Madzimawe says concerned with wide rich, poor gap
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Thu 31 Oct. 2013, 14:00 CAT
CHIEF Madzimawe of the Ngoni people in Chipata says he is concerned with the widening gap between the rich and the poor. Featuring on Feel Free FM's Big Issue programme yesterday, chief Madzimawe said his main preoccupation was to see development.
He said there was need to foster tangible development to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. He refuted claims that he wants to join politics and that was the reason he was speaking about various matters in the constituency.
"I will never be a politician. I am very, very much satisfied with what God has given me. And this does not mean that I should stop giving guidance to our children that have joined politics," chief Madzimawe said.
He said there were a number of issues that could be sorted out easily if elected leaders were working together.
"People need to understand me clearly; on the MP (Kasenengwa legislator Victoria Kalima) they have been saying we have been in bad books or what, but that's the arrogance that is culminating from the other side. I am not a difficult person," chief Madzimawe said.
Chief Madzimawe said people should understand that the traditional institution had now devolved compared to the way it was in the past.
"Now, the scenario is changing, people are saying chiefs have influence, if we don't use this influence productively, properly or positively, then I think we don't even deserve to be in these positions," chief Madzimawe said.
He said he could not sink so low to be driven by politics.
"There was an issue to say, we (chiefs) want the MP to visit us because we want a brown envelope, no, I am not part of such chiefs," chief Madzimawe said.
Recently chief Madzimawe banned Kalima from holding meetings in his area until differences that she allegedly had with councillors were resolved.
Labels: CHIEF MADZIMAWE, INEQUALITY, POVERTY
Read more...
Rupiah's fate left to the law
By Roy Habaalu
Tue 06 Mar. 2012, 12:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says he has not commented on the removal of Rupiah Banda's immunity because he wants the law to take its course. During a meeting with Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people, chiefs and traditional affairs minister Inonge Wina and chief Madzimawe at State House yesterday, President Sata said those that had commented on the issue were expressing their views.
"I have never talked about Mr Rupiah Banda's immunity because I want the law to take its course. If you hear paramount chief Mpezeni talking about it whether supporting or not, he's entitled to guide the people and no threats of any nature should stop him. He will be protected," he said.
President Sata said it was the duty of the government to protect the office of chiefs and not an individual.
Chief Mpezeni recently called for the removal of former president Banda's immunity to allow him answer to charges of corruption.
His remarks caused divisions between him, chiefs Nzamane and Madzimawe of Eastern Province that led to his Iphendukeni palace being guarded by police.
But chief Madzimawe of the Ngoni people says he's ready to work with the PF government.
Speaking when he was introduced to President Sata by Paramount Chief Mpezeni, chief Madzimawe said as chairman of the House of Chiefs he could not afford not to work with the government of the day.
"Our coming here is simply to indicate to you that as chiefs, we will work with the government of the day. We re-affirm our commitment as traditional leaders. We will support you and ensure delivery of development to the people," said chief Madzimawe.
Earlier, Wina said she was pleased to learn that there was no more tension between chief Mpezeni and some of his chiefs.
"In the past, there has been tension between paramount chief Mpezeni and some of his chiefs orchestrated by perhaps outside paramount Mpezeni but he indicated to me that he's getting on well with junior chiefs. It's good they have reconciled and that he (Madzimawe) has agreed to come and inform the President that peace has been restored in Ngoniland. I am very happy," said Wina.
Labels: CHIEF MADZIMAWE, CHIEF MPEZENI, COURTS, INONGE WINA, RUPIAH BANDA
Read more...
Sata's threats against Nzamane, Madzimawe dictatorial - Miyanda
By Speedwell Mupuchi
Mon 20 Feb. 2012, 11:59 CAT
BRIGADIER General Godfrey Miyanda has described as arbitrary, dictatorial, illegal and unconstitutional President Michael Sata's threat against chiefs Nzamane and Madzimawe for allegedly threatening Paramount chief Mpezeni.
In an open letter to the Law Association of Zambia over the matter, Brig Gen Miyanda quoted President Sata indicating that the two chiefs had committed some serious crimes warranting the invoking of some provisions of the chiefs Act, with a further threat to resuscitate them to an area outside their ancestral areas.
He said President Sata's threats were inconsistent and contradictory following his and his party, the PF's opposition to threats by former president Rupiah Banda to dethrone chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II.
"I contend that the President's intention to dethrone the two chiefs is without proper or plausible grounds. Further, it was uncalled for to publicly dress down the chiefs in front of the whole Zambia," according to the letter. "Unfortunately, such have a tendency to grow louder and bigger and create fear and tension in the nation."
Brig Gen Miyanda urged LAZ to show leadership and provide appropriate direction on pertinent legal controversies and come to the aid of any citizen under threat of abuse of power or executive excesses.
He also urged all chiefs to stand in solidarity with each other to resist "dictatorial and divisive tendencies that threaten the unity of the country".
He also urged Minister of Justice Sebastian Zulu to stop being a spectator when the Executive was acting in an arbitrary and dictatorial manner, and that unless he had some private interest to protect, he should provide timely and professional advice.
Brig Gen Miyanda contended that the President does not possess powers to arbitrarily remove a chief from their hereditary station under the guise of "withdrawing recognition".
He said if President Sata proceeded with the threat, he would be acting illegally and unconstitutionally.
"I contend that there is no law that gives the President any blanket authority over traditional affairs, especially the ascendancy and succession of chiefs in Zambia. Proper procedures must be followed before the relevant powers are invoked; from his very angry attack on the two chiefs, it appears he has already made up his mind about their guilt!" he said.
"Clearly, the President has misconstrued the letter and spirit of the Republican Constitution vis a vis the resolution of disputes in a traditional setting in Zambia."
Brig Gen Miyanda contended that reliance on the chiefs Act for the crimes alleged by President Sata was misconceived because the sections relied on were repugnant to Article 127 of the Constitution of Zambia.
He also said the procedure adopted by President Sata to publicly lambaste the two chiefs during an unrelated swearing-in ceremony of ambassadors was contrary to the current law and practice regarding traditional affairs and lacked transparency.
"In fact, it is intimidating (as opposed to being inquisitorial) and has presumed, without hearing the two chiefs, that they are guilty as alleged by whoever is their accuser," Brig Gen Miyanda stated.
He contended that the power to recognise does not mean power to remove a chief solely by presidential decree or even to dissolve a chieftaincy.
He stated that even assuming that the two chiefs threatened chief Mpezeni, there were other ways of dealing with it.
"And in all of them it is undesirable for the President to be an active participant. For the President to be active in the early stages of a traditional dispute is what creates a personality cult that leads to patronage which further slows down democratic development because citizens revert to the President whom they begin to worship as some sort of a god!" Brig Gen Miyanda stated.
He also urged chiefs to speak out against arbitrary Presidential decrees, saying there was no Zambian without a village.
"The President is just one of the villagers. As a result of the elections, he has become the number one servant of the people. All bona fide Zambians must condemn any arbitrary, divisive and dictatorial tendencies," stated Brig Gen Miyanda.
Labels: CHIEF MADZIMAWE, CHIEF MPEZENI, CHIEF NZAMANE, CHIEFS, EASTERN PROVINCE, GODFREY MIYANDA, LAZ, MICHAEL SATA
Read more...
Moosa commends Sata's advice to chiefs Nzamane, Madzimawe
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Tue 07 Feb. 2012, 12:59 CAT
FORMER Petauke district council chairperson Osman Moosa says every chief should be concerned with President Michael Sata's warning letters to senior chief Nzamane and chief Madzimawe over the alleged threats on Paramount Chief Mpezeni for supporting calls to remove former president Rupiah Banda's immunity.
Commenting on the alleged impasse that had ravaged the Ngoniland and the subsequent warning letters from President Sata to the two traditional leaders, Moosa, the immediate past MMD Nyika ward councillor, commended President Sata on his advice to the two chiefs for their alleged threats on the paramount chief.
"Every chief should be touched with the contents of those letters. They should never think it's only for Ngonis. The letters are from the Republican President and it's law. May I appeal to my chiefs in Petauke to love each other and move forward as a team for the development of the district," Moosa said.
He said he would be a sad person to see any of the traditional leaders in Petauke having their recognition as chiefs withdrawn.
"Remember law is law and it should be respected all the time," said Moosa.
Recently, Paramount Chief Mpezeni supported countrywide calls to have Banda's immunity removed.
But few days later, President Sata warned senior Nzamane and chief Madzimawe to stop intimidating the paramount chief over his comments following reports that the two traditional leaders were allegedly inciting subjects against Mpezeni.
President Sata has since written warning letters to the two traditional leaders over the matter although they both denied the allegations.
Armed police officers were also deployed at the Paramount Chief Mpezeni's palace.
Meanwhile, the MMD in Eastern condemned what it termed ‘politicisation' of the traditional leadership.
The Ngonis are currently preparing for the annual Nc'wala traditional ceremony that will be held at the end of this month.
Labels: CHIEF MADZIMAWE, CHIEF NZAMANE, CHIEFS, MICHAEL SATA, NC'WALA, NGONI, OSMAN MOOSA, PETAUKE
Read more...
Sata writes Madzimawe, Nzamane over threats to Mpezeni
By Staff Reporters
Fri 03 Feb. 2012, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says chiefs Madzimawe and Nzamane are working to destabilise the Ngoni chiefdom and Paramount Chief Mpezeni's authority.
In separate letters dated February 1, 2012 to chiefs Madzimawe and Nzamane obtained from sources in Eastern Province, President Sata stated that the duo should cease from issuing any further threats or derogatory remarks of any form against Mpezeni.
"I have noted with great concern that your conduct in issuing threats against His Royal Highness Paramount chief Mpezeni is in direct violation of your duty under section 11 of the chiefs Act, Chapter 287 of the Laws of Zambia, which requires a chief to preserve the public peace in his area and to take reasonable measures to quell any riot, affray or similar disorder which may occur in that area," he said.
President Sata advised that under Section 4 of the chiefs Act, he was empowered by statutory order to withdraw the recognition accorded to them, if under inquiry, he was satisfied that the withdrawal of the recognition was necessary in the interests of peace, order and good government.
He stated that under Section 7 of the chiefs Acts, where the recognition accorded to a chief had been withdrawn or revoked, and the President was satisfied that the presence of such a person in any area would be prejudicial to the maintenance of public order in that area, he can prohibit such a person from being within the area specified.
"I accordingly wish to warn your Royal Highness that should you continue to undermine his traditional authority or to issue threats to Paramount chief Mpezeni or indeed any other citizens of Zambia, I will have no option but to consider whether your presence in the chiefdom would be prejudicial to the maintenance of public order, and necessitate your removal from the chiefdom," stated President Sata.
Both chiefs have denied intimidating chief Mpezeni over his statement supporting the lifting of Rupiah Banda's immunity from prosecution.
Labels: CHIEF MADZIMAWE, CHIEF MPEZENI, CHIEF NZAMANE, MICHAEL SATA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Read more...
President Michael Sata directs Zambia Police to provide maximum security to Paramount Chief Mpezeni
TIME PUBLISHED - Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 4:13 pm
President Michael Sata has directed the Zambia Police to provide maximum security to Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people in Eastern province. This follows alleged threats of violence against chief Mpezeni from Chiefs Madzimawe and Zamane after he openly called for the lifting of former President Rupiah Banda’s immunity to allow him to clear himself against the corruption allegations.
The President said that Paramount Chief Mpezeni just like any other citizen has a right to speak out on issues affecting the Zambians. President Sata said that he may consider revoking the recognition of Chiefs Madzimawe and Zamane should they continue threatening violence against Paramount Chief Mpezeni.
President Sata has since asked the minister of Justice Sebastian Zulu to write to the two subordinate chiefs warning them against their unlawful activities.
Paramount Chief Mpezeni has described as malicious the Internet story that alleged that President Michael Sata had died.
Paramount Chief Mpezeni said politicians should learn to practice politics responsibly by discussing real issues that can contribute to the welfare of citizens and development of the nation and not issues that can destabilize and bring anarchy into the country.
ZANIS reports the Paramount chief was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Chipata yesterday.
And Paramount Chief Mpezeni stressed the need for the police to get to the bottom of the issue and ensure that the authors of the story are brought to book.
He wondered why the trend had continued saying this was not the first time that people were spreading such ill rumours about the highest office in the land.
“The police should put an end to such falsehood because it will continue, this rumour was there even before his election when it was alleged that he had collapsed in Mongu,” he said.
The false story appeared on Wikipedia website recently. It alleged that President Micheal Sata had died. However , State House described the story as false and malicious.
Meanwhile, Paramount chief Mpezeni has appealed to government to quickly pay the 150 farmers who are still being owed money by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for the purchase of maize sold to the agency last year.
Paramount Chief Mpezeni expressed worry that farmers may not have enough yields in the 2011/12 farming season because they have not been able to procure farming inputs.
“Some of them have not even been able to send their children to school because they entirely depend of farming and they only get money once in a year after the sale of maize” he said.
And chief Jumbe of the Kunda people in Mambwe district has also complained about lack of payment to farmers by FRA for the purchase of maize in the 2010/11 farming season.
Chief Jumbe said it is sad that some farmers have failed even to cultivate their fields saying they may not produce enough grain in this year.
Chief Jumbe has since appealed to government to quickly address the situation to assis t farmers in the area.
ZANIS
Labels: CHIEF MADZIMAWE, CHIEF MPEZENI, CHIEFS, DEATH THREATS, FRA, MICHAEL SATA
Read more...
Chiefs should always be impartial on matters to do with politics – Madzimawe
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sun 04 Apr. 2010, 04:01 CAT
HOUSE of Chiefs chairperson chief Madzimawe has described Eastern Province MMD chairperson Kennedy Zulu's sentiments that the party would consider Milanzi chiefs' recommendations in the adoption of their candidate as mere politicking.
And Milanzi by-election MMD campaign manager Dr Eustarckio Kazonga said MMD would embark on issue-based campaigns in the area. In an interview last Thursday, chief Madzimawe said traditional leaders should always be impartial on matters to do with politics.
“I think the PEC MMD provincial executive committee chairperson was just politicking when he issued that statement. I think that message was targeted at other political parties like the opposition trying to scare them that they MMD have the backing of the chiefs but chiefs are non-partisan and they are supposed to be impartial,” chief Madzimawe said.
He said chiefs only advocated for better candidates who could represent the people well once elected.
“All the parties should present better candidates so that they could be able to represent the people better in an event that they are voted into office. I think what chief Kathumba said on this issue was very good because people need a credible representative,” chief Madzimawe said.
He urged political parties taking part in both the Milanzi and Mufumbwe by-elections to conduct peaceful campaigns.
“You know people should realise that although they belong to different political parties they are brothers and sisters, they are members of the same family and so they should embrace each other. We don't want anybody to preach violence in these areas during the campaigns,” chief Madzimawe said. “They should leave these places the way they will find them. We don't want any damage to property and other bad things to happen.”
And Dr Kazonga, who is also local government minister and Vubwi member of parliament, said the MMD would base their campaign on issues.
“We are going to explain our programmes that we are carrying out that we are going to present to the people of Milanzi. Ours is issue-based campaign, government has done a lot in that area and we are going there to explain what government is doing,” Dr Kazonga said.
He said the people of Milanzi were able to see what government was doing.
When asked to comment on White Banda who was adopted on the MMD ticket, Dr Kazonga said he had not yet officially received the name of the candidate.
“I was out of office so I have just reported to the office today. I haven't received the name of the candidate officially but I am the campaign manager,” Dr Kazonga said.
Dr Kazonga denied reports that his ministry had called chief Kathumba of Katete to Lusaka because he was seemingly opposed to the MMD candidate.
Sources said some traditional leaders in Milanzi preferred 2006 Sinda losing MMD parliamentary candidate Zebron Banda to White Banda.
Earlier, chief Kathumba said it was not his preoccupation to take part in the selection of political candidates.
Chief Kathumba advised all the parties taking part in the by-election to adopt credible people.
UNIP has adopted Musa Banda, MMD has adopted White Banda while PF-UPND has adopted Albert Banda.
The Milanzi by-election is slated for April 29.
Labels: CHIEF MADZIMAWE, CHIEFS, EUSTARKIO KAZONGA, KENNEDY ZULU, POLITICS
Read more...
