Former Defense Minister Ben Mwila has alleged that allowing Patriotic Front President to become republican president will be allowing Zambia to experience civil war.

Mr Mwila who is also National Democratic Focus president alleges that Zambians will be making a grave mistake by voting for Mr Sata to be republican president saying he will be abrogating the constitution with impunity which is not in the best interest of the Zambian people.

He said Mr Sata is not fit to lead the country adding that he is only fit to lead Patriotic Front.

And United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema said today that the PF/UPND Pact will not be coerced into choosing its presidential candidate for 2011 elections.

Speaking this morning on JOY FM’s The Platform Programme, Mr Hichilema said the PF/UPND Pact has taken a decision not to preoccupy itself with the presidency at the moment.

He said what they are preoccupied with is ensuring that there is unity in the membership of the two political parties. He accused the MMD of trying to stir trouble in the UPND/PF Pact by suggesting that particular tribes have their preferred candidates for the Pact’s 2011 presidential candidate.

Mr Hichilema said the PF/UPND Pact has nothing to do with tribe as is being portrayed by the ruling party. He wondered why the MMD is concerned about the PACT’s presidential candidate when they have been spelling doom for the PACT.

Mr Hichilema said the MMD are irked because they know that the exit doors are widening and time is running out for them.

QFM

The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) says the PF/UPND pact is not shaken by the defection of more than 20 of its members to the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in Lusaka’s Munali constituency.

PF Spokesperson Given Lubinda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the pact is not shaken because there are more people who are willing to join them.

Mr. Lubinda said members defecting from the pact to join the MMD would regret their decision in 2011 claiming that the PF/UPND pact will emerge victorious in the general elections.

He said those who are leaving the party for the MMD do not realize that the PF/UPND pact was the rightful party with a vision.

More than 20 members of the opposition PF/UPND pact on Saturday left their parties to join the ruling MMD while over 80 more are said to have indicated their intentions to leave their parties and join the MMD.

ZANIS

THE MMD says it abhors politics of violence and insults and has called on opposition political parties to avoid verbal assaults against their political opponents.

MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya said Zambians are more interested in politics of development and not mud-slinging and name-calling.

Ms Siliya said the MMD is a party that believes in democracy but that it will not condone indiscipline from members that have gone wayward.

Ms Siliya condemned alleged threats by MMD Lusaka Province youth chairperson Chris Chalwe that youths would gang-rape Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi for allegedly insulting President Banda. Ms Siliya said the statement is unfortunate.

She said this in an interview on Zambezi FM radio in Livingstone on Saturday.

“Let us play politics of development and not politics of electioneering all the time. There must be a time for politics of development. The MMD believes in democracy and dialogue.

“We are not for violence, insults and name-calling. What the people of Zambia want to hear is what kind of developmental agenda we have and not who can mouth out the worst insult,” Ms Siliya said.[quote]

She said it is important that the country’s political space be filled with issues affecting people rather than insults and violence.

Ms Siliya said the MMD youth are forced to make certain statements because some opposition political leaders are always insulting President Banda.

She said every leader has a following and that when that leader is insulted or carelessly spoken about, his or her followers are bound to respond negatively.

“What people should realise is that President Banda, as leader of the MMD, has a lot of followers. So, when you begin to insult or speak negatively about him, you are inciting his followers to respond in a negative manner.

We should not forget that there are people who are so passionate about President Banda and respect him. However, two wrongs do not make a right, so we must at all times avoid violence and insults,” Ms Siliya said.

She said her prime occupation as the ruling party’s spokesperson is to market the vision of the MMD and attract as many members as possible.

Ms Siliya denied assertions that she is President Banda’s ‘blue-eyed girl’ who is above reproach and untouchable.

She said people are free to make their own opinions about her, adding that she has always added value to the party.

Ms Siliya said the MMD appointed her as the party’s spokesperson because it believed she has qualities apart from being hard-working and a team player.

She said she was humbled to have been considered for the position of spokesperson for the MMD, adding that it is a sign that the ruling party is moving with time.

Ms Siliya also endorsed the expulsion of MMD Livingstone Constituency chairman John Mwamulima, saying even when the party is committed to democratic principles, there is need for members to be disciplined.

She said President Banda believes in dialogue and discipline and that it is important that members respect rules and regulations governing the MMD.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Over the weekend Professor Clive Chirwa announced his decision to join opposition UPND-PF after quitting the ruling MMD. Below is his full statement.

REF: DECISION TO JOIN THE UPND

The resignation from MMD was a great relief and has opened up my route to joining Zambians who are serious about moving our people out of poverty for good. Based on the goals and policies for the regeneration of our country, I hereby decide to join the UPND in the struggle to liberate our people from the current inert government.

Yesterday afternoon the National Executive Committee (NEC) of UPND headed by President Hakainde Hichilema and I had a tele-conference meeting in which I opened up to them and gave them my reasons for joining their esteemed party. The UPND NEC welcomed me with open arms and the warmth they transmitted gave me great hope that at last I have joined a team that is committed to solving Zambia’s problems, a fundamental ethos of my campaign.

Today is a great day for me and my ambition to see Zambia occupy a place at the high table of international society where it dictates its future, where its people have ample food, good schools, best hospitals, best infrastructure and an economy magnetized by industrialization. That day is quickly approaching as UPND helps Zambia achieve that. The policies UPND is pursuing are right for Zambia and they are in keeping with what I have always said to my fellow Zambians in lectures, speeches and writings.

The pact between UPND-PF is strong and I joining them under the umbrella of UPND will strengthen it further. I believe my contributions to the pact will augment the already successful campaign strategy that is already bearing fruits. I believe the pact will scoop all nine provinces come 2011 and I am glad to be part of that.

May I therefore thank President Hakainde Hichilema and all the National Executive Committee members of UPND and assure them that I will do whatever is in my power to necessitate our victory in 2011.

May God Bless the UPND-PF pact.

Professor Efford CLIVE Mulubwa Kondwani CHIRWA

The Anti Voter Apathy (AVAP) says it is not possible for the MMD to rig elections through the ongoing mobile issuance of national registration cards (NRCs) exercise.

And AVAP has expressed shock to learn that government has allowed opposition political parties in Mazabuka to go round and carry out mobile announcements instead of the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) to undertake the programme.

AVAP Director, Bonnie Tembo said this in reaction to callers when he featured on a live phone in programme at Mazabuka’s community radio station dubbed Live Wire.

Several callers accused government of planning to rig elections through the mobile issuance of NRCs which they said was being done without the knowledge of the community.

Callers complained that they are aware of the programme as the department of national registration has not publicised its programme to rural communities.

But Mr Tembo challenged callers to take an active role and get involved in ensuring that they obtained necessary information about the programme to clear suspicion of rigging elections.

And Mr Tembo has urged home affairs minister, Lameck Mangani to seriously address the challenges facing the department of national registration in Mazabuka if potential applicants are to obtain NRCs and participate in next year’s general elections.

He said the situation where all political parties are asked to ferry their supporters in trucks to obtain the cards is a danger to national security.

Mr Tembo said government should also protect its officers as the development could lead to chaos.

He said registration officers should be directed to visit rural areas and not to sit in their ofices to issue NRCs.

Mr Tembo said government has allocated K 22 billion for the programme adding that there is no justification for officers to conduct the exercise at the BOMA.
ZANIS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives”
(John 12:24, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

It’s good to be passionate about your dreams, but did you know a dream can become an idol? If that’s all you think about and you’re not going to be happy unless it happens your way, that’s out of balance. The fact is, sometimes you have to put that dream on the altar.

Are you frustrated because you’re trying to force things to happen on your timetable? Sometimes we hold on to things so tightly, but actually, when we let them go, that’s when God can bring them to pass. If you’ll release that frustration and not let it become the center of your attention, but instead use that same time and energy to thank God that He’s directing your steps, you open the door for God to give you the desires of your heart.

We have to remember, God already knows what we want and what we are in need of. He’s the One who put those desires in us. We shouldn’t be consumed by trying to make things happen. Instead, a greater act of faith is to be happy right where you are; to stay open and trust God because He has good plans in store for your future!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, today I release my dreams, my desires, my “wants” like a seed falling to the ground. I know that You have a good plan for my future, and I trust You to bring it to pass in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.