Mongu residents mob Kabimba
By Roy Habaalu in Mongu
Thu 25 Oct. 2012, 14:00 CAT
MONGU residents on Tuesday mobbed Wynter Kabimba when he arrived in the area to meet PF officials. And President Michael Sata phoned Kabimba, who was addressing party officials at Country Lodge, to find out how he had been received.
Kabimba, who is justice minister and PF secretary general, brought Mongu to a standstill after his entourage took over the two lanes of the Mongu-Lusaka road upon his arrival.
Taxis and private vehicles voluntarily joined the convoy honking as nearby residents shouted 'mwa mukolo! mwa mukolo mwa mukolu' (in the boat, in the boat).
Kabimba, who arrived around 17:45 hours, apologised for the delay and was met by party officials and ordinary citizens that sang praises in honour of President Sata and the PF.
Police had a tough time securing way for Kabimba who was mobbed by people for about 20 minutes before Western Province minister Obvious Mwaliteta pleaded with them to allow him to walk.
"Please people we know you have been waiting for a long time but allow the secretary general to walk with you. He has come here for you and he will address you at the lodge," said Mwaliteta while removing his jacket before joining the walk.
Kabimba, who disembarked from his ministerial vehicle, walked for about six kilometers before addressing the slogan-chanting supporters who kept cutting his speech with ululations.
"They are saying Mongu is not PF, who are you? Are you not our members? Don't be cheated, there is nothing like neglecting you. The PF government has put Western Province at its core of development. I am here because I am one of you and together we should develop Zambia, you're Zambians so we should work together," Kabimba said when he addressed scores of supporters that blocked Independence Avenue.
He said he would tell President Sata that the party had welcomed him and that people were waiting to see him.
While addressing party officials, President Sata phoned Kabimba to find out how he had been received.
And Kabimba responded: "Your Excellency, I have been warmly received. It was a warm and thunderous welcome. People were happy to see us. All is well, so I am just with the provincial chairman and the MCC. All is well, sir."
President Sata that the party had welcomed him and that people were waiting to see him.
While addressing party officials, President Sata phoned Kabimba finding out how he had been received.
And Kabimba responded: "Your Excellency, I have been warmly received. It was a warm and thunderous welcome. People were happy to see us. All is well, so I am just with the provincial chairman and the MCC. All is well, sir."
Labels: MONGU, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Police arrest acting Mongu Town Clerk
By Mwala Kalaluka
Thu 13 Sep. 2012, 10:30 CAT
ACTING Mongu town clerk Sishumba Mulowa has been arrested by the government joint investigative team in the Western Province together with other Senanga Council officials for theft of public funds amounting to K120 million kwacha.
According to the provincial Task Force on Corruption chairperson Fanuel Siandenge,
Sishumba had been charged with three other Senanga Council officials over the theft that occured at the time he was Senanga council secretary.
"The government joint investigations team Task Force on Corruption for Western Province jointly arrested and charged four 4 senior council officials of Senanga District Council and former Senanga council secretary, who is currently acting town clerk for Mongu Municipal Council Mr. Sishumba Mulowa," Siandenge stated in a press release yesterday.
Siandenge, who is also provincial police commissioner, stated that in the first case, the provincial probe team jointly and arrested and charged Mulowa, Senanga Council treasurer Gideon Kanyenge, Council director of works Lubinda Mwanamwambwa and Council planning officer Betty Liswaniso for theft of public servant.
"The four 4 were charged for two 2 counts of theft by public servant involving K60, 000, 000. It is alleged that between 25/03/10 and 20/09/10, the four 4 did withdraw K60, 000, 000 from the CAIP Community Access Improvement Programmee account, which is a Danish-funded community project, and shared the money amongst themselves," Siandenge stated further.
Siandenge also stated that Senanga acting council secretary Mwitumwa Polota was in the second case jointly charged and arrested together with Liswaniso, Kanyenge and Mwanamwambwa for theft of another K60 million.
"The four 4 were jointly charged for two 2 counts of theft by public servant involving sixty-million kwacha K60, 000, 000. It is alleged that between 28/03/2012 and 30/03/2012, the four 4 did withdraw K60, 000, 000 from the CAIP account which they later shared amongst themselves," Siandenge stated. "All the officials are on police bond and will appear in court on Friday 14th September, 2012."
Labels: MONGU
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Protest against Sata fails to take off in Mongu
By Allan Mulenga and Fridah Nkonde
Tue 17 July 2012, 11:00 CAT
THE planned peaceful protest among Mongu residents against President Michael Sata's remarks over the Litunga failed to take-off on Saturday after police intervened.
And Western Province police commissioner Fanwell Siandenge confirmed the cancellation of the protest because the protestors did not have a police permit. Sources disclosed that pockets of people from various towns in the province gathered at Shoprite as early as 07:00 hours to stage a peaceful protest.
The source said some of the people from Western Province were seemingly angered by President Sata's statement at State House that the Litunga, like any other chief, did not enough powers.
President Sata, in response to an opposition leader's remark that the government was planning to take away some of the Litunga's powers, said government had no intention of getting any of the traditional ruler's powers.
And Siandenge explained that protestors, who wanted to walk along Mongu road from Shoprite, were told to use the right forum when airing their grievances and not to take to the streets.
"We just got wind of it, then we called their leaders yesterday at the office where we had a very fruitful discussion with them. We advised the organisers of the same protest that it was not the right forum.
They should have informed us seven days before getting on to action. Demonstration against the head of state, it is not possible that as police we can grant it. But if they are aggrieved, we have the provincial administration. They can take their grievances to the two.
Then it is from there, that is when we can know the way forward… not to protest. They agreed to our advise so tomorrow today they are supposed to meet the provincial administration to hear their grievances," he said.
Siandenge explained that the police command in the province sought an audience with leaders of the planned protest.
¨They wanted to protest on Mongu Road from Shoprite, but when we called their leaders they all came to the police station. It was quite a big number that came to the police station. But they never protested. I just phoned them.
I have their numbers and then they came together with their youths at the police station. We had a Mr Sinonge and Muyangana Muyangana," he said.
Siandenge said the leaders of the protestors talked to those who wanted to demonstrate.
And Western Province minister John Kufuna allayed fears of insecurity in the area.
Kufuna said the situation in Western Province was peaceful, adding that he was not aware of any protest in the province against President Sata's statement over the Litunga.
"As far as I'm concerned, I did not see any protest in the province. I was at the office from morning up to very late in the afternoon and I did not see or hear anything," he said.
When asked whether he was aware about the Litunga's subjects had planned to match to the provincial offices on Monday (today) as a way of showing their displeasure about President Sata's remarks against their chief, Kufuna said he was not aware.
Labels: DEMONSTRATION, LITUNGA, MICHAEL SATA, MONGU
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PF in W/P is not strong, insists councilor
By Roy Habaalu
Sun 22 Apr. 2012, 13:27 CAT
THE PF Western Province Executive Committee yesterday summoned Kanyonyo ward councillor Bright Tombi to apologise for his unauthorised statement that the party was not strong on the ground. But Tombi maintained that the party was increasingly becoming weak and needed urgent re-organisation.
On Wednesday Tombi said hardworking PF cadres persisted in their advocacy work despite being castigated by fellow party members and that it was time for them to reap their rewards.
In an interview from Mongu, Tombi said he was summoned by the provincial treasurer Kenneth Namutulo who asked him to apologise for issuing media statement without consulting him.
He said he made the comments in his capacity as a civic leader for the betterment of the party.
"They were saying I was not supposed to speak because I am not the spokesperson of the party. Then I said that if that's the case then I am sorry for not consulting you. They said as a civic leader I should speak on behalf of my ward, but I said I was getting concerned because these are things that are coming from the ground. Then they said they want to refute that as provincial executive (committee) that there is no in-fighting. Then I said no! If you want to refute that, it's you to refute but the fact is really the party people are complaining," said Tombi.
But Namutulo said they agreed with Tombi that there was no in-fighting within the party.
He said on the ground people were complaining that after their tireless campaign for the PF, they had not benefited.
Tombi said the fact that the PF only managed to scoop two parliamentary seats was a sign that it was not strong in the area.
"What I said is the party at the moment I am telling you we are not all that strong and that is a fact. We need to go on the ground and re-organise the party. But the fact that we only won two seats that symbolises that the party is not strong and if we relent, the party will go down further, that one is not an excuse. Go to Shang'ombo, Sesheke (districts), they will tell you that. We need to work hard. We should not hide these things because that's what everyone is saying," he said.
Labels: MONGU, PF, WESTERN PROVINCE
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Farmers justify vandalising Mongu-Kalabo road
By Nyambe Muyumbana in Mongu
Sun 22 Apr. 2012, 13:26 CAT
THE Mongu-Kalabo road currently under construction is under serious vandalism by people living in the Barotse plains. And Avic International Holding Cooperation, a company working on the road, has demanded that the villages that are staying on the road be removed immediately.
A meeting held at Western Province minister John Kufuna's office on Wednesday heard that the villagers have built kraals and houses on the road in fear of floods and allowing their cattle to graze on the grass planted by the contractor on the embankments meant to prevent soil erosion.
One of the farmers Muyongo Muyongo of Siwito village however justified their stay on the road, saying that a new road design had small culverts and was not allowing more water to pass hence flooding their land.
Muyongo explained that from the time the road was under construction, they have been experiencing high floods that they have never seen before because water was not flowing properly as it was blocked by the road.
Muyongo further accused the contractor of destroying highlands in the Barotse plains where their kraals were supposed to be built since it dug its soil for construction from the high lands.
Another farmer, Kaposhi Nyambe from Neywa area, appealed to the contractor to build big bridges which would allow them pass under with their canoes.
He said the people of the area have resorted to vandalise the road because they did not appreciate it since they were not consulted.
Avic International Holding Cooperation assistant manager Nicholas Li said his company was more concerned with the 13km stretch which was already complete and had grass planted on the embankment which cattle was now grazing.
Li said all the activities being carried out by the farmers on the road would have a negative effect on the lifespan of the road.
He said the villagers should be moved immediately.
Li also agreed to sponsor radio programmes to sensitise the villagers on the need to stop vandalising the road.
Labels: MONGU
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Bickering rocks W/Province PF over government jobs
By Mwala Kalaluka
Wed 18 Apr. 2012, 13:28 CAT
CRACKS have emerged in the ruling PF ranks in the Western Province over appointments of 'well-deserving' party cadres into government positions following the party's ascension to power last year.
Some PF councillors said in an interview from Mongu that any extended failure by the party's top leadership to move into the province and stem the in-fighting within the PF over government appointments would prove costly to the ruling party in future.
Kanyonyo PF ward councillor Bright Tombi, who was flanked by his Namushakende and Imalyo counterparts, Mukubesa Ngenda and Martha Mwenda, respectively, said the situation in Mongu district was retrogressive.
"We here in Western Province or Barotseland, if you so wish, are complaining and it seems we are more disadvantaged even on the side of the government," Tombi said.
"Because initially, PF was not there in Western Province but there are people who made sure that PF exists in Western Province by working so tirelessly."
He said the hardworking PF cadres persisted in their advocacy work despite being castigated by other fellow party members and that it was time for them to reap their rewards.
"We have got some people who we are hearing that they were supposed to be promoted as their benefit for the work they have done but the positions are always turned down without reason," Tombi said.
"I know in Western Province, even in our own executive, there are a lot of lies and back-biting each other, tarnishing one another's names."
He called on the appointing authorities to ignore those peddling lies about certain individuals in the party and reward those who suffered for PF in the area.
Tombi said it was worrying that some PF leaders in the province were working at frustrating the appointment of Imalyo PF councillor, Martha Mwenda, as new Mulobezi district commissioner.
"We heard manoeuvers that she was appointed as DC but all of a sudden we are hearing stories that her appointment has been turned down and we don't know the reason," he said.
"That is why us councillors and the community are getting worried how these things are getting jumbled up."
Tombi said most PF members in the province were yet to feel the benefits of campaigning for the now ruling party last year.
"…We want the party to be recognised," said Tombi. "We are still behaving as if we are still in opposition. It seems some people are against others, we don't know why."
And Ngenda said as Mongu councillors, they would not rest until people that had sacrificed for the party were rewarded.
"If the appointing authority in Lusaka doesn't come to the aid of PF Mongu, it means that the PF in Western Province or Mongu in particular, will actually lose direction," Ngenda said.
"The leadership of PF in Mongu are just trying to bulldoze even to people who don't understand what leadership is. They just want to push people who are loyal to them even when they are doing wrong."
He said the confusion over government positions could derail the PF's development prospects in the province.
"That is why people are complaining that Western Province is not developing, because instead of developing the province, we are busy fighting each other," said Ngenda.
Labels: MONGU, PF, WESTERN PROVINCE
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Barotseland activists insist on secession
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sun 01 Apr. 2012, 13:00 CAT
BAROTSELAND Freedom Movement international relations secretary Shuwanga Shuwanga says Barotse people will proceed with their resolve for freedom just as they were brave enough to go ahead with the Barotse National Council.
And Mongu has been experiencing intermittent power supply from the time the BNC declared that Barotseland shall separate from Zambia during its last meeting held in Limulunga.
Ngambela Wainyae Sinyinda and Induna Mukulwakashiko were on Thursday afternoon warned and cautioned by Zambia Police officers on a treason charge related to sentiments made at the just-ended BNC.
But Shuwanga described police's action as "a terrorist act".
"This terrorist act by the state will only strengthen our resolve and also make us to move much faster on what we have decided on. We are united behind our leaders and we shall stand by them always until we soon fly our majestic flag all over Barotseland," he said.
"It must be known that he Ngambela Sinyinda was mandated by the Barotse nation to take the stand that he did concerning the direction we have now chosen to take as a nation. Arresting him will not make us retreat or change our minds. It only proves that Barotseland is indeed not a part of Zambia otherwise that government would have found a much more civilised way of approach rather than insult all Barotse people in this manner."
[More civilised? They're lucky they're not on in jail, and a national emergency has not been called. This is why I believe that national elites should not be replaced by local elites. I say decentralisation of budgets and responsibilities to all local governments, not the provinces or even districts. - MrK]
Shuwanga said the Zambian government must know that they were being watched.
"As we were brave enough to go ahead with the BNC conference in the face of all kind of intimidation, we shall also go ahead with our resolve for freedom. The Zambian government must know that they are being watched. Any harm to our leaders will result in unhealthy consequences," he said.
"This morning Friday activists advised him not to go to the police station because it did not make any sense as the same police had been already given the resolutions since they too had attended the BNC meeting. We abhor such treatment to any of our leaders as it only serves to escalate the already volatile situation. Ngambela never decided on his own but it was all the people of Barotseland who decided to cut away from Zambia for founded reasons."
Shuwanga cautioned that harassment and intimidation in dealing with the Barotseland issue will only result in something that may not be in the interest of peace.
"Lozi people can be very patient but when we make a decision, we stand for that decision come what may. This is what we saw as the only way forward and we shall not go back on it. Barotseland is now free from Zambia and all that the Zambian authorities are doing in the territory is tantamount to rape," said Shuwanga.
"They should now just sit down with us and work out the disengagement in peace."
And Mongu residents have been experiencing daily power interruptions from Wednesday, a day after the BNC declaration to pursue secession.
The first power interruption, which also affected Limulunga where the Litunga's palace is, occurred on Wednesday evening and lasted up to the next morning.
Security sources said the power interruptions were meant to facilitate the entry and movement of security forces from areas outside Western Province into Mongu.
Labels: BAROTSE FREEDOM MOVEMENT, MONGU, SECESSION
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COMMENT - It is time for serious decentralisation to the local government level.
BNC's resolution to secede irresponsible - Scott
By Ernest Chanda and Bright Mukwasa
Wed 28 Mar. 2012, 15:59 CAT
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott says the Barotse National Council's resolution to secede from Zambia is irresponsible and unacceptable. Giving a ministerial statement in the National Assembly today on the resolutions of the Barotse National Council to have Barotseland seceded from the rest of Zambia, Vice-President Scott said the government had a responsibility to protect people and property. He said there were more Lozis in the rest of Zambia than in Western Province.
"The resolutions announced in Mongu yesterday are irresponsible and unacceptable. Government will not abdicate its responsibility as custodian of the interest of all our people who live in the territorial space called Zambia," he said yesterday.
And asked by Mwandi MMD member of parliament Michael Kaingu if he was aware that the Brotseland Agreement of 1964 united two territories of Northern Rhodesia and Zambia and that in its absence, there would be no relationship between the two, Vice-President Scott said:
"That is the legal situation taken to extremes and twisted. In practice, the Western Province has been part of Zambia and has been governed as part of Zambia since way before 1964."
Asked by Monze UPND member of parliament Jack Mwiimbu if he knew the genesis of the document, Dr Scott said the Brotseland Agreement was a document drawn to give comfort to the Lozi speaking people, and not to advocate for secession.
On Tuesday, the Barotse Royal Establishment's district courts unanimously called for total independence of Barotseland from Zambia in view of the unilateral abrogation of the Barotseland Agreement by Dr Kenneth Kaunda's government.
Submitting their resolutions from the consultative meetings that took place in all the seven district traditional courts over the Barotseland Agreement issue before the Barotse National Council that closed in Limulunga on Tuesday, the representatives said their position on the matter was in unison.
Labels: BAROTSE FREEDOM MOVEMENT, BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT, GUY SCOTT, JACK MWIIMBU, MONGU, UPND
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NGOCC expresses shock over Mongu pupils pregnancies
By Kombe Chimpinde
Sun 18 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT
NGOCC has described as shocking the revelation that 30 girls of Limulunga High School were impregnated by police officers when they camped at the institution after the January 2011 fracas. And former Luena member parliament Charles Milupi has disclosed that similar cases of police officers impregnating girls happened at Kambule High School.
Reacting to revelations made in Parliament on Friday that about 30 pupils in Luena Constituency were impregnated by police officers accommodated at Limulunga High School where they had been sent to quell the Mongu riots, Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council board chairperson Beatrice Grillo said her organisation had received the news with shock.
Grillo demanded that all police officers that were responsible for the atrocity must be brought to book.
"It is very atrocious for the body of individuals that we have entrusted the safety of our citizens to do such things. This is very shocking and despicable," Grillo said.
She said her organisation would follow the matter up to its logical conclusion to ensure everyone that was responsible is brought to book.
"The atrocities also must be blamed on the authorities that were in office that time for their negligence," she said.
Grillo said there should be no sacred cows when dealing with the matter.
And Milupi, who is also ADD leader, said acts perpetrated by police officers under the Rupiah Banda regime were equivalent to genocide against the people of that area.
"If people remember, in Parliament I raised a question on the housing of police officers at Limulungu school and Kambule (high school). I said these were co-education schools, it was precisely because of female pupils. The fact that this has happened is a fulfilment of the concerns I raised," said Milupi.
"This is why I have so much hate for the last administration. I am told they are also some (girls) at Kambule. No government can camp police officers at school premises. These are matters that I spoke about with the Ministry of Education and Home Affairs. The lives of those girls have been destroyed."
Labels: BAROTSE FREEDOM MOVEMENT, CHARLES MILUPI, MONGU, NGOCC
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Mongu riots cops impregnated 30 schoolgirls, Imenda tells Parliament
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sat 17 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT
PARLIAMENT heard yesterday that about 30 school girls in Luena constituency were impregnated by police officers sent to quell the Mongu riots who were accommodated at Limulunga High School.
During the Vice-President's question time in the House yesterday, Luena Alliance for Democracy and Development ADD member of parliament Mwambwa Imenda asked if the government was aware of the pregnancies.
Imenda said as a result of the events of January 14, 2011, the government sent policemen to various areas of Mongu and Limulunga and that these were accommodated in schools in the area.
"I want to find out from the Vice-President whether he is aware that as a result of that, Limulunga High School has over 20 to 30 girls who are pregnant," Imenda asked as other opposition MPs kept exclaiming.
Vice-President Dr Scott said the issue Imenda had raised was contained in the report of the Dr Roger Chongwe-led commission of inquiry which was yet to be released to the public.
Vice-President Dr Scott said the matter was seriously under consideration by Cabinet.
Itezhi-tezhi UPND member of parliament Greyford Monde said almost a month had elapsed since the report was presented to President Michael Sata.
Vice-President Scott said the report raised a lot of critical issues that needed consideration by Cabinet.
"I will expect the report to be in the public domain in one month," said Vice-President Dr Scott.
Labels: BAROTSE FREEDOM MOVEMENT, BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT, GUY SCOTT, MONGU
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Probe Mongu riots cops' sexual abuses - report
By Mwala Kalaluka and Masuzyo Chakwe
Mon 05 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT
THE Rodger Chongwe commission of inquiry on the Mongu killings says the Judicial Complaints Authority should investigate the magistrates who tried Mongu riot suspects in Mumbwa because of the inhuman treatment and injustice the accused suffered.
And the Chongwe commission says criminal investigations should be instituted against police officers alleged to have committed sexual offences against women and schoolgirls as a way of prosecuting them over last year's Mongu riots.
In its summary of conclusions and recommendations contained in its confidential report presented to President Michael Sata last week and accessed by The Post, the Chongwe commission of inquiry, however, says the Judicial Complaints Authority JCA just exists on paper.
"The Judicial Complaints Authority should investigate the conduct ofthe magistrates who tried Mongu riot suspects in Mumbwa, especially in the case of a reformation order against a juvenile without a report from the Social Welfare Department or guardian of such juvenile present," the report reads.
Among the magistrates that presided over the Barotseland Agreement-related Mongu riot cases in Mumbwa are current Lusaka chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda, Lusaka magistrate Lameck Ng'ambi, now deceased Lusaka magistrate Lwiindi Hatwiko and Mumbwa-based magistrate Christopher Matipa.
The commission of inquiry told President Sata that while it was possible to recommend the charging of the judicial officers involved in the Mongu riot cases in Mumbwa through the JCA, it would be appropriate to recommend that Zambia undertakes major judicial reforms.
"It is hoped that the new administration will embark on this as a matter of extreme urgency," the report read in part.
The commission of inquiry observed that the Pixie Yangailo-led Human Rights Commission and the Chief Justice Ernest Sakala-led Judiciary did not discharge their duties in accordance with the law in the Mongu riots case.
"The Human Rights Commission, being a key organisation in promoting and protecting human rights, should be seen to be independent and uphold human rights," the report reads further.
The Commission recommended that in view of the foregoing, there was a strong case to support the demand for compensation for all victims on account of the loss of lives, property, livelihoods, injuries sustained, torture and wrongful arrests and detentions.
"All the victims of Police brutality and negligence should undergo thorough medical examination at first level or referral hospital at government expense to ascertain their medical status," the commission recommended.
"Government should offer an unconditional apology to the victims and/or families for the loss of lives and property as well as trauma they suffered as a result of failure of the leadership to protect life and property."
The commission of inquiry also recommended that the government facilitate the return to schools of, and offer full bursaries to, detainees who were school-going at the time of their arrest.
And in one of its conclusions, the commission of inquiry recommended that investigations be instituted against police officers alleged to have defiled, raped and impregnated women and schoolgirls with a view of prosecution.
"The police and other law enforcement agencies should work in full consultation with the Provincial Administration. It appears that the Provincial Administration played a significant role in this matter," the report reads.
Labels: BAROTSE FREEDOM MOVEMENT, BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT, MONGU, POLICE BRUTALITY
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Sata sees problems with Barotse deal
By Bright Mukwasa
Wed 29 Feb. 2012, 09:49 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says he will be ‘very reluctant' to recommend the reinstatement of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.
And the January 14, 2011 Mongu killings commission of inquiry chairperson Dr Roger Chongwe says the government must establish a team of experts to investigate those who may have committed any criminal offences during the fracas.
Speaking at State House yesterday when he received the report on the Barotse inquiry on the Mongu killings, the Zambia National Building Society and the Salaries Review Commissions separately at which he also dissolved the Local Government Service Commission, President Sata said there were a lot of factors to be considered regarding the reinstatement of the Barotseland Agreement.
"We understand, we can accept to investigate the brutality, investigate the torture, but I will be very reluctant to advise my government to reinstate the Barotse Agreement because by so doing, that is opening the Pandora's Box," President Sata said.
"All the provinces, Mpezeni will come that we also want to secede, Chitimukulu will come we want to secede, the Tongas will have a paramount chief and they want to secede and there will be secession within government and secession within provinces because Nsengas would not want to be ruled by Mpezeni so those are some of the difficulties we have to bear in mind. First of all, you have not told me what benefit did the Barotse Agreement derive or gave to the Barotse people…What is in that Barotse Agreement is a self government which used to be in the native authority, but because the people of Barotseland at Independence were so organised that when they went to England, they campaigned for a separate rule to maintain their native authority, it was more of a native authority not Barotse Agreement."
He wondered from which resources the people of Western Province would raise taxes from even if they were granted secession.
President Sata said the Barotse Agreement suffered its first assault in 1965 when Sikota Wina amended the local government Act.
And Dr Chongwe said various leaders must be investigated and the government must bear the responsibility of compensating the families affected.
Dr Chongwe said some statements that were made by some leaders incited police to exert ‘unnecessary and excessive' force on the protesters.
"…The then vice-president George Kunda should be arraigned before the National Assembly for giving a statement," he said, prompting President Sata to interrupt to ask if he meant to arrest, to which he responded: "The National Assembly has its own method of arresting its own members in the House and charging them."
Dr Chongwe also said former Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde should also be investigated for any criminal offences committed, including conspiring with the executive to create an unfounded war against people of the Western Province.
"Finally, the then minister of Home Affairs Mkhondo Lungu, currently Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly should be removed from his position for inciting the police to use violence against the people of Western Province. The only body which has that power is Parliament itself," Dr Chongwe said.
He said the fracas was caused by the continuous denial of permit by the police in Mongu to facilitate the holding of meetings and violated the right of expression and freedom of assembly of the people.
Dr Chongwe said the people who were arrested were subjected to inhuman conditions.
"All the 132 detainees were subjected to inhuman treatment and injustices by both the police and the prison authorities generally in Mongu in violation of our own Constitution and also the Police Act…sub-article three article 013 of the Constitution," he said.
"…While the detention and prosecution of suspects in Mumbwa and Lusaka might have been necessary given the experiences of the 23rd October 2010 where the courts were overwhelmed during the trial of those arrested for rioting, the proceedings were irregular on account that the accused were denied the right to be heard during the application by the Director of Public Prosecution to the High Court to have the detained people transferred."
He said the conduct of the police before, during and after the riots was unprofessional, and characterised by indiscipline and incompetence.
Dr Chongwe said the government must compensate all families affected.
"The commission recommends that noting the high number of casualties and victims of police brutality which we found as a commission 19 dead, 15 with gunshot wounds and five reported missing, a team of experts be constituted to thoroughly investigate and establish the role played by various leaders and officers both present and serving who may be charged with any criminal offences committed," he said.
Dr Chongwe also said some petitioners called for the total independence and the restoration of the Barotse Agreement while others submitted that self rule would spell suffering for the people and other tribes of the Western Province.
And Zambia National Building Society commission inquiry chairperson Mwila Lumbwe said the building society since inception has only given out 15,000 mortgages against a housing deficit of two million units, meaning it has failed lamentably to satisfy the critical and fundamental benchmark.
He said on the basis of the petitions, it was established that the general public had a view that building society had only delivered mobile financing to the people in Lusaka and the Copperbelt, failing people in other provinces.
Mwila said management of capital of the building society recorded serious losses post 1991 when the government undertook structure adjustment reform.
On the US$98 million redevelopment of Society House, Lumbwe said ZNBS should have hired a transaction advisor to handle a project of that magnitude.
Meanwhile, presenting the report on the Salaries Review Commission, chairperson Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi said there was multiplicity of allowances and conditions of service in the public service.
He said there were currently more than 175 allowances and other conditions of service in the public service.
Prof Mwanalushi said the public service remuneration system was fraught with distortions and disparities.
Professor Mwanalushi also said the Public Service Pension Fund and the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund were technically bankrupt as they had accumulated huge arrears.
"For instance, as at 30th June 2011, the PSPF had pension payments amounting to K339 billion for 1,862 pensioners which had been pending for one year," said Prof Mwanalushi.
President Sata said he could not comment in detail on the salaries commission report because of the ongoing salary negotiations in the public service.
Labels: BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT, MICHAEL SATA, MONGU, ROGER CHONGWE
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Rupiah's govt caused riot, killings - Mulonda
By Mwala Kalaluka in Mongu
Sat 29 Oct. 2011, 14:00 CAT
THE Commission of Inquiry into January's Mongu fracas says President Michael Sata pardoned convicted Barotse activists because only free people can negotiate on any political issue like the Barotseland Agreement.
During the presentation of evidence to the Rodger Chongwe-chaired commission on Thursday, a 55-year-old Mongu resident, Frank Mulonda, asked what game successive governments and the current one were playing over the Barotseland Agreement issue.
In his submission, Mulonda said when the MMD came into power after 1991, the people had hope that the issue would be settled under the multi-party democratic dispensation.
"During the reign of Bwezani Rupiah Banda, who has just left...we saw the worst in Barotseland where blood was shed on the 14th of January 2011 over the same Barotseland Agreement," said Mulonda amid applause.
He said former president Banda's government caused the killings and the riot in Mongu because the people were not fighting despite the state sending armed forces to confront them.
Mulonda said the conduct of the security wings on the day in question was unprofessional and inhuman in that they opted to use live ammunition on unarmed civilians.
"We must also pursue the issue of who authorised the use of live ammunition by the security wings. Was it the Commanding Officer of Western Province? Was it the Inspector General of Police? Was it the Minister of Home Affairs at the time, Mr Mkhondo Lungu, or was it the then president Rupiah Bwezani Banda?" Mulonda asked.
He said the person who gave the order to shoot should be brought before the Commission of Inquiry.
Mulonda also said the detention of the Barotse accused in Mumbwa and Lusaka where the alleged offence was not committed from was unnecessary and unreasonable.
"It meant that the state punished the whole families of all the people who were detained," Mulonda said.
He said not only those who were detained but even those injured, killed and whose properties were damaged should be compensated.
"Barotseland is the least developed province in the whole country yet after independence it was number four," Mulonda said. "Successive governments have failed to address these issues yet the people of Barotseland have been considering themselves part and parcel of the Zambian people."
Mulonda asked what had changed today that President Sata who was in the Chiluba government, which described the Barotseland Agreement as stale, had said during his campaigns that he wanted to recognise it.
In responding to Mulonda, Chongwe said the people should have faith in President Sata because it was the first time he was becoming President despite serving in previous governments.
"This is why our new President in order to pave way for the appointment of this Commission he took the step to release from jail all those that had been convicted arising from the incident of the 14th of January," Chongwe said. "He went on to wipe out the sentences so that none of those people who were actually convicted will have a previous record because the President pardoned them."
Chongwe said President Sata did this on the basis that only free people could sit down and discuss important national matters.
"People were killed in this place, tensions rose, there was frustration and that frustration continues and neither you nor the government wishes to do nothing because doing nothing might bring back a repeat of that dark day," Chongwe said. "What we are having today is the process of full reconciliation to a conflict which has festered since 1964, acknowledging that along the way mistakes have been made, injustices have been perpetrated, lies have been told."
He said President Sata wants the above issue to be an issue of the past.
"So let us give him an opportunity," said Chongwe. "We Commission of Inquiry are merely an instrument for the implementation of your desires and the desires of the new government."
Labels: BAROTSE FREEDOM MOVEMENT, MONGU, RUPIAH BANDA
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Milupi urges Barotse inquiry commission to call Rupiah
By Mwala Kalaluka in Mongu
Fri 28 Oct. 2011, 13:50 CAT
Charles Milupi has urged the Commission of Inquiry into the Mongu riots to summon former president Rupiah Banda to appear before it. And the Commission of Inquiry says suggestions that it was established to look into the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 are not correct because the Agreement exists despite being abrogated in 1969.
The hearing held at the Provincial Minister's Conference Hall in Mongu, was yesterday characterised by wild applause following demands that former president Banda be subponaed to testify in the matter.
During the commencement of the well-attended sittings of the Rodger Chongwe-chaired Commission of Inquiry into the January 14, 2011 Mongu riots, Chongwe subponaed the local police command, being key players in the issue, to appear before the body today.
Chongwe said the commission did not want to leave any stone unturned in dealing with the root cause of the Mongu riots.
But opposition Alliance for Democracy and Development ADD president Milupi raised preliminary issues over the people to be subponaed.
"I have no doubt at all that you will do justice on this issue, because you are a prominent lawyer and human rights activist and I am also aware that you have been involved with this particular issue of Barotseland Agreement for a long time," Milupi told Chongwe.
Milupi said the Mongu riots had an impact on the whole nation and that the people of Western Province were injured.
"One of the issues that need to be dealt with was the conduct of the police," Milupi said.
He said the police in Mongu on January 14, 2011 was under the control of the headquarters in Lusaka.
"I want to ask you Mr Chairman, why you have not seen it necessary, recognising the national importance of this matter, to subpoena the national leadership of the police, including the IG who was there at the time, Inspector General Francis Kabonde," Milupi said. "The order to shoot the citizens of this country using live ammunition procured by public resources can only come from a very high level."
Milupi also asked why the then Minister of Home Affairs, Mkhondo Lungu, who is now National Assembly Deputy Speaker, had not been subponaed before the commission.
"What happened does border on genocide. Why has it not been necessary to subpoaena the then president of this country?" Milupi asked as those following the proceeding inside and outside the hall broke into applause.
More applause followed after Milupi demanded that the Barotse Royal Establishment BRE leaders be subponaed to give their position before the commission.
Chongwe said in response that Milupi had exhibited political maturity in most of his statements and therefore his suggestions could not be easily dismissed.
Chongwe said the commission addressed a letter to Police Inspector General Dr Martin Malama.
"I also took your point that the former president had said that Barotse detainees will remain in detention until when he as president decides to release them. These were reported in our newspapers at the time. So I understand your concerns," Chongwe said. "Also there was a report in Parliament from the vice-president George Kunda supporting the conduct of the police on the 14th of January. So we will take up the matter with higher authority and ask them to send someone senior to come and testify."
Chongwe assured the people that they should be free to present their feelings before the commission because they would be protected.
This followed a question from a Mongu resident, Mukeya Liwena, who wanted to know how protected they were to delve into areas deemed sensitive during their submissions.
"If there is anytime when you can stand on the highest point overlooking the Barotse Plain and shout your lungs out so that your lungs bulge out without let or hindrance, this commission is the place where you can express your opinion, your views, your dislikes, your likes openly without leaving them in your chest to collect anger and frustration," Chongwe said, "Only to exhibit them later, not in a forum like this, but in violent activities."
Chongwe warned that anybody who would interfere with the submitters over what they presented to the commission would be dealt with strenously because such people are preventing others from speaking their minds freely.
Chongwe said the Commission was not discussing the existence of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964, as a document but that it would receive evidence relating to the anger and frustration following the non-restoration of the above Agreement.
Chongwe said President Michael Sata had indicated that he would give the people of Zambia, with their consent, a new constitution that would address all the outstanding issues, including the implementation of the Barotseland Agreement.
And in correcting the title of the advertisements relating to the commission, Chongwe said the commission was not set up to discuss the Barotseland Agreement but what caused the Mongu riots.
"The Commission does not have such mandate," Chongwe said. "The Barotseland Agreement exists and was only abrogated by Parliament in 1969. So there can be no inquiry into an agreement that was signed," Chongwe said.
However, responding to one Anthony Matomola's concerns over when the Barotseland Agreement issue would be discussed, Chongwe said people were not restricted to state that the abrogation of the Agreement was the cause of the anger and frustration in the province.
"This commission is very much alive to the issues, you trust us," Chongwe said.
Chongwe said the commission decided to get views from provinces such as Lusaka, Central and Southern for solidarity purposes because issues to do with the Barotseland Agreement were national in nature.
"This Barotseland Agreement issue, is a human rights issue and human rights issues cross borders because they are universal," Chongwe said. "It's not only my friends from Western Province who feel angry and annoyed that an agreement was abrogated."
Chongwe said the commission was aware that there were more than two deaths that occured during the Mongu riots and it was therefore, important that people submit on issues that occured before, during and after the riots.
"We don't want to leave any stone unturned. We don't want a repeat of what happened on 14th January," said Chongwe. "So don't give an excuse for not giving evidence."
Labels: BAROTSE FREEDOM MOVEMENT, MONGU
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Foreign Investors in Timber Industry in Zambia externalizing their profits-TPAZ
TIME PUBLISHED - Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 8:39 am
Zambia is losing revenue from illegal cutting of trees. Mongu district forestry department confiscating timber from unlicensed dealers at Mongu central market during a market inspection exercise in Mongu
THE Timber Producers Association of Zambia (TPAZ) has urged Government to revoke all timber licences because most investors are allegedly externalising their profits.
TPAZ vice-president Charles Masange said the timber industry is currently dominated by foreign investors, hence the need for Government to sort out the issuance of licences to bring sanity in the industry.
Mr Masange said in an interview in Lusaka that Zambia could realise revenue from the export of timber if the necessary measures are put in place for the industry to positively contribute to country’s economy.
He said the policies should be revised in order for both parties to benefit unlike the current situation where only a few are advantaged noting that the timber sector is only contributing one percent to the Gross Domestic Product.
“The timber industry has been performing very badly because it is overcrowded by foreigners,” he said. He said Government should immediately revise the Investment Act under Zambia Development Agency to scrutinise genuine and fake investors and also constitute a Taskforce to monitor and control timbering in the country.
Mr Masange said currently most foreigners buy timber from the locals at a minimum price of K1 million per tonne and resale at about US$10,000 to 12,000 per tonne.
Mr Masange said currently most foreigners buy timber from the locals at a minimum price of K1 million per tonne and resale at about US$10,000 to 12,000 per tonne.
He alleged Zambians will continue to be disadvantaged, if the trend of investors engaged in large hectarge of timbering is left unchecked adding that foreign investors should be allowed to participate in the secondary industry so that they export finished materials instead of raw materials.
He said Zambia does not benefit from its timber as it is directly exported to country of the investors’choice.
“I call them (foreign investors) harvesters instead of investors because they are abusing our timber which is natural resources from which we are suppose to benefit locally,” he said .
“I call them (foreign investors) harvesters instead of investors because they are abusing our timber which is natural resources from which we are suppose to benefit locally,” he said .
He also said the Government should consider funding the wood industry so that it can create jobs, improve people’s livelihood and generally contribute to the development of the country’seconomy.
Labels: FDI, MONGU, NEOCOLONIALISM, TIMBER
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Sata sets up Commission of inquiry into Mongu riots, pardons detainees and renames Ndola stadium
TIME PUBLISHED - Thursday, September 29, 2011, 12:54 pm
Others appointed to the Commission are Sebastian Zulu, In’utu Suba, Frank Chanda, Senior Chief Bright Nalubamba, Willie Mung’omba, one person from the Barotse Royal Establishment -BRE- and one from the Barotse Land Agreement activist group, the Linyungandambo.
President Sata has pardoned all the people from the Western Province that were arrested in connection with the Mongu riots over the Barotse land Agreement. President Sata has also pardoned Zambians that were arrested for Political sacrifices such as Judge Ngoma, George Goma, George Lemba and Ashwell Kampengele.
President Sata announced the pardoning today at States House shortly after swearing in George Mwenya Chella as Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations.
Mr Chella was until his appointment Assistant News Editor at the Post Newspaper.
And Bishop for Orthodox Diocese of Eastern States and All Africa Reverend Dr Edward Chomba has welcomed President Michael Sata’s decision to pardon people arrested over the Mongu riots.
Dr Chomba says President Sata has demonstrated true Christian values.
He says that President Sata has shown attributes of a true leader that wants to reconcile all Zambians.
Dr Chomba was speaking in an Interview with ZNBC news in Lusaka on Thursday.
He has called on all Zambians to rally behind President Sata as he leads the country.
President Michael Sata has pardoned all the people from the Western Province that were arrested in connection with the Mongu riots over the Barotseland Agreement.
And President Sata has re-named the new Ndola National Stadium as Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
President Sata has also re-named Lusaka District Hospital as Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital.
Labels: BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT, MICHAEL SATA, MONGU
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Opposition is frustrated - Rupiah
By Mwala Kalaluka in Mongu
Sun 11 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda says MMD members have lost weight in the process of campaigning ahead of the September 20 general elections. And President Banda says Mongu has changed since he visited the place last year.
Addressing a poorly attended rally, comprising people ferried from areas within and outside Mongu at Mulambwa Grounds on Friday, President Banda said his opponents wanted to cause electoral confusion so that they push for a partnership government with the MMD after the polls.
President Banda said through his interpreter, Mongu district commissioner Jethro Mumbuwa, who exaggerated most of the pronouncements, that the MMD members had lost weight in their effort to ensure that they beat their opponents hands down in the election.
"I stood here in Mongu three years ago in 2008 to ask for your vote and you gave it to me," President Banda told the sparsely spread crowd.
"In 2008 when you voted for me to become President of this country, to these great people, you didn't know what I was capable of doing then. I believe that together with all of you we have been able to work hard for our country."
He said Zambians have been able to keep the unity of the country.
"We are here again to practise our democracy. In 2008, you elected me and I assured you that I will ensure that the Zambian people continue to enjoy the democracy that they like so much," President Banda said.
"Your government, under my leadership, has done everything possible to prepare for these elections. We have put money in place. We have printed all the documents which are required for the elections."
He said in exercising their collective wish, Zambians should vote for people who believe in democracy.
"Don't take democracy for granted," President Banda said. "We have campaigned so hard. I have seen some of my colleagues who have come from the battleground, we have lost weight in the process because we believe that people should not be taken for granted," President Banda said. "We have to campaign. We have to go door-to-door and explain to the voters what it is that we are going to do for the people once they have re-elected us back to government."
He said the MMD was the legitimate parent of Zambia's democracy and should ensure elections were conducted peacefully.
"Not only are we the ruling party, we have also worked very hard over the last three years," he said.
President Banda said Zambians would vote for MMD because of their work.
He said MMD opponents in the polls would lose and all they merely want is to mess up the whole process "so that hopefully they can be called to be our partners in government because of the difficulties which they have created".
President Banda said he believed the MMD would beat its opponents clean.
"They have nothing to show the Zambian people. Even as individuals many of them are unable to stand up and say what they have done for the people...So you cannot trust these people that when they come they will keep their promises," he said.
"We have a record. We promised you we would build the road from Mongu to Kalabo and as I am speaking to you now, the machines are rolling on that very complex but very important road."
President Banda said what is happening in Mongu was what was happening in every district of Western Province and in all provinces.
"That is how hard working this party and this government are," he said.
President Banda said his government was fixing roads in most of the compounds on the line of rail where his government was labelled as useless.
"They (opposition) are frustrated; they don't know what to do. So the next step is, 'where did you get the money from?' There is no bank in this country or in the world who can say the MMD broke into their banks and stole money," President Banda said. "This is money of the Zambian people and we are responding to the needs of our people. Our country is growing. Mongu is growing ... I was in Mongu last year, it is different now from what it was."
President Banda, who yet again could not apologise to the people of Mongu over his government's orchestrated Barotseland Agreement-related Mongu killings in January this year, said many of those opposing him did not even know how to grow a mango tree.
"Don't mind them, don't pay attention to them, don't vote for them. They have no programme for us the people of Zambia. They just want power for the sake of power and for that they will do anything," said President Banda. "They have no record of being good leaders and therefore I ask our people to vote for us."
MMD national secretary Major Richard Kachingwe complained at the same rally that the PF supporters in Mongu were provoking MMD members.
Maj Kachingwe said when the Presidential delegation arrived in Mongu on Thursday, they were provoked by PF supporters.
President Banda's rally in Mongu was poorly attended despite a musical performance by the Liseli Sisters, who were clad in MMD misisi, and other singers that have become a feature of the ruling party's election trail.
Labels: MONGU, RUPIAH BANDA
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Mongu cops protect Rupiah from the people
By Mwala Kalaluka in Mongu
Sat 10 Sep. 2011, 14:00 CAT
MOBILE police officers on Thursday blocked a crowd of Mongu residents that gathered along Airport Road at Kapulanga compound to protest against President Rupiah Banda's visit to the town. And President Banda said his critics have been shamed by the unprecedented 'crowd' that turned up at Mongu Airstrip to welcome him.
President Banda's chopper landed at Mongu Airstrip at 17:00 hours from Lukulu and he was received by a crowd comprising civil servants, plainclothes police and intelligence officers, curious on-lookers and some MMD cadres.
Most of the civil servants, save for heads of government departments, were standing on the eastern side of the apron while the curious onlookers were on the western side and the sizeable crowd of MMD cadres was in the middle in front of the dais.
The sizeable crowd of MMD cadres, some of whom detached themselves from the group to accost President Banda on the apron, waved their party symbol frantically towards the President as soon as he stepped out of the chopper.
But there were very few people waving the MMD symbol on the eastern and western sides of the airstrip, forcing the master of ceremonies, only identified as Danny, to urge them to wave the MMD symbol too.
"Those who take pictures for newspapers they should come here so that tomorrow we see what has happened here on the front page. Yes, there is no doubt about it, RB is going to make it whether you like it or not," Danny said. "Those of you in the western direction we are not seeing you flash the symbol, please do and even those in the east let us see the symbol...Our ZNBC coverage is all over. Our security is all over, we can see...The youths let's shake it up, the head of state has just landed."
As the group of MMD youths that had detached itself from the main group tried to follow President Banda on the apron, his security blocked their way.
"Don't block the youths. The President is here for the campaign. Let them receive him because he is not here on official duties. He has come to campaign and those are the party officials, give them chance to welcome their President," Danny was heard pleading with President Banda's security. "It is allowed wherever you go throughout the country. You can't, give them chance. Don't disturb them, give them chance. They have come to welcome their President, please can you give them chance."
Danny wondered where those who had been cheating that President Banda would not come to Mongu were now that he was in Mongu.
"We just don't want to mention your names but today you have been shamed," said Danny.
MMD provincial acting chairman Katongo Kameya said Western Province belonged to President Banda, which he pronounced as Mbanda.
"We are welcoming you to Western Province today, especially in Mongu Central Constituency. What is before you is an indication that you are winning. Those saying there is no MMD in Western Province are the ones whose parties have no presence here," Kameya said. "We are assuring you that Western Province is yours and you will win it the way you did last time. The Lozis are immensely thankful for the work that you have done for them. The work that you have done in the two and half years is tremendous and we should appreciate by giving you a 100 per cent vote."
And an elated President Banda said, as Mongu district commissioner, a civil servant, exaggeratingly interpreted for him, that he was thankful for the big number of people that turned up to welcome him to Mongu.
"Thank you to all of you for turning up in such big numbers when tomorrow one of the headlines will say the President was met at Mongu Airport by an unprecedented number of people," President Banda said.
"This is a sign that the people of Mongu, the people of the Western Province take these elections very seriously. They are very important elections and we must continue to mobilise so that many people can vote because their vote will determine the future of this country."
President Banda said the things Zambians had achieved in the last three years of his leadership were a marvel to watch.
"We are showing that we are determined to stand up and rebuild, reconstruct and transform our great nation," he said. "Let us reject violence. We have been free since 1964 and at no election have Zambians turned violent. So let us not allow leaders who advocate violence because by so doing they would like to reverse our gains."
President Banda said he was aware there were those who liked taking pictures of him with children.
"I know people like taking pictures of me when I walk to the children because I am different from them. I think they (children) are wonderful when they come to the airport to welcome you, so I always go there then they take the picture quickly to show that there was nobody. He was just met by those little children. The adults are here also," President Banda said.
As President Banda was talking, a plane carrying a delegation from Angolan President Eduardo Dos Santos touched down at Mongu Airport and some of the curious onlookers and party cadres abandoned their positions to watch it land.
"I have just dropped off...that is the delegation from Angola from the President of Angola. They have come to see me here," said President Banda as he realised the interest the plane had aroused in the curious onlookers. "I find that in this campaign many people are interested.
Civil servants, teachers, police, army because they realise that now is the time to decide whether to go forward or to go backwards and I want to thank everyone for the interest that you have shown in our campaign."
But as President Banda was addressing those at the airport, another crowd of PF supporters and other residents had converged at Kapulanga compound waiting for his motorcade.
Armed Mobile police officers had parked anti-riot motor vehicles in front of the gathering as they stood on the Airport road to ensure nobody went towards the turn-off that President Banda's motorcade would use in a bid to avoid passing through Kapulanga area and Mongu town centre.
Police sources said there were pockets of hostility against President Banda at Kapulanga area, especially, where a child was shot and injured by the police in January causing people to fight running battles with the police.
Kapulanga compound and Mongu town centre were the flashpoints during the January 14, 2011 Barotseland Agreement-related Mongu fracas and the majority of those arrested and detained over the issue were from Kapulanga compound and the surrounding areas.
As the presidential motorcade left the airport and approached the Zambia Army regional offices in whose proximity the PF supporters had converged, the police officers blocked the road from any pedestrian and motorists while trading their eyes on the chanting crowd that was now facing the Presidential convoy.
The PF supporters and residents were chanting 'we want change, we want change' as they ran up and down the road waving their party chitenges and PF leader Michael Sata's campaign posters.
Others had stuck several of Sata's campaign posters on a tree at Kapulanga market and as some of the motorists heading in the direction of the airport were told to turn back by the police, they defiantly raised the PF symbol and in the process attracting applause from the crowd.
The defiant chants continued even after President Banda's motorcade veered away from the point by using a winding route behind Kapulanga and Kambule areas to the Presidential Lodge.
Some of the youths were heard celebrating that President Banda failed to drive past them and used a different route because he was scared of them. The police remained in position.
Labels: MONGU, RUPIAH BANDA
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Probe the deaths of Barotse activists
By The Post
Fri 15 July 2011, 14:00 CAT
Four of the 20 or so Barotse detainees have died within a space of three months.
We do appreciate that people are dying all over the country but there is something that appears strange with this group of people.
In a group of 20 people who were fit to be arrested and detained by the police and prosecuted by the state for participating in the Mongu riots, four of them dying within a space of three months is something that deserves probing. Twenty per cent of the Barotse Agreement activists who were arrested and detained in Lusaka and Mumbwa have died! Is this a normal rate of death?
These people were arrested mid-January this year. On April 18, 70-year-old Mwiya Sihope died in Mongu’s Lewanika General Hospital as a consequence of health complications that developed at Lusaka Central Prison where he was detained on treason charges. On April 22, 16-year-old Kabayo Kabayo died from suspected septicemia in Mumbwa Prison where he was detained.
And last Saturday, 92-year-old former Ngambela of Barotseland Maxwell Mututwa, who was released from Lusaka Central Prison where he spent over a month, died in Senanga. And before Mututwa could be buried, 26-year-old Pelekelo Likezo died on Tuesday due to illness that his relatives say started in detention. Whatever crimes these people were thought to have committed, they are human beings with the right to life.
We cannot claim to uphold the sanctity of life and yet watch people dying one after another in circumstances that raise many questions about the nature and conditions of their arrest and detention.
Life is sacred, a gift from God to be valued from the moment of conception until death. Human life is a precious gift from God, the Source of all life, and maximum care must be taken to preserve it. Every human being should have the chance to enjoy the wellbeing necessary for their full human development.
And consequent on his dignity as a human person and a creature of God, a human being has certain rights, which nobody can take away. The roots of human rights are to be found in the dignity that belongs to each human being. There is need to find out why all these people have died shortly after being released from detention. These are poor people but they are not without human dignity.
Every human life has a unique value. Human life is a precious gift from God, the Source of all life. In the book of Genesis, we read about creation: “God saw all the creation and indeed it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). The last and the highest form of life that God created was human life. “Let us make human beings in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves” (Genesis 1:26).
Consequently, every human life is sacred and demands the greatest respect and protection. Among the commandments given to Moses was: “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17). This is a commandment which has been fully endorsed by Jesus himself (Mark 10:19; Matt 19:18; Luke 18:20).
And we are mindful of the covenant that God made with us: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today: I set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live in love of Yahweh, your God, obeying God’s voice, clinging to God” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Choose life and not death! God calls us to protect and preserve human life. Indeed, we rejoice to find that this Christian teaching is also built in the United Nations convention on human rights.
The suspicious deaths of these Barotse Agreement activists who were detained in our prisons should not go unprobbed. There is need to investigate the cause of the death of every one of them.
And a competent commission should be set up to investigate what led to the deaths of those people in such a short time – within a period of three months, we have lost 20 per cent of these detainees.
By making this demand, we risk being accused of trying to fan trouble for the government and the ruling party, especially in the period of elections.
We are not accusing anyone of anything. We are simply demanding for that which needs to be done to be done. Even animals when they die in large numbers, veterinary experts are sent to investigate the cause of their deaths. If we can do that for animals, domestic and wild, what more for our fellow human beings?
We want peace and reconciliation in our country.
But we shouldn’t forget that the Lord Jesus Christ spent his public life going about doing good – healing, forgiving, comforting and showing compassion and concern for all human suffering. At the same time, he openly confronted the evils that oppress and dehumanise people.
There is need for a change of heart. Efforts should therefore be made to instill in people’s hearts a respect for God’s commandment of “Thou shall not kill,” a respect for the principle to the effect that God has entrusted us with the lives of our brothers and sisters.
All politicians and leaders should be made responsible for their actions. Those responsible for the reckless way in which the grievances of the Barotse activists were handled and the way in which the Mongu riots were policed should be brought to justice.
So far, those in government have tried to buy peace in Barotseland with money, buying their victims all sorts of gifts, yet these deaths we are today witnessing are a concrete example of how political carelessness has caused deaths and untold and continued misery which we are experiencing now.
The government is indicting itself by not probing the causes of these deaths and arresting anyone for causing them. They want reconciliation, they want peace without anyone taking responsibility for what happened and is happening. We are aware that reconciliation is a long and difficult process.
We are also aware of the obstacles and difficulties set up on this road. The process of reconciliation and forgiveness involves the seeking of truth that ensures sincere and lasting forgiveness. It also presupposes justice.
As Pope John Paul II once observed, “There is no contradiction between forgiveness and justice. Forgiveness neither eliminates nor lessens the need for the reparation which justice requires”.
A human person should not be subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. The way the Barotse activists were treated does not accord with the dignity of the human person.
The Mongu riots require a critical appraisal of the deep roots of their causes. We know that the police brutality that the Barotse activists were subjected to was a result of those in government trying to preserve their hold on political power – the lust for power. Those who hunger for power can kill for it and do kill for it.
If peace is to return in Barotseland, the primary requisite is to eradicate the cause of the riots and disturbances that took place in Mongu. And in our view, it is important to maintain and strengthen democratic structures if we are to enjoy a peaceful and developing future as a nation.
If the Barotse activists were allowed space to exercise their freedom of expression and assembly, those riots would not have taken place and no lives would have been lost as a consequence.
Therefore, the pursuit of justice must be a fundamental norm of the state. And this calls for justice to be given to the families of those who lost their lives as a result of the inhuman conditions under which they were detained. And those responsible for this drama must humbly accept their wrongdoings and ask for forgiveness.
There is no need for them to pretend everything was done well as George Kunda told Parliament in an effort to justify this government’s brutality – the brutality and intolerance that has so far caused the deaths of not less than four people and left many of our brothers maimed for life.
Mututwa sought dialogue. He consistently called for dialogue over the Barotse Agreement. What did he get in return? He was arrested and detained. Dialogue, listening to others and sharing our own beliefs with others, is not a choice for us.
It is a must. Dialogue is an essential path for the promotion of peace and unity in our country. We say this because dialogue is rooted in the nature and dignity of human beings. In dialogue, one can compare different points of view and examine disagreements.
Peace is the fruit of honesty, truth and solidarity; it is the tranquility of order. And to guarantee peace, all are called to maturity, tolerance and responsibility. This is the spirit in which these deaths should be approached.
Labels: BAROTSE FREEDOM MOVEMENT, MONGU, PRISONS
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Sata brings Mongu to a standstill
By George Chellah in Mongu
Sun 22 May 2011, 04:02 CAT
PF leader Michael Sata yesterday brought Mongu to a standstill when hundreds of women, men and children lined up along the road to welcome him as he made his way from the airport into Mongu town.
And later in the afternoon Sata addressed a mammoth rally at Blue Gums ground and promised to develop Barotseland in different areas within the first 90 days of PF in government.
When the plane carrying Sata landed around 10:20 hours, there was a huge crowd waiting to catch a glimpse of him. They shouted, as they waved the PF symbol, that PF was the only party they could look up to. Many others shouted, “mwamukolo, mwamukolo (in the boat, in the boat).
As Sata was being driven to the lodge in town, several people lined up the road on both sides chanting pro-Sata and PF slogans. When the PF leader got to the lodge, the whole place was crowded. The PF security had to restrain the crowd from breaking the cordon around Sata. The enthusiastic and cheering crowd was advised to go straight to the rally site but they refused insisting that they see Sata.
After a shortwhile, Sata left the lodge for Radio Liseli for a special programme and the crowd still followed him there.
And during the programme at Oblate Radio Liseli, Sata advised people to ignore the propaganda the MMD was spreading against him.
He said the fliers containing hate messages, which have been distributed in Mongu were from the MMD.
“MMD are murderers. It’s not the Linyungandambo. And MPs from Barotseland have never protested against the murders that took place,” Sata said. “The Linyungandambo are peaceful, loving people, they want the children to be employed. They are also fighting for the suffering MMD members.”
Sata condemned MMD members of parliament from Western Province for not speaking for the people.
“Some people have been left with one leg and nobody is even talking about compensation. Can Mulyata, Lungwangwa and all other MPs here…how would they feel if it were their own children or mothers who were brutalised? We have never heard Mulyata even whisper over the brutality,” Sata said.
“Our people in Barotseland are lonely and as they are lonely we need to encourage them. I did not come during the fracas because I would have been accused of inciting them. Brutality is not the answer.”
Sata said in the past, MMD had spread a lot of lies about him.
“They were saying if people vote for me I would bring war. They were also saying I would throw people that are HIV positive in the Zambezi River. They were also saying that I will annex this province to Angola,” Sata said. “When they said I was going to bring war a few months ago, was it Sata who brought war here when people merely complained?”
Sata also read out one of the message on one of fliers which had been distributed by the MMD in Mongu.
The message read: “Be informed that Saturday 21st May 2011 will be a very dangerous day to move about in Barotseland because the Linyungandambo will blow Sata’s head off and kill all his supporters.
Sata is a traitor, mocker and a snake that can bite you to death and fail to eat you.”
“This is a lie, it was not done by Linyungandambo. It was done by MMD,” Sata said.
He advised people to dismiss the MMD’s propaganda against him concerning homosexuality.
On issues of development, Sata said Western Province remained the poorest province followed by Northern Province. He said there was need to harness resources in the province such as timber production to ensure it benefited the people.
“In Western Province, 47 years after independence you still have districts that have no electricity, districts that are operating on diesel,” he said.
Sata said PF’s plan was to ensure that each district had a secondary school and health centre. He further said there was need for decentralisation of power.
“You cannot run a government from Lusaka alone. The Baroste Royal Establishment were not elected, they were created by God. King Lewanika left canals. What have we done with those canals? Has MMD dug any canals?” asked Sata.
“What we need to do is to develop Barotseland and Zambia as a whole is to give back power which we removed from the BRE. Don’t just give BRE authority, give them money as well. PF can’t do everything from Lusaka. We have BRE here. Give the chiefs authority to supervise agriculture. Give the chiefs power to supervise tourism.”
And Sata said there was need to work on road infrastructure in the province. He said roads such as the Mongu-Kalabo road, Sesheke-Senaga, Kalabo-Sikongo road and many others needed to be worked on.
He also complained about the lack of drugs for animals in Western Province.
“When PF comes into power, we will look at the health of the people and the health of animals too because Barotseland has a lot of animals,” he said.
Sata said PF would put up a bridge across the Zambezi River to enable people cross from Senanga to Shangombo.
“It will help in bringing animals and taking veterinary services to the people if we put up the bridge,” he said.
Sata said PF had on several occasions openly stated that issues surrounding the Baroste Agreement were critical and were a prerequisite for the development of Western Province.
“No sensible leader or political party can dispute this agreement that gave rise to Zambia. It is a valid agreement. The abrogation of this agreement was through an Act of Parliament which changed the whole system of local government,” Sata said.
“The restoration of this agreement has therefore to be done through the same Parliament. If there any other issues which the people feel should be addressed through the Constitution, then space has to be provided through the constitution making process to find a lasting solution. The PF in government will not have direct control over the constitution because it will be a people-driven constitution and it will be the people to decide what constitution they want. The PF will be a mere facilitator.”
And PF national chairperson Inonge Wina said the people of Western Province were ready for change.
“The soil is right for change,” Wina said.
And later in the afternoon Sata addressed a mammoth rally at Blue Gums ground. He said the struggle for independence became easier when young women and men from Barotseland joined in. He said after the demise of Barotse nationalists, Barotseland has only remained with job seekers and not leaders.
“The whole of Barotseland you have 17 MPs. Those are only job seekers,” Sata said.
“All of you must shake us the leaders who are sleeping. Don’t send children to go and fight, you have to stand up and be counted.”
Sata said President Rupiah Banda was cheating the people of Barotseland about building a road to Kalabo.
“When I was in Parliament, MPs from here were talking about the Kalabo-Kalongola road. Is there a road from Kalabo to Kalongola,” Sata asked as the people shouted, “no,no,no.” “The choice is yours. If you want change, don’t look for change for Michael Sata, look for change for yourselves.”
Sata said PF would ensure that there was better housing for all in Western Province.
“This struggle for Barotseland which was started by the Linyungandambo is our struggle all of us in all the provinces,” Sata said. “Let them kill me if they want. Your problems are my problems. Within 90 days of PF, you will see change. We want a road from Limulunga to Mbwanjikana up to Kalabo and Sikongo. We have to turn these plains into food baskets.”
Sata said all districts in Barotseland shall be electrified.
“Every chiefdom shall have a secondary school and every parish shall have a secondary school. We shall see if we can raise enough money to build you your own university,” he said.
Sata praised those who were injured and killed during the Barotse fracas in January for their bravery. He urged people to protect each other and ensure that they make Zambia a better place. He said PF shall implement the Barotse agreement once in power.
Meanwhile, some victims of the January 14 fracas over the Barotseland Agreement in Mongu were paraded at the rally and Sata said PF would do something to help them cope with their new challenges because some of them have had their legs amputated.
Sata said PF was also with all those who are currently imprisoned in Mumbwa. He asked the party lawyers to follow up the matter closely.
Sata is accompanied by PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba, national chairperson Inonge Wina and other party officials who included Given Lubinda, Charles Banda, Willie Nsanda, Wylbur Simusa, Jean Kapata, Col Jerry Chanda and PF deputy secretary general Bridget Atanga, among others.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, MONGU, PF
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