The governing Patriotic Front has accused University of Zambia lecturer Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa of insulting the Judiciary when he appeared on Monday’s edition of Hot FM’s Breakfast Show. The PF reported the following on its official Facebook page:

SISHUWA SISHUWA INSULTS JUDICARY, SAYS THEY ARE A DANGER TO DEMOCRACY

Losing petitioner in the Edgar Lungu Eligibility Case, Sishuwa Sishuwa has issued a tirade of insults and false allegations on the Constitutional Court and the Judiciary.

Sishuwa, who is a University of Zambia Lecturer, has lost the case together with Linda Kasonde’s Chapter One, and Lusaka Lawyer John Sangwa’s Legal Resource Foundation.

Sishuwa has accused the Constitutional Court of open bias and favoruritsm towards the ruling Patriotic Front and its presidential candidate, President Edgar Lungu.

He also accused the Constitutional Court of misbehavior claiming that this (behaviour) started in the Dan Pule Case.

Sishuwa, who chose to attack the Judiciary instead of the Judgement, says the Courts have become a clear and present danger to Democracy

He was speaking when he appeared on Hot FM Breakfast Show.

Here is the full recording of Dr Sishuwa’s interview on Hot FM on Monday.

African Union(AU) Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat ,has joined the people of Zambia and the Government in wishing Zambia’s First President, Kenneth Kaunda, a speedy recovery.

Mr. Faki recounts that Dr Kaunda is the only remaining founding Father of the organisation of African Unity(AU) , the fore-runner of the African Union.

During this year’s African Freedom Day, the African Union honoured Dr Kaunda with a special award.

The Award recognized Dr. Kaunda for the role he played and the immense contributions he made to the liberation of Africa and its people.

Dr Kaunda is being treated at Maina Soko hospital and has asked for prayers from the Zambian people and the international community.

This is contained in a statement issued the media, by First Secretary –Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in Ethiopia , Inutu Mwanza.

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) is making strides towards addressing the issue of illegal sand mining in Magoye river in Southern province.

ZEMA Corporate Affairs Manager Friday Phiri said the agency is working with various partners such as the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation to deal with the issue of sand mining in Magoye area.

“We as ZEMA are working with partners such as the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation to come up with a comprehensive plan to address the issue,’’ he said

Mr. Phiri said ZEMA has noted that the issue of sand mining has become a livelihood venture for the local people in Magoye.

He said there is, therefore, need to find a balanced plan that will help local people transition from sand mining to other lucrative ventures.

“There is a process that has started which is called the protection and restoration which was developed by ZEMA and various cooperating partners. The idea is to come up with an alternative plan that will take away local people from sand mining so that the river remains protected,’’ he explained.

He added that the Magoye river has changed course due to sand mining activities in and around its basin, a situation that has resulted into the basin becoming shallow.

Mr. Phiri has since called on other environmental protection stakeholders such as the council to take part into coming up with a comprehensive plan that will help end the damage caused to the river.

Meanwhile, Mr. Phiri has disclosed that the new ZEMA e-platform has received positive feedback as clients are able use the platform to make payments.

He said clients are able to apply for licenses on the digital platform.

“The e-platform is live, members of the public are registering, and over 120 industry players are registered and interacting with us online which is a plus for the agency,’’ said Mr. Phiri.

He explained that the importance of the e-platform cannot be over emphasized as it helps people to work in a manner that can help reduce the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mufulira District Commissioner Mike Manda has advised youths in the district to avoid political violence and conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner.

Mr. Manda says it is important for political parties to remain peaceful in the election period knowing that Zambia is a democratic country.

The District Commissioner in an interview stated that he is not in support of any form of political violence adding that people’s lives need to be protected.

“I have seen people fighting, properties being vandalised in other districts and provinces, we are a Christian nation we need to protect each other,” Mr. Manda said.

He has urged aspiring candidates to be mindful and champion violent free campaigns in the district.

And Futurepreneurs Zambia Executive Director, Martin Kampamba says it is important for political players despite their political affiliation to guard the peace the country has jealously.

Mr. Kampamba has urged the youths to stay away from political violence adding that his organisation looks at the welfare of young people in the country.

He stated that it is important for people to respect the rule of law especially that the country is heading towards the polls.

Human Rights Commission (HRC) Principal Information Officer, Simon Mulumbi, says the human rights body is concerned at the ugly scenes of political violence in the country.

Officially opening a two day interparty dialogue workshop organised by the HRC at Misuku lodge in Kabwe today, Mr Mulumbi said the commission is concerned that political violence is becoming a common feature in Zambian politics.

He said this situation is regrettable and does not give a good picture of the country which has been a shining example of a budding democracy.

“We must all understand that we have a problem as a country but it’s not late for political parties to come together and address this emerging challenge,” Mr Mulumbi said.

Mr Mulumbi said his Commission is greatly concerned to hear levels of tolerance among political players going down in the country.

He stressed that Zambia is a democracy where different political parties should learn to co-exist despite believing in varied political ideologies.

“We are a democracy where different political parties should co-exist. As Zambians in 1991 we agreed that we are going to be a democracy,” he stressed.

He stated that the commission is aware of the lamentations from some political parties and other stakeholders on the application of the public order act ( POA).

The HRC has continued and will continue to engage all the stakeholders including the police to ensure that the POA is applied fairly.