Access to State House
By Editor
Wed 13 Nov. 2013, 14:00 CAT
GARRY Nkombo, the opposition UPND member of parliament for Mazabuka, says State House needs to be accommodative to everyone. Garry says, "State House is supposed to bind us together; it must be magnetic rather than repulsive. Accessibility to State House should not just be there if a carrot is dangled".
Is Garry really serious about State House being accessible to every Zambian? We ask this question because the key leadership of his party, the UPND, does not tolerate such type of contacts with State House for its members. If Garry starts going to State House to have a chat with the President over a cup of munkoyo, tea or coffee or even some chibwantu if he takes some with him, there will be problems for him. He will be viewed by the key leadership of his party as being a sell-out, an agent.
But knowing what we know of Garry, we think he means what he is saying and is sincere about it. Garry is one of the most sensible, most reasonable, most accommodative of the UPND leaders. Garry has little difficulty straying out of the UPND laager to genuinely mix with non-members of the laager. So for him, he may see nothing wrong with having access to State House. But let him try to go to State House and see what will happen to him when he comes back to the laager.
Equally, knowing President Michael Sata, as we know him, we don't think he will refuse to welcome to State House Garry or any other Zambian who wants to see him if time permits. It is important to realise that a president of a country doesn't have much time, has very limited time because of the endless list of formal things to attend to. But we have no doubt that even with that, Michael will find time to allow Garry or any of his colleagues to have access to State House.
And moreover, for a member of parliament like him, he is part of government and the President has a duty to see him when he makes such an appointment. But we don't think that a person like Hakainde Hichilema can go to State House to see the President with the civility and humility of Garry. Just listening to the language the two speak, it is not difficult to discern the difference between them. Garry is decent to others in his language even when he is on the attack. Hakainde's language lacks civility. He is always trying to humiliate, demean or belittle others. Which independent person, other than those seeking favours from him, can entertain him? Hakainde doesn't know how to deal with political opponents, people who hold different views from his. To him, disagreement and holding a different outlook, among other things, amounts to enmity. How can such a person go to State House and visit the President? State House is not a kraal where any type of language or behaviour is permissible.
We don't think access to State House is restricted by the current principal occupant of that place. The inhibition lies in the hearts of those who don't want to go there, who can't stand the fact that today's principal occupant of State House is Michael. If someone else they accept, they like or who is probably a member of the laager occupies State House, they will have no problem going there.
If on Monday, you are denouncing someone, on Tuesday, you are insulting that same person and on Wednesday, you want to go where they reside, they will have difficulties accepting to host you. If all the time you are accusing someone of trying to kill you and then all of a sudden you start seeking an appointment to visit them, they will have difficulties opening the door for you.
The truth is the UPND leadership has engaged in the type of opposition politics that are extremely antagonistic. Hakainde himself has openly rejected the concept of a loyal opposition, misinterpreting it to mean accepting to be swallowed or to be controlled by those in the ruling party.
The truth is the majority of UPND leaders and members are afraid of being seen near State House because they will be in trouble; they will be questioned about what they were doing there. Any UPND member seen at State House risks being isolated and becoming a subject of suspicion.
If Garry really wants to see more of his colleagues in the UPND visiting State House, the starting point is to change the attitude of his party towards their members who are seen to be friendly towards Michael.
Truly, as Garry correctly observes, "State House is supposed to bind us together; it must be magnetic rather than repulsive" because State House belongs to all citizens and the President is the President of all Zambians regardless of their political affiliations. But do the key leaders of the UPND truly accept Michael as their President? We don't think they do. If they did, they would be treating him very differently from the way they do. They don't seem to have accepted him as their President despite him being very democratically elected. In a democracy, you have to accept and respect the winners. In a multi-party democracy, those in the opposition have to co-operate with the ruling party to solve problems of society. That's what loyal opposition means and demands.
We do appreciate that in the last elections, the UPND joined hands with the then ruling MMD to defeat the Patriotic Front and Michael. They failed individually and collectively to achieve that goal. The UPND was not treating Rupiah Banda the way they are treating Michael Sata, despite the fact that he led a clearly corrupt regime. Despite Hakainde accusing Rupiah of corruption, he had no difficulties embracing him and working with him. Even when Rupiah lost power, Hakainde and his party tried very hard to make sure that his presidential immunity was not removed so that he could be prosecuted for corruption. Instead, Hakainde and his party still extend solidarity to a man who clearly stole from the Zambian people. Where does that type of behaviour leave the UPND and its leaders? Are these the type of politicians one should befriend and support? Can such politicians be trusted? How does one deal with politicians who defend corruption and the corrupt the way Hakainde and his colleagues are doing?
Labels: GARRY NKOMBO, MICHAEL SATA, STATE HOUSE, UPND
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Sata castigates ministers, PSs over confidential letters
By Moses Kuwema
Tue 16 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has castigated ministers and permanent secretaries who write confidential letters to him and copy them to other people.
Speaking at State House yesterday when he swore in Kaizer Zulu as permanent secretary at State House, President Sata, before the function, openly told off foreign affairs minister Dr Effron Lungu and advised him against the trend, saying letters written to him were meant for him alone and not other people.
"Secretary to the Cabinet and all your permanent secretaries and honourable ministers, I am very disappointed. This is the first time I have seen in life. I have served in government, I served in UNIP, I served in MMD, it is only this time I am seeing ministers write letters to me which are copied to other people," said President Sata as he was swearing in Zulu.
Lungu is said to have written President Sata a letter but also copied it to foreign affairs permanent secretary, Margaret Miyoba.
President Sata said he did not even read the letter but shredded it.
President Sata observed that permanent secretaries had a tendency of writing letters to him, which they also copied to other people.
He said he does not act on letters which are copied to other people.
"So when you write letters to me which are copied to other people, I don't act on them; I just shelve them. The information which you want to find out from me is supposed to be between you and me, not other people," President Sata said.
After the function, President Sata said his ministers and permanent secretaries were lucky because the country had a mature press.
"In those days when the press was not mature, all the letters you write, you would find them in Times of Zambia. You are lucky we have a matured press," said President Sata as he walked out of the room.
Prior to his appointment as permanent secretary State House, Zulu was deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Labels: EFFRON LUNGU, KAIZER ZULU, MICHAEL SATA, STATE HOUSE
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Sata opens State House doors to ordinary people
By Moses Kuwema
Fri 17 May 2013, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says the doors to State House are open to ordinary people. And President Sata will today lay a foundation stone for the construction of Palabana University in Lusaka.
Speaking yesterday at State House when freedom fighters from Chinsali visited him, President Sata assured the freedom fighters that State House was their office.
"I thank you for visiting me here. As Dr Kenneth Kaunda said, we need to stand united as a country. Let us continue to respect this. This is your office," said President Sata.
And President Sata later in a statement said the birth of Chalimbana and Palabana universities would shortly be followed by the upgrading of infrastructure in other universities that had been created so far.
"I am proud to announce that government has already completed the transformation of the Nkrumah College of Education in Kabwe into a full-fledged University of Social Sciences. Government has further completed the transformation of the Copperbelt College of education in Kitwe into a fully fledged Mukuba University of Natural Sciences," President Sata said.
"The establishment of these universities underscores the PF government's determination to increase access to tertiary education especially for our young people who are currently competing to go to the only three public universities, being the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University and Mulungushi University."
In addition, the President Sata said government was completing construction works at the Robert Kapasa Makasa University of Science and Technology in Chinsali in Muchinga province.
President Sata said the government was determined to establish a university in each of the country's 10 provinces.
"It is with dismay that regardless of the growing population, Zambia has for the past 49 years of independence, lagged behind in the expansion of tertiary education especially at university level, due to the limited number of universities in the country. It is for this reason that the Patriotic Front government is determined to change this scenario," said President Sata.
And a representative of the freedom fighters, Samson Chifwamba thanked President Sata for the various developmental projects that were taking place in Muchinga Province and Chinsali.
Chifwamba named some of the developmental projects as Robert Makasa University and the construction of the provincial offices in Chinsali.
"This is the government for the poor people. We the freedom fighters have come to see you here at State House and we thank you for according us this opportunity," said Chifwamba.
Chifwamba said successive governments in Zambia had neglected the people of Chinsali.
"You have brought us Muchinga Province in Chinsali and created a number of jobs for the people in the province. If only this government took over power sometime back, the developments that would have taken place in Muchinga and Chinsali would have been massive. This is the government that we have always wanted," said Chifwamba in Bemba.
And Chifwamba asked President Sata to accord them an opportunity to take Frank Bwalya to Chinsali for him to be counselled on the need for him to respect leaders and elderly people.
"We have come to see you because we want you to give us Frank Bwalya. We want to take him to Chinsali to go and counsel him on the need for him to respect leaders and elder people. We the elders of Chinsali want Bwalya," said Chifwamba.
About 20 freedom fighters, led by Chinsali district commissioner Evelyn Kangwa, visited State House.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, STATE HOUSE
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Zesco explains State House outage
By Henry Sinyangwe
Tue 11 Dec. 2012, 12:00 CAT
ZESCO Limited says the intermittent power outages that were experienced at State House last week were a result of the switch in power supply from one line to another.
President Michael Sata was last week incensed by power cuts during a swearing-in ceremony and wondered how people in areas such as Kanyama were being load-shed.
But Zesco Limited principal public relations officer Yammie Zimba said the outage was caused by a switch from one line to the other as one of the substations supplying State House experienced a failure due to overload.
She stated in response to a press query that State House was on various power supply lines, just like some government institutions such as hospitals and airports which were sensitive installations that require constant and reliable power supply at all costs.
"State House does have a standby generator which provides alternative supply in case of an interruption. State House is adequately catered for in terms of supply of power. Firstly, we would like to emphasize that we do not load-shed State House, hospitals, security houses, airports, all government institutions," Zimba stated.
She stated that Zesco had embarked on a number of projects in generation, transmission, distribution and supply in order to enhance its service delivery and stop the load-shedding throughout the country.
Zimba stated that the power utility was working with the government and other institutions in mitigating load-shedding.
Zesco Limited has since signed a 50 million euro agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the construction of a 120MW hydro power station at Itezhi-tezhi and a 291 long distance transmission line that will connect the power station to the national grid and the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP), she added.
Zimba stated that the commissioning of the Shiwang'andu mini-hydropower station was one of the many projects that Zesco is carrying out in order to increase supply and its commitment to providing safe and reliable electricity to improve the quality of life for all.
Labels: POWER OUTAGES, STATE HOUSE, ZESCO
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Scott says government house is too big for him
By Moses Kuwema
Thu 17 May 2012, 12:00 CAT
GOVERNMENT House is too big for us, says Vice-President Dr Guy Scott. In an interview, Vice-President Scott said the Government House, the official residence of the Republican Vice-President, was not only too big but also very public.
Vice-President Scott has not moved into Government House since his appointment in September last year.
"That house is too big for me and my wife and too public, it's a public establishment. It's a very small family that we have, it's just my wife and my daughter sometimes staying with us. That house is like a hotel, it has got about 10 rooms, it's got four, five dining rooms.
I don't need such an establishment. I am very comfortable at the farmhouse. I have always lived on the farm and I don't intend to make efforts to change that. I like living in the bush," Vice-President Scott said.
He said the government house also needed to be worked on.
"It needs some work on it before it is fit for occupation. I would not want to waste public funds building up Government House, so as for now we have just continued staying on the farm. I have been very busy since I was given this job and the important thing is what comes with this job. The works cost tax-payers money and I am reluctant to push it," he said.
Vice-President Scott also said the fear of getting fired was not an issue as he could easily move back to his farmhouse.
Labels: GUY SCOTT, STATE HOUSE
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President honours State House workers
Wednesday, 02 May 2012 00:00
PRESIDENT Mugabe says workers are the backbone of every economy who should be accorded the respect they deserve. He said this during a May Day luncheon hosted by the First Family for workers at State House.
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said workers were an integral part of every economy and deserve respect. He urged employers to take note of the contributions of their workers.
“We are also workers . . . we work for our country, even ministers are workers. What is important is for employers to take note of their employees’ contributions,” he said.
The President said May Day celebrations were very important and the UN set the day for workers to be remembered. The First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe urged workers to remain united and respect each other.
“Workers are critical components of the economy and should be given the respect they deserve as their contributions to companies and organisations are immeasurable.”
After the luncheon, the workers who included groundsmen, cooks, waiters, drivers and security personnel joined the First Lady on the dance floor.
This is the first time the First Family has hosted a luncheon for State House workers. On Monday, the First Lady hosted a luncheon for workers at her orphanage in Mazowe.
In an interview with ZBC News, Amai Mugabe said workers should not be treated like inferior beings if organisations are to reap intended benefits.
“I have respect for my workers. They are such caring mothers to the orphans at this home. Even if I am not around, one cannot tell the difference.
“Sometimes I would just come in without pronouncing my visit and sanity will just be prevailing, so there is really the need to understand the plight of workers,” said the First Lady.
Workers Day is celebrated worldwide to commemorate the economic and social achievements of workers. — Herald Reporter/ZBCNews.
Labels: LABOUR DAY, ROBERT MUGABE, STATE HOUSE
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Sebastian Zulu absent at State House event, Sata refuses to receive NAPSA inquiry report
TIME PUBLISHED - Thursday, April 12, 2012, 1:19 pm
President Michael Sata this morning refused to receive the report of the Commission of Inquiry constituted to investigate the purchase of a farm in Lusaka and the financing of the Zambia National Building Society Central Arcades project by the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA).
This was after the commission chairperson Sebastian Zulu who is also Justice Minister failed to show up and instead delegated his vice Ngosa Simbyakula to present the report.
President Sata during the less than five minute event noted that he had appointed Mr.Zulu as the chairperson of the commission of inquiry and therefore would not receive the report from any other person.
President Sata who quickly stopped the permanent secretary for administration at Cabinet office Anne Sinyangwe from introducing the commission members said he was disappointed that the commission chairperson failed to show up.
He said a lot of dust had been swept under the carpet on the NAPSA investigations by the commission.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for administration at Cabinet office Anne Sinyangwe this morning shocked journalists when she informed them that her office will begin to regulate the attendance of the media at State house functions.
In an apparent vent of anger at the innocent journalists after President Sata lashed out at her office for failing to bring the chairperson of the NAPSA commission of inquiry to present the report, Mrs. Sinyangwe claimed that the room that was being used to host functions has become too small to accommodate all the journalists that attend statehouse assignments.
However, the room has from time immemorial been used for state house functions and has always accommodated journalists who are accredited by the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS).
Mrs. Sinyangwe is of the view that ZANIS will be used to cover state house who will in turn distribute stories to all the media houses.
The Journalists especially from the private media complained at this turn of events noting that most of these government officials were not there when the media covered President Sata during the time he was in opposition for them to stop them from covering state house functions.
QFM
Labels: CABINET, CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, NAPSA, STATE HOUSE
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Fugitive Henry hiding at Kenya's State House
By Joan Chirwa-Ngoma in Nairobi Kenya
Thu 16 Feb. 2012, 12:00 CAT
Rupiah Banda's son Henry is being kept at State House in Kenya, sources have disclosed. Investigations recently said Henry, who is wanted by the police for alleged corruption during his father's rule is seeking refuge in Kenya after alarm was sounded for his possible interrogation.
"The truth is that Henry is in Kenya. He is living at State House in Nairobi. As you may know, the former president Rupiah Banda is a close friend to our President Mwai Kibaki here. So those stories that Henry is here are very correct," said the source.
"There is a very close link between your former president and our President here, they are friends…so it is not surprising that Henry is living there at State House."
Former Inspector General of Police Dr Martin Malama recently said an arrest warrant had been issued against Henry and appealed to Interpol member states to help track Henry down over his involvement in a number of corrupt deals when his father was president.
But former president Banda denied that Henry was in Kenya and said it was "silly" for the investigative wings to embark on such a move.
"He is silly whoever issued it. He is (former Police Inspector General Dr Martin Malama) head of police, he is supposed to be protecting Zambians instead of inciting people," Banda said.
He also said he was saddened by people that were trying to create an impression that Henry was a criminal.
Banda said he had to sort out the issue of his son whom some people were saying had run away from the country because he stole.
Among the many deals, Henry was accused of brokering a transaction in which a Kenyan oil trading company, Dalbit Petroleum Ltd, clinched a multi-million-dollar contract to supply finished petroleum products to Zambia.
There were also reports on how the Kenyan businessmen who had attended the tender opening ceremony in Lusaka had been given aide de camps by the previous government.
Henry was also linked to the illegal sale of Zamtel to Libya's Lap Green Networks whose shareholding in the telecommunication company has since been repossessed by the government after the commission of inquiry instituted to investigate the transaction found that there was a lot of corruption involved in the deal.
Labels: HENRY BANDA, KENYA, STATE HOUSE, ZAMTEL
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Cabinet Office corruptly re-engaged Chipoya - Sata
By Staff Reporter
Thu 02 Feb. 2012, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says Alfred Chipoya was corruptly and irregularly re-engaged by Cabinet Office as his Senior Private Secretary in the transition when he was preparing to take office after the September general elections.
In a statement by his special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah yesterday, State House learnt that then president Rupiah Banda terminated Chipoya's contract as Principal Private Secretary in 2008.
"The Presidency wishes to clarify that Mr Alfred Chipoya is no longer a member of the Presidential staff at State House. State House separated with Mr Chipoya on 24th January 2012 upon discovery that he was corruptly and irregularly re-engaged by Cabinet Office as Senior Private Secretary during the transition when President Michael Sata was preparing to take office after the September 20, 2011 general elections," reads the statement.
"President Sata did not re-engage Mr Chipoya and was surprised to learn that he now had a new contract as Senior Private Secretary. The President has since revoked this purported appointment and asked Mr. Chipoya to immediately vacate office."
Chellah informed the civil service and the general public that Chipoya could no longer represent the presidency.
"Those who may deal with him must understand that they are engaging him in his personal capacity and State House will not take responsibility of any such dealings. State House has opted to confine itself to this specific subject matter; leaving the rest of the issues that are being raised in the media to Mr Chipoya to make clear to the general public," according to the statement.
According to sources, former secretary to the Cabinet Dr Joshua Kanganja facilitated Chipoya's appointment as Senior Private Secretary at State House.
As per procedure, the matter was referred to the Public Service Commission who engaged Chipoya on contract.
Sources last week revealed that President Sata relieved Chipoya of his duties for alleged corruption after he tried to facilitate a meeting between the President and former operators of the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) border scanners.
Last week the government terminated the contracts given to Bradwell International and Cargo Scan to manage border scanners.
This was after the ZRA Commission of Inquiry recommended that appropriate action be taken against former president Rupiah Banda and 13 former government officials for the fraudulent procurements regarding the border scanners and concession related contracts.
Sources said officials from the companies tried to arrange for a meeting with President Sata last week, through Chipoya, so that they could explain their position and possibly seek a reversal.
But Chipoya said some people do not want him to serve President Sata.
He said he had not received any warning or reprimand and did not know the companies involved in the ZRA scanners.
And Wynter Kabimba said Chipoya's sacking was a warning to those in government that PF would not tolerate corruption.
Kabimba said: "It is true that Mr Chipoya was getting money from a named company under the pretext that he was going to get those people to come and see the President and tried to give an impression that the President or Presidency could be compromised through his contacts with those people."
Labels: CABINET, JOSHUA KANGANJA, MICHAEL SATA, STATE HOUSE
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Sata talks about life in State House
By Staff Reporters
Wed 14 Dec. 2011, 14:00 CAT
It's not easy to adjust here. They restrict what you eat, whom you meet, talk to... PRESIDENT Michael Sata says it is not easy to adjust to life in State House. In an interview with Gemma Ware from The Africa Report, President Sata said there were restrictions on what he eats and who he meets. This was after Ware asked him how he was adjusting to life in State House after 10 years in opposition.
"It's not easy to adjust here. They restrict what you eat, they restrict whom you talk to, they restrict whom you meet. But all the same, at least we are in the driver's seat to try and see to it that we can change the rules, that we can apply taxpayers' money to benefit the poor," he said in a report carried yesterday.
President Sata said he was able to win the 2011 elections because he had been very consistent and the people of Zambia had seen that.
"Our messages were targeted on the poor and from 2001 up to today, we still maintain the same thing," he said.
When asked about the jobs he promised and wealth distribution in less than 90 days, President Sata said it had not been easy to honour those promises but the government was heading in that direction.
"In less than 90 days you saw the price of fuel coming down; in less than 90 days you will see the price of mealie-meal coming down. So it's not easy, you cannot overcome those things overnight. You cannot overcome unemployment, you cannot overcome poverty, but our measures, our ministers' measures, our policies are going towards that direction," he said.
President Sata said Zambia did not need local business alone.
"We need development policies. We have a very ambitious road works programme. We are talking to countries like South Korea, Japan, Turkey. If we go for the areas which target the poor, because if we have one stretch of road, it's going to hire more than 1,000- 2,000 low-paid workers, they will have their money in the pocket. We are looking at the textile industry. We are looking at the factories like Mulungushi Textiles, Kafue Textiles, the sawmills in Ndola, several other things," he said.
President Sata said good projects like the ones former president Rupiah Banda embarked on in rural-urban areas would continue including building of schools and health institutions.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, STATE HOUSE
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Sata moves into State House
Sat 03 Dec. 2011, 12:50 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has finally moved into his official residence at State House. A check at his house situated on Omelo Mumba Road in Lusaka's Rhodes Park area yesterday revealed that there was neither the presidential flag nor the green cordon cones.
The place is however still under police guard. Sources said President Sata moved 5 days ago.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, PF, STATE HOUSE
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Rupiah hands over State House
By Chibaula Silwamba
Tue 27 Sep. 2011, 14:40 CAT
FORMER president Rupiah Banda yesterday formally handed over State House to President Michael Sata, who immediately started to operate from there. And President Sata has told the Chinese Ambassador to prevail over Chinese investors to improve working conditions for locals, adhere to labour laws and limit the number of Chinese 'expatriates' coming into Zambia.
President Sata arrived at State House around 10:07 hours and was welcomed by Banda and secretary to the Cabinet Dr Joshua Kanganja, State House members of staff, PF central committee member Given Lubinda, Lameck Mangani and other dignitaries.
President Banda greeted President Sata saying: "Welcome Mr President" as they hugged and later proceeded to tour the kitchen, conference rooms and offices.
As they toured a small conference hall, Banda explained to President Sata that that was the place he used for swearing in ceremonies and other meetings.
President Sata was then heard telling Banda: "there is a very big confusion here RB". Banda responded: "yes".
They later proceed and Banda introduced President Sata to his aides. President Sata joked about Dr Francis Chinguta, whom he said was very prominent during campaign. However, President Sata skipped shaking hands with State House spokesperson Dickson Jere, prompting Banda to ask him if he did not know him.
"This...Dickson Jere," Banda introduced him to President Sata. In response, President Sata said: "This one? Mwana wa ku Matero."
A State House Comptroller introduced himself to President Sata saying "I was the comptroller" but the new head of state said: "No! You are still the comptroller until I fire you."
Banda and President Sata later went into a private meeting.
Before President Sata arrived, some State House personnel were seen removing Banda's portraits from the walls and taking them away.
After the orientation, President Sata met Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao, the first diplomat to visit him at State House since his election last week.
President Sata said Zambia and China had been close friends and there were certain misunderstandings that will have to be corrected.
"In 1992, I was in Cabinet when we embarked on privatisation. When we embarked on that privatisation, it is in law that all investors who are coming to Zambia should bring a limited number of the experts for disciplines which they cannot find in Zambia," President Sata said. "We have been saddened, it's not your fault, it's the fault of the past government that my party has taken concern about unlimited number of people your investors are bringing to Zambia."
He told Ambassador Zhou to assist address the issue. He said his government would welcome Chinese investments.
"But as we welcome your investment, your investment should benefit the Zambians, not the Chinese. Both of us must benefit; it must be a two-way traffic. Whilst you benefit financially, we should also benefit," President Sata said. "I am sure you as the new ambassador you will prevail over my colleagues who are investing here to adhere to the local laws. If they adhere to the local laws, there will be no need of us pointing fingers at each other."
He thanked Chinese President Hu Jinato for funding the construction of the Lusaka General Hospital and Ndola football stadium.
"Personally, one time the Chinese were not very happy with me but I paved the way because the Chinese were saying, 'why is this man going to Taiwan?' But you are also going Taiwan now, every day you go to Taiwan. So, without me going there, probably you could not have relaxed the understanding," President Sata said. "But we totally agree that Taiwan or Taipei, Hong Kong and Beijing you are all Chinese people and nobody should divide you. If there is anything, we should assist to consolidate so that you become more united than you have ever been before. It's not our fault that you have a larger population than we have. But as we grow together, we will be able to help."
He urged Ambassador Zhou that there would be need to also review the conditions of service and minimum wages the Chinese offered to Zambians to minimise any conflicts between the two nations.
Ambassador Zhou delivered President Hu's congratulatory letter to President Sata.
In turn, President Sata asked Ambassador Zhou to read the letter.
In his letter, President Hu wished President Sata success in carrying out the lofty mission and pledged to further strengthen Zambia-China relations.
President Hu wrote that China cherished its traditional friendship with Zambia.
On labour issues, Ambassador Zhou said the Chinese government stood for win-win cooperation or mutually beneficial cooperation.
"It's the Chinese government's policy that Chinese companies wherever they are should observe the law of the land and if they violate the laws of the land anywhere in the world, they are not doing good to the people but also damages the image of China," Ambassador Zhou said.
He said he would make sure Chinese companies to follow Zambian laws.
"In this case, we have no difference at all and we can work together. With regard to employment, as far as I know, the Chinese companies want to hire local people because the cost is much cheaper," he said.
President Hu said it was very expensive for any Chinese company to bring a Chinese into Zambia hence they opted to employ locals.
"Economically it's not viable for them to use many Chinese," he said.
He said most of the Chinese companies and projects he had visited were employing locals and paid slightly more than the minimum wage.
"So, if they Chinese investors are telling me the truth, it's not violation of law but it's the problem that they do not meet the expectations of the local people. So let's work together to find out who is getting the real picture," said Ambassador Zhou. "I am sure we are human beings and we are clever and we are in 21st century, we can work problems out so as to make sure that our cooperation benefits both sides."
Labels: CHINESE, MICHAEL SATA, RUPIAH BANDA, STATE HOUSE
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State House hounding its cops as moles for The Post
By Moses Kuwema
Wed 13 July 2011, 12:00 CAT
SOME police officers assigned at State House under the special division have complained of being victimised for allegedly leaking information to The Post.
The officers, who sought anonymity, said some of their colleagues had since been transferred to rural areas.
“Some of our colleagues have been transferred to rural areas as district investigation officers in the intelligence office. These transfers were prompted as a result of linking certain people to the information that you people from The Post in particular usually report about.
On Saturday we were called into the meeting where they told us that they did not know that even at State House they had Judas Iscariots. We are told it was a directive from the President before he left for Maamba that he did not want to work with all those people who are giving information to The Post,” the sources said.
The sources said President Rupiah Banda wondered why everything that was discussed at State House usually found itself in The Post.
“Since that time that you people wrote the story about the sugar daddy in Vulamukoko in Katete when the President was campaigning in 2008 during the presidential by-elections most of the officers have not enjoyed their stay at State House.
Even the story you carried about the President's meeting where he was asking the MMD members not to be attacking the UPND, they linked us to it.
So really, we have been victimised, even the meetings that take place these days we are usually barred,” the sources said.
The sources said the transfers were more like demotions because the positions that the officers held at State House were superior to the ones they would hold where they have been transferred.
“The positions that these people were holding at State House are much bigger than going to be in charge of investigations at district level…all this is being done just because these people are perceived to be the people who are giving every information that you have been writing about,” said the sources.
Labels: JOURNALISM, STATE HOUSE, THE POST
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Sata warns against clinching deals through State House
By George Chellah
Sat 04 Sep. 2010, 18:20 CAT
PF leader Michael Sata yesterday warned foreign investors against cracking deals through State House because President Rupiah Banda will not be in office forever.
Commenting on revelations that Bharti Airtel through one of President Rupiah Banda’s sons is seeking State House’s intervention to force the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to have the share price for Zain Zambia reduced, Sata advised foreign investors to be extremely cautious with the manner in which they were conducting their business transactions.
“This idea of conducting transactions through State House should be discouraged if not halted immediately. My advice to foreign investors that are in a habit of cracking deals through State House is that they should desist from such business practices,” Sata said. “My appeal to all those investors that are coming to Zambia through State House should be very, very careful because Rupiah will not be President of Zambia forever.
Let them be mindful that Zambia is not a monarchy. Therefore, the people of this country decide which leadership is needed every after 5 years and Rupiah is definitely vacating office after next year’s general elections.”
He said true investors are mindful of the processes and procedures involved in investing in a foreign country.
“The only problem I have with some of these so-called foreign investors who come to this country is when they want to use State House. Every country has investment laws that need to be respected and honoured by investors,” Sata said.
“For instance, in Zambia we have investment agencies that deal with matters of investment. But it becomes highly suspicious when investors opt to negotiate their deals with State House and not the investment agency.
“The question is, why is State House at the centre of almost every investment that is coming to this country? Why does the President’s name keep coming up whenever there are such matters? And why are these so-called investors comfortable to deal with State House and not the technocrats at the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA).”
Sata said it was unfortunate that President Banda seems to be involved in most business transactions.
“I have in mind the Philips deal with the Ministry of Health...we later came to learn and Rupiah even admitted it that he was once their representative in Zambia. We have the issue of RP Capital on Zamtel, which is now under Lap-Green and currently we are faced with the issue of Bharti Airtel and the Zain shares. The man is literally in everything. What is happening?” Sata asked.
He said the market should be left to determine the share price of Zain.
“Let's take politics out of the stock exchange because if we don’t, the consequences of such actions will be too ghastly to contemplate,” he said.
And Sata urged President Banda to tell Zambians the benefits accrued from the sale of Zamtel.
“Rupiah was boasting that we are going to create 2,000 jobs but we have already lost almost 1,700 jobs and there is even no protection of the interests of the workers from this government,” Sata said. “And Rupiah is busy gallivanting and sending his wife around the country to distribute money as our people wallow in poverty.”Labels: BHARTI AIRTEL, RUPIAH BANDA, SATA, STATE HOUSE
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State House has become link in shoddy deals – Kabimba
By George Chellah
Thu 02 Sep. 2010, 04:02 CAT
Patriotic Front secretary general Wynter Kabimba yesterday said State House has become a bedrock and link in shoddy deals, which are compounding the poverty and misery of Zambians. And Kabimba warned Bharti Airtel that PF shall not allow the perpetration of fraudulent transactions against Zambians.
Commenting on revelations that Bharti Airtel through one of President Rupiah Banda’s sons is seeking State House’s intervention to force the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to have the share price for Zain Zambia reduced, Kabimba condemned the manoeuvres.
“An attempt to reduce the value of shares against the Zambian shareholders in Zain is not only an act of fraud but an act of absolute bad faith in the manner that Bharti Airtel intends to conduct its business in Zambia after buying Zain Zambia,” Kabimba said.
“This situation where State House has become the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in Zambia through people that are not employees of government reminds me of the late Julius Nyerere’s comment during the regime of president Ali Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania when Nyerere said, ‘it is difficult for us to fight corruption when corruption starts at the door steps of State House’.
“One can therefore ask the question that who then shall save the people of Zambia if State House becomes the bedrock and link in shoddy deals which go to compound the poverty and misery of the Zambian people?”
Kabimba said many Zambians used their terminal benefits to invest in Zain Zambia.
“The majority of Zambian shareholders in Zain bought their shares in that company out of moneys paid to them as terminal benefits after losing employment, which loss of employment was caused by the same MMD government which is now going against their investment which is their only ultimate hope,” Kabimba said.
“This cannot be a government that cares about the people of Zambia and it’s difficult for anyone to believe that the President as head of state may not know what is going on at State House in such matters.”
Kabimba said PF would stand by Zambians in the matter.
“As PF, we would like to caution Bharti Airtel that we shall not allow the perpetration of such a fraudulent transaction against the Zambian people. And if they want to conduct business in Zambia, I would advise them to respect and honour the investment by the humble Zambians in Zain as they buy the company,” Kabimba said.
“Failure to do so, we shall stand by our people and ensure that equity prevails. I am sure this will be a timely piece of advice to Bharti Airtel and they can only proceed with the transaction in question at their own risk.”
Kabimba said it was clear that the Bharti Airtel transaction might just turn out to be another Zamtel and RP Capital saga.
“In the Dora Siliya tribunal there was clear evidence laid before the tribunal that the President’s son Henry Banda was involved in the brokerage of the consultancy for RP Capital in respect of Zamtel outside the prescribed procurement procedures. This matter which involved a payment of colossal sums of taxpayer’s money to RP Capital is still an outstanding matter as far as the people of Zambia are concerned,” Kabimba said.
“As PF we shall insist that the truth should be known. It’s therefore unfortunate that Bharti Airtel is falling into the same trap of using State House as an entry point in its business transaction to the detriment of the Zambian shareholders in Zain Zambia.”
Bharti Airtel is trying to use one of President Banda’s sons in their manoeuvres to have the SEC reduce the Zain share price.
Recently, Bharti Airtel Africa chief executive officer Manoj Kohli came into the country and held a meeting with people at State House on August 21, 2010.
This was after the SEC proposed that they set the price at K1,126 per share for mandatory offer.
Labels: BHARTI AIRTEL, CORRUPTION, PF, RP CAPITAL PARTNERS, RUPIAH BANDA, STATE HOUSE, WYNTER KABIMBA, ZAIN ZAMBIA LIMITED PLC
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State House is like a den of deals – Mpombo
By Patson Chilemba
Tue 20 July 2010, 04:02 CAT
GEORGE Mpombo yesterday asked President Rupiah Banda and his government to come out clean on the 25 million Euro deal with Philips. Reacting to statements by the government that there was no existing contract between the government and Philips, Mpombo, who is Kafulafuta MMD member of parliament, argued that the government was not telling the truth.
“If they are saying they have not awarded a contract, how come there was a report and also we saw the minister of health Kapembwa Simbao standing with one official from Philips? So it is not true. If it is an old contract, what were they trying to show in those meetings they came to Zambia to do?” Mpombo asked.
“These manoeuvres by government are not helping to melt the iceberg. Let them come out clean so that the nation is aware because there was a lot of fanfare last June when this contract was signed. It was shown on television to show that there is a new contract. Why are they trying to distance themselves now from what they had told the nation? If the contract was signed in 2002, why have a ceremony of signing done today?”
Mpombo said the government must improve on its accountability.
He said the issue must be handled well because the President had been known to be Philips’ representative in the country.
Mpombo said as long as the Philips issue was not well dealt with, people would continue to speculate that State House was a black hole for backroom deals.
“It’s like a den of deals. Like one place where you can organise deals and that kind of thing. So we need the President to disengage himself from these speculations. State House has become a black hole for backroom deals,” Mpombo said.
“I have a feeling that that’s why people are saying that ‘let’s do away with abuse of office’, because they have realised that these issues will resurface.”
Mpombo said State House should immediately issue a statement on the President’s links with Philips.
He said President Banda must declare interest by ensuring that the companies he has connections with are not treated as sacred cows when it comes to receiving contracts from the government.
“What the President should have done is to declare interest because suspicion is very difficult to go away,” said Mpombo.
Simbao on Sunday said there is no existing contract between the Zambian government and Philips for the upgrade and maintenance of hospital equipment in 71 districts across the country.
Speaking to journalists in Lusaka after receiving a K90 million donation from Zain Zambia for the measles campaign, Simbao said in 2002, the Ministry of Health had a 25 million Euro project called ORET where Philips was fully in charge and ended in 2007.
“In 2002 we had a project called the Oret project which Philips were fully in charge, this was to install our theatre equipment, X-ray machines and all such things in all our district hospitals, that project ended in 2007,” Simbao said.
But highly placed sources in the Ministry of Health last week said President Banda’s involvement in the 25 million euro Philips deal is not surprising because he has been known to represent that company before he became President.
The sources disclosed that Mpombo’s questioning of the government’s decision to award Philips a 25 million euro contract to cover the upgrade and maintenance of equipment in 71 government hospitals was justified.
Labels: GEORGE MPOMBO, STATE HOUSE
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State House wants Zesco’s optical fibre network sold with Zamtel
By George Chellah
Wed 28 Oct. 2009, 04:00 CAT
STATE House is exerting pressure on Zesco management to have the power utility company's optical fibre network, which was installed at the cost of about US $13 million sold as part of Zamtel assets.
President Rupiah Banda's son Henry introduced
RP Capital to the government and
RP Capital is currently the financial advisor in the privatisation of Zamtel.
Well-placed government sources yesterday disclosed that President Banda, through his two named advisors who include his legal advisor Joseph Jalasi, engaged Zesco over its optical fibre network.
“It appears this Zamtel and RP Capital Partners scandal is one that will never end. And it's clear that the architects of this saga are unrepentant and are determined to bring down a number of state institutions just to satisfy themselves.
Can you believe that right now as we are talking, Zesco's top management is under extreme pressure from State House to let go of their optical fibre network to enable these guys sell it together with Zamtel assets?” the source revealed.
“So far President Banda's advisors Jalasi and one of his colleagues from State House including Mr. Chipwende from ZDA have been on the Zesco management's door step over the same issue. The Zesco optical fibre network project is being done in phases at a huge cost. You may wish to know that in the first phase, Zesco laid its optical fibre network from Sesheke up to Lumwana in Solwezi at a cost of about US $13 million. This network is linked to the international gateway in Namibia.
“Therefore, it runs from Namibia into Sesheke up to Lumwana. The second phase is the one that is coming to cover the whole country and the projections are that this project is likely to gobble about US $30 million. So it's quite some costly and ambitious project and it's embarrassing to see State House being heavily involved and in the forefront to have such an installation sold together with Zamtel. Actually, RP Capital are even insisting that Zesco starts working on the second phase of this project.
They want to up the value of Zamtel by getting the Zesco network, which will automatically translate in an increase in their fees or commission when Zamtel is sold at a higher value.”
The sources disclosed that the Zamtel optical fibre network project flopped.
“One thing you also need to know is that the Communications Authority gave Zesco what is called 'A Carrier of Carriers' license in about 2006. But I think it only became operational in 2007,” the source said.
“Zamtel… the same company they want Zesco to give its optical fibre network tried to install its own network and they failed. They have even abandoned that project right now as we are talking.”
The sources said there was an ad hoc committee, which has been set up to deal with the issue of the Zesco network.
“The people that are in this committee include the acting Zesco managing director Cyprian Chitundu, energy permanent secretary Peter Mumba, a Mr Sakala from ZDA, a representative of RP Capital and a director from the Ministry of Energy among others,” the source said.
The source emphasised the importance of the Zesco network and listed some of its functions.
“It can act as a powerline carrier network, mobile (VHF and HF) radio network, private telephone network, microwave radio network and optical fibre network. And there are a number of local companies and mobile service providers that are using this network,” the source said.
When contacted for comment, State House special assistant to the President for legal, Joseph Jalasi responded: “No! No! I don't deal with those issues… am at the funeral.”
And Peter Mumba said the fact that he was sitting on the committee did not mean that he was planted by State House.
“No! That's not correct. How? The government has a vision and the vision is to move things forward. Of course, I worked for Post and Telecommunications Company (PTC) for 13 years and later on Zamtel.
I do appreciate the operations of the institution fairly well. And perhaps when the secretary to the Cabinet looked at my CV, he probably felt that I will be useful,” Mumba said. “The government took into consideration my vast experience and also I have been in government for some time now. So there is no truth in whatever they are saying.”
Asked about the intentions to get the Zesco optical fibre network to enhance the value of Zamtel, Mumba responded: “I have no idea about that.”
And according to a recent circular issued by Zamtel managing director Mukela Muyunda, Zamtel would implement retrenchments or redundancies.
“As part of this important partial privatization process and with permission from ZDA, management wishes to announce that Zamtel inevitably will be implementing conditional retrenchments/redundancies in line with the collective agreement. Zamtel management and the union entered into negotiations on 9th October 2009 relating to the redundancies/retrenchments.
I wish to announce that management and the union completed these negotiations on 22nd October 2009,” read Muyunda's circular No.6 of 2009 in part. “The agreed package for unionised members of staff is as follows; (a) three months pay for each year served, (b) two months pay for repatriation; and (c) one month pay in lieu of Notice.
Other details of these redundancies/retrenchments including the meaning of conditional redundancies/retrenchments will be shared with all staff as follows; (a) Following this circular, all directors, managers and supervisors will be provided with relevant details regarding the form and nature of the redundancies/retrenchments; (b) in the coming week, all directors, managers and supervisors will then share with their staff the relevant details regarding the form and nature of the redundancies/retrenchments; (c) the union will also play a critical role in information dissemination regarding this matter.”
He urged all Zamtel employees to acknowledge the effort of management and the union negotiating teams for coming up with a reasonable package under very challenging circumstances.
“All Zamtel employees should note that the redundancies/retrenchments are dependant upon the successful completion of the privatisation process. This being the case it is extremely important that all staff remain focused and work extremely hard to ensure a fluent and successful Zamtel privatisation,” Muyunda stated.
“Like was stated in circular No.4 it is still critically important to observe confidentiality throughout the process of privatisation. All information about Zamtel and the privatization of Zamtel to all external stakeholders will be issued by the Zambia Development Agency. Management will keep staff informed about this important process as it progresses.”
Labels: CORRUPTION, HENRY BANDA, OPTIC FIBRE, PRIVATISATION, RP CAPITAL PARTNERS, RUPIAH BANDA, STATE HOUSE, ZAMTEL
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Rupiah leaves for Italy, England before proceeding to New York
Written by Staff Reporter
Sunday, September 20, 2009 8:25:39 AM
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday left for Italy, contrary to State House reports that he was leaving for New York to attend the 64th Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
State House sources revealed that President Banda was flying to Italy for an undisclosed mission and would then proceed to England before going to New York for the UN General Assembly.
“He is not directly going to New York, he is first going to Italy and nobody knows what he is going to do in Italy,” the sources disclosed.
Last week, special assistant to the President for press and public relations, Dickson Jere announced President Banda’s trip.
“His Excellency the President Mr Rupiah Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia will on Saturday leave for New York to attend the 64th Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly. President Banda is expected to deliver his maiden address to the UN General Assembly whose theme is ‘Effective Responses to Global Crises: Strengthening Multilateralism and Dialogue among Civilisations for International Peace, Security and Development’,” Jere stated.
“President Banda and other world leaders will also attend a High Level Dialogue on Climate Change, which will assess progress in the implementation of the Programme of Action and dialogue in preparation for the forthcoming Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change.
“The President and other African Heads of State and Government will later travel to Caracas, Venezuela to participate in the 2nd Africa-South America Summit. After the Summit, President Banda will travel to Cuba for a three-day State Visit at the Invitation of His Excellency Mr Raul Castro Ruz, President of Cuba.”
He said President Banda would return to Zambia after the state visit to Cuba.
And speaking to journalists at the airport after President Banda's departure, information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha urged the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to engage Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga.
“They should be able to ask Mr Mchenga, Mr Mchenga has got a totally independent role in the Constitution and if they feel that Mr Mchenga should do anything about the appeal…about the case then they should go to him and discuss these things with him,” Lt Gen Shikapwasha said. “As government, we totally leave it to the judiciary and to Mr Mchenga. The government doesn’t deal with the issues of appeal, Mr Mchenga solely as DPP does that. So government has nothing to do with the appeal, it's Mr Mchenga and LAZ knows that very well.”
And Lt Gen Shikapwasha said former defence minister George Mpombo was wasting his time.
“He is wasting his time by talking, he is only talking words. The answer for him is if he has any issue, let him approach the NEC and place his position there and it will be discussed,” said Lt Gen Shikapwasha.
Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, STATE HOUSE
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Hopelessness
Written by Editor
It is said that if one is familiar with the beginning, the end will not give him problems. This means that if one plans the task very well at the beginning, the chances of successful completion will be greater. This is what Rupiah Banda and his friends do not seem to realise.
When a vacancy occurred at State House, Rupiah saw himself as the ideal candidate to fill that gap. His friends and supporters quickly sang that Rupiah was in the most advantaged position to fill the vacancy at State House. A lot of our people questioned what plans Rupiah had for Zambia. Instead of providing concrete answers, Rupiah and his friends said they would continue with Levy Mwanawasa’s legacy, although they did not tell the country what this legacy was.
The moment Rupiah got to State House, he appeared to be more eager to undo almost everything that Levy did. The so-called Levy’s legacy was pelted with stones. Today, the fight against corruption that endeared Levy’s administration with the international donor community has been thrown to the wind.
Rupiah’s desire to fight corruption is lukewarm, if not cold. Instead of sending a clear message on how he intended to continue Levy’s zeal to fight corruption, Rupiah’s first act was to embrace Frederick Chiluba and his wife Regina. Today, Rupiah is wining and dining with people like Chiluba who are supposed to be exculpating themselves on corruption charges.
In saying this, we are not in any way suggesting that Rupiah should not wine and dine with Chiluba. In saying this, we are trying to question what moral courage Rupiah can marshal to ensure that Chiluba is subjected to the rule of law without compromise. No wonder some suspects are choosing to mitigate to Rupiah instead of waiting for their day in court.
It is such occurrences that have compelled the international donors to withhold their support from critical institutions like the Ministry of Health. Our civil servants and teachers have been striking for several weeks now without any indication of concern from the government. In fact, some officials in government think this is a normal occurrence because whenever there are negotiations between the government and unions, misunderstandings and differences are inevitable, so strike actions were not strange.
It is very clear that from what the country is going through, there appears to be no direction from Rupiah and his friends. It cannot be denied that things are not as they should be in our country. There is a lot of despair among our people. And Rupiah does not seem to see this despair among our people. As far as he is concerned, everything is alright and those questioning his actions or inactions merely want to see the collapse of his government.
To Rupiah and his sycophants, all is well and it is time to start preparing or campaigning for the 2011 elections. That is why Rupiah sees nothing wrong to be away from home for as long as one week in the midst of strike action by civil servants and teachers.
Instead of addressing the many problems this country is facing, Rupiah seems to be enjoying the self-sponsored calls from various provinces and quarters for him to stand as presidential candidate in 2011. The question is, if Rupiah and his sycophants can move themselves into a campaign mode at this time, when will they have the time to address the country’s economic and political challenges?
If Rupiah cannot deliver on his promises now, on what basis will he ask Zambians to re-elect him in 2011? Rupiah should remember the saying that he who leaves behind the truth returns to it. Someone who has done well in an area will be welcomed back when he or she returns.
Rupiah should be reminded that a single cloth cannot hold two children. It is always better to do one thing at a time. Zambians expect Rupiah and his administration to serve them. They do not expect Rupiah and his sycophants to serve themselves at the expense of the country.
Rupiah, who publicly declared that he would be a transitory president up to 2011, started to scheme on how he will continue the presidency beyond 2011 as soon as he was elected in October last year. Today, this is what is pre-occupying his mind. He is more concerned about finding a formula that will keep him in State House for eight years and not a formula that is going to reduce our people’s sufferings.
And like they say, the thing that eats one is in what he wears. Indeed, trouble is often caused by those closest to someone. When one listens to Rupiah’s ministers and officials, it is not difficult to understand why things have fallen apart in the country. These ministers do not see the crisis in the country. That is why it took almost a month for Rupiah to waffle something on the strikes.
Rupiah has to change his style of leadership if things are to change for the better in the country. At the moment, Rupiah’s leadership is failing to give confidence to our people. There is a lot of hopelessness among our people.
Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, STATE HOUSE
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State House’s silence on MMD cadres shocks PFC
Written by Masuzyo Chakwe
Friday, May 15, 2009 2:20:29 PM
THE Press Freedom Committee (PFC) of The Post has expressed shock over State House's silence over the MMD cadres' arrogance in their quest to silence and intimidate the media.
And NGOCC executive director Engwase Mwale has called on President Rupiah Banda to immediately address the problem of harassment by MMD cadres before it degenerates into serious conflict.
In a statement, the committee noted that government was silent despite Post newspaper managing editor Amos Malupenga's petition to President Banda over the MMD cadres' continued threats and harassment of journalists.
"We have noted with grave concern the continued attacks, threats and harassment of media personnel, particularly those working for The Post newspapers. It is extremely saddening that the links between MMD and the perpetrators of these violent acts indicate the acceptance, and possible complicity, of the ruling party in the violence. More so that the law enforcement agencies have allowed the MMD cadres to perform their illegal acts with impunity," the committee stated.
The PFC condemned in the strongest terms the MMD cadres in Solwezi who on Monday beat up Post vendor Deavan Mwanamwale and tore copies of the newspaper for what they termed as insulting headline on President Banda.
The committee stated that this barbaric act was unacceptable and called on every peace-loving Zambian to condemn the cadres.
The PFC stated that it was very clear that the authorities had failed in their duty to prevent, punish and redress the harm caused by MMD cadres' threats, attacks and harassment.
The committee stated that the ugly scenes of MMD cadres attacking and harassing innocent media personnel had continued unpunished.
"We wish to remind perpetrators of these violence, attacks and harassment that their actions are having a chilling effect on press freedom. The violation of journalists' rights is a direct infringement of the public right to information. These attacks on freedom of expression and the state's failure to address them, affects not only democracy, but also the enjoyment of other human rights for which the state is responsible," the committee stated.
The PFC stated that the MMD cadres' actions were a serious threat to free and open debate, which were critical for the country's continued peace and nurturing of its young democracy.
The committee stated that the public could not exercise its full freedom of expression where impunity prevails and law enforcement agencies were ineffective and unwilling to tackle aggressions against journalists.
"We demand that all acts of violence against journalists and the media end immediately. We ask the police to immediately pursue the MMD cadres for their illegal actions and bring them to book. We further demand for justice to prevail," stated the committee.
And Mwale said it was totally unacceptable for the MMD cadres to take the law in their hands by championing the total disregard of people's rights through their harassment of people.
She expressed concern and disappointment over the blatant infringement of ordinary citizens' rights normally with the full knowledge of the police and government leaders.
Mwale said the law must indeed take its course and bring these perpetrators to book.
She said the peacefulness and indeed the resilience that was exhibited by most ordinary Zambians must not be taken for granted especially in a situation where police refuse to grant permits for peaceful protests.
"Recently NGOCC witnessed a situation where police refused to grant a permit for a peaceful protest march by a coalition of NGOs to register our displeasure on the case of a young school girl that had been sexually abused by her school teacher. Of late we have further witnessed various physical and emotional abuses of journalists and ordinary citizens by MMD cadres for no apparent reason. What is wrong with ordinary citizens exercising their constitutional rights to take part in peaceful expression of their feelings when women and children are being raped and abused in all forms, or when journalists answer to their call of duty to inform the public on national events?" she asked.
Mwale said the MMD, as the ruling party in government must not be allowed to take democracy in their hands and arbitrarily so.
Since the beginning of this year, MMD cadres have waged a physical war on Post reporters. Post photographer Thomas Nsama has twice been physically attacked this year in his bid to cover President Banda.
Copperbelt Post reporters Mutuna Chanda and Abigail Chaponda have also suffered the wrath of MMD cadres.
A fortnight ago, Post journalist George Chellah and photographer Eddie Mwanaleza were physically harassed and chased at Lusaka City Airport where they had gone to cover President Banda's return from a state visit to Zimbabwe.
Labels: CADRES, ENGWASE MWALE, NGOCC, PFC, PRESS, STATE HOUSE
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