The law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has said it is studying the petition from the Patriotic Front (PF) regarding President Banda’s parentage and his eligibility to stand in this year’s election.

LAZ president Musa Mwenya said the association has not yet resolved the issues regarding the contents of the letter and promised to react to it once they conclude it.

Mr. Mwenya said the PF has a right to take the step on President Banda’s parentage.

On seventh July last month PF wrote to LAZ for deliberation on President Banda’s eligibility in the 2008 presidential elections and for this year’s elections which will take place on 20th September.

On Tuesday PF threatened to write to the Southern African Developing community SADC, the African Union AU and the United Nation UN on whether the ruling MMD should go ahead and field President Rupiah Banda as its presidential candidate.

PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba said that the party wrote to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to intervene in the matter of President Rupiah Banda’s parentage and his eligibility as candidate in the 2008 presidential elections as well as the forthcoming general elections but wonders why LAZ has been mute about the matter.

The Citizen’s Forum Executive Director Simon Kabanda also said the issue of President Banda’s parentage should be fully investigated.

Mr Kabanda noted that the issues surrounding President is of great concern and should not be taken lightly.

He said the PF’s decision to take the matter to the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) should be supported by all well meaning Zambians.

Mr. Kabanda said the the country’s constition is clear on who should be eligible to contest for the position of the Republican President.

[pullquote]”It is shocking that such statements are coming from a seasoned lawyer. He knows that Mr Banda qualifies but wants to cast a lot of agony and insults on him. Let him research,” he said.[/pullquote]

Meanwhile, MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe has said that the Patriotic Front (PF) is panicking because it has become apparent that President Rupiah Banda will win this year’s presidential elections due to the systematic progress and organised moves that the MMD has made

Maj Kachingwe said in the Supreme Court there was a landmark judgment which stated that it did not matter whether one’s parents were Zambian or not but what mattered was whether the candidate was a Zambian.

“It is shocking that such statements are coming from a seasoned lawyer. He knows that Mr Banda qualifies but wants to cast a lot of agony and insults on him. Let him research,” he said.

Maj Kachingwe, reacting to PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba’s allegations that Mr Banda was not eligible to contest this year’s elections, said it was a pity that such allegations were coming from a lawyer.

“This is now evidence that PF is panicking. Let them concentrate on doing the right things. We have done our adoptions and they have not, we are ready for these elections and they are not.

“What they are now doing is attempting to shift the nation’s attention. They are used to always causing tension; let them put their house in order,” he said.

Maj Kachingwe said PF had realised that the ruling party had campaigned in all areas where the opposition party felt it would win and as a result it wanted to start causing unnecessary pressure.

[pullquote]”What they are now doing is attempting to shift the nation’s attention. They are used to always causing tension; let them put their house in order,” he said.[/pullquote]

He said everyone was now aware that there was no trace of Mr Banda’s roots in Malawi and wondered why PF had not provided the evidence for everyone to see.

Maj Kachingwe said at some point PF tried to pay a disgruntled former ambassador to claim that Mr Banda was not Zambian but failed to provide proof.

And a Lusaka lawyer, Hobbday Kabwe has clarified that one who wanted to contest as a presidential candidate only required to be a Zambian.

“Why bring the issue now, if he was eligible in 2008 what has changed in the Constitution? It is still the same I believe, these matters should have been brought up that time when Mr Banda contested,” Mr Kabwe said.

Major Kachingwe in an interview yesterday described Mr Kabimba’s statement as misleading and said it was shameful that the PF secretary general could decide to ignore what the law stipulated and decide to mislead the nation.

[QFM/Times of Zambia]

Patriotic Front (PF) leader, Michael Sata, has charged that the deplorable poverty levels that traditional leaders and people of Eastern province have continued being subjected to, was clear evidence that President Rupiah Banda was not Zambian.

Mr. Sata pointed out that the uncaring attitude exhibited by Mr. Banda towards people of Eastern province, where he claims to hail from, shows that the republican president was a foreigner who has only become too comfortable in a foreign country.

He said Mr. Banda’s father was Zimbabwean while his mother was from Malawi.

Speaking on Hot FM this morning, the PF leader, Michael Sata, said that it was shocking that President Rupiah Banda had failed to mourn close to 40 people who died in a road traffic accident July 27 in Nyimba area on the Great East road.

Mr. Sata said it was inconceivable that a President who claims to be an Easterner could fail to mourn his own people when he has, in the past, been finding it fitting to put together two aircrafts to travel for “funerals” in the Eastern province.

Mr. Sata has asked which people Mr. Banda has been mourning in the Eastern province if he could not see this as an emergency that needed his urgent attention. Mr Sata further said that Mr. Banda should have quickly travelled to join in the mourning of the 38 lives which were lost in what he claimed to be his province. Mr. Sata also charged that that Mr. Banda saw it fit to rush to go and commission the Dangote Cement mine on the Copperbelt because of the corrupt benefits that he has seen in the project.

On corruption , Mr Sata said that President Rupiah Banda had continued with his chain of corrupt activities since assuming office three years ago with the latest being the awarding of a K5 trillion housing project to an insignificant company to construct housing units in North Western province.

[pullquote]“If he wants, let him talk about what I did when I was Minister and what he did for the nation when he occupied Ministerial positions in the past. He cannot match my achievements.”[/pullquote]

Mr sata said that President Banda, working with one of his sons, had awarded the US$1bn contract to Savenda Management Services. Savenda, owned by a Zambian national, has a track record in providing corporate branded ware such as t-shirts to local companies.

The PF leader emphasized that this was the second huge and dubious deal involving State House and the first family in a space of four months following the awarding of a US$98 million contract to some Kenyan business people to refurbish Zambia National Building Society in Lusaka.

On his personal achievement, the PF leader said that he had achieved a lot more successes in his political life than Rupiah Banda even when the PF president has never occupied the office republican President.

Mr. Sata has advised Mr. Banda to stop misleading Zambians by challenging him to show what he has done against what he (Mr. Banda) claims to have achieved when Mr. Sata has never been President.

“If he wants, let him talk about what I did when I was minister and what he did for the nation when he occupied ministerial positions in the past. He cannot match my achievements.”

[From PF Press release]

Divisions in the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy MMD have reportedly emerged over the campaign strategy the party has adopted ahead of the September 20th elections.

Some members of the party feel the strategy of constant attacks on opposition Patriotic Front president Michael Sata are is not helping the party but denting the party’s image.

Sources have revealed to QFM that MMD members are blaming former education minister Dora Siliya and party national secretary Richard Kachingwe for coming up with such a strategy of attacking the PF leader.

They say the attacks on Mr Sata are not helping the party but are instead making the PF leader popular, which might cost the MMD victory in the forthcoming elections.

The sources further argue that the MMD should concentrate on issue based campaigns in order to increase the party’s chances of returning power.

During the launch of the 2011 party manifesto, Party president Rupiah Banda advised Zambians against voting for the PF leader Michael Sata who he described as a punch-drunk boxer who keeps on coming for more beating despite losing three presidential elections.

QFM

The Patriotic Front has threatened to write to the Southern African Developing community SADC, the African Union AU and the United Nation UN on whether the ruling MMD should go ahead and field President Rupiah Banda as its presidential candidate.

PF Secretary General Winter Kabimba has said that the party wrote to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to intervene in the matter of President Rupiah Banda’s parentage and his eligibility as candidate in the 2008 presidential elections as well as the forthcoming general elections but wonders why LAZ has been mute about the matter.

Mr. Kabimba said that in the absence of a response from LAZ, the party will take up the matter and write to SADC, AU, and UN before president Banda satisfies Zambians that he qualifies to stand as a candidate.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka this morning Mr. Kabimba said that it was time the MMD started looking for an alternative Presidential candidate.

He stated that as a constitutional democracy, the eligibility of anyone to contest the presidential elections in Zambia is a fundamental question.

The PF secretary general said that the matter at hand was not political but was a legal issue of fundamental importance adding that no one should be allowed to evade the legal requirement in the constitution.

QFM

THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has said the party will this week announce the150 names of parliamentary candidates that have been adoted to contest on the party ticket.

UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said in an interview yesterday that the party had concluded provincial interviews for people aspiring to stand on the party ticket as parliamentary candidates in this year’s general elections.

Mr Kakoma said the adoption process had been concluded at all levels, ward, constituency and Provincial and what was remaining was just the announcement.

“The party will this week announce the adopted candidates for this year’s tripartite elections. I am very sure that this week will not end without the party making this announcement,” he said.

He said the party was confident that candidates to be adopted in all the constituencies would not be difficult to sell and would win the parliamentary seats because they had not been imposed on the electorate.

[pullquote]Mr. Sata has however noted that rebel mps have been fielded in the PF strongholds are headed for doom.[/pullquote]

Mr Kakoma said the National Management Committee (NMC) of the party would soon meet to look at the list and make final recommendations before making the announcements to their members and the electorate.

The MMD has already made known their aspiring parliamentary candidates and had since introduced them to the electorate.

And Patriotic front leader Michael Sata has questioned what the adopted rebel members of parliament would offer to the electorates if they were to be elected for the second time.

Commenting on the adoption of the 5 former PF rebel MPS by the MMD party, opposition leader cautioned the people of Zambia against voting the rebel MPs in this year’s elections.

Mr. Sata has however noted that rebel mps have been fielded in the PF strongholds are headed for doom. Mr. Sata has since urged the people to carefully scrutinize the parliamentary candidates and ensure that choose people who will represent them effectively.

[Times of Zambia/QFM]

PRESIDENT Banda says Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata talks a lot but says very little.

Mr Banda said Mr Sata claims to be a big man but lacks substance.

“He promises everything but delivers nothing. When he and his PF friends come calling ask them questions,” Mr Banda said.

He said this yesterday when he launched the Presidential and MMD campaign for the 2011 general elections.

He said people should ask the PF how it will build tomorrow’s Zambia, how it will create stability, security and prosperity for all Zambians.

He said Mr Sata can never be President for all Zambians who have already rejected him three times.

Mr Banda said former President Frederick Chiluba rejected Mr Sata as his successor because he knew he is not worthy.

“Dr Mwanawasa beat him in 2001 because he was a better man. He beat him again in 2006; easily I beat him in 2008 and in 2011will beat him again. But Sata never learns, he is like a punch-drunk boxer who keeps coming back for more. Well this time the MMD is going to knock him out for good! The people of Zambia will be the referee…let them count him out,” he said.

Mr Banda said the PF leader’s final hour has really come because the PF boat is sinking and that Mr Sata will go down with it forever.

He said as President since 2008, he can stand before the Zambian people and point to what his Government has achieved.

Mr Banda said the MMD is ready to be judged by the people who have seen what it has done.

“We have been constructive and energetic. They have also seen what the opposition have been doing; fighting and squabbling like children. Michael Sata will be asking Zambians to vote for him. Let him stand on his record, too,” he said.

[pullquote]“Sata likes to call himself the cobra. I never trust a creature that slithers on its stomach, would you trust a snake? I warn all Zambians if you play with the cobra expect to be bitten. But that is democracy for you. Everybody has a right to stand, even Michael Sata,” he said.[/pullquote]

He said in 2008, Mr Sata promised to fix load-shedding, build the Livingstone road, and put more money in people’s pockets within 90 days but nobody believed him.

Mr Banda said even this year, Mr Sata is making the same promises but he has no vision, no new ideas, and no direction.

“He is yesterday’s man. This year he will say that it is time for change. But change to what? People of Zambia, your choice is simple. You can go backwards with PF or forward with the MMD,” he said.

He said the truth is that PF is a one-man band with a sick heart, it has no soul and that it only has Mr Sata whom Zambians cannot trust.

Mr Banda said United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema trusted Mr Sata but he got hurt.

“Sata likes to call himself the cobra. I never trust a creature that slithers on its stomach, would you trust a snake? I warn all Zambians if you play with the cobra expect to be bitten. But that is democracy for you. Everybody has a right to stand, even Michael Sata,” he said.

He added that the failed PF-UPND pact was meant to be about teamwork but Mr Sata is not a team player.

“We knew the pact would never work because we know that Sata will say and do anything to get power. Because of their mistakes and failures, the Zambian people will punish them. The MMD will take votes from PF up and down the country. We will take them from the Copperbelt, Lusaka and Luapula,” he said.

Mr Banda also cautioned the UPND to watch out because the MMD will win in Southern Province because it is a party for all Zambians.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

President Banda has declared that the MMD will win this year’s Presidential elections because it is a party for all Zambians.

The President has also observed that the MMD is the only party that can offer the economy stability and sustained growth.

President Banda says the MMD will beat Opposition Patriotic Front Leader Michael Sata because Zambians know too well that the opposition leader can not be a president for all Zambians.

President BANDA said this in Lusaka on Monday during the official launch of the MMD campaigns for the 2011 elections at Intercontinental Hotel.

The First Lady Thandiwe Banda, Vice President George Kunda and his wife Ireen were among hundreds of MMD members and invited guests that witnessed the Presidential launch of the 2011 campaigns.

Also notable among the invited guests was former Republican Vice President Enock Kavindele.

Meanwhile Mr Banda has urged Zambians to be careful with opposition PF Leader Michael Sata who talks a lot but lacks substance.

President BANDA said because of his unsubstantiated talk, Mr Sata has been rejected three times by the people of Zambia.

President Banda however noted that MMD has is yet to do more for the development of the nation.

And Diplomats accredited to Zambia have described President Rupiah Banda’s campaign message as inspirational. Egyptian ambassador to Zambia, Salah El Sadek says the President has highlighted what his government has done under his leadership.

Mr. El Sadek told ZNBC News that it is interesting to note that the President has also urged his party to avoid violence at all costs. The diplomat was reacting to President Banda speech during the official launch of the MMD election campaign in Lusaka.

And South African ambassador to Zambia Moses Chikane said the region is confident that ZAMBIA will again uphold the democratic tenants during this year’s elections as it has done for many years.

Meanwhile Nigerian ambassador to Zambia Folake Marcus-Bello said the President’s speech gives a lot of hope to foreign dignitaries that ZAMBIA will make Africa proud.

And former Republican and MMD Vice President Enock Kavindele says President’s speech gives all MMD supports confidence to go out and campaign based on the party’s achievements.

ZNBC

New Generation Party (NGP) President Humphrey Siulapwa has called on the United Party for National Development (UPND) Supporters to give their vote to President Banda because their leader Hakainde Hichilema has no hope of winning this year’s elections despite being a young good leader.

He admitted that Mr Hichilema is a good leader but he has no supporters and is likely to emerge in the third position in this year’s elections.

Mr. Siulapwa noted that if the UPND support MMD the PF leader Michael Sata will have no chance of winning the elections.

He also noted that Ellias Chipomo Junior is now feeling the heart of the political arena because he is not popular and he is not known by the electorates.

Mr Siulapwa says for one to be a President he must be known by all Zambians.

And Mr Siulapwa has declared that he will not sit back and watch people insult President Rupiah Banda.

Mr. Siulapwa said the Mr Banda is a President for all Zambians and people should respect him whether they voted for him in 2008 or not.

He pointed out that his party will not support anyone who will continue to disrespect President Banda in this year’s tripartite elections.

The NGP president noted that the president should be supported according to the decree of the Bible that all authority should and respected.

He said President can not be equated to all Presidential aspiring candidates for this year’s elections because he has delivered to the expectation of all Zambians.

The ruling Movement for Mult-Party Democracy (MMD) in Eastern Province has called on Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata to go and challenge Chief Chikuwe of the Chewe people in Chipata district to authenticate President Rupiah Banda’s origin.

Provincial Chairperson Kennedy Zulu said Mr Sata should go and challenge Chief Chikuwe and prove that President Banda lied about his roots.

Mr Zulu said President Banda is one of Chief Chikuwe’s subjects and the PF leader should go and verify with him to prove if he is liar as there is enough evidence to show that the President is Zambian.

He said Mr Sata contradicted himself when he said that Nyimba people were denied fertilizer by their own relative and later said President Banda was either from Zimbabwe or Malawi.

However, villagers in Chief Chikuwe area have described Mr Sata’s allegations as an act of a desperate politician who has run out of ideas.

Mr. Sata was quoted in the Sunday Post as having said that President Banda lied about his roots.
.
One the concerned villager Masiye Banda who is also headman Kanfuwe said politicians should not fabricate stories but tell the people the truth to allow electorates make informed decision.

The Village headman told ZANIS that President is a Chewa whose father was born in his village.

Yesterday, the PF leader Michael Sata alleged that President Rupiah Banda lied about his nationality.