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FODEP requests Minister of Home Affairs to reverse his directive on Police Notification
The directives by the Minister of Home Affairs to political parties and other stakeholders intending to participate in the Mpongwe and Livingstone Central by-elections to notify the police for their in-and
outdoor meetings is unfortunate, regrettable and meant to only stifle the opposition political parties, candidates and supporters’campaign activities ahead of the by-elections.
Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) would like to appeal to the Minister to reverse the directive and allow political activities to conduct their business within the provisions of the electoral code of
conduct of 2011. Political parties’ activities in any election are well-known by all players including the police as spelt out in the Code and since the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set the
date of the by-elections, the police should plan on how to provide security to all players as opposed to directing them to obtain police permit.
FODEP clearly notes with great concern that the directive is selective as it will only apply to opposition political parties, cadres and candidates under the current provisions of the Public Order Act
Section 5 subsection 6 which exempts the President, the vice-president or any minister or junior minister or the speaker or deputy speaker of the National Assembly from notifying the police for any public meeting convened or at the request of and intended to be addressed by the above officials.
[pullquote]The Minister also is overshadowing the constitutional powers and mandates of the Electoral Commission of Zambia in terms of enforcing of all electoral laws in the country and ensuring that political parties whether in the opposition or government strictly adhere to them and freely canvass support from voters.[/pullquote] Given the political party system in Zambia where most government functionaries, ministers and deputies are also ruling party officials, the directive is only advantaging the ruling party whose officials are exempted by the Act from notifying the police of any meeting.
Further, the directive is also ultra vires the constitution which emphasizes protection and significance of the respect of the rights to assembly, freedom of expression and association of citizens.
FODEP observes that the directives does not even take cognizant of the provisions of regulations 5; 12 (c); 21 (e) of the Electoral Code of Conduct of 2011. Instead, we proposed that the Minister should ensure that police officers do not use their offices to oppress any political party, candidate or supporter’s right to expression, participation,and freedom to canvass support from voters ahead of the by-elections especially with the recent controversial application of the Act by the Zambia Police.
The Minister also is overshadowing the constitutional powers and mandates of the Electoral Commission of Zambia in terms of enforcing of all electoral laws in the country and ensuring that political parties whether in the opposition or government strictly adhere to them and freely canvass support from voters.
If this directive prevails, it has the potential to threaten the credibility of the electoral process in the country. This will be a threat to the holding of free, fair and credible by-elections. FODEP’s suggestion is that the Minister should ensure that an effective enforcement mechanism of the Electoral Code of Conduct rather than the Public Order Act by the Police is designed and put in place while allowing political stakeholders conduct their campaigns freely.
Former Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe (c) talks to a Chinese exhibitor (l) as My Home Town Chairperson George Cornhill (r) looks on at the on going Choma trade fair and festival in Choma.
A Veteran politician has pledged to render assistance towards the Patriotic Front in their campaign ahead of the Livingstone parliamentary by-elections slated for February 28.
In an interview with ZANIS yesterday, veteran politician Daniel Munkombwe has vowed to support the ruling Patriotic Front saying it is the party with democratic principles and values.
Mr Munkombwe stated that he does not need to make any submissions of application to help the PF with election campaigns.
He noted that what he has only decided to do is to throw himself into the game and assist the ruling Patriotic Front because other parties have nothing to offer.
“I am readily available to embark on a serious election campaign for PF because am already paddling in the boat with the Patriotic Front,” Munkombwe said.
He indicated that he is merely playing a citizenry role of practising democracy by choosing which side seems ideal for him.
On Wednesday, Media and Publicity director for the ruling Patriotic Front Chanda Mfula said that the PF would wait for official communication from Mr Munkombwe regarding assisting the party with campaigns ahead of the set Parliamentary by-elections in Livingstone.
REPUBLICAN Vice President Guy Scott and Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yu Xzao admire construction works at the Lusaka Stadium
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VICE President Guy Scott with Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yu Xzao when he toured the Lusaka Stadium
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VICE President Guy Scott joins Patriotic Front Cadres in dancing before touring the Lusaka Stadium on Tuesday
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FINANCE and National Planning Deputy Minister and also Matero Member of Parliament, Miles Sampa, admiring the construction works going on at the Lusaka Stadium
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THE $94 million Lusaka Stadium under construction, with a 50, 000 sitting capacity, would be ready by January 2014
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THE $94 million Lusaka Stadium under construction, with a 50, 000 sitting capacity, would be ready by January 2014
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THE $94 million Lusaka Stadium under construction, with a 50, 000 sitting capacity, would be ready by January 2014
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Firsrt Lady Dr Christine Kaseba with members of the Alchemy Women in Leadership (l-r) Pixie Yangailo, Kondwa Sakala-Chibiya, Jaccqueline Folotiya and Beatrice Nkanza shortly after she was interviewed by the Alchemist for the Alchemy Women in Leadership magazine -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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Firsrt Lady Dr Christine Kaseba with members of the Alchemy Women in Leadership (l-r) Pixie Yangailo, Kondwa Sakala-Chibiya, Jaccqueline Folotiya and Beatrice Nkanza shortly after she was interviewed by the Alchemist for the Alchemy Women in Leadership magazine -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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Firsrt Lady Dr Christine Kaseba with members of the Alchemy Women in Leadership at State House. This was after she was interviewed by the Alchemist for the Alchemy Women in Leadership magazine on Jan 11,2013 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema is accompanied by opposition his MMD counterpart Nevers Mumba as he left Woodlands police station
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Police officers (right) try to control suspected riotous UPND cadres at Woodlands police station in Lusaka
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Police officers try to prevent suspected UPND cadres from entering Woodlands police station in Lusaka
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A plain clothes police officer bleeds from a head injury after he was attacked by suspected UPND cadres at Woodlands police station
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A plain clothes police officer bleeds from a head injury after he was attacked by suspected UPND cadres at Woodlands police station
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Construction of a filling station and complex under construction in Luanshya
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Northern Province Minister Gerry Chanda (centre) and Mpulungu Member of Parliament Freedom Sikazwe (grey suit having a glimpse of the truck Registration Number ABV9630 which left 6 people dead and 24 injured after the driver lost control and hit in a stationed vehicle and building belonging to Map business in Mpulungu
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Northern Province Minister Gerry Chanda (centre) and Mpulungu Member of Parliament Freedom Sikazwe (grey suit) having a glimpse of the truck Registration Number ABV9630 which left 6 people dead and 24 injured after the driver lost control and hit in a stationed vehicle and building belonging to Map business in Mpulungu
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Mangled Truck Registration Number which left 6 people dead and injured after the driver lost control of the vehicle in Mpulungu on Sunday
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Northern Province Minister Gerry Chanda (centre) and Mpulungu Member of Parliament Freedom Sikazwe (grey suit) at the accident scene of the truck Registration Number ABV9630 which left 6 people dead and 24 injured after the driver lost control and hit in a stationed vehicle and building belonging to Map business in Mpulungu
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The people have got no area to dump rubbish and therefore dump rubbish near the side of the Ndola road. This is supposed to be the job for the council.Feeder roads also are blocked with rubbish in most areas of Wusakile
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The people have got no area to dump rubbish and therefore dump rubbish near the side of Ndola road. This supposed to be the job for the council.Feeder roads also are blocked with rubbish in most areas of Wusakile
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The people have got no area to dump rubbish and therefore dump rubbish near the side of Ndola road. This supposed to be the job for the council.Feeder roads also are blocked with rubbish in most areas of Wusakile
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Hon Richard Musukwa accompanied by small scale miners association of Zambia president Mr Simon Njovu in Wusakile constituency sensitizing the people on re-based kwacha and also clearing waste dumps on behalf of the people of Wusakile
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Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba washing his hands during the tour of Saturday Market in Chipata
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Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba(centre) with Chipata District Commissioner Kalunga Zulu (left) checking one of the bins during the tour of Kapata Market in Chipata yesterday. Picture By Julius Phiri
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Mkushi DC Christopher Chibuye(right with refuse bag), joins Council workers at a garbage site in Itala compound
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Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba (centre) talking to Acting Chipata Town Clerk Mwape Katemwe and Chipata District Commissioner Kalunga Zulu during the tour of Kapata Market in Chipata
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A bright future can be seen spilling out of these children’s eyes as the clap in aprreciation of the donation of books and desks from the Rotary club of Nkwazi
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Rotary Club past President makes an official handover of the desks and books to the head teacher of Mango Groove community School
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The classrom block’s roof is too low for the average person as one has to stoop to stand under the assemblage of corrugated iron sheets as demonstrated by Mango groove head teacher.
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Mamgo Grove head teacher shows the Rotary Club members and the press some of the shoddily built classrooms that are apparently still in use
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Soccer Fans at the Stadium
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Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili at the Soccer Match
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Vice President Guy Scott at the soccer Game between Zambia and Norway
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Government and FAZ officials at the Soccer Stadium in Ndola
Collins Mbesuma got the biggest cheer from local crowds on Thursday afternoon in Nelspruit during Zambia’s training game against African Academy of Pretoria.
The crowd at Zambia’s training venue Ka Nyamazane Stadium outside Nelspruit cheered Mbesuma’s every attacking foray as the striker continues on his Zambia rebound after ending his high profile 10-month exile in November.
Mbesuma, who did not score in Zambia’s 3-0 win, brought out the best out of the Academy goalkeeper and saw another effort deflected out on the inside of the goalpost.
The defending champions beat African Academy thanks to goals from Emmanuel Mayuka, Rainford Kalaba and Jonas Sakuwaha.
Zambia will have one training session on Friday afternoon but will have to attend to administrative issues earlier in the morning with CAF.
Meanwhile, Nigeria arrived on Thursday morning bringing to three the number of Group C teams to touch down in Nelspruit over the last two weeks.
They headed to their secluded camp at Ingwenyama Country Club just northwest outside Nelspruit.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia are due to land on Friday afternoon after leaving Addis Ababa in the morning.
And Burkina Faso were first to arrive a week, Thursday before Zambia joined them on January 13.
The Burkinabe’s on Thursday also played their second friendly against Swaziland whom they beat 3-0 at the Puma’s rugby ground in Nelspruit.
Burkina Faso’s win comes just four days after beating Swaziland 3-1 in another friendly at Mbombela Stadium.
Zambia has dropped five places on the latest FIFA ranking released on Thursday morning.
The African champions slipped from last month’s position 34 to 39 although they have maintained 5th place on the continent.
Prior to the January ranking, Zambia had lost to Angola and Tanzania while forcing draws against Morocco and Norway in the 2013 Africa Cup warm-up matches.
On the continental chart, Zambia is behind Cote d’vore, Algeria,Mali and Ghana
Zesco United have confirmed Tenant Chembo as their interim head coach for the next six months following the resignation of Wedson Nyirenda.
Club chairman Kenneth Muteto confirmed the elevation of Chembe who was Nyirenda’s deputy.
During a media briefing held in Ndola on Thursday, Muteto also announced the appointment of Alfred Lupiya as assistant coach.
“The club executive met and resolved to confirm the appointment of Mr. Tenant Chembo as acting head coach for the next six months after which the club executive will meet to review the situation,” he said.
“Furthermore, I would like to announce that the club has appointed Alfred Lupiya as assistant coach while Stephen Mwansa will continue as goalkeeping coach,” Muteto added.
“Tenant and his technical staff have the full backing of the club executive and have confidence in the team and necessary resources to challenge for honors and as a club we will accept nothing less,” he said.
Chembo has previously coached Lime Hotspurs and Kalewa
MMD’s Mafinga Member of Parliament Catherine Namugala has filed an injunction restraining her party from expelling her.
Ms Namugala who is the chairperson for women’s affairs also wants the court to declare null and void the appointment of MMD Senga MP Kapembwa Simbao as acting national secretary following the expulsion of Richard Kachingwe, who was the party’s national secretary.
She sued Mr Simbao as a first defendant in his own capacity and Mr Simbao as a second defendant on behalf of the MMD in his capacity as acting national secretary.
Ms Namugala further wanted the court to declare whether Mr Simbao’s appointment as acting national secretary was legitimately done and also nullify the proceedings of the meeting that appointed Mr Simbao because it failed to form a quorum
Ms Namugala contested in an injunction filed before the Lusaka High Court principal registry that she was still a member of the troubled opposition party.
She stated that in 2011 the MMD held a convention which elected all National Executive Committee (NEC) members on which its then national secretary, Major Kachingwe was elected but that his subsequent replacement by Mr Simbao was rejected.
She said that on December 3 2012, Mr Simbao was purportedly adopted by MMD leader, Nevers Mumba’s group in the NEC despite the grouping not forming a quorum of half of the NEC members of 64 as required by the party guidelines.
Ms Namugala said that the Court should therefore declare that Mr Simbao’s appointment was null and void.
She said that on December 24 2012, Mr Simbao wrote her a letter of disciplinary action in which he purported to act in pursuant to the powers vested under Article 46 (I) and (3) of the party constitution when he was not national secretary or deputy national secretary elected by the party convention.
Ms Namugala said the MMD purported to charge her with two offences of which she exculpated herself to Mr Simbao despite being acting national secretary a position she described as illegitimate and unconstitutional.
She said that Mr Simbao and MMD through Dr Mumba had hatched a plan to expel legitimate members including her for standing up to defend the party constitution.
Judge Fulgeance Chisanga who is handling the matter has since set January 23, 2013 as the date for inter-parte hearing.
Northern Province Minister Gerry Chanda has given an ultimatum to millers and retailers dealing in maize meal in Northern province up to Saturday 19 to reduced the price of the commodity or have their trading license revoked.
Colonel Chanda told ZANIS in press briefing yesterday that it has come to the light of the government that some millers in the area have defied the presidential directive of reducing the mealie meal price to KR50 break fast and KR45 roller meal.
He said millers in Kasama should comply and reduce the prices as per directive because Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has sold sufficient maize grain to them.
Col Chanda also disclosed that FRA has begun selling maize grain to people in the area as a measure to avert maize meal shortages in the province.
He however, said a family is only allowed to buy five bags of maize grain at FRA storage rooms.
However, Col Chanda was quick to caution people who may abuse the service that the law shall not take kindly to anyone found disturbing government’s move aimed at stopping mealie meal shortage in the area..
And a ZANIS survey carried out in Kasama revealed that mealie meali at Shoprite checkers was that breakfast meal has been reduced to KR49, at Kasama milling break fast was at KR60 and GMB break fast was still above KR50.
Northern Province experienced maize meal shortage in the past three weeks.
A 52 – year – old patient who was left unattended to by Management at Mazabuka district hospital for a period of five days has died.
Benson Mwiinga a resident of Chaanga Chaanga area in Mazabuka township died last night in Mazabuka district hospitala and his body is lying in the hospital mortuary.
District Commissioner Eugene Munyama confirmed the death of Mwiinga in an interview with ZANIS this morning.
Mwiinga was admitted to the hospital last week on Thursday but management at the institution decided to abandon and leave Mwiinga who was bed ridden under lock and key in an isolation room within the male ward for five days without rendering any form of medical attention.
He was however found on Monday this week in the isolation ward by Mr Munyama who quickly rushed to the hospital after a relative complained to him at his office that his relative was locked in a room without being given medicine, food and water and was lying on the floor underneath a bed, naked and gasping.
Government has since sent a team of experts from the provincial medical office led by Dr Simon Mutembo to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Late Mwiinga was alleged to have been neglected by Mazabuka district nurses on duty at the time of his admission to the health institution, a situation that has sparked planned protest by district residents.
The Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) has called for the transformation in the role of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) from not only a maize storage agency but to also be a subsidiary milling company.
Speaking to ZANIS in an interview yesterday, ZACA Executive Director Muyunda Ililonga said there is need for the role of FRA to be revised so that it can compete with private millers in order to guarantee that consumers are not exploited.
Mr. Muyunda stated that if FRA had a milling department, millers would not take advantage of consumers by hiking mealie meal prices, thereby making the staple food affordable to the average Zambian.
He noted that Zambia would not be the first country to do this as a neighbouring country, South Africa already has a milling Plant under its Ministry of Trade, and has thus been able to avoid consumer exploitation by millers.
Mr. Muyunda commended government for instructing FRA to sale maize directly to households in some places where millers have not yet reduced mealie meal prices.
He stated that government had a custodial duty to protect its citizens from any form of exploitation by profit-driven private companies.
Mr. Muyunda noted that in a situation created by millers, where most people were not able to afford the staple food, government had an overriding role to step in and make interventions.
He explained that the rise in food prices is not peculiar to Zambia alone, but is a global problem.
Mr. Muyunda further explained that various governments have since put different measures to ensure the availability of food to their citizens, adding that what the Zambian government has done is only normal.
He said government’s intervention in mealie meal prices, should be a lesson to everyone, that even in the most capitalist market, some things must still be controlled by government.
United Party for National Development (UPND) Gwembe Constituency Member of Parliament, Brian Ntundu has cautioned UPND councilors in Gwembe against frustrating government’s developmental agenda.
Mr Ntundu observed that UPND councilors are the majority in Gwembe constituency and cautioned them against politicizing government’s developmental projects in the district.
He was speaking yesterday during a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) stakeholders meeting held at Munyumbwe Civic Centre.
Mr Ntundu said there is need to support the Patriotic Front government so that its developmental agenda for the district succeeds.
He said as member of parliament, he sees nothing wrong in supporting the government of the day adding that MPs draw government salaries and allowances.
“It is illogical for MPs not to work with government because it is the same government that pays them salaries and fuel allowances for them to carryout their duties” he said.
The MP explained that the PF government is there to deliver to the people of Zambia and called on all Zambians to support government in implementing programmes.
Mr Ntundu said the 2013 budget is the best so far as it is activity based.
He said the PF government is committed to adjusting the CDF upwards to ensure that Zambians plan and implement their localized developmental projects.
The MP who spoke fondly and highly of President Sata said politics should not be mixed with development.
He called for the proper utilization of CDF for the benefit of the people of Gwembe.
And Gwembe CDF stakeholders have unanimously proposed to purchase road equipment from the just released one billion kwacha CDF in order to improve feeder roads in the district.
In attendance were Ward councilors, the District Commissioner, heads of government departments, district council staff, NGOs, the church, chiefs, and community representatives.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba
Workers Union of Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (WUTAZ) has resolved to withdraw their affiliation from the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
But ZCTU President, Leonard Hikaumba has urged WUTAZ to remain patient as the mother union body will soon look into the issue to resolve the leadership wrangles that have erupted in the union.
WUTAZ National General Secretary, Africa Mkandawire who disclosed the development to ZANIS in Kapiri Mposhi said his union resolved to pull out of ZCTU after a recommendation from its unionized workers from all the eight branches in the country.
Mr Mkandawire said the workers recommended for the pulling-out because ZCTU has failed to provide guidance and leadership to the amicable resolution of the leadership wrangles that have rocked WUTAZ for some time now.
Mr Mkandawire said the unionized workers have accused ZCTU of fueling the persistent leadership wrangles in WUTAZ by abrogating section 34 subsections (1) and (2) of the Labour and Industrial Relations Act Chapter 269 of the Laws of Zambia.
He said the ZCTU executive has handpicked and decided to work with a WUTAZ splinter group instead of the duly elected executive.
“The workers feel that ZCTU has abrogated the Labour and Industrial relations Act provisions because they have interfered in the internal affairs of WUTAZ by recognizing and aligning itself with renegade leaders who were expelled from the union… they have chosen to sideline duly elected leaders of the union so the workers have spoken… they do not want to belong to ZCTU because of reasons of interference”, Mr Mkandawire said.
Mr Mkandawire said WUTAZ will affiliate to the Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ).
But ZCTU President, Leonard Hikaumba has appealed to the two splinter groups of WUTAZ to remain patient while the mother union body looks into the issue to resolve the leadership impasse.
In a phone interview with ZANIS in Kapiri Mposhi today Mr Hikaumba said ZCTU has not yet sat to consider the matter pertaining to leadership wrangles that have resulted in the formation of two WUTAZ adversary executive committees.
“Yes the leadership wrangles in our affiliate union (WUTAZ) have been brought to our attention but we are yet to table them … we have been advised by the Ministry of Labour to rehearse with the two groups and we have been reminded to advise the leaders in WUTAZ to observe and adhere to the Labour and Industrial Relations Act”, Mr Hikaumba said.
Mr Hikaumba further said ZCTU will only table the matter after it peruses the WUTAZ constitution to acquaint itself with the provisions in an event of what was pertaining in the union.
There have been leadership disputes in WUTAZ which have resulted in the formation of two adversary executive committees to represent the workers.
The rebel union was formed by some expelled WUTAZ executive members led by former union Vice President, Aaron Tiza.
Those expelled from the union include Vice President, Aaron Tiza, Deputy General Secretary, Beatrice Kampangwe, Committee Member, Pery Kapindula and National Trustees, Jacob Lombe and Petronella Mutale.
Last week the removed union leaders expelled the entire incumbent WUTAZ executive led by Mr Africa Mkandawire for alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of union funds.
KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) has awarded its unionized employees a 7.5 percent salary increment across the board. However, some union officials are not happy with the deal which they have described as mediocre.
Speaking during the signing of the collective agreement yesterday at Nkana flats, Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) general secretary Joseph Chewe said the unions are not happy with the increment and hoped that they will be able to clinch a better package next year.
Mr. Chewe said there was no unity amongst union officials from various mine workers’ unions as some of them were pushing for their own agendas not the interest of the workers.
The other unions involved in the negotiations were United Mine Workers Union of Zambia (UMUZ) and National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW).
He observed that there was need for the unions to work together if they are to clinch a better deal for their members.
He stated that the union leaders accepted the 7.5 per cent increment to avoid engaging in work stoppages that could have affected the performance of the mining company.
Mr. Chewe however urged miners to work towards improving the production of the mining firm.
He warned that the unions are prepared to go to court if the mining company will give them a similar low package next year.
And UMUZ president Steven Mulenga urged miners to work hard and contribute positively to the development of the mining sector.
Mr. Mulenga said miners have a special role to play in increasing production at the mining company.
And KCM vice president in charge of human capital management David Kaunda said KCM will continue playing a significant role in the
development of the country.
Mr. Kaunda said the unions must work in harmony with management in order to enhance development at the mining firm.
Zambia Railways Board of Directors Chairperson Mark Chona (centre) shares a light moment with Deputy Board of Directors Chairperson Professor Oliva Saasa (left) and Zambia Railways Managing Director Professor Clive Chirwa
Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) has announced its new management board which plans to modernize railway infrastructure as part of its master-plan to be implemented in the next year three years.
The board is headed by former Taskforce chairperson Mark Chona and renowned economist Oliver Saasa as his deputy.
Others were Communications and Transport Permanent Secretary Muyenga Antanga and his Commerce and Trade counterpart Stephen Mwansa as well as Finance Permanent Secretary in-charge of Budget Pamela Chibonga.
Others on-board were Solicitor General Musa Mwenye, Road Transport and Safety Agency director Zindaba Soko, a consultant Joram Mwansa, Irene Zeko Mbewe a lawyer, Geoffrey Mulenga a mechanical engineer and Richard Chipanama a former ZRL employee.
Speaking during an induction ceremony in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chona said the vision of ZRL board in partnership with management was to make the railway industry profitable, efficient and viable according to aspirations of Zambians.
“This is a big task that we have been given especially that President Sata wants to see this railway industry viable. We want to look at what ZRL’s needs, how it will be revamped but we want to promise Zambians that we shall make this industry effectively viable for smoother operations of our trains,” he said.
Mr Chona said the composition of the board was balanced with wealth expertise from skilled members who would put their ideas jointly to uplift welfare of dilapidated railway in the country.
Earlier, Dr Antanga implored the board to be innovative and work prudently to achieve its targeted goals.
“Government is expecting you be to be innovative because we want policies to be implemented effectively to enable this railway industry be revamped for people to start enjoying the trains,” he said
Dr Antanga said Zambians were concerned with the deplorable state of the railway sector infrastructure and that it was incumbent upon the new board to fulfill people’s expectations.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Permanent Secretary Muyenga Atanga (second from right) talks to Zambia Railways Board of Directors Chairperson Mark Chona (right) as Managing Director Professor Clive Chirwa (left) and Deputy Board of Directors Chairperson Professor Oliva Saasa look on
ZRL deputy chairperson Professor Saasa said Zambia’s economic development depended also on the railway sector which could realise profits once revived to full capacity.
He was saddened that despite Zambia recording tremendous economic strides, the railway industry still lagged behind.
And ZRL chief executive officer Clive Chirwa said his management had an ambitious programme of resuscitating the railway and modernizing it in the next three years.
Government recently revoked the concession agreement of the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) and placed it under ZRL.
Meanwhile, Dr Antanga has said the ZRL would embark on an ambitious programme of acquiring state-of-the-art locomotives to make it more viable and reduce hauling of goods on the roads.
He said this when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances at Parliament yesterday UPND Itezhi Tezhi Member of Parliament Greyford Monde.
Dr Atanga said government was also looking at prospects of speeding up the completion of the North Western Railway that would connect the country to the Lobito Bay in Angola.
He said Zambia railways and TAZARA had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve the rail way system in the country.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Permanent Secretary Muyenga Atanga (second from right) addresses Zambia Railways Board Chairperson Mark Chona (right), Managing Director Professor Clive Chirwa (left) and Deputy Board Chairman Professor Oliva Saasa in Lusaka
SOME of Northern Provincial Constitution Conference delegates walking out of the Conference hall
THE clause which allows for dual citizenship in the First Draft Constitution has been rejected by delegates to the Northern Province Constitution Convention in Kasama.
Dual citizens can carry two passports and essentially live, work, and travel freely within their native and naturalised countries.
Opposing the clause, Mporokoso district medical officer Tresphord Mulenga said a person with dual citizenship had divided loyalties and Zambians needed to identified with prosperity or woes of their country.
Dr Mulenga said a genuinely patriotic person needed to be identified with only one republic and when issues of national importance arose, it would make it difficult for a dual citizenship holder to offer allegiance to one country and reject the other.
However, Catholic cleric Lombe Bwalya from Kaputa parish said dual citizenship was becoming more common in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
[pullquote]Father Bwalya said dual citizenship had the advantages of broadening a country’s economic base by promoting trade and investment between the dual citizen’s two respective countries. [/pullquote]
Many countries are now seeing the advantages of dual citizenship and were liberalizing their citizenship laws.
Father Bwalya said dual citizenship had the advantages of broadening a country’s economic base by promoting trade and investment between the dual citizen’s two respective countries.
Some dual citizens also enjoy the privilege of voting in both countries, owning property in both countries, and having government health care in both countries.
However, when it came to a vote, it was recommended the clause on dual citizenship be removed.
In the Luapula Province convention the dual citizenship clause was retained amid arguments from some delegates including Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni that the clause should be rejected on patriotic and nationalist grounds.
Debating on the motion, Mr Sakeni urged Zambians to critically look at the issue of dual citizenship and ensure that it was not allowed in Zambia.
“AS Zambians, let us critically look at the issue of dual citizenship and take the interest of the nation at heart. Why do people want to be citizens of other countries in the first place,” Mr Sakeni said.
[pullquote]“As Zambians, let us critically look at the issue of dual citizenship and take the interest of the nation at heart. Why do people want to be citizens of other countries in the first place,” Mr Sakeni said.[/pullquote]
Labour Deputy Minister Ronald Chitotela said dual citizenship would make it difficult to extradite Zambians who committed crimes if they moved to other countries where they had citizenship.
“Let us denounce dual citizenship because even countries like United Kingdom are having difficulties to extradite criminals,” Labour Deputy Minister Ronald Chitotela said.
Other delegates including former Minister in the MMD, Mwansa Mbulakulima argued that it was important for Zambia to give citizenship to Zambians living in the diaspora to enable them work in other countries.
“Most of the Zambians living in other countries cannot work because of the issue of citizenship hence the need for us to assist them,” he said.
Some delegates, especially from the medical field supported the dual citizenship clause saying it would go a long way in contributing to national development.
The issue of the dress code also raised concern with Pastor Maxwell Luchile saying indecent dressing had even affected the church.
The convention refused to amend the provisions of Article 9(a) to read “morality, descent dressing, Christian values and Ethics”.
The convention however agreed to amend the definition of words minority and marginalised groups in the draft Constitution, under Article 311, to ensure the words did not apply to groups like lesbians, homosexuals, bisexuals, gay and prostitutes, which did not reflect on Christian values.
[pullquote]“Let us denounce dual citizenship because even countries like United Kingdom are having difficulties to extradite criminals,” Labour Deputy Minister Ronald Chitotela said.[/pullquote]
In Muchinga delegates upheld the Article on death penalty as contained in the first draft constitution.
The delegates reached a tie before going into a secret ballot with 71 votes cast to retain the death penalty and 21 voted against the penalty while 7 people did not vote.
The delegates retained Article 28 sub-section 3 which states that a person may be deprived of life if that person has been convicted of a capital offence and sentenced to death.
A delegate, Victor Mapande said the Article should be carefully examined while Frank Bowa seconded the proposal.
Another delegate Lewis Shikapwasha said the death penalty should be upheld even in a Christian nation as the Bible allows death penalty hence should be retained as a deterrent.
The delegates retained Article 33 (1) which states that a person shall not be held in slavery as contained in the first draft constitution while others suggested that Slavery, Servitude and Forced Labour be redefined.
The delegates amended Article 60 of the draft constitution to state the State shall place affirmation action programmes designed to ensure that socially acceptable minority and marginalized groups, participate and are represented in governance and other spheres of life, are provided with equal opportunity in cultural, political, public service, economic and social activities.
The Article further states that minority and marginalized groups shall be provided special opportunities for access to employment and develop socially acceptable cultural values, languages and practices.
Delegates failed to retain the Article before settling for the secret ballot with a total of 99 votes cast and 33 opting for the Article to be retained in its original form in the first draft constitution while 63 wanted it to be amended.
A Human Rights Commission representative, Kebby Malila informed the delegates that issues related to human rights were not negotiable.
Mr Malila said the rights women should not be subjected to negotiation with their spouses as this compromised the essence of human rights.
“Human rights are not negotiable. Consulting the spouse on rights of the woman would be eroding the foundation of human rights”, he said.
[pullquote]“Human rights are not negotiable. Consulting the spouse on rights of the woman would be eroding the foundation of human rights”, he said.[/pullquote]
Delegates retained Article 52 under the Bill of Rights which allows women to have rights to reproductive health and change nationality of their children, access to family planning and related information.
Other Articles in the first draft constitution that were overwhelmingly retained include Freedom of Persons, Protection from inhuman Treatment, Security of Persons, Protection of Privacy of Persons, Home and Property and Communication and Freedom of religion and Conscience.
In Mongu, UPND Senanga MP Likando Mufalali blamed the Technical Committee for the poor turnout of lawmakers at the ongoing Western Province Constitution Convention.
Mr Mufalali said in an interview in Mongu that the Technical Committee had not informed the MPs on time, resulting in a poor turn out.
“The low turn out of MPs is due to the fact that the timing by the Technical Committee, I think, was not communicated to them on time. They (MPs) are attending to Committees right now. Parliamentary Committees have started,” he said.
