GOVERNMENT says Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s claim of a plot to eliminate him is a figment of his imagination caused by political fatigue.

Minister of Home Affairs Lameck Mangani said government has no intentions of eliminating Mr Sata.

He has since advised Mr Sata to report the threats on his life to police so that they could investigate the matter.

Mr Mangani was reacting to Mr Sata’s claims that those in government are trying to eliminate him because he is a threat to their hold on power.

“Mr Sata is a political comedian who is suffering from political fatigue. I feel sorry for him because he looks tired these days. If he looks tired now, how is he going to cope with the hard times coming in the run-up to the 2011 general elections?” Mr Mangani asked.

He said Mr Sata does not have the stamina to campaign for the 2011 general elections. Mr Mangani said Mr Sata is psychologically defeated and as a result fears his own shadow.

“No-one is after Mr Sata’s life because he is not a factor. We know that he cannot win an election…he just fears his own shadow. If Mr Sata collapses today because of fatigue, we will still take him to the hospital because no-one is interested in having him dead,” he said.

Mr Mangani advised Mr Sata to use this Easter period to reflect on his political career.

[pullquote]“No-one is after Mr Sata’s life because he is not a factor. We know that he cannot win an election…he just fears his own shadow. If Mr Sata collapses today because of fatigue, we will still take him to the hospital because no-one is interested in having him dead,” he said.[/pullquote]

“He should seriously reflect on whether he should continue with his political career or retire,” he said.

And Mr Mangani said government would not relent in its efforts to find out whether or not Mr Sata was imprisoned for criminal activities.

“If this is a way of diverting government’s attention from the 1960 case, it will not work. Despite Mr Sata’s claims, we will intensify investigations so that the truth comes out,” he said.

“The man is tired. His claims just show that he has run out of ideas, that is why he is hallucinating. If his life is under any threat, he should report the matter to the police. But I know that he is just speculating and this is typical of him.

“Hard times are coming, so we need hard men. If he shows signs of tiredness now, he will not reach 2011.

We wouldn’t want anything to happen to Mr Sata because he is one of the political comedians we love,” Mr Mangani said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

THE ruling MMD has given former Minister of Defence George Mpombo 10 days in which to submit an exculpatory letter to the office of the national secretary in accordance with its Disciplinary Regulations of 1993.

In a letter dated March 29, 2010, which overrides an earlier one, MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba said the party has found Mr Mpombo liable for disciplinary action.

Dr Kalumba also said in pursuance of regulation three of the party’s Disciplinary Regulations of 1993, Mr Mpombo has been slapped with four charges.

“In accordance with regulation 9(2) of the MMD Disciplinary Regulations of 1993, you are hereby requested to submit to the undersigned your written exculpatory statement within 10 days from the date of receipt of this letter.

“I shall thereupon cause the constitution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) disciplinary committee to adjudicate over your matter as per regulation of the Disciplinary Regulations of 1993,” the letter, dated March 29, 2010, reads.

According to the letter to Mr Mpombo, who is Kafulafuta member of Parliament, the former Minister of Defence has in the first count been charged with contravention of the provisions of the party’s constitution, regulations, rules and orders or decisions, contrary to regulation 7(a) of the 1993 Disciplinary Regulations.

This charge has been effected in that since February last year, Mr Mpombo allegedly conducted himself in a manner that is prejudicial and inimical to the aspirations of the party by engaging himself in the issuance of contemptuous and disparaging media statements against the party and Republican President Banda, senior party officials and the MMD in general.

In the second count, Mr Mpombo has been charged with alleged conduct likely to bring the name of the party into contempt, ridicule or disrepute contrary to regulation 7(a) of the 1993 Disciplinary Regulations.

“You have since February 2009 publicly connived and or supported some known opposition political parties, selective media and NGOs to tarnish the image of the party, and further that you have recently been involved in and or publicly supported the Red Card Campaign, and which campaign is likely not only to embarrass the ruling party, but also to create anarchy in the country,” he said.

The third charge against Mr Mpombo, Dr Kalumba says, was necessitated by his alleged disobedience to orders, directives or instructions of any party organ or officials duly authorised to do so, contrary to regulation 7(f) of the 1993 Disciplinary Regulations.

Dr Kalumba said the charge was effected because Mr Mpombo allegedly disregarded the orders, directives and instructions of various organs and officials of the party like the Kafulafuta Constituency and Masaiti district committees.

Mr Mpombo is also alleged to have disobeyed orders, instructions or directives of the Copperbelt provincial committee, the party national chairman and the national secretary to desist from making disparaging remarks against President Banda, senior officials and the party in general.

In the fourth count, Mr Mpombo has been charged with insubordination to senior organs or officials, contrary to regulation 7(g) of the 1993 Disciplinary Regulations.

Under the fourth charge, Mr Mpombo is alleged to have since February last year, insubordinated himself to senior party organs and officials by consistently and arrogantly rejecting their orders, directives and instructions to stop making disparaging remarks against President Banda, senior party officials and the party in general, with a view to weakening it and agitating for the downfall of the ruling party.

And Dr Kalumba has said Mr Mpombo has been given a charge letter in specific matters and the disciplinary committee which will be formed will mete out sanctions against him should he be found wanting.
He said all the lower organs have been informed accordingly.

The letter containing the charges against Mr Mpombo is copied to President Banda and party national chairman Michael Mabenga.

Meanwhile, Dr Kalumba has said he has willingly accepted the resignation of North-Western Province MMD youth chairman Newton Malwa.

He said this in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Former Zain Zambia Marketing Director, Evans Muhanga has sued the company in the industrial relations court over his dismissal.

Mr. Muhanga is complaining that his dismissal was done in bad faith and is a mere smoke screen. In his written complaints filed in the Industrial relations court, Mr. Muhanga says his dismal has come 17 months before the expiry of his contract.

Mr. Muhanga is claiming among other things over One Hundred and Forty Two Thousand Euros for his 17 months salary. His claim in Euros including other allowances totals over Five Hundred Thousand Euros, while the Kwacha bill claim is over K74 Million.

Mr. Muhanga says he has suffered mental distress and anguish due to his dismissal.

[MUVI TV]

The MMD has adopted Whiteson Banda, a Katete business executive as its candidate for the Milanzi parliamentary by-election slated for April 29.

National secretary Katele Kalumba said in an interview yesterday the national executive committee (NEC) that sat in Lusaka on Tuesday unanimously adopted Mr Banda to contest on the MMD ticket.

Dr Kalumba said the party was optimistic that the MMD would retain the seat which fell vacant after the death of area Member of Parliament Reuben Chisanga Banda. He said Milanzi Constituency was a former UNIP stronghold but the ruling party had taken over the whole area.

“We have won the seat two times under Rose Banda and the late Reuben Banda. UNIP got it with the late Chosani Njobvu. Currently the chances of UNIP winning the seat are very limited,” he said.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has set April 8 for candidates to file in nominations and April 29 as the polling date.

UNIP has adopted a Lusaka businessperson, Musa Banda to contest on the party ticket. Other opposition political parties are yet to announce their candidates.

And Dr Kalumba yesterday unveiled the MMD candidate in the Milanzi by-election, Mr Banda to the electorate in Katete District.

Speaking shortly after introducing Mr Banda at a meeting held at Mphangwe Motel, Dr Kalumba said he was happy that all the people who had applied in order to be considered for adoption had pledged to rally behind Mr Banda.
[Times of Zambia]

Government has dismissed allegations by UPND president, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA that President RUPIAH BANDA is tribal.

Chief Government Spokesperson, RONNIE SHIKAPWASHA has described Mr HICHILEMA’s remarks as baseless and should be dismissed by all.

Lieutenant General SHIKAPWASHA says President BANDA has ensured that every ZAMBIAN has an equal stake in the development of the country regardless of their tribe.

He told ZNBC news in a statement this evening that President BANDA has demonstrated that he is a leader for all Zambians by being inclusive in his cabinet.

General SHIKAPWASHA also dismissed Mr. HICHILEMA’s remarks that Southern Province has no representation in President BANDA’s cabinet.

He said Southern Province Minister, DANIEL MUNKOMBWE and Livestock Minister, BRADFORD MACHILA are from Southern Province and asked Mr. HICHILEMA NOT to display his ignorance.

General SHIKAPWASHA has asked Mr. HICHILEMA to respect the office of the President and the Head of State.

[ZNBC]

President Rupiah Banda has said he will not condone tax evasion and corruption in Zambia Revenue Authority’s (ZRA) process of revenue collection because the two vices would retard economic development of the country.

President Banda said corruption in the process of tax collection would compromise the integrity of the revenue authority.

He said tax evasion and corruption were detrimental to the development of the country hence must not be tolerated at all levels.

President Banda said this in a speech read for him by Minister of Commerce, Felix Mutati at the second ZRA Taxpayer Appreciation Day held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre today.

The theme for this year’s appreciation day is “Recognising and Encouraging Voluntary Compliance in Revenue Collection”.

The President further said the Zambia Revenue Authority has been strong, transparent and competent in the administration of taxation in the last 16 years it has been in existence.

He said the authority has grown from collecting only a small percentage of the national budget to over 70 per cent now.

He said this means that Zambia%u2019s annual budget was largely financed from domestically collected resources.

Mr. Banda further lauded the ZRA for launching a medium and small scale taxpayers’ office saying this category of taxpayers could contribute significantly to the development of the country.

He however challenged the revenue authority to continue operating in a transparent manner while minimizing wastage in the process of collecting revenue of the country.

And speaking earlier, ZRA Commissioner General, Chriticles Mwansa said the authority would continue to provide an attractive tax environment that would enable taxpayers to voluntarily meet their tax obligations.

Mr. Mwansa said ZRA would streamline its operations through among other measures, simplifying systems used in revenue collection and in compelling taxpayers to pay tax.

He also officially launched the medium and small scale taxpayers’ office which is at Revenue House in Lusaka and in selected parts of the country.

He said medium and small scale enterprises played a pivotal role in the development of any economy because this category employed more people than the large scale enterprises.

Mr. Mwansa also pledged that ZRA would continue to fight any corrupt practices that might compromise the integrity of the revenue authority.

And the ZRA has signed an agreement with Access Bank to allow taxpayers pay their tax through the bank by electronic payment (e-payment).

The ZRA has rewarded a number of tax payers for their compliance in paying tax.

Among them are BP-Zambia Limited, Kansanshi Mine PLC, Zambian Breweries, Trade Kings Limited, Lamasat International Limited and Toyota Zambia among many others.

The Taxpayers’ Appreciation Day also attracted revenue collection institutions from Rwanda , Kenya , Tanzania , Malawi , Namibia and Swaziland .

QFM

By Elias Munshya wa Munshya

The forthcoming elections in Zambia have the potential to be the most intriguing elections in many years. Several analysts are predicting that Michael Sata and his PF are very likely to form the next government. This analysis has been buoyed by the pact that the PF has formed with the UPND, Zambia’s third largest party. However, in this article, I wish to show how the MMD will simply triumph in the next year’s elections.

First, the MMD’s win will be buttressed by a global economic recovery, which would also translate into some significant growth for Zambia’s economy. This growth is likely to come as a result of increased revenues from copper exports. It is already being predicted that Zambia’s economic will grow by at least five percent in the coming year. This is likely to work to the MMD’s advantage. Economically, therefore, the climate seems to favor the MMD government.

Secondly, the MMD is likely to win the 2011 elections due to Rupiah’s deliberate and strategic international political alliances. Rupiah’s international travels have in the past few weeks been heavily criticized as excessive and a waste of national resources. In fact, Father Bwalya of the Red Card campaign is reported to have written First Lady Tandiwe to advise her husband against making these trips. Politically, however, Rupiah made some trips that are aimed at bolstering the financial capacity of the MMD. Rupiah’s China visit was not just for government business but also party business as well. It is clear that during this time of elections, China would easily extend some resources to the MMD for its forthcoming campaign. And I am very sure that Rupiah did not just return from China with Chinese assurances of investment in Zambia, but also with some investment in the MMD as a party. China would want to stop Michael Sata at all cost. China quivers at the thought of a President Michael Sata due to his anti-China stance and his partnership with Taiwan. And this is more reason why China would be more than willing to support Rupiah over Sata, and should Rupiah ask for financial help from China for the MMD, that money would surely come in millions.

To further shut Sata’s Taiwanese bond, Banda went to Malawi barely a day after landing in Zambia from China for consultative talks with President wa Mutharika. Those talks should not be taken frivolously. They had a clear political purpose to deliver a message to Malawi (which collaborates with Taiwan over China) and to perhaps ask Malawi not to allow Taiwan to channel financial resources to Sata. I would personally not be too surprised if Malawi switches support from Taiwan to China in the next coming months. And if that ever happened, Rupiah Banda’s trip to Malawi shortly after returning from China will have taken on a new meaning.

Thirdly, the MMD wins by deploying Frederick Chiluba. No leader at the moment attracts sympathy and antipathy like Chiluba. He is both liked and disliked by the people. He is both insulted and consulted by many. However, after having sunk so low in his reputation following his alleged corruption trials, Chiluba’s reputation can only rebound. And as such, by using Chiluba, the MMD is consciously using a controversial figure whose rising popularity may actually help them with some votes.

Additionally, by using Chiluba, the MMD employs a complex strategy. In this option, the opposition will be concentrating on insulting Chiluba and singing songs of how they hate him, while the MMD capitalize on that distraction to campaign and deploy resources to its advantage. The opposition should not forget that Chiluba is not a candidate in the next election. Concentrating on him therefore, plays to the advantage of the MMD. And the MMD is fully using this to its advantage. For example, at Chiluba’s last press conference, he alleged things that put both Sata and Hakainde in a defensive position and they wasted a lot of time and energy trying to answer Chiluba. Unfortunately even the Catholic Church’s senior primate in Zambia got dragged into the muck. Those antics from Chiluba are clearly favoring the MMD and I believe that more are coming in the run up to the 2011 elections. Chiluba will therefore, help the MMD.

Fourthly, the emergence of a third wave political movement within Southern Province will rob the UPND of its popularity and consequently, deprive the UPND of some votes there. This third wave movement in Southern Province is likely to arise out of some Southerners’ dissatisfaction with Hakainde’s decision to enter a pact with the PF. I have doubts, however, whether we will still be talking of the Pact by November 2010. Hakainde knows very well that he risks losing support in Southern Province if he went ahead with the Pact. In fact, when Vice-President Kunda mentioned that some UPND members of parliament were planning to take over the UPND and get rid of Hakainde, he was not speaking from without. There is a real dissatisfaction, with some southerners that the Pact is, actually, a political sell-out to the PF. This dissatisfaction will inevitably lead to the formation of a new political movement within Southern Province which will favor the MMD’s reelection bid. Simple math is that with the current electoral law, the presidential candidate who emerges with more votes than other candidates wins the presidency. And so the more opposition votes are divided and the more opposition candidates we have in an election the easier it becomes for the incumbent to win.

Fifthly, the MMD has the chance to win the next election by deploring the same tactics that have made Sata popular. These tactics include populist language, naughty grandfather image, and grassroots mobilization. Rupiah Banda is already speaking the populist language. And on the Copperbelt, Chiluba is being used by the MMD to meet the people and speak the language they understand. While this move may not be very successful, even a slight triumph, however, helps the MMD garner that extra vote.

The naughty grandfather image has been used by Sata very well. He appears with the call boys and he openly identifies with ordinary problems of the people. And his alleged multiple relationships with women nonetheless, just makes him more enviable by some Zambians unfortunately. In the same vein Rupiah is also presenting the same naughty grandfather image. When in Luapula Province, for example, he told a crowd of pupils about how popular he was among girls when he was a young man—image issues that many young men and women face today. By projecting this image, Rupiah is likely to attract many young people. Nothing galvanizes the young than a grandfather who sits with you and tells you some saucy stories about their past. And this tool is likely to be effective in the next elections.

Additionally, William Banda is at the heart of a grassroots’ resurgence of the MMD in Lusaka Province. This mobilization should not be underestimated. It could prove very potent for the MMD, and by 2011 the opposition should not be surprised if the MMD takes up significant votes in Lusaka.

Sixthly, the MMD could win the 2011 elections, by flipping Father Bwalya’s red card campaign. Father Bwalya has just said that the red card campaign is the campaign for all Zambians since it has been embraced by all Zambians. By this, Father Bwalya may mistakenly think that since the red card is played by Copperbelt and Lusaka based NGOs and PF supporters, the whole Zambia is playing them. But this is not the case, as Sata has experienced in the last three elections, Zambia is more than just Lusaka and Copperbelt. And unless people in Milenge, in Shang’ombo, and in Mambwe play the same red card, it remains an urban phenomena supported by the urban elite living in Chipulukusu, Chiwempala and Chawama.

Through these and many other reasons, the MMD is more than likely to win the 2011 elections. It may just be time for the opposition to begin planning how they can win the 2016 elections. For sure the red card, may actually work then!

Some organs under the United Nations office in Zambia have expressed worry over the poor town planning in Lusaka which has forced residents in most compounds to relocate owing to floods.

Country representative under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Macleod Nyirongo has since called on government to seriously consider redesigning the city.

And World Food programme Country representative Pablo Recalde says government should find a permanent solution for people living in flood prone compounds.

The two were speaking after presenting 25 mobile toilets to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) meant for flood victims that have been relocated to a temporal campsite at independence stadium.

And receiving the donation, Permanent secretary in the office of the vice president Davies Sampa said government was looking at modalities of permanently assisting the flood victims. Mr. Sampa commended the United Nations for the gesture.

The 25 mobile toilets were valued at $US 25, 000 dollars.

Government disclosed on Tuesday through Lusaka District Commissioner Christa Kalulu that the independence stadium campsite would be closed by July 1st 2010.
[MUVI TV]