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
Read more...
Rupiah’s frequent travels costly - Habasonda
By George Chellah
Tue 03 Aug. 2010, 04:01 CAT
SOUTHERN Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has said it is costly for President Rupiah Banda to be on the move nearly every month.
Commenting on President Banda’s frequent trips, Habasonda urged the government to re-examine its foreign policy as it relates to presidential travels and engagements.
“This is because by nature of the institution of the presidency, it requires special arrangements every time he travels. This in turn entails large delegations and more expenditure. Let’s admit it, it is costly for our President to be on the move nearly every month, and those complaining may not just be playing politics but may have a legitimate concern. Hence our leadership must reflect on this carefully with detachment from political scores and face reality,” he said.
He said President Banda’s frequent foreign trips may be symptomatic of a weak or badly designed and implemented foreign policy.
“Although Zambia has two ministers, namely the foreign affairs and presidential affairs minister to back up the President as the chief diplomat, it appears he is still pressured to personally execute foreign travels almost all the time. The question is: why? Are there no capable representatives to help him? Or does he just want to travel? This is raising concerns as to the value of these trips and the need for having two ministers to help the President,” Habasonda said.
“We observe that the President has been criticised and also supported for his frequent travels to other countries. However, both his critics and supporters have not gone beyond an offensive or defensive posture to examine the push factors for the President to travel so often. We believe there is a gap in the implementation of our foreign policy.”
He said the cause of President Banda’s frequent foreign trips was a foreign policy that did not clarify when the President should represent himself or when it requires his delegated representatives to attend international engagements.
“For example, when should the Vice-President travel abroad or overseas to visit on behalf of the head of state? What is the role of the presidential affairs minister? Or when does the foreign minister really take centre stage in our international issues? Secondly, the country’s foreign policy has not been popularised and appreciated by the general populace of Zambia,” Habasonda said.
“Hence apart from those privileged to engage with the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and national security, little is really known of how the President should be made accountable for his international engagements. For example, how does one explain the benefits of the President travelling to a country like Uganda to a grassroots man or woman? Is it just symbolism because the issues are important to Zambia or is it meetings that accrue direct benefits to Zambia?”
He said Zambia had no written foreign policy until the mid 1990s.
“This practice from the first Republic was largely for security purposes to ensure that Zambia’s behaviour at the time was not predictable in the face of hostile racial regimes. However, since it was written, this foreign policy has never been publicly announced as the effective one to date. In fact, it is unknown whether it is the one being implemented or the one which UNIP left which was unwritten,” Habasonda said.
“Because of the above, it is difficult to argue from an informed standpoint the virtues, values and challenges in the foreign policy area. Our view is that the President should necessarily attend to those matters that are of grave symbolic value and sensitive such as negotiating Zambia’s security assistance and architecture and information, which needs to be discussed at strictly head of state level.”
He said attending to every foreign meeting by the President did, in a significant way, obliterate the job of his foreign and presidential ministers.
“Clearly, lesser officials can handle matters relating to the wellbeing of the Zambians at home and abroad as well as negotiating investment portfolios, trade and explaining domestic decisions to the outside world,” he said.
He said more awareness should be created on the role of the President in international issues.
“Unfortunately, it is not even Ministry of Foreign Affairs who react to criticism about the presidential travels but other related ministries and citizens. We, therefore, wish to appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that debates about foreign presidential trips are responded to in a manner that does not create perceptions that the President is a tourist,” said Habasonda said.
“We find that the issues of presidential travels have not been handled and explained satisfactorily. It seems that more needs to be done to ensure that this does not continue to demonise legitimate presidential travel. Indeed, the President has the right to travel anywhere where he wants but in a democracy like ours, his trips must be explained as he is accountable to the electorate.”
Labels: LEE HABASONDE, RUPIAH BANDA
Read more...
Rupiah airs his views on the PACT
By Chibaula Silwamba and George Chellah
Thu 22 July 2010, 04:02 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday said he is working on the belief that the PF-UPND pact will not crack.
And Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda said the PF-UPND Pact should come out decisive about its leadership and the way forward.
Responding to questions from journalists in Lusaka after he officially opened Saro Agro Industrial Limited new premises in Lusaka’s industrial area, President Banda said it was up to the leaders of the UPND and PF to sort out their problems.
“If the pact were in MMD I will answer you but the pact are outside the MMD; it’s up to them to sort out the problem,” President Banda said.
Further asked if the cracks in the PF-UPND Pact increased his chances of winning the 2011 presidential elections, President Banda responded: “No! We have been winning with them together; they have always been fighting us. So for me, as president of MMD, I am working on the belief that they will continue together. I don’t want to presume that they will crack; that is up to them. If they do crack, okay. But we always campaign assuming that they are together.”
And commenting on the current political developments in the country, Habasonda said the pact was about the strongest entity, which threatened the MMD dominance.
“And if it cannot rise above its internal problems, it has only three choices: (1) to learn from the Kenyan experience of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) - honestly search their souls, be open to one another and face their strengths and weaknesses as each entity in the pact and get on as a strong opposition movement,” Habasonda said.
“(2) Merge into one political force called United Patriotic Front, sort out its leadership and rally their supporters for a better Zambia or (3) immediately disband so that they do not create false hope among the Zambians. Certainly the last option will give the MMD lots of sleep.”
He said the MMD also needs renewal and forward-looking management of their affairs if citizens were to continue believing in them and the politics of the country.
“Our view is that all our political parties need to take steps back and seriously evaluate their role in ensuring that Zambia evolves into a truly modern working democracy which does not subsist on patronage but practices civility and offers opportunities for all citizens despite political or other affiliation. Right now a casual scan of political parties indicates institutions in crisis,” Habasonda said.
“For the pact, whose birth we welcomed, we believe it is time for them to go for a retreat where they should come out decisive about their leadership and the way forward for their supporters. They need a programme of action, which is clear, starting with internal party electoral processes, to a joint consensus building process, which will culminate into a joint electoral college to choose the pact candidate. These processes must have clearly stipulated dates so that various stakeholders are able to follow the developments and defray anxieties about when a leader will be announced.”
He said from the public sentiments, it was evident that Zambians would love to see the pact sustained.
“As such, there is need for the pact to resolve their differences maturely and keep the hopes and aspirations of the many Zambians who fear that the country could turn into a one party machinery one day again in the absence of serious and organised opposition. The MMD equally needs to demonstrate that they can hold a clean convention now so as to avoid splits at the last minute which may weaken them and dampen peoples’ spirits further,” Habasonda said.
“The shadow boxing by the leadership and threats to dissenting views within the ruling party gives an impression that some of the presidential aspirants may not get to the MMD convention. The party may need to squarely reflect on how the process can pass the democracy test even if their desire is a sole candidate for the convention.”
He said the current political developments in the country were not only worrisome but required serious reflection and deep concern on the future direction of Zambia.
“It cannot be denied that the state of political play is receiving bad signals particularly in relation to political parties and their role to provide future leadership. While the ruling party is celebrating the setbacks to their fiercest opponents - the pact, they are equally rocked with the handling of their own senior NEC national executive committee colleagues over leadership and the pending convention. The other political parties are also uncoordinated separate entities whose agendas are little known to our people,” he said.
He said the political movement in the country was in disarray.
“Clearly this present scenario evokes hopelessness which requires to be addressed now if citizens have to believe in the ability of democracy to respond to the obtaining needs in our society. It is perfectly clear that the country is stuck with difficult political choices before it: a non-cohesive pact which risks cracking at the hour of need, amorphous small political parties that risk being captive of stronger forces, and a monstrous ruling party which risks entrenching its hegemony further over state affairs,” Habasonda said.
“We are of the view that progressive forces must begin to coalesce around real issues and provide true alternative leadership not born out of convenience and political opportunism or politics of ego and machismo, but one anchored on the desire to save and rebuild Zambia from the shackles of mediocrity, lack of strategic planning and from selfish service to the nation.”
He said SACCORD was saddened that the present political processes did not inspire citizens at all.
“There is surely deepening despondency on the political front. Indeed it seems to be a time that those men and women who do not find space either in the pact or the ruling party should reflect critically whether it is these two political centres that are the hope for a better Zambia or it is time to move on and find a new force to deliver Zambia from the current political chaos,” said Habasonda.
“Indeed even if a new force emerges, it requires time to consolidate and this leaves a political stalemate for our people. Whatever fate awaits our people, we hope the best will come out of all these intrigues. Our country deserves a leadership that is ready to take on the challenges of the 21st Century and not one preoccupied with base politics.”
And President Banda, who indicated that he would soon travel to Luena and Chifubu to drum up support for the MMD’s parliamentary candidates, expressed optimism that the party could win the two by-elections.
“I think that we stand a good chance of scooping both of them. Of course we have to work hard, you know how elections are like. Until you win you haven’t won,” President Banda said. “It will be very tight the next 10 days but I am going to go to both of them. I will go to Luena and from Luena I will go to Chifubu Copperbelt.”
President Banda urged the electorate in Luena and Chifubu to be peaceful.
He said he did not expect violence in the two parliamentary by-elections.
“There are just a few people who want to use violence as a means to win elections. I think the majority of Zambian people including yourself want peace. Our democracy is so important, is more important than any individual political party or any leader. So I believe that the Zambian people will rally behind peace,” President Banda said. “Reading what you have been reporting in the papers, it looks like the majority of stakeholders in this country have condemned violence. The churches, the newspapers, the politicians, everyone has condemned violence.”
He said those who think that violence could carry them somewhere were mistaken.
“What the Zambian people want is that we have peaceful elections because that is your chance then to give a fresh mandate to your leaders, whoever it is,” President Banda said.
On the Catholic bishops’ rejection of the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) draft constitution, President Banda said his duty would be to try and bring everybody together to have consensus on the constitution making process.
“I have just seen it bishop’s statement this morning yesterday; you know that’s a very important body of people. We just have read what they have said and understand it, what we are seeing in the papers, what you have reported and sometimes you will agree; sometimes you also may misunderstand what they are trying to say,” President Banda said.
“But that’s how national issues are, there is always pulling this side and that but for leadership such as myself, mine is to try and get everybody together and see if we can agree on something which is good for the country.”
Earlier at Saro Agro Industrial Limited, President Banda said the government would continue to emphasise the importance of agriculture to the development of the Zambian economy.
He said the government welcomed any initiatives that would complement its efforts in diversifying the economy from the mining sector.
President Banda commended Saro Agro Industrial Limited for providing wide ranging farming equipment.
“It takes hard work, patience and commitment to build a company such as this just as it requires hard work and patience to build a country,” said President Banda.
Labels: LEE HABASONDE, RUPIAH BANDA, SACCORD
Read more...
Address impropriety towards govt resources, SACCORD tells Kanganja
By Moses Kuwema
Sat 03 July 2010, 14:40 CAT
SOUTHERN African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has called on the secretary to the cabinet to take charge and root out the attitude of impropriety towards government resources.
Reacting to the revelation by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) on Tuesday that about 50 per cent claims of supply of goods and services to the government departments from January to June this year were fake, Habasonda said the revelations were a clear sign of a failing public management system that has leakages.
“The incident should be a wake up call for the Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja to ensure stringent controls and accountability in the public sector. If the public service is going to be an arena for money making schemes, where people are paid huge sums of money for ghost services then something is seriously wrong with the delivery of our bureaucratic system,” Habasonda said.
Habasonda called on Kanganja to act swiftly and sternly to forestall further pillage of national resources.
“One is tempted to ask a question; Where are the supervisors and inspectors who should verify the actual delivery of these goods and services? Are they part of these schemes? Surely if the civil service is going to join politicians in the spoils of government then there is no hope for our country,” he said.
He said SACCORD was saddened that despite glaring irregularities the government has been slow to implement measures that will ensure that dishonest civil servants are not allowed to continue.
“We are further concerned that these issues are given a very casual approach and hence do not deter erring individual from continuing to steal and abuse national coffers.
For us, these kinds of deals are not only pure plunder but also a source of conflict because the good officers who aim at working diligently find that they are confronted with uncooperative cartels who feed off from such deals. This immediately kills the spirit to serve government faithfully and loyally,” said Habasonda.
Habasonda urged the government to put in place monitoring and verification mechanisms in all ministries to ensure proper use of public monies.
Labels: CORRUPTION, JOSHUA KANGANJA, LEE HABASONDE, PROCUREMENT SYSTEMS
Read more...
Rupiah must be retired in national interest - Mpombo
By Patson Chilemba and George Chellah
Mon 28 June 2010, 08:00 CAT
GEORGE Mpombo yesterday observed that President Rupiah Banda has now become a danger to the country and must be retired in national interest.
And Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda warned President Banda that Zambia risks becoming isolated to the peril of millions of its people.
Reacting to President Banda’s assertions that nobody asked the donors to help Zambia and should, therefore, not blackmail the country, Mpombo, who is Kafulafuta MMD member of parliament, described President Banda’s conduct as highly irresponsible.
He said President Banda’s cantankerous remarks had the potential of sending Zambia’s relations with the donors into abysmal depths and could exacerbate the economic hardships of the poor.
“Mr Banda has rehabilitated himself economically from what he was when he was on the farm in Chipata, and his present behaviour puts Zambia at a great risk economically.
Therefore, he should be retired in national interest,” Mpombo said. “He has become a big disaster for the country. This is a man who says he is stubborn; he can do what he thinks. This country is sleep-walking into a major political catastrophe under Rupiah Banda. I think MMD should retire President Banda in 2011 in national interest.”
Mpombo said President Banda was unnecessarily creating political brinkmanship between Zambia and the donor community.
“The President must know that the economic situation of most Zambians is totally miserable and cannot be allowed to be compounded by his irresponsible remarks. And also President Banda, since he came into office, he has been trying to reverse the economic successes, good governance and also Zambia’s standing in the world,” Mpombo said.
“While it is incontestably true that President Banda as an individual has sufficiently rehabilitated himself economically, the same cannot be said of the ordinary Zambians. The outbursts against the donor community were done in a very irresponsible manner.”
Mpombo said President Banda’s strong-guy approach would not help because the country depended much on donor support.
“The top leadership can go to Cape Town and London for treatment while ordinary Zambians will remain languishing without any attention,” he said.
Mpombo said the road sector was very important to the development of the nation and the withdrawal of funding, coupled with President Banda’s arrogance would have a negative effect on the country.
“Therefore, we expect the President will see a need to handle himself in a Presidential manner to recognise that the road sector is critical. You see, during the reign of president Levy Mwanawasa we saw the country qualify for HIPC funds on good financial economic management,” Mpombo said. “We saw a lot of support coming into the country. So he should not go out of his way to destroy what he found. My appeal is that he should not extend his so-called arrogance to the donor community because it’s the ordinary people who will suffer.”
Mpombo said President Banda was a highly irresponsible leader and should not think that he could bring the donor community under his armpits like he had done with state institutions.
“He can reduce the office of the DPP Director of Public Prosecutions to the state of a special assistant but certainly he should not extend his antagonism and his so-called arrogance to the international community,” he said.
Mpombo said President Banda was driving the country backwards by wiping away all the gains the nation witnessed under president Mwanawasa’s leadership.
He said this was the more reason why Zambians were asking President Banda to minimise on his tourist travels in order to appreciate the gravity of the situation in the country.
On President Banda’s sneaking out of Zambia to other countries, Mpombo said the presidential Challenger should be fitted with facilities that could enable him to work while flying.
“In that converted form, there must be video conferencing facilities so that the President could be running the country through video conferencing wherever he may be. You can’t have a President that is gallivanting all over the shore and he just sneaks out of the country without informing the nation,” Mpombo said.
And Habasonda said SACCORD was shocked that the President was now in the forefront of encouraging poor financial controls and lack of accountability in the public service.
“President Banda’s reaction to donor concerns over the continued abuse and theft of funds meant for different sectors in the country clearly shows an amazing level of pride that borders on ineptitude and laissez faire attitude towards prudent management of national resources,” Habasonda said.
“We believe that President Banda having been a diplomat and foreign minister must have taken a different approach to the issues of donor support. The President needs to be humble enough to recognise that while the government has not asked any of the donors to come and support Zambia, the Zambian government is on record indicating how much it needs donor funds to be able to carry out various national programmes.
“Just in the past week, in reaction to the PF leader Michael Sata’s call for donors to cut aid to Zambia, the government condemned the call and used all sorts of groups in justifying how relevant donor support was to the country. The state media was used to condemn the calls by Mr Sata and made headlines most part of the week. Are these not contradictions?”
He said politicising donor aid would only serve to hurt the poorest in our country.
“If donors withhold their funding to Zambia, it’s not the President who will suffer; it’s the ordinary people who have no means of accessing private health care and other services.
The President is well looked after using the heavy taxes Zambians are paying and may have accumulated enough funds but he must keep in mind the underprivileged people that he governs,” Habasonda said. “President Banda’s adoption of Mugabe tactics on donors will not help Zambia in any way.
We all fully understand how Zimbabwe was destroyed by a leadership which was thriving on the rhetoric of sovereignty when nearly all its political and economic structures were dependent on those they vilified. The donors in Zambia are putting in a lot of money and there is no way President Banda expects them to keep quiet when money from their nationals is being abused.”
He said there was no way he should expect donors to toast glasses of wine in the business-as-usual manner when revelations of abuse of funds are made.
“For sure, this condescending attitude towards donors will be costly. The Zimbabwe fiasco should offer a sufficient lesson.
We would like to advise the President that fighting those who seek accountability will not only make Zambians suffer but will make this country a pariah state which will become isolated to the peril of millions of Zambians. We are therefore appealing to him to reflect on the best ways of handling sensitivities in international relations,” he said.
Labels: DONORS, GEORGE MPOMBO, LEE HABASONDE, RUPIAH BANDA
Read more...
Habasonda urges govt to review direction of corruption fight
By Moses Kuwema
Thu 13 May 2010, 03:30 CAT
SOUTHERN African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has urged the government to rise above personal vendettas and review the direction the fight against corruption has taken.
Commenting on the termination of Mutembo Nchito’s contract as Task Force on Corruption prosecutor, Habasonda said Nchito’s removal was a way of getting rid of people who could do the job that needed to be done.
“Some of us are surprised that Mutembo lasted this far really. What we can urge is that it is important for government to rise above personal fights and vendettas and begin to address the larger issues and in this case to seriously review administratively the direction in which the fight against corruption has taken,” Habasonda said.
“And if they have shifted to the Anti Corruption Commission ACC, have we put in place the necessary measures that will ensure that the ACC is not the usual toothless bulldog that Zambians have known?
“… And now they have gotten rid of him so they can sit on what they want to sit on, they can select who they want to prosecute and so on. Now it will be about who they want prosecuted and who they don’t want to be prosecuted. We all know the record of our brother Mr Chalwe Mchenga Director of Public Prosecutions. So really, the future doesn’t look bright at all. By removing Mutembo it means those who have removed him want to have their way, so if you are expecting anything… I mean that’s the end of the road. And for some of us who are observing from a distance we think it is the end of the story that’s why I was saying it does not create a very bright picture about Zambia’s commitment to the fight against corruption.”
Habasonda said Zambians should not expect much out of the fight against corruption.
“Unless government will really prove themselves otherwise. We are watching and if they can do so, we will be the first ones to praise them but we are really doubtful that the action they have taken intends to improve the performance,” he said.
“There had been a number of seculars on the internet trying to discredit Mutembo but we think that he has done his job well. Unfortunately the same system which hired him now thinks they don’t need him, that he has become a pain in their backside so now they can do what they want I suppose.”
On intentions to investigate the Task Force on Corruption, Habasonda responded,
“This clearly indicates that it is rather some sort of vendetta that is being waged because our understanding is that the Task Force was receiving the money through the normal civil service channel and to begin to behave the way they are doing now raises more questions than answers. Clearly while the DPP has the right to fire and hire prosecutors, our view of the situation is that the manner in which this is being dealt with is like witch hunting and this is really a source of conflict from our point of view as SACCORD.
This will just create more suspicions, more witch-hunting and we are not really building the image on the fight against corruption. I think what we expect is that things must be made clear in white and blue to say yes the job has been terminated they can’t keep Nchito.”
The government recently terminated Nchito’s contract as prosecutor on grounds that he had concluded all the corruption cases he was handling.
Labels: LEE HABASONDE, MUTEMBO NCHITO, TASK FORCE
Read more...
Habasonda demands govt explanation over student’s death in Russia
By Florence Bupe and Chibaula Silwamba
Sat 10 Apr. 2010, 04:01 CAT
SOUTHERN African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has demanded that the government give a comprehensive explanation into the death of Lance Mate, a Zambian student in Russia. But Russian Ambassador to Zambia Boris Malakhov said the death of Mate was an isolated case.
Commenting on the matter, Habasonda said the government could not afford to continue downplaying the suffering and loss of lives of Zambian students abroad at the hands of racists.
“Our government should ensure that they get to the bottom of what happened regarding our student in Russia. Being lukewarm about the issue in the name of diplomatic etiquette will not help anyone,” he said.
Habasonda said it was not worth it for the Zambian government to continue being passive when innocent lives were being lost just because the country gets some form of donor aid from Russia.
“It’s apparent that the matter is not being picked up rigorously by government. People deserve to be told what happened, we are getting concerned with our people’s welfare in that country,” he said.
Habasonda challenged the Zambian Embassy in Russia to take the matter seriously.
“I wonder whether we even have an Embassy in Russia. That office should be taking this matter more seriously than they are. What happened is unacceptable and should not be allowed to recur,” said Habasonda.
Mate, 21, went missing in the Russian city of Kazan on November 6, 2009 and his body was only discovered on April 4, 2010 in the local Kazanka River.
He was last seen alive with friends around 04:00 a.m leaving a nightclub on Balmon Street.
Surveillance cameras had earlier captured Mate being beaten by a native Russian but local Police claim the assailant left the Zambian student, who ‘went in an unknown direction’ and disappeared.
Foreign affairs acting permanent secretary Alfred Chunda, who once served in the Russian diplomatic service, admitted that racism was strife in that country and advised Zambian students going to study there to exercise care.
“I personally demand that I talk to Zambian students intending to study in Russia on the dangers they are likely to face. It is true that there are high levels of racism, and during my stay there I actually brought back bodies of two Zambian students who were killed,” said Chunda.
And in an interview following the retrieval of Mate’s body, Ambassador Malakhov said the first examination of Mate’s body showed no signs of physical violence but a criminal case had been opened with suspicion that it was murder.
“We regret very much and we express our deepest sympathy to the parents, relatives and friends. We believe that this case will not be repeated. As you know, nowadays all foreign students are very safe in Russia and such cases are very rare. If there is anyone guilty about this case, if there are killers our justice will find them and punish them according to the law,” Ambassador Malakhov said.
When asked further about the growing fear among Zambians that Russia was unsafe for African students, Zambians in particular, Ambassador Malakhov argued that Russia was safe for foreigners.
“I don’t think that you are right. There is no fear among those who want to go to Russia. To tell you, we provide, starting this year 103 scholarships to Zambian students to go to Russia and there are more than 1,500 applicants and the candidates for bursaries are selected by the bursaries committee of the Ministry of Education of Zambia. There is a great number of those who want to go to Russia. There is no sense of fear,” Ambassador Malakhov said.
He said the fact that some Zambian students were on self-sponsorship studies in Russia meant that they wanted that country’s education.
“There are no fears and quite justifiably because there must not be any fear because such accidents happen to Russian citizens because crime still exists in Russia as in every other country there are criminals which have to be either prevented from killing or severely punished for the death of innocent people,” said Ambassador Malakhov.
Labels: LEE HABASONDE, RACISM, RUSSIA, STUDENTS
Read more...
Habasonda describes High Court judgment as unjust and unfair
By Mwala Kalaluka and Laura Hamusute
Thu 11 Mar. 2010, 07:40 CAT
Lusaka High Court judge Florence Lengalenga has stayed execution of the judgment dismissing an application by SACCORD for a review of the government’s decision to de -register it.
THE Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has said the High Court judgment that upheld its de-registration by the government reinforces the tyrannical tendencies and arbitrary actions by political leaders.
And Lusaka High Court judge Florence Lengalenga has stayed execution of the judgment dismissing an application by SACCORD for a review of the government’s decision to de -register it.
During a press briefing held at the SACCORD offices in Lusaka yesterday, executive director Lee Habasonda said while they had complied with judge Lengalenga’s judgment in favour of the state, they did not agree with it at all.
“We find it unjust, unfair and an affront to our civil liberties,” Habasonda said. “Above all, it has put the High Court itself on trial as we have two separate judgments from the same court that are diametrically opposed to each other. It is therefore, the court that has come under scrutiny before the world.”
Habasonda said it was unthinkable that when Zambia was supposed to be progressing in terms of democracy, the dispensers of justice were seen to be upholding colonial legal relics that were designed for first and second class citizens.
“Such insensitivity is a negation of the duty to foster and promote a just and democratic society,” Habasonda said. “This cruel piece of judgment will not deter us, it will not cower us down. We are resolved to soldier on.”
Habasonda said the people at SACCORD had searched their souls and were petrified and puzzled by the government’s penchant to annihilate the non-governmental organisation.
“Naa mbalombwana ncobeni let them say cibi ncitwakacita. Otherwise, Ino cinzi ncobayanda If they are real men let them say what wrong we have done.
Otherwise, what do they want?” Habasonda asked. “They should not be cowards who want to hide under the rubric of state security. They cannot continue to harass us because we criticise them.”
Habasonda said the government was expressing failed leadership.
“We can’t live on court injunctions for the whole of our lives without any explanation. We deserve to be treated fairly.
If they hate us so much, they must not seek to destroy us indirectly. Let them kill us directly since they have the guns and hopefully they can govern happily ever,” he said.
“If we don’t unite to resist the rising tendencies of dictatorship and monstrous political behaviour the little of the remaining freedoms will be completely exhausted.”
Habasonda said SACCORD shall go all the way even if it meant petitioning the African Union and the United Nations or any other actor in the international community.
“By having the stay of execution of the High Court judgment, it means SACCORD has retained its legal personality and shall operate and conduct business normally until the Supreme Court rules on the matter,” said Habasonda.
In this matter, SACCORD applied for judicial review against the government’s decision of 2004 to deregister it.
SACCORD, through Habasonda contended that the aforementioned decision was a violation of the freedom of expression and association as enshrined in and protected by the Constitution.
Habasonda added that the then minister of home affairs had refused to disclose the reasons for the de-registration of SACCORD, among other things.
The then minister of home affairs communicated his decision to de-register SACCORD through a letter on November 11, 2004.
Habasonda in response, requested government to indicate the activities SACCORD had engaged in that were inimical and a danger to state security.
In his affidavit, Habasonda deposed that the minister did not formally respond to his letter dated 15th November, 2004 but was reported in the Times of Zambia of 17th November, 2004 as having said he was not obliged at law to state the exact security threats or to give the applicant a hearing.
He refuted claims that SACCORD had engaged in activities that were inimical and a danger to State security.
But the government through the then minister of home affairs argued in his affidavit in opposition that there had been no procedural impropriety in the decision to de-register SACCORD.
He further deposed that he had given reasons for his decision that the applicant had engaged itself in activities, which were inimical and dangerous to state security but he was not bound under the law or in anyway bound to disclose the basis of how he had arrived at his decision.
The minister said the applicant's right to be heard before cancellation did not apply to his decision under the societies Act.
In handing down judgment, judge Lengalenga ruled that the decision in question by the then minister of home affairs did not violate the applicant's SACCORD’s freedom of expression and association therefore not contravening Articles 20 and 21 of the Constitution.
Judge Lengalenga established that by Section 13 of the societies Act, CAP 119, the minister had discretion to cancel the registration of any society.
It is against this background that she dismissed the application.
Labels: LEE HABASONDE, SACCORD
Read more...
Taking partisan positions is killing debate – Habasonda
By Mwala Kalaluka
Mon 01 Feb. 2010, 04:01 CAT
SOUTHERN African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has said people’s arguing from very partisan lines is what is killing debate in Zambia.
And William Harrington has said revelations from the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) that there was a government side and the other side during the voting on the 50 per cent plus one proves that the MMD had driven the process.
During a discussion on the constitutional review process organised by SACCORD in collaboration with the Press Freedom Committee (PFC) of The Post last Friday, Habasonda said the midway analysis especially in the constitution-making process had been lost.
“What has killed debate in this country is that people argue from very partisan positions,” Habasonda said. “We are worried that constitution process seems to be discussing individuals, not the principles that make a constitution.”
And reacting to NCC spokesperson Mwangala Zaloumis’s revelation that the government side could not garner two-thirds and the other people could also not garner the two-thirds on the 50 per cent plus one vote, Harrington, who was one of the commissioners in the Mung’omba Constitutional Review Commission, said Zaloumis had let the cat out of the bag.
“No one can misquote you. It was very clear what you said, my sister,” Harrington told Zaloumis. “You can see the lobbying of the MMD government against the will of the people.”
Harrington said the NCC had dribbled the people of Zambia over the 50 per cent plus one.
“The NCC has set itself on war path, and I am using this term in invented commas…with the Zambian people over the 50 per cent plus one,” said Harrington.
In response to Harrington’s assertions, Zaloumis said what she meant was that no one side could override the other during the secret voting on the 50 per cent plus one.
“What I was talking about was that not even the government could override the decision of others. I was giving an example,” Zaloumis said. “In a position like that, you are going to have the government voting on the other side, the civil society on the other side.”
Meanwhile, second republican president Frederick Chiluba’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Mwamba, accused the country’s civil society of having disrupted the constitution-making process.
“Civil society has been disruptive too. We can’t just blame the government,” Mwamba said.
Mwamba said the civil society should also shoulder the blame for the protracted constitutional review process because they had undermined the government by opting to stay away from the NCC.
He wondered what right people in civil society organisations and three church mother bodies had to comment on the constitution-making process outside the NCC.
“Here, we have Mr Simon Kabanda saying disband the NCC, disruptive process,” said Mwamba.
But former Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president William Mweemba said even those Zambians that chose to stay away from the NCC had every right to comment on the process because the NCC was not a totality of the constitution-making process.
Youth activist Mulenga Fube also disagreed with Mwamba’s position and he said the civil society’s decision to stay away from the NCC was in good faith and not in bad faith given the issues of a composition that favoured the government.
Labels: LEE HABASONDE, POLITICS, SACCORD, WILLIAM HARRINGTON
Read more...
Govt is too reactive to criticism – Habasonda
By Ernest Chanda
Wed 13 Jan. 2010, 04:01 CAT
SOUTHERN Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has called on the government to shake off its attitude of intolerance towards opposing views.
Commenting on CARITAS Zambia executive director Sam Mulafulafu's observation that there would be growing tension between the state and the church in 2010, Habasonda said there were more clear signs that the government was too reactive to criticism.
He said there was a general belief in government officials that all those who tried to advise them on matters of national interest were enemies of the state.
"Clearly there is a failure of the state system in Zambia to manage divergent views. We have seen that the state does not want to engage in dialogue with those people and institutions it perceives to have differences with. All we see are underhand methods to discredit those institutions they don't agree with," Habasonda said.
"All this boils down to intolerance which everyone in government has adopted. They have simply resolved not to accommodate opposing views. Anyone who disagrees with them is labelled an enemy of the state and is discredited on a daily basis. We have seen this government create tension with the church, NGOs, donors, and now the media. You can't call that a healthy society!"
Habasonda said the government should have invested in creating structures of conflict resolution, rather than antagonise every sector of society.
"Tension in this country has heightened because those in government have not created structures for resolving conflicts. For example, we have not seen any Cabinet minister who has taken interest in visiting NGOs in order to acquaint themselves with the operations of these organisations. All we have seen are government officials lambasting NGOs and other stakeholders," he said.
"As we move through 2010, government should be more proactive rather than reactive. They should engage the Church in many issues and try to understand why there are differences in opinion at times. The attitude that those in government are more Zambian and wiser is bad. Intolerance is on the rise based on the assumption that those not in MMD are not entitled to state facilities and privileges; this is not right."
Habasonda advised the government to change its approach towards people and institutions with opposing views so that the country could move forward.
"I think it's time government changed its attitude towards the Church and other stakeholders. It's not only right to call all these stakeholders allies when they do or say something those in authority agree with. Society is made up of different views. That's what makes a complete society. This approach of being arrogant, what I call 'mighty is right', is not good for democracy. We want to see President Rupiah Banda lead peaceful campaigns as we go towards the 2011 general election. We also want to see the MMD convention attended by all stakeholders in the party. These are some of the tenets of good governance which this government should remind themselves of all the time," said Habasonda.
Giving his reflections on the year 2010, Mulafulafu observed on Monday that politicians would continue to use the same language they used last year against the church.
Labels: CARITAS, LEE HABASONDE, SACCORD
Read more...
‘Rupiah’s govt has assumed posture of self-preservation’
By George Chellah
Sat 02 Jan. 2010, 04:01 CAT
SOUTHERN African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has noted that President Rupiah Banda’s administration has assumed the posture of self-preservation, insensitivity and intolerance to most of the dissenting views. Giving his reflections for 2009, Habasonda observed that the year was generally challenging for citizens and the Rupiah Banda-led government.
“Conflict resolution and management was a hotchpotch affair. In many aspects the political and conflict challenges were self-inflicted mainly due to errors of judgement. This was mainly due to the use of the “mighty is right approach” to address perceived conflicts.
Consequently the government alienated even sectors of society that were their natural allies and sympathisers during the election campaign to usher in Rupiah Banda. In many instances political rhetoric on policy was right but the concomitant action was different or lacking altogether. For some reason the economic fundamentals including fuel prices remained stable although fuel and electricity were seriously erratic at certain points,” Habasonda stated.
“Within the ambit of SACCORD’s work, we viewed 2009 as a year of transition. However, the government lost opportunities in a number of ways and did not really settle down to government business. Firstly, the appointment of cabinet reflected mainly regions that voted for President Banda to the exclusion of those who did not.
We believe the MMD government lost an opportunity to bring those who did not vote for RB on board. This approach just further entrenched the perceived divisions and self-awareness on political and regional lines.”
He stated that the traditional leaders had also been left divided due to political privileges and influence.
“The consequences have been the resurgence of tribal identities, which unfortunately too are not being managed properly and are a threat to national unity. Secondly, the President did not embrace the groups that were outside the constitution-making process thereby maintaining the standoff that was created during the rule of his predecessor.
He could have taken a different approach towards the church and other groups outside the process and engaged with them to ensure a constitutional process endorsed by a perceived majority of citizens,” he stated.
He stated that the accusations of genocide on the Catholic Church and how it was managed did not help matters at all.
He also stated that instead of enacting legislation to broaden citizen freedoms, the government set out to use the law to cage and muzzle all NGOs.
“Although the intention was to target a few, perceived to be critical of the state.
Hence 2009 was the year of return to the imposition of a draconian law which criminalises unregistered organisations; allows the State to impose limitations on an organisation’s registration status; requires re-registration every 5 years; envisions a heavily bureaucratic regulatory body called the NGO
Registration Board; grants the NGO board dangerously broad regulatory powers; imposes constraints on the ability of NGOs to communicate and cooperate with counterparts both locally and abroad; mandates membership in an umbrella organisation; and threatens those who contravene the said provisions with harsh criminal sanctions, including imprisonment- a strategy of using a hammer to kill a fly,” Habasonda stated.
“This has turned the democratic clock backwards and has certainly cost MMD many sympathisers in the NGO community. No sooner had government dealt with the NGOs did it set on a path to again use the law to deal with the media to fix perceived opponents which agenda is actively being pursued as the year comes to the close.
The media landscape has certainly changed drastically to levels where professional and balanced news coverage and reporting is quickly disappearing because media practitioners are intimidated and not protected. Hopefully 2010 will bring a change of heart on the part of government about their media relations.”
He stated that the government had evaded any constructive engagement with the opposition political parties including their own ruling party.
“This has spelled doom for the transition as energies have been diverted to political fire fighting at every level throughout the year overshadowing any real government business at hand. Again a chance for dialogue and changing the direction of our politics to higher levels of conduct was lost.
Hence we witnessed base politics of uncouth language and impolitic justifications for dehumanising one another at the highest levels of Zambian leadership,” Habasonda stated. “From our viewpoint, the government in 2009, assumed the posture of self-preservation, insensitivity and intolerance to most of the dissenting views.
The result was increased violence against journalists and political activists who were perceived to be anti-government including those working for the state. Intimidation, harassment, regulation, victimisation, cooption or exclusion from national processes of perceived state opponents was a major strategy to conduct political business as opposed to dialogue and engagement with those seen to be doing things differently from government’s way of thinking.
“While rhetoric about national unity was high government actions were divisive and selective. In many processes party affiliation was a critical consideration to the exclusion of non-party members. The appointment of permanent secretaries and those to the Foreign Service are pointers to this.”
On corruption, Habasonda stated that the fight against corruption became a political tool to win acceptance from those who were disaffected in the previous regime and had brought doubts on the integrity of the judiciary and its independence.
“It further exposed the tacit executive interference on the judicial processes. The Dora tribunal and subsequent overturning of the tribunal judgement as well as the Chiluba acquittal and blockage of appeal epitomised the doubts on the integrity of the judicature.
This was coupled with the dissolution of the task force and the issues surrounding the sacking of the task force chairman, director general of Zambia procurement authority (Tender Board) and non-renewal of the attorney general’s contract. This had damning exposure and perception on the resolve to fight corruption and has had the effect of obliterating good efforts such the launch of the anti-corruption policy,” Habasonda stated.
“The only achievement that we credit the government in the year is the approval of the decentralisation implementation policy plan. This hopefully will transfer the responsibility for local development to the people. We also want to urge the police to maintain their posture on impartiality when dealing with political and civil meetings. Their conduct in Solwezi by election tainted their otherwise good record in administering the public order act professionally.”
He stated that SACCORD would like a situation where political parties began to build peace constituencies and engage in more constructive dialogue and reach out to one another.
“We are also concerned with the frost relations between The Post newspaper and government which heightened in 2009. Clearly everyone could see that government spent huge amounts of energy and resources to fix the newspaper and the paper did what it could to defend its position. This tended to divert attention from real issues affecting our people,” stated Habasonda.
“We want to see direct engagement and a quick resolution of differences between the two to save democracy and a vibrant media in the country. In this regard, SACCORD would be willing to facilitate such engagement and dialogue.”
Labels: LEE HABASONDE, RUPIAH BANDA, SACCORD
Read more...
People who shot Chongwe should be known, demands SACCORD
By Moses Kuwema and Margaret Mtonga
Thu 24 Dec. 2009, 04:00 CAT
SOUTHERN Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has demanded that people who are suspected to have shot Dr Roger Chongwe should be known to the public before the government compensates him.
Habasonda said as human rights activists, SACCORD was interested in knowing the people who committed the crime against Chongwe.
“If the suspects are alive, the government must see to it that they are brought to book and if they are dead then people like second Republican president Frederick Chiluba who served as president at that time must pay the compensation,” he said.
He said it would be wrong for the state to continue with the payment of Dr Chongwe's compensation before making public which individual committed the offence.
“We as taxpayers will not allow a situation where taxpayers money goes to waste as a result of one careless individual, it’s better to use this money for development instead,” he said.
Habasonda also said the whole case had exposed weaknesses in the legal conflict of management in the country.
“While it is legal and legitimate for Dr Chongwe to claim his compensation, our concern is that his case has exposed weaknesses in the legal conflict management in this country,” he said.
And Habasonda has challenged the government to tell the public if the constitution would be subjected to a referendum or it would be passed on to Parliament for amendment.
Addressing the press yesterday, Habasonda said the public deserved to know if the constitution would be subjected to a referendum after the 2010 population census.
“We are concerned that the referendum will require as much resources as the elections in 2011 and it is better to prepare the public on the direction that the constitution-making process will take in order to avoid conflicts surrounding elections,” he said.
Habasonda said the civil society still maintain that the national constitution making process should adopt the draft constitution.
“As civil society, we maintain our posture that the NCC is to adopt the draft constitution while the people of Zambia must endorse it and the National Assembly must enact it into law. Failure to follow this process will definitely extinguish the little hope that many Zambians had placed in the NCC process,” he said.
He said it was important for the government to clearly and definitely give timeliness from both the NCC and the government on this process.
“The performance of the NCC will be judged on the basis of the credibility and durability of its end-out put. The people of Zambia habour the high expectations that the 211 presidential, parliamentary and local government elections will be held under a new basis law,” said Habasonda.
Labels: LEE HABASONDE, ROGER CHONGWE, SACCORD
Read more...
SACCORD urges govt to explain referendum on constitution
By Margaret Mtonga and Moses Kuwema
Wed 23 Dec. 2009, 16:00 CAT
SOUTHERN Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has challenged the government to tell the public if the constitution will be subjected to a referendum or it will be passed on to parliament for amendment.
And Habasonda has demanded that people who are suspected to have shot Roger Chongwe should be known to the public before government compensates him. Addressing the press on Wednesday, Habasonda said the public deserved to know if the constitution would be subjected to a referendum after the 2010 population census.
“We are concerned that the referendum will require as much resources as the elections in 2011 and it is better to prepare the public on the direction that the constitution making process will take in order to avoid conflicts surrounding elections,” he said.
Habasonda said Civil Society still maintain that the National Constitution process should adopt the draft constitution.
“As Civil Society, we maintain our posture that the NCC is to adopt the draft constitution while the people of Zambia must endorse it and the national assembly must enact it into law. Failure to follow this process will definitely extinguish the little hope that many Zambians had placed in the NCC process,” Habasonda said.
“The performance of the NCC will be judged on the basis of the credibility and durability of its end-output. The people of Zambia habour the high expectations that the 2011 presidential parliamentary and local government elections will be held under a new law,” Habasonda said.
Habasonda said as human rights activists, SACCORD was interested in knowing the people who committed the crime against Chongwe.
“If the suspects are alive the government must see to it that they are brought to book and if they are dead then people like second republican president Fredrick Chiluba who served as president at that time must pay the compensation,” he said.
He said it would be wrong for the state to continue with the payment of Chongwe’s compensation before making public know which individual committed the offence.
“We as tax payers will not allow a situation where tax payers money goes to waste as a result of one careless individual, its better to use this money for development instead,” he said.
And Habasonda also said that while it was legal and legitimate for Chongwe to claim his compensation, the whole case had exposed weaknesses in the legal conflict management in the country.
“While it is legal and legitimate for Chongwe to claim his compensation, our concern is that his case has exposed weaknesses in the legal conflict management in this country,” said Habasonda.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, LEE HABASONDE, SACCORD
Read more...
Zambians are frustrated with Rupiah’s govt – Habasonda
By George Chellah
Thu 17 Dec. 2009, 04:01 CAT
SOUTHERN African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has observed that Zambians especially the grassroots are generally frustrated with President Rupiah Banda's government. In an interview, Habasonda said the people were dissatisfied with President Banda's government.
“Clearly most Zambians are disappointed that since President Banda took over government there hasn't been any forward-looking plan on how they intend to move forward in economic or political terms as well as a master plan in the energy sector,” he said.
He noted that currently there was just confusion.
“Politically as a ruling party MMD there is just confusion in there. Nobody is able to plan the political landscape. Instead of using the government machinery to lengthen their 2011 campaign they should be able to lay out the strategic plan,” Habasonda said. “Between now and 2011 the indicators and targets they want to achieve are not clear. Its like this period is a transition period for the leaders in government where they don't care what will happen afterwards.
“Politicians are just planning on which political move to make in 2011. Nobody is willing to look at the issues facing our people.”
Habasonda said people are fed up of political rhetoric.
“They want to see action especially that they government leaders have given themselves hefty salaries,” he said.
He challenged President Banda's government to show what they have done since they took over office.
“Let them point out what they have done as an administration since they took over and also where they are going and what indicators and targets they have set by 2011 because nobody knows them,” Habasonda said. “When you look at the constitution process its not clear whether it will be done by 2011, the Electoral Act also depends on the constitution, poverty is still high, the road infrastructure is worsening, it's so frustrating you know.”
He said the whole term after the death of president Mwanawasa seems to have been full of hot air.
“Generally there is a lot of frustration among the grassroots. I am not a government leader myself but I receive people asking for help,” Habasonda said. “The opposition also has not done a good job because the mood for people to listen to an alternative voice is very ripe.”
And Transparency International-Zambia (TIZ) executive director Goodwell Lungu equally observed that there has been a lot of political rhetoric so far.
“What we have seen missing is the actual action. For instance, when you talk of the fight against corruption there are certain practical actions that are supposed to be taken. There is need to move from the political mood and campaign of 2008,” Lungu said. “This is the time to show what they have done and they have to continue providing action.”
He advised the government to be open to criticisms.
“Where they do well we will come out in the open to commend, where they don't do well we will come out to offer the constructive criticism. Where they don't understand our operations let them contact us and ask,” he said.
He said the criticism offered to the government has been like offering love to the country.
“So far there has been mixed reaction to criticism, at times they take criticism positively and at times they over react,” he said.
On governance, Lungu said there are a number of issues, which have gone amiss.
“Like the court judgments, the government has come to defend certain positions,” he said.
He said TIZ feels that there was no need to continue with political rhetoric.
“The Zambian people are waiting to see what will happen after 2011,” said Lungu.
Labels: LEE HABASONDE, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA, SACCORD
Read more...
Appointment of cadres to civil service has dire consequences’
By George Chellah
Mon 30 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT
SOUTHERN African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has observed that the appointment of well-known political cadres to professional careers in the civil service has dire consequences.
Commenting on President Rupiah Banda's recent reshuffles to government structures, Habasonda said SACCORD noted that the appointments of some permanent secretaries were a serious source of concern to the public.
"We have stated before that it is not proper to appoint well known political party functionaries to professional careers in the civil service. This is because the consequences are dire and the situation will be difficult to redress in the future," Habasonda stated.
"Earlier in the last reshuffles, some party cadres were appointed to top civil service positions against the outcry from the public. Unfortunately, we continue to see appointments based on patronage and support for the ruling party. We are unable to understand why our leaders cannot see the value in our pleas for a non-partisan civil service."
Habasonda said SACCORD was puzzled that its concerns, which were shared by the public at large, were not being listened to.
"Clearly the civil service plays an important role in ensuring service delivery to the people. However, once the civil service has been captured by political party interests as is now happening, it loses its essence, value, effectiveness and respect," Habasonda said.
"At the rate we are going, it is evident that the Party and its Government (PIG) syndrome reminiscent of the old UNIP days is back. This means we cannot expect fair and just decisions in managing development priorities and effectively reconciling conflicts that arise in the system."
Habasonda reiterated SACCORD's appeal to President Banda to begin ridding the civil service of political party functionaries instead of beefing up their numbers.
"There is urgent and great need by appointing authorities to re-examine the appointment system for controlling officers in this country because they are not only strategic but also reflective of the engine of the government," Habasonda said.
"While we recognise the powers vested in the high office to appoint any citizen, we wish to put it on record that we are disappointed nevertheless that some of the newly appointed permanent secretaries are being rewarded for campaigning for the ruling party as well as for lining up to meet the president whenever he is arriving or being a sympathizer to the MMD in one form or another."
Labels: CADRES, GOVERNANCE, LEE HABASONDE, RUPIAH BANDA
Read more...
SADC, AU over-cautious on Zim – SACCORD
By Maluba Jere
Mon 23 Nov. 2009, 04:00 CAT
SACCORD executive director Lee Habasonda has observed that SADC and AU are being over-cautious in dealing with the Zimbabwe crisis, thereby slowing down the process of addressing the problems.
Commenting on the bickering in the Zimbabwe’s unity government that had forced the Morgan Tsvangirai MDC to temporarily withdraw from cabinet business, Habasonda said the problems in Zimbabwe were complex and needed to be addressed with the seriousness they deserved.
He urged the regional bodies to take a revolutionary approach in dealing with the problems in Zimbabwe if desired results were to be achieved.
“As the civil society, we feel SADC Southern African Development Community and the AU African Union need to do more to resolve the problems in Zimbabwe,” Habasonda said. “The problem is complex and does not only touch on the people of Zimbabwe. It has implications on Africa and the region as a whole.”
He said contributing to a stable government of national unity would be difficult if the current political uncertainty were not addressed.
Habasonda called on the regional bodies to send monitoring groups who would ensure both parties observed the Global Political Agreement.
“There is need to ensure that mutual respect continues between the two parties. But we have a situation where one party is observing the agreement while the other is not and because of that, the parties must be monitored; monitors must be sent there,” he said. “We are looking up to President Zuma to ensure the problem is resolved.”
Habasonda further expressed concern that issues of human rights violations as well as the growing militia behaviour among young people were also contributing to the problem.
Labels: AU, GLOBAL POLITICAL AGREEMENT, LEE HABASONDE, NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT, SACCORD, SADC
Read more...
‘Pornography’ acquittal is a lesson for Rupiah – SACCORD
By Mwala Kalaluka in Lusaka and George Zulu in Monze
Fri 20 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT
SACCORD has noted that the acquittal of Post news editor Chansa Kabwela on a ‘pornography’ charge is a clear sign that trumped-up charges against innocent citizens by the state can never stick.
And UPND vice-president for political affairs Francis Simenda has said Kabwela’s acquittal is a lesson enough for President Rupiah Banda to stop governing on hatred and bitterness against individuals with views opposed to his.
Southern Africa Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda said his organisation welcomed Kabwela’s acquittal and urged her to keep strong.
“Her victory is a victory for all Zambians, particularly the media fraternity. The judgment is a clear sign that trumped-up charges against innocent citizens by the state can never stick,” Habasonda said. “The ruling should send a message to those planning to regulate the media using government instruments to oppress and suppress the truth. Hence any law they are planning based on targeting people and settling scores will fail to stand the test of time and the victims will at some point triumph.”
Habasonda said SACCORD was happy that Kabwela was finally free because she acted in the best interest of the poor people to bring social justice, which is a pre-requisite for peace in the country.
“Indeed, we share in her victory and that of The Post newspaper, which has continued to carry the burdens and persecutions from state intolerance,” Habasonda said.
“Government must have realised that it was an exercise in futility to waste such time and resources for a clear case which did not even require a lawyer to know that it was damned. We urged the government to ensure that they critically consider some of the cases before they are taken to court, as it is not only a continuous source of embarrassment for government, but also shows lack of proper priority setting in the country.”
He said government legal advisors must begin to advise against some of these politically nuanced legal undertakings because they reflect badly on them in the final analysis.
“The manpower being used to pursue those with divergent views can well service the country to rid it of criminals and other people who are the real threats to the well-being of our society,” Habasonda said.
“To the media, we urge you to fight on and reject any manoeuvers to encroach on your freedom to tell the truth and improve our democratic dispensation. We are happy that this in the end has made Kabwela a heroine of our time.”
The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) commented that Lusaka chief resident magistrate Charles Kafunda took the right decision to acquit Kabwela, as the charges against her were ridiculous and baseless.
“We nonetheless regret that the authorities subjected her to this ordeal for many months for no reason,” RSF stated.
And Simenda said in an interview in Choma that President Banda was leading a failed system of governance.
Simenda said President Banda’s directive for the police to arrest and prosecute Kabwela following his failure to address the desperate situation that was obtaining in the hospital was unreasonable.
Simenda, who is a former Mongu Central member of parliament, said Kabwela’s acquittal was expected because it was based on a flimsy Presidential directive, adding that if President Banda continued governing with an iron fist, he would end up embarrassing himself locally and internationally.
Simenda said already the SADC region was laughing at President Banda’s narrow-mindedness on the governance of the country with respect to the rule of law.
“People were giving birth on the streets because no one was there at the hospitals to help them. Now, because this is a government of hatred and vindictiveness, they had to arrest and victimise the young lady for nothing but doing the right job. Just imagine to tell them that the situation in the health sector is desperate they arrested Chansa and victimised and embarrassed her to the levels of agitating for the people of Zambia to turn against her!” he wondered.
“You see, you can suppress the truth, the truth will always triumph and she (Kabwela) suffered at the hand of President Banda and people, but the Lord Almighty has vindicated her that she was innocent and doing a noble job and I hope other journalists will not be intimidated… Chansa has done the women and all Zambians proud and it is an unforgettable and great favour to expose the problems.”
And Simenda said the the government’s intention to statutorily regulate the media was unnecessary because the current laws were sufficient to govern the media fraternity.
Simenda said should government go ahead with its intentions on the media against the people’s will, they should not complain if the same law they were pushing for backfired on them.
“Why should they fear? Let the media be independent, they can regulate themselves. They have ethics. We don’t need to put up draconian laws to stifle the operations of the media in the country. We shall always support the call by media institutions for self-regulation,” said Simenda.
Simenda observed that statutory regulation of the media was aimed at criminalising the journalism profession and it would be difficult for journalists to work as they would operate under stress and that Zambians would lose out.
Labels: CHANSA KABWELA, COURTS, LEE HABASONDE, RUPIAH BANDA, SACCORD, THE POST
Read more...
Don’t trivialise Zamtel sale, Mususu urges govt
Written by Kabanda Chulu
Saturday, September 19, 2009 5:18:33 PM
EVANGELICAL Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) executive director Paul Mususu yesterday challenged the MMD government to be sensitive and not trivialise the sale of Zamtel through suspicious re-engagement of RP Capital Partners as exclusive financial advisors to the transaction.
And Southern Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has urged the government to explain why 'goal posts' are being shifted to suit the aspirations of RP Capital Partners in the 75 per cent sale of Zamtel shares.
Initially government stated that RP Capital Partners were engaged as evaluators for the assets of Zamtel and to propose the best way of restructuring the country's largest telecommunications company whose revenue for 2008 stood at K370 billion and has over 160,000 mobile subscribers and 95,000 fixed and wireless customers.
Commenting on the appointment of RP Capital Partners as the exclusive financial advisor to the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) in the sale of 75 per cent shares in Zamtel, Bishop Mususu said it was a sad development and urged Zambians not to stand aside and look.
"It is wrong to re-engage RP Capital Partners again especially that tenders were not opened or what means were used to invite them [RP Capital] or extend their mandate as financial advisors from being evaluators?" Bishop Mususu asked.
"In light of glaring irregularities cited in the [Dora] Siliya tribunal and even before the dust settles, this government has again appointed this company whose earlier engagement raised so much dust. But why? Anyway this government should be sensitive to this matter [sale of Zamtel] because it is of national interest which should not be trivialized."
And Habasonda challenged the government to explain why 'goal posts' were being shifted to suit the aspirations of RP Capital Partners in the 75 per cent sale of Zamtel shares.
"There is something fishy about this deal because the government said that RP Capital Partners were evaluators but how come they have become financial advisors and why wasn't this tender open so that all entities had an opportunity to participate?" asked Habasonda.
"Government should clear the air on why goal posts are being changed to suit RP Capitals and Zambians deserve to know the kind of relationship which the MMD government has with RP Capital in relation to the sale of Zamtel."
And Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) president Dr Fred Mutesa expressed fears that the current solution where the MMD government seeks to sell Zamtel to a foreign organisation will result in a situation where no major telecommunication company operating within Zambia will be locally owned and managed.
Dr Mutesa said ZED believes that Zamtel needed to be revitalised if it was to regain its lost competitiveness.
"However, we differ with the MMD government's approach concerning this matter. In our assessment, the recapitalisation and restructuring of Zamtel is the most important remedy to its problems. Whilst we accuse Zamtel of not being efficient, we note that it was under the policy direction of government all these years. Government has no one else to blame except itself for the problems Zamtel is facing. And we fear that the current solution which the MMD government seeks to sell Zamtel to a foreign organisation will result in a situation where no major telecommunication company operating within Zambia will be locally owned and managed," said Dr Mutesa.
"The experiences of Ramcoz and LCM should serve as sufficient lessons for the MMD government. The ZED policy position will be to use the Lusaka Stock Exchange and attract investment from Zambian citizens as well as local companies so that locals are empowered with shares and the majority of the company has Zambian control. It is unfortunate that whilst the government talks of empowerment and even sets up bodies such as the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), that these institutions are not being supported to perform the work that they were originally established to do."
And Development Partnership International (DPI) Zambia coordinator Richard Musauka called on Zambians to rise against the suspicious approach, which the MMD government was undertaking towards the privatisation of Zamtel.
He said the MMD government must explain the re-engagement of RP Capital Partners as financial advisors without tender procedures, saying the development shows that privatisation of Zamtel will not be done in a transparent and accountable manner.
"This company [RP Capital] or whatever you may call it was initially engaged in questionable circumstances and again it has been appointed as financial advisors but what the MMD government should know is that this suspicious approach shows that privatisation of Zamtel will not be conducted in a transparent and accountable manner that will not benefit the people of Zambia and people should stand up and oppose this development which smells of corruption," said Musauka.
The Zambia Development Agency during announced that they would be the main privatisation agent for Zamtel with RP Capital Advisors Limited as the financial advisor.
Labels: EFZ, LEE HABASONDE, PAUL MUSUSU, PRIVATISATION, RP CAPITAL PARTNERS, SACCORD, ZAMTEL
Read more...
NGOs won’t respect Rupiah’s law to regulate them – Habasonda
Written by Mwala Kalaluka
Thursday, September 03, 2009 12:14:23 AM
SOUTHERN African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda has said NGOs will not respect President Rupiah Banda’s law to regulate them Commenting on President Banda’s recent assenting to the bill that will regulate the operations of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Habasonda said the law was shortsighted.
“I think as far as we see it, that NGO law is shortsighted and it is shortchanging the freedoms of the people of Zambia for the selfish politicians,” Habasonda said.
“I think that it is a setback for those of us working in the area of civil society but obviously what is gratifying is that those that have made it are not going to remain permanently where they are and clearly these are some of the laws some of us will work to reverse. It is a law that has not been thought through very clearly. We have no respect for it anyway. It is puzzling how the legal system is beginning to work in this country.”
Habasonda said the NGOs were considering certain options that they would undertake against the passing of the law, which they had consistently opposed before its assent.
“We are going to ensure that government listens to the people. They should not think that just because they are in government, they are more Zambian than some of us. That is a mistaken notion,” said Habasonda.
“We are practically very unhappy, particularly the NGOs, that this law has passed…and everybody pretends that it is okay when it is taking away from the fundamental freedoms and rights enshrined in our Constitution. In fact, it is ultra vires the Zambian Constitution.”
Parliament recently passed a bill to regulate the operations of the NGOs in the country, which President Banda has since assented.
But the NGOs have rejected the law, calling for its review.
Labels: LEE HABASONDE, NGOs, RUPIAH BANDA, SACCORD
Read more...
Zambians must reject statutory media regulation – Habasonda
Written by George Chellah in Lusaka and Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 3:45:13 PM
SOUTHERN African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda yesterday urged Zambians to reject statutory regulation of the media.And Patriotic Front spokesperson Given Lubinda has accused Vice-President George Kunda and the MMD of trying to intimidate The Post newspaper through the regulation of the media. In an interview, Habasonda dismissed the government's intentions to regulate the media.
“Government's intention to regulate the media is a very systematic scheme to kill dissenting views in the country,” he said.
He said it was clear that the government wanted to regulate every section of society they saw as a challenge.
“While they are talking about regulating the media, they are also talking about regulating the civil society organisations. Before we know it, Zambia will not have democratic space for any dissenting views,” Habasonda said.
“We will be closing the remaining space for democratic progression. Media regulation along with civil society regulation is something which they want to do without anybody raising any concern.”
Habasonda said his organisation was concerned with the government's intention to regulate the media.
“We are very worried because it will affect issues of accountability, good governance and human rights violations,” Habasonda said. ìIt is definitely a big source of conflict for the Rupiah Banda regime. It appears they want to regulate every section of society they see as a challenge.î
He said the Zambian media had enjoyed some space in the past 15 years or so.
“Zambia enjoys good credentials not only in the region but even in Europe. Now with this violence against journalists, self-censorship in the state media and media regulation, these are things that are painting Zambia as a country that is quickly slipping into a one party state dictatorship,î Habasonda said.
He said Zambians must reject the intended regulation of the media and civil society organisations.
“They must reject this subversion on their rights and freedoms. It’s really regrettable, there is need for this government to engage in genuine dialogue with the civil society and the media practitioners before they talk about regulation,” Habasonda said. “You can't impose a law on people and expect them to respect it. You are wasting time and resources.”
Several stakeholders have condemned the government's intentions for statutory regulation of the media.
Last Saturday, Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata said statutory regulation of the media was a repressive law, which was only targeted at the private media.
He said plans by information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha to regulate the media would not yield any positive results.
“They have failed to regulate the media before and they shall fail again. It's clear that they were targeting certain non-governmental organisations (NGO) on the NGO bill and they are also targeting not only The Post but the private media like Sky FM in Monze on the statutory regulation of the media,” said Sata.
And UPND president Hakainde Hichilema said statutory regulation of the media was part of the dictatorial tendencies President Rupiah Banda was bringing in the country so that journalists could easily be beaten and locked up on the basis of a false law.
In an interview, Hichilema said statutory regulation of the media was an action in desperation by the ruling party.
“The MMD government has managed to control the judiciary we all know that, where the President is inferring with the judicial process. Issuing statements ahead of critical judgments and he is not satisfied with that,î Hichilema said. ìIt is absolutely wrong and he is really inciting anarchy in the nation. He is not satisfied with that, he controls the executive and now the intentions of this regulation is to control the fourth estate, the media.î
He described the intentions to regulate the media as purely greedy.
“You can see what greed can do. When a political party becomes so greedy, they want to control every aspect of the society. We need the media to remain free,î Hichilema said. ìWe want our media to be free to remain free, we disagree with the approach being taken with regard to the regulation of the media, it is not well meant.”
Hichilema said the law was meant to fully gag society.
And during a public forum organised by the Press Freedom Committee (PFC) of The Post on the sustainability of the UPND-PF pact in Livingstone on Saturday, Lubinda said the pact would repeal all obnoxious laws aimed at intimidating the media once it takes over power from the MMD.
"The MMD is pushing laws, I want to pass a friendly warning, come 2011 the government of UPND-PF pact shall repeal all obnoxious laws which include the statutory regulation of the media. We have in Zambia today the Media Ethics Council of Zambia (MECOZ) that is a free body where all journalists can register, that is the body that is supposed to be regulating journalists. What George Kunda is saying is that ‘I’m giving you six months to come up with another self-regulatory system'. What is he talking about? I want to say to you that it is a well known factor to us all that George Kunda and the MMD are trying to intimidated the Post Newspapers, we all know that because it is only the Post who are not members of MECOZ, but my friend George Kunda, Zambia is bigger than you and Zambia is not even yours, it is for the future and we shall stand and defend the journalists, those in the private and public media, we shall defend them,î he said.
Lubinda added that the UPND-PF pact will not ask its members to become hooligans like the MMD.
“We shall not ask our members to be hooligans who are beating media personnel, we will not do that, however we will also not allow anyone to come up with bills that intimidate the operations of the media in Zambia, because it is the press that speaks on behalf of you the voiceless people, it is the press that speaks on behalf of the suffering majority of Zambians so George Kunda go and say whatever you want to...," Lubinda said.
And commenting on former president Frederick Chilubaís acquittal, Lubinda said the first thing President Banda did when he came into office was to call Chiluba and tell him that he was a damn good president.
"I want to say that Rupiah Banda's interference in the Chiluba case is very clear to all of us and he cannot lie. When the judge was making the ruling on the case at 13:00 hours, Rupiah Banda said there would be a very important ruling in court. How did he know? The man even said I'm happy that I'm not in Lusaka, had I been in Lusaka the press was going to say that I interfered in the ruling. What nonsense? Does one need to be in Lusaka to interfere? That ruling was written weeks before," he said.
Lubinda added that it was also clear that it was only in Zambia were a person facing criminal charges shared a high table with the head of state and the chief justice.
Labels: LEE HABASONDE, MEDIA, PRESS FREEDOM, SACCORD
Read more...
