MMD bouncing back
By Editor
Thu 23 Jan. 2014, 14:00 CAT
Michael Kaingu, opposition MMD's vice-president for politics, says his party "will never bounce back to power if it remains uncleansed from its previous deeds". We agree.
Kaingu says there is no way the MMD could ever think of getting back to power on the same precedent it campaigned in 2011.
"The people of Zambia truly rejected us in 2011 for several reasons and I think one of them was the perception of corruption. The other one was the perception of arrogance…"
It is good that some key leaders of MMD like Kaingu are starting to recognise the scale of their defeat and of their problem.
Although not everyone in the MMD was corrupt, the public perception was of corruption and unfitness for public service. They cannot dismiss this perception as a mere false one. It must be appreciated as a deeply felt distaste, rather than a momentary irritation. There was indeed corruption in the MMD. And it is this corruption that has led to a number of their parliamentary seats being nullified. It is also their corruption that has landed their leader, Rupiah Banda, and his son in court.
Such distasteful perceptions can endure and do damage to the MMD's political prospects for a very long time.
It is good that the new leadership of MMD is starting to pick up courage and face these issues head on and deal with them. But there are still some in MMD who are trying very hard to defend what cannot be defended - the corruption of Rupiah and those close to him. There are those who have difficulties even admitting that their party conducted a very corrupt election campaign in 2011 which is today costing it parliamentary seats in election petitions. Instead of accepting blame and accepting the consequences of their corruption, they try to blame the court for the loss of their corruptly obtained parliamentary seats.
And this is a political party that still sends leaders and cadres to court to support the corrupt, to defend corruption. And it is also a political party whose president, Nevers Mumba, is facing corruption charges in our courts of law. How do they expect to regain public trust with all this?
People certainly need a rest from them, and they need time to reflect and listen and come to understand what went wrong with their conduct. They certainly need to do a lot about themselves. They need a better and different leadership from that of Rupiah and probably even of Nevers. They need better and different organisation. They need to spread their appeal and attract different sorts of people.
They also need to get straight the core beliefs of their party that seem to have been lost along the way. They need to take a fresh look at the new circumstances.
If they follow what Kaingu is saying, we are confident that the MMD will renew itself. If they don't, they can forget it and rest in peace.
But all this requires patience. They need to bide their time in the opposition patiently. They need to show that they are positive people and are patriots who want to see their country move forward, with or without them in power. They should not be tempted in any way to look to defeat the Patriotic Front on the back of national failure.
They should start taking pride in being honest, of having the public spirit and the honesty to discuss publicly their errors. If they do that on all levels, it will strengthen them, it will make them more powerful. It will make the people's faith in them renewed. Why? This is because of the fact that by admitting their errors, their mistakes, their transgressions, they stand a better chance to correct them. And the fact that they know how to make corrections will give their party renewed prestige. It will give them all the strength which political parties have when they know how to purify themselves of evils, when they know how to correct their errors, when they know how to overcome their difficulties.
There is a lot the Patriotic Front can learn from the forthright approach being exhibited by Kaingu. "We are not saying that we shall remain the MMD that the people of Zambia rejected. Everybody can see that there has been corruption in MMD and there is still corruption in PF," says Kaingu.
It is said that admitting a mistake, an error, a weakness is the first step to solving it. The seriousness of purpose of a political party is measured, basically, by the attitude it takes towards its own errors. Of course, political opponents are always alert to know the mistakes or errors you have made. But when errors are made and are not subjected to self-criticism, political opponents take advantage of them. When errors are made and are subjected to self-criticism, they may be used by opponents, but in a very different way. This is so because in the former case, the errors would not be corrected and in the latter, they would be. That's why it is important to take a forthright and serious attitude toward own errors.
There is no need to keep on denying charges of corruption when everyone knows how corrupt the MMD in government was. Equally, it will be important for the Patriotic Front to take an early stock take on issues of corruption. It cannot be denied that there is corruption among some Patriotic Front ministers. Last week's revelations about the way business enterprises connected, in one way or the other, to former defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba monopolised contracts from the Zambia National Service tell a big story about corruption in the Patriotic Front government.
There is need to thoroughly investigate how business was transacted at the Zambia Air Force and Zambia Army. It may also be necessary to thoroughly probe the operations of the Ministry of Home Affairs given the questionable contracts business enterprises connected to Mwamba were given supply contracts to some prisons. We don't think these things were only happening to Mwamba. A probe of all ministries may reveal some corruption that may need to be dealt with immediately.
If these things are not addressed now, soon or later, the Patriotic Front will have to pay a similar political price to that the MMD is footing today.
Change is needed at every stage of a political party's life. Political parties that don't change die. For a political party and its leaders, change is an important part of gaining the nation's trust.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD
Read more...
There has been corruption in MMD, admits Kaingu
By Henry Sinyangwe
Tue 21 Jan. 2014, 14:00 CAT
MICHAEL Kaingu says the MMD will never bounce back to power if it remains uncleansed of its previous deeds.
Kaingu who is MMD vice-president for politics and Mwandi member of parliament, said in an interview that there was no way MMD could ever think of getting back to power on the same platform it campaigned in 2011.
"The people of Zambia truly rejected us in 2011 for several reasons and I think one of them was the perception on corruption. The other one was the perception on arrogance, particularly when it came to the enactment of the constitution. Although really on the constitution we were unfairly judged because the process was initiated by President Levy Mwanawasa and it was completed by president Rupiah Banda. It was even taken to Parliament for enactment. Unfortunately, some of our colleagues at the time we were about to enact the constitution, they decided to betray us," said Kaingu, who added that the MMD was renewed.
"For example, I was not the vice-president in 2011, president Mumba was not the MMD president in 2011, and even vice-president Brian Chituwo was not the vice-president. Many positions have changed hands since then and we are asking the people of Zambia to look at the MMD as a rebranded party. Yes, we may not claim to be totally clean, but I think we are trying to renew ourselves from the perception that made us lose the 2011 elections."
He said the MMD would not remain the party that the people rejected in the 2011 general elections.
"We are not saying that we shall remain the MMD that the people of Zambia rejected. Everybody can see that there has been corruption in MMD and there is still corruption in PF," Kaingu said.
And Kaingu said leaders should avoid arrogance, which cost the MMD power in the 2011 general elections.
"We totally condemn arrogance, and the people who have been elected to preside over the welfare of the people must know that the people are the masters. We are privileged to hold the positions we hold and we should not use these positions to try and take undue advantage of the people who have elected us," said.
"I will not hesitate to condemn any misgivings or any misdeed of the PF. I strongly believe that men and women who are elected into these positions are just privileged. If I have demonstrated to the people that I am their master and not their servant, I totally apologise to them."
Labels: CORRUPTION, MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD
Read more...
Support indeco, Chitala advises Zambians
By Allan Mulenga
Wed 08 Jan. 2014, 14:01 CAT
DR Mbita Chitala has urged Zambians to support the re-introduction of the industrial development corporation, saying that all countries have advanced on the basis of revamping parastatals.
Commenting on MMD acting president Michael Kaingu's statement that establishing indeco would take the country backwards, Dr Chitala said the government intervenes in the market to safeguard the public good.
"There are two views in academia; the first view, which is correct, is that when there is a market failure, the state always intervenes and put up a company or project to ensure that public good is implemented. For instance in our case, the problem of the Railway Systems of Zambia, it required the government coming in and intervening and providing a public good on which all other sectors of the economy will enjoy," he said.
"The Railway Systems of Zambia was completely collapsing but now it has been revitalised. So, in the area of industry and commerce, I think we should learn from what has happened in other countries such as South Korea, which has advanced on the basis of parastatals."
Dr Chitala urged the government to manage indeco professionally.
"From the point of theory, there is nothing wrong in the government getting involved in the management of parastatals whenever there is a market failure. The challenge on the state establishing indeco is the challenge that all countries have, that there must be professionalism for the sake of national development," he said.
"The state should only come in where there is market failure; where the market cannot efficiently and equitably operate. The same way I have said about Zambia Railways, where there is so much money required to revamp it and it is only the state that can do that."
Dr Chitala, however, said Zambians were afraid that the establishment of indeco would breed nepotism, and bad governance, as was the case in most parastatals during the days of the one-party state, may be coming back.
On Kaingu's assertions that Dr Kenneth Kaunda was influencing President Michael Sata to make certain policies, Dr Chitala said there was no need to discard all policies UNIP formulated.
"The bottom of this matter is that what UNIP did was not all bad. Certain policies of UNIP were good, of which our politicians must be magnanimous enough and learn from. They may have managed the parastatals badly, but there was professionalism in the manner they were handled," said Dr Chitala.
On Friday, Kaingu, at a press briefing, urged Zambians to reject the re-inrtoduction of indeco, saying it would take the country backwards.
"We are wondering, what is this government trying to do? What ideologies is this government following? Is it socialism? Is it capitalism? Does it want to prioritise the mines again? Does it want to enter the private sector and get shares? Does it want to nationalise again? These are the questions that everybody is asking. What is this indeco about? Tomorrow it will be Zimco, then Mindeco," said Kaingu.
Labels: INDECO, MBITA CHITALA, MICHAEL KAINGU
Read more...
Quashing of SI 89 pleases Kaingu, Magande
By Gift Chanda and Abel Mboozi
Thu 31 Oct. 2013, 14:01 CAT
MICHAEL Kaingu says the MMD is very happy with President Michael Sata's strong stance against Statutory Instrument 89 that permitted exports of copper ores and concentrates tax-free.
And Kaingu has questioned finance minister Alexander Chikwanda's logic on his statement that government will lose out revenue from revoking Statutory Instrument 89.
Meanwhile, Ng'andu Magande who on Monday raised concern over the scrapping of the 10 per cent duty on mineral ores and concentrates has commended President Sata for revoking SI 89.
And Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini has directed Chikwanda to explain the financial implications of the revocation of SI 89.
President Sata on Monday directed that SI 89, which was signed by Chikwanda on October 4, suspending 10 per cent export duty on copper ore and concentrates for one year, be reversed.
The government introduced the export tax on raw metals in November 2011 in a bid to encourage the development of local industry and to add value to the economic chain.
The tax made exporting copper concentrates less profitable, encouraging mines to use local smelters.
But Chikwanda, during an appearance before the expanded parliamentary committee on estimates on Tuesday, said the government would lose income from Kansanshi following the revocation of the Statutory Instrument 89 permitting mining firms to export concentrates tax-free.
Chikwanda said the Ministry of Finance had realigned SI 89 in line with President Sata's directive that it be revoked although the move would result in revenue losses due to low smelter capacity locally.
But Kaingu supported the decision by President Sata to have the 10 per cent tax on copper ore and concentrates brought back as Chikwanda could not have the luxury to continue giving tax incentives to the mines given the country's deteriorating fiscal position.
"When you export copper ore, you are actually not only exporting copper but other minerals. I tend to agree with President Sata and I am glad that he has come out strongly; it is not only me but many of us in MMD. We have been wondering why the mines were being allowed to ship out copper ore when we have many smelters in the country," he said.
"It has been proven that copper ore has many other minerals integrated, you find gold for example, and there is no way we should be allowing this to go untaxed."
Kaingu said Chikwanda's defence of SI 89 does not hold any water because the without the 10 per cent duty in place, mining firms would have continued to rob poor Zambians of the necessary revenues for development.
"I don't understand what the minister is saying because how can you lose revenue by allowing exports of ore tax free when the same ore contains so many other minerals?" he questioned in an interview.
"So much revenue that could have been collected on the other minerals that are contained in the ore was going to be exported tax free. So I do not understand what the minister means when he says the country will lose out."
Kaingu said many poor Zambians needed services but resources were scarce.
He said it was ironic for Chikwanda to borrow huge amounts of money from international sources to finance government expenditure when there was an opportunity to raise revenue from the mines through the 10 per cent export duty on copper ore and concentrates.
"...there is no way you can ever think that by exporting copper ore tax free you are helping the country," Kaingu said.
"When you look at our budget you cannot allow tax free exports. Look at the deficit of 8.5 per cent instead of 4 per cent. Look at our indebtedness, the local debt is 13 per cent, the national debt is 12 per cent, where are we getting the luxury to give away taxes? I don't think there should be any tax freedom for anybody. We have lost luxury particularly in our mining sector because it is one of the sectors that is doing well."
He said Zambia was lucky that despite the drop in copper prices, the fall had not been excessive.
"Besides, copper production has been very good. So what should be the reason for tax rebates? I don't see it myself," Kaingu said.
And Kaingu said he did not believe Chikwanda could have be misled by officers at the Zambia Revenue Authority.
Revoking SI 89 on Monday, President Sata admonished Zambia Revenue Authority commissioner general Berlin Msiska and commissioner of customs Dingani Banda for allegedly advising the finance minister wrongly.
"The truth of the matter is that Chikwanda is a highly qualified person in that job. He is doing it for the second time, I don't think he can be misled by his officials," said Kaingu. "I tend to disagree with that allegation that he was misled."
And Magande said Chikwanda needed to tell the nation how much the county was going to lose following the revocation of SI 89.
"If the minister is saying the country will lose money, let him get the details because that is what his officials are paid to do," he said.
"When they were putting this SI, they were supposed to work out the details of how much we are we going to lose. So if he says we will lose revenue, let us see the numbers in which case perhaps some of us who are not so close to what is happening will not miss out," said Magande.
And responding to Kaingu's point of order raised on Tuesday on whether the revenue from the mines through the imposition of export duty on ores and concentrates would be factored into the budget, Speaker Matibini said he had adequately studied the point of order to warrant a ruling.
In his ruling, Speaker Matibini explained that the point of order emanated from the customs and exercise (ores and concentrates), export duty (suspension) regulation 2013 as Statutory Instrument no 89 of 2013 which was issued on October 4, 2013, by the finance minister.
He said the SI in question suspended the levy of export duty on ores and concentrates from October 4, 2013 to September 30, 2014, and that the operation of the SI thus meant revenue loss to the government during the period that the law would be in effect.
"However, I wish to inform the House that on Monday October 28, 2013, Chikwanda issued a customs and exercise ores and concentrates export duty suspension amendment regulations 2013 being SI no 99 of 2013 which amended SI no 89 of 2013," Speaker Matibini said.
He explained that SI no 99 of 2013 therefore reduced the period of suspension of export duty on ores and concentrates to October 25, 2013.
"Effectively, SI 99 of 2013 has revoked the SI 89 of 2013. Honourable members, I therefore direct the Minister of Finance to explain the financial implications of this measure," said Speaker Matibini.
Labels: ALEXANDER CHIKWANDA, MICHAEL KAINGU, MICHAEL SATA, MMD, NG'ANDU MAGANDE, STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 89
Read more...
PF warns Moles
By Moses Kuwema
Sat 17 Aug. 2013, 14:01 CAT
WYNTER Kabimba has warned that the PF will continue taking action against any of its members who leak confidential information from the party to any unauthorised person.
Commenting on MMD vice-president for politics, Michael Kaingu's statement that the PF had planted a lot of moles in his party, Kabimba who is PF secretary general and justice minister, said there were no moles that PF had planted in any political party.
"For us, if anybody leaks confidential information from the party to any unauthorised person, that is an act of gross misconduct as far as our constitution is concerned and the party will take action accordingly and appropriately," he said.
Kabimba said the PF would like the MMD to die on its own without attributing its demise to the PF.
"Who are the moles? We don't know of any moles that the PF has planted in the MMD. That's not our policy. We would like the MMD to die on its on without attributing its demise to the PF," he said.
Kabimba said PF was of the belief that it was for the good of democracy to have an opposition movement in the country.
He however, said the movement could only be promoted by the leadership in the MMD and the leadership in the UPND.
"It is not our role as PF to mobilise and recruit membership for the MMD or the UPND. Our job is to mobilise and recruit members for our party," he said.
Asked on MMD president Nevers Mumba's statement that the PF members had started telling lies against themselves and that this was what was going to destroy the party, Kabimba wondered why Mumba was concerned about the "perceived destruction" of the PF.
"Why is Mumba concerned about the destruction of PF and not that of his political party? If PF destroys itself, of what business is it to him? I would have thought that he has a lot of problems inside the MMD for rejecting his leadership and his style of leadership. He should be addressing those issues instead of lamenting about the perceived destruction of the PF, which is just a figment of his own imagination," said Kabimba.
Commenting on the dismissal of Dr Effron Lungu as foreign affairs minister for allegedly leaking information to the MMD, Kaingu likened the action to the song 'Chiwamina galu kuluma mbuzi' by Zambian artiste Bob Mabege.
Kaingu said it was the PF that had flooded MMD with moles.
Labels: MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA
Read more...
PF warns Moles
By Moses Kuwema
Sat 17 Aug. 2013, 14:01 CAT
WYNTER Kabimba has warned that the PF will continue taking action against any of its members who leak confidential information from the party to any unauthorised person.
Commenting on MMD vice-president for politics, Michael Kaingu's statement that the PF had planted a lot of moles in his party, Kabimba who is PF secretary general and justice minister, said there were no moles that PF had planted in any political party.
"For us, if anybody leaks confidential information from the party to any unauthorised person, that is an act of gross misconduct as far as our constitution is concerned and the party will take action accordingly and appropriately," he said.
Kabimba said the PF would like the MMD to die on its own without attributing its demise to the PF.
"Who are the moles? We don't know of any moles that the PF has planted in the MMD. That's not our policy. We would like the MMD to die on its on without attributing its demise to the PF," he said.
Kabimba said PF was of the belief that it was for the good of democracy to have an opposition movement in the country.
He however, said the movement could only be promoted by the leadership in the MMD and the leadership in the UPND.
"It is not our role as PF to mobilise and recruit membership for the MMD or the UPND. Our job is to mobilise and recruit members for our party," he said.
Asked on MMD president Nevers Mumba's statement that the PF members had started telling lies against themselves and that this was what was going to destroy the party, Kabimba wondered why Mumba was concerned about the "perceived destruction" of the PF.
"Why is Mumba concerned about the destruction of PF and not that of his political party? If PF destroys itself, of what business is it to him? I would have thought that he has a lot of problems inside the MMD for rejecting his leadership and his style of leadership. He should be addressing those issues instead of lamenting about the perceived destruction of the PF, which is just a figment of his own imagination," said Kabimba.
Commenting on the dismissal of Dr Effron Lungu as foreign affairs minister for allegedly leaking information to the MMD, Kaingu likened the action to the song 'Chiwamina galu kuluma mbuzi' by Zambian artiste Bob Mabege.
Kaingu said it was the PF that had flooded MMD with moles.
Labels: MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA
Read more...
MMD rift widens
By Kombe Chimpinde
Tue 30 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
MMD vice-president Michael Kaingu says MMD is bigger than Nevers Mumba. And Kaingu says that Mumba is the one sending youths to insult Dr Brian Chituwo, Kapembwa Simbao and Kabinga Pande.
Kaingu said ever since he, Chituwo, Simbao and Pande went to meet Mumba to discuss the state of affairs in the party, they decided to show leadership by keeping quiet, while people like Bowman Lusambo had continued issuing insults against them in the press.
"I have not issued any statement, and from the people's side, there is not a single person who has made a statement. There is only one side that is making statements," Kaingu said.
"Let me tell you something, MMD is not about one person. It is bigger than all of us. We have a lot of people. MMD is all of us including president Nevers Mumba, and MMD is going to clean itself and those who will not be found fit in the MMD formula, they should leave on their own or MMD will throw them out. That is all because at the end of the day we (MMD) want to form government and that is what the people want."
Kaingu said in reference to Lusambo's media address at the party secretariat yesterday that it was shameful for a suspended party member to be allowed to make statements at the party secretariat.
He dismissed assertions that a group of 'MMD die hard' youths aggrieved by his statement were slated to go and manhandle some officials at the secretariat in Lusaka.
"Let me tell you that even if I organise 15 or 20 youth to protect me or the four of us, if MMD does not like me, there is nothing I am doing," he said.
Kaingu warned that inciting violence would not solve the problems the party is facing.
"When you bake a piece of cake and it does not come out nicely, even if you put decorations, icing and whatever, you are wasting your time. The cake is not good. MMD is still a good party. Everywhere you go, they will tell you MMD is very strong but you must look at your leadership and me as vice-president political, I have received so many calls from North-Western Province and everywhere," Kaingu said.
"One of us (chairperson for mines Maxwell Mwale) has just resigned, find out why Hon Mwale left. Find out why Canisius Banda left. Find out why people are leaving because they are giving reasons why they are leaving and I am sure they are not saying that 'Kaingu is a bad man'. MMD is big, bigger than all of us."
And Kaingu said it was unfortunate that as vice-president, he was no longer aware of party activities.
"The only thing I see is a young man, in the name of Bowman Lusambo, insulting the leaders. It's shameful and it is not that we cannot find people to insult also. I don't think leadership makes us to react in that manner," Kaingu said.
"I am MMD and even my blood smells MMD. Let those who want to destroy the party destroy it. That is my comment. My party card is 159,500, that is my card. A 1991 card, that is my card and I am MMD through and through and I will not be part of the people who want to destroy it. They have a reason to do that."
Kaingu said he and his three colleagues at the helm of MMD were made of different material and that a time would come when they would decide the way forward in a mature and orderly manner.
"If the four of us react, as a group or as individuals then we won't be solving anything. Remember the four of us were cabinet ministers, it means there is a lot of leadership in us," said Kaingu.
Lusambo recently described Kaingu, Pande, Dr Chituwo and Simbao as political serial killers for asking Mumba to step down as party president following poor performance and its dwindling fortunes.
And when contacted for a comment, Mumba's aide Nakacinda, who opted to speak on his behalf, said he would not be dragged into petty issues.
"These are supposed to be senior leaders of the party, so if they are senior leaders of the party, they are supposed to discuss those issues with the president. They have access to the president. There is nobody who can say the president is shielded from them," he said.
"Vice-president political Kaingu is immediate to the president. Have you ever heard the president say anything or comment on anything on this matter? You can't take Bowman, just like himself, for example what happened to his daughter Iris as his affair; his daughter is an individual and made an individual decision to do whatever happened and he (Kaingu) can't be held responsible. Equally, Bowman is an individual who had been operating as party symphathiser of MMD way before Mr Mumba became president."
He said Bowman was not a mouthpiece of Mumba and that he was a person the party was trying to manage.
He said Mumba was focused on organising the party and not petty issues.
"If the party chooses that is the way to go, it's their choice. If there is any issue that arises within or outside the party, there is no problem that is insurmountable for the party, even in this situation there is no need for the leaders to panic, all they need is to use the same courage to take the step they are reported to have taken to also have the courage, in a mature and orderly manner, and focus on what they want to resolve because they are saying all that in the interest of the party," said Nakacinda.
Labels: MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA
Read more...
UPND is attractive to MMD - Canisius
By Agness Changala and Mwala Kalaluka
Mon 08 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
IT'S MMD members that are daily knocking on our doors, says UPND vice-president for administration Dr Canisius Banda.
Commenting on MMD vice-president for politics Michael Kaingu's statement that it was political incest for the UPND to continue poaching MMD members of parliament whose seats had been nullified, Dr Banda said yesterday that his party was not poaching anyone as citizens were freely going to it.
"And when they come knocking on our doors, we welcome them and if they are willing to join us, we do not use force, we use our characters to attract them. So if they are willing to join us, we embrace them and begin to work with them," Dr Banda said.
He said there were no clandestine activities that the UPND was doing to get popular.
Dr Banda said instead of pointing a finger at anyone, the parties losing members should find out what was wrong within their ranks.
He said the assumption being made by the MMD that UPND was actively conducting a door-to-door recruitment campaign of members was wrong.
Dr Banda said those joining the party were citizens who had found the UPND to be the only hope for the attainment of national development.
He said instead of placing the blame on the UPND following its brightening political prospects, parties losing members must internally correct their character so that they make themselves attractive.
Dr Banda said if they were attractive their members would not leave even if they were approached.
"That their members are leaving is a wake-up call for them to realise that something is not right within themselves and they must study what is right in the parties where their members are going ," said Dr Banda.
Dr Banda recently defected from the MMD, where he was a member of the party's national executive committee, to join the UPND.
Labels: CANISIUS BANDA, MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, UPND
Read more...
It's political incest for UPND to poach MMD MPs - Kaingu
By Agness Changala and Mwala Kalaluka
Sun 07 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
DORA Siliya says she is still a member of the MMD, a party she is proud of. And MMD vice-president for politics Michael Kaingu says it is political incest for the UPND to continue poaching MMD members of parliament whose seats have been nullified.
But the UPND says there is nothing strange about the party's overtures to former MMD members of parliament to stand on its ticket during by-elections arising from the nullification of their parliamentary seats.
Responding to revelations by sources that UPND wanted Siliya and Maxwell Mwale to stand on the party ticket in Petauke Central and Malambo respectively,
Siliya, whose seat was nullified by the Supreme Court, denied having any links with the UPND.
"I don't know at what point somebody said me I was linked to UPND and who told you that information, because as far as I am aware, I am still MMD and that is where I have links," Siliya said in an interview.
Siliya, who said she had returned from the constituency, explained that she held talks with MMD there.
Siliya said her concern now was to try and attend to problems people were facing in Petauke Central Constituency.
She said Petauke has had no fuel for two weeks and there was no maize in the sheds.
Siliya said people in Petauke were also complaining because they did not get any fertiliser and could not afford three meals a day.
"They eat one meal a day. They have even given it a name. They call it one teleka (one pot) and they are saying now, we don't have three teleka but one teleka because there is real hunger. That is what I found in Petauke and that is what concerns me now," she said.
Siliya said when she was in Petauke, she also spoke with the general public and what she found were queues for ARVs because they were in short supply.
Siliya said patients were on monthly and weekly rations of drugs instead of three months in advance.
And commenting on revelations that the UPND wanted Siliya and Mwale, Kaingu yesterday wondered why the UPND had opted to start scoring in the MMD's goal when they were supposed to be a team.
"I am actually aware through The Post that our colleagues have approached our members for possible standing on their ticket in the forthcoming by-elections," Kaingu said. "The UPND have not discussed with us, to my knowledge. Unless they discussed with the other vice-president."
He said even if they discussed the issue with MMD leader Nevers Mumba, he would have been kept in the know because the matter fell directly under his political jurisdiction.
He said the UPND's argument that it worked well for the opposition when a member of the opposition resigns from his party and joins the UPND was questionable.
"I can't change their view but my views are that we are pockets of the same trousers. Does it really make sense? Does it make you change your position by taking money from one pocket into another pocket?" Kaingu asked. "Time will tell whether these modalities can work for the opposition because what is happening now is acrimony that is creeping into the opposition."
Kaingu said there was a ploy by the UPND and the PF to finish the MMD and he wondered why some of his members had made themselves vulnerable to being poached.
"We would not want to lose our members. If you were my relative, I don't think it would be good for you to be the one impregnating my children; let me use that metaphor. What I want from you is to be able to help me take the children to school," he said. "Our colleagues, they think that if we lose a member then it will be better for them. I have no evidence, they are enticing our members to join them."
Kaingu, who is also Mwandi MMD member of parliament, said the PF was going to consume the opposition parties if they continued operating in that manner.
"We constitute a team and then because someone believes that we must score then they start scoring in our own goal. I don't think that is a good team. Us and UPND are a team and I don't know why they are scoring in our goal," he said. "You saw that statement on TV by Bowman Lusambo and others. I don't know whether now the view of some of our members are such that we must interact with PF. Will it help our colleagues in the opposition if some of our members start speaking in the manner they are speaking?"
And UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said the issue of approaching members of parliament from the MMD whose seats had been nullified to stand on the UPND ticket was not unprecedented following what transpired in the recently held Kapiri Mposhi and Lukulu West by-elections.
"It is not something new. There is nothing special about it," he said. "There is nothing strange about these overtures and these approaches. It is something that is normal to the two parties."
Mweetwa said these were stubborn facts that would remain like the reality that sunlight always appeared every day.
"It is also factual that in some constituencies when you go for by-elections, it is easier for PF to decampaign MMD as a party than it is for them to decampaign UPND as a party because UPND has never been in government but MMD was in government for 20 years," he said.
Mweetwa said by getting former MMD members of parliament to stand on the UPND ticket, it would reduce the effects of the anti-MMD campaign messages that the PF would be unleashing.
"It is too early and pre-emptive for us to say we can give it Petauke Central and Malambo to the MMD for now because we believe our party is strong. It is growing. Our party stands a better chance in terms of campaign messages on the ground," said Mweetwa.
"We can't cannibalise MMD. They are our partners in opposing the PF. I do believe that UPND is not going to act unilaterally. If the UPND is desirous of fielding any of the former MMD members of parliament, it is something which they will not do in the dark because you can't hide such things. They will have to negotiate."
Labels: DORA SILIYA, MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, MPs, UPND
Read more...
MMD is failing to manage itself - Sata
By Moses Kuwema
Tue 02 Apr. 2013, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says the MMD should manage their post-power syndrome carefully if they have to remain relevant to the political process of the country.
Commenting on MMD vice-president for politics, Michael Kaingu's statement that the former ruling party was not surprised with Feira member of parliament Patrick Ngoma's resignation to join the PF, and that the ruling party wanted to create a one-party state by wiping out the opposition, President Sata said the MMD should simply understand that they had a lot of work to do, particularly that they were even having members defecting to other opposition parties.
"Let them manage the post-power syndrome carefully if they have to remain relevant to the political process of this country. The problems MMD is facing are self-inflicted and cannot be blamed on anybody, especially PF. They are just failing to convince the people, they have no message for the Zambian people. Why is it that it is only the MMD which is complaining? Why is it that it is only the MMD which is boycotting elections when other political parties are taking advantage of the space they are leaving?" wondered President Sata through his special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah.
"And why is Mr Kaingu complaining over Mr Ngoma's defection and not complaining about the defections by Mr Lawrence Zimba and Mr Misheck Mutelo to UPND? Is Mr Kaingu also suggesting that that is creating a one party state? Why are they only complaining on defections to the ruling party and not to other opposition political parties?"
President Sata said he had no intentions of restoring a one-party state but was instead committed to ensuring that democracy in the country flourishes.
"No wonder Mr Kaingu's statement of restoring a one-party state does not hold. What is clear is that MMD is failing to manage itself and this is clearly on account of poor leadership. Therefore, Mr Kaingu's accusation is a cry of desperation. Mr Kaingu needs to understand what multi-partism is and multi-partism is about competition and not allowing your opponents to win. It seems in Mr Kaingu's understanding, multi-partism only exists when they win," he said.
President Sata said in any democracy, there was freedom of association and movement, adding that nobody was restricted.
"The same way Dr Nevers Mumba saw it fit to dissolve his political party and defect to MMD, it is similar principles that are being applied by people like Mr Ngoma. Therefore, these people must not be vilified. Accusations of a one party state do not hold because clearly this government is interested in its development and governance agenda. No amount of mudslinging will reverse that. The Zambian people, who entrusted this government's authority, can clearly see who means well to this country," said President Sata.
Labels: MICHAEL KAINGU, MICHAEL SATA, MMD, PARTIES
Read more...
MMD is failing to manage itself - Sata
By Moses Kuwema
Tue 02 Apr. 2013, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says the MMD should manage their post-power syndrome carefully if they have to remain relevant to the political process of the country.
Commenting on MMD vice-president for politics, Michael Kaingu's statement that the former ruling party was not surprised with Feira member of parliament Patrick Ngoma's resignation to join the PF, and that the ruling party wanted to create a one-party state by wiping out the opposition, President Sata said the MMD should simply understand that they had a lot of work to do, particularly that they were even having members defecting to other opposition parties.
"Let them manage the post-power syndrome carefully if they have to remain relevant to the political process of this country. The problems MMD is facing are self-inflicted and cannot be blamed on anybody, especially PF. They are just failing to convince the people, they have no message for the Zambian people. Why is it that it is only the MMD which is complaining? Why is it that it is only the MMD which is boycotting elections when other political parties are taking advantage of the space they are leaving?" wondered President Sata through his special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah.
"And why is Mr Kaingu complaining over Mr Ngoma's defection and not complaining about the defections by Mr Lawrence Zimba and Mr Misheck Mutelo to UPND? Is Mr Kaingu also suggesting that that is creating a one party state? Why are they only complaining on defections to the ruling party and not to other opposition political parties?"
President Sata said he had no intentions of restoring a one-party state but was instead committed to ensuring that democracy in the country flourishes.
"No wonder Mr Kaingu's statement of restoring a one-party state does not hold. What is clear is that MMD is failing to manage itself and this is clearly on account of poor leadership. Therefore, Mr Kaingu's accusation is a cry of desperation. Mr Kaingu needs to understand what multi-partism is and multi-partism is about competition and not allowing your opponents to win. It seems in Mr Kaingu's understanding, multi-partism only exists when they win," he said.
President Sata said in any democracy, there was freedom of association and movement, adding that nobody was restricted.
"The same way Dr Nevers Mumba saw it fit to dissolve his political party and defect to MMD, it is similar principles that are being applied by people like Mr Ngoma. Therefore, these people must not be vilified. Accusations of a one party state do not hold because clearly this government is interested in its development and governance agenda. No amount of mudslinging will reverse that. The Zambian people, who entrusted this government's authority, can clearly see who means well to this country," said President Sata.
Labels: MICHAEL KAINGU, MICHAEL SATA, MMD, PARTIES
Read more...
PF govt wants to restore one-party state - Kaingu
By Moses Kuwema
Mon 01 Apr. 2013, 14:01 CAT
MMD vice-president for politics Michael Kaingu says the party is not surprised with Feira member of parliament Patrick Ngoma's resignation to join the PF.
Kaingu accused the PF government of trying to create a one-party state by wiping out the opposition political parties.
"We are not surprised, that's what this government wants. This government wants to wipe out the opposition. They want us to go into the one-party state. It is up to the Zambians if that's what they want. We fought very hard as MMD in 1991 to bring back multi-partism but if the people of Zambia want to degenerate back to 1991 or before, who are we to stop them?" Kaingu said.
Asked if the MMD would contest the by-election in Feira, Kaingu said: "We have to meet as top management to make a decision on whether to contest the by-election in Feira or not."
Ngoma on Saturday resigned from the MMD to join the PF, citing leadership wrangles in the former ruling party among other reasons.
And on President Michael Sata's Easter message, in which he urged Zambians to show unconditional love to one another and move away from vices that have the potential to destroy the nation, Kaingu wondered how that was possible.
"How can there be love when there is the police all over? We are now more or less under state police. You remember when we were in Livingstone, there were so many policemen, people are getting scared and are wondering what sort of country this one is. When you talk about peace, you don't even need the police, if you are serious about peace," said Kaingu.
Labels: MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, PATRICK NGOMA, PF
Read more...
Kaingu defends Dora's 'finger'
By Kombe Chimpinde
Fri 22 Mar. 2013, 14:01 CAT
MICHAEL Kaingu says there is nothing wrong with a person raising a middle finger against another.
Kaingu who is MMD vice-president for politics and Mwandi member of parliament, said in an interview that Dora Siliya should be left alone to do her good works because debates on what punishment should be meted on her for raising her middle finger in Parliament last Friday is completely irrelevant to the Zambian culture.
He said there is nothing insulting about what the Petauke member of parliament did by raising her middle finger against those who remained in Parliament to debate a motion on the lifting of former president Rupiah Banda's immunity.
"Whether people like it or not, I am grounded in cultures. I have studied the Bemba cultures because they are many. There are Bisas, and all other tribes in that region. I have studied the Ngonis. There is
nothing insulting about raising a middle finger. They should just let Siliya continue with her good work," said Kaingu, whose daughter Iris, was found guilty and convicted for producing obscene material that corrupt morals.
"Even if that (Dora's action) is on video, what does the raising of a middle finger mean? Part of my PhD study is on culture, there is no culture in Zambia that uses that as an insult… 73 cultures in Zambia have nothing on record that shows that actually the raising of the middle finger is an insult."
He defended Siliya, describing her action as just a mere mocking expressing.
"Even if you are talking about globalisation, that we are living in today…that expression is not an insult per say. It is a mocking sign. Otherwise who can explain to you what it really means? Well people may come up with their own translations but it's no different from any other expression such as the PF's fist. It does not mean one is threatening violence, when they raise it; it is just a way to mock a person. UNIP has a slogan where they raise two fingers, does that mean an insult? It just means they are teasing those that are not UNIP. Somebody else could translate that to mean peace," Kaingu explained.
"…Its not an insult that is what I am saying. It could be offensive just as a fist is or Karate Chop which is the symbol of the UPND. Maybe a person who must be offended is an Italian because they know what it really means. It is a perception. We must be mindful how we mainstream other people's cultures in our cultures."
He said Zambians should learn to interact and express themselves freely.
"Let us learn to interact. We are so tensed up in this country," said Kaingu.
Parliamentary chief whip Yamfwa Mukanga on Tuesday said Parliament would definitely have to deal with the issue of Siliya's insulting gesture in the House.
And home affairs deputy minister Steven Kampyongo described Siliya as morally bankrupt, while some youth have called for Siliya's expulsion from Parliament.
Labels: DORA SILIYA, INSULTS, MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD
Read more...
Opposition MPs should work with govt - Kaingu
By Brina Siwale in Livingstone and Kombe Chimpinde in Lusaka
Thu 07 Mar. 2013, 14:00 CAT
MICHAEL Kaingu says opposition members of parliament should work with the government if development is to be realised in their constituencies.
In an interview, Kaingu who is MMD vice-president for politics, said he had no problem working with the government because it was the one that had the resources to bring about development to his constituency.
"There is no problem with the opposition working with government because that is where the money is. I am working with the government to see development in my constituency. I have no problem at all," Kaingu said.
Kaingu, who is also Mwandi member of parliament, said development in a constituency or district would only be provided by the ruling party.
"In my constituency I want to see development. I need a hospital and a trades school and it's only government that can provide those things. So I engage the Ministry of Health for the construction of a general hospital that my people need and I engage the Ministry of Education for the construction of a trades school. It is only government that can provide these things because they have the money," he said. "So it is important that all of us as MPs work with government because our role as MPs is to lobby for development for our people."
Kaingu, however, said while opposition members of parliament work with government, there was need for them to remain loyal to their political parties.
He said the role of the opposition was to provide checks and balances to the government, adding that this would be impossible if they joined the ruling party.
"I am only against the issue of people crossing over to the ruling party. I can work with government but I will always remain loyal to my party. I am working with government but not that I want to join the PF, no. We need to ensure the government delivers on its promises to the Zambian people," he said. Meanwhile, Kaingu has claimed that MMD is still the "strongest opposition party" and government in waiting.
He blamed the party's loss in the Mpongwe by-election to fielding of a female candidate and alleged malpractices by the ruling party.
Kaingu said the party's independent research conducted had indicated that the party was still popular.
He said by-election should not be used as a tool to gauge the party's performance because the PF had been manipulating by-elections to its advantage.
"MMD is actually very strong and I am sure you have heard from a lot of people making the same statements.
The party has got value but the question that we must ask is how is PF wining seats in the midst of losing popularity very fast because they are winning even in places where they do not have structures?" Kaingu asked. "This is what is making us conclude that the elections are not free and fair."
He claimed that there were several malpractices committed by the PF, which included tactics of intimidation.
Kaingu said unlike UPND and the PF, MMD could not survive in a violent environment.
"You remember in Mufumbwe they (PF) were shown bribing people on camera. We didn't just petition because again we know the problem of petitioning is that it drags on," he said.
But asked why UPND managed to outdo MMD in Mpongwe to come out second to the PF, Kaingu said the opposition party performed better on account of its candidate and not the party's popularity as claimed.
"UPND had more votes on account of the candidate they fielded. You see when you feature in an election the voters will go for two persona: they will either go for the party or the individual candidate. Possibly maybe (Rapson) Chilufya was more attractive than maybe our candidate but all in all, the atmosphere, especially for a lady, was not good. Where there is violence a lady is disadvantaged, that is one of the reasons we performed in a paltry manner. Our candidate was intimidated being a woman, so all that comes into play," he said.
Kaingu also said the failure by the party to field candidates in 11 local government by-elections was as a result of the ponderous elections that ran concurrently.
Labels: MICHAEL KAINGU, OPPOSITION
Read more...
MMD sees 'new hope for Zambia'
By Allan Mulenga and Kombe Chimpinde
Fri 08 Feb. 2013, 13:20 CAT
MMD does not have the insatiable appetite to kick out PF from power, says the party's vice-president Michael Kaingu. Kaingu yesterday said MMD would not kill any human being just for a vote. He said UPND had its own formulas of unseating PF from power.
"How can we support them UPND when we have our own distance to run, we can't. They have their own formula. Us we don't have a formula. We have a vision for Zambia. We have a new slogan not 'the hour has come' but 'new hope for Zambia'. We have a vision we don't have these formulae," he said in reference to UPND's Mapatizya formula, which is blamed for violence during by-elections.
"I am so glad that PF has recognised that we are peaceful. We don't have the propensity or insatiable appetite to kick-out the PF government. What we want to do ourselves is, first of all to do proper checks and balances. PF must understand that if they allow us to do proper checks and balances, it will help them govern."
Kaingu said the social contract between the PF and Zambians would determine the future of the PF.
"We don't want to take stones and try to kill for a vote. No! Ours is to talk to our people; tell our people that we are the ones who transformed the Zambian economy. You know how it was before 1991. It was hard to live in this country. Zambia is our baby. We don't want to throw it together with dirty water. We want to protect this country for ourselves," he said.
"We are campaigning peacefully in Livingstone. We have made it clear to our youths that they should campaign peacefully and the youths themselves made a pledge that they will be as peaceful as possible. They will not apply anything whatever you may call it."
Asked on home affairs Permanent Secretary Max Nkole's directives to the Registrar of Societies to remove Reform Party as an official political party, Kaingu said the arrogance being exhibited by ministers was making the PF unnecessarily unpopular.
"They have brought shame to Nevers Mumba as the president of the party; shame to MMD as a group of cadres who are trying to protect democracy in the country. Now that the PS has come out like that, where does that put the minister who was not long ago seen brandishing papers from the Registrar of Societies? Who had been courting the media threatening to bring MMD into extinction? PF is making itself unnecessarily unpopular because Mr Lungu's behaviour is annoying," he said.
"He should know that those are some of the reasons MMD was kicked out of office because we had some arrogant individuals. I must confess that we had some arrogant individuals who campaigned in a manner that the people of Zambia didn't like and that is what Lungu also is doing today. He is showing that arrogance in the manner he is conducting himself. But in real sense, the general citizenship is not happy with him."
Labels: MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA, POLITICS
Read more...
ZIALE's behaviour is unscrupulous - Kaingu
ZIALE's behaviour is unscrupulous - Kaingu
By Ernest Chanda
Wed 23 Jan. 2013, 14:00 CAT
MMD Mwandi member of parliament Michael Kaingu says the behaviour of the Zambia Institute for Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) is unscrupulous.
Making a contribution when Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) appeared before the parliamentary committee on legal affairs yesterday, Kaingu said the low pass rate that ZIALE continued to record defied all logic.
"But what is also clear is that the way your college behaves is unscrupulous. If a person passes eight subjects but he fails two; he attempts those two and he passes one, then you ask that person to choose from what he has passed and re-sit that also; and he must pay K500,000 (KR500), that is unscrupulous," he said.
"LAZ president, if we were to take you to ZIALE today it is very clear that if you sit for that examination you will fail. So, you can't ask somebody to sit for what he has already passed; it's unscrupulous. It's unscrupulous in the sense that you are cheating that person out of money, and you are cheating that person also out of time."
Kaingu said the low pass rate and the way examinations were being conducted at ZIALE was causing wide public concern.
"And even the style of marking, it's not explicit; it's what we call phenomenology. You just look at the faces and say this one can pass, this one can fail. And you don't even indicate how that person has failed or has passed, you just give a pass. If your pass mark is 50 per cent, your student must know that," said Kaingu.
And Kabwe Central PF member of parliament James Kapyanga told LAZ president James Banda, who appeared with other council members, George Chisanga and Bubile Mupeso, that some witnesses who had appeared before the committee suspected a cartel by some ZIALE lecturers with vested interests.
But when Banda asked Kapyanga to clarify on vested interests, committee acting chairperson Chinga Miyutu chipped in and reminded him that they were there to find a cure to the problems at the institution.
Asked by Kaingu if LAZ had any control over ZIALE, Banda said the legal body had a representative on the board.
And LAZ submitted that ZIALE expands offices to all provincial centres where course work can be offered.
The Association also submitted that an accreditation committee be operationalised at ZIALE so that it could be issuing guidelines.
The Zambian Open University (ZAOU) last week also called on the government to institute an inquiry into the high number of law students failing at ZIALE.
ZAOU made the request through its submissions to the parliamentary committee on legal affairs, governance, human rights, gender matters and child affairs.
ZAOU vice chancellor Dickson Mwansa said it was unacceptable and shocking that only eight out of 143 students passed the 2010/2011 examinations.
Of the 164 students who sat for the 2011/2012 examinations, only six passed.
Professor Mwansa told the committee that it is a waste of resources that such a high number of students fail at ZIALE.
And UNZA School of Law acting dean, a Mr Mudenda last Wednesday said there was no basis for ZIALE to continue imposing a five-year ban on students that fail to pass examinations on third attempt.
Appearing before the parliamentary committee on legal affairs chaired by Monze member of parliament Jack Mwiimbu, Mudenda said students should be allowed to repeat after failing so long they paid required fees.
"We don't see the rational basis for the five-year ban and we also don't see any rational basis of subjecting students to re-write two courses after passing nine courses..." Mudenda said.
Another lecturer Chipo Nkhata said there was need to have a more transparent system of assessment at ZIALE.
Labels: CORRUPTION, EDUCATION, MICHAEL KAINGU, ZIALE
Read more...
MMD, UPND move further apart
By Edwin Mbulo
Mon 14 Jan. 2013, 16:30 CAT
MMD vice-president for political affairs Michael Kaingu says it will be shameful for the MMD to work with the UPND to win an election.
Reacting to comments by UPND secretary general Winstone Chibwe that UPND would not work with the MMD in any elections, Kaingu said it was wrong for the UPND to think that those that were perceived to be enemies of the MMD would remain permanently so.
"Chibwe is right, what he says is healthy and I agree with him. As much as they don't want us to win elections, it is only right to say that the MMD does not need the UPND to win an election. I find 2016 to be very far. There can be a lot of matrices in the political arena between now and 2016, so it is not good for us to speak in the manner that others are speaking because should we work together, it would be embarrassing. In politics there are no enemies, in politics the people you perceive to be enemies may come together. So to speak like that, it is jumping the gun," Kaingu said.
On the comments by UNIP national women secretary Beatrice Kayuni that the MMD was full of political prostitutes, Kaingu, who is also Mwandi area member of parliament, said Kayuni should not focus her energies on attacking the MMD but on profiling her own party.
"You are in Livingstone, do you think it would be right for Times of Zambia to speak on behalf of The Post? It is not right for a neighbour to speak for another. They know their strengths and capabilities to stay in politics.
I don't think they know the strategies we are working on just like we don't know what they are doing themselves; I have respect for them because they are in politics for a purpose. The fundamental dimension for the opposition is to provide checks and balances for the ruling party and not to turn their guns on us. Let them profile their parties," he said.
Kaingu said it was shameful that people wanted to use the MMD as an excuse for doing bad things.
Labels: MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, UPND
Read more...
Andeleki caused a lot of misery to MMD - Kaingu
By Allan Mulenga and Kombe Chimpinde
Fri 11 Jan. 2013, 14:00 CAT
CLEMENT Andeleki caused a lot misery to MMD, says Michael Kaingu. Commenting on the resignation of Andeleki as Chief Registrar of Societies, Kaingu, who is MMD vice-president for political, said it was because of Andeleki that Nevers Mumba had not yet been registered as party president.
"How can that be honourable after he has caused a lot of misery to our president? It is because of him that our president is not a registered MMD president up to today. We will meet him in the political arena. We are ready for him," he said.
Kaingu accused President Michaael Sata of using government machinery to wipe out MMD.
"Maybe yesterday it was Andeleki, we don't know how many other civil servants are being used to fight MMD...the police and many others. So, we are saying that this government is using government machinery to fight us," he said.
"He was trying to deregister MMD when he was actually a PF cadre. PF was using him to fight MMD. What that means is that this government is actually up to no good. It is fighting democracy. What is clear is that this government is using civil servants to fight MMD."
Andeleki announced his resignation yesterday, saying he wanted to serve government in a different position.
He said in an interview that remaining in his job was no longer tenable.
Andeleki's name shot to prominence last year when he deregistered MMD for failing to pay statutory fees in form of annual returns worth KR390,000.
The decision was, however, overturned by the Lusaka High Court which deemed it excessive.
"I have resigned my position as Registrar of Societies of the Republic of Zambia, a position I cherished so much, in order to serve the nation on another level. The level I was at is no longer tenable," Andeleki said.
"I have no doubt in my mind that this agency of government will continue to propel to higher heights even in my absence."
Asked about reports that he was earmarked for a political position in the PF, Andeleki declined to confirm the report.
"What I am saying is I have left this position to serve Zambians at another level, the same Zambia, the same nation in another position. It depends on what you mean by political position; you know my qualifications. If I am going to serve, I can only serve in government but to go and be a chairman for the MMD in some province for instance, certainly no," he said.
Andeleki thanked Zambians for their support and cooperation rendered to him in his execution of duties, which he said he was proud of.
He particularly paid glowing tribute to the Church and civil society organisations and the appointing authority for the trust bestowed on him.
Andeleki also reiterated the need for implementation of the societies Act, which is before Cabinet.
"The government must speedily implement the Act because that is very important. You know Zambia is a custodian of democratic tenets," he said.
Recently, the PF suspended its Maramba ward councillor for organising a political meeting for Andeleki.
Confirming the suspension, Livingstone district chairman Fred Chibuye said despite several warnings to Moses Simbaya not to organise a meeting for Andeleki, who was a civil servant, Simbaya still went ahead and organised it.
"We had received reports that Simbaya was organising a meeting for Andeleki and we told him not to as this was going to be tantamount to creating parallel structures. He still went ahead despite us telling him that we needed clearance from the secretary general Wynter Kabimba," said Chibuye.
However, when contacted Andeleki said he addressed youths and women on on how they could effectively form and manage clubs and not on politics.
"We held a workshop at which I addressed young men and women on club formation. It was not a political meeting," said Andeleki.
Labels: CLEMENT ANDELEKI, MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA
Read more...
Sikwela under death threats from UPND
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Mon 07 Jan. 2013, 14:00 CAT
FORMER Livingstone UPND member of parliament Howard Sikwela says he faced death threats from some members of the opposition party's national management committee.
Reacting to demands by some UPND members for him to pay back money they donated for his election campaign, Reverend Sikwela said in a statement in Livingstone yesterday that, "Much as I apologise to the people of Livingstone over my resignation as MP, people must be made aware that I had faced death threats.
There is even a suspect from the national management committee of the UPND."
He said those threats were discussed in Parliament and even a police docket regarding the same threats was opened.
Rev Sikwela stated that at no time did he ever apply for a loan from UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa and he urged him to stop making malicious statements.
Rev Sikwela stated that Mweetwa should provide proof of such an agreement for financial assistance during the last Livingstone by-election.
"The ignorant young politician Mweetwa needs to be told to avoid making malicious statements such as those to The Post and Muvi TV because at no time did I apply for a loan from Cornelius Mweetwa.
If I did, proof of such must be produced in court. I further demand from Cornelius Mweetwa a well signed payment voucher on which I signed for the securing of the loan from him," Rev Sikwela stated.
He reminded Mweetwa that donations are never paid back.
Rev Sikwela wondered why the claim for monies was coming with insults after he had resigned from the UPND.
He said the UPND had exhibited hostility against him and the PF government, which forced him to resign.
"I did not handle any cash since I was a candidate. Let Mweetwa claim for whatever money from the office he paid such amounts," he stated.
Rev Sikwela added that other people who donated money to the UPND had not demanded repayment such as a K2.5 million donated by Bernard Muleya, who was chairman for election operations last year as he knew that he was donating and did not expect repayment.
Mweetwa on Saturday claimed that Sikwela's campaign cost K500 million (KR500,000) which was all contributions from the party and individual members.
He said he, in particular contributed K15 million (KR15,000) and wanted it back.
"But take this very seriously. I am demanding that Rev Sikwela gives me back not less than K15 million. I am looking for Sikwela but his phones are off and he is playing hide and seek. I am here (Livingstone) just to ask him nicely 'please the money I spent give it back to me'..." Mweetwa said.
And Rev Sikwela said his resignation would help other UPND members of parliament to reflect on working with the PF government for developmental purposes instead of just sitting and getting allowances in Parliament while the electorate had no access clean drinking water.
He recounted how he was violently treated by UPND cadres on the morning of September 26, 2012 at National Assembly Motel.
"They can call my resignation baseless but it would help reflect on the need for development in constituencies," Rev Sikwela said. "They say I have caused an unnecessary by-election but of what use is an MP who just sits in Parliament and gets a salary and yet the people who voted for him don't get clean drinking water and can't pay for school fees. It is raining now and the only clean water some people are able to get is from the roof top."
Rev Sikwela said the UPND should not think of 2016 but work closely with the PF government to develop even areas which were under the opposition.
"There is a time for politicking but when elections and by-elections are over, it is better to look at development," he said. "It's not good to just condemn the PF. Yes, the government has its mistakes but we should not condemn the good things being done just for the sake of politicking."
Rev Sikwela said he was new in the parliamentary circle of the UPND and did not know much about the underhand dealings by Hakainde Hichilema towards members of parliament.
He said the party seemed not to have been ready to support his close links with the PF on developmental issues.
Rev Sikwela said the UPND cadres who abducted him out of National Assembly Motel last September had seemingly been cleared by some UPND members of parliament.
"One cannot just walk into Parliament Motel and start hurling insults without clearance by security," he said. "The youths must have been cleared by some UPND MPs. They abducted me from Parliament Motel and whisked me to the party secretariat in a Jeep, where I was forced to denounce my presence at President Michael Sata's Link Zambia 8,000 road project and later received death threats on my mobile phone, which I reported to the police."
On the other hand, Mweetwa says Livingstone should always be in opposition hands as the UPND and MMD differ over which party should contest the seat vacated by Rev Sikwela.
But MMD vice-president Michael Kaingu asked the UPND to give the former ruling party a chance to contest the seat it had won in the 2011 general elections. The MMD lost the seat after an electoral petition.
Kaingu said the MMD met on Saturday at Victoria Hall to discuss the vacant seat.
He said the MMD was requesting UPND to give a chance to an MMD candidate.
"We discussed with my party officials over the forthcoming by-election and we have resolved that we field a candidate and our party officials are asking the UPND to help us this time around. What is important is that the seat was an MMD seat after the general elections… and their UPND member of parliament has let them down," Kaingu said.
He said if the UPND decided to contest, it was their fundamental right to participate in elections.
"Fundamentally, all political parties are supposed to participate in elections," Kaingu said. "Winning is a bonus. That is the beauty of democracy but at the end of the day, it is only one party that will win."
But Mweetwa said his party was poised to reclaim the seat.
"We stand very ready to reclaim the seat and we are poised to win. We want Livingstone to be always in the hands of the opposition," Mweetwa said.
He said it would be shocking to enter into discourse with the MMD over Livingstone.
Mweetwa asked Kaingu to be sincere over the matter.
"Ask him Kaingu because he waved at me yesterday and I know he is here in Livingstone… ask him about the mood of the people if he is sincere and I know him to be one. Ask him if he is for the preservation of the opposition. The mood of the people of Livingstone is that of anger," he said.
"We as UPND are more than ready to contest the seat even if the elections were held tomorrow because we started preparing a long time ago and we already have a candidate."
He also challenged the PF to field Rev Sikwela in the forthcoming by-election if he had a political muscle to flex.
"We dare the PF to field Sikwela," Mweetwa said.
However, he said the UPND had not yet met to discuss the vacant seat.
Mweetwa said the MMD should make its own internal decisions and not drag the UPND into their internal matters.
Labels: CORNELIUS MWEETWA, DEATH THREATS, HOWARD SIKWELA, MICHAEL KAINGU, UPND
Read more...
Rupiah is still relevant to MMD - Kaingu
By Allan Mulenga and Kombe Chimpinde
Fri 04 Jan. 2013, 13:00 CAT
THE MMD leadership has been frequenting Rupiah Banda's home to seek advice on the problems that have beset the party. MMD vice-president Michael Kaingu yesterday said Banda was still relevant to the party. Kaingu said the top leadership rely on former president Banda's wisdom to run the party properly.
"Yes, I have been to RB's home, but of course not looking for resources. RB happens to be our former president and it is important that we consult him. It is assumed that any elderly person has wisdom," he said. "I don't have any problem going to see RB anytime."
Kaingu said he was in Livingstone and would meet Banda again upon his return to Lusaka.
Sources disclosed yesterday that Banda is running MMD through funding and issuing instructions to party president Nevers Mumba.
The sources said Banda is taking advantage of Mumba's financial challenges to control MMD.
Sources explained that Mumba and other leaders had been frequenting Banda's residence, debriefing him on the happenings in the party.
"Maybe what most of you do not know is that Rupiah resisted to retire from MMD and active politics. It took senior members like Major Richard Kachingwe and Catherine Namugala to call for a meeting, where it was decided that he should leave the party. Following the decision, some NEC members then met and assigned Dora Siliya to organise a media briefing at Rupiah's residence, where he announced his retirement under duress," the source said.
The source said Banda has been taking advantage of MMD's financial woes to dictate to the party leadership which people he wants.
Recently, several MMD branches have passed a vote of no confidence in Mumba and called for his removal.
Labels: MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
Read more...
