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Zesco United’s 2020/2021 FAZ Super League title hopes on Saturday flew into some serious turbulence away at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe when they sustained their second successive defeat.
The league leaders were beaten 1-0 away by Power Dynamos to put into question the Ndola sides’ already dwindled six-point lead.
Power midfielder Godfrey Ngwenya scored the games lone goal in the 25th minute and saw him stay as the clubs top scorer on six goals so far this term.
This was Zesco’s second successive loss to an established Kitwe club in a space of four days following their home defeat in Ndola last Wednesday by the same scoreline to out-going champions Nkana.
And so Zesco will now pay very close attention to Sunday’s proceedings at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka where second placed Zanaco visit mid-table Green Buffaloes.
Zesco have 56 points with seven games left while Power are on 41 points after ending their eight-match winless run and have three games left in which to secure an outside chance of top four continental qualification.
The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has suspended the issuance of construction permits for new filling stations within Lusaka District, for the next 6 months.
The Board has also stopped reviewing Environmental Project Briefs (EPBs) for new filling stations in Lusaka district for the same period.
Among the revised siting guidelines for filling stations is the allowable distance between operating filling stations from 500 meters to 300 meters countrywide with immediate effect.
This was contained in a statement issued to ZANIS by ERB Public Relations Manager Kwali Mfuni, in Lusaka today.
Ms Mfuni has, however, assured that the revised guidelines on construction permits, won’t apply to proposed rehabilitation, and reconstruction or already existing filling stations.
In highlighting the resolutions of the Board, she further remarked on the board’s resolution to constitute a multi-sectoral technical committee consisting of various experts from relevant government ministries and agencies to facilitate the refinement of guidelines in the said period.
“The said committee would conduct a comprehensive study during the six (06) months period to assess the risks associated with the existing concentration of filling stations in the various localities in Lusaka town as well as the feasibility and consequent impact of approving additional filling stations within Lusaka,” she noted
Mfuni also alluded to the guidelines as being a result of efforts by the Board to ensure it executes its mandate more effectively amidst the dynamics that have become apparent in the petroleum sub-sector.
“In 2019 the ERB commenced the process of revising the Guidelines for Siting of filling stations in response to emerging issues in the petroleum sub-sector,” she said.
“The revised Siting Guidelines have since been subjected to extensive stakeholder consultation and there still remain some planned further engagements before the siting guidelines are finalized,” Ms Mfuni Concluded.
National Guidance and Religious Affairs Permanent Secretary, Howard Sikwela has called upon the clergy to remain non-partisan as they host congregants in their churches who are voters and members of political parties.
Reverend Sikwela said political campaigns had started, and it was imperative for the clergy to guide their members well by preaching peace, as their congregants had varying political interests.
ZANIS reports that Reverend Sikwela said this in Livingstone today in a speech read for him by Martha Sitali, Assistant Director – Religious Affairs in the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, at the National Prayer event organized by the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia and Independent Churches of Zambia.
“On 12th August the nation goes to the polls. It is not a time to harm one another but a time to engage in meaningful discourse that will spur development and sustain the peace the nation has enjoyed since independence,” he said.
The National Prayer event is taking place countrywide with a focus on blessing the political campaign landscape, praying for all candidates and issue based campaigns.
And Rev Sikwela appealed to the church to preach against tribalism and hate speech as the people wanted to hear messages of love and hope for the nation.
“As we pray for all candidates today, let us remain steadfast in counselling politicians on violence, hate speech and tribal remarks. We want to see peaceful campaigns across the country,” he said.
He further urged the clergy to speak to youths inside and outside the church to avoid being used as tools of violence in the run up to the general election.
Rev Sikwela said this was because the future belonged to them and their participation in contemporary politics was an inspiration of how great the future would be.
Speaking earlier, Acting Livingstone District Commissioner Harriet Kawina commended the clergy for their initiative to pray for unity and peace as the country headed to the polls.
Ms Kawina appealed to all stakeholders regardless of their various political affiliations to unite ahead of the general election.
“We really need to pray for us to remain as one people and to be a united strong nation,” she said.
Ms Kawina urged leaders to lead by example by guiding youths on the right path and condemning violence and divisions in the nation.
Meanwhile, Livingstone Gospel Ministers Fellowship Chairperson, Charles Musonda said the clergy in Livingstone was praying for peace before, during and after the August 12, 2021 General Election.
Pastor Musonda said God had great things in store for mother Zambia and it was up to the people to pray and make their petitions known to God for Him to answer their prayers.
The Zambia National Service Commandant Lieutenant General Nathan Mulenga has hailed the government for the relentless support towards the training of youths in skills development under his command countrywide.
Lt. Gen Mulenga who toured the Kitwe ZNS Youths Skills Training Centre, explained that the government’s support has led to the gains attained just three months into the training of youths.
ZANIS Reports that Lt. Gen Mulenga, disclosed that each of the 221 female students at ZNS Kitwe Youth Training Centre are performing exceptionally well.
He called on government to continue taking more youths to ZNS for skills training as it is key to moving the wheels of the economy.
“I am very happy and the skills exhibited by the students here goes to show that government support has yielded positive results just in three months and we are poised to produce citizens who will employ other people and have life sustaining skills,” he stressed.
And Kitwe ZNS Second- in- Command Major Mubuyaeta Sooka expressed happiness with the performance of all the 221 female students at the centre.
Major Sooka mentioned that the interns have concluded the theory part of the skills training and are doing practicals.
Among some of the skills being imparted to the youths include agribusiness, Bricklaying, Tailoring, Food Production and Shoe making.
“All the 221 students are performing very well and you have seen the cakes they bake, pigs they rear, crops they have grown and the shoes and clothes they have in stock. All this goes to show that we are moving on a positive trajectory,” the major placed emphasis.
On the other hand, students took turns in thanking government for the opportunity granted and vowed not to disappoint the authorities.
Marvis Mukuka who is majoring in food production explained while baking a cake that she is no longer the same person for she is now skilled and development oriented.
She projected a productive future after the training, adding that she will share the knowledge with other youths.
And El-Shalom Malioty who is doing bricklaying pointed out that construction is no longer a preserve of men and she will demonstrate her skills through teaching others and generating income.
Malioty called on other 220 students to put God first and remain passionate about the training.
Local Government Permanent Secretary (PS), Mathews Ngulube, has rebuked some local authorities for failing to select some members of staff to be trained as firefighters in accordance with the Fire Prevention Course No. 23 of 2021.
Speaking during the pass out of 146 firefighters among them 37 females, Mr. Ngulube said the government provided the provided financial resources, policy support and guidance to ensure all fire and rescue activities are implemented accordingly.
Mr Ngulube expressed disappointment with some with some local authorities and other organisations who failed to send officers for training even when space and resources to undertake the Fire Prevention Course No. 23 of 2021 were provided for.
“My government remains committed to providing financial as well as policy support and guidance to ensure all fire and rescue activities are implemented accordingly. My office is, however, disappointed with some local authorities and other organisations who have failed to avail officers who were allocated places on the programme,” Mr. Ngulube said.
“I am reliably informed that some local authorities have failed to send some officers for training since 2014 when the programme begun despite having untrained fire officers in their institutions,” he added.
He said this is a serious anomaly and cautioned local authorizes that allowing untrained fire officers to work on fire emergencies was not only risky but against government regulations.
Mr. Ngulube has since directed Fire Fighter Training School Commandant to submit to his office the names of local authorities that have not sent their fire officers for training for the ministry’s action.
“I therefore direct the commandant to submit the names of all the local authorities that have not sent their fire officers for training for the ministry’s action,” he said.
And Fire Services Union of Zambia President, Josphat Zulu, has also expressed his dismay that despite government declaring all local authorities as Fire Authorities, very few local authorities have responded by budgeting and ensuring that infrastructure being developed is in line with fire safety regulations.
He has also appealed to government to consider putting Fire Service Training School staff on PMEC as opposed to keeping them on Kabwe Municipal Council payroll.
He further demanded for speedy upgrading of the fire brigade section to a departmental status both at ministry and local authority level in line with the job evaluation and re-grading report, the fire policy and the parliamentary technical committee report.
A 23 year old male casual worker of Emmasdale, Lusaka was convicted and sentenced to 48 months imprisonment with hard labour by the Lusaka Magistrates Court, for forging an immigration identity card contrary to section 52(4) (b) as read with section 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
According to a statement released to the media by Department of Immigration Public Relations officer Namati Nshinka, The convicted Falarge George Chipango, was cornered by suspecting members of the public at Kabanana Market, who took him to North Gate Police Post, after he was found wearing an immigration coat, purporting to be an immigration officer.
“He was later handed over to Immigration. In his possession were two (02) Immigration Identity Cards, one (01) Council Identity Card, a National Registration Card and a Voters Card,” Nshinka remarked.
In another incidence, the Livingstone Regional Immigration Office, secured a conviction for a Zambian business man based in Murewa, Zimbabwe, for aiding illegal immigrants into Zambia contrary to section 46(1)(a) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
Event Mubila 31 was arrested at Victoria Falls Border Control in Livingstone for helping Dumisani Thsuma and Bernard Ndlovu both Zimbabwean nationals, to enter Zambia illegally.
“He was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of K 60,000 or in default 2 years simple imprisonment,” Mr Nshinka said.
In a related development the Ndola Regional Immigration Office also secured the conviction of a 42 year old farmer of Masaiti District, for harbouring foreign nationals. Particulars of the offence are that Stephen Mangware engaged 2 illegal immigrants Mumba Feston and Rodrick Kunda both Congolese nationals to work as cattle herders at his farm, contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Mangware who appeared before the Magistrate Court in Ndola on May 11 was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of K 4,000 or in default 12 months simple imprisonment and has since paid the fine.
The mainstream churches in association with the Ministers Fellowship across the country have today successfully held national prayers with various political leaders ahead of the 2021 general elections.
The focus of the event was to bless the political campaign landscape and pray for all candidates of the elections for peace and issue based campaigns.
With the message centered on the quest for the right motive, President Edgar Lungu has implored the media to amplify the information so that candidates may have the right motive as they contest for the general elections.
The Head of state tasked the media to translate the message properly concerning the motive surrounding all political players.
Speaking in an interview with journalists at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, President Lungu reiterated the need for peaceful campaigns especially among various political cadres.
The Head of Stated indicated that party supporters should emulate their leaders who have never engaged in violent activities against one another.
He told party cadres to follow the behaviors of their leaders as they have strived to always lead a non-violent example, adding that they were friends who are just contesting for a common position.
The President added that none of their children has been seen at the battle front to fight with the opposition, thus questioning party cadres to do the same.
“Why should our followers fight, they should follow the leaders who have set an example. We are friends so why should we fight and kill other people, in fact we don’t even love our children to get into such activities,” President Lungu explained.
He noted that some political leaders have known each other even before they got into politics hence maintain their friendships.
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu being prayed for during the National Prayer initiative for 2021 peaceful elections at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, Pentecostal Assemblies of God Bishop Harrison Sakala urged all political leaders to be sincere with their motive for the country as they contest for positions.
Bishop Sakala noted that all politicians ought to check their motive as they campaign and that it should be based on the wellbeing of Zambia.
“Motives are important because they are a driving force to what we intend to do. It is the same for politicians to have a motive for the country as they aspire for various leadership positions,” Bishop Sakala preached.
He further urged politicians to be mature enough and concede defeat when the results are not in their favour, while encouraging voters to cast their votes on the right motive.
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu and Rev.Godfridah Sumaili at National Prayer initiative for 2021 peaceful elections at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka.
And Lusaka Ministries Fellowship Chairperson Christopher Kabunda said that the church will from onwards spearhead the spiritual matters of the country.
Bishop Kabunda observed that the church has in the recent past been in the back seat when it comes to national matters, but that it plays a pivotal role in providing counsel, wisdom and uniting the body of Christ among other duties.
“For a long time, the church has been at the back seat concerning their blessing on the country’s spiritual matters. But now they are front runners starting from this moment,” Bishop Kabunda stated.
Political players are happy with the initiative saying it helps various political parties to carry out their campaigns peacefully.
United National Independence Party (UNIT) Presidential candidate Trevor Mwamba said the service was inspiring for all participating candidates to be guided by God as they practice peace among one another.
Bishop Mwamba called on fellow politicians to preach peace before, during and after the August 12, 2021 general elections.
“All political leaders should be peacemakers, let us work for peace, unity and for the prosperity of all God’s people in this beautiful nation of ours,” Bishop Mwamba added.
The national prayer initiative for peaceful elections which carried the theme: proclaiming peaceful, issue based political campaigns to provide responsible leadership for the next five years of Zambia had an attendance of over 10 political party leaders.
At the end of service, President Lungu and other political leaders mingled as they embraced each other. Blowing of the shofar and dedication by Bishops at National Prayer initiative for 2021 peaceful elections at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka.
Shepolopolo have secured an away friendly date against Mozambique that will be played at the end of May.
Bruce Mwape’s team will use the match to prepare for both their 2020 Olympic Games trip to Japan in July including next month’s 2022 Women’s AFCON preliminary round qualifier against Malawi.
“Our Copper Queens will play Mozambique on May 28, 2021 in Maputo. We are in talks with other teams to play our senior Women National Team as part of preparations for the Olympic Games and the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers,” Kashala said.
Shepolopolo will be making their Olympic debut this summer and are in Group F at the tournament Japan is hosting from July 21 to August 6.
Brazil, Netherlands and China are their Group F opponents.
But before then, Shepolopolo has an AFCON qualifier assignment away first against Malawi and later at home during the week on June 7-15.
Winner will face Tanzania or Namibia in the last round qualifiers during the week of October 18-29.
Chipolopolo have confirmed some June friendly away dates against Senegal and Sudan including Rwanda.
With the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup qualifiers moved to September, Zambia will keep busy next month with a diet of friendlies before kicking off the now twice-postponed CAF zone Qatar qualifiers in five months’ time.
FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala said Zambia will first play Senegal on June 5 at Thies.
Thereafter, Chipolopolo will visit Sudan on June 10 whom they will face at Omdurman.
But the Rwanda details have yet to be confirmed by FAZ.
“We shall conduct our business in a non-partisan manner and exhibit the highest levels of impartiality and fairness,” reads one of ECZ core values.
Allowing only one party to sell its manifesto does not connect with this value. All political parties should be allowed to campaign for the upcoming August 12th general election in Zambia.
A suggestion that political parties should not hold rallies for the upcoming August 12th general election because of Covid-19 shows that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) favors the Patriotic Front (PF) government.
Stopping rallies will not stop PF, the president Edgar Lungu particular, from holding rallies in the name of commissioning finished projects. It will only affect United Party for National Development (UPND) president, Hakainde Hichilema and the rest.
President Edgar Lungu gave a speech at the commissioning of Kazungula bridge. In real sense that was part of a campaign for the upcoming August 12th election and it will be foolish to think that it was the last commissioning event for him before the August election.
In short, if political parties will not be allowed to hold rallies, PF will be the only party campaigning for the upcoming election through commissioning finished projects around the country.
ECZ pretend not to know that:
“We advise all political parties to do away with rallies because they attract huge crowds. They should instead use alternative means such as zoom,” says ECZ Director for Electoral Operations Royd Katongo.
Looking forward to see President Lungu stop travelling around the country to commission finished projects and looking forward to see him commission projects on zoom.
Meanwhile, the spread of Covid-19, which according to health experts can be managed, should not be allowed to destroy our democracy.
Mask and social distancing methods have worked in other countries. In the USA elections activities went on even at a peak of Covid-19.
Today, there is even a vaccine and has been reported Zambia has received consignment of doses of it.
ECZ should be encouraging people to get a vaccine. Not pushing to ban political rallies. Something that directly favors one side.
The National Democratic Congress, NDC, has decided to sue its former leaders for continuing to mascarade as party officials.
The people being sued are; Mr. Rikki Josephs Akafumba, Mrs. Bridget Atanga, Mr. Franklin Membe, Mr. George Sichula, Mr. Paul Sensele, Father Richard Luonde, Mr. Joseph Chishala, Mr. Joseph Kasonde, Mr. Tazifa Mwanza, Prof. Muyenga Atanga and Mr. Luhila Akashondola. Others are; Ms. Timar Shaba Thuli, Mr. Emmanuel Malite, Mr. Kirby Musonda, Mrs. Maureen Sense, Mrs. Munyonshi, Mr. Andrew Lipindula and Mr. Musonda Banda.
The former party officials were expelled from the party and never contested their expulsions. However, the party is shocked that the expelled leaders have continued to mascarade as NDC officials.
‘Despite not having a following in the party, these former leaders have managed to create a media circus and continued to portray themselves as NDC when infact not. We thought that they would grow out of if by now but the rebels have continued to mascarade as NDC just to maintain some relevance to their new home and the public,’ NDC President Ms. Saboi Imboela said.
And in the letter of demand, Mr. Akafumba, Mrs. Atanga and others, have been reminded that they have continued to mascarade as party officials despite being expelled by the Central Committee meeting of 22nd March 2021 and confirmed by the party Congress on 18th April 2021.
The rebels have been given 48 hours to commit themselves in writing that they will cease to mascarade as NDC officials failure to which the party will have no option but to invoke court process without further recourse.
The NDC president Ms. Saboi Imboela further mentioned that belonging to a political party of one’s choice was a constitutional right and it was obvious that the rebels had decided to go with the party’s former alliance partners. However, the party has bee
Patriotic Front adopted Candidate for Chawama Constituency Tasila Lungu Mwansa says she is deeply touched and inspired by the generous words of congratulations and encouragement by the people.
Mrs Mwansa said she is humbled and grateful for the confidence placed in her to participate in this year’s election as Chawama Constituency Aspiring Member of Parliament.
“It is with great humility and gratitude and with the confidence you have placed in me that I now embark on another extraordinary journey to hopefully serve you as Member of Parliament, “ she added.
She has thanked Honourable Lawrence Sichalwe MP for Chawama Constituency and Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs for graciously preparing and guiding her.
She said It has been an Honour to work with Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa and the team at the Lusaka City Council.
“To my fellow Councillors across our great nation – thank you for everything you have taught me,” she said.
“To Patrick, the love of my life, you are my eternal rock! To my family, mum , dad, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunties and friends, I love you and continue to count on you. Thank you so much. God bless you all.”
The Milenge Local Court has fined a man for breaking the virginity of a then 17-year-old girl.
Before Magistrate Heaven Chimpandu was Golden Chimenya, 51, of Lusambo village in Chief Sokontwe’s chiefdom who sued Mulenga Songwe, 21, of Chishikishi village for having broken the virginity of his daughter.
ZANIS reports that Chimenya wanted compensation amounting to K7, 000.
Chimenya told the court that when Songwe impregnated his then 17 year old daughter in 2018, he said he was not ready to marry the girl but instead asked to be charged for damage.
“After we charged him K 7 000, he ran away from the district and has never paid any amount up to date. He came back in 2020 and claimed he wanted to marry my daughter. He paid K 70 as dowry and the two started living together as husband and wife,” he narrated.
Chimenya explained that the defendant only lived with his daughter for six months before he left her for another woman he had impregnated.
“Songwe left my daughter pregnant for her second baby. My wife and I are the ones providing for his two children including our daughter,” he said.
Meanwhile, Songwe, a small scale farmer, said after his first child was born, he went to Ndola to do some income generating activities.
“When I came back in 2020, my woman and I rekindled our love. She slept at my place one time and her parents chased her. She moved in with me. I paid dowry and we got married,” he said.
Songwe added that while living with his then wife, he worked on his in-laws farm as per culture.
Magistrate Chimpandu found Songwe guilty and ordered him to pay Chimenya K 5000.
“According to Ushi culture, working on the farm is equivalent to paying hence I have reduced the charge. Songwe, you have been disrespectful to this woman and her parents by only paying K 70 from the time you impregnated her,” he said.
Magistrate Chimpandu also gave Songwe a two months ultimatum to find a place for his ex wife and the two children.
“You can’t go on a rampage of fathering children yet you have no resources to take care of them. You are too young for this. Know that engaging in sexual activities has consequences, among them providing for the children you reproduce,” the Magistrate stated.
Patriotic Front (PF) members in Ndola’s Chifubu constituency yesterday morning protested to register their displeasure on the decision by the party’s central committee to adopt Dorothy Nachilongo as the parliamentary candidate for the 2021 general election.
The protests resulted into the arrest of six people.
Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner Elias Chushi has disclosed that the six people included former Fibobe ward councilor Kondwani Winga, who applied for adoption as MP on the party ticket but was left out.
“We have apprehended six people in connection with the protests staged in Chifubu after their preferred candidate Kondwani Winga for the Chifubu seat was left out on the adoption list,” Mr. Chushi said.
H said the protesters, mainly traders, gathered at Chifubu market with placards demanding that the decision to adopt Dorothy Nachilongo be rescinded.
Mr. Chushi added that the protesters chanted slogans and sung demanding that the PF should instead adopt Mr. Winga on the parliamentary ticket.
He vowed that police will continue to be vigilant and ensure that there is sanity in the province.
Mr. Chushi has since advised members of the public to restrain themselves and direct their grievances to the appropriate offices for action during this period.
He said it was out of such protests that violence erupted adding that the police will not entertain lawlessness.
He observed that the country was in crucial period hence the need for people to refrain from engaging into any lawlessness.
“President Edgar Lungu has denounced violence and it is out of those protests that violence can erupt,” he said.
The Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs has assured the Churches, Religious and Faith-Based organizations that the recently launched disbursement of Empowerment Scheme only marked the official start of the fund distribution process.
Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, Permanent Secretary, (PS) Howard Sikwela, said the launch by the Minister Godfridah Sumaili marked the first lot of distribution, which saw 84 successful applicants announced.
Dr. Sikwela said out of the K50 million granted by the treasury, the Ministry has so far only received K25 million Kwacha of which a total of K14 million was awarded to successful applicants yesterday.
“5 church mother bodies, 13 churches with networks, 28 Faith-Based Organisations and 38 Cooperatives and Ministers Fellowships across the country have applied and the ministry is currently scrutinizing more applicants of which successful applicants will be announced in the second lot,” he stated.
The PS said the office is committed to ensuring that the empowerment scheme is distributed equitably.
He noted that the Ministry will soon be visiting provinces to announce successful applicants from the Provincial centers and Districts.
Dr. Sikwela thanked everybody that took part in applying for the empowerment scheme.
He further stated that the government is committed to empowering the church, religious and Faith-Based organizations for the betterment of humanity.
This is according to a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today
