Earlier This Year: Plot-sharing scam at the Lusaka City Council (LCC) is a tip of the iceberg, Banda

PRESIDENT Banda says the plot-sharing scam at the Lusaka City Council (LCC) is a tip of the iceberg as the practice may be taking place at other local authorities run by the Patriotic Front (PF).

Meanwhile, the President has said the MMD will soon set the date for its national convention after successfully concluding provincial conferences at which new executive committees have been ushered into office.

The President said PF leaders have been accusing the MMD government of being corrupt, but what has been unearthed at the LCC is an indicator of what could be taking root in various councils headed and dominated by the opposition political party.

Mr Banda was speaking to journalists at City Airport in Lusaka on january 23 shortly before leaving for Chipata to attend the funeral of late former Cabinet minister in the UNIP government Amok Phiri.

“That is how poetic justice works. They have been accusing us of corruption, but they are there in charge of the Lusaka City Council, and see what they are doing,” he said.

Mr Banda said land is a precious natural resource to all Zambians.

It is, therefore, unfortunate for political leaders to turn around and use land to benefit themselves after being given power by the people to administer the natural resource.

“I am sure this is just the surface. If you look a bit deeper, you will find that they have done much more, perhaps not only here (Lusaka), but also on the Copperbelt and other councils which they are heading,” he said.

Recently, the Zambia Daily Mail unearthed a scam in which councillors, the town clerk and other members of staff at the LCC allocated themselves 80 plots at the Lilayi Housing Development Project, leaving only 11 for members of the public.

This was after a swap deal involving farm 915 in Lilayi between the LCC and Messrs Lilayi Housing Development.

The move prompted the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to suspend the council for a period of 90 days in accordance with the Local Government Act, Cap 281 of the laws of Zambia to pave way for investigations.

Minister of Local Government and Housing Brian Chituwo, who announced the suspension of the council last Friday at a press briefing in Lusaka, said Government has since appointed Copperbelt provincial local government officer Solomon Sakala as administrator.

Various stakeholders have welcomed the decision by Government to suspend the LCC to allow for smooth investigations into the alleged irregular allocation of plots at Lilayi Housing Development Project.

The United Party for National Development, the MMD, the National Restoration Party, Transparency International Zambia and Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes have all welcomed the investigations.

The organisations have called on the Anti-Corruption Commission to thoroughly investigate the council.

And President Banda has said the MMD will soon announce the date for its national convention.

“The date for the national convention will be announced soon, very soon. We are going to have one more meeting of the top four elected leaders from all provinces. I am sure you are all looking forward to that, aren’t you?” the President said.

The MMD concluded the process of holding provincial conferences on Saturday with the Lusaka meeting that saw incumbent William Banda retaining his position as chairman after going through unopposed.

Meanwhile, MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has advised Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata against attacking the ruling party, but concentrate on creating harmony within his party.

Ms Siliya, who is also Minister of Education, told journalists at City Airport in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Sata should realise that the MMD has successfully concluded the democratic process within the party, and will now be moving to the final stage of holding a national convention.

“I think he should concentrate on trying to create harmony within his party to institute the culture of democracy because you can’t continue wanting to be president while in your own party there is no semblance of democracy at all,” she said.

The minister was reacting to a story in the Sunday Post of January 23 in which Mr Sata was quoted as saying 2011 is the year to remove President Banda’s government, alleging it has failed to deliver.

And President Banda has described the late Mr Phiri as an educated, calm and dignified person who will be missed by many people. Mr Banda said Mr Phiri studied in Germany and was appointed to various positions, including at Cabinet ministerial level.

“I think we have lost a great Zambian,” the President said.

President Banda declared on January 23 a day of national mourning in honour of Mr Phiri.

Sata's 90 day action plan condemned

Several sections of society have urged Patriotic Front President, Michael Sata, to come up with issue based campaigns in order to woo voters in this years election. They say the same old story of "action in 90 days" is outdated and has been overiden by events that unfolded in the PF run City Councils. They complained that when they hear Mr. Sata on radio telling the nation how he will do this or that within 90 days, PF as a party becomes less desirable and it becomes clear that its leadership needs to be renewed. They cited the gross theft of funds at the LCC, lack of service delivery and theft of public property through land allocations to councilors, as the end result of Sata's 2006 pledge of how he would show Mwanawasa how to run the public sector.

　

"We are tired of being told stories about 90 days. Within 90 days, the PF councilors in our city council started stealing money instead of improving on service provisions in the city." said Mr. Chomba outside Society House on Lusaka's Cairo Road. He further said that "Sata failed to deliver on his promises in 90 days and his councilors took us for a ride. He even failed to reprimand them when their wrong was exposed. Instead, he defended their crooked ways."

　

A shop keeper in Lusaka's City Market said "90 days is just a myth to get blind support. We have given PF a total of five years and they have failed to clean the city. They have failed to kick out the Lebanese, Indians and Chinese who have taken over most of the market stalls. Today, we even have Somalis, Congolese and unknown people being given stalls which were meant for Zambians. The PF councilors are taking bribes for stalls from foreigners at the expense of national development. Now my sales have dropped because of price under cutting." Mrs. Mweene, who sells cosmetics and hair products, also complained bitterly about intimidation by PF cadres and councilors.

　

In Kitwe, Mr. Bwalya, who is a resident of Wusakile Township, complained bitterly that the PF led council has failed to keep to its promises of 2006. "These PF councilors led by their president promised that our area would be cleaned within 90 days. They said drains would be cleaned and bridges would be built over drains. They said they were concerned about our health and living conditions but they have done nothing. This is 2011 and we are still suffering. The councilors have allocated plots to themselves and they have threatened us with taxes and market fees in order to increase revenue. We have paid and they have in turn used the money to pay themselves hefty cheques. The 90 day promise is nothing more than a campaign gimick which has been over used." he said.

　

A Ndola resident complained that when the PF won the local government elections, it promised to speed up house sales and issuance of title deeds. "This process stalled after the 2001 elections and in 2006 PF said they would accelerate it. Five years have passed and we are being told to pay exorbitant rentals or face eviction. These useless PF councilors want to take our houses away from us and keep them for themselves. Is this the change Sata promised us in 90 days? The PF leadership just watches as we are robbed of our homes like they did not promise to settle our titles. When we confront our MP, we are threatened by the Kaponya's who are PF vigilante." Mrs Mwaba went on to say that "It was only after FTJ came that our issues were heard and President Banda ordered the issuance of title with immediate effect. All the developments you see today are owed to FTJ and Rupiah Banda."

　

Minister of Education, Dora Siliya, has advised the Zambian people to reflect and remember all that was supposed to have been done in 90 days when PF won the local government elections in major towns. She said the PF should be judged by its performance over the last five years in the same vein that MMD is being judged after President Banda took over to continue what Late Levy Mwanawasa started. She said it is important to note that PF is full of empty promises because the people in the party are opportunists who only want to enrich themselves.

　

She pointed out how President Banda has seen that PF have failed and he has come to the aid of our people by taking on responsibilities of the local authorities. He has ordered the issuance of title deeds, the repair of roads and drains, and the slashing of house prices in order to empower our people to be able to take loans from CEEC and commercial banks.

　

"This i will do this or that in 90 days has been tested and it failed to generate a better living for our people. Instead, in 90 days, PF was able to enrich its MP's and councilors by paying out inflated administration fees and allocating themselves plots meant for the masses." She said. "So tell us now Mr. Sata, what promises are you going to sell us in 90 days for this years election? Ask him what he will do to his theiving councilors and MP's in 90 days before the election, which he should have done 90 days after winning local government elections in 2006."

　

In 2006 after the general elections, Mr Sata is on record saying he would show President Mwanawasa how councils should be run. When PF had won seats in most of the councils, Mr Sata promised that the councillors would collect garbage, work on roads and deliver social services to the people of Zambia but to date, none of these promises have been honoured.

In FJT's last press conference, he said "It would be politically naive and dangerous for the nation to forget the strong 2006 post-election policy statement, the PF leader Michael Sata made when he said; ‘Mr Mwanawasa will run State House but I will run the country through the councils. We must never forget that because people are now paying a high price for electing PF councillors and MPs who have followed their leader’s policy statement to the letter and caused all the misery."

WYNTER’S VAIN ATTEMPT TO CLEAN GUY’S MESS

28th July 2011 - 'The Zambian' Editorial

We have heard.  The learned Legal Counsel Wynter Kabimba, also Patriotic Front Secretary General, has effectively distanced the Pf from the reckless and irresponsible actions of PF Vice President Guy Scott.  That is the way it should be.  A wrong is a wrong and in this instance, Guy Scott, has become a serious liability to the Patriotic Front, just like its leader Michael Sata, who out of nothing, begun a homosexual campaign to “benefit” Zambia.

But that said, Guy Scott’s media assault, remains a sore point for Zambia’s democracy.  He has shown the whole world that he is so intolerant, unreasonable and willing to play to the gallery.  Kabimba justified the PF anger, symbolised by its slogan and power –sign.  If there was a possibility of asking Osama Bin laden, why he though killing and taking away innocent lives by Al Qaeda was good, he sure would be able to justify all those senseless killings.  But can other civilised persons accept that justification or explanation, in the midst of pools of human blood?

Put simply, can any reasonable official, justify the banishing of National Media   from covering what is supposed to be a national affair? Or, is fighting at a place of work or any other, justifiable?  This is the dilemma that our Wynter Kabimba finds himself in.  he is having to clean up the mess that others are willing and wittingly creating.  It is sure a hard job, and we doubt if Wynter is enjoying what appears to be a deliberate ploy to seek publicity even when the very reason for seeking publicity, is at variance with fundamentals of democracy.

We have said before and we now repeat that THE Patriotic Front is in a hurry to destroy Zambia’s democracy.  Sata was in the MMD as National Secretary.  During his time, as expected, he brutalised many but failed to undo the party, whose democratic credentials, are too solid for any joker.  The creation of the Patriotic Front was an attempt to have another vehicle for dissent but others like Michael Sata have taken it somewhere else.  As recently announced by Peter Sinkamba, the PF’s consolation is its perceived popularity.  We want to argue and argue very strongly that popularity alone, cannot be an effective measure for assuring the patriotic Front victory because, there are equally many indicators which show how Sata and company failed to tick, when they were in government.

So, while the statements by Kabimba are welcome, we at the Zambian remain worried and concerned because crocodile tears have no space in our democracy.  We saw the damage and pain Hitler caused and know too well the tragedy that could envelope Zambia, if war mongers were allowed access, to State power.

Remember, Dr. Guy Scott, also a Columnist in the Post Newspaper, is the Vice President.  We all know that Sata is said to be sick, meaning that if he was indisposed and unable to do what he must do, then Dr. Guy Scott, with all his shortcomings, would be the next PF president.  If The PF was to be in government, Guy Scott would be republican President – and that would mean compounded trouble for the Media.  Sad, but this is the “Plan” we must all join hands to stop! It is unpatriotic, it is hypocritical, it is an abomination and a danger to our PEACE.

Ndola stadium to host Africa Cup qualifier

28th July 2011

The ultra-modern Ndola stadium scheduled for completion next month will host the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Zambia and Libya.

Zambia will play the North Africans on October 8 in a Group C final qualifier.

Minister of Works and Supply Gabriel Namulambe said in an interview in Lusaka on Thursday that the stadium under construction in Ndola will be completed in time for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

Namulambe said Anhui Foreign Economic Construction (AFEC) has already completed major works and that only remedial works like access roads leading to the stadium are remaining.

“There is no doubt the final qualifier will be played at the new stadium in Ndola since works on the modern sporting infrastructure is scheduled for completion in the next 45 days.

“His Excellency President Rupiah Bwezani Banda will officially open the stadium which will also cater for other sporting disciplines like athletics.

The official opening date will only be announced once minor works are completed,” Namulambe said.

The Chipolopolo have over the years been forced to play their home games at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe following the closure of Lusaka’s Independence Stadium.

Nchanga Stadium in Chingola hosted last month’s qualifier against Mozambique, which Zambia won 3-0.

Namulambe said the stadium will have a natural football pitch and a synthetic running track.

He also said the stadium under construction in Lusaka will gobble US$94 million.

“The works at the new Lusaka stadium are expected to be completed in 30 months but we have been told the structure could be ready four months ahead of schedule,” he said.

Shanghai Construction Group of China are the contractors for the 50,000 seater stadium.

Namulambe said construction of the stadium was initially supposed to start in April but delayed due to heavy rains.

“We are happy works on the other new stadium to be constructed in Lusaka commenced on Wednesday.

The contractors have assured us that the stadium will be completed within the specified time,” he said.

RB GOD-SEND, SAY NDOLA RESIDENTS

By Hellen Ngosa

President Banda is a God-given gift to Zambia, former Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Ndola District vice-chairperson Victor Chimuka has said.

And Mr. Chimuka says economic achievements that Zambia has experienced in the two and a half years of President Banda’s reign will go down in history as the most successful.

Speaking in an interview, Mr. Chimuka said it is God’s plan that President Banda continues to rule this country.

“President Banda never wanted to be Vice-President.  It was God’s plans that he heads this country.  Look at how many times people were sent to his farms in Chipata to plead with him to take up the position.  At last God intervened and he accepted,”

He said even after the death of President Mwanawasa, President Banda remained the choice of most Zambians as God had seen it fit.

Mr. Chimuka said even in this year’s election, President Banda will be victorious because it is the wish of most Zambians that he continues running the affairs of this country.

“It is the wish of every well-meaning Zambian that President Banda continues ruling this country and God will grant us our hearts’ desires just like he did in 2008,” he said.

Mr. Chimuka said the people calling for change of Government can best be described as agents of the devil who want to bring confusion in the country.

He said it is sad to note that the opposition are misleading Zambians by alleging that they will do miracles once elected into power with nothing to showcase.

He wondered why some Zambians have opted to listen to power hungry politicians who will not keep to their promises should they be elected into office.

“I would believe anyone who justifies why they should be voted into office if they show that they are capable of doing rather than them verbally stating their plans without showing their works.  I urge fellow Zambian to vote for President Banda because of what he has done and is capable of doing for Zambia,” Mr. Chimuka said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chimuka says people of Ndola are happy with the development projects that Government has embarked on.

He said the revamping of the mines on the Copperbelt has added value and hope to people’s lives, making most of them opt for President Banda and the MMD in this year’s election.

He said among other projects that the people of Ndola are happy with the construction of the first ever ultramodern stadium, the new markets, security officers ‘houses and the township roads.

Commenting on allegations from the opposition that all the development projects that President Banda has been undertaking countrywide are an idea of late President Mwanawasa, Mr. Chimuka said such claims are baseless.

Mr. Chimuka said not all projects were initiated by president Mwanawasa, adding that President Banda had a choice whether to continue with the projects he found or not. Many of the projects were started three years ago just after President Banda was elected.

He said President Banda went ahead with some of the projects in the interest of all Zambians.

“President Banda is human and he had a choice whether to continue with some of the development projects that were started by President Mwanawasa or not.

But because he knew that those projects were to benefit Zambia, the country he loves so much, he decided to continue and I think it is recklessness for someone to suggest that all the development projects were started by the Late President Mwanawasa,” Mr. Chimuka said.

SENANGA-SESHEKE ROAD WORKS CHEER RESIDENTS

By SEFI JUMBE
President Banda and the MMD government have won praises for the construction of the Senanga –Sesheke road.

Residents have described the head of state as the first national leader who has thought of working on the road.

Akufuna Mubita said having a tarred road is a long awaited development which will make life easier for her; especially that she is a trader.

She said initially, travelling on that road was a nightmare but that with the works already in progress, she can see the dream of people of Western Province becoming a reality.

She said the road will open up the province to other parts within and outside the country.

Ms. Mubita said President Banda’s government should be given an opportunity to be able to finish the good projects that are in places as opposed to leaders who will only come and destroy the good works.

Another resident Sililo Mulafela said the works of the MMD government are there for all to see.

He said all projects are appreciated but the most appreciated is the Senanga-Sesheke road which has brought pride to the province.

He said as a transport officer, he will be able to drive on the road with pride and enjoy his work unlike before where he would dread any assignment that entailed travelling on the road.

Inonge Ngenda, a teacher, says though she may not frequent that road, it will be a joy to teach the children on the value of that road and what development has come with it.

She said the history of the road and how long it has been neglected until president took office will be good history to teach the children.

Likando Mukelabai said he has lived in Senanga since time immemorial and described the development as most welcome.

As a farmer, he said he will be able to transport his produce without dreading the period it will take to transport his goods.

MASEBO BRIBES CHONGWE VOTERS

BY MUTINTA CHIMUKA

Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo is allegedly involved in vote-buying in the area in an attempt to retain the seat on the Patriotic Front ticket.

Masebo is said to be worried with the growing popularity of MMD candidate Japhen Mwakalombe and believes the only way to retain the seat is through vote-buying.

Impeccable sources have told the Zambian that Masebo’s popularity has drastically plummeted in the last few years because she has failed to perform.

Ms Masebo has been going round schools in the constituency distributing K2 million to headmasters of named schools in an attempt to woo their support.

The source said she is also trying to bribe headmen and other traditional leaders to galvanise support for her.  People in the constituency are disenchanted with lack of development and have resolved to Vote for Mr. Mwakalombe and President Rupiah Banda.

They say Ms Masebo has done nothing in the 10 years she has been MP on different party tickets and they see no reason why they should continue voting for her.

Ms Masebo became Chongwe MP in 2001 under the Zambia Republican Party before jumping ship to MMD on which he retained the seat in 2006.

She has again defected, this time to the PF, hoping to gain from the perceived popularity of the party in Lusaka.  She has, however, not been accepted in Chongwe and is now considering moving to an urban constituency where her traits are less known.

In her desperate move which is largely miscalculated, Ms Masebo has even printed T-Shirts for Chongwe which she intends to distribute if her patriarchal boss, Michael Sata, picks her for the constituency.

The source has since asked the Anti-Corruption Commission to institute investigations and effect an arrest.  The source said Ms Masebo is deeply involved in bribery which is not only a criminal offence but an affront to multi-party democracy which Zambia fought hard in 1991.

“President Rupiah Banda has in the last two years built schools, hospitals and roads.  He has also invested heavily in agriculture while Ms Masebo is just seated in Lusaka.  We, therefore, see no reason why we should not vote for him (Mr. Banda) and his MP Mr Mwakalombe a spokesperson of the residents said during the week.

RB will win, insists Sakwiba

There is nothing that will stop President Rupiah Banda from winning the elections this year, United Liberal Party leader Sakwiba Sikota has declared.

In an interview, Sikota said out of the three contenders in this year’s election only President Banda has a clear vision on how to run the affairs of the nation.

He said it is sad that opposition political parties and their leaders have chosen to mislead the country about the economic growth the incumbent president has scored in the past three years he has been President.

“It is now clear that President Banda is retaining power, looking at the current contenders, no one can match President Banda and they will not stop him from coming out victorious in this year’s elections, people want to see a leader who has a heart for the people, a leader who can point a finger at something and President Banda has something to talk about,” said Sikota who a fortnight ago announced that his party will not contest this year’s election but will support the MMD and its candidates.

He said people seeking public office should first explain what they will do to reduce poverty and create jobs for young people. He said they should show how different their approach would be different from what president Banda is already doing.

“People must know that the ongoing debates ahead of the elections this year on the personality of President Banda are meant to sway the electorates. But I can assure you that Zambians are very intelligent people who will always look back where they have come from, President Banda has delivered,” he said.

He said President Banda has proved to the Zambian people that he is capable of guiding the country to economic prosperity.

“We must learn to appreciate the achievements of the MMD government in the last three years. Just look at the levels of infrastructure development, look at the successes his administration has recorded in the mining sector on the Copperbelt, look at the bumper harvest this country has been recording in the past three years under his leadership, so what more do you want from a government?” he asked.

Sikota told the Watchdog that it will be pointless to oppose the leadership that has delivered economic developments, adding that the people of Zambia should not risk voting for any opposition political party in order for the country to continue recording economic gains.

Business Monitor International tips RB to win 2011 elections

July 28, 2011

THE Business Monitor International Limited (BMI) has predicted that President Banda will easily win this year’s elections as a reward for his government’s recent economic achievements and says grassroots support for the MMD remains strong.

And the organisation says the turbulent past of opposition Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata is likely to prove to be his liability in the polls, and that his national support has fallen since 2008.

The reputable global research organisation, involved in economic, political and social research across the world, has made the predictions in its review of southern Africa for August 2011.

“Programmes to facilitate the use of fertilisers and high-quality seeds have helped to generate two record maize harvests in the past two seasons – an achievement that cannot be overstated in the largely rural country,” the BMI says.

“The government’s efforts promise to increase formal employment, diversify the economy, broaden the tax base and lower poverty levels and we believe that the electorate will reward (President) Banda and his MMD party at the polls,” the organisation says.

It says clearly, grassroots support for the MMD has remained strong because of Government’s progressive programmes aimed at benefitting ordinary citizens and reducing poverty.

 

The BMI reports that because of the increase in the number of beneficiaries of subsidised farm inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) from 500,000 to 890,000 small-scale farmers in the last farming season, the country has witnessed increased participation in food-based agriculture.

“The scheme (FISP) has seen agricultural production soar and this year’s maize harvest is expected to reach over three million tonnes, an improvement on the record 2.8 million tonnes last year.

“The improvements will help stave off food insecurity plaguing other parts of Africa,” the organisation says.

It also notes a huge increase in the number of registered voters from 3.9 million in 2006 to 5.2 million this year, which it attributes to a rising generation of constituents just reaching voting age and increased voter enthusiasm.

On Mr Sata, the BMI says although the PF leader has campaigned aggressively in Western Province lately, he remains a controversial figure who has often expressed admiration for an unpopular president of an African country.

The BMI also says Mr Sata’s anti-foreign sentiment in populist appeals threaten to undermine Zambia’s impressive growth story.

“While recent comments have sought to attract more moderate voters, Sata’s turbulent past will likely prove to be a liability, and his national support has likely fallen since 2008,” it says.

“The MMD has demonstrated that it is still a force to reckon with in local elections, where it has won 62 of 110 wards (compared with United Party for National Development’s 24 and the PF’s 22),” the BMI report says.

It adds that the bickering between the PF and the UPND following the demise of their electoral pact has damaged both opposition parties’ chances.

The BMI was founded in 1984 by Richard Londesborough and Jonathan Feroze, the company’s joint chief executive officers, and is based in Blackfriars, London, with foreign offices in New York and Singapore.

It has customers in more than 140 countries worldwide and has provided reliable analyses, data and forecasts to businesses, banks, financial services companies, governments, academia and research centres.

It was awarded the ‘Queen’s Award for Export Achievement’ in 1997.

The positive prediction comes hot on the heels of the assessment by the International Monetary Fund of the country’s economic programme as “robust and broad-based”, and its reclassification as a lower middle-income country by the World Bank, both in a space of one month.

Zambia’s Elections Date: It’s Tuesday 20th September 2011

Thursday, July 28, 2011, 10:23 am

 

President Rupiah Banda has dissolved parliament and cabinet, and has set 20th September as the date for this year’s tripartite elections.

President Banda says after consulting the Electoral Commission of Zambia on all logistics for holding elections, he is satisfied that the country can hold the polls and has signed statutory instrument number 76 0f 2011 for holding the presidential and general elections.

President Banda has also signed statutory instrument number 77 of 2011 for the Local Government elections.

This means that both the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local government elections will be held on the same date.

But president Banda says he and the vice president will continue running affairs of the nation and representing Zambia in international affairs until another government is ushered into office.

The president has says state functions will continue to operate normally.

Mr Banda says the decision made is in line with the Zambian constitution.

He says permanent secretaries will help him run government while the police and the army will continue to safeguard Zambia’s sovereignty.

President Banda says Zambia’s stability is underpinned by peace, unity and economic development and there is need to ensure that the elections are violence free.

Mr Banda has called on all candidates and players in the elections to ensure adherence to election guidelines.

President Banda has drawn the attention to the revised electoral code of conduct to ensure that there is harmony during and after the elections.

RB should be given another chance, FDD vice president

28th July 2011

Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Vice president Chifumu Banda says his party will support President Rupiah Banda in this year’s election because it has not changed its position it took in 2008.

Chifumu told the Watchdog that the position the party took in 2008 of supporting President Banda still stands and would only be looked into during the forthcoming National Policy Committee (NCP) scheduled for this month end.

The NCP is the supreme body which will be looking and approving among other matters the adoption of the party’s presidential and parliamentary candidates ahead of the election this year if any.

In an interview with the Watchdog Wednesday on the FDD’s preparations for elections this year, Chifumu said his party still stands and believes in President Banda’s leadership because he has performed exceptionally well.

“President Rupiah Banda should be given another chance to lead the nation because he has performed exceptionally well. It is for everybody to see what he has done in the past three years he has been in office, that it why as a party we have not changed our position we took in 2008 of supporting his candidature,” said Chifumu.

The FDD vice president said President Banda has reduced the levels of poverty in the three years he has been in office, hence the need to support his final term of office.

Chifumu who is also Chasefu FDD member of parliament said although his party has not yet declared its position indicating the way forward in this year’s election, he was confident that President Banda was the only credible candidate.

“The three year’s President Banda has been in office have been the most challenging ones but at least he has managed to handle the pressure that come with those challenges, during his first months in office the entire world experienced the economical meltdown, that was a serious economical crisis but he calmly handled and managed the problem which would have seen this country collapse economically,” he

said.

And on his president Edith Nawakwi, Chifumu said it was not clear if she would contest for presidency because she has not yet declared so.

“It is entirely her decision to make, as I said she has not yet informed the party about her candidature and will be meeting to make our position known at the month end, we shall also look at the number of people who have applied to contest as MPs on the party ticket but all these must be credible people,” said Chifumu.

Meanwhile the Chasefu lawmaker says he is confident that he will return the seat on the FDD ticket because he has worked closely with the people in his constituency on developmental purposes.

“Right now am in my constituency busy campaigning and there is no chance for any other candidate to unseat me because the people I serve feel adequately represented, I have delivered the development and are also looking forward to retain me,” he said.

UPND okays printing of ballots in South Africa

28th July 2011

The United Party for National Development says there is nothing wrong with printing ballot papers from South Africa.

UPND deputy spokesperson told Hot Fm radio that what is important is to ensure that elections are free and fair.

He said it’s not realistic to ask the Electoral Commission of Zambia to print the ballots in Zambia when the process has already begun in South Africa.

He said ECZ should make sure ballots are printed in Zambia.

The Patriotic Front is demanding that ballots papers should be printed in Zambia.

PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba said printing ballots are a security issue and that ECZ explain the tender procedure used.

He said PF should be engaged before the ballots are printed.

Sata accused of tribalism, interviewing MPs from home

By Jimmy Chibuye

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata is alleged to have hijacked the process of adopting parliamentary candidates in his party, leaving no room for other members to have a say.

Impeccable sources said in Lusaka yesterday Mr Sata has been conducting interviews in person and drafting a list of preferred candidates from his home.

The development is said to be frustrating older members of the party, who fear that the opposition leader will give preference to new members.

“Mr Sata is allegedly conducting interviews at his home, and he has drafted a list of candidates for Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces,” one source said.

He said Mr Sata’s action has caused anxiety among party faithfuls because they do not know their place in the party.

The sources said Mr Sata’s alleged tribal inclination has affected the adoption process of the PF.

The names on Mr Sata’s list include Miles Sampa (Sata’s nephew) for Matero Constituency, Sylvia Chalikosa (Lusaka Central) and the PF president’s son, Mulenga.

Mulenga is reported to have initially been eyeing Lusaka Central and Kabwata, but may now have to settle for the lower position of councillor in one of the wards in the capital city.

The sources said Mr Sata’s action contradicts what the lower organs of the party have recommended.

They said because of lack of democracy in the PF, the MMD has adopted some of the opposition members of Parliament to stand on its ticket.

Grassroots members of the PF have rejected former minister of Health Nkandu Luo, who is PF leader Michael Sata’s preferred candidate for Munali Constituency, to take over from incumbent MP Mumbi Phiri.

Sources said Ms Phiri has also not been interviewed because the members prefer someone else for the seat.

The development comes a few days after some PF members of the central committee said members in Munali Constituency have also rejected former Chongwe MMD MP Sylvia Masebo, whom Mr Sata wanted to impose on them against the wish of the party members in Chongwe, who prefer Geoffrey Chumbwe.

Kafue District Hospital gets ultrasound machine

By Davies M.M Chanda Thursday, 28 July 2011 07:25

SAMSUNG Medical Centre of South Korea on Wednesday donated an ultrasound machine to Kafue District Hospital aimed at benefiting the vulnerable community and enhance the health delivery in the area.


The hospital also launched the medical camps in Chongwe and Kafue districts under Samsung employee volunteer programme organised and sponsored by Samsung Corporation, Electrical engineering and the Korean National Commission for UNESCO and Urban Self Help (PUSH).


Samsung Electronics Limited Company has also set up a community business centre and computer training for youths in Soloboni community to improve its livelihood and has donated 20 computers to the centre.


Head of the medical team, Chung Sungsoo said during the launch at Nangongwe Urban Health Centre in Kafue that the medical camps would provide basic medical screening and treatment to the communities and improve hygiene to prevent treatable diseases.


Mr Sungsoo said the medical camps would be conducted by a group of medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists that would provide the general screening and ultrasound at the two medical camps.

He said more than 700 people were screened in Chongwe and about 600 would be screened at Nangogwe urban health centre.


“We have about seven Korean doctors and 40 nurses as well as local medical officers and some doctors from South Africa, bringing the number to 67 who will be conducting general screening at the medical camps,” he said.


Receiving the donation, Minister of Health, Kapembwa Simbao said the ultrasound machine would enhance the community knowledge on health.


Mr Simbao said provision of quality health was an enormous task that should not be left to the Government alone but required concerted efforts from various stakeholders.


In a speech read for him by Deputy Minister Christopher Kalila, Mr Simbao said the Government was pleased by the noble gesture of endeavouring to promote health and technical skills among the vulnerable community.


He said the Government was aware that the most vulnerable people were mostly in the rural areas and in need of designed health systems closer to their households.


Mr Simbao said the mobile health services which the Government had procured was one of the strategies to reach people in the rural areas and had built health posts to bring healthcare closer to the people.


He commended Korean medics, Samsung and Push for the good community initiative and urged Samsung to consider opening up an electronic manufacturing industry in Zambia.


And Nangogwe Clinic acting sister-in-charge, Stella Bowa praised Samsung for the equipment and medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists for their assistance.


'Stand up for Zambia' critics not sincere, says Mumbi

By Times Reporter


FORMER Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Edward Mumbi has said those opposing the television series "Stand up for Zambia" produced by Chanda Chimba III and reproducing PF leader Michael Sata’s speeches are insincere because the producer is not adding or subtracting anything from Mr Sata’s true character.


Mr Mumbi said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday it was unfair for some sections of society to condemn Mr Chimba for reproducing what Mr Sata had been saying.


He said Zambians should in fact commend Mr Chimba for exposing Mr Sata’s true character because he had not been misquoting the PF leader on anything.


“What is surprising is for even Mr Sata himself to describe that programme as promoting hate when it is himself who has been saying what Mr Chimba is simply reproducing without adding or subtracting anything.

“Let Mr Sata deny that it is not him in those pictures being shown on the programme,” he said.

Mr Mumbi said Zambians should not support media institutions that were in the habit of burying their heads in the sand but should instead commend Mr Chimba for quoting Mr Sata accurately by reproducing exactly what he had been saying word for word, thereby portraying the PF leader’s true character.


He described as dull, people that had been condemning Mr Chimba for showing the Zambians the true character of Mr Sata.


He was surprised that Mr Sata reacted the way he did in the Post Newspaper when President Rupiah Banda just said at a rally that Mr Sata was a vicious person who did not spare anyone as shown on "Stand up for Zambia" programme.


Mr Mumbi said the PF was now feeling the heat because Mr Sata’s true character had been exposed to the public through Mr Chimba’s programme.


“Mr Sata should also realise that he is aspiring for public office and is liable to public scrutiny, which Mr Chimba is simply doing. People need to be reminded of the character of a person eyeing public office,” he said.

PF CENTRAL COMMITTEE SIDELINED AS M’MEMBE TAKES OVER

By SUFZ Staff

Chaos is brewing in the Patriotic Front (PF) over the Cobra’s decision to ditch meetings with the PF central committee in preference to meeting with his chief strategist Fred Namakando M’meebe from The Post Newspaper.

According to dissatisfied members of the central committee, Mr. Michael Sata has stopped meeting senior party members apart from his close circle and now takes advice only for M’membe.

The sources say that many senior members have been sidelined and are unable to strategise ahead of the elections because Mr. Sata just works only with The Post nowadays.

“You know, we rarely have central committee meetings.  This started even before the convention but this time it is worse.   Even senior member such as ourselves just here our president speaking from Mongu, Chipata or Kasama.  We are just like spectators,” the source said.

Senior party members are also afraid that Mr. Sata might make a lot of mistakes in nominations for elective positions so much that he might dampen the mood of supporters. 

“What we know is that our president is always communicating with M’membe and just walks in the Post Offices and chooses which reporter he wants to talk to or accompanying him wherever he is going.  he is really just like part of that company.  But you know, he is forgetting that he has members of the central committee who are his chief advisors and the highest policy organ of the party but he has decided to listen to only one man,” the source complained.

Mr. Sata is also reported to be causing confusion at the grass roots in Lusaka by imposing candidates.

The PF Lima Ward leaders have warned Mr. Sata against imposing a candidate on them or else they will boycott voting.

The angry members who staged a demonstration that was filmed by Muvi TV, aired their grievances and frustration at Sata’s undemocratic tendencies and vowed to take him on if he imposed a candidate for Matero Constituency.

The Lima Ward Executive Committee insists that the primary adoption process for candidates has not been completed.

Ward Secretary Robson Lwisha who tried to calm the irate cadres said all aspiring candidates for parliamentary and local government elections on the PF ticket have been interviewed at ward level.

He further told Muvi TV news that the names of shortlisted candidates have been handed over to the constituency committee.

The cadres allege that corruption marred the adoption process and that it is being condoned by Mr. Sata.

IT’S ABOUT ZAMBIA

By SUFZ Staff

Michael Chilufya Sata of the patriotic Front has come under a lot of scrutiny in many quarters, this paper inclusive.  This is because there is more at stake than just Sata.

As we take sides choosing our preferred candidate, we must know that a vote is a mark of approval.  Voting for a particular candidate means endorsing what the candidate and his party stands for.

So if you vote for PF it means that you approve what they do, say and what they stand for in general.

But what does Michael Sata really stand for?  Any answer that you give is likely to be the right one.  if you say he is for Taiwan and not the people’s republic of China, you are right.  if you say he is for China, you are likely to be right as well.  If you say he wants to partner with UPND you are right, if you say he is against UPND you are also right because he calls them under five. Those who say he is for gayism and those who say he is against are both correct because of some unclear statement made by the Cobra on that issue.  If you say.....? Do we need to give more examples; there are too numerous for one edition.

The weak current of air in the sails of the PF is the mantra ‘donchi kubeba’.  Donchi Kubeba means that let us deceive them.

In the Bible, Satan’s main job is to deceive as revealed in Rev 22:10.  Could this be the source of PF inspiration especially that the Cobra is a Serpent?  It should not surprise the nation that this is coming from the PF who are in alliance with the Fred M’membe owned PF controlled Post Newspaper.

The Post has in the past called for the removal of the Christian nation clause terming it non-sense.   However they found ‘let’s deceive them’ more appealing perhaps because they are under the influence of the Chief Deceiver himself, the serpent. 

After many years of bitter enmity,  M’membe’s Post and Sata’s PF have finally found some common ground.  However they should be careful how they tread because they are not on solid ground.   The mystery of what binds these two unlikely bedfellows together is solved by the similarities that lurk in the shadows. 

The Post has published stories of Homosexuals in a manner that seems to extol the lifestyle.   And recently the Cobra was caught on tape talking gayism and lesbianism and the need for their recognition in the Laws of Zambia.  He had never talked about it locally in his numerous radio appearances or at his adage laden rallies.  Instead of with the electorate, he chose to discuss the issue with foreign journalist for broadcast in their countries.

But laws to legalise same sex marriages cannot be passed while Zambia remains a Christian nation hence the push for secularism from the usual suspects.  Getting rid of light is inevitably inviting darkness, getting rid of God from the constitution is actually inviting Satan into Zambia!

What next, will they fight to change the National Anthem because of the line ‘Praise be to God’ ? One visiting Nigerian prophet was so moved by our Anthem that he declared in a crusade that the Zambian National Anthem must have been approved by God himself.  We should however question ourselves whether a satanic secular state is what we want to leave for our children. 

The Bible states that a Good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children (Proverbs 13:22) and what better way than leaving them in a conducive environment where they are able to go to school and become what God intended them to be.  Not everyone can leave an inheritance by way of property or money but we can all participate in leaving a wonderful country for the coming generations by voting for the right candidate. 

Political parties will come and go but the beloved country Zambia will remain.  This is why we must select a president who has the interest of the country at heart.

This paper is aptly named Stand Up for Zambia because it is the nation’s future at stake and this country is too precious to be handed over to the hands of people like Michael Sata of the PF.

This coming election is about standing up and saying we are not going to let the country fall into the hands of evil characters with questionable leanings.  These career critics have turned themselves into the major minority through importunate nitpicking.

It is not about hating the man; its about loving the republic of Zambia.

Meditation:  ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.’ – Psalms 33:12.