-The National Initiative for Citizen Awareness (NICA) has called on the Ministry of Home Affairs to increase Police presence in the country to effectively combat defilement cases.

NICA President Kelvin Sampa said in a Press Statement to ZANIS today that the Victim Support Unit in the Police Service should be adequately equipped with transport and other logistics in order to track down sexual abuse cases.

Mr. Sampa said there are only 133 police stations in the country’s 72 districts which makes it difficult for the law enforcement officers to follow up cases committed in distant places.

He said despite civil society’s efforts in the fight against defilement, the cases have continued to escalate in Lusaka and other parts of the country.

He expressed concern that out of the 865 defilement cases as at 2006, only 238 were convicted and the remaining were withdrawn.

Mr. Sampa urged the legislature and the national constitution conference to enact laws that will provide for the arrest of people who withdraw defilement cases.

He also appealed to the community, government and civil society to be involved in the fight against defilement.

MMD Southern Province Chairman, Solomon Muzyamba has called on MMD members in Mazabuka district to embark on a vigorous recruitment membership drive to overturn the political landscape in the area.

Mr. Muzyamba challenged party officials to sacrifice their resources despite transport problems dogging the ruling party by embarking on a door to door campaign and to woo more members for the party.

He said the MMD under the leadership of President Mwanawasa has done alot as evidenced by the booming economy.

Mr Muzyamba urged party officials to explain the achievements of the rulling party especially in Southern Province where mines are being opened up.

He cited the openning up of Albidon mine and the Sugarcane expansion programme at Zambia Sugar Company in Mazabuka as some of the developments taking place in the district that can help sell the MMD.

Mr Muzyamba was speaking in Mazabuka when he recieved several opposition party members who resigned from the opposition to join the ruling party.

He said the resignation of senior UNIP and UPND officials meant people in the province were begining to appreciate the MMD.

Those that resigned include Enock Ntobolo, former UPND district trustee and UNIP’s district secretary.

Government has disassociated itself from the statement made by MMD Lusaka Province Chairman Geoffrey Chuumbwe that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe should be removed by force.

Government says while it appreciates and acknowledges freedom of speech, Mr Chuumbwe’s position is not the way to go about when resolving the problem in Zimbabwe.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti said this in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka this evening.

Mr Mulongoti was reacting to Mr Chumbwe’s statement made at the Lusaka International Airport shortly after President Mwanawasa left for Mauritius today.

Mr Mulongoti said Mr Chuumbwe’s statement is neither the party’s nor government’s position.

He stated that the Zambian government does not encourage change of regime through forced means adding that there is a better way of handling problems being faced in Zimbabwe.

He added that the solution to the problems in Zimbabwe lie in Zimbabweans themselves.

Mr Mulongoti has since cautioned party members against making alarming statements that relate to internal matters of sovereign countries.

Suspended party National Committee Executive member of the Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) Ms Christine Moonga will be summoned to appear before the party’s ad-hoc committee to exculpate herself for accusing President Mwanawasa of practicing tribalism.

MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kande said in Lusaka today that the party will also discuss disciplinary issues against suspended MMD copper belt provincial chairperson Terrence Findlay and review the organization of the party.

Mr. Kande disclosed that the duo will be summoned to appear before the ad-hoc committee to exculpate themselves adding that the meeting will be held on May 6, next month.

He said the party’s disciplinary committee has done its investigations and are satisfied with the investigations carried out so far.

Mr. Kande said the party will not relent in its efforts to discipline erring members through the laid down party disciplinary procedures.

And Mr. Kande has refuted allegations that the controversial Baobab land in Makeni is only being issued to MMD members.

He said MMD does not issue any potions of land as the mandate lies with the ministry of lands.

Mr. Kande however said some people have been masquerading as MMD officials in order to bring the name of the party into disrepute.

Government has clarified that President Levy Mwanawasa can only take up the mediation role in the Zimbabwean political impasse if the matter is collectively agreed by the Head of State in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region.

Chief Government spokesperson Mike Mulongoti said the decision to appoint South African President Thabo Mbeki to take up his renewed mandate in Zimbabwe’s political impasse was a collective agreement by Heads of Heads during last week’s SADC Extra Ordinary summit.

Mr. Mulongoti said any departure from that agreement has to be arrived in consultation with all Heads of State in region.

He disclosed that President Mwanawasa who has been in contact with President Mbeki has indicated that he can not take up the matter.

He however said President Mwanawasa being the SADC chair has provided adequate leadership and was deeply involved in matters relating to Zimbabwe.

Mr. Mulogoti, who is information and broadcasting services minister, added that president Mwanawasa being the head of state has other responsibilities.

Mr. Mulongoti was speaking to journalists following yesterday’s call by Zimbabwe’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Opposition leader Morgan Tshangirai that President Mwanawasa should take up the mediation role in that country.

Mr. Tshangirai is quoted to have called on Mr. Mbeki to step down and allow Mr. President Mwanawasa who is the SADC chair to take up the new role.

Mr. Mbeki was during the SADC extra – ordinary summit given a renewed mandate to mediate in Zimbabwe following his successful role that resulted in that country having electoral reforms leading to holding of the March 29 harmonised elections.

The Minister stated that both parties in Zimbabwe have acknowledged that last month’s elections were free and fair except for the delay in the release of the presidential results which has raised a lot of concern.

Mr. Mulongoti however stated that president Mwanawasa cannot take up the role although the call by the opposition leader is a moral persuasion.

He said Dr. Mwanawasa has kept an open eye on what is happening in Zimbabwe so that if need arises for the region to offer assistance, he can consult with other heads of State.

He stressed any new development in Zimbabwe would be handled in the similar manner they were tackled during the extra ordinary summit held in Zambia and Tanzania.

Over 300 opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) in Mazabuka have resigned to join the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) ahead of tomorrow’s party card renewal exercise.

MMD Mazabuka District Chairman, Trywell Himoonga disclosed this to ZANIS in Mazabuka today.

Mr. Himoonga said the resignation of some UPND members, who include some senior party officials, meant that the party has been dismantled in the district.

He said the MMD has been enjoying overwhelming support in the district due to the massive investment taking place in the district.

He attributed the massive investment and developments in the economy to President Mwanawasa’s good governance policies.

Mr. Himoonga said the party from UPND will officially tender their resignations tomorrow.