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President Rupiah Banda has said legitimate expectations of people from their respective governments should not be taken for granted.
President Banda said the upheavals in Northern Africa only show that people’s expectations from their governments should not be taken for granted.
Mr. Banda said it is for this reason that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region should continue to consolidate democracy through the establishments of institutions that uphold the tenets of democracy.
“We must therefore continue at the SADC level to consolidate democracy through the establishment of institutions that uphold the tenets of good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law,” he said.
He was speaking today when he officially opened a SADC Troika Summit on Defence and Security at the Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone.
Mr. Banda, who is the current chairperson for the SADC Committee on Defence and Security, emphasized that the SADC region should therefore uphold the various international Laws and conventions under the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).
President Banda has since called upon the SADC Troika summit to revive life mechanisms such as the SADC Electoral Advisory Council, the SADC Reference Group and the Panel of Elders, whose establishment was approved at a summit in Windhoek, Namibia in August 2010.
“You will agree with me that SADC has come of age and should be able to help bring about home grown solutions where there is governance or indeed electoral disputes,” he said.
He expressed confidence that participants to the Troika summit will arrive at conclusive solutions that benefit the SADC region.
Mozambique President Armando Guebuza, South African President Jacob Zuma, his Namibian colleague Hifikepunye Pohamba, SADC Executive Secretary Dr Tomaz Salomao and other senior government officials from other SADC countries attended the summit.
Some unknown people have exhumed a body of a 31 year old woman of Dingwalo village in Senior Chief Mukumbi’s area in Solwezi district and cut off private and other body parts.
The body of an identified woman, who is said to have died in December, last year, was found about 300 meters away from the burial site yesterday.
Northwestern Province Police Chief Charles Lungu, who confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Solwezi today, said the body was found with some parts missing.
Mr. Lungu said the missing parts were the head, legs, hands, private parts and intestines.
He said police have since instituted investigations into the matter to ascertain circumstances under which the body could have been exhumed, adding that appropriate action will be taken on anyone found wanting.
The police chief has since warned people to desist from tempering with graves as it was an offence under the penal code.
In another development, Police in Solwezi yesterday retrieved a body of a 24 year old man of messengers’ compound who drowned in Kifubwa river on last Sunday.
The body of Kapalu Humbu, who drowned after slipping off the log as he tried to cross the river, was found floating near Mitukutuku by passers-by who later alerted police.
Long queues have formed at designated voter registration centres in Lusaka as the extended continuous mobile voter registration exercise comes to an end today.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced the resumption of the continuous mobile voter registration exercise which commenced on 10th March and comes to an end today 31st March,2011, following the initial exercise which ended in November last year.
A check by QFM at some the designated registration centres found long queues of people trying to get their voters cards before the close of the exercise later today.
At Vera Chiluba Basic school in Helen Kaunda a long queue of enthusiastic people formed as they waited for their turns to get voters cards.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has stated that there will be no extension to the period for the issuance of voters cards once it comes to an end.
Vice president recently told parliament that the number of registered voters had by December 2010 increased to more than four million.
[ QFM ]
President Rupiah Banda has warned that Government would not condone any public service worker who would resist Private Sector reforms. Mr. Banda said Government’s wish was to effectively and efficiently facilitate the growth of the Private Sector in the country.
He added that all public officials must regard the Private Sector as valuable customers and should therefore fully support its role in the country’s economy. ZANIS reports that the President said this in Livingstone yesterday when he officially opened the 7th Zambia International Business Advisory Council (ZIBAC) meeting.
President Banda said Government wanted to make the business environment friendlier and that a number of decisions have since been implemented to further improve the investment climate and increase foreign investments.
‘’In addition, our overall ease of doing business ranking is now at 76 out of 183 countries. Last year, Zambia was recognised as one of the top ten reformers in the world. This is as a result of deliberate and concerted efforts by my Government to improve our investment climate,’’ he said.
He added that todate, 92 licences required to start business in the country have been eliminated, 43 reclassified and 13 amalgamated into four. He said as a result, the Private Sector had made savings of about K68.8 billion through the elimination of licences while an additional K76.5 billion had been saved through the reclassification of 38 local government business permits into a single business levy. Mr. Banda said Government, last year (2010) alone, attracted investments worth US$2 billion and 18,000 businesses were registered.
He said the theme of ZIBAC ‘’Investment for jobs and wealth creation’’ was a fitting reflection of the Government’s determination to attract quality investment into the country for the ultimate purpose of creating jobs and wealth for the people.
President Banda said Government had in the last decade recorded impressive economic growth alongside significant investment inflows. ‘’Zambia has in the last decade recorded impressive economic growth alongside significant investment inflows. The challenge we face however, is to translate this investment into jobs and wealth creation for all. I am sure you will agree with me that the best way to win the fight against poverty is to create quality jobs for our people and my Government is determined to do just that,’’ he said.
[pullquote]The challenge we face however, is to translate this investment into jobs and wealth creation for all. I am sure you will agree with me that the best way to win the fight against poverty is to create quality jobs for our people and my Government is determined to do just that,’’ he said.[/pullquote]
He noted that while foreign direct investment had resulted in new jobs for Zambians, the level of unemployment particularly amongst the youth was still a serious concern for the Government.
He said Zambia was a country with a youthful population for whom Government had to provide opportunities where the youths could either become entrepreneurs and subsequently become employers or employees as investments opened up more jobs for them.
Mr. Banda said Government was also investing in expanding the road and railway networks and trade facilitation infrastructure such as ultra-modern borders and weigh-in-facilities.
He said other developments includeded farm blocks, multi-facility economic zones and the optic fibre network. The President added that Government had the political will and commitment to further the reform process and would continue to do so in the future.
Speaking earlier, ZIBAC Chairman Lord Simon Cairns said the Private Sector and Government have to work together, if the poverty levels were to be reduced. Lord Cairns also called on Zambia and other African countries to seriously think of engaging in intra-trade among the countries on the continent.
He said there was need to enter into a painful adjustment of cooperating within the region and consequently entering into a free trade zone. He said Zambia had the huge potential of water for agriculture and therefore, she was capable of becoming a food basket in the region.
Lord Cairns said progress had been made in electricity power generation but noted that the country should not only become self sufficient in electricity but should also become a major exporter of the commodity in the region.
He however, bemoaned the fact that Zambia was not known in many fields as it should and added that the country’s economic successes were not broadly advertised.
Lusaka City Council Commandant Winfred Mwale has advised people building on illegally allocated land in some parts of Lusaka to stop before the long arm of the law catches up with them.
Mr. Mwale told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the Taskforce on land and security officers from the Lusaka City Council and the Zambia Police Service would not relent in demolishing such structures in order to bring sanity in the capital city.
He said notices have already been issued to people who have obtained plots on land illegally acquired in some parts of Lusaka.
Mr. Mwale adding that a combined team of officers from Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Local Government and Housing as well as officers from Lusaka City Council would move in any time to act.
He said the Libala operation conducted recently was a wakeup call to those who do not want to heed the advice from the local authority.
He said people should be able to comply with the laid down procedures in acquiring land to avoid making losses after their structures are brought down.
“We advise those people settled on illegally obtained land to halt their activities or else, they should not blame anyone when their structures are demolished. We have sent notices to those people involved to stop developing such structures,” Mr. Mwale said.
He said Government will not relent in this matter which he said has been a source of concern for the country for so many years.
He further noted that people should always follow the correct procedures when acquiring land from some people whom he said; others are just there to swindle unsuspecting innocent Zambians out of huge sums of money.
Mr. Mwale stated that many people have been victims of this scam where they lost resources due to failure to follow procedure when getting land in the country.
Zambia’s annual rate of inflation has increased by 0.2 percentage points from 9 percent in February to 9.2 percent in March.
Central Statistical Office (CSO), Acting Director of Census and Statistics John Kalumbi attributed the increase to the increase in prices of non-food items such as fuel and transportation cost, lighting, clothing and footwear.
He said there was, however, a reduction in the prices of food items, beverages, household goods transport and communication.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Kalumbi who announced this at the March monthly bulletin in Lusaka said non-food items accounted for 7.3 percent of the total annual inflation rate while food products accounted for 1.9 percent.
Mr. Kalumbi has, however, predicted a reduced inflation rate in the coming months when farmers harvest their crops.
“The factors that caused the increase in the annual rate of inflation were mainly the increase in the fuel prices which between February and March which resulted in huge increase in consumer inflation and transportation costs. The appreciation of the kwacha this month has however helped to reduce the prices of goods and service. We expect a reduction in the annual rate of inflation between April and May after farmers start harvesting their crops from the fields,” he said.
He said a comparison of retail prices between February and March has indicated a reduction in national average prices for mealie meal, rice, dried kapenta, meat products and vegetables.
He has further disclosed that the country has recorded a trade surplus for 14 months in row with the highest being in January at K1, 484.3billion.
Mr. Kalumbi said Zambia’s major export product in February was from intermediate goods from copper which accounted for 86.8 percent.
He has, however, said stated that the country had a reduction in total value export from K3, 575.3 billion to K3, 020.9 billion.
Mr. Kalumbi said Switzerland has continued to be Zambia’s major export destination accounting for 46.8 percent; China is second with 21.6 percent while South Africa is third on 12.2 percent.
He added that Asia remains the major exporting block accounting for 28.9 percent, SADC is second at 21.1 percent then COMESA and European Union (EU) with 8.1 percent and 2.5 percent respectively.
Bishop John Mambo has charged that the rejection of the constitutional bill by parliament on Tuesday is the beginning of the process for a people driven constitution.
Bishop Mambo says time has now come for the Zambian government to realize that people are bigger than political motives.
Bishop Mambo says he feels exonerated after being referred to as a prophet of doom when concerns were raised over the National Constitutional Conference.
He has restated that what happened in parliament signals a wind of change that is taking place world over, especially in the Middle East.
He has, however, stated that Zambia has yet again been handed a bounced cheque in the constitutional making process.
In an interview with QFM, Bishop Mambo says any government should work to the expectations of the people, and not the opposite.
Bishop Mambo has commended the opposition parliamentarian for representing the views of people who elected them into office.
[ QFM ]
GLOBAL Justice Zambia has described Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s support for gay rights as unthinkable.
Global Justice Zambia advocacy and campaign manager Samson Zulu, who is also a founder member of PF, said a leader of Mr Sata’s status should not be seen to be supporting such ungodly acts.
“It is unthinkable that a leader of Mr Sata’s status can sink so low and begin to advocate gay rights,” Mr Zulu said.
He said he is not surprised that Mr Sata is advocating gay rights because he is ignorant.
Mr Zulu said Mr Sata’s ignorance stretches back to when a law was passed compelling all members of Parliament (MP) to participate in the constitution-making process.
He expelled his MPs who obeyed the law by attending the National Constitutional Conference.
“His ignorance went as far as appointing what he called acting MPs in the constituencies where some PF members decided to attend the NCC,” he said.
Mr Zulu said he does not know the law Mr Sata used to appoint acting MPs.
He said Mr Sata’s ignorance has been exposed by his support for homosexuals and lesbians on the pretext that there are laws in the country which recognise the vice.
Mr Zulu warned Zambians to choose their leaders wisely noting the country might end up endorsing a dictator.
Mr Zulu said the international community will not be keen on helping Zambia to remove a dictator from office.
“So, the freedom the country is experiencing should be guarded jealously by ensuring a dictator is not voted into power,” he said.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Lusaka Central member of Parliament (MP) Guy Scott was on March 30 suspended from the National Assembly for 30 days for breaching parliamentary privileges.
Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mr Mwanamwambwa suspended Dr Scott after the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services found the MP with a prima facie case.
Dr Scott recently wrote a letter to PF Chililabombwe MP Esther Banda, through The Post, in which he said the clerk of the Select Committee should make public its proceedings on the scrutiny of Justice IreenMambilima who was reappointed as Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson.
He told Mrs Banda to try to persuade the committee to ensure that all proceedings concerning Mrs Justice Mambilima’s appointment are in the public domain, contrary to parliamentary rules and regulations.
Dr Scott’s suggestions to Mrs Banda are contained in a letter published in The Post of February 23, 2011.
The committee, to which Mrs Banda was a member, was appointed to scrutinise the reappointment of Mrs Justice Mambilima as ECZ chairperson
In his ruling, Mr Mwanamwambwa said Dr Scott’s conduct was not just a mockery but demeaning to the House.
“The House is extremely displeased with the MP’s blatant misconduct of disregarding rules and procedures. Dr Scott’s behaviour to author and cause to publish the article prematurely disclosed the proceedings of the Select Committee to the public.
“So, in accordance with the decision of the House, you are suspended from the services of the National Assembly, accordingly. I now order that you leave the chamber through the main entrance on a 30-day suspension as resolved by the House,” Mr Mwanamwambwa said.
He said Dr Scott’s irresponsible conduct did not only interfere with the task of the committee and Mrs Banda as a member of the committee but had potential to injure Mrs Justice Mambilima who did not have an opportunity to defend herself.
Mr Mwanamwambwa said as a senior member of the House, Dr Scott should be familiar with the Standing Orders of the House which clearly set out the rules and procedures of the select committee.
“I take this opportunity to remind you, Dr Scott, that, in accordance with Section 28 (2) of the Powers and Privileges Act, Cap 12 of the Laws of Zambia, during the period of your suspension, you will not receive a salary or allowance that you are entitled to as a member,” he said.
Mr Mwanamwambwa said Dr Scott will not participate in any business or activities of the National Assembly, its committees and activities he participated in as a member outside the House in his capacity as MP.
He said the proceedings of the select committee are not open to the public but MPs have an opportunity to debate the report of the select committee in Parliament.
Mr Mwanamwambwa said it was during this debate that Dr Scott should have expressed his views and concerns on Mrs Justice Mambilima, to the House and not in public.
“It was, therefore, unwarranted for you to rush to the media and prematurely disclose the proceedings of the select committee. Furthermore, your reference to the National Assembly as a fake democracy did not only make a mockery of the House but also brought it into ridicule and disrespect,” he said.
The speaker reminded Dr Scott, who is PF vice -president, that the respect accorded to Parliament has been built over the years and the House expects every member to continue building on it.
Mr Mwanamwambwa said it was highly irresponsible for Dr Scott, who is a senior MP, to bring down the integrity and dignity of Parliament in the manner he did.
He said this should serve as a warning to other MPs because the House will not tolerate gross indiscipline and misconduct.
NAMWALA.member of Parliament Robbie Chizyuka says Zambians must demand taxpayers’ money collected by United Party for National Development (UPND) members of Parliament as allowances during the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) sittings.
Major Chizyuka said in a statement issued on March 30 that the MPs have betrayed Zambians by getting the allowances, which could have gone towards the construction of essential facilities like bridges and schools, only to turn against the constitution-making process at the eleventh hour.
The MPs on March 29 abstained from voting on the Constitution of Zambia Bill, resulting in the failure to garner a two-thirds majority for the bill to go through second reading in Parliament.
“They are the sole cause of the failure of this country to have a new constitution, having wasted time and money which would have gone towards the construction of roads, schools, bridges and hospitals,” MajChizyuka said.
He said UPND MPs should be held accountable for betraying Zambians.
“Why did they accept allowances when they were not in support of the new constitution? Where is their morality?” he said.
Maj. Chizyuka said it is unfortunate that the MPs have chosen to halt the aspirations of Zambians to have a new constitution, despite playing a prominent role in the constitution- making process.
He made reference to Regina Musokotwane, MP for Katombola, who was one of the vice chairpersons of the NCC.
He said Ms Musokotwane allegedly stopped her colleagues from voting for the bill during physical voting.
Maj. Chizyuka said the people of Southern Province should now know their MPs for what they are. He said the UPND is not a progressive party.
“No wonder the UPND keeps going forward and backwards. It is their way of life. They have taken the country backwards after advocating a process to move forward with the constitution-making process,” MajChizyuka said.
He said the bill was straightforward and non-controversial.
The bill sought to provide for the printing and publication of the amended constitution and to save and provide for transitional provisions of state organs, state institutions, administration, offices, institutions, liabilities, obligations and legal proceedings.
From Kitwe, ALEX NJOVU reports that Evangelical Youth Alliance International (EYAI) president Moses Lungu has also demanded that UPND MPs pay back NCC allowances.
Reverend Lungu said in an interview on March 30 that UPND MPs have disappointed Zambians by failing to support the constitution in Parliament.
“The UPND MPs must pay back the allowances they received from NCC sittings. We cannot blame Patriotic Front (PF) MPs because they stayed away from NCC sittings from the start. UPND MPs were only interested in allowances,” he said.
Rev Lungu said UPND MPs have failed Zambians and warned against voting for politicians who have no direction.
“As an alliance, we are disappointed with what the UPND members have done to Zambians. A lot of money was spent on the whole process of the new constitution,” he said.
He said it is unfortunate that the implementation of the new constitution was politicised by people who have no heart for Zambians.
Rev Lungu said the new constitution would have resolved various problems facing the people.
“What the UPND MPs have done is evil. They have betrayed the people by pretending to sit in NCC meetings when they had no interest in what was happening,” he said.
Meanwhile, the MMD on the Copperbelt has condemned opposition members of Parliament for failing to support the Constitution of Zambia Bill.
Speaking when he addressed several MMD leaders at Kitwe City Council chamber yesterday, MMD provincial chairman Joseph Chilambwe castigated the MPs for walking out of a vote on the bill.
“These are the people who wanted a new constitution and yet they could not support it in Parliament. What has happened is not good and the people of Zambia are disappointed with the Patriotic Front (PF) and UPND members of Parliament,” he said.
Mr Chilambwe said the people of Zambia expected the MPs to support the bill which was intended to address various challenges facing the people.
“What it means is that the constituencies cannot be divided or increased. MPs are sent to Parliament to represent the people and not for their own benefit. It is important to scrutinise leaders aspiring for various positions. UPND and PF MPs have failed the nation,” Mr Chilambwe said.
Mr Chilambwe said the opposition MPs cannot be trusted.
He urged UPND president Hakainde Hichilema to join the MMD instead of hoping to win this year’s elections.
Mr Chilambwe said Mr Hichilema will be dumped by UPND members if he fails to perform well in the poll.
“In the first place, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema must forget about becoming President of Zambia for now because God has already chosen President Banda,” he said.
He said Mr Banda is a mature leader, who should be given a full five term in office.
“President Banda is a peaceful man, a Christian, mature man. He is focused on developing the country,” Mr Chilambwe said.
Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata has condemned the shooting of a seven year old Boy in Lusaka’s Garden Compound. Mr. Sata says it is regrettable that people are being slaughtered like animals by the police who are supposed to be protecting them. He has called on Zambians to stand up for their rights and liberate themselves.
Drug Enforcement Commission officers on Tuesday shot dead a toddler in Lusaka’s Garden compound during a crack down operation on cannabis traders. A fifteen year old girl equally sustained injuries on the hand during the scuffle that ensued between DEC officers and Garden compound residents. Police Service spokesperson Ndandula Siamana has since revealed that the four officers involved in the shooting have been reprimanded by police.
South African President Jacob Zuma with President Rupiah Banda
PRESIDENT Banda says the failure by Parliament to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill does not in any way suggest that Zambia is going through a constitutional crisis, which requires the immediate dissolution of Parliament.
This is contained in a statement issued in Lusaka on March 30 by special assistant to the President for press and public relations Dickson Jere.
Mr Banda said the country will continue operating on the old constitution and Government organs will run normally.
“Zambia will hold presidential and parliamentary elections this year as per the current Constitution and I am committed to ensuring that the polls are held in a transparent and fair manner,” he said.
Mr Banda said the power to dissolve Parliament is vested in the President and he will exercise that power at an appropriate time, without undue influence from any political quarters or individuals wishing to create anarchy in the nation.
Mr Banda appealed for calm in the nation following the failure by Parliament to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill ahead of this year’s general elections.
“I am appealing to ministers, deputy ministers, members of Parliament and MMD members not to apportion blame on anyone for the failure to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill on Tuesday but look ahead as Government continues to score successes in various sectors,” he said.
President Banda said the failure will not affect the smooth-running of Government as portrayed by some political opportunists.
He said the MMD should not apportion blame on the United Party for National Development (UPND) for the failure to pass the bill. The UPND supported the constitution-making process at the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).
President Banda said it was the Patriotic Front (PF), which has always wanted to frustrate the constitution-making process by boycotting the NCC.
And from Livingstone, President Banda said the collapse of the Constitution of Zambia Bill is a temporary setback but it should not make Zambians lose hope of developing the country.
Mr Banda said this on March 30 shortly after opening the 7th ZIBAC conference at Zambezi Sun Hotel.
Mr Banda appealed for calm from all Zambians despite Parliament failing to pass the Constitution of Zambia Bill.
He said contrary to PF president Michael Sata’s insinuations that there is a constitutional crisis, Zambia has the 1996 constitution, which is still in force.
Mr Jere said the failure in Parliament cannot lead to the dissolution of Parliament and early elections as suggested by Mr Sata.
He said the loss on the Constitution is not a failure on the part of President Banda’s administration.
“The failure is on the part of Zambians, who have been let down by their representatives and the President has taken it as a challenge,” Mr Jere said.
Meanwhile, three Presidents arrived in Livingstone yesterday for today’s SADC Troika summit on the case of Zimbabwe.
South African President Jacob Zuma, Namibian President HifikepunyePohamba and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe landed at Livingstone International Airport.
The Mozambican President is expected to arrive on March 31.
Vice president George Kunda about to get into his official government vehicle
Vice-President George Kunda yesterday told Parliament that more than K83 billion spent on the NCC was budgeted for in accordance with the law. Mr Kunda said all expenses on the NCC were legally approved.
Earlier. Parliament heard that K 83 billion was spent on allowances for National Constitutional Conference delegates from 2007 to August 2010 when the NCC came to an end.
Deputy Minister in the office of the vice president Daniel Munkombwe told parliament in response to a question by Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili who wanted to know how much was spent on the allowances for the 500 NCC delegates.
Mr Mukombwe told the house that over K43 billion was spent on subsistence allowances,K8.9 billion on daily transport allowances and over K 1billion on transport refunds.
He said that K30.4 billion was spent sitting allowances for the NCC delegates,and that a further K775 million was spent on the nineteen vehicles the NCC was using.
And when Luena MP Charles Milupi (ADD) asked Mr Kunda why the referendum was not conducted despite the K83 billion spent on the NCC, Mr Kunda said the referendum was supposed to take place after the enactment of the new Constitution.
He said Government has not wasted resources and that the rich product of the NCC is still available for the government to use in future.
