Don’t condemn the Chinese, says Rupiah
Thursday, October 21, 2010, 13:58
President Rupiah Banda has urged Zambians not to condemn Chinese nationals following the mine shooting in Sinazongwe district saying many other foreigners were responsible for shooting citizens in the country.
President Banda said this before his departure for Mpulungu where he is going to drum up support for the ruling MMD’s parliamentary candidate Given Mungomba, ahead of the October 25th by-election.
“I think lets be careful that we don’t single out people, everyday people are shot by Zambians, they are shot by whites, they are shot by Americans, they are shot by everybody and you know this business of Chinese… Chinese.. it’s like you want to create a phobia against people, that’s obviously wrong,” President Banda said.
He explained that government was acting on the matter and asked citizens to remain patient while the law took its course.
“Government is taking its position, we have detained these people, we have had discussions with the ambassador and he too agrees with us, and he has advised his people to follow the labour laws of this country.”
“…In this country, I want everybody to feel at home, if they make a mistake, they face the wrath of the law. So I don’t like what happened there and the law is taking its course,” he said.
The President then advised the opposition not to politicize the issue where 12 miners and a passer-by were shot and seriously wounded by management at a Chinese owned Collum Coal Mine when they attempted to present their grievances on conditions of service.
“We too as politicians, let’s not politicize labour issues. There are problems every day, when a country is growing it means that investors are coming from everywhere. On the Copper belt, we have big investments which are coming up. They are employing 10 thousand 15 thousand people… there has to be problems,” He said.
And President Banda said it was wrong for opposition PF leader Michael Sata to continue referring to the late Mpulungu member of parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo in order to gain political mileage.
“It’s also not nice to talk about a brother who is late, and if I hated Chibombamilimo, I would not have taken him to the Hospital in India.”
“The time when his condition deteriorated and we were advised that he needed to be taken to a hospital with better facilities, he was already not in good books with his party, but he is a Zambian,” he said.
The President further claimed that Chibombamilimo was very close to him and the first family.
“For your information, Mr. Chibombamilimo was very close to me, but that does not mean that he cannot be disciplined if he makes a mistake, even my biological children, I discipline them if they make a mistake, that does not mean hatred,” he said.
Labels: LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, RUPIAH BANDA
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RB hated Chibombamilimo even in his death - Sata
By George Chellah in Mpulungu
Thu 21 Oct. 2010, 04:00 CAT
PF leader Michael Sata yesterday said President Rupiah Banda passionately hated Lameck Chibombamilimo even in his death.
Sata, who has made it a tradition to open his rallies with a replay of President Banda’s address to MMD cadres where he vowed to fire Chibombamilimo and defeat him whenever a by-election was called in Mpulungu, told people at Chisanza village, which is perched by the shores of Lake Tanganyika near the Tanzanian border, that President Banda was extremely bitter with Chibombamilimo.
“Rupiah Banda passionately hated Chibombamilimo even in his death. He was so bitter with him such that even when he was addressing MMD cadres before sacking him, he said ‘Chibombamilimo is a useless young man, I will sack him and I will follow him and defeat him.’ Even MMD national chairman Mabenga said Chibombamilimo was useless,” he said.
Sata said President Banda did not regard the late Chibombamilimo as a human being. He said it was out of shame that President Banda grudgingly sent Chibombamilimo to India for specialist treatment.
“This was after I personally went and saw the young man in hospital and thereafter came and complained in the press over the manner the government treated him,” Sata said. “Even when he was in India no one visited him at the hospital. Not even the staff and the Zambian High Commission in India went to visit him.
“As if that was not enough, when Chibombamilimo finally died the government brought his remains in a coffin which looked like those in which they bury prisoners. That’s how Rupiah hated Chibombamilimo even in his death.”
Sata said even when PF went to mourn Chibombamilimo at the house of mourning, they were beaten by MMD cadres like dogs.
Sata said Mabenga echoed President Banda’s hatred for Chibombamilimo. He said health minister Kapembwa Simbao and home affairs deputy minister Gaston Sichilima betrayed the late Chibombamilimo.
Sata said President Banda had no regard for them no wonder he opted to take electricity and better roads to Kasaba Bay, which he has sold to his friend instead of ensuring that the entire Mpulungu constituency was electrified. Sata also took time to visit Chisanza Primary School, which is in a very deplorable state.
“I visited Chisanza Primary School and I found that the pupils are not learning because the teachers have deserted the school to go for census. It’s now 46 years after Independence and we still have schools without desks, roof and chalk board. It’s a shame,” Sata said.
“If our elders who hail from here like the late John Mwanakatwe were to come back from their graves today, they would wish they never fought for this country’s independence because their children have been neglected.”
Immediately after the rally at Chisanza village, Sata sailed across Lake Tanganyika rushing for another rally at Niamukolo village later in the afternoon.
At Niamukolo village, Sata told a huge crowd that they had a task of rescuing themselves from misery and poverty brought about by the MMD.
“It’s up to you because even Jesus Christ said cry for yourselves and your children. We wanted to hold a meeting where George Kunda held his recently but the headmaster said ‘you are PF get out!’ Forgetting that this man PF candidate Freedom Sikazwe will come and speak for him when he gets to Parliament,” Sata said.
“Our youths were arrested just for moving with a boat. Today, they were taken to court and they said each one of them must pay K250, 000. I have sent my deputy national secretary Emmanuel Musonda to go and pay for their bail.”
He urged the people not to be cheated.
“They are cheating you that when you elect Sata he will bring war. Why didn’t I do that when they stole votes in 2006 and 2008? They stole our votes and I am still here peacefully,” Sata said. “Chibombamilimo brought this road which we will remember him for but Simbao who is health minister has even failed to bring you a wheelbarrow.”
Sata urged people to sleep at polling stations and defend their votes.
Labels: LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MICHAEL SATA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Kunda in Mpulungu to celebrate Chibombamilimo’s death – Sata
By George Chellah in Mpulungu
Tue 19 Oct. 2010, 14:00 CAT
PF leader Michael Sata yesterday said it is clear that Vice-President George Kunda is in Mpulungu to celebrate Lameck Chibombamilimo's death. Sata, who yesterday began his campaign tour for the forthcoming Mpulungu parliamentary by-election, said he was saddened by Vice-President Kunda's conduct in Mpulungu.
“George was in Mpulungu and throughout his visit he didn't even bother to apologise for the way they treated Chibombamilimo. What sort of human beings are they who do not respect human life?” Sata asked.
“They neglected Chibombamilimo and as if that was not enough, they couldn't even have the courage to apologise for all the ill treatment they subjected our departed colleague.”
Sata said Vice-President Kunda's conduct was shameful.
“You saw Gastone Sichilima who is Mambwe by tribe from Mbala, Lucy Changwe from Mkushi and Moses Muteteka were dancing as if there was anything to dance for when it is not a secret that their colleague was ill-treated. How do you dance at a funeral?” Sata asked.
“People should have respect for human life. You can't go in an area and start dancing like it’s not a human being who died. They showed no remorse and respect for Chibombamilimo.”
Sata said the behaviour of the MMD team which was recently in Mpulungu was un-African.
“If you don't show respect for the dead in an African society, people will never give a replacement. It is most unfortunate that while George Kunda was busy saying that Mpulungu was an MMD seat, he never sympathised with the family of the late Chibombamilimo,” Sata said.
“George was more concerned with the seat and not Chibombamilimo and the family he left behind. Probably this explains why health minister Kapembwa Simbao never even bothered to visit Chibombamilimo when he was in hospital despite him been Minister of Health."
Labels: LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MICHAEL SATA
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Chibombamilimo’s influence can’t be dismissed – Sichilima
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Tue 07 Sep. 2010, 11:10 CAT
File Picture: Mbala MMD member of parliament Gaston Sichilima has said.
THE late Lameck Chibombamilimo’s influence cannot be dismissed, Mbala MMD member of parliament Gaston Sichilima has said.
In an interview, Sichilima said Chibombamilimo’s influence in Mpulungu could not be dismissed owing to the number of developmental projects he initiated in the area. Recently, MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga dismissed late Chibombamilimo as not being a factor in the forthcoming by-election.
Sichilima said although Mabenga had earlier issued a statement dismissing Chibombamilimo as a factor in the forthcoming by-election, the fallen legislator was still a factor and had a following.
“He Chibombamilimo was MMD member of parliament and what we are doing is working for the MMD,” he said.
Sichilima denied growing assertions that MMD was losing ground in Mpulungu and Mbala.
“There is no way MMD can lose ground in Mpulungu,” he said. “We are working, we have been working and we will continue working. The people are with us and we have delivered. Mpulungu is just a district that has been born out of Mbala district. So, the level of development in Mpulungu is equal to the mother district. In short, MMD is far away from anybody that would want to come there Mpulungu.”
Sichilima said Mpulungu suffered from severe underdevelopment when it was under the control of the opposition.
And Sichilima said the selection of MMD parliamentary candidate was still open and that the ruling party would not impose a candidate on the people of Mpulungu.
“We are a democratic party and the candidature the people are going to give us is the person we are going to put in there,” said Sichilima. “We are not like these other political parties who go to impose candidates.”
Labels: GASTON SICHILEMA, LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MICHAEL MABENGA, MMD
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SACCORD condemns MMD cadres’ violence
By Salim Dawood
Mon 16 Aug. 2010, 04:01 CAT
Southern African Center for Constructive Resolution of Dispute (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda says the behavior of MMD cadres during the funeral of late Mpulungu member of Parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo is shameful and disgusting.
Habasonda was commenting on the MMD cadres beating of their party’s Chilanga parliamentarian Ng'andu Magande when he visited Chibomabamilimo's funeral house and the violence that characterised the requiem service at the Seventh Day Adventist church (UNZA) branch in Lusaka.
He said SACCORD was appalled that violence had become a trend at political gatherings and was now extending to funerals.
He said the behaviour of the MMD cadres at the funeral testified the party’s lack of respect for their late member despite their pronouncements that he was a honorable member of their party.
“The behavior is unacceptable and incompatible with both our traditional values as Zambians and to civilised politics. Zambians are known to bury their differences during funerals and mourn in peace and unity, that is why we must be ashamed of the violence that characterised the funeral,” Habasonda said.
He said funerals should be dignified occasions including church premises where requiem services where taking place and therefore turning funeral venues into political battlefields was worrying.
He said no matter how indecent a community was and no matter how much contempt people had for a person that died, the funeral place was the last place to fight and show their disrespect
He said it was unfortunate that young cadres could resort to even harassing and beating up an elderly person like Magande.
“We find it despicable that former Minster of Finance minister Ng'andu Magande was harassed by
young people. As SACCORD we strongly condemn that because no matter how strongly you differ you should not beat up elders especially at funerals,” he said.
He said political leaders were nurturing political hooligans who were potentially able to turn against them and subject them to the same violence if there was a political difference.
“The ones that are orchestrating and commanding violence against people should remember that they are creating a culture of intolerance and bloodshed and that they will be victims of the same violence when they have a political fallout,” he said.
Habasonda demanded that political leaders publicly condemn the violence by their cadres and restrain them form further violence.
He called on political leaders to ensure that party youths and cadres became advocates of peace and tolerance.
MMD cadres last Thursday beat up Magande and stole his phone when he visited the funeral house of Chibombamilimo and they also beat up and injured several PF cadres and a talk time vendor during the requiem service at Roma SDA church (UNZA) branch.
Labels: CADRES, FUNERALS, LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, LEE HABASONDE, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, SACCORD
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MMD leaders shedding crocodile tears over Chibombamilimo - Magande
By Patson Chilemba
Sun 15 Aug. 2010, 04:01 CAT
Chilanga MMD member of parliament Ng’andu Magande (in red tie) at the funeral of Mpulungu MP Lameck Chibombamilimo at UNZA SDA church in Lusaka on Friday. To his left is communications minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa - Picture by Joseph Mwenda
NG’ANDU Magande yesterday said MMD leaders like Michael Mabenga are shedding crocodile tears over the death of Mpulungu member of parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo.
Reacting to MMD national chairman Mabenga that Chibombamilimo’s death had robbed the party of a valuable member, Magande, who is Chilanga MMD member of parliament, said the MMD leaders rejected Chibombamilimo when he was still alive, and therefore could not claim his membership now that he was dead.
“What are they going to do with Chibombamilimo’s body? They should have said ‘you are our member’ even two, three months ago, or even six months ago and reconcile with him. But if you don’t reconcile, you wait until somebody is dead, what is that?” Magande asked.
“That is just crocodile tears. That is what they say in English. Nobody, none of us who are around will say what Mabenga said is correct.”
He said the leaders were saying things they did not believe in. Magande said President Banda was partly to blame over the political and emotional misfortunes that Chibombamilimo encountered before he died.
“It is very clear when you have a head of state mentioning your name and even saying ‘I will follow you wherever you go’. He is head of state for every inch of Zambia, and he is saying ‘wherever you will be standing, wherever you will be walking, I will be there’,” Magande said.
He said the statement the President issued when he fired Chibombamilimo should never be issued by a head of state.
He said President Banda did not even attempt to reconcile with Chibombamilimo after firing him from the government, and later instigating his expulsion from the party.
“I saw younger Lameck going down. He might have been depressed that he has been threatened by a head of state…for anybody to start threatening younger people and then you start losing them through death, who is going to take over to run the country?” Magande asked.
Magande said it was very sad to lose a young politician like Chibombamilimo.
“But then what can one do when you have so many problems? You succumb to so many illnesses and finally you can’t just obviously manage your life when you are under press, Chibombamilimo used to sit right behind me. I could see that as all these political things were being raised, he was losing interest. He seemed to have been low in spirits,” said Magande.
“So other people might not say they were not the ones who caused his death. These days some people are affected by depression depending on how you handle issues concerning them.”
Addressing MMD cadres who marched to State House last year, President Banda dismissed Chibombamilimo and Shakafuswa as deputy ministers of energy and science and technology respectively.
President vowed that he would not end at firing Chibimbamilimo and Shakafuswa from the government but would take them to the MMD national executive committee (NEC) and sack them from the party as well.
Labels: LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MMD, NG'ANDU MAGANDE, RUPIAH BANDA
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Rupiah will meet Chibombamilimo in the Mpulungu by-election
By The Post
Thu 12 Aug. 2010, 04:00 CAT
LAMECK Chibombamilimo was a politician and he died a politician.
And there’s no way politics will be removed from his death. The death of a politician is a political event. All that Lameck did in his political life will be brought up and remembered by our people.
All that was done to him as a politician by anyone will be brought up and remembered by our people. Those who did good things, those who shared good moments political or otherwise will talk about them. In this regard Jonas Shakafuswa shares something very profound, very interesting with Lameck – they were fired the same day at a rally by Rupiah Banda. Both of them were deputy ministers.
And both Jonas and Lameck were also expelled from the party at Rupiah’s instigation. Up to the time of his death, Lameck was keeping his parliamentary seat on a High Court injunction he had obtained to stop Rupiah and his friends from expelling him from the ruling MMD until the legitimacy or lack of it was determined by the court. And this is also the case for Jonas.
To date, there was never any effort by Rupiah and his friends to withdraw the expulsion of Lameck and Jonas from the MMD. Up to the time of his death, Rupiah and his friends still wanted Lameck and Jonas to remain expelled from their party.
They didn’t want them; they were undesirable elements in their eyes who were not fit to be part of the so-called MMD family that Michael Mabenga is talking about. Today, now that Lameck is no more, Mabenga is saying “his death is untimely and tragic. Naturally when such a death occurs, it is a loss to the party because MMD is like a family. We have been robbed of a valuable member”.
How can the death of Lameck be said to have robbed the MMD of a valuable member when they had expelled him and were not in any way prepared to withdraw this expulsion even after many months of it being challenged in court? How can someone they have expelled be said to be a valuable member? This is a lie.
This is hypocrisy. They are simply trapped by their own words and actions against Lameck. It is said that “you will have to live with the consequences of everything you say” (Proverbs 18:20).
Lying and hypocrisy are ugly blots on a person’s character, but unwise people do it all the time. And probably this is why it is said that “a thief is better than a habitual liar, but both are headed for ruin”. A liar has no honour and lives in constant disgrace.
The man they cursed is today said to be a valuable member of MMD! How? And since when did Lameck become their valuable member? Anyway, “when a wicked man curses his enemy, he is cursing himself” (Sirach 21:27).
And “foolish people are always contradicting themselves” ( Sirach 27:11). Truly, liars and hypocrites deserve to be cursed, because they have been the ruin of many people.
Today in death, Lameck is being praised by those who had expelled him from their party.
Those who didn’t want his company and friendship are today claiming to be his friends. Anyway, anyone can claim to be your friend, but some people are friends in name only. Some people will be your friends as long as things are going well, but they will turn against you when trouble comes.
And in eulogies of the departed, the works of the living sometimes bear little relation to reality.
The man they condemned to isolation, loneliness and the depression and death that accompanies it is today being eulogised as a valuable member of their family, of their party. But when he was alive, nothing of this nature could be said about Lameck by them.
In fact, no regard was ever had for his commitment and loyalty to their party. They simply left him to die without putting in much effort to save his life as they do to those they hold dear in their ranks, in the family, in their party. On his death, all sorts of good things are being said about Lameck by them.
Anyway, all men must die, but death can vary in its significance. The ancient Chinese writer Szuma Chien once said, “Though death befalls all men alike, it may be weightier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather.” To die while telling the truth is weightier than to die with lies and hypocrisy. And to die working for dishonesty, telling lies, crooking people is lighter than a feather.
Soon Lameck’s friends, or rather false friends, in the MMD will soon have to meet his people in Mpulungu campaigning in a parliamentary by-election to replace him. What are they going to tell Lameck’s people? Are they going to continue the lie, the hypocrisy that he was a valuable member of their party when they had expelled him?
Politically, Lameck’s death may appear to be a good riddance of a bad member, one they had expelled but refused to go. This truth they will not be able to say. And knowing them, they will continue the lie Mabenga has started and claim that they were very good friends with Lameck and they should vote for their candidate.
There’s no doubt Lameck, like Jonas, was a victim of intolerance to criticism, to divergent views. Lameck, like Jonas, were very close to Levy Mwanawasa and had to go in the purge. Today, no one who was reasonably close to Levy and who remained loyal to him even in death is still occupying a reasonable position in Rupiah’s government and in the MMD.
They have all been flushed out. The intolerant and the corrupt today reign in the MMD and in Rupiah’s government. Their cruelty, their intolerance can in one way or another be said to have killed Lameck. And this they will have to account for when they meet Lameck’s people in Mpulungu within the next 90 days.
We hope they will learn something from this: that it is always better to treat others in a fair, just and humane way because although we know where we are coming from, we cannot know with certainty where we are going. The bells of Rupiah’s cruelty and insensitivity will one day toll on him and all his friends.
Lameck is gone, but the injustice, the cruelty, the inhumaneness with which they dealt with him still remains to haunt them. And in the Mpulungu by-elections, they will meet Lameck alive wherever they go. And moreover, Rupiah had pledged to follow Lameck “wherever he goes” and defeat him. We don’t know how Rupiah will follow Lameck wherever he is now.
But we are sure that they will meet somewhere somehow – and one of those places they will meet is Mpulungu parliamentary constituency. We hope Rupiah will still speak the same language about Lameck when they meet in Mpulungu!
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, RUPIAH BANDA
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'Chibombamilimo’s death will haunt those who dismissed him from govt'
By Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 11 Aug. 2010, 13:50 CAT
KATUBA MMD member of parliament Jonas Shakafuswa has said the death of Lameck Chibombamilimo will haunt the female minister that orchestrated his dismissal from government and his eventual political downfall. Chibombamilimo, who was ruling MMD Mpulungu parliamentarian, died in India where he was evacuated for treatment after experiencing a renal failure.
Shakafuswa who described Chibombamilimo as a devout and clean MMD member disclosed that Chibombamilimos illness was worsened by depression which ‘cropped in’ following his unfair and unceremonious dismissal by President Rupiah Banda from the position of deputy minister of energy early last year.
“When Chibombamilimo confided in me, he complained about how he was unfairly dissmissed as deputy minister and also expelled as member of parliament. Chibombamilimo also faced difficulties in the case against expulsion from the party which had drained him financially,” Shakafuswa said.
He said Chibombamilimo had lamented that the burden and public ridicule became too big for him that he started to give up on his health.
“But we know why Chibombamilimo was fired, he was fired because one of the Ministers who is a female minister wanted one of her close friends to take up Chibombamilimo’s place. Now that he is gone let his spirit haunt that Minister who cherished in Chibombalimo’s downfall,” he said.
Shakafusa who asked the Post Online to withhold the name of the female minister until the funeral is over described his college’s Chibombamilimo death as tragic.
Meanwhile, MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga has said Chibombomilimo was not sick when disciplinary measures were instituted against him and Shakafufuswa by the party’s NEC.
Despite presiding over his expulsion, Mabenga said Chimbombomilimo death had robbed the party of a valuable member.
“His death is untimely and tragic. Naturally when such a death occurs its a loss to the party because MMD is like a family. We have been robbed of a valuable member,” said Mabenga.
Both Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo have continued serving as members of parliament despite their expulsion through a court injunction.
Labels: JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO
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Rupiah’s wish on Chibombamilimo has been fulfilled – Sata
By Patson Chilemba
Wed 11 Aug. 2010, 04:01 CAT
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata yesterday said the late Mpulungu MMD member of parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo was one of the first victims of President Rupiah Banda's viciousness.
Commenting on the death of Chibombamilimo in India following kidney complications, Sata said President Banda's wish to eliminate Chibombamilimo from the MMD had been fulfilled. He said he was saddened over the demise of Chibombamilimo.
"Chibombamilimo and Katuba MMD member of parliament Jonas Shakafuswa were the initial victims of Rupiah Banda's viciousness. And if they had not defended themselves in court they would have been out of Parliament. I am sure the President will be very happy to go and stand in Mpulungu," Sata said.
He said President Banda warned when he fired Chibombamilimo and Shakafuswa that apart from firing them, he would follow them to their constituencies and defeat them.
"He said ‘go and stand on the PF or The Post ticket. I will follow you where you are’. Now can he follow him where he is," he said.
Sata said Chibombamilimo had been admitted to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for a long time, but the government only made the decision to take him for specialist treatment in India after he (Sata) complained about the matter.
"The most unfortunate part is we have lost a gallant young man who because of negligence from the government has died. Government just decided to move after I had complained that he was in UTH," Sata said.
"Chibombamilimo and Shakafuswa were the first to receive Rupiah Banda's brutality, and he promised to follow them wherever they would go. And now we will see how he is going to follow Chibombamilimo."
Chibombamilimo died on Monday at Apollo Hospital in New Delhi around 07:30 hours.
President Banda fired Chibombamilimo as energy deputy minister during a rally at State House last year.
Addressing MMD cadres who marched to State House, President Banda dismissed Chibombamilimo and Shakafuswa as deputy ministers of energy and science and technology respectively.
President Banda vowed that he would not end at firing Chibombamilimo and Shakafuswa from government but would take them to the MMD national executive committee (NEC) and sack them from the party as well.
On the contradictions involving President Rupiah Banda and Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde on the transfer of the police top brass from the Copperbelt to Lusaka, Sata warned the MMD government to be careful because the police were with PF in the struggle.
"They government should wake up. Rupiah Banda is brutal and Rupiah Banda would like a brutal police. Rupiah Banda would like a police force, not a police service. The Zambia Police Service, they are not going to be brutal because Rupiah Banda wants them to be brutal. And who is George Kunda to be left the road for?" Sata asked.
Commenting on the transfer of the Copperbelt police commanding officer Antoneil Mutentwa and others from the Copperbelt, Kabonde said it was just a normal transfer process.
But President Banda said the officers had been transferred because of their conduct when they allowed Vice-President Kunda and Sata to use the same road recently in Ndola.
And Sata said he did not commit any wrong by commenting on the conviction and sentencing of Kafulafuta MMD member of parliament George Mpombo.
He said it was clear that the conviction was secured by President Banda.
"We are seeing what is happening. MMD are going scot-free. PF go to prison for three years, George Mpombo is incarcerated. And those are facts," said Sata.
Labels: LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MICHAEL SATA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
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Bombastically dies in India
By George Chellah
Mon 09 Aug. 2010, 14:00 CAT
MPULUNGU MMD member of parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo has died. Sources at the Zambian High Commission in India confirmed Chibombamilimo’s death. The sources revealed that Chibombamilimo died at Apollo Hospital in India on Monday morning around 07:30 hours.
Chibombamilimo, who was unwell for some time and required immediate specialist treatment, was only evacuated to India recently when the condition worsened. President Rupiah Banda fired Chibombamilimo as energy deputy minister during a rally at State House last year.
President Banda accused him of disloyalty and vowed to follow him to his constituency Mpulungu and defeat him if he decided to stand for re-election.
Addressing MMD cadres who marched to State House last year, President Banda dismissed Chibombamilimo and Jonas Shakafuswa as deputy ministers of energy and science and technology respectively.
President Banda said instead of the duo being loyal to him and the MMD, they allegedly paid allegiance to PF and The Post newspaper.
He said since he was both the ruling MMD and Republican president, he would not tolerate indiscipline.
Following President Banda’s pronouncements, the MMD NEC expelled Chibombamilimo and Shakafuswa for alleged conduct likely to put the party in ridicule, contempt and disrepute.
But the duo filed an injunction in the High Court against the then MMD national secretary, Dr Katele Kalumba, restraining him from expelling them from the party.
Labels: KATELE KALUMBA, LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MMD
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Court grants Shakas, Chibombamilimo injunction against expulsion from MMD
Written by Maluba Jere
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 3:44:25 PM
LUSAKA High Court judge Nigel Mutuna has granted former science and technology deputy minister Jonas Shakafuswa and his energy counterpart Lameck Chibombamilimo an injunction restraining the MMD from expelling them. This is in a matter where Chibombamiliomo and Shakafuswa have sued MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba seeking a declaration that their expulsion from the party was illegal.
The duo are also seeking an injunction directing Kalumba, MMD officials, the party's national executive committee (NEC) or whosoever to restore their party membership and allow them to perform the functions of members of parliament until determination of the matter.
They are seeking among other relief, as an alternative to the injunction in question, another injunction restraining Kalumba through party officials, the NEC, party servants and employees of the National Assembly from interfering with their enjoyment of their party membership pending determination of the matter.
Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo explained in writ of summons filed in the Lusaka High Court that on March 3, 2009, Kalumba announced through the media that the duo had been expelled from the party and that there shall be a recommendation to the Speaker of the National Assembly to declare the Katuba and Mpulungu seats vacant.
They deposed that they had not been charged with any offence by Kalumba before their purported expulsion.
Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo further explained that on March 5, 2009 they received official communication from Kalumba conveying the decision by the NEC and the recommendation to the Speaker of the National Assembly to declare the Katuba and Mpulungu seats vacant.
They complained that they were expelled from the party without being charged and given a chance to exculpate themselves.
Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo averred that the purported expulsion was contrary to Article 19 and 52 of the party constitution. They lamented that their expulsions were premeditated and contrary to or the spirit of Article 19 of the party constitution.
Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo charged that the NEC had no power to expel them.
They pointed out in their affidavits in support of summons for an interim injunction that if they are not granted the injunction, they will suffer irreparable harm as their seats as members of the National Assembly shall be declared vacant and their appeal to the MMD convention would be rendered an academic exercise.
Recently, President Rupiah Banda fired Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo from their ministerial positions, warning that he would recommend that they be chucked out of the party.
Following the President's pronouncements, the MMD held a NEC meeting and party national secretary Katele Kalumba announced that it was unanimously resolved that the duo be expelled as they had repeatedly and arrogantly made pronouncements and conducted themselves in ways that had placed the party into disrepute.
Delivering ruling on Tuesday, judge Mutuna noted that Regulation 8(4) states that ‘The National Executive Committee shall have power to expel a member from the party for a serious or repeated misconduct, subject to the approval of the convention’.
However, judge Mutuna said this regulation suggested that there was no express provision empowering NEC to expel a member without approval of the convention.
He said the plaintiffs had established a prima facie case to the right they sought to protect in line with the authorities cited.
Judge Mutuna said he could not delve in the procedural aspect that preceded the purported expulsion nor the conduct of the plaintiffs, saying that would be determined at the trial.
He further noted that Article 19 and 52 (2) of the MMD constitution did not grant power to NEC to expel a member.
Judge Mutuna added that according to the two provisions, NEC only appears to have power under the constitution to suspend a member in line with provisions of Article 19 (L) of the constitution.
In granting the injunction, judge Mutuna said costs shall follow the event and also granted leave to appeal.
Labels: JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MMD
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Court grants Shakas, Chibombamilimo injunction against expulsion from MMD
Written by Maluba Jere
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 3:11:24 PM
LUSAKA High Court judge Nigel Mutuna has granted former science and technology deputy minister Jonas Shakafuswa and his energy counterpart Lameck Chibombamilimo an injunction restraining the MMD from expelling them. This is in a matter where Chibombamiliomo and Shakafuswa have sued MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba seeking a declaration that their expulsion from the party was illegal.
The duo are also seeking an injunction directing Kalumba, MMD officials, the party's
national executive committee (NEC) or whosoever to restore their party membership and allow them to perform the functions of members of parliament until determination of the matter.
They are seeking among other relief, as an alternative to the injunction in question, another injunction restraining Kalumba through party officials, the NEC, party servants and employees of the National Assembly from interfering with their enjoyment of their party membership pending determination of the matter.
Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo explained in writ of summons filed in the Lusaka High Court that on March 3, 2009, Kalumba announced through the media that the duo had been expelled from the party and that there shall be a recommendation to the Speaker of the National Assembly to declare the Katuba and Mpulungu seats vacant.
They deposed that they had not been charged with any offence by Kalumba before their purported expulsion.
Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo further explained that on March 5, 2009 they received official communication from Kalumba conveying the decision by the NEC and the recommendation to the Speaker of the National Assembly to declare the Katuba and Mpulungu seats vacant.
They complained that they were expelled from the party without being charged and given a chance to exculpate themselves.
Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo averred that the purported expulsion was contrary to Article 19 and 52 of the party constitution. They lamented that their expulsions were premeditated and contrary to or the spirit of Article 19 of the party constitution.
Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo charged that the NEC had no power to expel them.
They pointed out in their affidavits in support of summons for an interim injunction that if they are not granted the injunction, they will suffer irreparable harm as their seats as members of the National Assembly shall be declared vacant and their appeal to the MMD convention would be rendered an academic exercise.
Recently, President Rupiah Banda fired Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo from their ministerial positions, warning that he would recommend that they be chucked out of the party.
Following the President's pronouncements, the MMD held a NEC meeting and party national secretary Katele Kalumba announced that it was unanimously resolved that the duo be expelled as they had repeatedly and arrogantly made pronouncements and conducted themselves in ways that had placed the party into disrepute.
Delivering ruling on Tuesday, judge Mutuna noted that Regulation 8(4) states that ‘The National Executive Committee shall have power to expel a member from the party for a serious or repeated misconduct, subject to the approval of the convention’.
However, judge Mutuna said this regulation suggested that there was no express provision empowering NEC to expel a member without approval of the convention.
He said the plaintiffs had established a prima facie case to the right they sought to protect in line with the authorities cited.
Judge Mutuna said he could not delve in the procedural aspect that preceded the purported expulsion nor the conduct of the plaintiffs, saying that would be determined at the trial.
He further noted that Article 19 and 52 (2) of the MMD constitution did not grant power to NEC to expel a member.
Judge Mutuna added that according to the two provisions, NEC only appears to have power under the constitution to suspend a member in line with provisions of Article 19 (L) of the constitution.
In granting the injunction, judge Mutuna said costs shall follow the event and also granted leave to appeal.
Labels: JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MMD
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Rupiah resorts to biting
Written by Chibaula Silwamba in Siavonga
Saturday, March 07, 2009 10:10:03 AM
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday said he will continue to bite MMD members and government officials who think they are indispensible and become indisciplined. And President Banda described as nonsensical Jonas Shakafuswa’s argument that he was fired because the head of state does not like Lenje people.
Speaking on arrival at Siavonga High School for the launch of the Kariba North Bank Extension Project here, President Banda said his firing of Shakafuswa and Mpulungu member of parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo as deputy ministers and their subsequent expulsion from the MMD was just the beginning.
"I am visiting you at the time immediately after I took some decisive steps to instill discipline in our party. As you all know since, before my election up to now I have been subject of attacks continuously by certain quarters of the press and unfortunately by even some of my own colleagues," he said. "They mistook my teeth when I smile that I can't bite so I thought now is the good time to show them also I can bite and bite deeply and therefore I took care of those two gentlemen. I hope that those of my colleagues who are working with me in the party and the civil service will learn some lessons."
President Banda said he was not after firing people but that he would do so if provoked.
"I will go after you of course because otherwise the rest of the people will think I am not in control. I hope that those decisive measures which I have taken against these two young people will teach them a lesson, to start with so that wherever they, whatever political party they will join, it will still be necessary for them to be disciplined," President Banda said. "Therefore, I hope that they learnt something from this. I hope my colleagues [who] will remain with me within the government and the party will also learn some lessons so that we don't see some more of these bloodletting."
He said the decision he took against Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo was not harsh.
"I hear that some people are complaining saying that, 'no! No! This is too harsh and so forth so forth'. You remind me of the saying, that it is good for the dog to bite a goat but if the goat gets near the dog threatening to bite it, you say, 'no! no! Ipayeni nimaloza [This is a taboo, kill the goat]'," President Banda said. "I have been a subject of attacks and bites continuously now I have turned around. This is just warning shots, I am going to bite even more."
He urged leaders not to take Zambians for granted.
"I just want to warn my fellow leaders that all the 11 million Zambians are capable of being leaders, when we become leaders, starting with the President right down to the party leaders, must never think that we are indispensible, we must always be humble to the people, we must always provide them with the honest service, we must always be fair because if we don't do these things other people can take over," President Banda said. "Just like these two gentlemen they have just given an opportunity; Mr Chibombamilimo will just find out that in Mpulungu there are better people than him and will be deputy minister very soon. The same with Mr Shakafuswa, must learn that he was just lucky to be a deputy minister, there are many people where he comes from, better qualified, better able to serve the people of the constituency where he has been."
He said Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo had created opportunities for others to take over and serve the Zambian people.
"Even if I take out 10, I can find 10 new ones. That is the lesson we should all learn from being leaders. Sometimes when we are leaders we think that we are everything, we are better than all of you people here," President Banda said. "Everyone is waiting for the opportunity to provide his service and those who go they create space for others to come in. That's it, it's created."
He urged Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo to go and stand as parliamentary candidates in further coming by-elections on Patriotic Front or UPND tickets or as independent.
"We shall meet them there, we are ready we have already started," said President Banda. "They are going round telling people saying, 'no, in the case of me, Shakafuswa, you know Mr Banda doesn't like Lenjes'. I am not going to bring a Lozi to go and take over his place; I am going to bring a Lenje also. His argument is nonsensical. The people of there [Katuba Constituency] will have another one of their children, perhaps a better one than him."
The MMD last Tuesday expelled Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo from the party for alleged indiscipline and bringing the party into ridicule.
Announcing their expulsion at a press briefing, MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba said the duo had repeatedly and arrogantly made pronouncements and conducted themselves in ways that had placed the party into disrepute.
Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo were earlier on Thursday fired by President Banda from their positions as science and technology and energy deputy ministers, respectively, in front of MMD cadres that marched to State House to express their solidarity with the head of state. A visibly agitated President Banda also warned that he would take the duo's names to the party's NEC where he would have them removed from the party and later follow them to their constituencies where he would defeat them.
But reacting to his expulsion from the party, Shakafuswa said President Banda was a very weak scared person. Shakafuswa said he would not seek legal action over his expulsion because he wanted to teach President Banda and his minions in the MMD a lesson. Shakafuswa also said the Lenje people were no longer an inferior tribe as they were now a strong force in the country.
President Banda was in Siavonga to officially commission the second phase of the construction of a 360 mega-watts hydro-electric power station at Kariba North Bank.
Labels: JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
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Mulongoti explains Shakas, Chibombamilimo’s expulsion
Written by Patson Chilemba
Friday, March 06, 2009 6:29:23 PM
MMD chairman for elections Mike Mulongoti yesterday said expelled Jonas Shakafuswa and Lameck Chibombamilimo were causing a lot of discomfort in the party.
Justifying the expulsion of party members of parliament Shakafuswa [Katuba Constituency] and Chibombamilimo [Mpulungu], Mulongoti said discipline in the MMD could not be compromised because the ruling party should show stability and collectivity. He said any smell of indiscipline should be stopped immediately before it infected the organisation.
"Those people were bringing a lot of discomfort in the party. Even you, do you criticise the boss of your organisation in public? I would advise you not to, because once you do you will be out of that place," he said.
Mulongoti also justified his opposition to MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba's proposal to follow procedure in handling the matter involving Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo, saying several disciplinary committees had been raised in the past and that people could sometimes get instant dismissals from their organisations.
Mulongoti further justified the huge cost that would be incurred on the by-elections in an event that the Speaker of the National Assembly declared the duo's seats vacant.
"The times we have said it's too costly they have said it is not your money," Mulongoti said. "Let me tell you, the NCC [National Constitutional Conference] is sitting right now at great cost and the reason is to explore the cheapest way of replacing members of parliament."
On Patriotic Front (PF) vice-president Guy Scott's statement that Mulongoti and others in the MMD condemned PF's action to expel 'rebel' members of parliament for indiscipline but that the ruling party had used the same grounds to expel their members, Mulongoti responded: "If PF can tell us that they stopped when we criticised, we could have taken a leaf. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. All I'm saying is that the question of discipline cannot be compromised."
On Shakafuswa's statement that President Rupiah Banda won a crooked election but the people would now teach him a lesson during the Katuba by-election, Mulongoti questioned Shakafuswa's morality.
Mulongoti wondered why Shakafuswa only brought out the issue after being expelled from the MMD.
The MMD on Tuesday expelled Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo from the party for alleged indiscipline and bringing the party into ridicule.
Announcing their expulsion at a press briefing, Kalumba said the duo had repeatedly and arrogantly made pronouncements and conducted themselves in ways that had placed the party into disrepute.
Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo were last Thursday fired by President Banda from their positions as science and technology and energy deputy ministers respectively, in front of MMD cadres that marched to State House to express their solidarity with the head of state. A visibly agitated President Banda also warned that he would take the duo's names to the party national executive committee (NEC) where he would have them removed from the party and later follow them to their constituencies where he would defeat them.
But reacting to his expulsion from the party, Shakafuswa said President Banda was a very weak and scared person. Shakafuswa said he would not seek legal action over his expulsion because he wanted to teach President Banda and his minions in MMD a lesson.
And MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba yesterday stated that the MMD's resolve to maintain discipline in the party was undivided.
In a statement, Kalumba noted that any efforts to suggest that there were differences in the approach to instilling discipline in the party would not succeed.
"The party leadership is aware that such efforts to try and divide the leadership of the party will continue. But let the perpetrators know that the party has fully fledged capacity to monitor and track down misinformers. Therefore, they are best advised to desist from their characteristic tendencies of divide and rule. The MMD is fully behind the President and shall execute decisions of the NEC," stated Kalumba.
On Wednesday, NEC sources revealed that President Banda and several NEC members on Tuesday opposed Kalumba's proposal to follow procedure in handling the matter involving Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo.
Labels: JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MIKE MULONGOTI, MMD
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Rupiah is a very weak, scared person – Shakas
Written by Patson Chilemba and Lambwe Kachali
Wednesday, March 04, 2009 8:33:12 PM
RUPIAH Banda is a very weak scared person, expelled Katuba MMD member of parliament Jonas Shakafuswa charged yesterday. And MMD yesterday expelled Shakafuswa and Mpulungu member of parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo from the party for alleged indiscipline and bringing the party into ridicule.
Reacting to his expulsion from MMD, Shakafuswa said he would not seek legal action over his expulsion because he wanted to teach President Banda and his minions in the MMD a lesson.
He charged that President Banda managed to win a crooked election but the people of Zambia would now teach him a lesson. Shakafuswa vowed to tell the Zambian people who President Banda was.
He said it was sad that MMD members were following President Banda blindly even when it was clear that he was dragging the party down.
Shakafuswa warned that those supporting President Banda would go down with him during the Katuba Constituency by-elections and the 2011 general elections.
"Rupiah Banda thinks the [former] first lady [Maureen Mwanawasa] has formed a political party and that I'm supporting her but that is not true. If he thinks he can separate me from the first lady then he's lying," Shakafuswa said. "He won the elections through crookedness and in 2011 he will see. The people will teach him a lesson. He's a very weak scared person. I will show him that he's not a god, that he was born out of a woman."
And announcing the expulsion of Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo at a press briefing, MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba said the duo had repeatedly and arrogantly made pronouncements and conducted themselves in ways that had placed the party into disrepute.
"Their actions have become habitual. On the basis of this, it was unanimously resolved to expel Mr Jonas Shakafuswa and Mr Lameck Chibombamilimo from the membership of the MMD as a party with immediate effect," he said.
Asked if the expulsion was meant to silence members from exercising their right of expression, Kalumba said right of expression did not mean that people should be insulting the party leadership.
He said the expulsion of Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo was a practical step to bring discipline in the party.
"When there is respect for the institution and leaders we have elected to represent us at higher organs, when that respect and rules that we have given ourselves as a party is fractured, the party is weakened," Kalumba said. "When we start contradicting the same tenets that we stand for, I don't think we can be stronger that way. So, the party is trying to send a warning to every member that MMD will remain a disciplined party."
On calls from MMD members to discipline former finance minister Ng'andu Magande, Kalumba said the meeting yesterday did not tackle Magande's issue.
"As a party, we are procedural. These two individuals [Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo] have had a long history that has injured the party," he said.
Asked further if the expulsions were a clear manifestation that there was lack of intra-party democracy, Kalumba said intra-party democracy did not mean insulting the leadership of the party.
When asked on what action the party would take over MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kaande's alleged corruption, Kalumba responded: "About Mr Kaande, I think you will recall that the matter is under the treasurer's office to investigate the story and upon investigations, the treasurer will give me a report. So that is procedure."
Kalumba also said President Banda noted with commendation that the country had in the last few days witnessed demonstrations in support of the party and government leadership.
However, Kalumba said President Banda cautioned that those demonstrations should be non-violent, law abiding and respectful of the rights of other citizens.
Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo were last Thursday fired by President Banda from their positions as science and technology and energy deputy ministers, respectively, in front of MMD cadres that marched to State House to express their solidarity with the head of state. A visibly agitated President Banda also warned that he would take the duo's names to the party's national executive committee (NEC) where he would have them removed from the party and later follow them to their constituencies where he would defeat them.
Labels: JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, RUPIAH BANDA
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Chibombamilimo denounces Rupiah
Written by Moses Kuwema
People surrounding President Rupiah Banda will wreak havoc to this country if left unchecked, warned Lameck Chibombamilimo yesterday. During a press briefing, Chibombamilimo, who was fired as Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development by President Banda on Thursday,said there would be uncontrollable mourning in the country when he spills the beans on the people he called self-proclaimed political puritans.
"They do not want us to tell the truth," Chibombamilimo said emotively. "I know a lot of things...the nation will mourn uncontrollably when I lay bear some of these things."
Chibombamilimo, who is MMD Mpulungu member of parliament, charged that President Banda had no respect for his fellow humans, especially that he could have the energy to fire ministers he appointed to run the country's affairs with him in front of cadres.
"It has never happened in the history of this nation," Chibombamilimo said. "Where are the advisors to the President and where is the Special Division to advise the President correctly, because he does not have respect to his fellow human beings."
Chibombamilimo wondered why President Banda made such a critical decision at a public rally, saying such places were not appropriate for such decisions.
"Public rallies are not appropriate places to make critical decisions especially decisions that speak to fundamental changes or affect lives and reputations of others that may not be readily available to defend themselves," he said.
Chibombamilimo said public rallies were emotional events where the risk of making statements that could be later regretted was high.
"For anyone that saw the President's address to the protestors and contrasted that with moments when he is addressing the media at the airport or other public gatherings, it should have been clear that such engagements should be curtailed thereby protecting the sanctity of the office," he said.
Chibombamilimo, who said ministers fired in such circumstances were not accorded the respect they deserve, explained that ministers were invited to help the President to govern and not because they do not have other things to do.
Chibombamilimo said he took long to comment on his dismissal because his temper was high and partly blamed some of his clansmen for his fate.
And Chibombamilimo said the people advising President Banda were a time
bomb and that by the time the President realises it could be too late.
"These agents are at work even as I speak and most unfortunately, President Banda has bought into their predatory politics, oblivious to the fact that these are but survivors who will do the same thing to him upon leaving office," he said.
Chibombamilimo said his dismissal had left him scared on the basis that even the highest office in the land could easily be duped to make seriously flawed decisions.
"I earnestly appeal to those engaged in such a dangerous trade to have mercy upon the innocent Zambian citizens who stand to suffer should the head of state make a decision that is based on faulty information," he said. "But should they continue on this path intent on gaining their political fortunes through fraudulent means, I call upon church leaders to commit the nation to prayer so that the God that has kept this country in peace all these years may come through for us at this hour of great need."
Chibombamilimo said he had already been found guilty and left to dry because of President Banda's announcement that he would take his name to the national executive committee (NEC) of the MMD where he would be expelled from the party.
"For anyone who knows the influence of the Presidency, my case is already decided and no one in the NEC will have the stomach to oppose what the leader wants done. I live it to the Zambian people to interrogate this brand of justice employed by a party in power and what signals it is sending to the rest of the country," he said.
He said should the party take this action against him, it will have crucified an innocent soul and its collective consciousness shall forever be guilty of a great injustice against him.
Chibombamilimo also said he was shocked that President Banda told him off and sent him to bed with The Post and yet his relationship with the newspaper was nothing more than any other news source.
"The paper sometimes chooses to publish or not publish my statements employing the same standard of news selection they apply to anyone. If the statements The Post has carried before that I have issued constitute collusion with them, then every minister whose statement has been carried by The Post must similarly be guilty," he said. "In any case, The Post's influence over public opinion is exaggerated almost to levels of paranoia. We all read The Post but in the end we make our own decisions. If one is influenced by what the paper writes, so be it."
Chibombamilimo said when The Post carried a story where Northern Province vice-secretary Jairus Simunyola accused him of being the source of the conflicts in the area, he issued a statement to defend himself, but the newspaper never published it.
"I called The Post managing editor Amos Malupenga and despite assurances that my statement would be carried, nothing happened, if indeed I was some special source for The Post, how could I be denied a platform when I need it the most?" Chibombamilimo wondered.
However, he noted that to shun engaging The Post in government's distribution of news and information would be a huge miscalculation, adding that as long as the story was newsworthy, The Post would carry the story even if the editorial comment was not favourable.
"In his first press conference when he announced his Cabinet, the President referred to The Post that all of us read the paper in response to a question he was asked by a reporter for his comments on a matter the paper had carried," he said. "If someone writes to The Post and chooses to shower praises on me, what has that got to do with my loyalty to the party? I have no power to control people's perceptions of me and how and where they choose to express them."
Chibombamilimo said for anyone who knew his personal sacrifices and risks to his life during the presidential elections, the president's remarks against him came as an earth-shaking shock.
He said he mobilised his own personal resources to campaign for President Banda in Mpulungu at the time when the political situation in the area had shifted significantly in favour of the opposition.
Chibombamilimo wondered why the President could not trust the relevant government wings to tell him the truth as they did when people lied to him that Chibombamilimo was campaigning for the opposition during last year's election.
Chibombamilimo further said former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa had now been isolated and was being treated like a leper.
"When her husband was in office, she was the darling of every Jim and Jack unknown to the family that all they need of her were favours to meet their never-ending thirst for material gain," he said.
Chibombamilimo warned that the politics being currently practiced in the country of using people for personal gain would eat up every fibre of morality leaving none for future generations.
He said he had the moral obligation to comfort those who lost their beloved ones.
Chibombamilimo said his source of legitimacy were the people of Mpulungu who elected him and not alliances within the party which were created to make the President believe that only certain people had the shoulders to carry the party to higher heights.
"It has so far become a way of life that every President that leaves office is isolated and treated as a liability and an enemy of the incumbent, and I wonder why those elected to this office do not want to confront this political cancer and dismiss the agents thereof the moment they begin to spread it into the circles of a new administration," he said.
Meanwhile, Chibombamilimo said any by-election that would take place in Mpulungu following his sacking by President Banda would be a bitter and fierce battle.
Chibombamilimo said he was shocked that he could be fired from government despite the hard work he put in of turning Mpulungu into a ruling party stronghold.
"I risked my life and the well-being of my family not for personal glory or any personal need. I could have sat back as many MPs did during the time because I was not campaigning for re-election," he complained. "And yet in the eyes of the President and those providing information about me, all the foregoing is vanity and does not amount to anything."
He recalled that just four days ago, he asked the nation to rally behind President Banda and his government and that contrary to his forced marriage with The Post, his remarks were extensively carried in both the Times and Daily Mail and not The Post.
He explained that under normal circumstances he would not be saying what he had stated in his statement but he was doing so because of the unusual circumstances he was relieved of his duties.
"This statement is not to question the legality of the President's decision...it is prompted by the fact that my reputation as a father, a husband, a Christian and a politician is at stake," he said. "But the reality of life is that Presidents like any of us are only human beings who can make mistakes and who can be lied to by people we trust."
Chibombamilimo and his science and technology counterpart, Jonas Shakafuswa, were on Thursday sacked by President Banda at a gathering for MMD cadres at State House.
President Banda said he was firing the duo because they had issues negative statements against the President and the MMD and they had also been quoted in The Post newspaper, as being good ministers.
Labels: LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, RUPIAH BANDA
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Minister reveals secret meetings over Levy's illness
By Kelvin Tembo
Monday August 18, 2008 [04:00]
NORTHERN Province minister Lameck Chibombamilimo has revealed that some government leaders are holding ‘dark corner’ meetings where they are openly making disparaging remarks about President Mwanawasa’s illness. And Chibombamilimo described as hypocritical and shameless statements that the just approved salaries for ministers, MPs and other constitutional offices were immoral.
In a press statement yesterday, Chibombamilimo accused some government leaders of giving grim pictures about President Mwanawasa’s illness.
“An unfortunate spirit has also found its way among senior leaders who have continued to give grim pictures of the condition of the President while holding dark corner meetings where they are openly making disparaging remarks about the President, claiming that they are the ones in charge,” Chibombalimo stated.
Chibombamilimo stated that these leaders had become extremely arrogant, especially that some of them had pending matters they needed to provide answers on to President Mwanawasa.
He said the same leaders have now seen President Mwanawasa’s illness as an escape route and an opportunity to gather their political fortunes and realign their allegiances for the sole purpose of political survival and continuity.
Chibombamilimo stated that such behaviour had the potential to destabilise tranquility in the nation. He warned that these shameful adventures would soon become matters for public knowledge.
And Chibombamilimo said the comments by Patriotic Front president Michael Sata and UPND president Hakainde Hichilema were hypocritical and shameless because the two leaders had both undertaken public functions before and were paid for their work.
He asked Hichilema to justify the fees he collected from RAMCOZ at a great expense to many families in Luanshya who he now claims to speak for.
Chibombamilimo said as a result of monies accumulated from such public works, Hichilema could today afford to leave his profession and pretend to dedicate the rest of his life to serving the Zambian people.
He said Sata had worked most of his life in political offices and knew how costly it was to carry out functions in political offices.
Chibombamilimo said both Sata and Hichilema were sufficiently knowledgeable regarding operations of the government and therefore could not stand up and say what they were saying.
He said it was a deliberate ploy intended to constantly talk about President Mwanawasa’s condition in an uncaring and insensitive way for Sata to turn the matter of salary increments into a political agenda and ask that it awaits the President’s return.
“This is extremely cheap and highly immoral,” Chibombamilimo said. “How could individuals of Sata’s social standing in society be so desperate for power that they are prepared to trample even on a patients bed as long as that route leads to the seat of power.
They have been joined by people like Dr Francis Manda who has seen in the President’s illness an opportunity to revive his ailing and fragile attempts at a political career.”
Labels: LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MWANAWASA
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Govt officials' attitudes
By Mkandawire S
Thursday July 03, 2008 [04:00]
The observations made by Northern Province minister, Lameck Chibombamilimo ( The Post June 30, 2008) over the slow pace in implementing developmental projects in the province cannot pass without comment. Chibombamilimo is right in stating that some government officers are unconcerned about implementing the already-budgeted for and funded projects.
Many development projects would have been completed by now had it not been for the selfish interests of a few government officials. Indeed, it does not make sense for the government officials to be conducting feasibilty studies for projects that cannot be implemented, especially when money has been released for such projects.
Zambia's development will be at stake if the attitude of tired government officials does not change. Change can also take place by injecting young blood with zeal and vision. It appears most ministers wait for the president to tell them to perform certain functions. They seem to lack initiative.
This attitude must be abandoned if our aim and objectives are to attain the Millenium Development Goals by 2015.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=43512
Land policy
By Concerned citizen
Thursday July 03, 2008 [04:00]
While macroeconomic indicators for the Zambian economy are relatively positive, much needs to be done for their effects to be felt by the vast majority of our people who live in abject poverty. One way of immediately having a trickle-down effect in the country's economic gains is to implement a bold and prudent land management policy.
The government, through the Ministry of Lands, needs to deregulate the allocation of land for housing. There are several Zambians that can afford to build decent houses costing between K250 million to about K400 million.
An acre sold to people after careful screening for K10 million with conditional title deeds that would be formalised after 24-36 months in prime areas that are currently a preserve for the rich and speculators, would guarantee the government the much-needed economic stimulus.
With such a policy or a better and modified one, this country would have not less than 500, 000 housing units in the next three years. Short-term employment would be created for thousands of skilled and unskilled able-bodied people on our streets. This can result in the easing of artificial congestion in unplanned settlements and the incidence of airborne diseases such as TB. This would also reduce the rate of crime.
There is no justification for the skyrocketing prices for land that we read about in the papers everyday. I challenge the Ministry of Lands to be proactive and think long-term.
In the last few months, we have seen how aggressively the Americans have tried to stimulate an ailing economy. Public works programmes have a long history in industrialised countries as an economic-policy tool, both as a fiscal measure to expand or contract public spending in periods of unbalanced domestic demand as well as a short-term measure to alleviate unemployment. We do not need to re-invent the wheel.
This country has enough resources to attain middle income-country status before 2030. With the rising fuel prices and food prices, time to take aggressive and bold measures that will have a long term effect on our children and grand children is now.
Labels: LAMECK CHIBOMBAMILIMO, MINISTERS, PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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