Armed bandits on Thursday evening shot dead a man and injured two others in a robbery mission in Ngombe compound in Zambia’s capital Lusaka.

The incident happened around 20:00 hours when the armed bandits snatched undisclosed sums of money from a named talk time dealer before they shot him dead as he tried to confront them.

After the bandits shot dead the named talk time dealer some eye witnesses attempted to pursue them but where caught up in the shooting incident.

Two of those that attempted to chase the bandits were shot at.

The duo that sustained gunshot injuries in the stomach and hand have since been admitted to the university teaching hospital UTH.

The Zambia police service’s spokesperson Ndandula Siamana has indicated that the police service has launched a manhunt for the fugitive bandits.
[ MUVI ]

President Banda says he is ready to take up the challenge of the position of party president at the MMD national convention to be held in Kabwe.

The President said this in Lusaka on March 25 when he successfully filed nomination papers for party president at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

“I have successfully filed in my nomination and I am ready for battle. As you can see, I already have my campaign team, so I am ready for the convention and the ultimate election,” he said.
Mr Banda, who was accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe, arrived at the venue around 09:30 hours.

President Banda’s candidature was proposed by MMD North-Western Province chairman Pinakin Patel and seconded by Central Province chairlady Grace Mulando. His election agent is Central Province MMD chairman Boyd Mutonka.

Meanwhile, MMD member Nason Msoni has dropped his intention to run for the MMD presidency.
Mr Msoni said in a statement issued on March 25 that in the near future, he will join hands with other politicians seeking the way forward for Zambia.

The electoral commission, chaired by Lusaka lawyer Christopher Mundia, scrutinised President Banda’s membership and also checked his receipt for the nomination fee of K10 million before allowing him to leave.

“You will be hearing from the electoral commission soon,” Mr Mundia told President Banda.
Mulungushi International Conference Centre was a hive of activity as hundreds of MMD members turned up in solidarity with the President.

President Banda was in high spirits and took some time to greet most of the members and danced to a popular MMD tune, chwelela.

And Vice-President George Kunda also filed his nomination papers for the position of party vice-president. Mr Kunda, who was escorted by his wife, Ireen, filed his papers around 12:00 hours.

Others who filed their nominations included Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Lieutenant-General Ronnie Shikapwasha (chairman security), Minister of Works and Supply Gabriel Namulambe (elections chairman), Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Bradford Machila (chairman lands), Minister of Local Government and Housing Brian Chituwo (chairman local government), Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Maxwell Mwale (chairman mines).

Minister of Education Dora Siliya (chairperson publicity and information), Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training Peter Daka (chairman transport), Minister of Labour and Social Security Austin Liato (chairman labour), Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane (chairman finance and economics), Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives Eustarckio Kazonga (chairman agriculture) and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango (chairperson labour) also filed their nominations.

Others are Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing Moses Muteteka (national youth chairman), Lusaka businessman Goodward Mulubwa (national treasurer), Kelvin Sampa (national youth chairman), Sylvia Masebo (national women’s chairperson), acting MMD national secretary Chembe Nyangu (deputy national secretary).

Dr Musokotwane, Mr Machila and Mrs Nalumango entertained MMD cadres as they danced to the amusement of all.

And later in the day, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati filed nomination papers for the position of national chairman for commerce, trade and industry, along with Southern Province Minister Elijah Muchima for national chairman for defence and security.

Deputy Minister of Community Development and Social Services Friday Malwa filed national chairman for art and culture and former Copperbelt MMD provincial chairman Terence Findlay for national trustee.

Meanwhile, President Banda has said Government supports the stance taken by the African Union (AU) concerning the bombings in Libya.

“Zambia is a member of the African Union which supports the resolutions of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, and I am a member of the AU,” he said.

in Mumbwa being implemented by the Mumbwa district council.

[ Zambia Dail Mail ]

The President said this in response to queries from journalists on the status of the party’s vice-presidency.

“I am not aware of the freezing of the position of party vice-president. Somebody jumped the gun. That decision has to be made by the convention. I was also surprised to see it in the paper,” he said.

And acting national secretary Chembe Nyangu said proposals for the freezing of the position of vice-president will be tabled at the national convention.

“There was an element of trying to freeze the position but the decision can only be made at the convention. A few members thought that the position was creating problems, so they proposed amendments for it to be scrapped but the decision will be made at the convention,” he said.

“I am not aware of the freezing of the position of party vice-president. Somebody jumped the gun. That decision has to be made by the convention. I was also surprised to see it in the paper,” he said.

Mr Nyangu said MMD members who wish to contest the position are free to do so.

“So far we have Vice-President George Kunda and Patrick Musonda, who are interested in the position and they will be allowed to file their nominations,” he said.

Mr Nyangu, however, said some members feel strongly that the position must be scrapped or frozen and the matter would be debated at the convention.

He also said only members who are in good standing with the party will be allowed to contest positions at the convention.

“Even those who are not in good standing can attempt to file nominations but they will not be accepted,” he said.

Those who are on the blacklist, according to Mr Nyangu, include Katuba member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa, Kafulafuta MP George Mpombo, former Minister of Works and Supply and MMD elections chairman Mike Mulongoti and former Lufwanyama councillor David Kalutwa.

And commenting on the decision by the court to throw out Mr Mulongoti’s injunction against the MMD, Mr Nyangu responded, “He had it coming.”

Mr Mulongoti had filed an injunction asking the court to restrain the party from accepting nominations from any member, to protect his right to be elected to a party position.

High Court judge Nigel Mutuna argued that Mr Mulongoti was suspended from the MMD and he had no rights to protect.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

PRESIDENT Banda yesterday commissioned a K12 billion new Mumbwa District Hospital with a call on the district health management team to devise new and more effective ways of looking after public infrastructure.

The President has also assured paramedics in the country that Government is paying serious attention to the various challenges they face.

Mr Banda said the district health management team in Mumbwa should take good care of the new hospital and equipment to enhance health service delivery.

“I urge you to try to develop new and more effective ways of looking after this public property which we will all need from time to time,” he said.

Mr Banda said the commissioning of the new district hospital in Mumbwa is an affirmation of another great achievement Government has recorded and for the people of Zambia.

He said the new hospital is another demonstration of what Government is accomplishing to improve health service delivery to the people.

“As a caring Government, we listened to the people of Mumbwa, who desired to have a new and bigger hospital built in the district. You will agree with me that the MMD Government is a listening government and continues to address the needs of our people in the country,” he said.

Mr Banda said Government has in the last two years built hospitals, health centres, health posts, training schools and houses for medical staff to enhance access to quality health care.

He said Mumbwa has for many years depended on an old hospital which had only 76 beds which could not properly cater for patients and that overcrowded small wards made it difficult for medical staff to provide proper care for patients.

Mr Banda said the challenges compelled Government to release funds to construct a new district hospital with 200 beds.

The President said Government has so far constructed 12 staff houses, including four medium cost and eight low cost.

Mr Banda said Government is also building other health facilities in Mumbwa’s Mpusu, Naluvwi, Namabanga, Kayanga, Shimbizyi, Siachele, Kapepe and Nalusanga.

He said in the next few months, he will commission Lusaka General Hospital and district hospitals in Kapiri Mposhi, Samfya, Chadiza, Lumwana, Kaputa, Mufumbwe and Kaoma.

The President said Government is constructing a total of 33 hospitals countrywide.

Mr Banda said Government has procured ultra-modern equipment for hospitals so that some major medical challenges are dealt with within the districts.

He said the purpose is to reduce the stress and pressure of travelling to the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka to seek medical treatment.

“Another goal is to provide an environment conducive for the recovery of patients and good working conditions for medical staff,” he said.

And Mr Banda said Government is aware of the strenuous nature of the work of paramedics and the heavy sacrifices that are unique to caring for people in crisis.

He said Government is actively procuring equipment and other facilities, improved conditions of service, incentives and other services.

“I wish to assure you that my Government is paying serious attention to the various challenges you face on a daily and indeed nightly basis,” he said.

Mr Banda thanked traditional rulers in the district for their support which made the construction of the new hospital a reality.

“I extend my appreciation to you, your Royal Highness Senior Chief Shakumbila for organising the donation of an ambulance to the hospital. This is what society expects to see from all community leaders and what you have achieved is highly commendable,” he said.

Earlier, Central Province Minister Ackimson Banda said the people of Mumbwa have for many years longed for a modern hospital and the new one is a demonstration of Mr Banda’s commitment to addressing the plight of the growing population in the district.

In a vote of thanks, community representative HlazoKapapa said the people of Mumbwa consider the construction of a new hospital as a gift from the government.

Ms Kapapa said the construction of the project was initiated by the local community with the help of member of Parliament Brian Chituwo who was then Minister of Health.

She thanked Mumbwa district council for providing a plot where the new hospital is built.

Meanwhile, President Banda on March 25 officially launched the street lighting project in Mumbwa being implemented by the Mumbwa district council.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

President Rupiah Banda has expressed ignorance over reports that the MMD has for the second time frozen the position of Vice-president.

Speaking this morning when he went to file his nominations papers for the MMD Presidency at the Mulungushi International Conference, President Banda says he is not aware of any such development relating to the freezing of the position of MMD vice president.

Mr Banda referred all queries to the party leadership for further clarification on the matter.

He observed that the decision to freeze any party position can only be made by the convention.

The Zambia Daily Mail quoting sources has reported today that the position of MMD vice president has been frozen for the second time ahead of the convention.

Meanwhile President Rupiah Banda has successfully filed in his nomination papers for the MMD Presidency ahead of the party convention slated for Kabwe from the 5th to 7th April, 2011.

Mr. Banda who was accompanied by the first lady and supporters arrived at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre to file nominations at about 10:00 hours amid jubilation from MMD cadres.

And speaking to journalists soon after filing in his nomination papers, Mr. Banda said he was happy that he had successfully filed his nominations and was now ready to battle it out at the forthcoming party convention to be held in Kabwe.

AND The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has clarified reports suggesting that the party has frozen the position of party Vice president ahead of the forthcoming national convention scheduled for April 5-7 in Kabwe.

Acting MMD National Secretary Chembe Nyangu told Journalists in Lusaka today that the position of party vice president has not been frozen as reported in the Daily mail and that members are free to file in their nominations for the position.

Mr. Nyangu says freezing the position is one of the suggestions that party members have made with regards to stiff competition that is likely to cause disunity in the party.

He has however admitted that there were some intentions from the party leadership to freeze the position adding that the matter will be tabled at the convention for scrutiny.

Mr. Nyangu adds that should the position be frozen at the convention, the decision on what step to take on aspirants who have successfully filed their nominations will be made at the convention.

Republican Vice President George Kunda and former Kabwe Central Member of Parliament Patrick Musonda are the two candidates who have applied to contest the position of party vice presidency.

QFM

Government has maintained that it will not allow the use of the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) in this year’s elections.

This is despite the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) having clarified that the PVT is not illegal and that there is no piece of legislation that criminalizes it.

Chief Government spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha has also accused the Post Newspapers for being behind the PVT debate saying the daily tabloid has plans to rig and announce PF leader Michael Sata as the winner in this year’s elections.

General Shikapwasha has observed that use of the PVT has potential to bring anarchy in the country a situation he says threatens the country,s stability.

But when reminded that the people calling for the PVT have made clear that they want to use the exercise for comparison purposes during compilation of results to ensure that there is transparency and that the MMD is also on record of having used PVT during the 2008 presidential elections, General Shikapwasha maintained that it is not possible to use it.

He said people advocating for the exercise have a hidden agenda which may cost Zambians.

And General Shikapwasha says he has not received any information from the Vice- president pertaining to the Barotseland Agreement Issue.

General Shikapwasha says he will only be able to give government stance on the matter after the Vice president has given him information on the matter.

He was responding to a question by QFM news on whether the issue of the Barotseland Agreement has been fully resolved following the submission of the report to the government by the Litunga through the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE).
[ QFM ]

THE Lusaka High Court has dismissed former MMD chairman for elections Mike Mulongoti’s application to restrain the party from accepting nominations for the national convention because it lacks merit.

Lusaka High Court judge Nigel Mutuna said the right Mr Mulongoti is seeking to exercise is only exercisable by a bona fide member and not a suspended member.

Mr Justice Mutuna said this in chambers when the matter came up for ruling on March 24.

“The right that the plaintiff (Mulongoti) is seeking to exercise under Article 9 of the MMD constitution, that is ‘to elect or to be elected or appointed into the leadership of any of the party organs’, is only exercisable by a member and not a suspended member.

I find that the application lacks merit and I accordingly dismiss it. Leave to apply is granted,” he said.

Mr Mulongoti had applied for an order of interim injunction to restrain MMD acting national secretary Chembe Nyangu from requiring and accepting nominations from members of the party at the national offices. The nominations are due on March 25.

But Mr Justice Mutuna said Mr Mulongoti has not sought a declaration from the court that his suspension is a nullity and as such, he is not contesting the suspension through his application.

He said Mr Mulongoti’s suspension is therefore still in force and as such, his rights as a member of the MMD, as he seeks to invoke them, have been suspended.

“Mr Mulongoti does not have a clear and arguable claim to the rights he seeks to protect and his cause of action is shaky and can best be described as weak,” Mr Justice Mutuna said.

He said one of the cardinal principles to grant an injunction is that the person seeking it must demonstrate he has a clear and arguable claim to the right he seeks to protect.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

HERITAGE Party president Brigadier-General Godfrey Miyanda says he is against the 50 percent plus one vote threshold for a winning presidential candidate.

And Gen Miyanda does not agree with Colonel Panji Kaunda’s endorsement of Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata for the republican presidency.

Featuring on Hot FM radio on March 24, Gen Miyanda said he is opposed to the 50 percent plus one threshold because its arithmetic is undemocratic.

“I know Zambians will hang me for saying so but I feel they should give me an opportunity to explain our concerns. For me, if 50 percent plus one can solve our problems, let’s go for it but I don’t believe it can solve problems like hunger, shelter and so forth,” he said.

“If there are two million registered voters and all of them vote in an election for one past the post and I lose by one vote, for me that is democratic because two million people participated. If we follow 50 percent plus one and of the two million registered voters, only one million vote, according to the system, of these one million votes only the valid votes will count. That is why I am against it,” Gen Miyanda said.

Gen Miyanda said the other reason he is opposed to the threshold is the prospect of having a re-run if none of the top two candidates manage to get 50 percent plus one vote.

[pullquote]“You don’t vote for somebody because he is popular.  You vote for somebody because you believe that person will do what you want him to do for you. You vote for somebody because you accept what he stands for. Even if you give him two or three votes, you will be satisfied that you made a correct decision but today, we are being told to vote for those who are popular,” he said.[/pullquote]

“At the moment, I am sceptical about the whole idea of having to hold another election if the two candidates fail to reach the threshold. If you are holding another election and you delay to form government, it means maybe you don’t even need a government because life is going on, whether people are voting or not,” he said.

Gen Miyanda said the 50 percent plus one is a controversial and contentious topic and he is aware that some Zambians will not agree with his views on the issue.

He opposed the idea of picketing Parliament as a way of pushing for the inclusion of the 50 percent plus one vote in the new Constitution.

Gen Miyanda said members of Parliament are like judges who should not be forced to make decisions in favour of certain individuals or organisations.

He also welcomed the re-appointment of Justice Irene Mambilima as Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson. Gen Miyanda believes Justice Mambilima’s return to the commission will enhance the management of the electoral process.

“I have appeared before her and lost some cases. She is good and she is articulate in her field,” he said about Justice Mambilima.

“One problem we have in Zambia is that we can’t give credit where it is due. There have been great strides at the commission,” he said.

And Gen Miyanda said he does not agree with Col Kaunda’s conclusion that Zambians should vote for Mr Sata because of his popularity.

“You don’t vote for somebody because he is popular.  You vote for somebody because you believe that person will do what you want him to do for you. You vote for somebody because you accept what he stands for. Even if you give him two or three votes, you will be satisfied that you made a correct decision but today, we are being told to vote for those who are popular,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gen Miyanda said the collapse of the PF-UPND has confirmed what he said earlier that the alliance would not go anywhere.

He said the botched pact reminds him of a parable of a man who marries a woman without first assessing her abilities to perform the chores expected of a housewife.

[pullquote]“We did not leave the MMD. We were pushed out. At that time, I was MMD vice-president and General (Criston) Tembo was MMD national trustee. I have no hatred for Mr Sata although he got rid of us from the MMD because we were opposed to proposals for a third term for President Chiluba,” he said[/pullquote]

“I said publicly that they got married first, then they started finding out whether this partner can cook, or sew or do this and that. These are things that have created problems. There is nothing wrong with pacts, even the military is very familiar with pacts but they don’t embark on them carelessly. You must have your own objective about what you want to achieve and what the other person wants to achieve.

“I am vindicated because I spoke about it some time back. I said the alliance will not go anywhere because of the method used to come together,” he said.

Gen Miyanda said selfishness usually plays a role in the demise of such alliances.

And Gen Miyanda dismissed assertions that he does not want to work with fellow opposition leaders. He said he can only work with leaders he agrees with on key national issues.

He said Mr Sata played a key role in expelling him and 21 others from the MMD when the PF leader was national secretary of the ruling party.

“We did not leave the MMD. We were pushed out. At that time, I was MMD vice-president and General (Criston) Tembo was MMD national trustee. I have no hatred for Mr Sata although he got rid of us from the MMD because we were opposed to proposals for a third term for President Chiluba,” he said

[Zambia Daily Mail]