CHIENGI member of Parliament Katele Kalumba has warned that the few ‘treacherous’ individuals who are still scheming to resign from the MMD will live to regret because President Banda and the MMD still enjoy public confidence.

Dr Kalumba, who is former MMD national secretary, said in an interview from Chiengi yesterday that Zambians are too intelligent to change Government because President Banda’s administration is delivering on its promises to the people.

“President Banda still has many strategic options in his political armoury to boost even further public confidence in his leadership and the ruling party, the MMD. I believe days are numbered for the few traitors who continue to betray President Banda’s confidence,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said the MMD is still strong and popular because of its prudent economic management and consistency on policy.

“Because of the MMD’s size and long history of leadership, there are bound to be people who feel that perhaps the cat calls for change by the opposition are loud enough to scare the voting public and that opportunity is beckoning on the other side.

“It is my firm belief that the moment has not arrived. Zambians are too intelligent to give up something that is working for them,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said the strong economy, difference in the style of leadership between President Banda and Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata and MMD’s consistency on policy are indicators of the outcome of this year’s tripartite elections.

Commenting on Mr. Sata’s claims that the PF is taking over Eastern Province and former deputy minister of Works and Supply Lameck Mangani’s defection to the PF, Dr Kalumba said the MMD has experienced similar situations in the past but they have had no real negative impact on the ruling party.

[pullquote]“It is my firm belief that the moment has not arrived. Zambians are too intelligent to give up something that is working for them,” Dr Kalumba said.[/pullquote]

“Significantly, I believe that the people of Eastern Province are still in the saddle of power after belonging to the opposition for a long time. I wish to give myself a little credit on this that it took a long time for me personally and others in the MMD to persuade the people of Eastern Province to leave UNIP and join the MMD,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said he does not think that the people of Eastern Province are about to give up stewardship of the MMD which is in charge of national affairs.

“I know that the east is composed of very significant population entities from Chama, Chadiza, Mtenguleni, Nyimba and Mambwe but I still believe that with intelligent leadership in the province, it is possible to unify them behind the MMD leadership. Unity of leadership in the province will have a positive impact on the other provinces,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said Mr Mangani’s resignation from the MMD is not insurmountable and can be repaired if the party remains united in its work, purpose and strategy.

“We have had similar losses before and we have been able to reduce the damage by intelligent and informed strategising,” Dr Kalumba said.

Meanwhile, JIMMY CHIBUYE reports that Zambians for Empowerment and Development president Fred Mutesa has urged Zambians to be wary of recycled politicians who don’t deserve a vote.

Dr Mutesa said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that any leader who has been in Parliament for more than ten years should be retired during the elections.

He said Zambians should not entertain politicians who jump from one political party to another.

“Unless Zambians open their eyes, the only change they will get is recycling the same shameless politicians,” Dr Mutesa said.

He said some politicians fear the possibility of losing the privileges they have enjoyed in the MMD and are now trying to revive their political careers by joining other parties, hoping the ruling party will lose the polls.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

More than 100 ruling MMD cadres today in the morning severely beat a MUVI TV news crew and further confiscated their equipment.

The respective also almost raped the female journalists, who were among the Muvi TV news crew.The journalists had gone to Nakachenje area in Lusaka West to interview a woman who was attacked by the same MMD cadres, who a few days ago grabbed her land.

Reporter Dainess Nyirenda and Cameraperson, Annita Kalwani, have since suffered internal injuries after they were trampled upon by the cadres.

Driver, Edward Ntele also suffered a deep cut on his forehead and while another cameraperson, Emmanuel Kaluba had his lips cut in the fracas.

By broadcast time, the camera had not yet been recovered from the MMD cadres. Other items confiscated by the MMD cadres include a camera tripod stand, a microphone, 4 mobile phones and undisclosed amounts of money.

However, other MUVI TV reporters, Paul Shalala, Brian Mwale and Bruce Mwale survived the beatings. The matter was quickly reported to Matero police Station and officers were quickly mobilised to the incident scene.

Meanwhile, MMD Lusaka Province Vice Youth Chairman, Watson Mutonga has physically identified the MMD cadres, who assaulted the MUVI TV news crew.

And MUVI TV Managing Editor, Costa Mwansa has described the MMD cadres’ assault as an act of cowardice. This incident brings to 3 the number of harassments against MUVI TV reporters while on duty in the last one month.

Earlier this month, Patriotic Front cadres threatened reporters, In’utu Mwanza and Bruce Mwale while a week ago, Lusaka Division police Deputy commanding Officer, Jackson Simfukwe harassed reporter Paul Shalala.

Meanwhile, the 4 assaulted MUVI TV personnel have narrated the ordeal describing it as uncalled for. Reporter, Dainess Nyirenda says she is no longer free to cover the ruling MMD as its cadres have become violent against journalists.

Cameraperson, Annita Kalwani almost shed tears when describing how she was almost gang-raped. Another cameraperson, Emmanuel Kaluba has said he was beaten badly because of the camera he was holding.Driver, Edward Ntele has also narrated that he was hit with a huge stone on his head making him lose consciousness.

[MUVITV]

Former works and supply deputy minister Lameck Mangani says it is questionable for the ruling MMD to accuse him of causing the Violence in during the Mufumbwe by-election last year.

Mr. Mangani wonders why such reports are coming out now when he has decided to defect to the opposition Patriotic Front.

He tells QFM in an interview that the MMD should have presented to the courts all the evidence if they knew he was the one that caused the violence during the Mufumbwe by-elections.

MMD Eastern province chairperson Kennedy Zulu recently stated that Mr. Mangani, during his tenure as home affairs minister, fueled the violence in Mufumbwe by giving orders to beat up other people.

Mr. Mangani says the MMD should have reported him to the police the time he was still in the party if the allegations are true.

And the Southern African Centre for the constructive resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) says it is pointless for the MMD to apportion blame on an individual for causing the violence in Mufumbwe.

SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma says the MMD as the ruling party should be made accountable for all the violence that erupted during the Mufumbwe by-election.
Mr. Chibuluma says it is pointless and disappointing for a party in power to exhibit such irresponsibility.

In an interview with QFM, Mr. Chibuluma says the MMD leadership should instead begin to transform itself into a positive party that seeks to use non-violent means of winning any elections.

QFM

Government will re-introduce the failed constitution amendment bill which failed in the last sessions of parliament.

Vice President George Kunda says the bill failed because it was sabotaged by the opposition.

Mr Kunda says Government is determined to bring the bill back to the house because it contains good and new reforms.

The Vice president made the announcement when he addressed a public rally at Silolo Basic School Grounds in Sesheke District over the weekend.

And Mr. Kunda says the Patriotic Front-PF manifesto has no vision for the country.

Mr Kunda says he has scrutinized the PF manifesto through one of the tabloids and discovered that it contains no policies.

Mr. Kunda has urged the people of Sesheke not to waste their votes on the opposition PF and its leader Michael Sata.

Meanwhile Mr. Kunda has castigated the alliance between Mr. Sata and the Post Newspaper Editor Fred M’membe.

Mr Kunda says the relationship between the duo is premised on vindictiveness.

Mr. Kunda says both Mr. Sata and Mr. M’membe are heartless, thereby finding it easy to collaborate.

He says it is clear that Mr. Sata wants to run a Government of witch-hunting, especially on people who have wealth.

Mr. Kunda wonders what has changed about Mr. Sata whom Mr. M’membe described in past Post Newspaper editions as an extremely corrupt person with no leadership qualities.

[ZNBC]

A Catholic Priest in Kasama has cautioned the clergy to guard against dividing the flock on partisan lines because of their vested interests in this year’s tripartite elections.

Cathedral of Saint John’s Parish Priest, Rudolf Pikiti says it is not the duty of the clergy to decide for their followers which candidates to support during elections.

Father Pikiti says members of the church should be left to make their own choices because they belong to various political parties.

In his sermon during the morning English service on Sunday, Father Pikiti said just as individual priests have their own preferred candidates, church members should also be left to make their own independent choices.

He says imposing candidates on church members will divide the church because it comprises members from different political parts.

Father Pikiti, however, urged Christians to exercise good judgment in selecting candidates in this year’s tripartite elections.

He says some people are now regulars at church services and functions only because they want to be supported as candidates in this year’s tripartite elections.

And Father Pikiti advised Christians to avoid judging others without any tangible facts.

He says even sinners have a future which offers them hope to reform while the righteous have a past which may include the dark side of life.

Recently, retired Kasama Archbishop James Spaita urged the clergy to act as a uniting force before and after this year’s tripartite elections.

Archbishop Spaita urged priests to resist the temptations of dividing the flock because of partisan interests.
[ ZNBC ]