Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
While the feel good factor swirls around Zambia’s 2012 Africa Cup qualifying race, the state of our international football is in a deafening state of denial following events on the pitch over the last 60 days.
Arab opposition not once but three times have over the last two months ejected Zambian opponents in action for both for club and country.
Zesco United alone suffered not once but twice the humiliation of ejection in Caf club competition in winnable games against sides that showed modest form.
In the Champions League, they suffered at the hands of Al Ahly of Egypt who capped it with a senseless pyrotechnic display for measure in Cairo while there was no consolation in the Confederation Cup where MAS of Morocco kicked them out.
Over the weekend, Lucky Msiska’s Under-23 team stuttered to a 2-0 win but weren’t turbocharged enough for the job and the engine blew on the motorway to the London 2012 Olympics.
Meanwhile, Dario Bonetti’s Zambia good run has also benefited from a little help from the people of Benghazi.
It is worth remembering that Libya beat Zambia 1-0 in the two team’s second Group B match last October in Tripoli.
The scenario would have been totally different had Libya not been in turmoil.
Zambia would have still been second best until the two sides last Group C clash at home on October 8.
The results have again exposed chronic psychological and tactical frailties Zambia teams have against North African opponents.
Some Lusaka residents have denounced Sunday’s Post Newspaper editorial comment on Second Republican President Dr. Frederick Chiluba.
The residents say Dr Chiluba should be accorded magnanimous respect as he was the father of the nation for 10 years.
They have also stated that Dr. Chiluba deserves forgiveness for some perceived short-comings during his tenure.
The Post Newspaper in its Sunday editorial made reference to theft charges, levelled against Dr Chiluba.
The paper has also stated that Dr Chiluba’s perceived enemies must not attend the funeral, if their presence could jeopardise chances of mourning the second Republican President peacefully.
And the Evangelical Youth Alliance has castigated the Post Newspapers for allegedly trivializing the accomplishments of second republican President Frederick Chiluba in Sunday’s editorial comment.
Alliance president Moses Lungu says it is sad that the Post has failed to highlight the numerous achievements Dr Chiluba scored and has instead chosen to attack his legacy.
Reverend Lungu has advised the paper to desist from attacking the dead as doing so is unchristian.
He says all well meaning Zambians are mourning Dr Chiluba with dignity and respect.
The Football Association Zambia ( FAZ ) says it has resheduled all league games from the MTN Super League to the lowest league tier scheduled for Wednesday 22nd June, 2011.
ZANIS sports reports FAZ Communications Manager Erick Mwanza saying in a release that the Football governing body has also rescheduled this weekend’s league.
Mwanza explains that this is in honour and memory of ate 2nd President Dr FJT Chiluba and observance of the declared period of national mourning.
Also rescheduled are all the matches which were lined up for live broadcast on SuperSport to dates to be announced later.
Dr. Chiluba Former Zambian president Fredreick Chiluba died Saturday at the age of 68 for unknown causes.
The opposition Patriotic Front has accused MMD cadres of plotting an attack on party leader Michael Sata and other senior members if they attend late former President Fredrick Chiluba’s funeral.
PF Lusaka Province chairman Davies Chama says it is surprising that the MMD have politicized Dr. Chiluba’s death.
Mr. Chama has told journalists in Lusaka that the PF leaders will not force themselves to attend the late Second President’s funeral if they are restrained by the ruling MMD.
He says the MMD’s intension of harassing PF leaders clearly shows how deep the violence is embedded in their party structures.
And MMD Lusaka Province task force chairman Chiwele Maimisa has warned PF leaders and Journalists from the Post Newspapers against attending Dr. Chiluba’s funeral.
Mr. Maimisa has told Qfm that the opposition leaders and Post reporters always put the name of Dr. Chiluba in public ridicule when he was alive and that he sees no point for them be found at the funeral house.
He has charged that Post reporters and PF members are not welcome at the late former President’s funeral adding that should they defy this warning, they risk being thrown out by the MMD.
On Saturday, National Revolution Party president Cosmo Mumba was harassed by MMD cadres at Dr. Chiluba’s funeral house in Kabulonga.
Meanwhile a man was last evening saved from being brutalised by the ruling party cadres after he was indentified as one of the opposition PF members.
The man only identified as a Mr. Mulenga is said to be one of the aspiring candidates for the Mandevu constituency on the PF ticket.
MMD provincial chairman for Lusaka William Banda later asked the paramilitary officers to take the victim to safety and advised his party cadres to remain peaceful.
But some cadres vowed not to tolerate any of the Patriotic Front members as well as the Post Newspapers’ Journalists.
Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika arrived in the country for a private working visit at 10:35 this morning, and held private talks with President Rupiah Banda at Chipata’s Protea hotel.
President Banda led a number cabinet ministers, government and MMD party officials to recieve his Malawian counterpart.
The ministers present included Peter Daka of Science and Technology,Education Minister Dora Siliya, Energy Minister Kenneth Konga, Eastern Provincial Minister Isaac Banda works and Supply Deputy Minister Lameck Mangani.
Others who received the Malawian Head of State are Eastern Province Permanent secretary Eularia Mwale, MMD chairperson Kennedy Zulu and several other party and government officials.
The Malawian President was accorded the usual Zambian reception characterized by traditional songs and dances from MMD cadres clad in black attires in honour of the late second republican President Frederick Chiluba.
Professor Mutharika is expected to fly back to Malawi soon after the meeting.
First Republic President Kenneth Kaunda on Sunday wept when he visited the funeral house of Second Republican President Dr Frederick Chiluba in Kabulonga.
Dr. Kaunda openly shed tears when he conveyed his condolences to the Chiluba family.
Dr Kaunda, who visited the funeral house in the afternoon, first went into the funeral house where he sat briefly and consoled the widow Regina and former first lady Vera Tembo Chiluba and other mourners before he joined other senior Government officials who were seated outside.
“We are here to mourn with the family of Dr Chiluba, both mothers are here, it is actually good to see that they are both here to comfort their children, we have also done our part,” Dr Kaunda told journalists.[pullquote]Government has moved the official funeral house for second president of the Republic of Zambia Frederick Chiluba to Belvedere Lodge[/pullquote]
He said Dr Chiluba had died at an early age and that his death was not by his own choice but God’s and asked for God’s guidance during this mourning period.
Dr Kaunda said the country had lost a great trade unionist who fought for the rights of his members, regardless of the situation and that his contribution would always be remembered by everyone.
Dr. Kaunda said Dr. Chiluba contributed immensely to the strengthening of the labour movement in the country.
He said that Dr. Chiluba’s death is sad for the country.
And First Lady Thandiwe Banda, in the company of Vice-President George Kunda’s wife Ireen, also visited Dr Chiluba’s funeral house around 11:30 hours and consoled the widow Regina before leaving.
And the Lunda Royal Establishment (LRE) has said the death of Dr Chiluba was not a small issue and did not only affect the people of Luapula Province but everyone in the nation.
Speaking on behalf of the Mwata Kazembe, his representative, Lukwesa Mumba said at the funeral house that Dr Chiluba’s death was a sad development and urged all the people of Zambia to mourn Dr Chiluba peacefully.
“On behalf of the Mwata Kazembe, his message is that the death of Dr Chiluba is not a small issue. It does not only affect the people of Luapula Province alone but the nation as a whole, let him be mourned in peace,” he said.
United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota also visited the funeral house in the morning.
Meanwhile Government has moved the official funeral house for second president of the Republic of Zambia Frederick Chiluba to Belvedere Lodge.
Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja announced in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the official funeral house had been moved from the former president’s official residence on Sable Road to BelvedereLodge on Leopards Hill Road in Lusaka.
Dr Kanganja said mourners wishing to visit the bereaved family may, therefore, go to Belvedere Lodge as from today, June 20 to June 27, 2011.
A 61 year old evangelist of Union Baptist church in Kitwe has been arrested for defiling a girl under the age of sixteen.
The evangelist Elvis Katongo appeared in court before magistrate Denstan Muchaba charged with defiling a child under the age of 16 years, a charge he has denied.
It is alleged that Katongo, who is in charge of Union Baptist church in Chimwemwe Township, defiled a child under the age of 16 years contrary to section 138 of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia Act 15 of 2005 and Act number 3 of 2011.
Particulars of the offence are that on 4th June 2011 in Kitwe, Katongo had carnal knowledge of the female juvenile of Kawama Township who is a congregant at his church.
The evangelist currently detained at Kamfinsa prisons was arrested on 13th June 2011.
The court adjourned the matter to June 29, 2011 for mention and also to make a ruling on the application for bail he made.
But the prosecution objected to the application stating that the accused is living at the same church where the victim is also staying and that it is likely that he will interfere with the victim.
The accused said the victim stays in Kawama and not at the church but only come to congregate at his church.
Trial will commencement on June 19 2011.
[ ZANIS ]
Biographers differ about where and when Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba was born. Even his names have raised controversy. Chiluba’s background had been such a thorny issue, that in the 1996 case of Lewanika and others v. Frederick Chiluba the Supreme Court of Zambia was invited to make a ruling on who was Chiluba’s father and where Chiluba himself was born. Before the court were three possible fathers: a Mr. Chabala Kafupi (a Zambian who claimed Congolese descent), a Mr Zahare (a Mozambican), or a Mr. Chiluba Nkonde (from Kawambwa) whom President Frederick Chiluba himself statutorily declared to have been his father.
As for his place of birth, the court heard several conflicting accounts. According to Dr. John Mwanakatwe, Chiluba was born at Musangu Village in Luapula Province. Another account declared that he was born at Wusakili in Kitwe. Some petitioners in the case of Lewanika and Others even claimed that Frederick Chiluba may have been born at Chibambo CMML Mission Hospital in what was then the Belgian Congo. When called to testify about Chiluba’s background in the same court case, William Banda told the court that Frederick Chiluba who was then known as simply Titus Mpundu lived in Mufulira and spoke a Congolese dialect of Lingala.
The court dismissed William Banda’s testimony and ruled in this case that regardless of who was Chiluba’s father, or where he was born, Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba was still a legitimate Head of State and was a citizen of the Republic of Zambia.
This background is necessary in this article to point out how, a man without a clear family history rose up to become President of the Republic of Zambia. And in mourning him, we should all remember, that there are some qualities that made him stand out and made him gain the confidence of the Zambian people to elect him to the presidency in 1991. If there is anything that the life of Frederick Chiluba should teach us is the fact that regardless of our background and our limitations, destiny does not delude those who work hard. The story of FJT Chiluba is a story of how a man in our time lived to overcome his limitations and soared to lead the nation from dictatorship to a democracy.
Clearly as shown above, Chiluba had no rich family history. In death, his father still remains as mysterious as when he was alive. His place of birth is still subject to speculation. The fact that as a young boy he was expelled from a Kawambwa School also shows the kind of limitations that the young Chiluba faced growing up. In a society that looks down upon short statured people, it is clear that his height too could have one of those drawbacks. But the story of Chiluba is a story of inspiration in spite of limitations.
Here a man without High School education worked hard as a bus conductor to read a few A Level courses which he later admitted to have flanked. Additionally, not to be outdone by his many challenges, Chiluba went as far as Tanzania looking for opportunities. When he came back to Zambia in his twenties, he translated the knowledge he acquired while working in the Tanzanian Sisal industry into good use. He used his courageousness and his fearlessness to become a defender of his fellow workers. Through the trade union, a diminutive Chiluba had found an opportunity to talk and walk the tallest.
When Kenneth Kaunda legislated that all trade unions would be amalgamated and controlled from one umbrella body, little did he know that one of the leaders that would use this umbrella body to oust him was Frederick Chiluba. Indeed Chiluba used and enjoyed the visibility that his stature gave him. And as an outspoken member of the unions, it was just natural that the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions would appoint him its leader. The leadership position he held until 1991 when he was elected president of the Republic.
During Chiluba’s tenure at ZCTU Kaunda made several overtures to have Chiluba appointed into Cabinet. However, to his credit Chiluba refused. A man from a poor background was not quick to jump into the opportunities of richness. He did not want to abandon his fight for the workers in order to eat noble bread at Kaunda’s table. Chiluba, a figure of modest history demonstrated to Kaunda that he was a man of steel, and not even Kaunda could bend him. In 1990, Kaunda wanted to exploit Chiluba’s history. He claimed that Chiluba’s history is questionable. To this Chiluba simply responded, “I am surprised that President Kaunda claims that he does not know me…I am surprised that Kaunda claims that I have a questionable background…I am the one whom he wanted to make Minister of Labour, but I said no, Sir!” With these words, Frederick Chiluba demonstrated to Zambians that he had not been dented by Kaunda’s corruption and therefore was ready to lead the Third Republic.
In 1990, choosing a leader for the MMD was not an easy feat. But all sections of the MMD united around Frederick Chiluba. Even many academics in the movement acknowledged the intelligence and brilliance of Chiluba. Chiluba acquired this brilliance, neither in the walls of the classroom nor in the decors of laboratories but rather on the street. It is this courage, this education, and this street wisdom that made Frederick Chiluba fit to lead Zambia’s new political party.
And in consistency with his predecessor, one of the first acts of the presidency was Christian commitment. For Kaunda, three months in power in January 1965, he launched the United Church of Zambia, calling it a “national edifice.” For Chiluba, three months in power he addressed a prayer meeting at State House where he renounced corruption and witchcraft and declared Zambia as a Christian nation. This 1991 declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation is perhaps one of the most far reaching decisions that would long linger in history.
Chiluba was a fighter for worker’s rights as a union leader. He was incorruptible. He refused several of Kaunda’s overtures at corruption. He stood for principles. But history will ponder when he started entertaining excesses. The fact that, after his presidency in 2001, he was found to have had hundreds and hundreds of custom made suits, shoes, and underwear stands contrary to a Chiluba of the 1980s. In death, Zambia should continue to reflect on what may have gone wrong and on how a champion of the poor became so excessive.
If Chiluba defined himself as a political engineer, this was true in practice as it was in theory. A man who failed A’ Levels could still make it in academia. It was Warwick University that saw the potential in Frederick Chiluba and gave him a chance to enrol for a Master of Philosophy Degree. In his dissertation entitled “Democracy: The Challenge of Change” Chiluba explained political theory and committed himself to leave the presidency after he had served 2 terms. He was critical of the “President for Life” syndrome. But a few years before his second term was to expire, it appeared that he too was falling prey to the African disease and a Third Term started to infect a few of his close associates including his party secretary Michael Chilufya Sata.
To his credit however, Chiluba kept his word and left office after ten years. His political geniusness led him to sidestep his popular former vice-presidents Godfrey Miyanda, Christon Tembo, and national secretary Sata to appoint a political nemesis Levy Mwanawasa as his successor. This decision would haunt him for years to come.
Chiluba, a 1980s champion of workers’ rights and a 1990s champion of liberal democracy was under the Mwanawasa administration answering charges of theft. His six-year trial is as much part of his legacy as his other years. No doubt that some Zambians will remember Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba for the charges of corruption he faced more than for the good things he did while in office. The pain of those charges and the embarrassment they brought against his personal integrity has been discussed by many.
Chiluba’s only redemption came in 2008, after the death of President Levy Mwanawasa. Mwanawasa’s successor, Rupiah Banda refused to call Chiluba a thief such that when the courts of law acquitted Chiluba of theft, Banda called him a damn good president. The Post Newspapers felt insulted by Banda’s words and continued to call Chiluba all sorts of names.
In death, however, Zambians should put their political differences aside and unite in mourn the passing of an extraordinary man. A diminutive man who walked among us with extraordinary courage.
THE family of a patient whose death is believed to have been caused by a medical doctor who operated on him, has accused the Health Professionals Council of Zambia of dragging its feet on punishing the doctor.
The family of Dapson Mwendafilumba has written to the HPCZ, wondering why disciplinary action has not been taken against Dr Francis Manda, a renowned urologist.
Mr Lupiya Mwendafilumba, one of the deceased’s brothers, says in a statement issued to the Zambia Daily Mail that the HPCZ is allegedly protecting Dr Manda by failing to discipline him.
Mr Mwendafilumba accused the HPCZ of deliberately withholding disciplinary sanctions against Dr Manda to protect his career.
He said his family is demanding that the decision of the HPCZ disciplinary committee be released so that justice can be done.
Dr Manda is alleged to have caused the death of Mr Mwendafilumba when he conducted an operation which later led to a complication.
Dr Manda conducted the operation on Mr Mwendafilumba in January 2009 at Lusaka Trust Hospital.
Mr Mwendafilumba’s family says Dr Manda took six hours to conduct an operation that should normally have lasted two hours.
In a letter dated October 9, 2009 to Dr Manda captioned `Outcome of the disciplinary committee meeting’, the HPCZ admits that there was error in judgement on the part of Dr Manda in conducting the operation.
HPCZ registrar Mary Zulu said in the letter that Dr Manda had ‘failed to respond to a warning of physical signs of abdominal distention’ Mr Mwendafilumba had during the operation.
Dr Zulu states in the letter that Dr Manda had decided to continue with the operation even after Mr Mwendafilumba had shown physical signs of abdominal distension.
The HPCZ disciplinary committee held on September 16, 2009 found Dr Manda wanting. It cautioned and “postponed” him for a period of 12 months.
“Reference is made to the complaint made against you in which you were alleged to have failed to respond to a physical sign of abdominal distension which Mr Dapson Mwendafilumba had but continued with the same treatment. The disciplinary committee meeting held on September 16, 2009 resolved that you be cautioned and postponed for a period not exceeding one year,” Dr Zulu said in the letter to Dr Manda.
Asked to comment on the family’s letter, Dr Zulu said she would make a comprehensive reaction to the allegations after formal communication from the Mwendafilumba family.
Dr Zulu said she needs to look at the letter from the family of Mr Mwendafilumba before she can make any official comment on the matter.
“Dr Francis Manda in January 2009 operated single-handedly on our brother Dapson Mwendafilumba at Lusaka Trust Hospital who died two months later in South Africa of sepsis, arising from post operative complications,” Mr Mwendafilumba said.
When contacted for a comment, Dr Manda demanded to talk to the Zambia Daily Mail managing director or the Ministry of Health permanent secretary.
Management at the Lusaka Trust Hospital could not confirm the concerns because the chief executive officer, a DrSiwale, was out of office.
Mines and Minerals Development Deputy Minister Jazzman Chikwakwa
GOVERNMENT has challenged Zambians to invest in the mining sector if they are to contribute to national development.
Mines and Minerals Development Deputy Minister Jazzman Chikwakwa said Zambia has the best mineral resources in southern African that citizens should take advantage of.
Mr Chikwakwa said this in an interview last week at the close of the Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference (ZAIMEC) at Lusaka’s TajPamodzi Hotel.
“Zambia has abundant natural resources, including minerals. I want to challenge Zambians to invest in the mining sector. They should partner with foreign investors. It is the only way we are going to develop this country,” he said.
He said God has given Zambians a beautiful country which is endowed with the best copper and manganese.
Mr Chikwakwa called for strong partnership between Chiengi district and Mpweto area in Lubumbashi, saying the two areas have a lot of mineral resource, which can bring about economic development.
“As government we are committed in ensuring that our local people benefit from these minerals. We want to create partnerships with foreign investors.
We want to create job opportunities for our people. This is our goal, to put money in people’s pockets…because Zambia is for Zambians,” he said.
And AFRICAST executive director Chimwemwe Nyirenda has described the just-ended ZIMEC as a success.
Mr Nyirenda said his organisation is proud to have partnered with AME Trade Limited in ensuring that the mining indaba is a success.
AME Trade Limited is a United Kingdom based organisation which specialises in the area of trade promotion for Africa and Middle East regions including, business to business conferences, trade exhibitions, public relations, and consultancy services.
Mr Nyirenda said over 100 exhibitors and 600 delegates participated at the exhibition.
“This is a great achievement for us. We had exhibitors and delegates from countries like Russia, the UK and Zimbabwe,” he said.
He also commended the ministry of mines for partnering with his organisations to host the mining Indaba, adding that the indaba will attract more investment into the country.
Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane
GOVERNMENT says it will raise more revenue from mining taxes after the mining audit for the three major mining firms is finalised.
And Mopani Copper Mine (MCM) says it will invest US$800 million in the operation of the company in the next five years.
Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane said the mine audit is progressing well for First Quantum Minerals, Konkola Copper Mine and Mopani mine saying Government hopes to benefit more after it is completed.
“All the three firms are expected to be audited and we hope issues will be resolved, hopefully we will be able to raise more taxes coming out of this,” he said.
Dr Musokotwane was speaking during a BBC World Debate recording programme under the theme ‘Does Mining Benefit Africa’, on last Thursday at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
He said Government commissioned the tax audit through the Zambia Revenue Authority saying it is unfortunate that data leaked before the results of final audit is released.
He called for value addition to copper if the country is to create more jobs for the people.
And MCM chief executive officer Emmanuel Mutati said the company had by April this year employed 20,000 employees with a total investment of US$1.2 billion in all its operations.
Mr Mutati said the firm has also set aside US$4.5 million to construct 1,800 toilets for its employees to be completed in August this year.
He further explained that the firm gets revenue based on the prevailing copper prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) as opposed to speculations that the firm pays less for its commodity on the international market.
The audit revealed that Glencore AG, the purchaser, determines prices and that some copper from Mopani is sold under an “odd” contract with copper in one instance being sold at 25 percent of official prices at LME.
In other words, they are not paying taxes over 75 percent of the copper ‘sold’ to Glencore under that contract.
United Kingdom former Secretary of State Clear Short said African governments must let the people know the amounts of profits realised from the mining sector and ensure that they benefit from the skyrocketing commodity prices.
FORMER Patriotic Front secretary general Edward Mumbi says no one has barred PF president Michael Sata from attending Dr Chiluba’s funeral and it is surprising that the opposition leader has not been to the funeral house.
Mr Mumbi also alleged that some agents of The Post newspapers have been carrying concealed recorders to tap conversations from unsuspecting mourners.
“No one can stop anyone from attending a funeral. That is not true,” Mr Mumbi said.
Mr Mumbi said it is strange that Mr Sata has not yet visited the funeral house. He said all opposition political leaders have been to the funeral house, except for Mr Sata.
He also said it is irresponsible for PF to hold a political rally in Western province in the face of the death of Dr Chiluba.
Mr Mumbi said Zambians should judge the kind of leadership the PF can make if they cannot respect the funeral of Dr Chiluba who brought economic liberalisation to Zambia.
“It is unfeeling for any political leader to continue with their campaigns when the nation is in mourning,” he said.
PF founder member Samson Zulu has condemned the decision by the PF to shun former President Frederick Chiluba’s funeral, CHRISTINE CHISHA reports.
Mr Zulu, who is a former PF member, said the decision by PF not to attend the funeral is a clear indication that they are ungrateful for what DrChiluba did for its leader Michael Sata who was given an opportunity to serve in his Cabinet in various portfolios.
“This has vindicated me. I have been issuing warnings to Zambians that Mr Sata is an evil man who believes in vengeance and violence. It is clear that his decision not to attend Dr Chiluba’s funeral was out of hatred for the man,” he said.
“To have compassion is a distinctive attribute of every human being, especially a leader who is aspiring for the Presidency,” Mr Zulu said
And former Mandevu Constituency PF treasurer Alex Mulenga said Mr Sata should come out in the open and issue a statement, speaking through Lusaka Province PF chairman Davies Chanda.
Mr Mulenga said in the Bemba culture, when there is a funeral people bury their differences and come together to mourn with one accord.
He said Mr Sata should be aware that he has injured the people of Luapula by his party’s decision not to attend the funeral.
Meanwhile, United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota has condemned the PF for holding a political rally in Lukulu last Saturday, despite the death of Dr Chiluba.
And ULP deputy national information and publicity chairman David Zimba described the decision of the PF as “uncanny and inhuman”.
Mr Sikota said it is disappointing that the PF ignored the announcement that Dr Chiluba, who governed Zambians for 10 consecutive years, had died.
He said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that all politicians should understand that there is a time to set aside politics and unite when death strikes.
“I am very saddened that the PF went ahead to hold a political rally despite the death of Dr Chiluba. This is un-Zambian because what I know is that when such a person dies, politicians should unite and not only think about going to State House” Mr Sikota said.
He called on all Zambians to put political differences aside and mourn Dr Chiluba who fought hard for the re-introduction of multi-party democracy in Zambia.
“Dr Chiluba was not an ordinary person but a national leader from whom most of our leaders benefited greatly. The PF rally in Lukulu shows how uncanny and inhuman the party’s leaders are,” Mr Zimba said.
He said it is unusual for a political party to hold a rally when such an important person dies.
Mr Zimba called on leaders to work in harmony despite differences in opinions and ideologies.
And Die Hard Team for RB and MMD national co-ordinator Bowman Lusambo said the PF’s decision was wrong because Dr Chiluba was regarded as a father of the nation.
“We had lined up some social programmes in Bwacha, Kabwe Central and Roan constituencies but we decided to postpone them because of Dr Chiluba’s death.
“This is because he was a national leader and there is no way any well-meaning Zambian would go ahead with social programmes, especially those of a political nature,” he said.
Mr Lusambo called on fellow youths to heed President Banda’s call on every Zambian to mourn Dr Chiluba in peace and harmony. He advised youths not to be used to incite violence.
He said President Banda has proved to be a peacemaker.
On Saturday, PF leaders Given Lubinda, Guy Scott, Jean Kapata and Mumbi Phiri went ahead to hold a political rally at Fernando showgrounds in Lukulu.
FLASHBACK: PF and UPND youths during youth day celebrations when the parties where in the defunct PACT
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata has reportedly made a dramatic U-turn and is now seeking reconciliation with the United Party for National Development (UPND) for a possible revival of the defunct political alliance.
Mr Sata is seeking to reconcile with the UPND because he has realised that the MMD will win this year’s elections if the PF does not get into a pact with the UPND.
This is according to an impeccable PF insider who revealed details of a meeting Mr Sata held with his party members on June 13 at the PF secretariat.
The turn-around was precipitated by advice United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton gave during her recent visit during the AGOA meeting when she met some opposition leaders privately.
The source said during the meeting, Mr Sata launched a scathing attack against fellow party members saying the PF should not have destroyed the pact with the UPND.
Mr Sata said he regrets the move to let the UPND pull out of the pact, especially that during his meeting with United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, he was advised that the opposition should be united.
“To this effect, some senior party officials including Kabwata member of Parliament Given Lubinda, PF national chairperson Inonge Wina and consultant Bob Sichinga told Mr Sata to meet UPND president Hakainde Hichilema privately to discuss the possibility of reviving the pact,” the source said.
Mrs Clinton reportedly observed during her meeting with Mr Sata that unseating an incumbent government in most African countries including Zambia is difficult unless the opposition is united.
Mr Sata told his members that Mrs Clinton advised that the opposition should avoid being fragmented and work together to remain strong.
But UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said his party is not interested in reviving the PF-UPND pact because the alliance is a dead issue.
Mr Kakoma said in an interview yesterday the UPND has not received any invitation from the PF and it is not privy to information on a possible revival of talks between the two parties.
“We are not interested in reviving the pact. As far as we are concerned, the PF-UPND pact is dead. Our main focus now is the 2011 elections with Hakainde Hichilema as our presidential candidate,” he said.
Mr Kakoma said MrHichilema also met Mrs Clinton but the US Secretary of State did not raise any issues about the opposition merging.
He said the UPND has no time to discuss the PF-UPND pact and has concentrated on campaigning for this year’s elections.
And Committee of Citizens executive director Gregory Chifire said the UPND would be doing injustice to itself if it got back into a pact with the PF.
Mr Chifire said the UPND should not entertain thoughts of reviving the pact with the PF because it can do better without Mr. Sata’s party.
“Mr Sata is panicking and he will do anything to become president of Zambia. If the revelations are true, then it confirms that Mr Sata wants to ride on Mr Hichilema’s back to achieve his goals. Our advice to the UPND is not to entertain MrSata and the PF,” he said.
Zanaco will go into the week-long period of national mourning leading the Faz Super Division table.
This is after Power Dynamos failed to return to the top of the table after being held to a goalless home draw in their dramatic Copperbelt derby on Sunday against defending league champions Zesco United at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Power are second and level on points with Zanaco on 22 points but the latter beat the former to top spot thanks to a superior goal difference.
Zesco had a man sent off after striker Jackson Mwanza was red carded for poking in Power defender Kamuzati Kabwe in the eye in the first half.
In the second half, the spotlight fell on Power midfielder Kennedy Mudenda who missed a penalty denying the home-side the three points against their 10-men visitors from down the Dual Carriageway in Ndola.
And at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe, Nkana were thumped 2-0 away by their hosts Konkola Blades where Ephraim Banda and Maybin Chishimba were on target.
