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United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has said that there is no possibility of reviving the political alliance with the Patriotic Front. Mr Hichilema said his party feels betrayed by the PF.
He said the PF has not been sincere in the way they have been handling the political pact for the past one year.
Mr Hichilema said his party will not reconcile with the PF over the Pact because the PF’s intensions of forming the Pact were not genuine.
He said the PF’s wish of wanting to go it alone has been granted and that the UPND will move on as a single party.
Mr Hichilema said accusing the UPND for the collapse of the pact is a mere public relations tool which the PF is putting across.
Mr. Hichilema was speaking to journalists in Lusaka today during the UPND’s card renewal exercise held at Mulungushi International Conference centre.
Early this week the PF General Secretary Wynter Kabimba accused the UPND of undermining the pact.
The UPND and PF formed a pact in 2009 with a view to remove the MMD from power.
The MMD Presidential candidate aspirant Nason Msoni has charged that Republican President Rupiah Banda does not qualify for gratuity under the current Presidential emolument Act.
Mr. Msoni says it is,therefore, an abuse of legislative powers if parliament goes ahead with the ongoing amendment of the Presidential emoluments Act.
He says dismantling existing laws for the purpose of accommodating individual interests is a dreadful way of enacting laws of the land.
The Presidential aspirant added that the essence of making laws is to protect the common good by disqualifying and barring those who do not qualify for certain privileges.
Mr. Msoni has also urged Members of Parliament not to amend laws in defiance of common sense.
The Bill that seeks to allow a serving head of State access benefits even if they have served less than three years has gone through to the committee stage.
Vice President George Kunda told parliament on Wednesday that the current presidential emoluments amendment Bill is unfair because it does allow a president who has served less than three years in office to access gratuity.
[ QFM ]
Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata says he can not call for negotiations to revive the PF/UPND pact because he still has a written memorandum showing that the pact is still on.
Mr. Sata maintained that as far as he is concerned the pact between his party and the UPND is still intact.
He said he can not start resolving problems that he did not create and that he is not interested in saying anything on the pact because he has not received any complaints from the UPND.
He added that based on the good leadership of late founding UPND leader Anderson Mazoka and the strength they had together, the pact can not just break like that.
And UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma says Mr Sata should ask his secretary general Wynter Kabimba over the collapse of the PF/UPND pact.
Mr. Kakoma says Mr Kabimba was the first one who announced the death of the PF/UPND pact before the UPND.
The UPND Spokesperson says Mr Sata has now realized the value of the pact which he allowed to collapse.
Mr. Kakoma added that there is no chance that the PF/UPND pact will be revived.
[ QFM ]
THE Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has stated that homosexuality and lesbianism are seriously wrong and sinful acts which should not be allowed.
ZEC spokesperson Paul Samasumo said in response to a press query that under no circumstances can homosexual acts be approved because the natural sex partner for a man is a woman and vice versa.
“The Catholic Church’s constant and firm teaching on homosexuality acts is unequivocal.
“Basing itself on the Bible, the Catholic doctrine in the Catechism of the Catholic Church declares that homosexuality acts are contrary to natural law,” Father Samasumo said.
He said several homosexual persons argue that they were born that way, but studies to establish whether certain persons have a genetic disposition to homosexuality are inconclusive.
[pullquote]He said the number of men and women, even within Zambia, who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies, though small, is not negligible. Fr Samasumo said for some, this constitutes a major trial in their lives.[/pullquote]
Fr Samasumo said even if this was conclusively proven by science, it will not make homosexual behaviour acceptable.
He said in a similar manner, there are studies which suggest that some people are born with a hereditary disposition towards alcohol.
“No wonder one would, however, argue that someone ought to fulfill this inborn urge for alcoholism,” Fr Samasumo said.
He said homosexual acts are wrong but the church, nevertheless, acknowledges that the cause or genesis of homosexuality remains unexplained.
[pullquote]He said the church makes a distinction between homosexual orientation and inclination as opposed to the acts or behaviour of homosexuality.[/pullquote]
He said the number of men and women, even within Zambia, who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies, though small, is not negligible. Fr Samasumo said for some, this constitutes a major trial in their lives.
He said the church makes a distinction between homosexual orientation and inclination as opposed to the acts or behaviour of homosexuality.
Fr Samasumo said the Bible says God is faithful and He will not let anyone be tempted beyond their strength, but with the temptation, He will also provide a way of escape, that one may be able to endure.
MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has asked Col. Kaunda and his brother to stop making wild allegations against the President and the party in the private media without providing proof.
Ms Siliya said in an interview in Lusaka that Zambians are not interested in Col. Kaunda’s tantrums because they want to see development.
She was reacting to the Kaunda brothers’ incessant attacks on President Banda and the MMD in the media.
In March 18’s story in The Post, Col Kunda was quoted as saying changing the law to give President Banda early gratuity is criminal. He also recently accused the MMD of planning to rig this year’s elections.
But Ms Siliya said if Col. Kaunda has nothing to talk about, he should go back to his farm.
“I really want to blast this Panji Kaunda. There is no way he can continue accusing President Banda and the MMD of rigging elections, which he cannot prove. It is impossible to rig elections in Zambia because every political party has monitors at polling stations and tallying centres.
“If he has nothing to talk about, he should just go back to his small farm. We are tired of his tantrums. If he thinks supporting (PF president Michael) Sata and his tolerance for homosexuality will win the PF elections, he is wasting his time,” she said.
Ms Siliya said Zambians have now realised that Col Kaunda, Mr Sata and the PF do not deserve votes.
“Panji and Sata are liars, and Zambians have realised that,” she said.
Father Leo Ululi of Saint Lawrence Parish Catholic Church is greeted sympathizers after hearing of a case in which a police officer has sued him for adultery
THE Limulunga local court in Mongu has warned a Catholic priest who was sued for adultery to pray for surviving the legal suit.
Senior local court magistrate Matina Mutete on March 18 told Father Leo Ululi of Saint Lawrence Catholic Church that the court has dismissed the case not because he is innocent or he knew how to testify.
Ms Mutete said this when passing judgment in the case in which Limulunga police station officer-in-charge Hector Simaubi sued Father Ululi for committing adultery with his wife, Irene.
She said the court based its decision of dismissing the case on Mr Simaubi’s failure to provide substantial evidence to prove that the clergyman had committed adultery with his wife.
She said it was important for Mr Simaubi to prove his claim by providing concrete evidence, including the room number Father Ululi and Irene used to commit adultery at a named guest house.
Ms Mutete told Mr Simaubi that he is free to appeal against the judgment within 30 days. She warned Irene to stop seducing Fr Ululi.
Ms Mutete said from the call register printout, which Mr Simaubi produced as part of his evidence, Irene made more phone calls and sent more text messages to Father Ululi than he did to her.
“You should go back home and change your behaviour,” Ms Mutete said.
She also advised her to abide by her husband’s advice of quitting the Catholic Church for the sake of peace in the matrimonial home.
After the judgment, jubilant Catholic Church members burst into celebrations and lifted FrUluli shoulder-high, while a sombre looking Irene immediately went to the police station where her husband was.
And in an interview after the judgement, Mr Simaubi said he has not yet decided whether to appeal against the judgement or not.
Earlier, Catholic Church members, mostly women, caused confusion before the court passed judgement.
The crowd broke a door panel in a dash for sitting space when the courtroom opened.
In the ensuing confusion, the court was forced to delay judgement for about three hours.
Nchanga Rangers return to Caf club cup action after an 11 year absence this afternoon started on a poor note after they lost away to Lupopo in the DR Congo.
Rangers lost 1-0 to Lupopo in a Caf Confederation Cup first round, first leg match played at this afternoon at Kenya Stadium in Lubumbashi.
The Chingola side conceded a first half goal scored by Lupopo’s Zimbabwean international Carrington Gomba in the 21st minute.
The two sides meet in the return leg on April 2 at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola to decide which side advance to the second round of the Confederation Cup.
Rangers last appearance in a Caf club tournament was in 2000 when they reached the quarterfinals of the Caf Cup.
Meanwhile, Zesco United’s Caf Champions League opponents Young Buffaloes of Swaziland arrived in the country on Thursday.
The team spent the night in Lusaka on Thursday and had a hour workout at 07:30 on Friday before continuing on their overland journey from Swaziland to Ndola just before mid-morning.
The two teams clash at the Trade Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has wondered why some people are blaming him for the collapse of the PF/UPND pact.
Speaking last evening when he featured on QFM’s The Public’s Last Say, Mr Kabimba wondered how he could be blamed for killing the party when the PF/UPND pact’s joint national council was composed of eighteen members nine from each party led by the two presidents.
He also wonders how as an individual he could have strong views against the pact to defeat the other remaining seventeen members of the joint national council.
Mr. Kabimba says what is true is that there were fundamental problems in the PF/UPND pact that could not be resolved.
And Mr Kabimba has vowed to defend himself from attacks by the United Party for National Development (UPND).
He also refused to apologize for his alleged comments in a letter addressed to the UPND in which he said that Tongas use their tribe to think and not their brains.
[ QFM ]
I am very interested in seeing and knowing what measures the Zambian government will take with regards to the leak of Radiation that is going on in Japan. Zambia imports a lot of cars from Japan.What I am not sure of is if we will be importing ‘radioactive cars’
Has anyone thought of the impact the exposure of radiation will have on Zambia´s health and its people if the cars being imported into Zambia are definitely exposed to the radioactive material.
We love Japanese cars and our hearts go out to the Japanese people during this terrible time.However, I think it is time Zambia began to produce it´s own cars and sold them cheaper to its own people.
Vice President George Kunda has said that Zambian laws do not allow the practice of homosexuality and lesbianism. Mr Kunda told Parliament on today that such acts are considered criminal, under the laws of Zambia. Vice President George Kunda
Mr. Kunda, who is also Justice Minister, said that the practice is criminal and can attract a minimum jail sentence of 14 years. He said that government will not condone unnatural practices in the country as Zambia is a Christian nation.
The Vice President said that Zambian laws are tailored by the Christian values the country practices. Mr. Kunda said it is therefore unfortunate that PF leader Michael Sata wants to champion these illegal practices.
The Vice President was responding to Chasefu Member of Parliament, Chufumu Banda, who wanted to know if the Zambian Law provides for the practice of homosexuality.
Konkola Copper Mines has introduced a computerized entry system to prevent rampant theft of copper and equipment.
This means that mine suppliers entering the company’s premises will first have their finger prints taken and used for configuration whenever they will visit the mine.
And Mine Suppliers and Contractors Association president Fanuel Banda has called on members to remain calm in view of the newly introduced computerized access to the mine.
Mr. Banda has told members that the introduction of computerized entry to the plant is meant to prevent theft of copper and equipment.
Mr Banda says KCM has agreed to extend the computerization of access to the plant by people operating at the company so that all the registered suppliers and contractors are covered.
He says his association has held meetings with KCM management and the company has undertaken to extend the exercise in order to cover all members.
Mr Banda says KCM’s resolve to extend the exercise is in recognition of the fact that there was no proper communication to the stakeholders before the company introduced the system.
He says most suppliers and contractors were caught unawares because they were being barred until their finger prints had been taken resulting into confusion at the main gate, resulting into loss of business by suppliers.
Chinese Ambassador to Zambia LI QIANGMIN says his country’s investment in Zambia is safe despite elections to be held this year.
Ambassador LI says Chinese investors will not withdraw their investment from the country because Zambians have demonstrated capability of holding peaceful and transparent elections.
Ambassador LI says he has no doubt that this year’s Zambian elections will be peaceful.
And Mr LI told TV 2 News in Lusaka on Friday that trade between Zambia and China has continued to increase.
Ambassador LI says Zambia’s export to China now stands at Two Point Five Billion Dollars.
[ ZNBC ]
Former Church of God overseer Bishop John Mambo has charged that the appointment of the Justice Irene Mambilima as Electoral Commission Chairperson is ill-timed.
Bishop Mambo has also questioned the rationale used in appointing the deputy Chief Justice as the ECZ chairperson.
He says government was supposed to call for a national indaba before coming up with a name to replace justice Florence Mumba.
Bishop Mambo says government was supposed to call for a stakeholders meeting to solve the crisis at the ECZ.
He says government cannot state that issues at the ECZ have now stabilized after the resignation of justice Mumba.
Bishop Mambo has also observed that election results might be questioned after the impasse that rocked the electoral body recently.
File: Former Patrotic front Secretary General Edwin Lifwekelo lifts a Guardian Weekly headline on Sata and his marital scandals
Two civil society organisations have said they are disappointed that the Catholic Church has not condemned Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata’s statement that the constitution provides for gay rights.
And Forum for Leadership Search executive director Edwin Lifwekelo has said PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba should stop defending Mr Sata’s stance on gay rights.
Committee of Citizens executive director Gregory Chifire and Mr Lifwekelo said in separate interviews in Lusaka yesterday that the Catholics should have been the first to denounce Mr Sata’s intentions because the act of homosexuality is unGodly.
Mr Chifire said it is surprising the Catholic Church has said nothing about Mr Sata’s stance when it is expected to condemn the PF president.
“We expected the Catholic Church to lead the condemnation of Mr Sata because it condemns homosexuality and abortion,” he said.
Mr Chifire said homosexuality is unChristian, immoral and sinful and the Catholic should preach against it.
Mr Lifwekelo said the Catholic Church is the biggest church in Zambia and citizens expect it to denounce the opposition leader’s stance on homosexuality.
He said it is amazing that the Catholic has said nothing when there is evidence linking Mr Sata to plans to legalise homosexuality.
Mr Lifwekelo challenged the Catholic Church to condemn Mr Sata, according to its teaching.
Meanwhile, Mr Lifwekelo said PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba should grow up and stop defending Mr Sata’s statement on homosexuality.
“The audio compact disc in circulation is very clear about what Mr Sata said to Danish journalists about gay rights, no matter how much Mr Kabimba wants to cover it up,” he said.
Mr Lifwekelo said for the first time, Mr Sata was clear about his stance on homosexuality.
He said the Compact Disc will be posted on internet-based social networks, Youtube and Facebook, to expose the PF’s stand on homosexuality.
Mr Lifwekelo also described Mr Kabimba as a ‘pathological liar’ for suggesting that he (Lifwekelo) is being looked after by his wife.
He said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that he finds it ‘cheap and preposterous’ for Mr Kabimba to sink so low and talk about his (Mr Lifwekelo’s) wife.
“While I acknowledge that my wife is a professional teacher who is well qualified for her job and an employee of Tick High School in Lusaka run by Mr Kabimba’s wife, he cannot suggest that my wife looks after my family,” Mr Lifwekelo said.
In March 17’s edition of The Post, Mr Kabimba was quoted as saying Mr Lifwekelo is being kept by his wife, using the salary she gets as a school teacher.
“Mr Kabimba is a pathological liar to suggest that I am unemployed. I am very much self-employed and doing well,” he said.
Mr Lifwekelo challenged Mr Kabimba to relieve his wife of her job if he so wishes.
Mr Lifwekelo said he and Mr Chifire are young role models who are self-employed and doing well in their investments.
He said their finances are clean as they do not make money from selling council plots and engaging in other illegal activities.
“I know a lot about Mr Kabimba but I will not sink so low as to talk about that and lower my integrity,” Mr Lifwekelo said.
Meanwhile, Nkombo Kachemba reports that a clergyman in Kitwe has castigated Mr Sata for alleging that there are adequate laws in Zambia to regularise gay rights.
Brethren in Christ Church pastor Justin Mushanga said in a statement released in Kitwe that it is unfortunate for a leader who wants to become republican president to support gay rights in a Christian nation.
“One does not need to be a Christian to know that homosexuality is an abomination. If Mr Sata is saying there are such laws, I wonder if we need a president like that,” he observed.
He said Mr Sata should know that Zambians want a leader who will develop the country and not introduce gay rights.
The clergyman said Zambians do not want a presidential hopeful to support gay rights because the act is inhuman.
Anti Voter Apathy Project-AVAP- Executive Director, Bonnie Tembo has commended chiefs from Western province for not taking a partisan stance by endorsing candidates.
Mr. Tembo said by not taking sides, the Barotse Royal Establishment is setting a good example by allowing its subjects to make independent choices.
Mr Tembo advised Chiefs in the country to desist from endorsing political parties and candidates in the run up to this year’s tripartite elections.
He said that Chiefs should instead stay away from politics and follow constitutional provisions on their role.
Mr. Tembo has called on every Zambian to be actively involved in the affairs of the country in readiness for the general elections.
He was speaking at the launch of the Voter Mobilization Campaign in Livingstone on yesterday.
