The British Government has been given a seven-day ultimatum by a consortium of political parties known as the Forum for Political Parties (FPP) on its alleged involvement in Zambia’s internal affairs.

FPP Spokesperson Charles Kafumba flanked by Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) National Coordinator Edwin Sakala, Party for Unity Democracy Development (PUDD) Secretary General Dennis Sichinde presenting the petition at the British High Commission in Lusaka today.

FPP sympathisers displayed a placard denouncing the British government with a message; “No British interference. Former colonialists respect our sovereignty,”

A Security Manager at the British High Commission, Tim Parkinson received the petition on behalf of the British government but refused to answer questions from both the FPP and Journalists insisting “No comment”.

Soon after presenting the petition, Mr. Kafumba expressed disappointment and accused the British government of having sponsored the civil society and some Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to gang-up and incite anarchy in the country.
Mr. Kafumba, who is also National Democratic Party (NDP) Secretary General, challenged the British government to disclose and inform the nation how much it has spent so far on funding the task force on corruption.

He said the case of former republican president Fredrick Chiluba is closed and appealed to the British government not to control Zambia any more because Zambians are capable of running their own affairs.

ZDDM National Co-ordinator Edwin Sakala charged that civil society and NGOs Chief Executive Officers are on foreign payroll receiving money from the British government to continue honking and causing anarchy in the country.

Mr. Sakala expressed disappointment that the British government has ignored the Geneva Convention which compels foreign nations to utilise diplomatic channels of communications and instead funded Zambian civil society organisations.

He advised the British government to stop funding the Task Force because the funds are from tax-payers’ in that country and could be channeled to key sectors of the economy.

He alleged that the FPP is aware that an individual prosecutor is getting 10 million British Pounds every sitting and another K100, 000 million salary per month for a Taskforce Chairperson.

He said the Zambian Anti-Corruption Commission is capable of handling and disposing off court cases.

He lashed out at the British government High Commission Tom Carter should be ashamed of himself because of his clandestine and continued utterances in the media advising him to respect the sovereignty of Zambia as a State.

And heavily armed security officers have sealed the British Embassy in Lusaka. Zambia Police Officers are keeping vigil at the British Embassy and the petitioners were not allowed inside and they presented their petition at the gate.

Meanwhile, the Citizens Committee (CC) has expressed disappointment that some civil societies are being used by Western countries to rise against the Zambian government instead of rising to the occasion to defend their country.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, CC Executive Directive Gregory Chifire suggested that government should depot diplomats who neglect to respect the sovereignty of the country.

Mr Chifire alleged that his organization is aware of some civil society and Non-governmental organizations that are receiving monies from Western countries to cause anarchy in the country.

Mr. Chifire said it is unfortunate that some diplomats accredited to Zambia have ganged up with some civil society organizations and NGOs in the country to de-stabilize the internal affairs and governance of the nation.
ZANIS

The Movement for Multy-Party Democracy (MMD) Western Province Treasurer, Michael Kaingu has said the party in the province did not consult him or other senior members before deciding to call for a convention.

Mr. Kaingu has meanwhile said that he is still in support for calls from people in other provinces including NEC for the MMD to postpone its convention.

Mr Kaingu, said it is irrelevant for the province to oppose calls to defer the party’s national convention.

Mr. Kaingu said this is because more than six provinces have already endorsed calls for the postponement of the convention, making the decision by the executive in Western province pointless

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Kaingu said he and other senior members of the party were not consulted as alleged by the MMD provincial youth Chairman over the need to hold a convention.

He said he was not even part of the team which met in the province last week to discuss the issue of the convention.

He charged that if consulted he would have provided good guidance to the other members on how to handle the issue of holding the convention.[quote]

Mr. Kaingu said the MMD does not have enough money to spend on the convention and challenged all those calling for it to start raising money to hold it.

He further charged that the MMD in the province risks becoming irrelevant for not supporting other provinces who are calling for the postponement of the convention until after the 2011 general elections.

Mr. Kaingu said the party’s constitution mandates that decisions made by more than seven provinces should be accepted as law adding that about seven have since agreed not to hold convention.

He said he also wanted to stand as NEC member during the convention but he has decided to follow what the majority have resolved.

Mr. Kaingu has advised his youth chairman to desist from attacking him and other senior members of the party.

ZANIS

The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has condemned Saturday’s clash between the ruling MMD and PF cadres during their campaigns in Kasama.

FODEP President, Stanly Mhango told ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday that the foundation strongly condemns the act of political violence adding that it should have no part in Zambian politics.

He said FODEP has always advocated for free, fair and clean campaigns and called on political parties to abide by the electoral code of conducts.

The fight ensued when PF cadres tried to impound a campaign vehicle belonging to the ruling MMD party on suspicion that it was a government vehicle.

Mr. Mhango said it was wrong for the PF to act on a mere suspicion saying they should have followed the right procedure rather than taking the law in their hands.

He said they should have reported the case to the police or the electoral commission of Zambia who could have known what measure to take against the MMD.

He has also advised the MMD campaign team to avoid using unregistered vehicles as this was also the cause of confusion during the Chitambo by-elections.

Mr. Mhango has meanwhile commended police for their swift action in quelling the violence between the two parties.

He has also appealed to both parties and others to conduct issue based campaigns rather than resorting to violence and other malpractices.

Mr. Mhango said he is however impressed with the way campaigns have been conducted in Kasama so far.

He said apart from the tribal remarks uttered by PF candidate, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) that Kasama is for Bembas and this recent incident not many cases have been reported so far.

Mr. Mhango said this by-election has been a good one compared to the previous one as political parties have shown maturity in their conducts.

He has also advised the people of Kasama to choose for themselves a leader who will represent them well and bring development in the area.

ZANIS

Government has maintained that the law will take its course on any person trying to destabilize the peace of other members of the public.

Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani says there is need for people in the country to desist from activities that are likely to disturb and bring confusion in the country.

Mr. Mangani told journalists in Lusaka yesterday that, the police have the mandate to ensure that peace prevails in the country including the roads at all times.

He noted that people planning to use the roads to cause confusion will be dealt with by the police adding that they also risk being arrested.

Mr. Mangani further cautioned that unnecessary honking and whistling on roads is an offence and any person found wanting will be arrested.

The Minster was reacting to the decision by 18 Civil Society Organizations (CSO) who have vowed to continue honking and whistling against Dr. Chiluba’s acquittal.

Last week a consortium of 18 CSOs devised various strategies such as honking and whistling as a way of protesting against the acquittal of former President Chiluba.

And nine motorists among them two Patriotic Front (PF) Members of Parliament have since been arrested and charged with conduct likely to breach public peace and unnecessary hooting contrary to the laws of Zambia.

ZANIS