UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema says Zambians have been calling for inclusion of the 50-plus one percent vote for the winning presidential candidate, a coalition government clause and an independent electoral commission.

He says Zambians have also been agitating for a proportional representation system of government to be included in the constitution.

The UPND leader says Zambians also want social and economic rights such the right to education, health, employment, housing and water to be included in the constitution.

Mr. Hichilema says if these progressive expectations of the Zambian people are included in the new constitution, then the UPND will vote for the new constitution.

He says the UPND will not vote against a constitution if it is manipulated and does not meet the expectations of the Zambian people.

Mr. Hichilema was speaking at a media briefing held in Lusaka on Thursday.

Meanwhile Mr. Hichilema says it is unfortunate that some sections of the media want to dent his image when he constructively criticizes the PF government.

He says the UPND will support good PF government policies and programs, and that being in the opposition is not meant to bring down the government of the day, but to offer checks and balances.

[ZNBC]

Patriotic Front-PF- National Chairman Chishimba Kambwili has advised Mr Hichilema against issuing unwarranted verbal attacks on President Michael Sata.

Mr Kambwili who is also Foreign Affairs Minister says Mr Hichilema must tone down his language and accord President Sata the respect befitting a head of State.

He told journalists in Lusaka on Thursday that the ruling party is disturbed and will not sit back and watch Mr Hichilema demean President Sata.

Mr Hichilema has made several observations on President Sata’s leadership and policy changes since the PF formed government over three weeks ago.

[ZNBC]

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.

QFM

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.

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.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

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.