MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has welcomed the resignation of deputy minister of Works and Supply Lameck Mangani, describing him as an undesirable member of the ruling party.

Ms Siliya told journalists during a press briefing in Mufulira yesterday that the MMD is not surprised by Mr Mangani’s resignation because of his association with some top Patriotic Front (PF) officials.

“We are not surprised that Mr Mangani has resigned from both the MMD and his ministerial position because he was exposed having dark corner meetings with Judith Kapijimpanga and a PF official, and his wife was also reported to be campaigning for the PF in Chipata,” Ms Siliya said.

She said the MMD remains united and will not be derailed from implementing development programmes.

MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga also said the resignation of Mr Mangani from the ruling party was expected. Mr Mabenga said Mr Mangani’s decision is therefore not surprising, going by the dealings he has been having with the opposition.

In his resignation, Mr Mangani said he would soon announce his next move after meeting his constituents in Chipata.

Mr Mabenga said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Mangani’s resignation has not moved the MMD in any way.

“We saw this coming and we are not surprised that he has resigned. We saw the dealings he had with Mrs Kapijimpanga and other members of the opposition,” Mr Mabenga said.

Mr Mabenga said despite Mr Mangani’s resignation, the MMD is still strong and popular in Chipata Central.

“The MMD is popular in Chipata Central not because of him (Mr Mangani) but because of what the party has done there,” he said.

In his resignation letter, Mr Mangani thanked both President Banda and President Mwanawasa for giving him a chance to serve in different Government positions.

He served in five different ministries since 2006 and said he had been through “ups and downs.”

Early this year, Mr Mangani was pictured at a Lusaka-based lodge holding a private meeting with Mrs Kapijimpanga shortly after the latter joined the PF. But Mr Mangani claimed the meeting was a ‘family affair.’

And MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu confirmed that the party secretariat has received Mr Mangani’s resignation letter dated July 8, 2011.

Mr Nyangu said Mr Mangani’s resignation is his personal decision and could not comment further because by press time, he did not have full details about Mr Mangani’s reasons for resigning.

Meanwhile, Chipata Central MMD youth activist Mathews Phiri says the party in the constituency will fight hard to retain the Chipata Central seat.

Mr Phiri said Mr Mangani has not only betrayed President Banda and the MMD, but the entire Eastern Province and Zambia as a whole. He said Mr Mangani should not take people for granted.

“We will fight for that seat to the bitter end if he decides to recontest it. Let him contest if he can withstand the pressure,” he said.

He said the MMD in the province believed that Mr Mangani would be among the people in the forefront to help President Banda win this year’s elections but the party is disappointed with his (Mr Mangani’s) lack of appreciation for what Mr Banda has done in Chipata Central.

“It is disappointing that he can turn around at this hour. These are the moles in the MMD. But the party is not short of leadership material and I can assure Mr Mangani that we will find a better replacement and it will not be an easy fight for him,” Mr Phiri said.

And JERRY MUNTHALI reports that MMD Copperbelt provincial chairman Joseph Chilambwe says Mr Mangani’s decision to resign his position has proved that he was a mole.

Mr Chilambwe said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that the MMD will not miss Mr Mangani.

“The picture published in the Sunday Mail showing Mr Mangani with Mrs Kapijimpanga (former MMD chairperson for Lands) told everything. We knew that Mr Mangani belongs to the same political party as Mrs Kapijimpanga.

“When we started talking about Mr Mangani, we realised that he is not genuine. He is a mole,” Mr Chilambwe said.

MMD Luapula provincial chairman Emmanuel Chungu described Mr Mangani’s resignation as sad.

“It is sad in the sense that people are using emotions to make decisions. They should not be emotional when making decisions. Mr Mangani should have looked at the bigger picture, which is the MMD, because it is the only political party capable of delivering development to the people,” Mr Chungu said.

Evangelical Youth Alliance International (EYAI) president Reverend Moses Lungu said his organisation is not surprised by Mr Mangani’s decision to resign his position.

“His decision to quit is not new. He always wanted attention from President Banda but the Head of State is not there to make idols,” Rev Lungu said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

The resignation of works and supply deputy minister Lameck Mangani coupled with his planned defection to the Patriotic Front has caused panic in the MMD top leadership, highly placed sources have disclosed to QFM.

Senior MMD officials, including president Rupiah Banda are said to be shocked by the unexpected resignation of Mr. Mangani.

Sources have told QFM that the news has come as a surprise to the party leadership especially that most of them thought that the perceived differences between Mr. Mangani and President Banda were ironed out when he was appointed works and supply deputy minister after being fired as home affairs minister.

The MMD is said to weary that the resignation of Mr. Mangani will enable the Patriotic Front make inroads in the eastern province considered an MMD stronghold.

Works and supply deputy minister announced his resignation from government and the MMD today in letters sent to President Rupiah Banda and MMD National Secretary Richard Kachingwe dated 8th July, 2011.

QFM

The workers at Ministry of Tourism and Environment workers have urged President Rupiah Banda that the removal of Permanent Secretary Lilian Kapulu from her position will not bring a positive change to the ministry until changes were made at lower levels.

In their letter made available to LusakaTimes the workers revealed that the two Directors of Tourism and Forestry are well known non-performers who have overstayed and are literally controlling the Permanent Secretaries no matter who the President appoint.

They noted that Ms Kapulu is professional and could not understand why she was relieved off her duties.

”However, if President Banda really want to make positive changes to the ministry then you should consider changes at lower levels as well,” the workers said.

The workers noted that the two directors of the departments are outdated in their approach and have not shown any meaning initiative to revive the departments of Tourism and Forestry.

“Tourism and forestry policies are decades behind compared to our neighbouring countries which we now cannot compete with like Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe is way ahead of us despite its problems,” the letter read in part.

They said two named directors’ preoccupation is mainly attending international workshops which seem to be yielding nothing to improve the ministry.

The workers observed that the country’s forest is perpetually dwindling in size as there is barely any conservation effort.

They also said that Heads of departments, parastatals, donors, and NGOs have complained about the lack of performance by the Directors of Tourism and Forestry.

“This is an embarrassment to your government. Some donors have even threatened to withhold aid if no changes are made at these levels, while civil servants under these departments are equally frustrated as they are continually intimidated the named Directors.

“So we are now left to wonder if you Mr President care about our tourism, forests and the workers employed in these sectors.” the workers complained in their letter.

They said two Directors should not allowed to ruin the benefits from tourism and forests and hence their appeal to the President to act in the national interest.

“Remember sir, even the civil servants and workers under these sectors and their families are voters too, if you do not act they will, “the workers said.

President Banda this week sacked Ms Kapulu as Permanent Secretary and replaced her with Former Energy and water Development Permanent Secretary Peter Mumba.

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has advised Zambians not to be deceived by the self imposed popularity of some opposition leaders who are making headlines in some tabloids.

Mr. Hichilema says making headlines and what is obtaining on the political ground are different.

He says it is wrong for any leader to assume that they can control voters through making newspaper headlines.

Mr. Hichilema says being sidelined on coverage by some media institutions has given his party an opportunity to get to the grassroots physically.

Mr. Hichilema was speaking at a media briefing at the party secretariat this afternoon.

He also says it is mischievous for the Patriotic Front-PF to think that they still hold ground on the Copperbelt and Lusaka Provinces.

[ZNBC]

Works and Supply Deputy Minister Lameck Mangani has resigned from both government and the MMD with immediate effect.

Mr Mangani who is MMD Chipata central Member of Parliament is also planning to join the opposition Patriotic Front.

Mr Mangani has since written to President Rupiah Banda informing him of his decision to quit.

In his letter dated 8th July, 2011, obtained by QFM Mr Mangani has thanked President Banda for according him the chance to serve in his government.

He has also written to the MMD national secretary withdrawing his membership from the party.

He becomes the second senior MMD official to resign from the ruling party in a space of days after former MMD Chairperson for Women and Chongwe Member of parliament Sylvia Masebo who has since joined the Patriotic Front.

Government has said that it is a fallacy to claim that a country like Zambia can resolve unemployment in 90 days.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Austin Liato said in Lusaka yesterday that the claim is far-fetched.

Mr Sata said on Hot Fm Radio that he would create employment for all Zambians to the extent that the country would have to outsource, as everyone would be employed.

“Only untruthful politicians can take advantage of the unemployed by promising them jobs in three months. Even those who do not understand economics cannot believe that this is possible.

“Mr Sata is misleading only those who have little understanding of economics and taking advantage of the vulnerable,” Mr Liato said.

Mr Liato said Zambians cannot be cheated and they are wise enough to know that Mr Sata is politicking and does not understand what he is talking about.

He said President Banda has been working hard to improve the economy and create employment.

Government has put in place various policies to ensure that the country attracts investors and opens up employment opportunities.

He said Mr Sata should tell the nation why he failed to do what he claims can be done when he was in government.

“He should first explain to the nation what has changed now before making such promises,” Mr Liato said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]