The Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has questioned the calibre of some members of Parliament (MPs) in the pact and their ability to form an effective government.

MUZ general secretary Oswell Munyenyembe said in an interview in Kitwe that he was disappointed with the conduct of some opposition MPs.

[pullquote]“The pact is saying they want to form government, but how will they manage that when they have MPs who just speak anyhow?” he asked.[/pullquote]

Mr Munyenyembe said the union expected political parties that were interested in governing the country to exhibit maturity and to be objective in their debates on national matters, which was not the case.

He cited the opposition’s incessant attacks on the mining industry and the unions in particular as a worrying and unfortunate trend that could not inspire confidence in the voters.

“The pact is saying they want to form government, but how will they manage that when they have MPs who just speak anyhow?” he asked.

Mr Munyenyembe said some of the attacks on the miners’ salaries and how the union was allegedly not doing enough in negotiations were unreasonable and reflected poorly on the MPs.

“If we get a five per cent increment for our members, it is after all aspects have been considered and the best settlement is reached, it’s not just about unsustainable hefty increments,” he said.

[Times of Zambia]

NATIONAL Democratic Focus (NDF) president Ben Mwila has said President Rupiah Banda has outperformed expectation with economic recovery prospects and national unity forming a larger portion of his legacy.

Mr Mwila said yesterday that President Banda’s staunch critics, Forum for Democracy and Development president Edith Nawakwi and Patriotic Front’s Michael Sata lack the understanding of how Government runs when they promise that they would provide development within 90 days of assuming power.

In an interview in Lusaka, Mr Mwila warned Zambians against falling prey to mock promises from the opposition in view of the development programmes that had been initiated by the Government.

“Even a house cannot be built in three days, they don’t understand Government,” Mr Mwila said.

He said President Banda had built a legacy of national unity, tolerance and humility with the backbone being the booming economy despite the global economic recession that saw countries and companies fall economically.

“The real legacy is the one which we are seeing now. There is no tension in the country and I wish President Banda could continue with his programmes,” he said.

Mr Mwila, who served as Defence minister under the leadership of second Republican president Frederick Chiluba, said his interaction with Government systems at a high level exposed him to knowledge about how Government runs.

He said he would like to be president of Zambia just like other opposition leaders except that his colleagues were exhibiting lack of maturity in their campaigns and criticisms.

[pullquote]Meanwhile, Mr Mwila has challenged Mr Sata to produce the degree which he claims to hold because a qualification is a source of pride if one has acquired one.[/pullquote]

The NDF leader alleged that presidency under the opposition leadership would be destructive and the unity the country was experiencing would be compromised because of lack of seriousness and signs of acrimony.

Meanwhile, Mr Mwila has challenged Mr Sata to produce the degree which he claims to hold because a qualification is a source of pride if one has acquired one.

He said Mr Sata should be proud of his academic qualifications by parading them each time people asked for them.

“That is why others profile themselves because they want to show how qualified they are. Why is he hiding his degree from stakeholders when it is supposed to be part of his profile?” Mr Mwila asked.

[Times of Zambia]

Violence characterized the filing of Nominations for Milanzi parliamentary by-elections this afternoon involving Patriotic Front and MMD cadres.

The violence was sparked following by incident in which an MMD campaign vehicle is reported to have rammed into a parked vehicle which the PF leader Micheal Sata was using.

Anti Voter Apathy Project AVAP monitors co-coordinator for the Milanzi by-elections,Alice Muyunda tells QFM from Milanzi that the incident provoked PF youths leading to the violence.

Mrs. Muyuinda adds that despite the PF leader reporting the matter to the police and police recording a statement no arrest has been made.

The Anti Voter Apathy Project AVAP has since condemned the political violence that characterized the Milanzi nominations.

AVAP has appealed to political parties in Milanzi to observe law and order and ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful manner.

They also called on the police to act professionally when it comes to campaign conflicts. Those who have successfully filed in their nominations for the Milanzi by-elections are MMD’s Musa Banda,PF’s Albert Banda and UNIP’s Whiteson Banda.

Meanwhile the filing of nominations for the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-elections was characterized by jubilation by political party supporters.

AVAP CO-coordinator in Mufumbwe, Alex Ifwaha says the nominations were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

QFM

A Zambian student studying in Russia has bemoaned the rate at which racially motivated crimes are escalating in that country.
In a letter addressed to MUVI TV news, the student, who prefer anonymity claims that life in Russia for black people is a nightmare. He further claims that people of color have to grapple with discrimination and racial remarks behind the backdrop of increasing hate crimes.

The letter claims that in Russia anything can happen to black people who are in constant fear.
It further claims that black people are constantly mocked as they walk in the streets of Russia by people chanting racial slogans.
The letter comes following a video footage aired by MUVI TV showing the body of a Zambian student being fished out of the lake. The Zambian, who had been missing for six months and discovered during the Easter holidays, has since been identified as Lance Mate.

Sources reveal that the Zambian embassy in Russia had sent some officials to Kazan State where Mate was studying. His parents were informed that there was nothing the embassy could do as the matter is in the hands of the Russian government.

But the Russian Ambassador to Zambia, Boris Malakhov has distanced his country from allegations of escalating racial violence there. Mr. Malakhov says most of the cases involving neo racists in his country have been dealt with.

The Russian ambassador has however expressed regret over the death of Mate saying Russian police will investigate the matter for justice to prevail. He says the incident should not be perceived as a hate crime.
[MUVI TV]

THE United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) will subject the position of presidential candidate of the pact to a vote ahead of the 2011 elections.

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema said members of the UPND and PF pact will vote in favour of a candidate of their choice to represent them in the presidential and general elections.

Mr Hichilema said in Lusaka yesterday when he featured on Radio Phoenix’s Let the people talk programme that speculations that the pact has chosen a presidential candidate are not true.

“Instead, pact members of the UPND and PF will vote to elect an individual who will represent the pact,” he said.

He said the existence of the UPND-PF pact is for the purpose of unity and providing good leadership.

Mr Hichilema said the pact is still consolidating its foundation and will ensure that it does not fall into a trap, as was the case in the 2006 elections.
“Right now, we are making our people understand why we merged with the PF,” he said.

He said all pact members will support whichever candidate the majority choose.

[ Zambia Daily Mail]

THE Zambian Government has submitted six project proposals for grant financing by the United States (US) government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for a financing agreement known as Compact.

Finance and National Planning minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said the proposals were in the areas of power generation and transmission, eco-tourism development, technical and vocational training, education, roads development, water and sanitation.

Speaking during a Press briefing in Lusaka, Dr Musokotwane said the Zambian Government had prioritised its submissions because it did not expect all the projects to be financed.

The minister further disclosed that a mission from the MCC was in the country until April 16 to review the project proposals for financing.

Dr Musokotwane said the review by the MCC was a step in the process of developing a financing agreement between the Zambian Government and the Compact.

“We were reselected by the MCC last year in December because we scored high on the MCC score card in strong policy performance in areas of just ruling, investing in the people, and economic freedom,” he said.

Dr Musokotwane said for Zambia to remain eligible for the grant, Government would have to sustain vigorous implementation of anti-corruption policies.

The projects that would ultimately be included in the Compact programme would need to meet investments criteria such as economic returns, environmental and social impact, and must be implemented within five years.

“The scope of the proposed projects was like to evolve further as more detailed feasibility and preparation work is conducted in the coming months,” Dr Musokotwane said.

President Rupiah Banda has sworn in the newly appointed Defence chiefs. President Banda this morning announced the retirement of all the defence chiefs.

he President Swore in newly appointed Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Wisdom Lopa and his deputy Major General Vincent Mukanda; newly appointed Zambia Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Andrew Sakala and his deputy Major General Monta Chileshe; and newly appointed Zambia National Service Commandant Major General Anthony Yeta and his deputy Brigadier General Nathan Mulenga.

And speaking during the swearing in ceremony at State House this afternoon, President Banda said the security services in the country are not only physically equipped but also have Officers with the right attitude. The President also expressed gratitude to the services of the defence and security personnel in the country.
He said they have worked tirelessly to ensure there is peace and stability in the country.

Meanwhile, President Banda has also sworn in newly appointed Attorney General Abyud Shonga Junior. During the swearing in ceremony at State House this afternoon President Banda said Mr. Shonga’s appointment is an important task because the entire legal profession will be looking up to him for guidance.

The President also swore in newly appointed Public Policy Specialist Sastone Silomba. During the swearing in ceremony, the President said Mr. Silomba’s appointment was timely because it has come at a time when Zambia was operating in a competitive world.

He called on the newly appointed Public Policy Specialist to understand global trends in the public Policy Sector to ensure best practices are adopted at local level.

Meanwhile President Rupiah Banda has reiterated that he will not hesitate to relieve any government official found to be practicing tribalism. Mr Banda said the worst crime one would commit is to be confirmed to be preaching tribalism. He says Zambia belongs to all Zambians and not to any particular tribe.

He adds that even in his appointments he made sure that all the country’s tribes are represented because Zambia belongs to all Zambians regardless of tribe.

President Banda adds he will strive to encourage unity in his own party the MMD,which unity he said he is proud of. He was speaking at State House this morning when he announced the retirements of the Defence chiefs.

QFM