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

United Party for National Development -UPND- Namwala Member of Parliament ROBBIE CHIZYUKA has been expelled from the party.

The Party says Major CHIZYUKA has failed to exculpate himself against the charges leveled against him for being against the UPND Pact with the PF.

UPND Spokesperson CHARLES KAKOMA told a media briefing that the Speaker of the National Assembly has been notified of the development and has been requested to declare the seat vacant.

When contacted for a comment Major CHIZYUKA said he is consulting his lawyers on the next course of action.

[ZNBC]

The United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) Pact have adopted Watson Lumba as their candidate for the Solwezi Central Parliamentary by-elections.

Speaking at a PF/ UPND press briefing in Lusaka toady, PF spokesperson Given Lubinda said Mr. Lumba will stand on the UPND ticket.

Mr. Lubinda said Mr Lumba has been an active politician in Solwezi and chairman of the government contracts committee in the National Management Committee (NMC) of the UPND.

He the pact is confident that the pact will scoop the seat in Solwezi because the pact is becoming sharper and clearer.

Mr. Lubinda has since called on the electorate in Solwezi Central Constituency to vote for Mr. Lumba.

The seat fell vacant after the death of Solwezi MMD area Member of Parliament (MP) Ben Tetamashimba and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set November 19th 2009 as the date of elections.

Speaking earlier UPND Chairperson for Information and Publicity Charles Kakoma announced that the party yesterday expelled Namwala Member of Parliament (MP) Major Robbie Chizyuka.

Mr. Kakoma said the expulsion comes as a result of Mr. Chizyuka’s gross misconduct which has caused discontent and despondency in the pact.

He explained that the party has since written to Mr. Chizyuka’s lawyers who have since responded on the matter.

Mr. Kakoma further explained that the Speaker of the National Assembly has also been informed and advised to declare the Namwala constituency seat vacant.

He further said the Southern Province MMD have welcomed the move to expel the area MP.

ZANIS