IBA warns ‘unethical’ broadcasters

By Ann Zulu

THE Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has warned broadcasting stations to desist from unethical and unprofessional practices or risk having their licences suspended or revoked.

                         

IBA chairperson Brigadier General Justin Mutale observed that before, during and after the August 11 general elections, some radio and television stations had conducted themselves in an unprofessional manner, contrary to the provisions of both the IBA Act and the Electoral Code of Conduct.

Brig. Gen Mutale said this was according to the monitoring and sensitization visits conducted by the authority since the commencement of the campaigns.

He noted that some radio stations used staff members to openly campaign for some political parties and candidates.

 “All these were said to be paid for political programmes; the action portrayed the stations as having endorsed such political parties. This is not acceptable and is against broadcasting standards in Zambia, where stations are not allowed to openly endorse political parties or candidates.

“The authority observed that some stations poorly handled programmes which led to people insulting each other and using derogatory remarks against each other and even against the Head of State on air,” Brig. Gen Mutale said.

He also noted that there were some serious levels of inaccuracies, skewed coverage as well as publication of unverified news items by some licensees.

He said such news bulletins promoted disunity in the country.

“Such careless reporting demonstrates a lack of impartiality and professionalism in reporting and has the potential to bring about division and discord in the nation. The authority noted that in some instances, stations’ news titles were in discord with the content in the stories,” he said.

The IBA further stated that licensees increasingly engaged in programme hook-ups without direct permission from the authority, adding that the action made such stations broadcast in areas where they were not licenced, an action which constituted a breach of the IBA Act.

He warned that the authority shall not hesitate to suspend or revoke broadcast licences for those not willing to comply.

“As IBA we expect all radio and television stations to conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner. The IBA Act no. 26 of 2010 provides that “The authority shall, where a broadcasting licensee fails to comply with a notice issued under Sub Section (2) within a specified period of time, suspend the broadcasting licence for a specified period of time or cancel the broadcasting licence,” he said.

UPND presidential petition security risk

By Ann Zulu

THE decision by the UPND to file an electoral petition before the Constitutional Court will have an adverse impact on the peace and security of the state, Evelyn Hone College Students Union (EHCOSU) president Madaliso Mvula has observed.

EHCOSU president Madaliso Mvula

Mr. Mvula said the security of the state would be at stake if the UPND went ahead its decision, saying certain Presidential prerogatives were non-delegable to any substitute executing the official functions of a President.

“We have no objection to the decision by the UPND; however the decision has adverse impact on the peace and security of the state, especially where the speaker of the National Assembly assumes the role as a substantial presidential office bearer while the petition waits determination before the bench of the constitutional court. The security of the state is in limbo,” Mr. Mvula said.

He suggested that there was need for constitutional reforms that would avoid such illogicality in the institution of the Presidency.

Mr. Mvula urged the next Cabinet to consider taking the bill to Parliament that sought to amend Article 103 to make specific provisions or constituting of  specialised hard-core committee whose core task would be to enquire into the ground as alleged by the political parties.

“The rationale behind this is to ascertain to whether the allegation fall within the provisions of article 103, clause 1 and clause A of the constitution, because as it is now, the incumbent President Edgar Lungu who was a candidate in the election is vulnerable now and subjective to legal proceedings which potentially paralyse the governance of the country.

“A preliminary enquiry must be held before legal proceedings are instituted to avoid certain malicious proceedings. Now that the UPND have made up its mind to seek legal redress we that the matter will be dealt with expeditiously and the security of the state will properly be guided during this period of transition,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mvula has told this reporter that the students were satisfied with the re-election of President Lungu into office.

He said President Lungu was validly elected as he satisfied the requirement prescribed under Article 101, clause 4.a as amended in 2015 which provided for the 50% +1 of the valid votes casted.

“We congratulate PF Presidential candidate Edgar Chagwa Lungu in the just ended Presidential elections, as students we are satisfied with his re-election and we hold that the declaration made by Justice Esau Chulu conclusively affirm the fact that the provision of the constitution and the electoral act they are complied with before he was proclaimed the winner,” he said.

Mr. Mvula also charged that the decision by the opposition to petition the election results was determined before the vote was casted as an alternative to wrestle power from the PF in an event the UPND lost elections.

Lusaka dwellers challenge new MPs

By Ann Zulu

LUSAKA residents have challenged the newly elected Members of Parliament and ward councillors to get down to serious business and start addressing challenges that people are facing.

In random interviews conducted in the city, the residents told this reporter that the election of MPs and councillors into office should usher in a new dispensation of renewed commitment to embark on concrete developmental programmes.

They said they were tired of leaders who, after being elected into office, disappear only to resurface after five years begging for votes.

“Elections are over now and our legislators should get down to business. I come from Munali constituency and my wish is to see all our leaders delivering on the promises they made during campaigns. There should be no excuse for failure,” said Mr Goodson Mbewe.

A woman who identified herself as Amake Lulu from Kanyama constituency said parliamentarians and councillors in the city should fiercely fight for the promotion of industries to create jobs for the youth.

“Unemployment levels still remain high in Lusaka, which is so painful. Our children are jobless and as I speak my son completed his Grade 12 five years ago and he’s just home doing nothing. This time around we want our leaders to bring change and make sure that employment opportunities are created for our children,” she said.

A youthful Kelvin Chewe concurred, saying MPs and councillors should come up with programmes that would empower youths.

“As youths we want jobs. We have skills and project plans but lack of capital is the major stumbling block. Our MPs and councillors should lobby Government to avail money to fund youth projects. The youths are forced to engage in criminal activities because they have nothing to do,” he said.

Mr. Mumba Mwaba of Chawama said the newly elected MPs and councillors should come up with programmes that will address the many challenges facing the people such as accommodation.

“Shortage of accommodation has created a lot of congestion in this city. In Chawama, for instance, our children no longer have any space to play; our MPs should address such challenges,” Mr. Mwaba said.

Poll result will of God, says bishop

By Ann Zulu

INDEPENDENT Churches of Zambia (ICOZ) director Bishop David Masupa has urged Zambians to accept last Thursday’s election results in good faith.

ICOZ director Bishop David Masupa 

Bishop Masupa said the election result was the will of God and that Zambians as lovers of peace, progress and development must accept it.

He said it was the prayer of the church that peace and prosperity prevailed in the country after the elections.

He stated that the election results should not been seen as victory or loss for any political party, but rather as an act of democracy.

“To me, Zambians and democracy won, so it’s not about a political party winning or losing, but it’s about the Zambian people and their choice.

‘‘Elections are over and it’s now time for people to move on and focus on the positive side and wish good for this country. There is no need of fighting each other, we are one people,” Bishop Masupa said.

He praised Zambians for believing in the democratic process, saying that the voter turnout at the polls proved that democracy had come to stay in the country.

“I salute Zambians and all political leaders for laying a solid foundation for democracy in Zambia and for turning out in large numbers to vote for the candidates of their choice which is good. I urge Zambians, irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliation to respect the outcome of the election in the interest of peace, progress and development of the country.

“Zambia as a country is greater than any individual or group and it is my plea that no one should do anything to rock the boat of peace in the country,” Bishop Masupa said.

Celebrate peacefully, FODEP advises PF

By Ann Zulu

THE Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has called on the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) to celebrate their victory peacefully and avoid provoking supporters of other political parties.

FODEP executive director Shepard Chilombe

FODEP executive director Shepard Chilombe said it was important that the PF as the victors in the last general elections recognised the right of those who voted for other candidates, saying freedom choice entailed respecting the rights of others.

“Following the declaration of the winner of the presidential election on Monday, PF must be sensitive and celebrate peacefully to avoid provoking the losing parties. The result was close and as winners they should respect the losers, who are also quite substantial. Half of the electorate did not vote for the winning candidate,” Mr Chilombe said.

And Mr. Chilombe has appealed to the opposition, especially the UPND to exercise maximum restraint and avoid engaging in violent activities.

He advised the opposition to follow legal procedures if they were dissatisfied with the results.

He said there was need for Zambians to embrace each other after the elections, saying the electoral competition should not be turned into war.

“The Constitution of Zambia, Act number 2 and the Electoral Process Act provides legal avenues that can be uses in case of disputes over election results,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Chilombe claimed that the just ended general elections were marred by irregularities.

Mr Chilombe claimed that there was lack of transparency in the transmission, counting and announcement of results among others.

“We are concerned at the inefficiency that characterised the result management process, where the vital GEN12 Form caused tension. In some polling stations, the GEN12 Form was not available for endorsement by stakeholders, while in some cases, it was not signed by monitors.

“While we understand that the ECZ worked under adverse conditions and did everything to deliver a credible election, there is still a lot of work to be done and there is need for the Commission to address irregularities to avoid such mistakes in the future,” Mr Chilombe said.

Women will help determine destiny of Zambia

By Ann Zulu

TODAY is Election Day - a day Zambians will decide who will be at the helm of the nation’s affairs for the next five years.

Zambian women, who form the majority of the nation’s population and the largest constituency 

of voters, are a great determinant in the outcome of the elections.

According to the final Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Register of Voters certified on July 31, 2016, 3,372,935 out of 6,698,372 registered voters are women.

The expectation of Zambian women of the next Republican President is extremely high following the fact that all Presidential candidates have promised to make a difference in the lives of women in Zambia.

The candidates have assured women that they will be empowered and their lives will be improved by introducing programmes that will favour them. 

Although for now no one can predict whether Edgar Chagwa Lungu of the PF, Hakainde Hichilema of UPND, Edith Zewelani Nawakwi of FDD, Tilyenji Chanda Kaunda of UNIP, Peter Chazya Sinkamba of Greens, Wynter Kabimba of Rainbow, Saviour Chishimba of UPP, Andyford Mayela Banda of PAC or Maxwell Mwamba of DA will win the elections, this Reporter sought the views of women in Lusaka to find out what they expect from the next President as well as whether they will play an active role in deciding who she or he will be.

While some seemed excited about their preferred candidates, some said they would be home and enjoy the day as it had been declared a public holiday.

Mavis Chewe, a student at the University of Zambia (UNZA), believes that her vote will determine the future of Zambia.

She said she is not ready to risk the future of Zambia by not voting for the leader of her choice.

“I am going to vote because it is my right and also my vote will make a change and determine the fate of my country. I know that the person I have in mind will be able to take this country forward in terms of development.

“Had it not been for security reasons I would have loved to be at the polling station until the votes are counted, but since I can’t, I would rather go home and wait for the results to be announced on television,” she said.

Wana Kajila of Kanyama said her expectation of the next President is on women empowerment and a better life for the less privileged in society.

“I am definitely going to vote because this is another opportunity for me as a citizen and a woman of this country to take my destiny into my own hands. So I will take advantage of this chance that I have.

“After I cast my vote, I will be at the polling station till all the votes are counted; I will stay there until the winner is announced,” she said.

Kaoma Bwalya, a trade at City Market, is still undecided about a candidate and as a result, she decided to stay home today.

She however demands that whoever wins the race must be someone who will not leave women behind, and be able to defend them in any circumstance.

 “I am not going to vote because I don’t have any candidate in mind. On the day of elections, movement is quite restricted, so I won’t go to the market; instead I will just stay home and follow the news. But whoever becomes President must consider women before anything else,” she said.

Mercy Phiri, another trader, says that she is unable to vote because she does not have money to travel to the Copperbelt where she had registered from.

She however looks on the bright side and adds: “At least I will be at home relaxing rather than be under the sun whole day stressing myself. In the end, whoever God has confirmed will take over. I just pray that whoever will be elected will have the interest of the masses at heart,” she said.

Monde Kabwe is yet another woman who is not voting.

For her, she would have loved to but could not get her voters card because she was out of the country during the registration period.

Although she had a preferred candidate in mind, she says her plans are to spend time with family and listen to the results as they are announced in the media.

DOES HH’S QUEST FOR POWER REST IN GBM?

By GEORGE CHOMBA

AT face value, it is not in doubt that Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema’s running mate, has taken the political stage by storm after leaving the Patriotic Front and joining the opposition political party.

 UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and running mate Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba

In fact, UPND inner circles have a liking for Mr Mwamba because of his longer hand than Mr Hichilema, whatever that means. 
But whether Mr Mwamba popularly known as GBM is the antidote the UPND had been looking for since formation in 2001 to swing the northern region vote and catapult the opposition party to power will either be proved or disapproved on Thursday.
On Thursday, Zambians vote to elect councillors, council chairmen, mayors, members of Parliament and a President and his running mate who automatically becomes Republican Vice President.
Since the formation of the UPND in 1998 by Anderson Mazoka after leaving the MMD, the opposition’s search for State power has not only been elusive but a fantasy.
The argument advanced in the past was that the UPND was a regional political organisation solely because of its dominance of Southern Province where Mr Mazoka, the founding party president came from.
The ascendance of Mr Hichilema to the UPND presidency following the death of Mr Mazoka in May 2006 did not help change the tribal image of the party.
Mr Hichilema merited the UPND presidency largely on account that he was a kinsman of his predecessor rather than being the best in what democracy could have determined at the time.
Following the death of Mr Mazoka, the UPND overlooked the serving party vice presidents then- Sakwiba Sikota (Lozi) and Patrick Chisanga (Bemba) for Mr Mr Hichilema, a Tonga, who in fact never held a party position before.
However, the UPND, since formation, has lost five presidential elections with Mr Mazoka, recording one defeat in an election he strongly believed he had won in 2001.
On the other hand, Mr Hchilema who has been battling with the stigma of ascending to the UPND presidency on the backdrop of regionalism has been a casualty of four electoral defeats including the 2015 presidential election which should have been an easy victory following the death of president Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF).
In the 2006 presidential election, Mr Hichilema came third after Mr Levy Mwanawasa of the MMD and Mr Sata of the PF.
When Mr Mwanawasa died in office in 2008 and a presidential election was called, Mr Hichilema again ate humble pie coming third after Rupiah Banda of the MMD and Mr Sata of the PF.
Fortunes were again against Mr Hichilema who came third after Mr Sata and Mr Banda in the 2011 presidential election.
Mr Hichilema’s closeness to State House power was last year when he competed among others a new comer on the presidential political stage – Edgar Lungu.
The UPND leader lost the chance by coming second in the January 2015 presidential polls necessitated by the death of Mr Sata.
Despite all these presidential losses, the UPND has always maintained the Tonga land, Southern Province, as the stronghold for the political party.
For example, in 2001, out of 150 elective legislative positions, the UPND had 42, scooping all 19 Parliamentary seats in Southern Province with the others dotted in other nine provinces.
In the 2006, the UPND repeated their dominance of Southern Province by grabbing back the 19 parliamentary seats of the 27 that they won countrywide.
Apart from a by-election won by the Patriotic Front in 2012 in the Livingstone parliamentary seat, the UPND in the 2011 general elections again maintained their perfect score in Southern Province.
Despite this excellent show in Southern Province, the UPND has not endeared itself perfectly to other provincial regions of Zambia.
However, with the joining of Mr Mwamba, the fortunes of Mr Hichilema’s party seem to have changed, albeit untested in a political elective contest.
When Mr Mwamba resigned from the PF to join UPND, he resisted a by-election through court processes which could have proved whether he was a UPND factor in Northern Province.
Therefore this Thursday’s general election remains the sole litmus test for UPND to measure its political muscle in the regions considered no go areas for the ‘Tonga party’.
Mr GBM, coming from the northern region which had been rejecting Mr Hichilema and UPND is expected to bring to the opposition table the Bemba and other dominant tribes’ vote mostly spoken on the Copperbelt, Luapula, Northern and Muchinga provinces.
On his part, Mr Mwamba believes he has brought political power to UPND and what remains is the people’s confirmation vote on Thursday.
Following an amendment to the constitution in January this year, a presidential candidate amassing more than 50 percent of validly cast votes wins the election.
The amended constitution also among others has an automatic Vice President in a running mate.
If the President is incapacitated while in office, the Vice President automatically takes over State power without going for elections.
Therefore, If Mr Mwamba manages to swing the northern region vote and makes UPND win, then he will be making history as the first Vice President who cannot be fired since Zambia’s Independence in 1964.
But just as Mr Mwamba attracts multitude of northern region Zambians to his rallies, he also prompts scrutiny of his public conduct or lack of it.
Some political followers consider Mr Mwamba as the Donald Trump of Zambia.
Keen followers of United States of America politics know Mr Trump, the Republican Party presidential nominee as a no stranger to controversy since he embarked on his bid for the USA presidency.
On his Democratic Party rival, Hilary Clinton, M Trump warned American against trusting her.
“"If Hillary Clinton can't satisfy her husband what makes her think she can satisfy America?" Trump retweeted on April 16 before deleting it shortly after.
On the local scene, Mr Mwamba has drawn controversy in his public and family domestic conflict resolution.
Currently, he is battling to clear the air on his academic qualifications.
His gender based violence record against members of the public, including his wife remains a subject of debate whether he is the right man for the number two position in Zambia.
This prompts the question whether Mr Mwamba, popularly known as GBM is a plus or minus to Mr Hichilema’s quest to lead Zambia.
August 11, 2016 is only a few hours away when over six million Zambians vote.
The author is a freelance journalist.

Lungu deserves respect, says Tonga chief

By Ann Zulu

CHIEF Chipepo of the Tonga people of Southern Province has urged opposition political parties to accord President Edgar Lungu the respect he deserves.

He condemned what he called “insulting statements” directed at President Lungu by some opposition party leaders.

In an interview with this reporter, the traditional leader said Zambian politicians should learn to practice politics of maturity, saying that there were a lot of issues the opposition could talk about in their campaigns than insulting the Head of State.

He indicated that all those who were insulting the President were insulting Zambians because they were the ones who put him in that position.

 “Politicians must learn to be mature; there are a lot of issues that politicians should be talking about, not always insulting the Head of State. Insults are not part of politics, you don’t have to insult when you are campaigning.

“President Lungu has got two positions right now, one he’s a president of a party and at the same time he’s a State President.  The Bible is very clear in Romans 13vs1-6, it states that respect those in authority, when you insult a Republican President, you insult Zambians. In America, when you insult a head of state even those who don’t want him they can deal with you,” Chief Chipepo said.

He stated that respect for the office of the President in any country was not a matter of choice but a civic obligation that must be respected.

“Such inciting statements on the Head of State are worrying; being an opposition party or critic is no license to issue abusive, intemperate and slanderous statements on the President, it’s not just right,” he said.

He appealed to opposition politicians to be mindful of what statement they issued on other leaders, reiterating that leaders were chosen by God.

Chief Chipepo said those insulting the Head of State as a campaign strategy were just deceiving themselves as Zambians could not be moved by insults.

“The Bible says do not curse a leader of the people; so now President Lungu is at the moment the leader of Zambia. There is nobody else who is Republican President apart from him. All those who are insulting him are just campaigning against themselves, because Zambians are very mature now and they hate insults.

“They should always remember that as they are aspiring for an office, when they insult people in leadership, when they come into office, people will insult them, it will back-fire,” Chief Chipepo said.

Unsafe abortions worry women movement

By Ann Zulu.....

THE Zambia National Women’s Lobby has observed that there is need to scale up utilisation of modern contraceptives and promotion of abstinence among women to prevent death and other complications that comes as a result of unsafe abortions.

ZNWL chairperson Beauty Katebe

ZNWL chairperson Beauty Katebe bemoaned the continued deaths of women from unsafe abortions in the country.

She observed that unsafe abortion had dangerous effects that could lead to various complications in women.

“Women need to adopt family planning methods to avoid pregnancy and even sexually transmitted diseases, and the best advice we can give them is to abstain from sex as the best way of avoiding pregnancy.

“They should not engage in sexual activities if they don’t want to get pregnant because unsafe abortions come with serious complications which are very regrettable,” Ms. Katebe said.

She reiterated that it was more dangerous for pregnant women to use concocted materials to terminate their pregnancies.

Ms. Katebe also observed that the girl child was the most vulnerable to unsafe abortion.

She urged school girls to avoid unsafe abortion and its related practices and be more focused on their education.

“In most cases, school girls are the victims of unsafe abortions, they are so vulnerable. Parents and guardians need to emphasise more on telling them the importance of abstinence.

‘‘Girls should be encouraged to concentrate more on education and their ambitions; sex will always be there, but should be done at the right time when one is ready,” she said.

Ms. Katebe indicated that according to the Zambian law on abortion, safe abortions could only be performed by health personnel at a hospital under prescribed conditions.

Ms. Katebe urged journalists to be strong advocates against unsafe abortion by reporting more on its effects, stressing that everybody was a stakeholder in the promotion of a healthy society.

“Journalist have an important role to play in this because if they can report more on this issue and its complications, more women would become aware and won’t even consider having an abortion,” she said.

‘Culture driving early marriage in Zambia’

By Ann Zulu

CHILD labour ambassador Samson Mutambo has implored traditional leaders to take an upper hand in dealing with issues of child marriage as they were the custodians of culture.

Child Bride

Mr. Mutambo noted that cases of child marriage had continued to rise in rural areas and villages due to harmful cultural practices.

He stated that traditional leaders had a pivotal role to play in ending the vice in Zambia.

“One of the major causes of child marriage and forced marriage in Zambia are harmful and old cultural practices.  Zambia is among countries with high prevalence of child marriage and I think that our chiefs can play an important role in this,” Mr. Mutambo said.

He indicated that there was need for traditional leaders to scale up efforts in curbing child marriage in order to protect the girl child and bring perpetrators of the vice to book.

Mr Mutambo urged traditional leaders to use their authority to speak against the vice and ensure that their subjects were fully aware of the consequences of marrying off their children at an early age.

“We must not take this problem as business as usual but an extraordinary challenge that must be addressed immediately. Without putting much effort, we realise that over the next years to come, many girls under the age of 18 years will be forced to marry, so let the chiefs use their power in this fight,’’ he said.

Mr. Mutambo appealed to Government to strengthen its dialogue and partnership collaboration with the local traditional leadership, adding that this would help them to identify and deal with some of the harmful cultural practices going on in some areas

“Government should strengthen dialogue with the chiefs so that they can identify the harmful practices and have their own caucus of dealing with such cases because these harmful beliefs are still being practiced,” he said.

Mr. Mutambo, however, observed that sometimes it was not only the culture that was influencing girls to get married at a tender age but the girls’ own attitude.

He suggested that there was need to encourage dialogue among the girls themselves on the dangers of getting married at a tender age.

‘‘Another best way to deal with early marriages in our country is to have dialogue with the children time and again; this is very important. We need to scale up our sensitization,” he said.