President Michael Sata has assured all opposition MMD members of Parliament serving in the PF Government that his administration would take urgent and practical intervations to ensure that they are protected against all forms of harassment and intimidation.

The President’s pledge comes in the wake of frequent threats of expulsion that have been issued by the former ruling party on its parliamentarians that are currently serving as deputy ministers in the PF Government.

Mr Sata said this today in a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka by Special Assistant to the President for press and Public Relations, George Chellah, adding that as progressive politicians, immediately the PF Government assumed office, the Head of state co-opted opposition MMD Members of Parliament into his Government.

Mr Sata said he appointed the former ruling party’s MPs purely in the spirit of inclusivity and desire to transform the country to new heights.

He stated that the PF’s aspirations have always been to utilise the proficiency and competencies of citizens who are willing to serve their mother land irrespective of their social or political attachments.

He added that there is no way the head f of state and Government in particular will ever marginalise or ditch the MMD opposition MPs.

President Sata further eluded that together, the PF administration and opposition MPs choose to work together in the interest of the country and that the PF administration shall deliver to the interest of the Zambian people.

Mr Sata stated that as Head of State and President of the Patriotic Front Party, he will endeavour to undertake to protect and defend people both in and outside Government until his administration triumph over adversity just like the party has done in Mufumbwe.

“Even in the worst case scenario, their parliamentary seats are safe as they are guaranteed adoption under the PF ticket. I encourage them to draw comfort, courage and lesson from Hon Stephen Masumba’s case,” President Sata said.

Mr Sata said Mr Masumba’s adoption and subsequent victory speaks volumes of Government’s commitment to work and stand by colleagues even amidst difficulties.

He also urged the parliamentarians to ignore MMD President, Nevers Mumba’s lies, greediness and intimidation.

“We are in a hurry for development and there is no space for trivial and egoistic politics because this country requires devoted leadership and as Government, we are determined to navigate the challenges and contours of the future just to ensure that we improve the quality of life for our people and subsequently restore their dignity,” the President said.

Meanwhile, President Sata has swapped Northern Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba with his counterpart Hlobotha Nkunika from Eastern Province.

The Head of State wishes the duo successes and God’s blessings in their new provinces.

ZANIS

Sympathizers of Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba have clashed at Kasama Airport as the two camps offered solidarity messages for the two ministers.

There was an exchange of bitter words at the Airports as the PF cadres went to offer solidarity to the two ministers.

Mr. Kabimba is in Kasama to officiate at a PF Provincial Indaba and arrived around 11:30 Hours and he is scheduled to feature on a radio programme on Radio Mano this afternoon.

Confused has ensued between Mr. Mwamba and Mr. Kabimba’s camps ahead of the ongoing indaba.

Meanwhile, Police has confiscated two trucks belonging to Mr. Mwamba who is also area MP which was carrying his sympathizers.

Two drivers of ABV 2596 and ALB 4328 have since been detained at Kasama Central Police station.

Heavy presence of police officers is keeping vigil of the ongoing PF Indaba which is a scene of lawlessness between the two camps.

The Forum for Democratic Process (FODEP) is happy that the Mufumbwe by-election has shown tremendous improvement in terms of the conduct by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as well as the transparency of the counting and totalling process.

FODEP Executive Director, Macdonald Chipenzi, said the preparations by the ECZ seemed to have been undertaken in a professional manner leading to a smooth voting process.

Mr Chipenzi attested to this by the timely opening and closing of the polling stations throughout the constituency.

He observed that FODEP is pleased that the electoral environment before, during and immediately after the elections was peaceful, adding that political parties and other stakeholders showed increased respect for each other and the electoral process.

He, however, noted that there were persistent allegations that individual party cadres did not always refrain from violence and that people reported incidences of the distribution of money and materials by parties during the campaign period.

Mr Chipenzi also disclosed that there were allegations of electoral blackmailing such as promises by the ruling party of building health posts in the event that it would be elected by local residents or losing government support if voters did not support the ruling party candidate.

He said on the other hand, opposition parties promised a big victory celebration where a number of animals would be slaughtered.

He further added that it was alleged that political parties were continuing to carry out their campaign activities after the official closing of the campaign period.

Mr Chipenzi revealed that no culprit, however, was brought to book and as a result, FODEP noted with great concern that the respect of the provisions of the electoral code of conduct continue to be a challenge for political actors.

He stated that FODEP believes that these incidences could not influence the electoral process to an extent which casts doubt on the validity of the process as a whole.

Mr Chipenzi said FODEP observed with regret that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seemed not to have its presence felt in Mufumbwe during the campaign period and election day, adding that this is casting a lot of doubt on the ACC’s commitment to fighting corruption in the electoral process in Zambia.

He stated that FODEP, therefore, recommends that the ACC should establish its presence before, during and after elections and ensure that perpetrators of electoral corruption are brought to book.

ZANIS

An inferno has swept through a furniture manufacturing factory, Decormore Investments Limited in Lusaka destroying property worth over K3 billion.

The fire which destroyed eight machines, raw materials and finished products is reported to have started on Wednesday night after power, which had gone off, was restored around 20:30 hours.

The factory situated off Lumumba road had been experiencing power outages and in this incident, the factory had no power in the evening and when it was restored, it produced a spark and triggered the fire alarm before the factory was engulfed in fire.

Managing Director Osama Younes found at the scene said the fire lasted close to five hours as a combined team of the council fire brigade and Zambia Air Force (ZAF) struggled to quench it.

“It is very devastating, I saw my machines burning, the Fire tenders came earlier but ran out of water, then we had ZAF to reinforce the quenching of fire which lasted for over five hours and it destroyed property worth between K2.5 billion and K3.5 billion,” said Mr Younes.

He said he had over 30 employees at his factory who would be jobless until his factory resumes operations as it had to start afresh since the fire had extensively damaged the warehouse and the machines.

A check found all the machines, raw materials, finished products burnt and part of the wall where the fire was expected to have started from completely damaged.

An eye witness, a security officer from Giant Eagles Security Services Ben Kunaka said he first heard the alarm set by Armcor ringing an indication that there was danger and when he rushed to check he saw a spark which later stopped.

He said after 30 minutes he again heard the alarm and when he checked for the second time he saw the factory in flames and quickly went outside and started shouting for help and a fire brigade vehicle going somewhere advised him to call their emergency numbers as well as that of the managing director.

“After some time I saw the fire fighters and the others including the owner of the factory Mr Younes who came rushing. We later saw ZAF fire fighters who together assisted to put the fire off,” Mr Kunaka said.

He said the fire was only quenched between 05:00 and 06:00 hours.

Jay Rox released his latest single “Loot Cause “

By Kapa187

Zone Fam are really ending 2012 with a bang. After the release of their critically acclaimed single Contolola  along with the video which can be seen across Africa on MTV Base , they have released a new single Compolition .

By Kapa187

President Michael Sata has thanked the people of Mufumbwe for coming out resoundingly to vote for the Patriotic Front and its candidate Stephen Masumba in the parliamentary by-election, where the opposition MMD and UPND fielded a joint candidate.

In a statement released to the media by State House, the president expressed gratitude to the Zambian people for their show of confidence in his administration following the nationwide local government by-elections in which the ruling party has scooped a total of 12 out of the 14 ward by-elections.

President Sata said that the trouncing of MMD and UPND in Mufumbwe was indeed for the people of Zambia, and reinforces the PF government’s commitment to distribute development in all parts of the country.

“The people of Mufumbwe have made a clear choice against politics of hate, ill-will and tribalism and have resolutely decided to vote for development and unison. They have also freely shown that they are willing to side with a progressive movement that is committed to delivering inclusive growth,” President Sata said.

“No doubt, our dear brothers and sisters of Mufumbwe have with certainty rejected opportunism and meaningless political rhetoric in preference for national development and unity. This is how it should be and the Zambian people must be guaranteed that a new era of proper democracy, where people’s wishes are respected, has dawned.”

The President henceforth assured the people of Mufumbwe that the PF government will set out to work hard to ensure development and equitable supply of resources in the area.

President Sata has also thanked Zambians for the strong show of support to the PF in the various local government by-elections held countrywide. The PF has scooped 12 out of the 14 ward by-elections.

It was clear, the President said, that the PF has continued gaining popularity as the only party with a national character and appeal.

“Indeed, the PF has gained incredible ground in North-Western, Western, Eastern and Central provinces. The recent victories in Chavuma, Luena, Petauke, Muchinga, Rufunsa, Chibombo and many others; are a clear testimony of this rapid progression,” President Sata said.

The Head of State praised the PF supporters that participated in the by-elections countrywide for exhibiting impressive levels of restraint, humility and maturity.

“As Head of State and PF President I am proud that our supporters behaved well even under extreme provocation from the opposition. I must admit that it’s quite unfortunate to see the once vibrant and disciplined MMD transform into a violent gang under the leadership of a man of the collar, Pastor Nevers Mumba,” President Sata said.

“This is a serious indictment on Pastor Mumba’s leadership and it calls for serious introspection. We cannot have a political party, which is headed by a man of God be found wanting in murderous and violent acts like what happened in Rufunsa and Mufumbwe. My advice to the MMD and UPND alliance is that we should all commit to good politics if indeed it’s the people of Zambia we intend to serve.”

President Sata said that government remains committed to engaging progressive forces within the opposition in its quest to implement pro-poor measures that will culminate into speedy economic expansion, job creation and poverty reduction.