THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set November 19, 2009 as the date for the Solwezi Central Constituency by-election following the death of area Member of Parliament, Benny Tetamashimba last month.

ECZ senior public relations officer, Sylvia Bwalya announced in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the Solwezi Central parliamentary by-elections would take place alongside three local Government by-elections in three provinces.

The local government seats are Katete in Chienge District in Luapula Province, Nakulenga in Zambezi District in North-Western Province and Kauba in Pemba in Southern Province.

Ms Bwalya said that aspiring candidates in the by-elections should lodge in completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers on October 29, 2009 between 09:00 and 15:00 hours.

She reminded the aspirants for the parliamentary by-ections to take nine supporters who should be registered voters within the constituency.

The parliamentary candidates would also be required to pay K500, 000 non- refundable nomination fee while those for municipal council by elections would be required to pay K75, 000 and K50, 000 for those in district local authorities.

The campaign period starts on October 29 at 15:00 and ends on November 18 at 18:00 hours.

Ms Bwalya urged the non-governmental organisations wishing to monitor or observe the elections to apply for accreditation from the ECZ, which is open until November 10, 2009.

[Times of Zambia]

Lameck Mangani’s recent claim that the government has unearthed a scheme in which some prominent Zambians and some diplomats accredited to Zambia are conspiring to destabilize Zambia is a scam and an embarrassment to the people of Zambia.

Such a claim tells us volumes about the caliber of some of the current crop of government leaders. It is a clear depiction of the shallowness of some of our leaders.

The allegation that some diplomats accredited to Zambia are conspiring with citizens to destabilize the country is a very serious matter. It would be understandable if it was an MMD riff-raff who had made such an allegation, not a government Minister responsible for Home Affairs, even if such an allegation had any merit at all.

What Zambians expect from the Minister—and other Ministers as a matter of fact–is to get the police and other investigative organs of the government to investigate his suspicions thoroughly. If the findings of such an investigation confirm his suspicions, the government can seek to prosecute Zambian citizens involved in the alleged plot through the existing legal channels. And rather than rushing to the media to castigate the diplomats, a sensible government would logically write to the home governments of the diplomats involved for their action if their diplomats are found to be wanting.

It is not in the interest of any one for the Minister to unashamedly alarm the nation with unfounded allegations of a conspiracy to destabilize the country. If there is any truth to his allegations, why can’t he name the individuals involved?

Making such a serious claim without naming the culprits can only lead to rumor-mongering and mistrust among the citizenry. President Rupiah Banda needs to caution his Ministers against making such reckless allegations. If they do not have anything important to tell the people, they would do well just to shut up than to continue to embarrass us.

Henry Kyambalesa

Opposition UPND President Hakainde Hichilema says the UPND-PF pact is here to stay.
Addressing hundreds of Senanga residents at Senanga Market yesterday, the opposition leader said people talking ill of the UPND- PF pact should not be taken seriously.

Mr. Hichilema said the pact was a people driven initiative which called upon the opposition to unite.
He alleged that in the current leaders, Zambia lacked visionary leadership that would propel the country towards economic development.

Mr. Hichilema accused President Banda of hating Mwanawasa and his legacy of fighting corruption.
He alleged that President Banda was an enemy to anybody within government and the MMD who was against corruption.

He urged Senanga residents to obtain National registration Cards so as to prepare for the Voter Registration exercise.

And Mr. Hichilema has described the late former Senanga Central UPND Member of Parliament Albert Situmbeko as a gallant man who was committed to serving the people of Zambia.
Speaking when he visited the widow of the former MP, Mr. Hichilema said the demise of Mr. Situmbeko was a great loss.

Mr. Situmbeko who died last month served as MP for Senanga Central from 2001 to 2006 before retiring from active politics.

ZANIS

A scam has been unearthed in which some prominent Zambians and some diplomats accredited to Zambia are allegedly conspiring to destabilise the nation.

Home Affairs Minister, Lameck Mangani, says the Zambians and the diplomats have been holding dark corner meetings.

Mr. Mangani has warned that any schemes to incite Zambians to rise against the government will attract the wrath of the law.

He was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka on Thursday.

Mr. Mangani said it is worrisome that the majority of people who attended Wednesday’s meeting of NGOs were from the diplomatic community in Zambia.

He described as illegal, the meeting at which NGOs resolved to publicly show their displeasure against the refusal to appeal against the acquittal of former president Frederick Chiluba.

And Faith Based Organizations have condemned the planned demonstrations by Civil Society Organizations (CSO) over the acquittal of former President Dr. Fredrick Chiluba.

Christian Coalition (CC) Pastor Clergy Chombela says the planned demonstration will not be beneficial to people in the country as it is aimed at bringing confusion.

Pastor Chombela told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that there are a lot of developmental challenges that the CSO’s can concentrate on rather than holding demonstrations that will only benefit a few individuals.

He explained that most Non Government Organizations (NGO’s) were established with the call function of assisting the vulnerable groups in the country.

He pointed out that despite demonstrations being a right of any person in a democratic state, NGO’s should always strive to concentrate on issues that will benefit all the people in the country.

Pastor Chombela has further advised people in the country to take a leading role in the developmental process of the country by engaging themselves in serious governance matters than politics.[quote]

And Evangelical Youth Alliance President Moses Lungu has said there is need for Zambians to establish good channels of airing their grievances if the country is to develop.

Reverend Lungu noted that demonstrations are not a good way of addressing issues adding that they paint a bad picture of the country to the outside world.

He Explained to ZANIS in a separate interview that CSO’s should at all costs refrain from such activities that can destroy the good image and heritage of the country.

He also charged that the planned demonstrations can reduce investor confidence hence the need for CSO’s to direct their energies and resources towards building capacity and empowering the youths.

Yesterday a consortium consisting of 18 Civil Society Organization threatened to hold countrywide demonstrations and campaigns against the acquittal and the restoration of Dr Chiluba’s immunity.

ZANIS

The World Wide Veterinary Services (WVS) has ruled out food poisoning and disease outbreak as the cause of death of the 35 buffaloes on Musa River in Itezhi Tezhi.

According to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by WVS Chief executive officer Dr. Luke Gamble said the deaths are as result of drowning due to the herd stampeding whilst trying to cross the river.

Dr. Gamble explained that the reason they ruled out food poisoning is because only buffaloes were found dead and not any other animals within the proximity.

He added that the vultures were present and they all looked healthy despite eating internal organs of these carcasses.

Dr. Gamble further said other animals such as Impala, warthog, hippo, among others were still drinking from the same area and no fish was found dead.

He stated that disease outbreak was also ruled out because there were no other buffaloes spotted sick within the same area and the number is too big to die instantly.

He said that stampede is therefore the only reason that could have caused the death of the buffaloes unless the blood test proves other wise.

Dr. Gamble noted that the bank of the river at which the buffaloes entered to cross was quiet steep with deep waters.

Dr. Gamble further said the stampede might have been caused by a pride of lions which were actively hunting their prey.

Early this week ZAWA reported that 30 buffaloes were found dead and floating in the Musa River and the death toll had risen to 35 later in the week.

ZANIS

Two civil society organizations have maintained that chiefs should not be actively involved in politics for the sake of national unity.

The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) and the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) says chiefs preside over a huge population of people in the country hence the need for them to remain neutral politically.

Reacting to Senior Chief Mukuni of the Toka-Leya people of Southern Province’s call for the National Constitution Conference (NCC) to create a mechanism that would allow at least 10 chiefs to be appointed to parliament without undergoing an election, SACCORD Information Officer Michelo Mwango said the idea was not welcome.

Ms Mwango told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that chiefs ought to remain in the advisory role to politicians and desist from having political ambitions.

She said chiefs’ participation in politics would compromise their stand on many issues taking place in the country.

She said chiefs should maintain their status quo and desist from engaging in politics and ensure they remain outside the political bracket.

Ms Mwango said there are various other avenues chiefs can use in order to effectively participate in national development without becoming parliamentarians.

And FODEP Information Officer MacDonald Chipenzi told ZANIS in an interview that chiefs should not engage in politics because they preside over a huge number of people in the country.

Mr Chipenzi said there are various platforms available for chiefs to articulate and air their views on issues in the country other than actively engaging themselves in politics.

He said chiefs have a duty to remain neutral in political matters and that the appointment of chiefs to parliament would mean that they become partisan as they may at times be asked to take a vote on some controversial matter.

He urged the chiefs to use the existing structures available to effectively represent the people instead of insisting on been political.

Mr Chipenzi said the code of ethics categorically state that chiefs should be non partisan and remain neutral so that they do not influence their people’s choice of a leader.

The FODEP Information Officer further warned that chiefs risk losing their respect and dignity by getting into politics as the politics currently prevailing in the nation were those of insults.

ZANIS

GOVERNMENT has challenged civil society organisations, which yesterday resolved to honk against the acquittal of former president Fredrick Chiluba every Friday, to come out in the open and form a political party.

Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha said the civil society organisations, which also demanded the resignation of Vice-President George Kunda and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga had lost direction.

And Dr Chiluba said the objectives of the organisations were to use his name in an attempt to bring down a legitimate government.

Yesterday 17 civil society organisations urged citizens to honk and wear black clothes every Friday to express their displeasure over the Government’s position not to appeal against the acquittal of Dr Chiluba.

Speaking during a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, spokesperson for the 17 civil society organisations and Caritas Zambia executive director Sam Mulafulafu said the organisations were further calling for the resignation of Mr Kunda and Mr Mchenga claiming they had failed the nation.

But Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said the civil society should instead form a political party so that they could squarely be met in the political arena.

He said by honking and holding campaigns, they were in a way agitating for anarchy in the nation and that the Government would not allow such.

“It is sad that even respected NGOs have lost direction and have joined in this dirty campaign over Dr Chiluba . The best they should do is form a political party so that we can meet in a political arena,” Gen Shikapwasha said.

He said if the civil society grouping had an issue against Dr Chiluba, they should seek legal redress than resorting to demonstrations and anarchy.

Gen Shikapwasha however warned that the Government would not sit idle and watch the civil society disturb the country’s peace.

In an interview, Dr Chiluba’s spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba, said the Government should be wary of the NGOs, which were using Dr Chiluba’s name to fight President Banda’s Government.

Dr Chiluba said as far as he was concerned, the acquittal meant that he was cleared of all criminal cases and that his immunity would be automatically restored.

“We are aware that this plot by the NGOs is a disguise of a plot against President Banda’s Government and are just using Dr Chiluba’s case to achieve their hidden agenda,” Mr Mwamba said.

Mr Mwamba said following the acquittal, the immunity was automatically restored and those with issues against the former president should seek parliamentary intervention to lift Dr Chiluba’s immunity.

Currently, he said, there was no criminal case against Dr Chiluba as the case in London was a civil matter.

“It’s saddening that the NGOs which are supposed to be protecting human rights are in the forefront abusing the laws,” Mr Mwamba said.

Among the civil society groups were the Transparency International Zambia (TIZ), Non Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC), Women for Change (WfC), Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), Young Leaders Integrity Alliance (YLIA), Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD), Citizens Forum (CF), Zambia Civic Education Association (ZCEA), and Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP).

“We call upon all Zambians who love this country and are worried about corruption to wear black and honk or whistle every Friday at 17:00 hours for 10 minutes. We call upon all ministers and senior Government officials who hate corruption to join in this campaign,” Mr Mulafulafu said.

[Times of Zambia]

The United Nations says Zambia has recorded an increase in the number of people accessing Antiretroviral treatment from 53 percent in 2007 to 67 percent in 2008.

The UN further says the country has also recorded an increase in the number of people going for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) from 1 percent in 2007 to 23 percent last year.

The UN goes on to say that the rate of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission has increased from 39 percent in 2007 to 53 percent last year.

This is according to a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF),and the joint UN programmes on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

The UN said more than four million people in low and medium income countries were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) by December last year, representing 36 percent increase.

The UN said the sub Saharan Africa has recorded progress in the number of people accessing the ARVs due to the drop in the prices of the drugs in recent years.

Meanwhile, the UN has said five million more people living with HIV still don’t have access to treatment and care, despite the increase in the number of VCT centres.

The UN further urged governments and cooperating partners to strengthen their efforts for all the infected in the world to access treatment.
.
The UN said the rate of women and children accessing ARVs last year improved, with approximately 45 percent of HIV/AIDS positive pregnant women receiving the drugs.

The UN further said 21 percent of pregnant women in low and middle income countries had HIV test last year, as compared to 15 percent in 2007.

The UN additionally said more children are now benefiting from pediatric antiretroviral therapy programmes, adding that the number of under 15 children receiving ART also rose from 198,000 in 2007 to 275,000 in 2008.

The release said AIDS has continued to be the leading cause of mortality among women of reproductive age.

The release added that the majority of people living with HIV/AIDS are still unaware of their status due to fear of discrimination, adding that this has resulted in higher risks of HIV infection.

ZANIS

The Centre for Election and Governance (CEG) has charged that former defence Minster, George Mpombo has resorted to outbursts and use of bad language against the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) because he is trying to run way from collective responsibility which he is part of.

CEG Trustee Gershom Musonda said in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that Mr Mpombo’s attacks on the MMD amounts to failed politics of appeasement and an attempt to run way from responsibilities.

He said Mr Mpombo who was third in command from the President did nothing to improve the country’s democratic governance record despite him having such a huge influence on cabinet policies and decisions.

Mr Musonda said as the then defence Minister Mr. Mpombo contributed to most of government’s decisions made during his time.

He alleged that he also failed to improve the welfare of men in uniform adding that he left them with no accommodation and other basic allowances.

Mr. Musonda wondered how Mr. Mpombo now expects to have a change of scene in life and help society address local problems after retiring from a public position.

He urged him to step down and pave way for the young generation to get into government and the country to move forward and attain its vision of being a middle income nation by 2030.

Mr Musonda has meanwhile disagreed with the assumption that President Banda should fit into the legacy of the late President Levy Mwanawasa saying every person is unique and different from others.

He said it is therefore important for President Banda to be given support and be left to be independent with his leadership style.
ZANIS