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Voting Results of the Mkaika by-elections Firstly, as National Restoration Party would like to congratulate the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy for scooping the Mkaika seat. The results from Mkaika are a clear that the Zambian people have rejected the PF and its entire leadership. This is a trend that will continue should the PF continue neglecting its leadership responsibilities.

We note with great concern the levels of electoral malpractices being witnessed in Mkaika. The National Restoration Party is very aware of the vote buying that happened in Mkaika were the ruling PF were paying money to the voters and promised to give them more if the party wins the Mkaika seat. We find this very unfortunate in a democratic state like Zambia and we hope that the electoral commission of Zambia and the police will investigate this matter and bring the culprits to book.

We stand fully behind the judiciary regarding the impartial manner in which it has discharged its responsibilities in the adjudication of the court process over the disputed nominations of Ms. Dora Siliya and Mr. Maxwell Mwale in the Petauke Central and Malambo constituencies.

An interview on Blog talk radio with NAREP parliamentary candidate for September 5th 2013 Malambo constituency in Eastern province of Zambia.

Few can dispute the fact that we lack caring leadership in Zambia. Although they are successfully demonstrating the worst form of it, this is not a problem that began with the PF administration. We have been let down over the years by politicians who have shown that they care more for themselves and their parties than they do about the country and its citizens. We have allowed our so-called leaders to promote violence and intimidation against unarmed and unprotected civilians whose only crime was stand up for what they believe in against the dictates of those who happen to hold the reigns of power.

NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY-Statement on erroneous claims by defectors The National Restoration Party expresses its concerns in the manner that some members of the public have chosen to claim falsely that they are top officials of the Party. In the media yesterday 29th July 2013, a Mr. Chikwanda who is a former member of the party was quoted in the media claiming that he was the party youth chairperson and Presidential Advisor.

On 2nd August 2013, we were invited to join Mzwandile Masina the new ANC Youth League convenor, currently visiting the UK, to the laying of a wreath ceremony at the Hector Pieterson memorial statue in Brixton, to commemorate the 37th anniversary. At the tender age of 13, Hector Pietersen is the first child tragically killed during the 1976 Soweto youth uprising against the apartheid regime.

HAND BACK RUPIAH BANDA’S PASSPORT WITHOUT DELAY. The decision by the PF administration to revoke the diplomatic passport of former president Rupiah Banda is not only illegal and improper but it undermines the separation of powers as set out in the republican constitution.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this morning’s press conference. Yesterday, the nation laid to rest 18 innocent people who died in yet another road traffic accident when the minibus they were travelling in collided with a truck along the Kabwe road. We offer our sincere condolences to the bereaved families and pray for those that are still recovering from their injuries. This incident again reminds us of our frailty as human beings.

Good morning members of the press and party members present. I want to thank you sincerely for attending this media briefing which gives us an opportunity as a Party to inform the nation about why our former Acting National Secretary Mr. Mike Muyawala, former media liaison Mr. Chilufya Luchembe and former mobilization chairman Mr. Probby Chama have resigned from our Party. We will also give a position that we are taking as a party and our next course of action concerning this matter.

Just over 2 weeks ago, I received an invitation from the Commonwealth Secretary General, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, inviting me – along with fifteen other Commonwealth citizens – to join the Commonwealth Observer Group for the forthcoming Kenyan general elections that are due to take place on 4 March 2013. I am pleased to confirm that I have accepted this opportunity to work for the next two weeks under the Chairmanship of the first winner of the much coveted Mo Ibrahim African Leadership Prize, former Botswana President Festus Mogae. The assignment commences immediately and I will return to Zambia on 10 March.

Last week, yet another opposition member of parliament, Mr. Greyford Monde, was sworn in as deputy minister in the PF administration. As UPND MP for Itezhi-Tezhi, Mr. Monde’s acceptance of his appointment could trigger another by-election at great cost to our development and at the expense of human life. Money that is not spent in a rural community on constructing a simple bridge over a fast-moving stream brought on by the rains could mean another innocent child being swept away to his or her death. Just this week, an Evelyn Hone college student is reported to have died from dysentery as a result of the poor sewerage system at the institution. Every kwacha spent on unnecessary by-elections takes money away from planned investment in infrastructure, from our health and education sectors and from addressing the persistent load-shedding and the lack of access to safe, clean energy. It affects the timely delivery of inputs to rural farmers and diverts money meant for improving access to safe water and decent sanitation. In short, it retards our national development.

The fourth instalment in our Parallel Universe Series addresses a topic that the PF administration has demonstrated little or no appetite for resolving: the challenge of uncontrolled street vending in Zambia. The one Minister who tried to take on this responsibility, Professor Nkandu Luo, was hastily reshuffled, probably as a result of her well-intended but somewhat aggressive approach. The PF appears to be scared of the street vendors and this fear is making them incapable of taking even basic steps that would benefit vendors, market sellers, local councils and the commuting public. NAREP believes that there are solutions to the problem of uncontrolled street-vending. Before we point these out, however, we should first identify the root causes and address some of the misconceptions about why street vending continues to flourish.

We are reminded yet again of the tragic conditions many innocent people face every day as they commute between towns on our busy roads in Zambia. The tragic loss of more than 53 people in the devastating road accident near Chibombo along the Great North Road fills us all with a sense of dread and confusion. Our thoughts go out to all the family and friends of the victims of this horrific incident.

It has come to our attention as NAREP that President Sata is planning to or has already submitted the name of Madame Justice Lombe Chibesakunda to the National Assembly for ratification as Chief Justice. Before he takes any further action, it is important that he is aware of the implications of such a move under the current Constitution.