The Head of State confirmed the revocation of Hon. Muchima’s appointment during a swearing-in ceremony at State House today.

President Sata, who thanked Hon. Muchima for the services rendered to the nation during his tenure of office, wished the Mwinilunga West [Ikeleng’i] parliamentarian God’s blessings in his future endeavours.

And President Sata has appointed Kabompo East MMD member of parliament Hon. Danny Chingimbu as deputy minister and assigned him to the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

The Head of State wished Hon. Chingimbu success as he embarks on a new journey in his political career and service to the nation.

And, President Sata this morning swore in Mr. Palan Mulonda as Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States of America.

The President expressed confidence that Ambassador Mulonda will execute his duties to the satisfaction of the nation.

“The United States (US) is a very key development partner to Zambia. Therefore, we expect you, Mr. Mulonda to represent us very well in Washington DC. We wish you well as you embark on your tour of duty,” President Sata said.

Meanwhile,President Michael Sata has urged Zambians to show compassion and care to one another, especially to the needy this Christmas.

President Sata said though Christmas is mainly a period for celebration and family get together, people must find time to thank Almighty God and reflect on the purpose of Charismas.

“We should be persistently inspired by the life and deeds of our Lord Jesus Christ. And during this period let us all endeavour to extend goodwill, love compassion and care to each other, especially to those who are disadvantage or less privileged than ourselves,” said President Sata.

This is contained in a media statement released to the media in Lusaka today, by President Sata’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah.

Mr Sata further urged the Zambian people to use this period as an opportunity for reconciliation and service to others and more importantly give assurance and hope to one another.

“This is the time to reflect with pride and satisfaction that despite our different political persuasions, we have allowed a peaceful atmosphere to prevail in our country. This is how it should be and I implore all leaders to ensure that this status is upheld,” the President said.

He also counselled Zambians to avoid over-indulgence in order to minimise fatalities and human suffering during this festive period.

“Let us all conduct ourselves in a responsible manner and desist from behaviour that will endanger our lives and that of others. Zambia needs all of us and I therefore, urge all road users to observe traffic rules,” he said.

“I wish you all, my dear beloved compatriots, a merry Christmas and we pray that this will be a memorable day to us all.”

And President Sata has directed the police and other law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce law and order in the country as well as ensuring that there is sanity on the roads during the festive period.

MMD national executive trustee Peter Machungwa has observed MMD will eventually remain with genuine members once all people with hidden motives have left.
Dr. Machungwa said that the defections currently being expressed in the MMD will create an opportunity for people with fresh ideas to take up positions.

He added that MMD is a strong party which most Zambian cannot allow to go into extinction.

And Dr. Machungwa has also described the perceived PF wrangles as total confusion. Dr Machungwa added that the PF as a ruling party is expected show good leadership skills as well as good governance.

Meanwhile, MMD President Nevers Mumba has advised the PF government to consider using tax payer’s money to developing the country and addressing the many challenges that continue to affect the citizens.

Dr. Mumba has charged that the PF government has resorted to during tax payer’s money to destabilize the opposition in the country and MMD in particular.

The opposition leader has observed that there are a lot of needy areas in the country that require the attention of the party in government rather than attacking the opposition.

Dr. Mumba has told journalists in Lusaka today that it is also regrettable that Statehouse has continued to issue threats on the opposition in the country.

He says such a trend is very undemocratic and that with time the PF will pay for the injustices that it seems to be subjecting the people of Zambia to.

And United Liberal Party (ULP) President Sakwiba Sikota has it is incumbent upon President Michael sata to ensure tenets of democracy are upheld.

Mr. Sikota has indicated that the democracy of Zambia has continued to degenerate from the time that the PF went into government.

He adds that the PF government has been trying hard to silence the opposition who in most cases are advocates of the citizens on governance issues.

At the same occasion, Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) leader Charles Milupi wondered why the opposition was being stopped from holding meetings when the PF has been holding its political gatherings.

Mr. Milupi has since reminded President Michael Sata how he used to enjoy freedom of association the time he was in opposition.

Mr. Milupi what is more worrying is that the opposition is being stopped from having any form of political meeting including at grassroot level.

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and ZDDM president Edwin Sakala were also present.

President Michael Sata has advised the opposition to seek sober forms of engagement with the Government.

President Sata has further counseled the opposition political parties to cooperate with specific law enforcement agencies mandated with the responsibility of maintaining law and order as opposed to creating unnecessary tension.

QFM

Embattled Kabwata MP Kabwata Given Lubinda says he still has a bright future in the PF despite mounting pressure to resign from the ruling party.

In an interview in Lusaka, Mr. Lubinda said he does not see any reason why he should reconsider his future in the PF.

“I see my future very bright in the PF. There is no reason for me to start doubting my stay in the party. I’m here and I plan to stay here for the long haul.”

Mr. Lubinda stated that the party cadres who have petitioned for his removal from the party are merely exercising their democratic right.

“I have no control on how the cadres behave. They are not under my control and what they do is really not for me to control,” Mr. Lubinda explained.

He said as far as he is concerned, he is still a committed member of the PF and will continue with his commitment to the party.

Mr. Lubinda who is also Foreign Affairs Minister said he does not see why he should not report for work on Monday following threats that some PF cadres will block him from entering the Ministry Headquarters.

“I will go on and carry out my duties as assigned by President Michael Sata, I will report for work on Monday.”

Meanwhile, PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has instructed party cadres not to forcibly remove from office any party official facing disciplinary actions.

Mr. Kabimba told a party fundraiser in Chilanga on Saturday that party cadres should allow the full disciplinary process to run its course before removing anyone from office.

Former Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti has advised President Michael Sata to break his silence on the ongoing squabbles in the ruling party.

Speaking in an interview with Qfm news, Mr. Mulongoti says President Sata must clearly state his stance on the demands by PF cadres to have Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda expelled from the party.

Mr. Mulongoti notes that it is unfair for PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba to harass a leader who has been given the mandate to serve by thousands of electorates.

He has also challenged President Sata to hold a press conference where he should address the many pending issues in the country.

Mr. Mulongoti says the continued silence by the President is causing anxiety in the Zambians as a number of questions on the governance system remain unanswered.

QFM

Youth and Sport Minister Chishimba Kambwili escaped death in a road traffic accident after his official motor vehicle overturned on the outskirts of Mpika District.

ZANIS reports that that Mr. Kambwili’s official vehicle overturned after his driver Moses Daka failed to negotiate a corner on the outskirts of Mpika District on his way to Kasama District where he was expected to hand over cheques to some youth groups in the district.

Mr. Kambwili, who was accompanied by his three daughters, is reportedly to have sustained some minor injuries while his official vehicle has been damaged extensively.

The Minister and his three daughters are currently receiving medical attention at Chilonga Mission Hospital in Mpika District.

Mr. Kambwili is on the tour of Northern and Muchinga Provinces to handover cheques to some deserving youth groups under the revised Youth Development Fund (YDF) programme.

The Minister had just come back from Southern Province on a similar programme that is aimed at economically empowering youths.

ZANIS