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Striking workers at the Copperbelt University have been advised to resume work because the work stoppage is illegal.
Education Permanent Secretary, Andrew Phiri says the workers’ demand for the removal of the Vice Chancellor is not negotiable because it does not form part of the terms and conditions of service for workers.
Mr Phiri said this in LUSAKA, Thursday.
He said if the workers have any grievances with their Vice Chancellor they should channel them to the management and the University council instead of resorting to work stoppage.
Mr Phiri said Management and the University council reserves the right to take appropriate measures against perpetrators of the illegal work stoppage.
Unionised workers at the Copperbelt University have withdrawn their labour in protest against their Vice chancellor, professor Mutale Musonda.
President Rupiah Banda has commissioned the newly constructed Protea Hotel in Chipata in the Eastern Province.
Mr Banda said the new hotel will provide excellent services that should be emulated by others in the hospitality industry in the area.
ZNBC’s Chabwera Zulu reports that the President said this during the commissioning of the Twenty billion Kwacha hotel, Friday.
Mr Banda said the new hotel will help in attracting tourists to the area.
He said he is confident that the hotel will be effectively marketed in a bid to promote tourism.
The President is happy that hotel standards are going up in the country.
And Protea Hotel Zambia Limited Chairman, Mark O’donnel said the new hotel is the only internationally rated hotel in the Eastern Province.
Mr O’donell said Protea hotel has built a reputation for proving quality services since the first Group hotel was opened in Chisamba over 12 years ago.
Vice president George Kunda about to get into his official government vehicle
Vice President George Kunda says security agencies acted professionally to prevent loss of lives and property when some Barotseland activists rioted in Mongu last month.
And Mr Kunda says there is no justification for calls to dismiss Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu and Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde following the recent unrest in Mongu and some parts of Western province.
The Vice President said this when he issued a statement about the recent riots in Mongu in Parliament this morning.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa on Tuesday directed the Vice President to issue a statement over the death of two people in riots in Mongu.
This was after Luena MP, Charles Milupi rose on a point of order, over government’s silence about the recent unrest in MONGU.
Mr KUNDA explained that police had NO choice but to use reasonable force to protect life and property.
He said the Barotseland activists kept charging on the police despite warning shots fired in the air, putting the lives of the officers at risk.
And the Vice President said paramilitary officers deployed in MONGU will NOT be withdrawn in a bid to sustain law and order in the area.
He said people in Western province are happy with the security measures that government has put in place.
Twenty two people are facing treason charges over the riots that erupted in Mongu over the Barotse agreement of 1964.
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) yesterday said it was ready to contest the 2011 presidential elections without a partnership with the PF and rejected a fresh call by the Sata-led party for a joint national committee to discuss the allocation of seats and candidacy for the pact.
UPND secretary general Winston Chibwe said he was in possession of a letter authored by Mr Kabimba proposing that a joint management committee meeting be convened quickly to discuss Prof Chirwa’s views but his party had rejected the proposal.
He said UPND had been calling for meetings with PF since April last year but the PF had rejected the appeals and wondered why Prof Chirwa’s personal views could even result into a meeting.
He said UPND was not surprised that the PF was no longer interested in the pact and said the party should be made aware that UPND was the biggest opposition party in the country because it had gained ground since 2008.
“If PF is not interested in the pact anymore, it is fine with us because we are ready to go it alone. They have continued to put adverts in The Post newspaper against us through those letters.
“There is too much deceit in PF. We have been calling for meetings ourselves since last year and the PF have been refusing. On their call for the meeting, we have also refused and I have since written a letter to Mr Kabimba.
“It was delivered this morning (yesterday) and probably that is why they are saying they are no longer interested in the pact. We have fundamental issues to deal with as UPND, so it is fine, we are a big party,” Mr Chibwe said in an interview at his office.
And Mr Kabimba on Wednesday revealed that the PF had become tired of the pact.
When contacted to state whether the pact between the two parties still existed following the recent differences, Mr Kabimba said there was nothing left to talk about in the UPND-PF Pact and that he was tired of the pact.
File: Jonas Shakafuswa kneels before President Rupiah Banda during the Chakwela Makumbi traditional ceremony
GOVERNMENT has demanded a public apology from Katuba member of Parliament (MP) Jonas Shakafuswa for alleging that President Banda is running a mediocre Government.
Lieutenant-General Ronnie Shikapwasha said it is unacceptable and unZambian for Mr Shakafuswa to call Mr Banda ‘a monster’ and to incite Zambians to rise against a democratically-elected Government.
The Chief Government Spokesman was reacting to a statement in yesterday’s Post in which Mr Shakafuswa was quoted as having said Zambians must rise against President Banda because of his ‘mediocre’ leadership.
In the same article, Mr Shakafuswa called President Banda a ‘monster’.
But Gen Shikapwasha said it is ridiculous for Mr Shakafuswa to disrespect the decisions Mr Banda is making pertaining to the governance of the country.
He said Mr Shakafuswa must refrain from inciting Zambians to rise against President Banda by alleging that the President is a dictator and that he is refusing to listen to the concerns of Zambians.
“It is very unZambian for him to insult or call elders monsters. Mr Shakafuswa’s statement is very alarming and disturbing to Government and the MMD. It can cause anarchy in the nation because President Banda has supporters who have been provoked by the statement.
“Government is demanding that Mr Shakafuswa apologises unreservedly for the lies he has been perpetrating against President Banda and his Government because that is the correct and honourable thing to do,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
He advised Mr Shakafuswa to refute the statement if he was misquoted by the newspaper and stop sowing seeds of hatred for political gain.
Gen Shikapwasha also appealed to the media to help Government promote peace and unity in the country by not publishing stories which have the potential to breed anarchy.
Gen Shikapwasha said journalists are the eyes and ears of the public and they belong to a noble profession premised on the dissemination of truthful, reliable and accurate information to the public.
He said the conduct of some media houses leaves much to be desired.
“In their desperate campaign against President Banda’s Government, they have continued to peddle lies pertaining to the affairs of the nation,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
[pullquote]“I will call him to explain what I was trying to say in the story I gave to the Post. The impression created that I called President Banda a monster is wrong,” he said.[/pullquote]
Meanwhile, ZANGOSE CHAMBWA reports that the church has condemned Mr Shakafuswa for insulting President Banda and has called on him to show remorse and apologise.
Independent Churches of Zambia president David Masupa said President Banda deserves respect while Bible Gospel Church in Africa Bishop Peter Ndhlovu has described Mr Shakafuswa’s remarks as irresponsible.
Meanwhile, DORIS KASOTE reports that Mr Shakafuswa said President Banda is like his father and he could not call him a monster.
Mr Shakafuswa said in an interview that he may have political differences with Mr Banda but he cannot refer to a head of State as a monster.
Asked if he would make a public apology over his statement as demanded by Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha, Mr Shakafuswa said he would personally talk to Gen Shikapwasha.
“I will call him to explain what I was trying to say in the story I gave to the Post,” he said.
“The impression created that I called President Banda a monster is wrong,” he said.
Mr Shakafuswa was reacting to a story in the Post edition of yesterday in which he was reported as saying Zambians should rise against ‘this monster’.
He said the monster he was referring to was the ‘system’ and not Mr Banda.
He said the system that the President was operating under was the same one allegedly created by Mr Mulongoti and others.
UPND chairman for international relations Clive Chirwa
THE MMD will win this year’s presidential and general elections if the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) participate in the polls separately, UPND chairman for international relations Clive Chirwa has said.
Professor Chirwa puts the MMD’s popularity surge at 38.1 percent and the PF-UPND pact’s collective performance at 19.34 percent. He advised the alliance to work “extremely hard”.
He warned that figures from the last 55 by-elections show that the MMD has an edge of about 50 percent over the pact, and urged the two parties to take his analysis seriously.
And the MMD has hailed Prof Chirwa’s advice to the pact partners as a true reflection of the current political reality in the country, and a confirmation of the ruling party’s strength.
In a letter addressed to PF president Michael Sata and his UPND counterpart Hakainde Hichilema dated February 15, 2011, Prof Chirwa told the pact not to ignore his figures “as they give a very clear outcome if it does not function to the ability expected by the people of Zambia.”
He said the figures are based on the results of the three parliamentary and 52 local government by-elections conducted between August 2009 and September 2010.
Prof Chirwa outlined the calculations that helped him arrive at the two figures.
“Taking into account these weightings, MMD has clocked 38.1 percent success, while UPND has 16.54 percent and PF 2.8 percent,” he said.
Prof Chirwa said the results do not mean UPND is now the favoured party over the PF.
“However, what these figures clearly show is that if we had to go it alone as PF or UPND, MMD will be voted into power yet again as our (pact) total resurgence is 19.34 percent, which is approximately half that of MMD (38.1 percent),” he said.
Prof Chirwa also expressed worry at the voter registration list of January this year.
“We are seeing a complex picture emerging, which tells us a simple message that requires the pact to work extremely hard in order to achieve the aspiration level the Zambian people are yelling for,” he said.
He discussed many other issues related to the pact in the letter, including proposals on how positions should be shared between the two partners.
MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga commended Prof Chirwa for telling the truth over the party’s strength.
“I am happy that Clive Chirwa has supported our assertions that the MMD is powerful and will beat both the PF and UPND even if they stand as a pact,” he said.
Mr Mabenga said it is good the information is coming from the pact’s own member and not from the MMD.
“Even if they stand as a pact, we are not shaken in any way. Even without us speaking, their own member has conceded that we are a powerful party and will win the elections. This is really good,” he said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga PandeGovernment says it is constantly monitoring the situation in Libya and putting in place measures to evacuate the 42 Zambians from that country following the civil strife that has rocked the North African country.
Foreign Affairs minister Kabinga Pande told parliament in a ministerial statement today that all the 42 Zambians in Libya are safe so far.
He says government is preparing to evacuate Zambians in Libya among them 38 embassy staff, two students and a footballer with his wife.
Mr Pande says government is concerned with the violence in Libya which has led to the loss of several lives.
He adds that Zambia condemns any form of violence, adding that as a member of the UN human rights council,the country is among those that has requested for the convening of a meeting tomorrow to discuss the violation of human rights in Libya following a clampdown on protesters.
Asked by Monze Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu whether Government is considering cutting diplomatic relations with Libya as Botswana has done following a government clampdown on protesters, Mr Pande said Zambia has interests to protect
New Kabwe Warriors chairman Andrew Kamanga has said he hopes to help turn around the fortunes at one of Zambia’s most supported clubs.
Kamanga was confirmed head of Warriors on Thursday and takes over from Evans Mutangama who resigned last week.
“I remain grateful to the sponsors who have entrusted me to lead the team they believe can take Kabwe Warriors back to the glory days,” Kamanga, who was until his appointment as chairperson a committee member.
Warriors have not won the league title since 1987 and their last cup triumph was in 2007 when they won the now defunct BP Top 8 Cup.
“We hope that we can focus on improving the fortunes of Warriors which still remains a big team in Zambia with a large following,” the Lusaka businessman said.
Meanwhile, bouncing back at the club is long-serving secretary Hayden Dingwall who will be Warriors vice-chairman.
File: Western Province Permanent Secretary Seth Muleya speaking to nurses at Kalabo District Hospital during his Familiarization tour in Kalabo
Government has allocated about K1.1 billion for the rehabilitation and construction of office blocks and government guest houses in all the districts in Western Province.
Provincial Permanent Secretary Seth Muleya disclosed the development today during the official opening of the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) meeting held in the Minister’s conference hall.
Mr. Muleya said that part of the amount is meant for the construction of Shangombo district office block and the extension of Mongu district Commissioner’s office respectively.
He said other developmental programmes earmarked in the province is the provision of street lights in Kalabo and Sesheke districts at a total cost of K200 million.
The Permanent Secretary further said that a total sum of K1.5 million has been earmarked for rural water supply in the Province.
Mr. Muleya implored civil servants in the province to remain non-partisan during this year’s tripartite elections.
He noted the role of civil servants is to interpret and implement policies and programmes of the government of the day hence those wishing to be actively involved in partisan politics should offer to resign.
Meanwhile, Mr. Muleya has warned that his office will not shield anyone found to have misappropriated public funds meant for development in the Province.
He said the Province has previously had a lot of audit queries arising from unretired imprests and misapplication of resources.
President Rupiah Banda has commissioned rehabilitation works on the 97.7 billion Kwacha Chipata – Lundazi road.
President Banda said the funds for the road works have been sourced from the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
The President said this Wednesday, during the launch of the Chipata Lundazi Road.
He said the rehabilitation of the Chipata-Lundazi road is crucial because it links Chipata to surrounding towns and neighbouring Mozambique.
And President Banda said government is committed to improving infrastructure across the country.
He said government has so far spearheaded a number of infrastructure developments in the country.
President Banda also assured Lundazi residents that contractors have pledged to work on schedule as long as government gives them support.
And President Banda has reiterated that this years elections will be peaceful.
He said the consistency Zambia has in holding peaceful elections will be maintained this year.
He appealed to Zambians to give the MMD another mandate for it to continue its development programmes.
He has cautioned the electorates to question other President contenders in this years elections, on what they would do for them, once voted into power.
The President further said his ability to deliver is evidenced by the many developmental programmes that have been achieved.
[ ZNBC ]
The Anti- Voter Apathy project (AVAP) has appealed to President Rupiah Banda to advise his party to desist from issuing statement that maybe a source of conflicts as the country goes to the polls this year.
AVAP Executive Director Bonnie Tembo told QFM news that the statements of former president Dr.
Fredrick Chiluba’s intention to resurrect dribbling in the MMD raise suspensions which may result in conflicts.
Mr. Tembo has, however, commended President Banda to advocate for peace but has also challenged him to ensure that the playing field for political players is leveled.
He added that preferred candidate syndrome when it comes to choose party leaders should also be avoided to prevent the possible outbreaks of violence.
Mr. Tembo has also advised the president to ensure that they prepare themselves for any outcome of the elections saying their must win mentality is also a source of worry.
He says that all parties need to prepare themselves for any outcome of the elections saying that no political party can claim ownership over the voters.
[ QFM ]
UPND Copperbelt Province chairperson Elisha Matambo has said the outcome of the Mutaba Ward by-electionin Kafulafuta Constituency will define the most popular party between the UPND and the Patriotic Front (PF) in the province.
Mr Matambo said in an interview yesterday that the campaigns for the March 3, local government by-elections would show which of the parties commanded a larger following after they fielded separate candidates for the polls.
Mr Matambo said the UPND was successfully selling itself as an alternative political party, able to deliver social and economic development to the people of people in that area and Zambia in general.
PF Ndola District chairperson Rebby Chanda said his party was confident of winning the election.
MMD Masaiti Member of Parliament Gladys Lundwe, who toured the constituency, said the ruling party was undertaking various development projects in the area which could only be successfully completed with the help of councillors from the ruling party.
MMD Masaiti District chairperson Micheal Katambo said the MMD campaign team had embarked on a door to door campaign explaining the development projects which the Government was undertaking and why the people of Mutaba Ward should vote for an MMD councillor.
The MMD have fielded Gilbert Kayingu, while the UPND and the PF fielded John Tuseko and West Phiri respectively.
[ Times of Zambia ]
File: President Banda confers with US assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson (r) and American Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella at State House
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said Zambians should not be misled by anyone that what is happening in the Middle East and North Africa can happen in the country because Zambia witnessed winds of change in 1991 and is now a role model of democracy.
Speaking before departure for Chipata at City Airport in Lusaka yesterday, President Banda said he regretted what was happening in Libya.
He, however, said it was wrong for some people to take advantage of young Zambians who may not understand the country’s history and suggest that the crisis in Egypt would spread to Zambia because the country was already enjoying democracy.
The president said while the democracy may not be perfect, Zambians were working hard to refine the system.
“What is happening in Libya is very, very sad. I think that all the governments must listen to people, but thank you for the question, let me just extend a bit to Zambia.
“It is wonderful to have peace here and in any case what they are going through now, what is happening in the Middle East is what we went through in 1991.
“Zambian people are actually role models, and the Zambian Government is actually a role model. The democracy that we are practising here is what they are fighting for,” Mr Banda said.
He said as a way to strengthen democracy, Zambia had introduced the Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue to allow people with different political persuasions to express their views and improve the systems of governance.
President Banda said Zambians had confidence in the country’s electoral system and it was the reason why they refused to be used by Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata after the 2008 elections.
“Those who are talking and taking advantage of young Zambians who may not be aware of where we are coming from must understand that to refer to Egypt is wrong. These people are behind us. We went through that already, and we are a democratic country.
“You know after the elections in 2008 when I was elected president, because of the gap between myself and Mr Sata he really believed that the Zambian people will rally behind him,” he said.
Mr Banda said in 1991, first Republican president Kenneth Kaunda conceded defeat to the MMD when he lost the elections.
He said those who lost elections should learn to concede defeat to uphold their dignity.
GALLANT Youths of Zambia National co-ordinator Henry Mulenga has branded Mbita Chitala a liar for refuting reports that he advised President Banda to concede defeat to the Patriotic Front (PF) during the 2008 presidential elections.
Mr Mulenga said in an interview in Lusaka on February 23 that he was present when Dr Chitala advised President Banda to concede defeat to PF president Michael Sata during the 2008 presidential election.
He said Dr Chitala is the one who is telling lies because he (Mr Mulenga) was present at the meeting held at Government House on September 30 or October 1, 2008.
Mr Mulenga said he recalls that Lusaka Province chairperson William Banda was also present during the meeting.
He was reacting to a story in The Post edition of February 23 in which Dr Chitala denied asking the President to prematurely concede defeat to Mr Sata when he was trailing by 80,000 votes.
Mr Mulenga said it was disrespectful of Dr Chitala to call the President a liar when he knows that what the head of State had said was true.
“It is insubordination for Dr Chitala to call the head of State a liar,” Mr Mulenga said.
Mr Mulenga said he was part of the MMD team that was working with Dr Chitala, who was the national campaign executive secretary, at the totalling centre at Government House.
He said when Dr Chitala saw that the Electoral Commission of Zambia was taking too long to announce the final results and that Mr Banda was trailing Mr Sata, he allegedly asked the team to accompany him to where President Banda was waiting for feedback.
“When he looked at the block figure and saw the deficit between Mr Banda and Mr Sata, Dr Chitala tried to persuade Mr Banda to concede defeat. I was there and Mr William Banda and other people were also there.
“We did not agree with him that Mr Banda should concede defeat and we went outside to call the campaign manager, Mr Vernon Mwaanga, who was at the campaign centre in Rhodes Park. I personally called him and told him what Dr Chitala was trying to persuade Mr Banda to do,” Mr Mulenga said.
He said Mr Mwaanga directed the team and Mr Banda to wait for the Electoral Commission of Zambia to announce the final results.
“We waited until results from the last three provinces, which included Eastern and Western, where the MMD was strong, were announced. The MMD rapidly caught up and even surpassed the PF,” Mr Mulenga said.
He advised Dr Chitala to be honest enough and tell the truth.
“Dr Chitala should be honest enough and should not deny what he said,” Mr Mulenga said.
