THE United Party for National Development (UPND) on the Copperbelt has advised Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata to tame his loose tongue because his vulgar language is unacceptable.

UPND Copperbelt spokesperson Kennedy Kalunga said in a statement issued in Kitwe yesterday that Mr Sata’s language that the PF is the only political party that is attracting ‘buffaloes’ and ‘elephants’ unlike others which are attracting rabbits in apparent reference to councillors is unacceptable.

” UPND is therefore wondering as to when human beings have become animals. Mr Sata should therefore have respect in the manner he treats Zambians with his foul mouth which seems to be so loose…he should know that he does not own anybody in this country nor does he make anyone happy with his nonsense,” Mr Kalunga said

He also said the UPND takes strong exception to Mr Sata’s insinuations on radio Phoenix on July 9, 2011 that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema entered into a pact with the PF because he had hopes of becoming president with the assumption that Mr Sata would die.

“This is completely rubbish and nonsense, because the opposite is true, it is Mr Sata who wanted to use HH and the votes from Southern Province to get to State House. UPND is therefore appealing to all Zambians not to be tricked into voting for Mr Sata because his bad record and vulgar language is there for all to see,” Mr Kalunga said.

He said voting for Mr Sata whom he described as a ‘flip flop’ and mediocre politician will be like sentencing Zambians to death.

“We would like to assure Mr Sata and his party that come the announcement of election results, he will be shocked because PF will come last in this year’s elections and that will mark the end of hispolitical career. That is when his blood pressure will shoot up, hence he should be ready to buy high blood pressure tablets in advance,” Mr Kalunga said

[Zambia Daily Mail]

MMD chairman for elections Gabriel Namulambe and Labour and social security minister Austin Liato are some of the high profile officials thought to be planning to defect to the opposition Patriotic Front.

Sources within the MMD have told QFM that looming defections from the ruling party to the opposition are said to be creating uncertainty among the senior members of the party.

Sources say Mr. Namulambe and Mr. Liato are some of the high ranking government and party officials planning to defect to the opposition Patriotic Front.

QFM radio has been exclusively informed that some high ranking senior members of the ruling MMD are blaming president Rupiah Banda for the diminishing support of the MMD.

Some members are thought to be blaming the propaganda strategy through programmes such as stand up for Zambia by Chanda Chimba the third as one of the reasons the MMD is said to losing its grip on the Zambian political scene.

Efforts to get comments from the two ministers failed by broadcast time.

Former MMD national Secretary Katele Kalumba was told quoted by radio Phoenix yesterday as saying that two ministers plan to ditch the ruling party completing defections of senior party officials to the opposition PF.

And the MMD says it is aware that some disgruntled senior members who have not performed well in their constituencies are planning to defect to the opposition.

MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe said those who intend to defect to opposition parties are well known by the party because they have been under surveillance.

He said in an interview those defecting are desperate and would like to continue in politics in another party because they know they will not be adopted because their popularity has dwindled.

“No-one is leaving, but we have an idea of those that have been courting the opposition. We know them and their defection is inconsequential to the party as the number is minimal,” Major Kachingwe said.

He said the MMD is the only party which means well and wants to ensure development in the country, and no member can leave it now considering its strength unless that person is not in good standing with the party.

Major Kachingwe said the country needs to build a strong and credible political system, and that this can only happen once politicians become principled.

“We need to create a credible political system, and jumping from one party to another will not help because people will lose trust in us as politicians,” he said.

Major Kachingwe said it is important for politicians to be sincere in their dealings because that is the way in which they can win the people’s trust.

He said the country will get to know who should be trusted in the party once the adoption process has been completed.

Major Kachingwe said the MMD wants to adopt credible leaders who can deliver to the people, and that those who have failed to do that will not be adopted.

“We know that adopting them is risky, so you will get to know who these people are once the adoption process is completed,” he said.

The Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) has advised members of the public not to force President Rupiah Banda to announce the date of elections outside the provisions of the constitution.

PAZA vice president Amos Chanda said President Banda cannot be forced to announce the election date because he knows that he was working within the provisions of the constitution.

Speaking last night on a Muvi television programme dubbed “The Assignment” and monitored by ZANIS in Lusaka, Mr. Chanda stated categorically that President Banda is operating according to the provisions of the Zambian constitution.

He implored those calling on the Head of State to announce the date of elections to hold their fire as it was within his powers to do so.

He added that trying to force the Head of State to announce the date would not be backed by any legal framework.

There are growing calls by different stakeholders for president Rupiah Banda to announce the dissolution of parliament, and subsequently announce the date of elections.
Recently, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema called on president Banda to immediately dissolve parliament and announce the date for elections in order to create a level playing field for campaigns.

Mr Hichilema pointed to the fact some government ministers who are members of parliament are still using government resources to campaign because parliament has not yet been dissolved.

And Mr. Chanda called on both private and public media organisations to be impartial when reporting on issues concerning this year’s elections to avoid misleading the public.

Mr. Chanda also noted that the media in the country had a sole obligation of informing, educating and entertaining the public in a fair and truthful manner to enable them make informed decisions.

He further cautioned media houses taking sides with certain political parties to desist from doing so if democracy was to flourish in the country.

He said journalists across the country should strictly observe media ethics to benefit all the citizens in Zambia.

‘We know that some media bodies have a tendency of taking sides with some political parties during elections. This is unethical and all those media houses that are in this habit should stop with immediate
effect,” he warned.

He said Zambians have been living in peace for a long time now hence the media should not be seen to perpetuate violence in the country.

Mr. Chanda also appealed to all political parties participating in this year’s elections to have confidence in the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as it was the only body mandated to conduct and monitor elections in the country.

He wondered why some political parties have a tendency of criticising the Commission whenever the country held elections.

He said the ECZ was working hard to administer elections in the country hence it needed the support of all stakeholders.

ZANIS

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says Zambia needs to work hard to ensure that the country’s population growth tallies with the growth of the economy.

UNFPA country representative Duah Owusu- Sarfo says the economy is expected to triple more than the growth of the population as this is key in fighting poverty but that this has not been the case for Zambia which has its annual economic growth standing at about 6 percent per year.

Mr. Owusu- Sarfo noted that the Zambia’s population growth stands at 2.8 percent per annum and that the economic growth should therefore be in the range of about 9 percent per annum.

He added that the country has continued to register a boom in population growth because of improved health care in the country.

Mr. owusu-sarfo was speaking during a press briefing to mark the world population day under the theme the world at seven billion: Zambia at 13 million.

At the same occasion chief planner in the Ministry of Finance and National Planning Mainga Luwabelwa said the government is aware of the fact that the population growth the country has continued to record requires commitment of more resources to sectors such as health and education.

And central Statistical office census manager Richard Banda observed that the country population is most likely to grow from the current 13 million to 26 million in the next 25 years if it maintains the growth of about 2.8 percent per year.
[ QFM ]

MMD Chairman for Elections Gabriel Namulambe says President Rupiah Banda will not be pushed to announce the election date by some desperate members of the opposition.

Mr. Namulambe says the announcement of the election date is the President’s constitutional prerogative.

He was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka on Sunday.

And Mr. Namulambe says it is ill conceived for anyone to assume that cabinet is operating illegally because parliament only adjourned sine die and has not been dissolved.

He also says the process of short listing parliamentary candidates to stand in this year’s elections on the MMD ticket is on course.

[ ZNBC ]

SUPER 8

In the summer of 1979, a group of teenagers were making a movie, when they witnessing a mysterious train crash. They begin noticing strange happenings going around in their small town, and begin to investigate the creepy phenomenon. It was directed by J.J Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg.

PRO’S

• Great acting, especially by the main character Joe lamb (Joel Courtney). Each character was unique and brought something to the movie.
• The relationship between Joe and his father, Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler), was portrayed excellently, as well as the love story between Joe and Alice (Elle Fanning).
• The scene with the train crash was amazing.

CON’S

• The movie has a slow start and takes a while to know what the story is about.
• The ending of the movie was too predictable.
• You don’t really get a good look at the alien ,which is kind of a letdown.

CONCLUSION

Despite a slow start, as the movie gets going you will be gripped by the mysterious story of what is happening in the small town and why the air force is there.

After watching it ,i was left wondering why is was called Super 8. Apparently its the name of the film(super 8mm film) the teenagers were using to make their movie…….. They should have given this movie a more suitable name.

It is not as memorable as other Spielberg productions like E.T, but It was still an entertaining movie although the ending was quite      anti-climactic.

FAVORITE QUOTES

Martin: Am I the only one here who doesn’t know what we’re talking about?

Cary: Probably, Smartin.

Martin: I don’t like it when you call me that!

Cary: I’m sorry, Smartin. Let’s go cry about it.

Dr. Woodward: Do not speak of this. You don’t know what is happening here. If they find you, you and your parents will be killed.

Charles: Mint!

RATING

3 out of 5

BY KAPA187

VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda has castigated Chipata Central member of Parliament and former deputy minister of Works and Supply Lameck Mangani for stabbing the MMD in the back.

And the Forum for Leadership Search (FLS) says Mr Mangani’s departure from the MMD is part of the party’s self-cleansing process through which undesirable elements are leaving on their own.

Mr. Kunda said in Lundazi district yesterday President Banda had entrusted Mr. Mangani with various responsibilities, including ministerial portfolios, but the man was a disappointment.

He was speaking when he addressed a public rally at which over 500 members of different political parties defected to the MMD.

He warned the people against listening to Mr. Mangani, whom he said intends to visit the district to sell PF president Michael Sata as a presidential candidate.

Mr Kunda described Mr. Sata as a product which is not sellable because he has nothing to offer to the Zambian people.

He also wondered why Colonel Panji Kaunda has been going round campaigning against President Banda for no apparent reason.

And mr. Lifwekelo says the departure of mr. Mangani from the MMD is part of the party’s self-cleansing process through which undesirable elements are leaving on their own.

And Copperbelt task force co-ordinator Prince Robert Mushili has described Mr Mangani and other former ministers who have left the MMD such as George Mpombo, Mbita Chitala, Mike Mulongoti and Sylvia Masebo as traitors who cannot be trusted.

Mr Lifwekelo said in Lusaka at the weekend it is good that the undesirable elements are finding it difficult to remain in the MMD because it is a strong party with credible leaders.

He said Mr Mangani was excess baggage in the MMD, and just done the party “a big favour” by leaving on his own.

Mr Lifwekelo said Mr Mangani had never accepted his demotion from the position of minister of Home Affairs, and his departure was therefore expected.

“His departure is good riddance because the MMD is going through what can be termed as self-cleansing. It is good because it is helping to cleanse the party of selfish and incompetent individuals such as Mangani, Mpombo and (Chongwe member of Parliament ) Masebo,” he said.

Mr Lifwekelo said President Banda dropped Mr Mangani from his Cabinet portfolio because of his own incompetence, and advised the former minister not to hate the President for making the wise decision.

“Mr Mangani and other selfish leaders who have left the MMD have found solace in the Patriotic Front because it has become a dumping ground which accepts such frustrated and undisciplined characters,” he said.

And Prince robert said Mr Mangani belongs to a group of traitors who were working against the MMD while in the party.

“To (PF president Michael) Sata and PF sympathisers, my warning is that they should not be excited by the departure of Mangani, Mpombo, Mulongoti and Masebo because they are a bunch of traitors who are ungrateful to the MMD, which has made them what they are today,” he said.

Prince robert warned Zambian youths not to vote for such leaders because they are unreliable.

Mr Mangani announced his resignation from the MMD last week.

In January, he was captured in a photograph published by the Sunday Mail having a drink with former minister of Lands Judith Kapijimpanga a few days after her defection to the PF.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has warned the youths in Kitwe’s Wusakile township not to treat as mere speculation allegations that the Patriotic Front (PF) plans to send youths to war-torn Afghanistan when it wins this year’s tripartite elections.

And alert MMD security personnel yesterday foiled an attempt by some unruly PF cadres to disrupt a public rally Ms Siliya was addressing in Kitwe’s Wusakile township.

Ms Siliya said during a public rally at Wusakile grounds yesterday Zambians should ensure PF president Michael Sata does not ascend to power because he plans to ship the youths to Afghanistan if he wins this year’s elections.

“Mr Sata lies that he will create employment for the youths within 90 days if he wins this year’s elections. Don’t be cheated; Mr Sata will take the youths to war-torn countries such as Afghanistan. Those are the jobs he will create for you,” Ms Siliya said.

She said the PF leader plans to legalise homosexuality should he win this year’s elections.

Ms Siliya said the Copperbelt will continue to lag in development if the people vote for Mr Sata.

“North-Western , Southern and Eastern provinces will continue developing while the Copperbelt will lag because the people here do not appreciate the good things that Government is doing. You will continue sending your children to work in other places like the mines in Solwezi if you vote for PF,” Ms Siliya said.

She said she is confident the MMD will win this year’s elections because people in rural areas appreciate the free distribution of fertiliser under farmer input support programme (FISP), which has enabled them to grow food for their families.

Ms Siliya also said Mr Sata is allegedly depressed because it is now clear that he will lose this year’s elections.

Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training Peter Daka warned that the PF will grab the title deeds President Banda and late President Frederick Chiluba gave the sitting residents of Wusakile township under the MMD’s home empowerment policy if Mr Sata wins this year’s elections.

Mr Daka said the PF will reverse the economic gains the country has recorded.

MMD Copperbelt province chairman Joseph Chilambwe described Mr Sata as a violent man who should not be allowed to rule the country.

And alert MMD security personnel yesterday foiled an attempt by some unruly suspected PF cadres to disrupt a public rally Ms Siliya was addressing in Kitwe’s Wusakile township.

The MMD security personnel swung into action and subdued the suspected PF cadres who displayed the PF symbol while running around the arena where Ms Siliya was addressing the rally in an attempt to distract her from speaking.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

The National Restoration Party (NAREP) has called on the judiciary in the country to play an active role in ensuring free and fair elections later this year.

NAREP Secretary General John Phiri told Qfm that the fact the judiciary has been at the center of controversy in the elections aftermath calls for urgent improvement in the way they handle election related cases.

Mr. Phiri said as the final institution for conflict resolution, the judiciary should strive to ensure that any disputes that may arise after the forthcoming elections are dealt with in a manner that does not arouse discontent among political players.

And Mr. Phiri has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson justice Irene Mambilima to put the ECZ’s house in order to avoid complaints of foul play after the polls.

The opposition party leader adds that Justice Mambilima has enough experience after being at the helm of the country’s electoral body in the 2006 general elections.

He says this time around Zambians expect an improved and more transparent electoral commission ahead of the polls.

[QFM]