Evangelical Youth Alliance International President Moses Lungu has described as shocking and morally elusive former Defense Minister George Mpombo’s continued attacks on him.

Rev Lungu says Mr. Mpombo should give him respect as a man of God because that was what the bible instructs.

He said during the late President Levy Mwanawasa’s rule, he was one of the few people brave enough to put his head on the chopping board to defend the late President’s administration on the fight against corruption.

He bragged that he, as a clergyman, did so much to ensure that corruption levels in the country were brought down to minimal levels.

Rev Lungu said during Mr. Mpombo has no reason to call him names such as a religious quack, a dubious image builder, a political toxin, a masquerading cleric, a hired gun and a one man army.

The clergyman dispelled the former minister ‘s assertions that he had been excommunicated from the church contrary to what was obtaining on the ground.

He said the former minister’s assertion were demeaning and tantamount to defamation of character.

Rev Lungu said Mr Mpombo’s attacks must be a wake up call for Zambians especially the youths to be wary of self centered politicians who only use innocent citizens for personal gains.

“ It is also shocking that Mr. Mpombo could issue unpalatable and demeaning statements on President Rupiah Banda and his former colleague, Minister of Works and Supply Mike Mulongoti,” he said.

Rev Lungu wondered what development projects Mr. Mpombo was concentrating on making disparaging remarks contrary to his declaration at the time he quite his ministrial Defence minister portfolio.

He said Mr. Mpombo must stop issuing these retrogressive statements as they only served to retard development in the nation.

Rev Lungu charged that the former minister has failed his constituency and the nation in general.

He has also called on the former defence minister to desist from engaging in tribal politics in order for the nation to move forward.

He said if one man from a particular province is given the mandate to govern the nation, it was the duty for everyone in the country to give that person all the support for the betterment of the nation.

Rev Lungu further maintained that the former Defense Minister still owes the Zambian people a convincing statement on why he decided to resign from the highest hierarchy of politics.

ZANIS

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu has strongly condemned Patriotic Front Vice President Guy Scot and his PF members for politicizing weekend’s Ukusefya Pa Ngw’ena traditional ceremony.

And alert police officers have picked up a suspected PF cadre who attempted to display a banner denouncing second republican president Dr. Frederick Chiluba.

The Paramount Chief got incensed after Dr. Scot together with some PF cadres, who included aspiring Kasama Central candidate Geoffrey Mwamba, walked to the main arena in disguise of appreciating traditional dances but later stood there in a bid to attract attention from the audience.

He said it was unacceptable for the PF officials and cadres to engage in partisan politics at a traditional ceremony, which is non-partisan.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu ordered the PF leadership to stop any form of campaigns at the ceremony.

He said he was not happy with what the PF officials and cadres did at the ceremony.

The Chief warned that he would not tolerate politician trying to hijack his ceremony.

Meanwhile, police are holding a suspected PF cadre for unruly behaviour.

The Cadre had earlier walked to the VIP shelter and attempted to display a banner attacking Dr. Chiluba.

Police have since launched investigations to establish those who sponsored the suspected PF cadre to behave in a disorderly manner at the Ukusefya Pa Ngw’ena traditional ceremony.

Meanwhile, Vice President George Kunda has charged that Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata is a finished politician and is not a threat to the ruling MMD.

Mr. Kunda said Mr. Sata has virtually lost support in Luapula and Northern provinces, which he used to claim as his strongholds.

The Vice President said the MMD would diminish the little support that the PF leader has during the Kasama Central by-election.

Mr. Kunda said MMD candidate in the vacant Kasama Central seat would defeat PF candidate Geoffrey Mwamba because the latter does not have the interest of the people at heart.

He stated that the fact that Mr Mwamba dismounted his Milling Plant in Kasama and relocated it to Lusaka was a clear indication that he was insensitive to the plight of people in the District.

Mr. Kunda urged the electorates in Kasama Central constituent not to experiment leadership with people who do not have proven track record of working for the people.

The Vice President said, yesterday,that his campaign team is in Kasama to finish off the opposition PF by telling the people the truth.

Mr. Kunda said PF candidate in the forthcoming Kasama central by election Geoffrey Mwamba has come to Kasama for asset stripping because he was rejected politician after he lost the Kabwata constituency in Lusaka.

He urged the people of Kasama not to forget how the PF stripped off the plant at Kasama Milling.

Mr. Kunda said the ruling MMD would concentrate on issue based campaigns in order to win the Kasama Central seat.

The Kasama Central seat fell vacant after the resignation of PF Member of Parliament Saviour Chishimba last month.

The By-election takes place on October 15.Six candidates are contesting the seat.

ZANIS

South African High Commissioner to Zambia Moses Chikane says the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region has done fairly well in combating the negative effects of the global financial crisis.

Mr Chikane says the SADC region has managed to put in place positive and sound economic interventions that have helped in lessening the negative effects of the global financial recession.

He said SADC states are an interesting family of young democracies that engage themselves in their quest to find their feet economically.

The South African High Commissioner noted that the global recession had negative effects on many sectors of the economy in SADC and the African continent in general.

Mr Chikane told ZANIS in an interview that despite financial recession affecting many sectors of the region’s economy, SADC has done fairly well economically.

Mr Chikane has however called on SADC states to coordinate the transport system in the region in order to boost the tourism industry in the region.

He said without proper coordination of the transport system, the hospitality will continue having flight problems it is currently facing.

Mr Chikane said there is need for SADC states to begin a one stop traveling system especially in the aviation sector.

He said this would make it possible for small airlines to fly to places where bigger airlines have no interest in.

ZANIS

When the Lord Jesus gave the great commission to His followers to go into all the world, in order to make disciples (new followers) of all nations, His expectation could not have been that only these approximately one hundred and twenty (Acts 1:15) followers of His will manage to fulfill this great task with the limited resources of their time. The only way this task could be accomplished was by passing on the commission to whoever becomes a follower so they can also pass it on.

On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1) the number of followers had increased through the preaching of Peter and the eleven (Acts 2:14) and on that day about three thousand souls were added to the followers of Jesus (Acts 2:41). From that time people were being added daily to the Church, but we do not see these disciples going out of Jerusalem into other far geographical areas as per command (..into all the world – Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8b). Not until a great persecution rose against the Church, which was at Jerusalem do we see them move into other regions and as they went, they continued to spread the gospel and fulfill the great commission.

In Acts 8:4-8, Philip went to a city in Samaria and the Lord used him to influence the city for Christ. In the same chapter and verses 26-38 Philip preaches to a eunuch, who was a man of great authority in Ethiopia. The Lord by divine arrangement chose to minister to this person, as he was one of the “links” to passing on the great commission to Africans.

In the early Church persecution was the vehicle that accelerated obedience to the command of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. The Lord wants us to carry on the great commission in the West no matter the reasons that caused us to migrate. Many in the West have heard about Christ but they have not ‘seen Him.’ Christ said, “As my Father has sent Me, I also send you (John 20:21).” As Christ represented the Father, so our need to represent Him wherever we are by doing what we see Him do (John 5:19). We have been sent and authorised by Jesus Christ to do His works (John 14:12). As some have said, “Preach Christ, if necessary use words,” and also, “Actions speaks louder than words.”

Bishop Jeston & Rev. Charity Katebe

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love”
(Psalm 59:17, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

In the Bible, David had all kinds of challenges. People lied about him, accused him, and tried to kill him. In Psalm 59 he says, “My enemies are coming against me like vicious dogs trying to destroy me. But as for me, what am I going to do? I will sing about Your power. And I will shout for joy for You are my refuge, my place of safety in my day of distress.”

Notice, in David’s time of need, he wasn’t sitting around having a pity party and complaining. He decided to sing about the greatness of God. He was saying in effect, “My enemies may be powerful, but I know my God is all powerful. My obstacles may be high, but I know my God is the Most High.” He wasn’t talking to God about how big his problems were; he was talking to his problems about how big his God was!

Do you need to change your song today? Instead of complaining and thinking about what you’re not, start thanking God for what you are becoming. Just like David, stay in faith and sing to the Lord knowing that He’s going to complete what He’s started in you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Father God, today I choose to focus on You. I bless and praise You no matter what my circumstances look like. I know that You are on my side and thank You for always leading me in the path of victory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Vice President George Kunda is scheduled to arrive in Kasama to grace the 2009 Ukusefya Pang’wena traditional ceremony of the Bemba speaking people.

According to the programme from the provincial administration made available to ZANIS in Kasama today, the Vice President is scheduled to touch down at Kasama Airport at 09:30 hours.

Mr Kunda will thereafter make a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief Chitimukulu before officiating at the Ukusefya Pang’wena ceremony.

Later in the afternoon the Vice President is expected to meet the MMD Provincial and District Committee members, as well as the Kasama Central Constituency Executive Committee members, to be followed up a private dinner organized in his honour.

On Sunday, Vice President Kunda will first attend a church service at Saint Johns Cathedral, before departing for Chishimba Falls where he will launch the Tourism Week.

On the same day in the afternoon, the Vice President will address an MMD rally at Chilubula Basic School to drum up support for MMD candidate in the forthcoming Kasama central Parliamentary By election Burton Mugala.

On Monday, Vice President Kunda will officiate at the Ground Breaking ceremony for a US$9 million Water Project at Kapoka Village, before inspecting an irrigation project and maize purchasing exercise in Lukulu North Farm Block located within Kasama.

Later, the Vice President is scheduled to address a second MMD rally at Chishimba Basic School in the afternoon.

Mr Kunda is on Tuesday scheduled to tour Chikumanino and Town Center Markets, before launching Phase One of the Street lighting exercise in Kasama town, before his departure for Lusaka at around 14:30 hours.

The Kasama Parliament seat fell vacant following the resignation of incumbent PF Member of Parliament Savior Chishimba.

Six candidates are contesting in the by election which is scheduled to take place on October 15.

The PF/UPND are fielding Georfrey Mwamba, while Alexander Chansa is standing on the UNIP ticket.

Others are All People Congress (APC) Maggie Ng’ona, while Pastor Christy Ntalasha and Muhammad Ayoub are standing as independents.

ZANIS