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Lusaka Central Police Tear gas fracas in Pictures
Raised hopes, Shattered dreams: Why we are mad with Sata’s PF government
By Rev. Canon Dr. Kapya John Kaoma
The savagely beating United Party for National Development supporters, the imprisonment of a citizen for “insulting” President Sata, the killing of the Chinese National over minimum wage riots, and the deportation of Fr. Banyangandora create a sense of déjà vu in Zambian political history.
Of course, Zambia’s are frustrated over President Sata manner of governance. Aside from his constant reshuffles of cabinet ministers, the president seems to be taking us back to the years of colonial, UNIP and MMD administrations. Worse still, he seems to follow Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF tactics of intimidation and arrogance.
My friends, our frustration with PF should not blind us to the fact that we have been there before. As early as 1964, people held higher hopes of Kaunda led self-rule but their dreams were shattered when the UNIP government turned out to be worse than colonial masters. 27 years later, people’s hopes were rekindled when the “hour” came for MMD to rule.
Alas, our hopes were shattered by poverty, corruption and underdevelopment. In 2011, donchi kubeba promised more money in our pockets within 90 days. Eleven months later, our dreams are shattered.
Over the years, our presidents’ names have changed, but our economic conditions are unchanged. In most cases, they have even worsened. The results are self-evident: an ever growing gap between the rich and the poor, extreme poverty, the collapse of the health delivery sector and increased violence in our compounds.[pullquote]Over the years, our presidents’ names have changed, but our economic conditions are unchanged. In most cases, they have even worsened.[/pullquote]
Friends, I come from Mansa. When I was a child, we had running water. Today, Mansa has no sewer system, and running water is luxury. One wonders whether we dancing our traditional dance akalela- whereby going forward means retreating backwards in the country today!
My friends, our politicians know that hurdling on our hopes is a good way to win elections. The UNIP, MMD and PF did so when they were in opposition. It is ironical that the MMD government now wants us to believe that it would address the plight of masses should we develop dementia and vote it back into office.
Let me make this clear. Zambia’s biggest problem is not the PF government but the structures under which it is governing. The current government structures are founded on the oppressive configurations that once characterized colonial rule. Just as the colonial governor was central to colonial power, our presidents have too much power over every aspect of our lives.
It is the president who interprets our constitution, controls the courts and who speaks and who is heard. Democracy grants power to the people, but our current political organization is not democratic at all.
Currently, the president can legally create new districts, provinces, change names of international airport and appoints or fire judges. Unless such powers drastically reduced, our democracy will remain a sung slogan rather than a lived reality.[pullquote]The current government structures are founded on the oppressive configurations that once characterized colonial rule. Just as the colonial governor was central to colonial power, our presidents have too much power over every aspect of our lives.[/pullquote]
Currently, all organs of democratic accountability aid the president cult. For example, just before the 2011 elections, many stakeholders called on the police to investigate the then ruling MMD abuse of public resources during the campaigns. Since the police was unwilling to investigate, the PF sought court ruling on the matter but lost the case.
Likewise, the then MMD Lusaka province Chairman, Mr. William Banda orchestrated violence against PF cadres in Chongwe constituency. Many calls were made to arrest him, but the police turned a blind eye. However, when the MMD lost power to PF, the same organs arrested some senior MMD officers and Banda for violence and abuse of public resources.
This state of affairs shows that Zambia will never be democratized as long as the powers of the president are not reduced.[pullquote]This state of affairs shows that Zambia will never be democratized as long as the powers of the president are not reduced.[/pullquote]
In addition, the army, the police, the judiciary, the Auditor General, the Electoral Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission should be independent from political manipulation.
We need to realize that voting Elias Chipimo, Hakainde Hichilema, Nevers Mumba, Ng’andu Magande or even Edith Nawakwi into office under the current conditions is crafting another vicious dictator.
Let us reduce the powers of the presidency, or else, elections come and new governments will be born, but our experiences will be the same: raised hopes, shattered dreams.
But the de-politicization of these agencies depends on how far we will go to reduce the powers of the presidency. We should not expect our politicians to resolve this mess; we should do it.[pullquote]We need to realize that voting Elias Chipimo, Hakainde Hichilema, Nevers Mumba, Ng’andu Magande or even Edith Nawakwi into office under the current conditions is crafting another vicious dictator.[/pullquote]
Remember, politicians cry foul when they are in the opposition but once in power, they revert to the same systems they once faulted. This was the case with all Zambian presidents. Sata blamed the MMD for oppressing the masses, abuse of powers and, in some cases, the arresting of political opponents.
Today, he has turned out worse than the very system he fought. The same can be said about Kaunda, Chiluba, Mwanawasa, and Banda.
President Sata and his cabinet should understand that events in Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Libya among many other African countries during 2010-11 uprising demonstrated that people cannot be tamed forever.
Intimidation of political opponents through state sponsored violence, unequal access to government controlled media and politicization of the law enforcement agencies can hinder the realization of democracy for a while but we the people will always triumph.
I pray that the president is listening.
Government to recapitalise the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia with K25 billion
GOVERNMENT says it will recapitalise the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia, to the tune of K25 billion by rehabilitating the nmmonium nitrate plant in a bid to create jobs.
Minister of Agriculture Emmanuel Chenda, says rehabilitating the plant will help to cut costs on buying fertiliser even though he has not given a time frame.
Mr Chenda told the Daily Mail that the recapitalising will ease the company’s financial woes and help it create quality jobs for the people of Kafue.
He said government was unable to find an equity partner after attempts to privatise the fertiliser company failed.
“You may be aware that we were looking for an equity partner and when we could not find one, we wouldn’t let the company go to waste. We are looking for funds to recapitalise the firm,” he said.
Mr Chenda said government cannot allow the company to degenerate as it is viable and can easily be functional, with the necessary financial input in place.
He said the fertiliser plant will be able to supply ammonium nitrate to the mining sector where a new market has emerged.
And Mr Chenda said government awarded Nyiombo Investments a tender to supply fertiliser for the Farmer Input Support Programme after a transparent bidding process.
He said some people who dealt with company in the past were corrupt and bought fertiliser at exorbitant prices when they could have got it at a much lower price.
Government will save K94 billion in the procurement of fertiliser for the FISP, compared to what it spent last year.
“We are not corrupt ourselves. You can go through the bidding process and you will find that it was transparent and government was able to save a lot of money,” Mr Chenda said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Sakeni responds to concerns raised about PF Government
CHIEF government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni says the Patriotic Front (PF) government will stay truthful to its election promises by upholding the principles of good governance and democracy.
He said as an elected party in a democracy, the PF government has a duty to its citizens to uphold good governance, democracy and the rule of law, as a guide to deliver on its mandate.
Mr Sakeni, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday in response to concerns raised by the Council of Churches in Zambia in its monthly pastoral letter.
Some of the concerns are the lack of a clear roadmap on the Constitution-making process, high youth unemployment and the PF’s alleged departure from the values and principles of respecting individual freedoms and rights, as well as the alleged failure to uphold the basic tenets of multi-party democracy.
But Mr Sakeni said Government will continue to uphold the tenets of democracy, as these are the cornerstones for promoting meaningful economic development.
He said promoting democracy and maintaining political stability in the country will create a conducive environment that will promote trade and investment.
“We allow freedom of expression and the due process of the law. We don’t intimidate anyone and the church and the opposition is allowed to criticise Government.
“Our position as Government is that we will continue to be open to constructive criticism for the sake of development,” Mr Sakeni said.
And on the Constitution, he said the Government is making steady progress to come up with a Constitution that will stand the test of time.
Mr Sakeni said the PF government will come up with a Constitution which will be appreciated by all Zambians.
On employment creation, Mr Sakeni said the government has started putting in place measures to revive local industries.
He said the revival of Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia in Kafue and the Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe will help to create more job opportunities for youths.
Mr Sakeni said it is disappointing that some people have continued to speculate that the government has not created any jobs, when measures are being put in place to improve the well-being of citizens.
“We are also approving more licences in the mining, agriculture and construction sectors so that we can create more jobs for our people.
“We have also invited the private sector to participate in creating employment. This is a challenge which cannot be addressed overnight but Government will do its best,” he said.
Mr Sakeni said Government needs the support of the church and the private sector to creating more jobs.
On the agricultural sector, Mr Sakeni said Government is working hard to ensure Zambia becomes the food basket of southern Africa.
He said Government has identified agriculture as a priority for wealth creation and has enhanced the Farmer Input Support Programme.
Mr Sakeni said farmers supplying maize to the Food Reserve Agency this marketing season will be paid their dues within two weeks.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Mine Police Target Top 5 Finish
Konkola Mine Police coach Masautso Mwale has revealed that the promoted side is targeting to finish in the top five at the end of the Super Division campaign.
Mine Police are 8th on the Faz Super Division table with 28 points in 20 games.
In an interview, Mwale declared that the Chililabombwe side has matured into a good team.
“The team will continue fighting to finish the league in the top five. The team is now matured and will not fear any team in the league,” he said.
Mwale added that after holding league defending champions Power Dynamos to a goalless draw at the weekend, Police are now aiming at collecting maximum points in Saturday’s away week 20 fixture against Nkana.
” The team is highly motivated after the draw, as it goes into the next game against Nkana in Kitwe and will aim to carry maximum points,”
Mwale added:” At the weekend our aim was to beat and embarrass the Kitwe giants (Power) but luck was not on our side.”
Defeat Disappoints Renard
Chipolopolo coach Herve Renard says he is not pleased with Zambia’s 2-1 loss to South Korea in Wednesday’s friend played in Seoul.
A shaky Zambia squad succumbed to a 2-1 loss at the hands of a youthful looking Korean team that enjoyed massive home support.
In a statement posted on the FAZ website, Renard said it was not an easy game for his side which was missing five key players among them influential midfielder Rainford Kalaba.
“I was grateful for the practice match yet not satisfied with the result. It gave me an opportunity to see new players in different positions,” he said Renard however said he appreciated the friendly stating that it gave him an opportunity to see new players play in different positions.
He stated the Korea friendly was a good preparatory game ahead of the 8 September, Africa Cup qualifier match against Uganda set for Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
“It has been an intense preparation for Uganda; of course it’s never easy when you miss 5 Key players from the starting eleven. But so is football. We continue to work.”
And FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya said Zambia should take positives from the loss in Korea.
“Great opportunity for our boys to come and play against a seasoned South Korean team who has excelled at World Cup level and has been Champion in Asia. Excellent preparation we can take a lot of positives even in defeat.”
He added: “Herve would have taken many notes in readiness for Uganda. Thought we could have gotten an equalizer but the post denied us. We keep on working hard for the betterment of our Zambian Football.”
Muteteka arrested for Motor Vehicle theft
Police have formally charged and arrested Chisamba Member of Parliament Moses Muteteka for motor vehicle theft contrary to section 281A of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Police deputy public relations officer Charity Munganga Chanda has confirmed the arrest of Mr Muteteka in a statement to QFM News.
Mrs Chanda says Mr Muteteka is alleged to have fraudulently and without reasonable excuse of lawful authority converted a Mitsubishi Canter Registration number ABX 3529 valued at K75 million into a personal property pretending that he had purchased it when in fact not.
The said vehicle belonged to Chibombo District Council.
Mr Muteteka has been released on Police bond and will appear in court on Monday 20th August 2012.
QFM
Collins Mbesuma joins Orlando Pirates on a three year contract
Collins Mbesuma has made a shock move to Orlando Pirates from Golden Arrows for an undisclosed fee.
The 28 year old striker moves to the South African Premier Soccer League champions on a three year deal.
Pirates confirmed on their website that they had secured the services of Mbesuma from Golden Arrows today.
“Orlando Pirates is pleased to announce the signing of Zambian international Collins Mbesuma,” Pirates stated.
“The burly striker who has joined the Mighty Buccaneers on a three year contract, was introduced to the media at Rand Stadium today.”
Mbseuma joins Pirates just two months after his compatriot Isaac Chansa who left the club to join Chinese side Henan Jianye.
This will be Mbesuma’s fifth PSL stop since arriving in South Africa in 2004 to play for Pirates archrivals Kaiser Chiefs.
Mbesuma has also played for PSL side Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows.
Follow Henry to SA or stop wasting time for Zambians and concentrate on national issues government advised
The Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has advised government to go by fugitive Henry Banda’s proposal to have him interrogated in a neutral country.
SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma says if government has strong grounds against Henry, it should work with the South African government to ensure that Henry answers to the allegations in that country.
Mr. Chibuluma said there is nothing wrong with the Zambian government interrogating Henry from South Africa as he recently suggested.
Speaking to QFM news, Mr. Chibuluma said if government is not ready to follow up the matter, now that Henry has disclosed his whereabouts, it should stop wasting time for Zambians and concentrate on other national issues.
He says government should stop giving excuses for their failure to have Henry answerable to allegations of corruption leveled against him.
[QFM]
Minimum wage stays – Government
Government has maintained that it will not revoke the amendments of the Statutory Instrument on the minimum wage.
Labour deputy minister Rayford Mbulu says it is time stakeholders realized that what is good for the employees is good for the economy.
Mr Mbulu stated that positive economic indicators need to begin to be meaningful to citizens in the lower income bracket.
And Mr Mbulu has called for change in the mindset and perception of employers towards the disabled in society.
He says it should always be realized that if given an opportunity to work, the disabled have the potential to perform much better than the able bodied.
Mr. Mbulu was speaking in Lusaka today during the opening of a labour consultative workshop organized by Cheshire Homes.
He stated that government believes that it is only through concerted efforts of all stakeholders that industrial harmony will be maintained across the various sectors of the country’s economy.
Mr. Mbulu said the Patriotic Front government realizes that disabled citizens, in various ways, also play an important role in the growth of the country’s economy.
And Cheshire Homes National Council Chairman Gaudenzio Rossi has asked government to ensure that it comes up with a number of employment creation strategies for the disabled.
[QFM]
The Zambian youth were duped-Mufalali
Opposition UPND Chairman for Youths Likando Mufalali has charged that Zambian youths have now realized that President Michael Sata duped them during his election campaigns.
Mr. Mufalali who is also Senanga MP said in an interview that the recent reaction of youths at the Showgrounds in Lusaka where President Sata was booed is a confirmation that youths have now realized that they were duped.
He said the promise by the PF to create jobs in 90 days has now backfired.
Mr. Mufalali predicted that demonstrations and resentment towards the PF will heighten as more youths realize that they were given fake promises.
He said the almost one year of the PF rule has exposed the party’s inadequacies in managing national affairs.
Mr. Mufalali observed that God had allowed Mr. Sata to win the last elections in order to expose his shortcomings in running the country.
Bittersweet Poetry : Poems of the week by Lyn LittleBird Daughtry , Mwape Mumba , Kat Blue BruisedFlower
Tease Your Ears as We Ease Your Tears. BitterSweet Poetry Show 18th August 18:00 at Mulungushi Conference Center Room 4 K 25,000 gets you in
Come one come all as we enjoy and celebrate Pure Zambian Raw Art in Lyric and Word. See you there!!
Here are this weeks Poems enjoy !!
UP A CREEK By Lyn LittleBird Daughtry
Deep brown eyes precious as rare coral
Have me day dreaming and swimming solo
Against the tide and up a creek
Words vapourize i can bearly speak
Something in his brown eyes sends me up-stream
I lose myself in the dark, in a day dream
Where he is undoubtably mine
Oh, how the sparks in his eyes fly and shine
He is complicated
Neither is he black nor white, but grey
Sometimes grumpy but mostly gay
He has ambitions
And never does emotions
Brown eyes have me believing he’s nothing like his reputation
He is far more than just a sweet temptation
He is Built, dark, wise and owns no horse
Today he put on his running shoes
to save his damsel in distress
Or his life’s princess
To me, it makes no difference
His brown eyes take me further than mars
To where time has no mass
Where i rest my head on his smile
And he knows i need him from a mile
Up a creek drowning and sinking
Can you hear me curse my own thinking
Too many voices left unthrown
So many words left unspoken
JUST ME & YOU… By Mwape Mumba
I might have said something I shouldn’t have said
Bet I made unsure your thoughts about me in your head
You are an important part of this life of mine
And you do stand out from everyone, you shine
Like a miner I fell in love with that which is on the inner
Good looks you do have
Was attracted at 1st and still I’m
Will be for a while until like forever
But true beauty emanates forth from Deep within and you do have a gift
And so many beautiful things
I enjoy you, really I do
How we connect and the things you do that make me fall in love with you
You got dreams
Those that will enable you to dine with kings
I’d wanna see you achieve em’
And so many things
Doing what I can as I’d wanna be a part of em’
To you a true king
Let’s take the time together to grow
What makes you happy what makes you sad so I might know
To be that one that makes you glad and so much more
And apologize when I make you mad to just let it flow
There will be one or two cloudy day
But may warmth always come our way
Am not going anywhere because am here to stay
So its with this that I hope to assure you
From an earnest heart also true Take my hand and let’s keep walking just me and you…
THE SCREAM by Kat Blue BruisedFlower
Did I say this before,
Did I whisper,
I wonder,
Were my words unclear,
My thoughts silent?
Did I not mean it,
Did you not hear it,
I was so loud,
When I screamed out.
Yet now there is silence,
You too can hear angels,
They’re singing to calm me,
My full lips drawn back,
Eyes seeing red,
Hands clawed to scar,
And there you stand,
Unmoving,
Not retreating.
Bloody mirror,
I should have broken you instead,
Now my mind is mismatched shards,
Piercing my silence,
Screaming,
Screaming.
By Kapa187
Four Zambians in Mozambique jails
Four Zambians have been arrested in Mozambique for offences of drug trafficking.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to Mozambique, Japhen Mwakalombe said out of the four, three have already been convicted and are serving their prison sentences in the Mozambican prisons.
Mr. Mwakalombe said two of the convicts are serving 16 year long prison sentences while one was sentenced to eight years imprisonment.
All the sentences are with hard labour.
Mr. Mwakalombe, who did not name the convicts, said the fourth Zambian is pending judgment.
He said the convict who is facing an eight year long sentence has since delivered a baby while in prison.
He explained that the High Commission is working hard to facilitate a prison transfer so that the convicts can serve and finish their terms in the Zambian prisons.
And Mr. Mwakalombe has disclosed that the Zambian High Commission in Mozambique is working hard to promote that country’s investment opportunities.
He said his office and Ministry of Tourism in Mozambique were also working together to increase the volumes of tourists visiting the two countries.
He said a number of measures have also been put in place to increase foreign direct investment into Zambia.
Zambia and Mozambique have for a long time enjoyed warm bilateral relations.
ZANIS
We deported the Catholic Priest because he had no legal papers to remain in Zambia-Lungu
MINISTER of Home Affairs Edgar Lungu has described the relations between the Catholic Church and the Patriotic Front government as solid.
This is despite the deportation of Catholic priest Viateur Banyangadora who has followed up his deportation with an attack on President Sata and his government.
“The relations between government, the Catholic Church and the Rwandan government have remained solid despite the deportation of the Rwandese Catholic priest,” said Mr Lungu in an interview yesterday.
The Catholic priest, back in his native Rwanda has, meanwhile, attacked President Sata’s leadership.
Sections of the Zambian media have quoted the priest as saying: “You see, my deportation back home was absurd. I have (sic) in Zambia for a long time now. The people there are great. I was in Zambia under Mr (Rupiah) Banda and I can tell you he wasn’t like that. He allowed criticism.
“But that cannot be said about the incumbent [Micheal (sic)] Sata. He is a very arrogant man. And so are his ministers. He is (sic) man who doesn’t allow anyone to criticise him. When you do, he sends police officers to your home.”
The priest is also quoted as saying Mr Sata’s government may not rule after 2016.
But speaking in an interview yesterday, Mr Lungu elaborated on the deportation.
“We deported the man because he had no legal papers to remain in Zambia,” Mr Lungu said and continued: “We later came to learn about his divisive sermons after his deportation, which he has not even challenged.”
The minister said despite not having valid legal papers to work in Zambia, the priest overstretched Zambia’s hospitality and started preaching hate and divisions.
He described as “desperate” attempts by opposition parties and sections of the media to try and politicise the deportation when keeping the priest in Zambia “spelled potential danger”.
“What the opposition and some sections of the media which are not credible are doing, is to clutch on straws like drowning men,” Mr Lungu said, “but I can tell you it won’t work because the PF is miles ahead of them…they are like specks in the rear view mirror of a cruising car. We are working for the people as they play cheap politics,” he said.
Mr Lungu said “as a responsible government, we know what hate messages spread by people like this priest have done in the region and we would be failing in our duty if we stood by and did nothing while divisions are being encouraged.”
And reacting to complaints from Transparency International Zambia executive director Goodwell Lungu and Reverend George Lungu of Chipata over the deportation, the minister writes in his letter dated August 13, 2012 that the priest has not even appealed.
“We have received no appeal from Father Viateur Banyangandora nor a retraction of his anti-government speeches which had the effect of creating unnecessary hostility between church members and Government,” Mr Lungu writes in a letter copied to President Sata.
Both had written to Government on August 8 2012, to complain about the deportation, but Mr Lungu writes: “Whilst appreciating your counsel to the ministry on the issue of Father Viateur Banyangandora’s deportation, I wish to advise that an appeal against deportation is a right that the affected person can exercise.”
He added: “An appeal from Father Banyangandora is what will form a basis for review of his case.”
On Sunday, about 130 Catholic Diocesan Priests, who attended a national conference in Chipata asked Government to consider revoking the deportation order.
A statement from the Association of Zambian Diocesan Catholic Clergy urged Government to issue a comprehensive statement.
The priests implored the Catholic community and priests in Chipata Diocese, and Zambians to remain calm, peaceful and prayerful as they await Fr Banyangandora’s return.
They said Fr Banyangandora is an effective and committed member of the Catholic Church since his ordination to priesthood in 2004.
The statement was issued by Chipata Diocese Bishop Reverend Geroge Lungu and was read on Sunday in all the Diocesan Catholic parishes in Eastern Province.
And the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has called on Government to revoke the deportation order.
A pastoral letter issued in Lusaka yesterday by CCZ general secretary Suzanne Matale reads in part: “The deportation of the Catholic priest, Fr Viateur Banyangandora, pastor of Lundazi, is totally unacceptable and unfortunate.
“The CCZ is calling for the nullification of his deportation.”
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Lusaka City Council demolishes stalls at intercity bus terminus
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has demolished some make shift stalls at the Intercity Bus Terminus.
In an interview with ZANIS today, LCC Public Relations Officer, Henry Kapata disclosed that the council carried out an operation that saw the demolition of 130 makeshift stalls at the bus terminus.
Mr. Kapata said the operation was done to facilitate for the construction of new modern shops that will be better placed so as not to inconvenience the traveling public.
He further said the construction project, which is scheduled to start this year, will take about six months to be completed.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kapata has advised would be developers to consult town planners at the council to avoid the pain of having their structures demolished.
And what looked like an innocent and well built fence has been pulled down in Lusaka’s Mass Media area by the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company.
This follows investigations by the water utility company that the fence was built on a main water supply line.
Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company Public Relations Officer, Topsy Sikalinda, charged that the owner of the land did not request for land inspection from service providers.
And Lusaka City Council Public Relations Manager, Chanda Makanta has confirmed having not received any booking for the inspection of the area.