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Mutembo NchitoTRIAL in a case in which Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) has sued The Post Newspaper Limited, Mutembo and Nchima Nchito, and JCN Holdings over a K14 billion loan started yesterday in the Lusaka High Court.
And a witness testified that some sectors of the Government were not comfortable with DBZ‘s involvement with Zambian Airways’ transactions and that by giving out its security, the bank suffered some peculiar losses.
Zambian Airways obtained a loan from DBZ but defaulted in paying back and parties entered into another agreement of consolidating the loan into equity shares.
However, the airline suspended its operations before the transactions were concluded.
Andrew Musukwa, a former DBZ company secretary and now a private practitioner, testified before High Court Judge Albert Wood that even if he was not privy to all the information that resulted in the bank agreeing to convert from debt to equity shares, there were contractual negotiations going on.
“In financial matters equity includes shares or a position and it is this position that JCN Holdings and the Post Newspapers undertook to buy back before the actual shares were acquired by the bank,” he said.
He said even if DBZ did not acquire the shares from Zambian Airways, it had paid for them through the loan that was given to them.
Mr Mutembo Nchito in cross-examination alleged that the Post Newspaper had indicated in a letter to DBZ that it would buy back the shares from the bank at a later stage and that the bank was disadvantaged when it gave out its security because it suffered pecuniary loss.
“The reason why DBZ gave out the security was because it realised that given the state of the company its security was safe and improved its chances of recovering,” he said.
Mr Nchito asked Mr Musukwa why DBZ did not sue the airline when it was part of the procedure but he said he was not aware because he was no longer with the bank as he had left and formed his own law firm.
UPND vice president Richard Kapita and spokesperson during a press briefing in Lusaka
UPND vice-president in charge of administration Richard Kapita has said the PF is jittery because its leaders know that the party cannot win this year’s elections.
Mr Kapita said when his party was in a pact with the PF, the latter felt superior and its officials said they could win elections without the help of the UPND.
“Since they feel that they are more popular, we granted them their wish and left the pact. So why are they complaining now?”
“The PF are now feeling the pressure because people now know what happened with the pact, and they have decided to vote for UPND and Hakainde Hichilema and not Mr Sata who has false promises. The PF should leave us alone,” he said.
Mr Kapita said it is sad that Mr Sata’s campaigns are based on character assassination.
“The PF rally in Kabwe flopped because Mr Sata was busy talking about Dr Chiluba and Dora Siliya. Our rally was a success because Mr Hichilema concentrated on issues affecting the people,” he said.
And UPND has described Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Wynter Kabimba as the number one spoiler of Zambian politics.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said in an interview yesterday that Mr Kabimba is the number one spoiler in Zambian politics who is capable of destroying even his own party, the PF.
Mr Kakoma was reacting to Mr Kabimba’s recent statement on Radio Phoenix that the UPND is participating in this year’s elections as a ‘spoiler party’.
He charged that Mr Kabimba is the one who spoiled the pact and is now in the process of destroying the PF.
“Mr Kabimba is now busy spoiling what is left of the PF. He is antagonising the MPs (members of Parliament) and senior leaders in the PF,’’ he said.
Mr Kakoma said the UPND has decided to forge ahead in politics despite allegations by ‘prophets of doom’ that it is not popular.
“We are going to show Wynter Kabimba, the PF and other doubting Thomases that we are winning this year’s elections. We are gaining support and that is why the PF is panicking,’’ Mr Kakoma said.
He said voters have realised that the UPND is a formidable party but they are also sceptical of the likes of Mr Kabimba and other leaders in the PF.
And UPND Copperbelt provincial chairperson Elisha Matambo said in a separate interview yesterday that his party has weakened the PF on the Copperbelt. The UPND says it has become more popular than the PF on the Copperbelt and Lusaka since pulling out of the pact with the PF.
“We have been receiving defectors from the PF almost every day. People like the former Chifubu ward chairman, all the ward members in Luanshya Central and Nkana Constituency secretary have defected to the UPND,” Mr Matambo said.
He appealed to Mr Kabimba to stop blaming the UPND for the possible defeat of the PF during the forthcoming elections.
He wondered why Mr Kabimba is now talking about the UPND as a spoiler when it is in fact the PF which is contesting the elections as a spoiler.
Mr Matambo said the PF and Mr Kabimba must wait for the elections to prove who is more popular.
MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu has described recent media reports that the MMD has threatened to close Hot FM radio station as preposterous, fictitious, irresponsible and immature.
“We wish the advocates or proponents of such lies had cared to apply even basic reasoning when they came up with such an article because their jaundiced details about the imaginary impending closure of Hot FM radio, beat common sense or do not simply add up,” he said.
He said there has never been any meeting as alleged where a decree to close Hot FM, was passed or sanctioned.
Mr Nyangu said to insinuate that the party’s senior officials and other named personalities held a meeting with the directors of Hot FM is unfair because it is just not true.
He demanded proof to show that the meeting took place and all the persons referred to were in attendance on the specific day and date mentioned.
Mr Nyangu also challenged the directors of Hot FM to come out in the open and set the record straight on this issue.
He said it is clear that individuals responsible for the fictitious article are bent on tarnishing the image of the MMD, both locally and internationally ahead of the general elections.
“Let no one be cheated, our commitment and resolve to tolerate divergent views be it from the private or public media is unquestionable. Our almost 20-year record of governing this country can attest to that.
We have always believed, encouraged and stood for freedom of the press and we will continue to do so.
All we are asking from our colleagues in the media is for them to be more professional, ethical, accurate and fair in the execution of their duties. Please, let us avoid fiction,” he said.
Mr Nyangu said the MMD takes great exception to the fabrication and demanded an apology.
THE ruling MMD has threatened to disqualify aspiring parliamentary and local government candidates who are misleading people that they are the preferred candidates.
MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu told a press briefing yesterday that the party has continued to receive reports that some aspiring candidates in this year’s elections are claiming Mr Banda’s support.
“I would like to send a stern warning that any party member using the name of the President, State House or the Secretariat to bulldoze his or her way to adoption will be severely disciplined and disqualified,” he said.
“The President has categorically stated that every party member is free to aspire for any ward or parliamentary seat. I would therefore like to emphasise that every member in good standing, wishing to contest either ward or parliamentary elections should apply to relevant authorities without any intimidation,” he said.
Mr Nyangu said candidates will be chosen by the grassroots and that there are no preferred candidates.
He said all well-meaning members of the party wishing to stand should apply.
Mr Nyangu also advised lower organs not to be too rigid in the process of adoption but assess the situation on the ground, considering, among other things, distances to be covered by the candidates to reach central points where interviews are being conducted.
He said lower organs should be flexible because the party wants to bring every member on board.
THE Catholic Church says it will respond to the call by the MMD for dialogue to resolve misunderstandings between the two organisations after a meeting of the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) in Lusaka next week.
ZEC spokesperson Paul Samasumo said in a telephone interview in Lusaka yesterday that the matter will be one of the issues to be discussed when Catholic bishops from all the dioceses meet from Wednesday to Friday next week.
And an official at the office of the ZEC president George Lungu’s office in Chipata acknowledged that the prelate has received the letter from the MMD, but referred queries to the ZEC secretariat in Lusaka.
“If you are talking about the letter written by the MMD, those issues are being handled by the secretariat. Yes, the letter was received by Bishop Lungu himself, but for arrangements and any other issues related to that, it is the secretariat which is responsible,” the official said.
Father Samasumo said the church could only come up with a response to overtures for dialogue from the MMD after the meeting of the bishops.
“They will start arriving on Tuesday. You know they are coming from different parts of the country. The meeting takes place from Wednesday to Friday,” Fr Samasumo said.
“It is one of the issues to be discussed at the meeting,” he said.
The MMD secretariat recently wrote the Catholic Church, inviting it to dialogue over repeated attacks on President Banda and the MMD government by some priests and bishops.
At the weekend, Medardo Cardinal Mazombwe said the relationship between the Catholic Church and Government should not be seen through the statements of a few individuals in the church.
Cardinal Mazombwe was speaking barely a fortnight after President Banda hailed the church as an important partner in development, and pledged that Government will continue working with the Catholic Church.
PRESIDENT Banda’s son James has sued Kafulafutamember of Parliament George Mpombo for libel over the latter’s allegations that he was involved in the procurement of arms worth US$100 million from South Africa.
Mr Banda says Mr Mpombo’s allegation has injured his credibility and reputation and brought him into public scandal, ridicule, odium and contempt.
“The said words in their natural and ordinary meaning meant and were intended to mean by innuendo that the plaintiff is acquiring wealth corruptly, illegally and by abuse of Government. The words further meant that the plaintiff is dishonest, a thief and has illegally attained his wealth through undue influence as he is the son of the President,” Mr Banda said in his statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court.
He is claiming damages for libel contained in The Post newspaper edition of April 19, 2011 where the outspoken former Minister of Defence claimed that he left Government because he did not agree with President Banda’s decision to award an arms supply deal to James Banda’s allies based in South Africa.
He is also seeking an injunction to restrain Mr Mpombo, his servants or agents from publishing the said words or other similar words.
He is further claiming damages or footing of aggravated or exemplary damages and any other relief the court may deem fit.
Mr Banda said he is a prominent businessman with various business dealings with local, regional and overseas organisations through various companies which are duly incorporated pursuant to provisions of the Companies Act Chapter 388 of the Laws of Zambia.
He said he is neither a civil servant nor a politician but the President’s son.
Mr Banda said on April 17, 2011 Mr Mpombo appeared on Muvi Television and gave an interview where he maliciously issued a false, disparaging, and defamatory statement concerning his reputation and business.
He said on April 19, 2011 Mr Mpombo again falsely and maliciously uttered the same words in The Post, alleging that had the arms deal gone through, Mr Banda would have received 10 percent of the total transaction value as a kickback.
As if being 3-0 down wasn’t bad enough, Zambia Under-23 will be without Fwayo Tembo for the return leg home game against Algeria on JUne 18.
The striker from FC Basel in Switzerland will miss Zambia’s Olympic Games football tournament second round qualifying match due to suspension.
Fwayo has accumulated two yellow cards in as many Olympic Games qualifying matches played after being cautioned in the first round, first leg game against Rwanda at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka that Zambia won 2-0 on March 27.
Zambia went on to advance to the second round 3-0 on aggregate.
The striker received his second yellow card on June 3 away in Algeria in the first leg match where Lucky Msiska’s teams were thumped 3-0 in Algiers.
Meanwhile, Msiska’s team goes into camp tomorrow in Lusaka before switching camp to Chingola next week where they will host Algeria at Nchanga Stadium.
Zambia need to win by 3-0 to force penalties or win by an four unanswered goals to advance to the group stage qualifying phase of the Africa zone qualifiers.
Mwense Member of Parliament (MP) Jacob Chongo has urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ to increase the number of centres for people to verify their details in his constituency.
Mr. Chongo says out of the 32 polling stations only four centres have been designated as verification centres.
He says the four centres will only discourage people from verifying their details because of the long distances.
Mr. Chongo has also appealed to ECZ to allow people to verify their details from any part of the country and not necessary from where they had registered.
He was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka on Wednesday.
[ ZNBC ]
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati has said there was need to consolidate regional integration between the
American and African continents.
Mr. Mutati noted that Africa was growing and opening up to more opportunities through the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) making it possible for African counties to make progress.
ZANIS reports that speaking during the official opening of a joint session of the Private Sector, Civil Society and African Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP) at Mulungushi Conference centre in Lusaka today, ahead of the official opening of the AGOA forum tomorrow, Mr Mutati noted that Zambia was determined to make progress in the cost of doing business adding that many African countries had taken steps to improve their economies.
‘’Zambia and other African countries are determined to make a change and are fully committed to deepen regional integration,’’ the Minister said.
At the same occasion, United States of America (USA) Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella said US was committed to promoting Africa’s economic growth through trade.
Mr. Storella noted that AGOA was a critical pillar in growing the economic relationship between America and Sub-Saharan African nations.
Ambassador Storella observed that Africa was an important strategic partner of the US describing the continent as a rising market and destination for the American continent as well as global investment and Trade.
He said there was need for the Private Sector to ensure that free and fair trade existed and to ensure that policy makers were held accountable for their actions in a transparent process, especially trade policies that negatively affected producers and consumers.
‘’America is pleased to join the Private Sector and Civil Society from the 37 AGOA eligible partners and around the World. The US celebrates AGOA’s success today in expanding and diversifying a two -way U.S-Africa trade providing opportunities for businesses and growing African economies through trade,’’ Mr Storella added.
The US envoy further stated that this year’s joint Private Sector and Civil Society agenda was an innovative way to finance economic development which would ensure small and Medium enterprises participate in regional and world markets.
[ ZANIS ]
Bonnie Mwamelo has decided to rescind his decision to step down as Faz executive committee member. Mwamelo issued a statement today at Football House at which he declared he was returning to serve as Faz vice president.
Mwamelo said: “Following my posting on social media announcing my resignation as Vice President yesterday, I am pleased to state that was hastily and inopportune pronouncement is reversed and set aside I continue as Vice President of the Football Association of Zambia and remain committed to the President, Executive Committee and our vision as set out.
I regret the premature leakage of that posting to the media, its subsequent publication and any distress that may have caused our members of the football fraternity and nation as a whole.
With this statement, let me restate my commitment to discharging my duties diligently and to the best of my abilities as we continue on the path to development, success of Zambian football and the Chipolopolo which we have all firmly placed on the road to success.”
A United States of America (USA) firm will heavily invest in Zambia’s energy industry by setting up a solar equipment plant in Zambia.
Wise Power Systems Global President William Rawheiser said this in an interview with ZANIS today upon arrival at the Lusaka International Airport ahead of Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which officially opens in Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka.
Mr Rawheiser said that the solar power equipment plant to be set in Lusaka will be affordable for people in rural areas where hydro power electricity was not accessible in some cases.
He observed that most towns in Zambia were not connected to the national grid and instead used thermal power generation which he described as ‘costly to run’.
Mr Rawheiser could not however, immediately disclose the cost of the planned solar power equipment plant.
The Power Systems President said he decided to come and invest in Zambia because of the good climate and gesture by the Zambian Government with a resolve to wooing foreign investors.
And Deputy Chief of Mission at the Zambian Embassy in New York, Alfred Choiza said the plant would help boost Zambia’s economy as well as provide employment opportunities to the local people.
Mr. Chioza said it is Government’s determination to continue attracting foreign investors into the country because Africa and Zambia in particular has abundant raw materials which only needed value addition.
He expressed optimism that more US investors were willing to come and invest in Zambia.
Over 3, 000 chief executives as well as Government leaders from United States are expected to participate in the AGOA Forum.
The 2011 AGOA theme is Enhanced Trade, Through Increased Competitiveness, Value Addition and Deeper Regional Integration.
Zambian President Rupiah Banda is expected to officially open the AGOA on Thursday.
The aim of the strategy on AGOA is to provide a framework through which Zambia’s competitiveness and comparative advantage can be harnessed and channeled to exploit opportunities in the US market.
The family of the late President Levy Mwanawasa has described as misguided and immature attacks on President Banda by the late president’s son, Patrick.
The family has said that Patrick Mwanawasa’s comments in Tuesday’s Post Newspaper do not represent the views of the family.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Late President Mwanawasa’s sister Evelyn and his eldest daughter Miriam Mwanawasa.
The Mwanawasa family has declared its unwavering support to President Rupiah Banda and urged politicians to stop using youths in the country to push their political agenda.
They said that it will be folly for them to support anyone else in this year’s election because President Banda has continued to build on the promises of the late Dr Mwanawasa.
Patrick was on Tuesday quoted in the Post Newspaper, attacking President Banda’s leadership.
And Zambia Daily mail reported that former MMD Lusaka district secretary Michael Phiri has advised former President Mwanawasa’s son, Patrick, to desist from publicly attacking President Banda.
Mr Phiri said if Patrick has any issues to raise with the President, it would be wise for him to seek audience with the head of State instead of disparaging his leadership in the media.
He was reacting to a story in yesterday’s Post newspaper in which Patrick was quoted as saying President Banda’s government is brainwashing Zambians into believing that it is bringing development.
MrPhiri said Patrick should not allow himself to be used by selfish people to attack the head of State, but approach him and express his concerns in an amicable manner.
“While he has the freedom of expression and speech, he must be mindful of what he says in public. He is saying there is no development; doesn’t he have eyes to see? I beg the young man not to be used by other people,” he said.
Mr Phiri said if Patrick has failed to meet the President through the normal channels, he could use Mr Banda’s local and foreign trips to see him as he either departs or arrives.
“The President travels frequently on national duties. He could go to the airport to join those seeing him off or welcoming him back. President Banda would be the happiest person to see the son of his predecessor, his own son, and I am sure he would give him an appointment there and then,” he said.
Mr Phiri said if Patrick is experiencing problems because he is no longer living in State House, the best would be for him to meet the President and explain his situation.
Mr Phiri also urged Patrick to refrain from making alarming statements bordering on national security, which he cannot prove.
He said it was wrong for Patrick to accuse the authorities of ordering the killing of people in the recent unrest in Mongu and Mazabuka when he does not have evidence to back his claim.
File:Some young men on the business end of beer at a pub in Lusaka
Dear G.P
My husband drinks a lot of beer.What are the health risks for this.
Mrs X
Dear Mrs X,
For thousands of years, man has poured litres of alcohol down his neck.There has been lots of research done on the health benefits and risks of taking alcohol.One thing scientists agree on is alcohol may be beneficial if taken in moderation and detrimental if taken in excess.
There is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this.
Nothing is absolutely safe for everybody, I think there is a sensible level of drinking and sensible doesn’t mean “saving up” whatever number of drinks is deemed reasonable per week and drinking them all at once at a single sitting on the weekends. That’s binge drinking, and is well documented as to having severe adverse effects on a person’s health.
Immediate Health Risks of excessive Alcohol consumption
Hangovers-Headaches, nausea, vomiting, aches and pains all result from drinking too much. Drinking to the point of drunkenness makes you sick.
Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These immediate effects are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following—
Unintentional injuries– road trattfic accidents, falls, drownings, burns, fights
Violence, including intimate partner violence and child maltreatment.
Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, and increased risk of sexual assault. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases
Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels that suppress the central nervous system and can cause loss of consciousness, low blood pressure and body temperature, coma, respiratory depression, or death
Long-Term Health Risks
–Weight gain. Alcohol is not water. A beer has about 150 “empty” calories that provide few if any nutrients.This leads to a beer belly.Some research suggests thatt the Beer Belly can be attributed not to drinking beer, but to drinking a lot of beer… quickly.
–Depressed immune system. Impaired immunity makes you more likely to contract viral illnesses such as flu and infections.
–Heart disease
In men over 40 and women past the menopause, small amounts of alcohol (a couple of drinks a day) may reduce the risk of heart disease. For everyone else, too much alcohol is likely to cause weight gain, prevent proper exercise and be a cause of heart disease.
–Sexual health problems
Too much alcohol shrinks genitals and lowers fertility. Being drunk can loosen inhibitions and affect your judgement. This can make you less likely to use a condom or other protection properly (or at all) and so increase the risk of a sexually transmitted infection or unintended pregnancy
–Liver diseases including
Alcoholic hepatitis.
Liver Cirrhosis
Among persons with Hepatitis C virus, worsening of liver function and interference with medications used to treat this condition.
–Pancreatitis
Long-term heavy drinkers can develop this painful condition. The pancreas makes insulin and other substances needed to properly digest food. If left untreated, pancreatitis causes malnutrition and can lead to diabetes
Diabetes
Regular heavy drinkers are often overweight and, as with all overweight people, can go on to develop diabetes. Though manageable, people with diabetes don’t live as long and have to eat restricted diets and take medicines daily or inject themselves with insulin.
–Neurological problems
Not only can people fail to remember what went on during a heavy session, persistent heavy drinkers can develop memory loss problems. A dementia-like illness called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is caused by vitamin B1 deficiency. This is caused by poor absorption and storage of thiamine brought on by too much alcohol over too long a period.
-Strokes are caused either by blood clots clogging arteries in the brain (ischaemic stroke) or by blood vessels bursting and leaking into the brain (haemorrhagic stroke). A very heavy session (more than eight units for men, six for women) causes dehydration and makes the blood thicker and more likely to form clots in the brain and elsewhere. Prolonged heavy use of alcohol also raises blood pressure and can be another cause of stroke.
–Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicide.
–Social problems, including unemployment, lost productivity, and family problems
–Cancer
Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon.. In general, the risk of cancer increases with increasing amounts of alcohol.
–Thread veins and brittle nails– Alcoholic drinks contain lots and lots of calories so weight gain among people who don’t drink sensibly is common. Alcohol affects the circulation by expanding blood vessels. This causes thread veins, often on the face, and purple, bulbous ‘drinker’s nose’. Heavy drinkers usually don’t eat properly and too much alcohol stops the body absorbing the nutrients it needs. This leads to poor skin and brittle hair and nails.
Finally, lets not forget alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease to which some people seem predisposed. Alcoholics are unable to control their drinking–how much, when, and if. Alcoholism puts you at great risk for other health problems, and it can shorten your life by more than 10 years. Alcoholism cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Through education, treatment, and self-help support such as AA, people can learn to live alcohol-free .
Recommendations
If you drink alcohol, it is best to do so in moderation. This is defined as not causing intoxication, and consuming no more than 1 beer, 1 glass of wine, or 1 shot of liquor per day if you are a woman and no more than 2 if you are a man.
Eat a meal before you drink. Food in the stomach will slow the entrance of alcohol into your bloodstream by preventing it from entering your small intestine which absorbs alcohol faster than the stomach. High protein foods, like cheese, are best at slowing down the effects of alcohol, and thus help prevent a hangover
Responsible drinking
Here are some ways to drink responsibly, provided you DO NOT have a drinking problem, are of legal age to drink alcohol, and are not pregnant:
NEVER drink alcohol and drive a car. Have someone designated to drive if you’re going to drink, or plan an alternative way home, such as a taxi or bus.
DO NOT drink on an empty stomach. Snack before and while drinking alcohol.
Drink slowly to avoid becoming intoxicated and ONLY in moderation.
If you are taking medication, including over-the-counter drugs, check with your pharmacist before drinking alcohol. Alcohol can intensify the effects of many drugs and can interact with other drugs, making them ineffective or dangerous, or making you sick.
DO NOT drink at all if you have a history of alcohol abuse.
If alcoholism runs in your family, you may be at increased risk of developing alcoholism yourself, and may want to avoid drinking alcohol altogether.
Being drunk decreases your inhibitions, making you more likely to do things you may regret later. When intoxicated, you are significantly more likely to endanger your health or that of others, more likely to catch a sexually transmitted disease, more likely to be involved in an automobile accident, and more likely to become permanently injured or die.
United Party for National Development spokesperson Charles Kakoma (L)
United Party for National Development (UPND) spokesperson Charles Kakoma said the PF had no ability to foster economic development in Zambia because its leadership was recycled and had little or no knowledge about economic liberation.
Mr Kakoma said it would be suicidal for Zambians to vote for a PF Government in the 2011 elections.
He said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that the PF leadership was dominated by recycled politicians, some of whom had worked as informers of the colonialists and were now failing to understand modern politics.
“When you look at the PF leadership, you will find that those recycled politicians are the ones who dominate the party and promote dictatorial tendencies.
“When someone tries to bring modern politics of articulating issues of national development, they do not entertain him,” Mr Kakoma said.
And UPND president Hakainde Hichilema’s special advisor and spokesperson Douglas Syakalima said the PF should not apportion blame on anyone if they had failed to convince the Zambian people to vote for their party and its leader Michael Sata in this year’s elections.
Meanwhile,THE Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has said the Patriotic Front (PF) is jittery and crying foul against the United Party for National Development (UPND) because they have foreseen that they are losing this year’s elections.
FODEP executive director Macdonald Chipenzi said the statement by PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba had come too early when the Zambian voters had not yet started voting and it amounted to crying foul after the party mishandled the alliance with UPND.
Mr Kabimba on Monday was quoted as saying the UPND was playing the role of a spoiler in this year’s elections.
He said the UPND was working to spoil PF leader Michael Sata’s chances of winning the elections.
Mr Chipenzi said the PF and UPND had an opportunity to hold the alliance firm but it collapsed due to lack of mutual respect and the parties involved must stop crying foul.
“Next time alliances should be formed on mutual trust and respect.
These two parties were insincere to each other with one calling the other as inferior and the PF is now crying foul.
“What the PF are saying basically is that their future depended on the alliance. What they are doing now amounts to being jittery and crying foul,” Mr Chipenzi said.
Patriotic Front Munali Member of Parliament Mumbi Phiri says it would be abnormal for her to discourage residents in her area from getting solar geysers from ZESCO when it is their money being used.
Mrs. Phiri says whether the project is a political gimmick by the ruling MMD of not, residents in her area should take advantage of the geysers but should cast their votes wisely.
She tells QFM that it is too late for the MMD to fool people into voting them back into power during the forthcoming general elections as people have already made up their minds on who to put in office.
Mrs. Phiri has also challenged the Zambia Electricity Supply Cooperation (ZESCO) to expand their generosity to supporting students the same way it did with the solar geysers.
She says it would be generous for the power supply company to sponsor some vulnerable students at the national resource development centre (NRDC)
