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Government has commissioned Khuyu Health Post in Chasefu District of Eastern Province.
District Administrative Officer Diana Lupiya yesterday commissioned the health centre and two staff houses built by the Islamic Welfare Trust at a cost of K500 000.
Ms Lupiya praised the Islamic Welfare Trust of Zambia for supplementing government effort in taking health services closer to the people.
And speaking during the handover of the facility to government, Islamic Welfare Trust Board Chairperson, Jabir Bux, pledged to continue promoting health and wellbeing of the people.
Mr Bux said the trust will continue to play an essential role in promoting universal health coverage to Zambians and remain a symbol of friendship with the government.
Mr Bux, who was represented by the Out Station Inspector, Musa Elijah Kabinda, said such programmes are part of initiatives to grow the trust’s partnership with Government.
“For Zambia to continue to achieve further development in sustainable manner, the strengthening of the health sector is important among other sectors,” he said.
In receiving the facility, Acting District Health Director, Davy Kamanga commended Islamic Welfare Trust for the gesture which he said will reduce maternal mortality rate in the area.
Mr Kamanga has since assured partners and Khuyu community members that the ministry will within a month deploy health staff to the facility and open it to the public when all logistics have been put in place.
And Chasefu Area Member of Parliament Gerald Zimba who spoke through the Council Chairperson, Chimwemwe Banda, has pledged to donate five mattresses to the facility and urged residents to guard it against theft and vandals.
Earlier, Khuyu community works Chairperson Tambulani Mshlanga said the health post has come as a relief as people in the area used to walk 25km to access health services at a nearby Mnyukwa health post.
1. For almost two years now, we have watched without any reaction the hate, insults and innuendo that have been spewed against us by faceless online media such as Koswe and Zambian Watchdog. We have studied their pattern of insults and hate and tried to correlate them to specific politicians in order to try and ascertain the forces behind such spirited and yet baseless attacks against us. We have never cared about the motive because it is clear that the motive is to make us less appealing in the eyes of potential voters come 2021 general elections by lumping all manner of insults and innuendo on us. But today, we are happy to mention that we have been able to ascertain with reasonable certainty the identity of the forces behind these baseless attacks and insults against us using faceless online media.
2. We have little doubt in our minds that the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema directly or indirectly controls the faceless online media such as Koswe and Zambian Watchdog that have been spewing hate, insults and innuendo against us ever since we left the Opposition Alliance. It appears that HH and his army of social media warriors were grossly heartbroken by our departure from the Opposition Alliance that they have been hell-bent on soiling our good standing and reputation in the eyes of right-thinking members of the public. They have therefore gone on a consistent rampage insulting us, our spouses, family and everyone else that is caught up in the line of fire. But we are not going to take such an onslaught while lying down. We have always fought battles and we are not going to be shy to fight this one.
3. For starters, it is an act of gross cowardice for HH to hide behind faceless online media pages such as Koswe and Zambian Watchdog and launch incessant and unprovoked attacks against us. If the man has any bone to chew with us, he should have the spine to stand up, step forward and confront us face to face and not hide behind faceless online media tabloids such as Koswe and Zambian Watchdog and then proceed to insult us from the comfort of a keyboard.
4. Naturally, people might ask to say what is the basis of believing that HH is the one behind the faceless online media tabloids; Koswe and Zambian Watchdog that have been spewing hate and insults against us? Over the past 12 months, we have painstakingly correlated the content of these faceless online media against the online pages of all other political leaders in the country and we have come to a conclusion, with more than 90 percent certainty that the people who manage Hakainde Hichilema’s pages on Facebook and Twitter are the same ones that manage Koswe and Zambian Watchdog or replicate their online content. For us, a 90 percent probability is good enough to challenge HH and tell him to stop his incessant and unprovoked attacks against us using faceless online media.
5. For us, we don’t believe in shadow-boxing. If we are not happy with the behavior of HH, we will not waste our time by also creating a faceless online media to use to launch attacks against him, no. We don’t have time for such a facade. We will just stand up, step forward, point a finger in his face and tell him to stop the nonsense. So if HH has beef against Sean Tembo, the decent think to do is to tell us in our face so that he can get it off his chest and not engage in shadow-boxing by using faceless online media such as Koswe and Zambian Watchdog. We will always appreciate a man who has a spine and not a coward who hides behind the comfort of a keyboard.
Mazabuka Central MP, Garry Nkombo says the move by Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Patrick Matibini to decline the restoration of the Impeachment Motion on the Order Paper is a dark day for Zambia’s democracy as it has denied citizens the right to make pronouncements on constitutional breaches by President Lungu and Dr. Matibini.
Addressing the press at the UPND secretariat yesterday, Mr Nkombo alleged that the decision by Dr Matibini had denied Zambians, through “the people’s House” to present to them what they believed as constitutional breaches by a sitting President.
Mr. Nkombo also wondered why the Speaker had been insisting that the Impeachment Motion couldn’t be tabled before the House because it was before the courts when numerous issues that were before the courts of law had been tabled for debate in parliament.
And Mr Nkombo challenged Clerk of the National Assembly, Cecilia Mbewe’s assertions that the Speaker acted in a discretionary manner by not placing the matter on the Order Paper as regrettable and unfounded.
Mr Nkombo also recalled how Mr Lungu warned ConCourt Judges to not emulate the famous Kenyan ruling of 2017 that saw the elections victory of that country’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta being overturned in historic circumstances following a Petition from the opposition leader Raila Odinga by the Kenyan Supreme Court.
This was after mounting pressure on Lungu by international bodies and opposition political parties that he should have handed over the Instruments of power to the Speaker of the National Assembly when his election was petitioned by the supposed winner of the disputed 2016 general elections, Hakainde Hichilema.
In a letter dated 27 November 2020, Ms Mbewe argued that the Speaker couldn’t table the motion in Parliament as deliberating on the matter would result in two conflicting results on a matter that Mr Henry Mulenga and Robert Chabinga had taken to the courts of law.
The Bank of Zambia has signed a Gold Purchase Agreement with Kansanshi Mining PLC, a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals.
BoZ Governor, Mr Christopher Mvunga, signed the agreement on behalf of the Central Bank while, Director of Operations at First Quantum Minerals, Mr Rudi Badenhorst, signed on behalf of Kansanshi Mining PLC.
The Agreement is a milestone in the Bank’s efforts to resume the holding of gold as part of the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Mr Mvunga said Kansanshi Mining Plc was identified as a counterparty since it has been producing the commodity on a commercial basis since 2006.
He disclosed that apart from Kansanshi, the Bank has also engaged Zambia Gold Company, a newly established subsidiary of ZCCM–IH as the other counterparty in the purchase agreements given its mandate to oversee mining, processing, refining and marketing of gold in Zambia.
He said the data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows that gold reserves have continued to increase and currently accounts for about 15 percent of the total world foreign reserves.
“Furthermore, central banks’ total gold holding has risen to 34,000 tonnes by the end of 2019 from a low of 28,000 tonnes recorded in 1997 since the end of the gold standard, according to the World Gold Council. And these dynamics demonstrate the strategic value of gold,” said Mr Mvunga. The BoZ Governor is confident that the Agreement will take the Bank’s efforts to build gold reserves a step further.
“And It is now time for us to implement the agreement, which undoubtedly will enable the country boost its foreign reserves,” he added.
A consortium of civil society organisations has charged that those demeaning the capacity of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to conduct credible 2021 elections and calling for the resignation of ECZ Chairperson Judge Chulu are only playing to the minds of international funders and monitors.
Speaking during a press briefing this morning at Mika Hotel, representative of 7 civil society organisation Ronnie Jere who is also Vice President of Zambians for Unity, Peace and Development (ZUPED) said the Commission must be encouraged to do better in the conduct of elections that being overly criticised.
The seven organisations commended the Commission for registering 5.6 million voters this far but has called for an extension of about one to two weeks for purposes of ensuring that those are still registering complete the process.
The organisations cautioned the ECZ against giving a long extension that they may fail to come up with a final register before March 2021 which must be used to nominations in May 2021.
The institutions defended the position for a short extension saying the ECZ ought to upload the data, clean it up before registered voters can verify their details in readiness for the printing of the register next year.
The CSOs also said those calling for Judge Chulu to resigns are purely doing it as a continuous song which was started by the United Party for National Development after they failed attempts to assume power.
The organisations included the Zambian Institute of Governance and Civil Liberties Platform (ZIGCLAP), Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Common Grounds Network and the University of Zambia students Union among others.
North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Willies Mangimela has thanked President Edgar Lungu for connecting the entire region to the national power grid.
Mr Mangimela cited Ikelenge as the latest district to be connected in the region adding that it is a clear demonstration of President Edger Lungu’s inclusive developmental agenda of taking development to all parts of the country without leaving anyone behind.
The Permanent Secretary said this in Solwezi yesterday.
“I am so happy to learn that Ikelenge and Jimbe border area have been connected to the national power grid. This is good news to the people in the area and North-western province,” he said.
Mr Mangimela said the connecting of the entire province to the national power grid will boost social and economic activities in the area, adding that people will now be able to follow government programmes without lagging behind.
And Zesco Regional Manager, Cephus Lungu said the power utility company is doing everything possible to take electricity to the remotest part in the province through a number of projects.
Mr Lungu said a number of schools and health facilities in rural districts have been connected following the switching on of the power grid extension in the province.
“We have connected a number of schools and health facilities to the power grid in Ikelenge, Mufumbwe, Kabompo, Zambezi, Chavuma and Mumbezhi area and for us this is a plus as North-western province because we are changing things”, he said.
By Chama Mundia JCTR’s Social Economic Development Programme Manager
The cost of living for a family of five as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) for the month of November 2020 stood at K7, 126.62. This is a K66.31 increase from K7, 060.29 recorded in October. The increase in the basket is attributed to increase in the prices of food items such as beans which moved upwards by K71 from K109.86 to K180.58 for 3kg, vegetables increased by K30.39 moving from K430.19 to K460.58 per 40kg, kapenta increased by K25.53 moving from K191.40 to K216.93 per kg, bananas increased from K163.57 to K188.36 for 16 kg, Irish potatoes increased by K21.38 from K37.82 to K59.20, soya pieces increased by K15.28 moving from K89.88 to K105.16. For the non-food but essential items, the price of charcoal increased by K26 moving from K292.00 to K318.00.
These price increases were however offset by price declines in some items. Cassava moved from K88.03 to K74.76 for 6kg showing a decline of 13.43 and chicken reduced by K10.48 moving from K193.56 to K183.08. From the non-food but essential items, the price of petroleum jelly reduced by K20.06 moving from K70.49 in October to K50.43 in November.
Food expenditures are not only a key national poverty indicator but also linked to dietary intake and nutritional outcomes for households. The increase in the price of certain food items may be as a result of an increase in demand for such foods as people switch from the more expensive foods to the less expensive ones. For example, households switching to buying more of beans as the price of chicken and beef increases thereby affecting diet diversity. Additionally, the scheduled fish ban for December 2020-February 2021 likely contributed to reduced supply (in anticipation of price increases during the fish ban period) leading to price increases in items such as Kapenta.
With only a month left to the end of 2020, a critical reflection on our nation’s state of affairs is a must. The nation’s socio-economic context continues to be a challenging one. Albeit, opportunities even in this narrative abound. COVID-19 cases as a proportion of total tests remain low with only 15 confirmed cases out of 9689 tests conducted on December 7th.
Recovery rates also remain high standing at 96% of the 17,931 cumulative cases recorded as at 7 December 2020. Positive outcomes in this regard may impact positively on Zambia’s tourism and hospitality sector. To top it off, the rains have commenced and projected to be favourable for the 2020/21 farming season. JCTR commends Government for the continued commitment to ensure the timely distribution of inputs. This commitment in addition to other factors saw a bumper harvest recorded in the 2019/20 farming season with maize production standing at 3.4 million tonnes, 66 percent above the reduced outturn in 2019.
However, the nation’s key macro-economic indicators remain poor. The exchange rate of the kwacha to the US Dollar stands at K21 to US$1 with serious repercussions for an import dependent nation. Additionally, year on year inflation for November 2020 as measured by the Zambia Statistics Agency stands at 17.4 percent.
A challenging debt context characterised by rising interest payments also continues to compromise social sector outcomes. Particularly, Ministry of finance quarterly economic reports indicate lower than budgeted expenditure outturns for budget lines such as social cash transfer.
As at the close of third quarter, social cash transfer recorded an expenditure outturn of only K115,000, a meagre 18.5% of the allocated amount for the first three quarters of 2020. This is in stark contrast to interest payments on debt that stood at K15,118,195 at the close of third quarter, a 94% outturn. JCTR therefore recommends the need to prioritise a debt recovery plan for Zambia given the undeniable negative effects of a rising debt burden on the Zambian populace. Adequately responding to our socio-economic challenges is dependent on addressing a constrained fiscal space.
Zambia’s 2021 AFCON U20 dreams ended on Friday after losing on post-match penalties to 10-man Mozambique in the 2020 COSAFA U20 Cup semifinals of the ongoing tournament South Africa is hosting in Port Elizabeth.
The defending champions bowed out 5-4 on post-match penalties in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
The two sides were locked at 0-0 after fulltime but not before Jose Manhice was sent off in the first half for a foul on Martin Njobvu.
Mozambique joins Namibia at the AFCON U20 in Mauritania who beat Angola 1-0 in their semifinal match.
Chipolopolo coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic has appeared in the South African Magistrate’s Court on alleged sexual harassment charges.
Micho, 51, was in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court on Friday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 39-year-old woman on Monday at Wolfson Stadium during the ongoing COSAFA Under-20 Cup in Port Elizabeth.
“It is alleged that earlier this week on Monday 07 December during the Cosafa Games in Port Elizabeth a 39-year-old woman was delivering coffee at the Wolfson Stadium when she asked Sredojevic if he would need sugar with his coffee. He allegedly said no and disclosed that he needed another type of sugar while pointing at her private parts,” said National Prosecuting Authority – Eastern Cape spokesperson Anelisa Ngcakani.
“It is alleged that the lady complained to her boss who in turned warned Sredojevic not to do it again. Later on that day the lady went to deliver coffee again at the same stadium and this time Sredojevic allegedly touched her buttocks,” stated Ngcakani.
Micho was granted R10 000 bail and his next court appearance will be on 25 February 2021.
The race for promotion in FAZ National Division 1 remains tight with City of Lusaka, Chambishi, Kafue Celtic and Kansanshi Dynamos earning the early pacesetters status.
Celtic, Chambishi and City are tied at the top of the table on 18 points apiece after nine matches played in the season.
However, Celtic are number one on better goal difference ahead of City and Chambishi.
The trio has been exchanging the top spot from the start of the 2020/21 season.
Kansanshi Dynamos in fourth place, one point behind the leading trio.
“The league is tough so we just need to continue working hard if we are to win promotion to the Super Division,” said Chambishi coach Israel Mwanza.
Four teams will be promoted to the Super Division from Division One.
Meanwhile, Nchanga Rangers are now three points away from the top following two consecutive victories in four days.
Nchanga beat Gomes 2-0 in Ndola on Thursday to move to 15 points after playing nine matches.
Brave beat Zesco Shockers 7-0 earlier on Sunday at home in Chingola.
Transport and Communication Minister Mutotye Kafwaya says the PF government has managed to lower the cost of communications since assuming power in 2011.
Mr Kafwaya has observed that the overall cost of communication services especially internet and voice charges has recorded a marked reduction.
He said the PF government has invested heavily in the improvement of communication infrastructure across the country which has now started bearing fruit.
Mr Kafwaya was soaking in Lusaka on Friday when he officiated at the launch of a new product by Zamtel called Unlimited Freedom.
“As the government of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, we hold the view that every Zambian should have access to quality communication services. It is for this reason that we have invested heavily in the last few years in upgrading and rolling out of communication infrastructure even in some of the remotest parts of the country,” Mr Kafwaya said.
“If there is one other sector where His Excellency President Lungu and the PF administration has scored highly besides road construction is the telecommunications sector. The reforms undertaken by the PF government has resulted in overall improvement in sector performance through increased competition and better customer appreciation,” he said.
Mr Kafwaya added, “Pricing for most of the services in the sector have also seen a marked reduction which has translated into major savings for the consumer.”
“The Zambian people should be reminded that not too long ago, you were paying higher prices for voice and data services but due to the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Lungu, my Ministry has implemented broad ranging legislative and regulatory reforms that are now reaping profits.”
Mr Kafwaya said Unlimited Freedom product speaks to the desire by the government to continue creating an enabling environment for individuals and businesses to flourish.
“In a digitally connected environment we are currently living, the desire of huge data cannot be over emphasized. Therefore, the need to make these services affordable and accessible to all becomes even more important. By introducing Freedom Unlimited, Zamtel is responding to the needs of the customer as well as entrenching its position as Zambia’s most affordable provider of world class digital services.”
He continued, “I am reliably informed that with Freedom Unlimited Offers, you talk and browse limitlessly with no restrictions and no worries about data or minutes depletion. This is a revolutionary product and a game changer for the industry. I wish to take this opportunity to encourage other players in the industry to emulate Zamtel and deploy initiatives that places the customer at the centre of their existence.”
Transport and Communications Mutotwe Kafwaya chats with Zamtel CEO Sydney Mupeta during the launch of Unlimited Freedom at Zamtel House on Friday morning
And Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Sydney Mupeta said Freedom Unlimited creates better value for customers as it puts them firmly in control of their communication needs.
Mr Mupeta said Freedom Unlimited gives customers endless possibilities as they are able to enjoy free calling and browsing without worrying about depleting the purchased bundle.
“This is a segmented time-based customer proposition on voice and mobile data in response to the huge demand for data consumption as more people adopt digital lifestyles,” Mr Mupeta said.
Freedom Unlimited allows mobile customers to enjoy free calling and browsing within the specified subscription duration without limitations of the bundle value they have purchased by subscribing to *422#.
Government has disbursed over K3 million for social cash transfer beneficiaries in Limulunga district in Western Province.
The funding is expected to benefit a total number of 3, 940 community members in the district.
In an interview, Limulunga District Social Welfare Officer, Khuzwayo Msoni said since the inception of the programme in 2016, the lives of less privileged and vulnerable people in the district has improved.
Mr Msoni noted that government is committed towards ensuring that the number of vulnerable people is increased adding that about 2000 people will be registered for 2020/2021 to be included on the list of social cash beneficiaries.
“Government through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services is going to pay all the people on the scheme from January to December this year, especially those beneficiaries that were not captured,” said Mr Msoni.
Mr Msoni noted that government will continue to prioritise human development and economic productivity without leaving anyone behind.
He said the Social Cash Transfer in the district is targeting female and child headed households, as well as the disabled and the aged.
“The lives of people on the social cash transfer has greatly improved as they are now managing to venture into various business activities, also sending their children to school and forming cooperatives among other man programmes in the district,” said Mr Msoni.
Mr Msoni further explained that government’s consistency in the payment of the social cash transfer in the district, will lead to improved livelihood among people in the community.
And Community Welfare Assistance Committee Chairperson for Limulunga East, Raphael Kanduli said there was transparency in the identification and selection of beneficiaries to be put in the social cash transfer in the district.
Mr Kanduli said the department of social welfare in the district is continuously encouraging and sensitizing social cash transfer beneficiaries to prudently use the monies in the way that would uplift their living standards.
The Minister of National Development Planning Honourable Alexander Chiteme, MP, this week handed over 20 motor vehicles and a speed boat to 16 districts in Luapula, Muchinga, Northern Provinces where the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD) Project, which is focusing on combating climate change, is being implemented.
The Minister also launched the 2020 Budget Analysis Report on National Budget Allocations and disbursements to climate smart programes and projects.
Speaking at the joint handover and launch ceremony in Lusaka, Mr. Chiteme said the vehicles and a speed boat is aimed at easing transportation as well as ensure efficient and effective delivery of project outputs in Luapula, Muchinga, Northern Provinces.
The Minister said the main objectives of TRALARD are to improve natural resource management in selected districts, to support sustainable livelihoods and in the event of an eligible crisis or emergency, to provide immediate and effective response to the eligible crisis or emergency.
Mr. Chiteme said the TRALARD Project activities are community-driven and will assist reduce poverty and vulnerabilities in line with the strategic objectives of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
“The 16 districts where the project is being implemented are as follows: (i).Luapula Province: Chifunabuli, Kawambwa, Lunga, Nchelenge, and Samfya districts; (ii).Muchinga Province: Chama, Lavushimanda, Mpika, Mafinga, Isoka and Kanchibiya districts; (iii).Northern Province: Chilubi, Mbala, Mungwi, Mpulungu and Nsama districts,” Mr. Chiteme said.
The Minister said a brand new boat has also been procured for Lunga District.
In addition to the beneficiary districts, the Minister said three vehicles will be donated to the provincial planning units and another three vehicles to the project implementation units in the three (3) provinces.
“I urge all recipients to prudently and effectively use these motor vehicles and boat for the attainment of project objectives. Only authorized persons should utilize the vehicles and boat and for the intended purpose,” said Mr. Chiteme in the company of Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Charles Mushota, Northern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Davison Mulenga and Ministry of National Development Planning Director – Human Resources and Administration Nicolynn Nyoni.
Minister Chiteme handing over 20 vehicles, speed boat to Luapula, Muchinga, Northern Provinces for climate change Project
Launching the 2020 budget analysis report on the national budget allocations and disbursements to climate smart programmes, Mr. Chiteme said the Government, through the Ministry of National Development Planning, commissioned a consultant to undertake a detailed analysis of allocations as well as expenditures on climate change programmes outlined in the national budget.
And World Bank Country Manager Dr. Sahr Kpundeh said climate change remains a huge development challenge for the world, including Zambia.
“In Zambia the World Bank is supporting [the] Government to tackle climate vulnerability in four ways: – Building resilience of the poor in some of the remotest areas of the country to climate variability and change; helping build good policies and strategies to cover the most vulnerable with social protection programs, investing in human capital; and promoting jobs in the rural areas through diversified, resilient and sustainable livelihoods,” said Dr. Kpundeh.
Minister Chiteme handing over 20 vehicles, speed boat to Luapula, Muchinga, Northern Provinces for climate change Project
“The World Bank is happy to be witnessing the handing over of a boat to Lunga District and 20 vehicles to the project implementation areas for the TRALARD Project. It is hoped that the vehicles and the boat will ease project implementation and in turn ensure that the development objectives are met,” said Dr. Kpundeh.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the three provinces, Permanent Secretary (Luapula) Mr. Mushota thanked the Government for the TRALARD Project and the provision of vehicles and boats.
Mr. Mushota appealed to the Ministry of National Development Planning to also purchase a vehicle each for Lunga and other districts that were only allocated boats.
This is according to a media statement released by Ministry of national Development Planning spokesperson Chibaula Silwamba in Lusaka.
Home Affairs Permanent Secretary, Masiye Banda has called on the public in Mwinilunga district to work with the police in safeguarding the Kasenseli gold mine.
Mr Banda said Kasenseli gold mine is a national asset that needs to be safeguarded for the benefit of everyone.
He said the investment at Kasenseli is an economic game-changer for not only Mwinilunga district but the nation at large.
“May I challenge the community around Kasenseli to play their role by ensuring that they support the police who are providing security at the site,” Mr Banda said.
Mr Banda was speaking in Solwezi today when he paid a courtesy call on North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Willies Mangimela.
“The community has a role to play in protecting the site which is everyone’s investment and they can do that by being law abiding,” he said.
Mr Banda noted that government wants to see the growth of Kasenseli into a viable gold mine that will contribute to the country’s economic development and job creation.
And Mr Mangimela however, appealed to the ministry to consider expanding the Solwezi central correctional facility which he said is congested due to inadequate space and also build a modern facility in Kabompo district.
“We are grateful that departments under your ministry like the Zambia Police, Correctional Services, Immigration and National Registration have received a fair share of vehicles which will enable them reach out to far flung areas,” Mr Mangimela said.
He also appealed to the ministry to consider upgrading Mwinilunga police station and equip it with more officers to help protect the gold mine at Kasenseli.
Mr Banda is in Northwestern province on a familiarization tour of departments under his ministry to appreciate their challenges as well as visit the Kasenseli gold mine to assess the security situation.
Napsa coach Mohamed Fathi is not feeling the pressure but just concerned about his sides’ five-game winless start to the league season.
That run is in contrast to their debut CAF Confederation Cup campaign where they have collected back-to-back victories and scored nine goals against two.
Furthermore, Napsa’s continental form even suggested that they may have just turned the corner following the pre-season departure of their influential forward Collins Sikombe to Lusaka Dynamos.
But Napsa danced to a familiar tune when they returned to league action last Wednesday losing 2-1 away to Zanaco that saw them slump to the bottom of the log with three draws and two defeats from five games played.
“Giving me concern doesn’t give me pressure because if I have pressure, I won’t be able to move forward,”Fathi said.
“But it gives me concern over the problems we have in defence and why certain individual players are not putting in maximum concentration during the game.
“Napsa are back in action this Saturday when they host mid-table side Green Buffaloes in a Lusaka derby clash at Woodlands Stadium.
“We have to focus, we have a game on Saturday against Buffaloes and we still have some games in hand,” Fathi said.
“I know even if we win these games (in hand) we won’t be number one but I think it will improve our position on the table.
“In the long run, we will manage to touch the top four very soon in the first round.”
