The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has condemned the conduct of the police officers in the Mazabuka incident that occurred on Tuesday this week.

The Human Rights Committee of the law association of Zambia says that reported use of teargas canister in a public place where patrons were watching a soccer match on television is reckless, unjustifiable, and clearly criminal.

Governor of the Committee Bob Mwelwa Musenga says that the continued use of live ammunition on unarmed members of the public is a sad development.

Mr. Musenga has since called on the political leadership to condemn the continued loss of lives at the hands of the police service whose constitutional mandate is to protect lives of the people.

He says the right to life is the cornerstone of the bill of rights and the violation of this right with impunity is at the variance with the Association’s position as a democratic state that respects the rule of law.

Mr. Musenga has since reminded the police that they are not above the law and are equally subject to the same laws as other citizens.

He regret that two more lives were lost at the hands of the police barely 24 hours after the issuance of a statement by the minister of home affairs in parliament.

He has further urged government to immediately take corrective measures and ensure that the police operate within the law so as to restore the confidence of the public and international community.

[ QFM ]

Former Lusaka Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo has castigated Catholic priests practicing partisan politics.

Archbishop Milingo says the move is not only wrong but also has potential to divide the whole nation.

The Archbishop said the Catholic Church is a universal church adding that all Catholics should embrace politicians from various political parties.

Archbishop Milingo said on Friday in Lusaka that clergymen and women should play the role of mediators among politicians to promote peace and unity.

Meanwhile Archbishop Milingo has cautioned Zambians against engaging themselves in vices that may jeopardize the peace and security of the nation ahead of this year’s tripartite elections.

He said Zambians should desist from any forms of violence if the country is to continue enjoying peace and freedom.
[ ZNBC ]

Thirty one out of the 42 people that were feared dead after their boat capsized on Lake Mweru in Luapula Province are alive.

Police Spokesperson Ndandula Siamana confirmed this to ZNBC news in Lusaka Friday evening.

Ms. Siamana said some of the survivors were found on top of the capsized boat, while the rest managed to swim into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo because it is nearer than the Zambian side.

Meanwhile, three bodies have been retrieved from Lake Mweru following the accident.

Ms. Siamana said that eight people are, however, missing and believed to be trapped underneath the capsized boat.

Forty two people were fishing on the lake, when the boat capsized.

[ ZNBC ]

United Party for National Development UPND national youth chairman Joe Kalusa says there is no reason why the UPND/PF pact should crumble because of him.

Mr. Kalusa says PF leader Michael Sata’s demands that he apologizes over his attacks on him for the benefit of the PACT holds no water.

He says individual demands that the PF leader is making are unfortunate especially that the UPND/PF pact was created by Zambians with the vision of hope.

Mr. Kalusa says the PF president should come out in the open and declare the real reasons why his does not seem to be interested in the PACT.

He added that it is unfair and wrong to use him as a scapegoat to pull out of the PACT by the PF as it was created for the benefit of the many Zambians.

Mr Kalusa says Mr. Sata should not look at the individual behaviour but look at the broader picture of the Zambian population that wants regime change.
[ QFM ]

Chikondi Foundation president Bishop John Mambo has charged that the killing of two people by police in Mazabuka this week is a clear indication that the nation has become a police state.

Bishop Mambo has noted that the Zambia police have seen it fit to use live ammunition against civilians whenever people decide to protest.

He says from the time of the protest in Western Province over the Barotseland agreement were lives were lost, police have gone on the loose in shooting at people.

Bishop Mambo called on the government to ensure that sanity is brought to the police service.

He says turning of the country into a police state is worrying because it has long term consequences.

Bishop Mambo noted that Zambia has a lot to learn from what is taking place in North Africa.
[ QFM ]

THE MMD has congratulated the Patriotic Front (PF) for winning the Mporokoso parliamentary by-election held on March 3.

And the MMD has won four, including Mutaba ward in Masaiti, out of the seven local government ward by-elections held simultaneously with the Mporokoso parliamentary by-election. The PF got two ward seats while UPND won one.

PF parliamentary candidate Maynard Misapa polled 2,844 votes against MMD’s Dominic Musonda, who got 2,217.

Congratulating the PF, President Banda told journalists in Kasumbalesa on March 4 that the election result is not a reflection that the ruling party is losing ground in Mporokoso, JERRY MUNTHALI reports.

“I congratulate very much the PF for winning that election, we think we gave it the best we could but that is the democracy we are talking about. We must go to elections to win or lose. When you lose, you must congratulate the other and wait for the next round,” he said.

He said it is sad that the MMD lost the seat but that the result does not mean that the ruling party is becoming unpopular in the district.

Mr Banda rated his chances of winning the presidential elections in Mporokoso as very high.

“Even in Mporokoso itself, I rate my chances very high. I think that in the elections, whose date I shall keep secret from you but it is very soon, we will re-organise ourselves,” he said.

“But that is politics, it is like boxing. If they hit you and you fall, you get up and start creating fear in the other person and you keep going. You can win the fight even if you had fallen earlier.”

[pullquote]In a Ward by elections on the Copperbelt, the MMD  Gilbert Kaindu got  477 votes, UPND’s John Tuseko  got 293  votes and PF’s West Phiri got  only 80 votes.[/pullquote]

On the Copperbelt Mutaba ward by-election in Masaiti, the MMD says it has shamed Kafulafuta member of Parliament George Mpombo, who de-campaigned the ruling party in the run-up to the by-election, reports KANGWA MULENGA.

Provincial vice chairman Frank N’gambi said in an interview in Ndola on March 4 that winning the Mutaba ward by-election is testimony of the popularity the ruling party is gaining on the Copperbelt, contrary to claims by Mr Mpombo that the MMD is finished.

The MMD fielded Gilbert Kaindu, who polled 477 votes, beating other candidates, John Tuseko of the United Party for National Development, who got 293 and Patriotic Front’s West Phiri trailed with only 80 votes.

“As MMD on the Copperbelt, the victory in Mutaba ward is good news for George Mpombo, who spent sleepless nights de-campaigning the ruling party. We have shamed him,” Mr N’gambi said.

He assured President Banda that the party will continue to work hard ahead of this year’s general elections.

Mr Ng’ambi commended all party structures in the province for the good job done during the campaigns.

MMD Ndola district chairman Victor Konie said the victory is a warning to the opposition that the ruling party has regained its popularity on the Copperbelt. Mr Konie said the ruling party on the Copperbelt will not relent in mobilising the party ahead of the general elections this year.

“We will not spend our energies responding to insults from the opposition but to organise the party to ensure that President Banda and the MMD win this year’s general elections. We have demonstrated this in the Mutaba ward by-election,” Mr Konie said.

In the Mporokoso poll, National Restoration Party candidate Joyce Mukandocame a distant third with 435 votes while UNIP’s Anthony Nkonde only managed a paltry 71 votes.

Announcing the results at Bulangililo Community Hall at 08:50 hours yesterday, returning officer Felix Mukuka declared Mr Misapa the winner of the by-election.

This was after ballot boxes from Nkantanga and Sunkutu polling stations were air-lifted by a Zambia Air Force helicopter around 08:00 hours.

And Mr Misapa said shortly after being declared winner that he expected to win the by-election because he was the most popular candidate.

But MMD acting national secretary Chembe Nyangu said although the ruling party had been negatively affected by the loss, the development was a temporary setback.

Anti-Voter Apathy Project executive director Bonny Tembo said it was worrying that only 5,567 people out of the 12,000 registered voters in the district took part in the election.

Mr Tembo said apart from the rains that disrupted the voting, many people could not manage to cast their ballots mainly because of the long distances they had to cover to reach polling stations which are far apart.

He, however, said the elections were conducted in a free and peaceful atmosphere.

The Mporokoso parliamentary seat fell vacant after Mr Misapa resigned from the MMD to join the PF.

This was after President Banda dropped him from the position of Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Vice President George Kunda has called on police officers to observe human rights. Mr. Kunda said government will not encourage any criminal conduct among police officers.

He said government is currently investigating what caused the shooting in Mazabuka on Thursday. He said if police officers involved in the shooting incidence will be guilty, the law will take course.

The Vice President also appealed to the people of Mazabuka to desist from any acts of violence saying Zambia is a peaceful nation.

Mr. Kunda also told parliament this morning that government regretted the death and the use of live ammunition by police officers.

The Vice President was responding to Kabwata MP Given Lubinda who wanted to know whether the apology given earlier by Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lubgu was encouraging police officers to use live ammunition.

Meanwhile, calm has returned to Mazabuka town after two days of riots in the area. Police spokesperson Ndandula Siamana told ZNBC news that by Friday mid morning there had been no violence reported in the town.

She also said over 100 police officers have been sent to Mazabuka and are keeping vigil to ensure peace returns to the area.

On Thursday two people died in Mazabuka after being shot by police during riots that had rocked the town in the last two days.

The riots followed the death of two people in a stampede ignited after police tear gassed a named bar where people were watching the game between Chelsea and Manchester United.

The residents were stoning cars passing through the town. Mazabuka General Hospital was damaged forcing health workers to flee the hospital leaving patients unattended to.

And government on Thursday strongly condemned the use of live bullets by the police officers.

Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu said government regretted that Police in Mazabuka had continued with their unprofessional conduct.

Mr Lungu apologised on behalf of the government to the nation and the bereaved families. The Home Affairs Minister ordered the police command to institute investigations and ensure that those involved are held accountable and punished accordingly.

ZNBC

Government has directed advertising agents and companies to withdraw and formalize all adverts containing copyrighted music without the authority from rights holders by 3rd April, 2011.

Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Sam Phiri has requested all advertising agents and companies to obtain clearance in advance from the Zambia Music Copyright Protection Society-ZAMCOPS.

Dr PHIRI says it is an offence under the amended Copyright and Performance Rights Act number 25 of 2010 to synchronise copyrighted music and visual works in advertisements which contain protected music.

The Permanent Secretary has warned of prosecution against institutions that will fail to abide by the law after 3rd April, as they will be infringing on the rights of artists.

Dr PHIRI said cinemas, Radio stations, television stations and cell phone companies should request for clearance letters from ZAMCOPS before using advertisements which contain protected music.
This is contained in a press statement issued and signed by Dr PHIRI in Lusaka today.

Dr PHIRI said government is determined to bring back sanity into the industry that has been rocked by blatant exploitation of artists.

He said professionals in the artistic industry need to be respected and rewarded adequately.

Dr PHIRI said government will closely work with ZAMCOPS and other relevant institutions to ensure that artists occupy a central role in society.

ZNBC

The ruling MMD has said  the Mporokoso by-election loss to the Patriotic Front-PF is a temporal setback.

MMD Acting National Secretary has said the ruling party is optimistic that it will re-claim the seat in the forthcoming general elections.

Mr. Nyangu told ZNBC by telephone from Mporokoso that the MMD will work hard to re-gain the seat from the opposition.

And PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has thanked the electorate for giving his party victory in the just ended by-election.

Meanwhile, UNIP Secretary General Jemina Banda has congratulated PF candidate Maynard Misapa on his victory in the by-election.

Ms. Banda said the former ruling party is not hurt by the loss because it is re-establishing itself and gaining ground in Northern Province.

And NAREP President Elias Chipimo Junior has pledged that his party will remain focused on its ideal of strengthening its members on the ground.

PF Candidate Maynard Misapa retained the seat he held under the MMD with 2,844 votes. He was followed by the MMD candidate Dominic Musonda who polled 2,217 votes.

Returning Officer Felix Kaluba declared Mr Misapa as the duly elected M.P Friday morning at about 09:05 Hours at Bulangililo community hall.

National Restoration Party-NAREP female candidate joyce mukando trailed third with 435 votes.

Anthony Konde of United National Independence Party-UNIP candidate came fourth and only managed 71 votes.

The Mporokoso seat fell vacant after Mr Misapa resigned from the MMD following his dismissal by president Rupiah Banda as sports Deputy Minister.

And Vice President George Kunda has said that the future of the MMD is still bright compared to the opposition political parties.

Mr. KUNDA also said opposition political parties should have confidence in the Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ and accept when they lose elections.

He said that despite the loss in Mporokoso, MMD is still better placed to win the 2011 elections.

The Vice president said because of the wrangles in the PACT, some members of the UPND are expected to turn their back on the PF leaving the MMD with an easy battle to win the general elections.

Mr. Kunda was speaking in parliament Friday morning during the Vice President’s question time.

He said the MMD is the only party that participates in all by-elections and that its average performance is very impressive than other political parties.

ZNBC

The Opposition Patriotic Front has won the Mporokoso by election held on Thursday. PF candidate Maynard Misapa retained the seat he held under the MMD with 2,844 votes.

He was followed by the MMD candidate Dominic Musonda who polled 2,217 votes. Returning officer Felix Kaluba declared Mr Misapa as the duly elected MP Friday morning at 09:05 Hours at the Bulangililo community hall.

Mr Kaluba also announced that National Restoration Party candidate Joyce Mukando came third with 435 votes and United National Independence Party candidate Anthony Nkonde polled only 47 votes.

The Mporokoso seat fell vacant after Mr Misapa resigned from the MMD following his dismissal by president Rupiah Banda as sports Deputy Minister.

ZNBC

Get Involved Zambia (GIZ) says demands by Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata for an apology from UPND’s National Youth Chairman Joe Kalusa over his continued attacks on him are justifiable.

GIZ leader Father Frank Bwalya says Mr. Sata has every right to demand for an apology if he has been offended because just like any other person the PF leader cannot work with people who have no respect for him.

Fr. Bwalya has since advised both members of the PF and UPND to desist from issuing demeaning statements towards each other.

He was commenting on the letter written to the UPND by the PF leader demanding for an apology from the UPND youth leader for his demeaning remarks directed at Mr. Sata.

And Fr. Bwalya has condemned President Rupiah Banda’s statement that the increase in fuel pump prices is not much and that the people trying to raise dust on the issue should not cause unnecessary worry to the public.

Fr. Bwalya says it is irresponsible for the president to issue such a statement because any increase in fuel prices transfers the cost to the people of Zambia who are already facing challenges of the high cost of living.

He says unlike the President who has been using tax payer’s money for his travels and has not in any way felt the impact of the high cost of living, the people of Zambia have been affected by the increase in fuel prices.

And Fr. Bwalya has confirmed his pullout from Change Life Zambia and has since registered a new organization called Get Involved Zambia.

QFM

With only 2 polling stations remaining, the opposition Patriotic Front (PF)’s candidate Maynard Misapa is leading the race.

Results from 31 polling stations tallied so far puts PF’s Maynard Misapa at 2 793 and his closest rival Dominic Musonda from the ruling MMD at 2 155.

The former rulling party UNIP’s candiate has less than 80 votes.

The official results are expected to be announced at 10:00hrs Zambia Time.

Voting started on a high note yesterday but a heavy afternoon downpour slowed down the turnout, by making it difficult for people to reach polling stations.. The heavy rains went on late into the evening and disrupted the movement of ballot boxes to the collation centre.

“The heavy rains have led to a decline in the number of voters and have also made the movement of ballot boxes difficult,” Bulangililo polling station presiding officer Albert Musawa said.

And an observer from the European Union, Aloys Lorkeers, who is in a group of five others, said voting was going on well in all the 15 polling stations he had visited.

Anti-Voter Apathy Project executive director Bonny Tembo also said his team had not observed any form of malpractices.

And Zambia Daily Mail reports that the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has commended political parties participating in the by-election for maintaining high levels of discipline, which have resulted in peaceful campaigns.

FODEP executive director McDonald Chipenzi, however, said it is important for political parties to conduct issue-based campaigns and adhere to the electoral code of conduct to make the work of the Electoral Commission of Zambia easier.

“We hope this kind of discipline, if maintained, will assure the nation of peaceful tripartite elections,” he said.

Mr Chipenzi said the Mporokoso by-election had no contentious issues which could have led to people shunning the poll.

“The campaign process in Mporokoso has been peaceful and most political parties have been trying to base their campaigns on issues,” Mr Chipenzi said.

The Mporokoso constituency parliamentary seat fell vacant after the resignation of member of Parliament Maynard Misapa from the MMD.