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Patriotic Front Kabwata constituency parliamentary candidate Given Lubinda files in his nomination papers at St Patrick Girls School in Lusaka
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) has challenged Universal Print Group (UPG), a South African printing company contracted to print the country’s ballot papers, to take legal action if they feel aggrieved by the allegations.
PF Chairman for local government Given Lubinda says what company managing director for the business form division Mr. Bharat Mehta said in the Zambia daily mail that his company has never resorted to any corrupt practices is false.
Mr. Lubinda says Mr. Mheta should be truthful in his statement that UPG is a reputable and established print company which has a proud record of delivering print services to many African countries.
Mr. Lubinda even wondered why the printing company decided to respond to the allegation through a newspaper that was not even revealing the corruption allegations.
Mr. Lubinda advised Mr. Mheta to ask his staff Vik Vaid, who is said to have been the courier of bribes on behalf of the company, if he has not deposited money in a Stanbic bank, account number 0140034477502
MMD National Secretary Major Richard Kachingwe says the party will respond accordingly to the writ of summons by the Patriotic Front (PF) general secretary Wynter Kabimba who has sued the party and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) for allegedly failing to collect import duty from the party for the importation of campaign materials worth about K3.5 billion brought into the country.
Mr Kachingwe who confirmed receipt of the summons from the PF said his party would soon respond to the allegations leveled against his party by Mr Kabimba. According to the writ of summons filed before the Lusaka High court, Mr Kabimba wants an order that ZRA assesses and charges duty payable by the MMD on all its campaign materials and motor vehicles imported for this year’s elections.
Mr Kabimba who has also sued the Attorney General as the second defendant and MMD national secretary Major Richard Kachingwe as third defendant wants an order that the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) investigates and discloses to the general public the source of income by the MMD used for the purchase of about 100 Toyota Hilux motor vehicles, buses, 5000 bicycles and about 1000 bales of chitenge material and T-shirts.
He is further claiming for an interim mandatory and prohibitory order of injunction against the MMD restraining the distribution of motor vehicles, bicycles, chitenge materials and T-Shirts until the duty payable is assessed by ZRA and payable by the MMD.
The PF is also claiming any relief the court may deem fit and costs. According to a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, Mr Kabimba stated that on July 28, 2011, President Rupiah Banda dissolved parliament and set September 20 this year as the date for tripartite elections.
He said on August 1, this year, President Banda during a function held at Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka launched the 2011 election campaign for the MMD.
He said after the launch, Maj Kachingwe started allocating campaign materials to its adopted candidates in form of bicycles, bales of chitenge material, motor vehicles and T-Shirts.
Mr Kabimba said on August 7, 2011, President Banda officiated at a function in Lusaka where the said materials which were allegedly imported into the country in large quantities were allocated.
He said the MMD’s campaign material was liable to import duty and other incidental taxes which the first defendant had negligently failed to charge and or collect on behalf of the government treasury of the Republic of Zambia.
Mr Kabimba said the consignment of the third defendant’s campaign materials included about 100 Toyota Hilux motor vehicles, bales of Chitenge materials and T-Shirts and at least 5000 bicycles all valued at over K3.5 billion.”
Mr Kabimba claimed that the MMD’s consignment of campaign materials was disproportionate to its income adding that the MMD had no investment portfolio or any business activity from which it would earn such income to justify the expenditure on the material.
He further stated that the DEC is obliged by law to institute investigations into the source of the income or disproportionate expenditure levels by the MMD and inform the public accordingly.
Mr Kabimba said ZRA should not allow the MMD to use its imported consignment of campaign materials before import duty and other taxes are paid to the commission.
And in an affidavit in support of ex parte summons for an interim order injunction pursuant to Order 29, Rule 1 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of England, 1999 edition, Mr Kabimba averred that DEC had not investigated the MMD’s source of income in accordance with its mandate.
Opposition Patriotic Front President Michael Sata has promised to re-visit the Mun’gomba draft constitution within 90 days once voted into power.
Mr. Sata said that the country only needed a strong constitution that will protect all citizens in the country unlike the current situation where citizens are not secured.
The PF leader said that the constitution of the country should be left to provide security to civil servants whom he said are not secure as they can be kicked out of employment at any time without proper guidelines being followed.
He was speaking in Lusaka today during a public forum by the Post Newspapers’s Press Freedom Committee.
Mr. Sata said that it was unfortunate that the draft constitution failed to pass due to the selfishness of Republican Vice President George Kunda, who he said appointed himself commissioner of the National Constitution Conference in order to make money.
Mr Sata said that the office of the Republican Vice President carries too much power. Mr Sata claimed that the Vice President has too much power, enough to make the incumbent manipulate the running of the economy.
Mr Sata could not however state exactly what his party plans to do in order to restrict the respective powers once elected into office.
Power Dynamos supporters on Saturday attacked coach Beston ‘Quicksilver’ Chambeshi at Musa Kasonka stadium in Ndola after the teams shock defeat to struggling Kalewa.
Chambeshi was slapped and manhandled by irate Power supporters at the end of the game that ended 1-0 in favor of bottom placed army club Kalewa.
The former Nkana coach was attacked as he was about to board Power’s team bus and was saved from more punishment after soldiers intervened.
Kalewa’s win was only their second this season after earlier beating Nkwazi 4-1 in Lusaka in May and the Ndola club came into this match against third from top Power on the back of four successive defeats.
Foundation for Democratic Process-FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi says election rigging in Zambia can be done anywhere along the electoral process even within opposition political parties.
Speaking in an interview in Lusaka,Chipenzi said the media has also contributed to the rigging
of elections by potraying that a certain political party is more popular than the other instead of
being fair and accurate in its reporting.
“Rigging of elections can be done at any given point in the electoral process from the legal
process upto the declaration of the winner”,Chipenzi said.
“The media has also contributed to the rigging of elections by potraying that party A is more
popular and is likely to win than party B and you know as journalists that this has been a trend
in Zambia.This is creating a wrong perception to the electorates and the media as it has failed
to allign itself to the hihgly talked about ethics”, he added.
“This is not good in the governance of the country as it leads to violence because many people will turn to violence if the party percieved to be more popular fails to win an election and many of them will resort to conflict as they will think the elections have been rigged in favour of the winner”, he said.
And Chipenzi has called on political parties taking part in this year’s elections to accept the outcome of the elections and move forward in the development of the country.
Chipenzi said there is only one Zambia and called on politicians to be tolerant on each other in
their quest to develop Zambia even when they differ in certain areas.
“I am calling on all the media houses in Zambia, be it private of public to be accurate, impartial,
truthful and fair when reporting before,during and after elections.These are esential in a
democratic election where the playing field should be levelled at all times”,Chipenzi said.
“Elections should not divide the country but help unite the country even when politicians have
different oppinions on what is best for the country”,he said.
“We only have one Zambia which we should continue to embrace even when your party fails to
secure a vote,Zambia should move forward.”, Chipenzi added.
United States Department of State on Africa Affairs says having more than 15 opposition political parties during the September 20 elections will give maximum impetus to the seating party to win the elections.
Speaking in an interview in Lusaka, US Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs deputy Public Affairs officer Marissa Rollens said the splitting of the opposition will give advantage to the party in power.
Rollens said however that her country is encouraging as many parties as possible to contest in an election for people to make informed decisions especially in rural areas.
She said there is need for political parties to provide factual information instead of gossips as this will promote peace and democracy.
“yes it is easy for either of the two parties(Democrats and Republicans) in America to win an election because people only have two choices and our country has been built on two ideologies which overyone is following”,Rollens said.
“In Zambia opposition political parties have been finding it difficulty to defeat the seating party because of splitting the votes.It was going to be easy for the oppoition to win if they were maybe three or five but sixteen will be hard”,she added.
“As for the party in power, having more opposition political parties will be to its advantage but having more opposition political parties is good for Zambia as you know tenets of democracy allows everyone to participate in an election”,Rollens said
“America is also delighted for what Zambia as a country has achieved since the introduction of multi-partism and she has become a model of democracy in sub-saharan Africa”,she added.
Meanwhile,the US Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs deputy Public Affairs officer has reaffirmed that her country will send indepedent election observers for the September 20 elections.
Merissa Rollens said America will not only be sending election observers to Zambia but also to other countries conducting elections.
“Yes the US embassy is sending aobservers to monitor elections in Zambia. We are not limited to Zambia alone but even in other states to promote democracy”, Rollens said.
“Monitoring of elections promote transparency, consistency and reduces bribery and corruption which is more pronounced during elections especially on the African continent”she said.
“Our embassy will not be the only one to monitor the Zambian elections but also other civil society organisations”,Rollens said.
The opposition Patriotic Front has challenged Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Director General Godfrey Kayukwa to clearly state whether the commission has information or not of bribery and corruption on the Universal Print Group (UPG), a printing company in South Africa contracted to print ballot papers for the country’s forthcoming general elections.
PF chairman for local government, Given Lubinda has also challenged the commission to deny ever interviewing anyone on the payment of bribes by the printing company and also deny having information about Mr. Vik Vaid, a representative of UPG, who is said to have been the courier of bribes on behalf of the company.
Mr. Lubinda says the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to take the matter being raised with seriousness as it is raised in the best interest of the nation.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka this morning, Mr. Lubinda says he is ready and willing to provide more information on the raised matter to the two commissions provided they commit themselves to getting to the bottom of the matter.
The movie starts with Will Rodman (James Franco) on the verge of discovering a cure for Alzheimer’s disease , the animal tests were a success so he presents his finding to some investors so that they would let him start human trails . Something goes horribly wrong with one of the apes, so the whole program is shut down. Still determined to find a cure , Will not only takes his research home with him (he also adopts an infant chimp(Caesar) that has been exposed to the experimental drug), but he also begins treating his father Charles with the serum.
No real apes were used in the making of this movie, all were humans, filmed and then transformed through motion capture by the effects company, Weta Digital. Who have previously worked on Lord of the Rings, Kong and Avatar. So no apes were harmed during the making of this movie.
PRO’S
The CGI was simply amazing they really made Caesar and the rest of the apes come to life and made them display real emotion.
You really feel for James Franco’s character ,Will Rodman , has he goes to great lengths to try and find a cure for his fathers Alzheimer’s disease.
It was amazing to see the transformation of Caesar, from somewhat of a house hold pet to the leader of the apes as they rise to freedom
Andy Serkis, most well known for playing smeagol in the Lord of the Rings Movies , did a tremendous job as Caesar.
RATING
5 out of 5
FAVORITE QUOTE
Caesar:Caesar is home!
Caesar:(Sign Language) Apes alone weak. Apes together strong.
Caesar: (sign language) Am I am pet?
Caroline: Some things aren’t meant to be changed.
CONCLUSION
If I had to choose one word to describe this movie it would be phenomenal! I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. It had incredible acting and CGI work.
In the first half of the movie you can say Caesar is living the good life, but as the movie rolls along and he sees how his fellow apes are mistreated he side with them. The second half of the movie stole the show; the climax was the scene at the golden gate bridge , it was stupendous.
The movie can be said to have some social commentary as it shows a marxist view of the oppressed masses edging towards revolution. Will Rodman (James franco) may feel like he is somewhat of a father to Caesar but he is also represents the “colonial oppressor” .Caesar soon realizes that he is not a near-human but the best of the apes , and takes it upon himself to lead his “people” to freedom.
By Gray Soko
The buzz word during the election campaigns has been “ development” but I have some searching questions or observations to make:
What if we plan a new road and rail network rather than the annual often shoddy repairs? Not only would we decongest traffic and reduce accidents but also provide quicker transportation. Such a network would also open up vast lands that are lying idle.
What if we stopped looking at the number of second hand cars on our roads as an indication of development and planned to establish vehicle assembly or manufacturing plants? Not only would we create employment but also advance our technological knowhow as we would have to compete with the outside world for quality products and become innovative.
What if instead of clapping the ears of transporters whose buses ( especially mini buses ) cause so much loss of life through accidents trying to arrive at their destinations on time we looked at developing an efficient and fast public transport system? Who remembers the “rail cars” of the 70s or the mooted underground train systems of years past? Perhaps not too far back, ZCCM tried a rail link within Lusaka ( Matero to Chilenge).
What if instead of concentrating on keeping us alive by building more hospitals, clinics and mobile clinics/hospitals and importing drugs and medical equipment we planned to prevent disease, improve the environment , research on drugs and manufacture high tech equipment for use in hospitals? What if we stepped aside and reviewed the training of our medical personnel to make it the best possible? How has Cuba excelled in this field despite being under siege by the USA for so long?
What if we made our central position on the continent our niche? Make Zambia the air and rail traffic hub of Africa. Make the “landlocked” situation work for us. We seem to have lost Lusaka’s niche for international conferences on African issues. We could even plan for Lusaka as capital for the AU, our generations of peaceful existence being our premium. The Lusaka and Ndola “international airports” are less than provincial airports in neighbouring countries.
· What if instead of beating our chests on “bumper” harvest, referring to only maize, we develop agro industries to produce maize products like corn flakes which we still import. What if we looked at improving the nutritional status of our children as a goal rather than producing more maize for export. How can we make the school going children from poor families eat better at school ? Is Mount Makulu Research Centre for example adequately funded and are we getting full benefits of its research? Are we giving the other food products that we can abundantly produce adequate attention as we give to getting fertilizer for maize?
What if we restructured the civil service hierarchy, which I believe follows the British model up to now to serve us better. Late FTJ once watched reporting time for civil servants and of course saw what we always see, late reporting from top to bottom. One reason is these civil servants did not have any “work” to do so why go early? Maybe up to 80% just report for work but do no work. Pay is assured though, it is not based on productivity but presenteism. Quite often you still get paid even if you are not there. Once in a while we stumble on “ghost” workers.
What if we came to terms with what has not worked in terms of local government and boldly implemented provincial administration on carefully determined federal system. Can we seriously say the current provincial ministerial system and district commissioners add value? LPM tried to relook at the district commissioners to be technocrats but the political reward mentality of “it pays to belong to …party)was still strong.
What if the districts had counselors appointed on merit rather than elected party cadres who have given themselves the right to curve out land for themselves. What if we had town planning again so that the haphazard “development” is brought to an end? Residential plots on graveyards, houses being built on sewer and waterlines and what should be open spaces or parks. Councils have failed and we cannot be doing the same things that have failed and expect different outcomes.
What if we made civic and political leaders accountable to those who put them in power by having the “recall” strategy instead of them thinking the offices are theirs to keep for the term regardless.
What if we added value to our mineral resources and exported finished products instead of making the invitation of investors to open mines and export raw material and profits thereof such an insatiable ambition. So much employment and technological development would result and the youths in technical colleges will have something to look forward to. What do the geologists, mining engineers, metallurgists, artisans look towards for when the employment opportunities seem so finite.
How I wish there would be such a debate, such a leader with vision for a better Zambia and not be content with “continuity” or the status quo.
“What if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”
(Romans 3:3, KJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
So often, people allow the opinions of others to hold them back and water down their dreams. We have to realize, there will always be critics and naysayers in life. One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life — you do. It’s not what others say about you that affects your life, but what you say and believe about yourself. In today’s verse, the apostle Paul is saying, “It doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” When God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass, it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to follow the voice of God for yourself and allow Him to order your steps.
Today, know that God sees the hidden treasures inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality. As you get rid of the old, defeated thoughts and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limits so you can live the abundant life God has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Help me to see myself the way You see me. Help me to see the plans You have for me so that I can be empowered by You to fulfill my destiny. I love You and bless Your name today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
For second bereavement at Nkana in a space of three weeks, Faz officials failed to attend a burial this time of ex-Zambia defender Mark Sinyangwe at Chibolya Cemetery in Mufulira.
Sinyangwe died on Wednesday at Ronald Ross Hospital in Mufulira where he had been admitted for one month.
The master of ceremony at the grave site called Faz officials to lay wreaths and give a speech but none stepped forward.
It was a repeat of another incident at the burial of ex-Nkana defender Wiseman Chizumira in Lusaka at Leopards Hill Memorial Park where this time both Nkana and Faz officials were conspicuously absent but were the following weekend later in attendance led by Kalusha Bwalya at the Power Dynamos-Nkana derby game in Kitwe.
Meanwhile, Sinyangwe’s funeral was attended by members of Nkana’s 1999 Super Division winning side led by their coach Patrick Phiri including midfield dynamo Gift Kampamba, striker Frazer Kammwandi and defender Ken Katala.
Meanwhile, no minute of silence was observed at most matches on the day in honor of Sinyangwe as was also the case during the wake of Chizumira’s death.
Kabwe Warriors two-match winning run came to a stretching halt on Saturday after Zanaco beat them 2-0 at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
And leaders Red Arrows lead at the top of the Faz Super Division table has been cut from five to two points after losing away to second placed Konkola Blades.
At Sunset, Warriors brief place in the sun came to an end when a technically superior Zanaco beat them to complete back-to-back league wins by the same margin this season.
Fabrice Mbimba opened the scores with a fantastic header from a Judge Mkandawire cross in the 5th minute in a game Warriors huffed and puffed throughout to find any rhythm.
Zanaco had numerous chances but was let down by some haste finishing from their DR Congo-born attacker Mbimba.
Jacob Mupeta made it 2-0 in the 70th minute after blasting layoff from Ignatius Lwipa.
At Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe, Arrows lost 1-0 away to hosts Blades.
A 15th minute goal from forgotten man Martin Daka in the 15th minute sealed Arrows fate in no-man’s land.
Arrows stay put on 36 points while Blades move from 31 to 34 points as coach Keagan Mumba continues to chase dreams of Blades and his first coaching career Super Division title.
And at Musa Kasonka Stadium in Ndola, Power Dynamos failed to recover from their 1-0 derby loss to Nkana last weekend to suffer an even more embarrassing away loss to bottom placed Kalewa.
Kalewa beat Power 1-0 to collect their second three points of the season to see Power tumble from second to third place.
Nkana on the other hand shifted a gear from 6th to 5th place after a 2-1 win over Nakambala Leopards courtesy of goals from the familiar scoring duo of Reynold Kampamba and Evans Kangwa.
Much has been said about issue based campaigns, meaning the various parties and candidates should tell the electorate what they will do about the economy, unemployment, etc. This is good but here is another angle voters should seriously consider. After all promises are not always kept promises. One person said politicians are now driving with the windows of their cars open, waving at people but once elected they drive with windows shut! This angle voters should seriously consider is the character of the leader[pullquote].Some fairy tales begin with “Once upon a time…” Others begin with “If elected, I promise..[/pullquote]
The points to consider are:
· Has the leader got a vision that will benefit others and not themselves? Will he be there only to enrich himself and his kin?
· Is he willing to follow and listen to the people as well as lead? Is he the “ I know it all type” ?
· Is he flexible and willing to adjust?
· Has he got strong spiritual and moral convictions and will not succumb to corrupt practices to get elected or get into deals with investors or compromise values for expediency.
· What unique programmes has he got or is he simply a maintenance manager eg. is the road/rail network going to be any different from that inherited from the colonial past.
· Has he got passion for Zambia or he is just ambitious for the high post for selfish motives.
· Has he got integrity ? Will he say one thing in public and another in private? Is he predictable? Is he comfortable if his “private” life is exposed?
· Is he forgiving or holds grudges against those with different views or are antagonistic and oppose him.
While it is good to look at past successes, let us not be locked into the past but remember that we are here to make history not protect it. How do the
main presidential contenders RB,HH,Sata,Nawakwi and General Miyanda measure up to the above?
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema-Accused of being undemocratic
Five parliamentary candidates have resigned from the opposition UPND and have since filled in their nominations as independent candidates following the party’s decision to leave them out of adoption.
The five candidates have accused party president Hakainde Hichilema of adopting unpopular candidates he has close relation with.
One of the five candidates Joshua Ng’andu who claims to have been assured by Mr. Hichilema of a possible adoption has charged that the UPND leader will pay the price for imposing unpopular candidates.
Mr. Ng’andu says it is wrong for Mr. Hichilema to accuse the Patriotic Front of being undemocratic when his party has been engaging in under-hand methods to adopt candidates.
He has therefore challenged Mr. Hichilema to tell the nation why in nearly all the 19 constituencies in the province, the party has independents adding that in Mazabuka district alone has four UPND aspiring candidates who are contesting as independents.
Mr. Ng’andu says UPND will this year be buried because its leader has lost direction and preferred to support his old friends whom he says are unpopular.
Other candidates have charged that Mr. Hichilema can no longer be trusted because he has betrayed the provincial executive committee which had earlier recommended candidates according to the desire of the grass roots in their particular constituencies.
Those contesting as independents include, Eugene Munyama and Keith Chemu for Magoye constituency, Shadereck Mwiinga for Mazabuka central and a Mr. Nakanga for Chikankata constituency.
Efforts to get a comment from UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma and his deputy Cornelius Mweetwa proved futile as both their mobile phones were unreachable by broadcast time.
Opposition UNIP president Tilyenji Kaunda shakes hands with Chief Justice Ernest Sakala when he filed in his nomination papers at the Supreme Court in Lusaka
In what appeared would be probably the highest number of contenders for plot one for this year’s 20th September polls, the final contestants are down to 10 compared to eleven in 2001.
Although 17 parliamentary candidates had earlier indicated they would battle it out through the ballot for state house this year, the filing in of nominations closed on Friday with only ten candidates.
Of the seven out of the race, some failed to raise the 2-hundred pre-conditional numbers of supporters, while others pulled the plug at the eleven hour for various reasons but largely due to inability to raise supporters or K10m presidential nomination fee.
The filing of nominations which started on Sunday 7th August, closed Friday 12th August at the Supreme Court in Lusaka, and saw duly nominated presidential candidates also declare assets.
Chief Justice Ernest Sakala has officially announced the names of the party leaders that have successfully filed in valid nominations at the close of the period as:
Candidate Party
1. Tilyenji Kaunda UNIP
2. Edith Zewelani Nawakwi FDD
3. Dr Fredrick Mutesa ZED
4. Elias Chipimo Jnr NAREP
5. Hakainde Hichilema UPND
6. Ng’andu Magande NMP
7. Rupiah Bwezani Banda MMD
8. Charles Milupi ADD
9. Michael Sata PF
10. Godfrey Miyanda HP
Political parties whose candidates pulled out of the race failed to raise the required number of supporters are:
11. Dr Cosmo Mumba NRP
12. ZDDM
13. Bishop Steven Mwale PRP
14. ZCP
15. RCP
16. ZPP
17. UNP
Bishop Stephen Mwale’s PRP had earlier requested the Electoral Commission of Zambia to defer the party’s filing of presidential nominations from Wednesday to Friday, which was granted.
But by close of nominations at 16 00 hours on Friday, PRP still failed to raise the required number of supporters and crashed out of the race.
Other parties fell through due to what appeared to be technical issues such as similarities in symbols and cited lack of time to redesign and circulate the same to members countrywide within six days of in of nominations, and later on campaigning ahead of the polls.
With the three political parties: ZPP, RCP and PRP that were scheduled to file in their presidential bids on Friday unable to meet numbers, the Supreme Court enjoyed quietude all day till nominations closed at 16:00 hours after the last candidate PRP finally pulled out.
Chief Justice Ernest Sakala thanked all candidates who have successfully fined in for the presidential.
Justice Sakala has also thanked cadres for their peaceful conduct during the nomination period which begun on 7th August, and commended the media for their cooperation.
