THE International Fellowship of Christian Churches (IFFC) has challenged the three Church mother bodies that have said they will boycott the National Constitution Conference to give satisfactory reasons why they are shunning the conference.

IFFC president, Simon Chihana, said the NCC had taken into consideration all the concerns raised by the various stakeholders and wondered why the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC), Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) had continued shunning the conference.

Bishop Chihana said at the Pastors’ Forum, which was attended by close to, 250 clergymen from various denominations under the auspices of IFFC and other religious bodies the three bodies were merely a fraction of Christian organisations, which should not derail the entire process.

“I had for example invited Bishop Mususu so that we could hear from him why they are not participating. But he said through his secretary that he would not make it,” Bishop Chihana said.

He said it was wrong for the Church mother bodies to shun the NCC as religious persons were well versed on issues of justice and equality which constitutions the world over sought to address.

Since independence, he said, Zambia had not enacted a people-driven Constitution and this was the only opportunity, which should not be spoiled as a result of selfish motives by the Church mother bodies and other interest groups.

Christians should not boycott the NCC as they had the wisdom through the Bible to ensure that a Constitution enacted did not divert from the biblical norms.

He said politicians relied on the wisdom from the clergy and it would, therefore, be wrong for Christians to shun the conference. In biblical times, he said the best constitutions were those that had an input from men and women of God.

At the same forum, constitutional lawyer, John Sangwa described the NCC as a golden opportunity for Zambians to participate in enacting the Constitution.

He, therefore, said it was important that the various stakeholders participated in the process, as shunning would not be in the best interest of the Zambian people.

Unlike in the previous Constitution review processes, none of the governments reached the stage of putting in place a conference at which citizens had been accorded an opportunity to contribute.

During the previous Constitution review processes, Mr Sangwa said that past presidents only appointed a few individuals to recommend what should be contained in the Constitution but this time, close to 500 people would be included.

Home Affairs Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha said in the NCC, the Government would ensure that the draft Constitution, John Mwanakatwe and Patrick Mvunga reports and their relevant documents were provided for Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said it was not too late for the Oasis Forum and others shunning the conference to rescind their decisions and come on board.

And Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) said time had come for accountants to participate in the Constitution making process.

ZICA president, Chintu Mulendema, said during the consultative workshop that accountants had always remained behind in governance issues and yet they contributed to the running of the economy.

He said owing to accountants taking back seats in governance, they had all the time not been included in key positions apart from that of Auditor General.

Mr Mulendema said ZICA decided to hold the workshop so as to enable the accounting profession realise the importance of participating in the governance issues.

GOVERNMENT has warned employers against waiting for the expiry of a collective agreement before embarking on negotiations for new salaries and conditions of service because this is a recipe for industrial unrest.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Ronald Mukuma, said yesterday that Government was concerned that most industrial unrest in the country occurred at organisations where directors and managers were knowledgeable about existing labour laws.

He was speaking at the official opening of the 10th Zambia Institute of Human Resources and Management annual convention at Cresta Golf view Hotel in Lusaka.

Mr Mukuma said the Zambia Institute of Human Resources and Management should provide leadership to its members by ensuring that there was adherence to labour laws.

In a speech read for him by Labour permanent secretary, Ngosa Chisupa, the minister called for dialogue between employers and employees to avoid industrial unrest in the country.

Mr Mukuma said dialogue should be promoted between employers and employees for the benefit of the country.

He said work stoppages were retrogressive to the economic development of the country.

“Government wants to see a situation where dialogue is encouraged between employers and employees, because sometimes the industrial unrest the country experiences is as a result of failure to dialogue between management and workers,” he said.

And Mr Mukuma revealed that Government would introduce a number of legal instruments, which would include the attestation of the terms and conditions of employment, especially for companies that do not conduct collective bargaining.

Mr Mukuma said the proposed instruments would require employers to submit terms and conditions of service to the ministry to ensure there was compliance with key provisions of the labour law.

“By Friday this week, we shall revoke all the expired conditions of service instruments because Government cannot accept that some employers are paying employees K120,000 per month.

That’s total abuse of human resource,” he said.

Mr Mukuma also accused some human resources practitioners of supporting casualisation of labour by engaging employees on short-term fixed contracts instead of permanent and pensionable long-term contracts.

He appealed to the institute to sensitise its members on the dangers of casual work and to support Government’s efforts towards ending the practice.

Mr Mukuma also said Government was aware that some foreign investors had continued to give a raw deal to Zambian workers without human resource managers raising the matter for fear of losing their jobs.

“I wish to remind you that the development of the nation depends on the calibre of human capital available and how these are motivated and nurtured in a manner that both management and other stakeholders like Government would appreciate,” he said.

Mr Mukuma called for routine inspections in companies to ensure that there was adherence to the provisions of the law and also to the professional code of conduct.

He said Government considers the Zambia Institute of Human Resources and Management as a key stakeholder in upholding the country’s labour laws.

Mr Mukuma also reminded the institute to continue pushing for implementation of HIV and AIDS policies in work places.

Earlier, Zambia Institute of Human Resources and Management president, Hobby Kaputa, said the institute had introduced practising certificates for members.
He said this follows the enactment of the institute’s Act number 11 of 1997.

Mr Kaputa said the aim of introducing practising certificates was to get rid of non-human resource managers that had invaded the profession.

“People involved in the practice of human resources management who do not hold certificates fully issued by the institute are in breach of the law, and all law abiding employers should not be associated with such people,” he said.

Health Minister, Brian Chituwo says forging partnerships in the fight against HIV-AIDS will help reduce on the wastage of resources in combating the pandemic.

Dr. Chituwo said the overwhelming donor support towards HIV/AIDS in Zambia needs to be well co-ordinated.

He said the high support from the donor community towards AIDS programmes is testimony of the government’s good policies.

Dr. CHITUWO said this at a signing ceremony for a financing agreement with ten co-operating partners at the National Aids Council in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, Thursday.

Ten co-operating partners are to provide $10 million financing to the National Aids Council for HIV activities.

And head of the British Department for International Development (DFID) in Zambia Joy Hutcheon, said her country is aware that Zambia is among the worst nations affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Ms. Hutcheon said HIV/AIDS poses a serious threat to Zambia’s development agenda.

She said there is need to scale up the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The leader of Ndola Ministers’ Fellowship has bemoaned the plight of many pastor’s wives after the death of their husbands.

Bible Way Ministries Pastor Barney Mulenga called on the Christian community to put
in place mitigation measures for wives of pastors to answer challenges that arise
after the death of their spouse.

Pastor Mulenga said this during the Pastors Fellowship meeting held today at Ndola
Baptist Church Hall.

He said many wives of pastors live in abject poverty after the death of their clergy
spouses because there were no measures put in place to mitigate the negative
economic impact after the loss of their spouse.

Pastor Mulenga said it was important for clergymen to plan in advance for the
economic survival of their families in the event of death.

He added that many spouses of pastors who were now widows needed a start up capital
to engage in income generating ventures for their survival.

Pastor Mulenga said it was important for the ministers’ fellowship to consider
putting up a fund to address the plight of the surviving spouse.

Government has directed local authorities countrywide not to issue trading licenses for next year  to business houses which have failed to work in compliance to the Keep Zambia Clean and Health programme.

Local Government and Housing Minister, Sylvia Masebo said some business houses have
continued to disregard the laws of the country by not keeping their premises in a
hygienic manner.

Mrs. Masebo, who was speaking today when she received 100 waste bins from Parmalat
Zambia Limited in Lusaka today,  said it was sad that the country has remained dirty
despite having adequate regulation to keep it clean.

She accused councils in the country of not doing their work to keep cities and towns
clean.

And Mrs. Masebo has meanwhile urged other private companies to actively take part in
the Keep Zambia Clean and Health campaign, saying a health society would contribute
significantly to improving the economy of the country.

On June 22, this year, President Mwanawasa launched the “Keep Zambia Clean and
Health campaign.

She thanked Parmalat Zambia for the donation of 100 waste bins at the cost of K10
million.

The minister also urged members of the public to utilise the bins and not vandalise
them.

And Parmalat Managing Director Piet Theron said the company was committed to keeping
the environment clean especially that that some of the products of Parmalat ended up
as waste.

Mr. Theron said of the 100 waste bins, 60 would used in Lusaka, 25 in Kitwe on the
Copperbelt while 15 would be sent to Livingstone in Southern Province.

Justice Minister George Kunda says government’s position on the national constitution conference is irreversible and will go ahead with the process of the holding the conference.

Mr. Kunda says the act is now law and its implementation has commenced and will
not allow any obstacles to hinder its progression.

He says government has already given in to many demands from those with
dissenting views.

Mr. Kunda said this in Kafue today when he officiated at the swearing in ceremony
of Kafue District Council Chairman Goodson Sansakuwa and Vice Chairperson
Margaret Jeffries held in the council chamber.

He said the majority of Zambians have overwhelmingly accepted the conference
and are in support of government.

Mr. Kunda wondered why some non governmental organizations want to boycott
the National Constitution Conference, NCC despite government bowing down to
their demands.

He said everything was in motion and submission of names of persons to sit on the
conference has started.

Mr. Kunda urged the council to nominate one suitable councilor from Kafue whose
name should be submitted to the ministry of local government and housing for
onward submission to the secretary to cabinet.

The minister explained that councilors from each district will debate and bring out
issues in the NCC which will deal with local governance.

He urged the council to secure copies of the NCC Act and have them circulaed to
members of the public so that they understand the process.

And Mr. Kunda congratulated the two civic leaders for  having been elected into
office and urged them to work hard for the betterment of Kafue.

He urged them to spearhead the Make Zambia Clean and Healthy Campaign
programme in the disrict as this is the wish of the Republic President Dr. Levy
Mwanawasa who launched the campaign early this year.

Mr. Kunda also called on the council to employ qualified staff if service delivery in
local authorities is to be effective and efficient.

He said any officers found unqualified should be removed from positions that
require qualified persons.

The Minister also warned that government will not this year release cosntitutional
development funds to councils which fail to account for past funds dispersed to
districts.

He said government has since released K30 billion for constituencies to the ministry
of local government and housing.

And Kafue District Council Chairman, Goodson Sansakuwa assured the minister
that councilors in Kafue were in full support of government and the constitutional
making process.

He said councilors will ensure that they  use the NCC for airing out their views on
developmental issues affecting Kafue.

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has warned the opposition and civic groups that they will face treason charges if they reject his government’s plans to amend the constitution, state media reported on Wednesday.”President Mwanawasa says people daring his government over the National Constitution Conference (NCC) will be arrested for treason,” ZNBC radio said.

In 2004, Zambia launched a constitution review commission that toured the country collecting views and recommended that the constitution should be adopted by an assembly of eminent people before being passed by parliament.

But leaders of political parties, including the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), have agreed instead to present a bill to parliament to amend only selected parts of the constitution, a move rejected by the opposition.

“Any more nonsense bordering on malice, they are going to be arrested and charged with treason. As you know, treason is not bailable,” state television quoted Mwanawasa as saying.

Mwanawasa was elected for a second term in 2006 in a vote foreign observers declared largely fair and transparent. But the opposition said the election was fraudulent.

ECONOMIC SUCCESS

Critics question Mwanawasa’s commitment to democracy, saying his government has failed to give ordinary Zambians a say in drafting a new constitution, a process that had been scheduled to start in August and one that will take a year to complete.

“The president wants to make it impossible for those with contrary views to discuss the contents of the constitution because he wants his views and the government’s views to prevail over the people’s views,” said Chileshe Mulenga, head of the Institute for Economic and Social Research think tank.

“What this entails is producing another constitution that will lack legitimacy as has been the problem in the past. Mwanawasa’s constitution will be like a castle built on the sand. It will lack legitimacy.”

Mwanawasa, who built his reputation as a lawyer for the former opposition, has made Zambia a rare African economic success story. But his policies have come under growing scrutiny.

Despite securing a huge debt relief package and major investments from China and India, Mwanawasa has battled a growing public perception that he has done little to benefit most of Zambia’s 11.5 million people.

Zambias copper industry — its economic lifeblood — is booming. Yet 65 percent of Zambians live below the World Bank’s poverty threshold of $1 per day.

By Shapi Shacinda(Reuters)

A LUSAKA magistrate’s court has heard that former State House aide Richard Sakala allegedly instructed the Zambia Privatisation Agency (ZPA) to transfer all parastatal houses to the Presidential Housing Initiative (PHI).

Former Indeco Estates managing director, Kalumyana Silumesi 56, was testifying in the case in which Sakala is charged with a Lusaka resident Nelly Chungu, of obtaining execution of a valuable security by false pretences and forging of a deed of transfer.

Sakala is accused of inducing George Chanda who was Chief executive officer at Indeco Estates with an indenture of assignment relating to stand number 6955 in Longacres, in favour of Helen Mumba Waine between August 16, 1999 and December 21, 2001 with intent to defraud.

It is alleged that Sakala pretended that the Government had decided that the stand should not be purchased by Joritus Enterprises which had already paid K140 million because it was involved in the construction of the PHI.

Mr Silumesi told Magistrate, Sharon Newa that at the time, he lived at number 5 Kapumpe area which belonged to Maamba Collieries and that later, he received a letter from ZPA that Maamba collieries was sold to a company called BENCOM.

He was informed that the Government policy was to sell houses to sitting tenants and that the house he was living in and a Guest House in Olympia Park were chosen to be part of the sale to BENCOM.

Mr Silumesi told the court that he went to ZPA where he saw the chief executive officer, John Cruickshank who informed him that they had instructions from Sakala who was then PHI chairman, that all parastatal houses should be passed on to PHI.

He claimed that he did not see Sakala because PHI was not a legal entity and that he later confided in his friend Peter Machungwa to help him get a house, which he promised to do but stated that he was not comfortable with Sakala.

“Machungwa later came and said he had bought the property at K24 million using Emmanuel Chibwe’s name. I was disappointed and let down and he informed me that he was expecting the Taskforce on Corruption to approach him as the matter was being investigated and that if I was approached, I should say I knew Chibwe,” he said.

The court heard that at the time Mr Silumesi was Indeco managing director, a Mr Emmanuel Nyirenda was board chairman until 1999 when Sakala assumed chairmanship.

Mr Silumesi said later he was informed by Sakala that his contract was terminated and that was how he handed over to a Mr George Chanda.

In cross examination by Sakala, Mr Silumesi said ZPA evicted him from the house and not PHI and that the house was vacant and that he applied for it through ZPA and not PHI.

He maintained that Mr Cruickshank told him that he received a letter from Sakala saying the property should be transferred to PHI and was told it belonged to PHI.

Chungu did not cross examine the witness. The matter comes on November 8,9 and14 for hearing.

VICE President Rupiah Banda has paid glowing tribute to organisations and individuals that have risen above personal interests to be part of the Constitution-making process via the National Constitution Conference (NCC).

Mr Banda said in Lusaka yesterday that even as he commended those who had opted to participate in the Constitution making, it was hopeful that NGOs and Church organisations which have indicated unwillingness to participate would change heart.

Mr Banda said boycotting the NCC was not a solution and urged those who had opted to stay away to reconsider their positions and join the rest of the country and participate in the NCC in order to provide Zambia with a Constitution which the country desired.

Mr Banda who was speaking when he welcomed Dr Mwanawasa from the United States of America at the Lusaka’s International airport yesterday assured the President that the Constitution-making process was progressing well.

He told Dr Mwanawasa that the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the House of Chiefs and a lot of Churches and citizens recently voted to be part of the historic process and commended them for their stance.

He further congratulated Dr Mwanawasa for being bestowed with a doctorate degree in law saying the honour had brought the country pride.

He encouraged him to continue to work hard as he has done in the past six years as the fruits of his labour were there for all to see.

He said the young people of Zambia were humbled that he decided to dedicate his doctorate to them.

And a pupil from David Kaunda National Technical High School, Gideon Muzamba said Zambian youths celebrated with Dr Mwanawasa on his being awarded a doctorate degree and accepted the gift dedicated to the young people.

He said the youths would cherish the honour given to them by working hard so as to uphold the moral fibre of justice in the nation.

“May your spirit of fighting all shades of injustice in our nation be sustained by the youths of Zambia in your honour. We want to assure you that we will rise as youths of Zambia to your level of doctorate and beyond to be called professors,” he said.