Government says it is ready to partner with the American government in the fight against corruption under the Millennium Challenge Account progarmme.

Attoney General, Mumba Malilia says the joint threshold project between the government of Zambia and the American government is to collaborate with the private sector and civil society through the threshold country plan to implement key reforms and build capacity for good governance.

Mr Malila said this during the official launch of the Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) Advocay and Legal Advice centre ALAC,in Lusaka last night.

He said ALAC is a new initiative which marks a giant step in the fight against corruption for Zambia and the entire continent.

The attorney general further noted that ALAC will provide a free charge avenue for members of the public to report corruption , seek advice and create confidence in those seeking solutions.

Mr Malila observed that his office remained open to constructive dialogue with stakeholders on how to entrench a comprehensive and robust fight against corrution by promoting good governance.

Speaking eariler, Anti-Corruption Commission ACC, Deputy Director General Ms Rosewin Wandi said the fight against corruption can not be effectively waged by the ACC alone but requires concerted efforts from all sectors in the country.

Ms Wandi noted that ALAC has the potential to contribute to the prevention and combating of corruption in Zambia.

She further noted that the advocacy centre can productively carry the message of corruption prevention to the entire population as staff can inform and educate the citizens about the negative effects of corruption.

And Transparency International Zambia,TIZ president Ruben Lifuka, said ALAC chapter is number 25 worldwide where citizens can seek advice, propose and report corruption cases to TIZ.

Mr Lifuka disclosed that ALAC has so far received 173 complaints from the public adding that 70% of the clients who make reports are victims while 23% are whistle blowers while 7% are witnesses.

Mr Lifuka said the objective of ALAC is to promote great transparency and contribute to the reduction of opportunities of administrative corruption by empowering citizens to take action against the vice.

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 AMP).

What do you need today? Do you need guidance or counsel about a particular situation? One of the reasons Jesus was sent to this earth was to be your Wonderful Counselor. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Counselor comes to live inside of you by the Holy Spirit. Notice He’s not just any kind of counselor, He is the Wonderful Counselor. He is full of wonder and amazement. He’s extraordinary. He’s the very best counselor you could have—He knows all things! Do you need counsel today regarding your job? Do you need counsel regarding your relationships or an important decision? Do you need a counselor to act as your defender today? Call on the Wonderful Counselor. Open your heart and let Him show you His wisdom. Receive His counsel from the Word of God. Receive His counsel from the godly people in your life. As you seek the Wonderful Counselor with an open heart, He promises to lead and guide you. He promises to show you paths of life so that you can live in victory the way God intends!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Spirit that lives inside of me. Thank You for the Wonderful Counselor that guides and protects me. I choose Your guidance today. Speak to my heart so that I can honor You and follow Your leading today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

courtesy of Joel Osteen Ministries

The National Constitutional Conference (NCC) which began sitting on Wednesday this week, has adjourned until January after making headway on the proceedings of the conference.

And Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) President Leonard Hikaumba has scooped the position of the Vice Chairperson along with Patriotic Front (PF) Matero Member of Parliament Faustina Sinyangwe and Katombola Member of Parliament Regima Musokotwane.

The conference which was officially opened by President Levy Mwanawasa has since appointed the chairperson, the three Vice chairpersons and the spokesperson.

The conference chaired by Lusaka Prominent Lawyer Chifumu Banda also appointed an interim committee that will constitute rules which will govern the proceedings of the conference.

The 15 member committee headed by Lusaka Lawyer Dr. Patrick Matibini is expected to formulate rules that are subject to approval by the conference when it reconvenes on January.

The committee that includes members from the Church and Civil Society is comprised of prominent persons that include Lawyer Nelly Miti, Stanely Muhango from Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), Bonnie Tembo from Anti- Voter Apathy (AVAP) and politician Dante Saunders.

Announcing the adjournment, NCC chairperson Mr. Banda said the conference would only convene for four days in January next year so as to allow MPs to attend the official opening of Parliament.

Mr. Banda further called on the MPs who would want to be part of the committee to be constituted to submit their CVs to the secretariat.

He said the conference did not want to put people in the committees who would be handicapped in their execution of duties.

The NCC, expected to sit for one year, would debate and adopt the Mung’omba Draft constitution which will be presented to parliament for enactment.

Some of the issues contained in the draft constitution that the NCC is to debate include the bill of rights and its enforcement, citizenship, economic and social rights, representation of people and public finance and budget.

Others issues are Political parties fund and registration, executive, legislative, judiciary, Chieftaincy and house of chiefs land and property and environment and natural resources.

Meanwhile, ZCTU president Leonard Hikaumba has scooped the Vice Chairmanship of the NCC.

He emerged victor after beating the only other contestant, University of Zambia (UNZA) Students Union president Saje Samuwika.

Mr. Hikaumba polled 373 votes while his rival polled 50 votes, bring the total number of voters cast to 423 .

Mrs. Sinyangwe polled 347 , Mrs Musokotwane 322 and Ms. Miti 132.

The results were announced by Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) returning officer Joselyne Mubita.

Speaking after the elections, Mr. Hikaumba said he was humbled by the outcome of the elections.

He said the NCC had the challenge of giving the Zambian people a document they have been looking forward to for a long time.

Mrs. Musokotwane pledged to work as a team in coming up with the constitution that will stand the test of time.

Mrs. Musokotwane, who disclosed that she was sure of scooping the position, said time has come for the country to come up with good constitution.

She said Zambia has been a shining example in many areas in the region hence should be an example of the good constitution.

Ms. Sinyangwe said she was humbled by the confidence people have show in her to contribute to the constitution making process.

She said the task given to her was a big challenge but stated that she would pray to God to give her the wisdom to deliver to the expectation of the Zambian people.

The four Patriotic Front (PF) Members of Parliament, who have been stripped of their positions in the party’s Central Committee, have pledged to remain loyal and serve the party in their capacities as ordinary MPs.

The four suspended MP’s yesterday said the party president Mr. Micheal Sata, being the appointing authority, had the power to appoint and revoke any appointment.

The suspended MP’s are Dr. Peter Machungwa , who is chairperson for Transport and Communications and his counterpart in charge of elections Ernest Mwansa.

Others are Elizabeth Mulobeka Chitiksa and Alfreda Mwamba who held the positions of chairperson for Women’s league and chairperson for Lands and Natural Resources respectively.

The four MPs are among the 27 PF Members of Parliament who are taking part in the National Constitutional Conference (NCC), have since obtained an injunction restringing their party president and any PF agent from interfering with their rights as MPs.

In an interview with journalists, Dr. Machungwa, who had not received his suspension letter, thanked Mr. Sata for giving him an opportunity to serve as chair on the committee for Transport.

He however stated that problems arising in the party are as a result of appointments which, he said, the party should embark on having elective positions.

Dr. Machungwa, who is Luapula Member of Parliament, said any party as a democratic institution should elect leaders as opposed to appointments.

He said members in the party were looking forward to holding the general conference which was agreed upon during the Central Committee (CC) meeting that was held early this year.

He said it is during such a meeting to be convened when resource are available that a party constitution would be adopted.

Asked if the current impasse would not affect his relationship with Mr. Sata, Mr. Muchungwa said that in any party, there are disagreements which should be handled within the party.

He said party members who have taken a bold decision to participate in the NCC were ready to dialogue over the differences.

Dr. Machungwa however refused to comment on whether his group has taken the initiative to seek audience with other Central Commitee members saying the issue is an internal matter that would be resolved within the party.

And Mrs. Chitika-Mulombeka confirmed receiving two letters of suspension from the party president.

She said one suspension letter was from the Central Committee and the other one was that of Parliament Whip, which was copied to the Speaker of the National Assembly Amusa Mwanamwambwa.

Meanwhile, Police on the Copperbelt have arrested and charged Patriotic Front (PF) Chipili Member of Parliament Davis Mwila for proposing violence and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.

Zambia Police Service spokesperson Bonny Kapeso, who confirmed the arrest of Mr. Mwila to ZANIS in Lusaka today, said Mr. Mwila is in police custody and would appeal in court soon to answer charges leveled against him.

Mr. Mwila is quoted to have instructed cadres to beat PF MPs who have decided to take part in the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).

Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) vice president Chifumu Banda has scooped the Chairmanship of the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).

Mr. Banda scooped the chairmanship after polling 320 votes against Lusaka lawyer, Patrick Matibini who attracted 106 votes.

The total number of votes cast was 427, only one vote was rejected.

After the voting process which kicked off at 14:30 hours and closed at 15:30 hours, returning officer Josephine Mubita, from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), declared Mr. Banda duly elected.

Mr. Banda has since declared that the NCC has huge challenge lying ahead to give Zambians a good constitution which will stand the test of time.

He said all members of the NCC should work towards coming up with a constitution which will satisfy the Zambian people.

And Mr. Matibini, who conceded defeat, said being a believer of democracy, he was not bitter about the results.

He said he would continue being party to the NCC as a representative of the Law Association of Zambia.

Lusaka lawyer Mwangala Zaloumis yesterday went through unopposed for the position of NCC spokesperson.

Meanwhile, returning officer Josephine Mubita has since said because the chairmanship of the NCC has been scooped by a man, two of the three positions for vice chairperson of the NCC should go to women.

Nominations for the vice chairpersons are underway.

[ZNBC]

The National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has today opening in Lusaka in readiness to start debating the Mung’omba draft constitution, adopt it and later present it to parliament for enactment.

Officially opening the first meeting of the NCC, President Levy Mwanawasa asked members of the conference to responsibly, objectively, patriotically and without any political influence, debate the draft constitution and come up with a final one that would satisfy all citizens.

Dr. Mwanawasa said NCC members should realize that national interest was more paramount than anything else.

“This exercise is not about opposition political parties versus MMD and its government or opposition political parties, certain churches and civil society organizations versus Levy Patrick Mwanawasa,” he said.

He said if members of the NCC were to approach the exercise with attitudes, they would hurt the national interest.

He urged the members of the NCC to work towards formulating a document that would be accepted and liked by any government and president even after he has left office.

And President Mwanawasa has congratulated members of the NCC, especially those coming from political parties, civil society organizations and church mother bodies that did not support the NCC.

“I laud you for exhibiting true and mature leadership on this matter. I invite you now that let us move together with unity of purpose by giving ourselves a constitution we can all be proud, a constitution which even though our friends have chosen not to participate in this conference, they can all come to respect and can join the rest of the nation in congratulating all of you for a job well done,” he said.

The President further said he could not understand why some sections of the community were raising concern over the cost of the NCC process, which they could be spent on other developmental projects.

He said was in fact far less expensive than other processes that could be used to adopt the constitution.

He explained that the NCC had the support of the majority as it was accepted by political parties under the Zambia Interparty Dialogue through a summit of president.

Dr. Mwanawasa reminded Zambians that the legislative power was vested in parliament under article 62 of the present constitution of Zambia.

Earlier, Minister of Justice, who is also convener of the first meeting of the NCC, George Kunda urged members to realize that they were meeting as one family charged with the responsibility of coming up with a good constitution for the Zambians.

The NCC has about 462 members, representing various social interests in the country.

Some of the issues contained in the draft constitution that the NCC is to debate include the bill of rights and its enforcement, citizenship, economic and social rights, representation of people and public finance and budget.

Others issues are political party funding and registration, executive, legislative, judiciary, Chieftaincy and house of chiefs, land and property, and environment and natural resources.

Justice Minister George giving his remarks said NCC members expect the person that will be elected to guide them in coming up with a better constitution.

He said NCC members are meeting as one family with a conscious that Zambians are expectant of a document that will stand the test of time.

Mr. Kunda, who was the convenor of the meeting said the meeting has been convened in accordance with section 2 (5) 2007 and by the authority vested in him following the enactment of the NCC act.

He said NCC has a maximum of one year in which to complete its mandate but however stated that it can ever shorten the period or extend it.

The Justice Minister however stressed on the need for the NCC to expedite the business of the conference.

Meanwhile, Two participants to the National Constitution Commission (NCC) have successfully filed their nominations for the post of Chairperson.

These areChasefu MP, Chifumu Banda and Dr Patrick Matibini.

Mrs Mwangala Zaloumis went through unopposed as spokesperson for the NCC which started sittings today.

The nomination results were announced returning officer from the Electoral Commissionof ZAmbia (ECZ), Mrs Joseline Mubita this evening.

Voting for the NCC chairperson will be conducted tomorrow at 14:00hrs.

President Levy Mwanawasa has said that there is need for the MMD on the Copperbelt to be revamped.

The President, who is in the province to attend the burial of his uncle in Mufulira tomorrow, said on arrival at the Ndola International Airport that he is very disappointed with the disorganisation of the party on the Copperbelt.

President Mwanawasa took a swipe at MMD party officials that were secretly supporting the Patriotic Front to openly do so and resign from the MMD.

“You come in numbers to welcome me at the airport, but you don’t vote for me, don’t think I don’t know what you do at night. I have eyes all over. During the day you are MMD, in the night you are PF. Have morals and do it openly” he said.

The President further said he was very disappointed with the outcome of the results in the Nchanga by-elections in Chingola.

Dr Mwanawasa said he could not accept the margin by which the MMD had lost the Nchanga seat considering the efforts that government was putting in place in the province in ensuring that the mines were revamped.

“If you properly explain to the people the developmental projects that we have embarked on in the province, there is no way we can lose by a margin of 8000 to 2000 votes. I can’t accept that margin,” he said.

He said government had spent a total of K161 billion to pay retrenched workers on the Copperbelt and had revamped the mining sector, which had collapsed by the time the new deal administration was coming into office.

He said if all these projects were properly explained to the people there was no way MMD would lose.

Meanwhile the President said that he had received the petition by the Copperbelt MMD youths and added that it would be considered at the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

The MMD youths on the Copperbelt had petitioned their embattled Provincial Chairman Terence Findley.

And speaking earlier, Copperbelt Provincial Minister, Mwansa Mbulakulima thanked the President for his initiative and courage of convening the National Constitution Conference (NCC) despite the unwarranted attacks from some sectors of the public.

Mr Mbulakulima said he was confident that the conference would give people the constitution that they deserve.

Meanwhile, Ndola residents have appealed to government to carry out a sensitisation drive on the benefits of the National Constitution Conference (NCC) as opposed to other alternative constitution making avenues.

The residents that stormed ZANIS offices in Ndola today said the public was not aware of the benefits of the NCC when compared to other avenues because there has been inadequate sensitisation about the NCC.

Simon Moyo, resident, said listening to Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata’s argument on the participation of PF in the NCC on Radio Ichengelo yesterday was an eye opener to most people in the area.

Mr Moyo said if it was true that the purpose of the NCC was to make  recommendations to the President at a cost of over K297 billion, then PF president Michael Sata is right to stop his party from participating.

Mr Moyo called on the PF MPs that had registered to rescind their decision and put the interest of the electorates at heart.

“Its not too late, those MPs should just change their minds now and leave that conference because that money should be used for developmental programmes in their various constituencies,” he said