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Senior chief Tafuna of the Lungu speaking people of Mpulungu has appealed to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to reconstitute the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Committee to include technocrats instead of just politicians and community leaders.
Commenting on the on-going debate in Mpulungu district on how Councilors at Mpulungu district council have allocated the CDF monies, Deputy Chief Tafuna, Cosmas Sikazwe Tafuna said the move will limit and reduce the influence of politicians on the fund.
Councilors at Mpulungu district council have come under heavy criticism from various stakeholders and members of the public, on what they have termed, unfair and wasteful distribution of CDF.
The Councilors have come under attack for giving money to segmented smaller projects instead of bigger projects that the community believed could have made a huge impact and stood the test of time.
Chief Tafuna has also asked the ministry to change the guidelines to compel the council not to ignore technocrats’ advice and approve projects that technocrats believed were not feasible.
He said the fact that Councilors went ahead and disregarded technical advice from the District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) and approved segmented projects for the 2012 CDF funding meant that all the system was prone to abuse.
“We now have no doubt in our minds that this decision was coated with vested interests of the Honorable Councilors…..so to halt future hijackings, let the CDF committees be constituted to include technocrats and let’s also have new guidelines,’’ Chief Tafuna stated.
He said the Councilors should have taken a leaf from Choma Municipal Council who agreed to spend their CDF on graders, machinery which he said would go a long way in assisting the community involved.
Councilors in Mpulungu have resolved to spend CDF on over 73 projects some of which are costing as low as KR 5 000 with the highest getting an allocation of KR 40 000, from the allocation of KR 1million of CDF coffers.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba Sata is expected to be among hundreds of mourners who will witness the mass burial of the post bus victims who perish in one of the most fatal road traffic accident in the history of this country.
Preparations for the mass burial scheduled for Monday has reached an advanced stage.
According to a brief by the Post Master General Macpherson Chanda during a funeral preparatory meeting chaired by Provincial Minister Mwenya Musenge yesterday morning, all the bodies of the accident which have been identified by relatives have been transported to their respective destinations.
Only four bodies which have not yet been identified are still lying in Kabwe General Hospital mortuary.
Three of the unidentified bodies are suspected to be for those who were on board of the truck while the fourth one is suspected to be for a post bus passenger.
Mr Chanda revealed that 45 bodies have been transported to Ndola in readiness for burial while three other bodies have been transported to Lusaka.
He further said three other bodies have been taken to Kitwe while one body has been taken to Nakonde.
Mr Chanda also disclosed that by last night, Zampost management had managed to pass through all the 44 homes to offers its condolences and render some logistic support towards funeral expenses.
Mr Chanda said besides the provision of a casket and K1m funeral support, Zampost will also allocate each family a 26 setter bus to carry relatives on the burial day.
And Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge was happy to note that Zampost who are the owners of the bus were on top of things.
Mr Mwenya told the meeting that government was keen to see to it that the burden of the bereaved families is lightened.
He said to this effect the provincial administration was also offering some logistical support to the bereaved families to lighten the burden.
The Provincial Minister further disclosed that government has identified Monday as the burial date for the Ndola based accident victims at which first Lady Dr Kaseba Sata is expected.
Mr Mwenya however said government will not stop any family who may wish not to be part of the mass burial which will take place at Mitengo cemetery.
The burial will be preceded by an inter-denomination service to be held at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium.
A special plot has been identified where the remains of the accident victims will be put to rest in individual graves and, government had initially identified Tuesday next week as a possible day for burial.
Meanwhile, one family has so far indicated that they will burial their relative today while two other families have also indicated that they wish bury their relatives tomorrow.
Over 50 people perished in a road traffic accident involving a post bus and a truck which happened at John Chinena in Chibombo district in Central province on Thursday this week.
President Michael Sata has since declared a three-day period of national mourning starting Monday to Wednesday next week in honour of the accident victims.
Survivors of the horrific Chibombo accident recalled with shock the accident which left 53 dead with the death toll having now increased by three more victims.Chibombo District Commissioner Felix Mangwato confirmed the latest deaths.Mr Mangwato said one of the passengers died on arrival at Liteta Hospital and another victim died while in admission at the hospital while the third one died on the way to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for emergency treatment. Among the dead are three police officers.
A visit at UTH found Pauline Banda Musonda who sustained a broken arm and leg, in agony.She told the Times that she was in deep shock, especially that she did not know the whereabouts of her husband.
“I am injured yes…but I don’t know where my husband is. We were together on the bus. I don’t know what happened…I don’t know whether he is alive or he is among those that died,” she said in her hospital bed.“The only thing I remember is when I was in a van being ferried to the hospital. I was so in shock. When the accident happened, most people in the bus were asleep,” she said.
Ms Musonda, who works for the Ndola High Court, said she was going to Lusaka to pick up court files from the Lusaka High Court and was scheduled to return to Ndola the same day.
Another victim Mike Bwalya, 22, a lorry mate to the deceased driver of the truck, only recalled seeing the van that caused the accident, overtake the Post bus.
“It was raining and it was on a curve, in the process of trying to avoid the Toyota Hilux, my uncle Joseph Kasongo, who was driving the truck lost control and went to hit into the oncoming bus. I cannot remember what transpired afterwards,” Mr Bwalya said.
Mr Bwalya who sustained a broken arm, injuries to the head and multiple bruises on his body, said he had joined his uncle and cousin on the trip as they transported mealie meal from Lusaka to the Copperbelt.
And Godfrey Chonde, a pastor, who was at pains to explain what transpired said he was asleep when the accident occurred.
”All I can remember is that I was on top of some bags that were in a truck, and after some time I realised that we had been involved in an accident. I cried to God and the next thing I saw was a white man coming to help me and put me in his van,” Pastor Chonde said.
UTH Public Relations manager Pauline Mbangweta said 12 people had been discharged.Ms Mbangweta said there were currently 10 victims, four male and six females that were still receiving treatment.
Power Dynamos coach Beston Chambeshi says the team is ready for the 2013 CAF Confederation Cup.
Chambeshi’s side will host Recreativo da Caala of Angola in the preliminary round, first leg tie on February 16 at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
The coach said he was also happy with the performance of new signings in recent warm-up matches.
“For sure, we have played Zanaco that is a sign that we are ready. We have played Zanaco which is a big team,” he said.
Power beat 2013 CAF Champions League representatives Zanaco 2-0 in a friendly match last Thursday and prior to then lost 3-0 to FC Platinum of Zimbabwe and drew 1-1 with Don Bosco of DR Congo.
“The team is physically fit looking at the way they have played the past two friendly games. I am happy with their level of fitness,” Chambeshi added.
“All I am looking at is co-ordination you know we have brought in new players.”
Vice President Guy Scott touring Dambwa Central market in Livingstone with Patriotic Front (PF) Livingstone candidate Lawrence Evans (left) and PF campaign manager Obvious Mwaliteta (right)
Vice President Guy Scott said it was unfortunate that the Chibombo accident that claimed 51 lives occurred despite the Government paying the Zambia Police Service and the Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RTSA) to prevent such road accidents.He said RTSA is supposed to be such curbing road accidents but it seems it is not doing so.The Chibombo accident that happened on Thursday morning between a Zampost bus and a truck has received a lot of international attention, being carried by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),Sky News,Voice of America among other international media outlets.
The Vice president was speaking in Livingstone yesterday.He is in Livingstone to drum up support for PF candidate Lawrence Evans in the up coming Livingstone by-elections.
Meanwhile Vice President Guy Scott has urged Patriotic Front (PF) members in Livingstone to ensure that the ruling party candidate Lawrence Evans wins the February 28 Parliamentary by-election.Dr Scott said PF members should have right attitudes and explain to Livingstone residents the benefits of voting for Mr Evans.
He said it was time for the ruling party to win the Livingstone parliamentary by-election especially after losing to MMD in 2011 and to the opposition UPND in 2012.
Dr Scott was speaking in Livingstone yesterday when he met PF officials at the Civic Centre.
[pullquote]If you lose it again the third time running in two years, who do you expect to come here and thank you and give you jobs? Nobody except we will continue to run the country including Livingstone. You must adopt the right attitude and that is winning the election, then we will see the benefits of having won the election. Be proactive and don’t wait for us to tell you on how to campaign[/pullquote]
“If you lose it again the third time running in two years, who do you expect to come here and thank you and give you jobs? Nobody except we will continue to run the country including Livingstone. You must adopt the right attitude and that is winning the election, then we will see the benefits of having won the election. Be proactive and don’t wait for us to tell you on how to campaign,” Dr Scott said.
He said party members should go out and ask for votes from Livingstone residents and explain to them what the PF Government intended to do for them.
He urged the police in Livingstone to execute their duties professionally in maintaining law and order in the tourist capital ahead of the February 28 by-elections.He said Government would not tolerate acts of violence and hence the Police should ensure that law and order were maintained.
“If the Police will fail to maintain law and order in the city, we will get other officers to do the job,” he said.
Dr Scott also urged councils and civil servants to ensure that they implemented the policies of the PF Government.
“Some civil servants tell us that we found them in Government and we will leave them in Government.”
He said the media should take time to interview the candidates and other ordinary citizens to get their views on the forthcoming
by-election.
Speaking at the same function, Dr Scott’s wife Charlotte urged women to work together to ensure that the Livingstone seat was delivered to Mr Evans.She said women and other members of the ruling party should remain focused ahead of the by-election.
Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo was optimistic that the PF would emerge winner in the Livingstone and Mpongwe parliamentary by-elections this month-end.Ms Masebo, who is PF chairperson for elections, said the ruling party was currently more united compared to the previous by-election in the
tourist capital.
PF Livingstone by-election campaign manager Obvious Mwaliteta urged Livingstone residents to reject UPND aspiring candidate Regina Musokotwane because the people of Katombora had already rejected her.Mr Mwaliteta said MMD and UNIP had exhibited maturity in their campaigns but UPND was promoting violence in the town.
Former Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti says it will be prudent for the government to take the burden associated with the funeral of the bereaved families adding that it is unfortunate that 51 lives were lost at a go.
Mr. Mulongoti has also urged government to thoroughly investigate what led to the tragic accident that claimed the lives of more than 50 people.
And the former cabinet minister has also called on the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to step up their efforts of ensuring that vehicles are road worthy to avoid future losses of lives.
He says there is need for a complete overhaul of RTSA to ensure that the institution operates efficiently.
Mr. Mulongoti was speaking in an interview with Qfm News.
The Zambia Postal Services Corporation (ZAMPOST) announced yesterday that they would meet the full funeral costs for the 51 victims of the Chibombo Post bus accident.
Anouncing this, Zambia Postal Services Post Master General McPherson Chanda also said that his company and the bereaved families based in Ndola have tentatively agreed to hold a mass burial next week Tuesday.
And the board and management of ZAMPOST have sent a message of condolences to the families of the affected travelers. The company has set up two help lines for victims of the Chibombo accident which left more than 50 people dead.
Affected families could call ZAMPOST on:
0212-613275 or 0979-049793 or 0965-609606.
Meanwhile President Sata has declared national mourning in honor of the 51 deaseased from Monday 11th February through to Wednesday 13th February, during this time all national flags will fly at half mast and all programs of entertainment in nature will be halted.
File: Picture taken by LT blogger showing a truck that overturned. The driver and his assistant were in the background receiving attention for minor injuries
A Mansa based Senior citizen has implored the Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RTSA) to step up the checkups on the road worthiness of the trucks that were carrying heavy loads on the roads.
Evans Mulenga 62, disclosed that he observed with disappointment the number of trucks that had careered off the road and overturned on the Kapiri-Mposhi – Kasama road on Tuesday this week.He said he had counted over six heavy duty trucks which had gone off the road and overturned just from Kapiri to Mukando turn off which was a sign of careless driving by truck drivers.
He said it was important for RTSA to make routine road checks on the trucks using the roads because such loss of control for over six trucks on one road should be sending a strong message of the weaknesses by RTSA in enforcing the law on road safety.
He added that since the trucks were deserted at the time of his observation, it was unclear on what could have happened to the lives of the drivers and some possible passengers on board at the time of the careering off the road.
[pullquote]He said he had counted over six heavy duty trucks which had gone off the road and overturned just from Kapiri to Mukando turn off on Tuesday this week[/pullquote]
Mr Mulenga cautioned truck drivers to be extremely cautious when they were on the road because consumption of alcohol while driving especially in the night was a big risk to lives of not only themselves but other road users.
He also cautioned the drivers to desist from browsing their IPADs for messages while driving because concentration was affected negatively and could result in road traffic tragedies.
He said the frequent sight of trucks that have overturned along the Kapiri-Mposhi –Kasama road was sending a wrong message to the motorists and other road users that the area was a risk to drive along.
Health Minister, Joseph Kasonde has visited victims of the fatal accident that claimed over 50 people in Chibombo district of Central Province.
The Minister who called Central Province Minister, Phillip Kosamu at his office later proceeded to Kabwe General Hospital where he met the survivors of the remarkable accident and sought for information on their condition.
Acting hospital representative, Dr Sylvester Kasonde confirmed to the Minister that 47 bodies were brought in dead while two survivors were admitted around 21:00hours yesterday.
“16 bodies were identified and collected by relatives while 31 are still in the mortuary and we therefore expect an increase in collection of the bodies by relatives,” said Dr Kasonde.
He explained that among the deceased, 22 were male adults, 22 female adults and one boy and two girls.
The Medical Superintendent further said two male adults were admitted and one with fractured leg was referred to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and his condition was quite stable.
The Health Minister Dr Kasonde hailed the medical personnel for attending to the victims stating that they competently dealt with the casualties and urged them to continue.
Meanwhile,two survivors of the Chibombo Post bus accident who were admitted to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) have been discharged.
UTH Public Relations Officer Pauline Mbangweta confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.
Ms Mbangweta said the condition of the ten other survivors is stable and that they were out of danger.
More than 50 people died in what is said to be one of the worst road traffic accidents the country has ever experienced.
Scores of peasant farmers in Luwingu district in the Northern Province stormed the office of the District Commissioner demanding an explanation as to why fertilizer has not been made available to them.
The peasant farmers in Luwingu district are worried with the late distribution of fertilizer in the area saying the delay will in turn adversely affect the maize production this year.
Speaking when they stormed the office of the district commissioner Mambwe Katontoka, Ilufya Cooperative Society Chairperson John Chanda said most of their crop which was planted between November and January has been destroyed due to none availability of fertilizer especially top dressing.
Mr Chanda said none availability of top dressing fertilizer is worrying most of the farmers in Lubansenshi and Lupososhi constituency adding that they are not read to wait for the germinating maize to be destroyed due to late delivery of Urea (the top dressing fertilizer).
“Farmers in the district are bitter with the way government has handled the fertilizer distribution this year,” he warned.
The farmers who travelled as far as Senior chief Shimumbi which is about 153 km, Senior Chieftainess Chungu 57 km, Chief Tungati 36 km and Chief Chabula 72 km to collect the inputs were disappointed to note that the district had not received the commodity from Kasama.
And Mufili camps Chairperson Lightson Kabwe said farmers in the outskirts are wondering why the government has delayed in distributing the fertilizer under the Farmer Inputs Support Program (FISP).
He said most of the farmers in Luwingu have not received top dressing fertilizer while others got basal dressing.
Mr Kabwe said the Patriotic Front government should be reminded that people changed government in order to improve delivery of farm inputs and government operation especially in local councils.
He said so far people in rural areas have not appreciated change because they are being made to walk long distances to fetch for agriculture commodity which should have been brought on their door steps.
Mr Kabwe said he wouldn’t want to compare with the old governments but merely asking for maximum improvement especially in the agricultural sector.
He said if there are some civil servants who are delaying the distribution of fertilizers they should be removed quickly before they completely tarnish the good image of the PF government.
About 157 cooperative society representatives stormed the office of the District Commissioner Mrs Katontoka who has since assured peasant farmers to remain calm as government through the ministry of agriculture was doing everything possible.
Mrs Katontoka said she was aware of the difficulties the farmers were facing especially on late delivery of farm inputs.
She said though the District Agriculture Coordinator has not yet reported anything concerning the delay to distribute fertilizer in the district, she promised to make a follow up with the office of the Provincial Permanent Secretary on the matter.
The Registrar of Societies says it is still contemplating on whether or not to cancel the records of the opposition Reform Party (RP) in its data base.
The latter was headed by the then President Dr Nevers Mumba who is now Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) leader.
In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Acting Chief Registrar of Societies Willis Manjimela disclosed that the society is in the process of making a move to go ahead to deregister the existence of the party as was directed by government.
Mr Manjimela who is also Home Affairs Deputy Permanent Secretary noted that a decree is a decree and when it is passed it has to be complied with.
He stressed that action would soon be followed regarding the way forward for the RP as to whether it still holds legal ground as an official political party in Zambia.
He further said Zambians will soon know about the fate of RP.
Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Maxwell Nkole recently instructed the Registrar of Societies to remove the Reformed Party from the records as being one of the official political parties existing in the country.
Earlier this week the Registrar of Societies was told by Mr Nkole to use its discretion and de-register the controversial Reform Party (RP) because it is ‘dead’,
Mr Nkole said this when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs.
He said the RP is only active on paper but its operations on the ground are non-existent.
“RP on the shelf is an active party but it is dead out there. It has not been active since 2007,” he said.
Mr Nkole was responding to a question raised by Zambezi East member of Parliament Sarah Sayifwanda who wanted to know why the Office of Registrar of Societies is seemingly applying double standards to political parties.
Ms Sayifwanda said there is need for the civil service to guide the PF government correctly so that it delivers development.
Mr Nkole said the argument about RP is merely an academic exercise.
“The issue about RP is an administrative one and not a political matter as is being portrayed,” he said.
Mr Nkole said civil servants must speak the same language with policy-makers, adding that the Office of the Registrar of Societies must advise the Ministry of Home Affairs correctly.
He said the civil service is not proactive in keeping the government informed on certain matters.
Mr Nkole said the current administration wants to change that attitude towards work.
“We haven’t given sufficient guidance to Government as civil servants,” he said.
And Ms Sayifwanda commended Mr Nkole for being candid on the matter which has attracted public debate.
“We only have one country…. that’s why we want things to go well,” she said.
The Ministry of Education has expressed dismay at the media reports purporting that some examination centres are overcharging candidates intending to sit for the 2013 Grade 12 General Certificate of Education Examination (GCE).
Education Minister John Phiri said in a statement made available to ZANIS that any centre charging examination fees beyond the approved fee for both external and internal candidates is committing an offence as it is in defiant of the ECZ guidelines on examination.
The Minister clarified that the only fees that are remitted to the ECZ from the centre are the examination fees as provided in the ECZ guidelines on the administration and management of examinations in Zambia.
Dr Phiri stated that centres and tuition fees are levied to GCE candidates as a service by the centres while the other fees charged by the centre are for purpose of administering the examinations which he said must be regulated by the Provincial Education Offices.
He said the alleged exorbitant fees charged by centres should not in any way be tied to the examination fees remitted to ECZ.
“According to the 2013 scale of examination fees, grade 12 internal candidates should pay KR8.50 as entry fee per candidate and KR5.5 subject fee per subject. For GCE candidates the entry fee is KR 25 per candidate and subject fee is KR 33.80 per subject,” Dr Phiri said.
He added that it is not mandatory for the would-be GCE candidates to pay and attend tuition at the centre adding that candidates are free to register for tuition at any centre of their choice.
The Minister has since directed the Director of Standards and Curriculum in his ministry to provide standard tuition and centre fees to be paid by GCE candidates in 2014 and further directed Provincial Education Officers to instruct all centres to abide by the 2013 scale of fees and also to regulate the high administrative fees charged by centres.
The minister said the directives are meant to ensure that education is affordable and accessible to all especially GCE students.
He further recommended to the ECZ to close or reprimand any GCE centres resisting the regulations and instructions saying government will not allow them, to exploit GCE candidates.
Vice President Guy Scott has dismissed rumours going round that the Patriotic Front (PF) has allocated KR300, 000 for political campaigns in the forthcoming Livingstone Central parliamentary by-elections.
And Patriotic Front (PF) Elections Chairperson Sylvia Masebo has expressed confidence that the party will win both the Livingstone Central and Mpongwe parliamentary by-elections on 28th February 2013.
Speaking when he introduced PF Livingstone Central parliamentary candidate Lawrence Evans to party functionaries in the Council Chamber today, Dr. Scott said the party has not allocated such an amount of money towards campaigns for its candidate.
He explained that the rumours were meant to distract PF members from launching a vigorous campaign so that the party wins the seat.
Dr. Scott, who is also PF Vice President, further explained that if the party had such an amount of money, it would have used it towards buying campaign materials and adverts.
He has since challenged Patriotic Front (PF) members in Livingstone district to actively campaign for Mr. Evans so that he emerges victorious on the polling day.
Dr. Scott noted that it would be regrettable for the party to lose the Livingstone Central seat in three consecutive elections in the last 18 months.
And speaking at the same event, Patriotic Front (PF) Elections Chairperson Sylvia Masebo said the political mood in both Livingstone Central and Mpongwe by-elections indicate that the party would emerge victorious.
Ms. Masebo, who is also Minister of Tourism and Arts, said the political mood in both constituencies that were previously in opposition hands indicate that the party has an upper hand.
Earlier, PF Livingstone Central Campaign Manager, Oblivious Mwaliteta said some opposition political parties resorted to electoral violence in order to discourage potential voters’ from freely exercising their democratic right of supporting the party of their choice.
Mr. Mwaliteta, who is also Western Province Minister, claimed that the UPND failed to find a credible candidate in Livingstone hence settling for Regina Musokotwane, who was rejected in Katombora Constituency in the 2011 tripartite elections.
PF Livingstone Central candidate, Lawrence Evans and his wife, PF Chairperson for Foreign Affairs, Alfridah Kansembe and other PF senior officers attended the function.
Police have charged the driver of the Toyota Land Cruiser involved in yesterday’s accident involving a Post bus and a truck with 51 counts of causing death by dangerous driving contrary to section 161 of the Road Traffic Act No.11 of 2002 of the laws of Zambia.
Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani has told QFM News in a statement that the driver of the Land Cruiser registration No. ABH 2214 Van eeden Abraham aged 74 of farm number 1468 Mkushi farm will appear in court soon.
Ms Libongani says Police investigations have established that Mr Vandeem Abraham was the cause of the accident which claimed dozens of lives, after he misjudged the distance and attempted to overtake the bus, in the process hit into the on-coming truck which in turn lost control and hit into the Post Bus that was coming from the opposite direction.
And Ms Libongani has expressed concern with the varying media statistics being reported of the number people that died in the accident along the Great North road at John Chinena in Chibombo district.
She has since clarified that the actual number of people who died in the accident stands at fifty one (51).
The Inspector General explains that 47 people who were aboard the bus died on the spot while two others died on the way to Liteta hospital and UTH bringing the number of those from the bus to 49, while two bodies were retrieved from the truck, bringing the total number of victims to 51.
She says thirty bodies have since been identified, and has appealed to members of the public that have relatives and friends travelling from Ndola, Kapiri, Kabwe to Lusaka and have not reached to report to the nearest Police.
Ms Libongani says sixteen passengers were injured in the accident and admitted to UTH, Kabwe general hospital and Liteta hospital.
She says of the 12 admitted to the UTH, two have been discharged together with the other two who were admitted to Liteta hospital, with ten still admitted to UTH and two to Kabwe General hospital.
And Ms Libongani has identified the driver of the Post Bus registration No.ABV 4020 as Chiluba and the driver of the truck registration No. 1792 AB 05 horse and 1793 AB 05 trailer as Joseph Kasongo.
The bus left Ndola with 73 people including the driver and his assistant.
Government has declared a three-day period of national mourning in honour of the 53 people who died in a road accident in Chibombo on Thursday.
Acting secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska announced in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that President Michael Sata declared a three day national mourning period to commence on Monday, February 11, 2013.
“The National mourning will commence on Monday 11, February, 2013 at 06.00 hours and will end on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 18.00 hours. During this period, all flags will fly at half mast and programmes of entertainment in nature shall be suspended,” Dr Msiska
said.
And Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge has said the number is expected to increase as some bodies were yet to be identified.
“Thirty five people have so far been confirmed to be Ndola residents, however, the number might increase because we are still waiting for some bodies to be identified,” he said.
He said the Copperbelt Provincial Administration had earlier met with the Post Master General to discuss the possibility of a mass burial for the Ndola accident victims.
Mr Musenge also visited a number of funeral houses for the victims in the city today where he encouraged the families to seek God’s strength and encouragement.
“It’s not easy for anyone to lose a loved one and let’s pray for God’s guidance and encouragement in this trying time,” the minister, who also donated mealie meal bags and some cash to the bereaved families said.
Meanwhile, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has joined organisations, individuals and political parties that have sent messages of condolences to the bereaved families of the over 50 people who died in the road accident yesterday.
The former ruling party has called on the church to step in and pray for the nation so that the excessive spilling of blood in the country can be stopped.
In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, MMD President Nevers Mumba said the continued loss of lives through accidents is a spiritual battle between good and evil which he said must be stopped.
He noted that the church must pray to stop the evil which he said seems to be demanding for more blood.
Dr. Mumba wished the affected family members God’s strength during this period stating that any untimely loss of life is a subtraction from the commonwealth nations which he said leaves a great deficit.
“The MMD grieves with the families and all Zambians on the tragic death of fifty passengers on the Post bus which was headed for Lusaka this morning. Our prayers reach out to all affected family members, and wish them God’s strength during this difficult hour,”stated Dr. Mumba
Yesterday, a passenger post bus headed for Lusaka from Copperbelt was involved in an accident around Chibombo area where over 50 people died on the spot while several others sustained injuries.
Northwestern Province Minister Stephen Masumba is confident that the ruling PF will easily win the forthcoming Mpongwe parliamentary bye election.
In an interview, Mr. Masumba said he recently toured Mpongwe and assessed that the PF had high chances of scooping the seat which fell vacant after MMD’s Gabriel Namulambe ditched the party to join the PF.
Mr. Namulambe is now recontesting the same seat on the PF ticket.
Mr. Masumba who also left the MMD for PF last year commended Mr. Namulambe for abandoning the former ruling party for the PF.
“My friend Gabriel did a commendable thing. He made a very wise decision. The MMD is sinking and he did well to jump into the PF boat which is sailing,” Mr. Masumba said.
He said deciding to work with the PF was a matter of principle especially that development could best be initiated and implemented when an MP is from a ruling party.
“For me and Gabriel, this is a matter of principle, remember we told the people when we were campaigning as MMD that they should vote for us because as the party in government then, we were in a position to drive development but when we lost, it became necessary that we cross over to the ruling party so that our message is consistent, we don’t believe in double standards.”
Mr. Masumba who is also Mufumbwe PF MP said there is no presence of the opposition in Mpongwe to threaten the PF victory.
On February 28 2013, the electorate in Mpongwe and Livingstone will again go to polls to cast their ballots for their Members of Parliament.
