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Happy Sichikolo and Keagan Mumba have called for a local coach to be engaged to replace Dario Bonetti.
Kabwe Warriors assistant coach Sichikolo and Konkola Blades trainer Mumba said in separate interviews that there was very little time to bring in a foreigner to prepare Chipolopolo for the 2012 Africa Cup.
“There is a complex against local coaches regarding the senior team,” Mumba said.
“It is these same local coaches who have natured these national team players from Under-17 and Under-20 so I don’t understand why some people accuse us of lacking tactical of the game.”
And Sichikolo said FAZ should consider a combination of two or three local coaches to prepare the team for the Africa Cup to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea from January 21 to February 12.
“I prefer we look at a combination of Zambian coaches to work together like Patrick Phiri, Fighton Simukonda, Lwandamina and Mr Fordson Kabole,” Sichikolo said.
“They know the players well and I strongly believe the time is too short for a foreign coach who does not know our players to prepare the team for the Africa Cup.”
Faz is scouting for a replacement for Bonetti who was fired on October 10 just after qualifying Chipolopolo to the Africa Cup tournament.
United Party for National Development UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has said that his party will not shield any corrupt person. In reference to the insinuations that he has vowed to defend former president Rupiah Banda from prosecution, Mr Hichilema says it is impossible for his party to defend corrupt people.
He said that it is a known fact that the UPND has never supported any corrupt activities as can be witnessed from its pronouncements. Mr. Hichilema said that corruption was a cancer that should be fought vigorously adding that the fight against graft should be comprehensive, non-selective and professionally done. He said that the UPND will not agree to be used to settle scores as this amounts to vindictiveness and abuse.
And Mr. Hichilema has said that Republican president Michael Sata’s speech dashed people’s hopes. He said that the UPND is disappointed that president Sata and the new PF government presented its vision statement that did not address some critical concerns of the Zambian people.
Mr. Hichilema has also noted with concern that the president has created new ministries and abolished some without taking the matter to parliament. He said that the president abolished the position of secretary to the treasury illegally without approval of parliament.
But yesterday parliament approved the abolition and creation of new ministries and government department.
President Sata arrives for the swearing-in ceremony
Republican President Michael Sata has called on the newly appointed permanent secretaries in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service Division to ensure that political cadres in the two ministries are gotten rid off.
Mr. Sata said that once cadres are removed from government institutions, the people of Zambia will be attended to favorably as they are entitled to quality services by government.
He noted that government may not be able to provide jobs for every citizen but will endeavor to provide quality services to all.
The President was speaking at State house this morning when he swore-in Roland Msiska and Peter Lesa Kasanda as permanent secretaries in the ministry of foreign affairs and the public service division respectively.
And Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili has promised to abide by the President’s directive to remove all cadres in the Foreign Service. Speaking to journalist after the swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Kambwili said government will not give jobs on political alignment but will consider ability and qualifications.
Meanwhile, President Michael Sata has with immediate effect dissolved the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) board. In announcing the dissolution of the board, President Sata said there is no way an institution can have more respect for animals than people.
He noted that most cases in prisons are related to ZAWA, a situation he said should not be the case for the country.
File:Former Vice president George Kunda and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema
By Gray Soko
There have lately been very divergent views from the MMD about the need or possibility of a pact between the MMD and UPND, ostensibly to provide checks and balances to the PF in parliament. Some have said it was completely unnecessary as MMD is strong on its own and HH cannot be trusted whereas others see such a pact as necessary to perhaps frustrate the PF or in the long run ride on UPND support to come back to power in 2016.
Those against the pact have not forgotten that UPND had vowed to remove the MMD from power and had spurned MMD’s attempts prior to the September elections for a pact. Some even go as far as blaming the UPND for MMD’s loss. It was rumoured that MMD would offer HH the vice-presidency in reward for his support . HH however had his eyes on the presidency itself and could not go for the lower job. They also point out that MMD is much stronger than UPND with 55 seats against UPND’s 28 and that the party can bounce back to power in 2016 without courting the support of UPND which hasn’t had a good record of remaining in pacts anyway . There is also suspicion that HH may try to ride on the MMD’s misfortune to gain prominence. Despite the fact that UPND comes third among the major political parties, UPND or HH seems to feel they must be treated as equal in any pact. The rejection of Professor Clive Chirwa’s proposals on the pre election pact is indicative of UPND’s view of its status. The UPND even managed to have their preferred candidate nominated as Speaker, a feat which seems to have ruffled some feathers in the MMD.[pullquote]Talk of succession is treated like treason in most African political parties. Such has been the fear of succession that the post of vice president was frozen and its last two presidents were picked from outside the party hierarchy[/pullquote]
MMD members supporting the pact with UPND appear to be motivated by selfish interest. They want to get back at the PF by using their combined numerical strength in parliament and in the long run get the advantage of the southern province vote to get back to power. This however cannot sell to HH who still has his eyes set on the presidency and would not “sell” his party for the MMD to return to power. It is certainly a dilemma for HH. Many also believe that if UPND were to enter into such a pact it will clearly show that the UPND has lost direction and the credibility of its leadership would be put to question. HH would then join the list of politicians like Ben Mwila or Sakwiba Sikota.
As I see it, both the MMD and UPND can exist as different opposition entities, assuming they still have different political, social and economic policies. They do not have to go into a pact or form a voting bloc and can individually support or oppose PF bills on their merit. I however do not see these parties gaining strength unless they seriously address their leadership issues.[pullquote]The UPND needs to come to grips with the reality that it has lost ground since the demise of Mazoka. They have to elect a leadership that is courageous and willing to take what may appear to be unpopular decisions in the long term interest of the party[/pullquote]
It is a tragedy that after 20 years in existence MMD in now talking about “searching” for a leader. They should have developed a succession plan a long time ago but this was not to be. Talk of succession is treated like treason in most African political parties. Such has been the fear of succession that the post of vice president was frozen and its last two presidents were picked from outside the party hierarchy. The UPND needs to come to grips with the reality that it has lost ground since the demise of Mazoka. They have to elect a leadership that is courageous and willing to take what may appear to be unpopular decisions in the long term interest of the party, a leadership that is down to earth ( not taken so much to visions that they lose touch with the earth) and determined to extend the party’s small imprints in western and north western provinces to other provinces whilst holding ground where they are already popular. The tag of a “tribal” party will not go away unless they do this.
PF Secretary General and spokesperson Wynter Kabimba
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general and spokesperson Wynter Kabimba yesterday said that he has been tasked by President Sata to meet groups from Western, Southern and North-Western Provinces in order to expand the party reach across the whole country. He said PF members should realise that the party still remains weak in these three provinces hence the need to recruit more people from the provinces.
He said the PF wants to build a national party which cuts across all the provinces. “We want to have a President in State House who is acceptable to all the Zambian people across the provinces. And that is why you see the president in his deliberate effort to achieve that principle he has made some appointments that cut across our party spectrum,” Mr Kabimba said.
He said PF members should accept Mr Sata’s decision because he is not only a PF president but President for all Zambians. Mr Kabimba said PF members argue with Mr Sata in central committee meetings on why he is so forgiving to some people who allegedly insulted him.
“Mr Sata’s answer is that, if me who was being insulted have forgiven them, what about you who were not insulted? This is the truth about the man known as Michael Sata,” he said.
He said if PF members are genuine supporters of the party they should go by the philosophy of President Sata’s way of life and leadership. Mr Kabimba appealed to PF members to accommodate the members from UPND because the ruling party is a party for Zambians.
Earlier, ardent PF members caused commotion and delay of the press briefing at the secretariat when they vowed not to receive the defectors. Chilenje Ward 8 secretary Francis Mulenga said it is painful that the opposition members are joining the PF to solicit for jobs.
Mr Mulenga said PF members want to enjoy the fruits of their 10-year struggle in opposition and will not allow any person from the opposition to take away the jobs which belongs to PF members.
Meanwhile, ten senior United Party for National Development (UPND) members – who hail from Western Province – have resigned from their party to join the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
The UPND members who were led by former party deputy secretary general and UPND president Hakainde Hichilema’s campaign co-ordinator and strategist, Sikwindi Situla defected to the PF on October 19 at the PF secretariat.
The defectors include Patricia Mulasikwanda (chairperson health and nutrition), Inonge Mubayaeta (Western Province chairperson), Beatrice Kwendakwema (deputy national chairperson ) and Queen Kakoma (Western Province treasurer).
Others are Grace Imamunwa (Western Province trustee ), Lawrence Nyambe (chairperson livestock and fisheries), Mulele Munene (Mongu district chairperson), Boyd Moka (former Mongu mayor) and Friday Makondo (a youth leader from Western Province).
Others who joined the PF were Joseph Munsanje – who contested the Mbabala seat as an independent candidate and Nathan Bukonke from North-Western Province. Speaking during the defection, Mr Situla said the former UPND members have decided to join the PF because UPND’s alliance with MMD.
“We have come as a group to PF to seek refuge in the boat so that those who have blood on their hands of killing our brothers and sisters innocently as they were should come and face justice,” he said.
Government has abolished the basic schools system and re-introduced the grade 1 to 7 primary and grade 8 to 12 secondary system. Education, Science and Vocation Training Minister, John Phiri made announced the development adding that community schools will be upgraded to primary status. Dr Phiri made the announcement on yesterday at a press briefing at his ministry in Lusaka.
Dr Phiri also announced that all existing colleges of Education will be transformed into universities. He said that has constituted a technical committee which has been tasked to produce a road map on the transformation of earmarked State colleges into universities.
Dr Phiri said the committee, which is chaired by the permanent secretary in his ministry, is expected to complete its work in 21 days. The colleges include Chalimbana, Palabana, Nkrumah and Copperbelt colleges of Education.
Dr Phiri said the committee is also expected to deal with the costing aspect of the transformation. He said Government has put in place a number of measures including the reintroduction of the conventional primary and secondary school education system and the construction of new universities to address the challenges the country’s education system is facing. Dr Phiri said one of the challenges has been a mismatch between reforms and the preparedness to implement them.
Meanwhile, Dr Phiri says Government will invest in national priority-driven scientific research to accelerate national development. “Government will as a matter of urgency develop a national research agenda to guide investment in science and technology,” Dr Phiri said.
He said this when he met his ministry staff and heads of institutions of higher learning at Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Authority (TEVETA) in Lusaka yesterday. Dr Phiri said under the MMD Government scientific research did not receive proper attention and this contributed to the under-development of the country.
“Under the MMD Government scientific research was not given the priority it deserves and to some measure the state of under-development of this country can be attributed to lack of investment and lack of a research agenda in science and technology,” he said.
Dr Phiri said research in science and technology in the country should be boosted to contribute to national development in a meaningful manner. He said to promote increased research in science and technology, his ministry will prioritise the teaching of science subjects in educational institutions at all levels and improve on current learning institutions as well as expand facilities for teaching science and technical subjects.
Dr Phiri said the ministry will also set up exclusive science and technical schools, colleges and universities. He said Government will revamp the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research by dismantling its debt and increasing the budgetary allocation to research activities.
Dr Phiri said Zambia should aim at making its economy knowledge-based to ensure higher levels of national development. “We should strive towards a knowledge economy. We all know that all leading economies in the world have become hugely knowledge economies,” he said.
The Education Minister said Government will work hard to ensure emoluments of lecturers and scientists are attractive and regionally competitive. He added that Government is aware that conditions of service of the lecturers and scientists in his ministry are uncompetitive and that this state of affairs has made it difficult for it to stem brain drain.
Dr Phiri said all Zambian children should have a right to a free, compulsory and quality education regardless of whether they come from a wealthy family or not.
He said Government will also empower youths with education and skills that will make them more productive.
THE Patriotic Front (PF) on October 19 admonished United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema for his unrelenting schemes aimed at frustrating the PF and described him as a “selfish politician interested in championing personal gains”.
And the PF has urged MMD members not to allow former republican President Rupiah Banda to “auction” them to Mr Hichilema because he allegedly wants to save himself from the wrongs he committed against Zambians.
PF secretary general and spokesperson Wynter Kabimba said this at the party’s first press briefing after winning the September 20 general elections. “For Mr Hichilema service to the Zambian people only means one thing…he must be the president over all of us. This was his scheme in 2006 when he took over the UPND as president and in June 2009 when he invited PF into a pact with UPND.”
“His agenda is a personal one and our people should judge him for what he is…a selfish politician,” Mr Kabimba said. He said it is disappointing that Mr Hichilema and some UPND members have failed to understand the true meaning of President Sata’s “watershed speech” delivered in Parliament on October 14.
Mr Kabimba said Mr Hichilema has vowed to frustrate PF programmes within and outside Parliament.
He said this is Mr Hichilema’s second vow after the first one when he promised to work with MMD to ensure President Sata does not win the September 20 tripartite elections.
Mr Kabimba said Mr Hichilema is on record to have told Zambians during the defunct PF/UPND pact that he would never work with the MMD because Mr Banda and his ministers were allegedly corrupt.
He said today because Mr Banda has allegedly offered him the inheritance of the MMD “which he thinks will propel him to power in 2016,” the former head of State has become a saint to him.
[pullquote] “For Mr Hichilema service to the Zambian people only means one thing…he must be the president over all of us. This was his scheme in 2006 when he took over the UPND as president and in June 2009 when he invited PF into a pact with UPND.”[/pullquote]
Mr Kabimba said Zambians should not trust Mr Hichilema with powers of managing the affairs of the country. “In his typical bitterness and anger he went to MMD to try to prevent Michael Sata from winning the election. We thank God that Mr Hichilema’s evil intentions did not come to pass,” Mr Kabimba said.
He said President Sata won the election to Mr Hichilema’s utmost shock and disappointment from which he has failed to recover to date.
Mr Kabimba said it is not surprising Mr Hichilema has now moved to another scheme to block the PF from fighting corruption committed by the previous government.
He said the PF wants to know who gave instructions for the killings which occurred in Western Province, beneficiaries from oil imports arising from blatant breaches of tender procedures and people behind the auctioning of the gold which was in the custody of the Drug Enforcement Commission.
The PF wants to know the circumstances which led to the acquittal of former president Chiluba and his wife, Regina, the circumstances in which two Lexus vehicles costing K3.6 billion were bought and how the privitisation of Luanshya mine and other were undertaken and who determined the fees for the transactions.
Mr Kabimba said the PF wants to know if Mr Banda is a Zambian under the Constitution and eligible to stand as a presidential candidate in 2008 and if the MMD attempted to rig the September 20 polls.
He said if these matters do not worry Mr Hichilema about how Zambia was governed in the recent past then he is a wrong person to lead Zambia.
And Mr Kabimba has appealed to Government to consider compensating the families of people who lost their relatives and property during the disturbances and riots on the Copperbelt on September 21. He said these people should be compensated because they wanted to ensure the MMD did not again steal votes and frustrate the people’s choice for a new political leadership.
OVER 1,000 miners at China Non-Ferrous Corporation Africa (NFCA) Mining Plc in Chambishi and those from a contracted company JHCX Mining Construction Zambia Limited have been dismissed following the protests that have recently rocked the Chinese mining company.
This is according to separate memorandums dated October 19, 2011 signed by NFCA chief executive officer Wang Chunlai and his JCHX Mining Construction Zambia Limited counterpart Zhang Jun, made available to the Zambia Daily Mail yesterday.
The memorandum reads: “Following a memo issued yesterday [Tuesday October 18, 2011], asking you to report for work today the 19th October 2011 [yesterday] and [sic] you subsequently refused to observe. You are now all summarily dismissed with immediate effect. However you have a right to appeal within 48 hours. Your leave days accrued will be paid to you by the month-end of November 2011.”
NFC Africa Mining Plc Manager for Corporate Affairs Nelson Jilowa confirmed the dismissal of over 1,000 workers out of the 3,000 miners engaged at the Chinese mining giant.
“I can confirm that there is a memo and over 1,000 out of a total of 3,000 workers are affected,” Mr Jilowa said.
Vice-President Guy Scott yesterday in parliament made a dramatic U-turn on the announcement made by President Micheal Sata that he had abolished the position of Secretary to the Treasury.
Dr Scott said that the office of the Secretary to the Treasury has not been abolished and that President Sata has already appointed someone as the controlling officer.
President Sata on 3rd October announced at State house that he had abolished the position of Secretary to the Treasury.
On Monday, the Speaker of the National Assembly directed Dr Scott to address the House on the point of order raised by former Vice-President George Kunda, who questioned the abolition of the position of Secretary to the Treasury, a position that was created by Parliament under the Public Finance Act No. 15 of 2005.
Meanwhile, Parliament yesterday approved the establishment of Government ministries and departments established by President Sata. Vice-President Guy Scott, while presenting the motion in Parliament, said the move to reduce the number of government ministries and departments was meant to reduce government expenditure.
He said President Sata would have sought parliament approval before establishing the Government ministries but that parliament was not sitting at the time.
“The President had to assign people to ministries, therefore, he had to establish the ministries he wanted and later seek Parliament approval because it was not sitting at the time he made these decisions,” he said.
Former Vice-President George Kunda, who is also Muchinga member of Parliament, supported the move to reduce the number of government ministries but cautioned the PF government against making rush decisions because of the financial implications involved in ministries such as the Ministry of Finance.
[pullquote]Mr Kunda said the country should be guided by the rule of law and that the Ministry of Justice should ensure it gives proper advice. “Approval was required, it must be sought before any announcements are made because until approval, such ministries are illegal,” he said.[/pullquote]
He said it is understandable that the PF government is in a hurry to deliver on its election promise but that it is important that President Sata is given proper and timely advice.
Mr Kunda said the country should be guided by the rule of law and that the Ministry of Justice should ensure it gives proper advice. “Approval was required, it must be sought before any announcements are made because until approval, such ministries are illegal,” he said.
And in his maiden speech to Parliament, Mr Kunda appealed to President Sata as the father of the nation to unite the country across all tribes, boundaries and political affiliation.
He said the people expect a lot from him and that he should lead a government of reconciliation and not retribution. Mr Kunda said the PF is no longer in the opposition and that it is important that President Sata embraces everyone to reduce the tension being experienced in the country.
He said the election period in which bitter and unpleasant words were exchanged among the contenders is over and that it is important that the country moves forward.
“I want to congratulate President Sata for his victory as the people spoke loudly that they wanted change and they have it,” he said. Mr Kunda said the PF government should not hold vengeance and witch hunt as the MMD graciously conceded defeat and are now in the opposition.
He appealed to the PF government to continue with the development projects and programmes that were left by the MMD government.
Former Mines Minister Maxwell Mwale this afternoon appeared for questioning at the former Task Force offices before the Zambia police in connection with the bicycles that were recovered at his residence in Makeni .
A check by QFM at the former Task Force building at about 15 hrs found that Maxwell Mwale had just left after being questioned. The police are currently investigating MMD officials to establish the source of campaign materials used in the just ended elections which include bicycles and motor vehicles.
When contacted police spokesperson Ndandula Siamana could not give details by broadcast time saying she did not have the details ready from the people that were questioning the former Mines Minister.
Meanwhile, the Lawyer to former Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande has distanced his client from the Gold saga. Sakwiba Sikota said that Mr Pande was called to answer queries over the source of funding for the ruling MMD in his capacity as Vice National Chairman of the party.
Mr Sikota told ZNBC News that connecting Mr Pande to the Gold scandal was erroneous. He has also demanded for an apology from the Police service whom he said some media institutions have quoted confirming that Mr Pande was answering queries on the Gold saga.
The Patriotic Front cadres this morning caused commotion when they disrupted a press briefing which was supposed to be addressed by party Secretary General Wynter Kabimba demanding to be given employment by the party.
The cadres also demanded that defectors from other political parties should not be allowed to join the party. One of the carders talked to said that defectors from other political parties are the reason why the party is not employing them.
The cadre, who refused to be named, observed that the party seems to be giving employment to people from other political parties who have never been there for the party. He said that the youths will ensure that only genuine members of the party are given employment by the party.
By press time, the Patriotic Front secretary general was said to be in a meeting with some senior UPND members who have defected to the Patriotic front.
President Michael Sata has apologised to Angola over the decision by the former ruling party MMD to side with the late former rebel leader Jonas Savimbi during the civil war in that country.
President Sata says he has sent First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda to apologise on behalf of Zambia to the Angolan government for the MMD government’s treacherous behaviour.
He described the MMD’s conduct against Angola during the civil war as greedy and fraudulent.
The President was speaking at State House Wednesday morning when he received letters of credence from Ambassador Designate of the Republic of Angola to Zambia Balbina Malheiro Silva.
President Sata says it is a shame that Zambia is not benefiting from the eight million United States dollar refinery that Angola has built.
He also says the Patriotic Front-PF government looks forward to opening up more trade links with Angola.
Earlier, Ambassador Silva reaffirmed Angola’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with Zambia.
MMD National Secretary Richard Kachingwe talking to Party President Rupiah Banda
The MMD Secretariat has said that it will soon start looking for a new leader to lead the party. MMD National Secretary Major Richard Kachingwe however said that the party is currently dealing with post election problems such as petitions, parliamentary by-elections and witch hunting.
Major Kachingwe told ZNBC News in an interview that the MMD will immediately call for a convention to elect its party President once it has resolved the post election challenges.
He said that only the convention can elect a Party President, while the National Executive Committee-NEC only has authority to fill casual vacancies. Major Kachingwe further explained that the MMD leadership is aware of the need for new leadership but appealed to members to remain calm as the party deals with major challenges.
And Major Kachingwe has said that the MMD is still conducting a postmortem on why it lost the September 20, general elections.
Government has recalled 12 ambassadors and high commissioners including those in Kenya and Tanzania, said Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili.
Mr Kambwili told the media that the termination of contracts for the envoys was “with immediate effect” but they would be accorded a three-month period to prepare their return home in line with their conditions of service.
Among prominent ‘casualties’ are former Republican vice president Dr Nevers Mumba (High Commissioner to Canada), former president Rupiah Banda’s cousin Agness Ngoma (High Commissioner to Mozambique), Christine Lambart (High Commissioner to Kenya), late president Levy Mwanawasa’s aunt Marvis Muyunda (High Commissioner to Tanzania) and Zambia Army ex-commander General Isaac Chisuzi (High Commissioner to Namibia).
According to Mr Kambwili, others recalled are Professor Royson Mukwena (High Commissioner to the UK), ex-minister Marina Nsingo (High Commissioner to Botswana), Albert Muchanga (Ambassador to Ethiopia and AU), Reuben Musakabantu (High Commissioner to Malawi), Dr Sipula Kabanje (Ambassador to Zimbabwe), Anderson Chibwe (High Commissioner to Malaysia) and Alexis Luhila (High Commissioner to Nigeria).
The minister said former deputy chief executive of ex-ruling party – the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) – Jeff Kaande, who served as counsellor at Zambian Embassy in Japan and TV personality Doreen Mukanzo, who was first secretary for press at the mission in South Africa had also been recalled.
Sackings of diplomats were expected after their April 2011 meeting where then president, Mr Banda, thanked them for financing the MMD and urged them to finance his re-election campaign. Michael Sata, then main opposition leader now President, rebuked Mr Banda.
“That is the direct Presidential directive that those diplomats should divert money from their missions and send them to Lusaka for his campaign,” Mr Sata said then.
The body of a South African national aged 42-year who drowned at Victoria Falls was flown to South Africa yesterday, Southern Province police commanding officer Lemmy Kajoba has said.
Mr Kajoba said in an interview that the fire brigade in Livingstone successfully retrieved the body and was flown to South Africa yesterday.
The deceased was a director at Bell Dewar was attending the firm’s annual conference in Zambia at the Victoria Falls. He is said to have gone out for an early morning walk alone. He appeared to have lost his footing and drowned at Victoria Falls up stream around 09:00 hours on Sunday 16th October.
Southern Province police commanding officer Mr Kajoba said the deceased’s body was caught up in rocks before falling in to the gorge.
Meanwhile, Mr Kajoba said a 17 year old girl of Maramba township drowned at the Victoria Falls boiling point around 18:00 hours on Saturday.
Mr Kajoba said Juliet Mwamba of house number ME 171 Maramba who was in the company of friends slipped off while walking on the rocks near the river.
He said the body of the deceased was retrieved by the fire brigade and it was lying at Batoka hospital mortuary.
