The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) has challenged the United Party for National Development (UPND) to explain its connection to government for using government resources during its campaigns.

PF Secretary General Winter Kabimba says his party is in possession of irrefutable evidence that the ruling MMD and the opposition UPND are closely collaborating and campaigning in some areas against the PF.

Mr. Kabimba alleges that the UPND is now involved in the abuse of government resources through the use of government motor vehicles in its campaigns and distribution of campaign materials.

Speaking at a media briefing this morning, Mr. Kabimba charged that one of the vehicles used is registered GRZ 852 BX which he said was found collecting UPND campaign materials from a house used as the UPND campaign centre in Lusaka’s Libala stage 4A.

Mr. Kabimba says there is no way UPND President Hakainde Hichilema should be trusted with presidency when he has betrayed the people of Zambia with his corruption and greed.

And the PF secretary general has demanded the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to clean up the voters register for 2011 by removing all registered dead voters as well as to advertise the voters register in the press so as to enable voters know their polling centers to avoid fiasco during elections.

QFM

THE Catholic Church has granted Father Frank Bwalya indefinite leave of absence from Priesthood to allow him to concentrate on his personal life. The diocese of Ndola has also ordered Fr Bwalya not to act or represent the Catholic Church in any way during his indefinite leave.

This is according to a memoradum dated August 29, 2011 issued by Ndola diocese Archbishop Alick Banda, addressed to Fr Bwalya and the church. Bishop Banda has also asked Fr Bwalya not to perform any priestly duties, wear priestly attire and to be away from the presbytery during his leave.

“I also ask you not to act in any way for the Catholic diocese of Ndola or the Catholic Church in general during your leave,” Bishop Banda said in a memo.
Fr Bwalya is believed to have requested the Ndola diocese for leave so that he could concentrate on his political activities. Bishop Banda said the church has consented to Fr Bwalya’s request and granted him indefinite leave of absence.

Bishop Banda advised Fr Bwalya to remain obliged and maintain his celibacy until a new way of life is determined by the competent ecclesiastical authority.
And the MMD on the Copperbelt have welcomed the indefinite leave of Fr Bwalya.

Provincial information and publicity secretary Yotam Mtayachalo said the leave is long overdue. “We welcome the indefinite leave of Fr Bwalya, who has so much hatred against President Banda and the MMD. We also urge him to reflect on his political activities during the leave so that he can repent,” Mr Mtayachalo said.

He said the activities Fr Bwalya has involved himself in are not in line with his status as a Priest. “How can a priest strangle a chicken at a public meeting? Such behaviour is unacceptable,” Mr Mtayahalo said.

A non-governmental organisation based in Ndola has also welcomed the indefinite leave of Fr Bwalya. Right Choice Support chairman Andrew Tembo said Fr Bwalya should now join politics because he will no longer pretend to be speaking for the Catholic Church.

“We want to commend the Catholic Church for the bold decision they have taken against Fr Bwalya who has clearly demonstrated that he has joined politics,” Mr Tembo said.
Meanwhile, a Ndola-based clergyman said it is wrong for any church leader to publicly declare their political alignment to any political party.

Pastor Lawrence Temfwe said Fr Bwalya’s suspension will serve as an example to other church leaders who are actively involved in partisan politics.

He advised other church leaders to speak about developmental issues without favouring any party. “Let other church leaders know that it is not good for a man of God to be involved in active politics,” Pastor Temfwe said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has refuted reports that it is intimidating rural voters in Kawambwa district of Luapula province ahead of the elections.

On thursday, the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) confirmed receiving reports of MMD officials threatening electorates in the area that they establish who they will vote for on 20th September by checking in the computer system.

MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu tells QFM in an interview that such allegations are only aimed at bringing the party down.

Mr. Nyangu, who however expressed ignorance on the matter, accused the opposition parties of using all sorts of means to de-campaign the ruling party.

He notes that there is no way candidates can know who votes for them and who did not because elections are not conducted electronically.

He says it is surprising how the opposition is panicking ahead of the polls.

Mr. Nyangu says his party will remain focused with its issue based campaigns because it wants to return to power after the 20th September, 2011 polls.

The Zambia Police service has clarified that the Zimbabwean Police officers spotted in the country did not come to Zambia to help police the elections.

Police Spokesperson Ndandula Siamana claims she was misquoted in an article in which she admitted that the Zimbabwe Police were in the country.

Ms. Siamana has however said that the Zimbabwe Police officers spotted in the country were merely in transit to the Democratic republic of Congo for the SADC Police games.

She says Zambians must not be misled that government will allow police officers from another country to help in policing the elections.

Ms Siamana adds that it is impossible for the country to have Zimbabwe Police come and police the elections.

QFM

President Rupiah Banda has hailed farmers throughout the country for their tireless efforts they have exhibited in the agriculture sector.

And President Banda has officially launched the 2011/202 farming season calling for farmers in the country to continue their preparations for another bumper in the 2011/2012 season.

And the Zambia Farmers Union ( ZNFU ) President Jarves Zimba says President Banda should be commended for his strides in improving the agriculture sector in the country.

Mr. Banda said farmers across the country should be commended for ensuring that the country has produced two successive bumper harvests.

“ In the past three years, farmers in this country have managed to produce surplus in our stable crop maize and other major agriculture products much to the delight of farmers in the country, “ he said.

ZANIS reports the President saying this when he officially opened the 106th Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) Annual Congress at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka today under the theme : ” Diversification and Market Development. “

Mr Banda said the country now enjoys food stability adding that it is now time for the country and farmers to start diversifying away from maize to grow other viable crops such as rice, beef, Sugar, beans and many other profitable crops for the benefit of the country.

President Banda has also hinted that the successive bumper harvest in the country has been possible due to the peace the country has continued to enjoy for some time now.

“ Without peace in the country, it would have been impossible for the country to produce enough food because the absence of peace, no progressive economic benefits can be achieved in the nation, “Mr Banda said.

Zambia has managed to increase the agriculture productivity from 1.5 million Metric Tonnes of maize per hectare to 2.2 Metric Tonnes per hectare.

Government has managed to increase the input support programme from 120, 000 to 900,00 Small Scale Farmers adding that Government has made sure that these farmer inputs are delivered to farmers across the country on time.

“ During the past farming season, Government managed to buy over 1.3 Million Metric tonnes of maize valued at K 1.69 Trillion,” the President said.

And speaking at the function, ZNFU President Zimba, who has been re-elected to his position said President Banda should be commended for his strides in improving the agriculture sector in the country.

Mr Zimba said this year’s theme is in line with government’s plans of diversifying the economy of this country for sustainable economic development in the country.

“ Depending on maize alone may not be sustainable in future in the sense that weather in the country and world over can change at any time thereby affecting the crop causing hunger in the country, “ he said.

Mr Zimba said Mr Banda’s Government should be commended and supported by all farmers across the country if the bumper harvest is to continue to be produced in the country.

He said Government alone cannot manage and needs to work hand in hand with farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector across the country.

Meanwhile, World Bank Country Director for Zambia and Zimbabwe Kie Kie said Zambia has managed to produce enough for the country because the country has been living in peace for some years now.

Ms Kie thanked the Government of the republic of Zambia for their dedicated efforts in producing enough food for its people and urged the country to continue working hard for the benefit of the farmers in the country

She said foreign direct investment and played a major role in the reduction of inflation in this country, a thing which he said has helped to improve the economy of this country.

ZANIS