Maravi

New constitution

New constitution
By Dan
Tuesday March 06, 2007 [02:00]

I wish to express my disgust at the recent announcement by Levy that he was not ready to spend money on the constitution because of the flood situation. Meanwhile, his justice minister told the nation that once the budget was approved, work on the constitution would start. Within the space of four days, Zambians have again been fed with two different information. Which one do we take? Levy's emotional announcement clearly shows that he won’t leave a good constitution behind.

The flood should not deprive Zambians of their wishes. Doesn’t Levy know that this bad constitution has killed more people than the flood? Whether flood or not, Zambians want a good constitution. I appeal to all peace-loving Zambians not to allow Levy dribble us. Money has been budgetedfor the same. So we demand a new constitution now! Not after 2011.




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23467

'Nichekeleko'
By Disgusted, Akabondo Kabechani
Tuesday March 06, 2007 [02:00]


I wish to add my voice to the many Zambians that have suffered from the stinking rot and filth at the Ministry of Lands. President Mwanawasa must be commended for firing Rev Gladys Nyirongo and suspending the Commissioner of Lands. It’s about time we brought even a bit of sanity in our country. It is not only criminal to acquire land today for nothing and sell it at over 50 million kwacha but also immoral and bears the hallmark of the thieves that have continued to rob Zambia since 1991.

I wish to urge President Mwanawasa to stop the rot at Road Transport and Safety Agency where many Zambians and other residents of the country continue to be robbed by the so-called thieving middle-men who get your paperwork done quickly in exchange for cash. This rampant corruption is what makes RTSA very inefficient and has provided luxurious incubation for the nichekeleke nonsense that came with the Chiluba regime.

We’ve had enough nonsense in government encies/departments and this time around we’ll fight for what we deserve. Fellow citizens, Zambia can’t be run from the streets and tuntembas please!




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23470

Probe LCC as well
By Concerned citizen
Tuesday March 06, 2007 [02:00]

It's not only Gladys Nyirongo who should face Mwanawasa's music over land abuse. Look at employees of Lusaka City Council (LCC) and other councils generally. The levels of affluence far surpasses their payslips. And when you consider illegal land encroachments in Lusaka, employees of Lusaka City Council in particular are involved. Take the case of the land south of Libala.

Therefore, councillors and managements must be investigated and this should stretch back to the last five years! This will clearly prove that there has been a well-orchestrated, systematic and coordinated scandal of land abuse between council's legal departments and Ministry of Lands. Should we just end at Gladys, then we shall be dealing with symptoms and not causes! He that has ears, let him hear.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23468

Local govt management
By Malamo Nyambe
Tuesday March 06, 2007 [02:00]

While much leaves to be desired with the selective manner in which the Patriotic Front party is enforcing its disciplinary code on its members as is the case with councillor Nakazwe; the over reaction of the town clerk of Lusaka City Council and the Minister of Local Government and Housing leaves much to be desired. The two should have engaged PF leaders in a fruitful dialogue to highlight the dilemma of councillors fulfiling civic responsibilities once elected to councils. The letting off the hook of the 16 Lusaka City councillors who attended the same function with Nakazwe and Copperbelt mayors and councillors who welcomed President Levy Mwanawasa at airports should have been used to great advantage.

Under normal circumstances, when a person is facing disciplinary action and is on suspension, one is not expected to perform official functions pending the out-come of the case. Nakazwe was stripped off her human rights and privileges as a member of PF on which ticket she was elected to the council, by directing that despite the suspension, Nakazwe would continue to serve as mayor. The town clerk misdirected the council and is bound to be on a collision course with councillors who are aware of the council standing orders.

Similarly, there was no need for the minister of Local Government and Housing to threaten to rush through Parliament piece-meal amendment to the local government and frustrate the constitutional rights of the PF party to discipline its erring members. Besides, such an amendment may contradict provisions of the existing legislation which allows for disqualification of expelled party members for election to councils and parliament.

Besides the Ministry Local Government and Housing is in the midst of implementing the decentralisation of powers and functions to local government councils and the process may entail among others a major overhaul of local government legislation which will result in the establishment of viable units of administration capable of assuming additional powers and functions thrust upon them by the spirit of decentralisation.




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23471

Economic and political power
By Kabumbu Isaac
Tuesday March 06, 2007 [02:00]

In trying to cast light on the link between economic and political power, Dona Dorr, a scribe of Spirituality and Justice, makes good reading. The economic and political power of our country can be viewed from the same perspective. Dorr notes that there is a link between economic and political power. In some cases this is overt; wealthy people go into politics, or politicians become very wealthy by making use of their political power. In Third World countries local politicians have trade off-arrangements with foreign companies in exchange for money. The politicians offer the privileges they control.

This reality seemingly applies to Zambian politics. In their God-given consciences, most politicians cannot deny they have both powers to advantage themselves. Why is there so much zeal in addressing foreign investors’ plights than the people whose taxpayers’ money help oil government machinery? Again, why resisting to give this land new constitutional powers for citizen’s participation in national governance? Are they afraid of losing total control of economic and political reservoirs to enrich themselves? Why do they want to put the media under absolute control or intimidation?

It is a known fact that foreign investors have no long-term investment in our country. Whatever they call foreign investment is nothing else buttrade. Trade can be withdrawn at traders’ convenience. We remain without sustainable development making it more and more favourable for others to come and exploit our resources. If there is any mutual befits from foreign investment, it is to the advantage of those who sit at the ‘conclave’ with economic and political power. This has been the case in most Third World countries where only the powerful determine the economic and political trends for weaker nations and their peoples. Africa, what went wrong?!

What we need is a radical transformation of peoples’ attitude towards work love and justice. There is also a need for a similar transformation of unjust international and national structures. Otherwise people will cry, debate, analyse and criticise until Christ comes.




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=23473

Actions of leaders
By Chal Chewe
Tuesday March 06, 2007 [02:00]

The comments by Dr Kaunda in his KK's DIARY column under the heading 'Actions Of Leaders' (Post 04/03/06) cannot go unchallenged. Reading through his article, one wonders whether our old man is suffering from some form of amnesia or he also thinks that we Zambians forget very easily. The big man must be reminded that the mistreament he suffered under Chiluba was nothing as compared to the violations, presidential detentions and cruelity that his administration inflicted and unleashed on his perceived challengers to his rule when he was head of state. How easily can he forget his own sins against the citizens of this country? For 27 years we lived under a state of emergency of UNIP vigilante brutality.

Yes, Chiluba did wrong things against KK, but the old man should know that on this score, he did worse things to his enemies some of whom are still around to testify. KK should not think that he is more innocent than Chiluba. In fact between the two, FTJ could be a better devil. KK owes a lot of people including the millions of Zambians whose freedoms of speech and assembly were stifled a big apology. At least Micheal Sata realised his mistakes and has made some apologies.

That is a commendable step in the right direction. It is a shame that KK can even fail to appreciate that and goes on to demonise the PF leader as if himself was presidential material at independence . He too had to be refined into leadership material when he assumed office. KK should be going round apologising for some of his misdeeds instead of trying to annoy a lot of people with his self-centered pity. We all know that what Chiluba did to him was wrong. But if he keeps on pointing the same boring accusing finger on Chiluba, he ought to know that the other three accusing fingers will be pointing straight back at him. And crudely as I will put it, perhaps it’s time for KK to know that the mistreatment he went through was a taste of his own medicine. Perhaps Chiluba did unto him what he (KK) did unto others.

I would only appeal to our national grandfather to please let sleeping dogs lie. We are no longer living in his one party participatory dictatorship where he thought he was the only wise man who could tell us which material is presidential, ministerial or cadre. The presidential job is an open vacancy to every Zambian who meets the constitutional requirements and feels the calling to serve at that level. When are you old Super Ken going to make a new beginning? Start creating friendships and reconciliations with your foes. Remember the same pain and strain you went through under Chiluba is the same pain, stress and death some people underwent during your regime.

How would you feel if these people could constantly start remembering and taunting you the same way you do to Chiluba? When are we going to start to develop? Let’s use the past to correct the wrongs of the present and create a better future together with the sad and happy moments we have all gone through. I hope this is the last time KK will be using his brief personal tiffs with Chiluba to solicit for cheap sympathy as if himself is innocent of crimes against Zambians.

Labels: CORRUPTION, GOVERNANCE, LCC, LETTERS

posted by MrK @ 5:42 AM