Current draft constitution progressive - Nkomeshya
By Kombe Chimpinde
Sun 27 May 2012, 13:29 CAT
CHIEFTAINESS Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people says most provisions in current draft constitution are progressive.
In an interview, chieftainess Nkomeshya, who was a member of Willa Mung'omba Constitution Review Commission (CRC) set up by Levy Mwanawasa in 2006, thanked the PF government for paving way for a free constitution-making process anchored on the aspirations of Zambians.
"I am happy because I was instrumental in advocating for the 50 per cent plus one threshold for a winning president. The clause of the running mate has also come back," chieftainess Nkomeshya said.
She also welcomed the removal of a university degree requirement for one to aspire for presidency.
"The inclusion of dual citizenship is also important because we have got many of our people in the Diaspora. When they are there, they opt for the citizenship of that country they are operating from; because of this, they are completely cut off from their own countries. When they come back, they come as foreigners and they need to have a VISA to be cleared to enter their own country."
Chieftainess Nkomeshya said if the clause was included in the final draft it would encourage business investments back to Zambia from Zambians leaving abroad.
"Those of our children who have money all over the world will be able to invest it back home without restrictions," she said.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya also admitted that her expectations of the final outcome of the process were very high.
"My expectations of the process are very high. We are grateful to the PF government that they have heard the cries of the people. I think it is important in my view," she said.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya, however, said the period given for the citizens to study, discuss the draft constitution and make submissions was too short.
"The draft has not been translated into other languages, the one we have been given is in English but those who will be heading these meetings will be able to interpret because we can't wait for translation because forty days given to us is not enough but we can make use of the remaining period. It is my hope and prayer as leader of this community that my people will come forward to make their submissions," said chieftainess Nkomeshya.
Labels: CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, CONSTITUTION
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Nkomeshya urges MPs to back abuse clause
By Kombe Chimpinde and Mwala Kalaluka
Fri 09 Mar. 2012, 12:00 CAT
CHIEFTAINESS Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people says members of parliament must accept and subsequently support the abuse of office clause which has been tabled before Parliament through the anti-corruption bill.
In an interview at her palace yesterday, chieftainess Nkomeshya said she was elated by the government's decision to take back the vital clause and that she strongly felt all the wrongs committed during the MMD's time should be corrected.
"It is good because that monitors the behaviour of leaders, she said. We cannot have a country which has no code for leaders to adhere to.''
Chieftainess Nkomeshya said that the re-introduction of the clause was the wish of many Zambians and was long overdue.
When you are put in public office, it's not personal. You are there on behalf of the people. That office or system which employs you, it will also accord you whatever is entitled to you, if it's a salary , or allowance. You must not get what is meant for the majority Zambians, she said.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya said those that would oppose to the clause were culprits in the vice and that such must be exposed.
''They are protecting the wrongs that they did and such people should be exposed. I will have no mercy for such people. I am expecting the entire membership of Parliament, be it in the opposition or government… will accept it," she said.
According to the anti-corruption bill, 2012, a public officer who misuses their position to breach public procurement procedures or guidelines connected to the management of public funds shall be presumed to have corrupt intent.
The bill tabled by justice minister Sebastian Zulu in the House on Friday, apart from resuscitating the abuse of office clause that was deleted by the MMD in the Anti-Corruption Act, 2010, also provides for the forfeiture of unexplained properties found with public officers.
"The presumption of corrupt intent shall, in relation to an offence under this Act, include- (a) misuse of position, office or authority; and (b) breach of procurement procedure or willful failure to comply with applicable procedures or guidelines relating to the management of funds or incurring of public expenditure," the bill reads.
"The Commission may commence proceedings for forfeiture of unexplained property under this section against a person where- (a) after due investigation, the Commission is satisfied that the person has unexplained assets."
The bill provides that unexplained property may be seized where the ACC has afforded a public officer an opportunity to explain the disproportion between the assets concerned and the person's known legitimate sources of income and the Commission is not satisfied that an adequate explanation of that disproportion had been given.
"A person who- knowingly makes, or causes to be made, to the Commission, false testimony or a false report in any material particular or any offence or matter under investigation...destroys anything to prevent the seizure of property or document or securing of the property or documents; commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years," the bill read in part.
"The provisions of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act, 2010, shall apply in relation to the seizure and forfeiture of any proceeds or corruptly acquired by any person and any other related matters."
The bill further seeks to provide that a person who tampers with any property that is seized or forfeited under this Act commits an offence and liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years.
The bill further provides that in any proceedings for an offence under this Act it shall be a valid defence that the gratification offered or accepted was an entertainment or a casual gift.
But the bill states that evidence related to an offence under Part III of the Act that any gratification solicited, accepted or obtained or agreed to be accepted, given, offered or promised to the public was customary in any profession, business, trade, vocation or calling, would not be admissible.
"This Act shall have effect within as well as outside Zambia and notwithstanding where any offence is committed by any person, that person may be dealt with in respect of such offence as if it has been committed within Zambia," the bill read.
"An offence under this Act shall be deemed to be an extraditable offence under the provisions of the Extradition Act."
The bill seeks to enable the ACC to annually publish the names of all persons convicted of corrupt offences or who have admitted guilt under the Act in the Gazette.
It provides that where a public officer corruptly solicits any gratification, it shall not be a defence in any trial that the appointment, nomination or election of such person or any other person as a public officer was invalid or void; "...the public officer or any other public officer did not have the power, authority or opportunity of doing, or of forbearing from doing, the act, favour or disfavour to which the gratification related to," the bill read in part.
"...the public officer did not actually do any act, favour or disfavour to induce the gratification, or never had the intention of doing so."
The bill reads further that any person who in the opinion of the court makes false, frivolous or groundless allegations that somebody committed an offence under Part III of the bill, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding seven years or to both.
"The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding any obligation as to secrecy or other restriction on the disclosure of information imposed under any written law or otherwise," the bill read further.
"The provision of the Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act, 2010, shall apply in relation to the protection of whistleblowers and other related matters."
Labels: CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA
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Sata refuses to predict outcome of by-elections
By Bright Mukwasa in Chongwe
Sat 26 Nov. 2011, 12:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata yesterday refused to predict the outcome of the three parliamentary by-elections scheduled for next Monday, saying his party is not like the MMD. And President Sata says travelling abroad with a large entourage is a costly undertaking.
Speaking before departure to Nakonde where he has gone to drum up support for that constituency's candidate Abel Sichula, President Sata refused to weigh the chances of the PF in the coming by-elections.
"That is why there is an election. If we knew we were winning, there would be no election. We are not MMD, that is why there is an election," President Sata said when asked to state PF's chances in the coming by-elections. "I am saying there is an election, wait for the actual result."
And drumming up support for PF Chongwe parliamentary candidate Sylvia Masebo in Chongwe on Thursday, President Sata said he has not been globe-trotting since assuming office as travelling abroad for heads of state was an expensive undertaking and a drain on the country's treasury.
President Sata said he had not been travelling out of the country because he wanted to save resources for use in the country's needy sectors.
"Before the September elections, I called (former president Rupiah) Banda a mobile president. There was a trip for Comesa heads of state to go to Malawi, I did not go. If I had to go imagine all these policemen who are here would have to come with me. The money I would have spent to put all these people in a hotel, you people you can have a hospital but with no drugs. I can use that money to buy the drugs," President Sata said.
"Another trip to go to Australia came, I refused. I've travelled extensively around the world more than all the presidents that have been in Zambia. I have enough suits I don't need to buy any more suits. My first trip out of State House I went to Mazabuka, I wanted to see for myself because it's one thing to promise and another to deliver."
President Sata has not undertaken any trip abroad since his election over two months ago.
He also described the opposition UPND as a political dustbin.
President Sata said the current MMD-UPND contender, Adrian Bauleni, in the Chongwe parliamentary by-election was sent back from the Democratic Republic of Congo as Ambassador and got so upset, forcing him to resign from MMD.
"Today the dustbin you have in Zambia since Anderson Mazoka died is UPND. The leader of UPND Hakainde Hichilema has never been a ward chairman, branch or constituency chairman. How can you have a leader who has not been trained?" he asked.
President Sata urged the people of Chongwe to vote for Masebo as she had demonstrated her capacity to perform.
"Sylvia is arrogant and courageous. She did not fear Levy Mwanawasa, she did not fear Banda Rupiah, in fact, Banda feared her. And because of this lady you voted against me in 2008. Masebo can argue, she doesn't fear anybody that's the beauty about her," he said.
President Sata said Masebo had a proven track record unlike the people contesting against her.
He thanked the short-lived area parliamentarian Japhen Mwakalombe for his decision to resign and not to join a clique of a corrupt regime.
President Sata said his government would work to build roads, three secondary schools and upgrade some health centres within Chongwe district.
And Masebo appealed to the people to vote for her given her track record.
Masebo said if voted into office, she would have access to the government and initiating developmental programmes would be easier.
Prior to the rally, President Sata paid a courtesy call on senior chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya urged President Sata to use his popularity to serve the people.
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, MICHAEL SATA, NAKONDE, SYLVIA MASEBO
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Catholics are proud of Nkomeshya - Mpundu
By Mwala Kalaluka in Chongwe
Tue 08 Nov. 2011, 13:50 CAT
LUSAKA Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu says the Catholic Church is proud that its member, senior chieftainess Nkomeshya, is a principled leader who cannot be bullied by the powers that be. And Chongwe's St Paul Catholic Church priest in-charge, Fr Gabriel Mwanamwalye says the Church will not go on a picnic following its resolve to speak for the people.
Addressing congregants after he confirmed over 200 people at Chongwe's St Paul Catholic Church, Archbishop Mpundu said the people should threaten political leaders that do not want to listen to them using the ballot box.
"I would like to say this loudly and clearly before our people. It is us who are edified and humbled to see you so humble at the service of your people," Archbishop Mpundu told chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II.
"It is very rare to see chiefs who come and kneel down just bringing some gift. This is the attitude that her royal highness has, to serve people, not to be served and this is what we are confirmed for."
Archbishop Mpundu said the Catholic Church was proud of chieftainess Nkomeshya of the Soli people of Lusaka Province.
"We support you through and through. We want to remind our civic and political leaders that when we elect them into power we are the employers, they are our employees," Archbishop Mpundu said. "They are supposed to serve us and when they refuse to serve us, then we remind them or we threaten them with the ballot box."
On the forthcoming by-elections in Chongwe Constituency, Archbishop Mpundu urged the electorate to do chieftainess Nkomeshya proud by rejecting outsiders exporting violence to the area.
"On 24th November you go for voting, we as Christians don't know violence, whether it is violence in the mouth or physical violence, no. Only people who are very vulnerable and very weak want to use violence," said Archbishop Mpundu. "People in Chongwe are peaceful, it's outsiders who want to make them violent, reject them."
And in an earlier address, Fr Mwanamwalye said the Catholic Church does not fear anyone as it was founded on a solid foundation of the apostles.
"The Archbishop travelled to all these places, he saw how the people are living. He participated in their joy and sorrow, therefore when the Bishop is going to speak out at some point as he does most of the time, people ask him where do you speak from? Where do you get this and that?" Fr Mwanamwalye said.
"He speaks through experience, he knows what he is talking about and as a Bishop he is not on a picnic, no. The Catholic Church has never been on a picnic and we have a serious Archbishop and all the Bishops when they speak, it's because they see what is happening; they live with the people."
Fr Mwanamwalye asked those confirmed to be like soldiers who would defend the Church through praying for its leadership.
"Pray for them, they need your strength but above all show love to one another and I will tell you one thing, laziness is a sin," said Fr Mwanamwalye.
Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, TELESPHORE MPUNDU
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Masebo starts election petition process
By Joe Kaunda
Thu 29 Sep. 2011, 16:40 CAT
SYLVIA Masebo has directed her lawyers to commence the petition against her loss in the recently held Chongwe parliamentary election which she says was fraught with massive irregularities.
Masebo, who contested the seat on the PF ticket, said she had since handed over evidence to her lawyers MNB Legal Practitioners to show that the elections were characterised with massive rigging and abuse of resources by those in government, including the former president, Rupiah Banda.
"The whole government machinery through the president, including the now former first lady was used to rig the elections," Masebo said.
"There was the intimidation of voters after the president threatened to dethrone our traditional leader, senior chieftainess Nkomenshya Mukambo II. This intimidation by the president even caused apathy among voters and violence by the MMD. Then there was also massive vote buying."
Masebo cited the distribution of relief maize, government hammer mills, sewing machines and sinking of boreholes in selected villages.
"The former first lady distributed tractors and money to women's clubs. Public resources were distributed from Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development, Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, the CEEC Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission to selected groups. Even suits were given to headmen," she said.
"Soldiers in the barracks were paid their long outstanding dues on the day of the elections, there was ferrying of voters on the election day and the introduction of pre-marked ballot papers,"
She said it was saddening that these abuses took place in all the 58 polling stations in Chongwe Constituency leading to her loss to MMD candidate Japhen Mwakalombe.
Masebo said she had gathered all the evidence on the ground and witnesses to prove that the election was not free and fair.
Labels: CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, PF, SYLVIA MASEBO
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Mwanachingwala criticises Rupiah's attacks on Nkomeshya
By Henry Chibulu in Mazabuka
Tue 20 Sep. 2011, 10:00 CAT
CHIEF Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka has criticised President Rupiah Banda for publicly attacking senior chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people.
In an interview in Mazabuka last Friday, chief Mwanachingwala said President Banda should have used better channels to vent his anger on the traditional ruler instead of using a political battlefield to demonise her.
President Banda is my friend but I will advise him when he goes wrong; and on this particular issue, he was wrong. Only good friends will advise if you do wrong things, chief Mwanachingwala said.
He said President Banda could have sought the intervention of the House of Chiefs to iron out his differences with chieftainess Nkomeshya rather than wash dirty linen in public.
Chief Mwanachingwala also said President Banda has no powers to dethrone a chief as the duty to dethrone or elect a chief lies in members of the royal family.
For me, if anyone wants to dethrone me, I can go to court and the court will protect me because the Zambian laws are there and clearly state that only members of the royal family and not the government are allowed to choose chiefs, he said.
Chief Mwanachingwala also said the refusal by chieftainess Nkomeshya to meet President Banda was wrong, adding that the chieftainess could have taken advantage of the President's visit to complain about the under-development in her chiefdom.
During a campaign rally in Chongwe, President Banda threatened to dethrone chieftainess Nkomeshya following her hard stance on the MMD government over the lack of development in her chiefdom.
Labels: CHIEF MWANACHINGWALA, CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
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Rupiah's threats against Nkomeshya perplex Nawaitwika
By Patson Chilemba in Nakonde
Tue 13 Sep. 2011, 13:59 CAT
SENIOR chieftainess Nawaitwika has wondered how President Rupiah Banda could threaten to dethrone chieftainess Nkomeshya when chiefdoms existed before politics. Chieftainess Nawaitwika made the remarks when Colonel Panji Kaunda, Bob Sichinga, Mbita Chitala and other PF members paid a courtesy call on her at her palace in Northern Province.
Col Panji told chieftainess Nawaitwika that President Banda threatened to dethrone chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people of Chongwe district for asking for development in the event that he won the elections.
Col Panji told chiefainess Nawaitwika that President Banda addressed a rally last week where he threatened to dethrone chieftainess Nkomeshya for refusing to meet him.
He said the attacks on chieftainess Nkomeshya were directed towards all the chiefs who wanted to speak boldly for the development of their people.
"And Nkomeshya didn't say ‘I am PF'. She said ‘there is no development in my chiefdom, so I need you to help me'. But he said ‘no you are wrong'. So we are explaining to the people that whenever someone says this, they should be free to speak on things which are happening," Col Panji said as chieftainess Nawaitwika listened attentively.
"Because if you remove a chief, the people in that chiefdom will rise against you and that can bring war in the country. We don't want that. What we want is to give respect to the chiefs. Our fear is that our friends are now losing direction…we need to respect chiefs. This is our policy in PF."
In response chieftainess Nawaitwika said she was grateful for the remarks.
She wondered how a politician could dethrone a chief because chiefdoms existed before politics.
"Ninga nomba umuntu kuti alanda shani ifyo (how could a person say such a thing)? Chieftainess Nawaitwika wondered. "Awe umuntu ngalanda ifyo ninshi kwena katwishi."
Nawaitwika also had a word for traditional leaders who engaged in partisan politics.
"Limbi mulyamwine emomuli aisalusa, umbi apita kuti chaba shani what would you do if the candidate you are supporting loses, and the one you didn't support wins?" asked chieftainess Nawaitwika.
"Awe ine ndelolelafye, ukateka uyowine emwana wandi eotukalabomba nankwe. Efyo chifwile ukuba. I won't take sides. I will wait for the winner, that's the one I am going to work with."
Labels: CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, RUPIAH BANDA
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MMD planning to kill me - Sata
By George Chellah in Kaoma
Fri 09 Sep. 2011, 14:03 CAT
PF leader Michael Sata says the MMD is planning to kill him and claim he died out of poor health. And a ZNBC crew interviewed Sata on Wednesday afternoon shortly after the rally in Kaoma but ignored the interview and instead used a false story that he had collapsed on account of ill health as their lead story during the 19:00 hours main news.
Meanwhile, Sata has said President Rupiah Banda's threat to dethrone Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people was similar to the colonialists' style of governance.
In a special interview with Hot FM Radio from Kaoma before addressing a rally in Mangango Constituency yesterday, Sata said people should not expect anything good from Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation because its director general, Eddie Mupeso, was fired on corruption charges.
Responding to false reports in the state-owned but government controlled ZNBC, Times of Zambia and Daily Mail that he had collapsed in Western Province, Sata said it was not the first time the public media were broadcasting and publishing unfounded stories about him.
"I have not collapsed because the day in question I addressed two successful meetings in Nalolo; one in the morning, the other in the afternoon and ZNBC did not say at which point I collapsed," Sata said.
"Was it at the first meeting or before the second meeting?"
Sata said people ought to remember that it was the Zambian Watchdog, owned by sympathisers of the UPND, that initially published terrible rumours that he was very sick about three weeks ago.
"They said ‘he doesn't stand up and he's somehow dead'…I can't see a country where we allow gossip to be circulating like the Watchdog does," Sata said.
"If you remember in 2009 the UPND came into a pact with us because somebody told them that before the end of 2009, Michael Sata was dying and typical of HH (UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema) he thought if Michael Sata dies he could take over PF in the same way he took over UPND. So to answer your question, I am very strong and just going to address another meeting."
On allegations in the Times of Zambia that he had hired a helicopter on credit, Sata said he was creditworthy and trusted, saying that was why it was given to him. He wondered why the Times of Zambia had not told the nation where President Rupiah Banda got the money to buy 500 MMD campaign vehicles.
Sata said politics in Zambia had been reduced to something ridiculous because President Banda didn't understand the art.
"They think they can survive by preparing the minds of the people so that when they kill me people will say Sata has always been sick because if they are always talking about my health. They must be preparing something very sinister against my life," said Sata.
"Rupiah Banda has never been a cadre. He ascended to president of MMD after the death of Mwanawasa. UPND president Hakainde has never been a cadre, he took over UPND through money and you find on that basis you don't have morality in politics."
Earlier at a rally in Kaoma on Wednesday, Sata said those wishing him ill were merely wasting their time. He urged the crowd to expect more lies from the MMD as polling day drew near.
"You have to forgive them because they have nothing to tell you apart from lying. They came here; they told you ‘Sata is too old he can't stand'. Liars forget when they say something. They told you ‘Sata is too sick' and now they are planning to come and lie on 20th September that ‘Sata is dead'. And tomorrow yesterday you will see they will say ‘Mr Sata has collapsed'. Have I collapsed?" asked Sata as the crowd responded in a chorus: "No! No!"
"You have to forgive them because they don't know what they are saying. Today Wednesday, someone I don't know said I collapsed… in his dream. In MMD's dream they would very much wish Mr Sata collapsed. Till I die, I shall continue talking for you. I don't care what they wish but they are wasting their time."
Sata said Barotseland was lacking political leadership to develop the area.
"I feel sorry for the people of Kaoma because you are orphaned. Whatever development you are seeing here is what was left by Golden Mandandi (former parliamentarian in the Chiluba regime). When Simasiku Namakando who was MMD provincial chairman told Rupiah Banda that there is no development in Western Province, Rupiah Banda said ‘excuse me, shut up! I did not beg for your vote,'" he said.
Sata wondered why Kaoma was not benefitting from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
He complained of poor sanitation and lack of water in Kaoma that the people were being subjected to.
"When I was minister of local government, I left you CDF. Today, each MP gets K600 million CDF. Can you tell me if Austin Liato (former labour minister) cares about you. How can you allow those people in markets without toilets?"
Sata asked.
"Here in Kaoma, your MP for Kaoma Central is an opportunist. Liato was minister of labour. Has he seen the way our police live? Kenneth Kaunda cared about us. If Kaunda did not make Kaoma a Garrison town, what would be in Kaoma?"
Sata said the government had also not provided a road to Lukulu, Kasempa and Senanga districts.
"Kaoma is a very big district. But you have Chinese and South Africans coming to take your timber. God gave timber to the people of Kaoma; what benefit do we get?" Sata asked.
"We can make fish farms here and grow rice. But when you have a government, which cannot even buy your maize in September, what do you expect? Liato is using you as plates for him to eat to become fatter."
Sata also promised better conditions of service for civil servants.
Earlier during a public rally in Nalikwanda Constituency, Sata said President Banda was rejected in most parts of the country and was only saved by Western Province.
"But we have seen you are not happy just like the rest of the country. We are all suffering the same way. I have three indunas here…these indunas will remember when Sir Roy Welensky was introducing the federation how they suffered," Sata said.
"The Bemba Paramount Chief was suspended because he refused the federation. Today, we have seen a repeat; Rupiah Banda is threatening Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya that if he steals the votes again, he will chase her."
Sata said former MMD Nalikwanda member of parliament Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa failed to improve the standard of education in his constituency and Barotseland as a whole.
"Has he improved the standard of education? If an educated person like Lungwangwa is carried away by money and forgets the people who educated him, where are we going?" Sata asked.
"Western Province is a very rich province. God gave you fish, God gave you everything but what you have not given yourselves is leadership. When Rupiah Banda ordered the brutal repression which resulted in killings in Mongu, none of your MPs complained."
Sata said Barotseland required fish farming and proper fish marketing and storage.
"We want a university of our own. We have enough basic schools, what we need are secondary schools; each and every constituency must have a secondary school. We shall rule through the traditional leaders. This government has failed to buy maize from the farmers," he said.
After the rally in Kaoma ended around 17:00 hours, a ZNBC crew in a Pajero marked TV2 comprising a cameraman, a reporter from the Lozi section Mutukwa Mooya and another lady only identified as Kalaba sought to see Sata but after they failed, they left and returned after 30 minutes.
They followed Sata to Phiri's Guest House where he was lodged and found him in the car park with former Chimwemwe member of parliament, Willie Nsanda and other PF officials.
Kalaba asked Sata whether it was true that he had collapsed to which he answered: "What do you see yourself?"
Sata told her that he sympathised with her because the problem was with her handlers and not herself. But Kalaba tried to assure Sata that she would get her cameraman and have an interview with him.
However, Sata told her that although she wanted an interview with him, he knew that ZNBC would not show whatever would be recorded. Sata, however, gave the interview talking about how the campaigns were going, including the rumour about him having collapsed. After the interview, Sata, offered Kalaba and her cameraman space on the helicopter if they were interested to cover him as he continued his campaigns as they had indicated.
However, during the 19:00 hours main news on ZNBC, the lead story, quoting the Zambian Watchdog online publication, was that Sata had collapsed.
Labels: CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, DEATH THREATS, MICHAEL SATA, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, UPND
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Apologise to Nkomeshya, Panji advises Rupiah
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Fri 09 Sep. 2011, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda should apologise to senior chieftainess Nkomeshya for treating her like a cadre, says Colonel Panji Kaunda. And Col Panji said what he said that the MMD would kill to remain in power was becoming a reality.
In an interview on Monday, Col Panji, who is People's Pact Forum chairperson, said it was important for leaders to respect chiefs. He was commenting on President Banda's threats to dethrone chieftainess Nkomeshya should he win elections this monthend.
"Chieftainess Nkomeshya is a very senior chief in Zambia. She played a very leading role in the struggle for independence. I know she was very close to UNIP and president Kaunda and Dr Kaunda held her in very high esteem," Col Panji said.
"So to treat her like a cadre is very unfortunate on the part of the President. He President Banda is giving us and our children a very bad example that unless you support him, you are an enemy.
Col Panji said it was unfortunate for President Banda to attack chieftainess Nkomeshya for complaining about underdevelopment in her chiefdom.
"There are no roads in the rural areas; people have got no water, the maize they (government) bought last year is rotting. Farmers have not been paid, so the chieftainess has been addressing these issues on behalf of her subjects. If I was Rupiah Banda, I would have quietly gone to her (chieftainess Nkomeshya) and say ‘yes your majesty, what do you want us to do?' because she is complaining and he (President Banda) is in government," Col Panji said.
"I hope we will learn from that as citizens that we should respect our chiefs. They are the ones that guide us. They are put on the throne not by politicians but by traditions," Col Panji said.
"If I were President Banda, I would apologise to the chieftainess. He has made a very bad mistake. I don't see any Soli-speaking citizen of Zambia voting for him. He has insulted their chief. It's like somebody coming to your house and insults you, you don't expect your children to start hugging that person, no."
Col Panji said President Banda had committed a serious political mistake by attacking chieftainess Nkomeshya.
"He should be rejected by Zambians because he is not a good leader. If he is given five years, all chiefs, all of us that are not supporting him will be banished," Col Panji said.
"He has said he is going to remove her. I don't know which law he is going to use because she hasn' t committed any offence and he is not even in the ruling subject of the Soli. So what is he going to do? Go there with guns and say 'you out!' And what is he going to put in her place because he is saying he is going to retire her. This is a sad affair. It shows that the President is panicking. He knows he is going, so he wants to appeal to the grassroots but it's late for him to do that."
And Col Panji said it was unfortunate that MMD cadres could assault people in the presence of the police.
"A few months ago, I warned this country. I said ‘if the government does not put things in place, this will be the bloodiest election ever'," Col Panji said.
"What we are seeing now is a tip of an iceberg because you cannot assault somebody as 40 policemen, as reported, are watching. So if people see that we are not protected by police, the next thing they will do is to defend themselves as Wynter said. We have a right to defend ourselves. When I am being attacked, I cannot stand there and be hacked or run away," Col Panji said.
He urged Zambians to ensure that they change the government.
Labels: CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, PANJI KAUNDA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Hansungule condemns Rupiah's threats on Nkomeshya
By Ernest Chanda
Fri 09 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
PROFESSOR Michelo Hansungule says President Rupiah Banda's threats on senior chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II are unpresidential. President Banda's threat to retire chieftainess Nkomeshya if he wins this year's presidential election, the Pretoria University law lecturer said the President displayed a complete lack of simple judgement.
"It is unfortunate the President has chosen to use a hammer to hit a fly. Even if you are panicking, it is never done that way. I don't know who advises him but whoever it is clearly does not want him to win re-election, hence the distastefully poor advice. In making the uncouth tantrums he did against Nkomeshya Mukamambo ll, the President displayed the worst in him - a complete lack of simple basic judgement," Prof Hansungule said.
"Both decent women and men of goodwill have a duty to publicly condemn President Banda for going so public against a simple village defenceless woman only trying to be what she is, which is to fight for what is right for her people. Freedom of expression is the hallmark of democracy and not criminal activities of terrorists like William Banda which the President seems, with his utterances against the chietainship, to be blessing."
He said chieftainess Nkomeshya had a right to associate with people of her choice.
Prof Hansungule said the constitution also provided for freedom of association, which meant choosing whether to associate with MMD members and officials including the President or not.
"It must be understood that President Banda's visit to Chongwe the seat of chieftainess Mukamaambo II was political, not government. The President was going to the area to campaign for his bid to political office and for those of his party's contenders to the National Assembly and local councils. In these circumstances, it is unbefitting of the President to insist on paying a courtesy call on the chieftainess who by law is banned from taking part in partisan politics. The Constitution is very clear that chiefs must stay clear of partisan politics so what was the President trying to do to encourage the chief to break the law?" he said.
Prof Hansungule said chieftainess Nkomeshya was one of the few chiefs in the country who understood the law and role of traditional leaders, especially their involvement in politics.
He said chieftainess Nkomeshya had been very consistent in defending her throne from cheap politics and she must be commanded for that.
"Zambia badly needs chiefs of such courage. Chiefs that are as courageous as chieftainess Nkomeshya are becoming scarce. Due to high levels of poverty, many chiefs have sold their souls to the greatest bidder and it is a shame how they are forced to praise the ruling party by the day. Several chiefs have been driven long kilometres to Lusaka to praise the ‘king' yet chieftainess Nkomesha who lives in Lusaka has made sure she has nothing to do with such nonsense," he said.
"Throughout the democratisation of Zambia, chieftainess Nkomeshya has sided with the people. She came to the Oasis conference to show solidarity with those that said No to the third term."
He said chieftainess Nkomeshya's integrity has been a family inheritance which was also displayed in her late father chief Nkomeshya.
Prof Hansungule urged President Banda to research about the Nkomeshya family and discover their life of principles.
"But this 'stubbornness' for truth and justice goes deep into the Nkomeshya family. If only President Banda had read Fergus Macpherson's 1974 book 'Kenneth Kaunda. The Times and the Man', he would have easily discovered that the Nkomeshyas have never entertained corruption and dictatorship. In this book, Kaunda, through Macpherson reveals that chieftainess Mukamambo's father chief Nkomeshya was degazetted by colonial masters for adamantly refusing to have his people evicted from their ancestral land in order to pave way for a Forest Reserve," Prof Hansungule explained.
"When most would sit down before a white man, the old man chief Nkomeshya stood on the side of his people even though he knew that this would spell doom on his chieftainship. He did not care the colonial trappings of power. In this sense, chief Nkomeshya and now his daughter chieftainess Nkomeshya are like President Nelson Mandela's father who when he was ordered to appear before a colonial magistrate in his capacity as chief to answer charges that his subjects' cattle had strayed and destroyed a white farmers' maize crop, he responded by saying 'I will not come. I am still preparing for battle', and of course he lost the chieftainship."
He said the country lacked such traditional leadership for democracy.
Prof Hansungule said it was the duty of all chiefs to defend democracy.
He said women like chieftainess Nkomeshya deserved everyone's respect and protection because they defined people's identity.
"Politicians like President Banda and his erstwhile campaign manager 'Malawian' for William Banda do not care our identities, our respect. All they see in us are votes, not people. Chongwe people who were subjected to William Banda-perpetrated violence must sue him and the MMD and make them pay for what they did. It is clear police cshief Francis Kabonde cannot take on William Banda because he is Rupiah Banda," said Prof Hansungule.
"Chongwe people have no police to protect them. President Rupiah Banda and his namesake William Banda cannot protect them. They must turn to the courts for their protection. All women and men of good will cannot let the President get away with this. President Banda should be condemned for the terrorist remarks against the chietainship of Nkomeshya and it must be made clear to him that should anything happen to the chief especially given the loose canons of the likes of William Banda out there, he would be held responsible."
Addressing a public rally in Chongwe, President Banda threatened to ‘retire' chietainess Nkomeshya if he won this year's election.
That was barely a day after chieftainess Nkomeshya refused to accept a courtesy call from him.
The chieftainess also refused to get a ‘gift' presented on Friday, a day before the rally from President Banda's emissaries comprising his special adviser for political affairs Dr Francis Chigunta and Zesco managing director Ernest Mupwaya.
Labels: CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, MICHELO HANSUNGULE, RUPIAH BANDA
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William and Rupiah's violence will backfire
By The Post
Thu 08 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
IT is very difficult to make sense of William Banda's statement on Radio Phoenix yesterday in which he admitted responsibility for the political violence that is today characterising our election campaigns.
When asked by Radio Phoenix if he was at the centre of the violence, William said: "Yes, I am at the centre, Rupiah Banda is on the centre of everything…"
William's brazen admission that he and Rupiah were at the centre of the political violence the country is witnessing is difficult to understand.
It is difficult to understand why William has become so brazen about political violence. William is now openly and without shame admitting being at the centre of this violence. This is something normal people will find shocking. William has brazenly admitted being at the centre of this violence, together with Rupiah!
But still, what does this amount to? What does this mean? Is this an exhibition of unbridled arrogance on the part of William and Rupiah?
What seems to be distinctly lacking in William is a sense of shame, remorse and restraint. Many people have spoken against William and his violence. On Monday, the Law Association of Zambia called for William's arrest. Nothing has happened. Not even a police call-out has been sent or issued to him. No statement - warn and caution statement - has been recorded from William. He seems to be untouchable. Why? Is it because he is in it with Rupiah and touching him would mean touching the President? Why this impunity?
We saw how the other week, Wynter Kabimba was summoned to the police and a warn and caution statement recorded from him for simply saying that PF cadres and supporters have the right to defend themselves when attacked and should do so if attacked. But for all this violence William has been at the centre of, even by his own admission, no warn and caution statement has been recorded from him. Why?
This should not surprise us because the police has over a long period of time now shown open inability to arrest MMD cadres who attack opposition supporters. The violence that took place in Chongwe was in full view of police officers.
The police watched people being attacked, property being destroyed. They know all those who were involved in that violence, in that destruction. But no one to date has been arrested. This is what gives William the courage and the arrogance to say what he said on Tuesday.
This arrogance, this violence is dangerous because if not stopped, it can only do one thing, and that is to breed counter-violence. And if this happens, then the whole country will be on fire. It should also be realised that the MMD and its supporters and cadres are in the minority. The majority of our people belong to the opposition.
We have advocated the use of violence only in self-defence. What this means is that if everyone is only to resort to violence in self-defence, then no violence will take place.
There is need to protect every life because human life is sacred, a gift from God to be valued at all time sand under all circumstances. Of what value is this development that they are bragging about or lying about every day if there is no respect for human life? We are asking this question because one cannot claim to be concerned about development when he has no respect for the lives that are supposed to be benefitting from it.
One cannot claim to uphold the sanctity of life if he is not even ashamed to publicly admit that he is at the centre of political violence. Only an animal has no remorse or shame in injuring, maiming or killing another. Those who involve themselves in the violence William says he and Rupiah are at the centre of are no better than animals. The violence they are engaged in against political opponents is something that puts them next to animals.
As we have stated before, what seems to be distinctly lacking among the leadership, cadres and supporters of the MMD is a culture of tolerance, civility and humility which places the humanity of others before self and accepts that all citizens have a right to participate in the shaping of their destiny directly without fear of reprisal.
It is not possible for us to have a meaningful multi-party political system without a culture of tolerance, of respect for our political opponents.
Political opponents are not enemies that should be harmed or killed. Intolerance of political opposition leads to nothing but tyranny and dictatorship.
What we are witnessing is frightening political degeneration. What do signs of political degeneracy and decay look like? Political degeneracy and decay have many manifestations, and these are some of them.
Tolerance is very important in politics and generally in life. Any type of politics that does not recognise this runs every possible risk of tyranny in the name of politics. Moreover, a political system that recognises individual freedom and dignity can never allow the political violence that we are seeing today and is better placed to promote meaningful political participation.
That is, the right of individuals to self-determination in the pursuit of their constitutional rights in an open society not subject to monopoly politics.
Tolerance is likely to encourage meaningful political participation and discussion, that is, the right of individuals to engage in critical and informed debate on personal, local, national and other broader issues which affect the individual and his social space without fear or favour. And such discussion should promote rational voting, that is, the right of individuals to choose their representatives at various levels of government, under an institutional background which entrenches human freedom and dignity.
Rational voting cannot take place in an electoral system that is propelled by violence.
The MMD leadership, especially this one of Rupiah, has established a reputation for intolerance that is difficult to match. People are being intimidated, threatened and harassed in all sorts of ways for taking independent political positions. Citizens must belong to them or be condemned. They are not even ashamed to attribute enmity where it may not exist.
They thrive on the use of unsuspecting idle youth of low literacy who they intoxicate with tujilijili and all sorts of alcoholic drinks and then unleash them on the population to create a state of fear and force everyone, out of insecurity and exclusion, to be with them, to vote for them.
This is not the way to govern. This is against the rule of law which requires equality before the law or equal protection of the law. You cannot have free and fair elections under this atmosphere of violence, threats, intimidation, blackmail of everyone who is not with or for Rupiah and the MMD. This impunity, this violence, will backfire on Rupiah and the MMD. But the whole nation will eventually have to pay the price for all this.
William and Rupiah's violence can be stopped and must be stopped. They are in the minority in their violence because the great majority of our people hate violence.
Labels: CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, CORRUPTION, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA, WILLIAM BANDA, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Solis defend Nkomeshya
By Ernest Chanda
Thu 08 Sep. 2011, 14:02 CAT
THE Soli Cultural Association yesterday said it should not be shocking that the Solis have withdrawn their support from President Rupiah Banda's administration because the government has failed to develop the rural parts of Lusaka Province.
SOCA secretary general ambassador Adrian Bauleni said senior chieftainess Nkomeshya of the Soli people had never had problems with any of the first three Republican presidents and wondered why she should face such threats from President Banda.
He was commenting on President Banda's threats to dethrone chieftainess Nkomeshya should he win presidential elections this month. Bauleni explained that the Soli From front page Cultural Association is a mouthpiece that represents all the Soli people across the five chiefdoms whom he was speaking for.
"Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya is held in very high esteem as one of the most distinguished, stable and respected traditional rulers of all times in our country, Zambia. She is a law-abiding citizen with no record of having been involved in corrupt activities at all," Bauleni stated.
"Over and above, Her Royal Highness has never experienced problems of this magnitude before with the first three heads of state except the current President. Hence, there must be something terribly wrong with President Rupiah Banda regarding the manner in which he relates himself to people at large and the handling of national issues respectively."
Bauleni said his association knew that President Banda did not like chieftainess Nkomeshya's complaint about the lack of development in her chiefdom in April this year.
He said since then, all Solis were aware of the government's attacks on chieftainess Nkomeshya through hired agents "with mercenary inclination to deliberately distort the facts and discredit Her Royal Highness with all sorts of machinations and innuendoes at their disposal". He said it was regrettable that President Banda chose to attack chieftainess Nkomeshya instead of attempting to resolve issues with her.
Bauleni stated that all of chieftainess Nkomeshya's subjects, therefore, fully endorsed her refusal to allow President Banda to pay a courtesy call on her last Saturday when he visited Chongwe to address an MMD rally. He said President Banda, through his emissaries, did not show seriousness because they sought to meet with the chieftainess a day before the rally.
Bauleni said this was especially regretted because chieftainess Nkomeshya had on July 18, 2009 written to President Banda seeking audience with him for her to bring to his attention the issues and resolutions on the question of development in her chiefdom as discussed at a special meeting by all traditional leaders in Lusaka Province held on July 11, 2009. He said President Banda has not yet addressed or responded to the communiqué, which was sent to him through chieftainess Nkomeshya.
In the communiqué, issues to do with road infrastructure, rural lectrification, education, health, Kafue Nitrogen Chemicals, among others were discussed.
Bauleni said when chieftainess Nkomeshya in April this year complained about lack of development in her chiefdom, it was from this background that she complained on behalf of her subjects and all traditional leaders in Lusaka Province.
Bauleni said President Banda should have just addressed problems raised by the chieftainess instead of constantly attacking her and later threatening her with dethronement.
"It was further made abundantly clear in the referred to communiqué that any future collaboration and support for any government would depend upon how the issues of concern were to be handled," Bauleni stated.
"However, to date, nothing has been addressed by the government of the day as expected. Consequently, the outcome is obvious and that is to withdraw the support of the government of the day because it has failed to deliver by way of developing the rural sector of Lusaka Province."
Bauleni said all the Solis were united and resolved on this issue and pledged to standby the chieftainess.
"We pledge to stand by her side in times of trouble as her people because she is the beacon of our tribal identity and existence. She should not be used as a sacrificial lamb for the government's own failure to deliver in our area as expected," stated Bauleni. "Her Royal Highness has the fundamental right as our traditional ruler to articulate the aspirations of her subjects. This is without prejudice. We can only expect a progressive, persuasive and reconciliatory approach which should be devoid of threats."
Addressing a public rally in Chongwe last Saturday, President Banda threatened to ‘retire' chieftainess Nkomeshya if he won this year's election.
That was barely a day after chieftainess Nkomeshya refused to accept a courtesy call from President Banda.
The chieftainess also refused to receive a ‘gift' on Friday, from President Banda's emissaries special adviser for political affairs Dr Francis Chigunta and Zesco managing director Ernest Mupwaya.
But Bauleni said that his association took great exception and concern of President Banda's threats on chieftainess Nkomeshya.
"This is unacceptable to all Solis and other well-meaning Zambians because it would be ultra-vires and contrary to our cultural and traditional norms as a people," Bauleni stated.
"It must be realised that Her Royal Highness is a symbol of the cornerstone of our very existence as a tribe and the dignity that we have continued to enjoy close to four decades upon her accession to the thrown is owned to her."
Labels: CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Rupiah's abuse of parastatals is worrying, says Lubinda
By Bright Mukwasa
Thu 08 Sep. 2011, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda's use of heads of parastatals to facilitate political meetings takes away the credibility from the electoral process, says PF Kabwata aspiring candidate Given Lubinda. But Zesco Limited managing director Ernest Mupwaya says he is senior chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II's ‘son' and that was why he went to her palace in the company of President Banda's senior assistant for political affairs Dr Francis Chigunta.
Commenting on Mupwaya, who acted as an MMD emissary to facilitate President Banda's courtesy ahead of a political rally in Chongwe last Saturday, Lubinda said Mupwaya had exposed himself, yet he was expected to operate neutrally as head of a parastatal.
"When we hear that heads of parastatals like the chief executive officer of Zesco acting as though they were managing Rupiah Banda's campaign, that takes away the credibility that's required for electoral process to be respected. Mr Rupiah Banda's rampant abuse of authority is scary," Lubinda said.
"We had Frederick Chiluba, we also had Levy Mwanawasa, and we never saw this level of corruption, bribery, intimidation and violence as we are seeing under Rupiah Banda. While Mr Rupiah Banda is in an elective position, people like Mupwaya are in appointed positions and such people are supposed to perform their functions as neutral people. But for him to expose himself to the extent that he has done means that he's an MMD cadre who does not deserve to hold the office of CEO (chief executive officer) of Zesco."
Lubinda said Zesco was not the ruling MMD's institution but that it belonged to all Zambians to whom Mupwaya owed his job.
"Even to ask for him to step down on moral grounds is asking for too much in this country because the one who should have resigned a long time ago on moral grounds is Rupiah Banda himself and his Vice-President George Kunda. Look at how George Kunda fought in favour of the Task Force when it suited him. And now look at how he somersaulted after Rupiah Banda became President," he said.
When contacted for a comment, Mupwaya said he was free to go to chieftainess Nkomeshya palace at anytime as that was his home.
"The only thing is that you are aware, if you did the investigation, you are aware that I come from there. I am the son of the chief and you did not write that," Mupwaya said.
"That's my home, I can go there anytime, there's no problem."
Asked about being used as an MMD emissary Mupwaya responded: "No, I don't want to comment any further, that's the only comment I can give. I have justified that I come from there because even in that meeting, the chieftainess mentioned that I should have seen her earlier herself. Beyond that I can't give you any comment."
During the same meeting on Friday last week, chieftainess Nkomeshya advised Mupwaya who had earlier on called her to arrange for the meeting, to avoid being used by politicians because he was not a politician.
"Where did I go wrong myself to put all the state machinery on me to use my own son, because he's my own son, to parade him? He Mupwaya also knows that even the electricity that will cross Chongwe to go to Luangwa, he knows it, how many villagers will benefit from here, they are poor," chieftainess Nkomeshya said during the meeting.
"He can't bring electricity in their homes except those who can manage, maybe schools, perhaps clinics. He knows that his organisation is still unfriendly to the poor people. They cannot afford to tap electricity for their consumption, but he can't say anything, he's just doing the job. The system needs to help him to reduce the tariffs even the rural electrification programme for it to be a reality we need to help him. But not use him as a tool for the campaign; it is not good for him."
Mupwaya is not a biological son of chieftainess Nkomeshya. However, culturally, all Zambians consider themselves children of their traditional leaders.
Labels: CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, GIVEN LUBINDA, PARASTATALS, RUPIAH BANDA, ZESCO
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Nalubamba defends Nkomenshya
By Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 07 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
President Rupiah Banda's threat to dethrone chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II is an invitation for more people in Chongwe to vote against him on September 20, according to senior chief Bright Nalubamba.
In an interview, chief Nalubamba of the Ila people in Southern Province, said President Banda's unwarranted threats against chieftainess Nkomeshya had not hurt the people of Chongwe alone but many other traditional leaders in Zambia.
Addressing a rally in Chongwe on Saturday, President Banda accused chieftainess Nkomeshya of intimidating sub-chiefs and village headmen, and threatened to retire her if he wins the September 20 presidential election.
"That threat alone may cost him votes (in Chongwe) because many people would rather vote to protect her. There will definitely be a protest vote to defend their chief," chief Nalubamba said, adding that President Banda had hurt more people than he thought.
Chief Nalubamba said President Banda's misdirected threats were an expression of his disregard for the entire traditional leadership.
"His attack on the chieftainess indicates the beginning of the destruction of traditional leadership in the country," he said.
"It sets a bad precedence for future leaders and that is a big challenge for us. It's a threat to shut us up so that we don't raise concerns against the party in power. To me that is not the way to run or govern a country, where you feel that because you are in power, you do not want to listen to any voice with divergent views."
Chief Nalubamba backed chieftainess Nkomeshya for remaining firm in advocating development in her area, which government had shunned.
Labels: BRIGHT NALUBAMBA, CHIEF NALUBAMBA, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, RUPIAH BANDA
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It'll be suicidal for Rupiah to remove Nkomeshya
By The Post
Mon 05 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
IF Rupiah Banda and the MMD win the September 20 elections, that will be the end of the reign of chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people.
Why should this be so? Rupiah has made it very clear that if he wins this month's elections, he will retire chieftainess Nkomeshya. What crime has chieftainess Nkomeshya committed? Has Nkomeshya violated any part of the culture, customs and traditions or wishes and aspirations of the Soli people?
We ask this question because Article 27(1) of the Constitution of Zambia clearly states that "subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Institution of Chief shall exist in any area of Zambia in accordance with the culture, customs and traditions or wishes and aspirations of the people to whom it applies". And Article 129 the Constitution states that "a person shall not, while remaining a chief, join or participate in partisan politics".
What wrong, in this regard, has chieftainess Nkomeshya committed? Chieftainess Nkomeshya is a traditional guide of her people. She has a duty to guide her subjects, and indeed the whole nation, in matters that affect the lives of the people of her chiefdom in the light of her people's culture, customs and traditions or wishes and aspirations.
And chieftainess Nkomeshya, by reason of her role and competence, is not bound to any political system. She contributes toward the reign of justice and charity within her chiefdom.
And as we have stated before, she has both the right and duty to participate fully in building a just and peaceful chiefdom with all the means at her disposal. This is what informs and guides the statements and actions chieftainess Nkomeshya has made or taken. She is only fulfilling her responsibility - the duty to speak for her subjects.
Thus, the right relationship between our politicians in government and the traditional authority in Chongwe should be partnership rather than enmity. There is no crime chieftainess Nkomeshya has committed in reminding Rupiah and his government of the need to pay attention to the human needs and sufferings of her subjects. And this means she will be "political" but not "partisan".
In our view, the only crime chieftainess Nkomeshya has committed against Rupiah is not to endorse his candidature for the presidency of this country like other chiefs in Southern Province and other parts of the country have been ordered, bribed or manipulated to do. Rupiah has no problem with chiefs engaging in politics on his side.
He welcomes endorsements from chiefs and is very pleased with chiefs who urge their subjects to vote for him. In this regard, we have the examples of chiefs Mukuni and Mwanachingwala. None of these chiefs have ever been accused of being partisan or interfering with the rights of their subjects when they campaign for him, when they urge their subjects to vote for him.
What is good for the goose is good for the gander. If it is good and acceptable for some chiefs to endorse Rupiah and urge their subjects to vote for him, then it should equally be good and acceptable for other chiefs not to endorse him and campaign against him or endorse his opponents and urge their subjects to vote for them.
This is difficult for Rupiah to accept because his is not a selfless service. Rupiah governs by double standards. What is good for him is the only thing that matters. And this approach to life and to politics leads to dangerous intolerance.
Clearly, what is distinctly lacking in Rupiah is a culture and spirit of tolerance and humility which places the humanity of others before self and accepts that all citizens have a right to participate in the shaping of their destiny directly without fear of reprisal.
But we know where this type of intolerance towards independent-minded chiefs or chiefs who refuse to be servants or agents of the politicians in government leads to. We will say something that nobody has probably said publicly to demonstrate this point.
This type of intolerance by those in power towards dissenting chiefs or chiefs they cannot control or push around is what led to the abrogation of the Barotse Agreement. The Barotse Agreement was abrogated in an attempt to fix or curb the powers of Litunga Goodwin Mbikusita Lewanika, who the political leaders of the time in Lusaka found to be unsuitable.
A decision was made to remove Mbikusita from being Litunga because of the evidence those in government in Lusaka had of his collusion with the colonial government and of his opposition to independence. However, those in power were advised of the grave political dangers and consequences of removing Mbikusita from the throne.
They were told that if they went ahead and removed Mbikusita from being Litunga, all the Lozi-speaking people, wherever they may be, whatever their political affiliations at the time, would come to his defence and the government would be in trouble politically and otherwise. They listened but decided to use their legislative powers to fix or curb Mbikusita's powers using the local government Act. They succeeded in doing so in 1969.
But Mbikusita was just an individual; and a few years later, this Litunga died, leaving Zambia with the problem of the abrogation of the Barotse Agreement it today faces, a problem that led to the death and maiming of so many people in Mongu on January 14, 2011. Instead of dealing with the issues, they went for the individual.
And Rupiah today thinks he can go for chieftainess Nkomeshya, and all the problems in Soliland will be over. They never learn. They are blinded by power and ambition. The problem is not Nkomeshya. She is actually part of the solution. If the things she is saying are listened to and worked on, the political challenges the MMD faces in Chongwe today will go away.
What this approach of Rupiah entails is a counter reaction, a counterattack. Chieftainess Nkomeshya enjoys immense respect and prestige from her subjects and beyond. They will not allow Rupiah to remove her just like that. They have the right and duty to politically mobilise and defend their chieftainess and their right to their traditional independence. This now gives chieftainess Nkomeshya the moral, political and legal right to make a clarion call to her people not to vote for Rupiah and the MMD and ensure that they lose this election in self-defence.
There is no law that stops anyone from defending oneself. And in this case, Rupiah's electoral defeat can legitimately be a self-defence strategy for chieftainess Nkomeshya and her people. She has every right to defend herself by ensuring that those who are out to destroy her are not given the opportunity to do so. Every Soli of dignity will defend chieftainess Nkomeshya because she has reigned with sufficient honour and integrity.
If chieftainess Nkomeshya were corrupt, she would today be one of the richest chiefs in Zambia because she controls the most highly prized land in Zambia. Whereas some of our corrupt chiefs had been selling land to the highest bidders, chieftainess Nkomeshya has been donating land to the most deserving projects and to local authorities within her chiefdom. There is no one today who can point an accusing finger at Nkomeshya in this regard.
She has been absolutely incorruptible. How many of our chiefs can today claim to be as clean, as incorruptible, as caring for their subjects as chieftainess Nkomeshya? Chieftainess Nkomeshya is certainly one of our country's best chiefs. This being the case, we call upon all Zambians of goodwill to join their Soli brothers and sisters in defending the best of our chiefs.
Moreover, all of us who live in Lusaka, who hold some plots of one sort or another in Lusaka, are her subjects, are her guests, are her beneficiaries. And, therefore, we should defend our chieftainess now and in the future.
It will be suicidal for Rupiah to remove Nkomeshya as chieftainess of the Soli people. And Rupiah's threat to do so shouldn't be taken lightly; it should be taken as a call for all the Soli people and all Zambians of goodwill to come to the chieftainess' defence and do what needs to be done now and in the future.
Labels: CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
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Nkomeshya faces dethronement
By Ernest Chanda in Chongwe and Bright Mukwasa in Lusaka
Mon 05 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has threatened to remove Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people in Chongwe district if he wins this year's election. And ADD leader Charles Milupi says President Rupiah Banda's misconduct and utterances against chieftainess Nkomeshya seriously raise the question of his nationality.
Addressing a rally in Chongwe on Saturday, President Banda accused chieftainess Nkomeshya of intimidating sub-chiefs and village headmen.
His threats follow chieftainess Nkomeshya's refusal of a request by President Banda through his emissaries, Dr Chigunta from State House and Zesco managing director, Ernest Mupwaya for a courtesy call on her on Saturday before his scheduled public rally in Chongwe.
The senior traditional leader even rejected an attempt by the duo to leave an undisclosed ‘present' which they had prepared for her from President Banda.
From the time chieftainess Nkomeshya complained of underdevelopment in her chiefdom about three months ago, she has received incessant attacks from President Banda and several government agents.
"I am told that our headmen in Chongwe are being threatened with being removed as headmen. I want to warn my good sister Chongwe PF parliamentary candidate Sylvia Masebo and my good chief here chieftainess Nkomeshya that all these people don't belong to anyone as their people; they belong to God. The power to protect every Zambian lies in the hands of the President. I want to make a public warning; if she victimises any chief, any headman... she will face the wrath of the law," said President Banda.
"That is why our vote is secret. So I want to conclude here by saying, just go and vote for Mwakalombe if you want him; don't listen to any of those people.
Sylvia Masebo was member of parliament for many years because of your vote, because of you. So she must respect you, the chief must respect you, or else, 20th September, retirement."
Earlier, the rally which was supposed to start at 10:00 hours as advertised in the Times of Zambia, only started about 15:45 hours because MMD sympathisers were still transporting people from Lusaka in trucks, and buses belonging to Capital Buses, commonly known as Flash Buses.
The MMD cadres arrived in the area as early as 04:00 hours and started removing opposition campaign posters from the main street and private houses.
As they waited for President Banda in the morning, the cadres feted themselves with beer and roast meat.
By the time the rally started, the majority of the cadres were drunk and they continued removing PF leader Michael Sata and Masebo's posters wherever they found them.
The cadres, led by Lusaka provincial chairman William Banda attacked and brutally beat up residents of Waterfalls area in full view of police officers after they refused to remove PF campaign posters.
And Milupi, the Alliance for Democracy and Development's presidential candidate in the September 20 polls, said President Banda conduct towards the Soli traditional leadership was regrettable.
"It raises the question if he's even a Zambian; we know he was born in Zimbabwe. Now there‘s a question mark that even his parents were not born here. Now for him to start, when there's still that question mark, to come and start threatening our own traditional leaders, I as a traditional person wherever I come from am subservient to a chief like her.
For him to come and threaten, not only Zambians, but to threaten a chief, we are saying this is what brings into question as to whether this person is a real Zambian or not," Milupi said.
"Any Zambian would understand that you do not threaten chiefs.
That chief has no army, has no police all they have is a moral authority that's given to them by their own people. He has no right whatsoever to threaten her and also I am urging the people of Zambia specifically the people of Chongwe, everyone of them must make sure they don't vote for this person because he has threatened their chief."
On Friday, chieftainess Nkomeshya said she would not meet President Banda because she had been unfairly denounced and her name brought into ridicule by both the government and MMD agents for merely asking for development in her area.
Milupi condemned President Banda for blackmailing chieftainess Nkomeshya and openly disrespecting her.
"That should be a message to all Zambians to makes sure that he does not win this year's election so that we can continue with brave chieftainess Nkomeshya and similar chiefs like herself. The ones (traditional leaders) who kowtow the MMD, talk about development which is not there, those are a disgrace to the traditional hierarchy.
I urge her to keep on with her spirit but above that, I urge all Zambians regardless of which tribe they are to rise and defend chieftainess Nkomeshya and make sure that no harm either physical, spiritual or moral comes to her as a result of these disgruntled people who have failed to run this country," said Milupi.
"Where I am going now in Liuwa, we shall also make sure that here in Western Province we don't vote for him because we believe in traditional authority, we respect our chiefs. Anyone who insults, threatens our chief anywhere is not worthy of the support of Zambians. Other political parties must rise and condemn him for that unwarranted attack on an innocent chieftainess Nkomeshya."
Milupi urged other chiefs to emulate chieftainess Nkomeshya by being brave enough and speaking out on behalf of their people.
"Chieftainess Nkomeshya epitomises what a leader should be, especially as a traditional leader. She is brave, she's articulate, and she has come out very, very clearly to indicate not only what is happening in her chiefdom but what is happening in other chiefdoms. There's no development in this country; that's why we are the poorest in this region."
Labels: CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, RUPIAH BANDA, SYLVIA MASEBO
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Chieftainess Nkomeshya
By The Post
Sun 04 Sep. 2011, 13:00 CAT
SOME of our chiefs, our traditional rulers, have sold out to colonialists, to corrupt and tyrannical regimes, been hired by colonialists and corrupt politicians, or surrendered themselves to evil regimes, but chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II has served notice on them that she is not for hire, that she will never hire herself out, sell out.
It is extremely pleasing to see chieftainess Nkomeshya take that position when many of our chiefs have hired themselves out, have sold themselves out to corrupt politicians abusing their offices and public resources. How many chiefs have we seen or read about endorsing Rupiah Banda's presidential candidature against the wishes of the great majority of our people?
Take for instance our chiefs in Southern Province - with the outstanding exception of the great Bright Nalubamba, the senior chief of the Illa people of Namwala and a few others, who have always stood on the side of their people, defending their people's interest and dignity who - have been on the side of Rupiah when their people are on the other.
The great majority of their people have voted for someone else other than Rupiah. Who are these chiefs representing? Who are they speaking for? Who do they listen to? We even have chiefs in other areas of our country who have looked the other way when their subjects are being slaughtered by a reckless and extremely intolerant regime. Again, who do these chiefs represent?
Chieftainess Nkomeshya has set an example of what our people should expect from their chiefs. There was an attempt to corrupt her with gifts of money. She refused and told them to go away.
This is not a small feat in a country where money has started to mean everything, where people in power boast that everyone has a price.
Today, chieftainess Nkomeshya is an example of what we would like our chiefs to be. She is teaching us a sense of perspective and priority as we struggle to change what we can change and accept what could not be changed.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya is also teaching us the importance of incorruptibility as part of the essence of self respect. While appreciating the opportunities to enjoy a good life, she is showing us the need to refuse to use our positions to get ourselves anything that isn't our due.
And her self confidence, her sense of strength and identity is something we should all cherish.
Our Constitution gives recognition to the institution of chiefs. The position chieftainess Nkomeshya occupies is a constitutionally recognised one. Of course Article 129 of our Constitution stops a chief from joining or participating in partisan politics.
But this does not take away a chief's right to participate in the shaping of the destiny of her or his people without fear of reprisal. Chieftainess Nkomeshya has legitimately complained about the lack of development in her chiefdom.
This is not partisan politics. She has every right to meaningfully participate in raising the living standards of her people. Otherwise, what type of a parent, a mother would she be - one who doesn't care about the welfare of her children?
Chieftainess Nkomeshya has taught us what leadership means. She has clearly shown us that obligations to her people, to her subjects take precedence over loyalty to a politician, whatever position he may hold or whatever resources he may control.
We all saw how this position earned her the hatred, anger of Rupiah and his league. She was denounced in all sorts of ways. She was even accused of lying about lack of development in her chiefdom because there was lots of it taken there by Rupiah.
They tried in all sorts of ways to denounce and humiliate her. For what? The only conclusion we can draw from all these attacks against chieftainess Nkomeshya is that her genuine goodness, her independence of thought and action, is threatening to those at the opposite end of the moral spectrum.
This is not the type of chiefs these people like. The type of chiefs they like are those they bribe with money, automobiles and all sorts of other gifts to endorse them and urge their people to vote for them.
Those who support them, no matter how much they engage in active politics in their support, are not seen to be partisan. For a chief to support Rupiah is not partisan but for a chief to support any other politician is partisan.
But it shouldn't be forgotten that the institution of chief is there to serve the common good of the community. The common good is the reason for the existence of chiefs.
And the common good cause upon chiefs to contribute and commit themselves responsibly to building a peaceful and just society for all and when a system ceases to promote the common good, chiefs must not hesitate to denounce it and repudiate it. They must also be prepared to support and work with another system that is more just, fair and humane.
This is not a violation of the Constitution. It would actually be irresponsible for chiefs to look the other way when their people have serious challenges. It would be irresponsible for chiefs to fail to give correct guidance on what should be done, on which way to go when there are challenges.
We say this because our chiefs have both the right and the duty to participate fully in building a just, fair, humane and peaceful society with all the means at their disposal. A traditional authority is not fully rooted among its people if it does not try to establish justice.
We think this should serve as a lesson to Rupiah and all our politicians that not all our chiefs are for hire, for abuse, for corrupting. And that public servant, Ernest Mupwaya, the managing director of Zesco, should be ashamed of his role in all this.
Why has he accepted or hired himself out to do political work for Rupiah; to try and bribe chieftainess Nkomeshya and make her support Rupiah? With Mupwaya's behaviour, it is not difficult to understand why Zesco and its resources are being abused by the ruling MMD in its election campaigns.
There is need to stand up for what is right even if this may cost us our positions, our jobs. Let us not forget that there are people who take cruel advantage of the poor and needy; that is the way they make their living (Proverbs 30:14).
Let us also not forget that we all have a biblical duty to "speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Labels: BRIBERY, CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, EDITH NAWAKWI, MMD
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Nkomeshya's sentiments a tip of the iceberg, says Nawakwi
By Bright Mukwasa
Sun 04 Sep. 2011, 14:30 CAT
SENIOR chieftainess Nkomeshya refusal to meet President Rupiah Banda ahead of his rally in Chongwe is just a tip of the ice-berg he will have to face, says FDD leader Edith Nawakwi.
Nawakwi, who is Forum for Democracy and Development and the only female presidential candidate, said President Banda's 'mouthpieces' had alienated him from crucial partners in development like the Soli traditional leader going by the way she had been abused.
"I think that the sentiments of her Royal Highness chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II are just a tip of the iceberg. The President is lucky because he can even get to know the position of honest leaders like chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II. There are others who are just keeping quiet and bruising inside them and wondering what became of this country," Nawakwi said.
"There are others who have completely been abused not by the head of state himself but by some of his followers such as William Banda and the likes."
She observed that it appeared that the President did not even come forward to stop his agents who had continued to abuse a lot of people.
"It's not just chieftainess Nkomeshya, it's a lot of people, the Catholic Church, the opposition leaders. A lot of people have been abused at the hands of MMD supporters and followers."
Nawakwi urged President Banda to control his sympathisers and ‘mouthpieces' to stop insulting the traditional leadership in the country.
"You cannot as a leader of a political party allow your followers to be insulting and abusing colleagues and perceived enemies just for the sake of those followers to be seen to be next to you. These are some of the difficulties the President is faced with because in the quest of trying to make MMD popular, those that are tasked with the responsibility of campaigning for the President have stepped on a lot of people's toes," said Nawakwi.
And Nawakwi has hailed described as exemplary leadership chieftainess Nkomenshya's stance not to entertain any gifts from the government and its agents.
"I mean the laws are very clear, no gift, so why is the President taking gifts to the chiefs? She's being a true patriot and a true Zambian and giving an example of what you can be as a leader, incorruptible, straightforward and she's right," she said.
"We have been told that chiefs should not involve themselves in politics and this is why we need women in leadership because they will follow the law. She's just obeying the law that chiefs should not be involved in politics. It appears it's good when the chiefs are on the side of the government. When you have a chief like chief Nalubamba on the other side, the government says these chiefs must be sorted out. The institution of chieftaincy has been diluted and it will take another government to uplift that institution."
Nawakwi said in the quest to amass political power and appear to be a popular candidate President Banda and the MMD had demeaned, diluted and made the institution of chieftaincy irrelevant to the future of the country.
She condemned MMD's electoral bribery.
"There should be no gifts because MMD by the virtue of their incumbency are giving sealed gifts in envelopes, in boxes, in whatever form, even in chitenges. You find a village has 300 bicycles, gifts to headmen, all headmen each of them has a bicycle or two that's wrong. A bicycle will not bring us development," said Nawakwi.
The Soli traditional leader, senior chieftainess Nkomeshya, refused to meet President Banda yesterday before the MMD rally in Chongwe, saying she had been unfairly denounced and her name brought into ridicule by both the government and MMD agents for merely asking for development in her chiefdom.
During her meeting with President Banda's special assistant for political affairs Dr Francis Chigunta, an MMD emissary, Zesco Limited's managing director Ernest Mupwaya, and her headmen on Friday, chieftainess Nkomeshya said she had taken great exception to the ridicule she had been subjected to by the government and its agents.
"I want to be frank, I have been always very frank, very frank and I will be with you and take the message that my Royal Highness has found it difficult for this courtesy call. What are we going to talk about when I am arrogant, I am stubborn?'' asked chieftainess Nkomeshya.
Labels: BRIBERY, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, EDITH NAWAKWI, MMD
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Nkomeshya vows to continue speaking for her people
By Roy Habaalu in Kafue
Sat 20 Aug. 2011, 12:01 CAT
SENIOR chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people says she will continue speaking for her people even at the risk of becoming unpopular. During a graduation ceremony of St Ambrose Trades School and Chikupi Vocational Training School in Kafue, chieftainess Nkomeshya said becoming unpopular for speaking for her people did not worry her because God was on her side.
She said her chiefdom also deserved to benefit from the national cake with regard to development.
“Somewhere I have been misunderstood myself. And this misunderstanding has made me become very unpopular in certain quarters. When I talk of development in the chiefdom, when I talk of schools in the chiefdom, when I talk about road infrastructure in the chiefdom, I am talking about the problems that you people go through and I am saying to the authorities that be I am only saying that my chiefdom is part of Zambia, and my chiefdom is also entitled to have a share of the national cake,” chieftainess Nkomeshya said.
“I want you to understand me I am not doing politics, I am only saying what affects me in this chiefdom, why I cry every day. And when it makes me unpopular on your behalf, it doesn’t worry me because I know my God, my Creator understands me.”
She said she would continue speaking without fear or favour.
“I am saying this again, this is an election year and I am not pointing a finger at one group of people I am only saying all the aspiring candidates when you win the support of these people and they usher you into office look at their plight, the problems that they face,” she said.
The traditional leader further urged those that would be elected in office to listen to the cries of the electorate and speak for them.
“Speak for them if you are in government, provide for the resources that they are looking for. When I talk about schools even here in Kafue I don’t think there is anyone who can stand and say there are five high schools here. The schools that I know are Kafue High and Naboye and these are the old, old schools. If you had facilities of a high school the level of education would rise.”
Chieftainess Nkomeshya bemoaned the old infrastructure in Kafue which she said was left by the colonialist and reminded the government that even her chiefdom wanted to see the benefits from the third Republic of Zambia.
“That’s all I am asking for. And again at this graduation ceremony if I will be misunderstood, it doesn’t matter. I am only sending a message also to those aspiring for political office that people are also expecting, the poor, the marginalised, they need to be taken care of. That’s what I am saying,” she emphasised.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya said she took it upon herself to officiate at the ceremony so that she could see for herself the suffering of her subjects.
“I ask myself when am I going to be invited to be a guest of honour at a project initiated by my government, built and finished by my government to invite me…chieftainess; ‘we have now completed this projected we are now handing it over, can you be part of us in handing over?’ That’s all I am waiting for. I want to be there, I want to be there not always community, community based, I want government based projects,” she said.
“On 20th September those of you who have got cards go and choose the people you think can listen to your problems and shape the destiny of this country that’s all I am saying. I am not saying go and vote for that particular party. I don’t know the parties you have here, you know them better do I have to tell you?. These political parties have been here in Kafue isn’t it? And you know how they have performed, the choice is in your hands not me, thank you so much,” said chieftainess Nkomeshya.
Labels: CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA
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Soli association supports Masebo
By Patson Chilemba
Sat 02 July 2011, 04:02 CAT
THE Soli Cultural Association has vowed to defend Sylvia Masebo and chieftainess Nkomeshya following the constant attacks and harassment on them by President Rupiah Banda and the MMD.
In a press statement dated June, 30, 2011, on behalf of the Soli Cultural Association, association chairman Charles Mwambi warned those attacking Chongwe member of parliament Masebo to leave her alone. He said the Solis were ready to sell their chickens in order to defend Masebo.
Mwambi said this follows recent numerous attacks from high ranking MMD officials and their sponsored agents, as a result of Masebo’s refusal to re-contest the Chongwe seat on the MMD ticket.
“We the association have noted with regret the constant attacks from MMD and their sponsored agents who have continued issuing unwarranted attacks on Hon Masebo. We are very unhappy about her harassment by the Head of State and his agents,” Mwambi stated.
“We have also noted with extreme regret that our Royal Highness Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II has also come under attack by the same sponsored agents just because she observed that Chongwe and Kafue districts have lagged behind in terms of development despite being less that 50 kilometres from the national treasury.”
Mwambi stated that the association would also mobilise all its members to rally behind chieftainess Nkomeshya and Masebo for hardworking and good leadership.
“We urge Hon Masebo to exercise her right to choose a political party of her own choice and we shall rally behind her come rain, come sun shine. We shall sell our village chickens just to support Hon Masebo,” stated Mwambi.
“This is because we know that Ms Masebo is a hard worker and very committed to the cause of the people of Chongwe and the traditional leadership.”
Masebo on Monday announced her resignation from the MMD following President Banda’s continued hatred and undemocratic tendencies against her.
The MMD had earlier suspended Masebo, who was the party’s chairperson for women affairs. Masebo had refused to re-contest her seat on the ruling party’s ticket.
Labels: CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, MMD, SYLVIA MASEBO
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