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.
Farmers have been advised not to panic over the rains that have hit North Western and Copperbelt provinces in the last two days.
North Western Province Meteorological Officer Kameya Manjomba explains that the rains have been caused by moist flow from Congo DR into Central parts of Zambia.
Mr. Manjomba, however, says the rains will not continue and the normal dry pattern will resume.
He says Solwezi, Mwinilunga,and Zambezi Districts in North-Western Province recorded at least two milliliters of rains last week.
And Copperbelt Meteorological Officer Nason Phiri says the rains which were experienced in the region for three days were caused by a dark heavy cloud emanating from North Western Region.
And the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit DMMU on the Copperbelt Province says there has been no damage to infrastructure and crops following the unusual rains recorded in the province.
DMMU Copperbelt Coordinator Hambayi Mweetwa says his office has not received any reports of crop damage.
Mr. Mweetwa says that a house in Chifubu area of Ndola collapsed because the owner was using the roof top as a storage bin.
[ ZNBC ]
HERITAGE Party president Brigadier-General Godfrey Miyanda
Heritage party president Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda has said that he wished that he was as popular as the Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata.
Brig. Gen. Miyanda said that the Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata had sold himself well, which has resulted in him being popular.
Speaking on Radio Phoenix’s let the people talk this morning; the former Republican Vice President however stated that Zambian people will decide on which leader to vote for in the 2011 elections.
Meanwhile, Gen. Miyanda has revealed that his party will soon decide on which particular party it will be working with in the 2011 elections.
He said that the party has not yet decided whether to work with any political party or stand in the elections as the Heritage Party.
Speaking on the same programme, former minister in the MMD government, Andrew Kashita has noted that corruption fight cannot be handled in the way it is being handled.
He has implored whichever government taking office after the 2011 elections to step up systems in the way corruption is fought.
First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda is shown copies of the book ‘The Future Has Arrived’ by author Grieve Sibale at the book launch in Lusaka
WRITING books in a society where the reading culture has declined drastically may not be a fulfilling venture but that has not stopped Grieve Sibale from completing a trilogy of novels in five years.
Sibale’s trilogy started in 2006 with the publication of his ambitious novel The Dance of the Derivatives, which was followed by the suave and futuristic The Land in the Sun before concluding it with The Future Has Arrived.
However, Sibale’s first published work was Between Two Worlds in 1979 under the National Educational Company of Zambia (Neczam Library Series) before bouncing back with Murder in the Forest under Tupelo Honey Industries almost two decades later.
At 59, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Zambia (UNZA) and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Leeds in England. He has a professional diploma in marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and pursued various postgraduate studies at the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, University of Wisconsin in the United States and at the Irish Management Institute in Dublin, Ireland.
Despite that background, Sibale’s interest is not necessarily academic writings. Instead, it seems to be political writings, if his last three books are anything to go by.
His latest novel is about the legacy of an outstanding young leader, Dan Katenga, who continues to move heaven and earth to transform his country on a gargantuan scale never witnessed before.
And as a consequence, his country, Zambia, becomes the most-re-engineered country on the continent of Africa as he bids to re-align it to the fast changing macro-environment of the 21st century. In the process, Zambia even manages to achieve its most lofty mission of becoming the most lucent beacon of success on the continent.
Though it is fiction, the book is dedicated to former President Kenneth Kaunda, who also officiated at the launch of the book in Lusaka recently.
According to the author, like the main character in the novel, Dr Kaunda cared about the legacy he would leave after vacating the highest office in the land.
In his dedication notes, the author pays tribute to the former president for moving to State House in the newly independent Zambia and leaving 27 years later still in the same poor state.
Sibale says both Dr Kaunda and his main character Dan Katenga strongly believed in the biblical teaching that they came to this earth with nothing in their possession and that they will also eventually return to their God with nothing, and also fervently believed in the sanctity of public assets, which must never be plundered by anyone no matter their position in society. This is in spite of the fact that both men had been living in the midst of plenty during their respective reigns of power.
Sibale’s three last books are set against the backdrop of a change in the leadership of the country which saw Double Kei losing the election. However, the government that assumed office soon after was disappointing to the masses to say the least. The scenario was that of grinding hunger, abject poverty, debilitating diseases, and piteous ignorance.
Despite this scenario, the president still wanted to go for a further third term and was only foiled by the bravery of the Zambian people. Still, with much impunity, he rigged the election in favour of his surrogate presidential candidate and members of his ruling political party.
However, the masses took to the streets in large numbers to protest against their stolen votes. With the help of the international community, the results of the disputed general elections were annulled after a recount was undertaken. Consequently, Dan Katenga and his new Zambia in the Sun Party were declared bona fide winners.
And when he assumed the office of president, Dan realised that the journey to the land in the sun that he promised his people was not going to be short and smooth but a long and complex one requiring a lot of stamina, resilience and meticulous planning.
In his first five years in office, Dan Katenga did everything possible to try and change the fortunes of the country. The economy, which had been on the verge of collapsing, was skilfully re-engineered and started to grow at the same rate as that of the East Tiger nations.
Macro-economic fundamentals such as inflation, interest and foreign exchange rates also started looking good. The country also became one of the most preferred destinations for foreign direct investment with many multi-national corporations setting up base. The new government set up a mixed economy in which individuals, private companies and state enterprises were participating freely.
Additionally, the major cities and towns were no longer an eyesore with street kids after they became absorbed in schools, trades training institutes, mines, factories and on the land with others getting self-employed after acquiring appropriate entrepreneurship skills.
The government also established new primary and secondary schools, teacher training colleges, trades training institutes, technical colleges and universities across the country. This, coupled with the abolition of all types of school fees, led to a rise in both literacy and enrolment levels.
When it came to the area of politics, a major paradigm shift took place with sanity being restored.
Politics of insults, name-calling, character assassination, mud-slinging, settling of old personal scores, and other such unwanted shenanigans were consigned to the political dustbin for good.
Even the practice of arranging for fake but sometimes genuine mass defections of members of one political party to another at well choreographed and heavily-publicised political rallies was done away with.
Further, the civil service started functioning efficiently and effectively like a well-oiled, turbo-charged engine following its complete overhaul.
Remuneration packages of civil servants and other public workers were increased remarkably across the board leading to improved workers morale and a significant improvement in the delivery of public services.
On the international front, many successes were recorded. With the encouragement of the president, a number of well-qualified Zambians started getting employed by all the United Nations agencies in which the country was grossly under-represented.
There was also a queue of world leaders wanting to pay state visits to Zambia. At the same time, Dan had a number of invitations for state visits. The visibility of Zambia on the international scene was further enhanced with the election of Dan as chairperson of the African Union (UN).
The success was extended to sports with the Zambia national soccer team winning the Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in its history. Also, one of its runners, the indefatigable MwendalubiMuleya won both the Boston and London marathon with ease before adding a gold medal at the Olympic Games.
In the pugilistic sport of the sweet science, Teddy “The Dream Hammer” Makofi of Kitwe, won the highly –regarded World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight championship in the gambling city of Las Vegas, USA.
With all these successes, the people of Zambia persuaded Dan to go for a second term despite his reluctance. But after completing his second term, there was still pressure for him to amend the Constitution to allow him go for a third one.
However, he resisted this temptation, in his female deputy president, he and the country had a worthy successor. By grooming his female deputy for the presidency, he believed that he would be contributing greatly to closing the gender gap in the nation.
Here, he also resisted the temptation to have his wife succeeding him despite herself showing strong interest in the position.
All in all, the author presents Dan, almost like a messiah, and without blame. While that could be deliberate, a move meant to inspire readers; it would have been even more helpful to present more of his weaknesses as well. Almost all the world’s greatest leaders in history have always had their weak points, even Nelson Mandela. In fact, the former South African prisoner and world’s most famous prisoner, says one of his fears is that people tend to regard him as a saint, one without defects. Well, in any case, even autobiographies and authorised biographies normally contain some shortcomings.
But perhaps, the author wanted to show the kind of integrity and leadership that is needed in public life. Overall, the book serves to remind all Zambians of what is possible for this nation if everyone applied themselves fully to the cause. A good addition to the literary scene!
(The book is available at Bookworld, Zambia Educational Publishing House and Planet Books Arcades)
THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has found Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Wynter Kabimba “guilty” of impropriety in a case in which a Bank of Zambia (BoZ) employee, Phales Chiwila had complained that he misconducted himself when he represented her over a dispute with her employers.
The legal practitioners committee that sat on Friday, May 20, 2011 also quashed Mr Kabimba’s K12-million bill that he had submitted to Ms Chiwila in the midst of the dispute.
The bill would have nullified Ms Chiwila’s claim of K10 million that she had paid as legal fees but she demanded that Mr Kabimba should discontinue his representation and asked for the refund, which the lawyer failed to honour.
Ms Chiwila raised a complaint against the conduct of Mr Kabimba and claimed that the PF secretary general offered to refund her but he had not done so and she had since failed to engage another lawyer to represent her.
Details before the committee, mainly composed of State counsels that included veteran lawyer Patrick Mvunga, were that Mr Kabimba had failed to refund Ms Chiwila K10 million legal fees after he withdrew his representation but instead produced another bill of K12 million.
Mr Kabimba had been representing Ms Chiwila since 2009 in a case in which she had sued her employers, BoZ contesting that the central bank did not fund her medical bills in full when she travelled to South Africa’s Milpark Clinic for medical treatment.
The bank refused to pay her 80 per cent of the R130,000 in medical bills on account of lack of funds in line with her conditions of service but she sued after getting evidence that there was K500 million in the account for workers’ medical requirements.
Mr Kabimba had initially been summoned through administrative assistant Sipelile Mwila on March 18, 2011 but the case could not be heard because the PF secretary general was out on other businesses.
LAZ was established under section 13 (3) Chapter 31 to hear cases of alleged misconduct by lawyers against their clients and has powers to suspend or ban lawyers from practicing if found wanting.
Ms Mwila advised that Mr Kabimba and Ms Chiwila could bring witnesses and documents to support their arguments.
When hearing took place at LAZ offices in Rhodes Park, Mr Kabimba was alone and Ms Chiwila was also alone.
The committee asked Ms Chiwila to explain her case before Mr Kabimba could defend himself.
After about 45 minutes of the hearing, the committee ordered Mr Kabimba to pay K5 million and also dismissed his claim that he was owed K12 million in legal fees and yet representation was discontinued.
Ms Chiwila, in her four-page letter of complaint to LAZ stated that she issued instructions to Mr Kabimba to subpoena deputy BoZ governor for administration Tukiya Mabula to ask her on the contradictions between the bank’s sworn affidavits and their own testimonies but that was not done.
She also said the bank was in possession of a full document by its disciplinary committee and her lawyer should have made sure that he asked for it after the bank’s lawyer ruled the earlier one as not authentic.
In her letter dated December 8, 2010 to Mr Kabimba, Ms Chiwila stated that the secretary and chairperson of the disciplinary committee should be summoned to deal with the document.
The other complaint was that among the documents submitted to the Industrial Relations Court where the matter was being heard, there was crucial correspondence that compounded the whole matter in her favour.
Her view was that Mr Kabimba should have declared interest in the matter because he did not appear keen on dealing with her matter and that at some point, he was absent from court and told her that he was ill but she found him working in his office the same day.
Ms Chiwila also complained that when BoZ changed lawyers and engaged MNB Practitioners, Mr Kabimba did not alert her and she only learnt about it in court.
She said it was because of these differences that she sought to clarify how serious he was and he responded by telling her to seek the services of another lawyer and promised to refund her, which was not done.
Mr Kabimba confirmed having attended the sitting but said he was not available to give details on the matter.
“Find out from LAZ not me. When there is a case do you get details from the defendant or the plaintiff? Go to LAZ and get the details about that case,” he said.
Asked whether he had paid the money, Mr Kabimba insisted that the details could still be obtained from LAZ.
When a woman becomes pregnant for the first time, it is natural for her and her partner to be concerned about the effect that making love will have on their unborn child.
Most women who are having a normal pregnancy may continue to have sex right up until their water breaks or they go into labor. You won’t hurt the baby by making love. Its is good for the baby too and infact at the end of pregnancy,sex may help induce labour.Here a few common questions or myths surrounding sex in pregnancy.
Myths
1.Having sex in the first trimester can cause miscarriage
FALSE: Most first trimester miscarriges are caused by chromosomal abnormalities.
2.Orgasm may affect the baby’s development
FALSE: Not only is it harmless,but it is known that an expectant moms orgasm has an effect almost like a jacuzzi-shaking up the amniotic fluid and bringing about a renewal of oxygen to the placenta which can only benefit baby.
3.Pregnant woman shouldn’t find sex pleasurable
FALSE:Making love was how you conceived- and if you feel fulfilled and happy,this can only benefit your baby
4.There are certain medical reasons why you can’t have sex
TRUE: You’ll be advised to restrict sex during the first trimester if you have a history of miscarriage,if your waters have broken;if you have placenta praevia(where the placenta is positioned near or over the cervix blocking babys exit,in instances of genital herpes or another sexually transmitted disease.
5.Deep penetration during sex can hurt baby
FALSE: Your unborn baby is well protected in the uterus inside the amniotic sac which acts as a protective bubble.Moreover a plug of mucus at the cervix neck seals it off from the vagina so that your unborn baby can’t be hurt or disturbed.
6. Vaginal bleeding can occur after sex
TRUE: Increased blood flow to the uterus makes the cervix much softer during pregnancy.As a result of this increased sensitivity ,deep penetration can cause bleeding.
Disclaimer:The information in this article is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind.If you have any health concerns please see your health care provider
PF leader Michael Sata
Kabwata Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament Given Lubinda has charged that his party is enjoying overwhelming support in Western Province.
Mr. Lubinda says the recent mammoth rallies that the party conducted in the province are a clear indication that Zambians are set to have regime change ahead of the forthcoming tripartite elections.
He says critics who suggest that Western province is a no go area for the opposition party have been proved wrong as the PF is gaining ground in the area.
The Parliamentarian has also ruled out reports stating that the police command did not provide security for the PF rallies in Western Province despite the party requesting in writing.
PF leader Michael Sata over the weekend addressed rallies in Western province where he promised to take development to the area once elected in office.
[ QFM ]
The Committee of Citizens has praised United States (US) Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella for rescinding his decision to support the parallel vote tabulation (PVT) and advising the US government to channel the funds meant for the exercise to voter education and participation campaigns.
Executive director Gregory Chifire said in Lusaka yesterday that it was good that Mr Storella had realised that PVT was not right for Zambia and commended him for speaking within the confines of local laws.
Mr Chifire said the electoral laws in Zambia were clear and that any institution propagating PVT was working against local legislation.
He said the US government, through the National Democratic Institute (NDI), should now channel the 3.8 million British pounds that it wanted to spend on PVT to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to strengthen the institution’s operations for this year’s election programmes.
Mr Chifire also emphasised that NDI should in the future use transparent non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to carry out election monitoring activities unlike in the past when it appointed and recruited organisations with questionable backgrounds.
He said the institute should ensure the organisations that it appointed to monitor elections were non-partisan.
Forum for Leadership Search Executive director Edwin Lifwekelo said his organisation was against PVT as it did not trust those who wanted to conduct the process.
Mr Lifwekelo said there was no other credible institution besides ECZ that could conduct elections.
“The principle in conducting PVT lies in trust. No institution can be trusted if they are partisan. It is therefore better that everyone is realising that the only qualified institution to conduct and announce elections is ECZ,” he said.
The Bishops Council of Zambia and Christian Coalition also commended Mr Storella over his position on PVT.
Speaking in separate interviews yesterday, Bishops Council of Zambia spokesperson Gibson Nyirenda said the Church body appreciated Mr Storella’s position as ECZ was the only legal institution with the mandate to conduct electoral matters.
Christian Coalition spokesperson John Mwendapole described Mr Storella’s stance as a sign of good leadership which other diplomats should emulate because PVT was a recipe for anarchy.
Meanwhile, acting Livingstone District registration officer Clement Chisanga said the training workshop for assistant registration officers will assist them effectively participate in the voter verification exercise.
He said the training was part of efforts by ECZ to try and improve the electoral process.
Mr Chisanga was speaking during training for local assistant registration officers at Livingstone Lodge in yesterday.
He said verification of the voters’ register would be undertaken in all the 61 polling stations.
District assistant registration officer Nelson Sakala said the district would have nine registration kits to deal with replacements, objections, transfers and notifications of death.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) president Charles Milupi
ALLIANCE for Democracy and Development president Charles Milupi has said Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata is being fooled about popularity by the crowds of people who want to witness his comic character but should forget about winning this year’s presidential elections.
Mr Milupi said Mr Sata’s campaigns had been narrowed to his demand for change that is devoid of issues and warned that people who want entertainment at Mr Sata’s rallies should not be trusted because they would not vote for him.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Milupi said Mr Sata pulled the biggest crowds in 2006 and 2008 but lost the elections.
He said the people of Zambia attend every rally addressed by politicians but their correct views were only expressed when the time for voting comes.
He was aware that some cadres raise every symbol of political parties depending on who was addressing them.
It was not true that Mr Sata was popular because he would be coming out with the least number of votes in the same areas where he was addressing huge rallies.
“I remember in 2006 and 2008, Mr Sata was addressing what looked like seas of people but he lost. He had huge crowds even in Mongu itself but what happened when the time for voting came? They did not vote for him so people should not panic. Mr Sata is nowhere in Western Province,” Mr Milupi said.
He said if the huge rallies Mr Sata was addressing in Eastern, Western, Southern, Lusaka, Central and other areas were a reflection of his popularity, he (Mr Milupi) would have long withdrawn his candidature to avoid wasting resources.
Mr Milupi said he had just returned from a tour of Mongu, Kalabo, Senanga and others and that there was no sign of Mr Sata’s presence on the ground.
“The fact is that on the ground there is absolutely nothing. People go to attend Mr Sata’s rallies for entertainment because he does not have any programme for this country and people know.
People want issues beyond change but he is campaigning for change and not issues,” Mr Milupi said.
Mr Milupi said advocacy for change without issues would not go anywhere in the country because Zambians were intelligent.
He said ADD had focused its campaigns for change that would result in poverty alleviation and not change that would simply remove the Government from power without an agenda for the people.
“As ADD, we are not created to entertain people. Mr Sata is well covered by some media but these people will not vote for him. The people want improved governance and the addition to the wealth that has been created,” Mr Milupi said.
The ADD president said Mr Sata was failing to deal with issues each time he addresses public rallies but merely called for change without elaborating what programme he has for the people.
Meanwhile, former PF secretary general Edward Mumbi has said Mr Sata’s failure to pay a courtesy call on the Litunga confirmed the opposition leader’s hate for the Lozi King whom he planned to deregister in an event that he became president.
Mr Mumbi said in Lusaka yesterday Mr Sata’s hate for the Litunga was so bad that he vowed that he would have him deregistered if elected president.
Last month, Mr Mumbi told the Times that Mr Sata had confided in him when he was the party’s secretary general that he (Mr Sata) would have the Litunga deregistered if the PF came into power because the Litunga was allegedly boastful and thought he was also Republican president.
Mr Mumbi also disclosed that Mr Sata had plans to ban the Kuomboka traditional ceremony because it widely publicised the Litunga locally and internationally, thereby making the Lozi king look as if he was more popular than the president.
“You see I never knew that I will be vindicated so soon. When I tell the nation that this is what Mr Sata told me when I worked with him, people should not take it lightly.
“Mr Sata’s failure to pay a courtesy call on the Litunga just confirms that the man truly has no regard for the Lozi King. If you remember very well, I even challenged Mr Sata to come out and say I was lying or even to take me to court over this matter,” he said.
At the weekend, Mr Sata who was addressing rallies in Western Province snubbed the Litunga, the move which annoyed the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE).
Mr Mumbi said Mr Sata had written to second Republican president Frederick Chiluba calling for the need to deregister the Litunga, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba and Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni.
He said Mr Sata had no regard for the Zambian traditional values and that his behaviour had probably confirmed that he was not a Zambian but a Tanzanian as confirmed by his Chimwemwe Member of Paliament Willie Nsanda in November 2001.
ZAMTEL has introduced mobile internet to add to its growing product portfolio list.
The product provides an affordable access to all social media platforms as well as instant chat applications including Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk and MSN Messenger.
Zamtel chief commercial officer Amon Jere, said the company is in a hurry to make a positive mark on the telecommunication sector in Zambia by introducing a full cycle of communication solutions aimed at meeting customer needs.
“We are moving fast to ensure we provide a full cycle of communication solutions aimed at meeting customer needs,” Mr Jere said.
We would like our valued customers to enjoy browsing, explore and connect with family and friends using the most affordable mobile internet connection in Zambia he added.
Mr Jere said this in a statement released by communications manager Kennedy Mambwe in Lusaka yesterday.
And Mr Jere said the firm has also paired the launch of its mobile Internet with the introduction of an internet-enabled dual sim Hauwei G3511 for K150,000 with K5,000 airtime to use on net.
The internet-enabled dual simHauwei G3511 comes with expandable memory, FM radio and MP3 capability.
“When a customer purchases the Huawei G3511 for only K150,000, they get free Internet browsing for 30 days. Included in this offer is K5,000 for on-net calls,” he said.
Mr Jere said mobile internet charges will only apply after the promotion has ended.
Communication and Transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa
GOVERNMENT says the growth and competitiveness of information and communication technology (ICT) will be dependant on creating a strong backbone by highly supporting the use of fibre optics.
Minister of Communications and Transport Geoffrey Lungwangwa said the introduction of fibre optics in Zambia is one measure that is aimed at easing the use of ICTs.
He was speaking at the Fibre Optics Association (FOA) seminar held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Friday.
He said Government is in full support of the use of fibre optics and that it will make sure all parts of the country are interconnected.
“Government also aims at better connecting the nation to the rest of the world by keeping abreast of what is going on.
It is for this reason that the government went into an agreement with Zamtel and Zesco Limited to develop the backbone communication infrastructure by installing fibre optics in all districts,” he said.
He said the use of fibre optic networks makes it easy and cheaper to connect Zambia to other African countries and the rest of the world.
He said the use of ICTs has contributed favourably to the growth of gross domestic product adding to national output.
“These new technologies contribute significantly to our economic growth by lowering the cost at which we do business,” he said.
He said the use of ICTs should provide services to both urban and rural dwellers respectively.
“As Government, we are on the verge of rolling out e-government services which will of course ride on the network of the operators, therefore creating the traffic for the operators to roll out their services to rural areas,” he said.
Zambia Information Communication Technology (ZICTA) acting director general Susan Mulikita said the use of fibre optics is cost effective and a swift means of connecting communities which are far from business centers.
She said the use of fibre optics networks is beneficial not only to users but also to the economy.
“As ZICTA we are pleased that the ICT sector has continued to make significant contributions to the growth of the economy even during the recent recession,” he said.
Mr Mulikita, however, urged all stakeholders to speed up technological advancements required to make a positive impact on communication.
And ICT Resource Centre executive director Ernest Kamanga said the centre has trained 175 students, who are both technicians and design specialists. They will be the FOA certified technicians.
Mike Mulongoti sharing a light moment with president Rupiah Banda
By Daimone Siulapwa
LAST year in June, then ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) chairman for elections, not for the first time, went on an attack against Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata, who he now seemingly wants to be President of this poor country called Zambia.
Mr Mulongoti said in a story carried out in the Zambia Daily Mail that it is hypocritical for Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata to claim that the ruling party is taking long to develop the country when he failed to deliver meaningful development to the country when he served as a Cabinet minister.
This statement came in the wake of Mr Sata saying the MMD had overstayed in Government and that it had run out of ideas on how to effectively run the affairs of the nation. Mr Sata had also said that President Rupiah Banda had introduced Zambians to poverty by allegedly failing to run the affairs of the nation.
However, Mike Mulongoti was not impressed at all with the statement by Mr Sata and went on to say the PF leader should stop boasting that he can effectively run the affairs of the nation when the opposition leader made a lot of mistakes when he served in Government.
“The MMD is trying to correct the many mistakes that Mr Sata made when he was in Government…why is he distancing himself from the wrongs that he made?” he asked before adding that the people of Zambia cannot continue to be cheated by Mr Sata that he will develop the nation within 90 days if he is ushered into office as president when he has allegedly failed to deliver improved service delivery in some PF-controlled councils.
“Zambians have seen for themselves how the PF-controlled councils have failed to provide improved social amenities to the people, but Mr Sata is again politicking that he can deliver development to the people of Zambia.
“People should not be cheated by this type of cheap politics because they are coming from politicians who failed to deliver when they were in power and just a reminder, the 90 days they promised the people has passed but we have not seen any development in the PF-controlled councils,” he said.
“Mr Sata should not be trusted because he failed to deliver because of his inability to set the right priority for national development when he was in Government. We are advising all well-meaning Zambians not to waste their votes by voting for the opposition. The only candidate we have to support is President Banda who has demonstrated remarkable leadership from the time he became President of this nation to date.”
That is Mike Mulongoti for you speaking less than a year ago today. How times change! No, how human beings change within a short time is more appropriate perhaps.
In September 2008, while campaigning in the Presidential elections, the then Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and Chief Government spokesperson threatened to sort out The Post newspaper after the elections.
At a public rally at Solwezi Showgrounds, Mulongoti – in an apparent reference to The Post – said after the MMD wins the presidential election on October 30, they would ask Vice-President Rupiah Banda to go out of the country for a while so that on his return, Vice-President Banda would find all the problems sorted out.
“That is why some newspapers have gone on a field day writing what they are writing about,” Mulongoti said. “I will say to him, ‘when we win elections, just leave the country for a while and you will find that we will have sorted all these problems’.”
This meeting was also attended by former Works and supply minister Ludwig Sondashi, who apparently, is also supporting the PF leader in this year’s elections. Not to be left out of the party, Sondashi advised Rupiah Banda to ignore what some newspapers were writing about him.
“My brother Rupiah Banda, don’t listen to what is being written in some newspapers because it is what they used to do even for your predecessor. They used to write bad things about him but what they are today writing about the late president Levy Mwanawasa, it is as if he was an angel, Vice-President Banda will make a great leader,” Sondashi said before threatening to beat up anybody who would mention Patriotic Front president Michael Sata’s name in his presence.
That is Sondashi for you, who today is also busy campaigning for Mr Sata.
Anyhow, back to Mike Mulongoti, who also served as MMD spokesperson at some stage. It would interest readers to know that it is not only The Post that Mike Mulongoti threatened, but even the Church.
Sometime last year, then acting MMD spokesperson Mike Mulongoti was quoted in the Zambia Daily Mail as saying church leaders should stop attacking Government ministers otherwise the ruling party might be forced to hit back at them.
“It cannot be fair for bishops to be attacking ministers. They cannot go on calling ministers names when we have the capacity to fight back as politicians,” Mr Mulongoti said.
Looking back and forth, it is difficult to fathom that this is the same Mike Mulongoti we are hearing in the media today attacking President Banda and the public media while embracing Michael Sata.
Perhaps the only logical conclusion one can draw is that Mike Mulongoti’s change in his views has everything to do with the change in his personal fortunes.
Having championed together with the late Ben Tetamashimba the adoption of Rupiah Banda to be the MMD candidate in the 2008 presidential elections, Mr Mulongoti expected the President to return the favour.
And that favour, it now seems was his support for him to be MMD vice-president and in the process put himself in pole position to succeed him as President. But as it turned out, RB had other ideas and Mr Mulongoti was duly blocked from fulfilling his ambitions. With that, he was shown the door and encouraged to use it and close it afterwards.
Today, Mr Mulongoti is championing the opposition cause.
Whichever way one looks at it, this is a direct insult on the intelligence of the Zambian people. Today, one is busy supporting the policies and leadership of the MMD, then at noon, he is busy putting across the case for change. One wonders what he will be doing in the evening and late at night!
Agreed, we all sympathized with his suspension from the MMD for merely exercising his democratic right to contest the position of vice-president which was vacant and still remains so. By announcing his intention for the position, which would have pitted him against republican Vice President George Kunda, we all thought it was a right move in promoting and enhancing internal party democracy.
But his conduct since being fired leaves much to be desired. Certainly, Mr Mulongoti, during his time in government, seemed not to have seen anything wrong with the MMD policies to warrant the change in government that he is championing now.
For a country like Zambia seemingly in a hurry to develop, these are the politicians who should be discarded with altogether.
THE MMD will soon meet the Catholic Church to resolve contentious issues which have brought unnecessary tension between the ruling party and the church, national secretary Richard Kachingwe said in Lusaka yesterday.
Major Kachingwe said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the current standoff between the ruling party and the Catholic Church is uncalled for and should be resolved amicably.
“The Catholic Church is entitled to its own opinion and we should not quarrel with them in the newspapers. It is important that as the ruling party, we engage them in dialogue.
“We are ready and willing to iron out whatever problems between us as long as the church is willing to listen to our grievances,” Maj Kachingwe said.
He said the MMD has resolved to dialogue with the Catholic Church to end the impasse so that both parties can concentrate on fostering economic development.
Maj Kachingwe said all party members have been advised to desist from commenting on matters concerning the Catholic Church until all issues are resolved.
He said the Catholic Church, like any other church, is Government’s partner in national development, hence the need for dialogue whenever differences bordering on national issues arise.
Maj Kachingwe said the MMD respects the opinion of the Catholic Church and its positive views on national development.
“It does not make sense to engage the Catholic Church in verbal war when most of the party members congregate in the same church.
“We want to leave the church out of politics so that they can concentrate on their charity work. We do not want to argue with them, especially in the media,” Maj Kachingwe said.
He said MMD members should stop talking about the Catholic Church because this will aggravate the situation.
Maj Kachingwe said the Catholic Church should also be ready to hear the MMD government’s grievances over priests like Father Frank Bwalya who have continued to attack and discredit government.
He said it is not the wish of the MMD to continue responding to insults and attacks from Fr. Bwalya and other priests.
Maj Kachingwe said individual Catholic priests should not use their positions to attack government but seek audience with it if they feel aggrieved.
He said the MMD does not want to fight the Catholic Church in the media over issues which can be resolved at a round table.
Maj Kachingwe said the MMD is not happy that Caritas Zambia, a Catholic non-governmental organisation,is allegedly engaged in active politics and it is incumbent upon the church to ensure that Caritas stops partisan activities.
Last week, Zambia Episcopal Conference president George Lungu released a pastoral letter addressed to all Catholic Parishes in Zambia, to be read out to parishioners on June 5.
In the letter, Reverend Lungu said among other issueson which the Catholic Church will remain non-partisan is politics.
He also said the church does not promote gay rights because homosexuality and lesbianism are seriously wrong and sinful acts which should not be tolerated. Rev. Lungu also called for peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Four people have been convicted and sent to jail in connection with the Mansa riots.
Police spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana has said in Lusaka that of the 220 suspects arrested, 107 have appeared in court.
Ms. Siamana explained that the four people, who have been convicted, have been incarcerated for various jail sentences.
Those convicted are Frank Mukupa aged 57, Charles Kabangu aged 27, Jackson Kabo aged 32 and Vincent Mulenga aged 26, all of Mansa district.
Meanwhile, in Lusaka, a Rwandese national and his son were yesterday found dead in their shop in Chazanga area.
Ms. Siamana says Police suspect the two could have suffocated to death because a brazier was also found in the shop.
[ MUVI ]
The quartet of high profile ex-Zambia internationals coaching in the Faz Division 1 had mixed fortunes in their respective week 11 matches played over the weekend.
In Division 1 South, Kenneth “Bubble” Malitoli’s side Livingstone Pirates beat Profund Warriors coached by fellow ex-international Evans Sakala 2-0 in Livingstone.
Profund are 14th in the 18-team Division 1 South league on 10 points from as many games played.
Pirates meanwhile are 4th on the table on 18 points, two behind leaders Luena Buffaloes who lost 2-1 away to Paramilitary coached by ex-Zambia defender Happy Sichikolo.
This was Sichikolo’s first match in charge since he was appointed last week to coach the Lilayi-based team.
And in Division 1 North, Fredrick Kashimoto’s Mufulira Police FC drew 1-1 away to Kitwe United in their mid-table clash.
Mufulira Police are 9th on the table on 12 points, eight less than leaders Indeni.
FAZ Division One
22/05/2011
Week 11
North
Chambishi 0-Luanshya United 1
Kabwe United 0-Mufulira Blackpool 2
Mufulira Wanderers 0-Mining Rangers 0
Kitwe United 1-Mufulira Police 1
Zesco Luapula 0-Ndola United 0
Indeni 1- Nkwiza 0
Lusaka Dynamos 0-Prison Leopards 3
Chindwin Sentries 2-kalulushi Modern Stars 0
Bresmer United 2-Konkola Mine Police 1
[standings league_id=19 template=extend logo=false]
South
Big Roma 1-Lusaka Tigers 1
Riflemen 0-Kalomo Jetters 0
Livingstone Pirates 2-Profund Warriors 0
National Assembly 1-Nampundwe 0
Paramilitary 2-Luena Buffaloes 1
Senanga Leopards 2- Freedom Rangers 3
Petauke United 0-Lusaka City Council 0
City of Lusaka 2-Mazabuka United 1
Young Green Eagles 1-Kafue Celtic 0
