The National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has planned to adopt reports of at least six committees by the end of this year.

The NCC divided its work into 11 committees, under which each article of the Mung’omba draft constitution, which is a term of reference, falls.

NCC Chairperson, Chifumu Banda, said at a press briefing in Lusaka today that so far, three committees have already concluded their deliberations on their terms of reference.

Mr. Banda said committees that have concluded deliberations on their terms of reference are the Citizenship committee, the Judicial Committee and the Public Service committee.

“The reports of these committees are being finalised by the secretariat. The members of these committees will be called again for a few days to come and approve these reports before presentation to the conference for deliberation and adoption,” Mr. Banda said.

He told journalists that three other committees have since been called to meet next month to deliberate on their terms of reference for 20 working days before parliament resumes sitting in August this year.

The three committees that would meet in July are the Democratic Governance, the Local Government and the Public Finance.

Mr. Banda explained that the NCC has planned to meet in September and August this year when parliament would be on recess to adopt the six reports of the committees.

“The NCC will meet to adopt six reports of the Citizenship committee, the Democratic Governance Committee, the Judicial Committee, the Local Government Committee, the Public Service Committee and the Public Finance Committee,” he said.

He said if everything worked according to the NCC schedule, the six reports should be considered before parliament resumes its business in November 2008.

He said the conference would from 1st December this year to early January 2009, call other committees to deliberate on their terms of reference.

“As you can see, we intend to adopt at the very least, reports of six committees. This means come next year, we will have only five committees or less to attend to,” he said.

Mr. Banda said after this, the conference would need six days in which to publish the initially adopted constitution to enable members of the public make comments on it.

“The adopted constitution will be translated in all major local languages and public discussions will be held on radio and television so that the people are fully involved,” he added.

The NCC Chairman explained that the NCC would after six days of publishing the initially adopted constitution, meet to consider comments from the public and then adopt the draft constitution.

“We intend to listen to the people very carefully. As you know NCC members are, by law, accountable to the Zambian people,” he said.

He further said after the draft constitution is adopted, the NCC members would decide whether to submit the entire draft constitution to the national referendum or to parliament for immediate enactment of those parts whose alteration would not require a national referendum.

He said if such parts of the constitution were submitted to parliament for immediate enactment, then those parts that required a national referendum would be submitted to the referendum.

Mr. Banda cited part III, which is the Bill of Rights, and Article 79 of the current constitution and other articles in the Mung’omba draft constitutions over which the NCC has failed to reach a decision as some of the parts that could require a national referendum before parliament enacts the final constitution.

He has since thanked individuals and government departments that sent officers to brief NCC members of committees on various important issues.

The NCC started sitting in December last year to deliberate, debate and finally adopt the draft Mung’omba constitution, which was a result of the Mung’omba Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) that was created in 2003.

Over 400 people from different professions, occupations and careers form the NCC composition and are sitting on 11 committees which are deliberating the terms of reference of the Mung’omba draft constitution.

ENDS/KSH/AM/ZANIS

President Levy Mwanawasa says government is working on a programme aimed at improving the state of feeder roads across the country to secure improved productivity in the next farming season.

Dr. Mwanawasa said government has since procured road construction equipment worthy US$39.5 million which would be used to improve the state of road infrastructure, including feeder roads in the country.

He said government was aware of the extent of damage to road infrastructure caused by heavy rains in the last rain season.

He was speaking today at a public rally held at Kafumbwe High School grounds in Katete district to drum up support for the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) candidate, Rueben Banda for the June 26th 2008, Milanzi by-election.

Dr. Mwanawasa said government has worked hard to introduce good agricultural policies which have made it possible for the country to have a sound food security by producing enough maize for consumption.

He said government was also working to improve the livestock farming in Eastern province.

He disclosed that a centre for artificial insemination which would also manufacture animal disease vaccines was under construction in the province.

He said the artificial insemination centre to avail farmers an opportunity to improve their livestock breeds into quality and disease resistant animals.

And the President also said government has constructed many schools health centres in the province in general and Milanzi constituency in particular to improve the quality of life of the communities in this area.

Dr. Mwanawasa said a state of the art school at Kafumbwe has been constructed to help reduce illiteracy levels in the area.

He said government recognised that improved access to education would help government to effectively implement developmental programmes in all sectors of the economy.

He therefore expressed disappointment at the recent move by Kafumbwe High School pupils to riot and destroy infrastructure and school property recently.

Dr. Mwanawasa said the destruction of the school infrastructure was a frustration to government efforts of improving infrastructure in the education sector, which he said was a measure of providing quality education to Zambians.

He also regretted that the recent incident would send wrong signals to the donors that partnered with government to construct Kafumbwe High School in Milanzi constituency in Katete district.

“I was extremely frustrated when pupils at this school demonstrated and damaged property. And you expect government to repair the damaged when it is working hard to ensure that similar infrastructure is taken to other needy areas of the country,” he said.

Dr. Mwanawasa added that, “even the foreign country that helped fund the construction of this school will get frustrated because you the pupils are damaging the school hardly two years after it was constructed”.

He urged the pupils at the school to guard the infrastructure jealously because it has been put up to facilitate their easy access to education.

He has further urged the pupils to work very hard for them to meaningfully contribute to the country’s future development because they formed part of the future leadership.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mwanawasa has urged the electorate in Milanzi constituency to vote for the MMD in Thursday’s by-election in order to sustain ongoing implementation of projects in the area.

He cautioned them to be wary of false promises being given by some political parties which are promising to provide free fertilizer, which he said was not possible.

The President said the people should vote for the MMD because it was the party in government managing the national resources in an exemplary manner.

He warned them against experimenting with leadership because doing so could derail ongoing developmental programmes.

Earlier, Dr. Mwanawasa paid a courtesy call on paramount chief Kalonga-Gawa Undi of the Chewa people of Katete district in Eastern province.

The Milanzi seat, which fell vacant after the death of the UNIP Member of Parliament Chosani Njovu in April this year, is being contested by five candidates.

These are Mr. Banda of MMD, United National Independence Party’s (UNIP) Ahmed Randera, Chimwala Phiri of the United Party for National Development (UPND), Francis Banda of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), All People’s Congress’ (ACP) Stephen Phiri and Patriotic Front’s Peter Phiri.
ZANIS/SKJ/KSH/AM/ENDS

Clergyman and former government Minister Danny Pule whose recent marriage has hit headlines maintains his engagement is legal.

The Dunamis Christian Church leader’s third marriage to Tamara Mwape, is the centre of debate.

Dr. Pule said there is no legal marriage between him and his second wife, Leah Mulemba whom he married last year.

Briefing the media, Dr. Pule said his second marriage to Ms. Mulemba was not legally binding as it was done in a civil ceremony and no marriage certificate was issued to the couple.

Dr. Pule said this is because he got married to Ms. Mulemba before a divorce certificate from his first wife Janet was granted in the United States of Ameria.

He said his second marriage lasted for only three months because his wife became violent and uncontrollable.

Dr. Pule also said he is willing to undergo a DNA test to determine if he is the biological father of Ms. Mulemba’s baby girl.

Dr PULE said he is ready to take full responsibility for the child should the test prove so.

On Friday, Dr. Pule married Tamara Mwape, prompting his second wife Leah Mulemba to report him to police for bigamy claiming she is still legally married to him.

The opposition Zambia Development Conference (ZADECO) is expected to hold a national Convention to elect a candidate to contest the 2011 presidency.

And ZADECO has re-launched its campaign for party structures at provincial and district levels in readiness to prepare the party for 2011 tripartite elections.

ZADECO National Chairman Langtone Sichone who disclosed the development to ZANIS in Lusaka today said the convention will be held next year in April .

Mr. Sichone says the decision to field a presidential candidate and re-building of the party was arrived at by the party’s National Management Committee (NMC) held over the weekend in Lusaka.

He explained that the party in the 2006 elections did not field a presidential candidate due to some ‘internal affairs.

Mr. Sichone, who is also Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID) Spokesperson further said the party, being the oldest opposition political party is experienced to drive the nation forward once given an opportunity or voted into Office.

He said the party is inspired by the vision of its late leader Dean Mungomba whose wish was to let Zambia govern herself socially, culturally and politically.

Meanwhile, ZADECO has commended Southern Africa Development Community ( SADC)Chairman President Levy Mwanawasa for proposing the postponement of Zimbabwe presidential runoff scheduled for June 27 elections .

ZADECO National Chairman Langtone Sichone says the observation by Dr. Mwanawasa yesterday to call for the postponement of the runoff are timely and in the interest of both Zimbabwe and the SADC region.

Mr. Sichone says Zambia being an icon of true democracy cannot sit idle and watch the turbulent crisis that have rocked the neighboring Zimbabwe.

Mr. Sichone was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr. Sichone, who is also Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID) Spokesperson reminded President Robert Mugabe that he is allegedly setting a bad precedent in the African politics.

Zimbabwe goes to polls on June 27 but the country is characterized by widespread political viole

President Mwanawasa is happy with the peaceful manner in which the campaigns ahead of this Thursday’s Milanzi parliamentary by-election are being conducted.

President Mwanawasa observed that the ongoing campaigns are in line with the Southern Africa Development Community, SADC, principles on ‘free and fair elections.’

Dr. Mwanawasa said this on arrival at Katete Prisons Service grounds this afternoon.

The president stated that all the political parties participating in the by-election have been availed ease access to the media for selling their manifestos.

He is particularly happy that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is running programmes on two local radio stations where all the candidates have been given the opportunity to reach out to the electorate.

He said the ECZ media programmes would enable the electorate in Milanzi make informed decisions as they cast the vote on June 26.

He said political parties in Zambia have the freedom to hold rallies and sell their messages without being intimidated or harassed.

Dr Mwanawasa said he was privileged to preside over peaceful and democratic country which is free to hold free and fair elections without any ‘cantankerous’ misbehavior.

“I feel privileged to preside over a country which is peaceful, democratic and is free to hold free and fair elections without any cantankerous misbehavior,” President Mwanawasa said.

He boasted that Zambia is the best country in terms of promoting ideal democratic environment in the Southern Africa region.

He therefore appealed to the electorates to vote for MMD candidate, Reuben Banda, in this week by-election to help sustain peace, which the MMD is promoting.

Dr. Mwanawasa pointed out that development can only prevail where peace exists.

He urged the electorate to ignore parties basing campaigns on character assassination and false promises.

Meanwhile, President Mwanawasa has warned of stern action against government officers segregating people in the relief food distribution in country.

He observed that the hunger situation in the country has not spared eastern province stating that government will distribute relief food to affected areas in the province.

President Mwanawasa is in Katete to drum support for MMD candidate Mr. Banda.

The Milanzi constituency seat fell vacant last year after the death of Dr Chosani Njovu of the United National Independence Party, UNIP.

Political parties contesting the party include the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), Patriotic Front (PF), United National Independence Party (UNIP),United Party for National Development (UPND) and the All People’s Congress party (APC).

ZANIS/ENDS/SJK/HN/LNN/MK/ENDS

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has quit Zimbabwe’s run-off presidential election against Robert Mugabe, saying the vote cannot be free and fair.

‘We in the MDC cannot ask them to cast their vote on the 27th when that vote would cost them their lives,’ Tsvangirai told reporters. ‘We will no longer participate in the violent illegitimate sham of an election process.’

AFP reports the opposition chief said Mugabe had ‘declared war by saying that the bullet has replaced the ballot.’

‘We believe an election that reflects the will of the people is impossible,’ he said, as he appealed to the United Nations, African Union and regional body SADC to ‘intervene and stop the genocide’.

Sunday’s decision almost certainly handed victory by default to Mugabe, 84, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.

In reaction to the announcement by Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai that he is pulling out of the June 27 presidential election run-off against President Robert Mugabe, Reuters reports Patrick Chinamasa, Zimbabwean Justice Minister said ‘Tsvangirai must write formally to ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) advising that he is withdrawing from the race, in which event there will be one candidate, meaning there will not be a poll.

If he doesn’t, the poll will take place.’

‘With respect to the reasons he gave for withdrawing, it is not true that it’s due to political violence because it is his party that has been instigating violence.

‘He spent a lot of time outside the country talking to people who do not vote.

On the legitimacy of Mugabe’s apparent victory be default: ‘What legitimacy do you lose when a candidate withdraws, fearing defeat? The situation on the ground is now very supportive of us and Tsvangirai knows he faces certain defeat.

On calls for SADC, AU and UN intervention: ‘There’s no genocide taking place anywhere, justifying any intervention. He’s only saying that to bring foreign intervention in this country

Earlier in the day, new ziana reports Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said it is ready for the presidential run-off on Friday.

It said Preparations were also ready for three parliamentary by-elections to be held on the same day.

‘ZEC wishes to advise the public that the commission is ready to conduct the 2008 presidential run-off and three House of Assembly by-elections,’ it said in a statement.

Polling officers to be trained this week will be deployed to their stations on Thursday.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is challenging Robert Mugabe who has been ruling since independence in 1980.

Supporters of their respective Movement for Democratic Party and Zanu PF have been locked in a violent campaign in which hundreds had died so far.

A total of 370 foreign and local observers and 155 foreign and local journalists had accredited with the commission.

The multi-party liaison committee had political parties and stakeholders to ensure the poll would be free and fair.

On Monday the commission would brief stakeholders in Harare on the progress for the run-off.

ENDS/CBM/BK/ MK/ZANIS…………LUSAKA

Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Chairman Levy Mwanawasa has called for the postponement of the Zimbabwe Presidential run off elections scheduled for 27th June until further notice.

Dr. Mwanawasa has since urged election authorities in Zimbabwe to implement the postponement in order to allow for the establishment of conditions suitable for the holding of genuinely free and fair elections in accordance with Zimbabwean law and the SADC principles.

Speaking during a media conference in Lusaka this afternoon, Dr. Mwanawasa who is also Republic of Zambia President said the situation in Zimbabwe does not stimulate the holding of free and fair elections.

Dr. Mwanawasa pointed out that he would be failing in his duties as SADC Chairperson if he did not offer timely advise to Zimbabwe to postpone the elections saying the current political environment in that country falls far short of the SADC principles.

The SADC Chairperson noted that the run-off elections in Zimbabwe will not be free and fair due to among others banning and disruption of opposition campaign rallies, detention and arresting of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his Secretary General Tendai Biti currently facing treason charges.

Dr. Mwanawasa also cited Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s declaration that he will not accept an MDC victory in the elections and his threats of an impending civil war.

“Apart from this, the opposition has been denied equal access to state media thereby denying them the opportunity to communicate their campaign messages effectively,” noted the SADC Chairman.

Dr. Mwanawasa added that SADC and African Union report by the International Press Institute-IPI revealed that there has been physical attacks on Journalists in the last few months.

He pointed out that in view of this, it is not possible to have free and free elections in the SADC member state saying it will be embarrassing to both the SADC region and Africa to proceed with the run-off election under the current political situation.

Dr. Mwanawasa said postponing the run-off elections would avert the catastrophe threatening the region.

Asked whether his decision to postpone the run-off elections in Zimbabwe had the blessings of the SADC Heads of State, President Mwanawasa said he had two options of consulting or to use his discretion as SADC Chairman.

He pointed out that he decided to use his leadership role and that it would be sad if the majority of SADC leaders do not support what should be considered as a right path to take.

Dr. Mwanawasa said in the past five days he tried to contact leaders in the region but however managed to talk to four out of the 14 Heads of states and government leaders in the regional body.

Meanwhile, President Mwanawasa has expressed disappointment that he is being denied access to information and has to rely on intelligence reports gathered and through the press.

He said South Africa President Thabo Mbeki who is the regional mandated mediator has not briefed him on the out come of the recent talks he had with Mr. Mugabe and Tsvangirai .

‘ I tried to call him yesterday , but was told by the private secretary what he was in a meeting and that he will get back.

Even today I tried but he was in a meeting and has not gotten back,’ President Mwanawsa said.

And President Mwanawasa said he is disappointed that some Zimbabweans have misinterpreted Zambia’s efforts to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe saying he was concerned about the deteriorating economic situation in the neighboring country.

“My concern and that of the Zambian people is to see that Zimbabwe lives in peace for itself and it neighbors. Our relations with Zimbabwe is still cordial hence our continued efforts to see that Zimbabweans enjoy peace once more. A troubled Zimbabwe is a troubled Zambia,” said Dr. Mwanawasa.

On 2nd May, the Zimbabwean electoral commission announced the Presidential results in which opposition leader Tsvangirai received 47.9 percent while ZANU-PF President Robert Mugabe received 43.2 percent.

In accordance with the Zimbabwean law a run-of was called between Tsvangirai and Mugabe set for 27th June.

Zimbabwe went to the polls on 29th March this year and it took more than one month before the Presidential election results were announced.