Lawyers representing more than 400 traders of the Tandabale Marketeers Co-operative Society Limited in Livingstone have commenced contempt proceedings against Local Government and Housing Minister, Sylvia Masebo in the Livingstone High Court.This is in a case in which the traders have asked the Livingstone High Court to start contempt proceedings for issuing an eviction order for them to relocate to Libuyu market, when the injunction they had filed to restrain the council from evicting them from their trading places was still in force.

Ms. Masebo issued a 24 hour ultimatum last Tuesday to the traders for them to relocate to a designated area.

The traders through their lawyers from Mak Partners firm had obtained an injunction in the Livingstone High Court restraining the Livingstone City Council from evicting them from the area.

Ms Masebo has denied disregarding and disrespecting the court when she ordered Tandabale marketeers in Livingstone to vacate the site while an injunction was in force.

In her affidavit filed in opposition before Livingstone High Court Judge, Elizabeth Muyovwe yesterday, Ms Masebo argued that the application made by Mak Partners for the traders to have her cited for contempt was misconceived and misguided.

Ms Masebo asked the court to dismiss the application for leave for an order of committal with costs, arguing that it was an abuse of the court process and an attempt by the applicants to sustain illegalities under the court’s shield.

In opposing Ms Masebo’s affidavit in opposition, the traders submitted that Ms Masebo was a total stranger who became aware of the injunction but went ahead to disobey it under the guise of being a minister, which amounted to contempt of court.

And solicitor general, Dominic Sichinga also applied to the court for the State to be part of the case.

In his submission, Mr Sichinga said local authorities generally acted as agents of Government and were superintended in the functions by a public officer, namely the minister responsible for Local Government and Housing.

Justice Muyovwe set August 12 for ruling on the applications.

Vice President Rupiah Banda says the Smart Partnership International Dialogue will help Zambia provide solutions to overcome some of its challenges.

At a dinner hosted for participants attending the Dialogue at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre last night, the Vice President said dialogue brings about understanding among people as it enables both sides to present their views on issues of common interest.

Mr Banda added that solutions to the current rising food and oil prices can also be found in dialogue among all stakeholders.

He said the smart partnership movement is worth supporting as it is a creative and practical method of solving problems.

The Vice President also called on leaders from all sections of society to engage in dialogue in order to find solutions that will improve people’s lives.

He said Zambia’s spirit of unity in cultural diversity should be encouraged as it embraces dialogue for the common good.

The Vice President commended Uganda for demonstrating a spirit of dialogue by engaging more women in governance issues.

He said Zambia looks forward to the Smart Partnership Dialogue to be hosted by that country next year.

The Vice President also noted that Zambia can learn from Uganda’s vision of transforming peasant farmers into commercial farmers and Malaysia’s path of economic growth.

Mr Banda also commended the media for its role in disseminating information on the Smart Partnership dialogue which has been going on at Mulungushi International Conference Centre since Monday this week.

He said Zambia is also proud of making the Smart Partnership Dialogue 2008 a success.

Ugandan minister of legal affairs commended Zambia for successfully hosting the three day event that attracted over 400 delegates from across the globe.

Mr Sam Kutesa said Uganda is challenged to organize the event next year and ensure it is fruitful to the satisfaction of participating countries.

And the Fellows of Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management, CPTM, congratulated Zambia for hosting a successful dialogue.

In their message read by Chief Executive and Joint Dialogue Convener Dr Mihaela Smith, the Fellows said the CPTM recognized the importance of devising new and improved ways to measure the contribution and value of the dialogue process.

They hoped the challenges of climate change health, food and water shortages and poverty will be tackled using the expertise and experience gained in the smart partnership movement.

The CPTM Fellows also accepted the invitations from the governments of Uganda and Malaysia to host dialogues in 2009 and 2010.

Meanwhile, a Zambian economic consultant and participant at the Global Southern Africa International Dialogue, GSAID 2008, has proposed that an institution to monitor and evaluate the country’s progress towards achieving the Vision 2030 be set up.

Bob Sichinga told the MULUNGUSHI BRIEF that an independent institution should be established to monitor the progress in the implementation of the Vision 2030.

Mr. Sichinga said this would enable the Zambian government and other stakeholders to steadily and timely correct any shortcomings that might delay the realization of the vision aimed at making Zambia a middle income country by the year 2030.

He said a mechanism to identify appropriate people to implement the Vision 2030, should also be developed.

Mr Sichinga said the Zambian government and all other stakeholders should be in a hurry to implement the national vision while cautiously ensuring that all huddles that may distract the realization of the set goals were addressed timely.

“Let us not dwell much on issues which we can quickly resolve but ensure that we implement the Vision 2030 effectively so that we can achieve it before the year 2030,” he said.

Mr. Sichinga said government and stakeholders must endeavour to harmonise the Vision 2030 with the national development plan, medium term expenditure frameworks, annual plans and other relevant programmes to ensure they were compatible.

“The national vision would be very difficult to implement if the objectives of other developmental programmes were not in tandem with the Vision 2030,” he observed.

He also suggested that the national planning office should be separated from the mainstream ministry of finance to enable it concentrate on achieving the Vision 2030.
At the opening of the GSAID on Monday, participating countries were challenged to share their national visions and experiences and devise ways of how best to implement them in achieving sustainable social and economic development.

ZANIS/CM/BMK/ENDS

The National Constitution Conference (NCC) has expressed concern at the growing misrepresentation of its proceedings by stakeholders.

NCC Spokesperson Mwangala Zaloumis expressed worry that some sections of society including the media did not understand the proceedings of the NCC thereby giving a distorted image to the public.

Ms. Zaloumis explained that resolutions made by the 11 NCC Committees were subject to further scrutiny and approval by the plenary saying it was sad that some stakeholders including the media were making conclusions from them.

She stressed that no single committee has the authority to pass a binding resolution as portrayed by some stakeholders including the media.

She said all citizens have a constitutional right to comment on the proceedings of the NCC but should do so from an informed point of view in order to avoid misrepresentation and distorting the work of the national constitution making body.

She invited all members of the public to attend sessions of the NCC so that they could have a better understanding of the entire process instead of passing public comments from a point of ignorance.

Ms. Zaloumis observed that it was divisive and misleading to the public if NCC proceedings are deliberately distorted and exaggerated.

She added that it was no wonder that the NCC Chairman admonished the Press for sensationalizing and trivializing serious issues.

Meanwhile, Ms. Zaloumis has dismissed reports from some sections of the media suggesting that two Ministers stormed out of a recent heated debate over the proposal that the republican president should constitute an ad hoc committee to recruit members of the electoral commission.

Ms. Zaloumis explained that Luapula Province Deputy Minister Chrispin Musosha asked for permission to leave the session prematurely as he had an appointment with Katanga Governor Moses Katumbi in Luapula.

She said similarly, Home Affairs Deputy Minister Grace Njapau left early to meet some diplomats.

She added that Health Deputy Minister Lwipa Puma also requested permission to attend to other official duties.

Ms. Zaloumis pointed out that the three Ministers made their contributions so that they could leave earlier to attend other meetings at the on going SMART partnership dialogue.

She said it was distortion of facts to suggest that the three Ministers stormed out of the heated debate.

ZANIS/BK/AM/ENDS

Education Permanet Secretary (PS), Lillian Kapulu, has with immediate effect directed all Provincial Educational Officers (PEOs) in the country to minimize holding workshops and seminars which she said are depleting the treasury of the ministry.

Mrs. Kapulu says workshops and seminars are costly on the part of government and advised that such funds could be channeled to construction of uncompleted school infrastructure in schools.

She observed that most buildings in the education sector were laying uncompleted, thereby disadvantaging the progression of school going children.

The PS said this in Mambwe today when she inspected Matula Basic school where she found Grade 5 and 6 pupils having lessons in makeshift classrooms.

Mrs. Kapulu regretted that children were being subjected to harsh climatic conditions (bad weather) thereby affecting the academic performance of the pupils in the country.

“Lets reduce holding these workshops and seminars because they are just depleting our resources for the ministry. This is the reason we are facing so many challenges of uncompleted buildings in the education sector as if we do not planning and yet we do,” she said.

She said certain decisions are painful to make on the spot but workshops and seminars could be controlled so as to save moneys .

She noted that if the trend continues, it would be very difficult to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target on quality education by the year 2015.

And Eastern Province PEO, Pilira Jere complained about the delays in releasing funds by govt to finish uncompleted buildings.

Ms. Jere said inadequate transport to monitor developmental projects in learning institutions was a minus to the education sector.

She said Building Officers in the districts are very determined to work if only govt expedites the release of funds to school infrastructure which needs to be completed.

And Matula Basic school Head Teacher,Ivian Ngoma, appeald to the PS to upgrade Matula Basic school from Grade three to Grade two.

Mr. Ngoma said the growing population in the surrounding area goes to the same school and hence the need for more classrooms to be built.

Meanwhile, Matula school in Mambwe district faces re-location because the school is on the Mfuwe International Airport run-way premises.

Mr. Ngoma said the institution is violating aviation regulations.

And the Education PS, who toured the school, advised school authorities to relocate to other land where government can heavily invest without being questioned.

Mrs. Kapulu reiterated the government’s commitment to developing the education sector in the country and appealed to school managers to remain focused and avail the ministry with the necessary data.

And Mambwe District Education Board Secretary Samuel Phiri said a named traditional leader in the area has released 400 x 400m piece of land for the construction of the high school.

ZANIS/KC/ENDS/EB

The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) has commended government for constantly updating the nation on President Mwanawasa’s condition.

Briefing the press in Lusaka today, ZCID Spokesperson, Langton Sichone said the updates by government have been useful to Zambians.

Mr. Sichone pointed out that the updates have calmed the social, political and economic situation in the country.

He said ZCID has continued to pray for the quick recovery of President Mwanawasa adding that they are hopeful that the President will recover soon and continue with his duties.

Meanwhile, the ZCID has paid tribute to political parties in Zimbabwe for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will facilitate the dialogue process.

Mr. Sichone said ZCID recognizes the sovereignty of Zimbabwe and the role that people and the leadership must have in resolving internal problems.

He disclosed that political parties in Zambia through the ZCID platform will however attempt to engage political parties and other stakeholders in Zimbabwe to dialogue in a bid to find lasting solutions to the political crisis in that country.

Mr. Sichone said ZCID will seek for resources and sponsorship to engage in the matter through political parties incorporated in the ZCID.

He charged that the organisation will not create any parallel process but that it is merely it will aim to add value to the continental and regional initiatives of SADC.

“We are conscious of the need not to prejudice any of our member parties’ position but proceed through a path of seeking deeper and better understanding of what transpired in Zimbabwe,” Mr. Sichone said.

The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) is a non-governmental political platform for the Zambian political parties in and outside parliament and was formed in 2003.

ZANIS/YK/AM/ENDS.