THREE political parties have criticised the Patriotic Front (PF) government for allegedly failing to honour its campaign promise of delivering a new Constitution within 90 days of coming into power.

The three political parties are the opposition MMD, United Party for National Development (UPND) and the National Movement for Progress (NMP). They were reacting to the announcement in Parliament yesterday by Minister of Justice Sebastian Zulu that it will not be possible for the PF government to deliver a Constitution that will stand the test of time within 90 days as it had promised because there is a process involved.

Speaking in Lusaka yesterday, MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga said it is disappointing that the PF government has U-turned on its earlier campaign promise of delivering a Constitution that will stand a test of time within its first 90 days in office.

Mr Mabenga said it is not enough for Government to just promise to deliver a new constitution without a clear roadmap and that Zambians are disappointed to hear statements from Mr Zulu indicating that it will not be possible for government to come up with a Constitution within 90 days.

“During the campaigns President Sata repeatedly mentioned among other things that the PF will deliver the new Constitution that will stand a test of time in 90 days if it formed government. “We are now surprised and disappointed to hear that the same party has U-turned on its campaign promises,” he said.

UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said his party is shocked to note that the PF government has failed to honour its campaign promises of coming up with a new Constitution within the promised 90-day period.

“President Sata, when he was campaigning, told the people of Zambia that he will deliver a new Constitution within 90 days. Even when he opened the First Session of the 11th National Assembly he assured Zambians that the new Constitution will be in place within 90 days.“We are now shocked that the Minister of Justice is contradicting what the President said,” Mr Kakoma said.

And NMP president Ng’andu Magande called on government to come up with clear roadmap on the Constitution-making process.

Yesterday, Mr Zulu said although Government is making frantic efforts aimed at coming up with a new Constitution, there is need for the people of Zambia to give the government time to come up with a Constitution that will stand the test of time.

Mr Zulu said this in Parliament yesterday when he outlined the new constitution review roadmap. He said President Sata will soon constitute a committee of experts to analyse the recommendations of all the previous constitution review commissions and come up with an inclusive draft law.

Mr Zulu said the draft Constitution, which will be drafted by the committee of experts from the Chona, Mvunga, Mwanakatwe, Willa Mung’omba commissions and the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) will be taken round the country for people’s input.

“Mr Speaker, let me inform the nation through you that this government attaches great importance towards the constitution-making process. President Sata will soon appoint a committee of experts that will consider all the previous constitution review commissions and come up with an inclusive draft law.

“Let me also inform the nation that it will not be possible for the Patriotic Front (PF) government to come up with a Constitution within 90 days. This is because we want to come up with a Constitution that the people of Zambia will appreciate, and this will take a little longer,” he said.

Mr Zulu said over the years, the people’s call for a Republican Constitution that is expected to stand the test of time has been loud and clear. He said it is unfortunate that the previous regimes have wasted a good portion of the country’s meagre resources on financing the previous constitution review commissions without coming up with such a Constitution.

The Justice Minister said it is shameful that after 47 years of political independence, the country has failed to give its people an acceptable Constitution that will embrace the interests of all Zambians.

He said the PF government should be commended for promising to deliver a new Constitution that will stand the test of time. Mr Zulu also said the committee which will be constituted to work on the Constitution should be given time to complete its work rather than 90 days if it is to do a thorough job in addressing the many contentious issues, errors and inconsistencies in the previous constitution review efforts.

He said the terms of reference for the committee of experts will be among other things to identify and examine contentious issues, errors and inconsistencies in the 1996 Republican Constitution and the draft constitutions of the commissions led by Chona, Mvunga, Mwanakatwe, Mung’omba and the NCC.

Mr Zulu said the committee will prepare a provisional draft Constitution based on its findings and that citizens will be given time in which they will present their comments on the content of the provisional draft Constitution, followed by the preparation of a final draft Constitution based on refinements made upon consideration of the people’s comments.

He said after the preparation of the final draft Constitution, a nationwide referendum will then be organised to gauge whether or not the final draft Constitution will reflect the will and the desires and aspirations of the Zambian people.

Mr Zulu said the role of Parliament and the President will be limited to the provision of financial and material resources to the constitution-making process, and to assent to the final output of the process after the referendum.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Justice Minister Sebastian Zulu has outlined a new constitutional road map in which the process will take longer than the 90 days earlier announced.

Mr. Zulu told Parliament that President Michael Sata is in the process of appointing a team of experts to revisit the Mvunga, Mwanakatwe, Mun’gomba Constitution review commissions.

He says the experts will also look at the recent constitution review commission draft constitution.

Mr. Zulu explained that the experts will then come up with a draft constitution which will be taken around the country for peoples’ inputs before going for a referendum.

After the referendum the draft constitution will then be brought before parliament for possible enactment.

Meanwhile Mr. Zulu says his Ministry is drafting various pieces of legislation to support the pronouncements made by President Sata in his recent speech to Parliament.

[ZNBC]

Chiboshi Mwansa a.k.a. Chibo, hails from Lusaka, Zambia .  He started off by entering  dancer competions in local talent showcases such as Radio 4 Fan Club, and variety shows for Munali High School. It was during his involvement with Radio 4 Fan Club that he started writing and performing his own music. Now based in Columbus, Ohio, USA, he has honed his craft to create the unambiguous sound that he has currently.

His music is a mixture of different genres , African style / hip hop/ dance  all mixed in one.  His current single is in rotation in different parts of the world such as Germany, where Kaleeza reached the #1 spot on the OLJO charts beating out major artists like J.Lo and LMFAO! Airplay in Australia, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and of course his home country of Zambia, has embraced the new sounds of Chibo with open arms. His new video and single Kaleeza is also creating major buzz in the US  in cities like Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Chicago and the list goes on. With combined Youtube views of over 50,000 hits fans can expect to see Chibo at a venue in their city soon!

He is spreading Zambian music world wide . He is currently working on some music with Dandy Krazy , this will be good for both artists as it will expand both there fan bases.

THE MUSIC

KALEEZA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGEaazX95ek

Its a very catchy song that will have you dancing all night long.

BY KAPA187

THE British government says it has not asked the Zambian government to legalise gay rights as a pre-condition to receiving aid.

British High Commissioner to Zambia Thomas Carter said the UK government’s provision of development aid to the Zambian government is on the basis of commitment to the reduction of poverty, respect for human rights and issues pertaining to good governance.

Mr Carter said in a statement made available in Lusaka that the British government engages in regular dialogue with its Zambian counterparts to monitor their commitment to progress against underlying principles.

“The UK government’s provision of development assistance to the Government of Zambia is on the basis of its overall commitment to reducing poverty; respecting human rights; improving public financial management; fighting corruption and promoting good governance and transparency,” he said.

He said the UK government raises issues with governments when there are serious and systematic violations of those rights. Mr Carter said to date the issue of gay rights has not arisen with the Zambian government.

His comment follows a statement that was made by UK Prime Minister David Cameron in Perth, Australia, during the Commonwealth heads of government meeting that human rights reform in the Commonwealth was one issue on which leaders failed to reach agreement.

Mr Cameron was reported to have said that countries receiving UK aid should adhere to proper human rights and end a ban on homosexuality.

And the Zambia Episcopal Conference has maintained that homosexuality is wrong and that Zambia as a Christian nation should not support such acts. ZEC spokesperson Paul Samasumo said the Catholic Church has not changed the position it had during the campaign period for last month’s tripartite elections when the issue on homosexuality was at the centre of political debate.

Father Samasumo, however, said in an interview that it is not right to discriminate against people practising homosexuality. “It is clear that we made comments during the campaign period on homosexuality because the Catholic Church regards all homosexual acts as wrong,” he said.

Fr Samasumo said homosexuals need help from the Christian community. He, however, said it is not good for Christians to prejudice people who they think are doing wrong.

ON Wednesday, Chief government spokesperson Given Lubinda said that Zambia will not enact pro-homosexuality laws in a bid to get British aid. Mr. Lubinda said the country would only enact laws supported by its citizens and in line with the Zambian culture.

“David Cameron must be reminded of what we agreed when we met in Paris for the Paris Declaration. Cameron was there, I was there,” said Mr Lubinda, an opposition parliamentarian at the time the Paris Declaration was penned.

He added: “When we met in Ghana, we came up with the Accra Agenda for Action and both those declarations are that no country will use its aid to influence the policies of an aid receiving country.”

He said Zambia was a sovereign state and would make independent decisions on which laws to enact.

“It is wrong for Mr Cameron to try and use aid as a way of influencing policies and laws of Zambia or any other country for that matter,” said Mr Lubinda.

“Zambia will not be pressured to formulate laws or policies by any foreign government,” Mr Lubinda told Lusaka-based Hot FM Radio

[Zambia Daily Mail]

The Movement for Multiparty Democracy(MMD) has condemned the move by the ruling Patriotic Front(PF) to petition over 50 seats in the just ended parliamentary elections. MMD Spokesperson, Dora Siliya has accused the Patriotic Front of attempting to weaken the opposition by opting to petition results of 50 parliamentary seats. She has further stated that the MMD will reject maneuvers to take the country back to one part state.

Yesterday, 51 Patriotic Front (PF) losing Parliamentary candidates in the September 20, 2011 general elections petitioned the election results in their respective areas.

The losing candidates have asked the court to nullify the election of the incumbent members of Parliament (MPs), saying their election to Parliament was null and void.
They also want the High Court to order for fresh elections, alleging that elections were marred with corrupt practices, intimidation, vote buying, and bribery.

And the MMD denied assertions of a power vacuum or struggle in its ranks and it has further formally announced the party presidency vacancy. Ms Dora Siliya has also announced that aspirants have up to this month-end to apply. Ms Siliya has further stated that the decision also goes for the vacant National Executive Committee positions.

Ms Siliya has attributed the MMD’s loss in the 20th September general elections to its failure to relate with the needs of urban areas. Ms Siliya has outlined water supply, improved sanitation and unemployment as among the needs the MMD did not meet.

MUVITV

More than 50 Patriotic Front (PF) losing Parliamentary candidates in the September 20, 2011 general elections have petitioned the election results in their respective areas.

Out of 68 losing candidates who have questioned the results, the PF has petitioned 51 while the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has petitioned 11, with MMD querying five and a losing independent candidate petitioning one.

The losing candidates have asked the court to nullify the election of the incumbent members of Parliament (MPs), saying their election to Parliament was null and void.

They also want the High Court to order for fresh elections, alleging that elections were marred with corrupt practices, intimidation, vote buying, and bribery.

In some cases, the losing candidates have also joined the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), saying the electoral body neglected its statutory duty of protecting them while in other cases, two losing candidates from different political parties have petitioned the winning candidates.

Those that have petitioned the results are losing PF Nyimba candidate Augustine Mwanza, who has asked the Chipata High Court to nullify the election of MMD’s Forrie Tembo while Ikelenge PF losing candidate Victor Kayekesi has petitioned the election of Elijah Muchima (MMD).

Losing MMD candidate for Kaoma Central Austin Liato and PF’s Enock Kaleka have petitioned the election of Antonio Carlos (UPND) while PF candidate Lameck Mangani (Chipata Central) has petitioned the election of Reuben Phiri, who won under the MMD ticket.

Losing candidate for PF in Lukulu West Eileen Imbwae has asked the court to nullify the election of MMD’s Misheck Mutale, while Emmanuel Chilubanama (PF), who was the losing candidate for Lunte has petitioned the election of MMD’s Felix Mutati.

UPND losing candidate for Solwezi Central Watson Lumba has asked the court to nullify the election of MMD’s MP, Lucky Mulusa.

Losing UPND candidate in Livingstone Frederick Chuunga and Josephs Akafumba of PF have both petitioned the election of MMD’s Lukulo Katombola, while PF losing candidate for Chitambo, Chanda Mutale has petitioned the election of MMD’s Mushili Malama.

Others that have petitioned the elections are UPND losing candidate for Petauke Central Cuthbert Phiri, who is petitioning former MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya, while PF’s Patrick Mwanawasa has petitioned the election of Evans Chishiba (MMD) for the Kafulafuta seat.

UPND losing candidate for Mufumbwe Elliot Kamondo has asked the court to nullify the election of Steven Masumba (UPND), PF’s Christabel Ngimbu has petitioned UPND’s Kakoma Wahuma in the Zambezi West seat.

Losing Chisamba PF candidate Oswald Chulu has petitioned the election of Moses Muteteka (MMD), while PF losing candidate for Feira James Pastor has asked the court to declare the election of MMD’s Levy Ngoma as null and void.

In Kapoche, PF losing candidate Paradious Sakala has petitioned the election of MMD’s Nicholas Banda, while Godfrey Banda (PF) has petitioned the election of independent Joseph Lungu in Msanzala Constituency in Eastern Province.

In Northern Province, Giles Yambayamba, the PF losing candidate for Senga Hill wants the court to cancel the election of MMD’s Kapembwa Simbao, while PF’s losing candidate for Mbala, Evaristo Simfukwe has petitioned the election of Mwalimu Simfukwe of MMD.

The PF losing candidate for Chilanga Geoffrey Chumbwe has asked the court to nullify the election of MMD’s Keith Mukata, while Kaweche Kaunda of the PF who lost the Malambo seat has questioned the election of MMD’s Maxwell Mwale.

PF’s Ingrid Mpande has petitioned MMD MP for Mkushi, Mutale Musonda and ECZ as first and second defendants, respectively.

Maina Wamunyima (PF), the losing candidate for Senanga Central has asked the court to nullify the election of Likando Mufalali (UNIP), Mutomena Mubiana (PF) is petitioning the election of MMD’s Poniso Njeulu (UPND) in Sinjemela Constituency while MMD’s Richard Simbula has petitioned the election of UPND winning candidate for Mangango, Robert Chiseke.

Others are MMD’s Maurice Munembo (Nalikwanda), who has petitioned MMD’s winning candidate Geoffrey Lungwangwa, Truman Simuyuwa (PF), who lost the Liuwa seat and has petitioned the election of MMD’s Situmeko Musokotwane while in Sikongo, losing PF candidate Kufuka Kufuka has questioned the victory of MMD’s Ndalamei Mundia.

The PF petitioners are represented by KBF and Partners, MNB, Dumisani Tembo and Company, Messrs Andrea Masiye and Company, Messrs Ellis and Co, Chola Chama Legal Practitioners, Messrs Fred Jere and Company, and AD Mwansa Mumba and Company, among others.

The UPND petitioners are being represented by Messrs Mwiimbu and Company, while the MMD is represented by George Kunda and Company, among others.

[Times of Zambia]