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THE MMD in Mufumbwe has castigated North-Western Province MMD youth chairman Newton Malwa for asserting that the party will lose in the Mufumbwe by-election if it adopts Ambassador Mulondwe Muzungu as its candidate.
Mufumbwe MMD chairman Samola Kayombo said in a statement yesterday that although the party has not yet announced its candidate for the by-election, Mr Muzungu’s capacity to win the seat is unquestionable.
“Any sincere member of the MMD should know that Mr Mulondwe Muzungu is a force to reckon with not only in Mufumbwe Constituency but the entire province. If he was adopted to contest the seat, the MMD would scoop it without difficulty,” Mr Kayombo said.
He said Mr Malwa’s assertion in Friday’s edition of The Post newspaper that Mr Muzungu, who is the country’s ambassador to Libya, would lose the Mufumbwe seat to United Party for National Development (UPND)’s Elliot Kamondo if adopted, is misplaced.
Mr Kayombo said it is wrong for Mr Malwa to compare Mr Muzungu’s influence and popularity in the district to that of Mr Kamondo whom he alleged is a political novice.
He cast doubt on the genuineness of Mr Malwa’s membership of the MMD, because of the assertion, which he said should not have been made, as the MMD has not announced its candidate.
Mr Kayombo said Mr Malwa’s assertion is understandable as he has never been to Mufumbwe and that he does not understand the politics of the district.
He said the MMD is the only party in the district with a large following.
Mr Kayombo said the MMD in Mufumbwe will not allow squabbles that could divide the party.
He said the party is following President Banda’s efforts of reconciliation and unity within the MMD.
Mr Kayombo said Mr Malwa should be reprimanded for not following MMD procedures on making press statements.
He said the MMD in Mufumbwe is more united than ever before and stronger than the UPND.
Mr Kayombo said this is because people in the district appreciate the development which they have seen under the MMD.
He said Mr Banda should be assured that the MMD will scoop the Mufumbwe by-election.
Law Association of Zambia President Stephen Lungu (left) talks to Transparency International Zambia Executive Director Goodwell Lungu after the Supreme Court delivered a ruling in former President Frederick Chiluba
THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has commended Government and the judiciary for computerisation of the judicial system in the country.
LAZ president said in an interview yesterday that the computerisation of the judiciary will benefit the public, as it will strengthen the way cases are handled.
Mr Lungu said the development will also ensure speedy access to justice by members of the public.
“The launch of the computerisation of the judicial system is very good. It will provide for speedy access to justice,” he said.
Mr Lungu said his association is happy with the development.
He said the judiciary is making significant strides in speeding up the administration of justice.
Mr Lungu said apart from the computerised system, the judiciary last year launched the small-claims court in an effort to reinforce the administration of justice.
He hoped the project to computerise the system will continue and be sustainable.
“As lawyers we are happy. Government and the judiciary should be commended for launching the computerisation of the judicial system. We hope the process will continue and that it will have sustainability,” Mr Lungu said.
He called on all stakeholders to ensure the project continues.
Vice-President George Kunda launched phase one of the computerisation of the judicial system in Lusaka on Friday.
Mr Kunda said the country will be the first in Africa to use such a system.
He said the first phase will see the computerisation of the Supreme, High and Magistrates courts.
The project has been made possible by a grant from Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICFA) in partnership with Government.
The grant of US$500,000 from the ICFA represents 75 percent of the total cost of the project.
Former Defence Minister George Mpombo has described the decision by the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC)to suspend him as energizing.
Mr. Mpombo who is MMD Kafulafuta Member of Parliament says he is not shaken by the suspension and that he will not be threatened by the party’s action against him.
Asked on whether he will abide by the ten day ultimatum in which to exculpate himself, Mr. Mpombo says he will only comment after studying the suspension letter. The MMD has suspended Mr. Mpombo on four
charges.
Meanwhile, MMD National Chairperson, Michael Mabenga has confirmed Mr. Mpombo’s suspension saying it is long overdue. He says some members of NEC advised Mr. Mpombo to tone down on his attacks on the Republican President Rupiah Banda, but to no avail.
United National Independence Party (UNIP) will not join the Red Card Campaign being spear headed by the civil society because the objective is not clear, party secretary-general Jemima Banda has said.
And UNIP has advised all peace-loving Zambians to be alert all the time as Zambia heads to the polls next year because there are organisations that will be paid just to cause confusions.
In an interview yesterday, Ms Banda also warned UNIP members countrywide not to be swayed into joining the Red Card Campaign because the party suspected the campaign was aimed at disrupting the peace of the country.
Ms Banda said Zambians should be alert and worried about campaigns that had no clear agenda. She said UNIP had joined in the anti-third term campaign because it was aware the Constitution only allowed two terms but this was not the case with the Red Card Campaign.
Ms Banda said her party would continue to criticise the Government in areas of poverty, education and unemployment until the situation was improved, as the best way to make the Government work and not causing disunity.
GREENBELT Fertilisers Limited (GBF), a Zambian owned firm, is to set up a fertiliser blending plant in Mkushi at a cost of K3.5 billion.
This will be in addition to another already existing plant in Mazabuka.
After completing the Mkushi plant the company would have a capacity to produce more than twice the amount of fertiliser used in Zambia.
GBF Spokesperson Stanley Kasiya said in a statement that the two fertiliser plants would have the capacity to produce in excess of 350,000 metric tonnes of compound fertilisers per year.
He said the equipment for the Mkushi fertiliser plant arrived in the country two weeks ago.
Mr Kasiya said the Zambian fertiliser market consumed approximately 160,000 metric tonnes of compound fertilisers per year and with the new fertiliser plant coming, the long-term plan for GBF was to capture a significant share of both the commercial and small-scale farmers’ market.
He said that GBF was already running a modern, state-of-the-art fertiliser plant supplied from the USA. The raw materials are sourced from around the world and Greenbelt was taking advantage of the latest proven and improved products on the market.
Mr Kasiya said the plant located in Mazabuka was commissioned in June 2004 and was producing competitively and servicing the local farmers.
He said the coming of GBF would also reduce on the monopoly by some industry on the fertiliser market.
The setting up of another fertiliser plant in Mkushi would be a platform for innovative fertiliser products to the Zambian market and enhance farmers’ yields and quality.
Mr Kasiya said GBF currently employed over 150 people in Zambia and provided extension advice to the agricultural sector.
The company also made investments in intellectual capital in the form of highly trained and experienced agronomists, to improve the service to agriculture in Zambia.
He said the number of workers under GBF was expected to rise to over 250 after the commissioning of the Mkushi plant.
“Greenbelt Fertilisers provides scientifically formulated compound fertilisers to farmers in Zambia, which are formulated to each farmer’s soil, crop and targeted yield requirements. These compound fertilisers are made from a stock range of more than twenty raw materials covering all macro nutrients,” he said.
Mr Kasiya explained that the plant was able to put together compound fertilisers with as many as 11 different nutrient types in a single compound.
He said regular monitoring of fertiliser samples were sent to an independent laboratory in South Africa to ensure all the compounds meet internationally recognised standards.
The demand of fertiliser in Zambia is high and Government was encouraging people to focus more investments in industries that support the agriculture sector.
THE FAZ has recorded a staggering K3.4 billion surplus, translating into a 50 per cent growth in revenue.
Treasurer Boniface Mwamelo said during the association’s annual general meeting (AGM) at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Saturday that the unprecedented feat was achieved mainly because the association had controlled its expenditure levels.
Meanwhile, FAZ affiliates have urged the association’s executive to clarify certain parts of the constitution to avoid misunderstandings in the administration of football.
In a vote of thanks, Nchanga Rangers committee member Emmanuel Simbeye said some happenings prior to Saturday’s AGM could have been avoided if certain clauses in the constitution were clearly stated and appealed to FAZ to consider affiliates’ observations in the current charter during the review of the constitution scheduled for next month.
And in the financial report ending December 2009, Mwamelo said the FAZ bank account currently had K1.4 billion compared to a meagre K16 million at the same time in 2008.
“This has never happened before. This is largely due to the fiscal discipline the association has exercised during our last financial year,” he said in a speech that was often interjected by occasional cheers of approval from the councillors.
Mwamelo explained that FAZ got its income from FIFA, CAF and Government grants, a share of television rights from the inaugural African Nations Championship (CHAN), sale of television rights to Sport 5 channel, games revenue and advertising.
FAZ also got income from Zambia’s participation in the Confederation of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) championship, but was yet to receive the prize money for emerging second in the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) challenge from the Zimbabwean government who were the sole sponsors and hosts of the event.
Mwamelo said during the year under review, the FAZ fixed assets rose to K6.8 billion from K4.4 billion mainly due to the vehicles that were recently procured while the liabilities stand at K7.3 billion.
He said the K257 million overdraft that the association had been servicing had since been cleared and that FAZ had managed to reduce its accumulated losses to K5.3 billion.
Mwamelo said the FAZ expenditure had not changed from K11.3 billion that was spent in 2008 from where K2.6 billion was spent on the national team’s preparations for the Africa and World Cup qualifiers and subsequently the AFCON finals in Angola.
The treasurer predicted that 2010 would be a tough year and that FAZ would need to maintain its revenue estimates through the highest levels of fiscal discipline as well as a reduced spending.
Mwamelo said this year the association had financial obligations like the 2012 AFCON qualifiers, the under-23 qualifying race for the All-Africa Games and Olympics and the under-20 and under-17 continental qualifiers.
He said K2.7 billion was set aside for salaries for secretariat staff and that the amount was a reduction from last year because during that period FAZ was servicing retirement packages for some staff.
Also included in the 2010 budget is K500 million for capacity building and furnishing of the FAZ technical centre in Lusaka.
FAZ retained Barclays Bank as the association’s bank and Thewo & Company as auditors.
FDD President Edith Nawakwi campaigning for RB in 2008 elections
THE African Institute for Democracy and Good Governance (AIDGG) has described Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi as a desperate politician who has allegedly failed to run her party leading to calls for her removal by members.
AIDGG spokesperson Thabo Kawana also charged that Ms Nawakwi expected an appointment for supporting President Rupiah Banda’s candidature during the 2008 Presidential by-election.
Mr Kawana yesterday said it had now become evident through statements the FDD president was issuing against President Banda and Government that Ms Nawakwi supported the MMD in 2008 in anticipation of an appointment.
Mr Kawana said in an interview that Ms Nawakwi should instead concentrate on building what he called her diminished political party than resorting to attacking President Banda.
He said currently, Ms Nawakwi was running the party with dissatisfied membership which had seen no value in her, leading to the call for the party vice-president Chifumu Banda to take over.
“What Ms Nawakwi is doing is just sour grapes because she expected an appointment after supporting President Banda in 2008.
“What she needs to do is to concentrate on building her political party which is now almost defunct.
“She should remember that she has a dissatisfied membership which has seen no value in her, hence the calls for the party’s vice-president to take over,” Mr Kawana said..
And Forum for Leadership Search executive director Edwin Lifwekelo said Ms Nawakwi lacked the vision and direction in terms of adding value to the Zambian political scene.
[pullquote]“What Ms Nawakwi is doing is just sour grapes because she expected an appointment after supporting President Banda in 2008.[/pullquote]
Mr Lifwekelo said it was shameful that Ms Nawakwi could choose to misdirect her energies towards insulting President Banda at the expense of re-organising her political party.
“FDD is currently suffering and if it was not for Chifumu Banda and Newton Ng’uni, the party would have crumbled a long time ago. Ms Nawakwi has become a liability even in FDD itself. Infact, the members should kick her out and allow Mr Banda to take over as party president.
“In short, she lacks vision, direction and even the capacity in terms of adding value in politics,” he said.
He said the FDD leader had not provided any solutions apart from showing her negative character by issuing statements that were exposing the kind of leadership.
He urged Ms Nawakwi to exercise humility like in her days as a marketeer way back.
Mr Lifwekelo said the inconsistency Ms Nawakwi, who could be reached for a comment, had shown from the time she supported President Banda to date, was evident enough that she was not a capable leader.
Zesco United recovered slightly from their recent poor competitive form to draw 1-1 away to Power Dynamos in their first league game of the season at Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe.
The draw ended a two-match winless run after losing 3-0 to Warri Wolves in the Caf Confederation Cup and 1-0 before then against Green Buffaloes in the Charity Shield final.
Zesco took the lead in the 13rh minute through midfielder Arthur Kasoloki whose shot from close-range ripped the net that needs replacement after year’s punishment.
Power came back strongly urged on by a charged partisan crowd at a packed Arthur Davies and equalized in the 32nd minute through Kennedy Mudenda who has seemingly rediscovered his good from the 2008 season.
Mudenda could have scored a hat trick when in the 61nd minute he missed a sitter after firing inches wide.
Two minutes later, Mudenda failed to capitalize on a blunder by Zesco goalkeeper Jacob Banda after the latter fumbled with the ball inside the area.
Power are second on 5 points after the draw and one point behind leaders Buffaloes.
Meanwhile, in the second league match played earlier on Saturday, Nkana’s winless streak continued this time suffering their first league defeat after going down 1-0 away to Konkola Blades.
Midfielder Patrick Kasunga scored the games’ lone goal for Blades in the 28th minutes in this Week 3 match played at Konkola stadium in Chililabombwe.
Vice-President George Kunda described as “provocative and annoying” an anti-government red card campaign that is being spearheaded by Change Life Zambia executive director Father Frank Bwalya.
Mr Kunda told hundreds of Copperbelt residents that the red card campaign is about violence and that it is aimed at disrupting peace in the country.
“The red card campaign is provocative and annoying. It is aimed at diverting Government attention from attending to real issues affecting our people.
“I know most of our supporters are annoyed because the Copperbelt Province is a fertile ground for the MMD,” Mr Kunda said.
He said the MMD is gaining ground on the Copperbelt and that the opposition political parties, especially the PF-UPND pact, will be crushed in next year’s general elections.
Mr Kunda said he was encouraged that when he arrived at the meeting he found people waving white cards, which symbolise peace.
He warned that those that are promoting lawlessness and violence in various communities will be dealt with by the law.
“President Rupiah Banda stands for investment, development and progress. He is focused in his vision to develop the country. I have worked with President Banda, he works hard and he loves this country. Mr Michael Sata is a failure and Zambians have continued rejecting him.
“The miners that lost their jobs during the recession are being re-employed by various mining companies. Investment in the mining sector is still growing. Government is improving the lives of Zambians by creating jobs for them. Zambia is admired by foreigners because of the way the government is managing the affairs of the country,” he said.
Mr Kunda said investors from various parts of the world are investing in the country because of the good polices that the government is implementing.
[pullquote]“We are looking after your money very well. It takes time to develop the country. We also want councils to play their role in the development process of the country. They receive huge sums of money and they can use part of the funds they receive from mining companies to improve service delivery.[/pullquote]
He said the government is committed to developing the road infrastructure and that it had signed an agreement with the Japanese government to rehabilitate some roads in Ndola and Kitwe.
Mr Kunda said the government is taking development to all parts of the country, noting that hospitals, clinics and schools are being built in all the districts in Zambia.
He said people throughout the country are either joining or rejoining the MMD because they are happy with development projects taking place in various parts of the country.
He said Zambians wanted to associate themselves with political parties such as the ruling MMD because of its commitment to addressing the welfare of the people.
“We are looking after your money very well. It takes time to develop the country. We also want councils to play their role in the development process of the country. They receive huge sums of money and they can use part of the funds they receive from mining companies to improve service delivery.
[pullquote]
Mr Kunda said President Banda’s foreign trips are meant to attract investment and wondered why some Zambians are criticising these outings.
[/pullquote]
The agricultural sector is doing well. We have so much maize including other cash crops. We will be exporting some of these crops. We used to import maize when some opposition leaders were in government,” he said.
Mr Kunda also took a swipe at Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi for her continued attacks on the government, especially President Banda.
He charged that some FDD members have petitioned for the removal of Ms Nawakwi as FDD president.
“We want to give respect to our women in Zambia and we are committed to working with them in developing this country and they are useful partners in the development process of the country. But we are wondering what is giving Ms Nawakwi courage to insult government,” he said.
Mr Kunda said President Banda’s foreign trips are meant to attract investment and wondered why some Zambians are criticising these outings.
He maintained that there is confusion in the UPND and that the party will soon disintegrate.
He said the PF-UPND pact does not have any agenda for the development of the country and that he has been vindicated by Senior Chief Mushili’s son, Prince Robert’s resignation from the UPND.Mr Kunda donated K10 million to the MMD on the Copperbelt for party organisation.
He said Government has set aside about K15 billion for the empowerment of youths and women in the country.
.
Local government minister Eustackio Kazonga and his deputy Moses Muteteka during a press briefing in Lusaka
GOVERNMENT is in the process of repealing the Town and Country Planning Act to address challenges faced in unplanned settlements in the country.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Eustackio Kazonga said yesterday that this is being done to deal with contradictions between the town and country planning Act and the Housing Act.
Dr Kazonga said this during a recording of the ‘Culture Remodelling’ television programme at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning under the theme Making it Happen: Local Government and Housing.
He said the contradiction has made it difficult for councils to provide services following the increase in unplanned settlements.
“In 2010 we have a number of programmes and if we start with physical planning, the first programme that we are embarking on is the repeal of the current Town and Country Planning Act. It has been overtaken by challenges that we are facing right now. We need to totally repeal that Act,” Dr Kazonga said.
He said work is going on to have the new act by the end of this year.
“When you look at the current Town and Planning Act and you look at the Housing Act, you will sometimes find some contradictions. Whereas something will be accepted as legal within the Housing Act, in the Town and Country Planning Act it will be illegal. So we need to harmonise these two pieces of legislation,” he said.
Dr Kazonga said Government has seen a number of challenges in unplanned settlements and that there is need to have specific clauses to tackle this aspect.
“The legal framework is part of what the physical planning is working on, but that is not all. We are also working on integrated development plans (IDPs) where we have a totality of these plans in terms of the scale, rate and quality of development put together in a consultative manner. These IDPs are being done for a number of towns in the country so that we have orderly development in the country. Development cannot just come up abruptly,” Dr Kazonga said.
He said currently Government is working on IDPs for Kapiri Mposhi, Lufwanyama, Samfya, Mazabuka, Choma, Luangwa, Mongu, Sesheke, Shangombo, Siavonga and Mambwe.
He said there is need to improve municipal infrastructure in the country, which he described as quite bad.
“Generally speaking, municipal infrastructure in the country is quite bad. Efforts are being made by Government to work on roads, markets and the drainage systems,” he said.
He said Government is also working on upgrading some unplanned settlements in the country.
“Government policy right now is that we do not want anymore of unplanned settlements. Let’s tackle the ones that are already in existence, no new ones. To upgrade settlements you are looking at the road network, the corresponding drainage systems, the water supply and sanitation facilities, street lighting and so on. All that is a totality of unplanned settlements upgrading,” he said.
Dr Kazonga said Government has made efforts to assist some councils to upgrade some of the unplanned settlements.
He said all local authorities were requested to submit to Government the list of unplanned settlements to determine which ones will be upgraded.
“But of course resources are not enough. What is important is to begin so that we can have specific compounds (townships) to be upgraded,” he said.
He said the current problem of floods in townships is a result of people building in areas not fit for human habitation.
He, however, said Government has scored some successes in water supply and sanitation within the Fifth National Development Plan.
He said 5,000 boreholes have been sunk in rural areas since 2006 and that Government is currently rehabilitating 400 boreholes.
He said this programme has increased access to clean water and sanitation in rural areas by about 1.3 million people.
He said the baseline in 2006 showed that only 37 percent of the population had access to clean water in rural areas compared to the current 50 percent.
“We are targeting that by 2015, 75 percent of the population will have access to clean water and sanitation. For sanitation in 2006 it was at 13 percent and we want to increase it to 60 percent under the Rural Water and Sanitation,” he said.
He said in urban areas Government has created 11 commercial water utilities to provide clean water to residents.
Dr Kazonga also said all councils in the country are up to date with statutory audits.
“All 72 councils have been audited for the year ended December 2008. People have the right to complain about audits in councils,” he said.
However, Dr Kazonga said Government has so far given the Local Authorities Superenuation Fund K37 billion to help in the payment of retirement packages for former employees in councils.
He also urged Zambians to internalise the ‘Make Zambia Clean’ campaign to reduce the prevalence of epidemics in the country.
SEVERAL stakeholders have commended Government for facilitating the re-opening of the Munali nickel mine under a new investor, Jinchuan Limited.
These include the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ), the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and a local traditional leader.
The EAZ has said the re-opening of the mine is a good sign as it is an expression of confidence in the Zambian economy.
EAZ president Mwilola Imakando said in an interview yesterday that Zambians will benefit through jobs that will be created, while Government revenue will appreciate through tax collection.
“It is a good sign if a resource that was idling begins to contribute to the economic development of the country. The resource will create employment for the people, it will also make profits and in turn pay tax to the Government,” Dr Imakando said.
He said the investment into the Munali Nickel Mine by Jinchuan Limited sends a signal to would-be investors that Zambia has a positive investment climate where they can recoup their expenditure.
“As EAZ, we are happy when a resource that was idling begins to contribute to the economic development of Zambia,” he said.
President Banda re-opened the Munali Nickel Mine in Mazabuka on Friday, promising that Government will continue to encourage value addition to copper, cobalt and gemstone products to promote growth and diversification in the mining sector.
The MUZ has commended President Banda’s call and directive that each mining industry be monitored to ensure that respective local communities derive benefits arising from the investments.
MUZ general secretary Aswell Munyenyembe said in Ndola yesterday that President Banda’s statement is welcome.
“As a mine union we welcome President Banda’s pronouncement because this is what we have been advocating; to see that people benefit from the investments in various communities,” he said.
He said mining companies should demonstrate corporate responsibility by ploughing back some of their profits into communities they operate in.
Mr Munyenyembe said the benefits from the mining industry should benefit all stakeholders in the industry that include the employees, mine suppliers and contractors.
He said Government’s policies in the mining industry are still attractive to investors.
“Most of the mines that closed down have re-opened. This is as a result of good policies by Government in the industry,” he said.
He said, however, that the removal of windfall tax should be reconsidered, as the country will not benefit much from the mining industry.
He said copper prices on the international market are substantially increased to justify windfall tax.
“The proceeds would have been used for repairing roads that are being damaged by heavy trucks ferrying copper in and out of Zambia,” he said.
President Banda directed Minister of Mines and Mineral Development Maxwell Mwale to closely monitor the performance of each mining company so that local communities derive benefits from the investment in their areas.
Chief Mwanachingwala has said he is glad that the people of Mazabuka will benefit from the nickel mine through job opportunities and royalties that will accrue to the local community.
“We are happy because the country will benefit in terms of job opportunities and poverty reduction among our people,” Chief Mwanachingwala said in an interview.
The chief commended Government for its commitment to uplifting the standards of living of the people through job creation.
He pointed out that the Munali Nickle Mine is the second one being re-opened after Luanshya Copper Mines on the Copperbelt; both of which had been shut due to low metal prices during the global economic recession last year.
Chief Mwanachingwala attributed the re-opening of the mines to Government’s commitment to poverty reduction and making Zambia a preferred destination for investment.
“We would like to thank the President for wooing investors to come to Zambia. We hope that Government will attract more investment into the country so that Zambia can become self-sufficient,” Chief Mwanachingwala said.
He also commended President Banda for directing that the local communities should benefit through royalties from the mining company.
Chief Mwanachingwala hopes that this will translate into the construction of schools and an institution for tertiary education.
He urged the mining company to give preference to the locals when employing people for the mine.
He said, however, that this did not mean that people from outside the province should be excluded.
The Chinese company is considering upgrading production from 900,000 tonnes of ore to 1.2 million tonnes by 2012. This will in turn raise job opportunities from the current 345 to 450.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
THE Lunda and Kaonde people are annoyed with Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata for going against tradition by touching the head of hospitalised Senior Chief Sailunga of the Lunda people of Mwinilunga.
Former national chairperson for the Lunda Cultural Association Newton Samakai said in a telephone interview from Lusaka that Lunda people throughout the country are upset by what Mr Sata did during his visit to the hospitalised chief.
And Solwezi District Nsakwa ya ba Kaonde cultural association vice-secretary Richard Mufwabule said in an interview in Solwezi on Friday that Kaonde-speaking people are unhappy with Mr Sata’s act.
They were reacting to a picture published in The Post newspaper on March 22, 2010 showing Mr Sata touching the head of Senior Chief Sailunga in bed at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
“As Kaonde people we have condemned the act by Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata for disrespectfully touching the head of the royal highness Senior Chief Sailunga, who is currently admitted to the UTH in Lusaka,” Mr Mufwabule said.
Mr Mufwabule said the condemned act is evident in the picture which shows Mr Sata unflinchingly and publicly touching the chief’s head.
He said although Mr Sata may want to portray himself as a good leader by visiting Senior Chief Sailunga, he was supposed to adhere to cultural norms.
“Mr Sata, like any other Zambian citizen, has the right to visit any hospitalised chief such as Senior Chief Sailunga but he must learn to value the type of behaviour and actions to apply when visiting dignified traditional leaders,” he said.
Mr Mufwabule said it was a well-known fact that it is taboo to touch the head of a chief of any tribe in the Bantu language fraternity.
“We urge all well-meaning Zambians and people of North-Western Province in particular to condemn Mr Sata’s behaviour as regards to Senior Chief Sailunga’s hospitalisation,” he said.
And Mr Samakai said it was also wrong for Mr Sata to visit the traditional leader tagging along a photographer to politicise and publicise the event.
“We thank him for visiting our chief but we are annoyed that he went to see a sick person carrying with him a cameraman to define his political mileage,” Mr Samakai said.
Mr Samakai said touching a chief’s head is taboo in the Lunda tradition.
“According to our Lunda culture, we don’t allow what Mr Sata did. In fact when a chief is sick only close relatives are aware of it and he must be kept outside the palace. It is just because of the modern situation that chiefs are taken to the hospital,” he said.
He said the Lunda Cultural Association committee chose to see Mr Sata before making a public reaction but the PF president is said to have told them to put their complaint in writing.
“Imagine the ache of the matter! For me that is unacceptable because he now wants the offended people to start dancing to his tune,” Mr Samakai said.
He advised all the annoyed Lunda people to remain calm as the cultural association is looking into the matter.
“Be still, and know that I am God”
(Psalm 46:10, NIV))
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
In this day and age, our culture has gotten used to having constant activity going on: computers, cell phones, television, email, video games. There’s nothing wrong with any of that stuff, but the Bible tells us that we need to stop and be still so we can focus on knowing God. I’ve found this to be true especially during the difficult times. When you are facing a challenge, it’s easy to want to run to a friend or talk about it with a co-worker, but at some point, you have to stop and say, “God, I rest in You. I know You have me in the palm of Your hand.”
Remember, our battles are spiritual battles. The people in your life aren’t the source of your problems, the forces of darkness are. When you choose to be still and know that the Greater One lives on the inside of you, you are putting yourself in a position of strength. So today, take time to be still before Him. Let His peace cover you. Let Him refresh you by His Spirit. Remember, the battles you face belong to the Lord. Be still before Him so you can see His hand of victory in every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, I humbly come before You. I choose to be still before You. Speak to my heart so I can know You more. Fill me with Your peace as I put my trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
PARLIAMENT yesterday adjourned sine die after sitting for 19 days.
Moving the motion for the House to adjourn sine die, Vice President George Kunda said during the 19-day sitting, Parliament considered 215 questions, three private members motions, and one motion to adopt the Public Accounts Committee’s report on the outturn and appropriation accounts for the year ending December 31, 2007.
Mr Kunda said the House further considered two motions to adopt reports on Presidential appointments.
He said Parliament also considered 37 reports from government and quasi-government institutions.
“The House also passed 21 bills. The House has performed diligently and it is time to take a break,” Mr Kunda said.
He said the break will allow MPs to attend to other national duties outside Parliament.
The Vice President called on fellow MPs to go back and work with their electorates and monitor ongoing projects.
Mr Kunda said floods have affected some constituencies, thereby making it difficult for government to distribute relief food and drugs to flood victims.
“Some bridges have been washed away, some of our people have been rendered homeless, and it is important for MPs to assess the damage and help government work out with mitigating measures,” he said.
Contributing to debate, Bangweulu MP Joseph Kasongo appealed to all MPs to carry the message of peace to their electorate and not that of instability.
Mr Kasongo said Zambians can only address problems facing the nation in an atmosphere of peace and stability.
He observed that some politicians are desperate for power and can do anything just to get to State House.
“But they should wait because we only have 15 months to go…,” he said.
Mr Kasongo challenged clergymen who have political ambitions to come forward because doors of the National Assembly are open to anyone.
On the NCC, Mr Kasongo said some government critics should not dictate the pace of the constitution-making process because they refused to participate when the government invited them.
Mr Kasongo further castigated those accusing the government of paying lip service to the fight against corruption.
“The government is ahead and has presented bills that are aimed at enhancing the fight against corruption,” Mr Kasongo aid.
He said Zambia needs peace to prosper politically and economically.
“Economic development can only be there if there is peace. We won’t allow those who want to use shortcuts to go to State House,” he said.
VICE President George Kunda yesterday launched phase one of the computerisation of the Judicial Court System.
And Mr Kunda said Zambia will be the first African country to employ the usage of computerised judicial system.
Mr Kunda said in Lusaka yesterday that phase one of the project will see the computerisation of the Supreme, High and Magistrate courts in Lusaka.
“There is no doubt in my mind that this launch marks the beginning of a new era for the administration of justice in this country,” Mr Kunda said.
He said this is an important move towards streaming the administration of justice through effective and efficient court management.
Mr Kunda said he is certain the faith and confidence reposed by the citizen of this country in the judiciary would be greatly strengthened by the modernisation project launched yesterday.
The project launched yesterday was made possible with a 75 percent grant of the total cost amounting to US$500,000 by the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) while the Government provided the rest.
“May I, therefore, take this opportunity to thank the Investment Climate for Africa for the support rendered to our Judiciary through the grant,” Mr Kunda said.
He said he is particularly happy that the grant was put to good use, resulting in the successful implementation of phase one .
“As Government, we are committed to ensuring that the Judiciary’s autonomy is protected and shall do all we can for the Judiciary to work effectively and efficiently.
“To this end, I pledge my Government’s support towards this project by providing the 25 percent counterpart funding on time,” Mr Kunda said.
Earlier, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala said Zambia Justice Information Management System (ZAJIS) appreciates the efforts Government attaches to the Judiciary.
Justice Sakala said the funding from both ICF for Africa and Government had been timely under the project.
[pullquote]“Firstly, it was felt that technology was going to be an important ingredient to the change we sought in our operations by improving the rate of disposal of our cases and also improve the quality of judgements by having accurate records for all proceedings and on time for all citizens,” Justice Sakala said.[/pullquote]
He said the gesture enables the management team to execute its mandate efficiently.
“My appeal to both ICF for Africa and Government is that this trend should continue in the next phase,” Justice Sakala said.
He said the vision of ZAJIS came about by way of an introduction by former Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Dipak Patel, who is now a member of ICF.
“Firstly, it was felt that technology was going to be an important ingredient to the change we sought in our operations by improving the rate of disposal of our cases and also improve the quality of judgements by having accurate records for all proceedings and on time for all citizens,” Justice Sakala said.
Meanwhile, ICF chief executive officer for Africa Mary Issa said the modernisation of the Judiciary falls under one of her organisation’s priority areas, property rights and contracts enforcements.
