Former Information Minister Vernon Mwaanga has said it is unacceptable and an abomination for the opposition Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development (UPND )to be accusing him and the acting President Rupiah Banda of harbouring intentions to rig the October 30 elections,without providing evidence.

Mr Mwaanga challenged the PF and UPND leaders to provide evidence on the allegations to Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ),the Zambia Police, election observers among them the Southern African Development Community (SADC), European Union before Thursday’s poll so that the matter can be addressed.

He said election rigging was a serious offense and warned that PF should not trivialize the matter.

ZANIS reports that Mr Mwaanga said Zambia and other members of SADC in August 2002 in Mauritius passed a declaration which guides member countries on holding of elections.

He outlined one of the guidelines which demands political parties participating in the elections to concede in advance the outcome of the polls.

The former Minister was speaking at a campaign rally to drum up support for acting President Rupiah Banda at Luanshya’s Kafubu stadium in Roan constituency today.

He cautioned that in the Zambian scenario, people should not only accept elections only when they won but should also do so when vice versa.

Mr Mwaanga said there are four presidential candidates contesting the race and that only one of them would win the elections.

The former Minister said the upcoming presidential election was not about change but continuity of the mandate which the people of Zambia gave to the ruling party (MMD) in 2006.

And MMD Provincial Coordinator George Mpombo assured the acting president that the MMD’s perfomance in this election will be far much better than 2006.

Mr Mpombo who is also Defence Minister said the party has embarked on an aggressive campaign in which grassroots in the province would be reached.

He dispelled reports by the opposition PF that it was in charge of the province saying those who were making such statements just wanted to send wrong information in the minds of the people about the situation on the ground.

Mr Mpombo said the people of Zambia will on October 30 make a decision on who would rule the nation and not a clique of individuals who were bent on misleading the masses.

He said the massive gathering which turned up for this afternoon’s (Sunday)rally was a manifestation of the trust which people in the province have in Mr Banda’s leadership.

He said Mr Banda has good leadership and judgment which he noted were vital ingredients in a leader.

Mr Mpombo has since pledged to ensure that the MMD dismantles the opposition PF in the province.

At the same rally, Luanshya Member of Parliament Simon Kachimba said the constituents have realised that they made a wrong decision in voting for the opposition in 2006.

Outlining some of the developments in Luanshya, Mr Kachimba mentioned that the MMD had resuscitated Luanshya Copper Mine and opened Luanshya Hospital.

Veteran Politician Matiya Ngalande reminded the gathering that the PF leader had said he would never appoint people from North western Province in decision making portifolios.

Using the same fora to appeal to the North westerners, Mr Ngalande advised the people of North western province to vote for Mr Banda for continuity of development in the province.

Political campaigns for the acting president have continued on the Copperbelt Province ahead of Thursday’s presidential election.

ZANIS/ENDS/MK/CLM

Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata
has promised to transfer the provincial administrative capital of
Southern Province from Livingstone to Choma if voted for in the
October 30 presidential election.

Addressing a campaign meeting at the BOMA square in Choma this
afternoon, Mr Sata said Choma is more central in administering the
province than Livingstone, which he said was at the far end.

He said the transfer of the provincial capital from Livingstone to
Choma will be a priority for PF once voted into Government so as to
ensure effective management of the region.

Mr Sata also assured Choma residents that he will ensure that Zambia
National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) put up transmitters in the
district to improve the current poor television and radio reception.

The PF leader said there is no way Choma residents can be denied
access to national television and radio when they are paying tax to
the Government.

He told the rally that once PF is voted into Government, he will
ensure that roads from Choma to Itezhi Tezhi via Namwala are tarred
within 90 days.

He said Choma-Namwala road has remained a controversial issue since
independence but added that once in Government, PF will ensure the road
is tarred.

Mr Sata promised to transform the Zambia College of Agriculture in
Monze to a university to provide disciplines in veterinary services,
education, agriculture and African languages.

He also told the meeting that PF will ensure that animal diseases are
first eradicated before embarking on cattle restocking.

Mr Sata argued that it is not practical to embark on cattle restocking
in an environment characterised by high prevalence of disease.

He assured civil servants that PF will offer attractive rural hardship
allowance to those serving in outlying areas as a way of motivating
them.

The PF leader is in Southern Province for a series of campaign meeting
ahead of the October 30 presidential poll.
ZANIS/ENDS/CM/CLM

Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President Edith Nawakwi said that she left MMD because Patriotic Front, PF President MICHAEL SATA evicted her from the ruling party

Ms Nawakwi said the people of Mkushi would make a very big mistake if they voted for Patriotic Front, PF President MICHAEL SATA in the October 30 elections.

Ms. Nawakwi claimed that this was because Mr. Sata was quarrelsome and an arrogant individual who lacked respect for others.

Ms. Nawakwi said she was was not an enemy of the MMD just because she had her own party, but that she left the party because Mr. Sata evicted her.

She charged that there was no way Mr. Sata could lead the country, if he chased from office anyone who differed with him in opinion or tried to advise him.

She further said her party has endorsed Acting President Rupiah Banda’s candidature in the October 30 elections because he was a peaceful man who knew no insults.

Ms. Nawakwi further urged the people in the area not to listen to lies from the opposition aimed at tarnishing the image of Mr. Banda but to listen to the voice of the MMD and ensure that they voted for Mr Banda.

ZANIS/ENDS/CK/MK/EML/CLM

Acting President Rupiah Banda has promised to increase the Constituency Development Fund (CDF, from the current K400 million to K1 billion once elected as President of Zambia.

The Acting President said this when he arrived at Chibefwe Basic School grounds in Mkushi district Saturday afternoon.

The Acting President was in the district to drum up support for his presidential campaign election scheduled for 30 October 2008.

Mr. Banda said it was sad that, 44 years after independence, most areas in the country were still lagging behind, in terms of development.

He said once he is elected president of Zambia, he will ensure that each constituency in the country gets K1 billion CDF per year, to foster development in the country.

He said he was concerned with the rising poverty levels in the country, especially in rural areas, and will ensure that he addresses the issue immediately he is elected as president.

On arrival at the president’s park in Mkushi, Mr. Banda received a thunderous welcome by MMD cadres and received a cow as a gift from Mkushi North Member of Parliament Lucy Changwe as a sign that he was welcome in the area.

Addressing the gathering at President’s Park, the Acting President said his government will not mistreat or chase away the white farmers in the Mkushi Farm Block and other foreign investors from the country because without them, development was inevitable.

Mr. Banda said his government will ensure that it settled problems that existed between foreign investors and their workers rather than chasing them from the country, because they made a huge contribution to the country’s economy.

He said Zambia had a friendly environment that attracted the confidence of foreign investors and warned that this would discontinue if people voted for a leader that would chase foreign investors from the country.

He further urged the people to vote for him in Thursday’s presidential election, because MMD was the only party that would continue with the projects that the government started under the leadership of late President Levy Mwanawasa.

ZANIS/ENDS/CK/MK/EML/CLM

Today’s Scripture

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

Habakkuk knew what to do when things seemed completely hopeless. His world was literally falling apart around Him. There was destruction every where he looked. But Habakkuk knew that God was bigger than his circumstances! So what did he do? He invited God into his circumstances by rejoicing and praising the Lord. He made the choice to be joyful knowing that it would connect him to the One who would deliver him!

Are you facing a situation that seems dark or hopeless? No matter how difficult things may seem, God has a plan to bring you out into a place of victory. Your praise is the bridge that will carry you into your land of promise. The Bible tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people, and when the presence of God manifests, the enemy has to flee!

The Bible also tells us that there is fullness of joy in His presence. His joy empowers us to walk through any difficulty we may be facing. No matter how things may seem in the natural, you can rejoice today because God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you praise Him, He will fill you with His joy and pour out His abundant blessing in every area of your life.

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I come to You trusting that You are my Deliverer. No matter what is going on around me, today I choose to bless and praise Your name. I choose to connect to You, knowing that You are the source of my strength, hope, and peace. In Jesus’ Name.

Joel Osteen Ministries

Former Information Minister Vernon Mwaanga has challenged Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) leader to commit himself to accepting the outcome of the October Presidential poll.

He said the acting president had already committed himself to conceding the outcome of Thursday’s presidential election hence the need for Mr Sata to equally do so.

Mr Mwaanga was speaking when he addressed a campaign rally at Kapiri Mposhi town centre grounds this afternoon.

And speaking at the same really, Acting President Rupiah Banda said the Mpvement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) New Deal administration is a listening Government which will continue to address the challenges facing Zambians.

Mr. Banda outlined the -reopening of the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road campus and the resolve to meet the needs of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) as some of the issues Government had started to address .

He said his Government has demonstrated its love for the people of Zambia by withdrawing the Constitution Office emolument bill from Parliament which was intended to increase their salaries.

He said leaders who aspired for higher office should be ready to serve the Zambian people.

Mr. Banda who stated that he had in the past 40 days called all sorts of names said he would not be angry at his critics but would devote his energy in addressing issues of poverty and illiteracy .

The acting President said as a believer in democracy, he had allowed Zambians to go by the provision of the constitution in electing a leader of their choice.

“ If I wanted I would have used the powers conferred on me as acting president to have my way , but I have allowed the constitution to take its course,” he stated.

And United Liberal Party (ULP) President Sakwiba Sikota challenged Mr Sata to provide documentation over his claims that he was the initiator of the policy on Anti Retroviral Drugs (ARVs).

He recalled that the policy was started by a committee in 1999 led by Former Health Minister Professor Nkandu Luo at the time when Mr. Sata had left the ministry.

He however advised the people of Kapiri Mposhi not to believe what is being reported in some sections of the media.

He said a named tabloid would not publish pictures of the massive crowd attending Mr. Banda’s rally because of its intention to discourage the MMD members.

Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President Edith Nawakwi urged the people of Kapiri Mposhi to vote for Mr. Banda for continuity, peace and stability of the country’s economy.

UNZA MMD Branch student Chairman Titus Wayamba said students have resolved to support Mr. Banda to enable him continue with the party’s development programmes.

He said the country has recorded a number of successes under the leadership of the MMD.

He has since appealed to Zambians not to jeopardise the peace that the country has enjoyed by electing leaders agitating violence.

Mr. Banda who earlier in the day had rallies in Serenje and Mkushi districts has since wound up his campaign trail in Central Province.

Mr Banda who has since arrived in Ndola was seen off in Mkushi by Deputy Minister in the Vice President’s Office Friday Malwa, Member of Parliament for Mkushi South Sydney Chisanga and other senior government officials.

The acting President is accompanied by Mr. Mwaanga, Ms. Nawakwi and Mr. Sikota.

ZANIS/ENDS/MK/CLM

The rally scheduled to have been held by the Patriotic Front (PF) in Mumbwa District failed due to problems related to permit clearance.

In a brief address to a small crowd of suporters at Mumbwa’s Freedom square this morning (Saturday), PF President Michael Sata hinted that he had travelled to the meeting venue prematurely, and that permits had a time frame to be fulfilled.

He acknowledged that his District Campaign team had misinterpreted both the seven days and 48 hours conditions involved prior to holding rallies, and that he was still determined to return to the district to fulfill his rally in Mumbwa.

He appealed to supporters to remain calm during the run up to Thursday’s Presidential election and stressed that there was need for them to help clean up the image of the party.

He said that it was regrettable that the PF was depicted as an ill disciplined Party and pointed out that Mumbwa’s Police Command were not at fault by denying him the go-ahead for the rally.

Briefly commenting on the need to improve sectors such as agriculture and job creation, Mr. Sata noted that he would prioritise reforms in Law enforcement agencies such as Police, by ensuring that they operated objectively.

A sparse crowd gathered to welcome the Patriotic Front leader from his helicopter which landed at Welfare grounds, and the noticeable presence of heavy Police contingent ensured that peace prevailed.

And in the afternoon, in Itezhi Tezhi Patriotic Front (PF) leader Micheal Sata and members of his campaign team reportedly impounded a Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) vehicle .

Mr Sata is said to have also grabbed keys for the ZANIS vehicle registration number ABM 6529 after intercepting the driver at Melisa shopping centre in Itezhi Tezhi.

Mr Sata was in the area for a campaign meeting.

ZANIS District Information Officer for Itezhi Tezhi, Frederick Mwansa, said the driver was ordered to park by Mr Sata and members of his campaign team before searching the vehicle.

He said the driver was briefly detained for about 15 minutes before he was set free after a meticulous search of the mobile video van.

Mr Mwansa explained to ZANIS in Choma from Itezhi Tezhi that Mr Sata accused the driver of carrying presidential ballot papers.

He also questioned the driver why the vehicle had not been used in mounting mobile public announcements for his rally in the district.

Mr Mwansa said after a thorough search at the back of the vehicle, Mr Sata only found a ZANIS publication, Intanda Newspaper for Southern Province.

He said the PF leader is said to have told the driver that the new ZANIS vehicles have been bought specifically to help the MMD rig the October 30 presidential polls.

The ZANIS District Information Officer also said Mr Sata later told reporters from the Post Newspaper to photograph the vehicle.

And a campaign rally for the Patriotic Front (PF) in Choma in Southern Province was this evening aborted after PF leader Michael Sata failed to show up.

PF supporters who started gathering at the BOMA square in Choma for the rally as early as 14.00 hours were only told to disperse at 18.00 hours after an announcement that Mr Sata was running behind time as he was addressing another rally in Monze.

The PF local leaders advised the gathering to re-convene tomorrow at 11.00 hours at the same venue.

Mr Sata is on a campaign trail in Southern Province.

ZANIS/ENDS/CM/CLM