The Government is determined to deliver a people-driven Constitution and will not deviate from the set roadmap to satisfy narrow and selfish interests, chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has said.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said yesterday that the ongoing constitution making process had been transparent, broad-based and participatory.

He said that could be seen in the mandate and composition of the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) chaired by lawyer and economist Willa Mung’omba which had members from all sectors of society such as the Church, trade unions, politicians, youths, traditional rulers, lawyers, the media, farmers, civil society and others.

He said in a statement that during its three-year tenure, the 41 member CRC went to all the 150 parliamentary constituencies throughout the country and received submissions from the people on the Constitution they wanted.

Unlike in previous undertakings, the Government made legal adjustments to provide for the CRC report and the draft Constitution to be released simultaneously to the Government and the public.

The minister said consistent with the recommendation by the Mung’omba commission, the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) was put in place through an Act of Parliament.

He said the NCC comprising more than 500 members representing interests of society spent three years of extensive deliberations on the Mung’omba draft Constitution until August this year when it wound up its work and submitted its report and draft Constitution to the Government.

He said from this background, it was clear that President Banda’s Government had been focused on delivering a durable and people-driven Constitution through a transparent, participatory and democratic process.

He said it was, therefore, misleading for Civil Society for Poverty Reduction to choose to drag President Banda into the 50 per cent plus one issue because it was referred to the referendum after a two-third majority could not be reached during the NCC deliberations.

He said the issue had nothing to do with President Banda as it was a decision taken by the NCC in accordance with its set rules and procedures.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Education Deputy Minister Clement Sinyinda says examination malpractices continue to threaten the quality of education in Zambia.

And Mr Sinyinda has called for strict supervision in schools, to curb examination malpractices by students and teachers.

Mr Sinyinda says teachers who fail to teach their pupils adequately, are tempted to engage in examination malpractices.

Mr Sinyinda was speaking during the Education Sector Research Symposium in LUSAKA.

The symposium aims at examining how research can contribute to improving quality education.

And Examinations Council of Zambia Assistant Director for Research Joe Kanyika said examination malpractices have continued to be a challenge in the delivery of quality education.
[ ZNBC ]

Everything is set for the commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day which falls tomorrow with activities lined up for the event.

Anti-Corruption Commission Public relations Manager Wezzy Chomba told ZANIS in Lusaka that preparations for the national commemoration have been concluded.

Mr. Chomba disclosed that the event is expected to be graced by the republican Vice President George Kunda at Mulungushi International Conference Center.

He said the event is also expected to be attended by High commissioners accredited to Zambia and the African Parliamentary Network on Corruption who he said will deliver a speech through its chairperson Given Lubinda.

Mr. Chomba said the commission has done a lot of sensitizations in communities and schools and has managed to constitute a national steering committee which he said is being chaired by the secretary to the cabinet Joshua Kanganja.

He said members of this committee have been trained to help handle matters related to corruption and how it could best be prevented.

He said the commission is also doing its best to prosecute people involved in the scourge although he could not disclose the number of cases still in the courts of law.

Mr. Chomba also disclosed that the commission has discussed with the ministry of education which he said is considering including corruption in the school curriculum so that pupils are taught on the evils of corruption.

Zambia tomorrow will join the international Community in commemorating this day which falls every year on December 9. It was declared by the United Nations Assembly on October 31, 2003.

ZANIS

Choma Town Clerk, Enock Kandingwa says there is need to harness the power of the media, to help stop malpractices in the electoral process.

Mr. Kandingwa says the media should utilize its watchdog role in protecting the interest of the general public and encourage the peaceful conduct of elections.

He was speaking in Choma today, at the opening of a four-day provincial media training workshop, organised by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) at Kozo Lodge.

Mr. Kandingwa stressed the importance of the media in following the activities of elections with interest, and to also advise members of the general public on how to vote and help them know their rights and responsibilities in the realm of politics.

He noted that, more often than not, Journalists have tended to concentrate on reporting on the personal attributes of candidates, instead of focussing on the burning issues affecting the electorate.

Mr. Kandingwa observed that, for citizens to make well informed decisions during elections, there must be a free media.

He however noted that, while the media must be free to articulate independent and diverse views, it must be reliable, truthful and trusted, bearing in mind that, the media usually served as the means through which the public learnt much out about the atmosphere of an election and the aspiring political players.

“The media therefore needs to report fairly and accurately on campaigns of all political parties involved in an election so that the electorate can make informed choices, “he said. “The media needs to provide all the people with accurate information about the whole electoral process,” he went on.

Mr. Kandingwa hoped the training being conducted by the ECZ, would help enhance media reporting on the electoral process in Zambia.

ECZ is conducting training workshops for media personnel throughout the country, ahead of the 2011 tripartite elections.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda has pardoned Lusaka Lawyer Nsunka Sambo and his client Victor Chilekwa, who were jailed for three years for contempt of court by the Supreme Court.

Sambo and Chilekwa were jailed for three years by the Supreme Court on March 30, this year, for writing insulting letters to the bench.

This was after they lost a Court appeal in a matter between Masiye Motel Limited and Rescue Shoulders and Estate Agency Limited.

The President has remitted the three year sentences of the two, following a request they made to him.

This is in exercise of the powers vested in him as Head of State, under Article 59 (d) of the Constitution of Zambia.

The two had requested the President to exercise his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy, to remit their sentences.

The President has said in the order to the Commissioner of Prisons that the two be released from custody immediately, on condition that they do not commit offences similar to those for which they are convicted and sentenced, during the period up to the
respective date when they would have completed serving their sentences.

This is contained in a statement issued to ZNBC News in Lusaka today by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations DICKSON JERE.

ZNBC

President Rupiah Banda has invited the European Union to send a delegation to observe next years general elections in Zambia.

President Banda has asked out-going European Union Head of Delegation Derek Fee to ensure a team of officers is sent to monitor the polls.

The President also described the year 2011 as a great challenge because of the general elections.

President Banda was speaking during the commissioning of the New Soweto Market in Lusaka.

President Banda has pledged that he would ensure next year’s elections are free, fair, and transparent.

He said that he wants all potential voters to freely vote for the candidate of their choice.

President Banda also asked Zambians not to allow anyone to engage in violence as the country nears the elections.

He urged Zambians to remain peaceful in order for the elections to be free and fair.

Meanwhile, President Banda has appealed to Zambians not to engage in excessive drinking during the festive season.
[ ZNBC ]