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THE MMD has said that the rumour going round that former vice-president George Kunda has died is untrue.
MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe was quoted on the ZNBC main news last night as saying that Mr Kunda was not dead and that he had visited him at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) earlier in the day.
He said the rumour started on the internet and wondered why people where wishing the former vice-president dead instead of sending him goodwill messages.
“What has become of our morals, they have sunk so low, something has gone wrong when one is sick you have to wish them best of luck,” he said-
FIRST Lady Christine Kaseba greats Robiana Muteka when she visited him at the University Teaching Hospital. Standing next to her is UTH managing director Lackson Kasonka
FIRST Lady Christine Kaseba has said the successful removal of the 14.5 kilogramme tumour from Robiana Muteka by University Teaching Hospital (UTH) doctors is a clear indication that Zambia has skills to handle complicated health cases.
Dr Kaseba said yesterday when she visited Robiana at the hospital that UTH doctors had demonstrated that the country had good expertise despite many challenges they were facing in their duties.
A team of 15 doctors carried out a successful two-hour operation on the 24-year-old Robiana, who was referred to UTH from Livingstone on the directive by President Michael Sata.
“What they have done only goes to show that we have the skill here, we have the expertise and what we may lack is technology and some equipment that may really push UTH to be doing what it is supposed to do,” she said.
“The case has also demonstrated that UTH is a tertiary medical centre.I am happy as a doctor. My appeal to the Government and the president is to look into the plight of the UTH.”
Dr Kaseba, who had a brief chat with Robiana, commended the doctors and other medical personnel at the country’s biggest referral hospital for undertaking a successful surgery on the 24-year-old.
She said the case had attracted a lot of attention and expectations from the time it was reported with some people expecting it to be referred for specialist treatment outside the country.
The first lady, who also visited Chief Chikanta, who is admitted at the same hospital, said people who were speculating the health of others had nothing to do and hoped the Government could give them something.
She noted with sadness that some people had continued to speculate the health of President Sata even when they knew very well that he was fine.
“The issue of Mr Sata’s health is not new, but these speculations are done in bad faith. In fact it is some of you who were reporting that he had collapsed in North-Western Province,” she said.
And speaking from his hospital bed, Robiana thanked President Sata for showing kindness by allowing his evacuation from Livingstone to receive specialist treatment at UTH.
Robiana, who informed the first lady that he wanted to study medicine in future following the successful operation, said it was not easy to get such an opportunity to receive specialist treatment.
“I thank the president, it is not easy to have this opportunity that he has given me. The doctors are so good here, they are taking good care of me and I ask you to say thank you for me to the president,” he said.
Mulungushi University Vice-Chancellor and Economist Oliver Saasa (L)
PROMINENT economist Oliver Saasa has said the Patriotic Front (PF) is on the right economic footing as evidenced by the increase in Foreign Direct Investment from US$300 million to the current US$3billion.
Professor Saasa said the increase in FDI indicated that Zambia’s economy was poised to record further positive growth under President Michael Sata.
Prof Saasa said in an interview in Lusaka during the week the PF Government would manage to record positive economic transformation.
Prof Saasa said the post-election period was still within a bracket of uncertainty on investment inflows but was happy that there was no major shift in policy after the change of Government in September last year.
“This goes to show that the Government is on the right track because it is normally difficult for a Government to hold on to investment when there is change of Government and when there are too many speculations. Many investors hold on to their money because they do not know what is next for them.
“This happens any where in the world, even in the most developed countries. For example, in the United States of America this happened during the Barack Obama election and people should understand that this is normal. All that the Government should do is put in place measures that will attract more investment in the country,” Prof Saasa said.
Prof Saasa said when a country experienced a change of Government, investors became cautious of happenings and awaited a clear direction of how the economy would progress and were particular about the shift in policies.
He said it was gratifying to note that the PF Government did not take a major shift in policy direction and this had maintained the investment confidence the country had with foreign investors.
He said the 2012 national Budget address by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda reflected positive economic fundamentals that renewed the strategy, confidence and vision to Zambia and the investors.
He said this contributed to the increase in FDI and pledges to national coffers that had reached 61 per cent as recorded by the Zambia Development Agency.
He called on Zambians still gauging the PF performance on the 90-day theory to realise that it was not possible to deliver within that short space of time but was confident of the economy to record more growth and benefits for the citizens.
“The process of attracting investors is an on-going one and there is no time that a country will ever say that it has attracted enough investors, so the public should be a patient. It is an on-going process and we have to be patient,” Prof Saasa said.
He called on the media to desist from alarming the investors of happenings in the economy but to be factual and professional.
”The way we dealt with Zamtel and the way we might deal with Zanaco will have either a positive or negative bearing on the economy of the country, hence we need to be careful as we embark on such reviews. The media should be very careful on how they report on issues to do with investment because investors are very keen on such matters.
“I implore the media to be more professional in their work becauseonce we mislead, any negative impact on the economy will not be feltonly by the PF or the MMD but the whole country will suffer. So instead of giving wrong information to the outside world, we should strive to give them what is exactly pertaining on the ground,” Prof Saasa added.
He appealed to the Government to put in place strategies and systemeffect for attracting more investment into the country.
FORMER vice-president Enoch Kavindele has joined the race to contest the MMD presidency at the former ruling party’s forthcoming extra-ordinary convention.
Mr Kavindele, who served as party president before losing it to late Levy Mwanawasa prior to the 2006 general elections, is said to be favoured by many members because of his continued loyalty despite being frustrated in the past.
However, the sources revealed that the decision by Mr Kavindele had caused panic among some members who are supporting other candidates.
The sources said there is fear among some members that the extra-ordinary convention, whose date is yet to be announced, could cause more problems for the former ruling party as members elect the new president.
Four party parliamentarians, who include Felix Mutati for Lunte, Situmbeko Musokotwane (Liuwa), Kabinga Pande (Kasempa) and the suspended Moses Muteteka for Chisamba Constituency as well as former Zambian ambassador to Canada Nevers Mumba have already expressed interest in the party’s highest office.
“If we are not careful, we can experience what happened in 2001 where interested members in the presidency will form their party or decide just not to support whoever will be elected,” said the source.
When contacted, Mr Kavindele said he was still consulting before coming up with a concrete decision on whether or not he would contest the presidency of the MMD.
“I am not ruling myself out but I am still consulting and once I make a decision, I will announce,” said Mr Kavindele, who recently pledged K60 million towards the holding of the party convention.
“I must say, however, that although it is difficult to say now, I have received many members who have asked me to go for the party presidency and I am giving it a thought.”
Mr Kavindele said the leadership problem that the MMD was currently facing was self-inflicted after the party scrapped off the vice-president position prior to 2006 elections.
He said he had always advised that the party should have the position of the vice-president and hoped that the coming extra-ordinary party convention would consider his position.
“I thought it was a mistake to abolish that position. The party has suffered because it has no vice-president and I have always said that this is not good for the party, we need such a position, especially in situations like this one,” he said.
Mr Kavindele said he hoped that the delegates to the convention would be able to elect a leader who would be responsible enough and take the MMD to greater heights following the defeat in the 2011 polls.
He said following the loss to the Patriotic Front (PF) in the September elections, the MMD needed to have a leader who would be able to revitalise the party and remain competitive.
The opposition MMD has been locked into sustained trouble since losing last year’s elections as many senior members, including those eyeing the party presidency face probe over corruption allegations levelled against them.
While Mr Muteteka remains suspended for alleged insubordination, party spokesperson, Dora Siliya was recently reprimanded for accusing Mr Mutati of causing the defeat because of his globe-trotting at the expense of the campaigns.
FIRST Republican president Kenneth Kaunda has indicated willingness to help find an amicable solution to the continued impasse on the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.
Dr Kaunda’s spokesperson, Solomon Musonda said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the first president was the father of the nation and also a citizen of Zambia and, as such, he was concerned with the developments surrounding the Barotse Agreement, of which he was a co-signatory.
Dr Kaunda, renowned for the slogan “One Zambia, One Nation”, a symbol of unity, appended his signature with Litunga Mwanawina Lewanika to the Barotse Agreement prior to the country’s independence from British colonial rule.
“Dr Kaunda is the father of the nation and he is a concerned citizen and so he is ready to discuss with stakeholders how best this issue can be resolved.
For now he is not available for further details but he is concerned and would be ready at an appropriate time. This time is not appropriate but when the time is right he will be available to help,” Mr Musonda said.
FLASHBACK: FORMER President of Zambia,Dr.kenneth Kaunda was present at the ceremony of South Sudan independence birth day in Juba, South Sudan
The Barotse National Council (BNC) last week unanimously resolved to secede from the rest of Zambia, a decision that has raised concerns in the country.
Vice-President Guy Scott responded to the decision during a Parliamentary sitting before the House adjourned, describing it as irresponsible and unacceptable. Home Affairs Minister Kennedy Sakeni said the demands bordered on treason.
Various stakeholders have called on Dr Kaunda to render his counsel on how best the Barotse Agreement could be addressed without threatening peace in the country.
In an interview, the House of Chiefs implored Dr Kaunda to help facilitate dialogue on the issue.
House of Chiefs chairperson, Chief Madzimawe said the continued silence from Dr Kaunda, who headed then Northern Rhodesia and agreed with the Barotseland to form a unitary State, now Zambia, could play an important role in the matter.
Chief Madzimawe said dialogue was the only means to address the BNC’s concerns.
“Our first president Dr Kaunda is one of the surviving people that can help us resolve this stand-off, he was there. We know he is out of politics and enjoying his retirement but we still consider him as the father of this nation.
“So it is important that we solicit his guidance in this matter because he knows the issue well and he and others from his Cabinet can help resolve the impasse surrounding the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement. We need to humbly approach him and ask him.
“Former leaders are there to provide wisdom and guidance and it is the right time for him to help in this call for dialogue,” Chief Madzimawe said.
The traditional ruler said it was only through dialogue that the matter could be addressed amicably.He said there was still room for dialogue and that all Zambians were one people.
“The best way forward is dialogue, not all is lost and we call for all stakeholders to handle this matter with utmost care. All people are equal, and we should not even demonise Lozis on this matter. That is why I am emphasising the need to handle it through dialogue,” he said.
He said the debate on whether the agreement should be implemented should not be allowed to cause divisions among the people.
Zambia Former Freedom Fighters Association (ZAFFFA) of Ndola said Dr Kaunda was a significant person who could be consulted and availhimself to remedy the problem.
ZAFFFA executive coordinator, Kafula Mulenga said the Barotse issue was capable of bringing confusion but this could also be avoided with Dr Kaunda’s intervention.
“My appeal goes to Dr Kaunda to help the nation address this issue once and for all so that the country concentrates on moving forward instead of going around this issue. It is time we settled this problem in an amicable way and this requires dialogue among stakeholders, including our founding father, KK,” he said.
He warned that instability could arise over the matter and cautionen young people not to be misled but understand the issue from anobjective standpoint.
And Women for Change (WfC) has backed the three Church mother bodies’ that cautioned the Government on how to deal with the currentpolitical situation in Western Province.
WfC executive director Emily Sikazwe called for an urgent solution to differences brought about by the Barotse Agreement debate but that this should be done in a manner that would respect the Constitution and the rights of the people of Western Province and the country as a whole.
“We at Women for Change are deeply concerned and saddened with the situation in Western Province and would also like to advise the Government and the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) to seek dialogue in order to uphold the peace and security we enjoy as a country.
“The ongoing discussions on the issue of the Barotse Agreement couldcontribute to insecurity in the country if the issue is not resolvedthoroughly. This calls for Government and the BRE to work together to ensure development in the province. The Barotse Agreement of 1964 is not about seceding from the rest of Zambia but about addressing the social and economic rights of the people.
‘The agreement is about promoting development and freedom to harness the economic opportunities that areavailable in our country and which requires the removal of major sources of freedom such as poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence and many other vices,” Ms Sikazwe said.
?The three Church mother bodies said in a statement in Lusaka on Friday that the Government should create conditions that would facilitatemeaningful reconciliation among the people of Western Province through dialogue.
The Church mother bodies are the Zambia Episcopal Conference, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia and the Council of Churches in Zambia.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you”
(Psalm 9:10, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Most times, it’s not the big events in life or the big breaks that get us where we need to be, it’s the little things, the daily disciplines that move us forward in the good things God has for us.
I believe there are three things you can do every day that can change the course of your life. Number one, expect God’s goodness. Get up every day looking for God’s favor. Number two, recognize God’s goodness. There are no coincidences, no lucky breaks. It’s all the goodness of God. And number three, always thank God for His goodness. Anytime something good happens, big or little, give God the glory. “Lord, thank You for that parking spot. Lord, thank You for that idea. Lord, thank You for sending me dew in my desert.”
If you do this, I believe and declare that you’re going to come into more of God’s goodness; that His blessings are going to come after you. God is going to open up supernatural doors. He’s going to turn negative situations around. Get ready because something good is coming your way! You’re going to fulfill your God-given destiny because He never forsakes those who seek after Him!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, I do set my heart and mind on You today. I expect Your goodness because I know You are faithful. Every good and perfect thing comes from You. Thank You for Your hand of blessing on every area of my life in Jesus’ name! Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s on Friday maintained Zambia’s B+ rating, saying that recent policy changes overall support economic growth. The agency also kept its outlook at stable, saying current economic policies would be largely maintained, with strong growth in Zambia’s main export copper. Economic growth is seen at five percent this year.
“Although uncoordinated and sometimes contradictory views by cabinet members have increased uncertainty about future economic policies in Zambia, policy changes have so far been mostly measured and supportive of growth and modest debt burdens,” it said.
“The stable outlook reflects our view that changes to economic policies will be measured, and broadly supportive of growth trends and modest debt levels.”
Fitch ratings agency earlier in March downgraded its outlook for Zambia from stable to negative, and cited worries about a move to de-register a major political party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, which lost power in September elections last year.
Below is the Full Statement from Standards and Poors
===============================TEXT================================
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services today affirmed its ‘B+/B’ foreign- and local-currency long- and short-term sovereign credit ratings on the Republic of Zambia. The outlook is stable. Our transfer and convertibility assessment for Zambia remains ‘B+’.
The ratings on Zambia are constrained by fairly low income levels ($1,500 GDP per capita), balance-of-payments vulnerability to swings in copper prices as copper accounts for about 80% of exports, and political risks. The ratings are supported by promising investment and economic growth trends, a fairly strong external balance sheet, and a low general government debt burden, which also benefited from debt relief and the effect on nominal GDP of double-digit inflation in 2007-2009.
We believe that although uncoordinated and sometimes contradictory views by cabinet members have increased uncertainty about future economic policies in Zambia, policy changes have so far been mostly measured and supportive of growth and modest debt burdens.
We forecast that the Zambian economy will perform well in 2012, with per capita GDP growth of just over 5%. The economy has been buoyed by an exceptional maize harvest in 2011, still-high copper prices, and strong investment in the mining sector. We project average annual inflation will decrease to about 6.0% in 2012 from 8.7% in 2011.
Despite high copper prices, we estimate that the current account surplus will slip below 2% of current account receipts (CARs) because of large imports needs. The general government deficit is expected to widen to 4.2% of GDP compared to 3.5% in 2011. We expect per capita GDP growth to remain close to 5.0% over the medium term, supported by high copper prices and generally prudent policies.
In our opinion, however, uncertainty about future economic policies has increased. Cabinet members have made several controversial statements and decisions–which have sometimes been quickly reversed–particularly about windfall tax, export tracking, and government participation in the mining sector.
We view positively the government’s objective to promote good governance and transparency. However, we are concerned that its reversals of some of the previous government’s privatizations on grounds of lack of transparency and flawed processes are perceived as partly politically motivated. In our view, this could have negative repercussions on investment and growth if investors think that the investment climate is deteriorating.
The dismissal of the central bank governor in September, when he had just six months left in his second term, and the recent ongoing debate about the status of the registration of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) have also contributed to our impression of increased political interference.
However, we believe that most policy measures have been so far, broadly supportive of growth. The 2012 budget is expansionary, with a significant increase in capital expenditure, but we expect the deficit to narrow in 2013. The projections assume that slippages in current expenditure, in particular wages and subsidies, are limited.
We estimate Zambia has a net external liability position of 43% of CARs in 2012, which has improved since the current account has moved into surplus. Monetary policy flexibility is limited by moderately high dollarization.
The stable outlook reflects our view that changes to economic policies will be measured and supportive of growth and modest debt levels overall, despite uncertainties regarding the new administration’s economic policies.
We could lower the ratings if the new administration’s policies were to weaken external, fiscal, or monetary fundamentals, or impair copper production. We could also lower the ratings if Zambia’s external liquidity were to deteriorate significantly, for instance, as a result of an extended depression of copper prices.
The ratings could be raised if Zambia’s external liquidity were to become less vulnerable to copper prices and if investment in infrastructure were to keep per capita income growth rates at consistently high levels.
The Ngambela of Barotse Royal Establishment has urged the Zambian government to be realistic in the way it handles the issue surrounding the western province. Wainyae Sinyinda said that the situation is worse that what is being speculated by different stakeholders in the country.
Ngambela said that the issues surrounding the Barotseland will not die as it is a growing issue. He said that the issue of threats and arrest will not solve anything adding that the people of western province should be listened to.
He says that it is important that the government and there sympathizers become realistic other than threats of arrests. He said that there is need for level headedness from both sides in order to chat the way forward.
He said that people should understand that the resolutions that where made are not him alone but the people of western province. He was speaking this morning on the UK based INTERNET radio Crossfire blog radio, monitored by QFM radio in Lusaka.
And the Ngambela has clarified that it will be too early to call for the Lozi people working in other provinces to resign from there jobs. He said that the situation is surrounding Western Province should not be done in an emotional manner.
A TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD father of twins was on Wednesday astounded when two hours after the hospital had certified one of his newly-born babies dead, he discovered that the infant was still breathing and crying just as it was about to be taken to the mortuary.
What could be described as an out-of-the-ordinary incident happened around 13:00 hours on Thursday when Dadly Bumba, of Nkonje Village in Chief Chamuka’s area, was told by the hospital authorities that one of his day-old twins had died and that he needed to rush to the police station to get an Occurrence Book Number (OB), since the babies were born from home.
Mr Bumba narrated how he rushed to Kasanda Police Station where he reported the death of his baby girl and a number accompanied by a police report was given to him so that he and his family could bury the still-born baby.
He said his 18-year-old wife, Elizabeth Nkombwe, who was seven months pregnant, gave birth to twin babies, both girls, on Wednesday around 22:00hrs and that he rushed his wife and the babies to Kabwe General Hospital on Thursday around 09:00hrs so that they could be examined by the hospital to avoid complications.
He said upon arrival at the hospital, the staff on duty examined the babies and that around 13:00hrs, he and his wife were informed that one of the babies had died.
Mr Bumba was then issued with a death certificate by the doctor on duty and further advised to get a police report and OB number for him to dispose of the body.
He then called his relatives at the farm and informed them about one of his babies’ demise, and that the baby was about to be taken to the mortuary.It was at that point when some of his family members, who were at the hospital, noticed the baby breathing and eventually started crying.
He quickly called the sister in-charge to inform her about the new development but that she refused to attend to him, saying the baby in question was already dead and was certified so by a doctor.
After insisting that the nurse sees the baby to prove that the baby was indeed alive, the sister-in-charge was, however, terrified when she saw the baby breathing and crying.
She then informed her colleagues who quickly confiscated the death certificate and the police report from him and told him and his family to thank God for resurrecting their baby. He decided to report the matter to the district commissioner’s office.
And Kabwe District Commissioner, Patrick Chishala, directed Kabwe General Hospital to give him a conclusive report by 08:00hrs today to explain what happened to Mr Bumba’s born baby.
Mr Chishala said he was disappointed by the alleged negligence exhibited by Kabwe General Hospital staff.
He said it was sad that such things were happening in Kabwe just a few months after the country heard of a similar mishap at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka where the controversial Priscilla Nyirongo alleged that her newly-born baby had been swapped with a dead one.
The district commissioner, who rushed to the hospital around 16:00hrs with the ZANIS crew after the father of the baby narrated the ordeal to him, found the alleged dead baby lying next to her twin sister in a critical condition, while the nurse on duty tried to resuscitate her.But later around 18:00hrs, the baby died.
Mr Chishala blamed the hospital authorities over the whole matter, saying the condition could have stabilised if the hospital had immediately placed the baby in an incubator.
Mr Chishala was also disappointed by the failure to inform the hospital executive director, Dr Sylvester Kasonde, who was out on duty at the Mine Hospital.
He was surprised that it took his office to inform Dr Kasonde over the matter when the issue required urgent action by hospital staff to communicate and save the baby.
He, however, commended Dr Kasonde for the swift action he took in trying to save the baby’ s life.?
Meanwhile, Dr Kasonde assured the district commissioner that he would call for an emergency meeting for all hospital staff who were on duty at the time and get a full report of what had transpired.
He said the twins were premature babies born at seven months and that the healthier one was weighing 1.2 kilogrammes and her condition seemed stable, while the deceased weighed one kilogramme and had respiratory distress.
And Kasanda police constable, Mutale Sinkala confirmed issuing a police report and OB number to Mr Bumba.
Provincial medical officer, Dickson Suya, said premature babies were delicate cases as sometimes they took long to gasp.
Former labour Minister Austin Liato with his wife and sympathysers at the Lusaka magistrate court
THE Lusaka magistrate’s court has put former Labour minister Austin Liato on his defence after the State found him with a case to answer in connection with his alleged burying of K2.1 billion at his Mwembeshi farm.?
However, as the general public was anxiously waiting to hear the reasons that could have led Liato to burying the money in the ground, the former Kaoma Central member of Parliament opted to remain silent and not to call any witness to testify in his matter.?
Yesterday, Lusaka Principal Magistrate, Aridah Chulu, placed Liato on his defence after the prosecution which called six witnesses found Liato with a prima facie case.?
“I have found that the prosecution which called six witnesses in this matter has adduced sufficient evidence to warrant me to put the accused on his defence so that he can answer the charge against him,” said Ms Chulu.
But when Liato was asked what route he would take to defend himself, he said he would remain silent on the matter.
This was after Ms Chulu explained to Liato that there were three ways of defending himself namely; swearing on oath, remaining silent and giving unsworn evidence.
Liato simply said: “Your honour, I choose to remain silent.”On whether he could call any witness, one of Liato’s lawyers, Nelly Mutti from Lukona Chambers, said her client would not call any witness but would rely on the submissions that were made at the no-case-to answer level and supplementary submissions that would be made.
The prosecution would file additional submissions apart from those that were already before court.
Ms Chulu, who ordered Liato to appear for mention on April 20, has given both the prosecution and defence two weeks in which to file their supplementary submissions.
She set May 23, 2011 for judgement.In the matter, Liato is charged with being in possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime, contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that on November 24, 2011, Liato did possess and conceal money amounting to K2.1 billion on his Farm Number L. Mpamba 44 in Mwembeshi reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.
Meanwhile, the taskforce investigating allegations of fraud, theft and corruption in Northern Province has summoned Mbala Member of Parliament and former permanent secretary, Mwalimu Simfukwe in the ongoing corruption investigations.
Northern Province police commissioner and Taskforce chairperson Mary Chikwanda confirmed the development and said Mr Simfukwe had confirmed that he would appear before the team on Wednesday next week.
In January, police recorded a warn and caution statement from Mr Simfukwe and the police then had sought consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which Mrs Chikwanda said had now been granted.
The taskforce has also summoned suspended principal tutor of Kasama School of Nursing, Ellison Muulu to answer allegations that he stole K51, 750, 934.95 funds belonging to the nursing school.Mr Muulu is also accused of stealing K7.2 million rental incomes for the guest house the nursing school owns.
The taskforce has also summoned two accounts clerks at provincial administration in Northern Province.
The duo, Moses Chitala and Wallace is alleged to have stolen imprest, amounting to K233million by submitting forged receipts when retiring the said imprest.
The misappropriated imprest in question related to K800 million sent to Northern Province to cover the cost of presidential visits by former president Rupiah Banda to Kasama and funds sent to the province for activities related to the funeral of late second Republican president, Frederick Chiluba in 2011.
THREE church mother bodies have called on the Government to create conditions that would facilitate meaningful reconciliation among the people of Western Province through dialogue.
The Church has also appealed to the Government to immediately make public, the Rodger Chongwe Commission of Inquiry report as a springboard upon which to launch the dialogue.
This is according to a joint statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ).
Reading the statement at a media briefing yesterday, EFZ executive secretary, Reverend Pukutu Mwanza, who was flanked by the ZEC secretary general, Father Cleophas Lungu and CCZ general secretary, Suzanne Matale said the nation had vacillated and skirted around?the issue of the Barotseland Agreement for far too long.
“The Barotseland Agreement of 1964 is a historically significant issue whose time has come. It is a problem which will not go away unless the Government engages the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) in serious and sincere dialogue.?”A manifest concerted engagement with the BRE should now be considered a priority governance issue. With political will, a win-win solution is possible,” reads the statement in part.
The Church mother bodies said merely labelling sections of the Western Province as anarchists or secessionists bent on committing treason would not help matters.
Rev Mwanza said such sentiments would only further radicalise certain groups.? He said what was needed now was for the Government to create the necessary conditions for reconciliation.
“In other words, the PF Government should take the lead and handle with great sensitivity and caution, the issues surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.
“We recognise the duty of the Government to maintain law and order and to protect life and property. This duty should, however, be exercised with due diligence. Good judgement of what State action and statements can result into is extremely necessary,” reads the statement.?
They have since appealed to the activist groups in the Western Province, particularly the Linyungandambo, Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM), Movement for the Restoration of the Barotseland Agreement (MOREBA) to consider giving dialogue a chance.
They said it was their firm belief that the Government should work to persuade the people in Western Province that there was more to be gained in Zambia remaining a unitary State than in fragmentation.
“Notwithstanding the problems surrounding the Barotseland Agreement, the truth of the matter is that we have lived in harmony for nearly 48 years. As we resolve the problems associated with the Barotseland Agreement, we should all bear in mind that we owe it to our children’s future to maintain this harmony at all costs.
“Further, we are convinced that notwithstanding the Barotse National Council (BNC), the door on this issue is not firmly closed,” reads the statement.?Rev Mwanza said church leaders remained committed to facilitate a high level meeting on the matter.
“We have always risen to the occasion at critical periods in the history of this country such as the constitutional impasse which eventually led to multi-party democracy in 1991.
There is no political issue that is too big that it cannot be resolved through dialogue,” the statement says.? They also appealed to Zambians to support initiatives which would lead to unity, peace and reconciliation in the country.
The Church advised that when debating the Barotseland Agreement, people should use a language which would build and not destroy the country.
They commended the people of Western Province for holding the BNC meeting in a transparent and peaceful atmosphere.
“The State security and defence personnel present in Mongu, for a change did not hinder or intimidate the people of Mongu as they went about conducting their business at the BNC in Limulunga,” he said.
Zambian and DR Congo authorities are still searching for five more missing bodies from Sundays Luapula River boat accident that had reportedly killed 20 players from DR Congo lower league club AC Virgin KA.
“The five bodies up to now are still missing,” said Luapula Police Deputy Commissioner Aaron Mushanga.
“Efforts are being made from both the Congolese and Zambian rescuers to retrieve the bodies.”
Mushanga said no official has yet been confirmed dead from the boat accident that occurred last Sunday on the Luapula River.
The accident occurred as the team headed back to DR Congo from Luapula Province where they went to play a weekend friendly.
The Football Association of Zambia goes to the polls on Saturday at Moba Hotel in Kitwe during its annual general meeting.
Faz president Kalusha Bwalya is seeking reelection for a second successive term.
He arrives at the Faz AGM armed with the Africa Cup in an elections a lot of watchers have handed him victory before the vote is cast against his former pal and vice president Emmanuel Munaile.
Munaile’s eligibility has been a bit of a controversy with Faz barring him after claiming he is not affiliated to any club but despite that, Munaile will stand against Kalusha.
Meanwhile, three candidates are standing for the position of vice president and they include incumbent Boniface Mwamelo.
Mwamelo is being challenged by ex-Faz committee members Henshel Chitembeya and Andre Mtine including Mofya Chisala.
Co-opted executive committee member Kelvin Mutafu on the other hand hopes to retain his seat via the ballot box after he was roped in during the 2010/2011 Faz impasse.
He will be up against Mufulira Blackpool chairman Zakeyo Mbao and ex-treasurer under Teddy Mulonga Rix Mweemba of Mazabuka United.
Meanwhile, 41 candidates will battle for the six executive committee positions up for grabs.
Pivoty Simwanza and Violet Bwalya who quit in October 2010 together with Chitembeya and Munaile are contesting their former positions.
They will be up against firebrand Keith Mwewa, Alex Mambwe and Richard Kazala including Afrisports supremo Gabriel Kaunda.
PRESIDENT Sata arriving at Gateway Hotel after a tour of Ahmedabad city
A Jovial and fit looking President Michael Sata has arrived back in the country from his week long private visit to India which has been a subject of speculation.
The presidential Jet touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International airport at around 14:40 hours.
Upon arrival, the president sent journalists who had gone to the airport expectant of his comment on the latest developments in the country into laughter after he jokingly said that he thought they were dead.
President Sata could however not give the journalists interviews who expected him to comment on resolutions of the Barotse National Council resolutions and the debate stirred by the speculation on his India visit.
The president was welcomed by vice president Guy Scott, defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba, home affairs minister, Kennedy Sakeni, Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda, Defence chiefs, Indian High commissioner to Zambia Ashok Kumar and other senior government officials.
During his private visit to India, the President engaged various investors from that country who have since shown interest to set up base in Zambia.
He was accompanied by his wife Dr Christine Kaseba-Sata and his Press Aide George Chellah.
And Indian High Commissioner to Zambia Ashok Kumar says it is gratifying that the president took time off his private visit to India to meet with some Indian companies.
In an interview with journalists at the airport, Mr. Kumar said President Michael Sata’s visit to India has rekindled that country’s interest in investing in Zambia.
Police say they are investigating the statements made by Ngambela Clement Sinyinda and Induna Batuke Imenda during the Barotse National Council to establish whether they amount to treason.
Police have since recorded a warn and caution statement from the Ngambela of Barotseland Clement Sinyinda.
Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela has told QFM in a statement that a warn and caution statement has also been recorded from Induna Batuke Imenda.
Msa Kanjela explains that the warn and caution statements were recorded yesterday around 16:50 hours at Mongu Central Police.
She says this is in relation to the statements the two made during the Barotse National Council held from 26th to 27th March.
