruling Patriotic front candidate Gabriel Namulambe is headed for re-election in the Mpongwe by elections.
Out of the 39 polling station counted so far, Mr. Namulambe has taken a comfortable lead with results from 9 polling stations remaining to be counted.
Provisional results indicate that the PF candidate has so far amassed 4, 167 votes while his closest rival Rabson Chilufya of the UPND has polled 2, 699.
Mpongwe has 48 polling stations but the contest is between the two front runners.
Other candidates are MMD’s Miniver Mutesa who has polled 815 while Reagan Ndhlovu of NAREP has only managed 554 votes.
Kenny Kuveya of UNIP is trailing behind with 95 votes.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is this morning expected to announce official results.
Defence Minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has urged the media to desist from being sensational when reporting national issues and avoid misleading the public.
Mr Mwamba said reports that the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) helicopter made an emergency landing in Kabwe en-route to Mpongwe via Ndola due to a fault were highly misleading.
He cautioned journalists to be ethical and professional when reporting national issues to avoid causing unnecessary alarm among members of the public.
The minister said in an interview yesterday that the ZAF helicopter, which was carrying journalists when it landed in Kabwe on Saturday, was relatively new and that there was no way it could have developed a fault.
“You journalists should avoid to be sensational when you are reporting. This sensational journalism must come to an end. You want to bring out an issue out of nothing. You can not report that the minister’s car had a tire burst. The helicopter is very reliable,” he warned.
He said the landing of the ZAF helicopter was a precautionary measure by the pilots and was normal.
He said it was only prudent for the driver to park when there was a knock sound from a motor vehicle engine.
Meanwhile, Mr Mwamba said his ministry has started modernizing the defence force and that the exercise was a continuous process.
“We are slowly modernizing the aircrafts in the air force and that helicopter is a few months old. What happened is normal and the pilot took a precaution because he could have reached Ndola. Those helicopters can fly on one engine,” he said.
Central police chief Sandwell Lungu said the Chopper landed near Kohima Barracks and that no injuries were recorded.
Muchinga Province minister Charles Banda and several senior government officials escaped unhurt in June last year when the ZAF aircraft AF 746 made an emergency landing in Shiwangandu area of Muchinga Province.
ZESCO has unreservedly apologised to the nation for the unplanned and sporadic load shedding around the country.
ZESCO Director of Corporate Affairs and Business Development Bestty Phiri said the power utility company was apologising to its customers for the unplanned load shedding of power.
Mr Phiri said in an interview yesterday that the load shedding was as a result of mechanic failures at Kafue Gorge and Kariba North Bank.
“ZESCO is hereby apologising to the nation for this unplanned load shedding which is being experienced in most parts of the country. This
is owing to the fact that there are mechanic failures at Kafue Gorge and Kariba North Bank,” he said.
He said ZESCO regretted the power outages which the whole nation had been experiencing recent days.
Mr Phiri said engineers had rectified the mechanic failure at Kafue Gorge while at Kariba North Bank, the power was expected to be back to full supply today.
“At Kafue Gorge, the power supply is back but for Kariba North Bank, the normal supply will be tomorrow (today) after rectifying the mechanic failure, “he said.
He said ZESCO was also at a loss in terms of revenue due to the power failures. He said the priority area of ZESCO was to satisfy customers adding that most people felt disadvantaged due to the power failures.
He assured that ZESCO was working round the clock to ensure a steady supply of electricity in the country.
He said he was hopeful the firm would minimise the load shedding by producing more power and even increase exports to neighbouring countries.
Mr Phiri said ZESCO was also encouraging farmers to be cultivating at night when demand for power was less.
Lusaka province police commissioner Charity Katanga
Police in Livingstone have arrested suspended Livingstone Mayor Aggrey Njekwa (who ia also UPND Lizuma Ward Councillor) as well as three other people and recovered an offensive weapon in connection to the recent violence which led to the killing of Patriotic Front (PF) Monze district youth secretary Harrison Chanda.
Southern Province Police Chief Charity Katanga said the Police in Livingstone arrested Mr Njekwa and three others in the early hours of Thursday in connection to the recent violence which led to the killing of Mr Chanda.
Ms Katanga said the police also recovered an offensive weapon and that the investigations were still underway.
“For now, what I can say in that we are still investigating this matter and the nation will be informed of the outcome.
And nine United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres have denied the charge of obstructing police officers in their execution of duty contrary to 250 (b) Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
The nine UPND cadres are Manyika Habweengwa, aged 25, Victor Chilomo, 55, Daniel Mizinga, 24, Vincent Mulongo, 55, Rigan Hamaleka 45, Victorious Haloba, 54, Spearman Mumbuluma, 68, Obert Mulomba aged 41 and Ezron Moono aged 49.
Appearing before Livingstone Magistrate Chola Musonda yesterday, the nine accused persons said they all understood the charge of obstructing police officers in their execution of duty but they denied the charge.
The Magistrate Court has since granted bail of KR1, 000 and two sureties to each of the nine suspects whose occupation ranges from businessmen, farmers, drivers, security guards and workers of UPND president Hakainde Hichilema.
Earlier, defense lawyers led by Jack Mwiimbu and Martha Mushipe applied to the court to grant bail to the nine accused persons and argued that all suspects were Zambians who had a fixed abode and they posed no flight risk or not security risk.
But the State through a lawyer Lawrence Mudenda objected to the bail application saying the accused were a hindrance to police operations in ensuring that there was peace and order.
Mr Mudenda submitted that if the accused were released and continue with such a type of behavior with the police, then security was at stake and hence police operations would be hampered.
However, Mr Mwiimbu insisted that the charge was misdemeanor and bailable while the accused were able to meet any bail conditions which would be granted to them.
He said the objection by the State was based on mere allegations saying any person was innocent until proven guilty by the court of law.
And Ms Mushipe said the accused had a fundamental right to be granted bail as provided in the criminal code section 1, 2 and 3 Chapter 88 of the laws of Zambia.
In his ruling to grant bail, Magistrate Musonda ruled in favour of the defence saying allegations were never a justifiable basis for denying suspects the bail.
Magistrate Musonda said as rightly submitted by the defence, accused persons were innocent until proven guilty adding that he did not see any security risk being posed by the accused persons.
The matter would come up for mention on March 27 and April 25 while trial would commence on May 29 to 31 this year.
Mr Hichilema and Moomba Member of Parliament Vitalis Mooya were some of the notable UPND officials who were present in court.
