FORMER Radio Icengelo station manager Father Frank Bwalya has quit his pastoral duties, according to an announcement made on the radio station yesterday.

Fr Bwalya made the announcement on the community radio station just before 08:00 hours that he was taking leave of absence to avoid misunderstanding between Bishop Noel O’regan of Ndola Catholic Diocese and the Vatican ambassador to Zambia Nicola Girasoli.

He said that there had been tension between the two after a letter written to him (Fr Bwalya) by Bishop O’regan was leaked to the Post newspaper.

In the letter, Bishop O’regan criticised Archbishop Girasoli for allegedly compromising his office with the Government of President Rupiah Banda.

“I have since apologised to Bishop O’regan in the presence the vicar- general Father Raphel Chanda for releasing the letter to someone which ended up in the Post newspaper and I will not wait for punishment from the bishop. So I have decided to forgo my priestly faculties and take a leave of absence commencing on May 4 this year,” he said.

Recently, the Catholic Church removed Fr Bwalya from Radio Icengelo where he worked as station manager after he was accused of using the station for political activities.

He said he would now concentrate on his “Change or Die Zambia” movement.
He said although he immediately becomes a private citizen, he had no intentions of getting married and denied he had joined ranks with the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) party.

Fr Bwalya denied media reports that he was a recipient of funding from the PF to print t-shirts for his movement.
He has demanded an apology from Lusaka Province Minister Lameck Mangani for making the accusation aired on ZNBC-TV on Thursday night.

He gave Mr Mangani two days to apologise failure to which he would take him to court.
Fr Bwalya applied to go on leave of absence, which meant he stops functioning as a priest.

Being on leave of absence means that one ceased to perform priesthood duties and goes into retreat to reflect over issues.

For someone to resume his priesthood duties, one has to re-apply and the church authorities would have to decide.

Fr Bwalya said it was not the church that had asked him to go on leave of absence but applied for it so that he could concentrate on his movement, which had not yet been registered with the registrar of societies.

He said he was bound to go for studies abroad but decided not to so that he could continue with his movement.

“Going abroad could have detached me from the sufferings of the people and that is why I have decided not to go for studies,” Fr Bwalya said.

Fr Bwalya said apart from apologising to Bishop O’regan, he would next week travel to Lusaka to do the same to the nuncio over the leaked letter to the Post newspaper.

Fr Bwalya has opened an account with Standard Chartered bank where well-wishers should deposit money to support his movement or give him any amount.

Fr Bwalya said that he would attend the PF protest rally if a formal invitation was extended to him and an apology tendered to him for being included on the programme without prior consultation.

And Copperbelt MMD youth chairman Evans Chibanda welcomed Fr Bwalya to the political arena and said now that he has finally come out in the open, MMD members were ready for him.

“We in the MMD however, will petition Bishop O’regan to explain the reasons the church has decided to accommodate a political party of a priest within the Radio Icengelo premises which will be propagating the message of hate through the ‘Change or Die Zambia movement.’

Mr Chibanda said there was no reason for Fr Bwalya to continue staying at the radio station when he has been removed and called on him to find accommodation elsewhere to spare the church from further unnecessary attacks from other politicians.

He warned that as youth regional chairman, he would not tolerate Fr Bwalya’s insults on President Rupiah Banda in the name of democracy and would ensure that this was stopped at once.
[Times of Zambia]

MINISTER of Defence George Mpombo says it is not right for people to insinuate that President Banda snubbed yesterday’s Labour Day celebrations by travelling to Zimbabwe.

Mr Mpombo was reacting to insinuations by Zambia Congress of Trade Unions first vice-president Sam Phiri and Federation of Free Trade Unions in Zambia national executive secretary Lyson Mando that President Banda’s absence is an indication that Government does not respect workers.

Mr Mpombo said Mr Banda’s trip to Zimbabwe is being blown out of proportion, adding that he is in Zimbabwe on national duty.

He said the programme to see the emancipation of Zimbabwe from the economic malaise has not began now, adding that it was spearheaded by President Mwanawasa and can not be abandoned midway.

Mr Mpombo said Mr Banda has continued with that quest and that it is a move that all SADC member countries are pursuing.

He said Zimbabweans flock into Zambia to seek ways of survival because their country is facing economic challenges and Zambia cannot watch its neighbour suffering.

“President Banda’s absence does not take away the importance of this day. He is out on national duty and it should not be blown out of proportion,” he said.

However, Mr Mpombo said Labour Day should be used to reflect on the challenges that workers face while striving to contribute effectively to the socio-economic development of the nation.

He described this year’s Labour Day theme as appropriate, saying it is a wake-up call for the nation to the realisation of the economic down turn and the need for workers and employers to work together to ensure a quick recovery of the economy.

“The theme also encourages us that by working together, we can mitigate the impact of the economic meltdown and make progress on the development agenda,” he said.

He assured the nation that the Government has put in place measures to mitigate the impact of the global economic crisis, adding that the 2009 national budget focuses on mitigation measures to address job losses in the mining industry.

Mr Mpombo said the national budget has provided measures to intensify diversification of the economy from mining to other sectors such as agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.

And Mr Mpombo said the decision by the Zambia Union of Financial and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) to openly declare their political preference and support for the Patriotic Front in last years’ Presidential election was not right.

“As Government, we get concerned when certain unions such as the ZUFIAW sign pacts with the Patriotic Front. That was very bad and can be dangerous,” he said.

And Mr Phiri said the policy of the ZCTU is to remain non-partisan, but that the labour movement will not remain silent when politicians misbehave.

He said the labour movement would like to engage Government into constructive issues rather than involve themselves in unnecessary quarrels.

Mr Phiri cautioned Government on the way it handles foreign investors, saying some of them have no respect for Zambian labour laws.

In Ndola, Minister of Works and Supply Mike Mulongoti said Mr Banda’s absence was justified.

“It was a plea that we worked so hard to try to bring about unity in Zimbabwe because if we leave them alone, no one will believe that the unity Government is working,” Mr Mulongoti said.

Mr Mulongoti was reacting to ZCTU trustee, Benson Ngula who earlier said the union was not happy that Mr Banda was absent from this year’s Labour Day celebrations.

Mr Ngula said the ZCTU would have liked Mr Banda to give hope and assurance to workers in view of the job losses as a result of the global recession.

Earlier, Mr Mulongoti assured workers that Government is taking measures to put the economy back on track as a way of working towards attainment of the Vision 2030.

At the same function, Zambia Federation of Employers representative, Kevin Shone said the country needs a well defined strategy that will enhance productivity.
He also advised workers to be reasonable in their demand for improved conditions of service by taking into consideration the effects of the global financial crisis.

ZCTU Ndola district chairman, Chrispin Mikabo urged Government to consider the plight of the workers in Ndola by looking for investors to resuscitate companies that have closed as a result of the global economic meltdown.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

The ruling MMD in Lusaka Province has strongly condemned efforts being made to try and impeach President Rupiah Banda.

Provincial Chairman Cleophas Chimembe says the scheme will not succeed as the republican president was elected and mandated by the people of Zambia to rule the nation.

Mr. Chimembe told ZANIS in an interview that such actions are meant to disrupt the peace and tranquility the nation is currently enjoying.

He charged that failed politicians are trying to incite Zambians to rise against the government through civil disobedience and other such anti social activities which are against the norms of democracy.

Mr Chimembe warned that such actions are treasonable under the law and urged law enforcement agencies to move in quickly and arrest the perpetrators before they cause any serious damage.

Mr Chimembe said all well meaning Zambians should give their full and unquestionable popular support to President Banda.

He appealed to Zambians to take note of civil wars taking place in some African countries adding that Zambians risk falling in the same trap if the current peace is lost.

The Lusaka Province MMD Chairman also appealed to opposition political party leaders to show maturity by accepting in totality the verdict of the people and learn to engage constructively with the government of the day.

He said it is regrettable that some opposition leaders are only out to fight the government when the truth of the matter is that the MMD Government has implemented many serious and effective programmes which are benefiting the majority of Zambians.

The Lusaka Province MMD Chairman said the MMD general membership is solidly behind President Banda and will do whatever it takes to protect the presidency and the nation.
ENDS/CM/AM/ZANIS

Local Government Deputy Minister Dr Lwipa Puma has warned councils against acts of corruption.

Dr. Puma says transgressions in areas such as Land alienation, use of council assets and awarding of contracts were intolerable.

He was speaking during the installation of Kalulushi mayor-elect Milan Sichone and his deputy Christopher Kanengu,

Dr. Puma said government would not tolerate any form of illegal allocation of plots by either the council or councilors.

He further told the new mayor not to allow the mushrooming of squatter compounds where amenities such as roads, water lines, sewer lines clinics and schools did not exist.

Dr. Puma said squatter settlements that have mushroomed in Kalulushi and Chambishi should be upgraded.

Meanwhile, government has released K100 million to Kalulushi council to carryout social economic surveys with a view of upgrading some squatter compounds. Local Government Deputy Minister Dr Lwipa Puma has confirmed.

The deputy minister further said the councillors should not waste time on political rhetoric and bickering in council chambers as politics should not be allowed to take centre stage.

Earlier the mayor elect Milan Sichone said his administration would not allow politics to characterise the debates in the chambers.

The council needs K619 billion to pay retirees, K3 billion unremitted statutory contributions to local government superannuation fund, Zambia revenue authority and workman’s compensation board.

ENDS/PF/AM/ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda today visited Gwanda District about 150 Kilometres south of Bulawayo where he was born 72 years ago.

Mr. Banda was on arrival received by Governor of Matabeleland South Province Angelina Masuku and other provincial leaders.

In Gwanda, President Banda re-united with a Mr. Alatawo Naiki, a 79 year old businessman who paid his school fees from secondary to university level.

Mr. Banda was then take to Vumbachikwe Gold mine in the periphery of Gwanda town where President Banda’s father worked after he trekked from Zambia’s Chipata town in Eastern Province in search of employment.

President Banda was taken on a brief tour of the mine and later visited the Awake Compound nearby where he was born.

Mr. Banda later told the local people that he was happy to visit his birth and that the place has remained dear to him throughout his life.

He reminded the people that children were a blessing from God and should be guided to become future leaders.

President Banda yesterday officially opened the 50th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Zimbabwe’s second city of Bulawayo with a call for Zambia and Zimbabwe to expand their manufacturing industries to overcome the harsh effects of the global economic meltdown. .

Mr. Banda is on a four-day State visit to Zimbabwe and is accompanied by first lady Thandiwe and senior government officials.

He returns home on Saturday.

ENDS/ID/AM/ZANIS

Operations at Nampundwe Mine in Mumbwa District will come to a halt on Monday 4th May due to restructuring in the KCM group of companies.

This has been announced by KCM Group Human Resources manager Susan Ziko who said the pyrite producing mine will remain closed for at least nine months before re-opening.

Ms Ziko said this when her team briefed Mwembeshi Member of Parliament Edward Kasoko at the constituency office on the future of Nampundwe Mine.

She however said none of the 321 miners will lose their jobs as KCM management has taken necessary measures to ensure the future of the miners.

The KCM human resource manager said in a bid to come out of the current global economic crunch, KCM has found it fit to transfer the Namundwe Mine Larox Filter machine to Nchanga Mine to help in the production of cobalt.

Ms Ziko however said KCM has already placed an order for a new Larox Filter from Sweden which will be installed at Nampundwe.

The KCM official said the Nampundwe miners will be asked to stay at home from Monday with options to choose which KCM mine on the Copperbelt they would like to be transferred to while a skeleton staff will be chosen to keep Nampundwe Mine afloat.

Ms Ziko said there is also an option for those who want to be separated from KCM operations.

But Mwembeshi Member of Parliament Edward Kasoko said the Larox Filter from Nampundwe can only be taken to Nchanga after a memorandum of understanding has been signed between his office, the Minister of Mines, Mine workers unions and KCM management to ensure the promise by KCM to re-open Nampundwe after nine months is adhered to.

He said this will be done in order that if KCM does not stick to the promise of re-opening Nampundwe after nine months, the Nampundwe community will be free to pursue the case in the court of law adding that no matter how long the case will take, the community will eventually win.

Mr Kasoko said this has been done because the community does not trust KCM which keeps changing its goal posts.
ENDS/MM/AM/ZANIS

A chief officer at Kafue district council has expressed disappointment with residents in Kafue estates who have turned refuse bins distributed to them under the Keep Kafue Clean Campaign programme for garbage collection into storage facilities for water and mealie meal .

Acting Council Secretary, Albert Hamayanda, told ZANIS in an interview today that some residents in Kafue estates were using the refuse bins to store water and mealie meal, which he said was wrong.

Mr Hamayanda said the council last year embarked on a programme to purchase refuse bins under the campaign so as to encourage residents to safely dispose of their garbage instead of using pits behind the back yards.

He said a total of 250 bins were bought and distributed to commercial outlets in the main town, markets and households in the estates.

He said a survey the local authority to monitor how the bins were being used revealed that many of the bins in the households were storage facilities for water and mealie meal.

The acting Council Secretary appealed to residents to immediately stop the practice as it was defeating the whole purpose of the Keep Kafue Clean campaign.

Mr Hamayanda noted that use of pits is being discouraged by the council as it had environmental effects.

Mr Hamayanda said his office was happy that the two trucks given to the council by government last year were being utilized well in Chilanga and Kafue townships for garbage collection.

He said his office will continue striving to ensure that cleanliness is maintained in public areas.

Mr Hamayanda also disclosed that the council will purchase more refuse bins so that each and every households can have bins in both Chilanga and Kafue townships.

ZANIS/ENDS/BS/EB