C/belt mealie-meal shortage worsens
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Wed 21 Nov. 2012, 14:10 CAT
THE shortage of mealie-meal in some parts of the Copperbelt worsened by midday yesterday, which Zambia Consumer Association attributes to smuggling of the commodity into the DRC. Serious shortages were recorded in Kitwe's town centre, Buchi, Chimwemwe, Cha Cha Cha and Ndeke townships.
A check revealed that depots for major millers such as Olympic, Antelope and Mpongwe milling within the town centre ran out of the commodity by 12:00 hours yesterday and were only supplying flour which was readily available.
In Shoprite Kitwe, people scrambled for the few stocks that were on the shelves after word went round that the chain stores had Antelope mealie-meal.
In Chisokone area, there was serious commotion at various depots as some traders had taken advantage of the situation and created a black market where prices of the commodity had been inflated to K60,000 per 25 kilogramme bag of Breakfast meal.
And in Chingola, the shortage was serious with only selected shops having the commodity while in Chililabombwe, the situation was worse as consumers blamed the millers that had been supplying mealie-meal to Kasumbalesa where the commodity is always smuggled into Congo DR.
No official position has been given yet by the Millers Association of Zambia over the shortages.
The Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) said the smuggling of mealie-meal to the Democratic Republic of Congo through Kasumbalesa border had greatly contributed to the shortage of the commodity on the Copperbelt.
Association executive secretary Muyunda Ililonga said the shortage of mealie-meal on the Copperbelt was unacceptable.
He said there was need for urgent interventions from stakeholders, that included the government, to reverse the situation.
Ililonga said there was need to tighten border controls to stop smuggling activities on the Congo border and ensure that the larger population on the Copperbelt was protected from the looming hunger as a result of mealie-meal shortages.
Vice-President Guy Scott learnt on Saturday when he abruptly visited Kasumbalesa border that more than 2,000 bags of mealie-meal and numerous goods from Zambia are smuggled into Congo DR daily.
Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, FOOD, MEALIE MEAL
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Firm hits new copper spot
April 16, 2012
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
CALEDONIA Mining Corporation says it has discovered a new copper zone at Nama Project in the Copperbelt Province and phase one drilling is expected to commerce this year.
The company holds licences covering squares of kilometres adjacent to Konkola and Vale/ African Rainbow Minerals properties.
According to information contained in the company’s interim results as at December 31, 2011, issued in Lusaka recently, it says Konkola east is the target for the project with preliminary holes drilled in 2011 which identified a new copper-bearing mineralised zone.
We have made an exciting discovery of a new copper-bearing mineralised zone at the Nama project in Zambia. Phase one drill of the year 2012 exploration programme to further confirm the shallower up-dip extension has commenced,” reads the report.
Labels: COPPER, COPPERBELT PROVINCE, KCM, VALE
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Copperbelt teachers urge quick recognition of PTUZ
By Fridah Nkonde in Ndola
Wed 15 Feb. 2012, 11:59 CAT
TEACHERS on the Copperbelt have asked the Ministry of Education to quickly sign the recognition agreement with the Professional Teachers Union of Zambia. Professional Teacher's Union of Zambia Copperbelt early this month held its first national convention in Lusaka where it national executive committee was elected.
In an interview, PTUZ provincial chairperson Richard Mweetwa said teachers on the Copperbelt were not going to recognise the bargaining outcome should his union be excluded from negotiations.
"…This is because they have chosen to be members of Professional Teacher's Union of Zambia rather than other unions which were MMD vuvuzelas," he said.
Mweetwa said as provincial leaders, they were cautioning teachers who were being sponsored by other teacher unions to desist from making false statements concerning PTUZ.
He said those claiming to be founder members of PTUZ would have been present at the union's first convention, adding that they would have been free to contest any position.
"Our advice to them is that not everyone can have a position. Just like in any political party, not every founding member can be given a position so they should follow the laid down procedure to air out their concerns," said Mweetwa.
Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, PTUZ, TEACHERS
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C/belt cops are the most corrupt, says Mwaliteta
By Roy Habaalu in Kitwe
Mon 06 Feb. 2012, 12:59 CAT
HOME affairs deputy minister Obvious Mwaliteta says Copperbelt police officers are the most corrupt. Addressing Police, Immigration and Drug Enforcement Commission officers at Kitwe Central Police last Wednesday, Mwaliteta said Copperbelt police officers were compromised because they were on the payroll of the district's notorious gang known as ‘Jerabos'.
He said he had a list of officers that were receiving ‘salaries' from Jerabos that were three times more compared to what the government was paying them.
"You're only liked by criminals; they are your friends not members of the public. Criminals like you very much and when they see you, they're happy because you are on their payroll. Senior police officers are on the Jerabos' payroll but that money is short-lived," he said.
"I have a list of officers from here (Copperbelt) who are on the payroll of Jerabos but I won't harass you but please tell them that next month you are not getting their money because things have changed. This is a new government."
Mwaliteta instructed Provincial Commissioner of Police Mary Tembo to expidite investigations of MMD impounded vehicles so that they could be given to ministries with transport constraints.
He said police officers were compromised because they lacked transport and were not motivated.
Mwaliteta said officers were brainwashed into thinking that they could not survive without receiving corrupt money.
"They (Jerabos) are giving you trouble because you are receiving their money. Corruption should be fought here. Don't wait for State House. Copperbelt is a very sensitive province and God is listening. I receive a lot of calls from very wealthy people wanting to meet me but I refuse, I tell them ‘what do you want now? Why didn't you want me when I was a security guard?'" he said.
He said whenever a police officer was in the community, people thought he was on a begging expedition.
Mwaliteta said his ministry would engage the Treasury to see how best provinces can operate on their own budgets without waiting for funds from the central government.
He said the government would find a way of retaining part of the revenue collected by Immigration Department to mitigate their fuel and transport challenges.
Mwaliteta said the government would provide logistics to ensure that imprisoned illegal immigrants are taken back to their countries of origin to de-congest the prisons.
Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, POLICE CORRUPTION
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Police note reduced crime on Copperbelt
By Fridah Nkonde in Ndola
Sun 01 Jan. 2012, 13:40 CAT
COPPERBELT Police Commissioner Mary Tembo says general crime levels on the province have reduced in 2011 compared to 2010. During the Copperbelt police annual ball on Friday in Ndola, Tembo also says 2011 was a challenging year for the police service due to September 20 general elections. She said
violent crimes and copper thefts had reduced."Other crimes that have recorded a drastic reduction this year are those to do with gender-based violence (GBVs). You may wish to know that the United Nation International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is sponsoring a pilot programme called Copperbelt Rapid Response to Gender-Based Violence and Child Justice. This programme has seen the successful training of 467 community crime prevention unit officers in GBV cases and crime prevention methods," she said.
And Tembo said police on the Copperbelt successfully policed the elections and the reported sporadic post election violent cases were handled with maximum professionalism.
She said the support the police service received from government was appreciated and that the appointment of female provincial commissioners was very encouraging.
"I am one of those that have benefited as the first woman provincial commissioner for Copperbelt. The 200 recently constructed housing units for our officers and supply of 27 motor vehicles would go a long way in motivating our officers," she said.
She said the police service on the Copperbelt was going to fight corruption, illegal miners, and the jerabos.
Tembo said the police was aware that illegal miners and jerabos were a dreadful cancer that required to be robustly fought.
She also stated that the police service would remain non-partisan but "will strive to perform our constitutional roles professionally."
And Copperbelt permanent secretary Christopher Mutembo said police officers had all the reasons to celebrate given the various successes they had scored in 2011.
In a speech delivered for him by Ndola district commissioner Solomon Sakala, Mutembo urged men and women in uniform to change their mindset and work culture and ensure that they supported the government of the day.
He further urged them to act in the manner that would not let members of the public lose confidence in them.
Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, CRIME, POLICE
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Kitwe's Bulangililo residents riot again
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Sun 25 Dec. 2011, 13:30 CAT
RESIDENTS of Kitwe's Bulangililo Township on Friday rioted for the second time following the death of three children that were hit by a Canter light truck.
On Wednesday, residents of Bulangililo ran amok after a Mitsubishi Canter light truck knocked down six children, two of whom died on the spot and another on Thursday while three others are nursing serious injuries in Kitwe Central Hospital.
The riots were sparked by the careless speeding driver of an Toyota Corolla unregistered in Kazembe road, a day after the Canter truck hit six children.
The mob that forced the car to stop beat up the driver and smashed the windscreen before he was rescued by two police officers and a Paronama security guard.
The instant mob also attacked one of the passers-by who tried to rescue the man before running for safety.
"People here are annoyed with these irresponsible drivers following the death of our children who were killed on Wednesday by that Canter track. We will never allow anyone to speed in this road and since we can't be protected by the traffic police, we have started policing ourselves," said Kelly Kapya, a resident of Bulangililo.
The driver of the Canter truck identified as Patrick Miti, 33, of house number 213 Kwacha township is in police custody.
Labels: CAR ACCIDENTS, COPPERBELT PROVINCE
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Rupiah blames C/belt, Lusaka for his defeat
By Christopher Miti in Chipata and Thandizo Banda in Sinda
Wed 23 Nov. 2011, 14:00 CAT
FORMER President Rupiah Banda has accused the people of Lusaka and Copperbelt of having caused his defeat by voting overwhelmingly for Michael Sata. Addressing Sinda residents at Sinda market when he stopped over on his way to Chipata on Saturday, Banda thanked the people of Sinda for voting for him.
Banda also
advised the MMD members not to allow the PF cadres to grab bicycles that were given to them during the campaigns. He also said time had come for him to sit back and watch over how the Sata-led government will administer the many challenges facing the country.
Banda said that in the three years he had been president of Zambia, he ensured that Zambians had enough food by boosting the agricultural sector by providing adequate inputs.
Banda who said he would soon be retiring from politics observed that many people have risen in the name of succeeding him in the MMD.
He urged the MMD members to scrutinise those that had shown interest to succeed him.
He urged genuine MMD members to stick to the party.
And acting provincial chairperson Ezekiel Mtonga said Banda was in theprovince for the first time after his election defeat.
Mtonga said when news went round that Banda was visiting the province many people lined up in Nyimba, Petauke, Katete and Chipata to see him.
"Since MMD lost the elections there has been a lot of lies, some people were even speculating that he is bed ridden and so on. From what we saw when he came here everybody was convinced that he is quite energetic, he is very strong and he is just the way he has been," Mtonga said.
He thanked the people for voting for MMD in the province and for making sure that the party remained strong in the province.
Mtonga said Banda also showed some elements of displeasure with the behaviour of certain people who were close to him but defected to other parties.
"You know humanbeing characteristics are very funny, somehow yes, he felt betrayed by some members who were very close, some members that he himself supported, members that made this country and Eastern Province in particular to be very close and die hard for RB. But that does not make him change his approach to life, he is just happy and he encouraged us that defecting is part of politics, is part of the game. He wished those that have left the party and castigated him all the best wherever they have gone," Mtonga said.
He said Banda's trip was remarkable because people in the province were very anxious to see him.
Mtonga said Banda's trip was strictly private and that he did not meet anyone at his Bwezani Chasimpha farm.
He dispelled allegations that Banda gave out money to some women clubs that met him at the farm.
Banda who left Chipata yesterday travelled to the province by road for the first time since 2008 when he became president of Zambia.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, COPPERBELT PROVINCE, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
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C/Belt PF vow not to accept rigged polls
By George Chellah and Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Fri 16 Sep. 2011, 13:55 CAT
THOUSANDS of PF supporters on the Copperbelt have vowed not to accept defeat if the elections are rigged in favour of President Rupiah Banda. And the emotional cadres openly warned PF leader Michael Sata that they will not entertain any appeals for calm from him once it becomes apparent that the elections have been rigged.
Meanwhile, Sata told the crowd that President Banda is scared of leaving State House because he knows that he has vandalised the country. During a mammoth public rally at Freedom Park, the slogan-chanting cadres pledged not to allow those scheming to interfere with the electoral process and subsequently steal the people's victory.
The thousands of cadres and sympathisers who thronged Kitwe's Freedom Park were led into taking the oath by Get Involved Zambia executive director Fr Frank Bwalya.
"…balefwaya ukuchita rig ama elections nomba tafyakabombe, bushe mukasumina? (…they MMD want to rig elections, are you going to accept it?" asked Fr Bwalya as the jubilant crowd shouted: "Awe! (No!)."
"Bushe mukasumina?" Fr Bwalya repeated: "Awe! Awe!" shouted the crowd again.
At this point Fr Bwalya requested everybody present to raise their right hand symbolising the taking of an oath.
"Kanshi pakulekelesha bonse imyeni ukuboko mwakulakonkeleshapo ifyo nakulalanda. Ifwe fwe bena Zambia, Ifwe fwe bena Zambia! twasosa apabuta tatwakasuminishe umuntu ukutwibila amavote, pantu nishi atwibila future, ninshi aiba future yabanabesu. Uyo muntu tatwakamusuminishe natumona ichilangililo kufyalo fimbi uko bashisuminisha ama nonsense naifwe bene tatwakasumine. Nachi ilanga ati Ba Sata ebakawina!" (In conclusion, I would like each one of you to raise your right hand and repeat after me: We the people of Zambia, we the people of Zambia, we affirm publicly that we shall not allow anyone to steal our votes because that would amount to stealing our future and that of our children. Such a person we shall not allow because we have seen examples from other countries where they do not tolerate such nonsense; even us we shall not allow. It is very clear that Mr Sata will win!)", the PF supporters passionately repeated the words after Fr Bwalya in unison.
And the cadres warned Sata that they will not entertain any appeals for calm from him once it becomes apparent that the elections have been rigged.
These sentiments were being passed as Sata's vehicle struggled to pass through a sea of people mostly comprising youths that wanted to catch a glimpse of the PF leader.
"Bashikulu uno mwaka nga baiba amavote mukatuleke tukachite efyo tulefwaya pantu fwebalechula nifwebo not filya mwatemwa ati lekeni. Nga mwatweba ati lekeni naimwe bene tukamichinjisha ilinso pantu ninshi twaishiba ati naimwebene mulalyamo! (Grandfather, please this year just let us do what we want to do if anyone steals our votes because we are the ones who suffer; please do not make your usual appeals for calm. If you stop us from doing what we want to do, then we shall turn on you because we will conclude that you are also a beneficiary of this regime)," shouted one of the youths while banging on Sata's window in an attempt to catch the PF leader's attention.
And Sata's helicopter which landed at Kitwe Basic School had problems with taking off for the return trip to Lusaka as scores of excited youths clang onto it to prevent it from taking off.
"Bashikulu tabaye lelo! (Our grandfather is not leaving today!)" shouted the youths as they dusted the chopper with handkerchiefs.
The situation created panic among Sata's security personnel who swang into action by pushing the surging mob away from the chopper.
But the crowd pushed back in retaliation: "Iwe wilatutamfya tulekefye teiwe tukonkele. (Please, do not push us, we did not come here for you.)" It took passionate pleas from the PF officials in order for the crowd to allow the chopper to fly to Lusaka.
"Iwe ubenshe bwino bashikulu waumfwa ayi? (Make sure you grant our grandfather a safe flight, do you understand?)" one of the youths was heard shouting whilst pointing at the pilot.
And Sata told the crowd that President Banda is scared of leaving State House because he knows that he has vandalised the country.
He said people who were responsible for destroying the country through corruption would never go scot-free when PF forms government.
Sata said only President Banda and Dora Siliya were in a position to tell the nation how much they had received from the sale of Zamtel.
He said after September 20, the PF would bring in a new practical approach of developing the country by wiping out corruption and giving meaningful empowerment to the people.
"This country would have been destroyed further without your voice through members of parliament like Chishimba Kabwili, Wylbur Simuusa, Yamfwa Mukanga and many others. Dora Siliya and her man Rupiah Banda wanted to sell all government schools. You Zambians must say no to this corrupt MMD government," Sata said.
He said it was sad that President Banda had continued to cheat people of Kitwe that he had performed wonders through the construction of hospitals when the town still had old infrastructure.
He said the hospitals that were in Kitwe like Central Hospital and Wusakile were old and the residents have never seen any meaningful development in terms of the health sector.
Sata said the people of Kitwe have never seen development even in the education sector because schools like Helen Kaunda, Kitwe Boys and others were built by the first Republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
He said the people of Kitwe should never pay attention to the lies of the MMD who were busy cheating people that Sata would destroy houses and Chisokone market in Kitwe.
Sata said he would not destroy Chisokone market because he initiated it when he was local government minister.
He said the focus of PF would be to improve the market so that people could have conducive trading places.
"I started selling council houses when I was minister of state. Chiluba came to take over from me in the selling of houses. Today they say Sata will take out houses. Where will I take them to? When Rupiah Banda gave away the houses, he never thought about the defence and security personnel," Sata said.
Sata further said he had received reports that Chinese investors wanted to block miners from voting by denying them permission.
He said investors must refrain from such schemes because they had no right of stopping miners from exercising their right.
Sata said it was sad that despite working hard and contributing greatly to the national treasury, miners were left with nothing by the MMD government that had abandoned the people.
He said the PF would work hard to correct the situation in the mining sector so that the country could see true benefits of its national resources.
Sata advised people to ignore MMD propaganda.
"These people they are saying ‘Sata is going to remove ARVs.' I brought ARVs. These people they say ‘Michael Sata will kill all old people.' Am I young myself? They say when Sata comes he will make boys marry other fellow boys," said Sata as the crowd erupted into chanting slogans: "We want change! We want change!"
Sata then called his three children Mwelwa, Chilufya and Mwango to the podium and asked them to introduce themselves to the people.
"Now can someone who is married to a man have these children?" he asked.
He also warned the state media namely the Times of Zambia, Daily Mail and ZNBC against their biased coverage of the elections.
"Ukutangila tekufika" warned Sata.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, COPPERBELT PROVINCE, MICHAEL SATA, PF
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Shamenda decries MMD's failure to revive industries
By Bright Mukwasa
Mon 05 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
THE
MMD's complacency towards reviving the country's industrial base is enough reason to vote it out of power this month, says Fackson Shamenda. In an interview, Shamenda, the former head of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions and Ndola Central PF parliamentary candidate, said the failure by the current regime to revive many critical industries had left many Zambians in destitution.
"The whole place Ndola has collapsed. It has become a big Chisokone market. The whole town is in ruins, it's like there was a war or something. If you look at Dunlop, it was a manufacturing industry and we were manufacturing tyres and that time we had very few cars. Now the whole country is flooded with vehicles, that's when you decide to close the tyre industry," Shamenda said.
"Zamtel used to employ more than 3,000 people and now you sell it and there are less than 700 people who are employed. Then you say we are creating jobs? I fail to add up the mathematics.
If you give this government another five years, I don't know what will happen to the economy. I can't imagine what will happen to Ndola; we shall have nothing to talk about."
He said the current foreign direct investment had failed to benefit Zambians as claimed by the MMD.
Shamenda said he was not shaken by the MMD's opulence in this year's election.
"It does not because people are determined. Fortunately with the slogan of 'don't kubeba', people do appreciate that they cannot be perpetual beggars. They would rather get jobs so that they buy their own fitenges (chitenges), so that they buy their own T-shirts, so that they can buy their own buka buka fish. It's not that they are interested in becoming perpetual beggars; and where you beg once every five years," he said.
"All Zambians should rally together to have a change. I think in any system where you have a change of players, competition is very important and this is why these people are complacent. They are saying 'if they are being re-elected for another 20 years', they will think what they are doing, the people they are bullying around, the industries which are being destroyed. They think that's what the Zambians are enjoying."
Shamenda said the government had failed to create decent jobs for the youths.
Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, FACKSON SHAMENDA, MANUFACTURING, NDOLA, NEOLIBERALISM
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Firms urged to explore Zambian market
Friday, 01 July 2011 01:00
From Martin Kadzere in Ndola, Zambia
ZIMBABWE Trade attaché to Zambia Mrs Stella Nyangweta has urged Zimbabwean companies to "vigorously" start exploring business opportunities on the Copper-belt.
She spoke on the sidelines of the ongoing 47th edition of the Zambia International Trade Fair being held in the country's third largest city Ndola.
"Improved copper mining activities in the (Copperbelt) province would provide good opportunities for local businesses in engineering, construction and protective clothing," she said.
"We have been concentrating on Lusaka and now that the Copperbelt is coming up, companies back home must seriously direct their efforts in penetrating this market.
"Opportunities are growing in sectors such as engineering, protective clothing and construction. I am confident that local companies can benefit from that Copperbelt's growth."
The ZITF opened here on Tuesday with 13 Zimbabwean companies are participating.
The exhibition, under the theme "Innovation for competitiveness", has also attracted companies from within the region and Africa.
Although it has started at a slow pace, with some of the exhibitors still setting up their stands, a ZITF spokesperson said the activities are likely to pick up during the course of the day.
"We are happy to have Zimbabwean companies," said a ZITF spokesperson. "It is a very important improvement on what we had last year.
"Zimbabwe has become one of our major trading partners and this is an appropriate platform to enhance trade relations with Harare and the rest of the region."
Among Zimbabwean companies participating are Hwange Colliery Company Limited, which already enjoys a strong market for its coal in Zambia.
Some of the companies that came under the ZimTrade banner include PG Industries, Art Corporation, Zesa Enterprises and ZECO Holdings.
ZimTrade operations manager Mr Stanley Tupiri applauded companies participating at the fair, saying it would present them with an opportunity to benefit from rejuvenated business in the Copperbelt.
"Local companies really need to explore the Copperbelt as it provides quite (a lot of) tremendous opportunities. "Even those companies that have not come for the trade fair should start taking this market seriously."
Zambia has in the last few years overtaken South Africa as Zimbabwe's biggest trading partner on the continent and it remains a market hugely unexplored by local companies due to lack of information.
But opportunities to expand the trade and economic partnership could be greatly enhanced by the steady economic recovery Zimbabwe has made, which will enable it to produce more for the Zambian export market.
Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, TRADE, ZAMBIA, ZIMBABWE
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Divisions rock MMD over C/belt rural adoptions
By George Chellah
Fri 24 June 2011, 07:30 CAT
THE MMD is in a fix over the adoption of parliamentary candidates for the constituencies in Lambaland. Well-placed sources within the MMD provincial executive committee on the Copperbelt yesterday revealed that the party is in a quandary on adoptions for parliamentary seats in Copperbelt rural.
“The problem we have in Lambaland is that there are some aspiring candidates
who are preferred by some senior party officials, including State House,” the source said.
“This scenario has created serious hostility among the aspiring candidates especially in constituencies like Lufwanyama, Masaiti and Mpongwe.”
The source disclosed that there was a big tug of war between aspiring candidates for these three parliamentary seats in Copperbelt rural.
“What even makes the situation complicated is that the incumbent members of parliament who are seeking adoption in these same seats are ministers,” the source said.
“So the battle is basically ministers versus other aspiring candidates, who are equally enjoying grassroot support in these areas. But for some aspiring candidates, it’s like their support even extends to the corridors of power.”
The source said commerce, trade and industry deputy minister Dr Lwipa Puma was facing a serious challenge from losing MMD women affairs chairperson aspirant Annie Chungu.
“It’s not a secret that Dr Puma wants to run again for the Lufwanyama seat, but he faces a serious challenge from Ba Annie Chungu, who happens to have the support of State House,” the source said.
“Don’t forget that Ba Annie is the same lady who stood against Sylvia Masebo for the position of party chairperson for women affairs at the last convention at Mulungushi Rock of Authority in Kabwe.
“And its common knowledge that the President wanted Ba Annie to win but she unfortunately lost to Masebo. Therefore, even in the case of the Lufwanyama seat, obviously State House would also want Ba Annie to be the candidate and not Dr Puma, who quite frankly is facing serious problems in the constituency. Otherwise, we are eagerly waiting to see what will happen”.
The source said some senior party officials were pushing for the adoption of mines deputy minister for the Masaiti parliamentary seat.
“Lands minister Gladys Lundwe is vying to defend her seat but (Jazzman) Chikwakwa is equally eyeing the same seat and we know that there are some senior party officials in Lusaka who want to thrust Chikwakwa on the people of Masaiti,” the source said.
“Their senior party officials argument is that Chikwakwa is stronger than Lundwe among party members in the constituency. But when you look at the primary results, they are showing something else.”
The source said there were similar problems in Mpongwe Constituency.
“Mpongwe is another problem, because works and supply minister Gabriel Namulambe and former State House senior private secretary Rabson Chilufya are fighting to be adopted.
The stories being peddled within the constituency are that Chilufya is more popular than Namulambe because he hails from there whilst Namulambe doesn’t. It’s proper grassroot tribal politics at play,” the source said.
“State House is again linked to the adoption squabbles for the Mpongwe parliamentary seat. We are waiting to see what decision will be made on who should contest the Mpongwe seat on the MMD ticket.
Will Namulambe who is also party chairperson for elections be left out in preference to Chilufya, who until recently was President Banda’s senior private secretary at State House?”
Copperbelt rural has four constituencies with Masaiti having Lundwe as member of parliament, while Mpongwe has Namulambe, Lufwanyama, Dr Puma and George Mpombo for Kafulafuta.
According to MMD sources, the shortlisted aspiring candidates in Masaiti included district chairman Michael Katambo, Lottie Chumpuka and incumbent member of parliament Lundwe.
In Kafulafuta, former energy permanent secretary Peter Mumba has been shortlisted together with George Chishiba and Brian Chitafu, while Namulambe and Chilufya were also shortlisted for Mpongwe.
In Lufwanyama, incumbent MP Dr Puma, Annie Chungu and former district commissioner Miniva Mutesa have been shortlisted.
Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, MMD
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Blackmailing voters with development
By The Post
Wed 09 Feb. 2011, 04:00 CAT
‘Copperbelt will not have development if people don’t stop voting for the opposition. Unless people changed the pattern of voting, the province will not develop. Copperbelt risks being removed from its position when it comes to development because it doesn’t have enough members of parliament from the ruling party. How can you have a minister from a ruling party and a lot of members of parliament from the opposition? Can development take place like that?’
This sums up the political outlook of Mwansa Mbulakulima, Rupiah Banda’s Copperbelt minister. What are the prospects of our country with a man of such a political outlook in charge of one of our most important provinces?
Truly, political leaders, due to their multiple tasks in the state apparatus as well as in their political parties, can fall, and in fact in some cases they have fallen, into a state of detachment from the masses.
As a result, they have been ignorant of the state of mind of the masses. They need a permanent barometer of the feelings and judgment of our people. They need continuous contact with the masses, not at an abstract level but in a very concrete manner. They have to improve their political linkages by engaging in much wider political activity, concerning themselves with the problems of the masses and transmitting them to the top political leadership of our country and to the people.
And to the extent that criticism is insufficient and superficial and to the extent that transmission channels are not fully utilised, it is possible that certain problems may not strike leaders’ sensitivities with the necessary rapidity. They are cheating themselves and each other that all is well. Things are not well. And it’s time they started listening to the truthful analysis of their problems like the one that was given by Lameck Mangani the other week. Reality has to be faced. And as Lenin had once observed, the attitude - that is to say, the seriousness of purpose - of a political party is measured, basically, by the attitude it takes toward its own errors.
And you cannot solve your weaknesses if you are not able to admit or acknowledge them. The MMD must begin by recognising the scale of their problems. They are continually losing elections on the Copperbelt and other areas of our country where the public is better informed because they have become associated increasingly with the most disagreeable messages and thoughts.
And this must be appreciated as a deeply felt distaste, rather than just a momentary irritation. They are linked to corruption, abuse of office, intolerance, violence, tyranny, harshness; they are thought to be uncaring about unemployment and poverty. They are thought to favour greed and vanity. And they are also thought to be arrogant and out of touch.
In a multiparty political dispensation, one cannot say that the Copperbelt will have no development if they keep on voting for the opposition. This is a disagreeable message and thought. We say this because development in this country is not distributed on the basis of political patronage; on the basis of how people voted. Government leaders like Mbulakulima should not threaten people with development sanctions if they voted for other political parties.
This is unacceptable intimidation of the voters. Real political victory should lie on the ideals being proposed, on the ethical values of the party and its candidates, on the respect of the freedom of choice of all citizens, and not on any form of moral pressure or intimidation of voters.
That is why we say that candidates should be evaluated on their capacity to implement both their party’s manifesto and their personal vision. Those who offer themselves for re-election ought to be evaluated against the record of what they have or have not achieved. Did they fulfil their promises? Did they offer quality service to all the people and not only those who voted for them into power? Were they available to listen to the concerns of the people and were they selfless in responding to the needs of all, especially the poor? Those who have not yet held office should be carefully evaluated in terms of their competence and their reputation for honesty and selfless dedication to the common good.
Therefore, in casting one’s vote, a citizen should never be swayed by personal profit, tribal bias, political affiliation, but solely by consideration of which of the conflicting issues or candidates is better for the nation. Candidates should be voted for strictly according to the good we think they can do for the nation. The interest of political parties should be kept subordinate to the public good. We should use our votes for the good of Zambia, as opposed to the good of a particular political party, group or individual.
It is the job of those in government to ensure that services are provided to all citizens regardless of which candidate or political party they voted for. When a political party is voted into power, the government it forms is not a private institution for the enjoyment of party members and their supporters; it is a government for all, including those who don’t belong or support the ruling party.
And there should be a thick line of distinction between the government and the ruling party. We say this because lack of distinction between the ruling party and the government creates a climate of political intolerance, leading to abuse of office and all other forms of corruption. The ruling party should not regard itself as the government and government as the state where any denigration of these institutions and their leaders is tantamount to high treason; where the ruling party, government and their leaders become as sacred as the state.
The proper role of government is to serve all the citizens. And there is nothing which makes people more appreciative of a government than that it should be able to deliver services. It does this by creating opportunities that benefit all citizens without discrimination. And in order for the government to function well, all the citizens should participate responsibly. Overall, citizens should be concerned with the way leaders lead them and administer public goods. That is why elections are very important. Free and fair elections in choosing leaders are absolutely necessary in a democratic process. It is sad when elections are marred with unfairness and intimidation. It is essential for the government and the political parties to respect people’s voice and choice. Respect for human dignity requires that elections are conducted well, fairly and without intimidation of any sort. Elections should never be a matter of coercion or blackmail since that would break the sacred character of democracy. Election time is a time to vote for honest, courageous, hardworking and selfless leaders. Elections are an opportune time to review our past in order to prepare for better political choices for the future.
Those in government are not there to serve their own personal interests and of those who voted for them. Their authority is exercised legitimately if it is committed to the common good of society. Therefore, they should govern with care towards all. In a democracy, where leaders are chosen by the people and for the people, such leaders should view themselves as being representatives of the people at all levels. These leaders should listen to the people, respect the people and work for the welfare of the people. Mbulakulima should respect the choices the people of the Copperbelt made. It was a free choice for which they should not be punished by denying them development.
What Mbulakulima is saying just goes to show how corrupt this MMD government is. They have personalised the government and its resources. Government contracts are going to MMD cadres and their supporters even if they don’t have capacity to fulfil them. An honest audit of government contracts will invariably reveal that most of the government contracts given to Zambians go to those who belong to the MMD. This is corruption. This is abuse of public office. Government is supposed to belong to all and its resources to benefit all our people without regard to political or other affiliation.
Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, MWANSA MBULAKULIMA
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COMMENT - At some level, you can't blame anyone in Western Province for wanting to break off from Zambia, expecially when oil or diamonds are found there. The illegal scam that pertains today is that central government politicians take illegal bribes so foreign investors won't have to pay taxes and are 'protected' from the law. That is a direct attack on the integrity of the country itself. These resources belong to the people of the country, and are not subject to illegal scams by ruling (or opposition) party politicians. And yet arrogantly and narcissistically, we have the Finance Minister coming out and saying that there will be no significant reduction in poverty for 30 years. It would be morally superior for the people to steal these resources and sell them themselves. It is a disgrace that the part of the country that supplies most of 'GDP', has people living in abject poverty, on top of living in the most polluted part of the country. Does anyone in the MMD have the moral highground to accuse the people of the Niger Delta for taking up arms - no they do not, and it is their own thieving behavior that is to blame. You steal from the people, you lose any claim to morality or legitimate authority.
Chilipamushi bemoans state of C/belt towns
By Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe
Fri 28 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT
FORMER commerce permanent secretary Davidson Chilipamushi says
Copperbelt towns have remained depressed although they account for a large share of the country’s GDP and generate over two-thirds of the country’s foreign exchange.
And Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) international chairman Love Mtesa says the organisation has expanded its scope and interventions on subjects such as good governance, social accountability, trade and development, economic and business regulations.
During a CUTS organised workshop to launch the Better Exploration of Trade as a Means for Poverty Reduction BETAMPOR project in Kitwe, Chilipamushi said economic infrastructure still remained very poor despite huge economic gains as a result of high copper production.
“The fact of the matter is that Zambia is among the 50 poorest countries on earth but we’re saying there is economic boom but the towns look the same as they were 20 years back, even worse,” Chilipamushi said.
“Although statistically the Copperbelt accounts for a large share of the country’s GDP and generates over two-thirds of the country’s foreign exchange, it is clearly visible that there is nothing to show for it; the towns remain depressed as no real infrastructure has been developed.”
Chilipamushi, who is now a senior lecturer in the School of Business at Copperbelt University, said the towns’ ability to maintain even the existing structures seem to be diminishing as no new revenue was being collected from the flourishing mines.
He suggested that the revenue coming from the mines be given to the local authorities for development projects.
“…Maybe under councils the revenue could go a long way to improve on the outlook of the depressed towns,” Chilipamushi said.
He said diversification efforts away from the dependency on copper to the promotion of non-traditional exports must be supported.
Chilipamushi added that the diversification initiative would help in keeping the money within the province and also assist in reducing unemployment and high poverty levels.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Mtesa said the mission of the organisation was to function as a resource co-ordination centre as well as networking centre in order to promote South-South co-operation on trade and development by involving state and non-state actors.
“At international level, because of its abundant expertise, CUTS is working very closely with developing countries in helping them with research on trade and economic related issues which they need in their trade negotiations in Geneva at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Brussels and the EU negotiations on EPAs,” said Ambassador Mtesa.
Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, CUTS, DAVIDSON CHILIPAMUSHI
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Stop lying, C/belt PF advises Rupiah
By Kabanda Chulu
Tue 02 Nov. 2010, 04:01 CAT
THE Patriotic Front (PF) has
advised President Rupiah Banda to stop telling lies about developmental programmes in rural parts of the Copperbelt Province. But Lufwanyama MMD chairman Moses Chiyuka asked the people not to politicise visible developmental programmes in the country.
Reacting to President Banda’s statement at the Chabalankata traditional ceremony of the Lamba people that there was every reason for Zambians to have hope for the future since his government was building up on various projects including those initiated by late president Levy Mwanawasa, Copperbelt PF vice youth secretary George Sichula said President Banda was wrongly advised.
“It is a lie and put in black and white, and the problem with President Banda is that he does not mix with people on the ground and those fake advisors are misleading him because they see things and tell him different stories. For instance, President Banda has never been to Lufwanyama, and how many times have people complained about the state of Kalengwa-Kalulushi road and many other roads?” Sichula asked.
“Imagine this government has decided to speed up construction works for a prison and a police station, does it imply that people here are criminals? In fact people are furious and they want President Banda to come and point at those projects which his government is claiming to have done because development is simply not here.”
Masaiti district PF chairman Stardy Mwale challenged the MMD government to stop telling lies and build a hospital in Masaiti since people were walking to the nearest hospital over 50 kilometres St Theresa Mission at Ibenga in Mpongwe.
“The MMD government is claiming that by January 2011 there will be a hospital here but these are lies since nothing is happening and building plans were drawn many years ago,” Mwale said. “People here want roads leading to markets for their produce and imagine, this area is rich in emeralds and various precious metals but government has just failed to develop it; and come 2011, people have made up their minds and the MMD is on its way out.”
He said it was disappointing that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) had not paid farmers who were now experiencing financial challenges despite delivering their produce.
“… Masaiti will experience hunger because the planting season is near but farmers can’t plant and farmers are concerned that they will not receive inputs for failing to pay cooperative annual membership fees,” said Mwale.
But Chiyuka said developmental projects being undertaken by the government were visible in Copperbelt rural and the country in general.
“It is a false story especially here in Lufwanyama. Government has done so much; for example, we have a new boarding high school which is almost complete and construction of the district hospital has entered phase two; and there are various projects being undertaken such as construction of prisons and police station, council houses and offices for the district health management and district education officials are under construction and for the Kalengwa road, government assured that the road will be tarred starting from 2011,” said Chiyuka. “So we find no reason why our colleagues should politicise developmental activities that are visible for everyone to see.”
Officiating at the Chabalankata ceremony of senior chief Mushili, President Banda assured that the government would achieve education for all through construction and upgrading of schools at Katanino, Kankoshi, Muwaya, Misapa and Nkambo.
President Banda said construction of Masaiti and Masangano boarding high schools would be completed soon while feeder roads were also being worked on.
Labels: CEREMONIES, COPPERBELT PROVINCE, MOSES CHIYUKA, RUPIAH BANDA
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MMD C/belt councillors call for change of top leadership
By Darious Kapembwa and Mwila Chansa
Sat 30 Oct. 2010, 04:00 CAT
SOME MMD councillors on the Copperbelt have said
the performance of the party in recent parliamentary and ward by-elections is a wake-up call to change the top leadership, starting with President Rupiah Banda. And the councillors have expressed fear that the MMD does not stand a chance in the forthcoming general elections next year, given its current form.
Speaking in separate interviews, MMD Mutaba ward councillor David Kalutwa said he agreed with some party leaders for contending that MMD Lusaka Province chairman William Banda was the cause of the loss that the party suffered in Chilanga.
“You see people like William Banda are UNIP mentalists and it’s people like him and President Rupiah Banda from UNIP who should be gotten rid of, in order to polish up the party, because how can one, day in and out keep intimidating people? MMD is not known for that, but it’s happening now and the result is that we have lost almost all elections,” Kalutwa said.
He said the recent results showed that the people of Zambia were fed up with the MMD even in rural areas.
“If you look at Chilanga, it was our seat, there is no way we can allow UPND to win it, and when you talk of Mpulungu it is a clear fact that the PF is in control of that area. When you calculate how PF has managed to reduce the gap from almost 6,000 previously to 400, it tells you that we are in serious problems come next year and I can assure you that we the people are on the ground and we are listening from the grassroots. William and Rupiah must go back to UNIP,” he charged.
Other councillors from Copperbelt who spoke on condition of anonymity said the levels of resentment had grown because people were fed up with the MMD.
The councilors, in apparent reference to President Banda, said it was clear that a certain commander-in-chief had brought in his own lieutenants from UNIP who understood very little about the MMD.
“My brother you know that it was not like this previously because we had MMD leaders, but this time no matter how people want to pretend to keep their jobs, the fact is that next year doesn’t look promising for us if we maintain these people,” the councilors said.
But MMD Copperbelt youth chairman Evans Chibanda said blaming William Banda for the loss in Chilanga was misplaced.
He said Chilanga had always been turbulent for the MMD because even in 2006 they just won it by a ‘whisker’.
He claimed that the MMD was not worried about the losses they encountered in ward by-elections in Ndola, Luanshya and Chinsali because they were PF strongholds.
Chibanda said much as the results of the by-elections across the country stood as a wake-up call for the MMD, they also showed that democracy was thriving because people were able to choose leaders of their choice.
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, COPPERBELT PROVINCE, EVANS CHIBANDA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA, WILLIAM BANDA
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C/belt MMD backs Chibale on threats against Duffy
By Abigail Chaponda in Ndola
Fri 08 Oct. 2010, 04:00 CAT
MMD Ndola district vice publicity and information secretary Alex Mubanga has disclosed that Chiko Chibale’s militia action threats against Bishop Paul Duffy have the blessing of the party on the Copperbelt. But former Eastern Province MMD youth chairperson Luca Banda has advised Chibale to apologise to Bishop Duffy for threatening violence against him.
In an interview in Ndola yesterday, Mubanga, popularly known as Shimpundu Pankoloko said that the MMD was not going to sit and watch people insult President Rupiah Banda, and that Chibale was doing the right thing to warn people who speak ill of the head of state.
He warned all opposition parties and the Catholic Church to keep “their dirty hands off Chiko Chibale” because the MMD on the Copperbelt was going to ambush them.
“I want to warn anyone, especially the opposition and the Catholic Church to keep their dirty hands off Chiko Chibale. What Bishop Duffy said was wrong, MMD members were not happy. So this is the reason why Chiko is upset, people should not be insulting President Banda like that, it is wrong. What Chiko is doing has the blessing of the MMD on the Copperbelt,” he said.
Mubanga said that the MMD were also angered by Priestly order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate treasurer general Fr Godfrey Mpundu’s statement that people of Western Province were better off voting for a frog than the impotent MMD.
“Does that man know what to be impotent is? I think he doesn’t and I know why. If the Catholic Church has nothing to offer any more they better keep quiet than insult the Republican President. President Banda is President of Zambia because God said so,” he said.
He said that the MMD was ready for anyone who is going to insult President Banda and that they (MMD) were not going to let anyone, not even the Catholic Church to insult President Banda.
He alleged that the people had lost respect for the Catholic Church because their teaching had changed from salvation to insults.
Mubanga said that he was disappointed with some priests in the Catholic Church and the way they were coming out on political issues and how they have decided to insult the President rather than preach unity.
“I am Catholic but I don’t support what some priests are doing. Bishop Mpundu was a well-respected man of God, but he is not anymore. The Catholic Church has lost value and respect and it is because of these same priests who are preaching insults,” he said.
“The Catholic Church should concentrate on preaching and not interfere with the country’s politics. The MMD on the Copperbelt are not going to fold their hands and watch people insult their President. We are ready for anyone. Keep you hands off Chiko; mess with him and you mess with every MMD member on the Copperbelt.”
Last week Chibale said he had no apologies to make over his threats to use MMD militia on the Copperbelt for which he is the commander to go and manhandle Bishop Duffy for stating that people of Western Province want a change of government.
And Mansa Catholic Diocese vicar-general Fr Mambwe Mpasa challenged President Banda and the MMD leadership to tell the nation if they were behind the MMD crack squad threatening violence on Bishop Duffy.
But Banda, in an interview, said Chibale should apologise to Bishop Duffy because politics was not about fighting.
“I would advise my brother to leave Duffy alone. We should not use blows or engage in any form of violence but we should just becampaigning.
I am not happy with that (Chibale’s) statement but again Duffy seem to be lost he is like a political vuvuzela, but he should leave him,” Banda said.
He said youths like Chibale should just be campaigning for President Rupiah Banda, not engaging in violent activities.
Banda said he would next month contest the Eastern Province youth chairmanship because the youth wing was dormant in the province.
“I was a youth chairperson before the current one but the youths are not working so I am coming back with full force to campaign for President Banda. We want to campaign for RB so that he can get more than 100 per cent votes in Eastern Province.
Youths are getting National Registration Cards so that they could also vote next year,” Banda said. And Petauke district Patriotic Front youth chairperson Grey Daka said those that are in politics should be ready to be criticised.
Daka urged Zambia to choose right people during next year's elections.
“We want leaders that can perform and are ready to be criticised because that’s why we have opposition political parties. To me I think it’s not good to threaten Bishop Duffy because those are the right people to advise the government. I ask people from the church like bishops, reverends, chiefs and other leaders to assist people choose right leaders next year,” Daka said.
He said many elected leaders in the province have not performed to expectations and that most of them were now frequenting their areas because of the general elections that were due next year.
Labels: ALEX MUBANGA, COPPERBELT PROVINCE, MMD, PAUL DUFFY, POLITICAL VIOLENCE
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New CB police chief vowed crackdown on copper thefts
By Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe
Fri 06 Aug. 2010, 17:10 CAT
FILE PICTURE: Kabonde said the security awareness that KCM had embarked on is an important exercise which coincides with the police’s strategy to attain a crime-free business environment.
THE new Copperbelt police commanding officer Dr Martin Malama has vowed to crack down on illegal mining and rampant copper thefts in mining sections on the Copperbelt.
And inspector general of police Francis Kabonde has stated that the police service has a strategy to attain a crime-free business and social environment.
Speaking when he represented the IG during the security awareness campaign held at KCM Nchanga Mine Club on Friday, Dr Malama bemoaned the higher levels of illegal mining and copper thefts that had characterised the mining towns on the Copperbelt.
“Illegal mining poses a great danger to lives of young people that are employed to do such activities, for example 29 illegal miners died last year, these are brilliant young people from families, it is sad that these activities are leading to loss of lives,” he said.
Dr Mulenga said that economic losses emanating from illegal mining and copper thefts were immense and they discourage further investments in the mining sector.
“As I am transferred to Copperbelt as the new commanding officer, we will work with my team to ensure that we crack down on criminals in mines to abate loss of investments and I challenge you community leaders because you know who has employed these people and you know where these illegal smelters are located, I challenge you to help police report such characters,” he added.
Dr Malama replaces Anthoneil Mutentwa who has reportedly been transferred to Lusaka.
Mutentwa leaves Copperbelt in a shake-up in the police command following recent discontent shown by some police officers against Kabonde.
And in a speech read on his behalf, Kabonde said the security awareness that KCM had embarked on is an important exercise which coincides with the police’s strategy to attain a crime-free business environment.
Kabonde said when investors like Vedanta come to the country, a crime-free environment was the best way to ensure that shareholders, employees, their families and the local community got maximum benefits arising from the investments.
Kabonde said contributions to the treasury, jobs for locals and social investments from investments in the mines were helping to make Zambia a better place for all.
He said KCM had demonstrated credentials as a good corporate citizen by doing all the social works and contributions to Zambia’s well-being.
Kabonde noted that the increased mining activities in North Western and the Copperbelt were attracting criminal elements.
KCM last year arrested 2,055 illegal miners.
KCM director of operations Jeyakumar Janakaraj said the prosecution officers had done a good job in ensuring that culprits in copper theft related activities were abated.
Janakaraj said that as partners the mining company wanted to make profitable use of the country’s natural resources.
He said the security campaign was one initiative that the company had taken to safeguard the company property.
He said management encouraged whistle-blowing on suppliers and contractors who wanted to engage in malpractices and that integrity groups that had been formed within the company structures was another approach aimed at minimizing thefts.
Labels: COPPER, COPPERBELT PROVINCE
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‘C/belt Province has only one dialysis machine’
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Sun 27 June 2010, 03:00 CAT
LOTTERY Club of Kitwe north president Moshin Chakera has said it is a shame that the Copperbelt Province has only one dialysis machine for patients with kidney complications. And Chakera has disclosed that the club has embarked on a venture to raise about US $36,000 for the purchase of a dialysis machine for Kitwe Central Hospital.
Speaking during his induction as Lottery Club of Kitwe North district 9210 president, Chakera said there was need for cooperating partners to join hands with the Lottery Club in raising funds for purchase of the dialysis machine for Kitwe Central Hospital.
He said it was sad to note that more than 2,000 patients with kidney complications and other related diseases were struggling to have access to the only dialysis machine at Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) Mine Hospital in Chililabomwbe.
“We believe that a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. As Lottery Club of Kitwe North we have prioritised the need to purchase the dialysis machine for our brothers and sisters with kidney problems. It is a shame that the whole Copperbelt has one dialysis machine at KCM Mine Hospital and a lot of people are suffering because some don’t have access to that machine. We need to work together to purchase this critical machine,” Chakera said.
And speaking earlier Lottery Club of Kitwe North past president Clement Tafeni said the future of Lottery Club was in the hands of the people hence the need for the community to come together in supporting various community programmmes that the club had embarked on.
He said Lottery Club members had endeavored to mobilise resources towards the needy in society. And Ecobank Zambia managing director Charity Lumpa noted the various projects the Lottery Club had carried out over the years.
She said Ecobank realises that corporate entities should collaborate with the government and charity organisations by taking an active role in the development of the communities.
Labels: CHARITY LUMPA, COPPERBELT PROVINCE, ECOBANK, HEALTHCARE, LOTTERY CLUB OF KITWE, MOSHIN CHAKERA
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UPND urges probe on MMD C/belt task force chairperson
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Wed 02 June 2010, 04:00 CAT
OPPOSITION UPND on the Copperbelt has accused the MMD of dubiously funding its Copperbelt task force chairperson Joel Malanji who is allegedly dishing out money and promising to construct a footbridge across the Kafue River at Mufuchani.
But Malanji, who is also Zambia Golf Union president, said his track record of working and organising community projects cannot be disputed considering the successes of the Zambia Open golf tournament where millions of kwacha are raised to stage the international championships.
In a statement, Copperbelt UPND vice youth chairman Kelly Jibinga challenged the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), the anti-money laundering unit to institute investigations on Malanji’s rugs to riches’ story since he does not own a credible business entity.
“As UPND, we have done a distant audit of Malanji’s briefcase activities that is, his past and present operations, and we found that Malanji does not have a credible business entity to warrant his pledge to build a K660 million footbridge and Malanji is further reported to have been dishing out money to a gathering in Ndola,” Jibinga stated.
“We believe Malanji is just an average Zambian currently living in a rented house. So we question his sudden sources of huge amounts of money but we strongly believe that MMD is abusing government resources which they are dubiously funding Malanji to win them support on the Copperbelt and in return Malanji has been promised to contest Kwacha Constituency in 2011 elections so we demand that ZRA and the Anti-money laundering unit to investigate Malanji’s rugs to riches story.”
But Malanji dismissed the allegations saying that MMD was going ahead to work with the community and in the interim would give people of Kakolo a footbridge to enhance interconnectivity of residents.
“This is not first time I am spearheading the raising of funds, colossal amounts of money like that, I have raised funds for the community, even last year people were wondering how we were going to raise funds for the Zambia golf open but we went to corporate houses and managed to raise more than US $240,000 (over K1.2 billion) basically to be a leader is not just politicking by promising things that cannot be delivered but you must show your prowess by having a track record on implementation of activities and I am coming from that angle,” Malanji reacted.
“The UPND’s cry that I am doing those things because I am eyeing Kwacha, that can’t hold water since as a leader even if I am vying for a post I have to show my prowess now and people see how I am able to coordinate the community, so if their (UPND) cry is that I am doing those things because I want to be adopted or get support for MMD is unfortunate. And I am even surprised that UPND can come out attacking people on the Copperbelt because as far as we are concerned UPND is on sale, their last offer based on a take it or leave it terms is from PF, so they are not in existence anymore and should keep quiet and let those individuals working for the people to continue.”
On Jibinga’s challenge to the ZRA and the anti-money laundering unit to institute investigations on his business activities, Malanji said it was not his obligation to display properties he owned to the UPND.
“I am told when delivering these statements Jibinga was in a taxi and I don’t know who even paid for the taxi fare but let him know that just from my cars they are worth over K1.5 billion so if he says Malanji is an average person, I don’t know what he takes for an average person and I am not worth less than K5 billion so I wonder what Jibinga meant by saying Malanji is an average person,” said Malanji.
“The people he went and picked are those that have got boats at Kafue River and they are afraid that when there is a bridge they won’t be charging people K10,000 they charge when ferrying people to cross the river and no sane person will say no to a bridge since it is development.”
Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, MMD, UPND
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Democracy is the recipe for evil, says C/belt MMD chief
By Abigail Chaponda in Ndola
Mon 24 May 2010, 04:01 CAT
MMD youths on Saturday scrambled over money thrown at them by Copperbelt task force chairperson Joe Malanji during a party mobilisation exercise in Ndola’s Chipulukusu Compound.
And Copperbelt provincial chairman Joseph Chilambwe has said democracy is the recipe for anything evil. As cadres were singing and dancing to solidarity songs, Malanji threw an undisclosed amount of K20,000 notes at them.
The excited youths stopped singing and started scrambling and tussling over the money. The situation was only calmed by MMD Ndola vice publicity secretary Alex Mubanga. Malanji also told Chipulukusu residents to start campaigning because the MMD government was doing a lot for them.
“There are people from the opposition, they don’t have manifestos and they insult, they even insult investors, attacking investors. Antagonising these people (investors) is espionage. A lot of people have been opening their mouths insulting President Banda every day, President Banda is a good father and husband,” he said.
“I am challenging Chipulukusu ward to perform and I have left K1 million for logistics so that you can organise a big rally and we have given you one month to do that.”
And in an unreasoned outburst, Chilambwe blamed the media for the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election violence allegedly championed by the MMD, accusing the media of abusing freedom of speech and failing to explain to the people the meaning of democracy.
He said that the violence in Mufumbwe was brought about by the press because they could not censor what they were writing.
“The press is to blame for what happened in Mufumbwe because they have failed to explain to the people about freedom of speech and democracy because they want to protect themselves,” he said.
“In other countries democracy brings about anarchy and civil war. Democracy is the recipe of anything evil.”
Chilambwe further charged that FDD president Edith Nawakwi was an uncounselled woman because she was allegedly insulting President Rupiah Banda.
Chilambwe speaking in Bemba said, “Nawakwi nichitongo, kuliyena tashalilile (Nawakwi is uncounselled, traditional drums did not sound)”.
And Chilambwe claimed that former defence minister George Mpombo resigned from his ministerial position because he wanted to be appointed Republican vice-president but President Banda denied him the opportunity.
“… Now we are challenging him to resign. MMD has done a lot for Mpombo, I am the one who picked him up and pleaded with the late president to give him chance,” he said.
Labels: CADRES, COPPERBELT PROVINCE, CORRUPTION, DEMOCRACY, JOSEPH CHILAMBWE, MMD
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