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MMD denies using State resources to campaign

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MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe
MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe

THE MMD says it does not use public funds to pursue political activities in the country as alleged by United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema.

And MMD national secretary Richard Kachingwe has advised politicians to allow President Banda to make decisions concerning elections without undue influence.

Major Kachingwe said in Lusaka yesterday that the MMD does not get funding from government and that none of its ministers use public funds to conduct party functions.

He said it is wrong for Mr Hichilema to make such allegations because it is not true that the MMD uses public resources to carry out party functions.

“Our ministers are not abusing resources because the MMD has money. We use party resources to carry out party duties,” Maj Kachingwe said.

He said the MMD does not have to explain to anyone whenever it releases funds to party members because the funds are not public.

Mr Hichilema said yesterday on Hot FM Radio that President Banda is delaying the dissolution of Parliament because he wants his ministers to continue using government resources.

And Maj Kachingwe says President Banda should not be forced to make any pronouncements regarding elections.

He said the President makes decisions in the interest of the people and not to please a few individuals who have not prepared adequately for the polls.

Maj Kachingwe said the President has made it clear that he is still in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and that at an appropriate time, he will dissolve Parliament and announce the election date.

“I think people should not force President Banda to make an announcement on elections because he is still consulting,” Maj Kachingwe said.

Mulongoti caned for calling Shikapwasha a Reverend of Satan

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Mike Mulongoti
Mike Mulongoti

THE Evangelical Youth Alliance International says it is inhumane for former minister of Works and Supply Mike Mulongoti to call a clergyman of Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha’s calibre as a reverend of Satan.

The organisation’s president, Moses Lungu, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday it is disappointing for Mr Mulongoti, who is a son of a reverend, to demean an ordained minister such as Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha.

Mr Mulongoti was recently quoted in the media as having referred to Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, as a reverend of Satan.

“Mr Mulongoti, being a son of late reverend Isaiah Mulongoti, should set a good example to the young generation that the language he used to describe Gen Shikapwasha is unpalatable,” Reverend Lungu said.

He said it is disappointing that such language can come from a former Cabinet minister.

Rev Lungu said Mr Mulongoti should not resort to insulting Cabinet ministers and the MMD because he has fallen out of favour with the ruling party.

He said Mr Mulongoti is frustrated because he did not expect to leave Government soon.

Rev Lungu also said it is not right for the former Cabinet minister to complain about the operations of the public media when he allegedly abused it when he was minister of Information and Broadcasting Services.

He said the public media has been fair in its coverage, but it is people such as Mr Mulongoti who want to mislead the nation that it is biased.

Rev Lungu said the public media has the mandate to provide the public with information that will help to maintain peace and stability in the country.

He said some sections of the media have created an impression that President Banda’s administration is not delivering on its development agenda, which is not true.

He said it is the mandate of the public media to properly inform the public on the developmental projects Government is undertaking.

Rev Lungu also said it is not fair for the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to accuse the public media of being biased.

He said LAZ should rise above pettiness when commenting on media coverage and give fair guidance on such matters.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Mangani fails to pay rent, sued

Guest Editor
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THE Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) has sued former Deputy Minister of Works and Supply Lameck Mangani for non-payment of rent arrears for his Chipata residence amounting to K37 million.

According to a writ of summons obtained by the Zambia Daily Mail issued by the Chipata High Court and served on Mr Mangani yesterday by Fred Jere and Company, the former Chipata Central member of Parliament has not paid the outstanding amount accruing from 2009.

Mr Mangani has been given a 14-day ultimatum to respond to the suit, from the date of service of the writ of summons.

Details of the claim case number 2011/HJ/18 in the Chipata High Court are that Mr Mangani owes TBZ a total sum of K37 million rent arrears in respect of Plot number 1463 Umodzi Highway, Chipata, which the former minister is occupying.

The statement of claim indicates that the rent arrears have accumulated from K7,450,000 in 2009 to K37 million as at July this year.

The plaintiff has asked the Chipata High Court to order Mr Mangani’s eviction from the house, pay the arrears in full with interest and costs of the action.

The statement of claim also states that the plaintiff, was at all material times a registered and statutory board which runs the tobacco industry in Zambia.

Mr Mangani was at all material times a tenant in the plaintiff’s house situated on Plot 1463 Umodzi Highway, Chipata.

“The defendant has ignored several demands from the plaintiff to settle the outstanding amount and to express interest to renew the lease agreement which expired on December 31, 2010, hence the need for immediate possession of the house,” the statement of claim reads in part.

And investigations by the Zambia Daily Mail have revealed that the house whose rent arrears have totalled K37 million, is currently being occupied by Mr Mangani’s second wife Mary who is a former Catholic nun.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

No Change of government- Siliya advises

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Education Minister and MMD Party Spokesperson Dora Siliya
Education Minister and MMD Party Spokesperson Dora Siliya

MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has criticized people advocating for change of government in Zambia saying they have no heart for the country and the sufferings of the people.

Speaking when she met heads of government departments, parastatal organizations, civil society groups and NGO’s in Mufulira over the weekend, Ms Siliya said the MMD government under the leadership of President Rupiah Banda has scored tremendous strides in developing the country.

Ms. Siliya further said the MMD government under the able leadership of President Banda has reduced poverty among Zambians, a reason she said Zambians need to maintain the current government beyond this years’ general elections.

She said the MMD has changed party leaders and ministers over the past years it has been in power unlike some opposition political parties that have had the same leaders for over ten years.

She urged the people of Zambia to judge the MMD based on what they have done in terms of development as they call for change of government.

She further noted that Zambians should judge the MMD based on what the party’s political opponents have done and what they are capable of doing.

Ms Siliya cited some opposition political leaders that are advocating for legalization of homosexuality in the country and wondered if that is the change the people of Zambia needed.

She said change of government should only be done when the current one fails and not just calling for change without serious reasoning.

She however stressed that the MMD under the leadership of President Banda has not failed because it was revamping all sectors of the economy among them the increase in investments in the mining sector, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure development.
[ZANIS]

Nakonde investments cheer Chieftainess Nawaitwika

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Chieftainess Nawaitwika of the Namwanga people of Nakonde district in Northern Province says she is impressed with the Government’s sourced investment into the border town.

Chieftainess Nawaitwika said she has been hearing and seeing on the television some other areas in the country where investors are doing quite a lot in terms of development.

She said it is a privilege for Nakonde residents to have investors whose projects will benefit many people in the chiefdom and improve their living standards.

Chieftainess Nawaitwika was speaking in Nakonde on Tuesday at Mwetwa Conference Hall in a speech read on her behalf by her representative Kingfred Siame during the signing ceremony of a US$450 million biofuel project Investment Promotion and Protecion Agreement (IPPA) between the Government of the Republic of Zambia and Kaidi Biomass Zambia Limited (KBZ).

Commerce Minister Felix Mutati signed on behalf of Government while Tao Bihua signed on behalf of KBZ.

Chieftainess Nawaitwika applauded Government through the Ministry of Commerce for partnering with Biomass Zambia Limited which has come to invest in Nakonde and Isoka districts.

She said that it is her prayer that this programme will not just end at signing papers but be operationalised as soon as possible.

The traditional ruler said she is optimistic that when this programme starts, it will create employment to the people of Nakonde.

“This programme will also bring infrastructure development, poverty reduction and other multiplying effects that will boost our local economy and indeed Zambia as a whole,” said Chieftainess Nawaitwika.

Meanwhile, chieftainess Nawaitwika has commended Government for various developmental projects it was undertaking in the border town.

She named the construction of the water dam, district hospital and the one-stop-border as some of the projects that will greatly benefit the local people and thanked President Rupiah Bwezani Banda for supporting Nakonde district with developmental projects worth billions of kwacha.

Chieftainess Nawaitwika also appealed to the people of Nakonde and all peace loving Zambians to maintain peace and order as the country goes to the polls sometime this year.

And representative of Chief Katyetye of the Tambo people of Isoka district, James Silomba said people in the area are excited with the biofuel project that he said will completely change their lives.

Chief Katyetye said people in his chiefdom are indebted to President Banda for sourcing the multi million dollar investement for the people of Nakonde and Isoka districts.

And a Councillor where the project will be located in Nakonde district said people in his ward are happy with Government for its continued efforts in bringing development to rural parts of the country.

Morton Silomba who is an MMD ward Councillor said people in the area have welcomed the investment and are willing to work together with the investor to bring about meaningful development to the area.

Phase one of the Biomass project which is set to commence immediately includes setting up of biofuels feedstock plantations, construction of biofuels processing plants, construction of biomass power plants, and construction of local infrastructure such as houses, roads, electricity and schools among others in both Nakonde and Isoka districts.
[ZANIS]

I was humiliated by my colleagues in the party – Mangani

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Lameck Mangani
Lameck Mangani

Former Works and Supply Deputy Minister Lameck Mangani has cited his loss at the just ended MMD convention as one of the reasons for his resignation.

Mr Mangani who was vying for the position of MMD National Chairman at the convention says he felt humiliated by the way his colleagues in the party treated him.

The Chipata Central MP says that he had been consulting with several friends in the political arena over a week before he arrived at his decision to resign.

Mr Mangani told ZNBC News in Chipata on Thursday that he will soon announce his next action.

He says his decision was not born out of personal vendetta against president Rupiah Banda but was purely based on principle.

And MMD founding member Chisala Chilufya says Residents of Chipata feel betrayed by Mr Mangani’s resignation because he was considered a close friend to president Rupiah Banda.

He adds that Mr Mangani’s resignation has not shaken the party in Chipata and that the area remains an MMD stronghold.

[ZNBC]

President Banda welcomes re-classification of Zambia as a middle income country

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President Rupiah Banda talks to Education Deputy Minister Boniface Kawimbe as Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma (center) looks on before he left for South Sudan at Lusaka1 International Airport
FLASHBACK: President Rupiah Banda talks to Education Deputy Minister Boniface Kawimbe as Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma (center) looks on before he left for South Sudan at Lusaka1 International Airport

President Rupiah Banda has welcomed the reclassification of Zambia as a middle income country by the World Bank.

The President has pledged to ensure that Zambians start feeling the benefits of better salaries and standards of living.

He says this will be done through having a stable economy which will create jobs, increase foreign investment and eradicate poverty.

President Banda says the reclassification reinforces his achievement in building a better future for all Zambians.

The President says the World Bank’s decision is the latest in a long line of economic achievements which are directly having a positive impact on the Zambian people.

President Banda says Zambia’s economy is delivering growth of more than seven percent despite continued recession in many parts of the world.

He says his Government is also in the process of establishing multi-facility economic zones and industrial parks to promote the manufacturing sector.

This is contained in a statement issued to ZNBC News by Special Assistant to the President Dickson Jere.

Zambia has been named by the World Bank as a new middle income country together with Ghana.

The Banks latest assessment for this year ranks Zambia 27th and Ghana 28th.

ZNBC
EDITOR’ NOTE

Can Read more on http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jul/12/world-bank-reclassifies-28-poor-countries

Kitwe Juveniles convicted of killing Bar tender

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THE Kitwe High Court has convicted two juveniles for manslaughter after allegedly causing the death of a Kitwe man over alcohol, they will be sentenced next week after receiving a social report from the social welfare department.

High Court Judge Catherine Makungu convicted the two juveniles aged 18 and 19 after she found them guilty of manslaughter for allegedly causing the death of Mutale Makumba on November 25 last year.

The juveniles were charged with murder but the court found them guilty of manslaughter.

In delivering judgment, Justice Makungu noted that the juveniles were drunk, unruly and were angered by the deceased refusal to sell them beer.

She was satisfied that the accused persons had a common skim to attack and assault the deceased whom they left at the scene after killing him and died of internal bleeding and brain damage.

Evidence in court was that the juveniles, who are cousins were drinking at a bar in Mulenga Township and when beer was sold out, the duo decided to go to Twesheko bar where the deceased and his nephew Emmanuel Chansa were.

When the juveniles reached Twesheko bar they were informed that they could not be sold the beer and that was when one of them threw a stone at the late Mr Makumba.

The court heard that the deceased gave chase until he got hold of one of them who started calling his other colleagues for help and that was how they all started beating the deceased.

The deceased who was later found lying near Mulenga market was pronounced dead at Kitwe Central Hospital.

In mitigation, the juveniles through legal aid senior counsel Humphery Mweemba said they were still youths with a possible chance of reformation if given a chance.

They said they had been in custody since December last year and that the period had taught them a lesson as they had found themselves in such circumstances because of engaging in beer drinking.

The court will sentence the two on July 22 after receiving a social report from the social welfare department.

Woman jailed after cutting off husband’s penis

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A Southern California woman was in jail Wednesday after allegedly drugging her husband, cutting off his penis, throwing it into the garbage disposal and turning it on, Orange County police said.
Catherine Kieu Becker put a drug or poison in her husband’s dinner Monday evening to make him sleepy, according to the initial police investigation.
“The victim went to lie down and he woke up tied to the bed with his wife tugging his clothes off,” police said. “The suspect grabbed the victim’s penis and cut it off.”
Becker told police he “deserved it” when they arrived at the scene after she called 911, the police report said. The couple is going through a divorce.
Becker, 48, was arrested for aggravated mayhem, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, administering a drug with intent to commit a felony, poisoning, and spousal abuse. She was booked into the Orange County Jail.
The 51-year-old victim, who hasn’t been identified because he is an alleged victim of spousal abuse, underwent emergency surgery at the UCI Medical Center, police said.
[CNN.COM]

FRA commences Purchase of Maize and Rice

Guest Editor
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The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has finally commenced the purchasing of maize and paddy rice from local farmers.

This is despite the current crop marketing season having started on 1st May.

FRA Marketing Information Coordinator, Joseph Mulambu says the delay is due to the crop’s moisture content.

Mr. Mulambu has explained that the crop can be bought when the moisture content is at the recommended 12.5 percent.

Meanwhile, the FRA has to date sold 536,453 metric tonnes of maize valued at over 89.7 million dollars, of which 316,197 tonnes were exports valued at 52.8 million dollars.

Mr. Mulambu says the FRA maize market included Zimbabwe, Congo D.R and other countries in the SADC and COMESA regions.

[ MUVI ]

Chipata Residents snubs Mangani

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Chipata Central Member of Parliament Lameck Mangani’s sympathisers this mornimg struggled to mobilse Chipata
residents to welcome him following his resignation from the ruling
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).

The Former Works and Supply Deputy Minister who arrived in Chipata
district expecting residents to give him a thunderous welcome was
snubbed and only a handful of people who are reported to have been
paid showed up at the Chipata airport.

ZANIS reports that efforts by his sympathisers to mobilise support
proved futile prompting them to pay taxi drivers and call boys to
masquerade as supporters.

And Chipata residents talked to by ZANIS said Mr Mangani should not
contest the Chipata central constituency seat because he had proved to be selfish by dumping the party that made him what he is today saying
he was a nobody before he joined the MMD.

Andrew Jere of Jere compound described Mr Mangani as a shameless opportunist who had failed to deliver in the MMD.

Eliness Zimba of Kapata township also expressed disappointment with Mr
Mangani saying the wise should judge him by his cunning behaviour.

Ms. Zimba stated that Mr Mangani should not be deceived that he had
support due to developments taking place in the district because these were Government-initiated and that as area MP he did nothing.

She noted that Government had been initiating a number of
developmental projects in order to facilitate the attainment of
Chipata district to a city status.

Another resident Timothy Zulu of Mchini compound said Mr Mangani’s
actions were shameful adding that people in the district had earlier
respected him but did not know that he was actually a snake.

Meanwhile the MMD in Eastern Province has accused Mr Mangani of being
an opportunist for ditching the party when elections were approaching.

MMD Provincial secretary, Ezekiel Mtonga said his resignation had
brought sanity to the party saying his presence triggered divisions
among members at constituency level.

Mr. Mtonga said Mr Mangani single handedly picked constituency
executive committee members to ensure that they paid allegiance to
him.

He stated that the party was now intact as an interim committee
had been constituted following the dissolution of the committee that
was handpicked by the area MP.

Mr. Mtonga also stated that the party had credible members who could
contest the Chipata Central Constituency seat and challenged Mr
Managani to contest on any other political party ticket so that he
could see the strength of the MMD which he said was still popular in
the province.

And speaking when he arrived at Chipata airport, Mr Mangani said his
resignation from the ruling party was not influenced by political
hatred towards President Rupiah Banda saying it was only a personal
decision.

He told reporters that he will officially announce his intentions on
Saturday and speculations are high that the former Works and Supply
Deputy Minister wants to join the opposition PF.
[ ZANIS ]

K1.3 billion CDF idle

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Livingstone Town clerk Dras Neves

About K1.3 billion Constituency Development Fund-CDF- for Livingstone has been lying idle in the bank because of leadership wrangles that rocked the council recently.

Livingstone Mayor, Aggrey Njekwa told ZNBC News in Livingstone on Wednesday that two CDF allocations have not been used.

Mayor Njekwa says lack of accountability by some recipients in the past had also contributed to the delay in the release of funds.

He however says the council has now approved thirteen projects at a total cost of K1.2Billion.

Mr. Njekwa disclosed that among the approved projects, is the fencing of the bus stop at a cost of K72million.

He has appealed for prudent use of the funds by the recipients.

Livingstone Council had been rocked by wrangles involving the former town clerk Dras Nerves and the council.

Ms Dras Nerves has since been transferred from Livingstone.
[ZNBC]

World Bank gives Zambia middle-income ranking

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THE World Bank has reclassified Zambia as a middle-income country,along with Ghana.

The World Bank says the upward adjustment in Zambia’s income growth is a result of foreign aid-driven interventions and surging prices of copper in the last few decades.

This is contained in yesterday’s edition of the United Kingdom-based newspaper, The Guardian.

“Zambia and Ghana are ranked 27th and 28th among 63 countries which the World Bank has reclassified as middle-income countries since the year 2000,” The Guardian newspaper reports.

Low-income countries are those with the average gross national income (GNIs) of less than US$1, 005 per person annually. Lower middle-income countries have per capita GNIs of between US$1,006 per year and upper middle-income countries have per capita GNIs between US$3, 976 and US$12, 275.

The UK newspaper says the World Bank did its annual assessment of poor countries last week and the new middle-income countries this year are Zambia and Ghana.

It states that the price of copper (Zambia’s major export) was depressed in the 80s and saw its price rise in the middle of the last decade as China and India’s economies grew and demand for copper soared.

The newspaper states that the World Bank country classifications which are used to help to determine types and levels of support provided by many aid agencies, need a rethink.

The middle-income countries now account for most of the world’s population living in absolute poverty and they need aid allocation models which will take account of poor people and deprivation beyond income.

On the Millennium Development Goals, the Guardian newspaper states that Zambia and Ghana have done well although the progress to attain the goals is slow.

“However, in both Ghana and Zambia, the number of children in primary school has climbed along with literacy rates and infant mortality has fallen. Even if they are not on track to meet the MDGs, quality of life is getting much better,” it states.

There are only 35 low-income countries remaining out of the countries being assessed by the world.

In March this year, Zambia was assigned a B+ sovereign credit by two internationally recognised credit agencies, Standard and Poors and Fitch.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Zambia proposes the establishment COMESA monetary body to lead to a single currency

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COMESA Secretary General Sindiso Ngwenya (r) and Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa arrive for the COMESA Ministers' meeting in Lusaka
COMESA Secretary General Sindiso Ngwenya (r) and Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa arrive for the COMESA Ministers' meeting in Lusaka

GOVERNMENT has proposed to establish a Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) tripartite monetary institute to help achieve macro economic stability in the region.

The institute will undertake preparatory work that will lead to the creation of a monetary union with a single currency for the entire region.

Minister of Defence Kalombo Mwansa said there is need to convert the monetary institute, which became operational on March 7, 2011 in Nairobi Kenya, into a tripartite monetary institute based on the spirit of the tripartite arrangement of harmonising efforts between regional economic communities.

Dr Mwansa said this during a joint meeting of COMESA Ministers of Finance and COMESA committee of governors of central banks.

He said Government hopes the tripartite integration process will continue in all integration agendas of the three Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

He said this follows the signing of the declaration that launched the negotiations for the establishment of the COMESA, Southern African Development Community and East African Community tripartite on July 12, 2011 in South Africa,

He urged COMESA to establish measures to foster financial stability and avoid activities driven by speculation and putting in place policy to regulate capital flows.

And speaking earlier, COMESA secretary-general Sindiso Ngwenya said the proposed COMESA tripartite monetary institute is necessary for the three RECs to harmonise activities, in areas of competition, financial and payment systems, capital markets and commodity exchanges.

Mr Ngwenya said COMESA must consider endorsing the Multilateral Fiscal Surveillance Framework to constrain and co-ordinate member states ‘fiscal policies in the interests of the stability and sustainability of integration process.

He said attention the region is receiving from international capital and private investors confirms the improved economic performance by the countries.

This is evidenced by some countries such as Zambia receiving sovereign credit rating or others being in the process of being rated by international credit rating agencies.

Mr Ngwenya urged COMESA to stay the course and avoid the temptation of policy reversals when short-term cyclical economic downturns are faced.

And COMESA says preparation for the operationalisation of COMESA Customs Union which was launched in December 2008 is on track.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Sale of Mamba houses based on a petition from tenants-Dickson Jere

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Special Assistant to the President for Press and public relations, Dickson Jere
Special Assistant to the President for Press and public relations, Dickson Jere

THE presidential directive on the sale of Maamba collieries houses is intended to allow those who qualify to buy the houses to do so, special assistant to the President for press and public relations Dickson Jere said in Lusaka yesterday.

Mr Jere was clearing the air over the the sale of 831 houses to sitting tenants announced during a public meeting addressed by President Banda in Maamba last Friday.

Mr Jere said in a statement that President Banda received a petition from sitting tenants of houses owned by Maamba Collieries Limited, asking him to intervene in the delay to issue letters of offer or in some cases, title deeds to tenants.

The petition is dated April 25, 2011 and signed by the representatives of the tenants.

Mr Jere said upon reading the petition, it was discovered that tenants were offered the houses following a directive by former President Frederick Chiluba in the year 2000.

He said Maamba Collieries offered sitting tenants the houses but the transaction was never concluded, especially with retirees and retrenchees.

Mr Jere said for current employees, the company deducted some money from their dues as a contribution to the purchase of the houses.

“President Banda’s directive, therefore, is to allow those who did not purchase the houses when they were offered to do so if they qualify. Further, the President has, for the first time, directed the Commissioner of Lands to give offer letters to those who qualify to purchase the houses while title deeds should be processed with immediate effect and given to tenants with offer letters and who have paid for the houses,” Mr Jere said.

On the remaining institutional houses at Maamba Collieries Limited, Mr Jere said President Banda has received a petition from sitting tenants and will respond to their request after studying the matter.

On Wednesday, the Post Newspaper quoting Nchanga member of parliament Wylbur Simuusa , reported that Rupiah Banda was not sincere about the 838 Maamba Collieries’ former houses because they were already sold.

[Zambia Daily mail]

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