MMD national chairman, Michael Mabenga, said the party was saddened by Nyirongo’s conviction but that the party would keep quiet on the matter because it was personal.

“First and foremost, as a party we are saddened on how things have turned to be. We feel it’s a lesson that we ought to operate transparently,” Mr Mubenga said.

“It is a sad development and that I have nothing much to say over the conviction of our member,” he said.

Mr Mubenga also said that despite the outcome of the case, the MMD was in control of Bwacha constituency.

“As a party we are in control of Bwacha constituency. We will be on the ground to explain to the people on what has happened,” Mr Mubenga said.

Nyirongo is MMD member of Parliament (MP) for Bwacha constituency in Kabwe.

And the MMD in Kabwe is saddened, too, by the jailing of Nyirongo on two counts of abuse of authority of office.

MMD Central Province provincial secretary, Roy Mulenga, said in Kabwe yesterday that the party sympathised with Nyirongo.

Mr Mulenga said, however, that sentencing was a warning to public service workers that they should observe the law when serving the public.

Mr Mulenga said that the MMD, too, declared zero-tolerance on corruption and so those tasked with the responsibility of serving the country should refrain from any form of abuse of office.

Principal resident magistrate Sharon Newa on Friday sentenced Nyirongo to two years on one count and four years on the second count of abuse of authority of office.

The sentences will run concurrently, meaning that she will only serve four years.

In the first count, Nyirongo was charged for directing a lands officer in the ministry to generate land offer letters to 10 people, who included relatives, family friends and party cadres.

In the second count, the former minister was charged for directing a junior technical officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Christopher Chewe, to subdivide a former ZCCM farm number 390A located in Kabwe into two plots for herself and Mr Chewe.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

PF spokesperson Given Lubinda said the fight between Mrs Chitika-Mulobeka and Mrs Mumbi in Parliament on Friday was unacceptable and disappointing, but that the opposition party would not take any action against them.

Mr Lubinda said the party regretted the dishonourable conduct by it’s MPs and urged other members not to trade on that path.

“We regret the scuffle at Parliament involving the two MPs. We don’t want to encourage dishonorable behaviour among our members, and members of Parliament for that matter. These are women, as you are aware society holds women in high esteem,” Mr Lubinda said.

He said it was unacceptable that women should undress each other through fights, when society holds them in high esteem.

Mr Lubinda, who is MP for Kabwata, said although he was not at Parliament on Friday, information gathered from the PF Chief Whip, Yamfwa Mukanga and a few MPs that were around, indicates that Mrs Chitika-Mulobeka provoked Mrs Phiri.

Mr Lubinda said that Mrs Phiri was allegedly provoked because of her decision to abide by the party position not to participate in the National Constitution Conference (NCC).

“I am informed that Honourable Phiri was actually provoked because she is among those MPs that have decided to follow the party’s position on the NCC. It’s totally unacceptable behaviour,” he said.

Mr Lubinda said he and other MPs that have decided to go by the party’s position on NCC have been subjected to unwarranted provocation by their colleagues who have decided to sit on the NCC.

Mrs Chitika-Mulobeka and 15 other PF MPs have agreed to sit on the NCC against the party’s blessings.

However, Mr Lubinda urged MPs who have taken opposing positions on the matter to respect one another’s freedom of choice.

“Let those who went to the NCC and those who decided to follow the party’s position not to be on each other’s throat. What I am saying is: can we allow each other to enjoy our freedom of choice. We should not allow jungle mentality to override our human dignity,” Mr Lubinda said.

He said the PF would not take any action on the matter but would allow the law to take its course.

Mrs Phiri has opened a docket for Mrs Chitika-Mulobeka at Woodlands Police Station, although police say it would let the National Assembly handle the matter since the scuffle happened within Parliament premises.

Today’s Scripture

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back…” (Isaiah 54:2, NIV).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

God has many blessings in store for you! He has favor in your future like you’ve never imagined. He wants to take you places you’ve never even dreamed of. But in order for us to partake of all these blessings, we have to increase our capacity to receive.

Think about this: if you have a one-gallon bucket, and someone has fifty gallons to give you, the problem is not with the supply. The problem is that you don’t have the capacity to receive the fifty gallons. But, if you get rid of that small container and get something larger, then you will be able to receive more. It’s the same way with God. If we think we’ve reached our limits, the problem isn’t that God doesn’t have the resources or the ability.

The problem is that our container is too small. We have to enlarge our vision and make room for the new things God has for us. Our attitude should be, “Yes, the economy is down, but I know God is still on the throne. I know wherever I go His goodness and mercy follow me.” When you have that kind of attitude, you’re increasing your capacity to receive so that you can live the abundant life He has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, today I choose to increase my capacity to receive from You. I let go of limited thinking and old mindsets, and I open myself to everything You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries

Chief Macha of the Tonga people of Choma in Southern Province says the recommendation in the Mung’omba draft constitution that proposes that chiefs participate in political activities and stand for any elective office should not be allowed.

In an interview with ZANIS in Choma today, Chief Macha said traditional leaders should not be allowed to stand for any elective political office because they already hold public offices by virtue of them being chiefs.

He said there should however be a provision that chiefs who want to participate in political activities be required to relinquish their traditional positions so that the vacancy occasioned is immediately taken up by the next heir to the throne.

He said the integrity of chiefs needs to be upheld and that allowing them to participate in active politics will compromise their good standing in society.

Chief Macha said chiefs are not there to make money but to offer leadership as the ascendancy to the throne is not through appointment or an election but through a meticulous selection process.

And executive director for the Youth Development Organisation, Partner Siabutuba said chiefs are peace brokers because they are perceived to be politically neutral.

He said the clause in the Mung’omba draft constitution recommending that chiefs participate in political activities will create problems for the country.

Mr Siabutuba said there is need to separate chiefs from politics as their role is clearly defined.

He said in the present political dispensation in which there is antagonism among political parties, chiefs would be casualties of such political rivalry.

ZANIS/ENDS/CM/CLM

Mr. Shawa said contrary to the rumours going round, his Royal Highness Mwine Lubemba who is currently admitted to the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka was receiving the best treatment from medical personnel.

Briefing the Press in his office in Kasama yesterday (Saturday), Mr. Shawa said he was concerned that some people were spreading falsehood that the Paramount Chief was dead when in fact he was in a stable condition.

The Minister has since appealed to the people of Northern Province to pray for the quick recovery of the paramount chief.

He said he was in constant touch with the Chief and always pays him a visit whenever he is in Lusaka.

Mr. Shawa has also paid tribute to medical personnel at Kasama General Hospital for making a timely decision to evacuate the paramount chief Chitimukulu to Lusaka.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu was last week evacuated to the University Teaching hospital following recommendations by medical personnel at Kasama General hospital.

ZANIS/ENDS/HM/CLM

Government has said it has no intentions of regulating the media provided it finds ways of regulating itself.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronny Shikapwasha said Government would like to see all media organisations subscribe to Media Ethics Council of Zambia (MECOZ) or any other self regulatory body that will help in upholding ethical and professional reporting.

Speaking at the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia annual award presentation at Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka last night, Reverend Shikapwasha also said a free media is an important partner in entrenching democracy and contributing to development.

The Minister also promised that Government will continue encouraging a plural and diverse media in the country.

He said encouraging a plural and diverse media in the country was the only way in which citizens would access a wide range of information and ideas enabling them to participate in a democratic space.

Rev Shikapwasha further said the media has tremendous potential to produce quality and relevant material that can contribute to the promotion of good governance, democracy and development in the country.

Speaking at the same occasion MISA Zambia chairperson Henry Kabwe said there was need to see movement towards the implementation of the enacted law.

Mr. Kabwe called upon Civil Society organisations to support the enactment of the Freedom of Information Bill and make Zambians understand that the implementation of this Bill was not only a media issue.

At the same function, Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS)Production Manager Wamunyima Muwana and Floor Manager Susan Zulu-Ndumingu scooped the best television documentary on floods and best report on anti corruption respectively.

Some of the awards which were given included the best reports on corruption, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS among many others.

ZANIS/ENDS/AC/CLM/

Commenting on attacks from the POST, Ms Siliya said the attacks were personal and would not stop her from protecting tax payers’ money from going to a few selfish individuals.

“I know where these attacks are coming from. The attacks are because I refused to grant some organisation a mobile phone licence and also because of the Zambian Airways saga.

“My message to them is that I shall continue doing what is right for the Zambian people,” Ms Siliya said.
The minister said she would not allow a few selfish individuals to hold Government to ransom through publication of incorrect media reports.

Ms Siliya has since appealed to Zambians not to be swayed by unauthenticated information on Government dealings, saying the truth would soon be known.

“The crusade against corruption should not be selective…the truth shall soon be known. Some people portray that they are holier than others when they are the same people after tax payers’ money,” Ms Siliya said.

She urged the media to be responsible in order not to mislead the country through lies and incorrect facts.

Ms Siliya said the continued misleading of Zambians through incorrect media reports was worrying.

And Ms Siliya said Government was owed a lot of money by Zambian Airways, saying the money could be channelled towards revamping operations of ZAMTEL.

She said she was also hopeful that the Ministry of Justice would soon conclude discussions on the possibility of establishing a commission of inquiry on how the US$6.5 million loan directors of Zambian Airways got from Development Bank of Zambia was spent.

“As the minister responsible, I am hopeful that the commission of inquiry will soon be put in place so that we know how tax payers’ money was spent because some people think they are clever when they are the exact opposite.

“I shall continue to challenge them even if they continue to fight me,” Ms Siliya said.

Patriotic Front (PF) member of Parliament for Kawambwa Elizabeth Chitika-Mulobeka yesterday slapped her fellow PF member of Parliament for Munali Mumbi Phiri after a scuffle in the lobby at Parliament Building.

Guards had to restrain the two.

Mrs Chitika-Mulobeka in an interview later said she was provoked by Ms Phiri.

She said the ‘shadow boxing’ started in the chambers when Ms Phiri walked into the house.

“She came into the house and told Ernest Mwansa (Chifunabuli MP) that she would beat up Matero MP Faustina Sinyangwe and myself. Later, chairman of the expanded committee on estimates Batuke Imenda wrote a note to members of the committee asking us to meet.
“When the note came to me, I signed beside my name and Mrs Sinyangwe did the same.

Kamfinsa MP Michael Nyirenda also signed and asked Ms Phiri to hand the note to Mr Mwansa,” she said.

When Ms Phiri saw the names, she thought the note had come from Mrs Chitika-Mulobeka after which she allegedly threw the note away and started insulting.

“As she was walking out of the chambers she stopped where we had sat and said she was not insulting Mrs Sinyangwe but had a problem with me,” Mrs Chitika-Mulobeka said

Mrs Chitika-Mulobeka said she was later called outside by Mr Bernard Chisha (Pambashe MP) to ask her about what had transpired.

“While I was explaining to Honourable Chisha in the lobby, I saw Mumbi coming, so I decided to confront her and find out why she was insulting me. When I approached her, she insulted me. They were big insults,” she said.

Mrs Chitika-Mulobeka said she got so upset that she lunged at Ms Phiri.

“I grabbed her by the neck and don’t know what happened next. I just realised later that she didn’t have her shoes on and stuff from her handbags was all over,” she said.

And when contacted for a comment, Ms Phiri asked to be called later but her phone was off when called back.

However, on the ZNBC evening main news, Ms Phiri confirmed lodging a complaint against Mrs Chitika-Mulobeka at Woodlands Police Station.

[Zambia Daily Mail]