TAZARA workers strike

Over 3,000 unionised workers at the Tanzania Zambia Railway authority have gone on an indefinite strike due to non payment salaries for five months.
The workers have also blocked the movement of the newly introduced Zambia Railways Chambeshi passenger train from moving between new Kapiri Mposhi and Nakonde on the TAZARA railway line. Yesterday, ZR decided to refund the passengers who had bought tickets after it became apparent that the striking workers would not allow the train to move.
TAZARA workers union Afrika Mkandawire told ZANIS that the workers would not resume work until they are paid the salary arrears or be retrenched and be paid their dues instead of being kept without salaries for this lengthy time. Mkandawrire also challenged TAZARA MD Ronald Phiri to explain why TAZARA was no longer moving cargo between Kapiri Mposhi and Dar-es-Salaam
And as usual the Zambian government has failed to honor the promise made by transport and communications minister Yamfwa Mukanga that the workers would be paid the salaries by June month end.
Meanwhile sources have told the Watchdog that the government of the republic of Tanzania and the Zambian counterparts are considering concessioning the jointly owned railway company due to the unending financial problems.////////

Militias in Sudan demand for $1 million for a Zambian hostage

The Zambian Government says the terrorists holding a Zambian citizen hostage in Sudan’s Darfur region are demanding US$ 1 million.
Felix Ngoma a humanitarian worker for the International Organisation for Migration was abducted by the Janjaweed militia group in Darfur region on July 6, 2014 and his true condition remains unknown.
The Zambian government has been hiding this information until the Watchdog revealed it two days ago. Janjaweed is a pro-government militia, armed, funded and controlled by Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir to kill black, non-Muslim people in Darfur.
Foreign Affairs minister r Harry Kalaba however claimed that a hostage management team has been set up to negotiate with the gunmen who are demanding a ransom of 1 million dollars.
He told a media briefing that government is constantly in contact with the IOM Office in Lusaka adding that Mr. Ngoma who was abducted on 6th July 2014 is kept well and his release is likely.
“Mr Ngoma is said to have been on his way from IOM offices to his residence located 5 KM from IOM offices when he was intercepted. The gunmen contacted IOM office to inform them that they had abducted Mr Ngoma and demanded a ransom to be paid./////////////////////

Govt gives management at the times of Zambia 14 days to pay the workers
Acting Labour Minister Chishimba Kambwili has directed management at the state owned Times of Zambia to pay workers their three months salary arrears within two weeks.
Mr Kambwili who is also Sports and Youth Minister said it is totally unacceptable for a Government institution like the Times of Zambia to fail to pay its workers.
He told a media briefing that management at the Times of Zambia must find money to pay the workers within 14 days.
“I hereby issue a 14 day ulti8matum for management to source for funds to clear the three months salary arrears. I don’t care how they do it, all I want to see is that the Journalists at the Times are paid,” Mr Kambwili said.
Mr Kambwili added that failing to pay workers at a Government institution is highly embarrassing.
“You know my stance about labour issues and I don’t want to be party to a group that fails to pay its workers, this is unacceptable and embarrassing. I want the M.D and the HR Director to find money within 14 days to pay the workers.”
He said Government will not allow industrial unrest at Government institutions arising from failure to pay workers on time.
Mr Kambwili also issued a one month ultimatum to Lusaka City Council and other councils to pay the workers their salaries.
“I find it strange that a council like Mpulungu can pay workers on time and big councils like Lusaka City Council and Chipata Municipal Council are failing to pay their workers on time,” he said.
Unionised workers at the Times of Zambia have gone on a work stoppage after management failed to pay their salaries for three months.
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Mangani wins petition and another bye-election looms in chipata central

The supreme court has nullified the election of MMD Chipata Central MP Reuben Mtolo Phiri that losing PF candidate Lameck Mangani had petitioned.

But ailing dictator president Michael Sata today said PF welcomes the by-elections as they are not breaking any laws.

This is the fourth PF engineered by-election that is also likely to be held together with Feira, Kafulafuta, Solwezi East, and now Chipata Central.

Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda is under instructions to nullify all the by-elections under her courts as a condition to be confirmed without going through a parliamentary select committee.

The timing of the ruling and resignations of others from MMD to Pf was also meant to stretch the opposition as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is expected to join them so that they are held at the same time.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has set June 20th as the date for the Feira constituency by-election that fell vacant after the resignation of area MP Patrick Ngoma who defected to the ruling party.

The ruling PF is looking to reach 106 MPs in parliament so as to manipulate the constitution and run government with absolute majority in anyway they want

caritas zambia cautions its followers against voting for mp defecting to the ruling pf

CARITAS ZAMBIA STATEMENT ON THE SPATE OF RESIGNATIONS BY ELECTED MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

Within the past two weeks we have yet again experienced additional resignations by elected Members of Parliament (MPs), this time from Solwezi East and Kafulafuta. This is in defiance of strong public disapproval and displeasure with such resignations of MPs for the fact that the resultant by-elections have caused government to spend colossal amounts of money on elections at the expense of the much more urgent social needs in our society. We hear of children dying from malnutrition in our hospitals due to lack of food, we see prices of fuel going up and social projects are stalling due to lack of finances. The list of desperate human conditions that government is failing to attend to is growing, and the excuse being given is that of limited financial resources. How then can our elected representatives be so heartless as to ignore the pain and anguish they are inflicting on poor people in this country by their selfish actions of resignations and causing by-elections? Since the General elections in September 2011, we have seen resignations orchestrated by elections in Chongwe, Mufumbwe, Mpongwe, Livingstone and now three more are pending in Feira, Zambezi East and kafulafuta. This is in addition to several other by-elections occasioned by court decisions!!! This is a governance scandal. Anyone looking for evidence of gross abuse of public resources in our country should not look far given resources so blatantly plundered through these masterminded by elections.

As we have already done on many occasions, we appeal to government to stop encouraging MP resignations through promises of jobs and other privileges. Where is the lean government the people of Zambia were promised if ministerial jobs are open for purchasing political patronage? It is shameful to see very high ranking government officials dancing and jubilating at MP resignation forums with full knowledge of the harm by-elections are causing on the weakest of our society. This is immoral and an act of inconsistency for a government that has proclaimed an option for the poor as a cornerstone of its governance values. The Zambian society must treat this behaviour with scorn and strong condemnation.

We appeal to the people of Feira, Solwezi East and Kafulafuta, to reject the former MPs who have betrayed their trust if they dare seek their votes again regardless on which party platform they come. Your interests are far from their hearts; they are just using you for their personal selfish and greedy motives.

We also appeal to our Diocesan Caritases to refuse to be party to the scandal of by elections by not getting involved in monitoring them. We have persistently, and rightly so, complained about the abuse of public resources through by-elections. Let us not give them legitimacy by getting involved in monitoring them; it is a waste our limited resources and we will be unwittingly undermining the democracy we have for a long time struggled to nature and sworn to protect.

SACCORD acting chief accuses the police of delibarately abuisng the public order act

The Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has accused the police of deliberately abusing the public order act.

Saccord acting executive director Boniface Cheembe notes that the police are disregarding the rights of opposition politicians with impunity as though the country’s constitution had been suspended.

He cited the recent arrests of MMD president Dr. Nevers Mumba together with four elected MPs which he said had brought sad memories of the brutal days of the UNIP rule.

Mr cheembe further called for an immediate review of the Public Order Act and urged the police to administer the Act professionally saying that it should be in line with Supreme Court interpretations.

 “As a country, we cannot afford to be perceived as a place where police and authorities disregard the rights of the people living in Zambia. It is our hope that the PF government will work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the basic fundamental rights of the people of Zambia irrespective of political affiliations are promoted, protected and upheld. This appeal to the government is in line with the constitution of the land which all Zambians abide by” he said

The saccord acting chief has since urged the pf government to help the police do the right things when it comes to our people enjoying fundamental rights and freedoms which our constitution guarantees.

KK pays moving tribute to Mama Betty

Dr Kaunda overcome with emotion during the funeral of Mama Betty Kaunda

First republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda paid a moving tribute to his late wife Mama Betty Kaunda who died last week in Harare, Zimbabwe.
During a requiem service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross attended by acting President Alexander Chikwanda, vice President Guy Scott, ministers, former president Rupiah Banda, opposition leaders, diplomats and people from all walks of life ,Dr Kaunda in his tribute to his late wife read on his behalf by Pius Kasutu described his late wife as a pillar.
Dr Kaunda described her wife’s death on 19th September, 2012 in Zimbabwe were she had gone to visit her daughter Musata as very unexpected.
He also described his companionship with his wife of 66 years as a fruitful journey.
The first president recalled how his marriage to Mama Betty Kaunda was destined to be when his mother Helen Kaunda in 1928 assisted in the birth of a baby who would later turn out to be her daughter in law in 1946.
Dr Kaunda recalled how President Michael Sata’s father in 1946 in Mpika acted as the go-between in his marriage negotiations for Mama Betty.
He also described his late wife as a great activist for Zambia’s independence, leading fellow women to strengthen the struggle for freedom despite the dangers involved.
Dr Kaunda said Mama Betty Kaunda actively supported the struggle for independence and the family, remaining strong in his absence and looking after the family.
And the first President attributed what he achieved to Mama Betty Kaunda to a greater part.
Mama Betty Kaunda who was born on 17th November 1928 will be put to rest today at the Kaunda farm Estate near State Lodge in Lusaka.
The requiem service for Mama Betty Kaunda held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross this morning was incident free.This unlike the previous service where over 100 PF slogan chanting thugs attacked UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.
The service was attended by hundreds of people including acting President Alexander Chikwanda, vice President Guy Scott, ministers, former president Rupiah Banda, opposition leaders, diplomats and people from all walks of life.
Government had overruled police decision to bar political parties from wearing their party regalia at Mama Betty Kaunda’s burial today.
Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Maxwell Nkole said dress code would not be restricted because Mama Betty Kaunda was a unifying factor in the nation.
Mr Nkole said contrary to the police directive banning the political party regalia, political parties will be free to adorn their colours.
He however said all political parties should have Marshalls to control their cadres.
Mr Nkole urged political parties to avoid confrontations of any kind during and after the funeral.
Mr Nkole however said some party cadres who in the past have been associated with violence are not allowed to attend the funeral procession and burial.
Mr Nkole said he expects the police to be polite but effective in regulating the procession and burial of Mama Betty Kaunda.
Earlier, Lusaka Province Police Commissioner Solomon Jere announced that political party regalia had been banned at burial of Mama Betty Kaunda.