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Former Lusaka Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo.
Former Lusaka Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo has condemned opposition political parties inciting violence among the youth.
He said in Lusaka yesterday that promoting violence among young people showed that the country was diverting from the norms and values of a Christian nation.
Archbishop Milingo, who was speaking in Lusaka when he ordained five bishops from Jehovah’s Kingdom Assemblies Church, said the custom by some opposition political party leaders to insult those in authority was worrying and should be brought to an end.
Archbishop Milingo said Zambians should not allow divisions to rock the country and called on the people to live by the golden motto of ‘One Zambia, One Nation.’
And Archbishop Milingo urged the newly-ordained bishops to serve God and the people with sincerity.
Bishops Council of Zambia director-general Isaac Chabwera in his homily said the office of bishop called for sacrifice.
Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka said once one accepted the office of bishop, they were expected to devote time to preaching the Gospel and to unite the people.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Law Association of Zambia President Stephen Lungu (left) talks to Transparency International Zambia Executive Director Goodwell Lungu (file Picture)
Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Steven Lungu has said it is wrong for Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata and other civil society organisations to comment on a matter before the courts of law because it is prejudicial and a bad culture that should stop.
And the Judiciary Department has said those accusing President Rupiah Banda of being behind the conviction of Kafulafuta Member of Parliament (MP) George Mpombo should provide evidence and avoid making wild allegations.
Mr Lungu said in Lusaka yesterday that it was not right for anybody to comment on Mr Mpombo’s case because it had not been disposed of.
He wondered why the case had generated debates and accusations when it was still in court.
“This is what I have said before and I will continue saying, commenting on matters still in court is prejudicial and people should desist from this culture.
“The Mpombo case has not yet been disposed of and it is not right for people to continue commenting on it,” he said.
Mr Lungu said the best time to comment on any matter was when it had been concluded and that any comments should have a sound basis.
[pullquote]“The Mpombo case has not yet been disposed of and it is not right for people to continue commenting on it,” he said[/pullquote]
Judiciary Department public relations officer, Terry Musonda said yesterday it was sad that the civil society and some politicians always wanted to involve the president in selected convictions and judgments even when they knew that the judiciary operated under stipulated laws.
He said in an interview in Lusaka that Mr Mpombo’s was purely a court case and not political in any way.
“We all understand that people are entitled to their own opinions especially on the outcome of court cases, and where they have evidence on any allegations let them provide it because how else will society believe them if they just continue speaking from without,” he said.
Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate Kelvin Limbani on Friday convicted Mr Mpombo on one count of issuing a cheque of K10 million on an insufficiently-funded account and sentencing is expected to take place today.
Meanwhile, PF Luapula MP Peter Machungwa has said it is unfair to attribute all professional decisions Government institutions make to President Banda.
Dr Machungwa described Mr Sata’s assertions that President Banda had influenced Mr Mpombo’s conviction as shallow politicking and called for the respect of the judiciary.
And former National Energy and Allied Workers Union secretary general, Yotam Mtayachalo advised Mr Sata to stop dragging the judiciary into politics.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Kafulafuta MP George Mpombo in his jail cell in Ndola after he was jailed for bouncing a cheque
The MMD leadership from seven wards in Kafulafuta Constituency yesterday petitioned the district executive committee to expel area Member of Parliament (MP) George Mpombo from the party after passing a vote of no confidence in him.
MMD Masaiti District secretary Patrick Zulu said some of the wards which withdrew their support for Mr Mpombo were Muyenga, Shitwe, Majaliwa, Kambowe and Mutaba.
He said the district party leadership had received the petition and that it would meet on Thursday to decide Mr Mpombo’s fate.
Mr Zulu said the leaders would discuss matters regarding Mr Mpombo, whose recent stand in the party has been a source of controversy.
The Kafulafuta MP has caused tension in the ruling party with his constant attacks on the top leadership, including President Rupiah Banda.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Mauritius Under-20 caused a major upset today when they sent Zambia Under-20 packing out of the African Youth Championship qualifiers.
Mauritius beat Zambia 3-1 to advance 3-2 on aggregate from the first round qualifiers to the final second round after overturning 1-0 loss they suffered at the hand of Keagan Mumba’s on July 24 at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka.
The two teams were locked at 0-0 going into halftime on Sunday on the Indian Ocean Island before Mauritius took the lead 47th minute through Clarel Jackson.
Rodrick Kabwe equalized in the 55th minute for Zambia but goals from Christopher L’enclume and David Azie in the 67 and 80th minutes respectively ensured Mauritius went through after their dramatic comeback to sail through to the second round qualifiers on the road to next years Libya finals.
PF leader Michael sata and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema
United Party for National Development, UPND, President, Hakainde Hichilema, has backed his Patriotic Front(PF) counterpart, Michael Sata, in saying that the MMD government has a hand in the conviction of former Defense Minister, George Mpombo.
Mr. Hichilema said the MMD government drove Mr. Mpombo’s conviction just like it did drive Post newspaper editor, Chansa Kabwela’s case.
Mr. Hichilema said the way Mr. Mpombo’s case was handled, it clearly shows that there was pressure on the judiciary by the government.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hichilema has said the judiciary in the country has been divided, one for the MMD sympathizers, and the other for non MMD sympathisers.
The UPND leader noted that there is need for the judiciary in the country to operate the way it ought to operate.
He said the judiciary is being driven by those in authority, adding that this could be clearly seen from the way Ms. Lucy Changwe’s case where she failed to honour a cheque to a Mr. Musonda was handled by the government.
Mr. Hichilema said that Mr. Mpombo’s case is almost the same as that for Ms Changwe, but that she was not convicted.
He added that it is extremely not fair for the government to handle cases in such an imbalanced manner.
[ QFM ]
Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson(left) and Hon. Felix Mutati in Washington DC
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Hon. Felix Mutati received a standing ovation after delivering a strong emotional speech that was punctuated with a strong message that” Africa is a new frontier for investment” amid long and loud applauses
He told his audience and in particular American investors that they will lose huge opportunities if they avoid ” investing in changing Africa.”
“Africa is changing. At least 38 African countries in the recent past have moved towards political stability and good governance. They have also implemented reforms to improve the way they conduct business,” he said.
It was for this reason that he challenged American companies to take advantage of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) as Africa was open and ready for job creation and accountability.
He commended the hard work and dynamism of African women who are also attending the Forum in their determination to make a difference and prosper in a world dominated by men citing as an example Ghana’s Chief Excecutive Officer of Homefoods Processing and Cannery Limited, Felicia Twumwasi and Zambia’s Sylvia Banda CEO of Sylva Food Solutions Inc.
“ I salute African women who started their businesses in their kitchens and are now able to run multi million dollar companies or have expanded from catering to processing and packaging traditional Zambian foodstuffs.i
Hon. Mutati also spoke at a panel discussion moderated by the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson. Other speakers were Mr. Ezra Sabiti Suruma a former Minister of Uganda, Ambassador Islam Siddiqui Chief Agriculrural Negotiator from the office of the US Trade Representative, and Mr. Philippe Villers, the Chief Executive Officer of GrainPro in Massachussetts.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum opened last Monday 2nd August, 2010 in Washington. It moved to Kansas City on Thursday 5th August, 2010 in order to link African business people with American counterparts.
Passed into law 10 years ago, the trade policy seeks to boost Africa’s economic growth by allowing 6,400 products duty-free access to the American market.
US exports to Africa under the Act increased to $18.5 billion in 2008 from $10.2 billion in 2005, while exports from Africa soared to $86 billion from $50.3 billion, according to the latest numbers from the US Department of Commerce.
Later, the Minister and his Zambian delegation met with some business leaders from US companies to discuss specific areas for investment.
The Minister also toured the Zambian stand accompanied by Her Excellency, Mrs. Sheila Siwela, Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States of America.
He also held bilateral talks with his Angolan counterpart, Mrs. Maria Idalina Volente, the Angolan Minister of Trade. The discussions were mainly focused on increased trade between the two countries.
Political analyst, Dante Saunders called on government to completely change the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to instill confidence in the electorates who continued to shun participating in elections.
Mr Dante observed that the current abnormal political situation in Zambia is responsible for the low voter turn out in the Chifubu and Luena by-elections.
He said that there is need to stream line the work of the ECZ whose credibility Zambians have continued to question.
[pullquote]“This will help the ruling movement for multi party democracy MMD government regain the people’s confidence in the commission” Mr Dante said.[/pullquote]
Mr Saunders said that it is vital for government to allow a complete change of the ECZ.
“This will help the ruling movement for multi party democracy MMD government regain the people’s confidence in the commission” Mr Dante said.
Mr. Saunders also explained that government should be able to allow the participation of the opposition in the ECZ.
He said as long as government does not agree to allow the ECZ to be changed, the current voter apathy will remain.
The political analyst also noted that failure to address this situation now, the ECZ is bound to experience worse apathy next year when the country goes to the tripartite polls.
[ QFM ]
President Banda boards the Zambia Air Force executive plane in Chipata
President Banda has challenged Zambians to shed off their dependency syndrome and to take the initiative to develop Zambia themselves. The President said that the best development was that initiated by the people themselves hence the need for them to be involved in it as this would also attract assistance from various co-operating partners.
“Meaningful development can only be achieved through the participation of all people including those at grassroot levels by being committed to eliminating poverty,” he said.
President Banda said this at Chilobwe Basic School grounds in Chipata yesterday when he officially launched the Mfumbeni Five-Year Strategic Development Plan aimed at mitigating poverty in Senior Chief Nzamane’s chiefdom.
Mr Banda said the Zambians can only be proud of themselves if they stood up to the challenge of fighting poverty by making a decision to develop themselves.
He praised farmers in the country for taking advantage of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to maximize their yields.
“I’am proud that you worked hard and took advantage of the FISP to produce more than anticipated and the country now has a surplus,” he said.
He said, however, that success is only possible through hard work and discipline. Mr Banda said Zambia produced 2.7 million tonnes of maize because of hard work, especially by peasant farmers who received support through the FISP.
Earlier, Senior Chief Nzamane said the Mfumbeni Strategic Plan intends to improve the quality of life among people in the chiefdom through development and prosperity centered on the local people.
He said the association will also plan, mobilize resources, monitor activities and collect data from zones in order to effectively manage the developmental activities.
He observed that despite it being a rural area it has great potential generate wealth but that there is need for people to remain focused on the objective of improving their standards of living.
The Senior Chief said that his subjects are poor because of unsystematic development plans but that the Strategic Plan will enhance coordinated development.
He said Government’s efforts to develop the area had fallen short of people’s expectations and resources allocated to developmental activities did not show clear and prominent results.
Senior Chief Nzamane said this was because people did not contribute to the planning and implementation of the developmental activities.
He cited education, commerce, health and agriculture as some of the sectors the plan will address.
Senior Chief Nzamane said that the association has already planned to have immediate activities of zonal farms to grow maize, groundnuts and millet to achieve food security.
He also said various factors limit access to Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services for people in the chiefdom.
Senior Chief Nzamane said long distances to medical facilities, some of which are inaccessible during the rainy season and stigma associated with the scourge, hindered access to the services.
He said this is why the plan incorporates programmes aimed at streamlining HIV and AIDS.
In a vote of thanks, Mfumbeni vice-chairperson Festus Ndhlovu said that President Banda’s coming to grace the occasion was testimony of Government’s commitment to support developmental programmes initiated by people in the rural areas.
Mr Ndhlovu said the people of Mfumbeni are happy that President Banda is willing to work with them in alleviating poverty by developing the area.
He said vices such as illiteracy, poor health, poverty and food insecurity have negatively impacted on the people hence the decision to initiate the strategic plan.
“Mfumbeni has suffered negative social, cultural and economic impact of inadequate development due to vices such as high illiteracy levels and deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS. This prompted the chief to put in place a strategic plan to guide for the implementation process of developmental programmes,” he said.
The 2010-2015 Mfumbeni Strategic Plan, an initiative of Senior Chief Nzamane has received technical support from United States International Development Agency (USAID) and various co-operating partners.
Vernon Mwaanga poses for a picture with ministry of foreign Affairs permanent secretary Tens Kapoma in Lusaka
Parliamentary Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga says President Banda’s foreign trips are aimed at promoting economic development in Zambia and are in line with an international trend of economic diplomacy.
Economic diplomacy is the process through which countries tackle the outside world, to maximize their national gains in all fields of activity including trade, investment and other forms of economically beneficial exchanges.
Mr Mwaanga said Zambians should be proud that the President is marketing the country at a regional and international level and bringing investment to the country.
“No country is an island; our country has a good reputation both at regional and international level hence the reason we are being invited because of the active role Zambia plays in regional, African and international foras.
Zambians should be proud that they are recognized and this helps in attracting investors to the country,” he said.
Mr Mwaanga, who is a seasoned diplomat, said the investors that come to Zambia after President Banda’s trips create employment for the Zambians and they contribute to Government’s tax revenue.
He said it is sad that the President is criticized when he is playing a role of economic diplomacy of being the number one sales and marketing person for the country.
Mr Mwaanga said no President everywhere in the world travel because economic diplomacy requires a Head of State to sell and market his country personally.
He said in economic diplomacy, the president is a major factor and for Zambia all the trips the president has undertaken to countries like China, Turkey, South Africa, Malawi, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe have been very beneficial to the country in terms of wooing investors.
Mr Mwaanga said it is at conferences and during state visits that presidents exchange ideas on how they are managing their economies.
He said economic diplomacy is one of the aspects included in Zambia’s foreign policy.
“And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!”
(James 3:10, NLT).
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Did you know you have the power to bless or curse your future? Your words have tremendous power. If you go around saying things like “I don’t have what it takes. I’m so clumsy; I can’t get anything right. I’m so undisciplined. I’ll probably never lose this weight,” you just cursed your future. No, we’ve got to be extremely careful about what we allow to come out of our mouths. Realize your words are setting the direction for your life. Let me ask you today, which direction are you going? Are you declaring good things? Are you blessing your life, speaking words of faith over your future? Or, are you going around saying negative things like “Nothing good ever happens to me. I’ll probably never get out of debt. I’ll never break this addiction?”
Today, choose to bless your future. Choose to declare what God says. As you align your words with His Word, you’re setting your future up for success. You’re preparing your way for victory, and you will fulfill the destiny He has planned for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, I choose to speak blessing over my future. I choose to speak life over my future. Thank You for equipping me with everything I need to fulfill the destiny You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
The Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) has described the just ended Luena and Chifubu by-elections as a wake up call to stakeholders in the election process.
The elections have also been estimated as an alert to all political parties and civil societies organizations involved in good governance and democracy, to revive the desire of voting in the electorate.
AVAP executive director, Bonnie Tembo said that the low turn out of the electorate during the concurrent by elections was a fact that political parties have failed to inspire voters.
Mr Tembo has called on political parties to work towards strengthening their structures if they are to lay strong foundations for voter mobilization.
He said that time has come for political parties to present real issues that respond to the needs of the people.
The AVAP Director indicated that petty issues and name calling type of campaigns are a threat to voter participation.
Mr Tembo Urge political parties to start preparing their manifestos ahead of 2011 election.
He has also called on Civil society organisationsa to enhance their activities that promote d voter education.
[ QFM ]
National Constitutional Conference chairperson Chifumu Banda and his deputy Russell Mulele, on the left, during the launch of the draft constitution in Lusaka.
By Henry Kyambalesa
Over the years, the people’s call for a Republican constitution that is expected to stand the test of time has been loud and clear. Unfortunately, we have wasted a good portion of our country’s meager resources on financing the Chona Constitution Commission, the Mvunga Constitution Review Commission, the Mwanakatwe Constitution Review Commission, and the Mung’omba Constitutional Review Commission without coming up with such a constitution.
We are now grappling with the draft constitution recently tendered by the National Constitutional Conference (NCC), which is apparently laden with Articles and Clauses that are partisan, short-term and discriminatory in nature. It has too many contentious issues, errors and inconsistencies, which are predictably going to elicit nationwide demonstrations and potentially culminate in losses of property and human life if the authorities attempt to push it through by hook and crook.
I, therefore, wish to urge President Rupiah Banda to appoint an ad hoc task force consisting of at most 30 citizens who do not currently hold leadership positions in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), political parties, religious institutions, the labor movement, the legislature, the executive, the judiciary, the civil service, and the House of Chiefs.
The terms of reference for the task force should be to identify and examine contentious issues, errors and inconsistencies in: (a) the 1996 Republican constitution; and (b) the draft constitutions of the Chona Constitution Commission, the Mvunga Constitution Review Commission, the Mwanakatwe Constitution Review Commission, the Mung’omba Constitutional Review Commission, and the National Constitutional Conference.
Moreover, the task force should be required to prepare a draft constitution based on its findings. It could be given 1 year to complete its work, and its output could thereafter be tabled for comments by the citizenry.
We can hold the forthcoming tripartite elections under the 1996 constitution in its current form. It would not be prudent to push through a controversial and potentially divisive constitution just because we have spent unprecedented amounts of public resources on it. I believe it is much more important for the output of the constitution-making process to be widely acceptable.
It is shameful that after nearly 46 years of political independence, we have failed to give ourselves an acceptable constitution. Is there something that is innately deficient in us? How can personal, partisan and short-term interests inhibit us from working together to craft a constitution that will stand the test of time?
Nchanga Rangers opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Faz Super Division table today while Nkana won for a second successive time under new coach Linos Makwaza.
Rangers beat City of Lusaka 2-0 at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola to move from 35 to 38 points, four more than Zesco United who were not in action today because they have more than five players away on senior and junior national team duty.
Bruce Mwape’s side have all of a sudden found themselves in a position to give serious thought to a shot at the Super Division title that they have not won since 1998.
Rangers meanwhile, secured their win thanks to a brace from their prolific striker Chileshe Kabwe who now shifts into second place on the top scorers chart this season with seven goals.
Kabwe was on target in the 30th and 75t minutes of the match.
And in Kitwe, Makwaza’s rebound after a shock start to his tenure a week ago continued when Nkana beat Roan United 1-0 at Wusakile stadium in Kitwe today.
Victor Mwansa scored his second successive goal after also finding the target in Nkana’s 2-1 home on August 4 at the same venue.
Elsewhere, Zanaco sunk Lusaka Dynamos 2-1 away at Queensmead this afternoon to leave the latter deep in the mire of the relegation zone in 15th place.
Defender Charles Siyingwa put Zanaco ahead in the 46th minute but Dynamos equalized three minutes after the hour-mark through Jeff Banda.
Midfielder Henry Banda secured the three points for Zanaco with a goal in the 79th minute.
And Forest Rangers crawled out of the relegation zone for the first time this season when they beat Konkola Blades 2-0 after picking up their fourth win under Hector Chilombo this season.
Nasha Kaya scored Forest first goal in the 22 minute and the hosts stretched their lead six minutes later courtesy of an own-goal from Konkola Blades defender Roberto Kabeya.
Faz Super Division results
Week 20
07/08/2010
Forest Rangers 2- Konkola Blades 0
Nkana 1-Roan United 0
Nchanga Rangers 2-City of Lusaka 0
Green Buffaloes 1-Choma Eagles 1
Lusaka Dynamos 1-Zanaco 2
Postponed:
Red Arrows -Nkwazi
Kabwe Warriors-Zesco United
National Assembly-Power Dynamos
Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene of Free State Stars in South Africa will join the Zambia team on Sunday in Lusaka ahead of Wednesday friendly against Uganda.
Mweene is one of 12 foreign based players called up for the Uganda friendly in what will be new coach Dario Bonetti’s first official game in charge.
Zambia are expected to leave for Uganda on Monday for the friendly match to be played in Kampala.
Mweene said from Johannesburg Saturday afternoon that he was looking forward to meeting Bonetti.
Mweene said he will land in Lusaka early on Sunday evening after taking care of a club commitment that same day in Johannesburg.
“We have a pre-season friendly game against Golden Arrows in Johannesburg at around 11 and will later be released to join the team in Lusaka,” Mweene said.
This will be Mweene’s first match back in a Zambia jersey since the Africa Cup of Nations in January where the team reached the quarterfinals.
