President Rupiah Banda is still consulting stakeholders over paying Members of Parliament their mid term gratuity.

Chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha, says this is to ensure there is a consensus on the matter.

He says the President wants to ensure that all stakeholders in government and political parties are consulted before a decision is made.

He says although some political leaders have asked their MPs not to get the mid term gratuity, government will also have to take into consideration that some MPs have got loans and other financial obligations.

General Shikapwasha was speaking after he toured the Zambia Daily Mail offices in Lusaka.

Some political stakeholders have asked government to defer the payment of mid term gratuity in view of the global financial melt down.

[ZNBC]

violence in Chitambo constituency by-election campaigns in Serenje district.

Lusaka Mayor, Robert Chikwelete, has said he is disappointed that the MMD has implicated him in the violence in which two supporters of the ruling party at Chalilo in Chitambo constituency were on Sunday beaten up by suspected PF carders.

Meanwhile Central Province Police Commanding Officer, Simon Mpande, has warned that anyone who will cause lawlessness in Chitambo constituency by-election will face the law.

The MMD complained bitterly on Sunday after two of their supporters were beaten by PF cadres.

In an interview at Chalilo yesterday, PF constituency youth Chairperson, Katobaula Mpundu, said the PF was provoked by the victims who were beaten.

He explained that Morris Mwansa and Lloyd Kabanga who were beaten up strayed into the PF camp in a drunken state and started making noise demanding to be given nshima.

“We were not there when it all started but what we were told is that the two MMD cadres were drunk and provoked those that remained at the camp. How can they come drunk and start making noise at our camp. It is unfortunate because we have been peaceful all along,” he said.

Mr Mwansa and Mr Kabango were admitted to Serenje district hospital for observation on Sunday and medical officer, Dr Jackson Kasela, discharged them yesterday after attending to them.

Mr Chikwelete said it was unfortunate that the MMD allegedly implicated him in the violence.

“It is shameful for the MMD to start talking about cadres. I was not even anywhere near when the incident happened and I am one person who cannot support such,” he said.

He said he would not be involved in politics as he was above politics by virtue of the mayoral position he holds and charged that the MMD were allegedly behaving like that because they knew they were losing the election.

Mr Chikwelete said he did not even travel to Serenje to campaign but his trip was purely on family affairs to see his parents and other relatives at the village at Chalilo, adding that be travelled with his two nephews and one young brother who were not even cadres.

The Lusaka mayor charged that his life was in danger and that whatever would happen to him the MMD would be accountable.

Mr Chikwelete also said police should not work under instructions but should investigate matters and act professionally.

The Police Commanding Officer, Mr Mpande, yesterday described the situation in Chitambo as calm, saying police were watching vigilantly and would not tolerate any lawlessness.

Mr Mpande, who just returned from Chalilo, however said anyone who will cause violence will face the law.

Chief Chitambo, whose palace is within Chalilo area, condemned the violence and called for peaceful campaigns by all participating political parties.

Chitambo parliamentary seat fell vacant after the death of Nasim Hamir on May 1 this year and has four candidates vying for it in the by-elections scheduled for next month on 13th.

These include Dr Solomon Musonda for MMD, Evans Chola for FDD, Chanda Mutale for PF and Timothy Kapolo for UNIP.

KING Mswati of Swaziland has urged Zambians to continue supporting President Banda because he has a heart for the people.

He was addressing some Mfuwe residents who went to bid farewell to him at Mfuwe International Airport yesterday.[quote]

King Mswati said President Banda has a heart for Zambians because he always talks about the desire to improve their living standards.

“President Banda is committed to all of you. All he talks about is you, the people of Zambia. Continue supporting him because he can only achieve his desires to better your lives with your support,” he said.

King Mswati said he was happy with his visit to Zambia and enjoyed game viewing with members of his family and the Zambian first family.

He said he is happy with the developments he has seen in the National park because caution has been taken to ensure that the natural heritage is preserved.

“Nature is a gift from God and so even the young people must grow up preserving it, especially that people come from afar to come and see the wonderful wildlife that you have in this country,” he said.

On the piece of land he was given by the chiefs in North Western Province, King Mswati said he will be sending a delegation from Swaziland to come and see what sort of development can be put up.

He said the delegation will also look at economic activities the two countries can embark on.

The King thanked President Banda and the people of Zambia for the hospitality that he received during his stay in the country.

He said he looks forward to reciprocating the gesture when President Banda visits that country.

Meanwhile , President Banda has thanked the people of Eastern Province for the good reception that he and King Mswati received.

He also thanked the MMD in the province for its continued support to his leadership.

Mr Banda said the MMD is a strong party as it can be found in all corners of the country.

He said MMD must show that it is a strong party and that it is an organisation for all Zambians regardless of origin.

“I also want to thank all the chiefs that came over to Chichele to meet us, and we all enjoyed watching the dancers both from here and Swaziland,” Mr Banda said.

He assured the people that their farming inputs will be distributed in good time so that they can grow enough food to feed the country , as well as for export to neighbouring countries.

Earlier, Eastern Province Minister Isaac Banda assured the President of continued support to his leadership by the people of the province.

He said the province is honoured to have received King Mswati as their guest.

King Mswati’s plane took off at 12:00 hours while President Banda’s plane took off at 12:30 hours.
The President flew to Chipata on a private visit and is expected in Lusaka late this afternoon.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

First Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda, says Africa should take advantage of its abundant natural resources in order to diversify its economies and attract more foreign direct investment.[quote]

Dr. Kaunda said this in Johannesburg at the weekend when he received the lifetime achievement award from the African Heritage Society in recognition for his contribution to the liberation struggles in Southern Africa.

He told a 500 plus invited guests at the Sandton International Convention Centre that Africa should have achieved a lot in the fight against poverty after so many years of independence.

Dr. Kaunda said African countries have remained underdeveloped due to a number of factors some of which are due to the manner in which it is conducting its trade with the rest of the world.

He said Africa’s trade with other countries is lopsided as it is to a large extent only exporting raw materials.

Dr. Kaunda said Africa needs to develop its manufacturing sector to enable it attain sustainable comparative advantage and compete highly with the rest of the world.

He also cited agriculture as one of the neglected areas in Africa which could help in making many countries be self sufficient.

He said a well run agriculture sector could help establish many agricultural based industries and ensure food security for its people.

Dr. Kaunda, further, said the tourism sector was another sector which contributes enormously to the Gross Domestic Products, GDP, of many African countries.

He, however, said this sector has largely been neglected and the situation had been exacerbated by the current financial crisis which has affected international travelers.

Dr.Kaunda said the education and vocational training were critical to the continent’s development adding that the continent can only be competitive by having a qualified human resource.

“We cannot remain competitive in this world if we do not have an educated populace and a well trained manpower to run factories, mines, hospitals and schools. We can only compete by developing our human resource to provide necessary skills in order to enhance our productivity,” he said.

ZANIS