The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia today met six opposition political party presidents on the suspension of judges. The meeting took place at the MISA-Zambia offices in Lusaka.

The opposition political party leaders in attendance were Mr Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND), Sakwiba
Sikota of the United Liberal Party (ULP), Brigadier Godfrey Miyanda of the Heritage Party (HP), Charles Milupi of the Alliance for Development and Democracy (ADD) and Mr Edwin Sakala the President of the Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) while Chembe Member of Parliament Mwansa Mbulakulima represented the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).

Speaking on behalf of the opposition political parties, Milupi said the contention surrounding the suspension of the three judges was that President Michael Sata was not being transparent and sincere in the entire process.

The opposition political parties supported the fight against corruption and were committed to the urgent need for genuine judicial reforms which must include all stakeholders and must be done within a framework by which the outcome is acceptable to all.

And brigadier General Miyanda said the opposition political parties had noted with concern, the media blackout of opposition leaders on controversial matters such as the suspension of judges that were of national interest.

But MISA-Zambia Chairperson Daniel Sikazwe merely appealed to the media in Zambia to be ethical and professional in their reporting especially on matters of national interest because this would allow citizens the right to access balanced information which for them to
make informed decisions.

The debate on the suspension of the judges was a matter of national interest that needed to be covered adequately and in a balanced manner to allow the citizens to make informed judgment.

Sikazwe was also grateful that the opposition political party leaders found it important to meet with MISA-Zambia. Sikazwe implored the politicians continue dialoguing with MISA-Zambia on matters that affect the country.

Sikazwe said that MISA Zambia would study the de-briefing note but would only state its position on the matters raised during the National Governing Council meeting that would be held next week.

Sikazwe also reiterated the need for media law reforms in Zambia which would guarantee true media freedom, enhance media professionalism and ethical reporting. He urged politicians to use their influence to ensure press freedom in Zambia.

Africa’s Invisible Generation is a film highlighting the social and economic issues affecting Zambia’s youth. The film is a result of a two-year collaboration between London Video Productions and Kayzon Kays, a Zambian social commentator passionate about encouraging young Zambians to take an active role in shaping their own future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biXxYBLZbFY&feature=youtu.be

President Michael Sata has refused to grant suspended Supreme Court Judge Phillip early retirement after Justice Musonda tendered his application on May 8 this year.

According to Mr Sata’s spokesperson George Chellah, the President has decided to make the letter containing suspended Supreme Court judge
Phillip Musonda’s application for early retirement public in order to insulate the general public from lies and distortions being
permeated by some irresponsible media houses with strange agenda.

Mr Sata said he would only consider judge Musonda’s request for early retirement, after the tribunal probing him had sat.

“I have set up a tribunal as distinctly approved by the Constitution of Zambia and we shall not circumvent that process. For that reason, I
will only consider his Lordship Phillip Musonda’s request for early retirement after the tribunal’s findings,” President Sata said.

“My principal obligation is to be guardian of public interest and it is therefore my duty to correct falsehoods, twists and misrepresentation of facts by certain deceitful elements and authors of disorder within our political circles and beyond,” President Sata
said.

This Patrotic Front government has re-affirmed its committed to follow the due process of the law and no one would stop them from the
national agenda of bringing transparency and accountability in all arms of governance.

The President said all those who are interested in this matter regarding the suspended judges should allow the tribunal to sit and therefore uphold the due process of the law before resorting to wild media speculations.

As we continue to promote Poetry in Zambia ; here are this weeks poems ,enjoy.

MY ZAMBIAN LADY by Milan Sichinga

I am Zambian and I’m proud of my Zambian lady,

Proud even more for what she’s done for me lately,

Even though that victory was slender,

12th February is one night I will live to remember,

It was a night that had eluded her for 19 years,

I was so young when I watched her shed those tragic tears,

The following year she was in the final, leading one zero

She had a great left footed man as her hero,

Second place wasn’t so bad, even third place two years later,

She had the same good heart, perhaps even better,

It took fourteen years to shake off the group that had her caged,

Instead of a Dutch it was a Frenchman who took centre stage,

Two years later, she was underrated,

But my lady had the bullets and was never faded,

First it was the Taranga lions,

She broke the chains of fear; threw away the captive irons,

Ghadafi, Gdgabo, Bashir, weren’t much,

It was in the Black Star that she found her match,

I was high screaming on the dancefloor,

When her one bullet was the lone winning goal,

And after 18years my Zambian lady was in the final again,

The stadium packed, the tension deep, and of course the rain,

In the first minute and her bullet almost went in,

I have never been that excited about anything,

It was right-on-the-edge-of-the-seat stuff,

The whole world’s eyes were on her like a person who’s in love,

But my eyes looked away when that elephant stepped up to the spot,

Did he score? Did he win it for them? No he skewed away his shot,

Just like his teammate at the other end,

I was scared I won’t pretend,

I was livid with excitement when young Mazembe stepped up, our own little star,

But then he blasted it over the bar,

Then the other elephant blasted it away from goal,

Then Isuzu converted and the trophy wouldn’t elude her anymore,

She exploded, she danced, she flowered,

She did it because she was brave, she wasn’t a coward,

Champion, fallen heroes of years of yore truly honoured,

And now my Zambian lady has the whole region cornered.

BABY? By Ludo Lilmiss

Baby? 4 letters,one word ,one question!

Maybe?just a little crazy suggestion.

Save me? Knight in shining armour im guessing.

Crave me?,i could b ur side effectles obsesion.

Daily?or even just a weekend dose.

Tame me? Wild flower turned preety rose.

Take me? Hearts where i crave 2 be,it will feel lyk a five star haven 2 me

Be my baby?3 words,a honest heart,one question.

Maybe? Or maybe not im just tired of 2nd guessng.

Save me? 4rm myself when i try 2 run 4rm u.

Coz i crave thee,but my pride hates i love you”s

daily?ya just 4 u,evrday.

Tame the beast,calm the storm . . .i wil b okay.

Take me as i am flawed disastrous me. . . Im not afraid 2 get down on one knee.

Baby? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

FORGIVE ME by Martha Kundwe

She stands there in your favourite dress drenched in blood….

All she asks is help to fight her demons..

Stay.. Please stay..

She fulfilled her selfish wants..

You called her heartless..

Everything you had she destroyed

Molested.. Now all you have is regret..

A tinge of bitterness.. A lot of hate..

And anger that would

Move a mountain.. You are hurt..

Head bowed..

Lips moving.. Uttering nothing but silent..

Prayers for vengeance..

And a world of destruction..

But…. Wait.. Look up… See?

There, do you see

Her heart.. Her life..Her body are not returned to her..

Wipe your eyes

Let your tears not cloud you..

See what monsters creep in on her in this wake..

The demons gather around her..

Shadows formed..

A black mist created..

For the light is now blocked ..

They cannot be allowed in..

Ugly inside out..

She is the object of your hatred.

The thin line between love and hate is blurry..

She is unforgiving.. Even to herself..

She doesn’t know what killed her inside..

Sadly, she will never know

He mind is taken over..

She has killed u..

Murderer!!

But no court.. No judge.. No jury..

Just the headless executioner..

Lost soul.. Abandoned emotions..

Only absence in place where your heart used to be..

She rolls in the mud..

Taking her punishment:

The insults,

Flogging

Mutilation..

She feels lower than dirt..

She needs to pay for what she has done.

You say to your self

Yes, she must

Feel hurt.

Feel pain to the point where nothing is left..

Rip out her heart.

and it is presented to u-the one she hurt.

U meet her eyes with a blank stare..

Blood drips.

A pool is forming below her.

She had a choice huh?

The shadows whisper

Why did she do it’

Fear?

Is she out of touch with reality?

She is slowly running mad,

She must be the spawn of Hades

Heartless..

surely all u said to her was deserved.

Foul creature..

Let her suffer..

It is too late to trust her again..

Ur innermost feelings are shattered

Dishonoured..

Ñothing else matters.

Love is so childish..

The wrongs against u..

Too grand to ignore

The evidence over whelming strong..

Ur feelings measured against the actions.

Apologies too boring

Too repetitive.. U left.. Her worlds in pieces.. crumbled..

She has one sorry you can not refuse..

A last resort..

And so she stands there

In your favourite dress..

Drenched in blood..

A knife on the ground..

Her tears, blood

You can not refuse her in death…..
By Kapa187

The letter has been made available to the media by George Chellah -Special assistant to the President on press and public relations

Opposition political parties have challenged the Law Association of Zambia to state the provisions of the law it has used to bar lawyers in the country from debating the suspension of the three Judges by President Michael Sata.

Speaking during a joint media briefing in Lusaka this morning, Heritage party president Godfrey Miyanda who spoke on behalf of the opposition political parties said it is ridiculous for LAZ to bar the lawyers in the country from commenting on the suspension of the 3 judges.

Brigadier General Miyanda noted that it is not fair for LAZ to bar individual lawyers from debating the matter adding that the move amounts to impediment on the freedom of expression.

[pullquote]the opposition in the country is not against the corruption fight but that they are concerned with the manner in which corruption is being fought[/pullquote]

And General Miyanda noted that the opposition has been misunderstood that it is trying to cause anarchy in the country by uniting and meeting other stakeholders in the country.

General Miyanda says it is within their constitution right to unite and speak with one voice on issues bordering on national interest.

He notes that the opposition in the country is not against the corruption fight but that they are concerned with the manner in which corruption is being fought.

General Miyanda noted that the opposition have condemned the manner in which the three judges were suspended saying the President did not follow the laid down procedures.

The opposition leaders have questioned why the Solicitor General and the minister of finance and national planning allegedly wrote to Development Bank of Zambia asking the institution to write-off the debt owed by the Post newspapers limited and JNC investment holdings.

And brigadier General Miyanda has vowed that the opposition will continue engaging with the various stakeholders including diplomats to discuss issues of national interest.

He said diplomats are at liberty to meet opposition political leaders in the country because they also do intelligence works for their respective countries.

General Miyanda has since condemned President Sata for indicating that the diplomats should stay away from the internal affairs of Zambia saying the statement amounts to threats.

He has stressed that the opposition will not stop expressing their views and has challenged the ministry of information and broadcasting to facilitate for debates on ZNBC.

Other opposition leaders that were present at the briefing included UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema ADD’s Charles Milupi, MMD acting president Michael Mabenga and ULP’s Sakwiba Sikota.

[QFM]

Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has advised stakeholders calling for the resignation of Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito to follow the right procedure.

TIZ president Reuben Lifuka says the tribunal that has been set up by the president is for a specific cause, noting that it will be out of context to bring in another issue.

Mr. Lifuka however states that the setting up of the tribunal to investigate the suspended judges does not stop Zambians from advocating for another tribunal if there is any misconduct on the part of the DPP.

Speaking in an interview, Mr. Lifuka says it will be wise to first deal with the issue of the judges, and in the process of the tribunal if the DPP becomes culpable; he can equally be subjected to further scrutiny.

He has however advised citizens to follow the law and ensure that matters are not mixed.

And Mr. Lifuka says the institution of a tribunal to look into the alleged misconduct of the three suspended judges was legally done and within the powers of the president.

He says the only concern will be if the tribunal is the only way of reforming the judicial system.

Mr.Lifuka says government needs to articulate and implement appropriate reforms in the judiciary.

[QFM]