A ZAMBIAN suspected to have issued the false statement alleging that President Mwanawasa had died, has been traced in South Africa.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the Zambian mission traced the Zambian man named Malone Zaza and contacted him.

Mr Pande said the Zambian mission wanted to establish whether Mr Zaza was the one who issued the false statement on radio and asked him to report to the high commission but had not done so.

“There is a well known Zambian by the name of Malone Zaza in South Africa. Our mission called him by phone and requested to see him and he agreed to do that but up to now he hasn’t shown up.

“The mission is still making efforts to get hold of Mr Zaza and we hope to do that soon although he has now switched off his phone,” Mr Pande said.

South Africa’s Talk Radio 702 reported last Thursday that Dr Mwanawasa had died, quoting a Malone Zaza as a Zambian High Commission spokesman who confirmed the death.

The report was subsequently picked up by the international media and was aired worldwide on several stations including the BBC, Sky News and Cable News Network (CNN) before being withdrawn after the Government clarified the matter that the president was alive.

President Mwanawasa was rushed to an Egyptian hospital after he suffered a stroke at the African Union (AU) summit in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Following successful surgery in Egypt, the president was flown to France for further specialist treatment.

Dr Mwanawasa has been admitted to Percy Military Hospital in Paris, in the intensive care unit (ICU) where he is receiving treatment for hypertension and is expected to undergo medical review today.

Meanwhile, Government has commended Malawian president Dr. Bingu Wa-Mutharika for visiting president Mwanawasa in hospital in Egypt last week.

Chief Government spokesoperson who is also information and boradcasting services minsiter Mike Mulongoti says the visit by president Mutharika is a sign of the warm relations existing between the two leaders and the people of the two sister republics.

Mr Mulongoti was speaking during the Malawian national day at the residence of the Malawian high commissioner to Zambia in Lusaka today.

Mr Mulongoti said president Mwanawasa’s condition has remained stable at Percy military hospital where he is receiving treatment for hypertension.

The minister urged Zambians to continue praying for the president’s quick recovery.

And Malawian High Commissioner to Zambia Chrissie Mughogho wished president Mwanawasa a quick recovery.

Dr. Mughogho also sent a message of goodwill to First Lady Maureen and the First family on the illness of president Mwanawasa.
ZANIS/TK/BMK/ENDS

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe risks going down in history as a leader who refused to give up power and oppressed his people, Zambian Information Minister Mike Mulongoti said on Saturday.

In an interview with AFP TV, Mulongoti at first paid tribute to Mugabe for “standing up against colonialism” and winning independence for the former Rhodesia in 1980.

“But now you cannot transplant colonialism for oppression. If you oppress people, what’s the difference between you and the colonialists?

“So, I do not know whether — when we write history books — he shall go in the history books as our hero or we should begin to cast doubt as to whether the services he’s supposed to have rendered he took away himself by overstaying and doing certain things that were unacceptable in a civilised world.”

Zambia was one of the first countries to openly criticise Mugabe, who was sworn in on Sunday for a sixth term after elections denounced as a “farce” by the opposition and Western leaders.

[AFP]

The ongoing Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) has registered a drop in the number of foreign countries exhibiting while local companies have increased from last year’s 300 to 350 this year.

Speaking during the official opening of the 44th edition of the Zambia International Trade Fair, Trade Fair yesterday, ZITF chairman Phesto Musonda disclosed that this year, only 12 foreign countries were exhibiting compared to last year’s 18.

“This 44th edition of the ZITF has registered 130 foreign companies from 12 countries compared to 110 companies from 18 countries last year,” he said.

Mr Musonda explained that though there was a drop in the number of foreign countries, the development needed to be viewed positively in that, some foreign countries that exhibited in previous shows had now partnered with Zambian companies and had started operations in Zambia and as a result they were now exhibiting as local participants.

He further clarified that COMESA, which represents 19 member states, was also exhibiting at this year’s trade fair.

The Chairman went on to disclose that the ZITF has also registered new entrants from the United States of America and Mozambique.

He explained that the participation by the USA in the 2008 ZITF was a follow-up to the visit to Seattle, Washington, undertaken by Republican President Dr Levy Mwanawasa and the delegation from ZACCI last year.

He further revealed that the Americans were here to explore market for their products as well as to seek investment partnerships and opportunities.

And Zambia will this month alone achieve investment exceeding $2 billion.

Commerce Minister Felix Mutati said this Saturday during the official opening of this year’s International Trade Fair in the Copperbelt Province town of Ndola.

And government has signed investment promotion and protection agreements with foreign companies represented at this year’s Zambia International Trade Fair.

The government has also signed Memorandum of Understanding -MOU’s- with some local companies.

Mr. Mutati signed on behalf of the Zambian government.

ZANIS/PC/BMK/ENDS

Southern province minister Daniel Munkombwe has expressed happiness at progress being made in reviving the cooperative movement in the province which had totally collapsed.

And Mr Munkombwe has warned against politicising the management of cooperative societies if they are to serve their intended purpose.

Speaking when he officiated at the commemoration of the International Cooperative Day in Choma yesterday, Mr Munkombwe said it was gratifying to see that the cooperative movement was coming back to life.

The provincial minister told hundreds of residents gathered at the BOMA Square for the commemoration that the development was a result of favourable policies put in place by the new deal government of president Mwanawasa.

He said the new board and management at the Southern Province Cooperative Union (SPCMU) has demonstrated zeal and hard work in resuscitating the once ailing cooperative movement so that it can revert to its vibrant and original role of providing services to farmers.

Mr Munkombwe said it was painful to see the collapse of the cooperative movement in the second republic which played an important role in distributing farming inputs to farmers in the province.

He said the SPCMU had been extensively plundered and stripped of its assets by some government leaders in the second republic leading to its demise.

Mr Munkombwe noted with happiness that under the new deal administration, there has been a deliberate programme to revive the cooperative movement which is are a vital tool in meeting the needs of rural farmers.

Mr Munkombwe however noted that the current set up of most cooperatives is not good because it is slanted towards benefiting individuals at the expense of the community.

He said there should be no politics in the running of the cooperatives if their intended purpose is to be realized.

“Politics should be out when you are dealing with cooperatives,” warned Mr Munkombwe.

He challenged the new board to strive to reach greater heights so that farmers in the province can benefit from the services of the cooperative movement.

And speaking earlier, southern province agriculture coordinator Dr Adrienne Nansungwe attributed the collapse of the cooperative movement in the past to failure to adapt to the changing environment.

Dr Nansungwe said the cooperative movement which had enjoyed monopoly in maize marketing could not survive in a liberalised environment where aggressive private dealers started buying maize from farmers.

He said there is need for cooperatives to be innovative and suit the changing economic environments.
ZANIS/CM/BMK/ENDS

Vice president Rupiah Banda has urged Zambians to continue praying for the recovery of President Mwanawasa, who is currently hospitalised in Paris, France.

Mr Banda said this on arrival at the Ndola international airport this morning where he is scheduled to officially open the Ndola International Trade Fair this afternoon.

The vice president urged Zambians to be optimistic that God will heal the President and that they continue to pray for the safe return of the first family back home.

“I am urging all of you in families, churches, organisations and the nation at large to continue praying for the recovery of our president and for the first family to return home safely,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Vice President has disclosed that this year’s Zambia International Trade Fair is different from the previous ones as it will have a number of agreements signed between Zambia and other countries.

He disclosed that contracts worth K2 billion will be signed this afternoon at the Trade Fair and that all show goers will witness the signing so that they can appreciate the developmental projects government under the able leadership of President Mwanawasa had embarked on.

And in his welcome remarks, Copperbelt Provincial Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima said the province had been holding prayers for the speedy recovery of president Mwanawasa.

The Vice President is this afternoon expected to officially open the 2008 Zambia International Trade Fair.

The Zambian government has requested for an explanation from the government of the Republic of South Africa on the statement attributed to President Thabo Mbeki that President Mwanawasa had passed away.

Foreign Affairs minister Kabinga Pande confirmed this in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka this evening.

President Mbeki is reported to have asked people to observe a minute of silence when was speaking at the National Memorial Tribute for victims of violence against foreign nationals and South Africans held at Tshwane City Hall in South Africa yesterday.

And on President Levy Mwanawasa’s latest update, Vice President, Rupiah Banda said that President Mwanawasa has continued to receive treatment for hypertension at the Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France. He said Dr. Mwanawasa remains in a stable condition.

This is according to a statement posted on the Statehouse Web site.

Mr. Banda said Dr. Mwanawasa had the usual review by specialist doctors today Friday.

He said Dr. Mwanawasa’s next review is due on Monday.

The Vice President said the First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa and family members continue to be at the President’s bed side.

And Chief Government Spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti has urged people wishing to travel to Paris – France to visit the President not to do so.

Mr. Mulongoti said this is because Dr. Mwanawasa is admitted to Percy Military Hospital which is highly restricted to visitors.

He said this is why people are being advised against undertaking such a visit.

Mr. Mulongoti was speaking this afternoon with ZNBC news.

ZANIS/MK/BK/ENDS

President Robert Mugabe has warned countries that wanted to court war with Zimbabwe saying the country was ready for such a challenge. ‘We do not want war with any of our neighbours, ‘he said. ‘But if there are some who are itching for a fight, let them try it. They will taste the salt of the fight,’ he said.

He stressed Zimbabwe has and will never be aggressive with anyone adding the country was instead ready to support other countries that were under attack as in the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that saw Zimbabwean soldiers go and help the country defend itself against invaders.

New Ziana reports that President Mugabe was speaking when he addressed thousands of Zanu-PF supporters who thronged the Harare International Airport to welcome him on his arrivals from the just ended African Union Summit in Egypt.

President Mugabe has also set new conditions for engaging in talks with the Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) .

The conditions are that the opposition and its western allies accept the outcome of the June 27 presidential run-off, which the ruling party won and the removal of illegal sanctions slapped on Zimbabwe..

President Mugabe said the issue of the land was also a key factor to the talks as the reforms were not reversible.

He said it was only the people of Zimbabwe who cast their vote last Friday and not Britain or America that had the power to tell him how to run the country.

‘I am the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe,’ Mugabe said,
If we agree on that and accept the June 27 vote then we can enter into dialogue and move forward together to rebuild our beloved country,’ President Mugabe.

‘This is a reality that everyone has to accept first before anyone can begin a dialogue with us. We are open to dialogue,’ he added.

Mugabe’s comments comes after Britain and America urged the international community to recognise the March 29 elections and not the June 27 run-off results, which Zanu-PF won.

‘We stand by our people, and we listen to our people,’ President Mugabe said.

He said the June 27 will never and never be rejected by anyone adding that it is only Zimbabweans and not Britain or America who can decide who shall lead Zimbabwe.

‘If it calls on us to defend our country again,’ he said, ‘we are prepared to suffer and to die for it again,’ he said.

He said the votes had total meaning on who should rule Zimbabwe and also a rejection of western influence.

President Mugabe said the western world can go ahead and tighten its sanctions on the country but Zimbabwe had vast resources to feed its people.

He said the government was also committed to assisting its people to address the socio-economic challenges facing the country.

Meanwhile, President Mugabe has urged British Prime Minister Godwin Brown to withdraw from Zimbabwe all British companies as the country could do without them.

‘Please Mr Brown withdraw all your companies from Zimbabwe,’ President Mugabe said.

‘The sooner you do that the better,’ he added.

He said the government had since identified such companies for a takeover, since they were working with western forces to destabilise the country and force its people to turn against the government.

The companies, President Mugabe said, were increasing prices without justification, threatening the peace that is prevailing in the country.
‘We have identified these companies. We shall be sitting down with them and reading the riot act,’ he said.

In the meantime, President Mugabe said the government would continue with people’s shop programme to ensure its citizen had access to cheap and affordable food.

More buses would also be given to the people to address transport woes while assistance to small to medium enterprises would continue.

‘We are now working at ensuring that we deliver all the promises we made during our campaigns,’ he said.

President Mugabe also paid tribute to Zimbabweans for voting peacefully during the just ended run-off.

He said areas such as Harare had come back home after discovering that the MDC had nothing much to offer.

‘We also thank South Africa President Thabo Mbeki for the role he has played towards the development of Zimbabwe,’ Mugabe said.

He said Mbeki’s role had brought a number of positive developments to Zimbabwe such as the talks between Zanu-PF and MDC.

President Mugabe said those who were calling for Mbeki to be replaced as the negotiating leader in the country were misguided as the South Africa leader had done much for Zimbabwe.

President Mugabe also briefed supporters on what transpired at the AU Summit, saying the meeting was successfully held.

Senior government officials, the diplomatic community and services chiefs welcomed Mugabe on his arrival.

The first lady Grace Mugabe and Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa were among the delegates that accompanied the President to the Summit.

New Ziana/ZANIS/MK/ENDS

The Public Service Management Division (PSMD) has observed that most government ministries did not adhere to operation guidelines in their various strategic plan documents.

Public Service Management Division Director for Organisation Design and Systems, Japherson Phiri, said the division was entrusted to re-organise government ministries.

Mr. Phiri said the division was however finding it difficult to monitor the government activities because most of the ministries were not adhering to their strategic plans.

“As a division, we are entrusted with the responsibility of re-organising government ministries but this task has proved to be difficult because the ministries do not adhere to their strategic plans due to lack of funding and we also do not have a monitoring exercise in place,” he said.

He explained that most ministries attributed the failure to adhere to strategic plans to erratic funding from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

Mr. Phiri further said lack of a monitoring exercise by the Public Service Management Division has contributed to the lack of monitoring the ministries.

He however said the division had plans to engage consultancy services, adding that it has since started to put in place a permanent monitoring service.
ZANIS/PC/KSH/ENDS