MMD National Secretary Richard Kachingwe has also called on Journalists to attend any MMD function without fear of intimidation adding that the party will
guarantee them total protection.

Major Kachingwe said that MMD regretted the beating up of a Muvi TV crew by alleged MMD cadres in Lusaka West. He said the beating was uncalled for and has distanced his party from the same.

He said the party is still investigating whether the people involved were MMD cadres but has however condemned the beatings. Major. Kachingwe told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka that the party believes in media freedom and does not allow its cadres to harass any journalists.

He said the MMD is known to have introduced media freedom and takes the media as its partners. The MMD Chief Executive labeled the attacks on the journalists as criminal and called on the police to bring the culprits to book.

He advised people to distinguish between party functions and criminal functions. Major Kachingwe also urged the public to be aware of some opposition cadres who masquerade as members of the party when they are involved in such fracas with the view of denting the image of the ruling party.

He has meanwhile, reiterated that the party will always uphold peace ahead of this year’ general elections.

And the Police Service has since arrested 46 people in connection with the beating of Muvi Television journalists in Nakachenje area in Lusaka West on Monday.

Police spokesperson Ndandula Siamana says 26 out of the 46 are women.

Ms. Siamana said that the two men among the suspects have been identified as political cadres and have been charged with assault.

She has told ZNBC in Lusaka that the rest of the suspects have been charged with criminal trespass and obtaining money by false pretence.

Ms. Siamana has warned that the Zambia Police will deal sternly with anyone that will abrogate the law.

On Monday, a Muvi Television News Crew was beaten by unknown people as they went to cover a land wrangle in Nakachenje area in Lusaka West.

ZANIS

Former MMD chairperson for elections Mike Mulongoti says the adopted MMD parliamentary candidates in Lusaka have guaranteed the opposition outright victory.

Mr. Mulongoti says the MMD adopted candidates have an uphill battle to convince the people to vote for them.

He describes some of the adopted parliamentary candidates as walkovers incapable of winning an election.

Mr. Mulongoti has further questioned Luapula Member of Parliament Peter Machungwa’s decision to vie for the Kabwata seat instead of re-contesting his Luapula seat.

In an interview with QFM, Mr. Mulongoti, who recently endorsed the candidature of Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata, say Dr Machungwa’s decision is an indication stated that he neglected people of Luapula Province.

Meanwhile, the opposition Patriotic Front has started interviews for the selection of parliamentary and local Government candidates for the forthcoming general elections.

PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has confirmed the development to ZNBC news in Lusaka.

The provincial interviews follow the conclusion of the selection process at constituency and district levels.

Mr Kabimba says the Central Committee ,which is the highest party organ will meet to look at the recommendations from Constituencies, Districts and Provinces once interviews of aspiring candidates have been concluded.

On Monday Mr Kabimba said the adoption process of candidates for the parliamentary and local government election is expected to be concluded by this month end.

QFM/ZNBC

The ruling MMD has become the first political party to announce adopted Members of Parliament to contest on its ticket in this year’s election.

And the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) has adopted six opposition Patriotic Front and two United Party for National Development UPND MPs to contest on its ticket.

Others include National Democratic Focus (NDF) President Ben Mwila who is standing in Nchelenge Constituency while nominated Finance and National Planning Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane is standing in Liuwa constituency.

The six PF MPs are Bahati’s Besa Chimbaka who is also Luapula Province Minister, Dr Jacob Choongo (Mwense), Dr. Peter Machungwa (Luapula) who is now standing in Kabwata, Faustina Sinyangwe (Matero), Majory Mwape who has been fielded in Munali constituency in Lusaka and Elizabeth Mulobeka Chitika will re-contest her Kawambwa seat.

Expelled Namwala UPND MP Major Robbie Chizhyuka will re-contest his seat on the MMD ticket and so will another UPND bigwig Josephine Limata who will re-contest the Luampa constituency seat on the ruling party ticket.

UNIP’s Mkhondo Lungu is standing in Lundazi and FDD’s Levy Ngoma will contest the Sinda seat.

Katanshi and Kasama central constituencies’ adoptions have been deferred.

President Rupiah Banda announced this to ZANIS last evening after a full NEC meeting that sat at State House to finalise the selection of names in the morning.

“I’m pleased to announce the full list of adopted parliamentary candidates for the MMD as adopted by a full MMD NEC which sat today at State House,” announced President Banda in a press statement released to ZANIS last evening by his Special Assistant for Political Affairs Dr. Francis Chigunta.

Seasoned politicians from both the ruling and opposition members who have also been adopted include Patrick Ngoma (Feira), Donald Chilufya (Chawama), Muhabi Lungu (Lusaka Central), Major Celestino Chibamba (Shiwang’andu) and David Diangamo (Itezhi-Tezhi)

New entrants include Japhen Mwakalombe (Chongwe), Dr. Carnitius Banda (Mandevu), Rosaria Fundanga (Chilubi), Chileshe Kapwepwe (Chinsali), Mwalimu Simfukwe (Mbala), Laiven Apuleni (Mbabala) and Joshua Simuyandi (Pemba).

Others are Trymore Mwenda (Chikankata), Dr. Victor Mukonka (Monze Central), Noah Siasimuna (Siavonga), Muti Beyani (Sinazongwe) and Charles Mututwa for Senanga Central among others. The rest of the MMD current MPs have maintained their seats in this year’s adoption process.

Ronal Mukuma (Kabompo MP), Gunston Sichilima (Mbala MP) and Charles Shawa for Feira are among those who have not been adopted this year.

Meanwhile, President Banda who is also MMD President observed that the selection process was transparent, meticulous and highly competitive.

He congratulated the adopted candidates and wished them success in their campaigns in this year’s polls.

Mr. Banda appealed to MMD aspirants who have not been adopted to continue supporting the ruling party and not retreat into bitterness.

“The unsuccessful aspirants should note that the selection process was a balanced collective exercise involving the entire party through NEC,” President Banda said.

He urged all the MMD members to put the interests of the party above their own and campaign vigorously to ensure that the ruling party wins this year tripartite elections.

THE FULL LIST

Number Constituency Candidate adopted
1 Chisamba Moses Muteteka
2 Katuba Dr Patrick Chikusu
3 Keembe Lt Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha
4 Bwacha Godfrey Pende
5 Kabwe Central Jane Chileshe
6 Kapiri-Mposhi Lawrence Zimba
7 Mkushi North Sydney Chisenga
8 Mkushi South Musonda K. Mutale
9 Mwembeshi Bornwell Matawe
10 Mumbwa Dr Brian Chituwo
11 Nangoma Prof. Luke Kanyomeka
12 Chitambo Mushili Malama
13 Muchinga George Kunda
14 Serenje Maxwell Kabanda
15 Chililabombwe Trudy Ng’andu
16 Chingola Severine Kazenene
17 Nchanga Mwape Christon
18 Kalulushi Spartan Musowoya
19 Chimwemwe Ronald Manenga
20 Kamfinsa Itayi Chinkuli
21 Kwacha Joe Malanji
22 Nkana Divo Katete
23 Wusakili Pavyuma Kalobo
24 Luanshya Simon Kachimba
25 Roan Goodward Mulubwa
26 Kankoyo Shadreck Musozya
27 Kantanshi Deferred
28 Mufulira Evans Chibanda
29 Kafulafuta E. Chishimba
30 Lufwanyama Anne Chungu
31 Masaiti Michael Katambo
32 Mpongwe Gabriel Namulambe
33 Bwana Mkubwa Kelvin Chaume
34 Chifubu Frank Ng’ambi
35 Kabushi Rapson Kopulande
36 Ndola Central Emmanuel Mulenga
37 Chadiza Allan Mbewe
38 Vubwi Dr Eustarckio Kazonga
39 Chama North Darius Mumba
40 Chama South George Lungu
41 Chipangali Vincent Mwale
42 Chipata Central Mtolo Phiri
43 Kasenengwa Victoria Kalima
44 Luangeni Angella Cifire
45 Milanzi Whiteson Banda
46 Mkaika David Phiri
47 Sinda Levy Ngoma
48 Chasefu Yotam H. Banda
49 Lumezi Isaac Banda
50 Lundazi Mkhondo Lungu
51 Malambo Maxwell Mwale
52 Nyimba Forrie Tembo
53 Kapoche Nicholas Banda
54 Msanzala Peter daka
55 Petauke Central Dora Siliya
56 Kawambwa Elizabeth Mulobeka
57 Mwansabombwe Sunday Maluba
58 Pambashe Dr Bulangeti Chisha
59 Bahati Besa Chimbaka
60 Chembe Mwansa Mbulakulima
61 Mansa Central Dr Chitalu Chilufya
62 Chipili J. Kapungwe
63 Mambilima John Chinyanta
64 Mwense Dr Jacob Chongo
65 Chiengi M Mampi
66 Nchelenge Beny Y. Mwila
67 Bangweulu Sylvester Chifwembe
68 Chifunabululi Chiliyea Kapekele
69 Luapula Daniel Chisala
70 Kafue Bradford Machila
71 Feira Patrick Ngoma
72 Chilanga Keith Mutaka
73 Chongwe Japhen Mwakalombe
74 Rufunsa Kenneth Chipungu
75 Chawama Donald Chilufya
76 Kabwata Dr Peter Machungwa
77 Kanyama Yohane Mwanza
78 Lusaka Central Muhabi Lungu
79 Mandevu Dr Carnicius Banda
80 Matero Faustina Sinyangwe
81 Munali Majory Mwape
82 Chilubi Rosaria Fundanga
83 Chinsali Chileshe Kapwepwe
84 Shiwang’andu Major Celestino Chibamba
85 Isoka East Catherine Namugala
86 Isoka West Paul Sichamba
87 Nakonde Clever Silavwe
88 Chimbamilonga Brian Sikazwe
89 Kaputa Mutale Nalumango
90 Kasama Central Deferred
91 Lukasha Benard Mpundu
92 Malole Humphrey Musonda
93 Lubasenshi George Mwamba
94 Lupososhi Albert Mulonga
95 Mbala Mwalimu Simfukwe
96 Mpulungu Given Mung’omba
97 Senga Hill Kapembwa Simbao
98 Kanchibiya Sunday Chanda
99 Mfuwe M. Songolo
100 Mpika Central Danny Chisanga
101 Lunte Felix Mutati
102 Mporokoso Brian Mundubile
103 Chavuma Kenneth Konga
104 Kabompo East Danny Chingimbu
105 Kabompo West Daniel Kalenga
106 Kasempa Kabinga Pande
107 Mufumbwe Stephen Masumba
108 Mwinilunga East Newton Samakayi
109 Mwinilunga West Elijah Muchima
110 Solwezi Central Lucky Mulusa
111 Solwezi East Richard Taima
112 Solwezi West Humphrey Mwanza
113 Zambezi East Sarah Sayifwanda
114 Zambezi West Prisca C. Pulu
115 Choma Siachona Simalonga
116 Mbabala Laiven Apuleni
117 Pemba Joshua Simuyandi
118 Gwembe Chisangano Malungo
119 Dundumwezi Sebastian Hambokoma
120 Kalomo Central Sikaduli J. Munsaka
121 Katombora Jelasi Barthlomew Sikonda
122 Mapatizya Lloyd Jembo
123 Livingstone Lukolo Katombola
124 Chikankata Trymore Mwenda
125 Magoye Bevin Mweene
126 Mazabuka Central Maxwell Mwiinga
127 Bweengwa Bbuku Tsibu
128 Monze Central Dr Victor Mukonka
129 Moomba Isabel Nanja
130 Itezhi Tezhi David Diangamo
131 Namwala Robby Chizyuka
132 Siavonga Noah Siasimuna
133 Sinazongwe Muti Beyani
134 Kalabo Central Richard Mwapela
135 Liuwa Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane
136 Sikongo Mundia Ndalamei
137 Kaoma Central Austin Liato
138 Luampa Josephine Limata
139 Mangango Mwendoi Akakandelwa
140 Lukulu East Dr Christopher Kalila
141 Lukulu West Misheck Mutelo
142 Luena Mwangala Mwaopo
143 Mongu Central Joseph Mulyata
144 Nalikwanda Pro. G. Lungwangwa
145 Nalolo Mrs Catherine Akayombokwa
146 Senanga Central Charles Mututwa
147 Sinjembela Mubika Mubika
148 Mulobezi Michael Mabenga : CORRECTED
149 Mwandi Michael Kaingu
150 Sesheke Frank Kufakwandi

ZANIS

Government has strongly condemned the harassment and beating up of Journalists from Muvi Television by some suspected MMD cadres in Lusaka West yesterday.

Chief Government Spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha says beating up of Journalists amounts to lawlessness, is undemocratic and unacceptable to government.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said the Government of President Rupiah Banda has come out openly in support of the media which he said is the country’s fourth estate.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said this in a statement in Lusaka today.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said government remains a firm proponent of freedom of the media as part of the continued growth of the country’s democracy.

The Minister warned that government will not allow anarchy in the nation as the country approaches a sensitive period of the general elections.

He has since advised political activists and the public at large to respect Journalists and restrain themselves from engaging in any manner of harassment and violence against media practitioners .

He stressed that information is the hallmark of any democratic society adding that Journalists should be free to gather and disseminate information to the public without intimidation and harassment .

The Minister stated that there are adequate administrative and legal avenues in the country which aggrieved members of the public could pursue instead of resorting to taking the law into their own hands.

The Chief Government Spokesperson reiterated government’s position that perpetrators of violence against Journalists will be met by the full force of the law.

QFM

Kitwe high court has squashed a bail application by a convicted 59 year old man of Ndola who is charged with having carnal knowledge of a 12 year old school girl against the order of nature.

According to a statement of offence, Grey Servana 59 years, committed unnatural offence contrary to section 155(1) of the penal code Chapter 87 as amended no.15 of 2005

The particulars of the offence are that Servana on November 5, 2009 in Chingola had carnal knowledge of a 12 years old girl against the order of nature.

Servana on the material day sodomised the minor at his garage in Chingola.

He was convicted and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Kitwe High Court in May this year and applied for bail pending an appeal in the Supreme Court.

Servana stated in his ground of appeal that the lower court erred and misdirected itself when it held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt when the weight of the evidence did not go to support such findings.

But the state opposed the application stating that the court had jurisdiction to admit a convict to bail pending appeal. The state also argued that the application ought to be exercised judiciously.

The defence urged the court to exercise its inherent discretion and admit the application to bail pending appeal as the state would not suffer prejudice.

In making her ruling Judge Judy Mulongoti said the issues raised in the applicants affidavit as bad health and ability to find sureties were not special circumstances.

Judge Mulongoti said the bail pending trial is liberally granted as a right as it’s not the case with bail pending appeal.

She stated that the prospect of success of appeal may be considered as a special circumstance and did not see it as such in this matter.

Judge Mulongoti said accordingly she has exercised her discretion and refuse to grant the application for bail pending appeal.

[ ZANIS ]

Patriotic Front Shiwangandu Member of Parliament Celestino Chibamba has resigned from the opposition PF to join the ruling MMD.

Major Chibamba’s resignation comes barely a week after Mufulira Central MP Marjorie Mwape ditched the opposition party to join the MMD.

Major Chibamba says he has resigned from the PF because the party and its leadership of Mr Sata have nothing to offer to the country.

He says the country cannot risk putting the leadership mantle in Mr Sata’s hands because the PF leader is petty and is too preoccupied with crticising the development of President Banda.

Major Chibamba says he has joined the MMD because President Rupiah Banda has demonstrated a clear vision of developing the country as seen in the last few years.

Major Chibamba has told ZNBC News in an interview that he cannot risk being a member of the PF when the MMD under President Banda has delivered development to the satisfaction of the Zambian people.

ZNBC