MINISTER of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education John Phiri said in the past years most promotions in the teaching fraternity were made on tribal and nepotistic lines a trend that the current Government would not tolerate.

Dr Phiri said the corrupt practices had extended to inducing favours from provincial education officers (PEOs), district education board secretaries (DEBS) and principals so that their people are considered for promotions. Speaking in Kabwe yesterday during the official opening of PEOs and DEBs workshop Mr Phiri said staff appraisal systems must ensure that only the best filter through and ultimately get promoted.

Dr Phiri said he was however happy to learn from the seminar objectives that if achieved the system would be on its way to clear the air over the rather poor showing hither to exhibited.

And teaching service commission chairperson Jennifer Chiwela said the commissions mandate is to appoint professionally qualified persons to the teaching service. Ms Chiwela added that the commission’s goal is to perform its constitutional role and functions deligently, efficiently and transparently taking account of merit and justice.

She said the commission was determined to work relentlessly to correct bad tendencies and practices that are likely to tarnish the image of the teaching profession.

Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe has pardoned all civil servants currently on suspension for various offences that do not border on corruption or criminality.

Addressing provincial heads of government departments in Choma this afternoon, Mr Munkombwe said the amnesty covers all civil servants who are currently on suspension resulting from offences committed in the course of their duty.

He said the pardon is meant to allow the erring officers come back to work and join in the developmental efforts being pursued by the new team at the provincial administration.

A number of civil servants in the province have been serving suspensions and the Minister told Provincial Permanent Secretary Bernard Namachila to institute administrative procedures to reverse the disciplinary actions.

Mr Munkombwe said there is need to start on a fresh note in running affairs of the province.

The minister who said he does not believe that most civil servants are indiscipline called for hard work, honest and loyalty among all public servants.
He said the Patriotic Front government is in a hurry to develop Southern province which he said is part and parcel of Zambia.

Mr Munkombwe said civil servants must be able to interpret the PF manifesto in their programmes and that he wants all critical developmental concerns in the province such as the Bottom road and the Monze-Neiko road to be urgently attended to.

He said the opposition parties no longer have any topic of substance for political discourse against the PF government because President Michael Sata has ‘deflated’ them through the numerous developmental programmes taking place in the country.

And Mr Munkombwe has given marching orders to all provincial heads of government institutions still operating from Livingstone to immediately move to Choma or face serious consequences.

He said the various ministries and departments should find office space within their district offices, adding that there would be no reason or justification for the provincial heads to continue operating from Livingstone.

ZANIS

Transparency International Zambia-TIZ- has expressed concern with the decision by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to withhold details of their concluded investigations into allegations of corruption leveled against two Cabinet Ministers.

TIZ president Lee Habasonda has observed that it is surprising that the ACC could remain silent on the matter when it has indicated in a letter of reply to the organisation implying that the Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and his Defence counterpart Geoffrey Mwamba were cleared of allegations of corruption.

Mr. Habasonda has however disclosed to Qfm in an interview that his organization has been studying the letter of reply by the ACC that was sent to the TIZ on 5th March.

He said the TIZ will within two weeks from now convene a board meeting to discuss the letter and thereafter reply back to the ACC to confirm whether it is satisfied with the ACC’s explanation on the matter or not.

The TIZ had recently written to the ACC demanding an explanation o the circumstances that led to the clearing of the two cabinet Ministers.

Meanwhile when contacted for a comment by QFM News acting ACC Spokesperson Queen Chibwe maintained that the ACC will soon make its position known on the matter.

QFM

Vice President, Guy Scott, has castigated the Unite Party for National Development (UPND) and some sections of society for telling lies over the health of Republican President Michael Sata.

Dr Scott said it is regrettable for the opposition political party and some members of society to wish the head of state a bad health and described such ongoing rumours as malicious.

He said President Michael Sata is fit and is the only leader who has the good will of the Zambians and urged the Zambian people to continue supporting him so that he can take this country to a greater prosperity.

Dr Scott was speaking in Kapiri Mposhi district over the weekend where he was drumming up support for the PF candidate, Eddie Musonda, in the April 23 Parliamentary by-election.

And Dr Scott has urged the people of Kapiri Mposhi to vote for PF candidate, Eddie Musonda, in the April 23 Parliamentary by- election in Kapiri Mposhi Constituency.

Dr Scott said Mr Musonda is the best candidate for people of Kapiri Mposhi because he understands the many challenges that the people are facing, among them lack of good road network and proper health facilities.

The Kapiri Mposhi parliamentary seat fell vacant after the Supreme Court nullified the election of MMD Parliamentary candidates, Lawrence Zimba, and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) set April 23 as the date for the by-elections.

Other participating political parties in the Kapiri Mposhi by-election are the UPND which has fielded Lawrence Zimba as its candidate while the United National Independence Party (UNIP) has Francis Mwape as its candidate.

ZANIS

Transport Deputy Minister Colonel Panji Kaunda has announced that all public service vehicles will be required to be painted with an orange strap once a new law changing the colour code is put in place.

Colonel Kaunda said the Orange strap should be 10 centimeters across the body of the bus.

Colonel Kaunda disclosed that a new law is pending clearance to change the color code of passenger public service vehicles.

“Operators who own a fleet of more than 30 vehicles will be at liberty to seek exemptions from the Minister of Transport and adopt their own colour of choice,” Colonel Kaunda said.

He said this during a news briefing this morning that the move was agreed after consultative meetings with various stakeholders.

Colonel Kaunda noted that the move was prompted by the high levels of pirate taxis, and tipper trucks on hire for ferrying goods being used by owners to evade the payment of government needed revenue.

He said luxury buses will be exempted from the requirements.

Colonel Kaunda said taxis should be fitted with a taxi illuminating lump and a display of a taxi fleet code.

The Open Society Foundation has commended President Michael Sata and Government for floating the candidacy of MMD Lunte MP Felix Mutati as Secretary General for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

“We have no doubt that Government’s decision to float Mr. Mutati was informed by his capacity to deliver and not the Party he belongs to. President Sata proved statesmanship when he lobbied foreign governments in China to support Hon. Mutati’s candidature, who is an Opposition MP,” says Foundation leader Sunday Chanda.

Mr. Chanda said his Foundation supports President Sata’s choice because it has no doubt that given the opportunity Mr. Mutati will represent Zambia, Africa and the Developing Countries with an excellent spirit.

“We are certain that Mr. Mutati remains qualified for the UNCTAD Secretary General position, looking at his track record in matters of local, regional and international trade. He remains a humble and humble transformational leader who has served his country with pride,” Mr. Chanda said.

He added, “Zambians fondly remember Mr. Mutati from the AGOA when former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledged his capacities when he served as Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry. We call on all well-meaning Zambians, political parties, foreign missions and the private sector at regional and international level to give Mr. Mutati’s candidature the support that it deserves.”

Mr. Chanda said Zambia has yet another opportunity to present itself to the international community as a united nation above all pettiness.