New political thinkers required on Zimbabwe
Farai M. Kurenjekwa—Opinion
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:21:00 +0000
DEAR EDITOR—There have been many predictions on how Zimbabwe will fare in 2008. Many of them have been wrong. There were media reports on how the political situation will look post-2008. Many of the predictions of the so-called “Zimbabwean political and economic analysts” have been completely wrong; yet day-in-day-out; we are fed these wrong analyses.
Instead, we have seen the Zimbabwean people become victims in their own country: of violence, hunger, starvation and disease. The people have been at the receiving end and with no sign of their suffering abating.
Critics and political pundits have continued to use the same rhetoric and the polarization of our society has continued. Millions of people have fled the country and those that remain subsist at the very basic level.
Zimbabweans pride themselves of being a very learned and literate bunch. If this is so, why is it that every year they keep asking for other countries and other people to fight their course? Surely the likes of former President Thabo Mbeki and the Sadc region can only facilitate efforts that Zimbabweans themselves initiate and devise. They are indeed facilitators.
One unfortunate phrase that has taken centre-stage in current discussions on Zimbabwe is “Guarantors of the Global Political Agreement”. I have heard Opposition circles mention this term many times. This is a very unfortunate term and has been used for ‘scape-goating’ purposes by those individuals who do not want to take charge for engaging in serious and solid discussions on Zimbabwe.
Zimbabweans should wake up, and wake up quick: both individual voters and politicians alike. For 2008, newspapers, publications, radio stations, etc should encourage a new breed of thinkers, analysts, columnists, etc. Those who have dominated these spaces thus far leave a lot to be desired.
Farai M. Kurenjekwa
Dublin
Labels: ECONOMY, SANCTIONS
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Zim to perform better than Iceland in 2009: report
Our reporter
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:53:00 +0000
THE Republic of Iceland is forecast to be the worst performing economy in 2009 lower than sanctions-hit Zimbabwe, according to a survey by The Economist Intelligence Unit, a sister organisation to The Economist magazine.
According to the survey, the country will see growth shrink by nearly 10% following the spectacular collapse of its banks in the past few months during the global financial crisis.
The EIU predicts that among the 10 worst performing economies will be Britain and Ireland.
Zimbabwe is the only economy under sanctions to be included in the list; but is still predicted to perform better than Iceland in 2009.
The US introduced economic sanctions on Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) of 2001. Through this enactment Zimbabwe’s access to finance and credit facilities was effectively incinerated.
US companies are prohibited from doing business with “designated Zimbabwean companies”. These companies include the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe – a key institution in Zimbabwe, among others.
The European Union has also followed suit and currently listed a number of key and strategic companies that were instrumental in bringing foreign currency to Zimbabwe.
Other countries on the EIU list include Singapore, Estonia, Taiwan, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Latvia.
“Countries with free-falling currencies, burst housing bubbles and a heavy reliance on finance and trade will also suffer,” according to EIU.
“Qatar will grow by over 13%, and many sub-Saharan African countries will also perform strongly. China is still in the top ten but will grow at a considerably more sedate pace than in recent years. Global growth is set to be a feeble 0.9%.”
Sub-Saharan African countries are set to perform much better than Western countries, in comparative terms for the first time. Malawi, Angola, and Tanzania are predicted to outperform the US, Germany, Britain, France, etc.
Qatar and China are in the top 10 performing economies for that period.
Labels: COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT, GDP, NEOLIBERALISM, SANCTIONS, ZIMBABWE
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Dunlop Zimbabwe records sales increase
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:29:00 +0000
SALES at Dunlop Zimbabwe Limited have significantly improved since the company received a license entitling it to sell its products in foreign currency, says a report by the company.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe granted Dunlop Zimbabwe the licence required for companies in the country to sell products using foreign currency in late November 2008.
Without releasing specific figures, company managing director Kennedy Mandevani said that sales have been steadily increasing.
“The FOLIWARS (Foreign Exchange Licensed Warehouses and Retail Shops) sales are gradually picking up and will make a positive difference to our sales mix,” said Mandevani.
“Dunlop is intensifying its marketing campaign so that more of our customers are made aware of this facility.”
The licence has allowed the tyre manufacturer to import more raw materials, which have made an increase in production capacity possible, “thereby improving the company’s viability and safeguarding the company’s employment base.”
“In addition, the more we sell in forex, the more forex that is made available to the RBZ to finance crucial national programmes in the country,” stated Mandevani.
Labels: DUNLOP ZIMBABWE LTD
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Mines shouldn’t retrench workers, charges Katumbi
Written by Mutuna Chanda in Ndola
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:46:16 PM
MINING companies in Zambia should not retrench workers because they made profits when copper prices were at their peak, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s Katanga governor Moses Katumbi has said. And Copperbelt minister Mwansa Mbulakulima has said
there is a lot that Zambia can learn from DRC's mining experiences in view of the fall in world metal prices.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Mbulakulima in Ndola yesterday on his way to Sakania through Zambia by road, Katumbi who spoke in French, said the DRC government had told mining companies not to retrench any workers.
He said his government had
established a commission to look into whether or not mining companies made profits before they could be allowed to retrench workers.
“When [Copper] prices were US $8,000, whether it was in Zambia or in Congo, there was a lot of profit," Katumbi said. "When the price fell, they started firing workers. But these were companies that were making profit and they knew that prices would fall because to me the prices were artificial; the true prices are around US $3,000. We told them not to fire workers and we have established a commission that has to be told whether they made money or not."
Katumbi said the fall in copper prices on the world market exposed who the true and fake investors were.
"Some [investors] would like to remove their materials but we have refused them to do so," he said. "Those who are not professional have left. It was good for us to know the good investors and those who were not."
He also said there were no good reasons for mining investors to leave the DRC right away because the country had reduced its taxes from 22 per cent to one per cent.
"So they are not firing workers," Katumbi said.
And Katumbi said the ban on exports of raw copper from DRC was not intended to hurt Zambia but meant to protect his country's mining industry.
First Quantum Mining's Bwana Mkubwa operation used to process raw copper from DRC but the company has since closed due to the ban.
"I believe that Zambia has its own policy to protect mining companies and so does Congo," Katumbi said.
"Katanga exported 38,000 tonnes of copper cathode in 2006 because there was no transparency. People were stealing copper from Zambia saying it was from DRC without paying duty in Zambia and would export it. From 38,000 tonnes in 2006, we exported something like one million tonnes in 2008."
He said the ban on exports of raw materials was meant to ensure that the Congolese benefitted from the mining industry by exporting finished products.
"I stayed in Zambia for 10 years and here they only export finished products," Katumbi said.
He said to date, First Quantum Minerals was able to export copper concentrate to Mufulira and Kabwe.
"It has only slowed down because of the falling prices of copper on the international market," he said. "Bwana Mkubwa is welcome to import concentrate and not raw materials."
He also said when he became governor of Katanga 18 months ago, his decision to ban exports of raw copper materials had led to the construction of metallurgical plants totalling 25.
Katumbi said five of the 25 metallurgical plants had since been completed.
Meanwhile, Katumbi congratulated President Rupiah Banda over his election.
He also thanked the Zambian government for solely funding the construction of the Levy Mwanawasa bridge at Chembe.
Katumbi said it was shameful that he had to pass through Zambia on his way to Sakania because the road that passes through DRC to the area was impassable during the rainy season.
And Mbulakulima hailed Katumbi's decision to pay a courtesy call on him saying it was important for them to exchange ideas.
Mbulakulima said Zambia could learn a lot from how the Congolese were handling the challenge of the fall in world copper prices and the reaction of mine investors.
Owing to the decline in copper prices, several mining companies in Zambia have trimmed down their workforce while Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) has been placed under care and maintenance, leading to combined job losses of over 3,000 in the mines to date.
Labels: JOBLOSSES, KATUMBI, MINING, MWANSA MBULAKULIMA
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Construction of 970 km power line to begin
Written by Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:44:18 PM
CONSTRUCTION of a 970-kilometre power line to cover Zambia, Botswana and Namibia is set to begin. The project, once completed, is expected to enable interconnections among various southern African countries.
This was after the European Investment Bank (EIB) lent Namibia 35 million euros to finance the construction of a power link between the Caprivi strip and the north of Namibia.
According to a statement released to the media on Monday in Brussels, the loan would be utilised by the Namibian power utility, Nam Power, for the construction of a power line connecting the Namibian and Zambian grids.
“In addition to the EIB loan, Nam Power will get 15 million euros from the European Union-Africa Trust Fund, a special financial instrument established in 2008 to finance infrastructure projects in Africa,” the statement read in part.
The statement further disclosed that the new 970-kilometre power line, to be completed this year, would start from the Caprivi capital Katima Mulilo and progress to Zambia and Botswana and that the line would enable interconnections among various southern African countries.
The southern African region, which contains some of Africa’s fastest growing economies, is at present facing critical electricity shortages and has an urgent need to bring on line several power generation projects.
Over the last year, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe have had to resort to load shedding as a stop-gap measure in order to conserve energy. The region’s economic stay, the mining sector, has been particularly badly hit by the power shortages.
Labels: ELECTRIFICATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, POWERLINES
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Zimbabwe deserves a better opposition
Written by chama
Prof Arthur Mutambara, one of the leaders of the opposition in Zimbabwe, yesterday said:
“Can't you see that you are ruining the opposition you seek to assist and strengthening Mugabe that you seek to destroy? You are foolishly confirming everything that Mugabe has said about the opposition; that we are puppets. Moreover, Mugabe's strengths are Africa, Pan-Africanism and anti-imperialism.
"Any foreign policy that undermines African leaders and African institutions plays right into Mugabe's game plan. Why can't western diplomats master these basics? Why do we have a premonition that most of the destructive grandstanding by western governments is meant for their domestic constituencies?
"We seriously hope that incoming US President Obama and his new team will depart from this ignorant, ruinous and ineffective foreign policy that effectively undermines its intended beneficiaries, strengthens the targeted villains, while blighting the US standing in the world. Things have to change in 2009.
"We are not naïve. We know that the general thrust of the US foreign policy objective is largely independent of both the individual who is US President and the party they belong to. However, we hope the policy execution, nuances and tactics will be different. Zimbabweans have great expectations.
"Usually it is Mugabe and his ZANU-PF who are dismissed. How do you even conceptualize a negotiated outcome without the involvement of the ZANU-PF group? We thought it was common cause that you do not make peace with your friends, but with your opponents. One would expect someone of Jendayi Frazer's (US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs) stature to understand all this. How does she say that the US supports the negotiated power sharing, but insists that Mugabe must not be involved? Making these statements while defying the consistent advice that she received from all the South African leaders that she interacted with means that Jendayi is insulting the SA leadership at every level. By this disrespectful conduct, she is humiliating both the SADC and the AU.
"In this situation, with respect to the US proposed dialogue framework, who will be the principals, negotiators, facilitators and guarantors? South Africa is the only country with leverage on Zimbabwe. To bring any kind of change in Zimbabwe you have to work with SA, and not insult or humiliate them. Anyone serious about the Zimbabwean agenda must grasp this.
"Jendayi, I assume that you are supportive of Mr. Tsvangirai (MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai) and you want him to succeed. Do you actually have any respect for him? He signed the GPA in which Mugabe is designated as the President. Is it that you think Mr. Tsvangirai does not know what is good for him and therefore you have to lead him every step of the way? By the way, it is not true that the US government supported the agreement when it was signed. For the record, both the US and the UK were opposed to the GPA from the beginning. They did not like the fact that Mugabe was both Head of State and Chairman of Cabinet, and they despised the GPA positions on land reform and sanctions. Everyone knows this. We are not children. The US and the UK are now taking advantage of the delay in implementation of the agreement to savage and destroy the GPA. Jendayi, do you have a workable alternative framework to the current GPA, together with an enforcement mechanism?
"And what is this that you said about the weakness and incompetence of your favourite GPA principal? Did you not say the following; "Tsvangirai is too weak and incompetent for us to allow him to be in an inclusive government with Mugabe. He will be completely out-maneuvered. Tsvangirai is not as strong as Odinga. If he was, we would have allowed him to get into the GNU with Mugabe?" How can you possibly say such insulting remarks about your favourite opposition leader? With friends like these, who needs enemies? Incidentally, did you share your views about Tsvangirai with him? Why not? Anyway, who are you to allow or disallow African leaders? Does the US government have locus standi to do this? From where do you derive such legal, political or moral authority? Would a reverse scenario where international players seek to influence US politics be acceptable to the US?"
This is what leader of the splinter MDC party and Prime Minister designate of Zimbabwe, Prof Mutambara is saying.
Can any honest person disagree with what Mutambara is saying?
In our view this has been the whole problem, the biggest obstacle to the developments of the Zimbabwean opposition: The interference of the United States and British in Zimbabwean politics.
There are some western countries that have played a very progressive role in many world issues. But the Americans and British are certainly not some of them.
France, despite its colonial history has sometimes played an extremely progressive role. The Scandinavian countries - that is Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland - have also been relatively progressive and extremely supportive of the African struggle and these can be credited as being countries from the western world that actually contributed materially and otherwise to our liberation struggle. But unfortunately they have never been members of the United Nations Security Council.
As for the British and the Americans, their record is bad. They have never supported the liberation struggle in this part of our world. They have been part of the oppressive forces in this part of the world. Until the last minute they have stood on the same side with the apartheid forces. They were actually part of the apartheid regime.
Who doesn’t know that the British government supported and defended the racist white Rhodesian regime of Ian Smith? Truly these people have never been part of the liberation force in Africa. What they have always done is defended their interests, sometimes narrowly.
As we have said before, the United States and the British can never claim to be champions of human rights in Zimbabwe and elsewhere. Their history is one of not respecting our human rights, but simply of exploiting us, humiliating us and subjudication. They have never treated Africans as equals in their dealings with them.
Yes, they sometimes do in speech but when it comes to action or deeds, it is a different story.
Zimbabwe deserves a strong and progressive opposition and the Zimbabwean opposition could have done much better if it had freed itself from the control of the Americans, the British, the Australians and New Zealanders and others where the lobby of the white Rhodesians is very strong.
These are still imperialist countries, albeit in a changed way, and reliance on them to democratise a country like Zimbabwe is a fleeting illusion that will never be attained. It’s not democracy they are pursuing in Zimbabwe. It’s not human rights they are concerned with in Zimbabwe.
It is something else and it is good that part of the Zimbabwean opposition is starting to see through the deceit.
Zimbabwe deserves better than a proxy opposition. Not an opposition that is controlled by remote from Washington and London – not another puppet regime of the Abel Muzorewa type in Zimbabwe.
And this explains why serious independent countries in the world have difficulties supporting the Zimbabwean opposition. It also explains why part of the Zimbabwean opposition is so disrespectful of the African initiative and brothers. They would rather take instructions from Washington and London on what course to take.
Any person or nation that subordinates itself to another can never be democratic. Independence and sovereignty are preconditions to democracy. A nation whose political leadership has to take instructions from the political leaders of some imperial power can never be said to be democratic in their dealings and actions.
Only an independent country can genuinely pursue democratic endeavors. If the Zimbabwean opposition wants to play a meaningful role in their country, they have to strive to be independent. It is surprising that the countries and governments that have never funded the liberation struggle are today funding the opposition in Zimbabwe. Why? Their aim is not democracy. It is something else.
A clear testimony is what is happening to the Palestinians in Gaza. The Americans and the British have decided to stand on the fence while the Israelis massacre the Palestinians. They have decided to turn a blind eye to the atrocities and carnage that is being inflicted on the Palestinians.
They have decided to ignore the disregard for rules of war by the Israelis who are killing people indiscriminately regardless of whether one is a child or not, regardless of whether one is combatant or a civilian, whether the installation is a military target or one vital for the civilian population. Probably there is a number they are waiting for the death toll to reach before they can ask Israel to end the war.
World leaders interested in peace like French President Nicolas Sarkozy have embarked on shuttle diplomacy aimed at ending the slaughter.
These are the sort of countries that are supporting part of the Zimbabwean opposition. Clearly, Zimbabwe deserves a better opposition.
Labels: ARTHUR MUTAMBARA
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Mutambara accuses the West of ruining opposition in Zim
Written by George Chellah in Harare, Zimbabwe
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:18:15 PM
SPLINTER MDC leader and deputy Prime Minister designate Professor Arthur Mutambara has accused the West of ruining the opposition in Zimbabwe. And Prof. Mutambara has stated that the US foreign policy is always characterised by double standards, hypocrisy and dishonesty all rooted in the pursuit of US permanent interests.
In a statement, Prof Mutambara wondered whether the west was not noticing that they were destroying the opposition parties in Zimbabwe.
"Can't you see that you are ruining the opposition you seek to assist and strengthening Mugabe that you seek to destroy? You are foolishly confirming everything that Mugabe has said about the opposition; that we are puppets. Moreover, Mugabe's strengths are Africa, Pan-Africanism and anti-imperialism," Prof. Mutambara stated.
"Any foreign policy that undermines African leaders and African institutions plays right into Mugabe's game plan. Why can't western diplomats master these basics? Why do we have a premonition that most of the destructive grandstanding by western governments is meant for their domestic constituencies?"
He stated that the US foreign policy was always characterised by double standards, hypocrisy and dishonesty all rooted in the pursuit of US permanent interests.
"We seriously hope that incoming US President Obama and his new team will depart from this ignorant, ruinous and ineffective foreign policy that effectively undermines its intended beneficiaries, strengthens the targeted villains, while blighting the US standing in the world. Things have to change in 2009," Prof. Mutambara stated.
"We are not naïve. We know that the general thrust of the US foreign policy objective is largely independent of both the individual who is US President and the party they belong to. However, we hope the policy execution, nuances and tactics will be different. Zimbabweans have great expectations."
He further stated that the most bizarre, irritating and clearly ineffective critics of the current Global Political Agreement (GPA) between Zimbabwe's rival parties were those that premise their proposals by denouncing one of the two key protagonists.
"Usually it is Mugabe and his ZANU-PF who are dismissed. How do you even conceptualize a negotiated outcome without the involvement of the ZANU-PF group? We thought it was common cause that you do not make peace with your friends, but with your opponents. One would expect someone of Jendayi Frazer's (US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs) stature to understand all this," Prof. Mutambara stated.
"How does she say that the US supports the negotiated power sharing, but insists that Mugabe must not be involved? Making these statements while defying the consistent advice that she received from all the South African leaders that she interacted with means that Jendayi is insulting the SA leadership at every level. By this disrespectful conduct, she is humiliating both SADC and the AU.
"In this situation, with respect to the US proposed dialogue framework, who will be the principals, negotiators, facilitators and guarantors? South Africa is the only country with leverage on Zimbabwe. To bring any kind of change in Zimbabwe you have to work with SA, and not insult or humiliate them. Anyone serious about the Zimbabwean agenda must grasp this."
Prof Mutambara wondered whether the US had respect for MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
"Jendayi, I assume that you are supportive of Mr Tsvangirai and you want him to succeed. Do you actually have any respect for him? He signed the GPA in which Mugabe is designated as the President. Is it that you think Mr. Tsvangirai does not know what is good for him and therefore you have to lead him every step of the way? By the way, it is not true that the US government supported the agreement when it was signed. For the record, both the US and the UK were opposed to the GPA from the beginning," Prof Mutambara stated.
"They did not like the fact that Mugabe was both Head of State and Chairman of Cabinet, and they despised the GPA positions on land reform and sanctions. Everyone knows this. We are not children. The US and the UK are now taking advantage of the delay in implementation of the agreement to savage and destroy the GPA. Jendayi, do you have a workable alternative framework to the current GPA, together with an enforcement mechanism?"
He further accused the US of doubting Tsvangirai's competence.
"And what is this that you said about the weakness and incompetence of your favourite GPA principal? Did you not say the following; ‘Tsvangirai is too weak and incompetent for us to allow him to be in an inclusive government with Mugabe. He will be completely out-manoeuvred. Tsvangirai is not as strong as Odinga. If he was, we would have allowed him to get into the GNU with Mugabe’?” How can you possibly say such insulting remarks about your favourite opposition leader?" Prof. Mutambara asked.
"With friends like thes,e who needs enemies? Incidentally, did you share your views about Tsvangirai with him? Why not? Anyway, who are you to allow or disallow African leaders? Does the US government have locus standi to do this? From where do you derive such legal, political or moral authority? Would a reverse scenario where international players seek to influence US politics be acceptable to the US?"
Labels: ARTHUR MUTAMBARA, COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, JENDAYI FRASER, NEOCOLONIALISM
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Mugabe appoints acting Cabinet ministers
Written by George Chellah in Harare, Zimbabwe
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:15:08 PM
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has appointed eight Cabinet ministers to head government ministries in an acting capacity.
The new appointments come almost a week after the veteran leader terminated appointments of some cabinet and deputy ministers who lost their parliamentary seats in the March 29 harmonized elections.
State media yesterday announced that President Mugabe appointed Minister of Indigenization and Empowerment Paul Mangwana as the new acting Minister of Information and Publicity, taking over from Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, who was recently dropped.
Ndlovu lost the Pelandaba-Mpopoma House of Assembly seat in Matabeleland.
Mangwana also acted as Minister of Information and Publicity after the death of Tichaona Jokonya in 2006.
Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi is the new acting Minister of Mines and Mining Development, taking over from Amos Midzi.
Midzi lost the Epworth House of Assembly constituency to MDC-Tsvangirai faction’s Eliah Jembere.
Economic Development minister Sylvester Nguni is acting as Minister of Agriculture, taking over from Rugare Gumbo.
Gumbo lost in the ruling ZANU-PF primaries to Makhosini Hlongwane for Mberengwa East House of Assembly seat.
Minister of Small to Medium Enterprises Development, Sithembiso Nyoni has taken over from Oppah Muchinguri as the acting minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development.
The veteran Muchinguri lost to Trevor Saruwaka in Mutasa Central House of Assembly constituency.
Newly appointed Mashonaland East Governor and resident minister Aeneas Chigwedere will continue as the acting Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, a portfolio he held before being appointed Governor.
And Manicaland Governor and resident minister Christopher Mushohwe will also continue as acting Minister of Transport and Communications.
The two provincial governors are non-constituency senators though they lost their parliamentary seats in the March 29 harmonized elections.
Patrick Chinamasa, who was appointed a non-constituency senator by President Mugabe after he lost the parliamentary seat, is now the acting Minister of Finance.
Chinamasa takes over the portfolio in an acting capacity from Samuel Mumbengegwi, who lost to ZANU-PF’s Josiah Hungwe in the primaries for the Chivi Senate seat.
Non-constituency senator, Joseph Made is now the acting Minister of Water Resources and Infrastructural Development, taking over from Munacho Mutezo.
President Mugabe last week terminated the executive appointments of 12 cabinet ministers and deputy ministers who lost their parliamentary seats.
Labels: CABINET, MUGABE
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We did not promise magic - Rupiah
Written by Chibaula Silwamba in Kasama
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:10:36 PM
WE did not promise that we will be magicians to solve all problems overnight, President Rupiah Banda has said. And Northern Province minister Charles Shawa has complained that farmers in the province have difficulties to access subsidised fertilizer due to low supply of the commodity.
Addressing his supporters and government officials who welcomed him at Kasama Airport on Tuesday for his four-day official visit to the province since his election in October last year, President Banda bragged that his government had started implementing some developmental projects he promised Zambians during his campaign for the Republican presidency.
"We promised you in the last campaign that we are aware that our country has many problems; that our people are facing a lot of problems especially those related to poverty. We promised you that we will do our best to help make the lives of our people better," President Banda said.
"We did not promise you that we will be magicians and that overnight, one month or two months after we have been elected all the problems of the country will be solved. Nobody can do that! We promised you that we will do our best and I am proud to stand in front of you that certain of these problems have been solved, and nobody can argue."
He said his government had reduced prices of fuel and was reducing prices of mealie-meal.
"We can stand in front of you and say that we promised we will keep the peace of this country and you have seen that the people of Zambia prefer peace to anarchy. Despite the calls by those others for people to go out there and demonstrate, the people of Zambia wherever they are have said they prefer peace, which we preach, to anarchy," President Banda said. "We promised unity of the people of Zambia. We promised to serve all the people of Zambia regardless of whether they voted for us or did not vote for us, that is exactly what we are doing."
He said Zambians had a constitutional right to elect whoever they wanted to be their president.
"But at the end of the day the majority will rule this country... fortunately for us we are the majority and those others are the minority," President Banda said. "There are nine provinces in this country. Despite the holiday I have had in Eastern Province, this is the first province that I am visiting to see the development programmes that we have started and most importantly to open a very important organ of our governance, the Auditor General's office."
He said the office of the Auditor General was very important in ensuring accountability in the use of national resources.
"When the Auditor General invited me, I told her, 'oh yes I'm going to Kasama.' I am here madam to open this office because we believe that we must be accountable to the people of Zambia," President Banda said.
And President Banda said there was need to open up the hidden tourism attractions in Northern and Luapula provinces.
"We want to open the Northern Province because we believe that the tourists have not seen yet the beauty of this country until they see the beauty of the Northern and Luapula provinces," President Banda said. "I am happy that the airport terminal building is almost finished and that this airport will soon be completed and we will see a lot of tourists coming in here; going to Mbala, Mpulungu, Isoka and all the wonderful spots hidden in the Northern Province."
And President Banda - in an apparent reference to his tribal cousin, Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata - wondered why some losing candidates in the presidential election were claiming that they were popular when in fact they got zero votes in some parts of the country.
"Most importantly I want to thank you people of Northern Province for the support that you gave me in the last election. I know some of you are saying, 'what support did we give you? You didn't win here.' Of course I won here. I didn't come out with zero; I came out with a lot of votes from you people of this province. Were it not for those votes, I most probably would not have won the national election," President Banda said.
"That is why my friends who lost, who didn't get anything in certain provinces, they had to lose. Myself I got everything everywhere. In the whole country, I was either number one or number two, nowhere number three. So I get surprised when my cousin [Sata] and the other people that lost the elections are boasting about their popularity. How can you be popular when you got zero in certain provinces?"
President Banda said he was the only one who could boast of being popular because he got votes in all parts of the country.
"I can boast that I was truly popular because...thus why they didn't like that blue map [Electoral Commission of Zambia's map showing election results per constituency], which shows that our party and your candidate everywhere we went we got something. Even where they won, Rupiah Banda of the MMD was always number two, themselves were number three, number four or number zero if there is such a number in the elections," President Banda said.
"I want to promise you something, next time around the MMD is going to scoop Kasama, and we won't allow them [the PF] to get away with it. We are coming back here and that is why I have started my visit to the provinces with this province because I can feel it that we are very welcome in this province. We will perform; we will do the best that we can so that you can appreciate us as a party."
Meanwhile, President Banda said Shawa's quick adaption to the linguistic of Northern Province proved that he made a right choice when he transferred him from Eastern Province.
"People of Northern Province, I sent you an eastern bull, he is very quick to learn, he is already speaking Bemba fluently so that those others cannot say, 'you sent us somebody who cannot speak our language.'" said President Banda. "I know him well, he performed in Eastern Province, and I know he will perform well here because he is in front of his own cousins."
And Shawa expressed concern at the shortage of subsidised fertiliser under the Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP).
"In the agriculture sector, the province continues to record progress in line with the MMD agriculture policy. The province is posed to record a bumper harvest in the 2008/2009 agricultural season. However, like all provinces in Zambia, our farmers have difficulties in accessing subsidised fertiliser due to low supply of the commodity," Shawa said.
"We are delighted to learn that pricing of fuel will be standardised throughout the country. This will result in the reduction of production cost of the rural provinces."
In the tourism sector, Shawa said the province was encouraged by the proposed development of the Kasaba Bay integrated development plan.
"We hope it will result in considerable spillover effects in terms of investment across the province," he said. "In education, K15 billion was released for the construction and rehabilitation of basic schools in the Province. The government is constructing new high schools in Isoka, Kaputa and Mpulungu districts as well as houses in various districts. In health, government is building hospitals in Kaputa, Mpulungu and Isoka. Kasama General Hospital is being rehabilitated."
Shawa also said rehabilitation of roads and bridges in the province was progressing well.
And MMD provincial executive committee representative Gaston Sichilima called for improvement of the road network and fertilizer distribution.
Those accompanying President Banda aboard a Zambia Air Force plane are MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga, finance deputy minister Chileshe Kapwepwe, finance permanent secretary Dr Wamundila Mbikusita-Lewanika, MMD chairman for elections and works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti, MMD spokesperson and local government minister Benny Tetamashimba, tourism minister Catherine Namugala, presidential press aide Dickson Jere and President Banda's political advisor Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika.
Labels: CHARLES SHAWA, FERTILIZER, FSP, RUPIAH BANDA
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New man to take office in Ghana
Written by Reuters
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:08:45 PM
Ghana's President-elect, John Atta Mills, is to be sworn in after his cliff-hanger election victory. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate beat the ruling party's Nana Akufo-Addo in a hotly contested poll by a margin of less than 0.5% of votes.
The incoming leader's centre-right NDC has a slim parliamentary majority of 114 out of 230 seats, over the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) 107. President John Kufuor is standing down after serving the maximum two terms.
Atta Mills is due to take office in the capital Accra in a ceremony expected to start at around 1100 GMT on Wednesday.
On the eve of the inauguration, President Kufuor showed his successor around his new home, the presidential residence officially known as Jubilee House.
Ghana's incoming leader, who had lost two previous elections to Kufuor, has pledged to be "a president for all".
Akufo-Addo won the first round but not by enough to avoid an inconclusive run-off in last month's knife-edge polls.
Atta Mills was finally declared the winner on Saturday after a re-run of voting in the rural constituency of Tain, which was boycotted by the NPP.
Despite allegations of multiple voting and intimidation from both sides, electoral officials found no evidence of foul play and monitors praised Ghana's poll as a democratic example to others.
The stakes were raised further in the election by Ghana's recent discovery of crude oil, with production due to start in late 2010.
Turnout was high for Ghana's fifth set of polls since it embraced multi-party democracy in 1992.
The former British colony was the first African state to gain its independence in 1957.
A nation of 22 million people, it is the world's second biggest cocoa grower and Africa's number two gold miner.
Labels: GHANA, JOHN ATTA MILLS
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Zambia media bodies petition Kenyan govt
Written by Constance Matongo
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:07:03 PM
THREE media bodies in Zambia have petitioned the Kenyan government for signing the new retrogressive media legislation.
The Press Freedom Committee (PFC) of the Post, Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) and Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) signed a petition through the Kenyan High Commission.
“We strongly condemn the decision by President Mwai Kibaki to assent to the bill inspite the heightened protests and appeals not to go ahead. This piece of legislation we believe is retrogressive and ill-conceived in nature as it threatens the fundamentals of freedom of expression including freedom of the press,” the statement read. “As media practioners in Africa, particularly, Zambia, we are concerned that Kenyan authorities are setting a bad precedent to other African countries.”
The media bodies stated that it was shocking that Kenyan authorities were working towards stifling the media when most countries in the world were ensuring that press freedom was upheld as one of the fundamental human rights.
In addition, the media bodies stated that the power given to the security minister to restrict media operations in a state of emergency was undemocratic given that a state of emergency was bad enough in a democracy.
“We also believe that discretionary power given to the security minister to switch off broadcasting stations at will is not only excessive but also a serious violation of fundamental freedom of expression of citizens,” read the statement. “The power to seize equipment from ‘erring’ broadcasting stations without court order undermines not only media freedom but property rights of media owners.”
The three media bodies also stated that the new law violated the East African Community Treaty and several other international instruments to which Kenya was a signatory.
The further called on the Kenyan government and other progressive citizens to individually and collectively safeguard democratic practice by upholding press freedom in the interest of good governance and accountability.
They also called on the Kenyan government to avert a possible crisis arising from lack of consensus by all stake holders on the enactment of the controversial bill.
“We note that major stakeholders such as media practitioners, media associations and even Kenyan Coalition partners –orange democratic Movement led by Prime minister Raila Odinga, the general citizenry have not been adequately consulted in this matter,” the statement read in part.
The media bodies also said the Kenyan government should suspend the law and create an enabling environment for further inclusive consultations with all stakeholders.
“We further appeal to the UN, the African Union and other watchdog media organisations to step up the responses to the Kenyan situation,” stated the media bodies./JC
Labels: FREEDOM OF SPEECH, KENYA, MEDIA, MWAI KIBAKI, PFC, THE POST
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2 Zamtel employees die after being electrocuted
Written by Kelvin Tembo
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:05:19 PM
TWO Zamtel employees have died on the spot after a steel pole they were trying to mount slipped over a Zesco power line and electrocuted them.
According to an eyewitness, James Mapili, who runs a business in Avondale near the accident scene, two other workers survived and were rushed to Chelston clinic where they were admitted.
“They had dug the ditch where they put the steel pole, but when they tried to mount it, it slipped on the Zesco line and they immediately got electrocuted,” he said.
Mapili said he rushed into the yard where the four had been working from and found the two breathing their last.
“The police and ambulance delayed coming so, we decided to rush them to the nearest clinic,” he said.
And Zamtel staff found at the UTH Brought In Dead (BID) section identified the deceased as Benkeby Chikwakwa, who was the son of Jazzman Chikwakwa former deputy transport minister in the Chiluba administration, and Obert Ngulube.
They could however not give any further details, referring all queries to Zamtel human resource manager.
Police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso had not yet received a report by press time.
Labels: ZAMTEL
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Teta threatens to deal with PF councillors in Lusaka
Written by Lambwe Kachali and Masuzyo Chakwe
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:02:50 PM
LOCAL government minister Benny Tetamashimba yesterday threatened to deal with Patriotic Front (PF) councillors in Lusaka for refusing to approve the budget as directed before holding the mayoral elections. However, PF spokesperson Given Lubinda has challenged Tetamashimba to go ahead and deal with the PF councillors.
Reacting to the councillors' refusal to approve the Lusaka City Council 2009 budget, insisting that they reconvene today to hold mayoral election before the budget could be approved, Tetamashimba accused PF president Michael Sata of interfering in the council's affairs.
He alleged that before councillors held the meeting in the council chamber, Sata had a private meeting with some PF councillors where Lubinda was instructed not to allow councillors to go ahead with the council meeting.
"The Lusaka City Council met yesterday [Monday], and they decided that instead of it being a council meeting to discuss the issues of the budget and I think they had a budget of about K154 billion, which amount is very big. And I think that K154 billion is to the benefit of the people of Lusaka. But these councillors in their selfish interest instituted by Mr. Sata decided not to go ahead. Actually Mr Sata had two meetings before that meeting, in which Lubinda was instructed to go and say that they are not going to have that meeting," he said.
Tetamashimba said he would not allow people of Lusaka to be denied the money that was supposed to be used to address cholera, clean up drainages among other problems affecting the town.
"Now it's up to the Zambian people whether this council, the councillors have a right to deny K154 billion to be approved to look into issues of cholera, drainage and so on. That is up to the Zambian people to tell us what is correct...whether it is good for them not to approve a budget or make the people of Lusaka have no drainage system, have cholera and everything. That...I leave it to them. But I want to tell you that where I am supposed to defend the rights of the people by having a budget and not having a monotonous council, I am supposed to make a decision, and that decision wait for it next week," Tetamashimba threatened.
But Lubinda said Tetamashimba was free to do whatever he wanted.
"We in PF cannot stop Tetamashimba from behaving the way he chooses to behave. He is the custodian of his own morality and no one can stop him from doing what he wants to do. If he feels he wants to deal with councillors, whatever that means, is the best way to relate to councillors, so be it. He is the only local government and housing minister in Zambia," Lubinda said. "We councillors will be waiting for him to deal with us. We shall protect ourselves from being abused by anyone. We will not agree to be used to break the law. We, as councillors of PF abide by lawful instructions. Let him deal with us. We are ready for him."
And Lubinda said they had not received any notice from the council whether councillors should reconvene today after the 48 hours elapsed.
Meanwhile, Tetamashimba said Manda Hill developers would go ahead with its extension programme.
He said the matter had been addressed with the LCC and that the developer had agreed to make adjustments as proposed by the council.
"Now the businessmen [Manda Hill developers] wanted to put up a parking space in front which was going to cover the beauty of the buildings. So we said ‘no’! That should not be done in front because it will destroy the beauty of the buildings which are there. So they are going ahead and they have agreed with those adjustments. So there is no problem. What we have done is to allow them to make an exit from the back so that traffic flows both in front and at the back," said Tetamashimba. "What I am telling you is the decision that we have all agreed [with LCC.] It's a matter which is concluded."
And speaking to journalists before departure to Kasama on a four day working visit, President Rupiah Banda urged Zambians to be vigilant and not allow people to smuggle maize and mealie-meal to neighbouring countries now that the price of the staple food had been reduced.
Labels: BENNY TETAMASHIMBA, BUDGET, LCC, PF
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Govt finalises guide to OSBP legislation
Written by Kabanda Chulu
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:01:18 PM
GOVERNMENT has finalised legislation to guide the implementation and commencement of operations at the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Chirundu. It is expected that Zambia’s revenue collection at Chirundu border will increase by 25 per cent from the current K70 billion per month when the OSBP starts operations later this year since it would result in less congestion through quick clearance of goods and services.
Giving an update on the OSBP, commerce minister Felix Mutati said the physical infrastructure such as offices and terminal buildings had been completed and the National Assembly would soon pass the needed legislation.
“We are through with the physical infrastructure and we have finalised the legislation which we hope will be passed in the next sitting of Parliament and then the OSBP will commence operations,” said Mutati.
“And some of the immediate benefits will be the single clearance since, currently, there is double clearance but with the coming of the OSBP, goods will only be cleared on one side and that will be all. Also congestion will reduce and in the longer term, the socioeconomic problems that result in drivers to spend nights at the border will also reduce since there will be quick clearance.”
And Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) secretary general Sindiso Ngwenya said the OSBP would be launched later this year.
“There is need to have projects that will have positive impact on poor people and the OSBP is one of those projects since it will reduce the cost of doing business and it will also enhance trade facilitation,” Ngwenya said.
“This OSBP facility will be the first in Africa and it will become an important tool for trade facilitation and would also reduce the cost of doing business in the region.”
Ngwenya said there was need to move towards harmonisation of the border procedures and integrated management to increase efficiency of trade and reduce the cost of doing business.
He said it currently took between 24 and 48 hours in order to make a successful border crossing at Chirundu border.
“This has many implications because business transactions are unnecessarily delayed since assets are tied up in transit and this situation leads to complications in the supply chain hence hindering competitiveness of local industry, reduction in consumer welfare and reduced capacity for revenue collection,” said Ngwenya.
Labels: BORDERS, OSBP
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Police charge Masebo’s stalker
Written by Kelvin Tembo
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 2:59:53 PM
THE police officer who has been stalking former local government minister Sylvia Masebo was yesterday charged for criminal trespass.
And police have disclosed that the officer, Wasilota Mukela, who was stationed at Ibex Hill Police Post in Lusaka stayed away from work for the past one year but was still drawing his salary.
But Masebo’s elder brother Francis Tembo urged the police to conduct thorough investigations because this was the second time that Mukela was arrested for the same behaviour.
Police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso disclosed in an interview yesterday that Mukela would remain in police custody until investigations were concluded. Kapeso said no reasonable police officer could behave the way Mukela did.
Kapeso said police have recommended a mental check-up for Mukela. He said Mukela was charged with criminal trespass.
“From the interview we had with the officer, it was clear that his mental capability was questionable. That’s why we have recommended that he goes for mental examination,” said Kapeso.
But Tembo urged the police to conduct thorough investigations before concluding that Mukela was a mental patient. He said in July last year, Mukela was arrested and detained for four days at Woodlands Police Station after he went to Masebo’s residence claiming that she was his wife. Tembo said after four days, the police – through Masebo’s then state security officer – said they had decided to release Mukela from custody because it was discovered that he had mental problems when he was referred to Chainama Hospital.
“But the question is, if this police officer is a mental patient, why was he released back into society instead of keeping him in a mental hospital where he belongs? Isn’t he a danger to society for the police to release him back into society?” Tembo asked. “As a family, we fear for Sylvia’s life. It’s either this man is being used by other people to cause harm to her or he himself has a bad motive against Sylvia. The first time they arrested him in July last year, the police said the same thing that he had mental problems but they proceeded to release him. This time they are saying the same thing. Are they going to be more serious after our sister has been harmed. And if he is a mental patient, why has the police command allowed him to continue carrying a military knife and a police identity card? Why hasn’t he been confined to where he belongs as a mental patient? And how can the police say this man disappeared from work for the last one year although he continued to draw his salary when six months ago they arrested and detained him for four days? Why didn’t they take appropriate action against him at that time? That is why we are saying that as a family, we feel there is more to this matter and thorough investigations must be conducted because this problem has been going on for the last two years.”
Masebo could not be reached for comment as she was reported to be out of the country, by press time.
Mukela, 35 was on Monday apprehended by Masebo’s workers at her Ibex Hill house for stalking her. He was found with a military bayonet knife hidden in his trousers which they alleged he wanted to use to harm Masebo.
Mukela has been phoning Masebo almost every morning at 05:45 hours and in the evening at around 22:00 hours trying to speak to her as his wife.
On Monday, Mukela went to Masebo’s house in a hired taxi. When he reached her residence around 10:00 hours, he phoned Masebo who gave her phone to an MMD official to answer the phone.
When he heard a male voice, he asked the taxi driver to drive off but before they could leave, Masebo and other MMD officials – Belly Munyumbwe and Kennedy Matabula – came outside the yard where Mukela was later apprehended.
Labels: COURTS, SYLVIA MASEBO, WASILOTA MUKELA
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Govt considers options of nationalising ailing mines
January 6, 2009
President Banda says government is considering taking over operations of mines that are facing operation difficulties on the Copperbelt province. President Banda has disclosed that government through the ministry of mines is having discussions as to when government would nationalise the mines.
He said government will not nationalise mines with vibrant operations because its vision is to encourage the private public partnership spearheaded by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in conjunction with the ministry Mines Ministry.
The President was answering questions from Journalists shortly before departure for Kasama, in Northern Province where he has gone for a four-day official visit.
On arrival in Kasama, President Rupiah Banda said it is a misconception for some people to conclude that his administration would immediately address all the challenges facing the country.
Mr Banda said critics of his administration have mislead some sections of society that during elections campaigns him and the MMD campaign team had promised to immediately address all the challenges facing the country.
President Banda said the correct position was that his administration would work with the sense of urgency to address the challenges the country is facing .
Mr. Banda said efforts by his administration can be seen through the fuel and mealie meal price reduction.
Mr. Banda has pledged to spread development to all part of the country even in areas that did not vote for him.
The President said his administration would be all embracing as he is the father of all Zambians.
Mr Banda stated that a number of projects have already been started across the country even in opposition strong holds.
The president is accompanied by Tourism and Natural Resources Minister Catherine Namungala, Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti , Presidential Affairs Minister Gabriel Namulambe , Local government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamashimba, Deputy Minister in the office of the Vice President Gunstone Sichilima and Finance Deputy Minister Chileshe Kapwepwe.
ZANIS/KC/ENDS/SJK
Labels: NATIONALISATION, RUPIAH BANDA
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Zambia needs leadership
Written by Chantry Mweemba, Mansa
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:35:47 PM
While we were cheated by our leaders on the impact of the global financial crisis, it has become clear even to small entrepreneurs that it’s survival of the fittest world-over.
The kwacha has depreciated and so import costs have gone up. Copper, our long-time forex earner, is selling much lower than before and most miners have lost their jobs. At the time people are losing their jobs, inflation is also high, thus the little money the jobless have reserved is stretched as food prices are high.
We also don’t see employers and especially the major one - government - responding by increasing salaries for civil servants.
This will no doubt result in strikes, especially in the education and health sectors. Poor children in schools and the vulnerable in government hospitals will have no one to attend to them.
This crisis knows no beaureaucracy because decisions have to be made fast. We need to quickly correct things because already, we have gotten it wrong with the Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP) which has resulted in fertiliser landing in wrong hands. Therefore, Rupiah must act quickly to redeem the country.
There will be serious food shortages this year if nothing is done. Let’s look at small livestock in the immediate short-term, let’s look at irrigation of maize and substitute crops for our food in 2009.
Mr President, it’s you in whom we want to see leadership and not Cabinet.
http://www.postzambia.com/content/view/3468/64/
Passport renewal
Written by Mwamba, Mongu
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:36:19 PM
The Ministry of Home Affairs needs to be realistic. There is no way we can be made to renew our passports in this manner. Imagine some of us, our passports have more than half a decade before they expire. Thus, it is my sincere appeal to authorities to extend the deadline to at least 4 years. The other alternative is for one to renew when their passport has a year before expiring or when about to travel. The price for renewal is just too much for some of us to afford. Please spare the immigration authority, unnecessary congestion, bribes and other eventualities.
http://www.postzambia.com/content/view/3467/64/
Closing the mines
Written by Hannilie Zulu
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:37:03 PM
I am reacting to CM Mulenga's letter titled: "Stop mine closure" in The Post of January 3, 2009.
CM Mulenga argues that the government should intervene and stop mine closures, adding that we should imitate the First World's free-market economies and their solutions.
It is good to be observant of what is happening around us. Those free markets and their solutions are crumbling of and there is not much to learn from any of the solutions.
It is thus wise to close the mines as copper pricing is at its lowest. If the valuable resources continue to leave Zambia as we have seen in the past 12 months, there will be nothing left for Zambia because the prices are different this time.
The thing is, while it is true that we live in a globalised world, the fact remains that there are still huge divisions among nations.
In this case we have Europeans, Americans, Russians and Chinese; let me say the whole Asia, all in need of the copper.
Thus, if we do the maths properly, we shall realise that the biggest investors to earn from copper in Zambia are the Chinese because they have very flexible foreign policies or rules on how to get copper or anything they are interested in outside the country, while Europeans are mainly stuck with their human rights and work condition policies that have become a drawback in the world business wars.
Right now, copper on the Copperbelt Province is valuless, no one is buying it. Though a lot of copper is being stored, you will find that 1 tonne of high-grade which used to sell around 1300 and 1400 US Dollars is selling at 30 US Dollars. In this case, how do you advise the government not to act wisely?
It is better to close the mines and wait for better prices on the world stock market. As we can see, it is going to be a long wait because the global financial banking systems and its markets are diving to the bottom of the sea. Better to wait for a new economic system.
Labels: AGRICULTURE, JOBLOSSES, NEOLIBERALISM
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Chief Mumena advises chiefs to be cautious when issuing land
Written by Gillian Namungala
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:33:52 PM
CHIEF Mumena of the Kaonde people of Solwezi district has called on other traditional leaders to take serious caution when issuing land.
In an interview, chief Mumena said there was need for chiefs to assess every individual that was requesting land in view of the current economic challenges in the country.
“As a country, we are going through these economic challenges caused by the global financial recession, hence the need to be focused on matters of land, “chief Mumena said. “Land can serve us in this crisis by carefully scrutinising investors to ensure that they bring serious investment.”
Chief Mumena said chiefs should not just give land to anyone claiming to be an investor but give it to those who would add value to the development of the country.
“This is no time to give land on a first come, first served basis but chiefs should ensure that land benefits the people,” he said.
Chief Mumena also said traditional leaders were willing to work with the government in developing the country. And chief Mumena has called on non-governmental organisations to work with chiefs if defilement cases were to be eradicated. He said it was unfortunate that watchdogs of such vices were only found along the line of rail.
“In villages where these cases are rampant, you can’t find these NGOs,” chief Mumena said.
He said the issue of defilement needed to be treated as an emergency.
“The government and various stakeholders should look seriously at this and find the cause of these defilements,” said chief Mumena.
Labels: CHIEF MUMENA, CHIEFS, LAND RIGHTS
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Prisoners
Written by Editor
While many areas of human rights have attracted the interest of our politicians, civil society and other citizens, the criminal justice system still needs a lot of attentionWhile many areas of law reform in our country – women’s rights, land tenure and constitution making – have attracted the attention of many people, the need to establish a criminal justice system that meets acceptable human rights standards has not generated equal interest or attention.
In particular, little work has been done to improve prison conditions.
There is still a lot that needs to be done in protecting and promoting the human rights of prisoners.
There may appear to have been some advances made in the protection and promotion of human rights in Zambia. But when one looks at things critically, it will not be difficult to discern that whatever advances have been made, they are in respect of the rights of influential, well-to-do groups or classes.
The human rights of the great majority of our people, especially the poor, still face considerable challenges and obstacles in their protection and promotion.
And when we talk about human rights, we are talking about the things that, in our opinion, constitute true humanitarianism, the policy of promoting the dignity of human beings and their well-being. We are talking about things that make citizens feel they count; they are part of society; they feel they have a national dignity.
We believe that a nation’s human rights record should not necessarily or exclusively be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, its most privileged citizens, its most powerful citizens. It should however be judged by how it treats its weakest citizens, its lowest citizens, its least privileged citizens. It is sometimes said that no one truly knows a nation’s human rights record until he or she visits the inside of its prisons. A nation’s record of human rights should also be judged by how it treats its prisoners – who happen to be at the lowest level of its weakest citizens. And here in Zambia, we are treating our imprisoned sisters and brothers like animals. Let us work to increase the humanity of our fellow citizens who we have locked away in our prisons.
Let us make sure that despite their incarceration, they should not be made to feel they are sub-human. Let us show solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are in prisons. Let us not forget the fact that even though they have committed serious crimes against us, they are human beings whose human rights should still be protected and promoted; they are human beings deserving care, attention and love from all of us. Our laws were made for human beings, our prisons were built for the imprisonment of human beings. They were not meant for animals. We have no prisons in this country for animals. Our courts of law only imprison human beings but the imprisonment of human beings should never be allowed to reduce them to the status of animals. A human being will always be a human being, regardless of the crimes they commit. Even if some human beings behave like monsters, wild beasts, they are still human beings and their human rights should be respected.
It is pleasing to hear from judge Tamula Kakusa that the situation in the prisons he had visited in Lusaka had been to his satisfaction although a lot could still be done.
It cannot be denied that our prison conditions are harsh and life-threatening due to severe overcrowding, meagre food supplies, inadequate sanitary conditions and so on and so forth. Outbreaks of tuberculosis and dysentery are common in our prisons. Some of our prisons contain three or more times as many inmates as they had been designed to hold.
Imprisonment and other measures which result in cutting off an offender from the outside world are afflictive by the very fact of taking from the person the right of self-determination, by depriving him of his liberty. Therefore, our criminal justice system in general and our prison system in particular should not aggravate the suffering and degradation of a human being in such situations. The purpose and justification for a sentence of imprisonment is ultimately to protect society against crime. This end can only be achieved if the period of imprisonment is used to ensure that, as far as possible, upon his or her return to society, the offender is only willing to lead a law-abiding and self-supporting life. This is not possible if all that we do in our prisons is break prisoners, make them ill due to prisons’ poor conditions, make them lose faith in humanity, including their own humanity. We should therefore do everything possible to help our prisons maintain and improve the human rights of our prisoners. We should seek to minimise any differences between prison life and life at liberty which tend to lessen the responsibility of the prisoners or the respect due to their dignity as human beings.
For these people, society has to provide because their incarceration means that they are not in a position to do anything for themselves. The treatment of persons sentenced to imprisonment should have as its purpose, so far as the length of the sentence permits, to establish in them the will to lead law-abiding and self-supporting lives after their release. This treatment should be such as we encourage their self-respect and develop their sense of responsibility.
We will also need to improve the way we treat prisoners awaiting trial – remand prisoners. Persons arrested or imprisoned by way of a criminal charge against them, who are detained either in police custody or in prison but have not yet been tried and sentenced, should be presumed to be innocent and treated as such. But our prisons hardly differentiate between a tried and convicted prisoner and a remand prisoner. They are both subjected to more or less the same treatment. This is not just unfair, it is also unjust and inhuman. It is unjust, unfair and inhuman to imprison in that way a person who is presumed by law to be innocent until proved guilty. They should be allowed to benefit from their condition of being remand prisoners and as far as possible, be kept separate from convicted prisoners. It is pleasing to hear from judge Kakusa that Kamwala remand prison has seen an improvement in terms of remandees. No one should be denied their human rights. To deny any person their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. Therefore, let’s make this year a year of remembering, protecting and promoting the human rights of our prisoners.
Labels: HUMAN RIGHTS, PRISONS
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ZRA collects K319.5bn from new mining regime
Written by Kabanda Chulu
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:11:21 PM
ZAMBIA Revenue Authority (ZRA) has collected K319.5 billion out of the targeted K917.3 billion from the new mining fiscal regime that was implemented last year.
And the ZRA has so far collected K43.4 billion from medical levy since inception in 2003, which is a one per cent levy on interest earned by all bank account holders.
In an interview on Friday, ZRA Commissioner General Chriticles Mwansa said the total mining revenue collected under the new mining fiscal regime for the period April to December 2008 stood at K319.5 billion, representing only a 34 per cent collection from the targeted figure.
He said during the same period, K126.1 billion was collected as windfall tax; K22.3 billion as company tax and K171.2 billion was collected from mineral royalties.
“In terms of the outturn realised as a percentage of projected revenue, only 34 per cent of the projected mining revenue has been realised in 2008, consequently, the mines contributed a total of K656.2 billion in 2008,” Mwansa said.
He said some mining companies had paid taxes under the new mining fiscal regime but with certain conditions.
“The amounts we have collected do not include certain amounts which some mines have paid, but with certain clauses that these funds should be kept in the control account at the Central Bank until the mines resolve certain issues they have raised with government, so in view of this, government cannot utilise these funds until those issues are resolved,” Mwansa said. “It is like they have paid under protest but all three major companies have paid without conditions and I cannot mention them because we have confidentiality for our tax payer and each one of them is dealing with us in their own way.”
Mwansa explained that during 2008, there were two types of fiscal regimes relating to the mines and in accounting for the targets and what was expected by the government for utilisation, ZRA applied the old regime which ran from January to December 2008 from which K336.7 billion was collected from the mines.
“You will recall that royalty was taxed at 0.6 per cent but from April to December 2008, it became three per cent but when this new regime was announced, we were always removing 0.6 per cent for purposes of our performance and the balance of 2.4 per cent was taken into new regime which the government did not expect to spend since it was not part of the budget,” he said.
Under the new mining revenue regime, the least amount realised was from corporate tax, followed by windfall tax, though the collection of mineral royalty has been above projected revenue.
ZRA had projected to raise K300.5 billion from corporate tax but only collected K22.3 billion. K502.1 billion was projected to be raised from windfall taxes but only K126.1 billion was collected while K114.8 billion was targeted from mineral royalties but a surplus of about K57 billion was collected.
And Mwansa said the medical levy had performed well since inception in 2003.
“Although collected by the ZRA, this is not a tax but a levy which goes to the medical utilisation and it is only collected on [one per cent ] interest earned by account holders and not on savings and since 2003, we have collected a total of K43.4 billion,” said Mwansa. “In 2003 we collected K3.5 billion, in 2004 we collected K5.9 billion, in 2005 we collected K6.1 billion and in 2006 we collected K6.6 billion. In 2007 we collected K8.7 billion and in 2008 we collected K12.6 billion.”
Labels: CHRITICLES MWANSA, ZRA
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Prof Mutambara accuses the West of destroying Zim opposition
Written by George Chellah in Harare, Zimbabwe
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:02:55 PM
SPLINTER MDC leader and deputy Prime Minister designate Professor Arthur Mutambara has accused the West of ruining the opposition in Zimbabwe.
And Prof. Mutambara has stated that the US foreign policy is always characterized by double standards, hypocrisy and dishonesty all rooted in the pursuit of US permanent interests. In a statement, Prof. Mutambara wondered whether the west was not noticing that they were destroying the opposition parties in Zimbabwe.
"Can't you see that you are ruining the opposition you seek to assist, and strengthening Mugabe that you seek to destroy? You are foolishly confirming everything that Mugabe has said about the opposition; that we are puppets. Moreover, Mugabe's strengths are Africa, Pan-Africanism and anti-Imperialism," Prof. Mutambara stated.
"Any foreign policy that undermines African leaders and African institutions plays right into Mugabe's game plan. Why can't Western diplomats master these basics? Why do we have a premonition that most of the destructive grandstanding by Western governments is meant for their domestic constituencies?"
He stated that the US foreign policy is always characterized by double standards, hypocrisy and dishonesty all rooted in the pursuit of US permanent interests.
"We seriously hope that incoming US President Obama and his new team will depart from this ignorant, ruinous and ineffective foreign policy that effectively undermines its intended beneficiaries, strengthens the targeted villains, while blighting the US standing in the World. Things have to change in 2009," Prof. Mutambara stated.
"We are not na•ve. We know that the general thrust of the US foreign policy objective is largely independent of both the individual who is US President and the Party they belong to. However, we hope the policy execution, nuances and tactics will be different. Zimbabweans have great expectations."
He further stated that the most bizarre, irritating and clearly ineffective critics of the current Global Political Agreement (GPA) between Zimbabwe's rival parties were those that premise their proposals by denouncing one of the two key protagonists.
"Usually it is Mugabe and his ZANU-PF who are dismissed. How do you even conceptualize a negotiated outcome without the involvement of the ZANU-PF group? We thought it was common cause that you do not make peace with your friends, but with your opponents. One would expect someone of Jendayi Frazer's (US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs) stature to understand all this," Prof. Mutambara stated.
"How does she say that the US supports the negotiated power sharing, but insists that Mugabe must not be involved? Making these statements while defying the consistent advice that she received from all the South African leaders that she interacted with means that Jendayi is insulting the SA leadership at every level. By this disrespectful conduct, she is humiliating both SADC and the AU.
"In this situation, with respect to the US proposed dialogue framework, who will be the principals, negotiators, facilitators and guarantors? South Africa is the only country with leverage on Zimbabwe. To bring any kind of change in Zimbabwe you have to work with SA, and not insult or humiliate them. Anyone serious about the Zimbabwean agenda must grasp this."
Prof. Mutambara wondered whether the US had respect for MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
"Jendayi, I assume that you are supportive of Mr. Tsvangirai and you want him to succeed. Do you actually have any respect for him? He signed the GPA in which Mugabe is designated as the President. Is it that you think Mr. Tsvangirai does not know what is good for him and therefore you have to lead him every step of the way? By the way, it is not true that the US government supported the agreement when it was signed. For the record both the US and the UK were opposed to the GPA from the beginning," Prof. Mutamabara stated.
"They did not like the fact that Mugabe was both Head of State and Chairman of Cabinet, and they despised the GPA positions on land reform and sanctions. Everyone knows this. We are not children. The US and the UK are now taking advantage of the delay in implementation of the agreement to savage and destroy the GPA. Jendayi, do you have a workable alternative framework to the current GPA, together with an enforcement mechanism?"
He further accused the US of doubting Tsvangirai's competence.
" And what is this that you said about the weakness and incompetence of your favorite GPA principal? Did you not say the following; "Tsvangirai is too weak and incompetent for us to allow him to be in an inclusive government with Mugabe. He will be completely outmaneuvered. Tsvangirai is not as strong as Odinga. If he was, we would have allowed him to get into the GNU with Mugabe?" How can you possibly say such insulting remarks about your favorite opposition leader?" Prof. Mutambara asked.
"With friends like these who needs enemies. Incidentally, did you share your views about Tsvangirai with him? Why not? Anyway, who are you to allow or disallow African leaders? Does the US government have locus standi to do this? From where do you derive such legal, political or moral authority? Would a reverse scenario where international players seek to influence US politics be acceptable to the US?"
Labels: ARTHUR MUTAMBARA, COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, RAILA ODINGA
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Workers nab cop for stalking Masebo
Written by Chibaula Silwamba
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:01:24 PM
A 35-year-old Lusaka policeman was yesterday apprehended for allegedly
stalking former local government and housing minister Sylvia Masebo.
Workers at Masebo’s Ibex Hill residence in Lusaka apprehended the police officer identified as Wasilota Mukela and after searching him, they found him with a military bull-net knife hidden in his trousers, which they alleged he wanted to use to harm the former minister.
Masebo’s nephew Gomile Nkhata said Mukela had been stalking his aunt for the last two and half years claiming that she was his wife.
Nkhata said Mukela had been phoning Masebo almost every morning at 05:45 hours and evening at 22:00 hours, trying to speak to her as his wife.
He narrated that in July last year, security personnel at Masebo’s residence apprehended him and took him to Woodlands Police Station but was released four days later on grounds that he was not mentally sound.
“People who work at the gate said they have seen him several times; they say that he has been coming with different stories. He sometimes says Hon Masebo is his wife and sometimes he would say she is his auntie just to find a way to find access to the house. In July, last year he found security guards who did not know him so they allowed him to enter the yard but when Mr. Banda [Masebo’s aide] came and found him here, he asked him what he was doing saying that he had heard the madam complaining about him. After that Mr Banda took him to Woodlands Police but he was released,” Nkhata said.
Nkhata said as usual around 05:45 hours, Mukela phoned Masebo.
He said yesterday Mukela went to Masebo’s residence in a hired taxi. He said when Mukela reached the residence around 10:00 hours, he phoned Masebo but the former minister gave her phone to an MMD official who was there to answer the call.
Nkhata said when Mukela heard a male voice, he asked the taxi driver to drive off but before they could leave Masebo and other MMD officials - Belly Munyumbwe and Kennedy Matabula - came outside the yard.
Nkhata said at this point, the taxi driver stopped the vehicle but Mukela insisted that they drive off because he had wanted to see Masebo alone and not in the company of males.
Nkhata said the taxi driver disobeyed Mukela and stopped the vehicle. He said thereafter, Mukela disembarked and went to where Masebo stood and they started discussing.
And Munyumbwe, who was with Masebo, said Mukela was apprehended by the MMD officials, Masebo’s workers and neighbours.
“When we searched him, we found a knife inside the trousers near his buttocks and he had put his cell phone in the pants,” Munyumbwe said. “There is no doubt this man is being used by someone. He has been hired to do this. We even found him with a police identity card, national registration card, driver’s licence and K650,000 and an Indo-Zambia Bank Limited ATM [automated teller machine] card. All the documents bear the name Wasilota Mukela, his name.”
And Nkhata said Masebo now fears for her life.
“Of course, she fears for her life especially that this person has been consistently calling her every morning and evening,” said Nkhata.
Taxi driver, Solomon Phiri, who drove Mukela to Masebo’s residence, said the alleged stalker hired him from Chilenje to Ibex Hill.
Phiri said when they reached Masebo’s residence, Mukela spoke with Masebo on phone, saying he was outside and demanded that she comes out.
“He hired me saying I am going to Ibex and when we arrived here, I parked my car near the gate and he was talking to the madam on the phone that ‘I am here, open the gate.’ But after that he told me that ‘let’s go, take me to Kabulonga.’ But before we left, the madam with some men came out. This man went there and started talking to the madam and then he wanted to run away…that is when people caught him and they found him with the knife,” narrated Phiri. “I didn’t know why he came here.”
But Mukela claimed that Masebo was his wife and they had an oath, which the former minister was keeping. He also claimed that he went to Masebo’s residence to pick his police vehicle.
“I came to get my police vehicle which the late president Dr Levy Mwanawasa instructed the former inspector general of police to bring the vehicle here at the residence of Hon Masebo. The vehicle has been here until today when I’m told that it went back to the police,” Mukela narrated. “It was a personal vehicle from the Zambia Police.”
Asked why the vehicle was taken to Masebo’s residence, Mukela responded: “It was part of my condition of service to bring the vehicle at the farm here.”
Further asked if he was living at Masebo’s residence, Mukela said he was not.
“I was living in Mtendere where I still live,” he said.
However, Mukela could not clearly explain why the vehicle was taken to Masebo’s house when he was living in Mtendere.
Mukela said he did not go to see Masebo with anevil intentions.
“I have my ID; I was here on an innocent mission to get the vehicle. I didn’t come with evil minds. I had no intention to harm her,” Mukela insisted. He said the knife he was carrying belonged to the police.
Asked about assertions that he had been claiming to be Masebo’s husband, Mukela responded, “I must be frank; you will let me be innocent. Before she [Masebo] became a full Cabinet minister, I stood with her. I was on oath with her, which simply meant that I was her husband, isn’t it? She became a minister because of me. She is keeping the oath. That is what I know. By then she was in Hon BY Mwila’s party [Zambia Republican Party]. She stood in Chongwe constituency…way back. By then I was residing here, kept by the owners of Ibex Hill School at Twin Palm campus.”
But when asked about Mukela’s claims that he and Masebo had a marriage oath, Nkhata laughed, saying that Mukela had been changing stories to suit the situation.
Mukela was later taken to police headquarters for interrogation.
Police spokesperson Bonnie Kapeso said he did not have the details on the matter.
“I don’t know that story,” said Kapeso. “I can only give you the details after the officers have finished interviewing him.”
Labels: SYLVIA MASEBO
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Zambia’s opposition leader calls for 50 plus one
Written by Lambwe Kachali and Ernest Chanda
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 4:59:25 PM
Opposition UPND president Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday said only the 50 plus one presidential majority vote will rescue Zambia from having a mediocre republican president in 2011.
And Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) general secretary Reverend Suzanne Matale has said the Ghanaian presidential election has proved that the 50 plus one threshold is the best form of legitimatizing any elected government.
Hichilema’s remarks came in the wake of last week’s Ghana’s presidential runoff which saw opposition candidate John Atta Mills emerge victorious through the 50 plus one per cent threshold.
Hichilema said Ghana’s elections had ashamed some Zambian politicians, especially those in MMD government that had been opposing the 50 plus one per cent provision on lame grounds that it would cause violence in the country.
He said it was not a secret that once Zambia adopted the provision in the new constitution, the opposition would win the elections in 2011 general elections.
“For the opposition political party to win an election in Africa is not easy. Africa needs to congratulate Ghana. Ghanaian elections have proved that even in Zambia the 50 plus one per cent threshold is a necessity as it is the only way to rescue the country from having another mediocre and unpopular republican president in 2011,” Hichilema said.
Hichilema urged his members of parliament and the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) to quicken and finish the constitutional making process by June this year so that the provision could be ready for the 2011 general elections.
“I also suggest the need for the NCC to include provision so that a presidential candidate should have a running mate. There is also need for a constitutional provision to allow the opposition to come together during the runoff in order to attain the 50 plus one majority vote,” he said.
He said this was the only way in which unity and confidence would be enhanced among citizens as well as in the leadership of the country.
“We don’t need snail and chameleon types of leadership like what Zambians have today in the name of MMD government,” said Hichilema.
And Rev Matale said all proponents of the 50 plus one per cent threshold had been vindicated.
“I think for us, we can state strongly that the Ghana example has actually vindicated our case as Oasis Forum, churches and other organisations that have been advocating for change in our constitution. I think we as Africans must learn that all systems are organic: they grow, they change and now we are in an era where our young democracy needs to be given a chance to grow and Ghana is a good example,” Rev Matale said.
She said it did not matter who won the election as long as the outcome was legitimate.
“I think it’s not just because we want the opposition to win that is not the issue here. The issue is that whoever is going to be president, whichever government is going to be in place should have the support of more than half of the voters in any given situation,” she said.
Rev Matale called on the NCC to adopt the 50 plus one percent system to avoid illegitimate regimes.
“So we are praying and hoping that this process [NCC] that is sitting now must vindicate itself. They must prove us wrong those of us who have not gone to the NCC because we did not believe that NCC has what it takes for a fair process which would ensure a good product at the end of the day. And the Ghana lesson is one good lesson that nobody should be left in doubt that the 50 plus one system is the way forward for any nation, for any country including Zambia,” Rev Matale said. “And therefore this system must be enshrined in our new constitution which we believe must come out sooner than later.”
She wondered why the constitution making process was taking too long when there was a draft report from which all the information could be obtained.
Rev Matale accused politicians of being a stumbling block to a good electoral system because of their preference for a simple majority system.
“In fact the stumbling block in this process has been the politicians themselves because they don’t believe in 50 plus one. If you have heard from many politicians they would rather have a status quo which is simple majority. And you know where the simple majority has led us to, it has led us to minority governments,” said Rev Matale.
Labels: 50 PERCENT PLUS 1, CCZ, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA
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‘Sata’s thinking is limited to politicking’
Written by Katwishi Bwalya and Allan Mulenga
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 4:55:55 PM
PATRIOTIC Front president Michael Sata’s thinking is limited topoliticking, science and technology deputy minister Jonas Shakafuswa has charged.And UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma has said Sata is failing to identify the root causes of the country’s economic problems.
But PF Kantanshi member of parliament Yamfwa Mukanga agreed with Sata’s statement, saying there was need for parliamentarians to be in the forefront in the country’s development process.
Reacting to Sata’s statement that members of Parliament were to blame for the economic crisis the country was facing because they did not debate real issues in parliament, Shakafuswa said it was unfortunate for Sata who wanted to be president of the country to think in those lines.
“The economic problems facing the country are not from Zambia but from outside the country and it’s not parliament that controls the economy, but the government through the Ministry of Finance, so for him to think like that, it shows that his thinking is limited to politicking,” he said.
Shakafuswa, who is also Katuba member of parliament, said there was need for Sata to learn to tell the truth instead of gaining cheap political mileage out of the economic crisis.
But Mukanga said: “It is true although it is an issue that requires everybody. But the MPs are not seen to be in the forefront, but we are the ones who should be seen in the forefront and maybe the reason is that some media organisations do not cover parliament proceedings.”
And Kakoma, who is also Zambezi West member of parliament, said Sata should have consulted his MPs before uttering such statements.
Kakoma claimed that the country would not have been facing economic problems had the MMD government implemented what was budgeted for in the 2008 budget.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, PF, SATA, YAMFWA MUKANGA
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PF MP questions Chishimba’s omission from expulsion list
Written by Mutuna Chanda in Kitwe
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 4:54:39 PM
CHIPILI PF member of parliament Davies Mwila has questioned the omission of three members of parliament from the list of those to be expelled from the party.
The three members of parliament who have been omitted from the list of those to be expelled are Kasama Central member of parliament Saviour Chishimba, Marjory Masiye - Mufulira and Lombe Mulenga of Kwacha Constituency.
Mwila, who is also PF chairman for labour, said Chishimba’s reconciliation with Sata did not grant him automatic forgiveness from the party.
He said this in reaction to Chishimba’s advice to PF ‘rebel’ members of parliament to reconcile with Sata.
“All 20 rebel MPs must go,” he said. “Chishimba has committed more offences than some of those who are on the list. It was Chishimba who wanted to block president Sata’s candidature and insulted the party in public including on the floor of the House.”
Mwila said PF members of central committee had not been briefed on why some ‘rebel’ members of parliament were not included on the list of those to be expelled.
“Chishimba should not be excited for nothing,” Mwila said. “Members of the Central Committee don’t know why Chishimba, Masiye and Lombe Mulenga were left out of the list of those who are going to be expelled.”
Mwila said PF’s forgiveness of Chishimba was subject to debate in the party’s central committee meeting this month.
“If the item of his forgiveness will not be on the agenda, I will raise it myself as chairman for labour,” said Mwila. “The president has forgiven Chishimba, but as members of the central committee we also have a say. It’s not final that because he has reconciled with the president then he is back in the party.”
Chishimba also recently advised ‘rebel’ members of parliament to discontinue their appeal against the judgment in which their petition was thrown out to restrain the party from expelling them.
Labels: MPs, PF
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PF councillors refuse to approve LCC budget
Written by Masuzyo Chakwe
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 4:52:59 PM
PATRIOTIC Front councillors in Lusaka yesterday refused to approve the council’s 2009 budget and instead insisted that they reconvene within 24 hours to hold mayoral elections first.The councillors, who debated for over an hour, failed to agree on the way forward.
Some councillors wanted to go ahead with the meeting while others, particularly from PF, opposed the idea, saying it was illegal.
The special council meeting, which was attended by over 30 councillors, was supposed to approve the council budget, which is projected at K154 billion.
Before the meeting started, PF councilors held a caucus meeting.
However, Chawama PF member of parliament Reverend Violet Sampa-Bredt did not attend the caucus.
Rev Sampa-Bredt also informed the meeting that PF Matero member of parliament Faustina Sinyangwe was unable to attend because she was out of town.
Town clerk Timothy Hakuyu said the meeting was a special council meeting to discuss the budget in line with the directive by local government and housing permanent secretary Joe Ngo to all councils in the country to submit their annual budget estimates for their respective provincial local government officers latest Wednesday last week.
But Kabwata member of parliament Given Lubinda said the meeting was illegal, as the mayoral elections had not taken place yet.
Lubinda said according to the local government Act Cap 281 of the laws of Zambia, section 22, ‘the mayor or chairman of the council may convene a special meeting of the council at any time and shall convene a special meeting within 21 days or such lesser period as may be prescribed by the standing order of the councils after he receives a written request therefore signed by not less than one third of the whole number of councilors of which the council consists and stating clearly the purposes for which the special meeting is to be convened.'
He said the councillors were mandated to operate within the law and be consistent with the law.
Lubinda said the meeting should be deemed an ordinary meeting for them to transact important business as it did not qualify to be a special meeting.
But Hakuyu said the council could not have been an ordinary meeting to transact on the budget.
He said all the other provinces had submitted their budgets and that other things had come later. Hakuyu said a Statutory Instrument was there and it was not altering the law.
PF Lusaka Central member of parliament Dr Guy Scott said the meeting would spend more time discussing elections than holding them.
Rev Sampa-Bredt said the councilors were given notice for a special meeting to discuss the budget.
At this point UPND Kanyama ward councilor Harry Hampende said the meeting was getting out of context and urged the councilors to stand up and speak out as the members of parliament were misleading them.
But Lubinda, who seemed upset, challenged Hampende to bring forward evidence that what he was saying was true, while PF Munali member of parliament Mumbi Phiri agreed with him.
Lubinda then proposed that in view of the law, the meeting should be stood down and reconvened within 48 hours.
But Hakuyu said it was not possible to turn the special meeting into an ordinary meeting to hold elections and approve the budget.
UPND Lilayi ward councilor Lazarus Chulabantu said there was a lot of partisan politics involved in the council.
"Let us move forward, we have a lot of issues to look at. Things are not moving in this council," he said.
Another councilor said Hampende should speak for himself when he says councilors had been misled by members of parliament. He said there had been a lot of inconsistency with the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, which had made it difficult for councillors to do their work, and asked for guidance.
Dr Scott said even if the meeting was illegal or not, they should not be blackmailed.
He said they were politicians and not officials, and had pride.
But UPND Silwizya ward 13 councilor Jimmy Dons asked what difference it would make and if the council would have the capacity to approve the budget if elections were held yesterday.
At this point former mayor Patricia Nawa said she believed that the budget was for councils and councilors to carry out their jobs.
Nawa said in the 10 years that she was councillor, she had never had an experience like the one she saw yesterday.
"Councillors are elected by the people in the wards. Let’s leave councilors to be free to talk about these issues. People knock on councilors' doors when there is a problem in the constituency. Let the councillors debate what they want," she said.
Mumbi Phiri disagreed with Nawa and said people in her constituency knock on her door and if Nawa had that kind of attitude, it was no wonder she lost.
Two proposals were then made that the meeting either go on or they enter a standdown to reconvene within 48 hours.
Hakuyu then proposed that they vote but some councilors said they should use the secret ballot for fear of intimidation.
But Phiri said that would be time consuming and Hakuyu proposed that they go ahead and vote openly.
After the voting, eight voted to continue the meeting, 17 voted to reconvene within 48 hours while 11 abstained and the meeting was adjourned.
Lubinda said PF wanted the mayoral elections to take place first before the budget could be approved. He said local government minister Benny Tetamashimba should take a different approach and not rough up people.
"We will abide by all the legal instructions and directives. Local government does not operate in a vacuum. It implements power and functions from the central government. We are assisting Tetamashimba to look at these things through other eyes. No one is resisting. We will not assist him to break the law," said Lubinda.
Labels: BUDGET, LCC, PF
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