We'll promote stealing if Rupiah's immunity is not lifted - Nalubamba
By Kombe Chimpinde
Tue 26 Feb. 2013, 14:00 CAT
SENIOR Chief Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala says Zambians will be promoting stealing if they do not lift Rupiah Banda's immunity. But the three Church mother bodies seem to be divided over the matter with some calling the debate on Banda's immunity a waste of time and others calling for caution.
In an interview, chief Nalubamba said that stealing of resources by leaders would become habitual if former president Banda was not prosecuted for suspected corruption-related allegations.
"To avoid a lot of suspicion, let us lift his immunity so that his name can be cleared. If he is found wanting, the law should take its course. If we just leave it like that, then other presidents who are coming, they will be doing bad things against the people. They will be corrupt; everybody now will be abusing public resources because he is the head of state," Nalubamba said.
"It won't be fair to our country. We have to send a strong message that we want to avoid and prevent such corrupt activities from happening. How then are we going to avoid and prevent such corrupt activities for a president who is stealing in office when they leave office?"
Chief Nalubamba said that there was nothing wrong and expensive about lifting Banda's immunity.
"They are saying it's expensive, but what is not expensive? Stealing money from the people, from the citizens? Is that cheap? If we are afraid of the costs, then it is most unfortunate," he said.
And the Zambia Episcopal Conference says it will examine the evidence that would be presented to the nation over Banda's alleged corruption.
ZEC secretary general Fr Cleophas Lungu said that it would not support the premature lifting of Banda's immunity.
"We don't believe in the authenticity of the current calls. It is just a waste of our time. There are more important issues anyway. So I don't think anybody is ready to go into that," Fr Lungu said. "We endorse LAZ's statement on the issue."
And Council of Churches in Zambia has resolved not to say anything on the matter until after further consultations.
Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia executive director Reverend Pukuta Mwanza said that his body was in support of lifting of Banda's immunity.
"We are in total agreement with calls to investigate alleged corruption practices but looking into the history of immunity, we are concerned that the government must not rush the lifting of the immunity of the former president because it is important that the government has credible information and facts or evidence and that there is a good case against the former head of state.
If government will rush, there is a danger that information will be scanty and it will not be able to yield the intended results. That can robe the credibility of the investigative team," Mwanza said.
"It will be important to do this cautiously."
And Heritage Party president Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda advised the government to learn lessons from prosecution of the late Fredrick Chiluba if their bid to lift Banda's immunity and make him account for his alleged misdeeds was to be successful.
"We are totally against corrupt activities in any form. That is why we advocate for an unencumbered Judiciary which is not timid or intimidated by overzealous activists. Tampering with the Judiciary by anyone, let alone the President, is tantamount to treason. Regardless of status, all citizens' rights are protected by our Constitution; no shortcuts," Brig Gen Miyanda stated in a statement.
He stated that the current atmosphere was not appropriate to lift Banda's immunity.
He stated that procedures must be constitutional and credible.
"While not supporting any crimes that are alleged to have been committed by former president Banda, we object to the lifting of the immunity under the prevailing atmosphere. We base our reasons on: i. Lessons learnt from the Mwanawasa motion against Dr Chiluba; ii. Conduct of President Sata before and after forming government; iii. A compromised and captive National Assembly," Brig Gen Miyanda stated.
He explained that the late Levy Mwanawasa tabled in Parliament over 100 charges against Chiluba and declared that he had established a prima facie case.
He stated that after lifting his immunity, Chiluba was never charged with the charges outlined in Parliament.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHIEFS, LEGAL IMMUNITY, RUPIAH BANDA
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Opposition must not wish govt failure - Nalubamba
By Kombe Chimpinde
Sun 27 Jan. 2013, 11:00 CAT
SENIOR Chief Bright Nalubamba says the opposition should not think they can change a government soon after an election.
He said the opposition must not pre-occupy themselves with wishing the government failure so that they take over but should instead ensure that the government delivers sustainable development for the good of the country.
He advised the opposition to distinguish between offering proper checks and balances and politicking or pulling down a government.
"You must realise what it means to go in an election and to completely lose or win. Once you have lost, you have lost; once you have won, you have won; there is a government in place; a government which needs your support, a government which you would want it to service the people whom you want to serve as you are in the opposition," chief Nalubamba said.
"What does it help the opposition? It does not help at all. As a good opposition you must endeavour to see that government is happy. That is what you are fighting for. It is just a question of being selfish in opposition, where you just want to see that your friend fails! Then that is stupid politics."
Chief Nalubamba said the opposition must strive for consultative dialogue with the government.
"Once a government is in place, we do not wish it to fail, we wish it to serve the people. Where they fail we must be categorical and tell the government that they have gone wrong, that is checks and balances because you want proper service by the government to the people. They must have this consultative dialogue that will be working in a manner that will win them public approval," he said.
Chief Nalubamba said there was need for the opposition to be patient with the government to work through their systems and mechanisms to bring the change Zambians want to see.
"Where there is impatience, you don't get things done well. But where there is patience you get things done well," he said.
"We must also be cognisant of the fact that all the development promises that the government has made need participation and involvement of the people themselves and leaders of government alone cannot achieve anything on their own after all what is government? Government is the people. People must work out a system and mechanism of how they can involve the people so that they create money for themselves or they may be waiting for years."
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHIEFS, OPPOSITION
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COMMENT - I guess when it comes down to it, everyone is in favour of land reform. Let's hope they didn't talk about Zimbabwe with a sneer when it was their time of need and they sacrificed when they were getting their land back. Land reform in Zambia, who would have though it. It isn't just Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Botswana.
Nalubamba endorses calls to empower locals with land
By Ernest Chanda
Thu 06 Dec. 2012, 09:20 CAT
SENIOR Chief Bright Nalubamba says the government should empower indigenous Zambians with land. Last week, several members of parliament requested lands minister Wylbur Simuusa to make sure indigenous Zambians are empowered with land.
And commenting on the matter, chief Nalubamba of the Ila people in Namwala district of Southern Province, said the calls were in the interest of Zambians.
"This is a progressive call for the benefit of the Zambian people; that is a welcome move. They must repossess because land is wealth for the people," he said yesterday.
When informed that some members of parliament had also asked government to protect traditional leaders who were being enticed by some foreign investors to sell huge chunks of traditional land, Nalubamba said: "If that has been done against the wishes of the people, the communities at rural level, that land must definitely be returned to the people at community level. I know that as traditional leaders, we are not only restricted to sell land to our people at community level, but they must be given priority because they are our people."
Debating the 2013 estimates of expenditure for the Ministry of Lands on Thursday, all the lawmakers passionately requested Simuusa to repossess idle land after carrying out an audit and give it to indigenous Zambians.
Mazabuka UPND member of parliament Garry Nkombo asked Simuusa to dismantle what he termed the 'colonial land tenure system'.
"Her Majesty the Queen of England gratified some people with land post World War II and these are the same people who own a lot of land in Zambia. There are so many foreigners owning land in this country while indigenous Zambians have nothing," said Nkombo.
"I therefore urge the government to provide this ministry with more money as they regularise what is irregular. The colonial land tenure we inherited must now start dismantling. Any land that has not been used in the last 100 years must be audited and given to Zambians for use."
Mpongwe MMD member of parliament Gabriel Namulambe called for serious land reforms.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHIEFS, GABRIEL NAMULAMBE, GARRY NKOMBO, LAND REFORM, MMD, WYLBUR SIMUUSA
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Sata action-oriented, says Nalubamba
By Edwin Mbulo in Namwala
Sun 24 June 2012, 13:29 CAT
CHIEF Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala says President Michael Sata is an action-oriented man, not a theoretician and needs to be told the truth.
Speaking when Southern Province permanent secretary Edwin Zumbunu paid a courtesy call on him at Mbeza traditional people's parliament, chief Nalubamba said President Sata was a frank person who did not like beating about the bush.
"President Sata is action-oriented, he is not a theoretician, he needs help
from you people controlling officers, tell him the truth, the Monze-Nico road needs attention. We were promised even electrification just before he became President, you better remind him. What I'm saying is a fact, he told me, then we will know that he means what he says," chief Nalubamba said.
He said Rupiah Banda hated him for being open with him on issues which affected the people and warned controlling officers not to think that they knew it all when they got appointed to certain positions.
Chief Nalubamba said he informed President Sata after he called him over his comments on abuse of office.
"I told him that there was complaints from citizens that he was trying to protect some people Fred M'membe and Muntembo Nchito. I said it was the beginning of the strong relationship and not the end. I told him not to expect appeasement from me, that is true friendship. I told him that he has been a good friend of mine since the time of Dr Kenneth Kaunda," chief Nalubamba said.
He said Namwala needed a High School in Mbeza area as it only had two; Namwala and Kasenga high schools while the technical school started during the MMD era had not yet been completed.
In response, Zumbunu who was accompanied by Namwala district commissioner Grevar Nsanzya said President Sata was aware of many promises Zambians have been awaiting their fulfilment since independence.
"What we can manage we will implement, what we can't we will say so. My programme is to meet all chiefs in the province and please if you have contractors that you are happy with who have worked in this area before, give me the names so that we can bring them back to develop the chiefdom, said" Zumbunu.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHIEFS, MICHAEL SATA
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Judiciary will cleanse itself only when Sakala steps down - Fr Luonde
By Darious Kapembwa, Ernest Chanda and Allan Mulenga
Thu 19 Jan. 2012, 13:59 CAT
THE Judiciary will cleanse itself only when Chief Justice Ernest Sakala steps down, says Father Richard Luonde.
Backing calls for Justice Sakala to step down, Fr Luonde, an Anglican priest based in Kitwe, said it was morally wrong for Justice Sakala to wait to be fired when he himself knew that he was not supposed to continue in that position based on his past conduct.
"Public officers are suppose to exhibit maximum professionalism even under very difficult circumstances," Fr Luonde.
"Justice Sakala refused to shake President Sata's hand when the president was in opposition, what was he telling us about his Judiciary? Zambian people will not support Justice Sakala even if he began to show that he was correcting his image and that of the Judiciary because his is a very sensitive institution that should be protected from any form of public ridicule. But he failed to do that, so he should go. Sakala must go," said Fr Luonde.
He said justice was not just a public interest matter but also a moral issue that anyone in justice Sakala's position with a conscience could have done by now.
He said Justice Sakala was clearly not himself after the last elections.
"For those of us that have done sociology and psychology, you can easily tell that the man is not himself whenever he appeared in public at state functions, so why clinging on to the position if your stay threatens the integrity of such an important institution?" he asked.
And senior chief Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people in Namwala district says the government should stop employing judges on contract.
Adding his voice to calls for serious reforms in the Judiciary, Nalubamba said Justice Sakala and all judges on contract should step down to leave room for reforms.
Nalubamba observed that it was because of serving on contracts that leaders in the Judiciary became vulnerable to government control.
He said if the same people were in office during the reforms, they would frustrate the process.
"They should not be employed on contract to ensure they're independent. Then we can have a fair and good judiciary so that this corruption we see around can be avoided," Nalubamba said.
"The fact that these people are on contract they can also try to appease the leadership, like we saw in the just ended administration, you find all the judgments are just biased. People could not even go to the higher courts for intervention; they went outside court for intervention"
He said the Law Association of Zambia was right in joining the call for judicial reforms, which the public had been crying for.
Nalubamba said it was such reforms that would result in an independent Judiciary that would eventually regain public confidence.
And Nalubamba said the government should seriously consider the call from LAZ and support it.
He said the onus was on the government to start the judicial reform process by doing its part.
"That should be the message to the people of Zambia from the government side; they should support LAZ's motion. If they do that they will deliver the message to the people that they are for fair justice delivery in this country. I expect them to respond as a matter of agency," said Nalubamba.
"In fact, I want to believe that the current administration suffered at the hands of a Judiciary which was not so independent, a Judiciary which was directed by the administration on what to do. And if they can't take this as an opportunity for them to clear this notion so that we shall have a dependable justice delivery, then I'll be very disappointed."
And Council of Churches in Zambia general secretary Reverend Suzanne Matale says President Michael Sata must take the call for judicial reforms seriously.
Rev Matale, in an interview, said there was public outcry about the operations of the Judiciary.
"The call for reforms is long overdue and we hope and trust that this can be taken very seriously and that the reforms could start now, so that in the few months time we can have the Judiciary that we can be proud of. At the moment we are not very happy with the way things are in that regard, ¨ she said.
Rev Matale said the implementation of the judicial reforms would bring efficiency in the judicial system.
¨The President has talked about many people who are in prison that shouldn't be there. They are only there because of system has not given them a fair trial and we all know that justice delayed is justice denied and also the cases just take too long to be disposed off. The example is the one of former late president Frederick Chiluba which took almost eight years, ¨ she said.
Rev Matale said the current judicial system had made most corruption cases in the courts of law to delay.
¨You know cases seem to go stale and to go cold because it takes too long through our current judiciary system to dispose off cases. Not even the high profile, but the worst thing is the low profile people who have nobody to talk for them and then they are not represented," said Rev. Matale.
And PF chairperson for mobilisation Charles Banda said a lot of judgments passed in the previous regime were politically engineered.
"It is correct that we must go back and look at several other judgments that were politically motivated because it is an open secret that a lot of judgments especially the political cases were of a political nature. We need to study some of those judgments, so that the owners of those judgments should suffer the consequences," he said.
Banda said misconduct of some judges and magistrates had compromised the operation of the Judiciary.
Banda said the judicial reforms once implemented would bring confidence to the public over the operation of the judiciary.
"We are not saying that let's take vengeance. Vengeance is for the Lord, but what we are saying is that let's correct this, so that people can be able to enjoy the existence of that institution called the Judiciary. We should not have the situation whereby you even know that when I go to court, I will lose because I am in the opposition. That is not correct," said Banda.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CORRUPTION, ERNEST SAKALA, JUDICIARY, RICHARD LUONDE, SUZANNE MATALE
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Rupiah is a thief, says Nalubamba
By Roy Habaalu, Christopher Miti, Kombe Chimpinde and Ernest C
Tue 27 Dec. 2011, 14:00 CAT
RUPIAH Banda is a thief who should be jailed, says Senior Chief Bright Nalubamba. And Angela Cifire says Banda should face the law. Meanwhile, Dr Katele Kalumba has advised Banda to maintain a low profile.
Commenting on revelations that the corruption of Frederick Chiluba's 10-year rule was a joke when compared with the theft of public resources in just three years of Banda's regime, chief Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala said those that had stolen must be jailed in order to deter future presidents from stealing.
"Whether he's my brother, I come from a family that believed that those who stole must be punished for the wrong things they did, I don't see retribution in this. They (Banda and the MMD) were able to earn good money. There is no way they can go scot-free. They stole public funds. It's very, very sad," said chief Nalubamba.
"Immunity and reconciliation should not be the subject. If you are going to allow people to steal at will and then they are going to reconcile with the current leadership, then you must know that you are killing this country because many people will realise that it's not a crime to steal and you will never go into prison for stealing; you won't be prosecuted. And once they know that, then no President that will come into that position will never steal. Everybody will be stealing because they know that there is a precedent left open so they will be stealing at will. We'll be in trouble."
Chief Nalubamba mocked Banda for trying to sell Kamwala Remand Prison land, saying Banda's group of government officials did not want to go to that prison.
"As a matter of fact, did you hear what president Rupiah Banda said? That he would be compelled to build a special prison for Chiluba. How do you do that to a criminal? A special prison for a criminal, how many special prisons are you going to build for these people? Just because they held positions, which they abused, how do you do that? You can't do that!" chief Nalubamba said.
"If you have abused office and you have stolen, you must go in so that others will learn. Otherwise you'll allow those in leadership to steal money at will. Then what will Zambia be 10 years from today?"
Chief Nalubamba said the Patriotic Front (PF) government should set a precedent that would save the country from plunderers.
He said there was need to plant fear in the minds of people that stealing was a criminal offence.
Chief Nalubamba said something must be done against those who had stolen and if facts were there, they must be jailed for it so that future presidents would refrain.
"Otherwise, they will say ‘how can you prosecute or arrest me when you didn't prosecute others?' They will be using these excuses for them not to be prosecuted," he said.
"This country will go to the dogs, I can tell you that. Don't set a precedent that will destroy this country. Set a precedent that will save this country from thieves."
And Cifire, who is former information deputy minister and once one of Banda's allies, said it was embarrassing for Banda to cry out to a chief and as a case study of an incumbent president who loses an election, he should face the law since he was just a cadre now.
Banda had expressed his fears of possible imprisonment to chief Mwanachingwala.
However, the PF government has advised Banda against trying to marshal public sympathy and disclosed that the corruption in his administration was massive.
Home affairs minister Kennedy Sakeni said the corruption of Frederick Chiluba's 10-year-rule was a joke when compared with the theft of public resources in Banda's government.
Several leaders in Banda's regime, himself included, are being investigated for various corruption-related offences.
Cifire said if Banda conducted himself in a befitting manner, the PF government would not harass him.
In reaction to revelations by chief Mwanachingwala that Banda was crying for protection from him, Cifire said the PF would only harass him over the wrong things that he did.
"In any case because you see he has indicated that he is going to be a political cadre, then he has to face the consequences of what cadres face when they do not do what the law states that they should be doing. It's embarrassing that he can reach a situation where he is crying out to a chief and for that matter he is crying out to a chief from Southern Province," she said.
Cifire said after his electoral defeat, Banda declared that he had retired from active politics but it was embarrassing that he was getting back into active politics.
Cifire said Banda should avoid engaging in cadre-like politics but play an advisory role as former head of state.
"A few weeks ago, he (Banda) was called to go to Congo (DR) to assist with the elections there. This is a kind of thing he should be doing now and not to be getting into these everyday cadre relationships where he is going to be parading with the women in the papers. Surely, we need to see better examples of what our leaders have got to do after retiring. The most stressful thing that a Zambian faces is retirement because it spells doom for most Zambians," she said.
Cifire said the Zambian constitution did not allow former presidents to go into destitution and this was the reason why they were given everything that they needed.
"Let him leave the cadre politics to the cadres and let the others carry on. He is out of politics. Let him enjoy his terminal benefits and pension where people can call him and consult and say ‘how can we do this act right'," she said.
"And not to be going up and down; tomorrow you want this and the other day you want something else."
Cifire poured scorn on Banda, saying his political behaviour was embarrassing and lacked consistency.
"After issuing that (retirement) statement, then again he should go back on his work, entice NEC (National Executive Committee) to have him back as president of the party. What we are seeing right now of the many candidates that are trying to stand for MMD presidency means that there are enough people that can carry on with the party," she said.
However, Cifire in April this year praised Banda for his development success and for adding a lot of value to the Zambian economy in the few years he had been in power.
Cifire said at Chipata's St Anne's Cathedral parish that Zambians should massively vote for Banda so that he could complete his development projects in this country.
In subsequent months before elections, Cifire praised Banda and vilified other opposition candidates then.
In September, Cifire resigned from the MMD because she felt unappreciated by the MMD despite having done much for the party.
And Dr Kalumba advised Banda to maintain a low profile.
"If your song is playing and you have been dancing that song when the song is over, you have to leave the stage. If you mean well and have good intentions, it's better to take a low profile. Former presidents are important national assets. Former presidents must use the networks created while in office to help the country. This is what former president Dr Kaunda is doing," he said.
And commenting on the government's announcement last week that since Banda remained MMD president he was considered to be in active politics and his benefits would be suspended, Dr Kalumba agreed with the move.
"The law is very clear about the benefits of a former president. There has been a considerable amount of discretion by presidents in the past, but there's need to ensure that, that law is adhered to. It is the law saying that and it the suspension is not done in bad faith," he said.
"I have myself been very emphatic in calling upon our former Republican president Mr Banda, who I consider to be a parent, to desist from inner pressures from those who want to live in politics of hangers-on; even when your time is up, they want to ensure that you hang on so that they have to live off you. What is important is for you to do the right thing by stepping aside."
Dr Kalumba said it would be wise for Banda to quit active politics and give advice to other leaders.
He said those who benefited from his stay in politics were pushing Banda.
"I think what the government is trying to do is to really encourage him to say ‘look let's look after you like we are looking after the old man KK'. It was sad to see how the old man suffered when he involved himself in active politics. Chiluba suffered the same because of his political involvement," said Dr Kalumba.
"I know that he may have a fear that if he quits politics, he will be troubled by the government. These are fears created by those who want to live off him. And these are 15-minute friendships, which do not stay. So my advice is, without any bad intentions, please heed the call by those who are trying to see you retire with dignity."
Recently, chief government spokesperson Given Lubinda announced the freezing of Banda's benefits because it was in breach of the benefits of former president's Act.
And Dr Kalumba said he did not support Banda as an individual in the 2011 elections but because of his loyalty to the MMD.
Explaining his sudden change from supporting Banda, Dr Kalumba, the former MMD national secretary, said he and Banda did not find common ground on many issues.
He said his support for Banda during the 2008 presidential election was meant to unite the party after the sudden death of Levy Mwanawasa.
"As far as I'm concerned, my loyalty was to my party. As party national secretary then, I made statements in support of the president but that didn't mean things were right. My role was to ensure that against all the resistance, to allow an open process, the only thing I could do was to make sure the race was open," Dr Kalumba said.
"But many of my colleagues were of the view that since president Banda was vice-president of the (MMD) government, they would benefit from the benefits of incumbency that he was enjoying. It is a situation where someone is not necessarily the best candidate, but most members feel that he is right under the circumstance. That is the way politics is. Politics is being able to hear the voices of the members. It was because of the same reason that MMD lost. It could have won, but they did not capitalise on the voices of the members because there was too much over-confidence and arrogance."
Asked if he thought Banda had a preferred successor, Dr Kalumba said it was not clear whom the former president wanted to take over from him.
And Dr Kalumba said it was clear that Banda resented him because he felt that he Kalumba) had no respect for him.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHIEF NALUBAMBA, CHIEFS, KATELE KALUMBA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Rupiah is a thief, says Nalubamba
By Roy Habaalu, Christopher Miti, Kombe Chimpinde and Ernest C
Tue 27 Dec. 2011, 14:00 CAT
RUPIAH Banda is a thief who should be jailed, says Senior Chief Bright Nalubamba. And Angela Cifire says Banda should face the law. Meanwhile, Dr Katele Kalumba has advised Banda to maintain a low profile.
Commenting on revelations that the corruption of Frederick Chiluba's 10-year rule was a joke when compared with the theft of public resources in just three years of Banda's regime, chief Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala said those that had stolen must be jailed in order to deter future presidents from stealing.
"Whether he's my brother, I come from a family that believed that those who stole must be punished for the wrong things they did, I don't see retribution in this. They (Banda and the MMD) were able to earn good money. There is no way they can go scot-free. They stole public funds. It's very, very sad," said chief Nalubamba.
"Immunity and reconciliation should not be the subject. If you are going to allow people to steal at will and then they are going to reconcile with the current leadership, then you must know that you are killing this country because many people will realise that it's not a crime to steal and you will never go into prison for stealing; you won't be prosecuted. And once they know that, then no President that will come into that position will never steal. Everybody will be stealing because they know that there is a precedent left open so they will be stealing at will. We'll be in trouble."
Chief Nalubamba mocked Banda for trying to sell Kamwala Remand Prison land, saying Banda's group of government officials did not want to go to that prison.
"As a matter of fact, did you hear what president Rupiah Banda said? That he would be compelled to build a special prison for Chiluba. How do you do that to a criminal? A special prison for a criminal, how many special prisons are you going to build for these people? Just because they held positions, which they abused, how do you do that? You can't do that!" chief Nalubamba said.
"If you have abused office and you have stolen, you must go in so that others will learn. Otherwise you'll allow those in leadership to steal money at will. Then what will Zambia be 10 years from today?"
Chief Nalubamba said the Patriotic Front (PF) government should set a precedent that would save the country from plunderers.
He said there was need to plant fear in the minds of people that stealing was a criminal offence.
Chief Nalubamba said something must be done against those who had stolen and if facts were there, they must be jailed for it so that future presidents would refrain.
"Otherwise, they will say ‘how can you prosecute or arrest me when you didn't prosecute others?' They will be using these excuses for them not to be prosecuted," he said.
"This country will go to the dogs, I can tell you that. Don't set a precedent that will destroy this country. Set a precedent that will save this country from thieves."
And Cifire, who is former information deputy minister and once one of Banda's allies, said it was embarrassing for Banda to cry out to a chief and as a case study of an incumbent president who loses an election, he should face the law since he was just a cadre now.
Banda had expressed his fears of possible imprisonment to chief Mwanachingwala.
However, the PF government has advised Banda against trying to marshal public sympathy and disclosed that the corruption in his administration was massive.
Home affairs minister Kennedy Sakeni said the corruption of Frederick Chiluba's 10-year-rule was a joke when compared with the theft of public resources in Banda's government.
Several leaders in Banda's regime, himself included, are being investigated for various corruption-related offences.
Cifire said if Banda conducted himself in a befitting manner, the PF government would not harass him.
In reaction to revelations by chief Mwanachingwala that Banda was crying for protection from him, Cifire said the PF would only harass him over the wrong things that he did.
"In any case because you see he has indicated that he is going to be a political cadre, then he has to face the consequences of what cadres face when they do not do what the law states that they should be doing. It's embarrassing that he can reach a situation where he is crying out to a chief and for that matter he is crying out to a chief from Southern Province," she said.
Cifire said after his electoral defeat, Banda declared that he had retired from active politics but it was embarrassing that he was getting back into active politics.
Cifire said Banda should avoid engaging in cadre-like politics but play an advisory role as former head of state.
"A few weeks ago, he (Banda) was called to go to Congo (DR) to assist with the elections there. This is a kind of thing he should be doing now and not to be getting into these everyday cadre relationships where he is going to be parading with the women in the papers. Surely, we need to see better examples of what our leaders have got to do after retiring. The most stressful thing that a Zambian faces is retirement because it spells doom for most Zambians," she said.
Cifire said the Zambian constitution did not allow former presidents to go into destitution and this was the reason why they were given everything that they needed.
"Let him leave the cadre politics to the cadres and let the others carry on. He is out of politics. Let him enjoy his terminal benefits and pension where people can call him and consult and say ‘how can we do this act right'," she said.
"And not to be going up and down; tomorrow you want this and the other day you want something else."
Cifire poured scorn on Banda, saying his political behaviour was embarrassing and lacked consistency.
"After issuing that (retirement) statement, then again he should go back on his work, entice NEC (National Executive Committee) to have him back as president of the party. What we are seeing right now of the many candidates that are trying to stand for MMD presidency means that there are enough people that can carry on with the party," she said.
However, Cifire in April this year praised Banda for his development success and for adding a lot of value to the Zambian economy in the few years he had been in power.
Cifire said at Chipata's St Anne's Cathedral parish that Zambians should massively vote for Banda so that he could complete his development projects in this country.
In subsequent months before elections, Cifire praised Banda and vilified other opposition candidates then.
In September, Cifire resigned from the MMD because she felt unappreciated by the MMD despite having done much for the party.
And Dr Kalumba advised Banda to maintain a low profile.
"If your song is playing and you have been dancing that song when the song is over, you have to leave the stage. If you mean well and have good intentions, it's better to take a low profile. Former presidents are important national assets. Former presidents must use the networks created while in office to help the country. This is what former president Dr Kaunda is doing," he said.
And commenting on the government's announcement last week that since Banda remained MMD president he was considered to be in active politics and his benefits would be suspended, Dr Kalumba agreed with the move.
"The law is very clear about the benefits of a former president. There has been a considerable amount of discretion by presidents in the past, but there's need to ensure that, that law is adhered to. It is the law saying that and it the suspension is not done in bad faith," he said.
"I have myself been very emphatic in calling upon our former Republican president Mr Banda, who I consider to be a parent, to desist from inner pressures from those who want to live in politics of hangers-on; even when your time is up, they want to ensure that you hang on so that they have to live off you. What is important is for you to do the right thing by stepping aside."
Dr Kalumba said it would be wise for Banda to quit active politics and give advice to other leaders.
He said those who benefited from his stay in politics were pushing Banda.
"I think what the government is trying to do is to really encourage him to say ‘look let's look after you like we are looking after the old man KK'. It was sad to see how the old man suffered when he involved himself in active politics. Chiluba suffered the same because of his political involvement," said Dr Kalumba.
"I know that he may have a fear that if he quits politics, he will be troubled by the government. These are fears created by those who want to live off him. And these are 15-minute friendships, which do not stay. So my advice is, without any bad intentions, please heed the call by those who are trying to see you retire with dignity."
Recently, chief government spokesperson Given Lubinda announced the freezing of Banda's benefits because it was in breach of the benefits of former president's Act.
And Dr Kalumba said he did not support Banda as an individual in the 2011 elections but because of his loyalty to the MMD.
Explaining his sudden change from supporting Banda, Dr Kalumba, the former MMD national secretary, said he and Banda did not find common ground on many issues.
He said his support for Banda during the 2008 presidential election was meant to unite the party after the sudden death of Levy Mwanawasa.
"As far as I'm concerned, my loyalty was to my party. As party national secretary then, I made statements in support of the president but that didn't mean things were right. My role was to ensure that against all the resistance, to allow an open process, the only thing I could do was to make sure the race was open," Dr Kalumba said.
"But many of my colleagues were of the view that since president Banda was vice-president of the (MMD) government, they would benefit from the benefits of incumbency that he was enjoying. It is a situation where someone is not necessarily the best candidate, but most members feel that he is right under the circumstance. That is the way politics is. Politics is being able to hear the voices of the members. It was because of the same reason that MMD lost. It could have won, but they did not capitalise on the voices of the members because there was too much over-confidence and arrogance."
Asked if he thought Banda had a preferred successor, Dr Kalumba said it was not clear whom the former president wanted to take over from him.
And Dr Kalumba said it was clear that Banda resented him because he felt that he Kalumba) had no respect for him.
Labels: ANGELA CIFIRE, BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Nalubamba urges PF to urgently enact new constitution
By Moses Kuwema
Wed 12 Oct. 2011, 12:00 CAT
SENIOR Chief Bright Nalubamba of Namwala says the Patriotic Front government should treat the issue of coming up with a new constitution as a matter of urgency. In an interview yesterday, chief Nalubamba also urged the government to shorten the process of coming up with a new constitution.
He said it only required a special committee to deal with recommendations people made in the Mung'omba constitution review commission and present them for parliamentary approval.
"We have been pressing for a new constitution for a long time now, as you might be aware, I was one of the commissioners on the Mung'omba commission, we made very good recommendations but at the NCC they brought a lot of people, some of them were irrelevant, they spent a lot of money. So I want the current government to shorten the journey, it has been too long and we would want this constitution to be put in place as a matter of urgency because that is the only way we can respond to people's wishes," chief Nalubamba said.
He said people's wishes were already expressed in the Mung'omba draft constitution.
Chief Nalubamba expressed concern that a lot of taxpayers' money was wasted carelessly on the NCC and there was need for people who were involved to account for it.
"You cannot spend people's money carelessly like that, these are public funds, people must be brought to account for such kind of things. A lot of money was spent so lavishly and the poor people are suffering in the village. I am in total support of the people who want to see justice prevail," chief Nalubamba said.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHIEF NALUBAMBA, CONSTITUTION, PF
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Nalubamba defends Nkomenshya
By Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 07 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
President Rupiah Banda's threat to dethrone chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II is an invitation for more people in Chongwe to vote against him on September 20, according to senior chief Bright Nalubamba.
In an interview, chief Nalubamba of the Ila people in Southern Province, said President Banda's unwarranted threats against chieftainess Nkomeshya had not hurt the people of Chongwe alone but many other traditional leaders in Zambia.
Addressing a rally in Chongwe on Saturday, President Banda accused chieftainess Nkomeshya of intimidating sub-chiefs and village headmen, and threatened to retire her if he wins the September 20 presidential election.
"That threat alone may cost him votes (in Chongwe) because many people would rather vote to protect her. There will definitely be a protest vote to defend their chief," chief Nalubamba said, adding that President Banda had hurt more people than he thought.
Chief Nalubamba said President Banda's misdirected threats were an expression of his disregard for the entire traditional leadership.
"His attack on the chieftainess indicates the beginning of the destruction of traditional leadership in the country," he said.
"It sets a bad precedence for future leaders and that is a big challenge for us. It's a threat to shut us up so that we don't raise concerns against the party in power. To me that is not the way to run or govern a country, where you feel that because you are in power, you do not want to listen to any voice with divergent views."
Chief Nalubamba backed chieftainess Nkomeshya for remaining firm in advocating development in her area, which government had shunned.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHIEF NALUBAMBA, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Nalubamba backs Nkomeshya
By Moses Kuwema
Wed 15 June 2011, 06:20 CAT
SENIOR chief Bright Nalubamba says chieftainess Nkomeshya’s concerns on development are a reflection of what is happening countrywide. Commenting on remarks by chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people that most of the developmental projects in her area had been turned into white elephants, chief Nalubamba said he was in full support of the Soli chief’s statement because that was the case countrywide.
“What she is saying reflects our concern and what is happening countrywide because these people when they bring the so-called development they don’t consult the people to find out their needs.
You cannot talk about bringing in schools without desks, where do the pupils sit? The problem is that these people when they are elected, they think they are wiser than everybody else,” chief Nalubamba said.
He wondered how areas like his chiefdom which were far from Lusaka could progress if a place like Chongwe which was near the central government could complain about lack of development.
“There is need to improve consultations because if people are not consulted, you end up bringing things which people have not asked for the community should participate,” he said.
Chief Nalubamba said the linkage between the government and the people at the grassroots was currently missing in the country.
He said the current situation was such that people were being given whatever the government thought of even when they were not among the priorities.
“There is a lot the government can do by shifting from the current scenario where everything was centralised to decentralisation because at the moment the community's participation is very negative because people are only given what leaders think of and this should not be the case because I would like to believe that our democracy is a participatory one.
It is not enough to address rallies and tell people what you intend to do, you need to engage them in discussions,” he said.
Chief Nalubamba also said there was need for leaders to change their mentality of being partisan all the time and consider every citizen as their child but that it was unfortunate that people in government did not understand things that way.
And chief Nalubamba has described the meeting that was held recently in his chiefdom with opposition political party leaders from the Patriotic Front and UPND as fruitful because it gave people an opportunity to air their views, which the two parties should look into in the event that they came into power.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHIEF NALUBAMBA, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA
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Nalubamba, Macha deny endorsing Rupiah
By Edwin Mbulo in Choma
Tue 26 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT
CHIEFS of Southern Province did not meet to endorse President Rupiah Banda at the Mazabuka April 19 chiefs' meeting, says chief Bright Nalubamba. Chief Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala district said chief Mukuni should not deepen the misunderstanding between chiefs and the government in Southern Province.
“The story in the Daily Mail of Saturday is very unfortunate because the meeting of the Royal Foundation of Zambia was a consultative meeting. There is no way the chairman chief Mukuni could issue a press statement in Livingstone over what was not resolved,” chief Nalubamba said.
He said attempts to convene a meeting for all the chiefs through chief Macha the night before the consultative meeting was not held as the chiefs could not trace chief Mukuni's whereabouts.
“We tried to call him on the 18th but it seems he was busy with other things. During the meeting, the permanent secretary invited chief Mukuni to give opening remarks and uttered words we were not in support of and on the agenda there was an item of a closed door meeting and as chiefs we had planned to question chief Mukuni in the presence of the President over what he had said, but that was not to be,” chief Nalubamba said.
He said chief Mukuni said what he said without shame because that was not the resolve of all of the chiefs but his personal views.
“My advice is that let chief Mukuni stop reducing the President in the eyes of the chiefs. Our meeting in Mazabuka was full of nonsense and we were not offered an opportunity to meet the President as stated on the agenda,” chief Nalubamba said.
He said attempts to meet chief Mukuni on the morning of 19th April could not yield anything as he was reportedly busy having documents typed.
“He came in a few minutes before the President. He should not deepen the misunderstanding between chiefs and the government,” chief Nalubamba said “Why meet at the residence of the Permanent Secretary [where the press statement was issued? What is going on? If we had met as chiefs and it was resolved that we endorse President Banda, I would be telling you that we did as there would be nothing to hide.”
Chief Nalubamba said in 2008, chiefs in Southern Province endorsed President Banda on the premise that the MMD’s mandate should not be disturbed due to the untimely death of President Levy Mwanawasa.
“This should not be linked to our resolve for the 2008 elections as we wanted to save taxpayers' money. This year’s elections are tripartite and we should allow all political parties to seek mandate from the people,” said chief Nalubamba.
And chief Macha of Choma district said at no time did the 41 chiefs from Southern Province ever meet to discuss the endorsement of President Banda.
Chief Macha said the chiefs' meeting was at the invitation of the government but the chiefs got surprised when it was said that they had requested for the conference.
“At no time did we ever meet to discuss the endorsement of President Rupiah Banda. There were three or four chiefs who were coming up with suggestions but we said that we should wait until we all gathered so that we could agree or disagree, and that was never held,” said chief Macha.
He said it would be unfair for the chiefs to take a political stance by endorsing a political party as the traditional leaders were supposed to be non-partisan.
“It was not a question of endorsement. Chief Mukuni is the man who got the documents typed in his capacity as chairperson of the Royal Foundation of Chiefs but we did not meet to discuss the issue,” he said.
Chief Macha said during the conference, chief Mwanachingwala gave a vote of thanks and said that the 2008 resolutions still stood.
“We were in a conference and chief Mwanachingwala said that in his vote of thanks. Because we were in his chiefdom and we could not start arguing, he said what he said in his personal capacity and not as a resolution. Chief Mukuni spoke and said what he said but who told him? I was there. And if you ask any other chief, you will be told that there was no meeting to discuss the endorsement of RB,” chief Macha said.
He said chiefs were supposed to be principled and should speak exactly what was said. Chief Macha said there was no assurance that all the chiefs in the province belonged to one particular political.
“It is very unfair to the other political parties. We are supposed to be non-partisan. So take it from me that at no time did the 41 chiefs meet to discuss the endorsement, those who spoke highlighted the developments that are taking place in their areas,” chief Macha said.
And Southern Province PF chairman Joseph Akafumba said the stance taken by the provincial permanent secretary Gladys Kristafor to turn a government house into an MMD command centre should be condemned.
“She is a civil servant but we have seen that of late she is an MMD cadre who was even distributing MMD chitenge material in Mazabuka. She has now even turned a government house into a command centre where chief Mukuni endorsed President Banda,” Akafumba said.
He asked what chief Mukuni would do when President Banda lost this year’s elections.
“The man is going out of office and what will the chief do? It is lowering the chiefs' integrity if the chiefs did what chief Mukuni is saying,” Akafumba said.
Chief Mukuni was quoted in Friday’s Daily Mail as saying that chiefs in Southern Province, at the April 19 2011 chiefs' conference in Mazabuka, upheld their 2008 resolutions to support President Banda for the forthcoming tripartite elections.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHIEF MACHA, CHIEF MUKUNI
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Nalubamba guides on candidates
By Edwin Mbulo
Sun 03 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT
ZAMBIANS need leaders who will not go into public office for selfish reasons, says senior chief Bright Nalubamba. And chief Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala in Southern Province has backed Col Panji Kaunda's support for Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata in this year's presidential elections.
In an interview, Nalubamba said people should not vote for a political party but for a character who is principled: “not somebody who is selfish and just out there to fill his or her tummy.”
“We need change, we need leaders who will not go in leadership for selfish reasons, the current crop of leaders are what the Tongas would term ‘Nchelelebula’ which means one who is selfish, one who wants to fill up their tummies while the majority of people wallowed in poverty,” chief Nalubamba said.
Chief Nalubamba said leaders were servants of the people and that they did not need to beat or kill the citizens.
“My desire, my wish as a villager is that we should not waste our votes anymore, let us vote for people who appreciate us,” chief Nalubamba said. “Let us bring about that change through the ballot and not through violence. Leaders should consult with the people on what they want and they should state if they were ready to meet those needs.”
He said nothing will stop the people from achieving the change they desire, with or without the pact.
Chief Nalubamba said despite the differences between the PF and UPND, the two main opposition parties should be united for change to take place.
“It is regrettable that the pact has come to an end but I hope the people’s hopes have not died with the death of the pact. There is need for a common ground for change, the breakup should not blind the two parties, however nothing will stop the people from achieving the change they desire,” chief Nalubamba said.
He said just like he has high hopes, the PF and UPND should stop attacking each other and instead respond to the expectations of the people for change.
Chief Nalubamba said the opposition needed to look at the change the people needed like Col Panji had done by indicating that despite being UPND, he would support and vote for the PF leader.
“The Panji way is the best, let us be courageous enough, if the PF and the UPND fielded 150 parliamentary candidates, people should not vote for a political party but for a character who is principled, not somebody who is selfish and just out there to fill his or her tummy,” he said.
Chief Nalubamba said people this year would not go to the polls for nothing but for change.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, PANJI KAUNDA, PF
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Nalubamba vows not to embrace corrupt regime
By George Zulu in Monze
Wed 21 Apr. 2010, 03:40 CAT
SENIOR chief Bright Nalubamba of Namwala district has said no amount of threats and intimidation will ever stop him from talking openly and frankly on matters that concern the poor in times of great desperation.
In an interview in Monze, chief Nalubamba said he would continue to speak for the poor in an honest and responsible manner to those in authority.
“Otherwise what am I a leader for if I cannot speak for the poor in times of great need and desperation?” chief Nalubamba asked. “Can I ask a simple question to my beloved President, whom do you consider a friend or an enemy? Is it an appeaser or a critic?”
He said the main purpose of criticising the government’s performance was to help them respond positively to the people’s concerns.
“If refusing to baptise corruption and bad governance is a crime and not to aid good governance and development, then I am ready to be persecuted, prosecuted and imprisoned for saying the truth and refusing to be part of the corrupt regime. Why should those in authority intimidate me for criticising them for mismanagement of the rule of law and governance of this country. Things they are doing are not helping to serve the interest of the poor but those few corrupt individuals,” Nalubamba observed.
He said he would not buy cheap friendship through appeasement of those in power because it was shortsighted and a sure way of assisting people like President Rupiah Banda to dig their own graves.
“Why? I do not buy for cheap, deadly and costly friendship through appeasement to those in power because I know what they do not know. Appeasement is shortsighted and a sure way of assisting the so-called friends to dig their own graves. Is that what they call good friendship?
The appeasement you call loyalty to the authority is what I strongly condemn as disloyalty to authority, and I shall not appease any government for money in khaki envelops or even gold,” Nalubamba said.
He said he had chosen to be poor but free to speak on behalf of the people and critically look at the governance and development of the country he loves so much.
“Mr President, the criticism we make as honest citizens of this country is designed not to insult you and your government but to urge you and government to critically look and address the concern of the citizenry,” he said.
“For instance, if we say don’t embrace the corrupt criminals we do it out of love and not hate for you because we know what damage corrupt criminals have done to this country and how much the Zambian people have suffered and lost because of rampant corruption in the system.”
Nalubamba questioned President Banda’s decision to turn him into a campaign issue during his recent visit to Milanzi in Eastern Province.
He said it was cheap and old political fashion to drag him into politics.
“I am not scared. As I said, let him President Banda go ahead and degazette me. Does he want me to bury my head in the sand? No, I will speak at all times to ensure that my people and other poor voices are heard. How can the whole President make chief Nalubamba of Namwala district an election campaign issue in Milanzi in the Eastern Province?” asked Nalubamba.
Recently, President Banda said he had been receiving calls from some people to degazette chief Nalubamba following his critical stance on his government but he would not do that.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, POVERTY
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Nalubamba challenges Chiluba to sue
By Patson Chilemba
Wed 10 Feb. 2010, 11:00 CAT
SENIOR chief Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala district has challenged Frederick Chiluba to sue him if he has guts to do so.
Reacting to former president Chiluba's threat to take legal action against those who are calling for the stripping of his presidential benefits on grounds that he is back in active politics, chief Nalubamba said he was ready to meet Chiluba in court.
“If he has got guts, he can go ahead. You can't stop people to speak out when things are not going well by threats of that nature. That is not the way to help the country. If he doesn't believe what The Post say, if he doesn't believe what former finance minister Ng'andu Magande is saying, if he doesn't believe what I say, then let him take the right action or the right case,” chief Nalubamba said.
“You know that is the very man who stopped Dr Kenneth Kaunda from receiving his benefits just because Kaunda was speaking for UNIP. You can see when rules or laws are made targeting individuals.
They are shameless laws. At one time some people were saying that for one to be Republican president, they must not be more than 70 years. Now if that law was passed, what would it mean to President Rupiah Banda now? You see let's make laws targeting the nation. The nation should be our priority, the country, not just because chief Nalubamba one day made a statement, which you don't like, so you must shut him up by making a law against him. Next time they will shut you up using the same law."
Chief Nalubamba said Chiluba was caught in the same law he made to target Dr Kaunda.
“Now they did it to Dr Kaunda, it is now on Chiluba, but Chiluba is now saying he has rights more than what Dr Kaunda had,” he said.
Chief Nalubamba wondered why Chiluba was not quick to sue those who called him a thief.
“You see in my view, to be called a thief is more shameful than to be said to have broken that law about former presidents. So if I were him, I would have felt more shameful when people call me a thief. That is when I should have taken action against those people, other than this one. Maybe they are just threatening Magande, but I entirely agree with Lusaka lawyer Wynter Kabimba's statement. We will wait and see,” said chief Nalubamba.
Last Saturday, Chiluba threatened to sue those who were calling for the stripping of his benefits.
Those he threatened include Post Newspapers, Chilanga MMD member of parliament Ng’andu Magande, chief Nalubamba, chief Chona and Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Kabimba.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHILUBA
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Chiluba is damaging MMD – Nalubamba
By Patson Chilemba
Sun 31 Jan. 2010, 04:00 CAT
THE MMD is damaging its 2011 election prospects by trying to promote Frederick Chiluba's image, senior chief Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala district has observed.
Commenting on the adoption of the clause by the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) which ensures the restoration of the presidential immunity once someone has been cleared of criminal allegations, as well as former president Frederick Chiluba's campaigns for President Rupiah Banda on the Copperbelt, chief Nalubamba said it was there for all to see how Chiluba squandered public resources and mismanaged the country.
“So, we can't allow anyone to squander our money. If anything, I can assure you, the fact that they are trying to promote the image of Chiluba in the country, they are damaging their prospects for the 2011 elections,” chief Nalubamba said.
“I want to say that they have embraced the wrong person to campaign for MMD because Zambians know what Chiluba did. And even the Vice-President George Kunda to change his mind, when he came back from UK to say 'yes, Chiluba stole public property and the London judgment is against him', are you not aware that is what he said when he came back from UK?
“And we spent a lot of Zambian money on the prosecution, but for what if we had no case against Chiluba?”
On the NCC's adoption of the restoration of the immunity, chief Nalubamba said some clauses that were being adopted at the NCC were against the will of the people.
“Anyway laws are made by the people. What you make as a law today can be unmade. We can unmake that law, we can amend that law. I am sure when Zambians come in the office, with the true heart of the people, they will definitely amend that law, if it becomes law,” chief Nalubamba said. “My prayer is that those who are going to come in as members of parliament next election, they must amend that law.”
On Chiluba's statement in Friday's edition of the Times of Zambia that the decision to adopt the clause on the immunity was in the interest of the people, saying he was happy that governance by the rule of law was being protected and defended by the NCC delegates, chief Nalubamba said this was the same Chiluba who said he was an ambassador of Christ and was not governed by the laws of this land.
“Now, first of all that is most unfortunate that the man who was ruling Zambia using the law of this land can make such a horrible statement,” chief Nalubamba said. “I don't know if whether it is the responsibility of the NCC to remove or restore the immunity of the former president whose case is not even complete yet. As an individual, I am very confused. What is it that is taking too long to register the London judgment? Why are they taking too long? What is it that they are hiding?”
Chief Nalubamba reminded President Banda that he was embracing a liability, who had been accused of criminal activities.
“So if I were the President, I would distance myself from him, so that people don't accuse me of any collusion,” he said.
Chief Nalubamba said he still did not understand how Chiluba was acquitted while his wife, Regina, who received stolen property from him was found guilty.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHILUBA
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Kunda is not right person to advise Rupiah - Nalubamba
By George Zulu in Monze
Thu 24 Dec. 2009, 04:01 CAT
SENIOR chief Bright Nalubamba has charged that Vice-President George Kunda is not the right person to advise President Rupiah Banda because he is not genuine in his conduct.
Commenting on the controversy surrounding the US $6.7 million compensation for Lusaka lawyer Dr Rodger Chongwe following the Kabwe shooting incident of 1997, Nalubamba said it was very unfortunate that the matter had not been maturely handled by President Banda and Vice-President Kunda.
He said the duo had allowed unnecessary controversy and embarrassment on the Office of the President over Dr Chongwe’s matter.
“Let the President tell the nation the truth about this matter. We need to know which one is government's position. Is it that of George Kunda or the earlier position President Banda announced in Kitwe recently? We are wondering how Mr Banda and Mr Kunda are divided on this matter.
The President says something else and his own Vice-President says another thing. Where is collective responsibility in this government?” chief Nalubamba asked. “Kunda is confusing the people of Zambia. What comes out of Kunda's mouth should always reflect the President's position, but in this government things have gone the other way. There is bad and poor governance."
He said President Banda needed to understand the importance of listening to advice in order to resolve some of the problems in his government.
“Mr Kunda, State Counsel is not the right person to be the chief advisor to President Banda and I’m sure that Mr Banda has been informed before. This is not the right man to occupy that office. He can mislead you. We are all aware the way he misled late president Levy Mwanawasa over the Kashiwa Bulaya case and he is the same man misleading Banda on many legal issues,” said chief Nalubamba.
“I don't know whether Kunda is indispensable but I have to say that he has done so much damage to this country and to President Banda's image and of government. He has done damage to government's reputation because if we were to judge governments on the basis of Kunda's conduct and utterances, I feel there is no government working for the people now in Zambia.”
Recently, President Banda said he stopped the payment of Dr Chongwe’s compensation claim because it was excessive.
But Vice-President Kunda justified government's intention to pay Dr Chongwe about US $6.7 million as compensation over the shooting incident.
Vice-President Kunda said since Zambia was a signatory to the UN Convention on Human Rights, it was important that such rights be respected.
Dr Chongwe has also justified his compensation claim, saying he was happy that President Banda was involved in the matter.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, GEORGE KUNDA, ROGER CHONGWE, RUPIAH BANDA
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People will suffer more if PF-UPND pact fails – Nalubamba
By Patson Chilemba
Fri 04 Dec. 2009, 04:01 CAT
SENIOR chief Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala district yesterday asked Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema to ensure that the PF-UPND pact works because the people will suffer more should it fail.
And chief Nalubamba asked Sata and Hichilema to authorise him and other chiefs to talk to some MMD members of parliament who include George Mpombo, Gabriel Namulambe, Ng'andu Magande and Sylvia Masebo for them to join the pact.
During a meeting, which chief Nalub-amba, chief Chim-buka and chief Hanjalika of Maza-buka district convened at Lusaka's Blue Nile Lodge yesterday, chief Nalubamba said there should be concerted efforts to fight the common enemy, the ruling MMD.
“We pray that this pact of yours, or should I say ours, should be strong enough to its last day. You must be strong enough because if again honourable members of the pact, if again before 2011, this pact is disorganised, you are the people who are going to make us suffer more than we have suffered,” chief Nalubamba said. “And do not allow even small parties, you must bring them together.
Don't consider them as enemies. There are no permanent enemies in politics in my view. These guys who are very outspoken people like Mpombo, people like Masebo, people like Magande, people like Namulambe, you talk to them, see how best you can bring them together so that we fight the common enemy. I am sure they will be ready to do just that. They will be ready to join you. So we feel that let us find a common ground where these people might be tapped, where we can tap their power. We must talk to them. If you people can't talk to them, we pray that you give us authority to talk to them as chiefs because we are concerned. We don't want them to form small parties towards an election time.”
Chief Nalubamba said people should join the pact with a good purpose of wanting to contribute to the organisation, and not to seek political appointments.
He said people like former finance minister Magande could help the pact in terms of image building because of his good reputation, locally and internationally, when he served as minister.
“Mpombo who has been issuing statements every day can make a difference,” chief Nalubamba said.
Chief Nalubamba said he did not understand the type of democracy Zambia was practicing because those in authority perceived chiefs who dialogued with the opposition to be anti-government.
“I think we the three chiefs needed to meet the leadership of the pact simply because we wanted to know from you the leadership what kind of democracy you intend for this country when your time comes because what we have seen is the democracy we have had, I don't know whether it's based on the United States, British or African mentality because we have a democracy where it is almost criminal to talk to an opposition when in actual fact we know that the opposition is an alternative government,” chief Nalubamba said.
“They those in government become hopeless and uncomfortable when they see an opposition talking to chiefs as you are talking to us now. That is why perhaps it may not be good news for them to hear that from the court you came here with your entourage and met us. They will be uncomfortable. But how do we get to know you in order for us to give you a vote you need from us? Is it proper really for Zambians to give a blind vote to people they don't know?”
Chief Nalubamba hoped the PF-UPND pact had learnt lessons from the manner those in MMD behaved so that they could do things different once they came into office in 2011. He said the PF-UPND pact could nominate some chiefs to leadership positions once they assumed office because the chiefs lived with the people.
And Patriotic Front (PF) president Sata wondered why chiefs had been marginalised because the Rhodesian government survived on the chiefs. He said he served in former president Frederick Chiluba's Cabinet, saying the former president introduced a clause in the Constitution to bar chiefs from politics because he was scared on chief Inyambo Yeta.
Sata said chief Nalubamba had started the process of organising other chiefs on matters related to the pact.
UPND president Hichilema said the pact had come together because a minority government had been in power since 2001.
He said the challenge the pact faced was for its members to stop competing amongst themselves, saying there was no more competition. Hichilema said the perception that the pact was for the Bembas and Tongas should be broken because the total sum of 62 per cent the pact got in the 2008 elections did not come from Bembas and Tongas alone.
“Currently we need to deal with electoral reforms otherwise we have to build our own armies to protect our vote,” said Hichilema.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHIEFS, PF-UPND
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Zambians are ready for change – Nalubamba
By George Chellah
Mon 30 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT
ZAMBIANS are ready for change, come what may, senior chief Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people of Southern Province has observed. In an interview, chief Nalubamba said it was only those who wanted to underrate Zambians that could say they were not ready for change.
"But from the look of things... I was in Kaunda days myself. I worked as a member of central committee. I know that Zambians are vying for change and you can't just play about Zambians the way you want to play about. Zambians are informed people, they listen, they hear and they are very informed," chief Nalubamba said.
"So one must be careful the way you handle the affairs of Zambians because they will disappoint you. I am pretty certain that Zambians are ready for change, come what may and that's not bad for the country. It's also a lesson for any government that comes into power in 2011 that you don't play about lives of the people in a light manner."
Chief Nalubamba said if PF leader Michael Sata or UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema formed government today or tomorrow, they should not be afraid of the opposition.
"They don't have to wait until five years lapses before the opposition's views are known to the people. If anything there must be interaction between the opposition and the ruling party so that they will be able to see that 'are we going the right way?' and the opposition must not be greedy. They must be available to give advice," he said.
Chief Nalubamba said the PF/UPND pact has come at the right time.
"Let me tell you: if the opposition in a democracy is an alternative government, I want to say that the pact has come at the right time. It has come at the right time, people have expressed views on how the government must be. But those views have been ignored. I want to believe that the pact will take into consideration the people.
They are with the people, they must take the views of the people correctly so that when they come into government they will be well enlightened about the wishes of the people correctly," chief Nalubamba said.
"The pact must be commended… who told you that even when the pact comes into power in 2011, who told you that they must be in power forever and ever? There must be change...in a democracy like in Britain and America people change systems, today it's Labour tomorrow it's Conservatives."
Chief Nalubamba wondered why Namwala UPND member of parliament Major Robbie Chizyuka filed an injunction against his expulsion if he was as popular in Namwala as he claims.
He also said traditional leaders live with people and know their needs more than anybody could claim to know.
"And we should be in a position to express their needs to whoever cares so that the politicians can respond effectively to the needs of the people. Even if you come to talk to us about clean water, about agriculture, veterinary services, about education and health...to me those are main elements of democracy and good governance," chief Nalubamba said.
"One should seek office as a politician and talk about how you can provide services in these various sections to the people. But the politicians don't see it that way either for selfish or greedy reasons.
They think that we are a threat to them, we are not. If anything, we are a very important stakeholder and we must be looked upon as people who can provide a service to the people as long as the linkage between the village and the national leaders is strengthened.
"As chiefs what we must do now is to wake up to a point where this linkage from the village to the national level through the province and from the province right down to the village must be strengthened so that we see the flow of information from the government to the people at lower level is facilitated effectively."
Chief Nalubamba said chiefs were not tools of the politicians.
"We are tools of the people for whom we are leaders. Those are our masters. If anything there is nothing to stop a chief from telling a government frankly and openly what the people's wishes are.
Otherwise, using us as a political tool just to sing praises for politicians even if they have not done well is an impossibility to any open-minded man," chief Nalubamba said. "We want to believe that our masters must be served properly.
If I praise you, it's because of your service delivery to my masters. If I criticise you it is for a purpose I want you to change for the better so that you can respond to the wishes of the people in a more effective manner."
Chief Nalubamba urged the government to dialogue with traditional leaders.
"When I talk, they think chief Nalubamba is anti-us, they don't even know I am talking for a purpose," said chief Nalubamba.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, PF-UPND
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UPND-PF condemns MMD for threatening Nalubamba
By Sututu Katundu
Thu 29 Oct. 2009, 15:00 CAT
THE UPND/PF pact has condemned government for threatening senior chief Bright Nalubamba of the Ila people of Namwala in the Southern province of Zambia for supporting opposition political leaders.
Speaking in Lusaka yesterday, UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said there was nothing wrong with the chief giving his views.
“It is disgusting that the whole government can descend on a chief that has democratically given his view. We have seen in the past the MMD parading chiefs,” he said.
Kakoma said government should stop abusing chiefs in that manner. “We have seen them (chiefs) openly campaigning so what is wrong with senior chief Nalubamba giving his views?” he asked.
He said the pact would support anyone who is in favour of the pact. “We fully support him, he is chief of the people who are in support of the pact and is telling government that come 2011 government will lose to the pact.”
“We therefore condemn government for issuing threats to the chief. We shall use our power to defend chief Nalubamba and anyone supporting the pact in the country,” said Kakoma.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHARLES KAKOMA, CHIEFS, ELECTIONS, MMD, PF-UPND
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