POLICE in Mpulungu have denied granting a permit to PF-UPND pact cadres who had wanted to hold a solidarity march to celebrate their victory in Kasama Central.

The cadres were yesterday planning to hold celebrations slated for today for their Kasama Central by – election victory but their plans were thwarted by police in the area.

In a statement co-signed by the pact’s district chairman Reuben Chisenga and District Secretary Muchinzi Mwazya, the two party officials stated that the solidarity march would not go ahead as planned.

And in a separate interview, Mr Mwazya expressed disappointment that police had infringed on their constitutional rights to assemble and freely express their feelings by denying them a permit.

He dismissed some of the reasons advanced by police to deny them a permit as flimsy.

Mr Mwazya, who also the Pact Secretary, said among the many reasons given by police were that the celebrations could have triggered a counter reaction from MMD cadres that could have endangered peace in the township.

He however noted that a celebration was not a protest of any kind and felt that police had treated his members unfairly because if MMD had won, they would have been allowed to celebrate without any restrictions.

Mr Mwazya also pointed out that it wouldn’t have been possible for the PF-UPND pact to have given police a seven day notice in advance as they were claiming because it was not clear who would emerge victorious in Kasama.

” The PF-UPND pact will now watch closely and with interest on how police will react if MMD wins any by-election in the near future. We shall closely observe how they are going to handle such a case,” Mr Mwazya stated.

Mwazya appealed to police to be professional and discharge their duties in the public interest.

He further added that his members were saddened because they had been denied a chance to celebrate together with their colleagues in Kasama, saying the Kasama central by- election was an important victory for the PF-UPND pact.

Efforts to get a comment from police in the area proved futile by press time.

The PF-UPND pact’s candidate Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba on Friday won the Kasama central by-election with 10 688 votes and was followed by MMD’s Burton Mugala who got 4184 votes.

ZANIS

United Party for National Development (UPND) has scooped the Samuteba ward by elections in Mwinilunga District which was previously held by the Movement for Multi Party Democracy’s (MMD) by a large margin .

The ward fail vacant after MMD’s Samuteba ward councilor was convicted by the court of law.

UPND Councilor Paul Mbelelengi scored 835 votes beating his only rival MMD councilor Jameson Kalilombe who managed to secure 267 votes.

The retuning officer Shadrick Mnganga announced UPND councilor Mbelelengi as the overall winner after the total votes cast yesterday were counted around 22:00 hours.

And speaking to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) after his victory was announced, UPND Councilor Mbelelengi said he was delighted to be voted as the councilor of the people of Samuteba ward.

The incoming councilor vowed to work with the people in the quest to bring development in the ward and better the plight of the people.

He said the votes cast by the people of Samuteba ward show that the people are united and want to see development in the area.

Councilor Mbelelengi said he will ensure that four community schools are opened in the ward so that pupils easily access education.

He further stressed that there is urgent need to open a big rural health center in the ward to carter for the growing population.

ZANIS

The ruling MMD has congratulated the Patriotic Front -UPND pact for winning the KASAMA Parliamentary by-election.

MMD National Secretary KATELE KALUMBA however, said the PF UPND pact’s victory in KASAMA will be short lived because the ruling party will capture the seat in 2011.

Dr KALUMBA, in an interview with ZNBC, accused the PF-UPND pact of having capitalised on falsehoods to get the KASAMA central seat.
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But PF-UPND co-spokesperson, CHARLES KAKOMA said the victory in the KASAMA by-election has boosted morale in the pact.

And All Peoples Congress leader, KEN NGONDO said his party put up a spirited fight despite the defeat.

Mr NGONDO congratulated the UPND-PF pact for scooping the seat.

[ZNBC]

Government has condemned the harassment and beating of Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) personnel by opposition political party cadres, in Livingstone yesterday.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and Chief Government Spokesperson Rev. Lt Gen. Ronnie Shikapwasha said this in a press statement made available to ZANIS this evening.

He said government has learned with disappointment that suspected cadres of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) Pact beat up a ZANIS driver and technician who were announcing the arrival of President Rupiah Banda in Livingstone.

Lt Gen. Shikapwasha has said government wishes to make it clear that announcing the arrival of the President, in any part of Zambia, is not an MMD party affair but a civic duty, which ZANIS is obliged to undertake.

“It is, therefore, unreasonable for the cadres to attack people who were performing a government duty, which the leadership of the UPND/PF Pact would also require if they came into government.” Lt Gen. Shikapwasha said.

He noted that government was extremely disappointed that the leadership of the UPND/PF Pact seems to be in support of the conduct of their cadres, as none of them has publicly condemned the incident, which saw ZANIS losing some equipment purchased with tax payers’ money.

“It is the wish of the Government to see those who have always jumped to criticise the government leadership, whenever media personnel have been attacked, to rise up to the occasion and condemn the UPND/PF pact on this unfortunate incident.” Lt Gen. Shikapwasha said.

He said the opposition has always tried to create the impression that irresponsible and unruly cadres are found in the MMD party and yet it is their cadres who can even go to the extent of attacking government workers, who are doing a job for which they have been employed.

Yesterday, ZANIS Livingstone technician, Gilbert Phiri and driver, Daniel Mulyata were attacked by suspected UPND/PF cadres armed with stones when they were announcing President Banda’s arrival in the tourist capital.

The two officers were only served after they sped off to the nearest Libuyu Police Station.The alleged cadres confiscated a microphone from the mobile van.

[ZANIS]

President Rupiah Banda says peace is a catalyst to economic development and it must be guarded jealously.

The President, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, said this in Livingstone today when he commissioned 18 Zambia Air Force (ZAF) officers at a colourful Commissioning and Wings Parade.

He said the defence forces have a highly critical responsibility of preserving, protecting and defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country in order to safeguard the citizens from both internal and external aggression.

Mr Banda said it was for this reason that the defence force should optimise the use of availbale scarce resources in order to carry out their mandate effectively.

Mr Banda said the defence forces should employ effective methods and strategies to protect the lives and property of the citizens from all sorts of adversities.

He also urged the defence forces to employ effective methods and strategies to protect the lives of the citizens against all sorts of adversities.

Mr Banda commended the defence forces for carrying out important civic duties such as food production, road works and repairs, the distribution of electoral materials during elections as well as the rehabilitation of street children.

”Engaging in these activities is important for our military to remain relevant to the needs of society even in times of peace. I expect this role to continue and that all men and women in uniform will commit themselves to making a serious contribution to our nation’s development beyond their military duties,” he said.

Mr Banda noted that government was aware of the numerous challenges that personnel in the defence forces faced in carrying out their duties .

The President said despite the challenges the defence forces faced, he did not expect them to lose sight of their primary calling of defending and protecting the nation.

”As defenders of our peace and security, I expect you to remain focussed and disciplined. The government is mindful of the limitations of resources and we are addressing most of the challenges that confront the well being of our personnel,” he said.

Mr Banda reminded the graduating officers that they have embarked on a very noble career that demanded strict discipline and commitment to duty.

”For this reason, your character must be beyond reproach. As pledged in your oath of allegiance, you should always remeber that the security of our nation lies squarely on your shoulders,” he said.

He urged the officers not to relax at any time or take peace for granted but to be alert and remain vigilant at all times.

The President also said officers were expected to implement good ideas and rise above all challenges by striving to be open minded, non-partisan and by saving the country with honour, commitment and dignity.

He also warned the newly commissioned officers against the dangers of HIV/AIDS which has ravaged the country, adding that the scourge possed a serious threat to the effectiveness of the defence forces because it affects physical and mental fitness of its victims.

The President also said he was happy to learn that among the graduating officers were young women who had trained alongside their male counterparts as pilots, and urged them to rise the challenges of military life and compete for promotion like their male coleagues.

And speaking earlier, ZAF Commander, Samuel Mapala, thanked government for its continued support to the defence forces.

The ZAF Commander also noted that the graduating officers had undergone general, military and professional courses, adding that he was confident they would contribute positively to the service.

Of the 18 newly commissioned officers, 10 are Pilots and eight are Engineers.

[ZANIS]

The PF-UPND pact emerged as winners of yesterday’s elections held across the country. The pact won the Kasama seat and two other ward elections seat.

In Kasama, PF candidate, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, amassed 10 688 votes and was followed by MMD’s Burton Mugala who polled 4 184 votes.UNIP candidate Alexander Chansa was third with 189 votes with Independent, Mohammed Ayoub Hamir, managing 170 votes. Another Independent candidate, Christy Ntalasha, got 50 votes with APC’s candidate Maggie Ngona trailing with only 40 votes. This is according to results from all the 50 polling stations in the constituency.

In Livingstone, The United Party for National Development (UPND) won the Kasiya ward by-election in Livingstone.UPND candidate, Cacius Mauma emerged winner after the returning officer, Tedson Nyirongo, cast a lot following a tie between the UPND and MMD.This is in accordance with the Electoral Act of 2006 and the Electoral Returning Officer’s Handbook. The Act allows the Returning Officer to decide between the candidates with tying votes by lot.

Both the UPND and MMD candidates polled a total of 497 from the seven polling stations, forcing the returning officer to cast a lot to determine the winner.

Official results indicated that UPND’s Mauma polled a total of 497 votes, MMD’s Mary Chiwisha Kaimba got 497 votes, while United Liberal Party’s candidate, Ifunga Mubiana, got 110 votes and UNIP’s candidate, Mwansa Andreas, only polled a total of 16 votes.

And Returning Officer,Mr Nyirongo, has described the general situation as peaceful with no serious incidences experienced. Mr Nyirongo said the general turnout was better than in the previous by-election in Maramba ward.

He said a total of 1,128 registered voters in Kasiya ward cast their vote out of about 2,800, representing about a 40 per cent turnout. The winner was declared around 01:45hours this morning.

In Itezhi-tezhi district, the opposition Patriotic Front PF/UPND pact scooped the Lubanda ward local government by-elections by a landslide victory.

A local pastoral and farmer, Harrison Kamano, won the seat after getting over 491 votes under the PF/UPND ticket.

The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) candidate, Bettis Mambonwa, managed to get just over 240 votes as a closest rival, while UNIP got 48 votes only.

The Lubanda ward seat fell vacant following the incaceration of former UPND councllor, Harry Namaluba, for participating in unlawful assembly at which he incited people to dethrone chief Shimbizhi.

Returning Officer, Cheembo Mangwato, officially declared Mr Kamano as the new councillor for Lubanda ward last night at 20:00 hours.

ZANIS