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MMD parliamentary candidate for Nangoma Constituency in Central Province Professor Luke Kanyomeka has died.
MMD Central Province vice-chairman George Kangwa said Prof Kanyomeka died in Namibia in the early hours of yesterday after a short illness.
Mr Kangwa said Prof Kanyomeka was preparing to come back home from Namibia, where he has been working.
He was expected to kick off his campaign.
“He got sick two days ago, and was yesterday (Thursday) rushed to hospital. Later, I was informed that his condition had become worse and to my surprise, I received a message around 05:00 hours today (Friday) that he had died in the early hours. He was just winding up in Namibia so that we can start the campaigns together,” he said.
Mr Kangwa described the death of Prof Kanyomeka as shocking and disturbing.
He said funeral arrangements will be announced after consultations with the family.
And the MMD has picked Daniel Mwila Mutimushi, a Mufulira-based engineer, to contest the Kantanshi parliamentary seat and Chilekwa Munkonge for Kasama Central, bringing the total number of candidates to 150.
Adoptions for the two seats were deferred on Tuesday, when 148 candidates were adopted.
President Banda has reiterated that he will only announce the election date when all logistics are in place, to avoid election hiccups.
President Banda said this when he addressed a mammoth rally at Comet Grounds in Kabwe yesterday that Zambians should judge the MMD based on the achievements it has scored.
President Banda said he will not succumb to pressure and make a premature announcement before all logistics are in place.
“They want me to announce the election date but I have said that I will not make that announcement until all logistics are in place because we are trying to avoid hiccups during polls,” Mr Banda said.
He said he wants Zambians to express themselves through free, fair and peaceful elections.
Mr Banda also Zambians to vote for the MMD in this year’s general elections based on its record of achievement which has transformed the country economically.
“I urge you all Zambians to judge us by what we have done for the country. Do not listen to what the opposition is saying. We want to continue to build on our achievements,” he said.
Mr Banda said the MMD is building schools, hospitals and health centres and rehabilitating and constructing roads across the country from Livingstone to Chililabombwe.
He said the ruling party is determined to ensure that Zambia is self- sufficient in food supply and will continue to provide farming inputs for the country to maintain bumper harvests.
“We’ve been able to record bumper harvests in agriculture for two consecutive years and we are building more houses, hospitals, health centres and roads. These are the things people want to have in their communities and my party will continue developing the country,” President Banda said.
He said when Government embarked on a countrywide rehabilitation of roads from Livingstone to Chililabombwe, some opposition parties opposed the idea without acknowledging that the project is meant to benefit Zambians who want better highways.
Meanwhile, President Banda has challenged the Patriotic Front (PF) to tell the nation what happened at its convention if it is a democratic party as it claims to be.
He said the nation is disappointed with the PF for barring the public media from covering its convention.
“At the MMD convention we held here in Kabwe, we invited all media houses, including those who have specialised in calling me names. Even today, they’re here, young journalists are covering us,” he said.
President Banda said the MMD has managed to change leadership because it is a democratic party and said he would not run for leadership again after 2016.
“I guarantee you that if you elect me in the coming elections, I will relinquish my presidency at the end of my term because I come from a democratic party,” Mr Banda said.
He warned Zambians not to make the mistake of electing Mr Sata because if elected, he would want to die as President and democracy will be destroyed.
Mr Banda said Mr Sata is a vicious person who does not deserve votes in this year’s elections.
On housing empowerment, President Banda said he will not be intimidated by critics and will continue to empower Zambians because he has a contract with them.
He said the various programmes he is implementing such as housing empowerment are merely a fulfilment of the contract Zambia gave him when they elected him in 2008.
“I have a contract with the people of Zambia, which will only end after the elections, and if I win, I will continue. I will remain obedient to you,” Mr Banda said.
The President said he will not rest until Zambians are empowered with houses and land.
“It is only natural that if someone wants to win an election, they have to work for the people. The opposition is now becoming jittery because I have fulfilled most of my campaign promises,” he said.
He said it is out of desperation that the opposition is now claiming that he comes from Malawi and yet he has been a leader since 1964.
“We want this year’s election to be enjoyable. Candidates should talk about facts and what they have done for the people, not name-calling,” he said.
Mr Banda said he hopes Zambians are watching educative programmes like Stand-Up for Zambia which are helping to expose the real characters of people like Mr Sata.
Last night (Thursday) I watched Stand-Up for Zambia, and I am glad we have such programmes which bring out the true character of Mr Sata,” he said.
Mr Banda said the MMD is determined to carry its campaigns across the country so that the ruling party can defend the economic and developmental gains.
At the same rally, UNIP secretary general Jemima Banda and 147 members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) in Kabwe defected to the MMD.
Mr Banda urged MMD members to embrace all the people who are joining the ruling party because they have the democratic rights to join the party.
“These people are merely exercising their right. We don’t expect any genuine MMD members to discriminate against new members,” he said.
He also said MPs from the Patriotic Front, UPND, UNIP and other opposition political parties who have been adopted to stand on the MMD ticket should be supported because their decision to work with the ruling party is meant to unite the country.
A new political party the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has been formed.
Announcing at the launch of the party at Lima guest house in Lusaka’s Garden Compound yesterday, party president Bishop Stephen Mwale said the new party will provide the best leadership to the satisfaction of Zambians.
Mr. Mwale said the PRP was formed in 2006 before it was registered in 2007 and called on Zambians to support the new party that will provide good leadership to all the electorates.
He said the PRP will add value and strength so that it shows to the Zambians about what it means to be a Christian nation.
Mr. Mwale said the party will work with the Church, medical fraternity, educationists, and traditional leaders to begin to change the nation for the benefit of Zambians.
He disclosed that the party’s main duty will be to reduce poverty when it begins to preside on the country’s national affairs.
Mr. Mwale appealed to Zambians to support his party as the country goes to polls within two months.
He said Zambians should be careful in the manner they choose leaders if the economic gains achieved so far should be allowed to continue.
The Ministry of Health has denied reports that the polio vaccine given to children during this month’s child heath week has been causing diarrhoea and vomiting.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson Kamoto Mbewe said the vaccine that was being administered does not cause any effect on children.
Dr. Mbewe said all the vaccines administered are tested before being given out to the recipients.
He appealed to parents that have children that are having diarrhoea to go to the hospital to seek for help from qualified health personnel.
One of the healh workers talked to confirmed that there has been an increase of diarrhoea and vomiting cases at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
The health worker said its surprising that diarrhoea cases were happening in the cold season when it is most prevalent in the hot season and suspected a viral infection as the possible cause of the disease.
Government has handed over 88 flats to the university Teaching Hospital UTH and the Cancer diseases hospital which have been constructed at a cost of over 18.6 billion Kwacha.
A total of 24 two bedroomed flats and 64 one bedroomed flats have been completed and are ready for occupation.
Minister of health Kapembwa Simbao who handed over the flats for doctors, nurses and paramedics says the flats will ease accommodation shortages for medical personnel.
Mr Simbao says government is also constructing 112 flats for medical staff in, Kitwe, Chipata, Solwezi, and Mansa and in Ndola at Ndola Central Hospital and Arthur Davison Children’s hospital.
The minister says the new flats constructed in some parts of the country are part of governments programme to ensure that medical staff have decent accommodation.
Mr Simbao says a plan is already in place to ensure that over three hundred flats will be constructed to provide immediate accommodation for graduating health workers across the country.
And acting principal, University Teaching hospital Nursing education officer Beatrice Zulu says the hospital has over the years been facing accommodation problems which has affected the performance of workers.
Mrs Zulu says the provision of accommodation close to the hospital will reduce late coming and motivate members of staff.
Mr Simbao has also handed over a classroom block and a library to the school of nursing at UTH.
The Non Governmental Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has expressed disappointment at the low number of female parliamentary candidates that have been adopted by the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) stand in this year’s elections.
Information deputy Minister Angela Cifire (L)
NGOCC Executive Director Beatrice Grillo says that it is sad to learn that the ruling party has adopted only 19 women out of the 148 parliamentary candidates a number which is far below the SADC and AU gender protocols to which Zambia is a signatory.
Mrs. Grillo says she expected the ruling party to set a good example to other political parties by adopting more women candidates.
Mrs. Grillo says that the failure by MMD to meet the SADC and AU protocols in its adoption of female parliamentary candidates is a mockery to the women of Zambia who constitute 51% of the population.
In a statement made available to QFM today, Mrs. Grillo recalls that since independence, the number of women elected to hold positions of decision making in the political arena in this country has not recorded significant progress due to the low adoption of women at political party level.
She noted that the situation should not be left unchecked and acceptable to the women of Zambia adding that what the ruling party has demonstrated in its adoption process it will be difficult for other political parties to adopt more women.
The NGOCC board chairperson believes that the ruling party has a lot of women who have the credentials to become members of parliament but are not being accorded equal opportunities to participate in this year’s election as candidates.
Meanwhile, the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has expressed concern that the ruling party has failed to set a good example of ensuring that more women are adopted to contest this year’s tripartite elections.
FODEP has also observed that the MMD has not adopted any persons with disabilities to contest any constituency based seat.
FODEP executive director McDonald Chipenzi says his organization that is also concerned with the lack of deliberate but effective strategies and mechanisms among political parties aimed at improving women participation in elections.
Mr. Chipenzi says that in as much as political parties desire to field candidates with winning muscles to contest elections in various constituencies, it is imperative that the participation of vulnerable groups, such as women, youths and persons with disabilities, in elections is not compromised.
Mr. Chipenzi has hoped that other political parties who have not yet started the adoption process will seriously consider adopting more women and other vulnerable groups to contest either local government or parliamentary seats in this year’s elections stating that his is the only way Zambia will promote inclusive democracy.
First republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda
First republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda has appealed to all Zambians to remain peaceful as the country heads for this year’s tripartite election.
Dr. Kaunda said today that peace should be preserved as an election is the only means that human beings have the mandate to elect leaders of their choice.
He said Zambians must continue to love one another and preserve the peace that the freedom fighters fought for during independence.
Dr. kaunda said it would stupid for any one to fail to maintain peace during election campaigns.
According to the news Monitored on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), Dr Kaunda said Zambians should learn to co-exist despite their political differences.
Kabwe Warriors destiny in the Faz Super Division is about to be shaped as the 2011 season enters the halfway point of Week 15.
Warriors are at their lowest ebb and in the relegation zone in third from bottom in 14th place with 13 points from 14 games.
The provincial side has won just three league games this season and things must start getting better in their last 16 matches or will be confined to playing Division One football in 2012 after 22 years of top flight action.
Warriors malaise are complex: an aging squad, player power, personality issues and shaky alliances at the club and coaches are now reluctant to vie for the job at one of Zambia’s most supported team.
Last season alone, Warriors went through three coaches with one of them George Lwandamina last barely two months before he was fired.
The irony is Lwandamina is having the last laugh at the other end of the table this season with Red Arrows who lead the Super Division table on 29 points from 14 games played heading into Saturdays games.
Moreover, Warriors player-coach combination of Humphrey Malikoni and Via Mwendalubi are failing to muster anything close to a winning formula since a player putsch against Ronald Chinku who won one and lost three of his five games in charge at the start of the season.
Meanwhile, Warriors battle for survival has also taken a serious political twist.
Its chairman is Andrew Kamanga whose faction has been embroiled in a power struggle with Kalusha Bwalya’s Faz regime.
His reputation and leadership qualities as an alternative prospect to Kalusha will be put to the test in Warriors remaining league games.
Warriors journey to redemption start on Saturday when they host fellow strugglers and fellow old establishment Nchanga Rangers who are 11th and two points ahead of their hosts.
Both teams have both collected just one point from their last three games as they head into this battle in limbo at Railway Grounds.
FIXTURES
23/07/2011
MTN/FAZ Super Division Week 15
Forest Rangers-Zesco United
Konkola Blades-Roan United
Kabwe Warriors-Nchanga Rangers
Kalewa-Lime Hotspurs
Zanaco-Nakambala Leopards
Nkana-Green Buffaloes
Nkwazi- Power Dynamos
Green Eagles-Red Arrows
24/07/2011
Nkana-Green Buffaloes
President Rupiah Banda
President Rupiah Banda has urged members of the Defence forces not to be used by politicians who do not mean well for the country ahead of the elections.
President Banda says defence forces belong to a noble profession which requires them to be loyal to the country and the government of the day.
Mr. Banda says 2011 is a critical year for Zambia and as such men and women in uniform are expected to remain steadfast, focused and resolute in defending the country.
The President was speaking in Kapiri Friday morning when he officiated at a pass out parade of one thousand 1-hundred and 90 recruits for intake 32 at Lukanga Army battle training area.
Mr. Banda assured the men and women in Uniform that government will ensure that the Defence forces are not left out from the positive economic developments the country is enjoying.
President Banda also praised the defence forces for helping alleviate the suffering of civilians during floods that hit some parts of the country last season.
And Army Commander Lieutenant General Wisdom Lopa says the army has not been left-out by the unprecedented levels of development taking place in the country.
General Lopa says the Army has benefited from the Housing empowerment programme with housing units constructed for officers.
He has also appealed to graduating soldiers to remain non-partisan and support the government of the day.
[ ZNBC ]
Lake Itezhi- Tezhi
A Strong earth tremor on Thursday shook part of Itezhi Tezhi district in the Southern province causing cracks in some houses.
The tremor shook the walls and trees in the town centre including villages; Luubwe, Musungwa, Chilyabufu and Masemu around 15:59 hours.
Some residents in Mahungu in Luubwe area in chief Musungwa’s chiefdom ran out of their houses in panic.
Just two weeks ago, strong tremors shook Mozambique and part of Zimbabwe.
The District Disaster Management Committee -DDMC- which carried out a quick assessment has not reported any injuries or substantial damage apart from cracks in some mud houses.
An economist has praised First Quantum Minerals limited the owners copper and Gold mine in Solwezi in North Western Province for the flouting 40,000 shares on the Lusaka Stock Exchange.
Mr Lubinda Habazoka a lecturer at the Cooperbelt University in Kitwe predicated that more mining firms in the country will follow the same trend.
He says this is as result of stable market price for copper on the London metal stock exchange.
Mr. Habazoka pointed out that the First Quantum Minerals limited’s listing its shares on the Lusaka Stock exchange will result in the increase money for investment and Zambians will have an option of investing their money in a profitable company.
He noted that the move will First Quantum to improve on its production capacity and more taxes for the country will raised.
Chief governmment Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ronnie Shikapwasha
Chief Government Spokesperson Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said President Rupiah Banda’s regime wants to develop the country further even after the this year’s tripartite elections.
Mr. Shikapwasha also said the adopted Members of Parliament that have been re-adopted under the MMD performed to the expectation of the people and the new ones will be added to the winning team.
He said people should expect the higher performance in the national economy than now once the MMD party bounces back into power.
Mr. Shikapwasha who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister said this in Lusaka yesterday.
United party for national development president Hakainde Hichilema has charged the calls for the resignation of Law Association of Zambia president Musa Mwenye to resign are uncalled for.
Mr. Hichilema says that the calls are uncalled for, stating that the LAZ president was right when he observed the running of the public-media.
Mr. Hichilema says that it is public knowledge that the coverage of the public media works against the majority Zambian people.
He says that pointless to start calling for the resignation of Mr. Mwenye when he was speaking on behalf of the majority Zambians.
Today Times of Zambia reported that a DIE-Hard for RB national coordinator Bowman Lusambo had given Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Musa Mwenye a 48-hour ultimatum to come out in the open or resign over the alleged professional misconduct of trying to put undue pressure on the judiciary.
Mr Lusambo said that his organisation would organise demonstrations against Mr Mwenye if he failed to resign.
“We are giving Mr Mwenye a 48-hour ultimatum to come out in the open over allegations of serious professional misconduct that have been revealed by the former secretary general of the Patriotic Front (PF) Mr Edward Mumbi. If he doesn’t resign we shall petition LAZ and organise demonstrations.
“As Die-Hard for RB we are very disappointed with Mr Mwenye over the statements he has been making which are clearly linked to some opposition party,” he said.
He said going by his recent statement, it was unprofessional for Mr Mwenye to try and put undue pressure on the judiciary when he was representing Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) who have sued Chanda Chimba III and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).
“This is totally unacceptable and unprofessional conduct by the president of LAZ. We are aware that some of the LAZ members are very unhappy about the misconduct of Mr Mwenye because he is putting its name in ridicule” he said.
And Mr. Hichilema has described the on-going campaigns in northwestern province as a success.
Mr. Hichilema says that it is clear that most Zambians are ripe for change in the coming elections.
He says that the UPND has received overwhelming response in the campaigns they are conducting nationwide.
The UPND leader in an interview with QFM from Northwestern province this morning, Mr. Hichilema has called Zambians to voter for credible leaders in this year’s election.
Vice President George Kunda said government has sourced funds for Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to rehabilitate all the roads and bridges that were damaged during the last rain season.
Mr Kunda said yesterday that the DMMU, the Zambai National Service, the Zambia Army, Prison Service and the Road Development Unit will carryout the rehabilitation works.
The Vice President says government will work hard to improve infrastructure in the country and thanked President Rupiah Banda for his assistance in mobilising the funds to carryout the rehabilitation works.
He said government is motivated with the zeal to improve the living standards of the people living in the rural areas and the need for Zambians to start benefiting from their country’s fast growing economy.
He said the Ministry of Finance and National Planning has released K29, 357,400,539 to DMMU to repair the entire damaged infrastructure before the onset of this year’s rain season.
The Vice President said when he flagged off the project of the emergency repairs of all damaged infrastructure during the last rain season.
In another development 141 kilometres of road has been earmarked to be rehabilitated in the urban areas at the cost of 24 billon kwacha.
The project will be carried out in Lusaka, Copperbelt, and Central Province under the Programme for Urban Self help (PUSH).
Local government Permanent Secretary Kristar Kalulu says in Lusaka that the works will include working on community roads in low income settlements using labour based methods.
