HH warned and cautioned as cadres clash with Police
By Kombe Mataka
Mon 13 Jan. 2014, 16:40 CAT
TEAR gas canisters were fired while three cadres were briefly detained this morning when UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema appeared at Woodlands Police Station for questioning.
Hichilema's supporters were at Woodlands Station as early as 08:00hours to offer solidarity and complied with police over a barricade it had mounted to avoid the station to be over crowded.
Troubled started when Hichilema arrived and the cadres started pushing their way into the police station forcing police to fire tear gas and flogged some cadres who were tempting force their way into the police station along with HH.
In the process police mistakenly beat up Chikankata Member of Parliament Munji Habeenzu and a journalist Kalani Muchima from Prime Media TV.
Hichilema, who was summoned for questioning, was subsequently warned and cautioned.
And a cadre caused a scare when she sprinkled some powder on Hichilema, who thought the police had fired another teargas carnister.
Police that were watching the UPND leader leave mocked, "Ayopa aona monga ni teargas kansi ni uunga(he is scared, he thought it was teargas)."
The cadres later temporally blocked the around about along Pick 'n' Pay bringing business around the area to a standstill.
Labels: CADRES, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, UPND
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PF is going the MMD way on cadre discipline
By Editor
Tue 08 Oct. 2013, 14:00 CAT
We think the Patriotic Front leadership is making a very grave mistake by allowing the type of cadres that the MMD had in Lusaka to emerge in their party.
What we are seeing is a replica of the type of party the MMD had in Lusaka before the 2011 elections. The MMD had developed a very violent team of cadres that took over the party and its activities in Lusaka.
This group of cadres reigned by violence, intimidation and to some extent blackmail. They became untouchable. No MMD leader could dare go against them. The only person they could listen to, without question, was the party president. They won the support of the president by showing him unquestionable and unwavering support.
And with the support of the president, they created a lot of political space for themselves to manoeuvre without anybody stopping them. They enjoyed themselves - they had the money, they attended any state function even without invitation. The party leadership tolerated them, could not question them or denounce their behaviour because it was too risky politically for them to do so. Tolerating them meant them being seen to be on the side of the president. Not even the police could do anything about their unruly or violent behaviour.
But what the MMD leadership did not realise was that this unruly and violent behaviour of their cadres was costing them general public support needed to win elections. Their behaviour left the public dismayed and disheartened. These cadres became the face of the MMD. But it was a hated face of the MMD. The more unruly, violent and assertive these cadres became, the more the MMD became unpopular with the masses of our people.
Of course, we do realise that most of the PF's key politicians came from the MMD. Most of them only joined the Patriotic Front after the 2006 elections. Some were even MMD parliamentary candidates in 2006 itself. It is therefore not surprising that they have brought with them that type of behaviour into the Patriotic Front.
The behaviour of Patriotic Front cadres in Lusaka is leaving many people, many voters dismayed and disheartened. Generally, the Zambian people want to see politics conducted in a peaceful and honest way, devoid of any violence and slander of political opponents. They want to see political leaders and their cadres guided by the truth, integrity and justice.
It is necessary for Patriotic Front leaders and their cadres to always remind themselves that the politics they are engaging in should be for the good of the country and the people, and not for the political survival of any individual or party. If the spirit of the primacy of the common good were to animate them, we would not be witnessing the unruly behaviour, the violence, wrangling, bickering and power struggling which leaves the masses of our people dismayed and disheartened.
In the present atmosphere of fierce competition and character assassination, it is necessary for the leaders and cadres of the Patriotic Front to remind themselves of the noble goals of political activity.
And as we have pointed out before, there is need for the Patriotic Front to reexamine the type of cadres they have and ask themselves: is this the kind of cadre the Patriotic Front needs or does not need?
The Zambian people want to see party cadres who conduct themselves in a more humane, humble and sober manner. They don't want to see party cadres who behave as if they are all the time high on dagga or intoxicated with alcohol.
The Zambian people want to see party cadres who are selfless and who are not simply looking for cuts or for personal benefits in this or that. Today's party cadres seem to be for hire to the highest bidder. Those who are ready to part with money control them. A senior MMD politician once told us that "wherever you see cadres marching, protesting, beating people and engaging in all sorts of violence, someone has forked out money". This seems to be true not only for MMD cadres but for Patriotic Front cadres as well as for those in the UPND. And this is why our politics are increasingly becoming violent. We are so often witnessing intra-party and inter-party cadre violence. Why? It is simply because there is someone paying for it; cadres are being rewarded for being violent and unruly.
Zambia needs a different type of cadres from what we have today. We need party cadres who are rooted and grounded in society, and understand what their role is in transforming our country. We need cadres who are ready to influence people, communities and structures by their exemplary humane behaviour.
But it is not by accident that things are what they are today with our party cadres. There has been an increasing decline in political morality, ethics and values in the country. And this has caused considerable damage to the moral standing of our politicians and their party cadres.
There is need for the Patriotic Front and other political parties in our country to start paying a lot of attention to the training of cadres. This is the only way we will be able to strengthen our multiparty political dispensation because this can only be done by cadres who are well grounded politically. Our political parties need to make some internal assessments of the way they are operating if they are to positively respond to the needs, aspirations and interests of our people.
Of course, the membership of the Patriotic Front has been growing very fast since coming to power. Why? This is simply because this is where the eating is taking place. And this growth in membership is not reflected in the activities of the Patriotic Front. Most members and some of the leadership, even at central committee level, are not involved in the daily life of the party. The activities of the party are actually being run by elements without any party positions. There is need to assess the members of the party and the central committee members on the basis of their deployments and their work within the organisation. This is the only way they will be able to build a party of activists and not merely members. There is need to invest resources in the development of cadres and ensure that they are being properly inducted and educated on party policies and that there are continuous political education programmes for them.
In order to guarantee that the Patriotic Front does not change its colour, the party must not only have a correct line and correct policies but must train and bring up thousands of party cadres to carry on its work. This is an extremely important issue, a matter of life and death for the Patriotic Front. It is a matter of fundamental importance for the present and the future of the party. And from the highest structures down to the grassroots, they must everywhere give constant attention to the training and upbringing of cadres. They must purposefully train thousands of cadres and hundreds of first-rate mass leaders who are loyal and devoted in serving the nation and their party.
This is important because it is on these cadres that the party relies for its links with the masses. Given the importance of their tasks, such cadres must be free from selfishness, from individualistic heroism, ostentation, sloth, passivity and arrogant sectarianism. Such are the qualities and style of work demanded of party cadres.
Cadres are a decisive factor, once the political line is determined. Therefore, it is important to train large numbers of new cadres in a planned way.
Labels: CADRES, MULENGA SATA, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Sata will handle PF indiscipline - Mulenga
By Tilyenji Mwanza
Tue 08 Oct. 2013, 14:01 CAT
MULENGA Sata says party officials should not use him to get to his father. A few weeks ago some PF members in Lusaka sent a petition to President Michael Sata through his son Mulenga, demanding for the removal of Kabimba as secretary general of the party.
The cadres, who had earlier been involved in a fight with another PF group which was against endorsing President Sata for another term, said they wanted Mulenga to talk to his father over going for another term and to deal with Kabimba.
The group had marched to Mulenga's home, where they presented the petition.
The cadres also petitioned Sata's son to have Lusaka district and provincial leaderships dissolved.
Mulenga promised to convey the message to the party leadership including Kabimba, Vice President Guy Scott and his father.
Mulenga was also among officials that attended a consultative meeting in Lusaka that deliberated on Kabimba's issue and which culminated in a resolution to remove the secretary general.
He later said he wanted Kabimba to continue as secretary general.
And in an interview, Mulenga, who is Lusaka deputy mayor, said there were many things going on in the party but they should not be addressed through him.
"I do not want to speak in the capacity as my father or be used to get to my father. The indiscipline going on in the party will be handled by the big man. I do not want to be used in this. I do not want to be used by anyone," said Mulenga after being asked about the indiscipline that was going on in the PF.
Mulenga observed that with President Michael Sata's return from the US, the PF house would be put in order.
"With the big man back, things will return to order and I expect people to go to him for answers; not look to me for answers. Yes, in the past I was used to take a message of concern to my father but that was in the past and now that he is back, let these things go to him," he said.
Mulenga said he was saddened by the wrangles in the PF and called on the party leadership to address them.
"I am urging party leadership to take up more responsibility. However, I know the party leadership is working on the matter," said Mulenga.
Labels: CADRES, MULENGA SATA, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Katete police release PF cadres
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Tue 01 Oct. 2013, 14:00 CAT
POLICE in Katete on Sunday released four PF officials who were detained on Saturday after the beat and stripped naked some District Executive Committee members that were holding a meeting at a named lodge.
According to PF sources, the cadres were released on Sunday. When asked to confirm reports on the release of the cadres, district chairperson Joseph Duma Makukula referred all queries to provincial chairperson Lameck Mangani.
"I am not allowed to issue any statement at the moment so you can contact the provincial chairperson," Makukula said.
By press time Mangani's mobile phones were off.
Mangani is expected to hold a meeting with PF officials in Katete to iron out their differences.
Some district executive committee members were allegedly whipped by PF cadres after they attempted to hold a meeting to look at various issues affecting the party in the district.
Sources say Makukula refused to attend the meeting and reported to Mangani that his colleagues wanted to remove him from his position.
Mangani then advised that the meeting should not go ahead and promisedto have an audience with the party officials.
Before the party officials dispersed, some party cadres emerged and started whipping them.
Some officials like district secretary Moses Phiri were stripped naked and allegedly robbed of their monies by the cadres.
Katete police later detained the culprits.
On Sunday, Makukula told The Post that he was having an audience with the officer in-charge at Katete police station over the matter.
Some PF members attributed the party's embarrassing defeat during the previous Mkaika by-election to the confusions that have rocked the ruling party.
Labels: CADRES, KATETE
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Lunacy, lack of civility in PF
By Editor
Fri 27 Sep. 2013, 14:00 CAT
What is going on in the Patriotic Front and its government is pure lunacy. And lunacy is always distressing, but sometimes it is dangerous; and when you get it manifested in a political party and government's top or key leaders, it is about time it should be ruthlessly put away.
The confusion and anarchy that is going on in the Patriotic Front and its government is starting to have effect on the operations of government. Most of the operations are paralysed, ministers are not working as they should be working. But they are being paid salaries, they are driving government automobiles and burning government fuel; they are using government phones and talk time to fan anarchy, to quarrel among themselves.
And as if this was not enough, they are taking to the streets, to the central business district and are paralysing business. Traders have to close their shops in fear of looting. Vendors have to move their merchandise away. Of course, all this is at a cost. Production of economic goods and services is halted or disrupted. For what benefit?
If these squabbles, if this infighting in the Patriotic Front continues for a few more days or weeks in this way, the economic loss to the nation will be gigantic. And those responsible for this loss should be made to account to the Zambian people. Money, people's money cannot be lost in such a reckless way.
We are not saying Patriotic Front members should not quarrel, should not fight with each other or among themselves. What we are saying is that their internal party fights should not have such a cost on the nation, on the country. They should keep their fights among themselves in such a way that there is no spillover to the lives of others who have nothing to do with their problems.
It would be naïve and dishonest for anyone to expect a party of the size, diversity and complexity of the Patriotic Front to have no problems, no conflicts between or among its members. But if they want to remain in government and continue to be the country's ruling party, they have to behave differently and address their problems and challenges differently.
And in our view, there is no better way to solve problems or differences in a political party than the democratic way. Democracy is there for this sole purpose - resolving differences among people. This is so because as human beings, we possess a variety of sometimes contradictory desires. We want safety, yet we relish adventure; we aspire to individual freedom yet we demand social equality.
Democracy in any organisation or institution is no different. And it is important to recognise that many of the tensions, conflicts or even paradoxes that we see in the Patriotic Front today are present in many organisations and institutions. A central paradox exists between conflict and consensus. Democracy is in many ways nothing more than a set of rules for managing conflict or disagreements among people, organisations and institutions. At the same time, these disagreements or conflicts must be managed within certain limits and result in compromises, consensus or some other agreements that all sides accept as legitimate. An over-emphasis on one side of the equation can threaten the entire undertaking. If individuals or groups of individuals perceive democracy as nothing more than a forum in which they can press for their demands - as we have been hearing from the Patriotic Front in the last few days where it is being argued that those cadres being paid to go on the street and disrupt public business demanding the removal of the secretary general of their party are acting within their democratic right - their political party can shatter from within.
Democracy in any organisation or institution is not a machine that runs by itself once the proper principles and procedures are inserted. A democratic political party, like every other democratic institution or organisation, needs the commitment of its members and leaders who accept the inevitability of conflict as well as the necessity for tolerance, moderation and restraint.
It is for these reasons that the culture of democracy is so important to develop in our political parties and indeed in the management or administration of our national affairs. Individuals and groups must be willing, at a minimum, to tolerate each other's differences, recognising that the other side has valid rights and a legitimate point of view. And various sides to a dispute, disagreement or conflict can then meet in a spirit of compromise and seek a specific solution that builds on the general principle of majority rule and minority rights. This can be reached through debate and compromise.
In any organisation or institution, the essence of democratic action is coalition building. This is so because it teaches groups within an institution or organisation to compromise and work within the rules and procedures of the organisation or institution. In this way, those with differences, disagreements or conflicts learn how to argue peaceably, how to pursue their goals in a democratic manner, with civility and ultimately how to live in a world of diversity.
Clearly, democracy is not a set of revealed, unchanging truths, but the mechanism by which, through the clash and compromise of ideas, individuals and groups, the people can, however imperfectly, reach for truth. Democracy is pragmatic. Ideas and solutions to problems, differences or conflicts are not tested against a rigid ideology but tried in the real world where they can be argued over and changed, accepted or discarded.
And as we are starting to witness, democracy cannot protect against mistakes, end tribal strife or guarantee economic prosperity. It does, however, allow for debate and examination that can identify mistakes, permit groups to meet and resolve differences.
This is why we are insisting that the Patriotic Front leaders and members mull over things and look at their differences soberly and in a democratic way. There is no alternative to resolving their differences in a democratic way if they have to continue holding together. The alternative to this is a split, separation, expulsions or chasing of each other. Will this strengthen them or weaken them? Will this increase their capacity to deliver on the promises and pledges they made to the Zambian people in the run-up to the 2011 elections?
Labels: CADRES, PF
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Cops arrest 300 PF cadres for criminal trespass
By Allan Mulenga
Fri 27 Sep. 2013, 14:01 CAT
OVER 300 suspected PF cadres, including women vendors selling assorted merchandise around Trishul Farms in Lusaka West, have been arrested for criminal trespass. And police yesterday fought running battles with the cadres who blocked Mumbwa Road in Garden House area.
In the morning, police conducted an operation to remove the cadres who had encroached on 30 hectares of land belonging to a Mr Patel, owner of Trishul Farms.
Upon noticing police presence in the area, the suspected PF cadres mobilised themselves and rushed to Mumbwa road near Garden House Hotel to block police vehicles that were patrolling the area.
But the mob grew, forcing police to retreat thereby sparking a riot.
In the process, the mob looted several shops and Investrust Bank at Colosul Mall.
Police had to call for reinforcements.
Business around Garden House Hotel came to a standstill as the mob continued to terrorise the area, prompting shop owners and traders to abandon their shops as vehicles were prevented from passing through the area.
In an interview later, acting police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said those who were arrested for criminal trespass would appear in court today.
Hamoonga warned that police would not take kindly to land grabbing by party cadres.
"This morning around 10:00 hours we conducted an operation as Zambia Police. This was after having received numerous complaints relating to people trespassing on other people's property in Lusaka West. We had one of our biggest arrests this year; we have arrested well over 300 persons that were trespassing on a farm in Lusaka West," he said. "We just want to warn the public that as police, we are moving in and we will not relent to deal with any criminal elements of whatsoever political affiliation. We will ensure that they are dealt with."
Hamoonga said police action had shamed its critics who labelled the service a "toothless institution".
"These people that have been apprehended are over 300. As police we are working around the clock that tomorrow these people appear before the courts of law. We want to warn the public that those that have a tendency of buying illegal pieces of land stand to lose out. We will not take any unnecessary excuses from any person who will trespass on the land of another person, the legal owner," said Hamoonga.
Labels: CADRES, PF, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RAE HAMOONGA
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It's tribalists at work - Kabimba
By Allan Mulenga
Wed 25 Sep. 2013, 14:01 CAT
WE have a clique of tribalists emerging in the PF who are sponsoring anarchy, says the party's secretary general Wynter Kabimba. And slogan-chanting PF cadres yesterday morning marched from PF Lusaka district offices to the national secretariat housed at Lusaka House, demanding Kabimba's removal.
Reacting to the PF cadres demanding his removal as secretary general, Kabimba, who is also justice minister, said it is tribalists at work and he would not succumb to tribal elements in the party and relinquish his position.
"We have in PF a clique of tribalists that is emerging. The youths that you see marching on the streets of Lusaka today are being used as tools in the hands of a clique of tribalists that is emerging in the Patriotic Front. I didn't know myself or let me say that, I have been naive all along in my belief and judgement that all those of us that have been referring to UPND as being a tribal political party were themselves non-believers in tribalism. I have been naive," he said.
"The truth of the matter is that a lot of the people that have been condemning the UPND as being a political party of tribalists are themselves tribalists; maybe even stronger tribalists than UPND members."
Kabimba said a clique of "tribal elements" was financing PF cadres to cover up for their tribal agenda.
"In order to cover up for that tribal agenda, they have now resorted to hiring innocent youths to propel their political agenda. That is what is going on. These are the people that went to the people of Zambia in 2010 and 2011, campaigning that we would like to unite the country across ethnic diversity and that people should not vote for the UPND because it was ethnically tribal," he said. "The people of Zambia believed us in that message. After taking power, a clique now has emerged in PF which is more tribal in their thinking, in their action, in their attitude, in their deeds, than the UPND."
Kabimba said his contribution to the PF was across ethnic diversity.
"You can't cheat the Zambian people in that way. So, I am becoming the sacrificial lamb of that tribal agenda. Because I didn't go out to the Zambian people to cheat them, to lie to them that I was participating in the PF on tribal lines," he said.
"I genuinely believed and I still believe today that my service, my contribution to the PF as a political party and to the PF government, is to all Zambians across ethnic diversity."
Kabimba wondered why a "clique of tribalists" had emerged when the PF did not campaign on tribal lines.
"That was my position then and that is still my position today. I will never lie to the Zambian people the way this clique has lied. I want to make emphasis that those poor youths are being financed by this clique of tribalists that is emerging in the Patriotic Front after assuming power. And the Zambian people must judge them for what they are. Because this country has remained united, it remained united under UNIP because of ethnic unity," he said.
"That is the message we put to the Zambian people when we were campaigning, that MMD was taking us on the route of having this country divided on ethnic lines and we said as PF that we shall not allow that to happen."
And Kabimba said he would not succumb to the "clique of tribalists" to relinquish his position as PF secretary general.
"To my surprise, there existed and still exists in our midst a camp of tribal elements that think now that they can use the youths on the streets to achieve their tribal agenda. This is the core of this anarchy being fuelled by these tribal elements. The sooner we get them exposed, the better for the unity of this country. I will not succumb to these tribal elements," said Kabimba.
And business in the central business district of Lusaka came to a standstill yesterday morning when PF cadres chanting anti-Kabimba slogans staged a peaceful procession.
The placard-carrying cadres were also chanting Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba's names.
They vowed to continue staging protests until Kabimba relinquishes his position.
Police had to be called in to calm the situation as the crowd became violent upon joining Cairo Road from Kafue Roundabout.
This prompted pedestrians to rush to the roadside to catch a glimpse of what was happening.
Meanwhile, PF deputy secretary general Bridget Atanga said the wrangles in the party could only be resolved by President Michael Sata and Kabimba.
Atanga said the behaviour of PF cadres was embarrassing in the eyes of the opposition.
"I am just too junior; this problem can only be solved by the President himself and the secretary general himself. The President and the secretary general have to make a decision. At the end of the day, I don't think anybody can solve this problem. I am not against Mr Kabimba. I have worked with Mr Kabimba well. After all, in every institution where there are two people or so, the're always differences, but they are not differences that one would want another person to suffer," Atanga said.
"I am also watching the top bosses and see how they will solve this problem. I am just too junior to solve it myself. It is very sad; even our opponents will start laughing at us. We feel embarrassed us who are found in office. It is like we have failed to tame them (cadres). These are the majority voters and when we were fighting, they were there through and through. We just have to handle them properly."
And PF Lusaka district chairperson Robert Chikwelete said PF cadres would not stop protesting until Kabimba relinquishes his position.
Chikwelete, who was recently recognised as PF Lusaka district chairperson, said the removal of Kabimba from his position was in the interest of the party.
Labels: CADRES, TRIBALISM, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Held at ransom by party cadres
By Editor
Sun 22 Sep. 2013, 14:00 CAT
THERE is something that has seriously gone wrong with the behaviour of our political cadres, especially those of the ruling Patriotic Front.
Cadres of the Patriotic Front seem to be holding everybody to ransom by insisting that since it is them who led the campaign for Michael Sata to win the presidency and put their party in power, they alone have the sacred right to rule, to do as they please and to be everywhere they want to be. End of debate. The rest is fear, silence and bewilderment.
The opening of Parliament on Friday was a ceremony whose attendance was by invitation. But Patriotic Front cadres took it over. The guards at the gates of Parliament failed to stop them from getting in. They invaded Parliament and made it difficult for members of parliament to mingle freely with the invited guests who included diplomats. They drank their heads off. They were collecting more beer to drink than they could drink. It was an embarrassing sight.
We are not in any way trying to say that Patriotic Front cadres should not be invited to state functions. What we are trying to say is simply that they should attend state functions by invitation. If they are invited, they should attend. If they are not invited, they shouldn't be there.
It seems our politicians are allowing their lives to be run by party cadres for as long as it means that they are seen to be on the side of the dominant political forces in the ruling party. Whatever political contribution the cadres made to put the Patriotic Front in power, is not licence for them to conduct themselves in any manner they want.
There has to be discipline. There is a clear breakdown in discipline.
This is our tragedy, the inability to value every single innocent life and bring happiness to our people without demanding eternal gratitude. And it seems the Patriotic Front, as a party, is happy with all this.
But this is what happens if discipline is lost. This is what happens to a political party if values and principles are traded on the altar of political expedience.
These cadres are not necessarily bad young people. Some of them have a core of decency, and if their hearts are touched, they are capable of changing for the better. They are not evil; their inhumanity has been foisted upon them by an inhuman system. They behave like brutes because they are rewarded for brutish behaviour. And this is not only in the Patriotic Front - almost all our key political parties reward this type of behaviour.
We have seen how last week anarchy was rewarded by the leadership of the Patriotic Front. Indisciplined cadres who have no regard for the established structures of their party and had no fear to proclaim themselves chairman of this or chairman of that were promoted by the leadership of the party to very high positions, positions they had arbitrarily and in the most indisciplined of ways given themselves.
This is destroying our political parties and our politics. We can do better than this and the Zambian people deserve better than this. For God's sake, we are condemning ourselves to eternal backwardness and universal ridicule. We have no cause to wallow in this type of behaviour when we could be developing in many ways.
With this type of behaviour, people lose the habit of thinking and exchanging creative views and thoughts. People have no real interest in the future nation - only the present owes them anything.
It seems one can only participate in the politics of our country on the terms set by the cadres. If one goes outside that, it becomes dangerous. To suggest that political participation is only possible within the context of the machinery set by the dominant party cadres is tantamount to saying that what is good for them and their sponsors is good for everyone, a suggestion which is patently false as far as what is known about the diversity of the human condition goes.
There must be recognition in Zambian politics that any system of government must be based on sound moral values which serve to bind members of the system. However they may be defined, these moral values must make clear the relationship between the individual and the collectivity. The clarification must be done via a full recognition of the need for individual freedom and dignity. Any social system that does not recognise these values runs every possible risk of tyranny in the name of politics.
A political system that recognises individual freedom and dignity is better placed to promote political participation. That is, the right of individuals to self-determination in the pursuit of their constitutional rights in an open society not subject to monopoly politics.
Such political participation is likely to encourage discussion, that is, the right of individuals to engage in critical and informed debate on personal, local, national and other broader issues which affect the individual and his social space without fear or favour.
Recognising that it takes time for any social system to develop and uphold such values, it is necessary to have in place an enabling environment for these values. By and large, Zambia does not yet have in place an enabling environment for democratic governance with intra and inter-party democracy.
The reasons for this problem are historical and are related to these background values in conflict which make up Zambia's present political culture and which mix in such a way as to diminish the immediate possibility of a democratic civil culture.
And notwithstanding the tenuous multiparty provision of our Constitution, the Zambian body politic characteristically lacks tolerant value premises. And we see this every day in the way we treat those who do not agree with us, those who hold different political views and who belong to different political parties or even factions within the same political party.
This needs to change. It is this that is leading our politicians to surrender their lives to party cadres and allow them to rule over us. And this is what political degeneracy and decay looks like. Political degeneracy and decay have many manifestations and these are some of them.
Labels: CADRES, PF, POLITICAL VIOLENCE
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Attacks on HH in Kasama
By Editor
Fri 20 Sep. 2013, 14:00 CAT
There should be no area or part of our country that is a no-go place for any of us. There is no district or province of our country that belongs to a single individual or political party. All are free and should be free to canvass for support in any district or province of our country.
Kasama is increasingly being turned into a no-go area for the opposition and others considered hostile to those who think they own that district.
We say this in the light of this week's attacks on Hakainde Hichilema and his entourage in Kasama. Hakainde has the right to go to Kasama, address meetings and talk to whoever he wants to talk to without inhibition.
But it's increasingly becoming difficult for opposition politicians to visit Kasama. Not very long ago, NAREP president Elias Chipimo had problems in Kasama. And Nevers Mumba also had serious challenges going around doing his political work in Kasama. These people have the right to be in Kasama. If one doesn't want to meet them or listen to them, they are also entitled to stay away from them and their meetings. No one has the right to force anyone to attend a meeting or to listen to someone they don't want to listen to.
There are many ways of showing political disapproval for someone. The best way is simply to stay away from them and their meetings. This is perfectly in order. But it's not in order to start harassing people and trying to chase them from Kasama.
Our multi-party political setup is starting to establish a reputation for intolerance that is difficult to match.
What seems to be distinctly lacking in our politics is a culture of tolerance and humility which places the humanity of others before self and accepts that all citizens have a right to participate in the shaping of their destiny directly without fear of reprisal.
Tolerance and respect for our fellow citizens makes us allow our critics to express their opinion about our views without inhibition, whether these seem to be unpalatable or not. At the same time, we expect the same treatment or privilege when our turn comes. This is not something we achieve instinctively. Rather, we develop it consciously and respectfully.
For our very instincts would drive us to throttling our opponents in argument, or, better still, smack them with a deadly blow.
Why should we fear to have other people's voices heard? Are we afraid to be undermined by what they say?
Being in opposition, or holding a different opinion, is not a crime against anyone. There are some people who think everyone must belong to them or be condemned. The sponsors of this dialectic are not ashamed to attribute enmity where it may not exist. They thrive on the explosive emotions which this dialectic is likely to generate among the unsuspecting idle youths of low literacy. In fact, no regard is ever had for the patriotism of those they detest, unless they happen to die.
To them, opposition per se is non-existent. Anything else is enmity. Opposition is an expression of hate, not pure disagreement.
It is quite true that the acceptance of opposition and the criticisms that go with it implies the highest respect for the human ideal, and that its denial suggests a conscious or unconscious lack of humanity on our part.
Intolerance must surely rank as one of the worst forms of immorality in politics and in human affairs in general. We can see the horror of this in people who go out of their way to organise violence against someone for simply belonging to another political party.
But this intolerance is not one-sided. Hakainde himself is intolerant of those who don't support him - he sees them as enemies. And we are one of such people Hakainde sees as enemies for simply not giving him the political support or endorsement he wants from us. We have been victims at the hands of Hakainde's cadres and supporters. This has never bothered Hakainde at all.
If all our politicians cared about what happens to another human being, to a fellow citizen, there would be very little violence if any in our politics. But it seems violence and intolerance are okay as long as they are directed at others and not at themselves. It only becomes a bad thing if it's directed at themselves. Here is Hakainde who recruits the worst known politician for violence - William Banda - and makes him his advisor.
Advisor in what? Violence! What example has Hakainde been setting, being surrounded by such people?
Violence is bad and it is bad against anyone. There is no violence against anyone that is good and that should be tolerated by anyone. If our politicians can cleanse their political parties of violent characters, there would be no violence. But they want them and that's why they keep them - for use at appropriate times. They ferry them to by-elections to cause havoc, to intimidate and harass opponents. They have use for them and that's why they are keeping them. They actually pay them - these violent characters live off them.
But we shouldn't forget that violence begets violence; violence breeds counter-violence and the vicious cycle goes on. Violence can only do one thing, and that is to breed counter-violence.
And as we have repeatedly pointed out, there is no political doctrine, principle or proclaimed political position that can be used to justify atrocious acts such as the physical attack on a political opponent. No crime can be committed in the name of politics.
And the truth also is that the police have historically never been very firm on the violence of cadres from the ruling party. This culture was so strong under the MMD and there is no transformation of the police on this score under this new political dispensation. The police are still behaving the same way towards ruling party cadres. And as Dr Kenneth Kaunda once remarked, "Nothing would be more dangerous than to confuse men and women who are responsible for the maintenance of law and order in any country.
"UNIP members, therefore, apart from the fact that they are humanists, must remember that even for their own good, their fellow workers in the police force must be left to deal with the maintenance of law and order in the way they were trained…We will create a very dangerous situation if we should want to control every police unit locally as some local party leaders want them to operate. Otherwise, chaos will follow, and I am sure no true UNIP member would like to see this. First and foremost must come the quality of impartial fair play, for I do not wish my policemen to be partisans to the main political and tribal feuds that may emerge in our country, as has happened in others. The worst policeman so far as I am concerned is that man who will not admonish or arrest another because he is of the same tribe, race or political sympathy. Equally reprehensible is a policeman who will not do his duty for fear that because he is of a different tribe, race or political feeling, his deeds will be misunderstood. If you should ever find yourselves in a position of compromise against the principles of fair play and impartiality, then be humble enough to seek God's guidance because neither the present nor the future generation will forgive you for betraying the many people who have died and suffered in the struggle to bring forth this independent land."
Tolerance is very important. If people have tolerance, you can easily overcome difficulties. If you have little tolerance or are without it, then the smallest thing immediately irritates you.
Learn to love your fellow citizens and all other human beings. If you love others, you cannot go out to harm them. And love doesn't discriminate on the basis of political affiliation or some other factors. We are all taught to love our enemies. If you have love and compassion toward all sentient beings, particularly toward your enemy, that is true love and compassion. We are social creatures, and a concern for each other is the very basis of our life together. Our doings and thinkings must be motivated by compassion for others. The way to acquire that kind of outlook is to accept a simple fact that whatever we desire is also desired by others. No one wants to be beaten. If we all don't want to be beaten, why should we allow others to be beaten?
Labels: CADRES, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, PF, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, UPND
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Lessons for PF
By Editor
Wed 18 Sep. 2013, 14:00 CAT
The last few weeks brought out the worst in the Patriotic Front. All sorts of negative tendencies and practices came to the fore.
The nation had the opportunity to see the worst of indiscipline in party politics. PF cadres were stripping naked, jumping on bonnets of police vehicles in front of State House. They were slapping fellow cadres in full view of cameras and of the police. Opportunists of all shades were also on exhibit. We also saw people who cannot think or see beyond tribe. Tribalists of all hues revealed themselves.
The nation also had an opportunity to see the nature and strength of the glue that holds Patriotic Front members together. We can only hope the leadership and membership of the Patriotic Front has learnt the necessary lessons from all that and drawn the right conclusions. The future will depend on how well they have learnt the lessons of all that episode and what practical steps they will take to remedy that which needs remedying.
And indeed, a lot of things need remedying. The very fact that such things happened is in itself evidence of weaknesses in the leadership and organisation of the party. The secretary general of the Patriotic Front, Wynter Kabimba, also has to take stock in the spirit of criticism and self-criticism to see if things could have been done differently. And every Patriotic Front leader, including the party president, has to take stock in the same spirit. None can escape blame for the indiscipline and anarchy that characterised the party over the last few weeks. There is need for humility and honesty with oneself if this type of behaviour is to be avoided in future.
We wonder how the future will judge the events of the last few weeks. We dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well known to lend enchantment, even to less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight. But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgement, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion - even of wisdom - that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small. No section of the community has all the virtues, neither does any have all the vices. There is need for moderation in all things.
It will also be necessary for the Patriotic Front to look at what kind of cadre they need or don't need. We are noting a serious decline not only in discipline but also in political morality, ethics and values. And this is causing a considerable strain on the moral standing of the party. There is need for cadres who conduct themselves in a humane manner. There is need for cadres who are selfless and are not taking or influencing decisions based on their own interests but are ready to subordinate their interests to those of the masses of our people and of the party. We also need cadres who understand the broader national and international situation; cadres who view accountability as an important duty of their work and who are rooted and grounded in society, and understand what their role in transforming society is.
And for the top leadership, there is need to be careful about the rough-handling of cadres because it leaves a strong legacy of bitterness and resentment - the walking wounded. This cultivates tendencies towards excessive defensivism, and also habits of counter-factionalism in some cases, with party cadres running the danger of falling excessively into elite politics - of palace manoeuvres, putsches. And disciplinary measures should not be used to settle political differences.
There are already some early signs of the dangers of careerism, patronage and business ambitions in the Patriotic Front. They need to be extremely vigilant about the abuse of the party and its structures for careerist and patronage purposes.
The leadership of the Patriotic Front must learn to use cadres well. In the final analysis, political leadership involves two main responsibilities: to work out ideas, and to use cadres well. They must learn how to take good care of cadres - giving them guidance, raising their level, checking up on their work and helping them sum up their experience, carry forward their achievements and correct their mistakes.Here, patience is essential.
Some friendships have been broken over the last few weeks and new ones have been created. But in all this, your best friends are those who bring out the best in you. Tell us who your best friends are, and we will tell you who you are, so they say.
If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl, but if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights. Proverbs 27:19 says, "A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses." The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate - for the good and the bad. Think about it; almost all our sorrows spring out of relationships with the wrong people. Instead, keep out of the suction caused by those who drift backwards.
The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you indulge in mediocrity in others it increases your mediocrity.
A Bulgarian proverb confirms, "If you find yourself taking two steps forward and one step backwards, invariably it is because you have mixed associations in your life." If a loafer isn't a nuisance to you, it's a sign that you are somewhat of a loafer yourself. An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with people who think and act negatively. Misery wants your company. But you don't have to let it in the door. Proverbs 13:20 tells us, "He that walketh with a wise man shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." We become like those whom we associate.
We need to be careful of the kind of insulation we use in our lives. We do need to insulate ourselves from negative people and ideas, but we should never insulate ourselves from godly counsel and wisdom.
We need foundation-level people in our lives. Such individuals bring out the best in us and influence to improve. They cause us to have greater faith and confidence and to see things from God's perspective. After being with them, our spirits and sights are raised.
We need to have contact with the right people on a regular basis. These are men and women of strong faith, who make us better people when we are around them. They are the ones who see the gifts in us and could correct us in a constructive, loving way. It is better to be alone than in the wrong company. A single conversation with the right person can be more valuable than years of study.
When you surround yourself with the right kind of people, you enter into the God-ordained power of agreement. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 states: "Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better. If one falls, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he is in trouble. And one standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple braided cord is not easily broken."
Steer clear of negative thinking experts: remember in the eyes of average people, average is always considered outstanding. Look carefully at your closest association, because it is an indication of the direction you are heading.
The Patriotic Front is in power. But power calls for a lot of responsibility. The exercise of power must be the constant practice of self-limitation and modesty.
Labels: CADRES, MICHAEL SATA, PF
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PF cadres march, petition for Kabimba's removal
By Moses Kuwema and Abel Mboozi
Sat 14 Sep. 2013, 14:01 CAT
SOME PF cadres in Lusaka yesterday marched in the central business area, demanding the resignation of secretary general Wynter Kabimba. And defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba says it is not automatic that President Michael Sata will be in office for 10 years and that is why he was championing his endorsement as candidate for the PF in 2016.
The cadres, who were led by former Lusaka City Council mayor Robert Chikwelete, who is also interim Lusaka district PF chairman, marched from the South to the North-end of Cairo road before going to the district offices near Millennium bus station.
"We were told that we have been suspended as constituency chairmen, so this prompted us to organise ourselves. We are not happy with the way the secretary general is running party affairs. So now we are calling for his resignation because he cannot listen to party officials," Chikwelete said.
He said the cadres were not happy with the hand-picking of party officials for positions in the district.
"For instance, the district political secretary had no blessings from the party. These political secretaries were becoming more powerful than district commissioners," he said.
Chikwelete said the petition to have Kabimba removed from the office of secretary general had since been taken to the President and prayed that the head of state would look into the matter and bring to an end the ongoing wrangles in the party.
"Let me also make it clear that it is not true that we are being sponsored by defence minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba," said Chikwelete.
Kabimba, who is also justice minister, was unavailable for comment by press time as his mobile phone went unanswered.
And Mwamba told journalists after the commissioning of ZNS cadets in Kafue yesterday that from day one just after the PF won the 2011 elections, his team started campaigning for 2016 and the preferred candidate.
"And they are saying that its automatic President Sata will run for ten years. It's not automatic;that is why there is that gap of five years. We have to go to a congress, where we have to go and elect him as our candidate to contest the Republican presidency, so it's not automatic. They should not mislead the nation that it's automatic because if it was automatic, they should have said he will run for 10years continuously," he argued. Mwamba said there was nothing sinister about endorsing a candidate now.
"We are merely expressing our opinion; we are not refusing those with a different view. They are free to express their views but as far as we are concerned, I and my constituency Kasama Central, we are saying that we have endorsed President Sata to contest the party presidency and that of the republic," he said. He challenged those against the endorsement of President Sata as the PF's sole candidate for the2016 elections to come out in the open and state their preferred candidate. "Let them tell us so that we know; that's all we want. Otherwise, what we are doing is not outside the law; our party manifesto and constitution, everything is very clear," said Mwamba.
Labels: CADRES, GBM, PF, ROBERT CHIKWELETE, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Lungu unfair to Wynter - UPND
By Roy Habaalu
Tue 03 Sep. 2013, 14:01 CAT
EDGAR Lungu is being unfair to Wynter Kabimba by demanding that he disciplines hooligans who on Saturday destroyed property at Northmead High School, says UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa.
Commenting on Lungu's statement that PF secretary general Kabimba, as the custodian of the party, should come to the rescue of the PF and stop the increasing levels of indiscipline among members, Mweetwa said Kabimba had nothing to do with the atrocious and heinous criminal activities perpetrated by PF members believed to be supporters of defence minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba.
Mweetwa, who is Choma Central member of parliament, said it was Lungu's responsibility as Minister of Home Affairs, to enforce law and order for the safety of the nation. He said Lungu was washing his hands and putting Kabimba in the spotlight.
"It is alarming that as Minister of Home Affairs, who should stamp authority vested in his office to enforce law and order so that the law visits those hooligans breaking the law with utmost impunity, the minister has chosen to engage in gerrymandering, hide and seek and decided to trivialise a serious issue and relegate it to the secretary general of PF," Mweetwa said.
"Wynter is innocent in all this; it's the domain of the Minister of Home Affairs to handle crimes committed. Wynter is not responsible for criminal activities as SG (secretary general). The succession plan in PF is deep-rooted and one person can't be singled out and you can't blame it on the secretary general. It can't be solved overnight."
Mweetwa said what happened at Northmead was beyond PF and had become of national interest.
He demanded that Lungu tells the nation the full measures he would enforce against the perpetrators because what they did bordered on national security.
Mweetwa said it was sad that the political leadership was applying kid gloves on their hands and began to baby-play on an issue with far-reaching consequences.
"This is a living testimony that PF is the most violent party and damning indictment. As a ruling party, PF has a moral obligation to respond to challenges and mirror that they are a ruling party in a democracy. The police should tell us how they agreed to give PF a permit at a public place when we as UPND, they have refused. We demand strongly that before schools open, PF, and not government, is surcharged and repair the colossal damage caused at Northmead Basic School. They should not be allowed to exercise their impunity on public property," Mweetwa said.
Mweetwa said if members of the ruling party could maim each other, death was certain if violence involved opposition political parties.
On Sunday, Lungu said Kabimba should come to the rescue of the PF and stop the increasing levels of indiscipline among members.
He said it was saddening to see a breakdown of law and order in the ruling party.
"Personally, I am worried about the trend where party members are at each other's throat. The SG (secretary general Wynter Kabimba) should take decisive action and stop this breakdown of law and order. As disciplinary committee, we only respond to what has been brought before us. For instance, the SG can charge someone for breaking the rules and the aggrieved person then can seek our intervention," said Lungu.
Labels: CADRES, EDGAR LUNGU, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Police arrest NAREP candidate for slapping PF cadre in Mpongwe
By Misheck Wangwe
Mon 11 Feb. 2013, 14:10 CAT
POLICE in Mpongwe yesterday arrested NAREP candidate Reagan Ndhlovu after he slapped a PF cadre at the police station.
Police sources said Ndhlovu was allegedly found by PF cadres, pulling down posters of PF candidate Gabriel Namulambe and was reported to the police around 08:00 hours.
The sources said after PF supporters, led by provincial youth secretary Chanda Kabwe, rushed to the police to report the matter, Ndhlovu, who was visibly annoyed, followed them.
They said while at the inquiries, he confronted Friday Mulenga, a PF youth, and slapped him hard on the face.
They said Ndhlovu was immediately locked up by police.
"We are yet to know what really transpired when he and PF cadres met at the market. We are told he was tampering with Namulambe's posters but the thing is people must learn to respect the law. They should respect police stations.
How do you beat up somebody at the police the way he did and expect to go scot-free? The man has been arrested and taken to Luanshya. That was disorderly and unacceptable," a police source said.
And Kabwe, who narrated the incident, said PF youths had been instructed not to confront anyone but to report them to the police.
He said Ndhlovu, who was in the company of two other NAREP supporters, was fuming when he followed them up to the police station, where he also slapped Mulenga.
By press time, Copperbelt police commissioner Mary Tembo said she had not received the report but a media statement would be issued after a report was compiled by officers in Mpongwe.
NAREP national chairman Joseph Mushalika said the party had no information over the matter and it would take an official position after enquiring from its supporters on the ground.
Labels: CADRES, NAREP, PF, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, REAGAN NDHLOVU
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Nawakwi wins rape threat case
By Abigail Chaponda in Ndola
Sat 02 Feb. 2013, 12:30 CAT
CHIEF resident magistrate Collins Lundah yesterday convicted former UPND national youth chairman Joe Kalusa and fined him KR10,000 for threatening to organise cadres to gang rape FDD leader Edith Nawakwi.
And in an interview after Kalusa's conviction, Nawakwi said it was sad that women in Zambia were regarded as weaker vessels.
Kalusa was charged with one count of threatening violence.
Matters before court were that Kalusa, 40 on September 14, 2012, allegedly issued the threat in Ndola to the effect that he would organise cadres to "gang rape" the opposition leader.
Kalusa had vowed to organise UPND youths on the Copperbelt to 'gang rape' Nawakwi in order to teach her to respect married men like UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.
His threats were issued after due to Nawakwi's criticism of Hichilema in the media.
In passing judgment, magistrate Lundah said out of the KR10,000, five thousand should be given to Nawakwi as compensation.
He said the KR10,000 should be paid within three days in default nine months imprisonment.
Lundah said he regarded every woman as his mother, sister and daughter, and that women should be respected.
He said that insulting a woman was as good as insulting one's mother.
"Politicians should always remember to talk about issues and not insult each other. Talk about issues that are affecting people and not who has children with who and who is having sex with who. Use civil language to each other and not insults," he said.
And Nawakwi said many children, women and grandmothers were being abused and threatened with permanent injuries where they live or at their work of places.
"I wish to commend the magistrate, he has set precedence. He has written the law that shall be followed from on onwards. Up until this point, our menfolk did not realise that verbal violence is a criminal offence under the Penal Code," she said.
Labels: CADRES, COURTS, EDITH NAWAKWI, JOE KALUSA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RAPE, UPND
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Hichilema's cadres assault cop
By Ernest Chanda
Fri 18 Jan. 2013, 14:00 CAT
UNRULY UPND cadres yesterday assaulted a police officer at Lusaka's Woodlands Police Station where their leader Hakainde Hichilema had been summoned to answer to charges of insulting President Michael Sata.
Hichilema was arrested and charged with defamation of the President over his utterances in Lusaka's Kalikiliki compound where he called President Sata a thief and accused him of being corrupt. The cadres assaulted constable Adam Banda after hitting him with a stone on the head.
Banda sustained a deep cut on his head and bled profusely before being rushed to the hospital. The cadres later got engaged in an altercation with other police officers, including spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela who they accused of assaulting Banda. Immediately Hichilema arrived at Woodlands Police Station, the cadres hurled invectives at police officers who watched helplessly. The arrival of one of Hichilema's advisers, Douglas Syakalima, heightened the commotion as he too engaged in a quarrel with a uniformed police officer from whom he demanded respect.
Other cadres, high on alcohol, hurled insults at police officers and threatened to beat them up; accusing them of being PF sympathisers. Earlier in the morning at Police Force Headquarters, Hichilema refused to be interviewed from the offices upstairs, fearing that his team could be tear-gassed.
Hichilema arrived at 10:00 hours in the company of his lawyers Sakwiba Sikota, Jack Mwiimbu and Martha Mushipe. Several UPND cadres, who also accompanied Hichilema, caused commotion and they complained about the teargas canisters that were used to disperse them at Lusaka's Central Police when Hichilema appeared for questioning last year.
"Last time you tear-gassed us upstairs. Let's be orderly, let's be orderly. Who is in charge here? There will be no interview upstairs, full stop; because you teargas people and you want to kill people upstairs. There'll be an interview downstairs, not upstairs," Hichilema demanded. Later the two parties reached a compromise and Hichilema was interviewed in one of the rooms on the ground floor. And after the interview before being taken to Woodlands Police Station for official arrest, Hichilema told journalists that he was not scared of being arrested. "They are even following me in court which is contemptuous of court. They have been coming to my house, so today I decided to come," said Hichilema. "They have charged me for a case where I said the President was protecting Wynter Kabimba when he went to the Anti Corruption Commission and he refused to be interviewed there, so I made a comment about that; that's what they have called me for. I know they've just changed because they know that the public had pressure on the Kalikiliki visit."
And Kanjela confirmed that Hichilema had been charged with defamation of the President.
"We've arrested Mr. Hakainde Hichilema the president of the UPND for defamation of the President, contrary to Section 66 of the Penal Code. He is appearing in court today (yesterday) at 14:30 hours; he's been released on bond. It is believed that on the 13th of January he had uttered some words which we believe are coming up to form the crime of defamation of the President," said Kanjela.
And Hichilema expressed fear that the government had planned to have him locked up even after he had been granted police bond. After he was granted police bond and told to appear in court at 14:30 hours, Hichilema told the police officer who was explaining to him that the bond would only last for a few hours, as the court would not extend it.
Hichilema was released on a KR5000 police bond with two working sureties.
"I'm supposed to appear in court today? Then they want the bond to expire so that they lock me up; that's what they have planned," said Hichlema. But a plain clothed police officer explained to him that even when he would be appearing in court, his bond would still be valid. "This bond is for today and you are appearing at the magistrate court at 14:30 hours," explained the police officer.
"Why don't you take me to court now?" Hichilema asked.
But Mazabuka UPND member of parliament Gary Nkombo chipped in and assured Hichilema that since they had signed the police bond, Hichilema would go home.
But Hichilema insisted and said: "They will cancel the bail there (at court), they'll not issue the bail; that's why they want court to be afternoon." But police officers assured Hichilema that his bond would be extended even at court.
Thereafter, Hichilema understood and was later ushered to his vehicle by his party officials and sympathisers.
Meanwhile, MMD president Nevers Mumba described Hichilema's arrest as ridiculous.
"Mr. Sata is digging a grave for himself. If the God I worship is there in heaven you watch the space. God will bring justice in this country; this cannot be allowed to continue," said Mumba.
"This is ridiculous! This is criminal! Not from our side but from those who wish to oppress our rights and take away our liberties. And we can promise them our liberties will not be lost over our blood."
Meanwhile, Hichilema appeared in the Lusaka Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon in connection with the defamation of the President charges but the matter could not take off because the state, according to his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota, was not ready.
Labels: CADRES, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, UPND
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Police save Simbao from lynching
By Kombe Chimpinde
Fri 04 Jan. 2013, 14:00 CAT
MMD acting national secretary Kapembwa Simbao yesterday fled from the party secretariat after being tipped that some MMD cadres were on their way to hound him out of office. And Keith Mukata says MMD president Nevers Mumba cannot expel any member of the party as "he is not a disciplining authority".
The close to 100 cadres from Lusaka and Muchinga mobilised themselves in town around 10:00 hours and proceeded to the MMD secretariat off Addis Ababa Drive to forcibly remove Simbao.
However, another faction in support of Mumba and Simbao, led by MMD Die Hard youth wing coordinator Bowman Lusambo, quickly mobilised and lay in wait at the secretariat.
The anti-Simbao cadres openly said they wanted to lynch him if he resisted vacating the office.
In the ensuing confusion, Simbao, who had been working, managed to slip away and fled the secretariat after being alerted.
An attempt by the anti-Mumba and anti-Simbao cadres to advance towards the secretariat was further thwarted by police, who arrived at the scene 10 minutes after the confusion began.
After about 15 minutes of exchange of invectives between the Lusambo-led cadres and the rival clique led by Andrew Banda, police, who were in riot gear, managed to calm the situation and asked the cadres to disperse and leave the party secretariat.
The Banda-led cadres demanded the removal of Mumba from office and that the party holds an extraordinary meeting to reconcile differences, which have since seen the expulsion and suspension of senior party officials by Mumba.
Banda, who spoke on behalf of the group, said they were not happy with the way Maj Richard Kachingwe had been treated.
"We are not happy with the way senior and old members of the party are being chucked out of the party. They are taking this party backwards. What we are saying is those leaders should be called back so that we can work together because if they do not do that, this confusion will not end,'' he said.
Banda said that the group which wanted to remove Simbao comprised cadres from Lusaka and Muchinga provinces.
He also complained that the MMD Die Hard youth wing, which he said was a parallel structure, had been benefiting from party resources at the expense of all other youths.
But MMD Lusaka province deputy youth chairman Watson Mtonga, who was at the scene, pleaded with police to let the Lusambo-led group remain at the party secretariat as they were not riotous.
But police ordered all the cadres to disperse before they could take further action.
"Those who are trying to sponsor such confusion in MMD, they will never get away with it. This party is a strong party. You can see these are my youths, they are just being used,'' said Mtonga.
Efforts to get a comment from Simbao failed.
Mumba and Simbao's faction has since stationed 10 of its cadres to guard the secretariat.
And commenting on the Maj Kachingwe and Mumba feud, which has split the party into factions, Mukata said that circumstances surrounding the eligibility or ineligibility of the current MMD president to stand as he did for office of president was squarely a matter to be resolved through the provisions of the MMD constitution.
"One such provision is that you should be a bona fide member of the party. The other relates to prohibition of dual membership (you cannot be a member of the MMD and at the same time belong to another party),'' the letter stated in part.
Mukata, who is MMD Chilanga member of parliament, stated that the election to a party position of any person who was in breach of any of the two provisions was null and void in terms of the constitution.
"This illegality cannot be cured by subsequent attempts to relinquish membership of the other party or to subsequently acquire legitimate membership," he stated.
"The illegality does not come into existence at the time the decision to nullify the election is taken. The illegality occurs at the time of election of that member and continues to exist until the election is nullified. A person elected unconstitutionally may subsequently be challenged by an interested party such as a party member not to stand as Republican President.''
Mukata stated that the situation was therefore serious and should not to be treated lightly.
"The recourse under the constitution is to nullify such membership by the national secretary subject to ratification by NEC, he stated.
"If facts presented to NEC disclose breaches as above, then the NEC is bound by the constitution to ratify the decision of the national secretary. The national secretary is the sole custodian of the record of membership and the only disciplinary authority of any member of the party in terms of Article 4. The president cannot expel any member of the party as he is not a disciplining authority.''
And MMD Katuba member of parliament Dr Patrick Chikusu said in an interview that the MMD was suffering from what he described as a withdrawal syndrome.
"This is how you can describe it in medical terms. It is like you lose something but you cannot let go of it because you can't believe that you have lost. The MMD lost power to PF and there is a new government but it's like we cannot accept that we have lost,'' he said.
"This is why some people are already looking and focusing on State House even before we re-organise our party because they feel they can quickly get back in power. What is key now, is to re-organise the party and you do not organise a party by frustrating the government. Re-organising the party can take time, even 20 years, and it can come back into power. We need to be consistent. PF was consistent. They lost three times but they managed to win because of their consistency.''
Labels: CADRES, KAPEMBWA SIMBAO, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE
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Police save Simbao from lynching
By Kombe Chimpinde
Fri 04 Jan. 2013, 14:00 CAT
MMD acting national secretary Kapembwa Simbao yesterday fled from the party secretariat after being tipped that some MMD cadres were on their way to hound him out of office. And Keith Mukata says MMD president Nevers Mumba cannot expel any member of the party as "he is not a disciplining authority".
The close to 100 cadres from Lusaka and Muchinga mobilised themselves in town around 10:00 hours and proceeded to the MMD secretariat off Addis Ababa Drive to forcibly remove Simbao.
However, another faction in support of Mumba and Simbao, led by MMD Die Hard youth wing coordinator Bowman Lusambo, quickly mobilised and lay in wait at the secretariat.
The anti-Simbao cadres openly said they wanted to lynch him if he resisted vacating the office.
In the ensuing confusion, Simbao, who had been working, managed to slip away and fled the secretariat after being alerted.
An attempt by the anti-Mumba and anti-Simbao cadres to advance towards the secretariat was further thwarted by police, who arrived at the scene 10 minutes after the confusion began.
After about 15 minutes of exchange of invectives between the Lusambo-led cadres and the rival clique led by Andrew Banda, police, who were in riot gear, managed to calm the situation and asked the cadres to disperse and leave the party secretariat.
The Banda-led cadres demanded the removal of Mumba from office and that the party holds an extraordinary meeting to reconcile differences, which have since seen the expulsion and suspension of senior party officials by Mumba.
Banda, who spoke on behalf of the group, said they were not happy with the way Maj Richard Kachingwe had been treated.
"We are not happy with the way senior and old members of the party are being chucked out of the party. They are taking this party backwards. What we are saying is those leaders should be called back so that we can work together because if they do not do that, this confusion will not end,'' he said.
Banda said that the group which wanted to remove Simbao comprised cadres from Lusaka and Muchinga provinces.
He also complained that the MMD Die Hard youth wing, which he said was a parallel structure, had been benefiting from party resources at the expense of all other youths.
But MMD Lusaka province deputy youth chairman Watson Mtonga, who was at the scene, pleaded with police to let the Lusambo-led group remain at the party secretariat as they were not riotous.
But police ordered all the cadres to disperse before they could take further action.
"Those who are trying to sponsor such confusion in MMD, they will never get away with it. This party is a strong party. You can see these are my youths, they are just being used,'' said Mtonga.
Efforts to get a comment from Simbao failed.
Mumba and Simbao's faction has since stationed 10 of its cadres to guard the secretariat.
And commenting on the Maj Kachingwe and Mumba feud, which has split the party into factions, Mukata said that circumstances surrounding the eligibility or ineligibility of the current MMD president to stand as he did for office of president was squarely a matter to be resolved through the provisions of the MMD constitution.
"One such provision is that you should be a bona fide member of the party. The other relates to prohibition of dual membership (you cannot be a member of the MMD and at the same time belong to another party),'' the letter stated in part.
Mukata, who is MMD Chilanga member of parliament, stated that the election to a party position of any person who was in breach of any of the two provisions was null and void in terms of the constitution.
"This illegality cannot be cured by subsequent attempts to relinquish membership of the other party or to subsequently acquire legitimate membership," he stated.
"The illegality does not come into existence at the time the decision to nullify the election is taken. The illegality occurs at the time of election of that member and continues to exist until the election is nullified. A person elected unconstitutionally may subsequently be challenged by an interested party such as a party member not to stand as Republican President.''
Mukata stated that the situation was therefore serious and should not to be treated lightly.
"The recourse under the constitution is to nullify such membership by the national secretary subject to ratification by NEC, he stated.
"If facts presented to NEC disclose breaches as above, then the NEC is bound by the constitution to ratify the decision of the national secretary. The national secretary is the sole custodian of the record of membership and the only disciplinary authority of any member of the party in terms of Article 4. The president cannot expel any member of the party as he is not a disciplining authority.''
And MMD Katuba member of parliament Dr Patrick Chikusu said in an interview that the MMD was suffering from what he described as a withdrawal syndrome.
"This is how you can describe it in medical terms. It is like you lose something but you cannot let go of it because you can't believe that you have lost. The MMD lost power to PF and there is a new government but it's like we cannot accept that we have lost,'' he said.
"This is why some people are already looking and focusing on State House even before we re-organise our party because they feel they can quickly get back in power. What is key now, is to re-organise the party and you do not organise a party by frustrating the government. Re-organising the party can take time, even 20 years, and it can come back into power. We need to be consistent. PF was consistent. They lost three times but they managed to win because of their consistency.''
Labels: CADRES, KAPEMBWA SIMBAO, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE
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Youths turn against Lubinda, demand payment for welcoming him
By Kombe Chimpinde and Tilyenji Mwanza
Thu 20 Dec. 2012, 14:00 CAT
SOME Lusaka youths that had been ferried to welcome foreign affairs minister Given Lubinda at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday turned against him and demanded that they be paid for going to receive him.
And Kabwata constituency chairman David Silubanje yesterday said UPND cadres welcomed Lubinda.
The youths, some clad in PF attire, complained of hunger and said they were promised money for welcoming Lubinda at the airport but were disappointed that the foreign affairs minister and the organisers had not paid them.
Some of the youths said they wanted Lubinda to give them the plots he promised them during campaigns in 2011.
But Silubanje said there were 45 pieces of chitenge materials, which were given to UPND cadres purporting to be PF cadres to go and welcome Lubinda.
He said around 13:00 hours, two buses were impounded at Kabwata Market and were full of UPND cadres.
Silubanje said he had ordered that the UPND cadres be released with their 45 PF materials and that was the group, which headed to the airport to receive their member.
Lubinda arrived at the airport around 14:50 hours and was welcomed by his deputy Efron Lungu.
Outside the airport terminal, over 50 youths waited for him to air their grievances over the plots in Chilenje compound which they claimed Lubinda promised them during campaigns.
Lubinda emerged from the airport and thanked the youths for going to welcome him at the airport and immediately took off dodging the catcalls on election promises from the youths and avoiding to answer questions from journalists over accusations of treachery within his party.
Soon after he left, the youths turned round and complained that Lubinda did not give them an opportunity to air their grievances in the constituency.
Mangani Phiri who spoke on behalf of the cadres said that it had been close to four years now since Lubinda promised to facilitate the allocation of Maploto plots to them.
"What our MP told us during campaigns, was that we should register our names and attach our national registration cards for consideration of plots in Maploto area located in Chilenje. When we went back to complain to him, he asked us to send our representatives to him but nothing is coming out," said Phiri.
"Up to now, we are still waiting. So, that is why we thought of using this opportunity to remind him of the promise he made because it is clear that he has abandoned us after campaigns."
And Lubinda said he will answer to treachery charges levelled against him.
And asked to respond to allegations of treachery by Silubanje, Lubinda said he was not aware of the new allegations.
Further quizzed if he had responded to Wynter Kabimba's demand for an exculpatory letter, Lubinda said: "it is him (Kabimba)who wrote to me. Go to him and find out not to me. Go to him and find out," he said.
He urged the youths to be peaceful, orderly and truthful to God after thanking them for coming to receive him.
"I'm sure you will find people who will quarrel with you, but stay away from them. Be peaceful and pray to God. Know that yours truly is very happy and back home and yours truly will answer all questions," said Lubinda.
And UPND says Lubinda will be received with warm arms should he decide to turn to UPND.
In an interview on Tuesday, UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said if Lubinda was expelled from PF or decided to rejoin the party, no one in the party would obstruct his welcome.
Mweetwa said UPND was the birth place for Lubinda and therefore his home.
"In the event that he left PF, he has the democratic right to associate with anybody including ourselves and he would be received with a warm welcome. No one and I mean no one, would bar him from coming into UPND. He would be warmly received back home to the UPND," said Mweetwa.
Labels: CADRES, DAVID SILUBANJE, GIVEN LUBINDA, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Cadres petitioning Lubinda’s removal are hired – Davis Chama
TIME PUBLISHED - Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 8:37 am
Patriotic Front suspended former Lusaka Province Chairman Davis Chama says party cadres who have petitioned Secretary General Wynter Kabimba to have Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda removed are hired by those who feel threatened by Mr. Lubinda’s hard work.
Mr. Chama has charged that the 144 petitioners do not hold the opinion of Kabwata constituency residents who hold their Member of Parliament in higher esteem and voted for him whole heartedly.
He says it is unfortunate and highly suspicious that all these developments are taking place when Mr. Lubinda who is also Foreign Affairs Minister is out of the country on official duties.
Mr. Chama says it is therefore clear that a high ranking official of the ruling party is engineering and mobilizing cadres to denounce Mr. Lubinda.
He observes denouncing Mr. Lubinda whose appointment is supported by the Republican President is merely rebelling against the appointing authority.
And Mr. Chama notes that such a development has the potential to further deepen the already existing divisions in the party.
He has since urged PF officials to stop playing to the gallery but seek to resolve internal issues privately.
QFM
Labels: CADRES, GIVEN LUBINDA, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Simbao appointment illegal - NEC members
By Allan Mulenga and Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 06 Dec. 2012, 12:10 CAT
SOME MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) members have disclosed that the appointment of Kapembwa Simbao as national secretary is illegal because Simbao is not a NEC member.
And Simbao yesterday said his appointment came as a surprise. Sources within NEC have contended that Simbao was erroneously appointed as national secretary because the position could only to be given to a NEC member, which Simbao was not.
"The position of national secretary is an elective position in which only an elected member of the National Executive Committee can serve," the sources said.
"Kapembwa is not a NEC member and he does not qualify to serve as acting national secretary.
Some of the people who were among the 30 that attended the meeting at Dr Nevers Mumba's house are not NEC members. So they cannot even call it a quorum. It is also surprising, not all NEC members were invited while those who sent apologies have been included on the list of those that were present," the sources said.
"The national secretary was also absent at the meeting. Not even the deputy to the national secretary was present at the meeting. Kenneth Chipungu chaired the meeting. This is unconstitutional."
The source revealed that MMD chairman Kabinga Pande had earlier advised that the meeting should not take place, but was later forced to read the outcome of the meeting at a press briefing on Tuesday.
"The other thing is that we were supposed to have two agendas on that meeting, which was to discuss the expulsion of Major Richard Kachingwe and also the contents of the letter which Major Kachingwe wrote to NEC over the invalidation of Mumba as party president," the sources revealed.
"To our surprise, the letter (Maj Kachingwe's) was not discussed."
The sources said Simbao's appointment was hastily done in order to expel Maj Kachingwe and use his expulsion as defence against his application for an injunction in the High Court to restrain Mumba from carrying out party functions because he was not a member of the party.
The sources added that it was suspicious for the organisers of the NEC meeting to omit party chairperson for women's affairs, Catherine Namugala, election chairperson Gabriel Namulambe, chairperson for defence Ronnie Shikapwasha, Situmbeko Musokotwane and Felix Mutati among other provincial and district executives on the list of those that attended the meeting at Mumba's house.
"We are wondering why the rush in appointing an acting national secretary when we didn't form a quorum. We even have people who have been forced to approve of the appointment of Simbao by appending their signatures, who did not attend the meeting. So we expect to hear much from Namulambe, who is the chairperson for elections. What we saw was intimidation, Namulambe should explain," the source said.
And Simbao, when asked about the twist in his appointment, said he was not aware of the justification by NEC to appoint him as national secretary.
"Find out the justification. I don't know. I was not there when they were making decisions. Find out from Nevers Mumba. I have no idea, please," he said.
Asked whether he was part of NEC as per constitutional requirement for one to be appointed national secretary, Simbao said he didn't know anything.
"What do you mean? I don't know. What do you mean by that, before or now? I really don't know. I haven't yet received my letter of appointment.
So, I don't think that I should be talking about that. There is nothing that I can say about that. I think talk to Bradford Machila, MMD chairperson for legal. Machila will be able to explain."
Earlier in the day when asked over his appointment, Simbao said it was not automatic that he would unite the party.
He said it would take everyone's efforts to realise MMD's aspirations.
"People make you the unifying factor, if you are really not doing something to support me, then there is no way I am going to function. But if what you are doing now is to make me perform, I will definitely perform. It is not me that will make myself a unifying factor, people have to use me," he said.
Simbao said though he had not yet received the conditions of service, he expected to draw a monthly salary from the job.
"I am now an employee. I am not like any other NEC member. I am an employee and in normal circumstances, this means full-time job which is supposed to be a paid job. My circumstance might be different. I am not sure but in normal circumstances this is a full-time job. Let me see what is going on. Let me see what I can do and what I cannot do," he said.
Asked how he was going to resolve the chaos that had rocked the party following the expulsion of Maj Richard Kachingwe, Simbao said as an employee of the MMD, he needed to be given permission to make statements.
"I know you are asking something a bit personal. I wouldn't like to get into this right now. I would like to understand my position very well," said Simbao.
And MMD Livingstone has welcomed the expulsion of Maj Kachingwe, describing him as a shame to the party.
District chairman Bornwell Moomba said Maj Kachingwe was responsible for the harassment that he suffered at the hands of the youths because they (youths) were merely protecting the image of the party.
He said the party would not allow Maj Kachingwe to bring confusion.
"We are behind Dr Mumba as party president and the National Executive Committee for expelling Kachingwe. Kachingwe has been there for a long time and he was even instrumental over the party presidential elections. He did not say anything about the presidency of the party then, but why should he come out now? He has something to hide," said Moomba.
But MMD Copperbelt information and publicity secretary Yotam Mtayachalo said it was wrong for NEC to expel Maj Kachingwe without giving him an opportunity to be heard.
He said the problems that had rocked MMD needed a political solution.
Mtayachalo said the MMD should have followed party procedure in expelling Maj Kachingwe.
He said he expected that Maj Kachingwe was going to be charged and asked to exculpate himself so that he be accorded an opportunity to be heard.
He said going to court to get an answer over the problems in MMD might not be in the interest of the party.
"I agree with what (MMD legal chairperson Bradford) Machila is saying that there is need for NEC officials to discuss the constitution objectively and find the way forward. I have always been telling NEC officials that let's leave these partisan lines. If I am supporting Major Kachingwe or Dr Nevers Mumba, let's not align ourselves to individuals but let's deal with this matter objectively," Mtayachalo said.
He said the MMD should identify who was wrong between Dr Mumba and Maj Kachingwe without taking a predetermined position. I expected that even Major Kachingwe should have attended the NEC meeting and NEC should have given guidance that since there are two issues involving the president and national secretary, let them declare interest and the vice-president was going chair the NEC meeting and the deputy national secretary was going to assume the role of national secretary," he said.
He said as long as NEC did not address the issues raised by Maj Kachingwe and only wanted to deal with him, the party problems would continue.
Mtayachalo also advised Registrar of Societies Clement Andeleki not to poke his nose into MMD issues because it was not the only political party.
He said Andeleki should resign and join politics so that they could deal with him at a political level.
But MMD North Western chairperson David Kapwepwe said selfishness had propelled the infighting in the opposition party.
In a statement, Kapwepwe said members were perturbed and disappointed with the manner in which Maj Kachingwe misdirected himself and that he had proved to be a mole serving two masters.
He stated that Maj Kachingwe's claims that Mumba was not a party member were serious indications of "memory loss and disillusioned reflex index".
"It is wishful thinking and very cheap reasoning for someone in his right mind to stand up seven months after someone was voted into office to claim that he was not a member when in fact as the custodian of all party functionaries, Major Kachingwe is well versed with party statutes that include elections and qualification of candidates," he stated.
"....On the validation of Dr Mumba's membership, Major Kachingwe would have done well to raise his worthless claims 10 days before the elections in May 2012. Section 1 and 2 of article 39 of the MMD constitution is very clear about the qualification or validation of the presidential candidate. Article 38 section 2 equally allows anyone with queries about the presidential candidate to bring them to the attention of the returning officer 10 days before elections."
Kapwepwe stated that it was surprising to see Maj Kachingwe criticising a person he was a "chief campaigner for in the run-up to the presidential elections".
"It was Kachingwe who was open to tell all of us to vote for Dr Nevers Mumba if MMD was to move on after the loss. As the people who voted for Dr Nevers Mumba, we find Major Kachingwe's assertions childish, irrelevant and baseless. Unless Major Kachingwe's reflex index is in tatters, he must be ashamed of himself," stated Kapwepwe.
He said North Western MMD was "proud" to have Mumba as their party president. On Tuesday, MMD chairman Kabinga Pande announced that Maj Kachingwe had been expelled from MMD. Pande said Simbao had replaced Maj Kachingwe.
Labels: BORNWELL MOOMBA, CADRES, KAPEMBWA SIMBAO, MMD, NEC, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RICHARD KACHINGWE
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