Government says it will establish the truth on whether Patriotic Front (PF) President Michael Sata did not fake loss of his passport in order to obtain a clean one that did not carry the Prohibited Immigration endorsement.

Chief Government Spokesperson Michael Mulongoti says Government has received reports that the PF leader whose passport was endorsed by the Malawian Immigration as a Prohibited Immigrant must have realised that he would not be allowed to enter the United States of America and decided to fake the loss of the Passport.

Mr Mulongoti said in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that if found
that Mr Sata faked loss of his passport the law will take its course as it is an
offence under the Passport Act No.22 of 2003 to fake the loss of a passport in order
to get a new one.

Mr Mulongoti, who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister, said government has
received reports that the PF President may not have lost the passport as he claims.

He noted that Government is aware that Mr Sata reported to the Zambian High
Commission in London complaining that he had lost the passport while staying at the
Crown Plaza Hotel in there.

Mr Mulongoti further said that Mr Sata told the Zambian High Commissioner in London,
Mr Anderson Chibwa that he could not as a result of the loss of his passport proceed
to the United States of America (USA) where he was to present a paper on Human
Rights at the Harvard University.

Mr Sata sought the assistance of the Zambian High Commission in London in obtaining
another passport and consequently he was given a travel document to enable him
travel back to Lusaka where he applied for a replacement.

Youths from various political parties in Kitwe have called on political parties to include at least two youths on their list of delegates to sit on the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).

The youths charged that they should not be left out as they are key stakeholders in
the constitution making process.

Youths from the Ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) , United Nation
Independence Democracy (UNIP), United Party for National Development (UPND) and
Patriotic Front (PF)  made the recommendation at the end of the Anti Voter Apathy
Project (AVAP) Workshop held in Kitwe today.

Youths have under the NCC composition been given a provision to nominate two
representatives of youth organisation registered under the national youth council
Act.

The youths further called on the political parties not to use youths as tools of
violence in the Nchanga by -elections slatted for Thursday this week.

AVAP Executive Director Bonnie Tembo disclosed to ZANIS that youths further urged
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to localise the printing of ballot papers to
avoid huge costs.

The ballot papers for the Nchanga by- election are being printed in South Africa.

On the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF), the youths said the guidelines should be
simplified so that many youths can apply for the funds adding that the fund should
be de-politicised.

Speaking at the official closing of the workshop, Kitwe Town Clerk Ali Simwinga 
challenged the youths to be focused and have a vision so as to help in strengthening
their political parties.

He also commended AVAP for contributing to the development of leadership in the
country.

Vice President Rupiah Banda arrived this morning in Ndola on his way to Chingola where he is scheduled to hold two public rallies to drum up support for MMD candidate Charles Chimumbwa in Thursday’s Nchanga constituency parliamentary by-election.
.

Mr Banda who touched down at Ndola international airport at 09:00 hours was received
at Copperbelt provincial minister Mwansa Mbulakulima and other senior government
officials.

The vice president who is accompanied by local government minister Sylvia Masebo, is
expected to formally present MMD candidate Charles Chimumbwa at a public rally at
Luano primary school today and also at another rally tomorrow at Buntungwa park.

The Nchanga seat fell vacant after Mr Chimumbwa defected from the Patriotic Front to
the ruling MMD.

Others contesting the seat are Stanley Simukoko of the Forum for Democracy and
Development (FDD), Wylbur Simuusa (PF), Plyson Gondwe (UNIP), Alvin Simwinga United
Party for National Development (UPND) and Christopher Mwape from All Peoples’
Congress Party.

Others are Ginestone Kachamba and Lillian Kaoma as independents.

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has disclosed that it will submit ten names from ZCTU and its affilliates to cabinet for participation in the National Constitution Conference (NCC).

ZCTU President, Leonard Hikaumba, says the proposed ten names of member
representatives will be submitted to Cabinet after a general meeting to be held
soon.

Mr Hikaumba told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that participating in the NCC
is an effective way of contributing to the Constitution making process.

He noted that the fact that the labour movement has a duty to represent and
articulate issues related to workers interests and other vulnerable people in
society, the congress found it prudent to participate in the NCC.

Mr Hikaumba stated that the proposed ten names will be ratified by the ZCTU General
Council at the meeting and be submited to cabinent for the NCC consideration.

Meanwhile, the ZCTU leader has called for the promotion of dialogue among
government, Non-Governmental Organisations, civil society and political parties in
order to bring the NCC to fruition.

Mr Hikaumba says government leaders and other key stakeholders should desist from
making inflamatory and provocative language when debating on matters of national
interest like the Constitution.

He said all stekeholders should continue taking part in order to reach a consensus
before holding the National Constitution Conference.

Mr Hikaumba further appealed to government to cultivate a sense of trust and begin
to create confidence in other key stakeholders to sit on the NCC.

And the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has expressed concern at the
continued delay of the salary negotiations.

ZCTU President Leonard Hikaumba says the labour movement is worried of the
non-commencement of salary negotiations.

He pointed out that the non-commencement of salary negotiations will affect the 2008
national budget.

He said as the budget goes into its final stage, there was need to finish the salary
negotiations.

Mr Hikaumba further appealed to government through the Finance and National Planning
Minister, Ng’andu Magande, to consider coming up with a pro-poor 2008 national
budget.

Patriotic Frond (PF) leader, Michael Sata, has saluted Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo and the police service for unearthing a massive copper theft syndicate in which more than K4 Billion worth of minerals were allegedly stolen by a Ndola based Chinese company.

Mr. Sata also appealed to Zambians to help the police with information that will
help in the recovery of stolen copper and other minerals from various companies.

He was speaking in Chingola yesterday at a campaign rally for PF Nchanga
constituency parliamentary candidate Wylbur Simuusa ahead of the by elections
scheduled for Thursday, November 8, 2007.

The Nchanga Parliamentary seat fell vacant after former Member of Parliament (MP)
Charles Chimumbwa defected from the PF to the ruling MMD.

Mr Sata urged the electorates to vote for the PF candidate if Nchanga constituency
was to experience meaningful economic development.

He alleged that Mr Chimumbwa, who is contesting for the vacant seat on the MMD
ticket, had failed to account for K200 million Constituency Development Fund (CDF)
as he had not initiated any developmental programmes while serving as MP for Nchnaga
constituency.

The PF leader also dispelled allegations that he had been bought by the Taiwanese
government to speak against China and its investments in Zambia.

Mr Sata said there was need for developmental programmes that will create jobs for
youths to save them from social ills such as excessive bear drinking and drug abuse.

And PF Spokesperson Given Lubinda defended his parties resolve to solicit for money
from Taiwan saying even the ruling party was received funds from the Chinese
government.

Mr Lubinda said the Ncahnga by elections was a choice between slavery and freedom
for the electorates in Nchanga constituency as voting for the PF candidate would
entail their freedom.

The rally was attended by several PF members of parliament and party officials.