The bus is said to have careered off the road around 15 miles.

No death reported although people are said to have sustained injuries and have since been taken to the University Teaching Hospital(UTH).

Full details……

TIZ would like to condemn the unnecessary bye elections and advise Members of Parliament in Zambia to be alive to the fact that their responsibility is to the people they serve which supersede all perceived personal benefits.

While TIZ is not against bye elections caused by nullification of seats by the courts of law that were marred by corruption and those that occur due to untimely deaths of sitting Members of Parliament, our major concerns are for those bye elections that are largely caused by unnecessary defections from the opposition to the ruling Patriotic Front and expulsions by opposition parties.

These we believe can be avoided at all costs in order to serve public funds that can go towards alleviating the suffering of many Zambians through developmental projects.

More often than not, these by-elections are usually being funded outside the national budget and hence having them consistently will leave the national treasury depleted.

TIZs fear is that the reported savings from the removal of fuel and maize subsidies if these bye elections are not checked can end of being used for such unnecessary expenditures.
Selfish Members of Parliament in Zambia have opted to practice ‘politics of the belly’which puts personal interest above all calls of duty. It is also unfortunate that the Patriotic Front Government has largely fallen prey and encouraging this scheme.

The PF government has even gone out of its way to adopt some MPs that have defected who are even suspected of involved in corrupt practices and have since been arrested by the same PF government and are appearing in court.

We wish to advise the PF that this trend is sending a negative signal in the fight against corruption and as such suspects
will feel that the PF is a safe haven for them against their alleged criminal activities.
TIZ contends that even if the Constitution allows defections of MPs and even expulsions, we believe that the high moral ground of serving public resources should always prevail.

TIZ understands that democracy is indeed expensive but should not be mistaken with reckless expenditure of limited public resources.
Goodwell Lungu
Executive Director

Father was speaking to MUVI TV News shortly upon arrival from South Africa where he addressed the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa-OSISA forum.

And Father Bwalya’s Special Assistant for Press and Public relations Emmanuel Chilekwa has refuted media reports claiming that Father Bwalya supports gay rights.

They observe that during campaigns in the run-up to elections of September, 2011, the PF promised to improve people’s well-being but this has not yet materialised.

On recent removal of fuel subsidy the church leaders charge that the only people who will benefit are ministers who are guaranteed free fuel, free telephones, and free housing.

This is contained in a statement to MUVI TV News by CCZ General Secretary Reverend Suzanne Matale.

Hearing in former information minister Lieutenant general Ronnie Shikapwasha’s case has finally started after being rejected by four magistrates.

General Shikapwasha along with former Permanent Secretary Samson Phiri and journalist Chanda Chimba the Third have pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of authority of office and unlawful printing and publication.

Another by election has been created in Chipata Central Constituency following the nullification of the seat formerly held by opposition MMD’s Reuben Phiri.

The Supreme court has nullified the Chipata central seat on account of vote buying.

Supreme Court Judge Marvin Mwanamwamba has upheld the High court judgement that proved electoral malpractices by the MMD.

This brings a total of four by- elections pending with Kafulafuta, Solwezi East and Feira constituencies whose seats have been nullified as a result of defections.

The state has been granted an application to stay the Lusaka high court’s order granting Mr. Banda leave to seek judicial review of parliament’s move to lift his immunity.

Parliament on March 15, this year lifted Mr. Banda’s immunity, a move that later saw Mr. Banda being arrested.
On March 16, 2013 he filed for review challenging the lifting of his immunity.

The Leaders were astonished when they reported for their usual duties at 08:00hours only to find their office locked.

They have for several years allegedly been operating from the same premises for free but the owner has now changed his mind demanding that they start paying rentals.

Mr. Scott is alleged to have stated that South Africa is a backward country comparing President Jacob Zuma to the last apartheid leader of that country, FW de Klerk.

According to a statement issued by the DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, the South African government has taken note of the negative remarks.

In view of this development, the South African Government has decided to take the matter up through the appropriate diplomatic channels.

They have since summoned Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation for an explanation behind the remarks and what it means in the context of bilateral relations.

He says it does not make sense to take development where people vote against the ruling party.

He has further directed all Chiefs in Southern Province to work with the PF government or risk not having development.

Mr. Sata was speaking at Chikata Palace in Southern Province where traditional leaders had gathered to thank him for appointing Daniel Munkombwe as Southern Province Minister.