The Southern African Center for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has called on government to allocate more funds towards governance in the 2011 national budget.

SACCORD Programme Officer for Accountability and Good governance, Michelo Mwango said as the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) concludes this year, her organization expects government to concentrate more on the electoral processes in the 2011 National budget.

Mrs Mwango says the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) currently faces numerous financial constraints and that there is need for more funding to the Commission to enable it operate effectively.

She has,however, hailed government for the infrastructure development taking place in the country.

She noted that though a lot has been achieved, economic growth has not reduced poverty levels in the country.

Mrs Mwango has since advised government to ensure that there is an equal distribution of wealth in the country with regards to the rural areas.

Finance and National Planning minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane is this Friday expected to present the 2011 national Budget to Parliament.
[ QFM ]

Ms Siliya said teachers in the country have endured deplorable conditions to improve the standards of education in the country.

She thanked the teachers for their understanding even when they are going through difficult times in their pursuit to improve the education standards.

She was speaking in Lusaka today when she officiated at this year’s World Teachers Day celebration under the theme ‘Recovery begins with teachers’.

Meanwhile, Ms Siliya also disclosed that the Southern African Development Community SADC agreed to prepare teachers for the future by phasing out the certificate in the profession.

She stated that the Ministry will not employ any teachers with a certificate in 2013 hence the need for teachers to be upgraded.

And speaking at the same occasion, (BETUZ) President Victor Mwanza noted that this year’s world teacher’s day will focus on requirements for bringing experienced teachers with obligatory support for attaining purpose education for all by the year 2015.

Mr Mwanza called on government to look into the plight of teachers as a number of challenges still remain unaddressed.

He said issues of accommodation are critical to the motivation of a teacher, hence the need for government to consider building more houses for teachers adding that this will go a long way in averting the current accommodation problems.

Mr Mwanza also said he hoped this year’s budget will be increased from the current 19.6 percent to above 21 percent in order to enhance the solution of problems and challenges in the sector.

[ ZANIS ]

Two miners have died, while another has been seriously injured, in an underground accident at Mopani Copper Mines Mufulira Division

The two miners met their fate at about 15:30 hours on monday at 826 metre level, following a rock fall.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Martin Malama has confirmed the accident on Tuesday.

The two miners have been identified as Ernest Nkonde, a blaster and Bright Mfula a track layer.

The bodies of the two miners are lying in Malcom Watson hospital Mortuary.

And Alinoti Nsandwapo who survived the accident with serious injuries is receiving treatment at Malcom Watson hospital in Mufulira.
[ ZNBC ]

Electoral Commission of Zambia(ECZ) Director Dan Kalale has observed that some sections of the media in Zambia have breached the Electoral Code of Conduct (ECC) during election campaigns with impunity through irresponsible reporting.

Mr Kalale said this in Livingstone today when he presented a paper on challenges in the management and enforcement of the electoral code of conduct at the ongoing four days workshop at Fairmount Hotel.

The workshop organized by ECZ and sponsored by the United Nations Development Programmes has been convened to review the Electoral Code of Conduct.

The participants include political parties, the media, civil society, the police and other interest groups.
“The irresponsible reporting by some sections of the media has resulted in the instigation of violence during elections, Mr Kalale said.

He said while the code directs all media to provide fair and balanced reporting for all candidates during campaigns, the situation has not been so.

On political parties, Mr Kalale said while the code holds them and their candidates to strict adherence though attestation of declaration of compliance when filing nominations, political cadres on the other hand seemed to be remote to the code.

He said this is evident in election violence orchestrated mainly by cadres, popularly known as foot soldiers.

The ECZ director said violence is rarely perpetrated by candidates but by their supporters and this situation is responsible for the escalation of violence in the recent by elections.

Mr Kalale said it is the hope of the commission that when the new constitution is put in place, the powers of ECZ will be expanded in enforcing the code.

And University of Zambia School of mass communication lecturer Eustace Nkandu called for the privatization of the public media to create a level playing field in the coverage of election candidate.

Presenting a paper on challenges faced by the media in adhering to the electoral code of conduct, Mr Nkandu observed that ownership of the media was critical in providing a level playing field.
[ ZANIS ]

Zambia Police Service’s Senior assistant commissioner Auxensio Daka, says the ferrying of cadres from outside town during election campaigns is responsible for the escalation of violence witnessed in some by elections.

Mr Daka, says political parties should stop taking cadres from other towns to foment trouble in areas where elections campaigns are taking place.

He said the police should not be blamed for the violence as this issue needs to be addressed by political parties themselves.

Mr Daka said this in Livingstone today when he presented a paper on experiences and lessons by the Zambia police service in the enforcement of the electoral code of conduct at the ongoing four days workshop at Fairmount Hotel.

The workshop organized by Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and sponsored by the United Nations Development Programmes has been convened to review the Electoral Code of Conduct.

The participants include political parties, the media, civil society, the police, and other interest groups.

Mr Daka admitted that the police service has limited expertise among police officers in election related investigations and prosecution.

He said there is also limited understanding among police officers of their role in elections, a thing he said was being addressed by the police together with the ECZ through sensitization programmes.

[ ZANIS ]

Resident Doctors have called off their strike.

Resident Doctors Association of Zambia Acting president Amon Ngongola told journalists that the decision follows several pleas from patients and the general public.

Dr Ngongola said the Resident Doctors are still convinced that with the help of President Rupiah Banda the problems they are facing will be a thing of the past.

The Resident Doctors who have been on strike for a week now, however said they would continue to press for better conditions of service through other means.

Dr Ngongola has appealed to all Resident Doctors to resume work and await a comprehensive feedback from their representatives.

The Resident Doctors last week went on strike demanding better conditions of service.Ends
[ ZNBC ]