Nurses' dismissal final - Shamenda
By Kombe Chimpinde-Mataka
Fri 06 Dec. 2013, 14:01 CAT
LABOUR minister Fackson Shamenda says the UPND is inciting dismissed nurses to take action against the government.
But UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma says the party is concerned with the manner in which the government is running the health sector. And Shamenda says ZCTU secretary general Roy Mwaba risks being arrested if he continues to incite nurses.
Reacting to the UPND's decision to mount a legal battle in defence of dismissed striking workers countrywide, Shamenda described as inhuman the opposition party's lack of regard for what patients went through when nurses were on an illegal strike.
Shamenda said the decision to dismiss the nurses was final and the government would not reverse it.
"This confirms the suspicions that people had that the strike could have been politically motivated because in the first instance, the people who should be sympathisers of the patients that were in hospital, they were going there and encouraging the nurses to continue being on strike in October when they staged the first strike action and saying 'they have got a good case' and wishing them well. That is tantamount to inciting them," Shamenda said.
He said that UPND must understand that the government had grounds on which nurses were fired, which were clearly backed b the law.
"If anything, once those nurses get a court injunction, chances of even the employer re-employing them may stop. The way the law is at the moment is such that you can't force an employer to reinstate anyone if they dismiss them, each side has got a right to terminate the contract. So they are jeopardising the chances of the nurses," he warned.
"We fired nurses because they did not follow the normal channels because they broke the law. Comparing the KCM or Shoprite case to this particular one is like comparing oranges to sausages. Nurses are essential workers, you can't trivialise these issues. People must understand the gravity of the action which was taken by the nurses."
Shamenda said that by law, it was an offence for anyone classified as an essential worker to go on strike even for a minute.
He said the government had in fact used its discretion to tolerate the strike action for as long as 10 days.
"It's like someone who is driving, and you find there is accident and you refuse to do anything; it is criminal," Shamenda said.
"Last year, the nurses got the highest adjustments of salary increment. It is unprecedented in the history of the country. We never had such an adjustment and we said we would work with unions to ensure the adjustments are implemented."
And Shamenda said he took great exception to remarks by ZCTU Mwaba that the action taken by the government would culminate into a crisis.
"I take serious exception to the statement by ZCTU and the Zambia Medical Association particularly. ZCTU and the Medical Association should have been the first ones to condemn the strike action by nurses," he said.
"I am disappointed with Roy Mwaba, who I am hoping was misquoted, because I think he is politicking. That is a very serious statement. In normal circumstances, he needs to be arrested because what he is saying can lead to the country becoming ungovernable. Where was he when the nurses went on strike in October when politicians were inciting them? 10 days down the line, when the nurses were on strike, ZCTU did not say anything."
"It is a very irresponsible statement by a seasoned trade unionist. He is supposed to condemn the action by nurses instead of insulting government, and no one is going to challenge government. He thinks he can direct government to reinstate nurses at a press conference? That is an insult! Majority of workers in Zambia, if not all, are condemning the strike action by nurses. He should not start daring government."
And Dr Katele Kalumba says the government must delink the health profession from labour unions.
Dr Kalumba says health workers should not use the mechanism that all other category of workers are currently using because of the sensitivity of their work.
"Surely, there must be a different mechanism that can be used in dealing with or having discussions relating to the conditions of service of health workers. I am making a public policy issue here, that can we create a track, away from the public service unionism that is used for negotiating conditions of service for health workers," he said.
"Can we use something similar to what we use when we are dealing with the security and defence force. I hope responsible and rational human beings can see this point and take it up."
Dr Kalumba described the strike action by nurses and the sacking of nurses as sad.
"It's sad news to hear what has happened. It's also outrageously sad that responsible unions can allow a situation to deteriorate to a level where nurses go on a strike and are fired, a situation that is endangering people's lives because they (unions) control health workers. Zambians cannot afford," he said.
"I hope there were no political baggages attached to the failure by the unions to be a lot more socially responsible to the limitation of the government negotiating position on this matter. I hope there is no such thing. If there is, it must be gotten rid of. It's an extraneous matter."
He said the welfare of the patients should come first, stressing that the firing of nurses that had gone on strike, at the expense of the well-being of patients in hospitals, was wrong.
"The primary interest of professionals such as nurses, just as that of government, should be the welfare of their clients," Dr Kalumba said.
"In this case, the patient, that is why there is an oath particularly for this category, doctors or nurses, which they take upon graduating to the professional category. This means against all odds, in the worst of circumstances, they would consider first and foremost, not themselves, not the politician, not the bureaucracy, not even the employer but the interest of the patient that they have sworn to serve," Dr Katele said.
"Now that is nothing to say about various grievances that health workers across the country do face. I live in a rural area; I understand the challenges that they have."
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, FACKSON SHAMENDA, HEALTHCARE, NURSES
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Corruption probe report on Chirwa, ZRL board with DPP - Mukanga
By Kabanda Chulu
Fri 28 June 2013, 14:01 CAT
PARLIAMENT has heard that a report on corruption allegations at Zambia Railways that were levelled against former managing director Prof Clive Chirwa and the board has been submitted to the DPP.
Responding to UPND Zambezi West member of parliament Charles Kakoma who wanted an update on the findings of the investigations at Zambia Railways, transport minister Yamfwa Mukanga confirmed that investigations had been concluded.
"The report has been given to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) who shall decide whether to prosecute or not," he said.
MMD Chembe member of parliament Mwansa Mbulakulima asked if the findings would be availed to the public but Mukanga responded that security investigations were usually not made public.
"But anybody found wanting will face the wrath of the law," he said.
Earlier, Mukanga presented a ministerial statement on the dissolution of the Zambia Railways Limited board and the retirement of the managing director.
Mukanga disclosed that Prof Chirwa did not recognise the authority of the board in that he disobeyed most of the instructions given to him.
He said Prof Chirwa never took the initiative to raise any complaints against the board to the ministry but opted to raise issues in the media.
"The board served him written warning letters whose messages he ignored, consequently the board charged him. Upon refusing to exculpate himself, the board informed the minister that Prof Chirwa should be dismissed but while the minister was still studying the matter, Prof Chirwa went to the media to attack the board, which later decided to release information to the media regarding Prof Chirwa's misconduct," Mukanga said.
But UPND Kalomo member of parliament Request Muntanga asked why the government had again appointed a managing director without constituting the board.
"Why appoint a CEO before the board is established? Is this the reason the managing director never respected the board and it has happened again?" asked Muntanga.
In response, Mukanga said there was no board at the time Prof Chirwa was appointed and that there was no anomaly when President Sata made the appointment.
MMD Mafinga member of parliament Catherine Namugala asked when the new board would be appointed while Vubwi's Eustarckio Kazonga wanted to know if the position of managing director would be advertised.
Mukanga responded that the board would be appointed soon.
"We are in control and people should not mislead the nation. Dr Atanga is the best person to resolve problems at ZRL since he understands the problems facing the company," he said.
"Also Dr Atanga is acting and cannot be confirmed without board approval and we are following his performance."
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, CLIVE CHIRWA, CORRUPTION, MWANSA MBULAKULIMA, YAMFWA MUKANGA, ZAMBIA RAILWAYS
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UPND's call to PF to halt its election petitions
By Editor
Sun 23 June 2013, 14:00 CAT
Opposition UPND spokesman Charles Kakoma says the Patriotic Front should wait for the 2016 general elections to regain the parliamentary seats they lost in the 2011 elections.
Kakoma says "people are tired of these by-elections. If they wanted these seats, they should have waited for 2016 elections because these are unnecessary and costly by-elections".
And Kakoma has accordingly urged the Patriotic Front to withdraw its parliamentary by-election petitions because they are a drain on national resources.
We agree, parliamentary by-elections are indeed a drain on national resources. But we wonder what standards Kakoma is using to urge the Patriotic Front to withdraw its parliamentary election petitions when his own party, the UPND, has a parliamentary election petition before our courts of law. The UPND was a party to the Livingstone parliamentary election petition that resulted in the nullification of the MMD's election victory and the holding of fresh parliamentary elections in that constituency. But even after the by-election, UPND has gone ahead to again petition the results of that by-election that was won by the Patriotic Front. What standards are these? Double standards!
It is said that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. If it is good for the UPND to petition an election result they are not happy with, it is also good for others to do the same if they so feel.
Clearly, what the UPND is concerned about is not the cost to the nation of holding parliamentary by-elections. They are worried about the loss of seats on their part and the gaining of seats on the Patriotic Front's part. If the UPND was sure of winning every parliamentary by-election, or even a good number of parliamentary by-elections, they would not be talking against election petitions that cause by-elections. They are participating in these by-elections to gain more seats. They have petitioned the Livingstone seat to gain more seats. What else would that petition be for if not for them to win the Livingstone seat?
This is a political party that is expelling its members of parliament knowing very well that this will result in by-elections. Their argument is that they would rather have fewer members of parliament, cause by-elections, than condone indiscipline. But wouldn't others similarly say that they would rather petition electoral malpractices, cause by-elections, than condone electoral fraud?
There is no doubt these by-elections are a costly undertaking. But there is also no doubt that the election petitions that have caused most of these parliamentary by-elections are helping cleanse our electoral process of vices. And we should be grateful to the Patriotic Front for initiating most of these election petitions that have given our courts of law the opportunity to help cleanse our electoral process of malpractices.
We all knew that the 2011 elections were full of electoral mischief by the MMD and its allies. And UPND was an ally of the MMD in the 2011 elections and they joined in the corruption that characterised the MMD's campaign.
The Supreme Court's nullification of the UPND's Mulobezi Constituency electoral victory on the basis of electoral corruption is a clear testimony of the corruption of that league. The Supreme Court has established as a matter of fact that UPND was involved in electoral corruption through the widespread donation of blankets and mattresses in the constituency. How can the UPND explain the distribution of blankets and mattresses during an election campaign in a constituency? They have been caught bribing the electorate. No matter how much they try to deny this, a record of corruption has been created for them and they will not be able to erase this. Together with the MMD, the UPND was involved in electoral corruption. They were bribing the electorate. This needs to be stopped if we are to enjoy, as a nation, free and fair elections. Elections where those who are lawless are allowed to bribe the electorate with blankets and mattresses cannot be said to be free and fair.
And there is no cost that should be spared in fighting crime. Bribing the electorate is a criminal offence which should be fought like any other crime. And fighting crime is not a cheap undertaking - it is a costly one. But no resources should be spared in fighting crime.
We should be thankful to our courts of law for the near zero tolerance to electoral fraud and corruption that they have continued to show in these election petitions. Our courts are pushing our election standards to another plateau of decency and honesty that we should be proud of.
Those who do not want to change their ways will continue to have their election victories reversed. But in the end, the nation will benefit from all this and the costs accompanying it. Yes it is expensive to nullify these seats and hold by-elections. But cost should not stand in our way of creating conditions where justice and fairness can prevail and where deceit, fraud, bribery should fail in elections.
If the politicians who take part in these elections were willing to conduct themselves in a fair and decent manner, there wouldn't be so many election petitions and consequently by-elections.
If election petitions are the only way of addressing electoral injustices and fairness and fraud, then let it be so. And it is unfortunate that those asking the Patriotic Front to withdraw election petitions are the ones who have been found wanting and have lost seats as a result of these petitions.
And if the UPND is really serious and honest about its concern for by-election costs, let them wait until 2016 to sort out their 'truant' members of parliament and avoid expelling them and causing by-elections. Can the UPND listen to such advice and take it? The answer is a categorical no. Cost is not their concern. Their main concern is power. They have to show they have power even when they don't have it. This is not a political party that operates on principles and standards. It is a political party that is propelled by expediencies of the moment. If it is expedient for them to denounce something, they will do so without regard to principles or standards. If it is expedient for them to embrace something, they will do so without shame even if this violates clear principles and standards. Look at their behaviour when it comes to Rupiah Banda's corruption. When it was expedient for them to denounce Rupiah and the corruption of his league, they did so without restraint and respite. And when it became expedient for them to go to bed with Rupiah, they forgot about their charges of corruption against him and have come to his defence against corruption charges. This is UPND for you - a party of the unprincipled.
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, CHARLES KAKOMA, CORRUPTION, PF, RUPIAH BANDA, UPND
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Disobeying a court order
Wed 12 Sep. 2012, 10:10 CAT
Many statements have been made on the issue of a court order allowing the UPND to hold a rally in Kanyama on Sunday that is said to have been disobeyed by the police.
If indeed there was a deliberate disobedience of the court order by the police then those responsible should be made to account for their breaking of the law. A court order is 'law' that needs to be obeyed. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the merits or demerits of a court order, it should not be arbitrarily disobeyed.
But the story does not end here. What has given rise to this debate is the fact that the court was able to issue a decision that we can today call a court order in favour of UPND and against the police.
And today, wrong or right, we are seeing many decisions against the executive coming from the Judiciary at a rate we never saw under the Rupiah Banda regime. One who feels disadvantaged by an Executive decision can today confidently go to court and seek justice with a good expectation of getting it. This was not the case under the previous regime where the Executive and the judiciary had almost become one. Under Rupiah, the executive got almost everything they wanted from our courts.
If Rupiah wanted to save Frederick Chiluba from going to jail, the courts gave him that decision. If Rupiah didn't want the London High Court judgment registered so that it could be enforced in Zambia, the courts helped him to achieve that. This doesn't seem to be the case today.
There are many decisions that our courts of law are taking against the Executive and sometimes to the annoyance of the Executive. And so far, all the decisions of the courts seem to have been respected by the Executive even if they may not be agreed with. This is the way things should be even if sometimes those in the Executive are irritated and feel the courts are still operating the way they operated under Rupiah and are still serving such interests.
Yes, it is true that some of our judicial officers were corrupted by the Executive of Rupiah and are still at the service of their former masters or members of their league. And there is temptation to try and square up things by simply ignoring or frustrating their schemes. This will not be the right way to deal with such elements.
There are certainly better ways of dealing with such judicial officers. There is a trail of their conduct and the time will come to deal with them. And where there is enough evidence of misconduct, complaints can be raised to the appropriate bodies to deal with them. Those who go overboard, tribunals can be sought to sort them out.
And moreover, it's just a matter of time before a serious overhaul of our entire judicial process is initiated. We have no choice but to learn and draw inspiration from how the Kenyans sorted out the inadequacies or deficiencies of their judiciary.
What is needed is a judiciary that is independent and which can take decisions that are respected by all citizens. Our Judiciary has suffered a serious loss in terms of credibility. It needs a lot of help to restore public confidence and support. And given this situation, we should desist from doing anything whose net effect will be to erode whatever little public confidence still remains in our Judiciary.
The damage that the Rupiah regime did to our Judiciary will require drastic measures to correct. Under Rupiah, those who adjudicated or settled cases were not expected to be in any real sense independent of his wishes or desires. Under Rupiah, justice in this country had become his prerogative, which he carried out through his judges and magistrates. As such, the separation of powers was only on paper. And not only was there no separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive, but those who judged were agents of Rupiah.
Those Rupiah wanted to sort out, he simply took them to court and unleashed his judges and magistrates on them. We were victims of that order. We know what went on. We know very well how certain judges or magistrates behaved to satisfy Rupiah's wishes. And we can see the difference today.
UPND, an opposition political party, can go to court and get a decision in their favour on a matter that the Executive seems to have a strong interest in. Under the rule of their ally Rupiah, this was not possible. The courts would always find a way to give Rupiah a decision he desired and justify it in all sorts of ways.
The court decision allowing UPND to hold its rally in Kanyama is not a minus but a plus on the PF government. The opposition in this country today is able to go to court and get a judgment in its favour! Whatever might have happened to the realisation of the benefits of that court order, the most important thing is that it was there in the first place. And those who have been accused of ignoring that court order have not simply said 'to hell with it'. They have given their own legal arguments to justify why it was not 'obeyed'. It is not a case of simply, and without any regard, disobeying the court order. And it will be interesting to follow the matter when it comes up again for the contempt proceedings that the UPND wants to raise against those it feels disobeyed the court order.
It is easy to rush to the condemnation of the government without taking a deep look and reflecting upon what has made it possible for that court order to be there. And indeed for those who are aggrieved over the failure by the police to respect that order to go back to court and commence contempt proceedings. Such things are not possible in a state of anarchy, under a government that has no respect for the courts and indeed the rule of law in general. These are things we should bear in mind as we issue our unilateral judgments. And let's not forget that in our courts, we still have many rotten eggs, some criminals in robes who are not fit to be adjudicators, who are fit to be in Chimbokaila.
It is therefore important that judicial reforms are speeded up. But this may also be tied to how quickly we conclude our constitutional review process because the two go hand in hand.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, UPND
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UPND reapplies for rally permit
By Allan Mulenga
Wed 12 Sep. 2012, 10:05 CAT
UPND members have notified police of their intention to hold a rally in Lusaka's Kanyama compound this Sunday. But the police have advised UPND members against going ahead with the rally because of security concerns. In an interview yesterday, UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma hoped that the police would give them a go ahead with the rally.
"We applied because the excuse that they gave was that they were all going to watch football in Ndola and next Sunday there is no soccer game. We expect them not to create another excuse. Otherwise, we will conclude that their real agenda is to ban the opposition from holding rallies in this country," he said.
Asked on why the party decided to give a fresh notice when it was still contesting the cancellation of another rally in the same area by the courts of law, Kakoma said:
"That is a specific matter relating to the cancellation of that rally, but this is another rally coming and there will be many more rallies. We will continue to do so throughout the country. We have already given the notice to the Lusaka Province commissioner Dr Jere himself."
Kakoma said UPND lawyers were preparing papers for filing in court for contempt over the cancellation of the rally.
"The judicial review is still coming up and the fact that they disobeyed the court order, our lawyers are preparing necessary documents to file in court for contempt. We are compiling the necessary papers. We haven't filed in the papers yet," he said.
Kakoma accused Attorney General Mumba Malila of not being sincere over the cancellation of the rally.
Attorney General Malila said the order was not served on him during working hours but dropped at his house in the night.
"I think the Attorney General is playing a hide-and -seek game because the permanent secretary Ministry of Justice knew about it. Dr Jere himself was served with the judicial review and himself (Malila) was also served with the judicial review. I think it is sufficient that when somebody is aware, and he read the order himself, that should have been sufficient enough for him to take measures to ensure that they obey the court order. He received the order it doesn't mean that it has to find him in the office," said Kakoma.
But Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said the police had advised the UPND not to go ahead with the rally for security concerns.
"Yes, they have given us a notice for the rally. However, we have advised them not to go ahead. We still believe that due to security indicators that are in that area, it is not safe for them to go ahead.
One thing we have to confirm is that we the police are non-partisan. We are doing this for the sake of public safety. We advised them not to go ahead and we will continue talking to them," said Kanjela in an interview yesterday.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, MUMBA MALILA, UPND
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UPND's Kanyama rally
Sun 09 Sep. 2012, 10:29 CAT
We know that the UPND, as a political party, has not been conducting itself in a good way. And we ourselves can bear testimony to this. We have been targets of their uncouthness, violence, lack of civility, lies, and so on and so forth. They have publicly declared us their enemy number one.
But we don't believe this, in itself, is a good reason for the police to deny the UPND the right to hold a political rally.
The freedom of assembly is an inalienable right protected as such by our Constitution. This is a fundamental right that cannot be arbitrarily taken away from the UPND by the police. This is a freedom that is not granted by the government; it is a freedom that the government is created to protect.
As such, the enjoyment of the freedom of assembly is not only enjoyed by those the police consider to be worthy of it; those who are seen to be more 'responsible' or 'peaceful'. Constitutional rights of this nature do not have to be earned. Those who will disturb the peace while trying to exercise their freedom of assembly the law is there to deal with them and they should be dealt with.
The rights of our people to exercise their freedom of assembly should not be subjected to the momentary whim of the police or an electoral majority in power.
Under our Constitution, citizens have a right to gather peacefully and protest the policies and actions of their government or those of other groups with demonstrations, marches, and other forms of direct citizen action.
Such things are a testing ground for any democracy, especially a young one like ours. The ideals of freedom of assembly and citizen participation are easy to defend when everyone remains polite and in agreement on basic issues. But those who call for or seek such assemblies - and their targets - do not agree on basic issues, and such disagreements may be passionate and angry. The challenge then is one of balance: to defend the right to freedom of assembly, while maintaining public order and countering attempts at intimidation or violence. To suppress peaceful assemblies in the name of order is to invite repression; to permit uncontrolled violent assemblies is to invite anarchy.
Clearly, there is no magic formula for achieving this balance. In the end, it depends on the commitment of the majority to maintaining the institutions of democracy and the precepts of individual rights. Democratic societies are capable of enduring the bitterest disagreements among their citizens - except for disagreement about the legitimacy of democracy itself.
We have consistently stated that the exercise of power must be the constant practice of self-limitation and modesty.
And when we talk about the exercise of power, we are not only talking about political power. It could be just as well, say having important posts, important functions, important responsibilities, which is what is usually called power. Some people begin to change, to be deformed, as soon as they have a little responsibility - a little, not much, power - and we think that, the more power people have, the greater the risk; that's a fact. We think it requires being aware of the danger and ever alert, ever vigilant against it.
The use of the police and police powers in matters of a political nature requires a lot of self-limitation and modesty. And in March 1969, Dr Kenneth Kaunda gave guidance to the UNIP national council on this issue: "Nothing would be more dangerous than to confuse men and women who are responsible for the maintenance of law and order in any country. UNIP members, therefore, apart from the fact that they are humanists, must remember that even for their own good, their fellow workers in the police force must be left to deal with the maintenance of law and order in the way they were trained…"
There is clearly no good reason to deny the UPND the right to hold a political rally in Kanyama today. The issue of possible violence or threat to public order cannot hold, cannot stand reason. The political support of UPND in Kanyama where they want to hold their political rally is insignificant. Prior to last year's elections, UPND used to deceive people and itself that Kanyama was its stronghold. But despite holding so many rallies there, UPND's performance in Kanyama and the rest of Lusaka Province was very poor.
In Kanyama Constituency, Hakainde Hichilema, the UPND presidential candidate in last September's election was only voted for by 5,967 voters. Rupiah Banda, the then ruling MMD candidate, got 10,185 votes. And Michael Sata was voted for by 22,101 Kanyama voters. And even if one added the votes of Hakainde and Rupiah, they are still far less than Michael's votes in Kanyama. And the Patriotic Front's parliamentary candidate for Kanyama Constituency, Colonel Gerry Chanda, polled 20,474 votes against MMD's Yohane Mwanza's 9,244 votes and UPND's Claud Pfuma's 6,775. All the local government wards in Kanyama Constituency were overwhelmingly won by the Patriotic Front candidates. And the overall presidential election result for Lusaka Province was Sata 224,925 votes, Banda 123,653 votes and Hichilema only managed a paltry 45,000 votes. How can UPND with such low political support in Kanyama Constituency, and in every ward of that constituency, and in the Lusaka Province as a whole, be a threat to the peace? UPND leaders and cadres must be mad to provoke such an overwhelming majority because they will be reduced to pulp.
We all know that Hakainde and UPND have always overrated themselves, claiming to have the support they don't actually have. Before last year's elections, they used to claim that the political landscape in Lusaka and the Copperbelt had shifted in their favour. But the election results showed a totally different picture - Michael and the Patriotic Front's support had actually increased in these areas while that of Hakainde and the UPND had drastically declined.
UPND enjoy deceiving themselves and others who are willing to be deceived of being what they are not. They are simply petty and shameless braggadocios. They used to ferry people from as far as Mwembeshi, Nangoma, Chisamba, Kabwe and Kafue, Mazabuka, Monze to their rallies in Kanyama just to try and show big numbers.
There is no need for anyone to waste their time following Hakainde and UPND because they are not a big factor in Zambian politics today. Their being a big factor in Zambian politics ended with the 2001 elections and the death of UPND's founding leader Anderson Mazoka. Since Hakainde took over UPND, the graph of performance has been going down at a very sharp rate. And nothing seems to be in the offing to alter that trend. UPND is increasingly becoming a regional party of Southern Province. If the Kanyama UPND rally was to be held in Monze, Choma or some other area in that region, one would have reasons to worry about violence but not here in Lusaka.
There is no need for the police to be deceived by UPND's cheap talk and think they are a force that can lead to a breakdown of law and order in Lusaka. They are not a factor. And the police shouldn't elevate them to where they have not reached.
It is therefore important for the police to stay away from matters of politics. What they are trying to address is a matter that falls firmly in the political realm and which has very little to do with public order.
One can question the way the court order has been granted to the UPND to go ahead with their rally in Kanyama today. But one cannot reasonably question the correctness of them being allowed to go ahead with their political rally. Matters of politics should be addressed politically by political players and not the police or the courts. It's over-burdening the courts and putting them under unnecessary pressure to deal with political matters.
And as we have stated before, how the forces of democratic governance interact with each other is the challenge we face and have to work through as a continuing and dynamic process in our young democracy. There is an old saying that freedom and order are constantly in tension with one another in society. Order without freedom leads to totalitarianism. Freedom without order leads to anarchy. But it is also said that societies recover quicker and more healthily from too much freedom than they do from totalitarianism.
If all this sounds too abstract, let us then state it in simpler terms. We would hope that our politicians and their cadres and supporters develop a greater level of tolerance, integrity and responsibility. Political activity and the freedom of assembly should be under no threat in this democracy.
We think it is part of the democratic process that we take vigorous issue with the way political leaders and their cadres and supporters conduct themselves without that in any way implying a right on anyone's part to infringe on the freedom of assembly and indeed on the freedom of expression.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, UPND
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Court directs police to allow UPND rally
By Allan Mulenga
Sun 09 Sep. 2012, 10:30 CAT
THE Lusaka High Court has ordered the police to allow the UPND hold its planned rally in Kanyama compound. But Lusaka Province police commissioner Solomon Jere yesterday said the Lusaka High Court judge justice Justin Chashi had contradicted himself in his judgment.
And UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said the cancellation of the rally, slated for today, was politically motivated. Police cancelled the UPND rally in Kanyama because officers had been deployed in Ndola to police the Zambia Vs Uganda match yesterday.
But the UPND vowed to go ahead with their rally and sought judicial review.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Judge Chashi directed police to allow the UPND to go ahead with their rally.
"It is ordered that the application be allowed and that the said applicant do have leave to apply for judicial review as aforesaid. The court further directs that all decisions, proceedings now being challenged, including the decision to cancel the rally of the 9th September 2012, be stayed until after hearing of the motion for judicial review herein or until further order and that the said rally go ahead," read the ruling in part.
But Jere said Judge Chashi had misled himself on the judgment.
"This judge is misleading himself because he has granted review to the UPND and at the same time that the rally should go ahead. The ruling is defective because you cannot say you have granted judicial review and at the same time you are saying that the rally should go ahead. The main subject of the application is the cancellation of the rally. They are saying the cancellation is null and void and the rally should go ahead. They are saying they are granting the judicial review for the application," he said.
Jere said the ruling did not make legal sense.
"This does not make any legal sense at all. But one thing is that we are law enforcers and we have to obey the law. But first of all, we have to obey the law which is specific and straight, not something that is ambiguous," said Jere.
And Kakoma said police's decision to cancel the rally was politically motivated.
"It was just a political decision that we should not have that rally and that is giving an impression that now we are thriving into dictatorship where opposition political parties cannot be allowed to hold political rallies and that we will not accept as UPND. That is why we are saying that with or without police officers, we are going to go ahead with that rally," he said.
Kakoma said the UPND did not need police presence at the rally, adding that the police cancelled the rally on flimsy grounds.
"We notified them two weeks ago and it is up to them to be present at our rally or not. There is no authority under the law to cancel the rally. We don't care whether they are present or not. Obviously, if they are present they can take care of the law and order. But it is embarrassing that they gave an excuse that they don't have enough police officers because all of them will go to watch soccer in Ndola," said Kakoma.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, COURTS, UPND
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MMD, UPND in alliance talks
By George Chellah and Chibaula Silwamba
Tue 23 Nov. 2010, 04:02 CAT
THE UPND and MMD have opened discussions to explore possibilities of an alliance ahead of the 2011 elections. But UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma has accused the MMD of circulating false rumours about the alliance. Highly placed sources within the UPND disclosed that the two political parties had already opened a line of communication.
“Currently there is a very secret window of talks that has been opened between ourselves and the MMD. Only a selected few are supposed to be involved in these talks to avoid leakages,” the source said.
The source revealed that the proposal for an alliance had the backing of most UPND parliamentarians.
“After it became apparent that there was serious mistrust in the pact with PF and that some of our senior members still had problems accepting the possibility of having Mr Michael Sata as a pact candidate, a good number of our members of parliament started considering the option of going to the MMD,” the source said.
“They were considering defecting to the MMD so that they are adopted on an MMD ticket next year. But the MMD advised them that they were not keen to get them using that method. The MMD said if they have to work with them, these MPs have to come with the entire party and not as individuals. The MMD were uncomfortable that if these MPs come as individuals without the party’s blessings, they might end up losing their seats in Southern Province even if adopted to stand on the MMD ticket.”
The sources said the MMD preferred to deal with the UPND as a party and not just renegades.
“In fact, the first message that was sent to the MMD by a very senior UPND official after the initial meeting was that ‘we will think about it though we don’t want to appear to be desperate over this matter’,” the source said.
“And I can confirm that a number of our MPs are interested in this proposal. There are only two or so that might have difficulties buying into this idea and these are Douglas Syakalima and Gary Nkombo. The plan is to convince everybody before serious talks commence.”
However, the sources said an alliance with the MMD would leave the UPND disgraced as the people would not respect and forgive the party.
The sources said although there were challenges in the pact between the UPND and PF, an alliance with the MMD should never be an option.
“Probably some chiefs have finally prevailed on HH because last time when President Banda visited chief Mwanachingwala’s palace, he held a closed-door meeting with chiefs from Southern Province and the chiefs told him they were tired of being in the opposition,” the source said.
“They also told the President they wanted Southern Province as well to produce a Republican president. They even complained that currently there was no MP from Southern Province in Cabinet. But President Banda told them that Southern Province has to deliver first for him to appoint someone from there as minister.”
But Kakoma said there was no way the UPND could go into an alliance with the MMD because it was a corrupt regime.
“That is a false story. This rumour has been circulating for some time. About two or three months ago, our party president Hakainde Hichilema held a press briefing to dispel that rumour. There is no such thing taking place,” said Kakoma, who is also UPND Zambezi West parliamentarian.
“But the MMD has been circulating that story that they want to go into an alliance with UPND and VJ MMD parliamentary chief whip Vernon Mwaanga has himself been touring Southern Province to try to convince the chiefs and so on that they are for an alliance between the UPND and MMD.”
He said the UPND had nothing in common with the MMD.
Kakoma said the MMD was not interested in the Zambian people and had not tackled unemployment, poverty and other vices in the country.
“We are not interested basically because we cannot go into an alliance with a corrupt regime. We are fighting corruption, which the MMD is busy entrenching. So we can’t go into an alliance with people who want to rule through corruption,” said Kakoma.Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, PF, PF-UPND, POLITICS, UPND
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Kakoma blames voter registration apathy on govt
By Agness Changala
Wed 17 Nov. 2010, 04:01 CAT
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma says the government is to blame for the apathy surrounding the voter registration exercise.
In an interview following assertions that political parties were partly to blame for people’s indifference towards the ongoing voters registration exercise, Kakoma said political parties could not be held accountable for the apathy because they did not issue National Registration Cards (NRCs).
He said it was difficult for parties to mobilise people without NRCs to register as voters.
“It is difficult to even assist the Electoral Commission of Zambia because home affairs ministry in charge of issuing NRCs to eligible voters is not doing so effectively,” Kakoma said. “You find that people from ECZ are there to register voters but most of them have no NRCs.”
Kakoma said in rural areas, people were asked to collect their NRCs from the Boma and they had to cover a distance of two to three days on foot.
He said the requirement of a police report, for those who had lost their voters cards, also contributed to the apathy.
Kakoma said politicians were organising people to vote but were constrained by other factors such as poor publicity of the exercise.
He said in rural areas, people were not keen on voting because the farming season had begun.
Kakoma appealed to the government to provide more resources and manpower to boost the issuance of NRCs and enable people register as voters.
But MMD chairman for elections Mike Mulongoti said people should not be persuaded to register as voters.
He said those who did not want to vote would deny themselves an opportunity to make decisions.
“If you boycott, you are punishing yourself because if you don’t participate, you will not be part of the people that will make decisions but you will allow other people to agree and disagree on your behalf,” Mulongoti said.
However, he urged people to register as voters.
Mulongoti said the Ministry of Home Affairs was actively resolving the problem of NRCs.
The voters registration exercise closes on November 30, 2010.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, VOTER REGISTRATION
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Sata is 2011 PACT candidate – PF
Friday, November 5, 2010, 10:53
THE Patriotic Front (PF) in Lusaka has declared that its president Michael Sata will stand as presidential candidate on the PF-UPND pact ticket in next year’s general elections.
But UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said anybody within the pact is free to make choices of who they deem fit to stand as pact presidential candidate in next year’s elections.
PF Lusaka Province chairperson Paul Moonga said in an interview yesterday in Lusaka that the decision is non-negotiable, and that those who feel that Mr Sata is a wrong person to lead the pact are free to go their own way.
“We expected UPND to campaign for us in Mpulungu as we vigorously campaigned for them in Chilanga. Mr Sata told me personally that I had to ensure that UPND wins that seat, which they did,” he said.Mr Moonga accused UPND of being insincere, and said even after winning the Chilanga parliamentary by-election, it has not gone back to PF to thank its partner for helping it scoop the seat.
He said PF campaigned alone in Mpulungu, and there was no sign of the pact as the UPND concentrated on campaigning in Chilanga where they had fielded a candidate.
“We expected UPND to campaign for us in Mpulungu as we vigorously campaigned for them in Chilanga. Mr Sata told me personally that I had to ensure that UPND wins that seat, which they did,” he said.
Mr Moonga said all the wards in Chilanga are his party’s strongholds and that there is no way UPND would have won the seat without the help of PF.
He said it is wrong for UPND members to continue claiming popularity when it is obvious that PF has far more members than UPND, and can win the general elections on its own.
‘Our president, Mr Hichilema, held a briefing a day after the results where he thanked both PF and UPND for the job well-done. The statement by Mr Moonga, therefore, that we have not shown gratitude for their help is baseless,” he said.
Mr Kakoma, however, denied that his party did not show gratitude to PF for the efforts it put into ensuring a victory for UPND
He said shortly after the Chilanga victory, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema held a press briefing where he thanked everyone who had made it possible for the UPND candidate Cosmas Moono to win the seat.
‘Our president, Mr Hichilema, held a briefing a day after the results where he thanked both PF and UPND for the job well-done. The statement by Mr Moonga, therefore, that we have not shown gratitude for their help is baseless,” he said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, MICHAEL SATA, PAUL MOONGA, PF-UPND
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UPND picks Capt. Moono for Chilanga
By Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 06 Oct. 2010, 15:30 CAT
OPPOSITION United Party for National Development (UPND) has adopted party chairperson for defence Captain Cosmas Moono as the Pact candidate for the Chilanga parliamentary by-election.
Making the announcement today at the party secretariat at a press briefing, UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said the party was confident that Captain Moono would win the election.
“After consultations the party National Executive Committee (NEC) decided two days ago to adopt former Chilanga member of parliament Captain Cosmas Moono as the candidate for the Chilanga by-election,” he said.
Kakoma said Captain Moono was not new to Zambian politics and that he was popular in Chilanga Constituency.
“Captain Moono was the MP for Chilanga from 2001 to 2006 when the former minister of finance took over. In my opinion, Captain Moono won that election but the MMD stole it from us, so we are taking him back and we are confident that he will win us the seat,” said Kakoma.
And in an interview shortly after his adoption announcement, Captain Moono said he was thankful to the PF-UPND Pact for considering him to contest the Chilanga seat and maintained the seat was ‘stolen’ from him by the MMD in the 2006 polls.
“We will keep our eyes open this time because in 2006, we won the election but the MMD stole it from me. We petitioned but justice was aborted in the court process,” he said.
He said it will be easy for him to get back the Chilanga seat because former finance minister Magande did not deliver.
“For me, my campaign in Chilanga is already done because of Mr. Magande’s failure to perform,” said Captain Moono.
Meanwhile, PF was by press time still expected to announce the party’s candidate for the Mpulungu parliamentary by election.
The Mpulungu seat fell vacant following the death of that constituency’s member of parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo’s death, while the Chilanga seat fell vacant following the expulsion of Magande from the MMD who subsequently decided not to re-contest the seat.
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, CHARLES KAKOMA, COSMAS MOONO, UPND
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Kunda justifies removal of ‘abuse of office’
By Ernest Chanda
Sat 07 Aug. 2010, 04:00 CAT
VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda yesterday justified government’s intention to remove abuse of office offence from the revised Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Act by stating in parliament that they want to avoid duplication of offences.
And parliament has suspended Kafulafuta MMD parliamentarian George Mpombo for one week over his alleged disparaging remarks against Vice-President George Kunda.
Responding to a question during the Vice-President’s question time from Zambezi West UPND parliamentarian Charles Kakoma who wanted to know if cabinet had decided whether or not to remove abuse of office offense from the revised ACC Act and when the bill would be presented to parliament, Vice-President Kunda said it was the prerogative of government to determine where the offence would be placed.
He said government wants laws that are in accordance with principles of justice.
“I can confirm that we are reforming the law on the fight against corruption. And one of the laws under review is the Anti Corruption Commission Act. We have revised the law on whistle blowers and many others, and now it’s time to move to the ACC Act. As for abuse of office offence it exists even in the Penal Code,” Vice-President Kunda said.
“So, you can see that we want to avoid duplication of offences. But I can assure that abuse of office will continue to be an offence. As for where it will be placed, that is our prerogative as government. We want to update our laws so that they are consistent. We want laws which are in accordance with principles of justice and are acceptable to commonwealth standards.”
And when asked by Roan Patriotic Front parliamentarian Chishimba Kambwili why government had insisted on buying mobile hospitals against professional advise from medical practitioners, Vice President Kunda claimed that Zambians had supported the move.
“The people of Zambia have overwhelmingly supported the procurement of mobile hospitals. And we shall go ahead with the procurement so that we can serve our people well,” he said.
Asked by Nchanga PF parliamentarian Wylbur Simuusa what kind of support President Rupiah Banda rendered to Malawian President Bingu Wamutarika for him to win that country’s Presidential election, Vice-President Kunda said it was nothing more than moral support.
And Mpombo who was absent from the House will only serve a one-week sentence when the next sitting of parliament resumes, instead of the initial two months as recommended by the parliamentary committee on privileges, absences and support services.
According to Chongo’s complaint, Mpombo is alleged to have described Vice-President Kunda as the most stupid Vice-President the country has ever had, in an article published in The Post of July 5, 2010.
Mpombo was commenting on Vice-President Kunda’s threat of imprisonment in parliament on Katuba MMD parliamentarian Jonas Shakafuswa when the latter questioned government’s motive to remove abuse of office offence from the revised ACC Act.
And on July 7, 2010, Mwense ‘rebel’ PF parliamentarian Jacob Chongo
rose on a point of order, wanting to know if Mpombo was in order to use abusive language against the leader of government business in the House.
Delivering judgment, Nalumango further ordered Mpombo to apologise to the House.
“In this regard, the committee resolved that Mr G Mpombo, MP, was guilty of breaching parliamentary privileges etiquette, and was in contempt of the House and, recommended that the Hon member be suspended from service of the House for a period of two (2) months in accordance with the provisions section 28 (1) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Cap 12 of the Laws of Zambia,” Nalumango ruled.
“The House may however wish to know that due to the fact that parliament shall be prorogued after the House adjourns sine die today, Mr G Mpombo, MP, shall only be suspended for a period of one (1) week. This is inline with the proviso in section 28 of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia, which places a restriction on the power of the National Assembly to suspend a member from the service of House.”
Parliament has since adjourned sine die.
Labels: ACC, CHARLES KAKOMA, GEORGE KUNDA, GEORGE MPOMBO
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Resolve Pact presidency
By The Post
Wed 21 July 2010, 04:00 CAT
“Admit when you are wrong, and you will avoid embarrassment” (Sirach 20:3). In this same light, we welcome the admission by the PF-UPND pact leaders that their recent differences over adoptions of local government and parliamentary by-election candidates showed that there were some weaknesses in their alliance. It is also interesting to note that they see the exposure of all this as a blessing in disguise.
When we first brought their differences or problems to the attention of the Zambian people and wrote editorial comments on what was going on in their pact, their first reaction was to accuse us of having joined the MMD wittingly or unwittingly to destroy their pact. This didn’t bother us that much because we have been well taught to keep our self-respect, but remain modest and always to value ourselves at our true worth.
Criticism is a good thing, and if it is valid, it must be made. If we have shortcomings, we should not be afraid to have them pointed out and criticised, because we serve the people. Anyone, no matter who, may point out our shortcomings. If he is right, we should correct them. If what he proposes will benefit the people, we should act upon it.
Honest politicians – politicians who are truly committed to serving the people – have no reason to fear criticism and the exposure of their problems or weaknesses because there is nothing personal in what they are doing and they base all their actions on the highest interests of the broadest masses of the Zambian people who are fully convinced of the justness of their cause.
Such politicians never balk at any personal sacrifice and are ready at all times to leave everything to the cause of the people and are never reluctant to discard any idea, viewpoint, opinion or method which is not suited to the interests and needs of the people. Such politicians will never allow political dust and germs to soil their clean faces or eat into their healthy organisms.
It is always necessary to remind ourselves of the countless, selfless people who fought for our independence and who sacrificed to give us the life we have today. Our hearts are filled with pain as we the living think of them – can there be any personal interest, then, that we should not sacrifice or any error that we would not discard?
What the events of the last two weeks should have taught the PF-UPND pact leaders and indeed their supporters across the width and breadth of our country is that they must not become complacent over any success.
The mere creation, the mere idea of a pact and its launch was a success for the weak, divided and fragmented opposition of this country in the sense that those who are ready to join hands can overcome the greatest challenges. We should check our complacency and constantly criticise our shortcomings, just as we should wash our faces or sweep the floor every day to remove the dirt and make them clean.
The events of the last two weeks should have also taught the Pact leaders something valuable concerning criticism. As for criticism, the lesson is that, it should be done in good time; we shouldn’t get into the habit of criticising only after the event. Taught by mistakes and setbacks, we expect them to become wiser and handle the affairs of their pact better.
It is hard for any political party, pact or person to avoid mistakes, but we should make as few as possible. Once a mistake is made, we should correct it, and the more quickly and thoroughly, the better.
Criticism should be an important weapon, tool for improving and strengthening the organisation of the PF-UPND pact and increasing its political competitive capacity.
And the PF-UPND pact leaders and supporters should realise that when we criticise their decisions and actions, the purpose is to increase their competitive capacity so that they can achieve their objectives, realise their political goals.
It is not used as a means of personal attack, or as some tribalists would like to believe, a tribal attack on them. We say this because there are, within the PF-UPND people who cannot see anything beyond tribe. This is a tendency and attitude they have to struggle viciously against because it is, to a large measure, one of the sources of their problems.
Another point that should be mentioned in connection with this criticism is that the leaders of this pact were ignoring the major issues and were simply confining their attention to minor points. And this is where they wanted criticism to be directed, and not to issues that really mattered.
They do not understand that the main task of criticism is to point out political and organisational mistakes. As to personal shortcomings, unless they are related to political and organisational mistakes, there is no need to be over-critical or those concerned will be at a loss as to what to do.
Moreover, once such criticism develops, there is the great danger that within the Pact, attention will be concentrated exclusively on minor issues, and everyone will become timid and overcautious and forget the Pact’s political task. Of course, in criticising, there is need to guard against subjectivism, arbitrariness and the vulgarisation of criticism; statements should be based on facts and criticism should stress the political side.
There is also need to bear in mind that opposition and struggle between ideas of different kinds constantly occur within any political organisation that is full of life. If there are no contradictions and no struggle to resolve them, the Pact’s life would come to an end.
We stand for active political struggle because it is the weapon for ensuring unity within the Pact. And all those involved should take up this weapon. But we know that opportunists never want any struggles because they are never ready to struggle and sacrifice for anything. And as such, they stand for unprincipled peace, thus giving rise to a decadent, philistine attitude and bringing about political degeneration in certain parts and individuals in the Pact.
Honest politicians do not fear criticism because the truth is on their side and the basic masses are on their side. Honest politicians are fearless.
We hope that the PF-UPND pact leaders will courageously shoulder their responsibilities and overcome all difficulties, fearing no setbacks or gibes.
As for us, we will never fear to expose their problems. And whenever they try to be dishonest and attempt to tell lies or to mislead our people, we will expose them. If we were not courageous enough to tell the Zambian people the truth about the state of the Pact, one day they would just wake up to find the Pact dead without having been seen to be ill – not even a short illness.
It is not good to hide the truth, the difficulties, the challenges of the Pact from the masses of our people. The only reason why leaders of the PF-UPND pact are uncomfortable with letting the people know that they have problems is because these problems are generated by them, they are a product of their selfishness, greed, dishonesty and vanity.
But we will never be part of any conspiracy to hide the truth from the masses of our people. It is said that “he who is not afraid of death by a thousand cuts dares to unhorse the emperor” – this is the indomitable spirit needed in the struggle to build a successful pact and a more just, fair and humane Zambia.
And the mark of great political leaders is the ability to understand the context in which they are operating and act accordingly. To be democratic is not merely to be able to cast a vote but to live in a way that respects and enhances the lives of others.
And as we have pointed out before, solutions can always be found even to disagreements that have come to seem intractable and such solutions emerge when those who are disagreeing reach out in honesty and sincerity to find the common ground.
Again, we would like to remind the leaders of the PF-UPND pact that theirs is not an alliance forged on the plane of political struggle but in some dark corner meetings, out of negotiations and compromises. And because of this, they have no other way out but to compromise. And the nature of compromising is that you will compromise on fundamental issues.
If you are not prepared to compromise, then there is no point trying to enter into a pact at all. Insignificant things, peripheral issues, don’t need any compromise. The fundamental issue that the PF and the UPND need to compromise on, first and foremost, is who will be their presidential candidate in next year’s elections.
Ours is predominantly a presidential political system where one who wins the presidency forms government unlike the parliamentary system where one who wins more parliamentary seats forms government. So the starting point for their pact to move forward is to resolve, in the shortest possible time, the issue of the PF-UPND pact presidential candidate. Starting from somewhere else will be a waste of time and mere ducking of the principal issue.
Once the presidential candidate issue is resolved, all else will easily fall in place. Acting otherwise will be like trying to catch a barbel or catfish by the tail instead of the head. And we know very well how easily it slips away if you try to catch it by the tail instead of the head. So our advice to the leaders of this pact is to be honest and sincere enough and meet the challenges of their pact truthfully without any posturing.
It is clear that the Zambian people want the Pact to succeed but they are being let down by the selfishness, greed, vanity and shortsightedness of their leaders. But we know that in the end, the people’s will triumph.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, GIVEN LUBINDA, PF, PF-UPND, UPND
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There are weaknesses in the Pact – Lubinda
By Patson Chilemba
Wed 21 July 2010, 04:10 CAT
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) spokesperson Given Lubinda has admitted that the recent problems in the PF-UPND Pact have showed that there were some weaknesses in the pact.
Featuring on a QFM radio programme on Monday, Lubinda said what happened in Chadiza and Kaoma was a blessing in disguise because it showed that what they thought was a perfect pact had some weaknesses. He said it was good that the problems happened now rather than later.
“This skirmish was a blessing in disguise… it showed that there were some weaknesses in the pact,” said Lubinda, who featured with pact co-spokesperson Charles Kakoma on the programme.
Lubinda said both the PF and UPND were determined to make the pact work.
“And the messages we have been receiving from the people of Zambia over the Kaoma and Chadiza thing have been very encouraging and also very scary,” he said.
Lubinda said the PF and UPND would be regarded as betrayers in the event that they broke the pact.
“How I wish it was only us after we fail, in the event of us failing that it would only remain to us to feel foolish, then I wouldn’t be worried. We will not just feel foolish, we shall feel guilty and shall be judged betrayers of the hopes of the 13 million Zambians,” Lubinda said.
“What is at stake here is much bigger than most people are contemplating. We are talking about the lives of the children who have died of measles, those whose mothers and fathers are going to be thrown out of Zamtel because Zamtel has been privatised in a very dubious manner by education minister Dora Siliya.”
He said many people would suffer should the pact fail to handle the matter carefully.
Lubinda said this was a matter of life and death and they could not afford to play around with it.
He said they regretted the fielding of separate candidates in Chadiza and Kaoma, contrary to the pact agreement.
“But also please let us tell you that we feel happy it happened now, happy it didn’t happen next year, we are able to learn and build on our mistakes and become stronger,” Lubinda said.
He said there were many schools of thought on the appropriate time for announcing the pact’s presidential candidate.
He said others felt the announcement should be made after the election date is declared and Parliament dissolved.
Lubinda said Zambians should allow the pact to handle the matter in the best way it could as that would be in the interest of the nation.
Lubinda said whoever would be identified trying to put a wedge in the pact would be sidelined.
And responding to the callers, Kakoma said it was clear that the people of Zambia wanted the pact to succeed.
“It actually contradicts somebody who has done a fake research and come to the conclusion that people in Southern Province, Lusaka and Copperbelt don’t want the pact. It’s clear from the calls coming in that people want the pact. So we don’t know where they do their research,” Kakoma said.
“What is important is for you to start challenging the people saying that there is an alternative to the pact.”
Kakoma also said it was not legally possible to withdraw the candidates in Chadiza and Kaoma because they had already filed in.
Kakoma said the pact was not about PF president Michael Sata or UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.
Most callers to the programme urged the PF and UPND to make the pact work.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, GIVEN LUBINDA, PF, PF-UPND, UPND
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PF-UPND to launch Pact this Saturday – Kakoma
By Agness Changala
Thu 03 June 2010, 04:50 CAT
THE PF and UPND will this Saturday launch the Pact and celebrate its one-year of existence.
During a joint press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said President Rupiah Banda and Vice-President George Kunda should be ashamed of the launch of the Pact because they prayed for it to fail.
“And that hasn’t happened and this is something that has glued a lot suspicions even amongst the Pact members,” Kakoma said.
He said the Pact was ready to be launched as the two parties had taken sufficient time to work together and know each other.
Kakoma said from the time the Pact was formed on June 4, last year, it had continued to grow, hence the launch to consolidate it.
He invited everyone to attend the rally, saying a police permit had already been obtained. Kakoma said the Pact would be launched with the full blessings of the top leadership, Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema.
He also said the Pact would prefer to have the Chifubu and Luena by–elections on the same day to serve the resources.
“When we look at how Electoral Commission of Zambia ECZ operates, it prints ballot papers in South Africa so if it’s done once and for all we save the time and resources,” said Kakoma.
And PF spokesperson Given Lubinda said President Banda and Vice-President Kunda should not point fingers at others because they had the power to stop violence being perpetrated by MMD.
Lubinda charged that the buck would stop at President Banda if he did not show leadership in the violence being exhibited by the ruling party.
“Any blood shall be accounted for and RB will account for it when his time comes,” he said. “Instead, RB and his colleagues must do everything to protect the Zambians because that’s what they are paid for.”
Lubinda said the growing trend of police officers knowing which political party one belonged to before they could offer protection should come to an end.
He reminded Vice-President Kunda that as a lawyer, he should realise that the International Court of Justice was created for people who caused anarchy.
Lubinda said it would not take God to come and judge such people but they would be sent to The Hague to be judged.
He charged that the Pact had sent shivers to the MMD.
“Even Rupiah Banda in his house, has no confidence in his workers because every person is now a member or sympathiser of the Pact,” he said.
Lubinda urged his party members not to condone violence.
“We will do this for everyone including the MMD. Stay away from violence, violence begets violence, save our dear country for the next generations to come,” Lubinda said.
He also prayed for the long life of those in the MMD so that they could witness the way the Pact would govern Zambia when they get into office next year.
Lubinda said the launch would provide a platform for a steady growth of the Pact into government of the people for the people by the people.
He said the launch would also redeem journalists in the government-controlled media from the york of MMD.
“You members of the press can be given the dignity that you deserve,” said Lubinda.
The launch will take place in Lusaka opposite the Freedom Statue at 10:00 hours.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, PF-UPND, UPND
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PF-UPND pact sends officials to Luena
By Florence Bupe
Thu 03 June 2010, 04:50 CAT
OPPOSITION PF and UPND officials had been dispatched to Luena constituency to assess the situation on the ground in order to help the pact make beneficial decisions, UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma has disclosed.
Kakoma said a number of people had applied to be considered for the seat but stressed that the two parties were yet to decide on which candidate to field. Kakoma could also not disclose from which party the candidate would be selected, as there were still factors that needed to be studied.
“We haven’t yet decided on which party ticket we are going to field a candidate. We will only be able to do so once the team we have sent returns and gives us the real picture on the ground,” said Kakoma.
He said the electorate in Luena had completely written off the MMD and the party stood no chance of scooping the seat.
Kakoma said it was clear that the people of Luena had no confidence in the ruling party and they were not going to vote for the MMD in the next by- elections.
The Luena seat fell vacant following the resignation of Charles Milupi who was an independent member of parliament.
“We are confident that we will scoop the Luena seat because people there have no confidence in the MMD, they have completely written the ruling party off,” he said.
Kakoma said the electorate in Luena were also very disappointed by the decision by Milupi to resign after he formed a political party, the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD).
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, CHARLES KAKOMA, CHARLES MILUPI, PF-UPND
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Lifuka accuses police of double standards
By Ernest Chanda
Thu 27 May 2010, 04:01 CAT
TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) president Reuben Lifuka has charged that police are playing double standards when applying the law. In an interview, Lifuka said police were quick to caution and arrest people deemed to have offended those in the ruling party and government. He said cases where people had complained against those in government or the MMD had been buried without any action.
"Transparency International Zambia has observed with dismay, the double standards or indeed the selective application of the law by the Zambia Police Service. We have noted that
cases involving the ruling party and government leaders, are expressly dealt with while cases involving the opposition political parties and perceived opponents of government, do not receive similar attention. A case in point is that of the attack on Zambezi West UPND parliamentarian Hon. Charles Kakoma. The Zambia Police have not acted swiftly in apprehending the suspected attackers like they did in the case of Solwezi Central UPND parliamentarian Hon Watson Lumba - a matter that is already before the courts," Lifuka said.
“Additionally, we have seen the Police record a warn and caution statement from Fr Frank Bwalya on the allegations of defamation of the Republican President and yet similar action has not been taken on the complaints Fr Bwalya brought against Mr William Banda – the MMD acting provincial chairperson. Again, we wish to register our concern that in Zambia, we seem to have two systems of justice, one for the poor and unconnected and another for the rich and well-connected. This is a recipe for anarchy in the country and we can only urge the Zambia Police to act in an impartial and fair manner and bring all culprits to book, notwithstanding the political sensitivities surrounding some of the cases."
Lifuka called on the Zambia Police to redeem itself from the public perception that it is not neutral.
"We have no doubt that Zambia Police Service has a good number of well qualified and experienced officers who can serve this country with dignity if given the support and latitude to do their work,” he said.
“Political interference is taking away the trust and confidence that people have in the Police Service and we want to urge the government and particularly the new Minister of Home Affairs to ensure that professionalism is restored and upheld in the Police Service."
In November last year, Lusaka Province MMD youth chairman Chris Chalwe and others threatened to gang-rape Forum for Democracy and Development leader Edith Nawakwi. When asked to take action, Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde said threatening violence was non-criminal offence. Despite Nawakwi lodging a complaint at Lusaka Central Police over two months ago, no action has been taken.
And during the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election campaigns last month, Kakoma was attacked by MMD cadres who badly injured him.
But immediately after the MMD lost that election, the police quickly arrested Solwezi Central UPND member of parliament Watson Lumba for alleged abduction of a police officer, among other charges.
Last week, opposition UPND women's league matched to force headquarters calling for the removal of Kabonde. But chief government spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha dismissed the call, saying those asking for Kabonde's dismissal were dreaming. Last Monday, police in Luanshya recorded a warn and caution statement from Fr Frank Bwalya for the alleged defamation of President Banda.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, EDITH NAWAKWI, FRANCIS KABONDE, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, REUBEN LIFUKA, TIZ
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Simenda advises Kunda to rest
By Moses Kuwema
Thu 20 May 2010, 04:01 CAT
UPND vice-president for political affairs Francis Simenda has advised Vice-President George Kunda to take a rest because he might collapse at the rate he is going. And UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma has said Vice-President Kunda has serious problems of daydreaming.
Commenting on Vice-President Kunda’s remarks that the UPND/PF pact is cracking, Simenda advised the Vice-President not to issue statements over things he did not understand.
“There is also need for him to take a rest. We sympathise with him, he just came back from hospital and at the rate he is going some of us fear that he may collapse,” Simenda said.
He said the UPND was disappointed with Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde over the manner in which he handled the security situation in the country.
“We have a case in point of the violence in the Mufumbwe by-election where we have been reporting these cadres who attacked our people but the police have taken no action. Instead our innocent members are the ones who are being arrested. Our provincial chairperson for Copperbelt Elisha Matambo, police followed him on Friday and interrogated him. This is getting too much for us and I don’t think we can stomach it any longer and we shall have no choice but resort to other means,” he said.
Simenda said Kabonde’s conduct was likely to cause chaos in the country because people were capable of doing anything if they lose confidence in the police service. And during a briefing on Tuesday, Kakoma questioned Vice-President Kunda’s sanity.
“… This is not the first time he is hallucinating and we feel this is a serious psychological disorder where the Vice-President is daydreaming everyday. That is dangerous because one day the President may be out of the country and the Vice-President as acting president can start daydreaming that we are being invaded,” he said.
Kakoma said chief Chizela of Mufumbwe had continued to harass and intimidate UPND supporters even after the by-election.
“The MMD is so devastated with the defeat and because of the anger they have not accepted the defeat and have continued to perpetuate violence even after the by-elections…people’s houses have continued to be burnt while some people are being evicted and beaten by individuals who say they have been sent by chief Chizela,” he said.
Kakoma said the UPND-PF pact would participate in the Luena parliamentary by-elections because they wanted to increase their numbers in Parliament.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, FRANCIS SIMENDA, GEORGE KUNDA, HIV/AIDS
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Kakoma urges caution on Mutanda-Chavuma road promise
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Sun 18 Apr. 2010, 03:20 CAT
UPND Zambezi West parliamentarian Charles Kakoma (left) has said there is nothing to be excited about the MMD government’s intention to tar the Mutanda-Chavuma road because the promises have been made since independence in 1964.
Dismissing assertions by MMD members of parliament for Chavuma Kenneth Konga and his Mwinilunga West counterpart Elijah Muchima that the opposition in the province were against the project, Kakoma said people were tired of empty promises and wanted action.
“We want this road to be tarred and we have been fighting for this to happen but to no avail. Imagine this promise has been made for the past 45 years and people are tired because there is nothing new to be excited about and it appears that government promises to tar the road when there are elections and they did it during the Solwezi by-elections and nothing came out of those empty promises,” Kakoma said.
He said the MMD government’s response to development in North Western Province was very disappointing.
“Government is not sincere and this is why their promises do not come to fruition since they keep reducing budgets for this same road. For instance, they have allocated K37 billion but engineers will tell you that this amount will only tar seven kilometers,” said Kakoma.
“And we opposition members of parliament keep on fighting them because we want this development since it will spring up other economic activities but the MMD government is not serious and they just want to be making empty promises.”
President Rupiah Banda recently directed finance minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane to look for funds to tar major roads in some parts of the country including the Mutanda-Chavuma road in North Western Province.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, KENNETH KONGA, ROADS
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‘Non-remittance of pension dues creating unpaid benefits backlog’
By Namatama Mundia
Thu 15 Apr. 2010, 03:30 CAT
THE Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (LASF) has said the institution has not been paying retirees their benefits on time because of non-remittance of pension contributions.
Making a submission to the parliamentary committee on economic affairs and labour chaired by Zambezi West UPND member of parliament Charles Kakoma yesterday, LASF managing director Remmy Pepala said non-remittance of pension contributions had created a backlog of unpaid benefits.
“Members who have retired have to wait before they are paid their retirement benefits. By the time they get their benefits, the value would have reduced due to effects of inflation and price increases in the commodities,” he said.
Pepala said the total amount not paid to retirees and their beneficiaries was K60.64 billion.
“As at 30th November, the total amount not paid to the retires and their beneficiaries was K60.64 billion broken down as follows: Zesco K37.84 billion, councils K19.49 billion, water companies K2.95 billion and National Housing Authority (NHA),” he said.
Pepala said associated authorities owed LASF K93.02 billion in form of un-remitted pension contributions as at November 30, 2009.
However, he said non-remittance of pension contributions still remained a challenge for the LASF.
“The current position is that associated authorities have continued to default in the remittance of members’ contributions to LASF. The persistent and debilitating liquidity problems faced by councils, particularly during the post decentralization era which commenced in 1980 has affected their ability to remit the contributions,” Pepala said.
And Pepala also submitted that LASF should be exempted from the National Pension Scheme Authority NAPSA Act if the Fund was to survive.
He also said the LASF Act should be amended to bring it in line with the current environment of social security.
Pepala expressed worry at the decline in the number of members that contributed to the fund, which stood at 9,843 as at November 30, 2009.
“The contributing membership has been declining because all new employees commencing employment on or after 1 February, 2000 are required to join the NAPSA as a basic scheme on a compulsory basis,” he said.
Pepala said this requirement of employees joining NAPSA on a compulsory basis had affected LASF in that it had not been receiving new members since February 2000.
“This provision also affects the Public Service Pensions Fund PSPF as new employees joining government service are now required under the same law to subscribe to NAPSA and not PSPF,” he said.
Pepala added that the membership for active contributing members had declined from 15,000 to 9,843 in November 2009 representing a 34 per cent reduction.
“It is projected that the Fund will have no contributing members by the year 2017 if the issue of exempting LASF from the NAPSA Act is not resolved. The long term implication of this position is that LASF has a finite lifespan and is headed for a wind up,” he said.
Pepala said currently the number of retired pensioners exceeded the number of active contributing members.
“This is a dangerous position because the social security principles require a scheme to have at least three or four active members for one retiree,” said Pepala.
Labels: CHARLES KAKOMA, LOCAL AUTHORITIES SUPERANNUATION FUND, PENSIONERS
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