NATIONAL Constitutional Conference (NCC) chairperson Chifumu Banda says the conference is determined to make its contribution towards ensuring that Government delivers a new Constitution before the 2011 general elections.

And Mr Banda has told NCC members who no longer believe in the process to stay away from it.
Mr Banda was speaking in his opening remarks at the eighth session of the NCC plenary.

He said the NCC secretariat received and compiled memoranda from the public, which will facilitate debate and adoption of the final report and Constitution Bill in readiness for submission to the Minister of Justice.

Mr Banda said the final stages in the constitution-making process have had to be revised to exclude certain activities such as the collection of views from all the 72 districts because of inadequate funding.

He said because of lack of funds, the current session of the NCC will be held for only four days. “This time around, we do not have the luxury of time and financial resources in the face of the 31st August, 2010 deadline, when the National Constitutional Conference will stand dissolved,” Mr Banda said.

The remaining tasks of the NCC involves the incorporation of the views and comments of the public into the final report and draft Bill in readiness for handing them over to the Minister of Justice by the end of this month.

The NCC will be dissolved and the terms of offices of members will expire on August 31, 2010, in accordance with the NCC Amendment Act number 5 of 2010.

Another task which needs to be undertaken by the NCC in this session is to determine how the provisions of the draft Constitution will be enacted.

Mr Banda said it is important to note that the input of the public is crucial for the final conclusion of the constitution-making process, and the consequent realisation of a people’s Constitution.

“It is gratifying to note that an overwhelming number of members of the public, including those stakeholders who had boycotted the NCC, submitted their comments to the secretariat on the initial report and draft Constitution,” he said.
Mr Banda urged members to ensure that no submission is neglected even if one individual submits it on an isolated subject.

He said the NCC executive and secretariat have since engaged Dr Mutumba Bull and Dr Sichalwe Kasanda to edit the final report of the NCC, while Justice Matthews Ngulube and Dr Mpazi Sinjela, who have a legal background, have been engaged to identify inconsistencies in the draft Constitution.

“It must be noted that these experts have been instructed not to alter any decision of the Conference as they undertake their work,” Mr Banda said.

And Mr Banda advised members who no longer believe in the NCC process to stay away from the proceedings.
This was after commissioners Ngenda Sipalo and Dante Saunders openly alleged that the process was going nowhere.

Mr Sipalo alleged that the process was being driven by the MMD. He accused Vice-President George Kunda and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Ronnie Shikapwasha of being spokespersons of the NCC.
But Mr Banda stated that although the NCC only had one spokesperson, Mrs Mwangala Zaloumis, every Zambian has the right to comment on the process.

“I will allow those who believe in this process to continue, but those of us who have stopped believing in it should stay away,” Mr Banda said.

And Mr Banda said no NCC member will be paid gratuity.

Major Chizyuka said the recent by-election defeat in Luena to the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) is a clear indication that Mr. Hichilema has limited support in the country.

He said it is quite surprising that the UPND president has been boasting that he controls the western province when in fact not.

The Namwala MP said the only province that the UPND could boast of having support is southern province, and a bit of North western province.

Major Chizyuka said Mr Hichilema’s hopes for the presidency are a bridge too far, adding that the sooner he realizes it the better.

He added that in the history of Zambia, no candidate has won the presidency with support from one province.

Major Chizyuka noted that the only hope for the UPND president is to become vice president to Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata.

He, however, observed that the PF is making inroads in the UPND strongholds.
[ QFM ]

President Rupiah Banda has said he will ensure a transparent electoral system as the country goes to the polls next year.

The president said this when he addressed the Zambian community resident in Botswana during his 2 day state visit in Botswana.

Mr Banda assured the gathering that it was impossible to rig elections in Zambia under the current system.

He reiterated that his government had provided transparent ballot boxes and agreed to have results tallied at individual polling station.

Mr. Banda said these measures make it difficult for anyone to manipulate figures.

“I don’t even know how to rig because I have never rigged an election before. Maybe those who talk about it know how. In fact if there is anyone who knows how to make the system even more transparent, please come forward,” Mr Banda said.

The President also denounced the culture of violence that was emerging in Zambian politics saying that his counterparts in the opposition were not addressing the issue.

He reiterated that he would not tolerate anyone engaging in violent activities using his name because he had not authorized anyone to do so.

[pullquote]”I don’t even know how to rig because I have never rigged an election before. Maybe those who talk about it know how. In fact if there is anyone who knows how to make the system even more transparent, please come forward,” Mr Banda said.[/pullquote]

“Violence is concerning us as well, we would like to go to the polls in a free and fair manner so that the young people can vote.”
Mr Banda urged Zambian residents to take a keen interest in the affairs of the country.

He revealed that the National Constitution Conference had yielded positive results citing the inclusion of dual citizenship in the draft constitution a one of the results.

Mr Banda urged the Zambian residents to take advantage of the growing economy in Zambia.

“We have about 55 international banks, not government ones. These banks are all begging for people to lend money to. They are saying there is too much money in Zambia with no one to lend. So come and be part of the developments.” Mr. Banda said.

The President also reaffirmed his government’s commitment in the provision of better health facilities.

Mr. Banda said the government would by next year complete 33 projects of constructing first level hospital countrywide.

Mr. Banda asked Zambian health professional expatriates to come back home and take up positions in the health sector.

He said the programme of Mobile hospitals have reached an advanced stage saying the country could not wait to construct static hospitals everywhere before providing health for all.

ZANIS

Second Republican President Fredrick Chiluba has described as lawlessness the attempt by Transparency International Zambia to file submissions regarding the registration of the London Judgment when the process has ended and the parties are merely awaiting judgment.

In statement made available to QFM today by his spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba, Dr Chiluba said he is shocked at the blatant disregard of the law and the disrespect shown to the High Court by TIZ, MNB Legal Practitioners and The Post.

Dr Chiluba said the action is desperate and is deliberately intended to create undue pressure on the Court.

He said the filed submissions were rejected by the High Court but that Transparency International, their lawyers MNB Legal Practitioners and The Post, proceeded to publish the rejected submissions without warning the public that the said action was dismissed.

Dr Chiluba added that the extensive publication of rejected submissions is a ploy intended to excite the public emotions against him.

He further states that the methods used by Transparency International are desperate and that their attempt to canvass in this manner is contemptuous to the court proceedings.

He adds that these actions are in contempt of the proceedings before Court and only serve lawlessness.

[pullquote]Dr Chiluba added that the extensive publication of rejected submissions is a ploy intended to excite the public emotions against him.[/pullquote]

Dr Chiluba also condemned MNB Legal Practitioner for their action, stressing that they have taken a matter of vested interest without declaring interest, accusing them of wishing to participate in the matter through the back door.

He stated that it is public knowledge that Mr.Nchito was a witness to the proceedings that led to the London Judgment together with Post Editor-in- Chief, Fred Mmembe.

QFM

Minister of Education Dora Siliya has condemned teachers involved in child molestation describing the act as unprofessional and inhuman.

Ms Siliya expressed sadness to note that teachers who are entrusted with the responsibility to take care of children while in school are the ones abusing them sexually, making them pregnant and vulnerable to diseases.

Ms Siliya was speaking when she officiated at a two-day workshop training for the media personnel on Sexual Violence against Girls organised by the Zambia Media Women Organisation (ZAMWA) in Lusaka today.

She disclosed that her ministry has recorded 16 cases of teachers abusing female pupils from February this year to date and added that the trend should be condemned by all Zambians as it is unacceptable and painful to children.

She said the ministry will ensure that the teachers involved in sexual violence against girls in schools are fired and blacklisted so that they do not get near pupils even after serving their sentences.

The minister hass since directed the District Education Boards Secretaries (DEBS), Provincial Education Officers and head teachers to ensure that teachers who abuse girls in schools are reported and suspended pending investigations.

She has also banned teachers from allowing pupils in their houses adding that all tutorial and lessons should be done in classrooms to prevent teachers from sexually abusing school girls.

Ms Siliya further said the minister will push the Teaching Council Bill to Parliament when they resume sitting which will require all practicing teachers to be registered, qualified and ensure that teachers who have committed sexual offences are blacklisted.

She urged journalists to take keen interest in reporting about issues that affect the future of young people and called on them to label sexual violence against girls making it unfashionable.

She regretted that most cases of sexual violence against girls have not been reported and that less people pay less attention to such issues because of lack of information dissemination by reporters.

And speaking earlier, ZAMWA Chairperson Margaret Chimanse explained that the workshop will help journalists to come up with strategies aimed at improving and increasing capacity to report on sexual violence against girls.

Ms Chimanse noted that sexual violence against girls is a silent health emergency which goes unnoticed and slowly under-reported and poorly managed, a trend she said should now be changed.

ZANIS