a ‘think-tank’ discussion with other Heads of States and Government officials attending the Smart Partnership Movement Dialogue currently underway in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

The dialogue that lasted several hours was held behind closed doors at the prestigious Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort situated on the shores of Lake Victoria.

President Banda who is accompanied by first lady Thandiwe Banda, Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane and other Senior Government officials proceeded into a discussion forum with other Heads of State soon after arrival in Uganda.

This year’s conference is being held under the theme ‘Towards smarter globe-The Smart Partnership Way for realizing socio-economic transformation through regional integration

Other heads of state and government participating at the dialogue include the host President Yoweri Museveni,President Yahya AJJ Jammeh of Gambia,President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, King Mswati III of Swaziland. Others are Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib.

The First Lady, Thandiwe Banda also joined other first ladies on the sidelines of the conference and participated in a dialogue dubbed “Transformation-The vital role of First Ladies and Spouses.”

Former First lady Maureen Mwanawasa is also in attendance.

President Banda is was later expected to handover the Chairmanship of the Smart Partnership Movement.

He also delivered a key note speech during a cocktail party, detailing Zambia’s accomplishments for the movement during its tenure as chair.

ZANIS

Local Government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamashimba says people should give credit to President Rupiah Banda for fighting corruption openly.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy on Mwinilunga District Commissioner, Mr Tetamashimba said President Banda has not hidden any corrupt activities in the Ministry of Health.

He stressed that President Banda has shown willingness to fighting corruption by exposing corrupt practices in the ministry of health.

“People should give credit to president Banda for not hiding corruption in the ministry of health” said Mr Tetamashimba.

Mr Tetamashimba said the president will continue fighting corruption openly till the vice is curbed in government ministries.

He complained that there is a lot of corruption in ministries as seen by many junior officers who have built big houses in some of the compounds in Lusaka.

“Junior office are building big houses in most of the compounds in Lusaka, there is too much corruption in ministries” he noted.

And Mr Tetamashimba has urged councillors to implore members of parliament to support the local government bill which was presented in parliament last week by local government minister.[quote]

He said once the bill goes through it will allow the ministry of local government to put council workers in management on government pay role.

Mr Tetamashimba said such a move will assist in the council to serve money to pay workers who are not in management.

He thanked council workers for continuing to work despite not getting paid for two years

Meanwhile Mwinilunga district commissioner Webster Samakase has praised government for send farming inputs on time.He disclosed to the local government minister that the district has received 1,160 by 50kg Compound D fertilizer and 10,329 by 50kg of urea.He also briefed the minister that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has commenced purchase of maize from the farmers.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda says he will not condone any form of violence from political parties during the on going campaigns for the Chitamba Parliamentary by- elections.

Mr. Banda said he will not tolerate any violence from parties participating in the by-election regardless of their political affiliations.

President Banda said police will take action against any one found wanting during the campaigns.

He said he wants peaceful elections to prevail in the by-election scheduled for August 13.

The Chitambo parliamentary by-election has been marred with violence, which some Non- Government Organizations (NGOs) such the Forum for Democratic Process (FODEP) has since condemned.

The President was speaking to Journalists at Lusaka International Airport upon arrival from Mwansabombwe were he went to grace this years Mutomboko Ceremony of the Lunda speaking people.

The President was accompanied by First lady Thandiwe, Communications Minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa, Community, Development and Social Services Minister Michael Kaingu , Chief Whip Vernon Mwanga , Sports Deputy Minister Angela Cifire and Chief Mukuni among others .

He was received by Vice President George Kunda, Senior Cabinet officials and Service Chiefs.

President Banda who said was happy to official at this year’s ceremony disclosed that government is to establish a culture center in Luapula province.

President Banda said that government’s intention to establish a culture center is in view of his administration’s intention to promote culture in the country.

Mr Banda said it is his government’s realization of culture’s importance in uniting and developing the nation.

The President said government was determined to ensure development in the rural areas of Zambia through cultural assistance, among others.

The Republican President was speaking during the 2009 Mutomboko Ceremony of the Lunda speaking people of Luapula province in Mwansabombwe, yesterday.

And Luapula Province Minister Boniface Kawimbwe told ZANIS in an exclusive interview that government was determined to promote cultural ceremonies in the province.

Dr Kawimbe said it was Mr Banda’s administration’s intention to support all the seven culture ceremonies in the province with the intention to boost the vast Tourism potential in the area.

He said the Mutomboko ceremony, among others, plays a leading role in uniting the nation saying all Zambians and the private sector in particular should take keen interest in supporting the ceremonies in kind.

The ceremony started with the Senior Chief going through the traditional rituals of throwing food stuffs into the river in respect of the ancestors.

This is in view of the first Mwata who crossed in to the Luapula river into then Northern Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, after he was sent by his father King Mwatiyamva.
ZANIS

Dr. Kalumba said the party could not have strong leadership at the highest level if those at grass root were insulting their superiors.

He said party members must be proud of their leaders because they are the ones who elected them into office.

Dr. Kalumba was reacting to reports by the party’s Eastern Province Executive that some members especially the youth from Chipata Central Constituency were disrespectful to leaders.

Addressing members during the launch of the party’s card renewal held at the Council chamber in Chipata yesterday, he said members should follow the constitution of the party in order to live in harmony.

‘’ To keep the party going, we need two groups to work together. Those who were elected must be able to work with those who elected them,’’ Dr. Kalumba said.

Dr. Kalumba warned members who were fond of using the name of his office to undermine the elected leadership that he will not defend them should they face disciplinary action by their immediate supervisors.

He urged the provincial chairperson to be humble as he led the party in the region and be firm when disciplining erring members.

Earlier, Eastern Province MMD Chairperson, Kennedy Zulu, complained that the youth from Chipata Central constituency were not giving the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) members respect.[quote]

Mr. Zulu said if the trend continued that it was going to weaken the party in the region thereby giving advantage to the opposition to penetrate.

And Dr. Kalumba has reiterated his support for president Banda as the sole candidate for the party presidency at the national convention.

He said Mr. Banda was the only person who the party had in mind to lead it through to the 2011 general elections.

Dr. Kalumba noted that some of the people who were vying for the party presidency were not even members of the party because their names were not appearing in the party’s data base.

‘’ Some of them are not even our members because when you ask them about the branches they come from, they can not explain. They just get party cards from the streets which as a party we do not recognize,’’ he said.

He said those that were genuine party members needed to register from branches in constituencies.

‘’ Those that want to contest must ensure they have branches where they come from. We need unity in the party in order to overcome the so called pact of the UPND and PF,’’ Dr. Kalumba said.

He said the infighting of members was making them loose energy to fight the opposition, saying, the enemy was not any member from the party but the opposition.

Meanwhile, during the same meeting, some senior members of opposition parties resigned to join the ruling MMD.

Some of those that have joined the MMD are former UNIP Deputy National Women’s secretary, Hlupekile Nyondo, former FDD Provincial Youth Chairperson, Osward Mphande and Former Chadiza Central Member of Parliament, Phillip Zulu.

ZANIS

T.D. Jakes (a well-known preacher) was returning to Texas after a speaking engagement. When his plane arrived, there was a limousine there to transport him to his home in Dallas . As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver. “You know” he said, “I am almost 50 years old and I have never driven a limousine. Would you mind if I drove it for a while?”

The driver said, “No problem. Have it.”

T.D. gets into the driver ‘ s seat and they head off down the highway. A short distance away sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap. The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone. The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo and got out of his patrol car to begin the procedure. The young trooper walked up to the driver ‘ s door and when the glass was rolled down he was surprised to see who was driving. He immediately excused himself and went back to his car and called his supervisor. He told the supervisor, “I know we are supposed to enforce the law but I also know that important people are sometimes given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person.” “The supervisor asked, “Is it the governor?” The young trooper
said, “No, he’s more important than that.”
The supervisor said,”Oh, so it’s the president.” The young trooper said,”No, he’s even more important than that.”

The supervisor finally asked, “Well then, who is it?”

The young trooper said, I think it’s Jesus because he’s got T. D.Jakes for a chauffeur!!! !!

Battalion of the Zambia Army with the Freedom of City status and presented them with an honors certificate .

Lusaka City Council Mayor Robert Chikwelete said the council recognizes the commitment and sacrifices that the second battalion has made in ensuring the protection of property and the citizens of Zambia.[quote]

The mayor further commended Army officers for their commitment to duties not only within the country but also through assistance they have rendered to other countries engulfed in wars world over.

Mr. Chikwelete was speaking when he conferred the Second Battalion of Zambia Army with the freedom of the city status at a ceremony held at the Civic centre in Lusaka yesterday.

He said although the battalion has continued to face challenges in its operations, that the it has executed its duties professionally.

Mr. Chikwelete thanked the Men and Women and the commanding officer of the second battalion for working diligently for the nation.

The freedom of the city ceremony dates back to September 10, 1960 when the city of Lusaka conferred the Northern Rhodesia regiment the freedom of entry into the city of Lusaka on all ceremonial occasions.

The city of Lusaka continued with the tradition after independence when the Northern regiment was changed to the Second Battalion of the Zambia regiment.

ZANIS

Government has challenged Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata to prove his allegation that Vice President George Kunda has sold about 1.2 million hectares of land to Chinese investors in Serenje.

Chief Government Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ronnie Shikapwasha asked the PF leader to provide evidence of his claims.

Rev Shikapwasha said he has consulted with the Vice President who has assured him that he had never discussed, let alone offered any land in Serenje to anyone.

He said it is morally wrong to tell lies about the Vice President or the Chinese .

“I challenge Mr. Sata to give evidence to prove which land in Serenje had been sold by the Vice President and which Chinese paid for it,” he said.

Rev. Shikapwasha was reacting to an article published in the Post Newspaper of Friday 24th in which the Mr. Sata is quoted to have stated that the Vice President had sold all the land in Serenje to the Chinese.

Rev. Shikapwasha who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister described Mr. Sata as a pathological liar who does so in the hope of getting public sympathy or gaining political mileage.

He told ZANIS in a press statement that Zambians are too well aware of the tactics of Mr. Sata and will not be hoodwinked into turning against the government through lies and innuendos.

“Mr. Sata would like the public to believe that he is a better and morally upright leader should refrain from campaigns of lies and innuendos,” he added.

He said government is aware that the PF is facing serious difficulties wining votes in Chitambo constituency in Serenje District where the party is contesting the parliamentary seat.

On the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) , Rev. Shikapwasha has advised to consult with its officials in order to establish whether or not the NCC Act has a provision for extension of its life and determine whether it can complete its work within this year.

Mr. Sata has also alleged that Vice President had no reason to suggest the extension of the current sitting of the NCC, a legally constituted body that is meeting to adopt a new constitution for Zambia.

ZANIS

says that a few individuals in the public service are the ones tarnishing the image of the county in the eyes of the international community.

Mr. Mbula only 2 per cent of the public service workers are corrupt.

He said about 98 percent of Zambia’s civil servants are decent, clean, honest and devoted to their duties.

“It is the remaining 2 per cent who are tarnishing Zambia’s reputation abroad by getting involved in criminal activities such as corruption and embezzlement of public resources,” he said.

Mr. Mbula made the remarks when a 15 member delegation of senior and middle management of Zambian civil servants in accountancy and human resources paid a courtesy call on him at the Zambia Chancery in Pretoria, South Africa yesterday.

The High Commissioner said recent reports on public servants getting involved in corruption and embezzlement cases of public funds did not augur well for the country’s reputation abroad.

He stated that despite Zambia having had five free and democratic elections since 1991,which was a good record by standards, the perception by the outside world that Zambians are corrupt are the ones receiving the wide publicity in international media.

Mr. Mbula has since advised the Zambian civil servants to be vigilant so that frauds are detected on time.

He further urged civil servant to make it their business to report any suspicious activities to the respective authorities like the police and the Anti Corruption Commission.

“We should not wait for external auditors to detect thefts in our ministries ,that is why we have internal auditors in each ministry ,if we hear anything lets us not hesitate to report such activities the police or Anti Corruption Commission, lets not allow the few self and corrupt people to tarnish our country’s image,” appealed Mr. Mbula.

He further appealed to the civil servants to perform their duties with honesty and integrity to preserve the good name of the country in the eyes of the international community.

Meanwhile delegation leader, Frank Musunga, Chief Human Resources Development in the Ministry of Educate, assured Mr. Mbula that his delegation will endevour to apply the knowledge gained from the course for the betterment of the country

The 15 were part of the 29 Zambians civil servants drawn from the various ministries and departments attending at two-week senior and middle management course in Pretoria which ends on July 31,2009.

This is contained in a press statement by second secretary of press,Philip Chirwa .
ZANIS