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Police Unconstitutional Prevention Of The Right To Gather – CSO

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Police Unconstitutional Prevention Of The Right To Gather – CSO

It is with a sense of increasing alarm that we, the undersigned civil society organisations (CSOs), note the incessant incidents of police prevention of opposition party rallies and gatherings of any actors considered critical of government.

Specifically, the organisations issuing this statement collectively condemn the use of the Police to prevent the New Heritage Party rally that was scheduled to be held in Mandevu, Lusaka, last Saturday, 1st June 2024. Further, we express our extreme concern at how still in Mandevu, UPND cadres brandished weapons threatening violence and disturbing the lives of ordinary citizens. We note that, while the Police were out in full force and numbers in Mandevu, there was no attempt to prevent the criminality of the cadres or arrest them.
We would like to bring to the attention of government and the public that almost exactly three years ago, on the 31st May 2021, civil society issued a joint statement against the then Inspector General of Police, who had threatened to prosecute attendees of Zoom meetings hosted by the then President of the Resident Doctors’ Association of Zambia.

We raise our previous statement to show that the current government is unwisely taking the well-worn path of previous others who abused the Police for political interests. We would like to remind the governing UPND party of its statements, while in opposition, promising Zambia full adherence to the rule of law. We especially remind President Hichilema of his repeated personal promises that cadre lawlessness and disruption of citizen lives would never be countenanced under his presidency.

It is our view that those promises are being broken with shocking licence.
We jointly remind the Government and the Police that the constitutional rights of citizens must be respected even when the exercise of those rights is inconvenient for government. Government must expect and live with opposition rallies and criticism by citizens. Being in office does not turn a political party or its leaders into gods. Silencing any voices, including those of critics and opposition actors, goes against the basic tenets of democracy. Our considered position is that even where citizens wishing to gather are likely to criticise government, this is not a legal reason to prevent them from gathering.

Finally, we call on citizens to stand together against government actions that regress on the gains we have made. Democracy must be defended, or else politicians do their best to kill it.

Laura Miti
Executive Director, Alliance for Community Action

Signed by Laura Miti,Executive Director Alliance for Community Action On behalf of:

Alliance for Accountability Advocates Zambia
Bloggers of Zambia
CARITAS Zambia
Centre for Trade and Policy Development
Christian Churches Monitoring Group
Council of Churches Zambia
GEARS Initiative Zambia
Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC)
PANOS Institute for Southern Africa
Peoples Action for Accountability and Good Governance in Zambia (PAAGGZ)
Transparency International Zambia
Zambia Council for Social Development

Iconic Kalumba bags 11th National Scrabble Championship title

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Iconic Kalumba bags 11th National Scrabble Championship title
scrabble
National Scrabble Championship

Paul Kalumba has defended his National Scrabble Championship title, making this his 11th win. During the Scrabble Association of Zambia (SAZ) national championship over the weekend, Kalumba, aka PYK, suffered three defeats in the A Division but came back stronger the following day and fought his way to Gibsonisation with a game to spare.

Gibsonisation is the process by which a player with an unassailable lead is declared a winner before the tournament concludes. “Ba mudala bakulekafye,” SAZ vice-president Chipika Simanwe said of PYK’s legendary performance, which gained him an amazing +1350 points. Simanwe’s +811 points won him second place after delivering an outstanding performance and demonstrating remarkable skill.

With his son (Lukundo Simanwe in the C Division), he came out second and first in their respective divisions, showcasing the talent in their household. Justin Chansa’s strategic gameplay earned him a commendable third place on 296 points, while Isaac Mwape at +1183 finished in fourth. Levy Moonga at +697 ended fifth, while Julius Mulele’s +302 was good enough for sixth place.

The tournament director, with -41, was seventh overall but had defeated the Big Three (PYK, Patrick Mulemena Mpundu (PMM), and Isaac Mwape, aka ZEK Money), managing to finish in the top 10 bracket. Eighth finisher Mubanga Kambikambi subjected PMM to four consecutive beatings and earned himself eighth place with -223 points. Chitundu Mulenga (-94) ended in ninth place, while Patrick Mpundu, a legend of Zambian Scrabble who has mentored many players now excelling to higher positions, showcasing the growth and improvement in the competitive field, finished at +69 in 10th.

In the B Division, Chansa Chalee, with +2453, got first place, with Davies Chansa (+1571) getting second place in the category, which had eight other contestants. The C Division was split into two categories: Under-18 years and Under-12 years. The top 10 overall players were Simanwe Lukundo at +1228, securing first position, while Niza Siame’s +555 was good enough for second place in this section, which attracted 10 competitors.

There was special recognition for PYK for winning the nationals again, showcasing his consistent excellence in scrabble; Kanshamba for his dual role in managing and competing, yet finishing in the top 10; Simanwe for his impressive second-place finish; and Mpundu for his coaching, evidenced by the rising standards of the players.

“We extend our gratitude to the various schools and academies that brought the C Division players, including Learnteract Academy, Gambit Academy, David Kaunda STEM School, Lusaka West Secondary, New Avondale Academy, St. Patrick Primary School, Jacaranda Secondary, Northmead Secondary, Mejocama Secondary, and others. Scrabble plays a crucial role in enhancing cognitive skills and strategic thinking among young learners, contributing to their overall academic development,” Simanwe said.

Simanwe said the 2024 Scrabble National Championship was a momentous event in the history of the association. “For the first time, we brought together a record 100 players, marking a significant milestone for SAZ. Of these 100, 49 were young learners aged 18 or below, emphatically stating the Association’s position towards the growth of Scrabble among the young ones,” he said.

By BENEDICT TEMBO

Former Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Sketchley Sacika, Laid to Rest in Lusaka

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Former Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Sketchley Sacika, Laid to Rest in Lusaka
Funeral service for former Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Sketchley Sacika.

President Hakainde Hichilema and First Lady Mutinta Hichilema joined fellow mourners at the Anglican Cathedral for the funeral service of the late Dr. Sketchley Sacika, former Secretary to the Cabinet. Dr. Sacika, a distinguished civil servant known for his significant contributions to public policy and governance, was laid to rest today at Leopards Hill Memorial Park.

In his tribute, President Hichilema praised Dr. Sacika for his diligent service to the nation. He highlighted Dr. Sacika’s role in formulating progressive public policies that emphasized manpower development, professionalism, and improved service delivery. Even after retiring, Dr. Sacika remained a valuable source of counsel for current leaders.

“Our appeal to public service workers is to emulate his humility, hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to serving our great nation,” President Hichilema said. He extended sincere condolences to Dr. Sacika’s family, wishing them God’s comfort and strength during this difficult time.

President Hichilema and first Lady Mutinta Hichilema during the funeral service for former Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Sketchley Sacika.

Former Cabinet Minister William Harrington, representing the family, described Dr. Sacika as a lover of peace who opposed violence. Mr. Harrington recounted his long-standing relationship with Dr. Sacika, dating back to their childhood in the mid-1950s in Senanga.

“I have personally known Dr. Sacika since our childhood days. He did not believe in violence to resolve disputes, always advocating for legal and non-violent methods,” Mr. Harrington said. He also mentioned Dr. Sacika’s efforts to propose legislation to address the needs of former Secretaries to the Cabinet.

Dr. Sacika passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Maina Soko Military Medical Centre in Lusaka at the age of 85. His death is particularly poignant for his family, coming less than a year after the passing of his wife.

The funeral service and burial were attended by numerous dignitaries, reflecting the high regard in which Dr. Sacika was held. His legacy of service and dedication to Zambia remains an inspiration to many.

President Hichilema during the funeral service for former Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Sketchley Sacika.

We Say No Tribalism; We Condemn those promoting the Vice!

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We Say No Tribalism; We Condemn those promoting the Vice!

Sometime in April 1994, the entire world was gripped in utter shock, utmost grief and severe horror as bloodletting ensued in Rwanda, one of the bloodiest in the late 20th century!

One particular evening, an aircraft had taken off from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania with Rwandan president Juvénal Habyarimana and Burundian president Cyprien Ntaryamira, both from the Hutu tribe, aboard. As their jet prepared to land in Kigali, Rwanda, it was brought down by a torrent of surface-to-air missiles by some rebels, killing both leaders instantly.

This would obviously ignite the dynamite of genocide in Rwanda where they had been experiencing simmering tensions of tribalism over the years. In several weeks that followed, intense and systematic massacres would be set in motion targetting mainly those from the minority Tutsi tribe. As more than one million people were smoked-out of wherever they were hiding to be butchered like animals using uncivilized weapons – axes and machetes…..decomposing corpses littered the streets as rivers swiftly turned red with blood! No one was was spared in this murderous mayhem……the aged, the pregnant ones, those with infirmities, toddlers, the youth, women and even the men.

A good number of people of that generation – Politicians, Priests, Security forces and Journalists today remain with their hands stained with blood for having played a role or conveniently looked the other way as these barbaric and henous crimes were being perpetrated.

According to Wikipedia, genocide constitutes deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group.

It’s always important to pick up one or two lessons from our history as mankind if we are to make great strides, moving forward. In this our beloved country unfortunately, we’ve witnessed politicians and members of the clergy going on rampage spewing hate speech, making alarming statements or indeed uttering senseless tribal remarks!

For instance, one particular MP warned that she belongs to a majority tribe which the police would fail to contain if they took to the streets, while another one suggested that certain ethnic groups must confine themselves to their specific regions. Sooner than that, one senior citizen vehemently accused the state of sponsoring terrorism while a senior pastor made baseless remarks about the manner people are getting employed in government and proposed tribal war!

Sadly, the media has equally become blind to lessons we can draw from the genocide in Rwanda by according these desperate individuals that are eager to get back into power prominent space to utter whatever they want to regardless of the consequences. Aikona man. We Say No Tribalism; We Condemn those promoting the Vice!

Please share this article within your circles as much as you can.

Prince Bill M Kaping’a
Polical/Social Analyst

South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa faces up to poor poll result

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South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa faces up to poor poll result

cyril ramaphosa

Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s President has admitted his African National Congress (ANC) party has suffered a challenging election result, after the party lost its majority for the first time since apartheid ended 30 years ago.

The ANC, once led by Nelson Mandela, won 159 seats in the 400-seat parliament in Wednesday’s election, down from 230 in the previous assembly.

Mr Ramaphosa still described the results as a victory for democracy, calling on rival parties to find common ground – apparently preparing for coalition talks.

The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party has said it is open to coalition talks with Mr Ramaphosa, but it opposes a number of his government’s key priorities.

With all the votes counted, the ANC finished on 40% – down from 58% at the previous election, the electoral commission announced on Sunday.

This was lower than the party’s feared worst-case scenario of 45%, analysts said. The ANC now must go into a coalition to form the next government.

“Our people have spoken, whether we like it or not, they have spoken,” Mr Ramaphosa said.

“As the leaders of political parties, as all those who occupy positions of responsibility in society, we have heard the voices of our people and we must respect their wishes.”

He added that the voters wanted the parties to find common ground.

“Through their votes, they have demonstrated clearly and plainly that our democracy is strong and it is enduring,” he said.

South Africa’s political parties have two weeks to work out a coalition deal, then the new parliament will sit to choose a president.

The centre-right DA remains the second-largest party in parliament with 87 seats, and has said it is open to talks of a coalition.

“We urge all others who love our constitution and all it represents to set aside petty politics and narrow sectarian interests and join hands now,” DA leader John Steenhuisen said.

However, his party opposes two of the ANC’s key priorities – its black empowerment policies, which aim to giving black people a stake in the economy following their exclusion during the racist apartheid era, and the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, which promises universal healthcare for all.

The ANC has said both policies are non-negotiable in coalition talks.

Former president Jacob Zuma, who now leads the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party that came third with 58 seats, did not attend the results announcement and had suggested that he might challenge them.

The MK has said it would be prepared to work with the ANC, but not while it was led by Mr Ramaphosa.

He replaced Mr Zuma as both president and ANC leader following a bitter power struggle in 2018.

In a BBC interview, Patrick Gaspard, who was the US ambassador to South Africa in 2013-16, described the two politicians as “sworn enemies”.

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Zuma called for an election rerun and said the electoral commission should not announce the final results.

On Saturday, he warned the commission that it would “be provoking us” if it ignored his demand for a fresh election, and for an independent investigation into his party’s claims that it was rigged.

“Don’t start trouble when there is no trouble,” he said.

There are now concerns over how Mr Zuma’s supporters may respond to the results.

The 82-year-old has been the political wildcard in this election – and he is preparing to flex his muscles as the kingmaker in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, where the MK party has wrestled a huge chunk of votes from the ANC.

Formed just a few months ago, results show that for the national election, it has taken the largest share of the vote in the province – 44% to the ANC’s 19%.

Local issues could have been a big factor in that shift, with some community members turning their backs on the ANC party because it had failed to fix acute water shortages.

Parts of the province, such as Trenance Park, which is a mere 20 minutes’ drive from the main city of Durban, have had no tap water for 10 months.

Residents rely on water tankers that sometimes do not deliver water on time.

People in KwaZulu-Natal hope that now the election is over, the problem will be fixed for good.

Earlier, South Africa’s police chief warned that threats to destabilise the country would not be tolerated.
“There cannot be any room for threats of instability in order to register objections or concerns about the electoral processes,” Police Minister Bheki Cele said at a news conference.

The ANC has always polled above 50% since the country’s first democratic elections in 1994, which saw Nelson Mandela become president.

But support for the party has been dropping significantly because of anger over high levels of corruption, unemployment and crime.

“There are tens of millions of young people in that country who are called the Born Free generation, born after 1994 after the end of apartheid, and they feel that their country underwent a political transformation, but not an economic one,” Mr Gaspard told the BBC.

He added that back in 2015 “it was already becoming abundantly clear that there was a downward trajectory for the ANC because it was failing to deliver on essential services in the country”, specifically mentioning rolling blackouts.

There Is A Scheme To Eject ZESCO MD- UPND

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There Is A Scheme To Eject ZESCO MD- UPND

The United Party for National Development (UPND) says there is a scheme being orchestrated by some selfish individuals to remove ZESCO Managing Director Victor Mapani from his position.

UPND National Chairperson Labour and Social Security Godfrey Beene says the party is aware of the vicious social media sponsored campaign targeted at Mr Mapani by those who allegedly benefited from the corruption at ZESCO under the previous Administration.

Speaking during a Media briefing in Lusaka, Mr Beene added that the maneuvers to remove the current ZESCO MD is intended to destabilize ZESCO operations.

He said Mr Mapani is a victim of a malicious campaign aimed at denting his professional integrity.
Mr Beene charged that ZESCO under the leadership of Mr Mapani has managed to close loopholes used for corruption activities in the procurement of goods and services.

He said the introduction of transparency in contract allocation in the procurement system has eliminated the widespread corruption and enhanced efficiency in the delivery of goods and services by the suppliers.

Mr Beene explained that ZESCO has established a committee comprising representatives from all relevant departments so as to ensure no individual has the authority to unilaterally award contracts.

Mr Beene said the scheme to remove Mr Mapani who has demonstrated a high level of competence will greatly renege the transformative agenda of turning around the operations of the power utility company.

Meanwhile, UPND Deputy Media Director Cheelo Katambo called on the Zambia Police to deal decisively with cadres exhibiting unruly behaviour.

Mr Katambo said the Police should not look at the colour of the party regalia wearing the unruly cadres but to act decisively.

Bathroom Solutions

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Bathroom Solutions

By Mwizenge S. Tembo, Ph. D.

Emeritus Professor of Sociology.

The first 13 years of my life up to 57 years ago, I lived in the villages and rural schools in the remote Eastern Province of Zambia in Southern Africa where there were no indoor flash toilets. You might not want to read this article any further if you are eating, about to eat or you have a weak stomach. I have lived predominantly in the cities in Zambia and the United States during the last 57 years navigating between use of the flash toilet of the city and rural village toilets or commonly known as out houses in the United States and latrines in the British colonial Northern Rhodesia of the 1950s and 60s. At one point 60 years ago in my rural village, toilets did not even exist. All villages now have toilets. Recently, I spent 2 weeks at my Mwizenge Sustainable Model village in rural Lusaka in Zambia sleeping in my own hut. I was confronted with and contemplated the challenges of using the rural village outhouses which I helped design and directed the building of.

History of the Latrine

pit latrine

I was attending the Dutch Mission Tamanda Boys Boarding Upper School north of Fort Jameson (now Chipata) in the remote Eastern Province of Zambia in 1965. I was 11 years old and in my 6th grade classroom one morning when we heard a loud alarming campus wide commotion. The whole of my class of 40 students and 3 other classrooms emptied of students as everyone scrambled toward one the 6 teaching staff houses’ toilets where a crowd had already gathered. The teacher’s 3-year-old little girl had fallen into the wide toilet hole pit and could be heard crying from deep inside the dark outhouse hole. Some of the taller 17-year-old classmates were urgently summoned to retrieve the girl from deep in the dark filth.

Fortunately for the little girl, a number of the outhouse floor wooden beam floor supports had decayed and collapsed inside the shallow pit. The wooden poles had crossed each other which inadvertently created blockages which broke the girls’ fall. She was wedged just 3 feet below the hole and crying instead of being at the bottom of a ten-foot-deep toilet. One of the taller boys knelt on one knee to reach for the girl with his long arm and lifted her out amidst cheers. She was more frightened as she was not physically hurt. Her grateful mother carried her in her arms and scrabbed her with some clean soap and water. This incident exposed all about the perils of rural village outhouses at the time. The hole of the toilet should not have been big enough for a small child to fall through it.

Use of Outhouse

A friend of mine who was also a lecturer or professor at University of Zambia confided in me that when he visited the village in rural Zambia, he made sure he emptied all his pockets including keys before squatting straddling the hole. In my home village many years ago, I took this advice further. I removed my shoes, my trousers, emptied my pockets of my wallet which had a bunch of credit cards and my Virginia Driver’s license, and my rental car keys.

After living in the United States for so long, I find it a challenge to use the village outhouse for long periods. According to the CDC, I might be among the 41.9% of adults in the United States who are obese. Therefore, I am unable to squat for too long on the village toilet when I am living at the Mwizenge Sustainable model village. Squatting for too long becomes a further challenge if there are too many not just the small houseflies, but especially the large green B-52 green bombers recklessly zipping around.

Outhouse Social Etiquette

There are also the challenges of social etiquette when using the village toilet. One of the most difficult is how do you tell if someone else is already occupying the special house at that same moment you want to urgently employ its services. If you are inside, you cough loudly to signal to whoever is approaching that you are already inside. Both men and women in the traditional Zambian customs have to make sure neither their mother-in-law nor father-in-law are occupying the joint at the time they would like to use it. You need to gather good intelligence before you decide to use the toilet. This problem may be solved by having more than one toilet.

In most cases in rural areas, the toilets may only have an opaque screen structure and not an actual door that you can use to close the toilet. This is how as you are busy using the toilet, often chickens have a tendency to walk in to check you out. When the chickens see you, they emit special alarm sounds.

Chicken one: “Chuc-ru- ru- ru- !!!!! (We are surprised you are here!!!)

Chicken two: “Chuc – ru – ru- ru- ru!!!! (We are scared!!!!!!)

Rooster Deep voice: “Cle – kwe -kwe- kwe!!(Man! This is really scary!!!!)

Village chickens make similar sounds when they see a snake or strangers walking around the village.

Since I cannot squat for long any more due to my age, especially weight and poor physical shape, I have sought relief by asking the village carpenter to make me a special movable wooden gizmo box that makes it possible for me to sit like I do when I use a flash toilet.

Stakeholders In Education Sector Call For Review Of Curriculum

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Stakeholders In Education Sector Call For Review Of Curriculum

Stakeholders in the Education sector have called for the revision of the 2013 School Education Curriculum following submissions to the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Technology.

The Committee heard on its submission sittings in Kalomo district that the two tier ‘vocational and academic’ pathways should be revisited following numerous challenges that do not sit well with both the teaching fraternity and the learners.

ZANIS reports that Committee Chairperson Harry Kamboni who is also Kalomo Member of Parliament observed on behalf of his members that several stakeholders, including the learners and teachers have expressed concern on the bulkiness of the topics in several subjects in the school curriculum.

Mr Kamboni noted that this is coupled with lack of infrastructure and materials to support and implement the existing education curriculum pathways.

And Kalomo Secondary School Practical Sciences Head of Department Constance Mufya submitted that the 2013 curriculum needs to be revisited.

“This curriculum is good but keen consideration to take care of its implementation such as equipping the teaching fraternity with necessary skills, infrastructure availability, materials and apparatus to effectively implement it was not well taken care of,” said Mrs. Mufaya.

She added that there is too much theory as opposed to practicals where both the teacher and learners are not exposed to the actual learning aids and apparatus for quality education delivery.
On the other hand, the pupils during their submissions claimed that some of the subjects they are taking are not useful to real life situations.
The Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Technology is on a fact finding mission in some selected districts in the country to assess and get views on how the 2013 academic and vocational education curriculum is performing with a possibility to revise it following recommendation to the government.

Zambia is not collapsing, but rising like a phoenix from the ashes!

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Zambia is not collapsing, but rising like a phoenix from the ashes!

“To My fellow Zambians, let’s keep perspective and patience during this season of transformation! Zambia’s economic growth and development is a process that takes time, effort, and perseverance. Remember, Rome was not built in a day! Every great nation has gone through challenges and setbacks before achieving success.

Let’s focus on the progress we’ve made so far since independence and the opportunities ahead. Our country is blessed with natural resources, talented people, and a resilient spirit. Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts, let’s work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.

Let’s support our leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators who are working tirelessly to drive economic growth and development. Let us as well respect leadership both past and Present.
Let’s also take personal responsibility for our own contribution to the nation’s progress.

Zambia is not collapsing, but rising like a phoenix from the ashes! Let’s keep pushing forward, and we’ll emerge stronger and more prosperous than ever!”

Let us remain optimistic, patient, and collaborative during the country’s economic transformation, highlighting the potential for growth and success.
Let us not distabilise ourselves, we are one Zambia, one nation and we can only have one government and one President at a time.

By Victor Kalesha Kalesha.
Citygate Christian Centre Zambia

Message For Today:What Are You Thinking?

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Message For Today:What Are You Thinking?

Today’s Scripture

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.
Proverbs 4:23, NCV

What Are You Thinking?

Friend, it’s interesting that as little children we start off with big dreams to be an astronaut, a writer, a scientist, or a singer. As a child, we have no limits. We believe we can do great things. But over time our dreams start to get watered down. People tell us what we can’t do. We go through disappointments, things that are unfair. We let negative thoughts taint how we see ourselves and what we’re capable of. We end up settling for so much less than what God has for us.

Pay attention to the story you’re telling yourself. Go back to what God put in your heart. He wants you to dream again, to believe again, to love again. Don’t let wrong thoughts limit your destiny. Don’t believe the lies that say, “I’ll never get well, never go to college, or never meet the right person.” Tell yourself a new story. You can still accomplish your dream. You can still get well, still meet someone awesome, and still go to new levels. Get rid of that limited thinking. Victory begins in your mind.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You that I can take back my story and stop allowing negative thoughts to enter and play over and over. Thank You that I can clear out all the thoughts that limit me and tell me what I can’t do. Help me to dwell on what You have to say about me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Joel Osteen Ministries

Real Madrid high-wire act brings Champions League glory again

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Real Madrid high-wire act brings Champions League glory again
Real madrid
Coach Carlo Ancelotti has won three Champions League titles with Real Madrid, and a further two in charge of AC Milan.GETTY

Real Madrid’s Champions League existence resembles the competition’s version of a high-wire act, where the Spanish giants stumble and threaten to fall so many times, but rarely do.

Boss Carlo Ancelotti claimed a historic fifth Champions League title and Real secured their 15th win in the tournament as the bold challenge of Borussia Dortmund was overcome at Wembley with late goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr.

As Ancelotti and his players hoisted the giant trophy amid pyrotechnics and fireworks over the stadium, it was a familiar conclusion to a story that had so many elements of the old plotlines.

It is not quite a case of “if you’ve seen one of these victories you’ve seen them all”, but many of the opponents Real have left broken-hearted in these finals in recent years – Atletico Madrid and Liverpool chief among them – will sympathise with the pain Dortmund felt as they walked forlornly in front of their magnificent fans who illuminated Wembley with their colour and made it echo to their noise.

Real stumbled around in a dreadful first half for Ancelotti’s side, spooked by Dortmund’s pace and the sheer intensity of Edin Terzic’s side, living on their nerves and luck to somehow go in at half-time on level terms.

Karim Adeyemi will wonder whether he should have shot rather than try to go around Real keeper Thibaut Courtois when clean through, then whether he could have done better with another chance that was saved.

Niclas Fullkrug saw his shot bounce back agonisingly from the inside of the post, the striker thwarted by Courtois after the break from a powerful header.

And all the time there was a growing sense of inevitability that Real would survive and prevail when they looked deep in trouble, as they did against Manchester City in the quarter-finals and Bayern Munich in the last four.

Real are quite simply the Champions League’s most ruthless winning machine. And in Ancelotti they have a coach with the Midas touch, in charge of players who have totted up so many wins in this competition and know how to get the job done.

They showed it again when Dortmund blinked 16 minutes from time, Carvajal meeting Toni Kroos’ corner to glance a header beyond keeper Gregor Kobel and the despairing hand of defender Mats Hummels, who was clearly tempted to risk a red card to keep the effort out.

The game was up, Vinicius Jr swiftly adding a second to ensure Real’s supporters were able to enjoy triumph in the competition in which they are the dominant force.

Those of us who have followed Real’s fortunes in the Champions League over the years are now old hands at this.

We can recall watching them steal victory from under the noses of arch-rivals Atletico Madrid with Sergio Ramos’ 93rd-minute equaliser at Lisbon’s Stadium of Light in 2014, going on to win 4-1 to give Ancelotti his first Champions League at the club.

And again in Paris two years ago, when one of the great faultless goalkeeping performances from Courtois left Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, in particular, driven to despair with Vinicius Jr emerging as the match-winner.

The temptation is to label Real lucky, but it simply happens on too many occasions for this to be a justified description. A straw poll among neutrals at half-time at Wembley would have come down firmly on the side of a Real victory, even though they had been abysmal.

Real may have been mediocre for large parts but ended up writing another fresh chapter in their rich history. So Real. So Carlo Ancelotti.

Source: BBC sport

Acting Minister of Home Affairs Addresses Developments Concerning Honourable Jay Banda and Political Rally in Mandevu

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Acting Minister of Home Affairs Addresses Developments Concerning Honourable Jay Banda and Political Rally in Mandevu

In a press statement delivered on June 1, 2024, Acting Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Ambrose Lufuma, MP, provided updates on recent developments involving Honourable Jay Banda and the situation at Chipata Football Grounds in Mandevu Constituency.

Update on Honourable Jay Banda

Minister Lufuma addressed the recent discharge of Honourable Jay Banda from Maina Soko Medical Centre on May 31, 2024. Following his discharge, Honourable Banda was invited to the Zambia Police Service Headquarters for an interview, where he was accorded all the privileges of a witness, including the presence of his legal counsel, Mr. Sakwiba Sikota.

The interview focused on Honourable Banda’s disappearance on May 25, 2024. However, Honourable Banda was unable to provide the police with any information regarding the circumstances of his disappearance.

After the interview, Honourable Banda was escorted to the police station concerning other ongoing investigations. He was booked for detention related to alleged offences of attempted murder and assault that occurred in 2016 in Vumbwi, Eastern Province. During the booking process, Honourable Banda developed a medical condition necessitating his immediate readmission to Maina Soko Medical Centre, where he is currently receiving medical attention.

Minister Lufuma emphasized that Honourable Banda has not been formally charged for the alleged offences at this time. The police are continuing their active investigation into both his disappearance and the allegations from 2016. The government is committed to ensuring due process is followed, and that Honourable Banda receives all necessary medical care and legal rights during this period.

Situation at Chipata Football Grounds

Minister Lufuma also provided an update regarding the events at Chipata Football Grounds in Mandevu Constituency. The opposition New Heritage Party (NHP) had been advised not to hold a political rally on June 1, 2024, due to security concerns. Despite this advice, the NHP attempted to proceed with their planned event.

To uphold the rule of law and maintain public order, police personnel were deployed to the area in the morning. At approximately 11:00 hours, an individual approached the football grounds to observe the situation and was confronted by a uniformed officer, leading to a misunderstanding. This misunderstanding resulted in other individuals, under the false impression that their colleague had been arrested, beginning to march towards the football grounds.

The police promptly intervened, advising these individuals to return to Chipata Compound. Minister Lufuma reported that no serious incidents had occurred related to this matter. He reiterated that the Zambia Police Service supports the democratic rights of all political parties and citizens to assemble and express their views, provided these activities are within the bounds of the law. Any actions that potentially endanger public safety or disrupt societal harmony will face necessary regulatory measures.

The Zambia Police Service remains committed to ensuring public safety and upholding the law. They continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to take necessary actions to prevent any escalation.

Minister Lufuma appealed to all political parties and their supporters to respect the law and follow proper procedures for organizing public gatherings. Cooperation with law enforcement authorities is crucial in maintaining peace and order within communities.

Minister Lufuma thanked the public for their attention and understanding as the government continues to monitor and address these situations with the seriousness they warrant.

Luwingu Man Jailed For Chopping Off Friend’s Ear

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Luwingu Man Jailed For Chopping Off Friend’s Ear

A 40 year old man of Mutondo village in senior Chieftainess Chungu of Lupososhi District in the Northern Province has been convicted to 36 months with hard labour for cutting off his friend’s ear.

Chomba Mupepa appeared before Resident Magistrate Maybin Kapaya for one count of unlawful wounding contrary to section 232 (a) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

When the matter came up for plea, Chomba pleaded guilty to the offence he stood charged with and told the Magistrate Kapaya that he had no right to injure his colleague in such a manner.

Facts before the court were that on April 27th 2024, the complainant Chola who was bathing in a makeshift grass made bathroom heard footsteps coming towards where he was. Chomba entered and directed the axe towards his right ear.

The victim was rushed to the nearby Mutondo rural health centre where authorities also referred him to Luwingu district hospital for treatment after he sustained a cut on the right ear.

The matter was also reported to Zambia police in Luwingu district who apprehended the culprit.Resident magistrate stated that following his own admission he would be convicted accordingly.

In mitigation, Chomba told resident Magistrate Kapaya that he was a married man who is not supposed to be sent to prison because his wife and children will suffer without his care.

Resident magistrate Kapaya said Chomba deserved leniency as he was the first offender but in order to deter would-be offenders the court must impose stiffer penalties to teach others a lesson.He advised Chomba to seek guidance from the village elders when aggrieved instead of resorting violence or taking the law into their hands.

Resident magistrate Kapaya sentenced Chomba to 36 months imprisonment with hard labour effective the date he was arrested in April this year.

ANC looks set to share power after historic election loss

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ANC looks set to share power after historic election loss

With most of the results now in from South Africa’s election, the long-ruling African National Congress (ANC) will have to contend with sharing power after a historic loss of its parliamentary majority.
Counting in over 91% of voting districts is complete and the ANC’s share of the vote currently stands at 40.25%.
Trailing behind are the Democratic Alliance (DA) on 21.7%, the MK party led by former President Jacob Zuma on 14.7% and the EFF with 9.39%.

The final results are expected over the weekend.

The ANC has always polled above 50% since the country’s first democratic elections in 1994, which saw Nelson Mandela become president.

But support for the party has been dropping significantly due to anger over high levels of corruption, unemployment and crime.

One woman who has voted for the ANC in every election for 30 years switched to the DA this time, and said she wanted them out of power altogether because of the cost-of-living crisis and the frequent power-cuts.
“This result is not good. I wanted it out of government. We need to give someone else a chance,” she told the BBC.
Political analyst Sanusha Naidoo told the BBC that although there were a lot of votes still to be counted, there was no way the ANC could reach the 50% needed to form a government on its own. She said the best it could hope for was 45%
So to hold on to power the party will need to form a coalition with one or more other parties.
ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe said his party was unlikely to form an alliance with the centre-right DA, which is currently polling in second place with 22% of the vote.
He said there would have to be “policy alignment” between parties to a coalition agreement.
For the ANC, its black empowerment policies – aimed at giving black people a stake in the economy following their exclusion during the racist apartheid era – were “non-negotiable”.

He added that any coalition partner would have to agree to the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, which was signed into law earlier this month.
The DA opposes both the NHI and the ANC’s black empowerment policies.

The DA’s support appears to have grown in this election, with the party having regained the votes of white people who had backed a party to its right in the last election, and some black people who felt it needed to be given a chance in national government.
Despite the ANC’s reluctance to align with the DA, its leader John Steenhuisen hasn’t ruled out the idea.
Mr Steenhuisen said if an alliance with the ANC was reached there would be a few non-negotiables.
“Respect for the rule of law and the constitution, a social market economy that treats the private sector as partners in the growth agenda.
“Zero tolerance for corruption and cadre deployment, and an absolute laser-like focus on economic policies that grow jobs.”
Mr Steenhuisen also told the BBC he would have to consult pre-election coalition partners before considering any negotiations.
But he ruled out the EFF and the MK party, which both advocate seizing white-owned land and nationalising mines, as potential coalition partners.
“I think instability is not in the best interest of the country. A coalition with the radical left in South Africa of the MK party and the EFF will produce the same policies that destroyed Zimbabwe, destroyed Venezuela,” he said.
One possibility would be a coalition between former MK party and the ANC in both KwaZulu-Natal and nationally – but given the fractious relations between the two parties, that appears unlikely.
While Mr Zuma has been suspended from the ANC, he is still a member. He appeared to suggest he would to do a deal with the ANC if it replaced President Cyril Ramaphosa as leader.
“I’ve got the problem with the leadership of the ANC, not with the ANC itself or its membership,” he told the BBC recently.
He was however reluctant to discuss the prospect of entering into a post-election pact with the ANC.
But MK spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela seemed to rule out any deal to keep Mr Ramaphosa in post on Friday evening, telling reporters that his party “would not engage in a discussion with the ANC”, while the president remained in office.
Another option would be to work with the EFF, led by Julius Malema, a former ANC youth leader. The two parties currently form the coalition that runs the country’s biggest city, Johannesburg.
A record 70 parties and 11 independents were running, with South Africans voting for a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures.
The DA has signed a pact with 10 of them, agreeing to form a coalition government if they get enough votes to dislodge the ANC from power.
But this does not include the EFF or MK, who would be needed to form a majority.
As the parties scramble to form alliances, Kenya’s former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is leading the African Union election observer mission in South Africa, offered some advice for forming coalitions.
He said coalition governments need to focus on areas of agreement instead of differences.
“I can only wish them well and hope that the leadership will take this decision by the people in a positive frame,” he said.

Source:BBC

Inaugural KAZA Summit Highlights Regional Conservation Efforts and Socio-Economic Transformation

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Inaugural KAZA Summit Highlights Regional Conservation Efforts and Socio-Economic Transformation

The inaugural Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) Heads of State Summit was held in Livingstone yesterday, marking a significant milestone in regional conservation efforts and socio-economic transformation.

The summit was attended by prominent leaders including President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, President Dr. Nangolo Mbumba of Namibia, Vice President Mr. Slumber Tsogwane of Botswana, and the Minister responsible for Tourism from Angola. President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia also graced the event, underscoring the united commitment of the five nations to preserve and enhance the KAZA region.

The summit focused on collaborative strategies to develop the KAZA TFCA, which spans the ecologically rich Okavango and Zambezi regions across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This transfrontier conservation area aims to boost conservation initiatives and elevate the region as a premier tourism destination. The leaders discussed harmonizing their efforts to manage and protect the natural resources and wildlife that define this unique eco-region.

President Hichilema emphasized the cultural heritage and traditional values that have long guided the sustainable management of resources in the KAZA region. He noted that these practices have been instrumental in preserving the area’s natural assets, and it is incumbent upon current leaders to uphold this legacy for future generations. The summit highlighted the importance of continuing these traditions while adapting to modern conservation challenges.

A key topic of discussion was the management of wildlife, which, despite being a critical component of KAZA’s biodiversity, sometimes poses threats to the natural habitat. The summit acknowledged that culling, though a difficult measure, is occasionally necessary to maintain ecological balance. The resources generated from culling are reinvested into conservation projects and the development of vital infrastructure for local communities, ensuring a balanced approach to wildlife management and community development.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating socio-economic transformation in the KAZA region. They stressed the need for sustainable development practices that align with conservation goals, ensuring that economic growth does not come at the expense of environmental degradation. This approach aims to improve the livelihoods of local communities while preserving the region’s unique natural heritage.

President Hichilema concluded by reiterating the collective responsibility of the KAZA nations to safeguard their shared environment. He expressed optimism that through continued cooperation and dedication, the KAZA TFCA can become a global model for transboundary conservation and sustainable development.

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