The deportation of Father Viateur Banyangandora to Rwanda should be condemned by all well-meaning Zambians. I am an ordained priest and Canon from the Anglican Diocese of Central Zambia and I currently work in the United States. Before coming to the US. I worked in the United kingdom and various African countries.

In 2000, I was one of the vicious critics of Robert Mugabe when I served as Dean of the Cathedral of St. John’s in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Despite Mugabe’s violent attacks on his critics, his government did not deport me. So by deporting Fr Banyangandora, the PF government has sunk too low and has acted with impunity to criticisms.[pullquote] In 2000, I was one of the vicious critics of Robert Mugabe when I served as Dean of the Cathedral of St. John’s in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Despite Mugabe’s violent attacks on his critics, his government did not deport me[/pullquote].

As a priest, I call on the government of President Sata to stop intimidating religious ministers in Zambia. The president should understand that Zambia is not PF and that the Church is bigger than PF. Be it in colonial times or not, the Church has opposed policies that seek to undermine justice and oppress God’s people.

President Kaunda, late Chiluba, late Mwanawasa and former President Banda have had to contend with the Church’s voice during their time in office. In fact, it is not long ago that PF found a partner in Father Richard Luonde and Fr. Bwalya, who worked so hard to critique and publicly oppose the MMD government. What has changed since then?

President Sata and his followers want religious leaders to sing their praises always. But just as my colleague Fr. Luonde expresses his views on matters of governance, Fr. Banyangandora had a God given responsibility to preach the gospel to God’s people.[pullquote]In fact, it is not long ago that PF found a partner in Father Richard Luonde and Fr. Bwalya, who worked so hard to critique and publicly oppose the MMD government. What has changed since then?[/pullquote]

If what he said to his parishioners in the pulpit was a crime, it was not against the government but his Church. In this regard, only his bishops have the power to discipline him. In addition, belonging to the church is voluntary.

The people who listened to his sermon had the choice to leave if they did not agree with what he said. Despite the popular belief that the Church is public space, legally, it is private space. Just as the politicians cannot control what is said in my house, they cannot dictate what is said in the pulpit.

Even when the Nazi government of Hitler tried to do so, faithful Christians refused to give up their God mandated authority to speak the truth to power.[pullquote]Sending spies to monitor what priests say in the pulpit is an attack on religious freedom as well as the abuse of our Churches as sacred places.[/pullquote]

All Zambian clergy and Christians in general should stand in solidarity with Father Viateur Banyangandora and the Roman Catholic Church. We should realize that preaching is a sacred duty and to allow the PF government to start spying on us is not just morally outrageous but also violates our fundamental rights to privacy.

Sending spies to monitor what priests say in the pulpit is an attack on religious freedom as well as the abuse of our Churches as sacred places. That said, the forceful removal of Father Viateur Banyangandora is indicative of lack of maturity of the PF government and Zambians should demand his return as soon as possible.

By Rev. Dr. John Kaoma
Canon of the Anglican Diocese of Central Zambia

Renowned Congolese Rhumba musician Fally Ipupa has urged his fellow African musicians to sing songs that will highlight the continent’s rich tradition and heritage.

Ipupa said Africa has got a lot of talented musical artists hence the need for all them to promote local traditions that will stand the taste of time.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, Ipupa pledged his readiness to work with other local Zambian musicians in the quest to promote the music industry.

He has also praised the Zambia National Soccer team for winning the MTN 2012 Africa Cup of Nation trophy and promised that he will dedicate one of his shows to the Chipolopolo boys.

The Congolese sensational musician is in the country to perform at the 86th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial show which is being held under the theme, “Building in today’s prosperity”.

The show opens its gates to the public today August 2nd to August 6th, 2012.

He has since called on all show-goers ton brace for more music as he samples from his latest album entitled “Power” describing Zambia as his second home.

Meanwhile, Show Society Sub-arena Chairperson Jembu Chilonga said all is set for this year’s show and urged show goers not to worry in terms of security.

Mr. Chilonga said the Show Society Organising Committee in conjunction with the Ministry of Home Affairs, has deployed police officers and other law enforcement officers to keep vigil on properties and people that would be reported missing during the show period.

President Michael Sata has invited his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe to grace this year’s show on Saturday.

ZANIS

Dear Sir,

I am a Zambian business man right now here in Dar es Salaam trying to clear my cars for the past 8 days to no avail.These Tanzanian clearing urgents are just giving excuses that the system is not ok and sometimes not even answer our calls.

There dry ports corruption is too much that only people ‘ten percenting’ are clearing quickly.

I really wonder what these Zambian officials at the High commission are doing here in Tanzania.Are they just to get paid using our tax payers money?

This is the reason we voted PF in office but things still and seems to be the same.

I would suggest the government develope other ports like Bengela in Angola and Mozambique.

By copy of this letter I challenge the high commissioner to go around all dry ports in Tanzania and see how Zambians are suffering and becoming stranded.

We are not fools so this guys on our pay roll should help us.

Yours frustrated and stranded young business man.

Award winning Zambian artist Roberto released his new album “My name is…”  which features is hit single “Salaula” and other hits.

Get yourself a copy of the album and support Zambian music.

SALAULA

 
Osanisiya So

By Kapa187

President Michael Sata has advised politicians and government leaders to be factual in the statements they issue to the public. President Sata said that it is regrettable that opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema is misleading the nation by claiming that the government officials and other constitutional office bearers have awarded themselves hefty salary increments.

Mr Sata said that the statutory Instrument which effected the salary increments for members of parliament and the President says nothing about a hundred percent salary adjustment.

Mr Sata then handed the newly appointed deputy Ministers statutory instrument number 43 on presidential emoluments and called upon them to defend it.[pullquote]Dr Msiska also said that the President’s Salary was increased by 57 percent and not 100 percent[/pullquote].

The President also handed copies of the statutory instruments on constitutional emoluments to journalist and challenged them to read the contents and establish, if indeed Mr. Hichilema was telling the truth.

The head of State has since directed the government officials to clarify the facts surrounding the salary increments for constitutional office holders which are being misrepresented.

President Sata was speaking at State house when he swore in Harry Kalaba as Deputy Minister in the office of the vice president, and Stephen Kampyongo and Nickson Chilangwa as Deputy Ministers in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The President has also sworn-in Ronald Chitotela as Deputy Minister of Labour, while Christopher Mulenga is Deputy Minister of Health.[pullquote]He added that this is also in line with the government’s vision of offering competitive salaries and conditions of service that would enable the public service attract and retain the best professionals.[/pullquote]

President Sata has also appointed Patrick Kangwa as the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit Coordinator in the office of the Vice President.

And deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska has said that the salary increments for constitutional office bearers has been done to harmonizer and rationalize the conditions of service across the three arms of government.

Dr. Msiska in a statement released to journalists in Lusaka today said government has decided to revise the salaries for the president and other constitutional office bearers after observing a lot of distortions in the conditions of service.

He added that this is also in line with the government’s vision of offering competitive salaries and conditions of service that would enable the public service attract and retain the best professionals.

Dr. Msiska said that harmonization of the salaries is an on-going programme that government has embarked on and will be done in phases in order to cater for all the government departments [pullquote]Information Minister, Kennedy Sakeni has justified the appointment of three Deputy Ministers in the Ministry of Home Affairs.[/pullquote]

Dr Msiska also said that the President’s Salary was increased by 57 percent and not 100 percent. Dr Msiska said that some people are mistakenly calculating the increase by lumping two adjustments effected during the MMD regime and the latest adjustment.

And Information Minister, Kennedy Sakeni has justified the appointment of three Deputy Ministers in the Ministry of Home Affairs. Mr Sakeni who is also the chief Government spokesperson, says the ministry has so many facets which need equal and dedicated attention.

QFM

A FORMER miner at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) in Chingola has been jailed for five years with hard labour for breaking his wife’s legs, a hand and a rib.

There was drama in court when the woman wept uncontrollably before a fully-packed Chingola Magistrate’s court after her husband was jailed and led to a holding cell.

In a case of Gender-Based Violence, (GBV) William Kabanda 48, of Nchanga North Township severely beat his wife for allegedly stealing part of the money he received from KCM after he was relived of his duties on medical grounds.

Kabanda on July 6, this year severely beat his wife, Doris Banda using a pounding stick until she sustained broken limbs and a rib.

Kabanda who pleaded guilty to the charge, told Resident Magistrate, Sililo Siloka that on June 28, 2012 he travelled to the village and left K4.5 million in the matrimonial bedroom.

He narrated that he instructed his wife to always lock the bedroom and never allow anybody to go in unless she was around.

But upon his return he discovered that K2, 770,000 had been stolen and his wife denied having taken the money.He said she later went home around 21:00 in a drunken state.Kabanda said this made him lose his temper and beat her using a pounding stick during which the legs, one rib and hand were fractured.

Chingola Senior Prosecutions Officer, George Mbangweta said the wife had wanted to withdraw the case but the State had refused.In his mitigation, Kabanda said that he had seven children and was taking care of his old mother and that if given custodial sentence they would suffer.

He said that even his wife would appreciate if he was allowed to be nursing her.But Mr Siloka said looking at the injuries and how the beating was executed, he had no lenience to exercise on Kabanda.

“Your action was barbaric and your intention was to kill this woman.Besides her sustaining broken legs, hand and rib she also bled from her private parts. Money is replaceable but this woman will remain crippled.

“You can’t buy life but money will always remain replaceable. In your marriage you shared good and bad moments and in your actions you went into extremes and you are an animal that deserves to be caged. Even the five years sentence I have given you does not match the damage you caused to your wife,” he said.

The Immigration Department has deported Lundazi Catholic Church Priest, Father Viateur Banyangandora to Rwanda, his country of origin.

Home Affair Minister, Edgar Lungu yesterday confirmed the deportation of Fr Banyangandora, 40, who was picked up from Lundazi on Monday and deported on Wednesday.

The Minister said the move was taken in order to protect and safeguard the rule of law of the country.

“I can confirm that Fr Banyangandora was deported to Rwanda in order to safeguard the rule of law and order in the country. Right now he has even arrived and re-united with his family members in that country,” he said.

Mr Lungu said it was not an easy decision to make for the Government considering that the Republican President Michael Sata was a staunch Roman Catholic member but that a decision had to be taken in the interest of maintaining law and order.

The priest, who was a holder of Employment Permit No 008955, issued on November 27, 2006 when he entered the country, was found to be a danger to peace and good order, contrary to Section 39(2) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No 18 of 2010.

He said any foreigner or missionary who comes into the country should abide by the laws of the country adding that there should be no ‘sacred cows.’

Mr Lungu urged other Church leaders in the country to respect and abide by the law of the land.

Chipata Catholic Diocese Bishop, George Lungu said the Church was not aware that Fr Banyangandora had been deported to Rwanda.

“This is news to me, as a Church, we are not aware that Fr Banyangandora has been deported,” said the visibly surprised Bishop.

The prelate said the diocese would issue a comprehensive statement on the deportation of the Catholic clergy after thorough consultations today.

Fr Banyangandora was picked from his residence on Monday by a combined team of security officers.

Lundazi Catholic Assistant Parish Priest, Evans Sakala said Fr Banyangandora was picked up in connection with the homily he gave in church on Sunday which was perceived to be inciting people to rise against the Government.

Fr Banyangandora was a member of the Association of Zambian Diocesan Catholic Clergy (ADZACC) as a Catholic seminarian refugee.

He did his seminary formation at Mpima Major Seminary in Kabwe before proceeding to St Mary’s Major Seminary in Lusaka for his theology.

He was ordained Catholic Priest under the Chipata diocese in 2004 by Bishop George Lungu.

ZIMBABWEAN President Robert Mugabe is in Zambia on a three-day visit that will see him officially open this year’s Agricultural and Commercial Show in Lusaka.

Mr Mugabe arrived in the country aboard a commercial Air Zimbabwe plane which touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 14:00 hours. Mr Mugabe is accompanied by his wife, Grace.

Mr Mugabe, who is also accompanied by some of his Cabinet ministers and other government officials, was met on arrival by President Sata and his wife, Dr Christine Kaseba.

Others at the airport were Vice-President Guy Scott, some Cabinet ministers, service chiefs, some diplomats accredited to Zambia from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and government officials.

Mr Mugabe was accorded a 21-gun salute as the brass band played music before inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Second Battalion Regiment of the Zambia Army.

The Zimbabwean head of State was also treated to some cultural dances by local ensembles before boarding the presidential limousine and heading to State House.

Last night, President Sata hosted a State banquet in honour of the visiting Zimbabwean leader at State House.

Today, the Zimbabwean leader is meeting first President Kenneth Kaunda at his office, and later he will visit Saro Agric Equipment Company.
He will also visit Huntley Farm in Chisamba.
On Saturday morning, he will officially open the show and tour some stands. Mr Mugabe leaves Zambia on Sunday.

[Zambia Daily Mail]