William Banda has challenged President Michael Sata and PF to ensure that all Zambians get K2 million on Thursday, the day that marks the ruling party’s 90 days in power.

In an interview with LusakaTimes on Saturday evening, Banda said it will not be acceptable for the PF to fail to fulfill the “more money in your pockets in 90 days” promise.

“We don’t want the PF to start saying they want more time. In exactly 90 days (Thursday) we want everyone to have K2 million that they promised,” he said.

William Banda also castigated President Michael Sata for giving street vendors a go ahead to trade in the streets.

“When we were in power, he (Sata) used to condemn us for those trading in the streets,” Banda said. “He used to say, we failed to control people on the streets, in the bus stops and at markets. But why has he changed now?”

Two days ago, President Sata directed local authorities to leave street vendors alone adding that the ruling party would lose popularity if the traders were asked to leave the streets.

President Sata has advised Hon. Lukulo Katombora to immediately vacate office and surrender government property and cooperate with law enforcement agencies investigating him.

“It is unfortunate that Mr. Katombora whose appointment as Southern Province Minister was terminated yesterday is exhibiting some strange levels of arrogance. However, his arrogance will not help because he has been disappointed just like he was appointed,” President Sata said.

This is contained in a press statement availed to Lusakatimes by George Chellah,Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations.

“We would not want to publicly discuss the reasons for his removal as law enforcement agencies are currently investigating him for alleged impropriety. Therefore, our advice to Mr Katombora is that he must complete all the necessary exit formalities and allow for a smooth handover.”

On Friday, President Sata transferred Hon. Miles Sampa from Lusaka to Southern Province to take over from Hon. Katombora.

The President appointed Kanyama PF Member of Parliament Hon. Gerry Chanda as Lusaka Province Minister, Mwansabombwe PF Member of Parliament Hon. Rogers Mwewa as the new minister for the Copperbelt Province to replace Hon. John Kufuna who the Head of State says will be allocated a new ministry in a little while.

The President also appointed three opposition MMD members of Parliament as deputy ministers.

Those appointed are: Mr. Elijah Muchima (Mwinilunga West), Mr. Stephen Masumba (Mufumbwe) and Mr. Isaac Banda (Lumezi).

“In the army in Uganda, if you kill someone, rape a woman or defile a child, we shoot you,” said Uganda President and new chairman of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Yoweri Museveni.

This was at the 4th ordinary summit of the ICGLR at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort.

The controversial leader said this after receiving the chairmanship of the ICGLR from President Sata, whose own message was less threatening to the audience: “As chairperson of the ICGLR, Zambia has continued to spearhead programmes and activities as it contributes to fostering peace in the Great Lakes Region.”

Mr Museveni, on the other hand, was in his usual element: “We should go by the biblical Old Testament principle of an eye for an eye.”

The Uganda leader was speaking against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) to which women of the region are trying to draw greater attention.

Mr Museveni added: “The punishment is clear under the court marshals in the army (Ugandan) and things move pretty fast. If you commit a sexual offence, just know that you are dead.”

Mr Museveni said it was important to instil discipline in the army and the police.
[Zambia Daily Mail]

“For civilians, it’s different but I wish they could borrow something from the court marshals which don’t waste time,” Mr Museveni said.

Mr Museveni said all countries in the GLR should legislate against SGBV to curb the vice.

And handing over the chairmanship, Mr Sata said he was confident Mr Museveni would take the ICGLR to greater heights.
He said the ICGLR has made remarkable progress in peace building.

He said Zambia was proud to be associated with promoting peace in the Great Lakes Region, which has been plagued by conflict.

Delegates included Pierre Nkurunzinza (Burundi), Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania), and Mwai Kibaki (Kenya).

ICGLR heads of State who could not make it to the summit sent representatives at a high level.

Others in attendance were United Nations Deputy Secretary General Asha Rose Migiro and Chairperson of the African Union Commission Jean Ping.

Mr Sata said it was possible for the region to create peace “Together, we can continue to make positive contributions to the region. So far, we have made significant political and social development,” he said.

He also said the establishment of the ICGLR Levy Mwanawasa Centre for Democracy and Good Governance in Lusaka is a sign that Zambia is committed to contributing to the growth of the peace process in the ICGLR.

The Zambian delegation includes Minister of Defence Geoffrey Mwamba, Minister of Foreign Affairs Chishimba Kambwili, Minister of Home Affairs Kennedy Sakeni, Minister of Mines Wylbur Simuusa and Deputy Minister of Gender Emerine Kabanshi.

Outgoing Executive Secretary of the ICGLR Liberata Mulamula said she was proud to exit the organisation at a point where the region is at its best in terms of peace.

An opposition member of parliament has charged that the PF government has failed to tackle unemployment.

UPND’s Jack Mwimbu also said in Parliament that the PF’s promise of tackling many issues within 90 days have not born fruit.

He said with only six days before the 90 days of delivery comes to an end, many Zambians remain unemployed and the promises made in the campaign have not been met.

Mr Mwimbu said many people are unable to access the CEEC fund especially those in rural areas making it even more difficult for them to empower themselves.
[ZNBC]

The Minister for Information has asked for reports from the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Police and the organisers of the Born and Bred Music awards by the end of today.

Given Lubinda’s request follows complaints from Members of the public of the immorality that characterized the televised event and is demanding that steps be taken.

Mr. Lubinda who is also minister for tourism is particularly concerned with scenes of alcohol consumption and footage of people wearing clothes that were too revealing.

The live programme on the national broadcaster, was on air for over five hours.

As he addressed journalist in Lusaka on Friday, the minister seriously warned the media against abuse of the freedom which the patriotic front government has given them to operate independently.

He says the ministry will not tolerate the public media to broadcast obscene pictures that may corrupt public morals.

The minister says the conduct of patrons and organizers and the general organization of the programme fell far below public expectations.

THE Government has advised MMD presidential aspirant Kabinga Pande to concentrate on his campaign instead of dragging the Patriotic Front (PF) in his ill-conceived rhetoric.

Information, Broadcasting and Tourism minister Given Lubinda said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Pande had diverted his energies from rebuilding his party to attacking the PF Government.

He said Mr Pande who is Kasempa Member of Parliament should stop cheap publicity meant to propel his desperate desire to ascend to the MMD presidency.

The minister was reacting to accusations by Mr Pande at a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday that the PF government was tribal and had embarked on ‘trial and error.’

But Mr Lubinda said it was clear that Mr Pande wanted to spark debate with the Government in order to boost his chances of taking over the MMD leadership.

The minister said Mr Pande should concentrate his campaigns on issues within the MMD and explain to the people what he intended to do
instead of misdirecting his efforts.

[Times of Zambia]