Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo the second of the Soli people of Chongwe District has told female journalists in the country to be more factual in their reporting.

Chieftainess Nkomeshya says women play a vital role in social and economic development thereby making it important for the female journalists to be factual in their reporting.

Chieftainess Nkomeshya also observed that there is also an urgent need to acquaint female journalists with the knowledge and tools that will help them to report adequately and effectively on issues concerning women and children in the country.

Chieftainess Nkomeshya, who is a sworn PF cadre with no objectivity among her subjects, further notes that if women journalists unite in the country they also have the potential to bring about change in how both the private media and public media operates.

The post Discredited PF Cadre Nkomeshya Lectures Female Journalists appeared first on Zambia Reports.

President Michael Sata yesterday shocked Chipata residents when he insulted and used derogatory remarks at opposition leaders Hakainde Hichilema and Father Frank Bwalya describing them as offsprings of adulterous affairs.

President Sata, himself an excellent example of a man with a string of adulterous affairs from which he has sired children with among other women Catholic Bishop Telesphore Mpundu’s sister, said Hichilema and Fr Bwalya were not proud of their paternity whose surnames he alleged they didn’t use.

He alleged that Hichilema, like Fr Bwalya, was using his mother’s name because he was not proud of past.

“Abana bamu figololo [HH and Fr Bwalya], the names they adopted are from their mothers, so where are their fathers,” he asked.

President Sata took a swipe at Movement for Multi-Party Democracy president Nevers Mumba finding him guilty of theft even when a matter in which he is charged of alleged financial misapplication is before court.

He said Dr Mumba, as a former clergyman stole money in Canada when he served as High Commissioner and that is the reason he was in court facing corruption charges.

President Sata also told the resident of Chipata where he was campaigning for Lameck Mangani ahead of next week’s by-elections because they were backward.

“I won’t declare Chipata, a city because easterners are backwards,” said President Michael Sata.

The post Hichilema, Fr Bwalya are Adultery Offsprings – Sata appeared first on Zambia Reports.

United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema says his party will reverse the decision by President Michael Sata to remove subsidies on fuel, maize and fertilizer when elected in 2016.

President Michael Sata, who campaigned on a pro-poor promise, has abruptly removed subsidies on fuel, maize and fertilizer triggering poverty levels in the country.

But Hichilema said in Kafulafuta during the by-election campaign that the UPND will reserve the decision on subsidies.

He said such a move will help secure the country’s resources and cushion the suffering of the more than 60 percent Zambians living under the poverty datum line.

Hichilema also accused Sata of wanting to create a one party state by poaching members of the opposition and giving them inferior government jobs as well as using oppressive tactics on those that don’t agree with him.

He said the idea to create unnecessary by elections was not well meant as they were aimed at killing the democracy Zambia has enjoyed over the last 20 years.

Hichilema thanked the MMD for supporting the UPND after its candidate Everlyn Mwanawasa withdrew due to illness.

Meanwhile, UPND vice president Richard Kapita has accused the Patriotic Front of using police to fan violence in by-elections where they feel they are losing.

He said police picked one of its officials campaigning in Solwezi East and assaulted him alongside PF cadres.

Kapita says his party was forced to pay K1.6 million (old currency) to secure the freedom of its official.

But PF campaign manager in Solwezi East Gabriel Namulambe, one of the sell-outs that recently defected from the MMD to PF, said his party was conducting issued based campaigns describing the campaigns as baseless.

The post Hichilema Promises to Reverse Removal of Subsidies appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Makhosazana Dlamini Haanzele, the woman who recently tragically lost two children in an accident in Nyumba Yanga while pursuing her husband, has died.

Dlamini-Haanzele, 38, died in Lusaka on Friday. The cause of her death was not yet established by press time although sources close to the family said she died at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

The funeral is being held in Kabulonga at plot number 8652 Kudu Road.

A family spokesperson who did not want to be quoted told the Sunday Mail that a statement would only be issued once the family sat to discuss but appealed for privacy while mourning their relative.

Three weeks ago on June 28, Dlamini-Haanzele, while in the company of three of her children and her brother-in-law, was involved in an accident at the junction of Leopards Hill and Godfery Chitalu roads. The accident happened around 20:00hours.

Two of her children aged 12 (Jolezya) and eight-year-old Michelo died on the spot while one (15) was seriously injured after the Suzuki Grand Vatara Registration number ALC 2482 she was driving plunged into a ditch when she lost control of it.

The post Woman in ‘Cheating Hubby’ Chasing Incident Dies Suddenly appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Government says journalists are not above the law and as such can be investigated and arrested like any other citizens if they are suspected to have offended the law.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Kennedy Sakeni said investigative wings would clamp down on any person suspected to have broken the law regardless of whether they were journalists or not.

Mr Sakeni who is Chief Government Spokesperson, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that it was for that reason that the arrest or detention of any journalist should not be viewed as retrogression on scores made towards freedom of the press in Zambia.

He said journalists were not immune to investigations and that there was no one above the law adding that media personnel were supposed to account for their actions just like any other persons such as politicians or police officers.

Two Lusaka based journalists, former Evelyn Hone College lecturer Clayson Hamasaka, 40, and former Zambia Daily Mail reporter Thomas Zyambo, 40, were on July 9, 2013 arrested and detained at Lusaka’s Woodlands Police Station.

“The question is, are you journalists above the law that you can not be investigated even if the police has reason to suspect you of having committed an offence? If they suspect you, why can’t they investigate or arrest you like anybody else?” he said.

Zyambo who is expected to appear in court on July 26, 2013 has since been charged in relation to seditious practices contrary to the Law while Hamasaka has been warned and cautioned over the same offence.

Another Kabwe based journalist Wilson Pondamali was on July 16, 2013 arrested and charged with theft and being in possession of unlawful military stores a charge he has since denied.

Mr Sakeni said it was unfair for some sectors of civil society and media bodies to accuse the government of causing retrogression on the scores made in the past regarding freedom of the press simply because some journalists were being investigated and arrested on crimes they were suspected to have committed.

He said the only way to prove that one had or not committed any offence was through arrest.

“The question is, are you journalists above the law that you can not be investigated even if the police has reason to suspect you of having committed an offence? If they suspect you, why can’t they investigate or arrest you like anybody else?” he said.

Mr Sakeni said government was not going against press freedom but that journalists, media bodies and civil society must be honest with themselves and know that journalists were not immune to investigations and that police could not arrest anybody without reason.

He said civil society should be the first to look at all citizens equally and that suspects in whatever offence should account for their conduct or action.

“If journalists are suspects, they should account for their action by going through investigations …if it is a police officer he or she should also go through the same even politicians because that is the law,” he said.

Mr Sakeni said there were exceptions where people could complain of violation of their rights if the due process of the law was not followed.

“If journalists are suspects, they should account for their action by going through investigations …

Meanwhile, Mr Pondamali on Friday pleaded not guilty to two counts of being in possession of military books and theft.

Wilson Pondamali, 40, who took plea before magistrate Simpungwe, is in the first count alleged to be in unlawful possession of military books contrary to section 181(1)(5) of the Defence Act Chapter 106 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that Pondamali on July 17, 2013 did have in his possession one copy of a restricted Zambia Defence Service Intelligence book and one restricted tactics book used for military purposes.

In the second count it is alleged that the accused did steal a book entitled Freedom of the Mind valued at K140 a property of Kabwe Municipal Council (KMC).

The count granted pondamali a K10, 000 bail in his own recognisance
and two working sureties from reputable organisations.

This was after lawyer representing him Collins Chizawu from Kabesha and company applied for bail saying the charges were bailable and that his client was ready to abide by the court’s conditions.

The post It’s Okay to Arrest Journalists on Trumped Up Charges – Sakeni appeared first on Zambia Reports.

We reiterate that the irregular appointment of a substantive Chief Justice will not go away simply because some incoherent legal sounds have been made by someone in authority.

But now we are encouraged that at long last the Minister of Justice, under whose portfolio judges fall, has said something. We do not know what part the Minister has played in the confusion and unnecessary feuding that has gone on for over one year; but we commend him for breaking his silence.

However, his statement as reported by The Post newspaper (dated Friday 19th July 2013) raises more questions than it answers. Before we criticise him we seek clarification from him as he has not made clear which provision/s the President is relying on. We thus pose some questions.

Firstly, the decision by the Parliamentary Select Committee to reject the nomination of Madam Chibesakunda was made a year ago. When did the Minister of Justice become aware that the Select Committee has no power to make a final decision? Who has that final power of ratification? Can the President by-pass ratification?

What did the Minister do to correct the purported irregularity by having the matter revert to the whole House? Why did he make the statement to The Post instead of a full Ministerial Statement in Parliament to allow MPs to ask questions?

Unless he has a credible explanation it is our view that he timed this speech to coincide with the adjournment of Parliament and leave no room for MPs to raise immediate questions until the matter simmers down in the intervening two or three months of the recess!

In the absence of a Ministerial Statement in Parliament we demand that the Minister makes a public statement answering all aspects of this controversy, including the following: if the Select Committee does not have final authority, does the President have that final authority?

Has the Leader of Government Business in Parliament consulted the Speaker to suggest compelling the Select Committee to submit their findings to the whole House? And what has been the Speaker’s advice?

We believe all these are serious constitutional queries that deserve a full response. We dispute the insinuation that where the Select Committee finds a constitutional or statutory bar they should subject that to a debate and vote in the House.

We say that such a vote would be highly irregular because the MPs would be arguing over a constitutional provision, and in the process would be purporting to interpret the law, which is a preserve of the Judiciary. The Select Committee acted properly to enable the President to submit a qualified name in terms of Article 44(4).

We hope that the open door which the Minister claims has been left by the President for dialogue extends to Ministers as well. Since the President is not addressing the people we hope the Minister will do so by issuing a public statement, answering these and other questions made by many other citizens and civil society. Honourable Minister we await your reasoned response.

GODFREY MIYANDA,
BRIGADIER GENERAL,
HERITAGE PARTY
[21ST JULY 2013]

The post Gen Miyanda Insists, “Chief Justice Must Go” appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Government has with immediate effect closed down Serenje Technical High School in Central Province after pupils on Sunday morning ran amok damaging school property. The school becomes the second learning institution that resorted to riots after Evelyn Hone College in recent days.

Evelyn Hone College students protested and damaged property leading to a two-weeks closure.

In the latest development, Education deputy minister David Mabumba announced the closure in Serenje on Sunday after meeting school management and pupils’ representatives.

The pupils rioted because the school has not explained why they have not sat for practical examinations despite paying for the subjects.

Mabumba says pupils in examination classes will report in August while non -examination classes will resume on September 9, 2013.

ZNBC’s Jacqueline Siulemba, who rushed to the school reports that Police has at least detained 29 pupils.

Some of the pupils told ZNBC that the subjects affected are Wood Work, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

Central Province Minister Philip Kosamu who is Serenje Member of Parliament (MP) said the decision to close the school announced by Mr Mabumba was aimed at protecting school property.

He said he was saddened with the extent of damage to property where the entire administration block was burnt and appealed to pupils to exercise restraint each time they were aggrieved.

“I can confirm that the Ministry of Education has ordered the premature closure considering the extent of damage to property and to avoid recurrence of the riot,” he said.

He also confirmed that examination classes would be re-opened on August 12, 2013 while the others would return to school on September 9, 2013.

And Central Province Commissioner of Police, Standwell Lungu also confirmed the detention of the pupils in an interview with ZNBC News.

Police said that they picked up 29 pupils and a teacher to assist with investigations and were still looking for two ring leaders linked to the riot which left property worth hundreds of kwacha damaged.

“We are investigating reports that the teacher had harboured some of the rioting students because we believe a number of pupils were found in his house,” Lungu said.

According to police, the incident happened on Saturday around midnight when the pupils protested against the school administration over the move to stop them from holding jubilee celebrations.

The celebrations were moved to September after the pupils had already paid money towards the function.

The pupils were also not happy with the deteriorating poor diet saying they were now feeding on rotten beans.

The pupils went on rampage and set ablaze the administration block destroying property with only the headmaster’s office surviving the inferno.

By late afternoon today , some pupils had started vacating the school while others were reported to have no money to transport them back to their respective homes.

The school’s storeroom and tuck shop were looted by the pupils while the computer laboratory room had its window panes shattered.

This is the second time that pupils at the same school engage themselves in riotous behaviour. Recently, the pupils rioted and destroyed school property before storming a market where they smashed windscreens to more than 10 motor vehicles.

The irate pupils also destroyed windowpanes at Pep and Bata stores but failed to loot goods from the shops because of burglar bars. This was in protest against a teachers’ strike.

The post Riots at Serenje Technical School Forces Closure appeared first on Zambia Reports.

In what appears to be a move to impress the embattled acting Chief Justice Lombe Cibesakunda and ultimately please the appointing authority President Michael Sata, Kasama Principal Resident Magistrate Obister Musukwa sitting in Lusaka had one of the cases imposed upon him sit until 19:37 hours on Friday July 19, 2013.

This is the matter in which freelance journalist Chanda Chimba, III is charged with unlawful publishing and printing as well as being in possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Chimba, III is appearing together with former Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Lt. Gen. Ronnie Shikapwasha and Dr. Sam Phiri who served as permanent secretary in the same ministry who are separately charge with abuse of office of authority.

The matter which came for continued trial started at exactly 14:30 hours and Magistrate Musukwa hinted that he was prepared to go on even up to 22:00 hours as according to him the matter had dragged on for too long.

For some reason this matter appears to have been put in overdrive to the extent that prosecution witness number two, PW2 Philemon Songolo who had practically been on the stand for a period equivalent to two working days giving testimony in evidence-in-chief being cross examined for only three hours, from 16:03 to 19:03.

This was as a result of the fact that magistrate Musukwa had ordered that the witness be disposed of that day without fail and it is anyone’s guess if the trio are getting a fair hearing going by how quickly he wants to dispose of witnesses.

Worse still Songolo was hardly curtailed by the court for arguing with the defence counsels on several occasions. At some point it appeared as if he was the one cross-examining the defence sending murmurs in the public gallery.

Reactions of some court officials who were made to stay behind and do not know whether they will be paid overtime, point to the fact that they have never gone beyond the stipulated sitting time which according to them is between 8:00 hour and 17:00 hours. Even the policemen charged with guarding the Lusaka Magistrate Court Complex were at a loss to understand what was going on especially that there are not even any lights in the court corridors.

For now Chimba’s case appears to have broken a record as one that has gone this far amongst all the cases of people associated with former President Rupiah Banda. But at the rate things are going one case may just go into the next day and Zambia will surely find itself in the Guinness book of records and so too will the magistrate.

The matter comes up for continued trial at 9:00 hours on August 12, 2013 when the State is expected to call to the stand their third witness.

The post Chanda Chimba Trial Goes in Overdrive appeared first on Zambia Reports.

President Michael Sata’s parallel intelligence system is moving to block social networks Facebook and Twitter after realising that stories on blocked websites, Zambian Watchdog and Zambia Reports, are now filtering through the two media for domestic consumption.

And the Xavier Chungu-led parallel intelligence is targeting a third internet based media channel, Crossfire Blogtalk Radio, for possible blocking after it continued airing guests critical of the Patriotic Front government.

The decision to study the blocking of Facebook and Twitter, according to sources, follows Zambian Watchdog and Zambia Reports’ decision to activate their respective facebook pages on which the stories President Sata does not want Zambians to access and read are being fed onto the domestic market.

The ordinary access to Zambian Watchdog and Zambia Reports for the domestic market was blocked last week although some locals are still able to access through advanced devices or proxy websites.

A team comprising the trusted intelligence system of Zamtrop mastermind Xaveir Chungu, which is independent of the main established body, was last week dispatched to Russia for a consultative process on the possibilities of blocking facebook and twitter.

President Sata is reportedly incensed that the stories he is denying Zambians to access are now all over on facebook and twitter with a growing following whose impact threatens his hold on power.

According to the sources, the blocking of Zambian Watchdog and Zambia Reports is also being used as a pilot project to block all form of social sites during the 2016 presidential and parliamentary by-elections.

The plan is expected to be in full force during the 2016 general elections when mobile communication and radio signal will be heavily compromised to facilitate rigging and installation of President Sata or his General Secretary Wynter Kabimba back in office on a rigged elections.

Intelligence sources are equally frustrated that they are being made to carry out excessive monitoring of citizens as well as breaching fundamental human rights of free speech.

Apparently, there is total disagreement within the ranks with regards to the ongoing assault on the media and those that have dared question the development are being sidelined for possible firing.

The intelligence officers who spoke on anonymity request warned that Zambians should brace for tough times ahead because the co-operation between Sata and Zimbabwe’s leader Robert Mugabe is not healthy for the country.

Meanwhile, Crossfire Blog producer Mueti Moomba has disclosed that his channel has suffered the worst form of victimization under the PF government.

The internet radio initially supplied feed to Zambezi Fm in Livingstone, YAR Fm in Kitwe and Flava Fm in Kitwe but two of those station had been cowed into submission.

“2 [two] of these pulled out after being threatened. Only Flava Fm has continued & we know they are being pushed about it. On Tuesday they could not link to us,” he fears.

About attempts to block internet listeners to access the feed, he said; “we got about 150 messages from listeners in Zambia saying they could not listen to the show thru website.”

The post Sata Targets Blocking Facebook, Twitter appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Kabwe based Investigative Journalist Wilson Pondamali is still detained and has been slapped with a second charge of stealing a book.

Like in most dictatorships around the world that also wish to benefit from democracy, the police are not charging Pondamali with anything to do with his journalistic work which is the real reason they arrested him. They have found trumped up charges just to punish him for exposing government corruption and incompetence.

Pondamali was abducted by police last Wednesday and was denied police bond to date. His lawyers will try to push for his release through police a bond or court bail.

Police have charged Pondamali with two counts of being in possession of military books and theft. In the first count police claim that he was found possession of military books contrary to the Defence Act Chapter 106 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the charge are that Pondamali on July 17, 2013 did have in his possession one copy of a restricted Zambia Defence Service Intelligence book and one restricted tactics book used for military purposes.

In the second count it is alleged that the accused did steal a book entitled Freedom of the Mind valued at K140 a property of Kabwe Municipal Council (KMC).

But Pondamali is in good spirits. Speaking from Mpima remand prison where he is currently detained, Pondamali said he is surviving.

Source: Zambianwatchdog

The post Journalist Mpondamali Spends Five Days in Kabwe Prison appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Solwezi Central MMD Member of Parliament Lucky Mulusa has so far covered 110 kilometres on his long walk to protest the bad governance system by the President Michael Sata led Patriotic Front government.

Mulusa whose walk has entered Day Two intends to cover over 180 kilometres.

He has among other reasons protesting the removal of subsidies, bad governance, human rights abuses and the state of the Solwezi-Chingola road.

Mulusa said he had received a lot of support from average Zambians.

“I have so far covered about 110 kilometres and may cover the remaining 60 kilometers tomorrow,” he said.

“There has been a lot of support coming from ordinary Zambians and some have been offering to drive all the way from Solwezi but I do not want to create commotion so I have thanked them for their support.”

Mulusa said the desire to draw the problems he had highlighted had driven him to take to the march.

The post Mulusa Covers 110 Kilometres on Day Two of Protest Walk appeared first on Zambia Reports.

President Michael Sata snapped at the sight of Chief Jumbe’s shaved head and said the traditional leader could not oversee his subjects as he was failing to keep hair.

President Sata who has now become notorious for his phobia at bald heads said Chief Jumbe was under State House surveillance and the Head Of State would de-gazzette him if he continued criticizing the government.

“Every 24 hours I know what happens everywhere you go, in your bedroom all the 24 hours of the day,” Sata warned traditional leader during the official openning of the House of Chiefs.

“Why did you criticize my introducing Paramount Chief Mpezeni? What did you want me to do I was introducing the chief to the people and you saw something wrong with that.”

He added, “Echo mwabeyela imishishi (that is why you cut your hair) you cannot even keep your hair, how do you keep people.”

On Saturday President Sata paraded Chief Mpezeni at a political rally to campaign for Patriotic Front candidate Lameck Mangani.

Mpezeni ordered his subjects to vote for Mangani and ignore other candidates.

The post Sata Snaps at Bald-Headed Chief Jumbe appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Detained journalist Wilson Pondamali has been rushed to hospital after collapsing around 18 hours Monday, July 22, 2013.

And the police have refused to release Pondamali despite the court granting him bail.

Pondamali has been detained in Kabwe since last week on Wednesday. He has been charged with four different offences.

The latest two charges of stealing a novel and attempting to escape from lawful custody were added today.

The court granted him bail for all offences but the police refused to release him but instead took him back to prison.

Thirty minutes after the police took him to prison, he collapsed right in prison.

It is not also clear why he collapsed but a police officer confirmed that they were rushing him to hospital.

Source: Zambian Watchdog

The post Journalist Pondamali Collapses in Prison appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Forum for democracy and development (FDD) leader Edith Nawakwi has charged that there is no corruption fight that can succeed without a basis of a transparent constitution.

Nawakwi says it is unfortunate that there has been less efforts by government to ensure that corruption is clearly stamped out.

Nawakwi stresses that the ruling party has failed the majority Zambians to deliver on stamping out corruption as they promised during the run to 2011 campaigns.

Nawakwi notes that a transparent constitution will provide for separation of powers then there will be transparency in all that is being done.

She further adds that the perception by the majority Zambians is that there is selective application of the law.

The FFD leader has since called on government to ensure that they deliver a constitution that will stand a taste of time.

Source: Qfm

The post Nawakwi Says Corruption Fight Futile Without Good Constitution appeared first on Zambia Reports.

President Michael Sata’s private bodyguard Judge Ngoma’s over K2 billion construction project of his house is raising eyebrows as citizens question how a man who has never worked in formal employment or ran a business has amass huge wealth within two years working for Zesco.

Ngoma, who is part of the parallel intelligence system established by President Sata under Xavier Chungu, is constructing an over K2 billion mansion Farm House in Chisamba’s Kamaila area.

The trusted bodyguard who is also the top State House foot soldier during by-elections has also engaged government equipment through the Rural Raod Unit to construct a 58 kilometre stretch leading to his farm house off the Great North Road.

Before September 20, 2011 Judge did not have a formal job but relied on hand-outs from President Sata as he carried out assignments on behalf

Judge Ngoma is currently in Solwezi representing President Sata’s interest and allegedly leadin a gang that was behind the stripping naked of United Party for National Development national women chairlady Namakau Kabwiku and other fellow officials at St Dorothy in full view of police.

The post Sata’s Bodyguard Building K2 Billion House appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has caution the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation for breaching the Electoral Code when they aired a Patriotic Front political advert that featured Paramount Chief Mpezeni campaigning for the ruling party.

ECZ assistant Public Relations officer Sylvia Bwalya said Mpezeni also went against the constitution when he paraded himself at a Patriotic Front rally campaigning for Lameck Mangani.

Bwalya said other than the political advert’s content being unlawful, it also exceeded the 30 minute limit for a political advert per week.

She said ZNBC management had once again failed the electoral code after being censured barely a month ago.

Bwalya said Mpezeni breached article 129 of the republican constitution that barred traditional leaders from taking part in active politics.

She said Mpezeni should not have taken a political stance during the PF rally and warned the traditional leader to stay out of politics.

Mpezeni during a PF political rally on Saturday campaigned on Lameck Mangani ordering his subjects to vote for the ruling party candidate and ignore the other contestants.

The post ECZ Find Mpenzeni, ZNBC in Electoral Code Breach appeared first on Zambia Reports.

A political analyst Neo Simutanyi says President Michael Sata’s statement that he will only develop areas where he the people vote for the ruling party belongs to the stone age.

Simutanyi, a former UNZA don, said it was sad especially that Sata used to condemn the votes for development type of politics.

“That statement in Chipata by President Sata that he will only take development to areas that voted for the PF is sad. That type of politics really belongs to the stone age,” he said.

“Mr Sata himself in opposition used to condemn this kind of behaviour but now he has become a champion of the things he used to fight.”

He added: “We are hoping that the country can move from this type of politics because once a leader or president is elected their role becomes national even looking out for the interests of those who did not vote for them.”

President Sata told a political gathering on Saturday that those that voted against the PF should forget about development coming to their areas.

The post Sata Practising ‘Stone-Age Politics,’ says Analyst appeared first on Zambia Reports.

National Restoration Party President Elias Chipimo has condemned the behaviour by Patriotic Front cadres to lock out Lusaka City Council officers from the market.

The ruling Patriotic Front cadres orchestrated the closure of the City Market by refusing to pay the daily market levy saying they were paying for nothing as vendors who traded outside made a lot of money without paying any levy.

Confusion reigned when the council officers attempted to restore order but the protest turned violent with the market being closed.

PF Lusaka Province chairperson Goodson Banda said the PF cadres were forced to move in to protect their members who they said were being made to pay despite business being bad.

He said the PF hierarchy felt the LCC had not done anything to ward off vendors trading outside the market.

And Chipimo condemned the cadres’ action saying it was sad that lawlessness was back at markets where political party cadres ran official business.

“We know Inter-City was taken over by cadres early this year now it is City Market where cadres now have taken over revenue collection,” Chipimo said.

Allocation of stands is usually done on partisan lines with the ruling party cadres taking precedence over everyone else.

The post Chipimo Condemns PF for City Market Fracas appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Alliance for Better Zambia president Fr Frank Bwalya has charged that many Zambians are convinced that President Michael Sata needs deliverance, and has since offered his prayers, four days after the Head of State mocked the parentage of two opposition leaders in the country.

In an open letter to President Sata over the president’s recent comment on his parentage, Fr Bwalya says President Sata lives in a glass house regarding the issue of parentage and should therefore not throw stones.

President Sata is alleged to have said among other things “Abana bamu figololo [ Referring to HH and Fr Bwalya], the names they adopted are from their mothers, so where are their fathers.”

Fr Bwalya has dared President Sata that he is mistaken if he thinks that he has no capacity to throw stones. This is an apparent reference to President Sata’s own life as a married man.

He has warned President Sata against dragging his parents, especially his mother in political issues that have nothing to do with them.

He adds that President Sata’s comments will not change the way he feels about his parents, stating that he will always love and respect them, adding that should he decide to contest for the presidency in 2016, he will comply with the law regarding his parentage.

Fr Bwalya has further stated that he is only responsible for things he has done from the time he attained the age of reason, the time he learnt right and wrong.

He says he is not personally responsible for anything before that time.

The post Fr Bwalya Responds to Sata’s ‘Adultery’ Attacks appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Opposition National Restoration Party (NAREP) president Elias Chipimo Jr has been attacked and beaten by Patriotic Front cadres during a tour in Lusaka while President Michael Sata’s private body guard Judge Ngoma has fired four live gunshots at a campaign rally in separate incidents of violence in Zambia today.

Chipimo, who suffered similar attacks at the hands of PF cadres in Kasama recently, was today trailed in the capital’s central business district and assaulted.

“Our team was assaulted by PF thugs a short while ago as we walked along the Downtown shopping area in Lusaka. It is a shame what this country has been reduced to under the PF,” he said on his twitter account.

Meanwhile, Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) lawmaker Vincent Mwale says Judge Ngoma, an intelligence officer who is stationed at Zesco, has fired live shots at a campaign rally.

Mwale said; “Judge Ngona whoever he is has just beaten up our councilor, fired 4 shots in the aAir disruptin our rally in Mchini, our councilor is missing.”

Judge Ngoma is President Sata’s private bodyguard who carries out such operations on behalf of State House and is part of the militia established to terrorise citizens in the country.

During the Livingstone by-election, Judge Ngoma also fired live gunshots in full view of police. While in opposition, Sata assigned Judge Ngoma to physically deal with his critics.

The post PF Cadres Attack Chipimo, Judge Ngoma Fires Live Shots appeared first on Zambia Reports.