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Magande does not fit the description-Mulongoti
Chief government spokesperson and Information Minister, Mike Mulongoti, has said that the description of the person who the late president Levy Mwanawasa wanted as his successor does not fit current Finance and National Planning Minister Ng’andu Magande.
Mr Mulongoti was reacting to the interview the first lady gave to the Post newspaper over the weekend. The Post newspaper quoted Maureen Mwanawasa as saying that her late husband told her shortly before he died that he preferred Mr Magande to succeed him after his second and final five-year term in 2011, and that the cabinet was aware of his wishes.
“He knew that he had strengths and weaknesses, but the strengths outweighed the weaknesses,” she told the Post in an interview.
However, Mr.Mulongoti, who has openly backed 72-year-old acting president Rupiah Banda, said Mr Mwanawasa had wanted an honest man who is a good manager, but his other criteria did not fit Mr Magande.
“I do not think the president’s description of his successor in our last cabinet meeting fits Mr Magande. He told us he wanted somebody he could be calling a young man and this description disqualifies Mr Magande on account of age. Mr Magande is 61 years old and the president was going to be 60, so how could he start calling Mr Magande a young man,” said Mr Mulongoti
Mr Magande and vice president Rupiah Banda, who is now acting president, have emerged as the strongest contenders for the MMD top post.
PART 2: What exactly happened to President Mwanawasa
As far the cause of death, we will never know the exact sequence of events that led to the demise of President Mwanawasa. We can only work backwards and try to figure it out. The appropriateness of the interventions or what could have been done differently is impossible to tell at this stage. It would be unethical to disclose the late president’s medical records to the public.
Case scenarios of what could have happened to President Mwanawasa
Scenario 1. By doctor A .Mwanawasa is said to have complained of chest pains first and this was the reason he was taken to this Egyptian hospital. Later we were told he had a stroke. It is therefore possible that the president initially had a Myocardial infarction(heart attack) or pulmonary infarction. A coronary catherization could have then lead him to have an Ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs in 0.2-0.4% of patients undergoing left heart catheterization, and is responsible for 5-10% of the mortality associated with the procedure.
President Mwanawasa however had so many risk factors for a stroke:
- diabetes,
- hypertension,
- a black male,
- previous stroke and the
- Office of presidency.
The other factors which we may not know relate to his cholesterol and albuminuria which is closely linked to diabetes and hypertension. He was however a non smoker
Scenario 2. By Doctor B It appears that President Mwanawasas medical conditions were not well managed. This was either because the president didn’t adhere to his treatment or the information given to the president was not sufficient enough for him to make an informed decision. The risk of having another stroke with poorly controlled BP, Diabetes, high cholesterol and stressful job should have been well explained to him. The risk of death with a second stroke should also have been well explained. So a lack of Bp control lead to a stroke which was massive if it lead to unconsciousness. Usually an ischemic stroke won’t knock you out so it was probably hemorrhagic stroke.
Scenario 3 By Doctor C The president had a hemorrhagic stroke.The Craniotomy done on the President to monitor his intracranial pressures could have precipitated uncontrolled seizures from cerebral irritation. This could have lead to aspiration which in turn lead to pneumonia. All this is what could have caused him to be ventilator dependent. Probably that’s when GRZ said he was stable. Being in ICU as long as he was he probably got hospital acquired pneumonia with possibly MDR pseudomonas or MRSA and the French, like all European countries don’t like to give antibiotics in such situations till you’re on your death bed (which he was).
Why President Mwanawasa had a craniotomy and tracheostomy.
By doctor D. The government informed the general public that the president had a craniotomy and tracheostomy. Well assuming he did have a craniotomy, it is likely this was done to reduce elevated intracranial pressure. The elevated intracranial pressure is likely from a hemorrhagic stroke (either a primary hemorrhagic stroke or hemorrhagic conversion of an ischemic stroke). The tracheostomy was likely done due to prolonged intubation.( Insertion of a tube through the mouth or the nose and into a patient’s lungs to help them breathe. The reason for the prolonged intubation was likely due to poor neurological function. He was not reported to have had major pulmonary disease and so should have been able to wean from the ventilator (breath on his own). The fact that he did not suggests that his neurological function was so severely impaired that it affected his ability to protect his airway and/or his respiratory drive was severely depressed. In any case, if this was a stroke then the cause was lost well before he reached France. Prognosis of strokes with intracerebral and subarachnoid haemorrhage is terrible even in the best of centers and the 1month mortality approaches 50%.
Discussion\Recommendations
By Doctor E.I think as doctors we should have the courage to tell the patients all the facts about a particular disease and the associated risks with or without treatment.
I believe the Presidents medical conditions were not well controlled. Why do I say this? The President flew to Egypt and the same day or was it the following day, his blood pressure was sky rocketing. Please correct me but I think he flew from Lusaka with uncontrolled BP. This should never have been allowed.
Doctor F Hemorrhagic stroke in our man with his history meant we lost him in Egypt. I do not believe he could have been STABLE post-hemorrhagic stroke and ventilator dependent. He had a very bad prognosis.
Doctor G I think there should be a committee of doctors to look after our President but doctors who can be consulted from time to time to give an a opinion. I don’t mean doctors who will spend all their time at state house to earn a living but doctors who will give specialist advice from time to time. These should not be hand picked by the President because they are MMD, or PF doctors. Some form of a body can recommend these doctors. They should be full time practicing doctors and should continue doing so even after been selected. They should be on a government t salary and not an allowance from state house.
Doctor H Obviously we can see that with all this speculation about what happened to our late president, it’s clear that our Medical Association needs to change from that of being an association to that of a union or another body stronger than it is, so that we can add our voices to such matters. We have representation of ZMA during the NCC and we expected that ZMA would have met to discuss the things we want enshrined in the republican constitution as regards the health of our president. We also hope on an improvement on the kind of reporting that we heard over the past months.So I pose the question –when should the chief justice call for a medical board? In our current constitution it states that and I quote:
36. (1) If it is resolved by a majority of all the members of the Cabinet that the question of the physical or mental capacity of the President to discharge the functions of his office ought to be investigated, and they so inform the Chief Justice, then the Chief Justice shall appoint a board consisting of not less than three persons selected by him from among Persons who are qualified as medical practitioners under the law of Zambia or under the law of any other country in the Commonwealth, and the board shall inquire into the matter and report to the Chief Justice.
If that’s the case, did we have to wait until it was too late? Such a board should be convened when the experts feel that a president is not fit to continue. Currently the Chief justice is appointed by the president so it will be extremely difficult for him to call for a medical board. Therefore we should advocate for a professional body like ZMA to decide to convene such a board and not Cabinet or the Chief justice. The French doctors should be ashamed of themselves for saying Mwanawasa was in a stable state and making steady progress. President Sarkosy felt guilty on his countries behalf and paid all the medical bills and gave us his presidential plane to bring home our beloved president.
Doctor D As far as the lessons to be learned from this, whether medical conditions should disqualify people from running for president is a tricky question. There are many examples in the US where people with questionable health have held important positions in government. Bill Clinton underwent bypass surgery. McCain has a lot of medical conditions, but they are all controlled and so it seems okey for him to run for presidency. Senator Ted Kennedy is currently being treated for brain cancer, but continues to work in the senate. So it is difficult to rule out candidate just on medical conditions alone. Further, President Mwanawasa had a potentially preventable condition. One thing is clear. There is a need to educate the public about diabetes and cardiovascular disease in general and stroke in particular. The need for education is great in Africa. Let’s keep trying to get the word out on disease prevention as much as we can. We have the ability to prevent the epidemics of hypertension, stroke and cardiovascular disease in Zambia before things get as bad as they are in the West. We can apply the lessons learned from the west to prevent disease before it gets more people.
Proverbs 24 v 11-12 “Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;save them as they stagger to their death.Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew.He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
The purpose of this article is to educate the reader and to urge policy makers and doctors to devise better ways of taking care of future Zambian Presidents .The information was obtained from UNZA trained doctors who had no dealings with the Late President and who would like to remain anonymous to avoid victimization.
Mazabuka gets ballot boxes for Presidential by-election
Mazabuka district has started receiving election materials in readiness for the Presidential by-election.
Transparent ballot boxes have arrived in Mazabuka district.
Mazabuka Town Clerk, Ekan Chingangu, disclosed this to ZANIS in Mazabuka today that transparent ballot boxes have arrived in the district.
Mr Chingangu said the Electoral Commission of Zambia, ECZ, 182 new transparent boxes which have since been dispatched to the district..
He said the boxes are enough to cater for all the polling stations dotted around the district.
Mr Chingangu also revealed that the recruitment of election polling agents and assistants to handle the Presidential bye-election in the district is underway.
He explained that this has been done considering the limited time left before the elections.
The Presidential by-election has been necessitated by the death of President Levy Mwanawasa on August 19, 2008.
And the ruling MMD in Nakonde district has resolved to support Vice President, Rupiah Banda, as party’s presidential candidate for the forth coming Presidential by-election.
Nakonde MMD constituency Chairman, Joy Siame, told ZANIS in Nakonde today that the party in the district is confident that Mr Banda is credible enough to carry on with late President Levy Mwanawasa’s mandate of developing the country.
Ms Siame said Mr Banda has the necessary leadership qualities to succeed the late leader and ensure continuity of the development programmes initiated by late Dr Mwanawasa.
“As a party in the district we feel that the acting president cannot be difficult to sale to the public because he has been acting head of state since President Mwanawasa left the country for Egypt where he got sick and later died in Paris, France,” Said Siame.
She said what the party required now was a leader who could help complete the pending development projects during the remaining period before the country goes to the general elections in 2011.
She has since appealed for peace and unity in the party before and after the National Executive Committee elect the person to succeed the late President Mwanawasa.
Five aspirants have so far applied for adoption as MMD candidates for the November Presidential by-elections.
Vice President Rupiah Banda, former Vice Presidents Nevers Mumba and Enoch Kavindele, Ministers Ng’andu Magande, Brian Chituwo and Ronnie Shikapwasha are among the aspiring candidates.
ZANIS/ENDS/HC/SJK
Sunday Zambia Football Update
Two European-based Zambian strikers opened their goal accounts for the new season this weekend in respective league matches played on Saturday.
In France, Jacob Mulenga scored an injury minute goal against his former club Strasbourg in Chateauroux’s 2-1 away Ligue 2 loss.
Strasbourg, demoted last season from Ligue 1 with on-loan striker Mulenga in tow, continue to lead the Ligue 2 log on maximum 15 points from 5 games played while Chateauroux trail in 14th place on 6 points.
And in the German Bundesliga, Zambia captain and striker Christopher Katongo’s stock continues to rise.
Katongo scored his debut goal after 3 successive starts for Arminia Bielefeld in their 4-2 home defeat against Bundesliga title contenders Hamburg SV.
The Zambian captain opened scores in the game in the 9th minute before Hamburg rallied to crush their hosts.
Katongo joined Bielefeld from Danish club Brondby in a million Euro deal after a season in Denmark following 3 years in South African at Jomo Cosmos.
In other news, the Zambia Under-17 national team beat City of Lusaka 2-0 in training game at Woodlands Stadium in a training game on Saturday.
Aggrey Chiyangi’s team are in camp preparing for their Algeria 2009 Caf Africa Under-17 Cup, 1st round, 1st leg qualifier against Namibia on September 7 in Lusaka.
And opponents Namibia are expected to arrive on Tuesday ahead of Sunday’s Caf Africa Under-17 Cup qualifier.
Elsewhere, the Zambia senior and Under-20 national teams regroup on Monday in Lusaka.
Zambia resume training camp for their 2010 World/Africa Cup qualifier Group 11 against Togo on September 10 at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.
The U20 team on their other hand gather ahead of their 8-day training camp of Australia to prepare for the Rwanda 2009 Africa Youth Championship 2nd round, 1st leg away qualifier against Egypt.
Zambia to Host Togo on September 10
Zambia’s 2010 World/Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier against Togo will now be played on September 10 in a 14:00 kickoff at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.
Fifa deputy general secretary Markus Kattner confirmed the date switch in a statement to Faz today, Friday.
The game was originally scheduled to be played on September 6 but due to the 21-days of national mourning for late president Levy Mwanawasa, Faz applied to Fifa for a match date change.
Zambia will host Togo just a day after the national period of mourning ends on September 9 and seven days after Mwanawasa is put to rest on September 3 at Embassy Park in Ridgeway, Lusaka.
“Referring to the various consultations between all parties concerned and Fifa and Caf and taking into account that the national mourning will officially terminate on September 9, 2008, we would like to confirm that the preliminary competition match between Zambia and Togo is postponed to Wednesday September 10, 2008 instead of the initially scheduled Saturday September 6, 2008,” Kattner said.
“The kick-off time remains unchanged, namely 14:00.”
Kattner added that the September 10 match date falls within the official Fifa international match date window for September and that all clubs are mandated to release their players called up for national team duty for that match.
“We take this opportunity to remind both football associations that this new match date is included on the international match calendar and thus entitles both teams to ask for international players release in accordance with the provisions laid down in the Annex 1 of the Fifa regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players,” he said.
It will be the first time in 11 years that Zambia will play a World Cup qualifying match in midweek since drawing 2-2 with DR Congo in Harare on April 9, 1997.
Zambia are currently 2nd in Group 11 level on 4 points with leaders Swaziland from 3 matches played while Togo are 3rd and bottom on 3 points from 3 games with a match in hand.
Govt restricts number of mourners to Levy’s burial
Government has restricted the number of mourners to attend the church service and burial of late President, Levy Mwanawasa, scheduled for September 3, 2008.
Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja, said the number has been restricted to ensure an orderly and dignified church service and burial of the late President, who died on August 19.
Mr Kanganja told ZANIS in a statement this afternoon that members of the public are, therefore, encouraged stay home and watch the proceedings on ZNBC Television from their homes as the events would be transmitted live.
Mr Kanganja also indicated that ZANIS would screen the events from designated halls in some Lusaka townships.
“In order to have an orderly, solemn and dignified Church Service and burial, the number of mourners that can attend will necessarily be limited,” Mr Kanganja said the statement.
“Additionally, ZANIS will, where possible, screen the events from designated Halls in Lusaka Townships. The designated Halls will be announced later,” added the statement.
He said mourners outside Lusaka would also be able to watch the proceedings on ZNBC TV and screening facilities by ZANIS at places to be designated in consultation with the provincial and district administration.
“I wish to take this opportunity to urge members of the public who because of space and other logistical reasons, will not be able to attend the Church Service and burial to bear with Government and allow for a dignified burial of the late Presidnt,” Mr Kanganja said.
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Dr. Nevers Mumba joins Presidential race
Nevers Mumba has joined the race to become the MMD candidate in the forthcoming presidential by-elections.
In an interview, Dr Mumba confirmed that he had presented his application to the MMD secretariat but refused to comment further.
Asked when he rejoined the MMD after having been Reform Party (RP) president, Dr Mumba said the MMD secretariat had all those details.
“I have applied but for further details you can contact the secretariat,” Dr Mumba said.
On his website Dr Mumba is quoted as saying “I believe in Zambia. I also believe in the Zambian people. We have what it takes to move our country out of this valley of poverty and despair. History encourages us with nations that had sunk and yet through a unified resolve, ended up on top…There is hope for Zambia. Hope for us to transform ourselves into a prosperous nation.”
Dr Mumba, 48, was a presidential candidate in 2001 when he lost to the late President Mwanawasa, who in May 2003 appointed him vice-president, the position he held until October 2004 when he was dropped.
He holds an honourary doctorate from Flint and an associate degree from Christ for the Nations Institute in the United States of America.
MMD Administrative Secretary, Augustine Chapita, said in an interview in Lusaka that a member who resigns from the party and wishes to come back should re-apply to the party’s branch committee before the National Executive Committee (NEC) considers such a one.
Mr. Chapita was commenting on former republican Vice President, Nevers Mumba’s application for adoption as the MMD’s presidential candidate in the forthcoming presidential by elections.
He explained that only persons who have been members for two years were eligible to contest any position in the party and contest elections on the party’s card.
The MMD presidential candidate would be chosen by the party’s national executive committee currently comprising 55 members on September 5.Meanwhile Minister of Home Affairs, Ronnie Shikapwasha has also joined the race for MMD presidency.
He is quoted as saying “I can confirm that I am going for the position because this has been done after wide consultation. I cannot say much but I hope I will be given a chance to serve the nation.”
Dr. Mumba and General Shikapwasha joined other contenders, who include acting president Rupiah Banda, former vice-president, Enock Kavindele, and former Works and Supply, Minister Ludwig Sondashi.
Others are Lusaka businessman, Sebastian Kopulande, former Constitution Review Commission (CRC) Chairman, Willa Mung’omba, Finance Minister, Ng’andu Magande and Minister of Health, Brian Chituwo.
Masebo in stable condition
Government has described as stable the condition of Local Government and Housing Minister, Sylvia Masebo.
Mrs Masebo was admitted to the Maina Soko Military Hospital on Friday ,after collapsing at Lusaka City Airport, where she was among senior government officials, members of the first family and other mourners who gathered at Lusaka City Airport to receive the body of late President Levy Mwanawasa.
Mrs Masebo fainted after seeing the casket carrying the late President’s body. Late President Levy Mwanawasa’s body arrived Friday in Lusaka after being taken to all the provincial capitals to enable members of the public view it.
Acting President, Rupiah Banda, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Cabinet ministers and their deputies and service chiefs were on hand to receive the body of the late President.
Upon arrival, the late Dr. Mwanawasa’s body was accorded a presidential salute by a quarter guard mounted by the Zambia Air Force.
The late President’s body was then placed on the military gun carriage and taken to Mulungushi International Conference Center where it will lie in repose until Tuesday next week.
First lady Maureen, Gender Minister Patricia Mulasikwanda, Sports Minister Gabriel Namulambe and Presidential Affairs Minister Cecil Holmes were among those that accompanied the body of the late President.
Others included Science Minister Peter Daka, President Mwanawasa’s special assistants Jack Kalala and John Musukuma, MMD Deputy National Secretary Jeff Kaande and other family members.
Lusaka residents, have the opportunity to pay their last respects to the late President, from 08:00 hours to 18:00 hours today.
On Tuesday next week, a valedictory service will be conducted for the late President at the Supreme Court in Lusaka before burial on Wednesday at the Embassy Park.
Investor confidence exists despite Levy’s demise
The Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) says investor confidence in the country will not be disturbed after President Levy Mwanawasa’s untimely death.
LTA Secretary Fredrick Mwendapole who is also former Livingstone Mayor said the investor confidence would be maintained if peace prevails.
Mr Mwendapole said fears by sections of society that investors would withdraw following Dr Mwanawasa’s death had disappeared because investor confidence still exists especially in the tourism sector.
In an interview with ZANIS in Livingstone on Tuesday, Mr. Mwendapole said the late Pesident left a firm foundation of good policies that built investor confidence and it would take goodwill to continue where he left from.
He confirmed that LTA was initially worried like the rest of the country about Dr Mwanawasa’s demise but was later elated that investors were still willing to stay on as long as peace reigned in the country.
Mr. Mwendapole said Zambia had in the past few years managed to be on the top 10 list of preferred tourism destinations in the world saying investors had played a major role in achieving this.
He said Zambians had to continue working with foreign investors if the country was to sustain its development and maintain its status as a peaceful country even after Dr Mwanawasa’s death.
And Mr. Mwendapole disclosed that the LTA was working with government to ensure that tourism investment moved to Kazungula district.
He said it would be a great achievement for Kazungula to become a greater Livingstone because it had tremendous potential for business opportunities and tourism activities.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mwendapole advised the MMD to choose a credible leader with a good vision for the country to succeed President Mwanawasa.
He said the person would not need to be the same as the late President but be committed enough to ensure he achieved the vision the president had for the country.
He said the nation needed somebody with insight and a heart for the poor and underprivileged.
ZANIS/AM/ENDS/MM
Scrap Presidential By-Elections- Luapula chiefs
Chiefs in Luapula province have called for the suspension of Presidential by-elections but allow the acting President, Rupiah Banda to continue until 2011.
Speaking in separate interviews with ZANIS on Tuesday, chief Kashinka of Mwense district said in his opinion, there was no need to hold a costly presidential by-election when Mr Banda as acting President was capable of running government until 2011.
He appealed to political parties in the country to heed to his appeal for the sake of peace in the country.
And Senior chief Lukwesa of Samfya district said acting President, Mr. Banda was best placed to govern the country until 2011.
He said Mr. Banda has so far proved to be a capable leader.
Meanwhile, Chief Puta of Chiengi district said he would not support a presidential candidate whose hands were soiled.
He said traditional leaders would only support aspiring presidential candidates with attributes that were similar to those of the late President Mwanawasa.
And chief Chisunka of Mansa district echoed the other chiefs’ proposal.
And business stalled Tuesday afternoon in Ndola with late Republican President Mwanawasa’s body arrival for viewing.
Most companies suspended business to avail their staff chance to view the late Dr Mwanawasa’s body.
The ceremony that started at 12:30 hours at the International Trade Fair (ITF) grounds with a prayer by Zambia Army Chaplain Hendrix Moma praying that the Christian nation declaration should be upheld by all Zambians during the mourning period and beyond.
Major Moma also prayed for unity among Zambians adding that the next leadership continue with the late President Mwanawasa’s vision of improving the national economy for the benefit of all people.
He described the late president as a leader who upheld firmness while embracing fairness in dealing with issues that confront the nation.
He said Dr. Mwanawasa believed in the rule of law as opposed to exploitation.
He therefore challenged the church to stand firm in praying for peaceful transition of government.
And CopperBelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima said Dr. Mwanawasa will be remembered for successfully implementing policies of revamping the mining industry in the province.
He acknowledged that Dr. Mwanawasa tirelessly devoted his efforts to establishing the Copperbelt as an economic hub through value addition to local products and services through establishment of the Chambishi economic zone.
He called on Zambians to remember the late President by upholding values of transparency, the rule of law and democracy as they mourn the late leader.
Meanwhile, the ITF grounds were full to capacity as people from different parts of the province assembled to view the body of the late president.
Security had a tough time controlling an impatient crowd as it filed past Dr. Mwanawasa’s casket.
Medics too were seen busy attending to mourners who fainted after standing for hours in the long queue to veiw the body.
First lady Maureen is among family members and government officials accompanying the body of Dr. Mwanawasa.
Viewing in Ndola is scheduled to end at 19:50 hours.
The body will lie in state at Kabelenga Presidential Guest House before being flown to Solwezi.
ZANIS/SK/ENDS/MM
ZANIS/AM/ENDS/MM
MMD extends deadline for presidential application
The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has extended the deadline of submitting application letters from individuals wishing to stand as presidential candidates for the forthcoming by-elections on its ticket.
The extension is from the initial deadline of August 26th to Friday, August 29th 2008.
Party National Secretary, Katele Kalumba, said in a press statement to ZANIS today that the MMD would accept applications from all eligible members of the party for the position of president.
Dr. Kalumba said the party would not intimidate anyone who would like to stand for the position.
“The national secretary would like to warn that no member, no family, occupation, region, religion, tribe, no gender should be intimidated in their aspirations to be considered as candidates for republican presidency under MMD ticket,” he said.
He further explained that applications from candidates would be considered in confidence until they were cleared by the his office
He said the MMD constitution required that convection be held for the election and therefore, the legal committee which was detailed to look at the mode of adoption could make recommendation to the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Dr. Kalumba MMD was a party that existed to promote democracy and fight discrimination and therefore, it must support those who would want to aspire to be considered for president under MMD ticket.
ZANIS/SS/KSH/END.
Faz silent on Fifa Reply as Zambia Returns Home
A veil of silence engulfed Faz on Tuesday as to the reply from Fifa over the staging of Zambia’s 2010 World/Africa Cup Group 11 game against Togo in Chililabombwe on September 6.
Word on an official statement never came by the close of business on Tuesday at Football House in Lusaka.
The situation hasnt helped at all after Faz have found themselves mis-interrupted in a media gaff over the Togo game being staged during the 21-day period of national mourning.
Faz has retreated into defensive mode demanding only faxed press queries and overall remained silent on feedback from Fifa preferably hoping to make an official announcement at Wednesday press briefing in the safe confines of Football House.
On Monday, Faz communications officer Erick Mwanza was caught on camera in an off-the-record interview on local nationwide TV saying should it be difficult to stage an international game during the period of national mourning the junior team might have to sneak out to fulfill its obligations.
Meanwhile, Zambia coach Herve Renard has said he is satisfied with his squads 10-day training camp in Germany.
The team returned home on Monday evening.
And Renard also hinted at the prospect of handing Germany-based midfielder Andrew Sinkala of 2.Bundesliga side FC Augsburg a recall in the near future.
“Step by step, we are making progress. In the last 10 days we have been in Germany the players have grown in confidence, “Renard said.
“Although I do not want to be happy in training but also after the end of the qualifying round.”
On Sinkala, the Frenchman said: “He (Sinkala) is good and I might consider him in future. Time is short for me to assess him for the game against Togo.”
The team is expected to regroup on Thursday in Kitwe.
Leave first lady out of presidential debate, Teta
Ruling MMD Chairperson for Information and Publicity, Ben Tetamashimba has urged party members to stop implicating the First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa in the presidential by-election debate.
Mr. Tetamashimba said Mrs. Mwanawasa has already clearly stated her position on the matter, adding that she could not turn round after the husband’s death.
In a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Tetamashimba said the first lady’s position which she gave to the nation was that she was not available to contest the republican presidency.
Mr. Tetamashimba’s reaction comes in the wake of a continuing heated debate on whether first lady Maureen Mwanawasa should contest in the forth coming presidential by-election or not.
He said Mrs. Mwanawasa instead deserves to be helped by the government to look after the children as suggested earlier by Patriotic Front president Michael Sata.
Mr. Tetamashimba has since commended that PF leader for suggesting the idea of looking after the Mwanawasa family.
He has also cautioned some party members against mounting pressure in the party and charged that such people had an agenda to cause division in the party.
Mr. Tetamashimba has also said that he would on August 30, give a comprehensive statement on why Vice President Rupiah Banda should stand as a presidential candidate on the MMD ticket for the forthcoming presidential by-elections in November.
He said a statement will also be given on what transpired between Mr. Sata and Mrs. Mwanawasa in Chipata yesterday.
And Former Kitwe Mayor William Nyirenda has called on the ruling MMD to adopt acting President Rupiah Banda for the forthcoming Presidential by-election to maintain political stability.
ZANIS Kitwe Reports that Mr Nyirenda who is also a prominent Kitwe lawyer, said in an interview that the MMD has no time to identify and come up with another leader within this short time hence the need to adopt Mr Banda.
Mr Nyirenda noted that allowing various people in the MMD to contest for the vacant position will breed chaos and disunity in the ruling party and the country as a whole.
He also advised the opposition political parties vying for the republican presidency to seriously rethink their position and allow Mr Rupiah Banda to take the mantle of power and complete the three years remaining for the late Dr Mwanawasa’s term of Office.
Mr Nyirenda said the opposition political parties must support the candidature of Mr Banda to allow the MMD complete their term and all the economic programmes embarked on by the deceased head of state.
He said the opposition political parties should wait for the 2011 tripartite elections which were more competitive than the forthcoming presidential bye election.
He also appealed to the people that were sitting on the National Constitution Conference to learn from this experience when drafting the new constitution by making the Vice president a Presidential running mate.
In Southern Province, Chief Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka has advised the MMD to nominate Vice President, Rupia Banda as its presidential candidate during the forthcoming presidential by-election.
The chief told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that floating a different candidate other than Mr Rupiah Banda will split the ruling party into divisions.
He said Mr Banda has proved that he is capable of running the affairs of the country as evidenced by the manner in which he has handled national duties when the late president Mwanawasa was hospitalised in France.
And chief Mwanachingwala has advised the MMD to handle the succession of president Mwanawasa with care to avoid spliting the party.
He said the current situation where senior members are issuing statements on their preferred candidates is not healthy for the ruling party.
ZANIS/HC/BMK/ENDS