Saturday, February 20, 2010

(CNN) Green in 2010: Windfarms on your house

Green in 2010: Windfarms on your house

These wind turbines are designed to be mounted on rooftops and can produce enough energy to power the average American household when the wind is blowing at least 10 miles per hour.

Urban Green Energy, which makes the UGE-4KW, says the 18 foot turbine can generate up to 4 kilowatts of power.

According to the Edison Electric Institute, the average household runs on about 1.3 kilowatts of power, though that can vary widely.

UGE says the turbine is quieter than a human whisper, which makes it more suitable for residential use in suburban areas.

At a cost of $17,000 per turbine, the UGE-4K is a big investment for part-time wind farmers. But it qualifies for a 30% federal tax credit, and some states offer additional rebates.

Click through the gallery to see some of the other products.

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(NEWZIMBABWE) Zimplats project uncertain over indigenisation

COMMENT - I say good riddance. If they can't do business in Zimbabwe without sharing the proceeds, they're a net cost to the economy. I'll bet they even do their best avoiding paying road tax for the roads their multi-ton trucks destroy. And who needs 'expansionary investment' if they are not paying taxes anyway? What they are really saying, is that they intended to use the money that should be going to the Zimbabwean people to build more mines. Well guess what David Brown, there are obligations to be met when doing business in Zimbabwe. And sharing the wealth extracted from Zimbabwe's soil is one of them.

Zimplats project uncertain over indigenisation
by
20/02/2010 00:00:00

IN a major fall-out from the controversy surrounding government’s indigenisation policy, Impala Platinum has threatened to call-off any further “expansionary investment” at its Zimbabwe operations pending clarification over the issue and resolution of other “outstanding" matters.

The South Africa-based platinum an 87 percent majority shareholder in Zimbabwe platinum mines (Zimplats) which owns three underground mines at Ngezi as well as the Selous Metallurgical Complex, located some 77 kilometres north of the mines.

In addition Implats also holds a 50 percent interest in the smaller Mimosa platinum mine located in the Midlands town of Zvishavane.

The company announced in its financial results released on Thursday that the Zimplats Phase 1 expansion programme implemented at a cost of more about US$340 million has now reached full production.

However chief executive, David Brown told a South African mining publication that while feasibility studies for the second phase expansion programme - expected to cost up to US$500 million - was being completed, implementation depended on resolution of “outstanding issues … including the (recent) indigenisation statements”.

"As far as the indigenisation legislation is concerned, this is not new. It's been around for some years and we did a release-of-ground agreement in 2006 with this legislation in mind, because we knew that it was pending.

"Certainly our understanding is that we would probably look at an equity participation of between 15% and 26%, which is more-or-less in line with what we anticipated and we're quite comfortable with that level of equity.

"The balance to get to 51% will be made up through other means; one of these means being the release of ground, which we believe could have a fairly significant contribution to the credit to make up that differential.

“The other would be credits for social expenditure and infrastructural expenditure,

[Why on earth do they think they should 'get credits' for helping to repair the roads their multi-ton trucks break down. It is called a road tax, and it is not some kind of favour, you spoiled brat. - MrK]


and we believe we have a percentage covered by those items as well,” Brown said.

Implats entered into an agreement with the government in May 2006 under which the company released 36 percent of its resource base in return for 19.5 percent empowerment credits as well as a cash credit of US$51 million.

Under the agreement, should the government fail to pay the cash sum the company would then get a further 10 percent in empowerment credits.

Brown said the Implats now required further clarification over the deal following the recent publication of regulations regarding implementation of the country’s indigenisation legislation by empowerment minister, Saviour Kasukuwere.

The regulations, among other things, set out the time frames within which companies will be required to cede 51 percent of their equity to indigenous Zimbabweans.

"What we require is some clarity on the issue, and we need to make sure one more time that the release-of-ground agreement that we have with the Zimbabwe government is as envisaged and is included in the legislation.

“It doesn't say that it's not included, but on the other hand it also doesn't specifically make allowance for it. I hasten to add that we are not anti indigenisation and we do have plans in place to address the proposed legislation, however we do seek additional clarity around this matter," Brown said.

Implats also wants the government of Zimbabwe to clarify the matter of sums owed to Zimplats by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).

"There are also a number of other issues we would like to get some clarity on; one is obviously on the debt with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Zimplats is owed about US$34-million and we want to get some kind of view in terms of acknowledgement of debt and some kind of repayment schedule over a period of time.

"But, I hasten to add that that money won't be paid in a short period of time. You've got an economy of Zimbabwe that's battling and you've got a government that is struggling to raise additional funds. But this is something we want to work at, and also obtain clarity on the indigenisation process,” Brown said.

The company is looking to the low-cost Zimbabwe operations to achieve its goal of ramping up production to more than one million ounces of platinum per year.

However management warns that if clarification over the “outstanding issues” with the Zimbabwe authorities is not forthcoming the board would consider diverting the planned investment elsewhere.

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(NEWZIMBABWE) IMF restores Zimbabwe’s voting rights

IMF restores Zimbabwe’s voting rights
by Gilbert Nyambabvu
20/02/2010 00:00:00

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has unanimously voted to restore Zimbabwe's voting rights ending a suspension of nearly seven years but insisted financial arrears mean that the country remains ineligible for further loans.

In a statement released on Friday the IMF said although Zimbabwe is now eligible to use resources from its General Resources Account (GRA) the country will not be able to access support under this facility until it settles arrears of US$140 million to its Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT).

“Access to IMF lending resources is also subject to IMF policies on the use of such resources including a track record of sound policies and the resolution of arrears to official creditors which would require donor support.

“Following (Friday’s) decision any remaining issues on further normalization of relations will be addressed over time,” the statement read.

The widely expected restoration of voting rights which among other things means the country can now appoint a governor to the IMF, participate in the election of an executive director for its Board, or cast its vote in decisions on IMF policy or country matters followed a request by the finance minister, Tendai Biti.

The development which signals a thawing of relations between the country and development partners also comes after the United States- the only IMF member which can block executive board decisions- indicated that it would support the removal of the suspension.

Zimbabwe’s voting rights were suspended in June 2003 as the agency became increasingly frustrated with the country’s failure to “sufficiently strengthen cooperation with the IMF in areas of policy implementation and payments”.

The agency had also moved to initiate “compulsory withdrawal” procedures but the country managed the stave-off this action by fully settling its General Resources Account arrears in 2006.

Meanwhile Zimbabwe still owes the IMF and other multi-laterals lending agencies such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank up to US$1.3 billion.

However the establishment of a coalition government between president Robert Mugabe and long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai, now the country’s prime minister,- supported by positive economic policy measures- has been largely welcomed by the country’s development partners.

In May last year, the IMF approved technical assistance in certain areas, citing a significant improvement in Zimbabwe’s cooperation on economic policies.

The organisation however, urged the country to clear its arrears noting that as long as this was not done technical assistance would remain suspended except in "targeted" areas.

“A number of remedial measures remain in place, as Zimbabwe still has outstanding arrears to the PRGT. These are the declaration of non-cooperation; the suspension of IMF technical assistance, except in targeted areas; and the removal of Zimbabwe from the list of PRGT-eligible countries,” the IMF press statement added


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(NEWZIMBABWE) Strikers ... Civil servants march through Harare to demand better pay

Strikers ... Civil servants march through Harare to demand better pay
by Lebo Nkatazo
19/02/2010 00:00:00

THOUSANDS of striking civil servants marched through the streets of Harare before presenting a petition to the Speaker of Parliament and the ministers of Labour and Finance on Friday.

The country’s civil servants, including teachers and health workers, went on strike two weeks ago to demand a minimum wage of US$630, up from the current salaries of below US$200.

The industrial action is the biggest labour revolt since President Robert Mugabe accepted to share power with opposition rivals Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara a year ago.

March leader Tendai Chikoore, president of the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Union, said the workers have refused the US$15 bonus that the government offered and that the strike will continue until they get their pay raises.

The strike is not politically motivated, Chikoore said.


Protest ... Civil servants demonstrate outside parliament on Friday

The marchers handed a petition signed by 10 unions to Labour Minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Speaker Lovemore Moyo, setting a deadline of March 5 for their grievances to be addressed.

The unions said Zimbabwe was “endowed with abundant minerals and other natural wealth” which were “not being exploited for the benefit of the entire population.”

They said they were “determined to ensure that government immediately acts on our concerns by crafting a remedial programme of action to improve working conditions”.

“We severally hereby petition the executive and the legislature to immediately and seriously act on the public service strike; immediately review the remuneration package for public servants as informed by the poverty datum line and urgently review the tariff structures which are currently too high compared to the workers incomes,” reads part of the petition.

There was no immediate reaction from the government which says the strike is illegal.

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The Katumbi factor in Zambian politics

The Katumbi factor in Zambian politics
By The Post
Sat 20 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

OUR political leaders’ love for money and power is frightening and sometimes very embarrassing. They are not ashamed to abuse their political power to extract and accumulate for private enrichment, and use politically corrupt means to maintain their hold on power.

Anyone with money and who is willing to give it to them when they need it is welcome no matter how dirty that money may be.

It is embarrassing to see how government officials and other senior public officers are falling over each other to get closer to Moses Katumbi, the governor of Democratic Republic of Congo’s Katanga Province.

Katumbi is not treated with so much attention and affection because he is governor of Katanga. It is simply because he commands immense financial resources that he is willing and able to put at their disposal as and when they need it.

That’s all that makes Katumbi so important that he can be even allowed to openly interfere in the internal politics of our country. Katumbi is not an ordinary Congolese citizen; he is a very senior government official of the Democratic Republic of Congo who should be bound by diplomatic rules.

Katumbi should not come into Zambia and do as he pleases as if he was a citizen or ordinary resident of this country. And moreover it is not right for senior Zambian government officials to personally get too close to a person who ran away from this country fearing corruption charges.

Katumbi was let off the hook not because there was nothing wrong he did but simply because during the time he was a fugitive he acquired a new status, he became governor of Katanga of a friendly neighbouring country. And dropping any intended charges against him was reasonably expedient in the circumstances of the moment.

But we know why the current government is so comfortable with Katumbi. Zambians have not forgotten why Vernon Mwaanga was fired from Levy Mwanawasa’s government.

It was because of his dealings with Katumbi that Levy did not find acceptable for a member of his government. Who also doesn’t know how close Katumbi was to Frederick Chiluba and his corrupt regime? Both Mwaanga and Chiluba are today very close to Rupiah Banda and his government.

Katumbi is very generous with money and he will certainly be of great value to them in meeting personal and political financial requirements. This is not because Katumbi has no use for that money in Congo. Despite that country having immense natural resources, the Congolese people are in general very poor. And theirs is a country without any meaningful development.

They have inadequate schools, hospitals, roads and other services required in an organised society. But instead of striving to meet these desperate needs of the poor Congolese people, Katumbi and his friends will not hesitate to go around flashing money, dishing out money to corrupt and opportunistic Zambian politicians, chiefs and other desperate characters.

Although the Congo of today is a thousand times much better than that of Mobutu, it still retains, in many respects, the characteristics of that kleptocracy. Those who govern do so in self-interest and in the most arbitrary ways.

They control and manage public affairs and resources as if they are personal ones. Like Mobutu, those who govern Congo today are the richest people in that country; they personally dominate the business activities in that country. As such, they have immense resources to use against weaker souls like our politicians and chiefs who are ready to hire themselves out to those with deep pockets.

This is not the way to run countries. And we urge the Zambian people to resist, oppose and denounce Katumbi’s interference in the affairs of this country. He made a fortune out of this country during the corrupt regime of Chiluba and he has gotten away with it.

....

Let it end there. Let him relate to this country with the restraint and the dignity expected of a government official of a friendly neighbouring country. It cannot be denied that the lives of the Zambian and Congolese people cannot be separated because they are bound by history.

We are linked by nature and we should be proud of each other by choice. But none of us should have the arrogance, including of money, to dictate to each other how each other’s country should be governed and who should govern it.

The Zambian people know Katumbi very well; they know who he is. But today this same Katumbi they know is governor of Katanga and whether they like it or not they have to accept that decision of their Congolese brothers and sisters. And it ends there. No Zambian has the right to go and interfere with that decision of the Congolese people, of the Katangese.

There are many things we don’t like about the way that country is governed. That is a country where the government is not in total control of every part of the country and its resources.

It is a country that is still being plundered by all sorts of mercenaries, crooks. Corruption reigns supreme in that country. Those in control of that country’s resources and money also set the political agenda and determine who should govern them and how he should govern.

We don’t want that to be exported to our country because for all our problems, we are far much better organised politically and otherwise than these brothers and sisters of ours. They actually need our help and inspiration in this regard.

If we allow characters like Katumbi to export the weaknesses of that country to Zambia where will the Congolese people turn to for help, for inspiration in their quest to good governance and in their efforts to develop their country to the benefit of all their people – not only Katumbi and a small clique that is today enriching itself from the resources of that disorganised country?

There is so much desperation for money. And this is leading to serious corruption, loss of integrity and abandonment of principles. The purpose of all this corrupt behaviour seems to be the sustenance of their hold on power – power preservation purposes.

And that’s why even here at home they are busy abusing their hold on power to extract from the private sector, from government revenues, and from the economy at large. They are busy embezzling public funds, rent-seeking, plundering.

They have no shame to embrace people who have stolen public funds in the hope that they will share with them the loot and the power that accompanies money.

Theirs are politics of favouritism and patronage; politically motivated distribution of financial and material inducement, benefits, advantages and spoils. Everywhere they are trying to use money to build political loyalty and support.

By giving preferences to companies controlled by people who are willing to put themselves at their service, they can get party and campaign funds. And by paying off governmental institutions of checks and control they can stop investigations, prosecutions of their allies and gain judicial impunity.

Furthermore, by buying loyal decisions from many institutions and tribunals and by buying votes they can secure their re-election. This abuse of public authority and power for private benefit needs to be stopped.

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Envoy urges Zambians to emulate Nigerians’ business attitude

Envoy urges Zambians to emulate Nigerians’ business attitude
By Mutale Kapekele
Fri 19 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

NIGERIAN High Commissioner to Zambia Marcus Folake-Bello has said Zambians should emulate Nigerians’ aggressive business nature for the country to grow its Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) into big corporations.

In an interview on Tuesday night, High Commissioner Folake-Bello said Nigerian businessmen were also learning from Zambia’s organised way of doing business.

“As a country Nigeria, we have learnt a lot from you Zambia because the government has managed to organise the way business is conducted, that is a big plus,” High Commissioner Folake-Bello said.

“Zambia can also learn from our business aggressiveness. That is what has made small businesses in Nigeria become big corporations. That is why there is a saying that if you get into a country and there is no Nigerian, leave!”

She said it was time for African countries to lean on each other and develop the continent further.

“There is this negative perception about Nigerians because where you see one Nigerian, you will think there are four because of the larger than life appeal that we have,” she said.

“We hope that negative perceptions about our country will end because now is the time that all Africans should lean on each other to grow and develop our continent economically.”

High Commissioner Folake-Bello said she was glad that Nigerian companies, like Access Bank that invested in Zambia were expanding and recording huge profits.

“I am so proud that Access Bank has grown because there was lots of speculation about the bank before it came,” she said.

“Nigerian banks are setting up new pace in the banking sector in Africa. And it’s not just them, Nigerians that have invested here are doing fine. And don’t think it’s easy to do that. It’s not easy to get here, there are a lot of immigration issues and many other things that have to happen before you set up a business.”

She said Nigerians were attracted to Zambia by the peace that country was enjoying.

“Zambia has an attraction of peace,” said High Commissioner Folake-Bello. “It is actually unfair that some people think this country has weak investment laws. We respect this country and there is nothing weak about Zambia.”

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I feel like a child, says Rupiah as he celebrates 73rd birthday

I feel like a child, says Rupiah as he celebrates 73rd birthday
By Patson Chilemba and Moses Kuwema
Sat 20 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

President Banda having a piece of cake as Hotel InterContinental general manager Andrew Hosking looks on during his 73rd birthday celebrations organised by State House staff in Lusaka yesterday - Picture by Thomas Nsama

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday said he feels like a child after turning 73. And President Banda received credentials from new Egyptian Ambassador-designate to
Zambia Salah El-Sadek and new Democratic Republic of Congo Ambassador Kaseba Makunko.

During a short birthday celebration organised for him by State House staff, President Banda expressed excitement after turning 73.

"I am surprised that such a big thing can be organised and I don't know about it. All these people knew...meaning that I don't know everything,” President Banda said. “But that made it into a really pleasant surprise. I know you think 'he is 73 years old, he doesn't get excited'. I feel like a child. I am really excited to see so many people, all of them to come and wish me a happy birthday on this my 73rd birthday."

President Banda said without the staff, even the few achievements the country had made could not have been achieved.

"I am successful because of every Zambian who has stood side by side with each other to support the efforts that we are trying to make as a government. It is a very difficult period we are going through, but it looks like God is showing us the way," President Banda said. "Our economy has come back on path, we have good rains outside and from the estimates that I am getting, we may have very good crops ahead of us. And we have peace out there."

President Banda promised to continue doing his best to improve the nation.
"Let us continue to work together all of us, continue to bring cakes, thank you," he said.
The President was presented with a birthday cake by the State House staff.

And receiving credentials from Ambassador Makunko, President Banda said relations between Zambia and DR Congo had a long history and remained warm and cordial. He said under the framework of the Joint Permanent Commission of Co-operation (JPC), established in 1982, the cooperation between the two countries was reflected in various sectors including trade and industry, finance, transport, communication, energy, immigration and border security.

President Banda said DRC was a very important member of the international community as well as the African community and that the developments in that country had a direct bearing globally and regionally.

President Banda commended the government and people of DRC for working towards consolidating peace, stability and national development, particularly in Eastern Congo and the great lakes region.

He said as current chairman of the International Conference on the Great Lakes region, he pledged to support the promotion of peace, security, good governance and the observance of human rights in the region.

President Banda applauded the new relations, which had been fostered between the DRC and Rwanda.
Ambassador Makunko hailed the constant position of DRC as second economic partner to Zambia in Africa and fourth in the world, specifically in as far as exportation was concerned.

He said similar efforts on the fight against corruption were being undertaken by the Congolese government. Ambassador Makunko said this had resulted in the restoration of donor trust.

And receiving credentials from Ambassador El-Sadek, President Banda congratulated Egypt for the historic victory during the just-ended Africa Cup of Nations.

He also acknowledged the technical assistance Egypt provided especially in the education and heath sectors.

President Banda welcomed the growing Egyptian investment in Zambia and that trade between the two countries had increased in the last few years.

Ambassador El-Sadek said it was time for Africa to play its critical role in the historic process by modernising its stand economically and politically.

He said by the united and coordinated efforts of Zambia and Egypt, the aims and objectives of COMESA could become a reality to obtain a sustainable growth and development of the member states in order to enhance economic growth in the region, and to maintain common positions in the international fora.

Ambassador El-Sadek said Egypt's vast experience in numerous areas could be of importance to Zambia's development.

And on Thursday, President Banda said he was an old orphan and this was painful to him.
During the luncheon hosted for M-Net Face of Africa winner Lukundo Nalungwe at State House, President Banda said it was still painful to be an orphan even at his age.

“When I looked at you Lukundo and asked 'is your mother here?' You said 'no my mother is not here'. I said 'where is your father?' And you said 'they both passed away…' So she is an orphan like me except I am an old orphan,” President Banda said. “She is a young orphan but still very painful and please remember you have got your family, your sisters and other members of the family and you are carrying their name and their reputation.”

President Banda also said he just realised that first lady Thandiwe and Lukundo were from the same village.

“I just want to say I found out today that my wife and the young lady Lukundo come from the same place so those of you who are looking for wives, perhaps that's where you should check from…there are some beautiful women there,” he said.

“I think what we have seen today that one of our own children could stand up before the whole of Africa, and you know Africa has very beautiful women everywhere, but the judges… independent judges gave it to Zambia. I have no doubt chatting with her and listening to her as we sat this afternoon that she will go a long way…she is indeed beautiful, not just by looks,” he said.

President Banda advised Lukundo to take time and seek advice on how she would invest her prize money.

“We are going to take your number, my wife will keep your number, get my wife's number. Wherever you are, if you have a problem… you are a VIP in Zambia just call us and we shall see what help we can give you.”

At the same function, Thandiwe hoped Lukundo would be able to serve as a true Zambian and African ambassador who would be expected to inspire other Africans, especially young women, to aspire for higher goals using the 'never say die spirit'.

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ZNFU resists proposed land rates

ZNFU resists proposed land rates
By Florence Bupe
Sat 20 Feb. 2010, 03:04 CAT

THE Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has resisted the proposal by the Ministry of Lands to increase ground rates.

Appearing before the parliamentary committee on agriculture and lands on Thursday, ZNFU president Jervis Zimba said the proposed increments, which are as high as 80 per cent, were unjustified and should not be allowed.

“Ground rates have gone up by about 80 per cent. For instance, one would pay K2 million for 250 hectares of land, but the rate has now gone up to K11 million for the same piece of land,” Zimba said.

He said the decision by the land ministry would disadvantage many small scale farmers as the cost of production would increase drastically.

Zimba disclosed that the union was currently engaged in discussions with ministry officials with the aim of reducing the rates payable on land.

“Many farmers will be discouraged by the high cost of production brought about by the increase in rates, and this will have a spiral effect on the production levels,” Zimba said. “Most farmers will give up and the pressure to go into communal land will be high.”

And ZNFU head of outreach, member services and administration Coillard Hamusimbi warned that land encroachments would persist as long as the government did not release part of the state owned land into customary tenure.

He observed that part of the land that had remained reserved would be more productive if used for farming activities.

“As a country, we have about 94 per cent of land under customary law, but 39 per cent of this land is under reserves,” Hamusimbi said. “The population is growing but we don’t have additional land being released for settlement. Some of the reserved land has been idle for too long, we could use this land for agricultural purposes.”

Hamusimbi also called for a land audit to take account of how much land is available and how much of it could be released and customary tenure or leasehold.

Committee chairperson Request Muntanga directed ZNFU to submit a report on the union’s specific land requirements by March 31, 2010 for presentation to Parliament.

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Stop extorting money, Lubinda urges Rupiah

Stop extorting money, Lubinda urges Rupiah
By George Chellah
Sat 20 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) spokesperson Given Lubinda yesterday urged President Rupiah Banda and the MMD to stop extorting money and threatening corporate entities because it's criminal.

Commenting on UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema's recent statement that the Presidency was being used to extort money and threaten corporate entities and individual citizens, Lubinda - who is also Kabwata PF member of parliament - warned that extortion is a criminal offence.

"They must stop extorting money from the corporate world. It is criminal. Extortion is a criminal offence! Time is running out. Next year, these people will not have any fear for MMD because they know that MMD is gone," Lubinda said.

"Let them raise funds the same way that all other parties raise funds. They must not extort from private sector. They must not even dip their fingers in the government treasury. They must for once be clean on their fundraising programmes."

Lubinda said it was not correct to intimidate citizens just in order for the MMD to raise funds.

"It is totally obnoxious. It's unacceptable in a democratic country such as ours, a country that espouses the rule of law. The major change is that this government of Rupiah Banda is a government of Rupiah Banda and not a government of laws.

This country is now being run as though it were animal farm where people in the ruling party think that they own the country and everything else owes it to them. We don't owe anything to Mr Rupiah Banda and MMD," Lubinda said.

"This is a hangover of a one-party state mentality. Rupiah Banda and his arch advisor Mr William Banda, his namesake, are both students of a one-party state and that's what Mr Rupiah Banda wants to introduce where even to go into a council market, to have a stand in a council market you have to produce an MMD card, to jump on a bus you have to produce an MMD card."

Lubinda said the current administration was too desperate.

"Mr Rupiah Banda and his government, because of their desperation for money, they have now gone to an extent where they go to private companies, especially foreign companies and threaten them that they will withdraw this and that incentive, they will draw this and that provision unless they give them money," Lubinda said.

"We know this because some of the people they go to are our sponsors and when we go to them, they tell us. They even show us people who have been there to intimidate them and coerce them. We just have to ask Mr Rupiah Banda to be careful because what goes round, comes around."

Lubinda described the emerging trend as frustrating.

"As a matter of fact, this is coming too late because it is not only now that the Rupiah Banda regime has started coercing the corporate sector, the corporate world, the corporate citizens. It is not only now that they have started intimidating them.

And what is very frustrating is that some of Rupiah Banda's ministers have actually in the recent past used the floor of parliament to intimidate corporate citizens, companies and so on that they think are not supporting them," Lubinda said.

"All the Zambian people have to do is to look at the Hansard and they will see that some ministers have actually named some companies and said that those companies are not performing well. The bottom-line is if a private company is handling its contract in a dubious manner what is expected of a reasonable government is to sue such a company.

"But you just hear some ministers standing up and saying the supplier of this is not performing according to the contract, but they keep quiet. They don't take any action. It amounts to harassment, intimidation and coercion."

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Zukas explains why he rejects NCC’s degree clause

Zukas explains why he rejects NCC’s degree clause
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sat 20 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

Zukas said the 'degree clause' was taking the country back to the Welensky days.
VETERAN politician Simon Zukas has said he rejects the National Constitutional Conference's presidential degree clause because it is targeted against popular PF leader Michael Sata by a government that fears competition.

And UNZA political and administrative studies lecturer Dr Alex Ng'oma has argued that Zambia will not have a constitution that stands the test of time if people continue to look at faces during the formulation process.

During a Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD)/ Press Freedom Committee (PFC) of The Post-organised public discussion on the presidential degree clause in Lusaka last Wednesday, Zukas said the requirement was taking the country back to the Welensky days.

“We need this degree qualification in order to set a target for our youths that are being educated so that they can aspire to get a degree if they want to reach the top post in the land,” Zukas said.

“However, I think that there are…less complicated ways of encouraging children to improve their academic qualifications. From that point of view, I will reject that the condition that candidates for the presidency should have a degree. Well, maybe a degree would be useful, but a degree in what? I think that a degree in integrity, in ethics, in conflict resolution, that might be just useful to have as a qualification for a presidential candidate. I consider just a degree not good enough.”

Zukas said a president with a degree could end up being the most efficient plunderer of national resources. He said Zambia was being thrown back to the Roy Welensky days when the purpose then was to keep people out of the voting system.

“I see history repeating itself in having a clause that is targeted towards an individual, a likely candidate for presidency who has popularity with whom we are afraid to compete,” Zukas said.

He said this was the case with the parentage clause that was included in the 1996 Constitution, whose sole purpose was to keep out Dr Kenneth Kaunda from the election.

“This (presidential degree clause) is being targeted against Mr Michael Sata because of his popularity and because of certain governments fearing competition. So on that ground, I reject it,” Zukas said.

But a policy expert, Dr Weston Mafuleka, said being popular was not akin to suitability for the presidency.

“I am an academician and I will not take part in the rivalry between and among people that are fighting for power,” Dr Mafuleka said. “My views are based on what I think is best for the country.”

Dr Mafuleka said he supported the presidential degree requirement because a president was supposed to be a fulcrum.

“I think the president is a generalist,” Dr Mafuleka said. “He is somebody who is broadly read.”

Dr Mafuleka said Zambia had undergone qualitative change in terms of knowledge and skills in the 46 years of independence. He urged Zambians to utilise the human resource that had been churned out from public universities that were started by the founding fathers who never went far in their education.

“They have done that job and let them also allow their children that they have prepared to get into those functions,” Dr Mafuleka said. “Think of a president as a chief diplomat even without delegating the functions. If he is insufficiently enlightened, he will be outwitted by his opposing interlocutors.”

Dr Mafuleka said a first degree was part of capacity building for a future president of Zambia.

“He is the only one who claims the whole country as his constituency,” he said.

Dr Mafuleka said concerns that the degree clause was discriminatory could not stand because all forms of democracy were discriminatory.

In his presentation, Mung'omba CRC commissioner, William Harrington said he does not subscribe to the notion that anybody with a degree could make a good president.

“The clause is not necessary and it is a cause of conflict and it is discriminatory,” Harrington said. “Not everybody is going to attain a university degree because of the circumstances but age is a natural phenomenon.”

He said it was assumptive that everybody with a degree could know everything.
“Zambia's education system is not developed enough to warrant such a clause,” Harrington said.

He said the degree clause was yet again a betrayal of the desires and aspirations of Zambians.
And Dr Ng'oma said the problem with the current constitutional process was that it did not have the interest of all Zambians at heart.

“What I see in our country is a situation whereby if I do not like you, I will look for something to throw at you,” Dr Ng'oma said.

“It is a big mistake in my view to entrench in the constitution that a presidential hopeful must be a holder of a first degree.”

He said it would be unfair and unwise to accommodate such a clause in the constitution.

“We actually look at faces. If it is a person you hate, we quickly come up with something that will stop that person to get involved in active politics,” said Dr Ng'oma.

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ZNFU resists proposed land rates

ZNFU resists proposed land rates
By Florence Bupe
Sat 20 Feb. 2010, 03:04 CAT

THE Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has resisted the proposal by the Ministry of Lands to increase ground rates.

Appearing before the parliamentary committee on agriculture and lands on Thursday, ZNFU president Jervis Zimba said the proposed increments, which are as high as 80 per cent, were unjustified and should not be allowed.

“Ground rates have gone up by about 80 per cent. For instance, one would pay K2 million for 250 hectares of land, but the rate has now gone up to K11 million for the same piece of land,” Zimba said.

He said the decision by the land ministry would disadvantage many small scale farmers as the cost of production would increase drastically.

Zimba disclosed that the union was currently engaged in discussions with ministry officials with the aim of reducing the rates payable on land.

“Many farmers will be discouraged by the high cost of production brought about by the increase in rates, and this will have a spiral effect on the production levels,” Zimba said. “Most farmers will give up and the pressure to go into communal land will be high.”

And ZNFU head of outreach, member services and administration Coillard Hamusimbi warned that land encroachments would persist as long as the government did not release part of the state owned land into customary tenure.

He observed that part of the land that had remained reserved would be more productive if used for farming activities.

“As a country, we have about 94 per cent of land under customary law, but 39 per cent of this land is under reserves,” Hamusimbi said. “The population is growing but we don’t have additional land being released for settlement. Some of the reserved land has been idle for too long, we could use this land for agricultural purposes.”

Hamusimbi also called for a land audit to take account of how much land is available and how much of it could be released and customary tenure or leasehold.

Committee chairperson Request Muntanga directed ZNFU to submit a report on the union’s specific land requirements by March 31, 2010 for presentation to Parliament.

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Corruption won’t be addressed through mere political pronouncements – TIZ

Corruption won’t be addressed through mere political pronouncements – TIZ
By Moses Kuwema
Sat 20 Feb. 2010, 03:00 CAT

TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) chapter president Reuben Lifuka has observed that government leaders have become conditioned to the sad state of affairs depicted in the Auditor General's report and are not moved to do anything meaningful.

In a press statement, Lifuka stated that the financial irregularities highlighted in the 2008 Auditor General's report were a stark reminder of the rather pitiful efforts that the government was making to deal with graft, especially in the public sector.

Lifuka stated that TIZ found the wastefulness and recklessness exhibited by some public officers entrusted with the stewardship of public resources as reported in the audit report to be criminal.

“The 2008 Auditor General's report makes very sad reading for a developing country like Zambia which is heavily dependant on Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and Foreign Direct Investments for its economic development,” Lifuka stated.

“The revelations are not only shocking but a demonstration of a serious lack of sensitivity on the part of some public officers to plight of the majority poor and vulnerable people.”

Lufuka stated that the report cast doubts on the suitability of some controlling officers who seemingly had failed to deal with the malaise and general anarchy in their respective ministries or spending agencies.

“What we fail to reconcile is the fact that some controlling officers or permanent secretaries whose performance is dismal, continue in office or are simply moved to another ministry by the appointing authority. This does not send the right signals that government is anxious to rid the public sector of corruption,” Lifuka stated.

He stated that the revelations in the report should serve as impetus for President Rupiah Banda and his administration to get serious with the fight against corruption.

“It is disturbing to note that tax arrears have increased by 21 per cent and what makes it worse is that some of the main defaulters are government ministries and agencies.

For instance, the Office of the President in Southern Province, by October 2009 had not remitted tax for payment of monthly salaries. Clearly, if government itself is failing to remit tax, what gives it the moral right to call upon the private sector and others to remit their tax on time?” Lifuka wondered.

Lifuka urged the Minister of Finance, secretary to the treasury as well as the Zambia Revenue Authority to put in place measures to ensure that all taxes that are due from defaulters especially public sector institutions, are paid as soon as possible.

He stated that the trend of public sector workers giving themselves 'interest free loans' through ordinary or special imprest must come to an end.

“It is annoying to note that some national projects have failed to take off due to lack of resources and yet some government officials at various levels are illegally holding on to public money by not retiring in good time,” he said.

“It is a shame that even if these public sector workers pay back, this money will be interest free. We demand that all those that have unretired imprest should immediately pay back and we want to urge controlling officers to follow strictly the financial regulations especially Regulation No 91 which requires that 'no officer shall be issued with subsequent imprest while the earlier one has not been retired,” stated Lifuka.

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Don’t be used by foreigners in accessing CEEC funds - Solwezi DC

Don’t be used by foreigners in accessing CEEC funds - Solwezi DC
By Kabanda Chulu in Solwezi
Sat 20 Feb. 2010, 03:00 CAT

SOLWEZI District commissioner Frobisher Fulayi has warned Zambians not be used as ‘fronts’ by foreigners in accessing funds from the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).

And CEEC director general Mable Mung’omba has advised people accessing the empowerment fund to stay focused since business success does not happen overnight.

During commissioning and monitoring of various projects funded by the CEEC on Thursday, Fulayi said the funds were aimed at reducing poverty levels in the country as well as giving people an opportunity to enhance their livelihoods.

“We challenge people to take advantage of these funds and explore the immense potential which this province has in terms of natural resources and the growth in mining activities is giving an opportunity for other sectors to grow such as supplying goods and also skills training like schools,” Fulayi said.

“CEEC will continue developing various products so that the funds go in the right direction of empowering citizens but we are warning people not to be used as fronts by foreigners to access these funds. We are not against joint ventures but people should be careful to avoid being pushed out after accessing the funds and companies become successful.”

And Mung’omba said sticking to a business plan was important in any business environment.
“Some people are struggling to pay back the loans because they are busy diverting money obtained from CEEC to invest in something they wrongly think that will make quick returns for them to pay back,” Mung’omba said.

“But put money on a project you intend to do and stay focused because business success does not happen overnight and we are advising people to stick to their business plans. For example, others when they hear that it is lucrative to trade in goats in the DR Congo they want to go there.

If they hear that rice business is booming in Angola, they want to get there but businesses should not be run like this since things do not happen this way.”

She commended the proprietors of Hanshel Girls High School which got K617 million and Sunrise Milling which got K243 million, for showing commitment and determination to implement their projects.

“They have showed clear demonstration and commitment and their repayments are on track and we will not have reasons to say no when they ask for more funds to expand since they have shown commitment and we only gave them working capital because they already had established structures,” said Mung’omba.

Out of the K10 billion budgetary allocations to the North Western Province, the CEEC has disbursed about K5 billion to finance 19 projects, which Mung’omba and her team are now monitoring and commissioning.

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Friday, February 19, 2010

(NEWZIMBABWE) Speaker Moyo lavishes praise on 'torchbearer' Mugabe

COMMENT - The MDC at it's most groveling.

Speaker Moyo lavishes praise on 'torchbearer' Mugabe
by Lebo Nkatazo
18/02/2010 00:00:00

LOVEMORE Moyo, the MDC chairman and Speaker of Parliament has lavished praise on President Robert Mugabe ahead of his 86th birthday on Sunday, lauding him for his “illustrious life of dedication and commitment to justice”.

In a joint media statement with the President of the Senate Edna Madzongwe, a member of Mugabe’s Zanu PF party, Moyo said: “The Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon Lovemore Moyo and President of the Senate Hon Edna Madzongwe … would like to congratulate His Excellency President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde RG Mugabe for turning 86 years.

“Revered by friends and foe alike, you are well known for your unwavering principles and fierce commitment to redressing colonial injustices.

“The consolidation of the gains of the revolution requires that we leave no room for complacency and that we emulate your illustrious life of dedication and commitment to justice.”

The statement further described Mugabe as “a torchbearer of African self determination, an embodiment of black empowerment and an icon for the emancipation of the majority”.

Mugabe is regularly lavished with praise on his birthday which is celebrated under the banner of the 21st February Movement, but rarely by politicians outside his own party.

Moyo’s fulsome praise will be seen in the context of trying to ease political tensions which led Mugabe and MDC leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara to form a coalition government following disputed elections a year ago.

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Action on behalf of justice

Action on behalf of justice
By The Post
Fri 19 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

THE concerns and observations made by Islamic religious leaders in Kitwe this week deserve deep meditation.

Islamic Council of Zambia chief priest Sheikh Issa Bonomali raised concern that our leaders are not doing anything for the poor Zambians. He said there was need for Zambians to usher into office in 2011 a leader that is going to deliver development, emphasising:
“ we are saying let’s see a leader who is going to work for the people. We need action, not just talking always. At the moment, our leaders are not there to deliver.

As a clergy, we are closer to the communities because we see how our people are suffering, how they are failing to send their children to school and how they are not having enough to eat. A responsible leadership should take time to solve people’s problems…”

And president general of the global men’s Deenil Haqqi Islamiya, Nasir Mumpansha Kashiba, observes that religious conflicts happening in some parts of the world are a result of bad leadership on the part of religious leaders. He says there is no religion that permits killings and explains: “In Christianity, they say ‘love your neighbour’, and in Islam, we say ‘love and value mankind’.”

As we have stated before, we need religious institutions to continue to be the conscience of society, a moral custodian and a fearless champion of the interest of the weak and downtrodden. Whether you are a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew or a Hindu, religion is a great force and it can help one have command of one’s morality, one’s own behaviour and one’s own attitude.

All religions preach love as their core teaching; yet we find people belonging to different religions fighting against one another. Not only do they fight as individuals but as organised groups as well, and that in the name of religion!

We also find people who are apparently very religious and faithful to their religious practices and at the same time, very selfish and difficult to live with. We find among them those who don’t have any qualms of conscience about their selfish behaviours like taking bribes, cheating in business and politics, being corrupt, intolerant and vengeful, and so on and so forth. These people may even go to church, temple or mosque on their way to do evil. We find this phenomenon all over the world and down the centuries.

When religion degenerates into religiosity either at the individual or the organisational level, religious practices and structures tend to replace religious values. Religion, then, instead of becoming a liberative force, becomes a means of exploitation, abuse and degradation, or as Karl Marx would say, opium, both of individuals and of religious groups.

There is need for us to focus on the core values that are the common heritage of all religions. These values, according to Spiritual Masters, are Love, Wisdom and Inner Freedom. We need to go back to the core values of which the rituals and practices are to be but the external expressions. The rituals and practices have validity only insofar as they help the followers of any religion to imbibe and put into practice these values.

Why is it that religion that is supposed to preach justice, peace and brotherhood becomes a source of injustice, hatred and violence? To understand this paradox we need to make a distinction between spirituality and religiosity. Spirituality is a vision of life with a system of values, ideas and goals that orient and guide one’s life. It is the result of an experience of God, of the human and of the world. Founders of all major religions had such an experience. Religiosity, on the other hand, is excessive adherence to the external practices of religion.

The spiritual experience is basically the same for all, since it is the experience of the same God, of the same human and of the same world. God being by nature unknowable, each one’s experience of God will emphasise one or other aspect of Godhead, depending on the cultural, geographic and socio-economic situations in which one lives.

In Christ we see the mercy of God highlighted; in Prophet Mohamed we hear the call for social justice for the children of God; and in the Rishis of India we see the imminent presence of God in all beings. All these experiences are mutually complimentary and interrelated, being experiences of the same Godhead. Yet, what has just been said does not in any way deny the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.

The basic experience of all spiritual leaders being the same, the core teaching of all of them would also be the same. As the Vatican II puts it: “God the Father is the origin and purpose of all men. We are all called to be brothers. Therefore…we can and we should work together without violence and deceit in order to build up the world in genuine peace.”

Hence, Jesus Christ would teach: “as you wish what men would do to you, do so to them”; Prophet Mohamed: “Until you desire for others what you will desire for yourself, you will not become true believers”; and the Rishis: “One who sees everything in himself and himself in everything, does not hate anything or anyone.”

The original experience of the spiritual master cannot be transmitted as such to the disciples, since this experience is a very personal one. It is through religion that spiritual experiences are transmitted to others. Religion is the expression in symbols of this experience in time and space. The symbols will necessarily be different, depending on the culture and social setup in which the Master lived.

Thus Jesus Christ, in order to emphasise the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man chose the symbol of the Eucharist with bread and wine to represent His body and blood. This symbolism is based on the Jewish culture and social setup of which He and His disciples were heirs.

He would have chosen different symbols to express His God experience if He had been born in a different culture. Religious symbols are meant to reveal the Master’s spiritual experience. Yet, because they are symbols, followers of a different period and culture could very well miss their original meaning.

It is actually in the four areas of creed, code, cult and community that the original experience of the Master takes shape in religion, through symbols. Thus, Christians have their creed, commandments of the Church, liturgy and organisational structure.

The role of the priests of each religion is to protect this structure with its beliefs, norms, cults and social setup as a means to hold the believers together and help them participate in the spiritual experience of the Master. Unfortunately what often happens is that the priestly class grows stronger and stronger.

The temple becomes the centre of religious life, making external rituals all-important. Slowly the original spiritual experience and its values are either lost or pushed to the background. Thus, Christians may fight over the details of Eucharistic celebration, forgetting that Christ chose the symbol of Eucharist to tell His disciples that they are not to fight but to live in peace and harmony.

Unfortunately a particular symbol, for example the mosque or the temple, has become more important than the core message.

So what happens is that the priests in their over-eagerness to preserve the identity of the religious group, gradually forget the original experience of the Master and give more importance to the external symbols. Then preservation of the religious group and the symbols that bind it together become almost the only goal! That benefits the priestly class, for the more the people are tied down to symbols and rituals, the more will the priests be in demand.

There are other reasons why religiosity tends to replace true religion. It is far easier to observe some external practices, even harsh ones, than to follow in one’s daily life the values of religion like love, compassion, forgiveness and so on and so forth.

A third reason could be that religious practices are within our control but not grace. Human beings are crippled to a lesser or greater degree, by the fear of the evil spirits, of the future, of death and of life, life after death. So they want to hold on to something tangible that would, as it were, free them from the powers of evil and make their salvation assured.

External religious practices appear to do that, or at least are the nearest one can come up with. This type of religiosity is magic or superstition. Grace is a free gift and there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that human beings can do that would guarantee grace.

Now we can understand why the prophets of the Old Testament condemned vehemently the elaborate sacrifices people were offering to God through the priests. People, and more so priests, had forgotten to live the spiritual values these sacrifices represented.

Such a religion and such sacrifices had, indeed become the opium of the people: “What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet clams from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me” (Jeremiah 6:20); “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6);

“I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.

Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:21-24).

Sacrifices which were to represent the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of all people had become mainly a means of money-making for priests, and for people, and escape from the guilt of their unloving lives. The temple and the sacrifices had thus become a means of exploitation and enslavement rather than of liberation and brotherhood.

When creed became more important than universal brotherhood, Inquisition was the result. When a particular community became more important than the spirit, Crusades, slave trade and right to the possession of a country through conquest were justified. It is said that

“he who loves Christianity more than Christ will go on to love his denomination more than Christianity. And he who loves his denomination more than Christianity will go on to love himself more than his denomination”. Translated into categories applicable to all religions, it would read as follows: “He who loves his religion more than his God, will go on to love himself more than his religion.

” And we can be sure of this: “He who loves himself more than his God will commit any crime – but all in the name of religion.” One is reminded of what Mahatma Gandhi said of a certain religious fanatic: “The religion of Mohasi is to commit in the name of religion what is forbidden by religion.”

Indeed, once the moral values have been set aside, there is no limit to which one will not go to obtain one’s selfish ends. Dishonesty and duplicity gain respectability for they are committed in the name of religion. For the new rule will be that “The end justifies the means”.

There is always an axe to grind in following this principle. One can get so blinded by selfish motives, but one can be completely ignorant of the motives of one’s own actions.

The only and necessary test to determine if a belief or an act is truly religious is simply to ask the question: “Does it foster the integral growth of all concerned and promote brotherhood among people?” Any belief or religious act that contradicts this universal value is wrong even if one can find justification for it even in the scriptures.

There is a story of a proposal being made at the United Nations that the scriptures of every religion be revised: everything in them that leads to intolerance or cruelty should be deleted; everything that damages human dignity should be destroyed.

When it was discovered that it was Jesus Christ who made the proposal, people asked for His explanation. He said: “The scriptures, like the Sabbath, are for the good of human beings and not human beings for the scriptures.” The founders of every religion would surely echo these sentiments.

Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constituent dimension of preaching the gospel. Religious practices and beliefs, properly understood and practiced, can lead one to genuine spirituality. In fact, these are the normal means that lead ordinary people to genuine spirituality.

Clearly, new ideas to prepare the people for the future are needed. Beginning today, we must start building awareness – a new awareness. It is not that the world lacks awareness today; but such a new and complex era as this one requires principles more than ever.

It requires a lot more awareness, and that awareness will be built, by adding together, the awareness of what is happening and the awareness of what is going to happen.

It has to be built by adding together more than just one outlook or thought and the best ethical and humane ideas or more than one religion, of all authentic religions – we are not thinking of sects, which of course are created for political ends and for the purpose of creating confusion and division – the sum total of the preaching of many political thinkers, of many schools and of many religions.

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Islamic leader accuses leaders of not doing anything for the poor

Islamic leader accuses leaders of not doing anything for the poor
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Fri 19 Feb. 2010, 03:40 CAT

Islamic Council of Zambia chief priest Sheikh Issa Bonomali has observed that leaders are not doing anything for the poor Zambians.

And president general of the Global Men's Deenil Haqqi Islamiya, Nasir Mumpansha Kashiba observed that religious conflicts happening in some parts of the world were as a result of bad leadership on the part of religious leaders.

In an interview after he officiated at an inter-faith leadership skills training workshop at Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation (MEF) in Kitwe on Wednesday, Bonomali said there was need for Zambians, in 2011, to usher into office a leader that was going to deliver development.

Bonomali said people were tired of listening to their leaders exchanging words and insulting each other at the expense of helping the poor. He advised leaders against pulling each other down.

“We are saying 'let's see a leader who is going to work for the people'. We need action and not just talking always,” Bonomali said.

“At the moment, our leaders are not there to deliver. They spend so much time talking. If President Rupiah Banda has not done well, it is our responsibility as clergy to advise him, but we should not insult him.”

Bonomali said a good leader was one that must expect to be led.

“He should take advice from the people. That is what leadership is, it is not all the time that people should listen to you, you should also listen to them,” he said.

Bonomali further said that fights amongst leaders in the country were not helping communities in any way.

“When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. As clergy, we are closer to the communities because we see how our people are suffering, how they are failing to send their children to school and how they are not having enough to eat,” said Bonomali. “A responsible leadership should take time to solve people's problems instead of exchanging words.”

Bonomali also advised President Banda against responding to every form of criticism but instead focus more on developing the country.

And Kashiba said there was a rise in religious conflicts globally because of a weakness in leadership.
Kashiba said the objective of the workshop was also meant to erase the notion that Islam was a religion that condoned violence.

“There is no religion that permits killings. In Christianity, they say love your neighbour and in Islam we say love and value mankind,” said Kashiba.

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UNZA students mob Sata, force him to address them

UNZA students mob Sata, force him to address them
By Thomas Nsama
Fri 19 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

Sata challenged the MMD government to improve infrastructure at the University of Zambia (UNZA) if they wanted him to obtain a degree from there

SCORES of UNZA students on Wednesday mobbed PF leader Michael Sata after he appeared on a UNZA Radio programme, demanding that he addresses them. And Sata challenged the MMD government to improve infrastructure at the University of Zambia (UNZA) if they wanted him to obtain a degree from there.

As Sata was leaving soon after he finished speaking on UNZA Radio, he found scores of students waiting for him outside the building. The students demanded that Sata goes to the “Monk Square” where their friends had gathered, waiting to be addressed by him.

Sata accepted the students' request and jumped onto a light truck and proceeded to the ‘Monk Square’. When students saw Sata, they shouted the PF slogan, "Pa bwato, pabwato!" - Others shouted, "boma, boma". Sata inspected some rooms at the institution before addressing the students.

Sata told students there was so much talk by the MMD government that he should obtain his degree from the University of Zambia for him to stand as president.

"I am ready to come and obtain a degree at this university, but I would like to urge the MMD government to improve the infrastructure, " Sata said. "How does the MMD government expect our children and leaders to obtain their degrees in a dilapidated university?"

Sata expressed displeasure with the way the government has neglected the university.
"Thank you for allowing me to see some of your rooms and I have seen for myself how you are living at this institution," Sata said. "This university has been neglected by the MMD government and yet its ministers, government officials and the former president graduated from the same university."

Sata said 2011 was the opportunity for Zambians to govern themselves through the PF-UPND Pact.

"All of you register as voters in order to vote yourselves because when you vote for the PF-UPND Pact, you will be voting to govern yourselves, " said Sata.

After addressing the students, Sata quickly jumped into Munali PF member of parliament Mumbi Phiri's Spacio car and left the campus as several students followed behind.

Sata was accompanied by Phiri, Chimwemwe member of parliament Willie Nsanda, and Kanyama member of parliament Col Gerry Chanda.

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MMD’s corruption is scaring away genuine investors – HH

MMD’s corruption is scaring away genuine investors – HH
By George Chellah
Fri 19 Feb. 2010, 04:01 CAT

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema yesterday said corruption by the MMD and the ruling clique is beginning to scare away genuine investors. And Hichilema noted that the Presidency is being used to extort money and threaten corporate entities and individual citizens. In an interview, Hichilema said the MMD corruption is becoming intolerable.

"They are even creating an environment where serious investors will think twice before they come to this country because in addition to the cost of investing, they have to consider looking for money to pay bribes to MMD leaders," Hichilema said.

"It is actually beginning to scare genuine investors. In their desperation to raise money for the next elections and the campaigns that they basically plan to launch or continue, they have started extorting money from companies, business houses and individuals."

Hichilema said corporate entities and individuals were being threatened to fund the ruling party.

"They will go to an individual or company and threaten that company or individual that 'you, you are a supporter of Hakainde or Sata. We have a file on you'. Now in the process of doing that, obviously they want to tempt this company to seek their protection by paying them money," Hichilema said.

"I call this old style extortion, this is dictatorial behaviour, the behaviour of people who are schooled in the one-party state dictatorship. We are aware that of late they have even gone to companies where actually they threaten companies that 'unless you give us money for the campaigns, we are the ruling party we will withdraw your license', for businesses that operate on licenses.

"They threaten individuals that have foreign workers with work permits that they will deport the workers. This is thuggery of the highest order. This is uncouth.

This is the worst you can ever have from a ruling clique in the MMD. With the knowledge of the President, I say what I say, when the President reads this article he will know that Hakainde knows what he is talking about."

Hichilema described this behaviour as unprofessional.

"It is not correct, it's unprofessional. It's unpresidential to threaten citizens whether they are corporate entities or individual citizens with extortion. They are even beginning to create fictitious crimes around certain companies, trying to raid these companies on falsehoods,” Hichilema said.

“What they are looking for is to shake those companies and then the natural reaction of those companies is to say 'what are we going to do, the state is working against us?' And in the process they extort billions of kwacha. How can the Presidency be used to extort money from humble corporate citizens and individual citizens?

How can somebody use the presidency to threaten people? People have human rights, they have freedoms and the state now under the MMD, instead of protecting companies and protecting citizens, they are using the state machinery to seek bribes."

Hichilema urged Zambians to defend themselves.

"And the best form of defence is to vote out the MMD. MMD knows, they know. I know what I am talking about. They know that.

They are even victimising fellow Zambians as long as they are not contributing money to the MMD. As long as they are not behaving like MMD cadres, they are going out there to threaten citizens," Hichilema said. "Now who is going to protect citizens if the ruling clique is threatening its own people? This is unacceptable. I am asking the people of Zambia to open their eyes and ears. They have a dictatorship in the offing."

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Met dept predicts increased rainfall

Met dept predicts increased rainfall
By Florence Bupe
Fri 19 Feb. 2010, 04:02 CAT

THE Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) has projected increased rainfall over some parts of the country in the next one week. ZMD acting director Jacob Nkomoki stated that Lusaka, Central, Copperbelt and North Western provinces were likely to experience heavy rains during the period in question.

“During the week from February 17, 2010, there is a likelihood of rain occurring over much of Zambia, including the southern districts of Eastern Province.

This is because of the relatively moist winds from the northwest, coupled with a low pressure centre which is likely to cover much of the western half of Zambia,” he explained.

Nkomoki stated that the heavy rainfall pattern was later expected to spread and affect Western and Southern provinces by the weekend, and continue into the next week.

Some parts of the country, including Lusaka, have over the last few weeks been hit by heavy rains, which have resulted in floods.

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Mugabe defends new indegenisation law

Mugabe defends new indegenisation law
By Kingsley Kaswende in Harare, Zimbabwe
Thu 18 Feb. 2010, 18:10 CAT

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has defended the new indigenisation law that requires foreign-owned firms to cede 51 per cent shareholding to native Zimbabweans.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai last week dismissed as null and void the regulations of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act gazetted last month, which require all foreign-owned companies with assets above US $500,000 to surrender 51 per cent equity to black Zimbabweans.

President Mugabe, however, told journalists on Wednesday afternoon that only “stupid” people would consider the new law counterproductive.

“Forty-nine per cent is a hell lot of equity. Only stupid ones would consider that it scares away investment,” President Mugabe said in response to a journalist’s question regarding concerns that the law was scaring away the much-needed investment.

The law, which will become effective on March 1, was mulled by the ZANU-PF government two years ago and has faced resistance from the MDC section of the inclusive government.

The two parties to the inclusive government have failed to speak with one voice on the law since it was gazetted in January.

MDC has since called for the law to be withdrawn and refined, as it was allegedly passed without consultation with Cabinet.

“The MDC dismisses the clandestine and nicodemous gazetting of regulations calling for all foreign investors to cede 51 percent of their investment to ‘indigenous people,’” An MDC statement read in part.

“Youth and Empowerment minister Saviour Kasukuwere... has decided to rail-road controversial, anti-investment regulations without the knowledge of Cabinet and the head of government, the Prime Minister. It is simply a unilateral ZANU-PF Bill which has failed to meet not only the basic components of procedure, but has far reaching negative and dire consequences on the much-needed investment in Zimbabwe.”

According to regulations published by the government, companies would be given a grace period of 45 days to submit plans of how they intend to surrender the 51 per cent shares.

Companies will also be required to complete and submit to the government a form that gives the names, nationality and identity details of their shareholders, and whether they are “indigenous” or “non-indigenous” Zimbabweans.

Directors of companies that fail to meet this requirement will face a possible jail term of up to five years, the notice states.

The same penalty awaits whites who use black employees as fronts, according to the law. The country's minister of indigenisation will keep a list of “suitable candidates”, to whom shares can be ceded.

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Thursday, February 18, 2010

(NEWZIMBABWE) Zimbabwe to get back IMF voting rights

Zimbabwe to get back IMF voting rights
by
18/02/2010 00:00:00

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) board meets on Friday at which meeting Zimbabwe is set to have its voting rights restored. Britain and America have said they support the move – a giant step in Zimbabwe bid to repair its battered international image.

And in a statement on Thursday, the IMF said: “Restoring Zimbabwe’s voting rights would be recognition by the international community of policies being implemented by the country's new unity government led by President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.”

Zimbabwe’s voting rights were suspended by the IMF in 2003 over policy differences and the country’s failure to meet its repayments.

IMF spokesman David Hawley said reinstating Zimbabwe's voting rights would however not give the government automatic access to IMF financing.

"Access to general resources would depend on Zimbabwe clearing its arrears to the (IMF's) Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust," Hawley added. The PRGT is the IMF's low-cost lending arm for its poorer borrowers.

Zimbabwe's arrears to the PRGT amount to about $140 million at the end of 2009. The government has tried to pay down its arrears through quarterly payments of around $100,000 since May 2009.

Since the creation of the unity government a year ago, Zimbabwe's economy has slowly started to show signs of recovering, with gross domestic product growth at a better-than-expected 4.7 percent in 2009.

In an interview on Feb. 3, Zimbabwe's Finance Minister Tendai Biti told Reuters the United States, Britain and Germany -- three of the IMF's most influential members -- indicated they would support restoration of voting rights.

Samuel Itam, who represents a constituency of African countries at the IMF board, including Zimbabwe, told Reuters he was "cautiously optimistic" about Zimbabwe's request.

He said Zimbabwe should be given the needed support from the international community for progress so far in addressing its economic problems.

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(NEWZIMBABWE) Mutambara: PM must zip it on indigenisation

Mutambara: PM must zip it on indigenisation
by
18/02/2010 00:00:00

THE Zimbabwe government has taken steps to end the confusion over its indigenisation laws by centralising communication over the policy, the Deputy Prime Minister said last night.

Arthur Mutambara said a Council of Ministers meeting last Thursday resolved to defer all communication to Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere – a key proponent of the rules which will force foreign-owned companies to cede majority shareholding to “indigenous Zimbabweans”.

“No one else, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister or Ministers, no one else is mandated to speak on this matter as per our council decision,” Mutambara told SW Radio Africa on Thursday.

Last week, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said the regulations were “counter-productive”, insisting that the policy – based on a 2008 law – was engineered by President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party without input from the two MDC parties.

In a direct response to Tsvangirai’s stance, Mutambara said: “Any communications from anyone after Thursday last week you must disregard.

“The only person speaking on behalf of the government of Zimbabwe in terms of this matter of indigenisation is Minister Kasukuwere.

“Disregard the comments from the Prime Minister’s Question Time (newsletter), disregard that.”

Mutambara said ministers had resolved to “internally channel” their “comments and suggestions” on the legislation to Kasukuwere. The minister will also take submissions from the private sector, Mutambara added.

“We shall be able to come up with a harmonised position to be communicated by the minister and no-one else,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

On Wednesday, President Robert Mugabe showed the widening gulf between him and Tsvangirai over the policy when he declared that investors opposed to the law were “foolish”.

"Forty nine percent (foreign shareholding), it's a hell lot of equity ... wise ones will take it up," Mugabe said.

But the government’s apparent willingness to keep the door ajar to critics of the legislation will warm apprehensive foreign investors, particularly in mining and banking, who could soon be forced to give up 51 percent shareholding to locals.

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(NEWZIMBABWE) Zimbabwe to get back IMF voting rights

Zimbabwe to get back IMF voting rights
by
18/02/2010 00:00:00

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) board meets on Friday at which meeting Zimbabwe is set to have its voting rights restored. Britain and America have said they support the move – a giant step in Zimbabwe bid to repair its battered international image.

And in a statement on Thursday, the IMF said: “Restoring Zimbabwe’s voting rights would be recognition by the international community of policies being implemented by the country's new unity government led by President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.”

Zimbabwe’s voting rights were suspended by the IMF in 2003 over policy differences and the country’s failure to meet its repayments.

IMF spokesman David Hawley said reinstating Zimbabwe's voting rights would however not give the government automatic access to IMF financing.

"Access to general resources would depend on Zimbabwe clearing its arrears to the (IMF's) Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust," Hawley added. The PRGT is the IMF's low-cost lending arm for its poorer borrowers.

Zimbabwe's arrears to the PRGT amount to about $140 million at the end of 2009. The government has tried to pay down its arrears through quarterly payments of around $100,000 since May 2009.

Since the creation of the unity government a year ago, Zimbabwe's economy has slowly started to show signs of recovering, with gross domestic product growth at a better-than-expected 4.7 percent in 2009.

In an interview on Feb. 3, Zimbabwe's Finance Minister Tendai Biti told Reuters the United States, Britain and Germany -- three of the IMF's most influential members -- indicated they would support restoration of voting rights.

Samuel Itam, who represents a constituency of African countries at the IMF board, including Zimbabwe, told Reuters he was "cautiously optimistic" about Zimbabwe's request.

He said Zimbabwe should be given the needed support from the international community for progress so far in addressing its economic problems.

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(NEWZIMBABWE) 93pc drop in Zimbabwe prison deaths

93pc drop in Zimbabwe prison deaths
by Lebo Nkatazo
18/02/2010 00:00:00

ZIMBABWE’S prisons have seen a 93 percent drop in the death rate and are now under-populated by 24 percent, Deputy Justice Minister Jessie Majome revealed in parliament this week.

The shock revelations came as Majome took questions from MPs, a year after a power sharing government was sworn in to cool political tensions and ease the country’s economic crisis.

Prior to the coalition pact between President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party and rival MDC factions led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara, Amnesty International said 1,000 prisoners were dying every six months in Zimbabwe’s overcrowded jails.

Mugabe pardoned 2,500 prisoners last year, including terminally ill inmates, and Majome says that move coupled with an improving economic environment has caused a decline in deaths.

Zimbabwe’s prisons have a capacity to hold 17,000 inmates, but as of February 8, 2010, they were holding 13,361, Majome said.

That number includes 3,687 remand prisoners awaiting trial, 9,671 who are serving their sentences, three who are undergoing civil punishment and two who are awaiting sentence.

Majome told parliament: “As of 2009, we had a dark time as a country but we are encouraged to note that as of January 2010, the deaths were just SEVEN ... a 93 percent drop in the death rate.

“The death rate of 2009 was also a result of the economic environment the country was facing, so the prisons were not spared.”

In answers to MPs, Majome said the major cause of death was “immunosuppression”, and appealed to non-governmental organisation to step up aid to the prison service with most government finances committed to other departments.

Majome tinctured the good news with an admission that the Zimbabwe Prison Services (ZPS) is failing to transport prisoners to and from court – with the whole country served by ONE TRUCK.

“The Minister is currently seeking funding to correct this and we are exploring the possibility of actually moving the mountain to Mohammed, but we have challenges,” she added.

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(LUSAKATIMES) Milupi attacks RB,HH and Sata

Milupi attacks RB,HH and Sata
Thursday, February 18, 2010, 13:13

Opposition Alliance for Development and Democracy (ADD) President Charles Milupi says there is need for political change in this country. Mr. Milupi said there is no need of politics of insults at the expense of serious Zambians who need economic development in the nation.

He charged that it is unfortunate that the Republican President Rupiah Banda and the Patriotic Front/United Party for National Development (UPND) leaders Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema, respectively, were busy insulting each other at the expense of developing the country.

Mr. Milupi was speaking over the weekend when he addressed a meeting which was poorly attended by people in Livingstone’s Maramba market area.

However, However, Mr. Hichilema brushed off Mr. Milupi’s assertions who he said was bitter becuase President Banda had not appointed him to any government position despite the Independent Luena M.P campaigning for the President in 2008.

Mr. Hichilema is quoted in the local media to have advised Mr. Milupi to stop his verbal attacks on the pact.

ZANIS

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(LUSAKATIMES) RB has not blocked PF Councils from getting a cut from mineral royalty tax -Shikapwasha

RB has not blocked PF Councils from getting a cut from mineral royalty tax -Shikapwasha
Tuesday, February 16, 2010, 20:46

Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has refuted claims by Copperbelt Patriotic Front (PF) Provincial Chairman Mwenya Musenga that President Rupiah Banda blocked Copperbelt Councils from accessing their share of the Mineral Royalty Tax for councils to use in running their projects.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha stated that government has no intentions of blocking any council from accessing their share of the mineral royalty tax.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the President Banda does not handle such issues but that this is the responsibility of the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development.

He described the allegations as false and unfounded saying Mr. Musenge is playing and exhibiting cheap politics retrogressive to the development of the country.

Lt Gen Shikapwasha urged Mr. Musenge and the opposition to respect the Head of State and focus on offering working solutions on developmental issues instead of engaging in mudslinging and insulting the President.

He challenged the Copperbelt PF Chairman to understand that mineral royalty tax is Law adding that the Mines Minister’s Office is there to identify and decide how the mineral royalty tax should be shared.

PF Copperbelt Provincial Chairman Mwenya Musenga is quoted in the media as having accused President Rupiah Banda of neglecting to develop the Copperbelt province by blocking the councils from getting a share of the mineral royalty tax.

ZANIS

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(LUSAKATIMES) NCC rejects clause guaranteeing citizens the right of access to information held by Government

COMMENT - Not a good day for the NCC. First they wanted to exclude Michael Sata from running for president by including an education clause, Clive Chirwa for requiring a residency clause, then they want to specifically ban gay marriage, and now they want to stifle freedom of information. I detect a trend. :) The NCC is all about limiting and taking away the rights and opportunities of citizens, rather than protecting their rights. What a waste of money. Let's just implement the Dean Mung'omba draft constitution and send the NCC home.

NCC rejects clause guaranteeing citizens the right of access to information held by Government.
Thursday, February 18, 2010, 8:21

THE National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has rejected a clause which could have guaranteed citizens the right of access to information held by Government.

Article 56 (1) (a) of the Willa Mung’omba draft Constitution states that every citizen has the right of access to information held by the State.

Contributing to the debate on the article, commissioner Divo Katete said he did not support the article because there was no need to release State information to the public.

Mr Katete said the State held information that was classified and could not be released to the public anyhow.

Another delegate, Japhet Moyo said the article was wrong because people would even be asking for reasons why the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) entered a nolle prosequi.

Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Fashion Phiri said he did not agree with the article because even in the United States of America, information was kept secret even to researchers until after a certain period of time.

The NCC plenary, however, adopted article 55 (1) (a) which gives citizens freedom to hold an opinion and the freedom to receive or impart information or ideas.

Press Association of Zambia president Andrew Sakala and lawyer Patrick Matibini supported the clause, saying it should include the freedom of artistic creativity and academic freedom which were not covered in the current Constitution.

Bahati Member of Parliament Besa Chimbaka and Independent Churches of Zambia president David Masupa supported the clause while Anti-Voter Apathy director Bonnie Tembo said the article should not state that there would be no interference to receiving some information.

Article 55 (2) which was also adopted said the freedom did not extend to propaganda for war, incitement to violence and advocacy of hatred.

[Times of Zambia]

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(LUSAKATIMES) Prof.Chirwa demands public apology from Chibombo MMD Chairperson Lloyd Kayeka

Prof.Chirwa demands public apology from Chibombo MMD Chairperson Lloyd Kayeka
Tuesday, February 16, 2010, 22:25

The opposition United Party for National Development new member Professor Clive Chirwa has demanded for a public apology from Chibombo MMD Chairperson Lloyd Kayeka for calling him a liar and a thief who entered the party through a window. He said this in a statement to Lusakatimes yesterday.

Prof. Chirwa urged Kayeka to publicly apologise and if he fails to do it within 14 days he would consult his lawyers in London to institute preparations for legal proceedings against Mr. Kayeka.

“I request Kayeka to apologise for calling me a liar and a thief who entered MMD through a window. If he does not publicly do that within 14 days, I will instruct my lawyers in London to begin preparation for court proceedings,” Prof. Chirwa said.

Prof Chirwa clarified that he has never belonged to an MMD branch in Katuba Constituency. He said that was a member of Mwamba Luchembe branch in Mandevu constituency, where Lusaka District Chairperson signed his membership card in the presence of the district committee, as requested by the late President Levy Mwanawasa.

On February 9, at a at rally in Chisamba, Mr. Kayeka challenged Professor Clive Chirwa to state the branch in Katuba constituency from which he joined the party.

Speaking before Vice President George Kunda addressed the rally at Chisamba grounds, Mr. Kayeka charged that Prof. Chirwa was a liar who could not prove his claims because no party register in Katuba constituency carried his name.

‘Your honour that man (Prof. Chirwa) is a liar. We do not know him at all. These are the people who enter through a window and we did not see him,’ he charged.

And on hearing about his resignation, MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya, said Clive Chirwa was not a member of the ruling party and therefore claims that he had resigned from the party are baseless.

“I am shocked to hear Prof Chirwa’s tantrums because the man is not our member. He has never been a member of the MMD and so he does not have the right to talk about the party matters but I will assume he was expressing his opinion,” Ms Siliya said at the time.

Prof. Chirwa has been at the center of controversy in MMD following his intention to aspire for the Party’s presidency until he decided to ditch it this year to Join UPND.

In July last year Prof. Chirwa refuted the same assertions that he was not a genuine member of the ruling MMD adding that the people who were claiming that he was not a legitimate member of the MMD were bent on spoiling his political aspirations.

In January this year Prof. resigned from MMD to join UPND and cited many reasons for his leaving the party such as corruption, failure to improve manufacturing industry, agriculture, kneeling to donors for help, failing to improve the education system in the country, and for failing to reduce poverty.

He said he was a happy member of UPND a party that respects its members and said he would help the PACT to win 2011 elections.

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‘Seeking justice for all’

‘Seeking justice for all’
By The Post
Thu 18 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

IN reading the pastoral letter on the state of the nation issued by the Council of Churches in Zambia on Tuesday, we feel the Church has both the right and duty to participate fully in building a just and peaceful society with all the means at its disposal.

We say this because the promotion of justice and true peace is an expression of Christian faith in love that God has for every human being. And a Church is not fully rooted among its people if it does not try to establish justice. It is said that “faith of itself, if it does not have works is dead” (Jas. 2:17).

And we are again reminded of this in Luke 11:42-46 : “ ‘How terrible for you Pharisees! You give to God one tenth of the seasoning herbs, such as mint and rue and all the other herbs, but you neglect justice and love for God. These you should practice, without neglecting others.

How terrible for you Pharisees! You love the reserved seats in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the market places. How terrible for you! You are like unmarked graves which people walk on without knowing it.’ One of the teachers of the law said to Him, ‘Teacher, when You say this, You insult us too!’ Jesus answered, ‘How terrible also for you teachers of the Law! You put on to people’s backs loads which are hard to carry, but you yourselves will not stretch out a finger to help them carry those loads.’ ”

Clearly, a faith and a life which are authentically Christian cannot fail to blossom in a love which constitutes truth and promotes justice. True faith touches on our beliefs, feelings and actions, our head, heart and hand.

It is in this spirit that we respond to the Council of Churches in Zambia’s call to the Zambian people to carefully consider the issues raised in their pastoral reflection and act on them.

And as they have correctly pointed out, we also see their mandate as that of being “a prophetic voice with a transformative impact on Church and society for the propagation of Christian values and human dignity”. And truly, “this mandate is motivated and inspired by the word of God in seeking justice for all” (Prov. 31:8-9).

From the Council of Churches in Zambia’s pastoral letter, it is clear that the Church values the democratic system in as much as it ensures the participation of citizens in making political choices, guarantees to the governed the possibility of electing and holding accountable those who govern them, and of replacing them through peaceful means when appropriate.

It is also clear that the main Christian churches in our country are speaking the same language. The language being used by the Council of Churches in Zambia to describe the state of the nation is not different from that of the Zambia Episcopal Conference.

The only Christian churches speaking a different language are those created for the business and political purposes of their owners. These are the only ones defending the status quo, the wrongdoings of the powerful.

The Council of Churches in Zambia in its pastoral letter observes that “since 1991, Zambia has embraced a democratic system of government, that is, a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

This entails that the people’s aspirations are to be determined by themselves. Therefore, this calls for principles of equal participation and freedom of expression to be enhanced. However, almost 20 years down the road, the Church has observed that there has been a departure from the democratic principles to a non tolerant culture.

The objectives and aspirations of the 1990s have died down. The governance situation does not promote equal participation and justice for the ordinary citizens as only a few elite are the beneficiaries”.

Their definition of democracy is that of Lincoln. For us, democracy means that governments are closely linked to the people, arise from the people, have the support of the people and devote themselves entirely to working and struggling for the people and the people’s interests.

Democracy implies the defence of all the rights of citizens, including the right to dignity and honour. For us, democracy means fraternity and true equality among men and women and equal opportunities for all men and women, for every human being who is born.

And the democracy that is being practiced in this country today does not contain any of these elements. How can we talk of democracy in a country where a minority has immense fortunes acquired from or through the state and others have nothing?

What kind of equality or fraternity can exist between a beggar and a millionaire or billionaire? What rights do the poor have in this country that we have decreed a Christian nation?

What we have done is to establish a system of domination with all the resources of wealth and everything else in the hands of a group that maintains discrimination, marginalisation and excludes the rest of society from any real participation and from any real possibility of exercising their rights. Those of our people who don’t have resources can’t set themselves any political goals, because they are excluded.

Truly, the Council of Churches in Zambia is right in saying that there has been a departure from the democratic principles of 1991 and the objectives and aspirations of the 1990s have died down. Probably this is why those who were opposed to multiparty democracy and saw it as Stone Age politics; those who were opposed to the Movement for Multiparty Democracy today are at the helm of it. What can one truthfully expect from such people in terms of advancing multiparty democracy?

But this country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless it is a good place for all of us to live in. it’s not enough to sloganeer about peace and reconciliation in the nation when we should all know very well that reconciliation comes only from the hearts of people.

Therefore, let’s look into our hearts, and let us look down into the faces of our children. Is there anything in the world that should stand in their way? None of the evil practices that we see in this country today mean anything when you look down into the faces of our children. In their faces we should see hope and not despair, our love and not hatred, and our courage and not fear.

Let’s honour the meaning of our Church. We can, somehow, by God’s grace, turn this around. We can give these children a future. We can take away their despair and give them hope by ensuring that the resources of our country don’t go to benefit just a few.

What this pastoral letter is teaching us is that by our daily deeds as ordinary Zambians we should strive to produce an actual Zambian reality that will enforce our belief in justice, strengthen our confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all.

This pastoral letter seems to be rooted in the understanding that the individual does best in a strong and decent community of people with principles and standards and common aims and values. Leaders lead, but in the end the people govern.

What this pastoral letter is telling us is that politics is not a dirty game but is a genuine way of being at the service of others for the integral development of the country. Yes, every political party and individual candidate has the right to campaign for next year’s elections but they should do so with integrity, truth, justice and fairness. They should win not because their competitors are despised, but because they are understood, supported and trusted.

There is no choice between being principled and unelectable; and electable and principled. People should win because of what they believe in.

We want a nation of tolerance, innovation and creativity. We want a nation with an innate sense of fair play. Let us strive to build a nation with pride in itself; a thriving nation, rich in economic prosperity, secure in social justice, confident in political change; a land in which our children can bring up their children with a future to look forward to.

That should be our hope – the hope of our Church. Not just to promise democracy and good governance – but to achieve it. To achieve this, we need our Church to continue to be the conscience of our nation, a moral custodian and a fearless champion of the weak and downtrodden. And as we have stated before, the simple lesson of religions, of all philosophies and of life itself is that, although evil may be on the rampage temporarily, the good must win the laurels in the end.

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