By Henry Kyambalesa

I wish to comment on the donation of various relief items worth US$100,000 to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID should be commended for making the donation, which includes blankets, tents, shovels, wheelbarrows, water containers, sanitary towels, and other essential items.

However, there is a need for donor countries and humanitarian organizations to be politically sensitive when making donations designed to assist needy members of Zambian society. They need to be aware of the potential for selective distribution of relief supplies to affected communities by the ruling political party with the intention of gaining political leverage in elections.

In this regard, donor countries and humanitarian organizations need to advocate for the creation, by the Zambian government, of a statutory and autonomous government agency that would perform its duties without any political meddling or manipulation by government officials designed to achieve partisan objectives.

The agency should also be responsible for providing assistance to the needy and, therefore, should incorporate the functions of the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme currently administered through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, and which includes the Social Cash Transfer Scheme.

Suggestively, the agency could be referred to as the “Welfare and Emergency Management Bureau,” and should be accountable to the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Welfare. DMMU, which is currently vested in the Office of the Vice-President, is very likely to be abused by the MMD or future ruling political parties for partisan purposes.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“…Prepare the way for the Lord.”
(Isaiah 40:3, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Everyone goes through seasons of waiting. A lot of times, people just sit back and wait for God to do everything. But you have to remember to do your part and make preparations. You have to talk like it’s going to happen and act like it’s going to happen. Some people might say, “Well, Joel, what if I do this and it doesn’t happen?” But I say what if you do and it does happen? And even if things don’t turn out the way you had hoped, you’d still be better off living your life positive and hopeful than you would to go around down and discouraged.

I love what David said in the Bible, “God, my times are in your hands.” He was saying, “God, I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but I know You know what’s best for me.” So I’m going to go out today expecting good things. And even if it doesn’t happen, I’m not going to go to bed all disappointed. I’m going to go to bed knowing that I’m one day closer to seeing my dreams and desires come to pass!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Father in heaven, I dedicate this day to You. Show me how to prepare for You to move in my life. Help me guard my words and thoughts as I put my trust in You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Joel Osteen ministries

Central province minister Ackimson Banda yesterday morning narrowly escaped death when an unknown person in Mkushi district stoned his official car.

Both Mkushi district police officer commanding Daniel Mseteka and Mr Banda confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Kabwe.

Mr. Banda who is also Serenje central Member of Parliament (MP) was on an official trip to Serenje when the incident happened at about 08:30hrs.

Mr Banda explained that as they approached Chalata area in Mkushi, a man sprang up from a bush and threw a stone onto the moving vehicle, a Mitsubishi registration number GRZ 773 BX smashing the windscreen on the side of the driver.

The minister said his driver, Enoch Phiri managed to control the vehicle avoiding what could possibly have been a fatal accident.

He said despite the incident he proceeded to Serenje because he was rushing to attend a special developmental meeting in his constituency.

And Mr Mseteka confirmed the incident and said the matter was reported to Serenje police and that police were
investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, a Kabwe businessman was last night shot in the leg at his home in Highridge by armed men.

Central Province Police Chief Simon Mpande said the armed men were trailing the man, Jean-Marie Mukopa in his 40s, when he was going back to his home at about 23hrs.

Mr. Mpande explained that as his vehicle entered the gate at his home, the armed men also drove in before the guard could close the gates.

He said they quickly got out and held the guard who screamed for help forcing Mukopa who had already entered the house, to come to see what was happening.

Mr. Mpande said it was at this moment that they opened fire and shot Mukopa, in the leg before they drove out and sped off.

Mr. Mpande who said Mukopa was rushed to Kabwe Mine Hospital for medical attention added that police have launched investigations into the matter.

And a check by ZANIS staff at the Mine hospital found that Mukopa had been evacuated to a hospital in Lusaka.

ZANIS

Zambia Air Force ( ZAF) Brig General Montah Chileshe has warned officers against involvement in political activities as the country builds up to the 2011 Presidential and general elections.

Brig General Chileshe said there is need for the military personnel to avoid politicking or getting involved in partisan politics at all costs.

Brig Gen Chileshe noted that the role of military personnel is to serve the government of the day hence the need to maintain a non partisan stance as demanded by the national constitution and oath of allegiance.

He was speaking at the ZAF Headquarters Officers’ annual Ball held at Chamber valley officers Mess last night.

Brig Gen Chileshe also called for discipline and integrity among military personnel in the prevailing global economic crisis.

Meanwhile Twin Palm ZAF Brig Gen Daniel Banda has urged officers to be alert and guard against vices of sabotage, pilferage, theft and damage of property.

Brig Gen Daniel Banda was speaking in Lusaka last night at the ZAF Twin Palm 2009 officer’s annual ball at Twine Palm Officers’ Mess.

Brig gen Banda further urged the officers to continue being disciplined noting that their commitment and hard work shown throughout the year should continue.

He said discipline and integrity among military personnel was cardinal and further urged them to desist from extravagance lives with the prevailing global economic crisis.

He also thanked the ZAF Ladies Club for their continued support in uplifting the welfare of ZAF personnel and communities through building of hospitals and schools in their bases.

ZANIS

Vice President George Kunda has disclosed that Zambia is liable to compensate Lusaka Lawyer Dr. Rodger Chongwe.

And Mr. Kunda has said that there are no provisions to register Dr. Chongwe’s case in the Zambian courts contrary to claims by the Law Association of Zambia.

Mr. Kunda says Dr. Chongwe’s case is being ably handled by the office of the Attorney-General in accordance with the constitutional provisions and the United Nations Convention on Human Rights under which Dr. Chongwe ‘s claim was lodged.

He says Solicitor-General and Acting Attorney-General Abyudi Shonga made the necessary negotiations as a Constitutional Office Holder representing government to arrive at the compensation.

The Vice President was speaking during a press briefing at his office in Lusaka today.

Mr. Kunda stated that Zambia being a member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) was found Zambia liable to pay Dr. Chongwe the sum of US$6.7 million as compensation.

He stressed that as Vice President and Minister of Justice and on the instruction of President Banda, he met Dr. Chongwe and referred him to the Attorney-General where the matter was dealt with in full.

“I can confirm that in 1997 Dr Chongwe was short by police and medical evidence is there. Zambia was found liable to the party of UNHRC which Zambia is a member of. As government we are merely executing the legal issue or court ruling.

There are many serious cases before the Office of the Attorney General to pay and not just that of Dr. Chongwe which is even less. This matter was dealt with in accordance with the law and there was no impropriety in the way it was dealt with. The whole process was left to the AG to negotiate a reasonable sum of compensation,” Mr. Kunda said.

And has Mr. Kunda described as malicious and politically motivated, allegations by the Law Association of Zambia that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Chalwe Muchenga was being controlled by the Executive.
He said the allegation was merely aimed at casting aspersions on the integrity of the person holding the office of the DPP.

The Vice President said there was no way the executive could meddle into the constitutional mandate of the DPP.

Mr. Kunda said he is proud to be a member of LAZ but was not happy with manner some of its members inclined to the opposition are influencing LAZ President to do wrong things.

“I’m proud to belong to LAZ. I love my president Mr. Lungu except I am not happy in the manner LAZ is operating because there are people using it as a legal Body influencing Mr. Lungu to do wrong things and abusing the Body,” he lamented.

He said LAZ should be a professional, independent and reputable legal body but regretted that its President Steven Lungu is surrounded by a few Patriotic Front (PF) individuals who are tarnishing the name of the association.

Mr. Kunda further accused Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata of working with LAZ to undermine government.

The Vice President challenged LAZ to come to his Office and help find best ways of amending some of the archaic laws than concentrating on politically motivated legal matters.

He dismissed calls by both LAZ and some sectors of the society for the resignation of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga.

The Vice President maintained that the DPP has not done anything wrong adding that many legal practitioners were not consulted on the issue of having Mr. Mchenga dismissed.

He said Mr. Mchenga is a well qualified lawyer who enjoys security of tenure.

The Vice President said government shall only accept constructive criticisms and that any departure from that amounts to under-mining government of the day.

ZANIS/