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THE Bemba Royal Council (BRC) has banned Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata from meeting Paramount Chief Chitimukulu in the absence of his counsellors.
BRC secretary Alex Chimba-Nkole told the Daily Mail that the establishment is disappointed with Mr Sata’s disregard for the Chitimukulu.
Mr Chimba-Nkole said the decision by Mr Sata to shun the BRC court is a clear testimony of disrespect for traditional authority.
“We don’t want him to come and meet Chitimukulu in privacy, unless in our presence,” he said.
Mr Chimba-Nkole said the council did not deliberate much on Mr Sata’s alleged derogatory remarks against the Chitimukulu because the opposition leader turned down the summons.
“We didn’t say much because we wanted Mr Sata to be present to answer to the charges. Mr Sata is a Bemba, so we cannot be quarrelling with him in the press.
“He has insulted our paramount chief and so we wanted him to come and tell us why he did that,” he said.
Mr Chimba-Nkole said the BRC will meet on January 5 to decide on the way forward.
Mr Sata was quoted in the media as saying he will meet with Chitimukulu at his own convenient time.
The BRC convened a court on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, to deliver judgement in a case in which Mr Sata is alleged to have uttered derogatory remarks against the Chitimukulu.
The council summoned Mr Sata to appear before it to exculpate himself of derogatory remarks attributed to him against the chief.
But Mr Sata said he sees no reason to appear before the BRC because the council has neither the power nor jurisdiction over individuals like him.
THE Government, economists and the communications union have condemned Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata for saying he will renationalise Zamtel once elected into office in 2011.
They advised him and other opposition politicians to stop issuing statements that may scare away would-be investors for Zamtel.
Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha, who is Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said it was wrong for Mr Sata to warn would-be investors when the decision to sell the company was done in good faith.
Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) president, Mwilola Imakando and National Union of Communication Workers (NUCW) general secretary, Clement Kasonde criticised Mr Sata and said his statements had the potential to scare away investors.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha advised the PF leader to stop politicking over Zamtel, saying if Mr Sata had the interests of the workers and Zambians as a whole, he would not issue such careless statements.
Gen Shikapwasha was reacting to recent comments by Mr Sata who was quoted by Reuters that should he be elected to the presidency, he would reverse the sale of Zamtel.
Gen Shikapwasha said the decision to sell the company was done after consultations and was aimed at saving the company from total collapse.
“We are concerned that Mr Sata has continued to issue statements that can scare away the would-be investors for Zamtel because the decision as Government is that it has been done in good faith,” he said.
If the Government did not want to be transparent in the sale of Zamtel, it would not have called for tenders, and wondered why Mr Sata was objecting to the sale.
The minister said the PF leader should find better ways of selling his party other than taking a confrontational stance of condemning and attacking the Government in power.
Zambians should be wary of such leaders who were ready to bring to a halt development programmes put in place to better the lives of people just to get to State House.
“The threats over Zamtel sale is mere politicking and this shows how Mr Sata is trying to win political support using Zamtel. Sadly this is being done at the expense of development,” he said.
Recently, Reuters quoted Mr Sata as having said that he would renationalise Zamtel, if elected as president in 2011, because the decision to privatise the company was not in the best interest of the country.
Mr Sata said the sale of Zamtel was unacceptable because, apart from it being a strategic organisation, the new majority owners were likely to close the rural branches and concentrate on urban areas.
“Those bidding for Zamtel are doing so at owner’s risk. The PF in government will reverse the decision to privatise Zamtel. Even if it is sold, we will renationalise it,” Mr Sata said.
MrKasonde wondered what solution Mr Sata would have for Zamtel if he blocked the sale.
Mr Kasonde said Mr Sata should not make statements that he knew would not have solutions for the company that was heavily indebted.
Mr Imakando, who also voiced the same sentiments, said people opposed to the sale of Zamtel should avoid making statements that may affect investor confidence which the country had enjoyed.
An independent economic analyst, Oliver Saasa said renationalising Zamtel would scare away other investors and was not in the best interest of the country because the sale was legally binding.
India’s Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Angola’s Unitel and Libya’s LAP Green Networks on Wednesday last week submitted bids to acquire between 51 and 75 per cent of the stake in Zamtel.
The Islamic Council of Zambia has encouraged the Muslim community and other religious leaders to work with the government of the day in promoting peace and unity in the country.
ZANIS Ndola reports that the Islamic Council of Zambia Deputy Mufti (Chief Priest) Sheikh Isaa Bonomali said this during a one-day Leaders’ workshop aimed at seeking a new beginning among Muslims in Zambia.
The workshop was aimed at based upon mutual interest and respect for all religions.
Sheikh Bonomali said the core interest of all religious leaders and politicians was to ensure that the people they lead had unity and peace.
The deputy chief priest further observed that there was need for religions in the country to work together and not compete since they share common principles of justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of human beings.
He explained that there was a misconception by people that Islam was a violent religion just because of few individuals that were engaging into violent activities.
He explained that Islam was not a violent religion but a peaceful one and that it was not competing with any other religion.
Sheikh Bonomali further said Islam had a proud tradition of tolerance, which was evidenced by Muslims’ participation in interfaith meetings in the country.
He said Muslim community has been participating in candlelight memorial services, which are held in churches on the eve of December 1 every year to commemorate the World AIDS day.
Sheikh Bonomali further praised government for creating providing freedom of worship among different religions in the country.
He further called upon the Muslim community to be good citizens and abide by the laws of the present government.
He said the Islamic Council would not protect any Muslims who will break the law of the land but would instead urge government to take stern action against those found wanting.
FDD President Edith Nawakwi campaigning for RB in 2008 elections
The Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) in Livingstone has passed a vote of no confidence in the party’s top leadership accusing it of failing to organize the members at grass root level.
According to a statement made available to ZANIS in Livingstone today, Livingstone District FDD chairman Allan Shawa observed that the party has been static at grass root level.
Mr. Shawa said the FDD district leadership will soon embark on recruiting new members and form new branches and ward committees in readiness for the 2011 general elections.
“The party is not moving. It is dead at grass root level because national FDD leaders have abandoned the party. They are stuck in Lusaka,” he said.
He said the party in Livingstone will use its own initiative and start organizing the party before the next general election and called on party national leaders to be proactive.
He said FDD official should consider coming in the open and explain the position of the party and the plans for 2010 general elections.
Mr. Shawa further claimed that lack of finances has contributed to failure by the top FDD leadership to reorganize the party at the grass root level.
Vice President George Kunda has urged all eligible voters in the country to register during the forthcoming voters’ registration exercise.
Speaking at Kanona Basic School in Serenje today, Mr. Kunda said there are many citizens who have reached voting age in Zambia.
He said it was for this reason that they must take advantage of the next voter registration exercise which will be conducted by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to register as voters.
He also said it was time the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) to restructure itself in readiness for the 2011 general polls.
Mr. Kunda, who is also Minister of Justice, emphasized the need for the party to keep record of how many members it has countrywide.
He explained that it was for this reason that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the MMD will send a number of registers to various parts of the country to ascertain the exactly number of its members.
Earlier, the Vice President met a number of traditional leaders, among them Chief Mailo, Chieftainess Serenje and senior Chief Chitambo.
Mr. Kunda assured the chiefs of continued government support because traditional leaders are government’s developmental partners.
He said it was encouraging that traditional leaders were also supportive of President Rupiah Banda and his government.
Mr. Kunda said this when he met chief Mailo at his palace in the outskirt of Serenje district today.
And Chief Mailo expressed gratitude to the MMD government for many developmental projects in his chiefdoms.
The traditional leader says the MMD was the only party which had the vision to develop the country.
He however said there was need for Zambians to continue supporting the MMD government even in future.
He further said he has read the MMD government’s Vision 2030 of making Zambia a middle income country, noting that this was a progressive vision.
The traditional leader said he was praying hard to God to extend the MMD’s leadership for a better Zambia.
He also said Zambia was lucky to have continued enjoying peace and attributed the development to the MMD government.
Meanwhile, Education Deputy Minster, Richard Taima has expressed sadness at the state of some schools in the area.
Mr. Taima said some classroom blocks in the areas are in a deplorable state.
He said it was for this reason that his ministry will soon hold a budgetary meeting with stakeholders to build more one by three (1 x 3) classroom blocks throughout the country.
He reiterated government’s commitment to increasing the number of schools around the country.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Health, Solomon Musonda has disclosed that plans were underway to build more health centres in the country to take health services closer to the people.
Dr. Musonda said his ministry will build more hospitals as close to the people as possible.
He said this at Serenje district hospital after he conducted a tour of a new theatre at the health centre worth K70 million.
He has however stated that there is need for the community to participate in the construction of health centres especially that there are budget constraints.
Dr. Musonda said his ministry, through the Poverty Reduction Programme, has limited funds to cater for all requisites of new health centres.
He advised that it was in this vein that the community should construct health centres on self help basis and not to expect government to buy equipment such as furniture and other medical equipment.
And Acting District Medical Officer Jerry Sinyangwe thanked government for government’s support to his institution.
He disclosed that other than the construction of the new theatre at his institution, government is constructing a new health centre in the district.
Over 300 small scale farmers in Luanshya district have cried foul over the non- receipt of fertilizer and seed under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
Spokesperson for the 300 farmers, Godfrey Ndalima, told ZANIS that the affected famers had paid in full for their packs but to their surprise, they did not get their allocation.
Mr. Ndalima, who is also a trustee at Kankwiba cooperative society, said about 160 x 10 kilogrammes of seed and 768 x 50 kg of compound “D” fertiliser were not issued to the affected farmers.
He lamented that most of the peasant farmers who depend on farming will face starvation.
He noted that even if Nyiombo Investments had to replace the inputs, it would be too late to use them in this farming season.
Luanshya District Commissioner George Kapu said he had received a report on the matter.
And Nyiombo Investment Copperbelt regional manager Martin Chaikatisha said the problem was caused by the theft that allegedly took place where the inputs were kept before distribution.
Mr. Chaikatisha said he carried out a forensic audit about the missing inputs and got a report from his officers that there was a break-in at the shed.
He said his company will do everything possible to replace the inputs which will eventually be distributed to the affected farmers.
Civic leaders in Nakonde district of Northern Province have appealed the government to consider paying them gratuity at the end of their term of office.
The ward councilors said government should consider paying them gratuity at the end of their terms in office as a way of appreciating their contribution to development at local level.
They made the passionate appeal during a full council meeting held in the council chambers yesterday.
This followed a report by the acting Council Secretary Titus Walima on the meeting of the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) which was held in Livingstone in Southern Province early this year.
Nakonde district council chairman Luka Simusamba said councilors do a lot of work on a daily basis and contribute greatly to the development of the country.
Mr Simusamba said no meaningful development could take place if people at the grass root level are not involved adding that the country has continued to record success in various economic sectors of the economy because of the involvement of people at various levels.
“Councilors do a lot of work in the district on daily basis and this is the reason why we are humbly requesting the government to consider paying councilors gratuity as a way of appreciating their efforts,” said Mr Simusamba.
He said councilors were not asking for hundreds of millions of Kwacha but suggested that they could be given even as little as K50 million each at the end of the term.
The Movement for Multi Party Democracy MMD has expressed displeasure at opposition political parties continued insults and attacks on the Republican President.
MMD national Chairman Michael Mabenga has since advised opposition political parties to direct their energy to tell the Zambian people what they will do when they come into power.
Mr. Mabenga said President Banda has made visible efforts to ensure the country achieves enhanced economic Development.
He noted that the MMD as a party has a passion for the efforts the President has made in a short time that he has saved in office since his election.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mr. Mabenga cited the growth in the mining sector, the oil explorations and the re introduction of the Fertilizer Support Input Program in the Agriculture sector as some of the many development efforts scored by President Banda.
He noted that all these achievements are an indication that the President is working and wondered why some people are saying the President has failed.
Mr. Mabenga further said the opposition political parties were using bad language because they have taken advantage of the democratic environment in Zambia.
He called on Zambians to support President Banda because he meant well for Zambians.
Meanwhile, the MMD has said the recent tour of Western province by United Party for National Development- UPND President Hakainde Hichilema was unsuccessful.
Mr. Mabenga also reiterated that former Gender Minister Patricia Mulasikwanda’s resignation from the MMD party was a good move adding that she was just there to detract the party.
He noted that her moving to the opposition UPND/PF Pact will not make any impact saying Ms. Mulasikwanda failed to improve her political career from as way back as the time she was with UNIP and MMD.
Chief Government Spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha
Chief Government Spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha says government performed well in most sectors in 2009.
Gen. Shikapwasha who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister pointed out that there are numerous achievements that the country recorded this year especially in the education and health sectors.
He said in 2009 alone government managed to construct high and basic schools in all provinces in the country.
Gen. Shikapwasha noted that the construction of hostels at the University of Zambia is another major achievement scored in 2009 in the education sector.
The Information and Broadcasting Services Minister said an average of about six thousand teachers have since been employed to supplement the teacher ratio in peri-urban and rural areas in an effort to improve the education sector in the country.
Gen Shikapwasha highlighted these achievements scored by government through 2009 in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.
He also pointed out that government had embarked on electrification of schools in rural areas to try and improve the education sector in remote areas.
Meanwhile, Gen. Shikapwasha disclosed that in 2009 government constructed more hospitals and clinics in most parts of the country.
He said the construction of a cancer hospital at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and the ongoing construction works of a general hospital in Lusaka are some of the many projects that government embarked on in 2009.
A ministry of health representative was on Monday ordered to leave a full council meeting in Mazabuka, for failing to provide answers to the failed Microbicide Gel research.
The councillors had demanded to be briefed on the outcome of the clinical trial.
But Environmental Health Technician, Mushabati Mushabati, failed to provide answers.
It was at this time that Mazabuka District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba, ordered him to leave the meeting.
However, after consultating his superiors, Mr. Mushabati informed the meeting that the ministry of health had instructed that no official statement should be issued until after a report on the matter has been scruitnised.
The Microbicide Gel drug was used by the MDP under its clinical trials to determine its efficacy in blocking HIV transmission.
According to MDP Principle Investigator, Dr. Maureen Chisembele, 46 women contracted HIV and AIDs virus after the research.
The district commissioner said he was particularly disappointed with the district director of health for failing to heed to his directives to produce MDP officials before the councillors
Here is Zambia’s 23-man team list for the 2010 Orange African Cup of Nations.
Zambia are in Group D in the January tournament together with Tunisia, Cameroon and Gabon and will be baserd in Lubango.
Herve Renard’s side open their Group D campaign against Tunisia on January 13.
Goalkeepers: Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa), Kalililo Kakonje (Amazulu, South Africa), Jacob Banda (Zesco United) Defenders: Dennis Banda (Green Buffaloes), Kampamba Chintu (Amazulu, South Africa), Hichani Himoonde (Zesco United), Emmanuel Mbola (Pyunik Yerevan, Armenia), Joseph Musonda (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Thomas Nyirenda (Zanaco)
Midfielders: Isaac Chansa (Helsingborg, Sweden), Noah Chivuta (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Rainford Kalaba (União de Leiria, Portugal),Francis Kasonde (Al Suwaiq, Oman), Felix Katongo (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Clifford Mulenga (Mpumalanga Black Aces, South Africa), Stophira Sunzu (Zanaco), William Njobvu ((Hapoel Kiryat Shmone, Israel)
Strikers: Christopher Katongo (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Jacob Mulenga (FC Utrecht, Netherlands), Emmanuel Mayuka (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel), James Chamanga (Dalian Shide, China), Given Singuluma (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Collins Mbesuma (Moroka Swallows,South Africa)
THIRTY-ONE people died while 53 others were seriously injured in road traffic accidents during the Christmas holiday.
The incidents in which 25 people escaped with minor injuries occurred countrywide between December 22 and 26.
Police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso said 116 road traffic accidents were recorded this year, compared to 143 road mishaps recorded last year.
He said Lusaka topped the list with 49 road traffic accidents in which seven people died while eight others were seriously injured.
Mr Kapeso said Copperbelt followed with39 accidents in which six people died and 23 were left with serious injuries.
He said Central Province had nine accidents with 16 deaths while nine others had serious injuries.
Mr Kapeso said Eastern Province recorded 11 accidents with one fatality while 10 other people were seriously injured.
He said North-Western Province had seven accidents and only one person died while two others escaped with minor injuries.
Western, Northern and Luapula provinces did not record any road traffic accidents.
Mr Kapeso said this shows an increase in the number of people killed in road traffic accidents as compared to last year when only nine people died in the period under review.
He said there has, however, been a reduction by 18 percent, in the number of traffic accidents recorded during the Christmas holidays this year as compared to last year.
And Mr Kapeso said 750 motor vehicles were impounded by traffic officers for various traffic offences in Lusaka.
Mr Kapeso said K50 million was raised from admission of guilt fines for the impounded motor vehicles.
FORMER MMD national secretary, Vernon Mwaanga has advised the party’s national executive committee (NEC) to reinstate the Simasiku Namakando-led dissolved Western Province executive committee.
Mr Mwaanga said there was no way the NEC should fail to recognise the reconciliation between President Rupiah Banda and the dissolved executive committee.
He said the acting party president had taken a reconciliatory path which should be recognised and the best route to take was to reinstate the committee.
When contacted for a comment, MMD deputy national secretary, Jeff Kaande agreed with Mr Mwaanga’s advice but said NEC would have to sit and make a decision.
“I totally agree with Mr Mwaanga’s advice but what I should say is that we are just waiting for a directive as NEC and we will act.
‘‘Now that the national secretary, Dr Katele Kalumba is back, he will liaise with our party president and give the directive as to when NEC should meet to decide on that matter.
“This is not a one-man show. It is not about Jeff Kaande but it is the responsibility of the NEC. I mean, who am I to argue against the president,” Mr Kaande said.
Asked about his earlier statement that Mr Namakando ceased to be a party member after his executive committee took the party to court, Mr Kaande said such were the regulations of the MMD but that since they were made by the people, it was up to the same people to bend them.
Mr Mwaanga said it was important for the NEC to realise that the president himself had reconciled with Mr Namakando and the rest of the NEC members and follow the path the president had taken.
“Unless this is done, the party will leave itself open to acrimony. The provincial executive committee is next to the NEC and this is why I am saying the party should find a way of dealing with this issue,” he said.
He said President Banda’s stance to reconcile with Mr Namakando should not be taken as a sign of weakness but that the president had looked at a broader picture, a position he said was the best for the party and its members.
He believed that the party had the capacity to deal with various matters in an amicable way and advised senior members of the party to stop attacking each other in the Press.
Mr Mwaanga said senior members of the party should show that they were able to handle issues internally because what was currently happening did not paint a good picture to the members.
He advised MMD members not to worry about the negative statements coming from the party’s enemies because as a party in Government, the MMD had scored various successes in growing the economy, poverty reduction, agriculture, health and in education.
He said the MMD needed to manage its politics well as it prepared for the 2011 tripartite elections.
Mr Mwaanga said the policies of the MMD had won accolades from the international community which was why the party’s enemies were attacking it on a daily basis.
A 40 year old man has committed suicide after murdering a 57 year old man in chief Mailo’s area in Serenje district.
Serenje District Police Officer Commanding Daniel Mseteka said William Chiwama 40, took poison and died after he was queried about the death of Handless Chibuye.
Mr. Mseteka told ZANIS in Serenje today that Chiwama and Chibuye were both of Nansala area in Serenje district.
He said the two men were together on December 24th but Chibuye was not seen the following day.
He said this prompted people to ask Chiwama about the whereabouts of his colleague.
Mr. Mseteka said Chiwama expressed ignorance about where Chibuye was but he later took Zinc Sulphate and died.
He explained that a search was then conducted and Chibuye’s body was found wrapped in a sack in a stream.
He further explained that the body Chibuye’s body had multiple injuries which indicating that the deceased could have been killed.
Mr. Mseteka suspected that Chiwama took poison because he killed his friend.
The two bodies are lying in Chitambo Hospital mortuary.
In a related development, a 47 year old man working for Lwimba Ranch in Chongwe district as a driver has died from suspected poisoning.
The man, identified as Stephen Phiri, is believed to have been poisoned on Sunday while drinking beer at a named nearby village.
Both police and a family spokesperson Vincent Zulu confirmed the death of Phiri yesterday to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS).
M. Zulu said the deceased was discovered dead in his bedroom by his daughter early yesterday.
He explained that the deceased was on Sunday drinking beer with people who have not been yet identified.
Mr. Zulu further explained that when the deceased returned home around 18:00 hours, he complained of severe stomach pains.
He said the deceased’s children and neighbours gave him porridge and milk and went to sleep.
Mr. Zulu said the late Phiri’s wife was away in Lusaka and no one checked for the deceased in the night until the following morning when his daughter found him dead.
And police in Chongwe have since picked up the body of the deceased and taken it to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for postmortem.
Meanwhile, workers at the ranch have called on police in the district to investigate the matter and bring the culprit to book.
Government says the Media plays a vital role in the dissemination of information in the country.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Ngosa Chisupa said there is need to enhance the dissemination of information in the country because it helps the public to make informed decisions.
Mr Chisupa was speaking in Lusaka today after a familiarizations tour of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).
He said government will continue providing a conducive environment in terms of policy and discharging of the duties of ZNBC.
Mr. Chisupa urged ZNBC to utilise the “support to media institutions” public funds that have been set aside for improving the quality of the media in the country.
He said there is need to for partnerships in helping the corporation in the process of digital migration by 2015.
And ZNBC Director General Juliana Mwila said the corporation has an establishment of 502 employees but currently has 441 including those for TV2.
Ms. Mwila said 80 percent of its income is sourced from advertising and 20 percent is sourced from government and other sources.
She called for increased allocation of resources to the corporation, saying the survival of the media depends much on resources.
Ms. Mwila revealed that US 13 million dollars is needed for the corporation to facilitate the digital migration programme.
