The Post Newspapers Zambia
Mucheleka, Namugala want windfall tax re-introduced
By Abel Mboozi on Friday 29 November 2013, 14:00:00 CAT
LUBASENSHI Independent member of parliament, Patrick Mucheleka and his MMD Mafinga counterpart, Catherine Namugala, have called on the government to re-introduce windfall tax on the mines.
In their separate debates in Parliament on Wednesday, the two backbenchers said it was wrong for the government to incur a huge external debt when it could raise more money from the mines.
Levy Mwanawasa's government in 2008 introduced a windfall tax on copper at 25 per cent owing to the sector's low contribution to government revenue which still stands at less than two per cent.
According to then finance minister Ng'andu Magande, the government expected to earn at least US $415 million annually from the windfall tax as mining companies accounted for over 80 per cent of the country's export earnings.
However, Rupiah Banda's government in 2010 scrapped the tax amid calls from civil society and opposition political parties to have it maintained.
And the Patriotic Front, during its campaigns, promised to re-introduce the tax, but finance minister Alexander Chikwanda last year categorically indicated that the windfall tax would not be brought back and called those calling for its re-introduction 'lunatics'.
The House on Wednesday voted for a motion moved by Chikwanda that, in terms of section three of the Loans and Guarantees (Authorisation) Act 366 of the Laws of Zambia, Parliament authorises him to increase by statutory instrument the amount outstanding at any given time on external loans from K20 billion to K35 billion.
In his debate on the motion, Mucheleka warned that posterity would judge the nation harshly with the burden it was placing on future generations through the huge external debt.
"The mining sector appears to be the only option to avoid over borrowing because what is coming out from this sector is not enough," he said. "It is very sad that the PF government campaigned on the premise to come and restore the windfall tax, but that has not happened."
Mucheleka said it was sad that only eight per cent of revenue coming out of the mines was what remained in Zambia.
"People are pretending as if they are irritated by what is happening. You all know where the tax avoidance is coming from; you all know the under-pricing that is taking place in the mining sector and you know what you are supposed to do, but you are not doing it," he said.
"This is why the perception out there is that there are some people who seem to be benefitting from what is going on in the mines and that is unacceptable."
He said the UNIP government took 27 years to leave the external debt at U$7 billion when it left power while the MMD left it at U$500 million after the debt write-off.
"When PF came into power, external debt was U$1 billion or so, but in the third year of this government, we are talking of getting back to U$7 billion within three years. It's not a prudent way of managing the economy," he said.
Namugala when opposing the move to increase excise duty on airtime from five to ten per cent said the government should not overburden the poor by such a move, but should introduce windfall tax.
"It is bad economics to tax the poor, because we all know that the poor people are in the majority. So, when you tax them, you are reducing their capacity to spend on their goods and services, what the minister is saying is that when a person in Mafinga spends K10 on airtime, they are going to speak for a shorter period of time than they did before," he said.
Namugala said increasing excise duty on airtime would make it more expensive for the people who need to communicate using cell-phones.
"We have time and again asked the government to introduce windfall tax, if you need to raise revenue, tax those that are creating massive wealth in this country," she said.
"Tax the mines because we all know that when they create wealth, this wealth goes out of this country, we all know that when a poor person creates wealth in Zambia, they will use it to increase productive capacity of our economy."
Namugala said it was high time Chikwanda faced the truth about the need to tax the mining companies to enable Zambia raise her revenue base.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, PATRICK MUCHULEKA, WINDFALL TAX
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Namugala, Kachingwe should have themselves to blame - Shakas
By Agness Changala, Namatama Mundia and Ernest Chanda
Mon 04 Feb. 2013, 17:20 CAT
JONAS Shakafuswa says expelled MMD national secretary Major Richard Kachingwe and Catherine Namugala should have themselves to blame for what they are going through. Meanwhile, Namugala says the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) went too far when it decided to take sides during nominations for the Mpongwe parliamentary by-election.
Commenting on the wrangles between Maj Kachingwe's faction and that of MMD president Nevers Mumba, Shakafuswa, the former MMD Katuba member of parliament, wondered why Maj Kachingwe, who was returning officer when Mumba was elected party president, did not stop him if he knew that he did not qualify or was ascending to the position illegally.
"MMD was in power for some time and they had all records at their disposal and Mumba was president for another party, and the returning officer was Kachingwe. Why didn't he stop that?" he asked. "It shows the level of thinking of Richard, and it's unfortunate that people like Namugala, who I thought were sharp, can also subscribe to such kind of nonsense."
Shakafuswa said it was shameful for Namugala, who at one time gave him advice when he differed with former president Rupiah Banda, to involve herself in such acts.
"Today, I am laughing at her because for me, I take it that the advice she gave me was not coming from the bottom of her heart. I talked with Banda and if he subscribed to what I and others were saying, he could have been president today," he said.
Shakafuswa said people like Namugala, who were Banda's advisors, were the ones who caused him to be kicked out.
"…Now they want to kill MMD when they are the ones who put the party where it is because of the false advice they gave to the former president," he said.
Shakafuswa said Namugala was one of the people who misled Banda and that MMD was in opposition today because of people like her.
He said it was shameful that people who misled Banda had become champions of democracy and disputes in MMD.
Shakafuswa said what was happening in MMD was disgusting, and attributed the problems the party was experiencing to selfishness and greed.
"I think people have to realise that Mumba is president of MMD; the government and home affairs minister Edgar Lungu also have to realise that they need MMD for them to run this country," said Shakafuswa.
Meanwhile, Namugala, who was expelled from MMD, said it was worrying that for the first time in the history of Zambian politics, ECZ was asking candidates which officer from their political parties had signed on their adoption certificates.
On Thursday last week, ECZ turned away Goodson Chilufya, a candidate for the Maj Kachingwe-led MMD faction after he presented himself for nomination.
"I think when there's something like this, it's important that they try as much as possible to be impartial. Again I would like to call on them, especially concerning MMD, that they should do more than just listen to one side because if they do that, they will be accused of siding with one side. I think that for them when they're running an election, if an organisation goes with a candidate and they want to field, it is not up to them to decide whose signature is legitimate and whose is not," Namugala said in an interview yesterday.
"I think they went a bit too far, they got to a point where they now started trying to even get to know who signs. How? It shouldn't be like that. This is the first time I'm hearing that ECZ was looking at signatures to see if the signature on the adoption certificate was what they wanted or not. So, I think that there, they did not serve us well."
Namugala said her group would in future engage the ECZ and make the electoral body understand differences within the country's largest opposition party.
"I think that ECZ didn't have enough time to engage us, or that we didn't have enough time to engage ECZ. And we hope that going forward, we will find a way to engage ECZ so that they are not confused as to what's going on. I think the notice was short, and our only disappointment is that they decided to take sides," said Namugala.
"We really want to find a way to express ourselves to them so that they get to understand exactly what's going on within our organisation. And maybe they will try to remain impartial, especially that we have two pending by-elections in Kapiri and Lukulu West. We really don't want ECZ to be judge and jury in our matters. We have gone to court, we are fighting within MMD; at the end of the day, we'll resolve our differences. Again going forward, my appeal is that please stay out of our politics, unless there's a court order which says don't allow this group, don't allow that group. I think in the absence of that, they shouldn't interfere."
Namugala said Chilufya's presence in Mpongwe showed that they had membership countrywide as MMD and that the candidate they chose was ready and willing to work for the people.
Chilufya presented himself for nomination at Mpongwe Municipal Council at around 13:40 hours when the other candidate of the MMD under Nevers Mumba, Mineva Mutesa, had already filed in her nomination papers.
Mutesa successfully filed her nomination papers around 10:00 hours.
After Chilufya presented himself with an adoption certificate signed by Major Kachingwe, the ECZ indicated to the police that the valid candidate of the MMD, Mutesa, had already filed in her nominations.
The police then ordered Chilufya and his supporters to disperse, which they did.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, RICHARD KACHINGWE
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My expulsion is illegal - Namugala
By Allan Mulenga and Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 24 Jan. 2013, 14:01 CAT
CATHERINE Namugala yesterday rubbished her expulsion from MMD, saying it is illegal. But MMD president Nevers Mumba says Namugala was not granted any injunction by the court to restrain the party from expelling her and, therefore, her expulsion was final.
Namugala, whose faction broke away to operate from another secretariat in Rhodes Park in Lusaka, was expelled on Tuesday by Mumba's faction. During a national executive committee (NEC) meeting held at Chrismar Hotel in Lusaka , some NEC members opposed Namugala's expulsion from the party by Mumba.
Sources within NEC disclosed that senior party members among them, the party's vice-president for administration Dr Brian Chituwo, chairperson for legal affairs Bradford Machila, party's deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu, on Tuesday during an emergency meeting called to expel Namugala, who is the party's chairperson for women affairs and Mafinga MMD member of parliament, including Lusaka Province chairlady Mary Phiri, said that the decision was unconstitutional and disrespectful of the law.
"Forty six members attended the NEC meeting. Almost everyone was for the idea of expelling Namugala except a few. Dr Chituwo just said: 'no, I am not voting. It is against the law and our constitution'. Nyangu didn't vote," the source said.
"Of course, others argued that on this issue, there is an injunction. So, you can't go ahead with a court process going on. But they just ignored it and they went ahead, saying that: 'it is our club and we have our own rules. We will not be stopped by a court order'."
Sources revealed that Machila belaboured on the legal implications that would arise, if members went ahead with the decision.
"Nyangu didn't raise his hand because he was in an awkward situation. His position was similar to that of Machila. Machila's position was that there is a court process, 'let's respect the courts'. One person even said: 'we as opposition, the courts seem to understand us, now if we start going against them, they will turn against us and say, these people are useless'. So, let the court come up with something today on Wednesday and thereafter we can sit to determine the fate of Namugala and others. Even if we expel her, the court might rule otherwise and we will face legal implications'," the source said.
Sources explained that senior members told the gathering that at the moment, lower organs were only interested in organising the party and not by-elections arising from expulsions.
"They didn't like it, but when they read the exculpatory letter from Namugala, as usual you know how those women who surround the president behave, they started shouting 'expel her! expel her!' These people didn't want to accept the advice, especially those Mumba adopted to NEC, like Peter Machungwa, Winnie Zaloumis, Faustina Sinyangwe, Dr Canisius Banda and others," the source said.
Sources further explained that the meeting delayed to start because most invited NEC members were reluctant to attend.
"The meeting which was supposed to take place in the afternoon, only started around 19:00 hours and it ended after 23:00 hours at Lusaka's Chrismar Hotel. The deputy national secretary received about 20 apologies and the meeting was chaired by Nevers Mumba. Tobias Kafumukache, the party's national youth secretary, was thrown out of the meeting because of his alleged relationship with Kachingwe's camp," the source said.
Sources explained that the matter was then subjected to a vote, where the majority of members endorsed the expulsion of the duo.
But Namugala rubbished her expulsion, insisting that Mumba was not MMD president.
"It is illegal because Nevers Mumba is not the president of MMD. There is no secretariat Nevers Mumba is leading," said Namugala, in an interview.
And when contacted for a comment on her expulsion, Phiri said Mumba had no powers to expel any member.
"I don't know anything about that. Besides, it is only Maj Kachingwe who can write me and ask me to exculpate myself and then take me to the disciplinary committee to determine the matter," said Phiri.
And Dr Banda, who is chairperson for health, referred all queries to the national chairperson Kabinga Pande.
Meanwhile, attempts to get to the newly-appointed MMD chairperson for women affairs Sinyangwe proved futile as she cut her mobile phone upon learning that this reporter was from The Post.
Dr Peter Machungwa's mobile phone went unanswered.
And Mumba said Namugala was not granted an injunction by the court to restrain the party from expelling her.
"There is no injunction against the party taking any disciplinary action. They had applied for an ex-parte and an order to restrain our party from making a decision in that regard, but the courts did not grant her an ex-parte and the injunction to stop our party. So there is nothing standing in the way of the party to conclude the disciplinary action which began before she went to court," he said.
Mumba said not only had he obtained legal advice from the legal team of the party, but that the law was also clear.
"If there was any restraining order, we wouldn't have done it," he said.
On reports that Machila was reluctant to endorse the said decision during the meeting, Mumba said: "I don't think so. His role was to provide legal information, which we used to base our information. His advice from the legal point of view is what we used. He was very clear."
Efforts to get a comment from Machila failed as his mobile phone went unanswered.
Dr Chituwo, who refused to endorse the decision to expel Namugala, when contacted, said the party had not authorised any member other Dr Kaingu to talk about Tuesday's NEC emergency meeting.
"Could you raise Dr Kaingu to talk about that," Dr Chituwo advised.
And MMD vice-president for political affairs Michael Kaingu confirmed the expulsion of Namugala and Phiri from the party, accusing them of being inimical to the ideologies of MMD.
Kaingu told a media briefing at the party's secretariat in Lusaka that as far as MMD was concerned, the expulsion was final and the party was ready to go for a by-election.
"It can only be prejudicial if we expel her after an action that will take place in court. As far as we are concerned ourselves, we have taken the action to expel honourable Namugala. She can go anywhere, if she wants to go to London; to Local Court; to the High Court; to Subordinate Court. If she wants to go anywhere as far as the party is concerned, she is an expelled member. We don't care where she goes. I think she has the right to go where she wants to go," said Kaingu.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA
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MMD suspends entire Copperbelt provincial executive committee
By Allan Mulenga and Agness Changala
Thu 17 Jan. 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE MMD has suspended the entire Copperbelt provincial executive committee. But Copperbelt Province MMD chairperson Joseph Chilambwe says the real fight to kick Nevers Mumba out of MMD had started.
And suspended MMD chairperson for women affairs Catherine Namugala has applied for an injunction to restrain party's acting national secretary Kapembwa Simbao and the MMD, from expelling her.
MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu yesterday suspended the entire Copperbelt provincial executive committee with immediate effect.
Nyangu said the party had appointed provincial secretary Tryson Simukoko to take care of the province for administrative purposes.
Nyangu said the committee had been suspended for indiscipline.
But Chilambwe accused Nyangu of being used by Mumba and Dora Siliya to champion their selfish interests.
He said people on the Copperbelt would not be cowed into supporting Mumba's failed leadership.
"You know the people he is playing with are the owners of the party. This is where the party has been built. We should thank them for what they have done, it is the end of Nevers Mumba on the Copperbelt," he said.
"We don't care about the suspension. This is now the real fight. I am still the chairman on the Copperbelt and my people at the province and at district level will continue working and we will continue fighting for the good cause of our party. Even if they do that, those are the kicks of a dying horse. Mumba will never resuscitate the party, but he will see what will follow."
Chilambwe urged Mumba to respect the wishes of the people and step aside as party president.
"Those who will remain with Mumba, they will remain and we will forge ahead. It a silly thing for a seasoned politician to behave the way they have behaved. How do you suspend without even letting the people you are suspending know? We are still talking about the constitution in MMD, where somebody can just wake up in the morning and suspend people," he said.
Chilambwe accused Nyangu of being used by people like Siliya and Mumba to champion their agenda.
"We should follow what the people outside there are saying. The people outside there if they say 'no we don't want you' because they are the voters; these are the people who are holding the party together. We want to have a real leader because you can't be a leader without the people. Let us see who is right and wrong. The people out there will judge. We knew where it was going, even before when Dora Siliya was calling us disgruntled. Dora Siliya was not there when we were fighting for democracy in this country. She was working for ZNBC and she never fought for anything. She just jumped into the bandwagon and she became the spokesperson," said Chilambwe.
And Namugala, who is also MMD Mafinga member of parliament, has asked the court to determine whether the election of Simbao is legitimate.
In this matter, Namugala has sued Simbao in his personal capacity as the first defendant as well as in his capacity as MMD acting national secretary.
According to documents filed in the Lusaka High Court principal registry on Monday, Namugala stated that Simbao and the MMD, through Mumba's group in the national executive committee (NEC) had hatched a plan to expel legitimate members including herself for standing up to protect the
party's constitution.
She stated that she was reliably informed that Simbao and Mumba's faction, in the name of disciplinary committee, had decided to expel her for standing up for her rights as a member of the party as per Article 9 of what was in their constitution.
"That if I am expelled, the decision of the defendants shall have serious repercussions to the nation as there will be a by-election," Namugala stated. "That further my legal proceedings will be academic as I will no longer be a member of the party I love so much of which I am standing up
to protect the constitution."
Namugala urged the court to grant her an interim injunction to restrain the defendants or other agents or servants or whatsoever from expelling her until the determination of the matter.
And Namugala stated that the meeting of the NEC of December 3, 2012 at which Simbao was elected, did not form a quorum and as such was illegal and null and void according to Article
18(2) of the MMD constitution.
She stated that the proceedings and adoption or appointment of Simbao as acting national secretary was null and void because apart from failing to form a quorum, the NEC meeting was attended by non NEC members.
Namugala contended that the NEC had no power to appoint or elect Simbao as acting national secretary which power was deposited only in the convention Article 20 (5) which recognised the deputy national secretary of the party to deputise the national secretary.
She stated that on December 24, 2012, Simbao wrote her a letter of disciplinary action in which he purported to act in pursuant to powers vested under him under Article 46 (i) and 3(3) of the party constitution when he was not a national secretary or deputy national secretary elected by the party convention.
Namugala also stated that the party's constitution had no provision of
acting national secretary nor did it recognise such position save for the deputy national secretary.
She stated that Simbao purported to charge her with two offences which she replied to, despite him being there illegitimately and unconstitutionally.
Namugala stated that as a result of the above, she has asked the court for an injunction to restrain Simbao and the party from expelling her.
She has asked the court for an order to nullify the appointment of the
Simbao as acting national secretary and a further order to nullify the
purported NEC meeting of December 3, 2012 and its proceedings as null and void because of its failure to form a quorum.
Namugala further asked the court to award her costs and any other relief the court may deem necessary.
Namugala stated that the party had been having problems with Mumba and his group which had been disregarding the constitution.
Meanwhile, Lusaka High Court judge Fulgence Chisanga has set January 23, 2013 as date for inter-parte hearing.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, JOSEPH CHILAMBWE, KAPEMBWA SIMBAO, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA
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MMD suspends entire Copperbelt provincial executive committee
By Allan Mulenga and Agness Changala
Thu 17 Jan. 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE MMD has suspended the entire Copperbelt provincial executive committee. But Copperbelt Province MMD chairperson Joseph Chilambwe says the real fight to kick Nevers Mumba out of MMD had started.
And suspended MMD chairperson for women affairs Catherine Namugala has applied for an injunction to restrain party's acting national secretary Kapembwa Simbao and the MMD, from expelling her.
MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu yesterday suspended the entire Copperbelt provincial executive committee with immediate effect.
Nyangu said the party had appointed provincial secretary Tryson Simukoko to take care of the province for administrative purposes.
Nyangu said the committee had been suspended for indiscipline.
But Chilambwe accused Nyangu of being used by Mumba and Dora Siliya to champion their selfish interests.
He said people on the Copperbelt would not be cowed into supporting Mumba's failed leadership.
"You know the people he is playing with are the owners of the party. This is where the party has been built. We should thank them for what they have done, it is the end of Nevers Mumba on the Copperbelt," he said.
"We don't care about the suspension. This is now the real fight. I am still the chairman on the Copperbelt and my people at the province and at district level will continue working and we will continue fighting for the good cause of our party. Even if they do that, those are the kicks of a dying horse. Mumba will never resuscitate the party, but he will see what will follow."
Chilambwe urged Mumba to respect the wishes of the people and step aside as party president.
"Those who will remain with Mumba, they will remain and we will forge ahead. It a silly thing for a seasoned politician to behave the way they have behaved. How do you suspend without even letting the people you are suspending know? We are still talking about the constitution in MMD, where somebody can just wake up in the morning and suspend people," he said.
Chilambwe accused Nyangu of being used by people like Siliya and Mumba to champion their agenda.
"We should follow what the people outside there are saying. The people outside there if they say 'no we don't want you' because they are the voters; these are the people who are holding the party together. We want to have a real leader because you can't be a leader without the people. Let us see who is right and wrong. The people out there will judge. We knew where it was going, even before when Dora Siliya was calling us disgruntled. Dora Siliya was not there when we were fighting for democracy in this country. She was working for ZNBC and she never fought for anything. She just jumped into the bandwagon and she became the spokesperson," said Chilambwe.
And Namugala, who is also MMD Mafinga member of parliament, has asked the court to determine whether the election of Simbao is legitimate.
In this matter, Namugala has sued Simbao in his personal capacity as the first defendant as well as in his capacity as MMD acting national secretary.
According to documents filed in the Lusaka High Court principal registry on Monday, Namugala stated that Simbao and the MMD, through Mumba's group in the national executive committee (NEC) had hatched a plan to expel legitimate members including herself for standing up to protect the
party's constitution.
She stated that she was reliably informed that Simbao and Mumba's faction, in the name of disciplinary committee, had decided to expel her for standing up for her rights as a member of the party as per Article 9 of what was in their constitution.
"That if I am expelled, the decision of the defendants shall have serious repercussions to the nation as there will be a by-election," Namugala stated. "That further my legal proceedings will be academic as I will no longer be a member of the party I love so much of which I am standing up
to protect the constitution."
Namugala urged the court to grant her an interim injunction to restrain the defendants or other agents or servants or whatsoever from expelling her until the determination of the matter.
And Namugala stated that the meeting of the NEC of December 3, 2012 at which Simbao was elected, did not form a quorum and as such was illegal and null and void according to Article
18(2) of the MMD constitution.
She stated that the proceedings and adoption or appointment of Simbao as acting national secretary was null and void because apart from failing to form a quorum, the NEC meeting was attended by non NEC members.
Namugala contended that the NEC had no power to appoint or elect Simbao as acting national secretary which power was deposited only in the convention Article 20 (5) which recognised the deputy national secretary of the party to deputise the national secretary.
She stated that on December 24, 2012, Simbao wrote her a letter of disciplinary action in which he purported to act in pursuant to powers vested under him under Article 46 (i) and 3(3) of the party constitution when he was not a national secretary or deputy national secretary elected by the party convention.
Namugala also stated that the party's constitution had no provision of
acting national secretary nor did it recognise such position save for the deputy national secretary.
She stated that Simbao purported to charge her with two offences which she replied to, despite him being there illegitimately and unconstitutionally.
Namugala stated that as a result of the above, she has asked the court for an injunction to restrain Simbao and the party from expelling her.
She has asked the court for an order to nullify the appointment of the
Simbao as acting national secretary and a further order to nullify the
purported NEC meeting of December 3, 2012 and its proceedings as null and void because of its failure to form a quorum.
Namugala further asked the court to award her costs and any other relief the court may deem necessary.
Namugala stated that the party had been having problems with Mumba and his group which had been disregarding the constitution.
Meanwhile, Lusaka High Court judge Fulgence Chisanga has set January 23, 2013 as date for inter-parte hearing.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, JOSEPH CHILAMBWE, KAPEMBWA SIMBAO, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA
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Nevers is a fraud who has weakened MMD - Namugala
By Allan Mulenga and Roy Habaalu
Fri 11 Jan. 2013, 14:00 CAT
NEVERS Mumba is a fraud who has weakened MMD, says Catherine Namugala. But MMD acting national secretary Kapembwa Simbao says Namugala's conduct is likely to bring the MMD into contempt, ridicule and disrepute.
However, Namugala insists that Simbao is not MMD national secretary. And MMD Die-Hard national coordinator Bowman Lusambo on Tuesday reported Namugala to the police for allegedly threatening violence.
Simbao had written Namugala, who is Mafinga MMD member of parliament, a disciplinary letter dated December 24, 2012, in which he charged her on two counts.
The first charge was that Namugala's statement in The Post of December 20, last year under the headline; 'Namugala Wants Nevers Out', was malicious and contemptuous.
"The fact that the statement comes from a very senior member of the party creates an impression our party has lost direction and is in shambles. Your message to the members through your press statement frustrates the spirit of reconstructing our party in the midst of our adversity and thereby hinders ultimate rapid growth which we are tirelessly striving to achieve," stated Simbao.
He stated that Namugala was insubordinate to senior party organs and officials in relation to regulation seven of 1993.
"You have failed to comply and adhere to an agreed party position not to issue press statements without obtaining express clearance and permission from the chief executive of the party, the national secretary," Simbao stated.
"You are fully aware that such media reports have the potential to dent the image of the party. In view of the aforesaid, coupled with the seriousness of the charges levelled against you. You are therefore, required to submit an exculpatory statement in defence or lack of it within 10 days from the date of this letter in conformity with regulation 9(2) of the disciplinary regulations - 1993."
In her response dated January 2, 2013, Namugala stated that she would not relent in calling for Mumba's removal.
"I will not relent to call for the removal of Nevers Mumba because he is not a duly-elected president of our party. Instead, he is a fraud who has weakened our party and, unless removed, the party will go into oblivion," read her letter in part, which was copied to Mumba, vice-president for political affairs Michael Kaingu and his administration counterpart Brian Chituwo, as well as chairperson for legal affairs Bradford Machila.
Namugala stated that the disciplinary charges levelled against her were frivolous and orchestrated by Mumba.
"As relates to your charges against me, please note that they are misplaced and orchestrated by Nevers Mumba because both Mumba and I have been quoted by the media as saying one thing or the other. I therefore demand that you also take disciplinary action against him and charge Nevers Mumba for bringing the name of the party into disrepute by issuing statements against Dr Chituwo and I as having been sponsored to destabilise the party," she stated.
And Namugala stated that Simbao was not MMD national secretary.
"Firstly, please note that you are not the national secretary of our party MMD and that the substantive national secretary is Major Richard Kachingwe. Therefore, you have no standing, nor authority, to charge me.
That notwithstanding, your purported disciplinary charges have given me an opportunity to put on record facts that are to be said about the state of our party, especially the leadership of Dr Nevers Mumba," stated the letter.
The MMD has been embroiled in wrangles over Mumba's leadership.
And in a turn of events in MMD, Lusambo, who arrived at Lusaka's Bennie Mwiinga police post after 11:00 hours, complained that he was living in fear after Namugala allegedly said during an interview with ZNBC that she would finish the Die-Hard.
He was accompanied by Scorpion Kadobi, an MMD member who, with Lusambo, is facing a charge of assaulting Maj Kachingwe.
"My life is in danger because Namugala has paid some youths to physically beat me and it's those same youths after they are paid that come and inform me of their plan. The people she's been using have confessed to me that they are working on a plan to attack me," Lusambo told officer-in-charge Steven Kabwe before lodging a formal complaint.
Lusambo said most of the youths being used were not MMD members but jobless ones that Namugala had taken advantage of.
"She (Namugala) has told them to manhandle me and fortunately for me, they are telling the plan at every stage before they execute their mission. I receive private phone calls from anonymous people, warning me to watch my steps," he said.
Asked why Namugala could be planning to harm him, Lusambo said he had no clue whatsoever.
Lusambo said he was not being a coward by reporting the matter to the police and that he was a law-abiding citizen.
Labels: BOWMAN LUSAMBO, CATHERINE NAMUGALA, KAPEMBWA SIMBAO, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA
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chituwo, nevers differ
By Allan Mulenga and Kombe Chimpinde
Sun 16 Dec. 2012, 14:00 CAT
MMD vice-president for administration Dr Brian Chituwo and party president Nevers Mumba have differed over the expulsion of Major Richard Kachingwe as national secretary.
Dr Chituwo insists that Maj Kachingwe is still the national secretary of the party.
And MMD chairperson for women affairs Catherine Namugala says the happenings in the party have brought shame to the membership.
Dr Chituwo said the action taken by Mumba to expel the Maj Kachingwe was unconstitutional and that it would be tabled at the next full National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The MMD expelled Maj Kachingwe and replaced him with Kapembwa Simbao.
This was after Maj Kachingwe invalidated Mumba's presidency because he was still president of Reform Party.
However, Dr Chituwo, who was at speaking at a media briefing held at the MMD secretariat in Lusaka said Maj Kachingwe's proposed invalidation of Mumba's presidency was equally wrong but that NEC would deliberate on his alleged dual presidency in respect of the party's constitution.
"Two wrongs were committed. The first was the expulsion of ambassador Maj Kachingwe as national secretary.
The second was also the proposed invalidation of the election of Nevers Mumba as our party president. None of these actions are blessed by our constitution. Only the National Executive Committee and the lower organs have the authority to initiate disciplinary action and for that matter that leads to expulsion.
In this regard therefore, we see that the image of the party was severely dented and these two actions as you have seen have created anger among many of our loyal and faithful members," Dr Chituwo said.
"As such, it is our duty to assure the membership that the National Executive Committee will meet in the shortest possible time to consider the two issues alluded to; the membership of our president Dr Mumba and charges levelled against Major Kachingwe."
Dr Chituwo said MMD wanted to embrace the old tradition of dialogue within the party and not the arbitrary way of making decisions which the party had since embraced.
He said he was saddened at what happened at the party's secretariat in the last two weeks and that only a full NEC meeting would decide the way forward on the fate of the two individuals.
"As leadership, we are prepared to sacrifice in order to keep our party intact. Let us as members therefore pay allegiance to our party and not individuals. Our rallying point must always be the constitution. Human as we may be, we must admit when we make mistakes. That is great leadership," Dr Chituwo said.
"No one shall be above the constitution. The rules that we made ourselves in the conduct of business of the party."
And Namugala urged party's leadership to avoid abrogating the constitution.
"It is not easy right now to answer questions that come from the membership especially the women in the party. They are asking which way their party is going. They are actually saying you are misdirecting the party. The party belongs to them. Everyone has to have a say and their say is the constitution," she said.
"We need to respect the constitution. The happenings of the last two weeks have brought shame to the MMD. Where we have seen our national secretary being dragged by youths and the next thing we see is our president coming in triumphantly. All these things have created questions."
On assertions that she was among the six MMD members of parliament who wanted to defect to the PF, Namugala refuted the claims saying that she would remain a loyal member of the party.
"As for whether Namugala is resigning or not, I have nowhere else to go, Mr vice-president. I love my party and I will remain member of MMD and I want to assure everyone else out there who loves MMD the way I do to remain in MMD," she said.
Namugala urged party leaders to avoid insulting those that were in power, but offer constructive criticism.
"Leaders should not remain in MMD insulting those that are in power, but to remain in MMD to providing checks and balances; providing constructive criticism to the party that is in power.
As a party we should not be seen as a party that just insults," said Namugala.
Efforts to get a comment from Mumba proved futile as his mobile phone went unanswered by press time.
Labels: BRIAN CHITUWO, CATHERINE NAMUGALA, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA, RICHARD KACHINGWE
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Mealie meal shortage: Vice President accuse Millers of Blackmail
TIME PUBLISHED - Friday, November 23, 2012, 1:27 pm
Vice president Guy Scott has accused millers of blackmail in view of the shortage of mealie meal that has hit the Copperbelt.
Dr Scott during the vice president’s question time in response to a question by Mafinga Member of Parliament, Catherine Namugala who wanted to find out government’s position on the mealie meal shortage, said millers ignored the advice given to them to buy maize for themselves on the open market up until the end of December when the FRA would supply them with maize in the second half.
Ms Namugala told the House that mealie-meal prices on the Copperbelt had gone as higher as K75, 000 making it difficult for the locals to purchase the commodity.
Dr Scott said that the millers thought they were clever and left the Food Reserve Agency to buy all the maize as has previously has been the case in the past with all the corruption and maize wastage involved.
He says unfortunately the millers’ blackmail seems to have some effect into forcing government into directing FRA to release maize earlier than planned in order to bring down mealie meal prices down.
The Vice president disclosed that the situation has further been compounded by the mechanical outage at Mpongwe milling which has been down for seven days.
“Mpongwe milling has be down for past seven days which has aggravated the situation because it is the largest milling and supplier of mealie-meal on the Copperbelt, but by next week the situation will normalise, “he said
Dr Scott also said South Africa had stopped supplying the commodity to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a situation which had caused severe demand of mealie-meal from Zambia into DRC.
The Vice President has assured that the escalating prices and shortages of mealie meal on the Copperbelt will normalise by next week.
The Vice President said Agriculture and Cooperative Minister Emmanuel Chenda would next week issue a comprehensive statement on various issues such as mealie-meal shortages.
And United Party for National Development (UPND) Nangoma MP Boyd Hamusonde wondered why there had slow distribution of the farming inputs under Fertiliser Input Support Programme (FISP). In his response, Dr Scott said Government inherited a system that was full of corruption.
He said the Patriotic Front (PF) Government found FISP marred with high corrupt practises and that it was cleaning up FISP distribution exercise.
Dr Scott said the Government would promote transparency and accountability in the manner farming inputs were managed for the benefits of several Zambians farmers.
Labels: BOYD HAMUSONDE, CATHERINE NAMUGALA, FISP, GUY SCOTT, MEALIE MEAL
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MMD MPs stop funding the party, want Kachingwe out
By Roy Habaalu and Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 22 Nov. 2012, 12:50 CAT
MMD wrangles deepened further yesterday after some members of parliament resolved to withhold their K2 million monthly contributions to the party until such a time that Major Richard Kachingwe is removed as national secretary.
But Maj Kachingwe says the future of MMD is under threat and warned against pushing members to their limit through threats of expulsion.
And Catherine Namugala says MMD has weakened itself further by calling for the resignation of Maj Kachingwe.
Meanwhile, Maj Kachingwe says he went to State House together with Namugala to resolve issues of appointing MMD members of parliament as ministers and not to look for a job.
Some MMD members of parliament said they would not contribute to Maj Kachingwe's salary this month and accused him of playing golf instead of campaigning for the party in Mufumbwe.
They said Maj Kachingwe was supposed to be galvanising the party especially in the recent by-election but was however busy 'working' with PF.
"We feel disconnected. Let me give an example. Here is President Sata going to Mufumbwe; the first person who should be there to lay the groundwork is our national secretary. We ordinary MPs are there struggling, helping in by-elections but Kachingwe is nowhere to be seen. He hasn't been to a single by-election. The President is campaigning there, but we see in the newspaper Kachingwe playing golf and frequenting State House. He is paid from our meagre resources you understand," said an MMD member of parliament.
The sources wondered why Maj Kachingwe was not offering even solidarity support during their High Court petitions for their seats.
"When it comes to petitions, Major Kachingwe did not attend a single petition. The party did not contribute to assist a single member of parliament while they suffered in court. We won our cases, there was not even a recognition by major Kachingwe that we had won but this is a person we are paying. Now, we won't pay towards his salary!" an MMD member of parliament said.
"When these cases started, we were all being told to approach Sunday Nkonde of SBN. Suddenly we were told to look elsewhere. There are also underlining factors such that MMD cannot afford to be as broke as it is. When MMD was in government, it had all sorts of money. The insiders know. While we are suffering in the bush, he is busy frequenting State House."
But Kachingwe at a briefing yesterday said those calling for his removal merely wanted him to insult the President.
He said he would rather step down as MMD national secretary than insult President Michael Sata.
Responding to a series of allegations which have been leveled against him by a group of MMD members of in the party, Major Kachingwe said he would not be coerced into politics of insults directed at President Sata and his government.
Major Kachingwe said he was shocked at the allegations that he was compromised by the PF which led him into issuing flat statements against the government and President Sata or those which tended to favour them.
"In our set up, they think when we wake up and insult the President, that is when you are a national secretary, then you are looking for a wrong national secretary," said Kachingwe as some MMD cadres in attendance murmured in disagreement.
"If you want a national secretary who will wake up to insult Sata, then look for another person. I have very strong views about this business of insulting myself."
Maj Kachingwe said President Sata was not only an elderly person but also an elected President of Zambia.
He added that President Sata was currently commander-in-chief of the armed forces while he was an ZNS officer.
"So don't force me. When I say no! it's no. I will not insult him (President Sata). I will differ with his policies. Like now, I have differed with him on the way the government is implementing the public order Act. You can't change me. I am very objective. I don't go for political expedience myself," he said.
Major Kachingwe said the future of the party was under threat because of a clique of MMD members who were championing hate agendas, which cadres were not even interested in.
"I want to say there is a clique that is cooking within the party which has surfaced. Through their actions, they want to destroy this party. They started with honourable Mutati, he had to resign but we won't let them. You find that at the weekend, they would be calling and asking me to expel people. Let them get this word. Let them get bull dozers and graders if they like," he said.
"Even when I say don't expel MPs serving in government, they say I am PF but you see I am the institutional memory of the party. We (MMD) are the ones who started appointing ministers.
This is why I went to State House, so we could solve the problem. I had to engage President Sata. What kind of a job can I look for at my age? Moreover if I needed a job from President Sata, I would simply call him and say Bashikulu, I need your help but that is not me. I believe in the ideals of this party and will not sell out.
Yes I have been to State House twice, not to look for a job but first to seek an appointment and when that appointment was granted, I went in the company of Honourable Catherine Namugala and we got assurance from President Sata that the affected MPs were told to keep their allegiance to the MMD."
On allegations that he had squandered money channeled to election court petitions of its members of parliament, Maj Kachingwe said the party did not allocate money for cases because there was no money.
Maj Kachingwe also dismissed claims that he was not participating in by-elections saying he was always in court to answer to litigations against the party.
He said he played golf during weekends to refresh himself.
But MMD die-hard national coordinator Bowman Lusambo says Maj Kachingwe was compromised and ready to trade off his soul for money.
Lusambo, who walked out of the briefing addressed by Maj Kachingwe, said the national secretary was leaking information to PF.
He said Maj Kachingwe was not fit to hold the position because almost all officials and members of parliament had lost confidence in him.
"This briefing is nonsense. Kachingwe is just wasting our time. He's being silly. He will do anything to please President Michael Sata and PF because whatever the President says is bread and butter for him. He came to bore us with history when he was constituency and district chairman for Kabwata, when the President was member of parliament and national secretary, that's nonsense. We expected him to apologise for going against the party," said Lusambo.
"That's indiscipline on his part. How can he say his allegiance is to the system and not an individual? It means he can't be controlled by any leader. Our president says this is not good and he says the opposite. His lust for money will cause him to crash," said Lusambo.
This was after Maj Kachingwe thanked President Sata for paying his wife's medical bills when she was hospitalised and for keeping his son in the foreign service.
Maj Kachingwe was forced to pause repeatedly after some MMD cadres shouted that he was for sale while others in their drunken state poured scorn on him saying he had run the party down.
Some MMD members want Maj Kachingwe and his deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu out of the party.
Sources said members had softened on Nyangu because they did not have 'evidence' of his collaboration with PF.
But Namugala, who is MMD chairperson for women affairs, said in an interview that those calling for the duo's resignation had been sponsored to destroy the party.
"The calling of Kachingwe and Nyangu to go is in bad faith. I am expecting the president of the party himself to speak about this because we need to know his position. What is his position on this?" she asked.
"For me as a member of the party who has been there for many years, I think it is very sad that MMD should end up like this wanting to divide itself and weakening itself even further."
Namugala, who is also Mafinga MMD member of parliament, claimed that MMD would have gone into extinction had it not been for Maj Kachingwe and Nyangu.
"Kachingwe has been in and out of court. We were even evicted from regional offices, Kachingwe was there to pick up the pieces, found the secretariat, put everything together. Our motor vehicles were seized, Kachingwe was there being harassed. When there were threats to deregister the party, Kachingwe was there being ridiculed," she recalled.
"It is very unfortunate that anyone of us can demand that Kachingwe and Chembe Nyangu go. Kachingwe and Chembe Nyangu have contributed more than their fair share to the well being of this party up to this stage. Kachingwe and Chembe Nyangu have sacrificed a lot to keep MMD going. If it wasn't for those two gentlemen, there would be no MMD to talk about today."
Namugala urged MMD members to follow the laid down procedures when dealing with issues concerning the party.
"We should be thanking them for holding the party together. As human beings, if there is anything that they are doing wrong, any system has internal mechanism of dealing with those problems. But not to be going out to the press and calling for their removal. These two people were elected by the convention," said Namugala.
"MMD has procedures and it is most unfortunate that some of the people who are speaking loudest about the removal of these people, are people who don't even know MMD. People who move from one party to the other are the ones who are in the forefront saying; 'remove this one and remove that one'."
And Solwezi Central MMD member of parliament Lucky Mulusa said in an interview that there was a feeling of uncertainty in the party.
"The political landscape has not settled yet. Some people are looking at short term settlements of the political landscape as something permanent," he said.
"My advice to them is they need to stay where they are. They need to wait a little longer and not to jump sheep. They shouldn't just look at comfort. When we start destroying the opposition then we don't even know who we are."
Mulusa said what had led to the calls for Maj Kachingwe to step down had clearly shown lack of intra-party communication.
"We have been talking more about each other outside the party than within the party. We would have managed to get off incidents that have led to the perceptions that perhaps our national secretary and deputy are compromised," he said.
Meanwhile, Chitambo MMD member of parliament Mushili Malama said there was 'no smoke without fire' when any allegations were raised against any member.
He however said whether the expulsion of Maj Kachingwe would be considered or not, correct procedures should be followed.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, MMD, RICHARD KACHINGWE
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Calls for Kachingwe, Nyangu to leave MMD divisive - Namugala
By Allan Mulenga
Wed 21 Nov. 2012, 14:10 CAT
CATHERINE Namugala says MMD has weakened itself further by calling for the resignation of national secretary Major Richard Kachingwe and his deputy Chembe Nyangu.
In an interview yesterday, Namugala, who is MMD chairperson for women affairs, said those calling for the duo's resignation had been sponsored to destroy the party.
The MMD wants to hound out Maj Kachingwe and Nyangu from the party on allegations that they were working closely with PF.
"The calling of Kachingwe and Nyangu to go is in bad faith. I am expecting the president of the party himself to speak about this because we need to know his position. What is his position on this?" she asked.
"For me as a member of the party who has been there for many years, I think it is very sad that MMD should end up like this; wanting to divide itself and weakening itself even further."
Namugala, who is also Mafinga MMD member of parliament, claimed that the MMD would have gone into extinction had it not been for Maj Kachingwe and Nyangu.
"Kachingwe has been in and out of court. We were even evicted from regional offices, Kachingwe was there to pick up the pieces, found the secretariat, put everything together. Our motor vehicles were seized, Kachingwe was there being harassed. When there were threats to deregister the party, Kachingwe was there being ridiculed," she recalled.
"It is very unfortunate that anyone of us can demand that Kachingwe and Chembe Nyangu go. Kachingwe and Chembe Nyangu have contributed more than their fair share to the well being of this party up to this stage. Kachingwe and Chembe Nyangu have sacrificed a lot to keep MMD going. If it wasn't for those two gentlemen, there would be no MMD to talk about today."
Namugala urged party members to follow the laid down procedures when dealing with issues concerning the party.
"We should be thanking them for holding the party together. As human beings, if there is anything that they are doing wrong, any system has internal mechanism of dealing with those problems. But not to be going out to the press and calling for their removal. These two people were elected by the convention," said Namugala.
"MMD has procedures and it is most unfortunate that some of the people who are speaking loudest about the removal of these people are people who don't even know MMD. People who move from one party to the other are the ones who are in the forefront saying; 'remove this one and remove that one'."
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, CHEMBE NYANGU, MMD, RICHARD KACHINGWE
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Pay or don’t employ, Shamenda tells employers
TIME PUBLISHED - Saturday, July 21, 2012, 10:12 am
THOSE who cannot afford to pay the revised minimum wages should not employ domestic, shop or general workers so that they do the work themselves, Minister of Labour and Social Securities Fackson Shamenda has said.
Mr Shamenda said people claiming to be ‘too poor’ to pay maids and other workers who fall under the revised minimum wage category should do the menial jobs themselves. He said this in Parliament yesterday during questions for oral answer.
Mr Shamenda said this in response to Mafinga member of Parliament (MP) Catherine Namugala (MMD) who asked how low income workers such as teachers will afford to pay their maids following the revised minimum wage.
He replied that the Patriotic Front (PF) government has an obligation to protect the interest of all workers, especially the marginalised. Mr Shamenda said most employers can afford to pay workers the revised minimum wage but are just trying to be selfish.
He said Government has not received meaningful submissions from the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) over the revised minimum wage. “This government will not allow employers to continue paying workers slave wages. When are we going to become a humane society?
“We are aware that most of the people who are complaining get a salary of K20 million per month and 15 percent of that is K3 million which can enable them to employ six maids. And we are also aware that some people get K750,000 as an allowance for working out of town per night and yet they are against the minimum wage,” he said.
Mr Shamenda said big companies and individual entities continue to frustrate vulnerable workers. He maintained that Government has no apologies to make over the revised minimum wages. Mr Shamenda revealed that the ministry has also engaged the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to assist in reviewing and overhauling all labour laws in conformity with the prevailing living standards.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Labour Rayford Mbulu told the House that the ZFE proposed a 15 percent increment on the previous minimum wage of K250,000 for domestic workers. Mr Mbulu, however, said the Minister of labour is empowered by law to ultimately determine the minimum wage after consultations.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and the Copperbelt University Students Union (COBUSU) have separately welcomed Government’s decision to revise the minimum wage. ZCTU secretary-general Roy Mwaba said the revised minimum wage is one of the tools Government can use to ensure shared prosperity.
“ZCTU has the mandate to fight for living wages and it can be acknowledged that even the revised rates of the minimum wage do not meet the tenets of a living wage,” Mr Mwaba said. He said the ZCTU does not believe that increasing the minimum wage will always lead to loss of jobs.
Mr Mwaba said the relationship between minimum wages and unemployment is an issue that requires deeper analysis with empirical evidence to show the correlation between the two. He, however, noted that there was little consultation by Government with other stakeholders.
COBUSU president Thompson Luzendi said the students are happy with the increase of the minimum wage. “We are extremely disappointed and shocked with the negative reactions exhibited by some members of the public against Government’s decision to increase the minimum wage,” Mr Luzendi said.
He said most Zambians are happy with the revision because poor workers have been exploited in the past. “We also appeal to the many poor Zambians to support the revised minimum wage and also to support the current Government on this matter because it’s us the poor people who are affected. This is a pro-poor law,” Mr Luzendi said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, FACKSON SHAMENDA, MINIMUM WAGE
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Jails are now for MMD - Namugala
By Post Staff
Sat 26 May 2012, 13:00 CAT
CATHERINE Namugala says jails in the country are now full of MMD members. Meanwhile, Enoch Kavindele says the MMD has lost out on his ability to re-organise the party by voting for Pastor Nevers Mumba as its president.
The provincial conventions held yesterday elected Pastor Mumba as the party's new leader after he polled 870 votes, representing 67.3 per cent, in a re-run, beating Felix Mutati who followed with 422.
In the first round, Pastor Mumba came out first with 557 votes against his closest rival, Mutati, who polled 366, but failed to garner the required 51 per cent vote.
This necessitated the amendment of the 51 per cent clause which was replaced with a requirement that the winning candidate gets 50 per cent plus one vote.
Mutati, who conceded defeat, said the poll outcome was a victory for the party as democracy, one of the tenets on which it was founded, had prevailed.
"I am willing to serve the party in any position members deem fit," said Mutati when he addressed cadres outside Charles Fisher Hall in Kitwe yesterday.
And Kavindele, the former Republican vice-president, said he was ably knowledgeable of the party, being a long-serving MMD member.
"Well, they will lose my ability to reorganise the party and my knowledge of the party. I would like to believe that our members who have voted…do know what they were promised. So we look to the reorganisation of the party," said Kavindele.
"Well, the people have decided. We campaigned. We told them what we will do for the party. They have chosen…That is what democracy is all about."
Addressing MMD members before the start of the presidential convention at Luangwa House in Chipata yesterday, Namugala, the MMD national chairperson for women, said it was unfortunate that the PF government "want to silence the opposition".
"We have seen what has started happening. In Lusaka we see them, even in Mafinga, we see them. If they (PF government) see you speaking, they arrest you and lock you up. The jails are now for MMD and not any other people. When you say 'this is wrong' they lock you up. This is not the country we fought for in 1991, no," Namugala said.
She said Zambians wanted democracy so that they do not live like slaves.
"We didn't vote to become slaves in 1991, we voted for democracy so that people can vote for the person they want. If one wants to be MMD, that person will be MMD, not what the PF is doing now. They are removing MMD members in cooperatives and clubs, they only want PF members," Namugala said.
She urged MMD members to be strong for the sake of the country.
"Let's be strong, if they are to throw us in (police) cells then they should put all of us in police cells. Don't fear and be strong. We want MMD to be strong because the country can be destroyed without a strong opposition," Namugala said.
She urged the delegates to vote for someone who was capable of making MMD bounce back to power in 2016.
"You lost president Rupiah Banda; you registered in masses but instead of going to vote, you went to look for bush mouse. You refused to go and vote for your relative by remaining at home. Very few people voted for Rupiah Banda and he lost. So today, we want you to vote well so that MMD can bounce back," Namugala said.
She urged provincial MMD chairperson Ezekiel Mtonga to keep the party members well.
Namugala said the grassroot MMD membership was intact and that only those who want to buy vehicles and houses were leaving the party.
Only three MMD members of parliament - Whiteson Banda for Milanzi, Levy Ngoma for Sinda and Reuben Mtolo Phiri for Chipata Central whose election was nullified by the High Court recently but has since appealed against the judgment - out of 15 in the province were in attendance at the convention.
And the MMD has created two positions for the vice-presidency.
The position of party vice-president in the MMD, last held by Kavindele, was frozen in 2005 by the national executive committee during Levy Mwanawasa's reign.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, ENOCH KAVINDELE, FELIX MUTATI, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA
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MMD women threaten to strip over de-registration
By Kombe Chimpinde, Allan Mulenga and Speedwell Mupuchi
Fri 16 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT
THE MMD Women's League has threatened to strip naked tomorrow in protest against the de-registration of their party. And Clement Andeleki has insisted that the de-registration of the MMD is not politically engineered.
But MMD national treasurer Mwansa Mbulakulima says that the MMD has documented evidence indicating that it has never defaulted on remitting its annual returns and change of office bearers' subscription.
And Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda says President Michael Sata should dissolve Parliament and call for fresh general elections if the MMD remains de-registered.
Speaking at a briefing in Lusaka, an emotionally charged MMD women's affairs chairperson Catherine Namugala, who was flanked by several women clad in party regalia accused the PF of attempting to obliterate opposition political parties.
"We do not want our country to go back into a one-party state. We refuse that. We will not allow the country that belongs to our children, the future generations to go back to a one-party state," Namugala charged.
"We will not allow the Patriotic Front government to undermine our hard-earned democracy, to use state machinery to obliterate the opposition because we know the opposition is good for good governance."
Namugala said that the opposition MMD was needed to keep the PF government in check.
"And only a strong opposition can do that. The power that PF has assumed should not be used to obliterate the opposition, but to improve the livelihood of our people," Namugala said.
"We, therefore, call on our President to immediately reinstate the registration of MMD as a political party," she said.
And in an interview yesterday, Andeleki, who is Chief Registrar of Societies, said he would leave it to the Zambian people and the courts of law to judge him.
"I would leave that to the Zambia people. My job is to collect revenue on behalf of the Zambian government and what I have always said is that I would engage any erring society, asking for the said money to be paid. That is what I would do and I will continue to do that. That is exactly what I have done to the MMD, I am a revenue collector, I am a law enforcement officer," he said.
Andeleki urged the public to study what was contained in the Societies Act Chapter 119 of the Laws of Zambia.
"What I can say is that as Chief Registrar of Societies, the Act is very clear. You must look at the Act, the problem we have here in Zambia is that people debate things that they don't understand. They are accusing the President that he has directed me. If you are very keen journalist you will understand that I first wrote to the MMD and they wrote back to us," he said.
Andeleki said the MMD only paid for one branch out of 43 countrywide.
"I don't fight with them MMD, then I replied to our colleagues and I attached the documents because if somebody says we didn't receive you have to write back. I attached the bill to that gentleman. They have 43 registered, they have only been able to pay for one which is their headquarters," he said.
Andeleki said he would not want to been arguing with the MMD in the media, saying that if the party felt aggrieved it should seek legal recourse as provided for by the law.
"I would encourage them to seek the remedy of the law because we also have all the documents showing that the MMD is indebted and they have only been able to pay for one branch and have not paid for the other branches. The law requires that they should pay for particular branches," said Andeleki.
But Mbulakulima yesterday at a briefing at the party's secretariat challenged the Registrar of Societies to show the nation proof that it had failed to comply.
"We want to clarify the issue of payments so that we know who is telling the truth and put this matter to rest," said Mbulakulima as he handed receipts dating as far back as 1993 to 2012 to journalists.
"We have physical receipts here. We want to demonstrate that there has not been any default whatsoever by the party."
Mbulakulima who was flanked by election chairperson Gabriel Namulambe and party spokesperson Dora Siliya also assured members across the country to remain calm and that the party was intact.
And Namulambe said that Andeleki did not have the constitutional mandate to nullify parliamentary seats as earlier suggested.
And Siliya described Andeleki as a treacherous individual.
In a statement yesterday, Brig Gen Miyanda stated that the de-registration of MMD had raised constitutional and legal questions beyond the registrar's mandate.
He stated that although the Registrar of Societies had the discretion to de-register a political party and that he was within his jurisdiction to de-register the MMD if they have not been paying their due statutory fees, he does not agree that he had the power to nullify a parliamentary seat as he declared.
"...We believe that the Registrar has only succeeded in creating an undesirable constitutional crisis in a democratic state as Zambia. The crisis I see is that there may not be any by-elections to be held as several people have been suggesting. It seems that under the current Constitution (Articles 65 and 71) there are only three circumstances under which a by-election may be held, namely through the death of an elected member of parliament, through a resignation or when a member crosses the floor by joining a different party from the one that sponsored him or her or by an independent MP joining a political party," he stated.
"Apparently there is no provision for a by-election following de-registration, in which case we could have a constitutional crisis as the National Assembly is already elected and formed. The quorum of the National Assembly is one third of the total number of MPs. At the current count, the MMD holds slightly over one third of the elected MPs. Even if we include the eight nominated MPs, the scenario remains the same. It means that the National Assembly cannot hold any credible sessions and pass legislation in such a situation unless the PF is scheming to create a de facto one party system and their actions so far seem to confirm this."
Brig Gen Miyanda stated that Andeleki had already made his decision and the ball was squarely in the PF's court.
"If MMD remains de-registered, then the President must dissolve parliament and call for fresh presidential and parliamentary elections. But of what benefit will this be other than to satisfy the PF's desire to increase their numbers in Parliament?" he wondered.
Brig Gen Miyanda also wondered whether a mere department of government could have the power to abridge or take away guaranteed fundamental rights of assembly and association.
"In this case, there are no proper grounds for such a draconian step other than a failure to pay statutory fees. For example, could a limited company be de-listed for failing to pay tax? I urge the government to rescind this decision by the Registrar of Societies without waiting for an appeal. The Registrar has carried out his perceived mandate but the government must not pass the buck because of the serious constitutional issues that have arisen or will arise," stated Brig Gen Miyanda.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, DEMONSTRATION, GABRIEL NAMULAMBE, GODFREY MIYANDA, MMD, MWANSA MBULAKULIMA
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Decision to de-register and nullify MMD parliamentary seats is irresponsible-LAZ
TIME PUBLISHED - Thursday, March 15, 2012, 8:08 pm
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has said that the registrar of societies has no powers to nullify any parliamentary seat. LAZ President, James Banda, said that the decision to deregister and nullify MMD parliamentary seats was rushed, irresponsible and not in the public interest.
Mr. Banda said that the registrar’s decision was excessive. He said that discretionary power granted to the registrar of society does not make it mandatory for him to de-register an erring organization.
Mr. Banda said that such powers must be used in public interest. He noted that MMD is the largest opposition political party with more than fifty parliamentary seats and that de-registering it is not inpublic interest as it undermines democracy.
Mr. Banda added that the registrar could have referred the matter to the Attorney General to treat any alleged amount due from MMD as a debt and commence proceedings for the recovery of the said money owing..
Meanwhile, the former ruling Party has sought legal redress against the de-registration. MMD Secretary General Major Richard Kachingwe through party lawyers Hobday Kabwe and George Kunda has asked the high court to declare its deregistration null and void.
In its application for leave to apply for judicial review against the registrar of societies’ move to de-register it, the MMD through its lawyers is asking the high court to declare as illegal and unreasonable the nullification of its 53 parliamentary seats.
The MMD is seeking judicial review of the Registrar of societies’ move to de-register it, charging that it has duly paid all statutory obligations and has filed the requisite returns and notices as required under the societies act.
They have further asked the high court to quash the said decision and prohibit the registrar of society from levying illegal charges on the party. The MMD has since declared a dispute with the registrar of societies regarding the payment of statutory fees for its branches.
The party further claims that by effecting the cancellation and nullification of the 53 MMD parliamentary seats the registrar of societies amounts to usurping the powers if the high court which is the competent forum to nullify the election of an MP.
The MMD also claims that there is no legal requirement under the societies act for a political party which is registered at national level to register branches separately.
And Movement for Multiparty Democracy-MMD National Chairperson for Women Affairs Catharine Namugala has threatened that women in the beleaguered party countrywide will stage a naked protest on Saturday should the Registrar of Societies fail to heed the party’s call to rescind the decision.
Speaking soon after former President Rupiah Banda’s Press conference held at his residence near State Lodge in Lusaka today, Ms. Namugala told journalist that MMD women will not sit idle and watch willful assault on Zambia’s democracy.
She alleged that Zambia’s democracy was under threat under the Patriotic Front Government and warned that MMD women were ready to go to prison in defense of the former ruling party from de-registration.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, JAMES BANDA, LAZ, MMD, PARTIES, POLITICS
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Hillary Clinton departs Zambia, holds talks with Michael Sata and HH
TIME PUBLISHED - Saturday, June 11, 2011, 4:39 pm
Visiting United States (US) Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has left Zambia after winding up her schedule in the country where she also addressed the 10th Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum which officially closed yesterday. The plane carrying Mrs. Clinton took off at the Lusaka International Airport at 14-30 hours local time. She has gone to Tanzania on other official duties.
ZANIS reports that the former first Lady was seen off at the airport by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Tourism and Natural Resources Minister Catherine Namugala, US Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella and senior government officials from the two governments.
Later in the evening, Mrs. Clinton who arrived yesterday (Friday), in the country private talks with President Rupiah Banda at State House where a dinner was also hosted in her honour.
Today, the US Secretary of State graced the official launch of the Zambia-American Chamber of Commerce at Intercontinental Hotel.
Mrs Clinton also handed over a state of art Pediatric Centre of Excellence at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) to President Banda who received the facility on behalf of the Zambian Government.
Shortly after the handover ceremony, she held private talks with two major opposition political party leaders; Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema of the Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) respectively on this year’s elections.
While in Zambia, the United States (US) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has bemoaned the low level of economic cooperation, integration and trade among African countries saying this was an obstacle to sustainable growth on the continent.
Mrs Clinton noted that the benefits of economic integration were well known which included reducing food insecurity by allowing agricultural goods to move efficiently to the places where they are needed and landlocked countries have access to ports and habours.
ZANIS reports that officially closing the 10th Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka yesterday, She added that other benefits of economic integration was that African companies were allowed to tap into a very promising new market.
Addressing more than 3 000 delegates from US and 37 eligible African countries, the US Secretary of State said there was less trade within the Sub Saharan Africa than within any other region of the World and attributed this to partly improving Africa’s infrastructure stressing that the limiting factor was not roads but people.
‘’It is partly a matter of improving Africa’s infrastructure. But the most important limiting factor isn’t roads. It’s people.’’She said.
‘’It is partly a matter of improving Africa’s infrastructure. But the most important limiting factor isn’t roads. It’s people.’’She said.
Mrs Clinton who is also former First Lady cited a number of problems to economic integration noting that trade officials wanted to protect their home-grown industries with Government leaders of smaller countries concerned about larger ones gaining too much influence among others.
She further stated that while these problems were not unique to Africa, they had a powerful and lasting impact and emphasised that it was up to leaders in the Sub Saharan region to decide whether they wanted economic integration.
‘’They will have to take on entrenched interests and respond to concerns about new competition, while making clear to their constituents how they will benefit from expanded regional trade,’’She said.
Host, Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati was present.
In another development, the US Secretary of State hailed women for their significant contribution towards African economies and the rest of the world.
Mrs Clinton noted that evidence showed that small and medium-sized enterprises run by women were major drivers of economic growth adding that when a woman prospered she reinvested her earnings in her family and that the positive effects rippled throughout the entire community.
She further said there was need to help more women connect to the global economy adding that no country could survive when half of its people are left behind.
However, Mrs Clinton observed that cultural traditions continued to make it difficult for a woman to start a business as they discouraged her from handling money or managing employees.
The AGOA Forum was held under the theme: ‘’Enhanced Trade Through Increased Competitiveness, Value Addition and Deeper Regional Integration.’’
ZANIS
Labels: AGOA, CATHERINE NAMUGALA, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, HEALTHCARE, HILLARY CLINTON, MICHAEL SATA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Namugala urges more citizen involvement in tourism sector
By Ndinawe Simpelwe
Wed 25 May 2011, 07:00 CAT
A SENIOR government official has bemoaned the low numbers of Zambians participating in the tourism sector. In an interview, tourism minister Catherine Namugala said very few Zambians were involved in tourism related businesses. Namugala said it was worrying that Zambians were not taking advantage of the growth of the tourism sector in the country.
“We have tourists coming in large numbers; this is a big opportunity for investment. These people need transport, they need accommodation and food so this is an opportunity for the country to make money,” she said.
Namugala said there was no need for Zambians to leave everything to foreign investors to enjoy the benefits of the country.
She called on Zambians to take part in tourism either as local tourists or as investors in the tourism sector.
Namugala said the problem was that Zambians were not patient enough to wait for the benefits of tourism.
She said most stakeholders lacked patience and were in a hurry to see results of their investment.
Namugala said tourism was a big industry that needed a lot of investments to sustain it.
She asked stakeholders to play an important role to ensure that tourism contributed positively to the country’s economy.
“The problem is we are impatient with ourselves. The number of Zambians in the sector is not very encouraging,” Namugala said.
She said the number of tourists visiting Zambia’s tourist spots has continued to increase, adding that this provided an opportunity for the private sector to invest in the sector.
Namugala said tourists needed to be provided with different services which the government alone could not manage to make available.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, TOURISM
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Government officials shuns KK’s day
By Bright Mukwasa
Fri 29 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT
THE government yesterday shunned birthday celebrations and the unveiling of Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s statue at his pre-independence house in Chilenje, Lusaka.
And Dr Kaunda expressed sadness at the news that both Patriotic Front president Michael Sata and tourism minister Catherine Namugala could not turn up for his birthday.
The unveiling of the monument at his former house, 394 Chilenje, was supposed to be graced by Catherine Namugala.
Kabwata PF member of parliament Given Lubinda said he was informed that Namugala was not going to attend the event because Michael Sata would be in attendance.
Lubinda, who apologised to Dr Kaunda, told Chilenje residents who had gathered to witness the event that initially there had been a hoax circulating that the unveiling of the statue had been cancelled, without disclosing its source.
Lubinda expressed sadness at the absence of the two leaders at the event.
“Namugala said she will not be here if president Sata will be here. I am extremely sad, Mr. President,” Lubinda said amid shouts of shame from the audience.
He said Sata opted to stay away from the event so that he doesn’t spoil the party following Namugala’s reservations.
“Let me apologise for the absence of president Sata and let me also apologise for the absence of the minister Namugala. Indeed, I apologise for the the two leaders Sir," he said.
Lubinda said it was sad political frictions were extending to non-partisan functions like the birthday of Dr Kaunda.
He said Sata had directed Lubinda to let the event continue as Dr Kaunda was bigger than the individuals involved owing to his sacrifice for the country’s struggle for independence.
Lubinda said Dr Kaunda would be remembered for his humility.
And Dr Kaunda expressed sadness at the news that both Sata and Namugala could not turn up for his birthday.
Dr Kaunda called on Zambians to embrace the philosophy of “One Zambia, One Nation”.
He apologised that his wife, Betty, could not attend the event.
“Let me apologise for the absence of my girl (Betty), sorry for amai minister Catherine Namugala, president Sata. I think we have been told the reasons why they are not here, let’s learn from that,” Dr Kaunda said.
Dr Kaunda called on Zambians to obey the law of God and to love one another regardless of tribe, race or religion.
“We must continue to build Zambia on the ‘One Zambia One Nation’, on that basis, without that there is no hope for us. Let us remember that it’s not tribe that’s important,” he said.
Dr Kaunda said Zambians ought to love each other as they just emerged from reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Easter) whose life they must emulate.
Meanwhile, Dr Kaunda says Zambia needs peace even through this year’s elections.
In an interview on Wednesday prior to his 87th birthday which fell yesterday, Dr Kaunda called on Zambians to bear in mind the philosophy behind the struggle for independence.
“We want our people to maintain our peace in Zambia. Even during this election we need that peace,” Dr Kaunda said.
He challenged youths to be more patriotic and take part in efforts to propel the country to economic prosperity.
“The most important thing is to follow the teaching of God your creator and follow His laws. There is peace in following that and in disobeying them there’s death,” he said.
Dr Kaunda advised Zambians to follow the Bible teaching of the Golden Rule of “do unto others as you would like them do unto you”.
And Dr Kaunda, who attended South Africa’s Freedom Day on Wednesday, urged South African President Jacob Zuma and his government to remember the purpose for the struggle of that country’s independence.
He said South Africa was the most oppressed during the apartheid era and he was glad that Africa had joined together to clamp down on that brutality.
Dr Kaunda said he was glad that South Africans were getting over the oppression of apartheid.
Labels: BIRTHDAYS, CATHERINE NAMUGALA, GIVEN LUBINDA, KENNETH KAUNDA
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Namugala urges peace during polls
By Moses Kuwema
Thu 24 Mar. 2011, 04:01 CAT
THERE is need for Zambians to remain peaceful during this year's elections in order for the country's tourism sector to record sustainable growth, says tourism minister Catherine Namugala.
During the launch of the 5th African International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) conference at the Golden Bridge Hotel in Lusaka yesterday, Namugala said the tourism sector was very sensitive.
“We need to be peaceful in order for the tourism industry to grow. I call upon Zambians to remain peaceful even during this year's general elections, tourism sector is sensitive and acts of violence will scare away tourists.
“We need to preserve peace if we are to see sustainable growth in this sector,” Namugala said.
And Namugala said the 5th IIPT African conference would bring together models of mitigating and addressing the anticipated impacts of climate change on tourism in Africa and the developing world.
She said the goal was that the conference would provide a profile of the best practice from each of the developing regions of the world.
“It is worth noting that climate change is a major threat to sustainable growth and development in Africa, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Impacts of climate change include among others, increased incidence of both drought and flooding, desertification, sea level rise, reduced freshwater availability, decreasing fish resources, cyclones, impacts on food security, all of which have an impact on tourism,” said Namugala.
The IIPT conference which is slated for May will be held under the theme “Meeting the challenges of climate change to tourism in Africa and the developing world”.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE
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Invest in tree planting, govt challenges sawmillers
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Wed 16 Mar. 2011, 04:00 CAT
GOVERNMENT has challenged sawmillers and timber merchants to urgently invest in tree planting to ensure sustainability of the forest industry because ZAFFICO will not meet their demand in the years to come.
Officiating at a meeting with timber producers, merchants and sawmillers on Monday aimed at finding best practices to manage the forests, Tourism, environment and natural resources minister Catherine Namugala said there was need to address challenges that inhibited the creation of linkages in the forestry business.
“We want you to develop value addition strategies because we can't continue exporting raw or semi-processed timber and yet we import products made out of our timber,” Namugala said.
She said it was important to remember that forests were a strategic natural resource and contributed a lot to Zambia.
Environment and natural resources permanent Lillian Kapulu advised the private sector to ensure optimum utilisation of trees through value addition and less operational wastage.
“We want to see those huge piles of sawdust being turned into finished products like briquettes to be used as alternative energy to charcoal,” said Kapulu.
“And why is Zesco importing transmission poles? Does it mean timber producers and merchants are failing to meet demand? Government wants you to export finished products, thereby avoiding creation of jobs in other countries.”
At the same meeting, Minister of Lands Gladys Lundwe assured that government was ready to expedite the provision of land to prospective investors in the forestry sector since planting of trees was important in national economic development.
ZAFFICO managing director Frightone Sichone said having one supplier in timber business was not sustainable.
“The private sector should come on board and supplement ZAFFICO. It is true that trees take years to mature so people fear they won't get immediate benefits but these are the same people building mansions and yet they are in their 60s,” said Sichone.
Earlier, Association for Saw Millers president Peter Kabamba accused ZAFFICO of squeezing entrepreneurs by reducing their annual wood allocation.
“Reduction of annual wood allocation is affecting saw millers' businesses since we fail to meet demands of our customers,” he said.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, FRIGHTONE SICHONE, MILLERS, TIMBER
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Hospitality and peace are vital to Zambia - Rupiah
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sat 26 Feb. 2011, 04:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda says the hospitality industry is dependent on key infrastructure which the central government needs to provide.
During the opening of Protea Hotel in Chipata, President Banda said it was the responsibility of the central and local government to provide necessary infrastructure for the growth of the industry.
President Banda said the government was pleased to support the formal opening of the new hotel because of the socio-economic changes and benefits that would unfold in the district.
“Apart from the international standards of service to be expected under this highly reputed brand name, the hotel will provide an exemplary lead from which local hoteliers may learn a number of things about operating in the hospitality industry,” he said.
President Banda said the new hotel, built at a cost of K20 billion, represented an important phase for the hotel group’s expansion in Zambia.
He also urged Zambians to play their part in discouraging and opposing violent language and behaviour.
President Banda said that without conditions of lasting national peace, it would not be possible to plan and build.
“I would encourage you all to see to it that we cherish and uphold this divine gift of nationwide peace. My goal is for Zambia to achieve a better standing in the world. We will achieve this through establishing security, stability and prosperity for all Zambians,” said President Banda.
Chairman of Protea Hotels Zambia Mark O’Donnell said Protea Chipata was the seventh Protea Hotel in Zambia.
O’Donnell pledged that Protea would continue to provide quality accommodation.
Tourism minister Catherine Namugala said the country had seen accelerated development in the sector because of President Banda’s visionary leadership.
She said potential investors were always happy whenever they interacted with President Banda.
“They have told us that they feel that their investment are safe in this country because they have met a President who is focused on economic development and poverty alleviation. Your Excellency, therefore it is in the interest of all Zambians that you lead this country beyond 2011,” said Namugala.
President Banda also presented two cheques for K5 million each to Chipata Cheshire Homes and the Network for Zambian People Living with HIV and AIDS.
President Banda also paid a courtesy visit to paramount chief Mpezeni at Laweni in Mtenguleni.
Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, EGYPT, RUPIAH BANDA, TOURISM
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