United Party for National Development (UPND) has said that the directive by its leader Hakainde Hichilema to single ladies to deny their boyfriends sexual intercourse is nothing but just an act of civil disobedience.

UPND deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo has told QFM news in a walk-in interview that such kind of civil disobedience has been accepted and used to punish a repressive regime.

Mr. Lifwekelo has noted that the Mr. Hichilema has been quoted out of context by the Post newspapers for political expediency.

He added that there is nothing Mediocre about Mr. Hichilema’s statement other than the fact that the PF government has failed to deliver its promises.

Mr. Lifwekelo has since noted that denying PF boyfriends’ sex as earlier indicated by Mr. Hichilema is one way of protesting over the bad state of affairs in the country.

Mr. Lifwekelo has since advised the PF leadership to concentrate on resolving its internal wrangles rather than mudslinging the Mr. Hichilema.

QFM

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

President Sata has further counselled 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.

“As Government, we have noticed a strange appetite for aggression and attempts to create panic and despondency in our people by a certain cluster of politicians within the opposition movement,” President Sata says.

“Our word of caution is that, we are wide awake to these low-priced political maneuvers and are ready to handle any situation, which is at variance with our laws with the firmness it deserves.”

President Sata said in a statement by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations George Chella, yesterday, that government will not be derailed from its responsibility of safeguarding and preserving the peace the country has enjoyed over a long period of time.

The President says there was a lot Government and the opposition could do together for the benefit of the country, provided there is decency, sincerity and patriotism from both ends.

“As leaders, we should all strive to build a united, democratic and disciplined nation. This can only be achieved if we all endeavour to adhere and respect the laws that govern us as a people,” President Sata says.

ZANIS

Government has reassured the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) and other defence wings of its commitment to provide adequate military equipment and other support to enable them smoothen operations.

And Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander Lieutenant General Eric Chimese has reiterated that the Air Force command will remain non partisan and serve the government of the day diligently.

Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba says the Patriotic Front (PF) government is determined to equip the defence force so that it can consolidate its ability to defend the country from both internal and external aggression.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Mwamba made the assurance during the 2012 ZAF annual ball at Chambal Valley Air Headquarters Officers’ Mess in Lusaka last night.

He said government is fully aware of the critical role that the air force plays in assisting airlifting assistance and transportation of victims of disasters in areas inaccessible by road.

The minister explained that it was for this reason that government will ensure that appropriate transport aircraft and air defence equipment is provided for the Zambia Air Force.

Earlier, ZAF Commander Lt. Gen. Eric Chimese warned air force staff to remain non partisan and serve the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Michael Sata with utmost loyalty.

Lt. Gen. Chimese observed that although Zambia is a democratic nation, officers should not be swayed to get involved in partisan politics warning that ailing officers will be dealt accordingly.

He praised government for embarking on the harmonisation and rationalisation of the conditions of service in the defence forces.

Lt. Gen. Chimese said the ongoing construction of staff accommodation at ZAF twin palm is hearing completion will accommodate over 1000 families in decent accommodation.

He requested government to replicate the housing initiative to other ZAF bases in order to ease the current acute shortage of decent accommodation for officers following the selling off of the housing units to sitting tenants under the MMD’s home ownership programme.

Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu, Bank of Zambia Governor Dr. Michael Gondwe, Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Rowland Msiska, Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga, Zambia Police Inspector General of Police, Stellah Libongani and past Air commanders attended the function.

ZANIS

Government says it does not intend to stifle opposition political parties because Zambia is a democratic country.

Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni says that they PF government needs opposition political parties in order to provide checks and balances.

Mr. Sakeni who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services said this in a special live interview on radio Mano in Kasama, yesterday.

He contended that there is nothing wrong with the public order act as it only requires parties wishing to hold meetings to follow the rules and approach relevant authorities.

The opposition in the country has recently been on the heels of the PF government whom they have accused of not fulfilling the pre September 20, 2011promises such as the restoration of the Barotseland agreement.

It is these concerns that recently made five opposition parties such as the now opposition Movement for Democracy and Development ( MMD ), United Party for National Development (UPND ), United Liberal Party (ULP) , Alliance for Democracy and Democracy (ADD) and the National Restoration Party (NAREP ) to team up and express their concerns on a number of issues affecting the country.

Recently the leaders of the opposition held a Press Briefing at the UPND secretariat at which they denounced what they termed Dictatorial tendencies by President Michael Sata and the PF government.

The opposition leaders bemoaned the continued denial by the Zambia police permits to hold public rallies.

The police are reported to have blocked the joint political rally which was supposed to be held in Mutendere Township in Lusaka this weekend by the opposition.

And Mr. Sakeni has said that government has set aside K22 billion for the construction of infrastructure meant for provincial television stations in eight provinces.

He also said that another K25 billion has been set aside for the digital migration programme in the 2013 budget and the two programmes are expected to run simultaneously.

The Minister added that government is in the process of identifying plots earmarked for the construction of provincial television station offices.

Meanwhile Mr. Sakeni has said that government is still brainstorming on how best to help community radio stations in the different challenges they are facing.

‘’Our vision is to help private radio stations on what methodology we can use, ‘’ he said.

Mr. Sakeni is on a tour of media institutions in Northern Province and has so far visited ZANIS offices in Kasama and Mungwi district, ZNBC transmitter offices in Kasama and Radio Mano.

He also met with journalists at a cocktail where he interacted with them.

Mr. Sakeni is expected has since proceeded to Luapula Province today on a similar programme.

ZANIS

Almost the entire opposition Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) provincial executive in Luapula Province has resigned to join the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).

MMD Luapula Province Chairperson Emmanuel Chungu led the defectors who included his vice, David Chanda, provincial spokesperson, Mwiza Mpelembe, provincial chairlady Fostine Chola, provincial chairperson for health Lumba Kalumba, Provincial Treasury Simon Mwale, Kawambwa District Chairperson Johnson Mfula and former Chipili MP Benjamin Kaumba.

Speaking on behalf of the other defectors in Mansa, today, Mr Chungu noted that the MMD provincial executive in Luapula province has refused to be led by party president Nevers Mumba saying the opposition leader he has displayed undemocratic tendencies which they cannot tolerate.

He described Dr Mumba as a dictator who has allegedly failed to respect the constitution of the MMD in his dealings with other party officials.

Mr Chungu said Dr Mumba expelled MMD National Secretary Richard Kachingwe unconstitutionally, adding that this cannot be allowed to continue.

He said genuine members of the party have prevailed on Dr. Mumba to reconvene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to discuss issues among other issues his dual presidency of the MMD and Reform Party, his invalidation of the MMD presidency and the expulsion of Major Kachingwe but that these calls have fallen on deaf eyes.

The former MMD Provincial chairperson said his team will thus work to destroy all the structures of the former ruling party in the province so as to be vindicated for the position they have taken.

He also assured PF members that his group was not joining the ruling party to displace old members but to support the party in all aspect of human endeavour in order to move the country forward.

Mr Chungu also pledged total loyalty to President Michael Sata and the leadership of the PF which he said has being practical since the party assumed office after emerging triumphant in the September 20, 2011 tripartite elections.

He said the MMD was only rhetoric in its promises of bringing development to Luapula province unlike the PF that has shown to be practical by implementing some of the promises they made to the Zambian people.

In welcoming the defectors, Vice President Guy Scott urged PF members in the province not to feel jealousy of the new members but to embrace and work with them in order to push the development in the province and the country at large.

Dr. Scott said it was imperative that all Zambians work together and remain united to push the country’s development agenda.

He said the people that have defected from the MMD to the PF did so with full conviction from their hearts and not their pocket.

Dr. Scott said there was no buying of members in the PF as was the trend in the MMD defections where people were bought for them to resign from the opposition to join the ruling party.

He told the defectors that they joined the ruling party because they believe in its future and not because of goodies that the party has to offer.

And Luapula Province PF Chairperson Kennedy Sakeni said the PF in the province is not interested in any squabbles but want peace to reign so as to develop the area.

Mr Sakeni who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services urged PF members in the province to always maintain peace in order for them to remain united.

ZANIS