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World Vision donates COVID 19 materials in Manyinga

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World Vision donates COVID 19 materials in Manyinga

World Vision Zambia says the fight against COVID-19 can only be won if non-governmental organizations, the private sector and local authorities partner with government.

World Vision Zambia, Manyinga District Development Facilitator, Jonathan Banda said this when World Vision Zambia donated assorted COVID-19 items to Manyinga town council yesterday.

Mr Banda said the organization was compelled to make a donation to the local authorities as means to the fight the pandemic.

“As you know World Vision Zambian is a humanitarian organization and we felt duty bound to partner with the local authorities here in Manyinga district in the fight against COVID-19,” Mr Banda said.

The donated items include hand washing liquids, infra-red thermometers, spraying equipment, facemasks, soap, gloves among other items.

And receiving the items Acting Manyinga Town Council Secretary, Brian Nkolola said the donation has come at a time when the local authority together with the district epidemic preparedness committee is implementing a robust programme in the spraying of public places, distributing of COVID-19 prevention items, and carrying out massive sensitization activities in various public places such as markets, schools and health facilities.

“As local authority we are mandated by law to provide public health services and ensure cleanliness in public places and this donation by World Vision Zambia will assist us in implementing such a mammoth task,” Mr Nkolola added.

He further implored Manyinga residents to take the resurgence of COVID-19 seriously by adhering to public health guidelines.

Nkeyema district receives inputs

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Nkeyema district receives inputs

Nkeyema District Commissioner, Maliande Lipoba says the area has received the first batch of 390 metric tonnes of D-Compound fertilizer under the Farmer Input Support Programme(FISP) for the 2021/2022 farming season.

Mr Lipoba reiterated government’s commitment of ensuring that farmers in the district are empowered through FISP in order to create job opportunities for the locals in the district.

“It is anticipated that more farmers will be engaged on this FISP programme considering the number of registered farmers which is now at over 16, 000 in the district,” Mr Lipoba said.

Mr Lipoba said the prompt distribution of farming inputs on time will encourage FISP registered farmers to plan and plant early as the district is the food basket for the province.

He said government is on course in ensuring that the Ministry of Agriculture improves the living standards of people through intensive farming activities in the district.

“You know this is good for the FISP farmers in Nkeyema district. It is now incumbent upon the farmers themselves to get ready and renew their membership in respective cooperatives and start paying for their contributions that will enable them access the inputs,” said Mr Lipoba.

Mr Lipoba has since implored FISP farmers in the district to utilize the inputs for the intended purpose adding that the District Administration will not condone anyone who would be found misapplying the fertilizer.

“Registered FISP farmers in the district are the backbone of farming where expected bumper harvest is hinged upon. Hence, farmers should take keen interest in utilizing the little resources being received from the government,” advised Mr. Lipoba.

And one of the FISP beneficiaries, Kahilu Mukonda has expressed gratitude for the timely distribution of inputs to farmers in the district.

Human Rights Commission calls for the Arrest of Individual who harassed a Female Civil Servant for Belonging to UPND

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Human Rights Commission calls for the Arrest of Individual who harassed a Female Civil Servant for Belonging to UPND

The Human Rights Commission (HRC/Commission) has called for for the immediate arrest of the individuals who invaded the government offices at the Ministry of Works and Supply and harassed a female civil servant on allegations of supporting the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND)

In a statement made available to the Media and signed by Mweelwa Muleya, Spokesperson, the Commission said that Zambia police must arrest the perpetrators and subject them to the due process of the law in order to end impunity, adding that such acts must be considered as full blown warning of potential political violence ahead of the forthcoming elections and must be immediately stopped.

Below is the full statement

14th April 2021

Press Statement
For Immediate Release

THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE ARREST OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HARASSED THE FEMALE CIVIL SERVANT AT THE MINISTRY OF WORKS AND SUPPLY

The Human Rights Commission (HRC/Commission) calls for the immediate arrest of the individuals who invaded the government offices at the Ministry of Works and Supply and harassed a female civil servant on allegations of supporting the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).

The Commission further calls upon the government to put effective measures towards the protection of Ms. Sheilly Chatugwa from further harassment or victimisation and allow her to discharge her public service functions impartially and professionally.

Preliminary investigations by the Commission indicate that Ms. Chatugwa, who is an Inspector, was hounded out of her office by suspected PF cadres apparently led by a Mr. Charles Kakula on allegations of being a UPND cadre on 13th April 2021. The cadres locked up her office and dragged her to the office of the Ministry of Works and Supply Permanent Secretary, Mr. Lenox Kalonde, where they announced that they had locked her office and threatened to burn her her office if she went back. Such criminal behaviour is unacceptable and a violation of human rights as it constitutes, inter alia, criminal trespass, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and threatening violence.

The police must arrest the perpetrators and subject them to the due process of the law in order to end impunity. Such acts must be considered as full blown warning of potential political violence ahead of the forthcoming elections and must be immediately stopped.

It is the Commission’s considered view that the harassment of Ms. Chatugwa may be the culmination of systemic violation of the rights of hundreds of public workers who have in the recent past suffered from various forms of victimisation, including retirement in the national interest on trumped up allegation of being supporters or sympathisers of the opposition parties.

The Commission wishes to caution that if perpetrators of lawlessness and violation of human rights are left scot free, such criminal conduct may worsen and spread to other public service institutions to the detriment of public service delivery during the countdown to 12th August 2021 Presidential and General Elections.

Breakdown of law and order as witnessed through the video that has gone viral on social media where the cadres have the audacity, in broad day light, to invade government offices and hound out a civil servant, has potential to cause a wide range of human rights violations.

Zambia is not a failed state as it has fully functioning systems and channels which can be used to air or redress any grievances instead of taking the law into one’s own hands. The Government has a primary responsibility, through the Police, to maintain law and order in order to enable the Government to function normally before, during and after the August elections.

The Commission is already investigating the matter and will accordingly advise the respective authority and the victim through the recommendations arising from the investigation findings.

The Commission fully understands that public service workers are not supposed to engage in or practice partisan politics but that should be distinguished from holding an opinion, provided such an opinion does not result into manifestation of partisan and unprofessional conduct in the discharge of public functions.

The commission is therefore calling on all employers be it in the public or private sector to provide a safe work environment to all their employees without any form of discrimination, including based on one’s political opinion.

Mweelwa Muleya
Spokesperson
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

PF justifies the appointment of Charles Kakoma to the Party’s Central Committee

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PF justifies the appointment of Charles Kakoma to the Party’s Central Committee

Immediate past chairperson of the Patriotic Front (PF) Legal Affairs committee, Brian Mundubile, has clarified that the ruling party waived the five years required for a new member to be appointed to the central committee using standing orders under Article 70 of the party constitution.

Mr. Mundubile, who is also Government Chief Whip in parliament, says standing order under Article 70, is part of the several orders which were amended by the national council of the party at the recently held party conference where President Edgar Lungu was unanimously re-elected.

He says this decision has seen new members such as former UPND party Spokesperson Charles Kakoma getting elected into the new PF central committee.

Mr. Mundubile told ZANIS in Lusaka today that, according to Article 70, the PF constitution may be amended by the general conference of the party provided a notice of the proposed amendment has been circulated to members of the national council not less than one month before the meeting.

He said Article 70 also states that the notice of the proposed amendment should subsequently be approved by the two thirds majority at the general conference.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mundubile, who is Mporokoso PF Member of Parliament, said the recently held party convention was successful as it attracted participation from all ten provinces of the country.

He said the convention saw the election of President Lungu as party president as well as the ratification of 54 members of the PF central committee.

He also clarified that President Lungu did not handpick any member of the central committee but merely submitted a list of proposed members to the national council for consideration and their names were ratified as they represented the entire country.

Mr. Mundubile has since urged PF youths across the country to remain active and take advantage of the various opportunities present.

New Chongwe water project to benefit 18,000 residents

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New Chongwe water project to benefit 18,000 residents

Vice President Inonge Wina has commissioned the K23 million water reticulation project which is expected to enable 18,000 people to have access to clean and safe water in Chongwe district.

Mrs. Wina observed that the district has been facing water blues for a long time due to excessive exploitation of water sources in Chongwe.

Speaking at the commissioning of the water project, Mrs. Wina said abuse of water sources such as Chongwe river and charcoal burning, coupled with the effects of climate change, have contributed to the depletion of water.

She observed that the water reticulation infrastructure will provide safe and clean water for both commercial and domestic use and also improve the hygiene of the people in the area.

“This will subsequently improve the health status of our people especially at this time of the Covid-19 when issues of hygiene are more critical,” she stated.

The Vice President has since cautioned the residents of Chongwe to guard the new water reticulation infrastructure so that they continue to sustainably enjoy the benefits of having sufficient clean water.

“Government has done has its part by giving you water infrastructure, now the onus is on you to guard it jealously,” she added.

She has meanwhile urged the people of Chongwe to acknowledge that there is a cost attached to accessing clean and safe water, stating that they should contribute towards the services that will be rendered.

And Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Raphael Nakachinda said the project will also lead to increased hours of supply from 11 to 22 hours every day.

Mr. Nakachinda noted that the implementation of the water reticulation project in Chongwe is a demonstration of government’s commitment to improving access to water and sanitation in the country.

He revealed that the dividends of the project are already being witnessed adding that the supply of clean water has caused a reduction in waterborne disease in the district.

“Government has managed to improve access to water in the country, which was at 64 percent in 2014 to 72 percent. We have also seen improved access to sanitation from 25 percent in 2017 to 54 percent,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo said government is planning to expand the Chongwe river to further improve access to safe water in the district.

And Chongwe Member of Parliament Japhen Mwakalombe observed that the provision of safe and clean water will reduce the distances that people used to cover to access water.

In a vote of thanks, senior chieftainess Nkomeshya of the Soli people in Chongwe district pledged to work with government in promoting development in the area.

Improved access to clean and safe water is one of the programmes outlined in the seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) and the Vision 2030.

Police Chief condemns PF cadres who harassed a Civil Servant suspected to belong to Opposition UPND

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Police Chief condemns PF cadres who harassed a Civil Servant suspected to belong to Opposition UPND

INSPECTOR General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has condemned Patriotic Front cadres who stormed Ministry of Works and Supply offices to harass a woman they accused of belonging to the opposition United Party for National Development.

Mr Kanganja said the conduct by the cadres is uncalled for and illegal as it is not backed by any provision of the law.

In a statement made available to the media, Mr. Kanganja said political cadres have no right or justification to harass government workers under any circumstance.

“It is with great dismay that police have noticed high levels of hooliganism being exhibited by some political cadres under the pretext of politicking.

One such example is a video circulating on social media in which alleged Patriotic Front Cadres are seen harassing a public service employee, accusing them of being members of a named opposition political party,” he said.

Mr Kanganja said if cadres have any grievance against any government official, they should channel such grievances through relevant authorities who should independently assess the complaint and find a lasting solution.

“Cadres should also be reminded that civil servants are qualified to do the work tasked to them professionally hence they should be allowed to work without any harassment or intimidation,” he said.

The IG said his command will not tolerate any criminality perpetrated under the guise of politics and has since advised public officers who may be harassed by cadres to report to any nearest police station for possible prosecution.

“As much as we may all be aware that this is an election year, the Zambia Police shall not tolerate any provocative behavior with the potential to cause mayhem or bring about public disorder.

All political cadres whether from the ruling or opposition political parties should stick to their lane as they conduct their political activities,” Mr Kanganja said.

PF Media Director, Sunday Chanda
PF Media Director, Sunday Chanda

Meanwhile, the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has condemned in the strongest terms the conduct by suspected party cadres who harassed a female civil servant at one of the Government ministries in Lusaka Province.

PF Media Director Sunday Chanda said that the party does not subscribe to the bullying and intimidation of civil servants.

Mr. Chanda said in a statement that says the conduct by these suspected cadres is not only intolerable but borders on criminality and has since urged investigative wings to bring the culprits to book without delay.

“His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has repeatedly called for discipline among party members. As such, Patriotic Front will not standby while misguided individuals drag its name into disrepute,” read the statement.

Mr Chanda further said that the actions by the suspected cadres, therefore, do not represent the party’s impression of the civil service.

“The Party considers the civil service as a partner in translating our manifesto promises into concrete programmes of action through improved delivery of goods and services.

“Lastly, we wish to urge all party members to exhibit exemplary conduct ahead of the August 2021 elections and beyond,” the statement concluded.

Arrest and detention procedure the most abused process in Zambia

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Arrest and detention procedure the most abused process in Zambia

It is extremely hard to dodge to sound political when commenting on arrest and detention procedure in Zambia.

Early April 2017 the United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema was arrested for blocking president Lungu motorcade. He spent 127 days in prison without trial.

Every effort by Zambians to have him released failed. It took the international community to rescue him from prison.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland had to fly to Zambia to come and negotiate the release of Hakainde Hichilema.

Today, it appears the UPND is in the similar situation. Its four senior members have spent days in police custody without any sign of trial.

Like the case with Hakainde Hichilema, individuals and local groups and organizations such as the Human Rights Commission (HRC) are demanding that the arrested individuals be charged or released but in vain. The law is completely being ignored again.

Arresting the four individuals is not the issue. The issue is their prolonged detention. It is almost three weeks without a charge.

The Zambian law requires that a detainee appears before a court within 24 to 48 hours of arrest and be informed of the charges against him or her.

Unfortunately, as clear as it sounds it continues to be the most abused part of the Zambian law. All because of the nature of politics in the country.

There is no other explanation other than politics in play. The arrested UPND members are among the giants of the party. The general election is drawing near and the nominations to contest the upcoming August general election is here.

The prolonged holding of former Local Government minister Ackson Sejani, Choma Mayor Javen Simoloka, Mazabuka Mayor Vincent Lilanda, and Choma businessman Fines Malambo could be a deliberate move by the Patriotic Front (PF) to stop them from filling and being adopted to stand as member of parliaments in their areas of choice in the upcoming August election.

They should be released immediately. Their prolonged holding in police cells is not fair. It shows that the police have no enough evidence to charge them.

This kind of abuse of arrest and detention procedure started with Hakainde Hichilema arrest in 2017. It has now become a common thing. Bails are being denied for no reasons since then. Resulting in detainees, mostly government critics, spending more than 48 hours in custody.

Should the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland fly to Zambia again to come and negotiate the release of former minister Sejani, Mayor Simoloka, Mayor Lilanda, and Choma businessman Fines Malambo?

Something need to be done to stop this. Arrest and detention procedure in the country need reform.

By Venus N Msyani
Concerned citizen

Roberto collaborates with Tanzanian artist Ibraah on “Work”

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Roberto collaborates with Tanzanian artist Ibraah on “Work”

Zambia’s award winning singer ROBERTO releases the video for his single Work that features Tanzanian artist, Ibraah, The song is off his forthcoming EP, dubbed JOURNEY TO THE EAST.

The video was Shot in Tanzania by Kwetu Studios. Song produced by renowned Zambian producer, TK Romaside.

President Lungu’s stance on value addition is commendable-Anthony Mukwita

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President Lungu’s stance on value addition is commendable-Anthony Mukwita

Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany, Anthony Mukwita says the recognition by President Edgar Lungu of the strategic economic opportunities offered by electric vehicles must inspire the business community to invest more in value addition.

Ambassador Mukwita says President Lungu’s commitment to value addition signifies his government’s readiness to facilitate investment in businesses that will take advantage of the growing electric vehicle industry.

On the opening day of the just-ended elective conference of the ruling Patriotic Front, PF, President Lungu described value addition initiatives that have begun in the mining sector as encouraging signals that come at the right time when the world is transforming the auto industry from fossil-fuel-dependent to electric-powered models.

Ambassador Mukwita has called on the business community both in Zambia and Germany to translate government policy on value addition into profits for their companies as well as economic benefits for Zambia.

“The Zambian government has done its part and willing to do more to help business go into value addition. It is now left to business to move in and take advantage of the business opportunities offered by the electric vehicle market which now runs into billions of dollars”, Ambassador Mukwita says.

On his part, the Zambian envoy says he will continue to engage the German Chamber of Business Associations with a view to getting auto makers in Germany set up bases in Zambia.

The Ambassador says he is confident of a positive outcome as Zambia is offering ready infrastructure to set up manufacturing firms in Multi-facility economic zones that have been built and continue to be built in different parts of the country.

“MFEZ facilities help cut down costs normally associated with setting up factories as they provide structures and areas already serviced with roads, water and electricity”, Ambassador Mukwita observes.

The electric vehicle industry is currently valued at more than 140 billion dollars with estimates that in the next five years, it will jump to 700 billion.

The gradual switch from fossil-fueled vehicles to electric models is a response to the adverse impact of climate change in which transportation has been identified as one of the major culprits.

CiSCA condemns PF Cadre Munir Zulu’s Blatant, Dangerous, Discriminatory, Unconstitutional Utterances

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CiSCA condemns PF Cadre Munir Zulu’s Blatant, Dangerous, Discriminatory, Unconstitutional Utterances

By Judith Mulenga CiSCA Chairperson

The Civil Society Constitution Agenda (CiSCA) strongly condemns the extremely dangerous, discriminatory and unconstitutional utterances by Patriotic Front member Munir Zulu, when he clearly violated the constitutionally guaranteed right of every person in Zambia not to be discriminated against.

During a discussion on Muvi TV’s “The Furnace” aired on Thursday 8th April 2021, and anchored by Kelvin Tabula Chifokolo, Munir Zulu unashamedly declared that, “the minority cannot rule over the majority” in Zambia. Ironically, Munir Zulu referred to the “genocide in Rwanda”, while he himself was making utterances similar to what caused the genocide in Rwanda.

Munir Zulu’s utterances clearly violate our Constitution. In the Preamble, we the Zambian people commit to “Recognise and uphold the multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural character of our Nation…” Further, the substantive provision of Article 4(3) of the same Constitution also recognizes the fact that “The Republic (of Zambia) is a unitary, indivisible, multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-party democratic State…”

Munir Zulu’s utterances also violate Section 70 sub section (1) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, which states that, “Any person who utters any words or publishes any writing expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt for any person or group of persons wholly or mainly because of his or their race, tribe, place of origin or colour is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.” Therefore by making the utterances that Munir made on national television, Munir committed a cognizable offence and does not need to be reported by anyone for him to be arrested by the police.

CiSCA wonders where Munir Zulu gets the guts to so recklessly violate our Constitution? Looking at the unfettered diabolical confidence which Munir Zulu displayed during the interview as he spewed his prejudices against other Zambians and his ignorant interpretation of what constitutes minority and democratic elections, it seemed like he had the support of his party’s higher offices. If not, we challenge the Secretary General of the PF to publicly and strongly censure Munir. We believe that Munir, like many other cadres in the ruling party, have been emboldened by other leaders in the party who have similarly uttered reckless statements without retribution from senior leadership in the party.

Munir, has a very low random access memory (RAM) because since 2016 with the 50 + 1% votes needed for one to become President, the so called ‘majorities’ need the so called ‘minorities’ even more than before. If in 2001 during the first past the post electoral process, President Mwanawasa was elected from the so called minority ethnic extraction and became President, what about now? Did Munir miss the memo on the attempted ‘kavundula’ Bill 10 and what its aim was? Does he not know that he is shooting his party in both feet at the same time?

CiSCA calls on the police to immediately arrest Munir Zulu. If they don’t, we will be left with no option but to report his non-arrest to the Office of the Public Protector under Article 244 of our Constitution and if nothing happens with this office, we will escalate the matter to relevant regional and international bodies as we will deem the non action as having exhausted all local remedies. We want to remind this violent cadre and his ilk that non discrimination is the cornerstone of the international human rights framework that compelled the United Nation’s drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted on 10th December 1948 because of the inhuman treatment of the Jewish people and others deemed ‘undesirables’ by Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Seventy-two years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this man can brazenly spew such vitriol against other ethnic groupings without any consequences? We cannot allow this level of lawlessness to continue unabated. This is extremely dangerous, and a real threat to our peace and stability. We also would like to take this opportunity to remind the nation that since 10th December 1948, human rights stopped being a sovereignty matter! The global community realized that dictators thrive on suppression of their people’s human rights and on divide and rule.

Zambia is not an “animal farm” where some people are more equal than others. We are a constitutional democracy, and all citizens have an equal claim to the running of the affairs of this country, regardless of their ethnicity, social, economic, political, religious or any other basis. We are all equal, and our equality is unconditional. Period!

Claims that Empowerment Funds are Bribes ahead of Election is a concern-President Lungu

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Claims that Empowerment Funds are Bribes ahead of Election is a concern-President Lungu

President Lungu has assured the Nation that the PF Government will continue working closely with the Catholic Church which has worked well with Government since 1964.

He said Government had no plans to antagonize Archdiocese of Chipata Bishop George Lungu for banning those under his justification from accessing the well-intended COVID Relief Empowerment Fund for churches.

President Lungu said Government would engage Bishop Lungu to understand his reservation on the Fund which has been extended to the churches.
“It is good that other Bishops in the Catholic Church allow their priests to accept Government empowerment programs especially that the Church remains Government’s great partner in the provisinon of services such as education and health,” the President said.

President Lungu said this when he held a meeting with Apostolic Nuncio Gianfranco Gallone at State House in Lusaka today attended by PF National Chairperson Samuel Mukupa and PF Secretary General Davies Mwila.

“We’re concerned that Bishop Lungu asked priests under his jurisdiction not to accept the empowerment fund claiming that they are bribes ahead of election but it is the church that asked Government to be considered in the empowerment programs because of the effects of Covid 19 pandemic,” he said.

And Apostolic Nuncio Nuncio Gianfranco said the PF Government and the Catholic Church enjoyed excellent and cordial relations.

“I am aware that the church and Government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs met in October last year and agreed on the Covid Relief Fund for churches of which each Bishop had their own jurisdiction on how they wanted to handle church matters within their territory,” he said.

The Nuncio said there was need for continued dialogue and collaboration between the Government and the church in order to continue providing services to the people of Zambia.

“It is good that the Government of Zambia has recognised the efforts of the church in national development and I wish to thank you President Lungu for the announcement by Government that the clergy and health workers will be among the first to receive the Covid Vaccines,” he said.
He said health workers, priests and other church leaders meet a lot of people hence the need to be among the first group to receive the vaccine.
And President Lungu later took his guest around State House Grounds for game viewing and fish ponds.

Ministry of Health to Launch the Vaccination Program today at UTH

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Ministry of Health to Launch the Vaccination Program today at UTH

Following the arrival of the initial doses of the Covid-19 vaccines in the country yesterday, Health Minister Dr. Jonas Chanda has announced that the vaccination program will be launched today at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where vaccination will be started.

Speaking during the routine Covid-19 update today, the Health Minister said the health workers who are in the frontline in the fight against Covid-19 will be the first to receive the vaccine as guided by Cabinet in the approved vaccine program for Zambia.

He said other groups that are at high risk will then follow, reiterating that the vaccination will be voluntary and not mandatory.

“We endeavour to ensure, those on the frontlines are safe to strengthen the country’s preparedness for any possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the cold season, we will also vaccinate those who are volunteering who are in charge of core societal functions.” Dr. Chanda said.

And Permanent Secretary Technical services Dr. Kennedy Malama said the vaccines are being stored in a special storage facility where vaccines are stored at national level at the National Program on Immunisation.

“We have made allocation to all the 10 Provinces of our country, in line with the prioritised categories.”

“Tomorrow is the National launch and strategically we are going to do this launch at the University Teaching hospital, and start vaccinating, tier one (1) the health workers. And from there we will ensure that all the provinces do their provincial launched and also District launches…. where the focus is actual administration of the vaccine.” Dr. Malama said.

And responding to a question during the update, University Teaching Hospital Director of Infectious Diseases Professor. Lloyd Mulenga said pregnant and breastfeeding women would not be eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine as clinical trials that evaluated the safety and efficacy of the vaccines did not include pregnant and breastfeeding women adding that this particular population would not be routinely included for vaccination.

He however said that as the vaccination program was voluntary, those that felt that the benefit of taking the vaccine was bigger than the risk were at liberty to be vaccinated.

“So far the data that has come out for some of them under the trials (pregnant and breastfeeding women) who were vaccinated is that they gave normal live births, no major events have been recorded, however those trials were not designed to answer the question if these vaccines were safe in the pregnant population.” Professor Mulenga said.

Sangwa to challenge President Lungu’s eligibility next month

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Sangwa to challenge President Lungu’s eligibility next month
Constitutional Lawyer John Sangwa stresses a point at a recent public discussion on the Constitutional Amendment Bill
Constitutional Lawyer John Sangwa stresses a point at a recent public discussion on the Constitutional Amendment Bill

Lusaka Lawyer John Sangwa has confirmed that he will go ahead and petition President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility to contest the August 2021 general elections.

Mr. Sangwa said now that it is abundantly clear President Lungu wants to stand as President in the August polls, he will go ahead and challenge his eligibility in the Constitutional Court.

Speaking on Phoenix FM’s Let the People Talk radio programme on Tuesday, Mr Sangwa said it is now up to the Court to determine whether President Lungu qualifies to stand or not.

“I have deliberately avoided the eligibility matter on this programme because I know that this is a matter that will be resolved by the Courts and I think we would have all the indications on the ground that the matter would have to be resolved by Court soon,” Mr Sangwa said.

“I think we have debated enough, I think people have given their positions, I think the one camp is saying this issue is already resolved by the Court and I am saying that no it has not been resolved by the Courts but you know you can have a debate up to a certain point and when you are stuck in your respective positions, the only civil thing to do is to allow the matter to be decided in court.”

“And its not far, it’s only next month and of God willing, we will still be standing then we will see how the matter will be settled,” Mr Sangwa said.

“You see, we need to have faith in ten institutions that we have, we have our judicial system, although they are lowly paid but the truth is that these are the only institutions we have and when there is a dispute and we are falling to agree on, we take the matter to court for interpretation.”

He said,”There has been a lot of time expended on the issue of eligibility and we can’t seem to agree abd the next thing we have to do is leave it for the Court to decide.”

On calls by some PF offocials that Mr Sangwa be arrested for treason for questioning President Lungu’s eligibility, Mr Sangwa said he has not done anything illegal.

“I have argued that in my opinion, the only person who should be arrested is the one whom I believe is not edible to hold office. I am simply standing in defence of the constitution which is an obligation for me as a Lawyer and I have taken oath to protect the constitution and I don’t know how that can translate into treason?

Zesco United’s Sponsors Atlas Mara Backs Club to Win 2020/21 Double

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Zesco United’s Sponsors Atlas Mara Backs Club to Win 2020/21 Double

Atlas Mara Bank say they have never doubted their investment in Zesco United and are backing the Ndola giants to clinch a double this season.

Zesco and Atlas Mara have enjoyed a shirt endorsement deal for the last four years and last October unveiled a one year contract worth K2 million.

The eight-time league champions currently leads the FAZ Super Division race as it battles to reclaim the league title they surrendered to Nkana last season.

Victory at the end of the finish line in Week 34 will see Zesco join the second most successful club Mighty Mufulira Wanderers on nine league title, four less than Nkana.

“The value for us has always been there from ZESCO United. It is a professional club with good professional standards and a solid management system which are the key foundations to a successful football team,” said Atlas Mara bank head of Marketing and Corporate Communication, Eric Ngondo.

“These ingredients have had a huge bearing on the field. This is the more reason the team has been very successful over the years.

“Firstly, we want to give credit to the technical bench and players including management for what they have thus far achieved. The team is on course to win the title and are also in the semi-finals of the Absa Cup.

“For us the crucial part is winning the league, which we feel is within reach. What they have done so far is no mean achievement especially that the Zambian league is among the top leagues in Africa. Opening a seven-point gap at this stage of the season is massive. We can’t wait to celebrate the league and Absa cup title triumph with them.”

Zesco are the ABSA Cup holders and hope to stay on course for a prospective double when they face Konkola Blades in Saturday’s semifinals at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.

Fitch Ratings Agency Upgrades Zambia from “CC” grade to “CCC”,

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Fitch Ratings Agency Upgrades Zambia from “CC” grade to “CCC”,

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Zambia’s Long-term Local-Currency (LTLC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC’ from ‘CC’ and has affirmed Zambia’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency (LTFC) IDR at ‘RD’.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

The upgrade of the LTLC IDR reflects that the government has continued to service its local currency debt and has made no indication that it plans to include domestic debt in any potential debt restructuring. This means an eventual re-structuring of external debt could improve the overall public finance position and support local-currency debt sustainability.

However, the ‘CCC’ rating still reflects a real possibility of a local-currency default, given Zambia’s weak public finances and tight domestic financing conditions. Fitch estimates the 2020 general government deficit widened to 12% of GDP and forecasts a 2021 deficit of 10.3%. General government debt reached an estimated 114% of GDP at end-2020, versus the current ‘B’ median of 66%. The need to roll over domestic debt has increased interest rates. The government’s weighted-average cost of domestic government bond issuance reached a real rate of 11.7% in February, when inflation was 22%.

Zambia’s LTFC IDR of ‘RD’ reflects that the government has not serviced its outstanding Eurobonds pending a restructuring since its failure to pay the coupon due 14 October 2020 on its USD1 billion Eurobond that matures in 2024. The government has continued to service foreign currency-denominated debt to multilateral financial institutions and debt on a few priority projects that have immediate social and economic impact.

The Government of Zambia officially requested debt treatment under the G20 Common Framework in February 2021, and began discussions with the IMF on a possible support programme. Debt treatment under the common framework is likely to be driven by the outcome of a debt sustainability analysis (DSA) prepared by the authorities with the IMF and the World Bank.

An IMF statement on 3 March noted broad agreement on the “nature and cause of macroeconomic imbalances,” but that key challenges remain in addressing those imbalances. Given that an IMF programme will require significant policy adjustments, we believe that final approval of a programme is unlikely before the 2021 general election that is currently scheduled for August.

ESG – Governance: Zambia has an ESG Relevance Score of 5 for both Political Stability and Rights and for the Rule of Law, Institutional and Regulatory Quality and Control of Corruption, as is the case for all sovereigns. Theses scores reflect the high weight that the World Bank Governance Indicators (WBGI) have in our proprietary Sovereign Rating Model (SRM). Zambia has a medium WBGI, in the 38th percentile, reflecting a recent record of peaceful political transitions, a moderate level of rights for participation in the political process, moderate institutional capacity, established rule of law and a moderate level of corruption.

ESG – Creditor Rights: Zambia has an ESG Relevance Score (RS) of 5 for Creditor Rights as willingness to service and repay debt is highly relevant to the rating and is a key rating driver with a high weight. Zambia has not serviced its outstanding Eurobonds since its failure to pay the coupon due 14 October 2020 on its USD1 billion Eurobond that matures in 2024

Full Report: https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/fitch-upgrades-zambia-lc-idr-to-ccc-affirms-fc-idr-at-rd-12-04-2021

https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/fitch-upgrades-zambia-lc-idr-to-ccc-affirms-fc-idr-at-rd-12-04-2021

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