Those aspiring to be leaders should have respect - SACCORD
By Moses Kuwema
Thu 08 Nov. 2012, 14:00 CAT
SACCORD says those who aspire for leadership positions should be humble and have respect for the people. Commenting on President Michael Sata's advice to PF candidate in today's parliamentary by-election in Mufumbwe, Stephen Masumba, to be humble and have respect for the people if he wants to be a good leader, Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) information officer Obby Chibuluma said the advice was timely as it reflected partially on what was going on in the country among leaders.
"I think be it in the opposition or those in government, including actually some people even in church, some of them feel they are too big for the people that they lead and want to assume the position of being worshipped by those that they lead, which we find not to be the correct way of approaching leadership. Leadership must be seen to be some elevation or some recognition that the people give you in order for you to lead them," he said.
Chibuluma said SACCORD would like to see to it that those who are given positions of leadership are humble.
"They must treat that recognition leadership with respect as well as try to lead the people that give them that opportunity with the best of their abilities. They should be sincere, they should be open, they should always be consultative, and always remain mindful that being a leader does not mean that you are the best of all the people in that given place, rather the people have recognised that there can only be one leader at a time and you happen to be one that they happen to entrust their authority with," he said.
Chibuluma said those holding leadership positions in government should always remember that they were not the best but were, rather, the favoured ones by the people at that given time.
"I think we have seen this even among the people that are in government now, some of them are so pompous, too bossy and it is important that they heed the president's advice. Some of them might not hold those positions like the president does, for him at least he was elected and has a mandate, but for some of them they hold those positions because they were appointed so at the end of the day everyone has to remain humble," said Chibuluma.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, OBBY CHIBULUMA, SACCORD
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SACCORD hails Dr Scott's honesty
By Fridah Nkonde
Mon 18 June 2012, 13:24 CAT
SOUTHERN African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes is impressed with Vice-President Dr Guy Scott's honest and realistic way of perceiving things in terms of development in the country.
Commenting on Dr Scott's statement over participation of young people in politics, Saccord information officer Obby Chibuluma said it was good on Vice-President Scott's part to encourage young people to participate in politics.
"We are impressed with our Vice-President. It is a very good attitude on his part. We are happy with his honest and realistic way of perceiving and assessing things in the country. This just shows the level of honesty in the party and how they so much want to see this country develop," Chibuluma said.
He said the Patriotic Front government's stance on encouraging young people to participate in politics would help more young people in contributing to the development of the country.
Chibuluma said there was need for other political parties in the country to emulate the PF and help more young people get involved in politics.
He said even though people were born leaders, there was also need to know that leadership came with experience.
He said people become better leaders once they experienced being in leadership positions adding that it was important for the Zambian citizens to support people who were futuristic.
Chibuluma said building a crop of leaders in the country would not only benefit one political party.
He said political parties in Zambia needed to know that mixing the old and the young in any political party would help people become better leaders.
And Chibuluma urged people contesting in the forthcoming by-elections to observe the Electoral Code of Conduct.
"Even as they campaign, they should bear in mind that there is a code of conduct which should be observed at all times. They should campaign according to the rules that govern the electoral process to avoid having people petitioning again after elections," he said.
Chibuluma said there was no need of having more and more petitions in the country because following the electoral code of conduct was not something that was too difficult.
Labels: GUY SCOTT, OBBY CHIBULUMA, SACCORD
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Saccord urges government, opposition to dialogue
By Kombe Chimpinde
Mon 11 June 2012, 13:24 CAT
SOUTHERN African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes says the state of affairs regarding the country's governance have not gone down to levels that warrant foreign intervention.
Reacting to the opposition political parties' resolve to petition the donor community over their fight with PF and President Michael Sata, Saccord information officer Obby Chibuluma said Zambians can resolve problems among themselves as citizens through dialogue instead of bringing in the donor community.
The opposition political parties have, in an open letter dated June 6, 2012 addressed to the donor community, contested several highlighted events that had taken place under PF which they claim have contributed to a rapid erosion of public trust across all of Zambia's institutions of government, "resulting in a crisis of confidence".
"We do feel that solutions to whatever problems our political parties may have between themselves, can only be resolved through them sitting down and dialoguing," Chibuluma said.
"We do feel the situation is not so bad that we require foreign intervention regarding the concerns our leaders in the opposition have. Rather, we do feel that there is a lot of room for the parties themselves to engage with the government."
He called on the government to provide room for dialogue so that those that felt aggrieved with its manner of leadership can be heard.
"Also on the part of government, they probably need revaluate the way they are doing things. The reaction of the opposition could be a result of the government not providing that platform for them to engage with the opposition," he said.
Chibuluma said the time for politicking had elapsed and that this was time for stakeholders to put issues of development as priority through constructive criticism and dialogue.
"If we continue with the seeming stand-off between the government and the opposition, it is more likely that some people will truly believe that there is a problem in the country when there is nothing," said Chibuluma.
"The perceptions that are being created as a result of the seeming stand-off are not good for the country's unity…Those in leadership must ensure they provide the platform to engage with the opposition leaders."
In an open letter addressed to the donor community written and signed by the party leaders and Robert Amsterdam, the lawyer engaged by Rupiah Banda and his son, Henry, they contested several highlighted events that had taken place under PF.
"The developments outlined below, which have taken place under the Patriotic Front administration of President Michael Chilufya Sata, have contributed to a rapid erosion of public trust across all of Zambia's institutions of government, resulting in a crisis of confidence," the letter dated June 6, 2012 reads in part.
"Providers of foreign aid can no longer trust the Zambian government at its word to observe the law or fulfill its promises, and steps must be taken to monitor and ensure that these critical resources are not diverted away from their intended purposes."
The opposition political party leaders who included Pastor Nevers Mumba, Hakainde Hichilema, Charles Milupi, Sakwiba Sikota, Edwin Sakala and lawyer Amsterdam, stated that it was their concern that continued unconditional donor support to the PF administration would further the disturbing trends that represented a sharp departure from the laws, norms, traditions, and constitutional culture of the country.
According to them, President Sata had engaged in a concerted effort to install family members and friends in all key positions of the country's economic management; assaulted the independence of the judiciary, and; systematically eliminated democratic rights of the political opposition and freedom of expression, among other things.
"Given the alarming circumstances related to the deterioration of governance in Zambia, we are calling on the donor community to closely monitor compliance of programmes by the state, and where possible, work directly with recipient groups to ensure against diversion of resources by unaccountable state officials. In these circumstances, it is reasonable for the donor community to ask basic questions concerning the intentions and motives of the Patriotic Front government," the letter stated.
But PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba said opposition political party leaders were not showing any allegiance to the country.
Labels: MMD, OBBY CHIBULUMA, PF, SACCORD, WYNTER KABIMBA
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The law must decide fate of corrupt leaders - Saccord
By Roy Habaalu
Tue 13 Mar. 2012, 13:58 CAT
THOSE who abused power during their time in government cannot be left to walk our streets as though Zambia had no laws, says SACCORD.
In an interview, Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (Saccord) information officer Obby Chibuluma said corruption will only be eradicated if successive leaders took strong positions against those that abused resources and ensure that the law decides their fate.
He said in view of the many MMD leaders appearing in court, Zambians were expectant to see the role they played and an expedited investigation process would help establish what really happened.
"If this will include former president Rupiah Banda, justice demands that even him be made to answer for his part in the abuse of power as well as resources at the time he was in charge of the country. There should be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption if Zambia is to win this war," said Chibuluma.
He said the statement by President Michael Sata that he had not commented on the lifting of Banda's immunity was in a good spirit aimed at not exerting undue pressure on investigative wings, Parliament and the Judiciary.
Recently, President Sata said he had not commented on the former president's immunity because he wanted the law to take its course.
Chibuluma said while there was no case against former president Banda in court, there was every possibility that one would be there in future.
"Going by some of the revelations we have heard regarding the conduct of some of the leaders in the Rupiah Banda administration, a lot of abuse of public resources and positions was done by those who were in power then and it will only be helpful to the country to have these people answer for their transgressions. Those who abused their power during the time they were in government cannot just be left to continue walking our streets as though this is a country without laws. They must be made to answer in the courts of law.
"Our current leaders should not be seen to be tolerating former leaders who were corrupt just because they are now being friendly to them or are seen to have some political value," he said.
Labels: ACC, CORRUPTION, OBBY CHIBULUMA, SACCORD
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Government shouldn't engage in panic politics - Saccord
By Moses Kuwema
Thu 23 Feb. 2012, 12:01 CAT
THE Patriotic Front government should not engage in panic politics, says Saccord. And Saccord has challenged PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba to tell the nation when jobs for district commissioners were advertised by the Public Service Commission.
Commenting on Kabimba's statement that the current district commissioners were being appointed by the Public Service Commission and not the President, Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes information officer Obby Chibuluma said as far as his organisation was concerned, the jobs were never advertised.
"We have never seen these jobs being advertised. The Public Service Commission should show us when these people applied for these jobs because they have the responsibility to ensure that Zambian people know how cadres are being employed," he said.
Chibuluma said there was no need for the PF government to engage in panic politics of using public resources to strengthen party structures through the appointment of cadres as district commissioners.
He said the PF was still enjoying public support and there was no need for them to engage in panic politics.
"Let them just work as per a party because what won them power was that they were going to be doing things differently from the MMD. They should not engage in panic politics because if they are not careful, they are likely to fall in the same trap that the MMD fell in," Chibuluma said.
He said there was no justification for the appointment of cadres into the civil service because it was clear that the party led the appointments.
Chibuluma said his organisation had no problems with the Public Service Commission appointing PF supporters who were qualified for the jobs.
"Much as this might be the time for cadres, but this is a strange way. There are so many ways of appreciating cadres," he said.
Chibuluma said at the rate things were going, the country was likely to see government contracts being given to those who were politically correct.
In several places, including Lusaka and Kawambwa, PF cadres have been appointed district commissioners.
Labels: DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS, OBBY CHIBULUMA, SACCORD, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Explain what you are doing
By The Post
Thu 16 Feb. 2012, 12:00 CAT
THE observations on the re-alignment and reorganisation of districts and provinces made by Obby Chibuluma, the information officer of the Southern Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes, deserve some favourable considerations.
Chibuluma observes that the hard-line position taken by 19 chiefs from Southern Province over the re-alignment of districts in the area is a potential source of conflict and the government should dialogue with traditional leaders and the local people over the matter. Chibuluma says "Only dialogue and increased information exchange can help in allaying the fears that the local people and the traditional leaders may have.
The people must be made to understand that the increase in the population calls for effective service delivery which can only be done if the government through its agencies has the capacity and resources marching people's needs. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding the reasons behind the re-alignment of the Southern Province districts and some people have taken advantage of the failure by the government to consult to misrepresent the intentions".
Truly, the government needs to explain its decisions and actions at all times. It is not enough for those in government to do the right thing. It is very important that what they are doing is understood by the people they are doing it for. Everything that is being done for the people must be done with the people.
We know that there is need for action, urgent action for that matter, on many fronts. But people shouldn't be left behind. The error that is being made is that of neglecting the people, of doing things for them without their involvement, without adequate consultations and engagement with them. The people don't seem to understand what Michael Sata is trying to do for them or where he is going.
He should take time to explain to the people what he is trying to do and why he is doing it. There is very little interaction between Michael and the people today. He is good at explaining things but he is not taking the trouble to explain anything. Press statements and some briefings at State House won't do. Michael needs to get out and meet the people, especially those likely to be affected positively or negatively, by his decisions or actions.
Sometimes it may not be easy to explain things and there may simply be no time to do so because decisions have to be made quickly. It is sometimes dangerous to explain things, but still more dangerous not to explain. Michael shouldn't be tempted to shoulder all the responsibility on our behalf and go his tortuous way, over-confident that he only has to speak and the masses will follow. Things don't work that way.
All these good things Michael is doing may soon amount to nothing if they are not properly explained to the people and the people are not adequately engaged by him. Michael is abandoning politics too early. All these good things he is doing need popular support to succeed and that support will not come on its own; there is need for continuous political mobilisation.
We are not seeing this political mobilisation from Michael, the PF and its government. Michael is a politician and not a bureaucrat. If he wants to work like a bureaucrat, and not like a political leader, opposition will grow and become stronger even against the best of his decisions, deeds or actions.
Michael will only be able to deliver if he performs his tasks without being isolated from the masses of the people he is leading and he is able to lead the whole mass forward. And without continuous engagement of the masses of our people in the most diverse sphere of activity, there can be no question of any success in what Michael is doing.
The reaction to this very correct, very noble, very well-intentioned re-alignment of districts and provinces must be a wake-up call to Michael and his colleagues, and indeed to all of us, that there is no alternative to continuous mass mobilisation, to continuous political work among the masses for government policies and programmes, no matter how good and well-intentioned they may be, to be supported and accepted.
Clearly, there is nothing wrong with Michael's re-alignment of districts and provinces. He is absolutely right in everything that he has done so far on this score. And the fear this has generated among some people in Southern Province is totally unfounded - it's simply fear of the unknown. We have asked many people how these re-alignments are going to affect them or are going to affect anyone.
What are they losing? What is it that is bothering them, that is troubling them about these re-alignments? How is any chief or village headman or indeed his subjects going to be affected by these re-alignments?
We all know very well that these re-alignments are not in any way altering the boundaries of chiefdoms or villages. Even colonial borders among our countries have in some way failed to alter kingdoms. We still have chiefs in this country who are answerable to kings who are based in neighbouring countries. And we have chiefs in this country who control villages that are situated in neighbouring countries.
Michael's re-alignment of districts and provinces has not in any way attempted to reduce any chief's sphere of influence. And we again ask, with respect and in good faith, anyone who is affected in any way by these re-alignments to come forward and show how that is so.
Of course, we know that while Michael is not politicking about this issue, his political opponents are busy doing so. Opposition UPND has been very consistent in its opposition of these re-alignments. The reaction of Hakainde Hichilema, the president of UPND, to the re-alignment of Northern and Eastern provinces and the creation of Muchinga Province was one anchored on regionalism and tribalism.
Hakainde accused Michael of using the creation of Muchinga Province as a vehicle for the allocation of more resources to one region. That was Hakainde's reaction to that and his opposition to the creation of Muchinga Province - nothing more, nothing less.
They were equally not happy with the moving of the provincial headquarters from Livingstone to Choma. They saw it as a scheme to undermine them politically and otherwise. In all these re-alignments, all they see is some political scheme by Michael to strengthen himself politically and in the process weaken them politically; they see regionalism and tribalism in all this.
Assuming Michael, as a politician, has some other hidden political agenda over these re-alignments, the question that arises is: how is it going to personally benefit him? We are of the view that if Michael has any ill-intention and is doing all these things to benefit himself politically and disadvantage his political opponents, it won't work, it won't do - he won't get much political capital out of it.
What is clear is that UPND is mobilising against these very necessary and legitimate re-alignments on a regional and tribal basis. This does not surprise us because this is what UPND is - a regional and tribal party.
And there is empirical data to show that it is a regional party, a party of Southern Province, a party of one tribe. To expect them to act in national interest is asking too much. These are people who are troubled even by the victory of the national soccer team.
They were short of just telling their supporters not to join the celebrations. Look at how they reacted to the "don't kubeba" goal celebrations! These are amazing characters who are completely lost in regional and tribal politics. But this will devour them.
And it is for this reason that Michael and his colleagues should not leave things to chance, should thoroughly explain everything they are doing to the people so that regionalists and tribalists are not given much room to manoeuvre, to tell lies and to mislead the masses of our people.
Southern Province is part of the unitary state of Zambia and it will not be allowed to be a Bantustan or a playground for regionalists and tribalists. They will never rule Southern Province as a Bantustan.
They may have collected most of their votes from this area but they don't govern Southern Province - Michael and the PF are governing today and they are in charge of Southern Province as part of the unitary state of the Republic of Zambia.
We know this is choking them and driving them mad - Chainama may be their next stop if they don't control their envy, frustration, hatred and anger.
Labels: CHIEFS, DISTRICTS, OBBY CHIBULUMA, PROVINCES, SOUTHERN PROVINCE
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Sata commended for decision to allow corruption probe against his son
TIME PUBLISHED - Saturday, December 3, 2011, 4:22 pm
President Michael Sata’s decision to have his son, probed against corruption allegations, has cheered people from various walks of life.
The Southern African Centre for Peaceful Resolution of Disputes-SACCORD- has described President Sata’s action as unprecedented in the fight against Corruption on the African Continent.
SACCORD Spokesperson Obby Chibuluma says President Sata has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption by surrendering his own son to law enforcement agencies to prove allegations raised by Committee of Citizens Executive Director, Gregory Chifire.
Mr Chibuluma told ZNBC news on Saturday that Mr Chifire should prove his allegations and face the same law if found to be peddling falsehoods against the President’s family.
And Political Activist Dante Sauders says President Sata’s style of leadership and fight against corruption requires the support of all well meaning citizens.
Meanwhile, Mufumbwe MMD Member of Parliament, Stephen Masumba says President Sata’s action should be a serious signal to his relatives and government leaders that may attempt to engage in corrupt activities.
Mr Masumba says Zambia needs the seriousness that President Sata has demonstrated to move the nation forward.
President Sata on Friday asked the law enforcement agencies to summon his son and Mr Chifire over the matter.
Mr Chifire had accused the President’s son of acquiring two motor vehicles worth over One point eight billion Kwacha, way beyond his income.
ZNBC
Labels: CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, OBBY CHIBULUMA, SACCORD
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Mchenga lacks character for a judge - Chibuluma
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Fri 02 Dec. 2011, 13:40 CAT
CHALWE Mchenga lacks character to make an impartial judge whom society can rely upon, says Sacord information officer Obby Chibuluma. Early this week, Parliament ratified the appointment of Mchenga, who until his recent appointment served as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), High Court judge.
The other newly-appointed High Court judges include Solicitor General Mubanga Kondolo, former Solicitor General and permanent secretary Dominic Sichinga and lawyer Nichola Sharpe-Phiri.
The National Assembly heard that the appointment of the four judges was made pursuant to Section 95(1) Cap 1 of the Laws of Zambia.
Commenting on the development, Chibuluma said the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Dispute ( Sacord) held a view that Mchenga would not be an impartial judge going by his track record as DPP.
"Yes he qualifies to be a judge but there are a lot of unanswered questions around personal characters," Chibuluma said.
"His standing is not as good as the Parliament committee tried to put it and justify for the House to ratify his appointment. But we still feel whatever he did regarding the Frederick Chiluba case equally put his standing into question and that makes it even difficult for us to think he will be an impartial judge who is going to make judgments based on merit."
Mchenga was DPP in August 2009 when former president Chiluba was questionably acquitted of corruption and theft by Lusaka magistrate Jones Chinyama.
Mchenga resisted pressure from the civil society, opposition political parties and other concerned citizens to appeal against the Chinyama judgment in view of overwhelming evidence of convicting the late Chiluba of grand corruption.
Mchenga was also DPP when he granted former health permanent secretary Kashiwa Bulaya a nolle prosequi from his corruption charges during late president Levy Mwanawasa's regime.
Chibuluma said it would be difficult for society to draw confidence in Mchenga's performance as his track record showed that, as DDP, he served to protect the interest of the appointing authority at the expense of society.
"We believe there are several other lawyers that can play that role and the government should have found another way of redeploying him rather than taking up a position which is even more strategic and requires sober minded people," said Chibuluma.
Labels: CHALWE MCHENGA, OBBY CHIBULUMA
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SACCORD accuses Speaker of being bias
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sun 26 Sep. 2010, 04:00 CAT
SACCORD has accused Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa of being clearly biased in the manner he handled Kafulafuta MMD parliamentarian George Mpombo for referring to President Rupiah Banda as a liar.
Commenting on Speaker Mwanamwambwa’s ruling on Wednesday that he could not act on Mpombo’s behaviour because the latter had challenged his expulsion from the MMD in court, Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) information officer Obby Chibuluma said Speaker Mwanamwambwa was violating the law and undermining the separation of powers.
“It is actually very disappointing that the Speaker can clearly be that biased,” Chibuluma said. “Whether someone is an MP or not they still enjoy their freedom of expression.”
Chibuluma said the courts of law that Speaker Mwanamwambwa had referred to in his ruling were conflict resolution institutions and whenever there was a process within the courts, it had to be respected no matter who was involved.
“Whether you like them or not or whether they praise sing for your boss,” Chibuluma said. “We are actually shocked that the Speaker could be talking to Mr Mpombo in that manner when there are about 22 members of parliament who have been undermining their institution and they were actually chased from PF a long time ago.”
Chibuluma charged that Speaker Mwanamwambwa was expressing double standards.
“We are actually surprised that the Speaker could be inciting the police to act on Mr Mpombo over those remarks. That is actually a clear abuse of the law now that the Speaker wants to assume the role of the prosecutor,” Chibuluma said.
“We are hoping that the police are also not going to get excited and act on the statement from the Speaker.”
Chibuluma said Speaker Mwanamwambwa should have been the last person to make such a political ruling.
“We believe that is a very political statement,” said Chibuluma.
Speaker Mwanamwambwa made the ruling after Bahati PF ‘rebel’ parliamentarian Besa Chimbaka raised a point of order on whether or not Mpombo was in order to call President Banda a liar through a story he gave to The Post, which was published on Tuesday, September 21, 2010.
Making a ruling on Chimbaka’s order, Speaker Mwanamwambwa said his hands were tied by the court where Mpombo had taken his party for expelling him.
“The courts have tied my hands because if I do anything that would be contempt of court. We have to abide by the rule of separation of powers. But consider if it’s a Zambian culture for adults to insult each other.
Is it normal to call one another liars?” Speaker Mwanamwambwa asked. “When it comes to this House each one of you subscribes to the oath of allegiance. Be careful what you say here or there. And the oath says allegiance to the President. What that means is that wherever you are, inside or outside this House you must represent the President.”
Speaker Mwanamwambwa warned that it was an offence under the law to insult the president.
“If some of you are privately friendly out there to any head of state, current or past, you leave it there. There is a section in the Penal Code and it’s still intact, which clearly stipulates that making disparaging remarks against the President is a serious offence and describes a penalty. I have heard many of you on radio referring to the Head of State in name only; that is an offence,” warned Speaker Mwanamwambwa.
“I don’t know where the law enforcement agencies are when this is happening. Honourable member, when you insult, you are not immune to prosecution. If you insult the law enforcement agencies should visit you. Insulting is not a sign of heroism or political championship. Honourable Mpombo is an honourable member of parliament, honourable! And no honourable member can utter such words. I’m assuming The Post quoted Honourable Mpombo correctly. If not he could have asked for a retraction, but he hasn’t. Why should the whole honourable member avoid to discuss these matters in the House and go outside.”
Labels: AMUSA MWANAMWAMBA, GEORGE MPOMBO, KAFULAFUTA, OBBY CHIBULUMA, PARLIAMENT, SACCORD
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Rupiah lacks interest in solving national issues - SACCORD
By Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 18 Aug. 2010, 14:50 CAT
Southern African Center of the Constructive Resolutions Disputes (SACCORD) has charged that President Rupiah Banda's frequent international trips are as a result of lack of interest in solving national issues.
President Banda's frequent and predictable international travels have continued despite criticisms from some sections of society that forced a press briefing by foreign affairs minister Kabinga Pande justifying the presidential trips a fortnight ago.
This week President Banda was in Congo Brazzaville days after he returned from commissioning a health training center in Botswana where he made a stop over before proceeding to Namibia for the Southern Africa Development Community SADC 30th anniversary celebrations.
According to his special assistance for press and public relations Dickson Jere, President Banda is been today expected in Mozambique for a three day long visit and returns home on Friday.
In an interview with Post Online, SACCORD programmes and information officer Obby Chibuluma said that SACCORD was disappointed with President Banda's frequent travels which had come as a huge cost to the tax payer.
“I think as SACCORD we are disappointed with the continued luxury and unnecessary trips by the President. We thought that the President would reduce on this after so much criticism from the public but we see that the President is either not interested in resolving national issues here at home or that he does not have people who are competent enough to be able to represent him,” Chibuluma said.
Chibuluma observed that some of the trips are unnecessary to the development of the country and that it is unfortunate that they have been taken on at the expense of other pressing national issues that await to be attended to.
“Most of this travels are costly and that if the President was sending his juniors like his Vice-President and ministers, they could be less costly as opposed to a situation where he wants to attend each and every meeting and invitation as if he does not have ministers who can represent him,” he said.
And SACCORD has described justifications by the government that it carries more weight if the President himself visits a country to strengthen bilateral relations as unjustifiable and unacceptable.
“I think what the President is telling us is that he does not have competent people in government who can represent him and sign bilateral agreements on his behalf,” he said.
He advised President Banda to utilize the use for which he appointed his vice-President and ministers and concentrate on affairs pertaining to his own country than moving up and about the world.
Labels: CORRUPTION, OBBY CHIBULUMA, RUPIAH BANDA, SACCORD
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Simbao is a responsible person serving in an irresponsible govt - Syakalima
By Ernest Chanda and Moses Kuwema
Sun 04 July 2010, 04:01 CAT
SIAVONGA UPND member of parliament Douglas Syakalima has observed that health minister Kapembwa Simbao is a responsible person serving in an irresponsible government.
Commenting on Simbao’s appeal for donor aid last Wednesday despite President Rupiah Banda and Vice-President George Kunda telling donors off, Syakalima urged Simbao to ensure accountability for the same money when it is given.
“In my view, Simbao is being a responsible Zambian because the entire government is not responsible. This is a government where the top two President and his Vice have cast aspersions on donors. I just want to request my colleague Simbao that he should also assure donors that their money will be accounted for. That money comes from people who pay tax and should not be abused by anyone. Simbao is a responsible person serving in an irresponsible government,” said Syakalima.
And Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has said Zambians should hold the government accountable for any deaths that will occur as a result of failure to carry out the measles vaccination exercise.
SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma also advised President Rupiah Banda to swallow his pride and openly apologise to the nation and the donor community.
“President Banda should openly apologise to Zambians and the donor community over his statement that no one asked the donors to come to Zambia. This statement shows that the government does not care about the majority of Zambians who are suffering,” Chibuluma said.
Chibuluma said the government was not interested in accountability and would go to any length to stifle anyone who called for accountability.
“It does not pay to be arrogant, you can’t continue with that kind of arrogance. The President should just swallow his pride and apologise. We also want to know what he discussed with the donors so that the continued barking at the donors should come to an end,” said Chibuluma.
Briefing the press and donors at Lusaka’s Hotel Intercontinental, Simbao appealed for urgent donor aid to enable his ministry carry out a measles vaccination exercise countrywide.
“So far, as of the 24th of June, we've recorded 2,832 cases of measles. We have recorded 66 deaths countrywide. This is very serious because the last time we recorded any deaths due to measles was in 2003,” Simbao said. “…I want to appeal here that if we don't take immediate measures like today we are likely to lose a lot of lives.”
Simbao’s appeal for aid came barely a week after President Rupiah Banda upon arrival from Namibia castigated donors that Zambia did not need them.
Labels: DONORS, DOUGLAS SYAKALIMA, KAPEMBWA SIMBAO, MEASLES, MINISTRY OF HEALTH, OBBY CHIBULUMA
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RB playing double standards on political violence, SACCORD
Sunday, May 16, 2010, 8:53
The Southern Africa Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes(SACCORD) has accused Republican President, Rupiah Banda of playing double standards in dealing with political violence in the country.
The organization has also questioned the national leader’s authenticity in fighting against political violence in the country.
Commenting on Lusaka provincial chairman, William Banda’s decision to send over 2500 ruling Movement for Multi party Democracy MMD youths to Luapula province, to counter any violence, SACCORD information officer, Obby Chibuluma says that it is surprising that President Banda seems to have not take note of that action.
Mr. Chibuluma indicates that president Banda did assure Zambians that the MMD would never engage in violence and it is very shameful that he has decided to keep quite over the transportation youths.
He says that President Banda should have stuck to his word and recalled the youths who have been sent to Luapula in order avoid the situation in Mufumbwe recurring.
Mr. Chibuluma has also challenged government to allow an independent board to inquire over the violence in Mufumbwe.
QFM
Labels: OBBY CHIBULUMA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA, SACCORD, WILLIAM BANDA
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SACCORD questions MMD's desire to petition Mufumbwe poll results
By Kabanda Chulu
Tue 04 May 2010, 03:30 CAT
SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma yesterday said it is strange for the MMD to challenge the outcome of the Mufumbwe by-elections when
clear evidence of electoral malpractices points to their campaign activities.
Commenting on the intention by the MMD to petition the outcome of the Mufumbwe by-elections, Chibuluma said it was disappointing to see President Banda and his ministers single out opposition parties as instigators of violence.
“We are disappointed in the manner the police conducted themselves in Mufumbwe and we are equally disappointed to see President Banda and his ministers condemning the opposition parties as troublemakers and we find it strange that MMD wants to challenge the outcome of the elections when clear evidence of malpractices points to the their activities,” Chibuluma said.
“Firstly, it is the MMD that took over polling stations as their campaign camps and the Electoral Commission of Zambia is aware about this issue, secondly, we find it strange that opposition party cadres are being arrested while the police claim that there is no evidence against MMD cadres.”
He challenged President Banda to show leadership qualities by strongly condemning the conduct of the police in Mufumbwe.
“Taking sides by saying opposition parties are trouble makers will not help resolve issues of violence since IG Francis Kabonde seemed to be a tourist in an area of conflict Mufumbwe and his presence was not felt by MMD cadres who were fighting in full view of the police command,” said Chibuluma.
“We would have loved to see MMD addressing the plight and should have been sympathetic to victims of violence but it seems President Banda and MMD are only interested in winning elections at whatever cost.”
The MMD are contemplating petitioning the election results in Mufumbwe claiming that opposition parties had instigated violence thus resulting in the failure by the ruling party to retain the seat left vacant by the death of former home affairs deputy minister Misheck Bonshe.
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, MMD, OBBY CHIBULUMA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, SACCORD
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Court grants SACCORD leave to appeal
By Mwala Kalaluka
Fri 05 Mar. 2010, 04:00 CAT
THE Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has been granted leave to appeal against High Court judge Florence Lengalenga’s decision to uphold its de-registration by the government.
And Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) spokesperson Fr Paul Samasumo said the SACCORD case reinforces the need for a Republican constitution that protects the liberties of civil society organisations.
SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma said yesterday that the Lusaka High Court granted the leave to appeal on Wednesday.
“But we have not been given a stay. What happened was that when the leave was granted there were some amendments that needed to be done,” Chibuluma said. “So far we are not operating until we get a stay. We are still waiting for the judge. The judge was not in the office today. She went for a funeral, we are told.”
And Fr Samasumo said as a principle, ZEC does not agree with the proscribing of civil society organisations by the government.
“Especially where the minister is not even obliged to explain…that is open to so much abuse of the authority,” said Fr Samasumo. “Just to say that they are inimical to state security without giving reasons. This even reinforces the need for a constitution that protects the liberties of the organisations.”
Labels: OBBY CHIBULUMA, SACCORD, ZEC
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