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THE Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says the reclassification of Zambia as a lower middle income country is commendable as it comes in the wake of improved macro-economic indicators, including sustained economic growth and improved credit rating.
JCTR social conditions programme manager Miniva Chibuye said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that the reclassification is a good thing for the economy and more investors are likely to be attracted to Zambia.
Ms Chibuye said the major concern for the JCTR is that social development indicators are not improving at the same rate.
Ms Chibuye said the reclassification announced by the World Bank last week, is also marred with challenges in terms of accessing concessionary loans and development assistance, which are normally meant for low income countries.
She said the aspects must be firmly considered and planned for as they can potentially compromise the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) including MDG one, on halving extreme poverty and eradicating hunger by the year 2015.
Ms Chibuye said it is important to improve socio-economic indicators and enhance access to income and basic household needs.
She said Government must continue to focus more on improving the human development indicators for the lower middle income status to be more meaningful to citizens.
She also said Government should find sustainable ways of raising domestic revenue to improve the lives of Zambians who are still poor.
The World Bank recently reclassified Zambia and Ghana as lower middle income countries, following the annual assessment of poor countries.
The Bank’s re-assessment is based on the value of a country’s GNI. This means that per capita income for the two countries is now above the low income countries’ threshold of $1,005.
Countries that are considered to be in the lower middle income category are those with GNI ranging from $1,006 to $3,975 per person per year while upper middle income countries have a per capita income ranging from $3,976 to $12,275.
THE Mbunda and Nkoya Royal Establishments of Western Province say they will not allow any opposition party to talk about the secession of the region as a campaign issue.
Representatives of the two royal establishments said in separate interviews yesterday that the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 is a complex issue, which can only be resolved with concerted efforts from both Government and the Barotse National Council.
National chairperson of the Cheke Cha Mbunda, Ndandula Libingi, said Government should be given time to resolve the matter in an amicable manner.
“Political parties trying to use this as a campaign issue are causing confusion, and our position is to side with President Banda and wait for him to resolve the matter at an appropriate time,” he said.
Mr Libingi said opposition parties are deceiving the electorate that the Barotseland Agreement could be resolved within a short period of time.
“That issue has dragged through three governments, and now President Banda is making great strides by holding consultative meetings,” he said.
And Vice-Chairperson of the Kazanga Cultural Association, Laiton Kaushiku, said the MMD has shown true care for the people of Western Province by paying attention to the needs of the people.
“There is no need to talk about secession because we have a caring government and a President who has shown great concern by meeting the BNC and the Barotse Royal Establishment and committing to resolve the issue,” he said.
Mr Kaushiku said the presence of Vice-President George Kunda at the recent Kazanga cultural ceremony of the Nkoya-speaking people is a strong indication that Government has great respect for the culture and customs of all regions in the country.
“This was the first time a very high profile Government official officiated at our Kazanga cultural ceremony to show us that Government cares,” he said.
He said parties hoping to sway the decision of the electorate in the province to vote for the MMD and President Banda will not succeed.
Meanwhile, CHARLES MUSONDA reports that a political activist from Western Province has called on the people in the area to support President Banda’s stance on the Barotseland Agreement and efforts to develop the region.
In an interview yesterday, David Moyowambuya said it is good that President Banda has briefed the nation on the progress his government has made on the Barotseland Agreement and the resolutions of the Barotse National Council.
Mr Moyowambuya said the people of Western Province should also support Mr Banda’s decision to appoint a high-level team of Government officials to study the resolutions.
“This development shows that the province is entering a new phase. I want to earnestly appeal to youths and the people of Western Province in general to give Government a chance and the BRE time to establish the facts on the Barotseland Agreement.
FLASHBACK: President Rupiah Banda and an MMD parliamentary candidate
The ruling MMD has become the first political party to announce adopted Members of Parliament to contest on its ticket in this year’s election.
And the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) has adopted six opposition Patriotic Front and two United Party for National Development UPND MPs to contest on its ticket.
Others include National Democratic Focus (NDF) President Ben Mwila who is standing in Nchelenge Constituency while nominated Finance and National Planning Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane is standing in Liuwa constituency.
The six PF MPs are Bahati’s Besa Chimbaka who is also Luapula Province Minister, Dr Jacob Choongo (Mwense), Dr. Peter Machungwa (Luapula) who is now standing in Kabwata, Faustina Sinyangwe (Matero), Majory Mwape who has been fielded in Munali constituency in Lusaka and Elizabeth Mulobeka Chitika will re-contest her Kawambwa seat.
Expelled Namwala UPND MP Major Robbie Chizhyuka will re-contest his seat on the MMD ticket and so will another UPND bigwig Josephine Limata who will re-contest the Luampa constituency seat on the ruling party ticket.
UNIP’s Mkhondo Lungu is standing in Lundazi and FDD’s Levy Ngoma will contest the Sinda seat.
Katanshi and Kasama central constituencies’ adoptions have been deferred.
President Rupiah Banda announced this to ZANIS last evening after a full NEC meeting that sat at State House to finalise the selection of names in the morning.
“I’m pleased to announce the full list of adopted parliamentary candidates for the MMD as adopted by a full MMD NEC which sat today at State House,” announced President Banda in a press statement released to ZANIS last evening by his Special Assistant for Political Affairs Dr. Francis Chigunta.
Seasoned politicians from both the ruling and opposition members who have also been adopted include Patrick Ngoma (Feira), Donald Chilufya (Chawama), Muhabi Lungu (Lusaka Central), Major Celestino Chibamba (Shiwang’andu) and David Diangamo (Itezhi-Tezhi)
New entrants include Japhen Mwakalombe (Chongwe), Dr. Carnitius Banda (Mandevu), Rosaria Fundanga (Chilubi), Chileshe Kapwepwe (Chinsali), Mwalimu Simfukwe (Mbala), Laiven Apuleni (Mbabala) and Joshua Simuyandi (Pemba).
Others are Trymore Mwenda (Chikankata), Dr. Victor Mukonka (Monze Central), Noah Siasimuna (Siavonga), Muti Beyani (Sinazongwe) and Charles Mututwa for Senanga Central among others. The rest of the MMD current MPs have maintained their seats in this year’s adoption process.
Ronal Mukuma (Kabompo MP), Gunston Sichilima (Mbala MP) and Charles Shawa for Feira are among those who have not been adopted this year.
Meanwhile, President Banda who is also MMD President observed that the selection process was transparent, meticulous and highly competitive.
He congratulated the adopted candidates and wished them success in their campaigns in this year’s polls.
Mr. Banda appealed to MMD aspirants who have not been adopted to continue supporting the ruling party and not retreat into bitterness.
“The unsuccessful aspirants should note that the selection process was a balanced collective exercise involving the entire party through NEC,” President Banda said.
He urged all the MMD members to put the interests of the party above their own and campaign vigorously to ensure that the ruling party wins this year tripartite elections.
THE FULL LIST
Number Constituency Candidate adopted
1 Chisamba Moses Muteteka
2 Katuba Dr Patrick Chikusu
3 Keembe Lt Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha
4 Bwacha Godfrey Pende
5 Kabwe Central Jane Chileshe
6 Kapiri-Mposhi Lawrence Zimba
7 Mkushi North Sydney Chisenga
8 Mkushi South Musonda K. Mutale
9 Mwembeshi Bornwell Matawe
10 Mumbwa Dr Brian Chituwo
11 Nangoma Prof. Luke Kanyomeka
12 Chitambo Mushili Malama
13 Muchinga George Kunda
14 Serenje Maxwell Kabanda
15 Chililabombwe Trudy Ng’andu
16 Chingola Severine Kazenene
17 Nchanga Mwape Christon
18 Kalulushi Spartan Musowoya
19 Chimwemwe Ronald Manenga
20 Kamfinsa Itayi Chinkuli
21 Kwacha Joe Malanji
22 Nkana Divo Katete
23 Wusakili Pavyuma Kalobo
24 Luanshya Simon Kachimba
25 Roan Goodward Mulubwa
26 Kankoyo Shadreck Musozya
27 Kantanshi Deferred
28 Mufulira Evans Chibanda
29 Kafulafuta E. Chishimba
30 Lufwanyama Anne Chungu
31 Masaiti Michael Katambo
32 Mpongwe Gabriel Namulambe
33 Bwana Mkubwa Kelvin Chaume
34 Chifubu Frank Ng’ambi
35 Kabushi Rapson Kopulande
36 Ndola Central Emmanuel Mulenga
37 Chadiza Allan Mbewe
38 Vubwi Dr Eustarckio Kazonga
39 Chama North Darius Mumba
40 Chama South George Lungu
41 Chipangali Vincent Mwale
42 Chipata Central Mtolo Phiri
43 Kasenengwa Victoria Kalima
44 Luangeni Angella Cifire
45 Milanzi Whiteson Banda
46 Mkaika David Phiri
47 Sinda Levy Ngoma
48 Chasefu Yotam H. Banda
49 Lumezi Isaac Banda
50 Lundazi Mkhondo Lungu
51 Malambo Maxwell Mwale
52 Nyimba Forrie Tembo
53 Kapoche Nicholas Banda
54 Msanzala Peter daka
55 Petauke Central Dora Siliya
56 Kawambwa Elizabeth Mulobeka
57 Mwansabombwe Sunday Maluba
58 Pambashe Dr Bulangeti Chisha
59 Bahati Besa Chimbaka
60 Chembe Mwansa Mbulakulima
61 Mansa Central Dr Chitalu Chilufya
62 Chipili J. Kapungwe
63 Mambilima John Chinyanta
64 Mwense Dr Jacob Chongo
65 Chiengi M Mampi
66 Nchelenge Beny Y. Mwila
67 Bangweulu Sylvester Chifwembe
68 Chifunabululi Chiliyea Kapekele
69 Luapula Daniel Chisala
70 Kafue Bradford Machila
71 Feira Patrick Ngoma
72 Chilanga Keith Mutaka
73 Chongwe Japhen Mwakalombe
74 Rufunsa Kenneth Chipungu
75 Chawama Donald Chilufya
76 Kabwata Dr Peter Machungwa
77 Kanyama Yohane Mwanza
78 Lusaka Central Muhabi Lungu
79 Mandevu Dr Carnicius Banda
80 Matero Faustina Sinyangwe
81 Munali Majory Mwape
82 Chilubi Rosaria Fundanga
83 Chinsali Chileshe Kapwepwe
84 Shiwang’andu Major Celestino Chibamba
85 Isoka East Catherine Namugala
86 Isoka West Paul Sichamba
87 Nakonde Clever Silavwe
88 Chimbamilonga Brian Sikazwe
89 Kaputa Mutale Nalumango
90 Kasama Central Deferred
91 Lukasha Benard Mpundu
92 Malole Humphrey Musonda
93 Lubasenshi George Mwamba
94 Lupososhi Albert Mulonga
95 Mbala Mwalimu Simfukwe
96 Mpulungu Given Mung’omba
97 Senga Hill Kapembwa Simbao
98 Kanchibiya Sunday Chanda
99 Mfuwe M. Songolo
100 Mpika Central Danny Chisanga
101 Lunte Felix Mutati
102 Mporokoso Brian Mundubile
103 Chavuma Kenneth Konga
104 Kabompo East Danny Chingimbu
105 Kabompo West Daniel Kalenga
106 Kasempa Kabinga Pande
107 Mufumbwe Stephen Masumba
108 Mwinilunga East Newton Samakayi
109 Mwinilunga West Elijah Muchima
110 Solwezi Central Lucky Mulusa
111 Solwezi East Richard Taima
112 Solwezi West Humphrey Mwanza
113 Zambezi East Sarah Sayifwanda
114 Zambezi West Prisca C. Pulu
115 Choma Siachona Simalonga
116 Mbabala Laiven Apuleni
117 Pemba Joshua Simuyandi
118 Gwembe Chisangano Malungo
119 Dundumwezi Sebastian Hambokoma
120 Kalomo Central Sikaduli J. Munsaka
121 Katombora Jelasi Barthlomew Sikonda
122 Mapatizya Lloyd Jembo
123 Livingstone Lukolo Katombola
124 Chikankata Trymore Mwenda
125 Magoye Bevin Mweene
126 Mazabuka Central Maxwell Mwiinga
127 Bweengwa Bbuku Tsibu
128 Monze Central Dr Victor Mukonka
129 Moomba Isabel Nanja
130 Itezhi Tezhi David Diangamo
131 Namwala Robby Chizyuka
132 Siavonga Noah Siasimuna
133 Sinazongwe Muti Beyani
134 Kalabo Central Richard Mwapela
135 Liuwa Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane
136 Sikongo Mundia Ndalamei
137 Kaoma Central Austin Liato
138 Luampa Josephine Limata
139 Mangango Mwendoi Akakandelwa
140 Lukulu East Dr Christopher Kalila
141 Lukulu West Misheck Mutelo
142 Luena Mwangala Mwaopo
143 Mongu Central Joseph Mulyata
144 Nalikwanda Pro. G. Lungwangwa
145 Nalolo Mrs Catherine Akayombokwa
146 Senanga Central Charles Mututwa
147 Sinjembela Mubika Mubika
148 Mulobezi Michael Mabenga : CORRECTED
149 Mwandi Michael Kaingu
150 Sesheke Frank Kufakwandi
Zed Saileti insists he is innocent and ready to clear his name after prosecutors in Finland today said they were pursuing him in their on-going investigations over the match fixing scandal in that country.
Nine football players at Saileti’s former club in Finland RoPS who include seven Zambians have been handed suspended sentences while convicted match fixing mastermind Wilson Raj Permual of Singapore has been jailed for two years.
The players have said Saileti was one of the major players in the match fixing scandal in Finland.
“I don’t even know this guy (Raj Permual). I have never heard of him or ever met him,” Saileti said in Kitwe today in the aftermath of the verdicts in Finland and subsequent allegations linking him to the match fixing scandal.
“But right now I cannot say much because I do not have the facts of the court in Finland and would like to see what has been said before saying more.”
The former Zambia striker is currently assistant coach to Linos Makwaza at Nkana.
Two MMD cadres have been arrested and charged for assaulting a MUVI TV news crew yesterday in Lusaka west.
Over 100 MMD cadres, yesterday attacked, attempted to gang rape a MUVI TV news crew before confiscating equipment, which has since not yet been recovered.
The two identified cadres, Moses Changala of John Laing and Benjamin Mukadi of Garden Compound, are among other 46 MMD cadres arrested in connection with the incident.
Police spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana has confirmed the development further saying Changala and Mukadi have been charged with assault, criminal trespass and obtaining money by false pretences.
And Musicians have threatened to de-campaign political parties, whose cadres assault journalists.
Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) President, Maiko Zulu says his group will ensure that they de-campaign parties with violent cadres.
Mr Zulu, who is also an advocate for freedom of expression, has further condemned the MMD cadres’ assault of a MUVI TV news crew.
He has added that assaulting journalists is a serious offence which the Zambia Police should take seriously.
Another musician, Dapusa Nkhata, who is an ardent supporter of women’s rights, has condemned the MMD cadres.
Dapusa, whose stage name is Sista D, has since condemned the cadres threats of gang-raping two female MUVI TV personnel, who were also assaulted yesterday.
Sista D, who has in the past composed songs for women’s rights, says cadres should not take advantage of defenceless female reporters for their sexual pleasures.
She has added that journalists should be protected always for their important role in the development process.
And Veteran Broadcaster, Chibamba Kanyama has condemned the beating of MUVI TV reporters by MMD cadres.
Mr Kanyama has since called on journalists to come together and defend the profession.
And MISA Zambia Chairperson, Daniel Sikazwe and PAZA Vice President, Amos Chanda have reiterated their condemnation of the MMD cadres behavior.
Meanwhile, Non-Governmental Organisation, Maimba Youth Edutainment Chairperson, Antonio Mwanza says the MMD cadres should not only be arrested but also prosecuted.
AS the strike action by Tanzanian Truck drivers enters day three, a terrible congestion has rocked Tunduma town in Tanzania on the Zambia – Tanzania border.
The strike action has resulted in not a single Tanzanian truck ferrying any goods from the port of Dar-es-salaam in Tanzania into Zambia since Sunday.
The Tanzanian international truck drivers have gone on strike to press for increased salaries and improved conditions of service.
They are also demanding for risk allowance to be paid to them on every trip they undertake saying they carry a lot of risky goods but do not receive risky allowance unlike their colleagues in other countries.
The striking truck drivers were yesterday scheduled to meet their employers at Tunduma but the meeting failed to take off and no reasons have been given.
A check at Tunduma this morning by the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) revealed that the strike action has continued with terrible congestion having rocked the tiny border town which has very few roads.
The survey also revealed that all the Tanzanian trucks coming from Zambia are being directed to park immediately after crossing the border.
Drivers talked to by ZANIS said they have vowed to continue with their strike action until their demands are met in full.
Joseph Johns said they have decided to go on strike because they have suffered for a long time adding that it is high time that they are given what is due to them.
Johns said the transporters are given enough money by the owners of the goods but give their drivers very little.
“We have all the information concerning how much our employers are given because we have managed to access some contract forms between our respective companies and the owners of the goods we are carrying to either Zambia or the Democratic Republic of Zambia (DRC) and we just wonder why they give us very little,”said Johns.
A check at the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RATSA) offices at Nakonde, which is normally flooded with drivers buying road toll, completely empty, an indication that the department has also been affected by the Tanzanian truck drivers strike action.
A clearing agent at Nakonde has also said the strike action will affect the revenue collection by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) as they are very few goods to be cleared from the port of Dare-es-salaam in Tanzania.
Yesterday one of the drivers Mohammed Aziri told ZANIS in an interview at Tunduma that they have agreed as drivers not to resume work until all their grievances are met.
Aziri said truck drivers are demanding for increased salaries and improved conditions of service.
He said Tanzanian truck drivers were the least paid in the region adding that drivers are also demanding for risk allowance to be paid to each driver before goods are loaded onto the trucks because some of the goods they carry are highly risky though no risk allowance is given to the driver.
Aziri said other drivers in the region like the South Africans are always given risk allowance but wondered why Tanznian transporters can not give the same allowance to its drivers.
The truck driver also complained that the travelling allowance given to them in Tanzanian shillings is not enough because they have to change the money to other currencies depending on their destination.
Another driver Ali Mohammed said the expenditure from the time they load the truck to the time they ofload is too much compared to how much they are given by the owners of the trucks.
Mohammed said they are a lot of charges they have to pay when in transit such as parking fees at Nakonde dry port which has to be paid from their own pocket because the transporter does not give them money to carter for such expenses.
FLASHBACK: A child receives measles immunisation during the child health week in Lusaka
Chavuma District in North-Western province has recorded over 400 cases of measles since November last year.
District Medical Officer Dr. Kizito Sampa who confirmed the development when Provincial Minister Daniel Kalenga toured Chavuma yesterday, to date, the district has recorded over 400 cases of the disease.
Dr. Sampa revealed that people from neighbouring Angola account for 95 percent of the cases recorded.
He said 470 cases have been treated while 30 admissions have been administered at Chavuma District Mission Hospital.
He however said no death has been recorded since the outbreak.
He assured people in the district that the hospital has enough medical
stock to treat the disease.
Provincial Minister Daniel Kalenga said government will liaise with the office of the Angolan Console in Solwezi district to see how measles can be contained along boundary corridors of the two countries.
He said that government appreciates the effort by the mission hospital
to supplement its efforts in the delivery of quality health care services.
Chavuma Mission Hospital Administrator Emeritus Alice White appealed to government to address challenges the health institution is facing such as poor sanitation, low staffing levels, funding and staff accommodation.
Mrs. White said high cases of measles from Angolans who come to access treatment at the hospital are a big challenge in that they take up most of the hospital bed space.
Information minister Ronnie Shikapwasha reads a statement during a press briefing while Permanent Secretary Ngosa Chisupa listens
Government has strongly condemned the harassment and beating up of Journalists from Muvi Television by some suspected MMD cadres in Lusaka West yesterday.
Chief Government Spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha says beating up of Journalists amounts to lawlessness, is undemocratic and unacceptable to government.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said the Government of President Rupiah Banda has come out openly in support of the media which he said is the country’s fourth estate.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said this in a statement in Lusaka today.
Lt. Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said government remains a firm proponent of freedom of the media as part of the continued growth of the country’s democracy.
The Minister warned that government will not allow anarchy in the nation as the country approaches a sensitive period of the general elections.
He has since advised political activists and the public at large to respect Journalists and restrain themselves from engaging in any manner of harassment and violence against media practitioners .
He stressed that information is the hallmark of any democratic society adding that Journalists should be free to gather and disseminate information to the public without intimidation and harassment .
The Minister stated that there are adequate administrative and legal avenues in the country which aggrieved members of the public could pursue instead of resorting to taking the law into their own hands.
The Chief Government Spokesperson reiterated government’s position that perpetrators of violence against Journalists will be met by the full force of the law.
Kitwe high court has squashed a bail application by a convicted 59 year old man of Ndola who is charged with having carnal knowledge of a 12 year old school girl against the order of nature.
According to a statement of offence, Grey Servana 59 years, committed unnatural offence contrary to section 155(1) of the penal code Chapter 87 as amended no.15 of 2005
The particulars of the offence are that Servana on November 5, 2009 in Chingola had carnal knowledge of a 12 years old girl against the order of nature.
Servana on the material day sodomised the minor at his garage in Chingola.
He was convicted and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Kitwe High Court in May this year and applied for bail pending an appeal in the Supreme Court.
Servana stated in his ground of appeal that the lower court erred and misdirected itself when it held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt when the weight of the evidence did not go to support such findings.
But the state opposed the application stating that the court had jurisdiction to admit a convict to bail pending appeal. The state also argued that the application ought to be exercised judiciously.
The defence urged the court to exercise its inherent discretion and admit the application to bail pending appeal as the state would not suffer prejudice.
In making her ruling Judge Judy Mulongoti said the issues raised in the applicants affidavit as bad health and ability to find sureties were not special circumstances.
Judge Mulongoti said the bail pending trial is liberally granted as a right as it’s not the case with bail pending appeal.
She stated that the prospect of success of appeal may be considered as a special circumstance and did not see it as such in this matter.
Judge Mulongoti said accordingly she has exercised her discretion and refuse to grant the application for bail pending appeal.
Patriotic Front Shiwangandu Member of Parliament Celestino Chibamba has resigned from the opposition PF to join the ruling MMD.
Major Chibamba’s resignation comes barely a week after Mufulira Central MP Marjorie Mwape ditched the opposition party to join the MMD.
Major Chibamba says he has resigned from the PF because the party and its leadership of Mr Sata have nothing to offer to the country.
He says the country cannot risk putting the leadership mantle in Mr Sata’s hands because the PF leader is petty and is too preoccupied with crticising the development of President Banda.
Major Chibamba says he has joined the MMD because President Rupiah Banda has demonstrated a clear vision of developing the country as seen in the last few years.
Major Chibamba has told ZNBC News in an interview that he cannot risk being a member of the PF when the MMD under President Banda has delivered development to the satisfaction of the Zambian people.
Commerce Minister Felix Mutati was on Monday involved in a road traffic accident in Mporokoso district, and has since been evacuated to University Teaching Hospital by the Zambia flying doctors service.
Mr Mutati along with his driver left Kasama aboard a flying doctor service around 11:30 hours on Tuesday.
He was seen off by Northern Province Permanent Secretary Mwalimu Simfukwe, some MMD officials, Members of the local business community and a team of doctors from Kasama General Hospital where he was briefly attended to.
Speaking to ZNBC shortly before the departure, Mr Mutati said he had been referred to UTH for further medical attention which will include a scan for his head and neck injuries.
The accident happened on the newly rehabilitated Zachariah Chanda road when the driver lost control and rammed into a tree.
Mr Mutati was briefly treated at Mukupa Kaoma Rural Health Post before being referred to Kasama General Hospital.
Teachers in Luwingu district in Northern Province have appealed to Examination Council of Zambia ( ECZ ) to consider paying invigilators’ risking allowance.
Teachers made a resolution at a meeting held at Luwingu high school staff room over the weekend that they risk handling the examinations during invigilation which has lead into some of them being fired from employment.
They argued that their fellow teachers who prepare final papers for grade seven, nine and twelve and those who mark the same papers are paid leaving three quarters of the teachers who invigilate these examinations.
The aggrieved teachers said the ECZ should emulate Cambridge examination which pays teachers who invigilate their papers. They cautioned that if ECZ does not improve on the condition then the teachers will boycott handling of their papers.
They said that handling of ECZ examination papers was not among the conditions of service for teachers but they were merely risking their work.
Zambia national union of teachers (ZNUT) district chairperson Mr. Michael Bwalya Chimponda said teachers have lost employment without getting their benefits leaving families in misery.
And Mr. Chimponda observed that some members of ZNUT were captured wrongly by Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) resulting to contributing twice.
He said the affected teachers did not apply for memberships and wondered how their names were capture by BETUZ.
Mr. Chimponda appealed to the authorities to quickly normalize the situation immediately before the matter gets out of hand.
He said the affect teachers are not happy with what BETUZ has done saying they might take the matter to court.
The district chairperson has thanked the government for embarking on managerial training courses which has resulted into improving the standard of education for most of school managers who lacked such skills.
Patriotic Front (PF) aspiring ward councilors have disclosed that their party will not be in the position to purchase maize next year if it is elected into office in this years presidential and general elections.
Aspiring ward councilors said the party will not purchase 2011/2012 agricultural produce because MMD government would have exhausted funds and that the new government will have no money to buy the agricultural produce from peasant farmers’ country wide.
The ward councilors accused MMD government of spending huge sums of money in order for PF government to find it hard to carry out its functions if elected into office next year.
Speaking on behalf of aspiring councilors, Kanfinsa ward aspirant Moses Chanda said Rupiah Banda’s administration has embarked on infrastructure development this year aimed at crippling Patriotic Front (PF) if it is elected into office.
He said, following the misuse of government funds by MMD government, it is automatic that the new government will not purchase maize from peasant farmers, if they (farmers) decide to intensify their farming activities this year.
It is a known factor that the MMD government has deliberately begun a vigorous infrastructure development country wide which will require spending huge sums of money leaving the country bankrupt.
Mr. Chanda, however, appreciates government for embarking on infrastructure development saying even if MMD loses the election people will benefit and that the standards of living will be uplifted especially in remote areas.
He said Luwingu is one of the districts which has also benefited in these infrastructure development especially in health, education, and the tarring of Kasama Luwingu road.
Mr. Chanda further appealed to the government to speed up the construction of lupososhi high school situated in chief Chabula area and the tarring of township roads.
The Citizens Forum has condemned the beating up of a Muvi TV news crew by suspected MMD cadres and has challenged President Rupiah Banda not only to condemn act but also act on the matter.
Yesterday, suspected MMD cadres in Nakachenje area in Lusaka west beat up and grabbed equipment from a Muvi TV news crew that went to interview a woman, who was attacked by the same cadres after they earlier encroached on her land.
Citizens Forum executive secretary Simon Kabanda says the MMD government should prove its commitment to fighting violence in the country by punishing perpetrators of violence.
Mr. Kabanda says condemning violence without action is not enough especially by the ruling party which is supposed to lead by example.
He explains to QFM that the MMD, being the party in power,should ensure that journalists in the country are protected in their day to day operations.
Mr. Kabanda says political party cadres behave the way they do because they are told to act in such a manner by their leaders.
He has further advised all political leaders in the country to discipline their cadres who perpetrate violence to avoid confusion in the country.
And UPND Lusaka province youth chairman, Brian Mizinga says political parties should see journalists as stakeholders in national development and not as enemies.
Mizinga says it should be realized that if journalists are harassed, the country will not be provided with accurate information.
He appeals to Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde to constitute a team of police officers to carry out investigations in the matter and arrest the culprits.
A renowned clergy says President Rupiah Banda should blame people surrounding him if he loses this year’s election.
Bishop John Mambo says the people surrounding the president have continued to mislead him about the situation on ground.
Bishop Mambo says President Banda is being misled just like first republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda was misled.
He has further observes that the president seems to have lost touch with the common Zambian because of the people surrounding him.
In an interview with QFM, the former Church of God overseer adds that President Rupiah Banda should seek to meet people he perceives to be his enemies in order for him to know the truth about what is happening in the country.
He explains government leaders should not perceive people who criticize the government as enemies.
