Expelled former Movement for Multiparty Democracy MMD chairman for elections, Mike Mulongoti has charged that the MMD should face reality and accept the opinion poll released yesterday by the Centre for Policy Dialogue favouring Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata ahead of this year’s elections.

Mr. Mulongoti says the MMD should accept the poll predictions because the political environment in the country does not favor them.

He states that the MMD should be realistic and note that the opinion poll is an indicator of what the elections might bring forth.

He adds that it is not enough for the MMD to dismiss the opinion poll results but should instead work on improving the ratings between now and the elections date.

Mr Mulongoti adds that the opinion poll has created an opportunity to improve on the current standing of the party.

Mr. Mulongoti adds that rushing into rejecting the poll prediction will not solve the MMD’s diminishing support countrywide.

And the opposition United Liberal Party has charged that it is too early to predict who is favored to win this year elections.

Commenting on the opinion poll results released by the Center for Policy Dialogue which has favoured Patriotic Front president Michael Sata, ULP president Sakwiba Sikota says the prediction has come a bit too early.

Mr. Sikota says the important opinion poll is the one that will be released on the day of elections.

In an interview with QFM, MR Sikota states that Zambia%u2019s election date is far from being known, and that conducting an opinion poll now cannot determine the political outcome.

He adds that it will not be wise to predict the winner of the elections now, when the mood for the elections has not yet gotten in top gear.

Patriotic Front president Michael Sata is the most preferred candidate to win the forthcoming electionbs according to the opinion poll results released by the Center for Policy Dialogue yesterday.

CPD executive director Neo Simutanyi announced in Lusaka that if the elections were held today, PF president Michael Sata would get overall 31 percent, closely followed by MMD’s Rupiah Banda with 28 percent, with the UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema getting 12 percent.

QFM

Some members of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter have demanded for immediate disciplinary action against executive director Sipho Kapumba following the fraudulent awarding of Get Involved Zambia Executive Director Frank Bwalya during the World Press Freedom Day commemoration.

The members, who spoke through long-serving member Emmanuel Mwamba, said the award was just among the many wrong decisions that were being made by the Executive Director.

He said the MISA board should act immediately in the interest of the members who were not involved in the selection of Fr Bwalya to receive the award.

Mr. Mwamba said the members were ready to challenge the board should it ignore their demands to discipline Mr. Kapumba.

He said the award was meant to frustrate the Government during the WPFD celebrations ceremony instead of promoting unity and celebrating in harmony.

He also cited Mr Kapumba’s recent decision to award a contract for presenting of the “Face-the-media” programme on Radio Phoenix without following tender procedure as one of the matters that should be addressed.

Mr. Mwamba said the members were disappointed that Mr. Kapumba single-sourced a person instead of allowing the members and others to bid for the job.

He said MISA faced audit queries last year because of a K75-million deal that led to the removal of the Henry Kabwe-led executive committee from office but that malpractices had continued.

Mr. Mwamba said the members were not happy and had started consultations over the next course of action should the board fail to fire Mr Kapumba.

MISA Zambia on Monday awarded Fr Bwalya with the Freedom of Expression award that did not get the approval of the World Press Freedom Day national organising committee and the criterion was decided by Mission Press director Fr Miha Drevensek.

The trophy was given by Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha without a warning.

Fr Bwalya walked to the podium to receive the award with a red card, a symbol that he uses to fight the Government through his campaign for a change of government.

But Mr Mwamba said there should be decency in the conduct of public affairs and that MISA Zambia was a professional institution that should not be used to settle political scores against perceived enemies.

Gen Shikapwasha said on Wednesday that he decided to go ahead and present the award to avoid disrupting the spirit of the celebrations but objected to the award being given to Fr Bwalya who he said was a politician working closely with the Patriotic Front (PF) and not a media practitioner

When contacted, MISA Zambia chairperson Daniel Sikazwe said he would not react to the matter but urged the members to raise the issue officially with the board of directors while Mr. Kapumba declined to comment.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Some students at Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka have resolved to support President Rupiah Banda in this year’s elections, saying he is the only credible presidential candidate with a heart for the Zambian youth.

The students, who have since formed a committee dubbed ‘Evelyn Hone Students 4 RB’, have also congratulated the MMD convention for electing Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka as the party’s national youth chairperson.

Committee vice-chairperson Mwiinga Chidamba said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that after wide consultations and an assessment of the various leaders aspiring for the Republican presidency, the students had resolved to support Mr Banda.

“We have been analysing the various leaders that are offering themselves for leadership this year and we have noted that we have three front runners, these being President Banda, Mr Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND (United Party for National Development) and Mr Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front.

“After a careful assessment, we have decided that we should support President Banda because of the tangible developments that the Government is undertaking. It is not in dispute that the economy is growing and we are on the right track,” he said.

Mr. Chidamba said by attracting massive foreign direct investment into the country, the Government was creating job opportunities for youths and Zambians in general.

He said Zambia was safer under the leadership of President Banda.

“As youths ourselves and students we want a future that is secured and we are seeing what this Government is doing in this area.

“Our parents that had lost employment in the mines, for example in Luanshya, now have their jobs back,” he said.

Mr. Chidamba said Mr. Hichilema should consider working with President Banda and the MMD ahead of this year’s elections.

“As of Mr Sata we do not think he best represents the interests of the youth and the country. From what we know, we do not think that he is best suited to lead this country,” he said.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Chief government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha says it will be disastrous if Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata is elected in this year’s tripartite elections.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said in Lusaka yesterday that Zambians should not make the mistake of voting for Mr Sata who is likely to be the biggest setback to the nation.

He was reacting to Mr Sata’s remarks in London recently that Zambia is headed for a disaster under President Banda’s leadership.

“Mr Sata is the biggest disaster because he has been promoting gay rights. Nobody is interested in homosexuality and lesbianism,” Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said.

He said Mr Sata should feel ashamed talking about President Banda’s leadership, which has been good and has contributed to the growth of Zambia’s economy.

Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said Mr Sata has done nothing for Zambians and that the opposition leader has lost credibility to stand as a presidential candidate because everyone knows that he is a disastrous person.

“Mr Sata is the biggest disaster because he has been promoting gay rights. Nobody is interested in homosexuality and lesbianism,” Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said.

The minister said Mr Sata’s position on gay rights cannot build the nation, but bring chaos.

“Mr Sata’s leadership failed to save the pact with the United Party for National Development (UPND). What can it do for this country if voted into office? I can only see disaster,” Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said.

He said Mr Sata has persistently attacked Mr Banda’s administration because he is jealous of the development the President has brought to the country, including building schools and hospitals and commissioning mobile hospitals.

He said Mr Sata should commend the President for all the development and economic growth.

And Evangelical Youth Alliance International chairman Moses Lungu said Mr Sata’s desire for power is dangerous.

Reverend Lungu said Zambia is a country that a lot of people wish to live in and it would be sad to endanger the country’s peace.

Rev Lungu said although President Banda was merely winding up President Mwanawasa’s term, he has done exceptionally well in terms of development.

Leadership in Development executive director Moses Kalonde said MrSata cannot win a presidential election.

Mr Kalonde said the opposition leader’s negative stance on President Banda’s leadership is sadism and cannot be tolerated.

Committee of Citizens executive director Gregory Chifire said Mr Sata is telling lies.

He said the opposition leader has failed to show the people of Zambia how he will perform if voted into power.

Mr Chifire said Mr Sata is a spent force who has nothing to offer Zambians.

“This is the reason he has gone abroad asking for money to continue promoting lesbianism and homosexuality. Mr Sata has gone to sell the country abroad because he is bitter with the economic development the country is witnessing,” Mr Chifire said.

Meanwhile, Caroline Kalombe reports that PF Luapula member of Parliament Peter Machungwa says Zambia does not need disrespectful leaders like Mr Sata.

Dr Machungwa said in Lusaka yesterday that the PF leader is a very disrespectful man who does not tolerate criticism from anyone.

He said Mr Sata does not take kindly to people opposing him, even his own party members despite them doing so in good faith.

“He would always resort to insults, which is very offensive,” Dr Machungwa said.

“Mr Sata has called us names for opposing him, especially when we decided to attend the National Constitutional Conference. He was so angry with us that he called us rebels and mercenaries,” Dr Machungwa said.

He wondered how Mr Sata can lead the nation if he does not want to take advice from others and always wants to have the last say on everything.

“We cannot afford to have a leader who does not want to listen to anyone. It is not helpful and we should not allow it,” Dr Machungwa said.

He said it is important for any leader to listen even when he is being criticised so that he or she can get the views of others on various matters.

Dr Machungwa made the comment following Chawama member of Parliament Bredt Sampa’s complaint that the PF leader is humiliating people who oppose him.

“Any leader should be able to listen to counsel even if it does not suit them, but for MrSata that is not the case,” Dr Machungwa said.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

TWO juvenile girls of Lusaka’s Mtendere township yesterday admitted indecently assaulting a two-year-old boy of the same area.

The girls, aged 12 and 11 years, respectively, initially denied the charge but yesterday changed their plea before resident magistrate MwakaMikalile.
The juveniles are charged with indecent assault.

Facts before the court are that on March 11, 2011, in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together, the girls unlawfully and indecently assaulted a two-year-seven-month-old boy.

When the matter came up for trial, the offenders’ lawyer told the court that his clients wanted to change the earlier plea and take a fresh one.

After the charge was read to them again, the girls told the court that they understood it and admitted committing the offence.

One of them said she touched the boy’s private parts after seeing her friend doing the same to the victim.

The other girl said she and her friend got the boy from his mother’s house in Mtendere, undressed him and ordered him to sleep on the floor and indecently assaulted the boy.

The court heard that the girls picked the boy from his mother’s house to ostensibly play with him, but indecently assaulted him.

The prosecution narrated that after an hour, the boy went back home crying whilst touching his private parts and later informed his mother that the girls who had earlier taken him to play with them had indecently assaulted him.

The court heard that when the mother checked the boy’s private parts, she found that he was bleeding.

In mitigation, the girls’ lawyer urged the court to consider an order for counselling and probation because they are first offenders and school-children who have a chance to become responsible children.

The case comes up on May 19 for the Department of Social Welfare to present a report on the girls to help the court come up with an appropriate order.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) spokesperson Charles Kakoma says the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) opinion poll tipping Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata to win the 2011 poll is fake, as it does not reflect the situation on the ground.

Mr Kakoma said in Lusaka yesterday that Dr Neo Simutanyi, the consultant and executive director of CPD who worked on the opinion, is just daydreaming and the UPND does not understand his motivation to make ‘wrong and fake predictions’.

Dr Simutanyi said at a press briefing yesterday that the opinion poll suggests that Mr Sata will win with 31 percent of the votes while President Banda will come second at 29 percent.

Dr Simutanyi said UPND president Hakainde Hichilema will trail in third place with 12 percent of the vote while other candidates will get five percent.

He said the CPD’s sample size is not reasonable enough to represent the views of all registered voters.

“Is the opinion of 1,000 people representative of more than 4,000,000 registered voters? That is a joke and his sampling techniques are questionable and too biased. He has not been to all parts of Zambia. How does he know what the entire voting population is saying?” he said.

About 31.6 percent of Zambians feel the MMD cares about the agricultural sector while 20 percent think the PF would do a good job and 10 percent opted for UPND.

Dr Simutanyi said corruption is not considered a serious problem as only 3.6 percent identified it as such.

He said a closer examination of electoral preferences suggests that there has been little shift from the 2006 and 2008 scenarios.

In 2008, Dr Simutanyi conducted a similar poll with the same predictions. He disowned it after it was discredited and the results of the elections were different from his prediction.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Choma District Commissioner Laiven Apuleni has described yesterday ‘s story in the Post newspaper headlined “Mazabuka MMD bemoan Rupiah ‘s unpopularity” as not only baseless and malicious but aimed at discrediting President Banda ‘s name.

The DC said President Banda ‘s visit to Choma last year was purely a government programme and not the purported information that he met Mazabuka MMD cadres in Mbabala.

Mr. Apileni disclosed that President Banda was on developmental tour in the area to commissioning the Choma – Namwala road adding that at no point did he meet Mazabuka MMD officials.

He explained that he was in the Presidential entourage through out Mr. Banda’s trip adding that the Republican President only met Choma MMD officials at Crystal lodge who demanded for the president to address them.
The DC refuted claims by the alleged source of the story in the post newspaper claiming that president Banda held a meeting with MMD officials in Mbabala citing that the president only addressed multitudes including marketers who were awaiting for him.

He said that during his trip to Namwala, President Banda made stop-overs at Crystal lodge were he addressed Choma MMD officials only, Kachenje were he met white farmers, Mbabala were he met marketeers, Ngonga bridge were he addressed hundreds of people who went to convey their happiness over the tarring of the road and Mapanza respectively.

Mr Apuleni described the story as a total fabrication collaborated by Post newspaper to put president Banda ‘s name into ridicule citing that said meeting with Mazabuka MMD officials in Mbabala was not part of the program and did not take place.

He called on the media to report facts not lies meant to bent on other people ‘s names.

“I as a DC facilitated that program because it purely government not that the president had a meeting with MMD Mazabuka officials ,to me that is a lie,”he said.

Today the Post newspaper carried a story were some MMD officials are said to be claiming that some party officials are secretly campaigning for Sata and would want to teach Rupiah a bitter lesson for embracing corrupt leaders and that they told President Banda during a meeting in Choma ‘ s Mbabala area last year as part of the story reads.

ZANIS

Patriotic Front president Michael Sata is the most preferred candidate ahead of this year’s polls according to the opinion poll conducted by the Center for Policy Dialogue.

CPD executive director Neo Simutanyi announced in Lusaka this morning that if elections were held today, PF president Michael Sata would get overall 31 percent of the votes, closely followed by MMD’s Rupiah Banda with 28 percent, with Hakainde Hichilema getting 12 percent.

Dr. Simutanyi further stated that in terms of voter preference of a political party, the Patriotic Front is likely to obtain the largest number of votes if elections were held today, with 29 percent of voters favoring the largest opposition political party.

He adds that the MMD would get 27 percent with the United Party for National Development getting 10 percent of vote preference.

Dr Simutanyi says his organization conducted a public opinion with a national representative sample of 1,200 registered Zambian voters.

He says the poll was conducted from 14th to the 24th of April 2011 and it covered all the nine provinces of the country and 19 districts.

He observed that a closer examination of electoral preferences suggests that there has been little shift from the 2006 and 2008 scenarios.

Dr. Simutanyi stated that the PF and Michael Sata still command support in their traditional areas of Lusaka, Copperbelt, Luapula and Northern Provinces.

He further observed that the support of all major parties declined significantly from 2008 elections in the areas they claim to have support.

The opinion poll further reveals that 47 percent of Zambians consider overall government performance so far as poor or very poor.

He says 43 percent of the respondents reported that they do not approve the performance of president Rupiah Banda.

QFM