It's impossible to fight corruption without journalists - Kitwe DC
By Post Staff
Fri 04 May 2012, 14:00 CAT
KITWE district commissioner Elias Kamanga says it is impossible to fight corruption and enhance good governance without the watchful eye of journalists. And information and broadcasting minister Fackson Shamenda has assured the media in Zambia that they are free to operate independently.
Commemorating the World Press Freedom Day in Kitwe yesterday, Kamanga said access to information remains one of the crucial tenets of democracy, the rule of law and upholding of human rights in the country.
He said the media was the fourth estate in every democratic society and it was no doubt the fundamental principle of separation of powers.
Kamanga said President Michael Sata and the PF government held the media in high esteem because of the significant role it played of providing checks and balances to various institutions and the government.
"This year's Press Freedom Day beckons the commitment the government has shown towards having a constitution that guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of the press. The government has reiterated about its commitment to seeing that the Freedom of Information Bill is enacted into law because it appreciates the power of information in the socio-economic development of the country," Kamanga said.
He said the importance of free flow of information in a democratic dispensation like Zambia could not be overemphasised as the government recognised how information could influence society.
Kamanga said World Press Freedom Day should offer citizens, journalists and stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on the need for Zambia to have a piece of legislation that would guarantee freedom of the media in the country.
And Shamenda said freedom of the press was not only a campaign promise but it was also enshrined in the PF's manifesto.
"On behalf of the President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, I would like to assure you that you are free," Shamenda said.
He cautioned, however, that press freedom should be accompanied with responsibility by its custodians.
"There is also a clause that you should be responsible because there are others also who would like to enjoy their freedom. So I would like to make it very clear, that friends in the media you can never get any better assurances than you are getting now," he said.
Shamenda said journalists must strive to uphold good principles in their duties even amidst political pressure.
"Some of you offered your services and became mercenaries, Judas Iscariots. Honestly, can you say for you to produce a documentary of Chanda Chiimba the III, you blame the MMD? I think individuals should have basic principles, at least the minimum," he said in reference to the freelance journalist credited for the infamous Stand Up for Zambia documentaries.
"Even Judas Iscariot realised what he did was bad, so he killed himself after betraying Jesus."
He said journalists in some other countries were being murdered and that he could only imagine if Zambian journalists would qualify to practice in those countries because some of them were ‘chickens'."
"Fortunately, we equally have among ourselves those who were courageous journalists even before they were given this freedom; so now feel free, you have the freedom to learn what you practiced," Shamenda said. "You should be celebrating and telling the world about how a free press can be achieved."
He said the challenge was now up to the journalists to help the government to come with legislation to protect journalists and those that would come after them.
Shamenda also sought to know why the media were dragging their feet on the launch of the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) which had the blessings of the PF government.
And Zambia Union of Journalists (ZUJ) president Anthony Mulowa urged the public media to take advantage of the government's assurance that it was free to operate professionally and independently.
Mulowa also urged the media to endeavour to capture divergent issues that affect society apart from politics.
And commemorating World Press Freedom Day in Chipata, Eastern Province minister Charles Banda said media freedom plays a crucial role in the transformation of society.
Banda said a free media transforms societies by simplifying the decision-making process with information such as empowering individuals to take control of their destines.
He urged journalists not to be used as tools of oppression but report objectively to help transform societies.
"As government, we shall ensure that we provide good legislation that would make the media flourish. Most importantly, we want to see improved conditions for the scribes so that they do not compromise their ethics by accepting bribes or favours from news sources," said Banda.
Southern Province minister Obvious Mwaliteta praised the media for playing an important role in the transformation of societies which resonated well with the PF's manifesto.
In reference to Robiana Muteka whose case was highlighted by the Post Lifestyle, Mwaliteta in a speech read on his behalf by Southern Province permanent secretary Edwin Zumbunu said the media was a mirror of society, hence the government's interest to see progress in the enactment of the Freedom of Information Bill.
"This year's theme underscores the importance of the media to transforming societies…just here in Livingstone; we had a case of Robiana Muteka who had a growing tumour on his body. After the case was reported in the local media, the PF government facilitated for Robiana to be taken to Lusaka for specialist treatment," said Mwaliteta.
And former MISA Zambia chairperson Fr Frank Bwalya said young journalists should be courageous when executing their daily duties.
Fr Bwalya said media practitioners must also uphold professional and ethical demands of the profession.
And former Kitwe town clerk Ali Simwinga said the recently released draft constitution which had a clause on press freedom had addressed past imbalances.
Simwinga said the media, being the fourth estate, was an important stakeholder and journalists in the country must be extremely proud to belong to the profession.
Labels: CORRUPTION, ELIAS KAMANGA, FACKSON SHAMENDA, JOURNALISM, WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
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Kamanga dismisses MMD’s allegations against him
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Wed 20 July 2011, 14:00 CAT
KITWE mayor Elias Kamanga says the manoeuvres by Copperbelt MMD task force chairman Joe Malanji to incriminate him of corruption will never help the MMD to gain popularity on the Copperbelt.
Speaking at a press conference at Kitwe’s Ndeke Community Hall, Kamanga said the allegations by the MMD that he corruptly allocated land to his relatives and friends in Bupe Ward were ridiculous and meant to tarnish his image.
Kamanga said he was waiting for the police to summon him again or be taken to court over the MMD-orchestrated allegations that he had abused his office and gave late President Levy Mwanawasa’s son Patrick fuel from the Kitwe City Council account.
“Malanji has surprisingly appointed himself my campaign manager. He is going round Robert Compound and other places in my ward with ZNBC and parading MMD cadres to level all sorts of allegations against me. I’ve personally suffered and fought for the plight of the people of Robert Compound and I will never allow the MMD to lie to the nation through state-controlled media,” Kamanga said.
He said the persecutions he was going through were because he and other councillors questioned the manner in which prominent businessmen in the city and MMD cadres were given prime land meant for infrastructure development without the consent of a full council.
Kamanga said he was ready to be investigated so that the truth could be established and for Zambians to determine who was corrupt between him as mayor of the city and the MMD cadres who had connived over the dubious land allocations in the city.
He said he would fight had and ensure that the intercity bus terminus and other envisaged projects were built without being frustrated by the MMD cadres on the Copperbelt.
“We should not take the people of Kitwe for granted. The residents want to see development and as Kitwe mayor and my fellow PF councillors, we want to leave that intercity bus terminus as a legacy that we worked. It is unfortunate that we have disgruntled people that want to frustrate what we have laboured for but it will never happen,” Kamanga said.
Malanji last week reported Kamanga at Kitwe’s Riverside police station accusing him of abuse of office and allocating land illegally.
Malanji further accused the Kitwe mayor of giving Patrick Mwanawasa fuel for campaigns on the council account.
Police are still investigating the matter.
Labels: CORRUPTION, ELIAS KAMANGA, JOE MALANJI, MMD
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Rupiah can’t bring me down - Patrick
By Chibaula Silwamba
Wed 13 July 2011, 12:01 CAT
RUPIAH Banda cannot bring me down, vows Patrick Mwanawasa. Reacting to MMD-orchestrated allegations that Kitwe mayor Elias Kamanga gave him fuel for campaign purposes, Patrick said President Banda and his crew were behind the unfounded allegations against him but vowed that they would not succeed in bringing him down.
Patrick, the eldest son of the late president Levy Mwanawasa, who appointed Banda his vice-president, warned that the head of state’s stubbornness would be his downfall and he would be removed from power as did happen to Ivory Coast’s Laurent Gbagbo.
“I can’t go down. I don’t see myself going down because I am going to fight to the hilt. Rupiah Banda cannot bring me down; in the end it will be him who is going to bring himself down because he is stubborn,” Patrick said.
“If he President Banda continues with his stubbornness, after the elections he will be embarrassed just like Laurent Gbagbo was embarrassed for refusing to leave office after losing power.”
Patrick denied ever obtaining fuel from Kitwe City Council.
“I never got any fuel from his worship the mayor of Kitwe Elias Kamanga. Due to his high integrity standing, I cannot see how he and I can be a subject of such frivolous allegations,” Patrick said.
“Nowhere in the information brought before the law enforcement authority is there any evidence which suggests that I was the direct or indirect beneficiary of any fuel.”
Patrick expressed disappointment that the Zambia Police Force could entertain the allegations leveled against him and Kamanga by Copperbelt Province MMD Task Force chairman Joe Malanji that they drew fuel from Kitwe City Council.
He wondered why the police wanted to pursue him and Kamanga while ignoring “criminals” in Cabinet that were abusing public resources for campaigns.
“Ambassador Malanji who runs a jungle jim of monkeys and clowns as MMD Task Force on the Copperbelt is merely implementing the plans of his masters. His masters are Rupiah Banda and crew,” Patrick said.
“Malanji’s masters are determined to destroy everything that president Levy Mwanawasa left behind, including me. They are determined to ensure that my political career does not take off. They have insatiable desire to shamelessly reduce me into a pauper. They would rather be comfortable to see me wearing the same black suit I wore at my father’s funeral.”
Patrick said President Banda and his crew were oppressing him because he refused to support them and they were determined to crash anybody who rendered any form of assistant to him or anybody that preserved the word and works of Mwanawasa.
He said that such unacceptable behaviour was the highest level of cruelty against human capital that must not be allowed to continue.
“They are accusing his worship the mayor Elias Kamanga of abusing public resources but the President, the Vice-President and ministers are traversing this country using government vehicles and public resources to go and campaign.
This is hypocrisy. Who are the criminals now? In fact, the police should start investigating ministers that are using government vehicles for campaigns,” said Patrick.
According to yesterday’s Zambia Daily Mail and ZNBC, the Kitwe City Council has grabbed the mayoral vehicle from Kamanga over allegations that he was using it for campaign purposes. This followed Malanji’s allegations against Kamanga.
Malanji further accused Kamanga of having refueled Patrick’s vehicle with 73.4 litres of petrol worth K635, 000 on the account of the Kitwe City Council.
Labels: ELIAS KAMANGA, MMD, PATRICK MWANAWASA, PF, RUPIAH BANDA
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COMMENT - " all councils were agents of the central government through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. " I would say there is room for decentralization, and it will not happen under the MMD.
Rupiah wants to tarnish PF councils’ image - Katema
By Misheck Wangwe and Kabanda Chulu
Fri 22 Apr. 2011, 04:00 CAT
IT hurts to see that Zambians have a President who propagates lies on the performance of PF-controlled councils, says Dr Joseph Katema.
Commenting on President Rupiah Banda’s remarks that Patriotic Front-controlled councils on the Copperbelt had failed to deliver the much-needed development, Dr Katema, who is Chingola member of parliament, said it was sad that the country had a President who could not take responsibility over the failures of his government.
Dr Katema said President Banda’s government was holding on to money which was meant for developmental programmes such as the rehabilitation of roads to make people feel that PF-controlled councils were not performing.
“We are ready to work and we’ve done what we can within our means. We can’t construct the roads because we don’t have enough money and it’s solely the responsibility of the central government and its line agents, the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the National Road Fund. Rupiah is simply politicking; he wants to tarnish the image of the PF because his government has failed the people,” said Dr Katema.
And Nchanga parliamentarian Wylbur Simuusa said President Banda would not gain political mileage by blaming the PF over lack of development on the Copperbelt.
He said people were already aware that the government had failed to deliver development’ hence they had opted to support the PF.
“Unfortunately, Zambia has a leader who claims to be a president for all but national wealth is distributed in a discriminate manner because he wants people to change their minds and vote for the MMD. These are cheap politics that will not in any way help him to woo the electorate to vote for him,” said Simuusa.
And Roan member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili said councils were failing to meet the needs of people in many ways because President Banda’s government was not releasing enough money for development.
Kambwili said it was not feasible for councils to operate effectively when the government was not providing sufficient funds.
“Rupiah is like a bad carpenter who always blames his tools. If there is no money coming from central government, he should not expect the councils to perform. The budget of Luanshya Municipal Council is K14 billion. To do one kilometre of a road is 2.5 billion.
You should ask Rupiah what he expects us to do to meet all these demands of our people if his Cabinet is holding on to money. Surely our people want us to attend to their needs not politics every time,” he said.
Kambwili said the wisest thing for the electorate to do was to vote out President Banda and his government because he had failed the people.
And Nkana parliamentarian Mwenya Musenge said President Banda’s directive will not sway the minds of voters who have already made their choice.
Musenge described President Banda’s press conference as an embarrassment to the nation because it failed to address issues affecting people on the Copperbelt.
“His (President Banda) decision will have minimal impact because most people have already paid for the houses and the very few with balances have also paid over 80 per cent and it is cheap propaganda to think that over 3,000 people who shall benefit from the write-off will sway the minds of voters on the Copperbelt because they have already decided to do away with MMD,” said Musenge.
“If anything, President Banda has landed himself into trouble because he should also address the plight of former UBZ, CH, Monarch Steel, Mpelembe Properties and many retirees who are suffering and sleeping at Intercity Bus Terminus while waiting for their pensions.
Actually, we expected him to present findings of audit reports because he made similar allegations last year.”
And Kitwe mayor Elias Kamanga has said President Banda’s criticism of PF-led councils on the poor state of the roads is misplaced since the service was withdrawn and given to the RDA.
Kamanga said there was nothing like PF-controlled councils since all councils were agents of the central government through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
“Problems affecting councils are the same. In fact, they are worse in MMD-led councils like Kalulushi, Luanshya and Chililabombwe and why criticise councils on the state of roads when this service has been taken over by the RDA and councils just submit work plans?” wondered Kamanga.
Labels: COUNCILS, DECENTRALIZATION, ELIAS KAMANGA, JOSEPH KATEMA, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PF, RUPIAH BANDA, WYLBUR SIMUUSA
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Kitwe mayor calls for prudent management of mining activities
By Darious Kapembwa and Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Sun 20 Feb. 2011, 03:59 CAT
KITWE mayor Elias Kamanga says management of mining and mine-related activities has continued to be an environmental challenge for Kitwe and other mining towns. And Copperbelt minister Mwansa Mbulakulima says more needs to be done to ensure sustainable environmental management.
During the launch of the Kitwe District State of Environment Outlook Report at Hotel Edinburgh, Kamanga said population growth and the unmatched investment in supporting infrastructure also remained a challenge for the district.
“These challenges, however, require stakeholder collaboration in addressing them. For this reason, the report also proposes actions, which must be undertaken to enhance environmental management at district level. My council on its part will endeavour to undertake all actions proposed in this report in order to avoid consequences of poor environmental management,” he said.
Kamanga urged mining companies such as KCM and Mopani to put the report to effective use in responding to the challenges caused by the mining industry.
And Mbulakulima, who was represented by Kitwe district commissioner Macdonald Mtine, claimed that the government had made significant progress in addressing many environmental challenges the past few decades.
“Pollution from industrial sources has been reduced; forest coverage and the number and size of natural protected areas have increased with forests covering an estimated 60 per cent of land area, ozone depleting substances have largely been phased out and the use of natural resources improved,” Mbulakulima said.
He said the remaining environmental challenges being experienced were of complex or global nature and their impacts might only become apparent over a long time frame.
He named the challenges as climate change, ozone depletion, the unsustainable management of water resources and the health impacts of pollution and hazardous chemicals.
Mbulakulima said the government had established legal and institutional frameworks to guide environmental management in Zambia by enacting laws and regulations and developing plans and programmes that include the National Conservation Strategy of 1985 and the Environmental Action Plan of 1994, the environmental protection and pollution control Act of 1990 which led to the subsequent establishment of Environmental Council of Zambia among others.
Mbulakulima said achieving sustainable development in Zambia required access to data and information so that decision makers would reach the level of knowledge and understanding needed for successful programme planning and service delivery.
Labels: ELIAS KAMANGA, ENVIRONMENT, MWANSA MBULAKULIMA, POLLUTION
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It’s irresponsible for govt to give title of any market to an association - mayor
By Speedwell Mupuchi in Kitwe
Fri 24 Dec. 2010, 04:40 CAT
IT will be a serious mark of irresponsibility for the government to give a title deed for any market in Zambia to an association, says Kitwe Mayor Elias Kamanga.
Kamanga’s remarks come in the wake of Zambia National Marketeers Association (ZANAMA) chairman general Elvis Nkandu’s plea to Vice-President George Kunda who on Monday officiated at their convention that the government should deliver its promise of a title deed for Chisokone Market.
In an interview, Kamanga said according to the current law, markets and bus stations were public amenities owned by the people through elected representatives.
He said people expected political will from the government and Vice-President Kunda to implement the markets and bus stations Act.
“We believe Honorable George Kunda as Vice-President and Minister of Justice was an architect of this particular law. We are lost when we start witnessing the same government that came up with the law choosing to totally disregard it,” said Kamanga.
President Rupiah Banda last year promised ZANAMA that his government would consider giving it a title deed for Chisokone Market.
Kamanga also dismissed as misplaced complaints by Nkandu that his association was being frustrated by PF-run councils.
“Actually it’s associations like ZANAMA that have been frustrating and interfering with legally mandated institutions like authorities from implementing the law as established,” said Kamanga.
“According to the local government Act Cap 281 of the laws of Zambia and the markets and bus stations Act number 7 of 2007, the management of markets and bus stations in the entire country is placed in the hands of local authorities. I wonder what interference Nkandu is accusing the council of.”
Kamanga said councils were legally mandated to collect levies from traders in a market.
He said it was amazing for Vice-President Kunda to refer to local authorities on the Copperbelt as Patriotic Front councils when all their budgets were approved and sanctioned by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
He said the amount of energy used to attack the PF over councils it dominates should be spared to repair badly damaged roads on the Copperbelt, particularly Chibuluma, Mindolo and Central streets which were ring roads for Kitwe.
“It won’t help this country trying to apportion blame on the poor state of affairs in the country on political parties holding majorities in these regions. The local government system has collapsed and we should be doing together to revamp the local government system rather than blame Sata who is not in control of government coffers,” he said.
Kamanga said Zambia was lowest in the Commonwealth in terms of budgetary support to local government.
Kamanga said the government should re-look its budgetary support to councils before accusing them of failing to perform their functions.
Labels: ELIAS KAMANGA, GEORGE KUNDA, LOCAL MARKETS, MARKETEERS, ZANAMA
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Kitwe mayor complains to Chituwo over provincial officer's conduct
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Fri 19 Nov. 2010, 04:04 CAT
KITWE mayor Elias Kamanga has urged Copperbelt Province local government officer Solomon Sakala not to behave like a policeman or a school prefect for mayors on the Copperbelt.
Reacting to Sakala’s threats of disciplinary action on him for allegedly going out of the country without clearance from Cabinet Office, Kamanga said Sakala’s threats were totally misplaced. Kamanga said he found Sakala’s threats quite strange, especially that he was not his supervisor.
“Is it not amazing that the office of the provincial local government officer should threaten the office of the mayor which by government protocol is equivalent to deputy minister?” he wondered.
“It is actually gross insubordination for a provincial local government officer to dress down my office and indeed any mayor in the press in the manner that has now become fashionable for the provincial local government officer.”
Kamanga said he had since complained to local government minister Dr Brian Chituwo over Sakala’s conduct.
He said he was comforted by the fact that Dr Chituwo agreed with him that Sakala had overstepped his limits by addressing himself to the elected office of mayor.
He said he had been very reluctant to issue press statements because he did not want his office and the council at large to be misunderstood but that the continued innuendoes and insinuations in some sections of the media had made it imperative for him to clear the air.
Kamanga said, in fact, the Zambian delegation to the meeting he went for in Namibia was led by local government deputy minister Moses Muteteka and that before he went out of the country, he personally phoned Dr Chituwo, who said it was okay for him to go.
When contacted, Sakala said he did not want to comment on the matter.
“I do not want to comment. I have never spoken to Mr Kamanga,” said Sakala.
Local government permanent secretary Timothy Hakuyu said he could only make a proper comment after fully understanding the context of the briefing by Kamanga. However, Hakuyu said the issue of quarreling in the press over seniority was unacceptable.
Labels: BRIAN CHITUWO, ELIAS KAMANGA, SOLOMON SAKALA
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