Former Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Charles Chimumbwa says there is no amount of Juju that could have served the MMD from a humiliating defeat on 20th September 2011.

Mr. Chimumbwa observed that what happened to the former ruling party is a lesson to all political parties that, no one can gamble with the people.

He said the ruling party should not fall in the same trap that saw the MMD government make a quick exit out of power.

ZANIS reports the former party official saying this in a congratulatory press statement to the President elect Mr. Michael Sata in Lusaka today.

Mr. Chimumbwa said the election of President Sata as republican President could not have come at a better time than now when the whole country is looking for an action oriented person to be at the helm of government.

He pointed out that the people of Zambia will benefit from the services of Mr. Sata as republican president.

He stated that Mr. Sata’s desire to get things done makes him stand out from the rest of the candidates that took part in the Just ended elections and he is the type of person who does not postpone a task which can be done today to tomorrow.

Meanwhile, MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe says the opposition party will re-organise, re-energise and rebrand in readiness for the 2016 elections and for any by-elections that may take place in the intervening period.

Major Kachingwe said this in a statement following a parliamentary liaison committee (PLC) meeting of MMD members of Parliament and National Executive Commitee members yesterday.

He said the MMD will hold a post-mortem in all the 150 constituencies to establish why it performed poorly in the September 20 elections.

“We are certain that the people of Zambia know and have seen our progressive development agenda and this gives us supreme confidence as a party that we will bounce back to Government,” Maj Kachingwe said.

He said the party has accepted the results of the elections and will continue to play a constructive role in Parliament and in the political arena as a mature opposition party.
Maj Kachingwe said the party will work closely with other progressive opposition parties which are prepared to work for the good of the nation.

He said the meeting paid glowing tribute to former republican President Banda for his dedicated and loyal service to the MMD and to the nation during the last three years.
Maj Kachingwe said Mr Banda helped to rebuild and reshape the country at a time the world was going through an economic crisis.

He said Mr Banda has left the country in good economic shape, having recently been reclassified as a lower middle income country with gross domestic growth of 7.2 percent last year and a single digit inflation among other achievements.

Maj Kachingwe said the party is disturbed by reports of violence allegedly targeted at MMD officials, members and sympathisers.

“We urgently call on President Sata, his government and the Church to condemn and stop this hooliganism and lawlessness,” Maj Kachingwe said.

He said the elections are over and the ruling party has a constitutional duty to protect all citizens and residents of Zambia, regardless of their political affiliation.

ZANIS

Bank of Zambia governor Caleb Fundanga has been fired from his position with immediate effect.

Sources have told QFM that the bank governor, who was at the helm of the sale of the questioned procedure of finance bank, was fired earlier this week.

Dr. Fundanga was bidding fairwell to his management and staff at the boz headquaters in lusaka yesterday.

Dr Caleb Mailoni Fundanga has served as Governor of the Bank of Zambia since March of 2002.

He was appointed Governor, after serving as Senior Advisor to the President of the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Cote D’voire from 1998.

Dr. Fundanga further served as an Executive Director at the African Development Bank.

Dr. Fundanga also served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance for six years at Cabinet Office before finally winding up in the Office of the President as Permanent Secretary in charge of the National Commission for Development Planning.

Dr. Fundanga’s firing is seen as some of the major changes the new patriotic front government is undertaking.

QFM

Works and Supply Permanent Secretary Watson Ng’ambi says the Ministry has written to the former ministers who have not moved out of the houses to do so.

Mr. Ng’ambi has told ZNBC News in an interview that a team of engineers are preparing to renovate the houses once all the former ministers have moved out.

And Patriotic Front Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has told ZNBC News in a separate interview that the former ministers should have handed over government assets and moved out of the houses when cabinet was dissolved.

Mr. Kabimba says this is because the former ministers occupied the ministerial houses by virtue of being ministers and that they should have moved out after the dissolution of cabinet and the National Assembly.

[ZNBC]

Zambia’s High Commissioner to Canada Dr. Nevers Mumba, says Zambia’s ability to resolve and respect the norms of democracy has shown the World that the country has the ability to provide policies that respect the rule of law.

this was contained in a press statement released by Ben Kangwa Press Secretary,Zambia High Commission, Canada.

Officially opening the Zambia – Canada Business Forum which attracted about 60 Canadian investors, in Toronto , Dr. Mumba assured the Canadian Business community that their Investments were still safe in Zambia .

He observed that Zambians had shown the world that the country had the ability to transfer power smoothly, a sign that demonstrated maturity in democratic governance.

“ For the fifth time, Zambia has shown the world that an African country has the ability to transition in dignity and respect for both the victor and the vanquished,” he stressed.

He said it was this unique character of Zambia that makes it the finest destination for any investor and that the political stability provided a comfort and peace of mind for any investor.

He said Zambia was now determined to further develop the country into a truly prosperous nation of the 21st century as a result of peace that exists among Zambians.

Dr. Mumba emphasized, “ There is a new lease of energy and hope amongst the Zambian people and we are determined to ride on this enthusiasm.”

He said he was aware of the fact that several Canadian investors had expressed great anxiety as to how the new administration of President Michael C. Sata would relate to the Canadian Investment community.

He assured the investors that the new President was one of the most experienced politicians who served as a public servant for a long time.

He said President Michael Sata fought for office of President using democratic means and that although he had opportunities to cause unrest in the country, he more than many Zambians the significance of maintaining peace and adhering to democratic norms,” he added.

Dr. Mumba further quoted President Michael Sata last Friday when he specifically addressed foreign investment in the country.

He noted the President said that,”Foreign Investment is important to Zambia and we will continue to work with foreign investors who are in the country,” end of quote.

Dr. Mumba also said that the former Zambian President Mr. Rupiah Banda who graciously conceded defeat in the recently held elections last week had secured himself a place on the list of respected statesmen in African politics.

Former President Banda had said “The people of Zambia had spoken and we must all listen . Now is not time for violence and retribution but time to unite and build tomorrow’s Zambia together.”

“This, Dr Mumba said, “is the Zambia I wish for the investors and the world to see and know.

We are committed to the respect of the rule of law and it is these values that shall protect your investments.”

It was against this background that Dr. Mumba urged for more Canadian companies to invest in Zambia particularly in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure and ICT.

He told his audience that currently there were more than 200 Canadian companies that were doing business in Zambia and that out of this number only 41 were officially registered with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and that these enjoyed fiscal and non fiscal benefits offered by the country.

Dr. Mumba stated that Zambia had been assigned a sovereign credit rating of B plus by Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor an indication of the country’s creditworthiness.

He also added that the World Bank also reclassified the country as a Low Middle Income country, a development that has been seen as a booster to economic development.

“The reclassification will lead to more investments which will stimulate growth in major sectors of the country,” he added.

In his presentation, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Barrick Gold, Mr. Peter Munk congratulated President Sata on his election win as Zambia’s fifth President.

He said the victory had proved that Zambia was able to rise above political differences in order to safeguard peace.

Mr. Munk whose company Barrick Gold has invested $7.8 billion in Zambia, the largest investment in any African country.

He said Zambians deserved to be congratulated for providing policies that protect investors such as good governance, the rule of law, transparency and most of all peace.

He urged the new government to attract major companies that would create employment, develop the country and raise the living standards for their citizens.

Mr. Munk said his company will continue to invest in Zambia as long as good governance issues were preserved.

“We are looking forward to be your ambassadors in the global economy,” he said.

Earlier, Mr. Henry Sakala,the Acting Director – Investments, Promotion and Privatisation at the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) made a presentation of Zambia As An Attractive Destination.

Zambia was presented as an attractive investment destination by the Canadian Council on Africa (CCA) and two private businessmen from Zambia. The presentation made by Mr. Francis Chola Mutati, Managing Director of Tec-Trade Limited and Mr. Joseph Mbazzi Director of Projects at Plinth Technical Works Limited were good practical testimonies to some of the competitive advantage that Zambia offers.

The Investment Forum moves to Ottawa on 30th September.

[ZANIS]

United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has said that he does not regret having left the PF-UPND pact as the decision was a collective one.

Mr Hichilema urged the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) to assert the rule of law so as to restore order and stability in the country during the period of its celebration and noted that some PF cadres have opened a war path of political retribution and vengeance on citizens whom they consider as enemies.

Hichilema said the destruction of property and violent attacks by PF members is unacceptable and the ruling should make its position profoundly clear and known on this matter and called on the newly elected administration to use its constitution mandate and obligation to guarantee the enjoyment of constitutionally entrenched human rights by citizens.

The UPND leader who was speaking when he addressed his first post 2011 election media briefing at Pamodzi hotel yesterday challenged PF to prioritize policy implementation as the time for political promises is over, adding that the ruling party’s 90 days expires on December 23 and Zambians will appreciate all fulfilled promises as a Christmas gift.

Hichilema urged President Michael Sata and his team to ensure they deliver all election campaign promises such giving citizens a constitution within 90 days, free education, jobs for youths, and restoration of the Barotse agreement.

Commenting on the future of his party, the UPND President said his party is now Zambia’s number one dominant, powerful and most reliable opposition force to offer checks and balances, and also logical advice on various challenges the country is faced with.

The opposition MMD has described party members that have resigned after the party’s election defeat as weak hearted.

MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu tells QFM that those resigning after the party lost to the ruling PF party are merely proving that they were not committed to the party.

Mr. Nyangu notes that living the party following its loss to the PF is not a solution but that instead members need to sit down and reflect on where the party could have gone wrong.

He adds that the MMD will continue to participate in politics and that it still has chances of bouncing back to power after 2016.

Mr. Nyangu has however congratulated the PF for emerging victorious and has wished all those that are living the MMD the best.

Meanwhile, Monze district commissioner Joyce Nondo Musokotwane is appealing for anyone with a PF membership card to sell it to her.

[pullquote]Monze district commissioner Joyce Nondo Musokotwane is appealing for anyone with a PF membership card to sell it to her.[/pullquote]

Speaking in an interview, a senior messenger in the moffice of the district commissioner said Mrs. Nondo has been looking for a PF card three days of PF’s rule in government.

The officer said the DC is ready to work with the government of the day and is willing to hold PF membership.

“The madam is asking for where she can buy a PF card and she has asked me to find anyone with information”, the officer said.

“You know that these DC’s are cadres who are appointed by politicians not that thery are senior government officials, but yes they are but for me, they are just cadres”, he added.

“Even me i was surprised when i heard this but i cannot blame her because these DC’s do not know their fate after change of government and I don’t think MMD will ever claim the governance of the country.

I think MMD will be the next UNIP and people should never be cheated that these two former ruling parties will ever rule Zambia again,” the officer added.

QFM