Lusaka lawyer Sakwiba Sikota and former Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Stephen Lungu have said Zambia is among the few countries in the world where the judiciary operates without any form of interference from the Government.

Mr Lungu said during his presidency at LAZ he did not receive any indications from judiciary officials or LAZ members of any interference directly or indirectly from the Government or President Rupiah Banda.

The allegation that President Banda was interfering with the judiciary was published in The Post Newspaper and attributted to former task force on corruption executive chairperson, Maxwell Nkole while Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata has also made such allegations regularly.

Mr Lungu said he could not remember handling any complaint at LAZ during his tenure of office to validate the statement issued by Mr Nkole.

And Mr Sikota said Mr Sata and Mr Nkole should avoid misleading Zambians, adding that there were institutions in Zambia that were set up specifically to deal with complaints against anyone infringing on the operations of the judiciary.

He said the Judicial Complaints Authority, office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, office of the Chief Justice, the Judiciary and LAZ were responsible for hearing complaints where someone had evidence that there was interference in a particular case.

Mr Sikota said it was unfortunate that some people were in the habit of making empty statements on sensitive issues without facts.

Special assistant to the president for Press and public relations, Dickson Jere this week described Mr Nkole’s statement that appeared in The Post as demeaning to the president and insulting to the judiciary.

Mr Jere said President Banda strongly believed in the doctrine of separation of powers which underpins the independence of the judiciary from the other two arms of Government – the executive and the legislature.
[ Times of Zambia ]

The Government will spend K322 billion on this year’s tripartite elections, Deputy Minister in the office of the vice-president Daniel Munkombwe told Parliament yesterday.

Mr Munkombwe told the House that donors were not contributing any funds for specifically holding the polls but were providing funds to support the electoral cycle 2009-2012 project, which was holistic in nature.

He was responding to an oral question by Patriotic Front (PF) Chipili Member of Parliament Davis Mwila, who wanted to know what the estimated cost of holding the 2011 elections in Zambia was, how much money the cooperating partners were expected to contribute and how much had been released as of April 2011.

“The total budget amount being made available by the donors for support to the electoral cycle 2009 to 2012 project is
US$16,371,860.05 and the total amount of money that has been released to support the project as of April 2011 is
$11,532,713.18,” Mr Munkombwe said.

In a follow-up question, Mr Mwila wondered whether all the K322 billion had been released to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), to which Vice-President George Kunda said the money was being released progressively.

He, however, said substantial amounts had been released.

On Wednesday, Mr Munkombwe also told the House that K7.4 billion was used to print the 2006 presidential election ballot papers while K9.2 billion was used for the same exercise in 2008.

He said the cost of holding the presidential polls in 2006 and 2008 was K209 billion and K218 billion, respectively.

He was responding to Kanchibiya PF MP Davies Mwango, who wanted to know how much was spent on printing ballot papers for the 2006 and 2008 presidential polls and how much ECZ spent to conduct the two elections.

Mr Mwango also wanted to know which company was engaged to print the ballot papers, to which Mr Munkombwe said Universal Printing Company Limited of South Africa undertook the project.

Meanwhile, Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba yesterday told Parliament that the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) had in its accounts as of December 2010, K3.841 trillion while Zambia National Provident Fund (ZNPF) had K437.5 billion, bringing the total amount to K4.279 trillion.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Former Cabinet Minister in the second republic, William Harrington, has advised Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata to attend the funeral of second republican president Dr Frederick Chiluba.

Mr Harrington has said that there was no hostility at Belvedere Lodge where the funeral for Dr Chiluba is being held.

He said that the attendance of the funeral by the opposition leader will promote unity and togetherness in the nation.

Mr Harrington was speaking after signing the book of condolence at Belvedere Lodge Thursday morning.

Mr Harrington praised second republican president Dr Frederick Chiluba for his positive achievements during his reign as president.

He cited the introduction of cell-phone communication technology and the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in 1994 as some of Dr Chiluba’s achievements.

Mr Harrington said the removal of duty on imported passenger transport vehicles after the demise of UBZ attests to Dr Chiluba’s many achievements.

[pullquote]The UPND supporters clad in their party colours arrived at belvedere lodge shortly after 15 hours and were received by their MMD counterparts.[/pullquote]

And United Party for National Development (UPND) supporters Thursday afternoon visited belvedere lodge where the funeral for second republican president Dr Frederick Chiluba is being held.

The UPND supporters clad in their party colours arrived at belvedere lodge shortly after 15 hours and were received by their MMD counterparts.

The two party supporters set aside their political differences and embraced each other.

The UPND women then proceeded to sign the book of condolence before going inside the lodge to meet the bereaved family.

Meanwhile, Leadership in Development Executive Director Moses Kalonde has appealed to Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata to attend the funeral Dr Chiluba’s funeral.

ZNBC

Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha says Zambia will regret for generations to come if the opposition will be voted in to power.
Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said by voting for the opposition Zambia as a nation will regret as all the development achievements by the MMD government will stand to reversed.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka, today, that what Zambians need to know was that the opposition political parties have no tangible development agenda for the country.

He said that the electorate should ensure that it votes for the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) for another five year term.

” The MMD government under the leadership of President Rupiah Banda wants to continue with its development being implemented across the country, ” Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said.

He also pointed out that under the leadership of President Banda the country’s economy has continued to grow from strength to strength.

The Chief Government Spokesperson who is also Information and Broadcasting Service Minister said if the opposition is voted into office the development taking place would stall countrywide.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said the ruling MMD supports the peace which is prevailing countrywide.

He pointed out that the MMD government understands and knows that peace would continue to remain very important to the economic development of the country.

In another development, the government spokesperson stated that all the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) led councils have failed run effectively. Lt. Gen Shikapwasha added that it was high time that the PF came to terms and agree it has failed to run all councils it leads in the country.

Among the PF led councils are nearly all municipal and city councils on the Copperbelt and the Lusaka City councils, among others. The Lusaka City Council is currently on suspension due to the land scum involving most PF councilors who are being investigated.

ZANIS

SECRETARY to the Cabinet Joshua Kanjanja has said books of condolences will be opened to members of the public in Lusaka and all the provincial centres.

In a statement released in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Kanganja said in Lusaka that a book would be opened to members of the public at Mulungushi International Conference Centre today and tomorrow between 09:00 hours and 18:00 hours.

Dr Kanganja said in provincial centres, the books of condolences would be opened from today to Sunday, June 26, 2011 at all provincial offices.

“We wish to inform members of the public that books of condolences will be opened in Lusaka this week on Thursday and Friday while in provincial centres the books will be opened on June 23 up to June 26, 2011,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Government has opened an account at Bank of Zambia (BOZ) for contributions towards the hosting of second president of the Republic of Zambia, Frederick Chiluba’s State funeral.

Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the account, ‘State Funeral- Late Dr FTJ Chiluba Trust Fund’ number 0013723005960 had been opened at the central bank.

He said all well wishers should deposit their contributions through any commercial bank countrywide where they would be redirected to BoZ.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said material contributions should be channelled through district and provincial offices.

He said those based in Lusaka could take their material contributions to Cabinet Office.

He also advised that the Lusaka show grounds had been designated as the official venue for public mourning for Dr Chiluba where prayers and other spiritual programmes had been arranged everyday until burial day on Monday, June 27, 2011.

[Times of Zambia]

Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo has promised not to abandon the people of Chongwe district.

Ms Masebo who is former Local Government and Housing Minister in late President Levy Mwanawasa’s regime has vowed to defend her seat in the forthcoming tripartite elections.

The Parliamentarian who was recently suspended as MMD national chairperson for women affairs has however not disclosed on which party ticket she will recontest her seat.

Ms Masebo did not apply to stand on the MMD ticket thereby sparking speculations that she is planning to join the opposition Patriotic Front.

Meanwhile, former MMD Chongwe District chairperson Henry Musonda says the people of Chongwe have resolved to rally behind Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata in this year’s elections.

Speaking an interview with Qfm, Mr. Musonda who recently defected to the PF says it is surprising that a number of bonafide members of the ruling party have been sidelined on the pretext of not being in good standing with party.

He has further charged that the MMD is yet to experience a rude as dozens of its members in Chongwe will soon join the Patriotic Front.

QFM

MMD Lusaka Province Chairman William Banda has challenged Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata to visit the funeral house of second republican president Fredrick Chiluba and justify his claims that MMD cadres want to harm him.

Mr. Banda says it is wrong for Mr. Sata to allege that MMD cadres will harm him if he visits the funeral Dr Chiluba because no such a directive has been made by the top leadership of the party.

Yesterday, MMD Lusaka province task force chairperson Chiwele Maimisa vowed not to allow the opposition Patriotic Front at the funeral of late former republican president Frederick Chiluba.

But Mr. Banda says party members are entitled to their personal opinions but that such opinions should not be viewed as the party’s position.

Mr. Banda tells QFM in an interview that Mr. Sata should openly state why he has decided not to visit the funeral house instead of accusing the MMD of issuing threats.

He says if Dr. Chiluba was really Mr. Sata’s friend as claimed, the PF leader would have overcome the threats and visited the funeral.

The MMD provincial chairperson states that it would be abnormal for the party to bar any individual or political party from attending Dr. Chiluba’s funeral.

QFM

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

X-men: First class takes us to the beginning of the X-men saga. The movie centers on the origins of Magneto , a holocaust survivor , and Professor X,an academic in genetic mutation, showing how different but similar they are. It reveals a secret history of the Cold War and our world at the brink of nuclear Armageddon during the Cuban missile crisis.

As the mutants discovers, harnesses, and comes to terms with their formidable powers, alliances are formed that will shape the eternal war between the heroes and villains of the X-Men universe.

PRO’S

• Great story and excellent acting especially by James McAvoy as Professor Charles Xavier and  Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto
• The development of the friendship between Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto    was a pivotal part of the movie.
• Good visual effects.

CON’S

• At 2hrs 11 Min , it is a bit too long.

CONCLUSION
Even if you have never heard of the X-men you will really enjoy this movie. It is an intelligent , fast-paced and very entertaining prequel .
While it is a very entertaining movie, it also asks the question “should we treat those different from us differently?” If you were a mutant, whose side would you be on, Professor X or Magneto?

FAVOURITE QUOTES
Professor Charles Xavier: “Listen to me very carefully, my friend, killing will not bring you peace”
Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto: “Peace was never an option”

Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto: “I’ve been at the mercy of men just following orders. Never again.”

KAPA187