Four aspiring candidates for the Solwezi central constituency seat have successfully filed in their nominations for the parliamentary by-election set for November 19 this year.

Forum for Democratic Alternative (FDA) candidate Muhammed Kalela was the first one to file in his nomination at about 10:25 hours accompanied by his party president Dr Ludwig Sondashi and 10 of his supporters.

He was followed by the United Party for National Development (UPND)/Patriotic Front (PF) PACT candidate Watson Lumba who was accompanied by the UPND president Hakahinde Hichilema,and 10 of his supporters filed in at about 11:07 hours.

Others were an independent candidate Tomas Kafula and Movement for Multi-Party democracy (MMD) Albert Chifita at about 11:33 and 13; 30 hours respectively.

Solwezi central constituency by-lection returning officer Elizabeth Kanoka announced the four valid nominations filed in by MMD, UPND/PF Pact, FDA and independent candidates saying no nomination was rejected.

Ms Kanoka announced the results some few minutes after 15 hours.

In another development UPND/PF pact and MMD supporters crushed at Chawama after police allegedly relocated UPND/PF pact from the show grounds to Chawama.

UPND party spokes person Charles Kakoma has accused the police of causing and the violence that happened between MMD and the pact after their candidate filed -in his nomination by relocating them from the place they had earlier been given a permit for.[quote]

“There was bad violence which was supported by both the police and MMD supporters and I am very disappointed that the police exhibited total unprofessionalism,” Mr Kakoma alleged

He said his party was allocated Solwezi show grounds by the police as their gathering point to address party issues which was later alleged given to MMD by the police.

Mr Kakoma said number of an disclosed people were caught up in the fracas and suffered injuries, lost property, cars bashed and windscreens shattered.

Northwestern province police chief Fabian katiba refused to comment over the matter and referred all queries to police spokes person Bonnie Kapeso in Lusaka who by press time said he had not yet received any report on the matter.

ZANIS

PARLIAMENTARY chief whip, Vernon Mwaanga, says Government has no intentions of calling early general elections because the MMD was constitutionally elected into power.

Mr Mwaanga whose position is equivalent to that of a cabinet minister said Government under the leadership of President Banda will continue with its mandate of running the affairs of the country until the MMD’s term of office comes to an end in 2011.

Mr Mwaanga said this in Parliament on Tuesday when contributing to debate on the 2010 national budget.
He said political parties calling for early elections are merely politicking and trying to agitate for anarchy in the country.

Mr Mwaanga said President Banda has performed exceptionally well, adding that he is optimistic that Zambians will give MMD another term of office beyond the 2011 general elections.

“Now, I have heard some politicians saying Government should call for early elections. Let me say this, we have no intentions of doing that because we were elected constitutionally and we will continue with our term of office until the general elections.

“So, as long as the MMD is still in power, the best is yet to come because even international investors have shown confidence in the way we manage the affairs of this country,” he said.

Mr Mwaanga said opposition political party leaders should resist attempts to transform into professional critics but offer credible solutions to the problems the country is facing.

He said Government is looking forward to a time when the opposition will join hands and work to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

“As a country, if we have to reach the desired level of development, all members of Parliament must join hands with us (Government) so that we can service and uplift the lives of our people, because if we continue attacking each other for political gains, development will remain adamant,” Mr Mwaanga said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

A clergyman in Kafue has appealed to employers not to abuse maids by subjecting them to do works which could be carried out by their wives.

Apostolic Faith Mission in Zambia Bishop, Kingswell Sichela, said it is immoral for employers to subject maids to do dirty works such as washing underpants, taking food for their bosses to their bedroom and forcing them to have sex with them.

Bishop Sichela noted that it was unfortunate that such activities were happening in homes where some women live certain works to their maids, adding that maids are there to supplement works in a home.

The bishop was speaking during the graduation ceremony for 70 maids who graduated in house-keeping and catering orgainised by the Meclas Training Centre.

He commended Faith Fruitful International Ministries for coming up with a course to empower maids so that they know their rights and do their jobs professionally.

And Speaking at the same function, Gods Faithful Ministries International Director, Pastor Media Mweemba, said her ministry has decided to empower women with skills so that they could stand on their own and stop depending on men for everything.

Pastor Mweemba noted that most of the graduands are already employed and working in good institutions, and urged them to put the knowledge they acquired to good use.

ZANIS

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has recorded a deficit of K573.9 billion below target in revenue collected between January and September this year.

ZRA Commissioner General Chriticles Mwansa said the tax revenue out-turn largely due to on account of poor performance in trade taxes adding that this was lower than the projected revenue collection in terms of trade taxes

He said in the period under review ZRA collected K8, 717.5 billion in gross taxes while the refunds stood at K1, 644.9 billion, net tax gobbled K7, 072.6 billion against a target of K7, 646.5 billion.

Mr. Mwansa said this in Lusaka today in a speech read on his behalf by ZRA Commissioner for Domestic Taxes, Wisdom Nhekairo.

The Commissioner-Gen. noted that the world financial crisis contributed to the rapid depreciation of the local currency the Kwacha against other major currencies during the first quarter of the year which resulted to slowdown in cost importation in economic activities in the country.

Mr Mwansa said in a bid to mitigate the impact of the global financial crises on trade taxes, the Authority set up measures that increased audits of the Taxpayers’ accounts in different key sectors of the economy.

He explained that the audits enabled Authority to improve revenue collections from inland taxes, a situation that is more dependable and sustainable for the nation.

The however discloses that the Authority has embarked on vigorous mining audits to ensure that they maximize revenues including taxpayers’ accounts in different sectors of the economy.

The Commissioner General added that these audits are aimed at verifying the compliance with the tax regime and validating the cost structure of these sectors that are being audited.

Mr Mwansa said the Authority commenced its pilot audits in February this year for three major mining houses in Zambia with a technical assistance of the Norwegian government.

He added that the last phase of these audits commenced last week and it is expected to be completed by the end of November this year.

The mining companies being audited are Mopani Copper Mine, Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) and Kansanshi Copper Mine respectively.

The Commissioner however, said during the review period ZRA intensified audits for small scale mining companies involved in gemstones, quarrying and those dealing in base metals to ensure comply with payment of mineral royalty.

ZANIS