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The Keep Zambia Clean has not been suspended- Bishop Ed Chomba

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The Keep Zambia Clean has not been suspended- Bishop Ed Chomba

Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary, Bishop Ed Chomba says the Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy Campaign will NOT be suspended.

Bishop Chomba says the campaign is still on-going even in the wake of the Covid-19 because it is the responsibility of relevant authorities to ensure that the exercise is carried out every last day of the month.

He adds that essential workers through the Department of housing and infrastructure will devise plans in all the councils countrywide, that will be responsible for ensuring that all public places are kept clean.

Bishop Chomba told ZNBC News in an interview that it is the responsibility of all those in authority to ensure that those tasked, adhere to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health against Covid-19.

He has since called on members of the public to continue adhering to the guidelines.

What is Zambia’s COVID 19 Strategy Kanshi?

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What is Zambia’s COVID 19 Strategy Kanshi?

By Parkie Mbozi

ON 23RD MARCH 2020, precisely five days after 18 March when Zambia reported a twin case of the Coronavirus (code-named COVID-19) “pandemic”, I authored a widely circulated article titled, What is the Science Behind Zambia’s COVID Half measures? It was a follow to a similar article I wrote on 27 February, way before the country was hit by the virus, titled, Is Zambia Ready to Cope with And Contain the Coronavirus Outbreak?

My second article was partly focused on a hastily assembled press conference the same day that the two cases of a couple of Greek origin that had traveled to Europe were announced (18th March). At that press conference a combined team of ministers from what are considered most critical and relevant ministries to the pandemic announced a range of measures to curb the spread of the virus. The measures ranged from operations of bars and churches to wearing of face masks and hand and market sanitation.
My first concern was on the leaders not demonstrating best practice on ‘social distancing’ during the press conferences, which was beamed live on TV. I wrote then that:

“To make matters worse, the leaders have not consistently demonstrated ‘social distance’ during their press conferences. For instance, during the press conference I watched on 18 March the ministers were literally sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, especially as they went to the single available mic one by one. The mic was sandwiched between Dora Siliya and Godfridah Sumaili. Is it a case of “do what I say not what I do”? Surely leaders ought to demonstrate best practices if they want to be believed.”

Within the said article I further questioned the efficacy of some of the measures the country had put in place to fight the pandemic. A few days after my article most neighbouring countries went into one form of lockdown or another. Zambia avoided a total shutdown despite numerous calls for it from political parties, religious organisations, etc. Our major concern seemed to have been business rather than the now known patterns of the spread of the pandemic. I warned then that, “Only time will tell whether our trajectory and/or model is a better one.”

Just to put things into perspective, on 23 March when I did the article Zambia only the two cases. For a considerable period during those early days of the pandemic, from 18 March and until early April, the country had among the lowest number of cases of both infections and mortality among its neighbours and the SADC region. However, a month after the first two cases were reported, on 18 April, a pattern began to emerge that depicted Zambia overtaking most of its neighbours in cumulative cases.

For instance, On 18 April Zambia had the third highest cumulative cases among our neighbours, with 52 cases, having reported first cases on 18 March; Zimbabwe had 24 cases, reported first case on 20 March; Angola had 19 cases, reported first case on 21 March; Namibia had 16 cases, reported first case on 14 March; Malawi had 17 cases, reported first cases on 2 April; and Mozambique had 34 cases, reported first case on 22 March. Only Tanzania (147) and DRC (287) had the higher cases than Zambia but were also the first to report first cases on 16 and 10 March respectively.

Fast-forward today 28 July, the pattern has continued. With the ‘official’ figure of 4481 cumulative cases as of today, Zambia is now only second to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has a total of 8831. You can argue that with a population of 86,026,000, DRC’s per capital infection is obviously much lower. I write ‘official’ figures in our case because the recently growing numbers of BIDs (brought in dead) is evidence enough that the cases are a lot higher than captured in the database. Zimbabwe, for instance, has been in lockdown with a curfew and their cases are half of ours. Botswana and Angola have less than 1,000 cases each.

The big question is, what are our national strategies to contain, manage and ‘flatten the curve’? Who would have thought that four months on we would still questioning our strategies, with so much to learn from other countries and research? Yet from how we are going about it, one would be excused to think we have our own strain of COVID 19 that we are able to negotiate with; yet Anthony Fauchi, a famous of the global fight against the pandemic, always warns that, “You don’t set the timeline, the virus sets the timeline.”

One thing which is now universally known is that the spread of Covid 19 follows the same pattern; it always gets worse before it gets better. How soon it gets better depends on how much you invest in ‘putting off the flames’ before they become ‘wildfires’, in the analogy of Prof Salim Abdool Karim of South Africa. Prof is a world-renowned HIV scientist and infectious diseases epidemiologist and Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid 19. On the night of 14 April Prof Karim gave a wide-ranging and highly educative presentation on the pandemic in South Africa and globally that left many of us asking: 1. Where are the voices of the cream of Zambia’s public health specialists and epidemiologists? 2. What is Zambia’s model for ‘flattening the curve’?

The famous proverb, “You Reap What You Sow” (Galatians 6:7-8) applies to Covid 19. Similarly, with COVID 19 the saying that “you can’t bake your cake and eat” holds sway. In literal sense it means, there is no way we can have it both ways: live our lives normally but still manage to flatten the curve of infections. Ask Sweden what happened. ‘Flatten the curve’ is a buzz word and, more importantly, benchmark target for any country. For my readers who may not know, it means stopping new cases of infections and mortality from going up until the numbers stabilize, start dropping and eventually come back to ‘zero new infections, zero mortality”, to borrow from HIV and AIDS terminology. This a feat achieved by countries that have relaxed(‘unlocked’) their economies but ONLY AFTER massive investment in testing, contact tracing and treatment. New Zealand is a shining example in managing to rid itself of the virus.
For us the BATTLE HAS BEEN ON since early April when the first cases of ‘community spread’ the virus were reported. ‘Community spread’ means cases that could not be traced to a single person. At that point we began chasing and trying to put off one ‘flame’ after another in the communities to avoid ‘bushfires’ (in Prof Karim’s analogy). The best bet for any viral pandemic is prevention; avoiding community spread. Herein lies our challenge.

Some Zambian citizens, me included, have serious concerns about our strategies for containing the pandemic. Going by the increasing numbers of cases and, more gravely, growing numbers of BIDs, one would be excused to conclude that the measures are not working. In any case Dr Chilufya told Parliament on 21st July that “Zambia could suffer deaths of up to 1,000 daily by August”.
Below are what I consider policy gaps and inconsistencies with science.

Testing and Contact Tracing: while some countries are talking tens of thousands of tests daily, 55 – 60,000 for South Africa, for instance, we are still below 2,000 (for instance, Dr Chilufya announced 446 tests conducted on 24 July and 1,851 tests on 25 July, which I believe is the highest on a single day so far). Contact tracing and testing are buzz words in the containment of Covid 19. The more you test, the more you identify and quarantine carriers of the virus before they spread the ‘flame’. Many European countries, for instance, have managed to ‘flatten the curve’ and contain the virus because of their abilities to correctly approximate and positively identify the carriers.

Surprisingly, we are not hearing alarm bells from our authorities on the need for more testing or resources thereof, which can be construed as lack goals and targets for testing.

Total Lockdown: this has been the most confusing of our strategies. Lockdown is the most extreme of the wide range of measures and STANDARD DOSE to ‘flatten the curve’. It means shutting down the major economic and social activities. It is a necessary measure which facilitates for most, if not all, the other measures to take effect: testing, contact tracing, social distancing, etc. Here we have the most bizarre lockdown whereby, for instance, professionals in formal employment are asked to stay home or report in rotation and schools partially closed while life goes on ‘normally’ at Soweto and other markets country-wide, in buses, funerals, weddings, churches and other spheres of life, including (you won’t believe it) some bars.

Surely you cannot expect to put off a ‘bushfire’ by extinguishing one flame on one corner while 100s are burning in other parts of the bush. It doesn’t work.

Similarly, within a space of a week we have heard our leaders issue contradictory statements on this measure. On 21st July Finance Minister Bwalya said a lockdown was among “matters that are being considered”. Within days cabinet resolved to take other measures but again spared us from a lockdown. Typically, we have been progressively opening up as the cases have been going up.

Other measures have been announced but equally so relaxed or adhered to only at the pleasure of the individual and applying only to some parts of the country. They include; face coverings (masks), social distancing, hand sanitisers, etc. Their impact is highly questionable.

I will end with a quote (published in March) from anonymous based in Italy on the consequences of the business-as-usual trajectory. “The big mistake was that at the start of the first hit, people continued to lead their lives. As usual they took to the streets for work, entertainment and feeling like a vacation period. Gathering with friends and banquets abounds”….”About 200 people die here every day, not because medicine in Milan is not good (it is one of the best in the world), but rather because there are no places for everyone!”

We need to re-think what we want as a country: life or economy. What have in place to-date are a perfect fit for half measures.

The author is a media, governance and health communication researcher and scholar with the Institute of Economic and Social Research, University of Zambia. He is reachable on pmbozi5ATyahooDOTcom.

BOZ and DEC’s Anti Money Laundering Investigations Unit closes in on Comsave and ONO

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BOZ and DEC’s Anti Money Laundering Investigations Unit closes in on Comsave and ONO

The Bank of Zambia says preliminary investigations into Comsave Credit Union and ONO Savings and Credit Association have revealed that the two institutions were collecting and lending money from members of the public as independent administrators under the disguise of Village Banking.

In the joint statement to ZANIS by BOZ and DEC communications units, it has also been noted that the activities had a semblance of Money Circulation Schemes which are prohibited under the Banking and Financial Services Act.

In consultation with BOZ, The DEC-Anti Money Laundering Investigations Unit has exercised its authority under the law to safeguard the interests of the public.

The statement indicated that members of the public who may have been undertaking financial transactions with either Comsave or OSCA will be advised to submit documentary evidence of their respective deposits in the accounts of the two entities.

The Central Bank urged members of the public to know and understand who they are dealing with before engaging in any business or financial transaction.

And the Drug Enforcement Commission appealed to members of the public to remain calm as investigations are still ongoing.

Village Banking is a closed group of self-selected individuals, with clearly defined rules and procedures for saving and borrowing money within the group, as well as sharing the interest earned.

Nkana Bungle At Arrows To Hand Zesco A Lifeline

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Zesco United on Saturday kept alive their very slim chances of retaining the FAZ Super Division title on the same day that Nkana failed to put them out of contention.

Both Zesco and Nkana were away in Lusaka to play a doubleheader at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka against Lusaka Dynamos and Red Arrows respectively.

In the lunchtime kickoff, Zesco left Lusaka with a precious 1-0 victory courtesy of a 40th minute own-goal by Paso Mayenge who turned in Jesse Were’s shot.

The result to saw Zesco end a six-match winless run stretching back to February 9 when they beat Mufulira Wanderers 2-0 away in Mufulira before drawing five and losing one of their subsequent fixtures.

Zesco rise to third on 46 points, two points behind leaders Napsa Stars and one points adrift of Nkana from 26 games played.

But Nkana failed to end the holders Zesco’s interest in the title race in the late kickoff after they battled from two-down to finish 2-2 against Arrows.

Joseph Phiri put Arrows ahead in the 1st minute before veteran James Chamanga continued to roll back the years with the with a superb right-footed shot on the near post in the 57th minute.

Chamanga could have added a second in a the 61th minute but sent his volley onto the right angle of the far right post although his fifteenth goal of the season ensured he stayed on course for the 2019/2020 golden boot with one round of matches left to play.

However, Nkana recovered thanks to two spectacular howlers by Arrows goalkeeper Ken Mumba who aided striker Idris Mbombo with a brace.

Mbombo struck in the 68th and later severely punished Mumba in the 74th in a scramble for the ball on the goalline that the goalkeeper spilt after a poor back-pass from Joseph Phiri and the Nkana striker with the faintest of touches ensured the ball crossed the line.

The Nkana striker takes his tally for the season to 14 goals and his third in the last two games.

And now, Zesco must beat Arrows on August 6 at home in Ndola and hope that Nkana falter against Nakambala Leopards.

Zesco will be particularly keeping an eye closer to home in Ndola in fourth placed Forest Rangers’ top-four dog-fight against Napsa.

Forest head into that match on 46 points and a win away in Kitwe on Monday against Power Dynamos will see them go top on 49 points.

PF has Held More By-Election than UNIP and MMD Combined – Nalumango

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PF has Held More By-Election than UNIP and MMD Combined – Nalumango

“The number of by-elections that we have witnessed as a country during the 9-year rule of the Patriotic Front is equal to the total number of elections held between 1964 and 2011,” says UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT National Chairman, Mutale Nalumango.

Speaking on Revelation TV’s “Delight Morning Live” today, Nalumango says the PF’s insatiable appetite for by-elections stems from its inferior complex and fear for the unknown while trying to comfort itself with some cosmetic popularity.

Mrs Nalumango says the PF in its desperate attempts to cling onto power has subjected the country to high poverty levels which have unfortunately not spared the mostly young civic leaders who have gone for months without pay.

Asked on the UPND’s performance in the just ended 15 local Government by elections, the Party Chairman said the PF used corruption and deception to lure voters into voting for them and desperately hold onto power.

She said the material hand outs that exchanged hands during the campaigns as well as the persistent political violence should be discouraged as it leads to high voter apathy which is a danger to the country’s 29 year old democracy.

She has since called on the Patriotic Front, ECZ and the police to make the political playing field level for all political parties as the country heads towards the 2021 General elections.

On assertions that the UPND planned to dethrone some traditional leaders once in Government, Mrs Nalumango who laughed at the aspersions said such rhetoric was not part of the Party’s Manifesto.

She described such assertions as the work of enemies of democracy bent on interfering in the roles of traditional leadership in the country.

PF has Turned the Presidency into an Axis of Criminality

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PF has Turned the Presidency into an Axis of Criminality

By: Anthony Bwalya – UPND Member

By Zambian supreme law, the President, any elected Zambian President, is the sole custodian of our collective public interest; and thus the guardian of not just the constitution itself but also the final gatekeeper of all our natural resources including land, forests, minerals and wildlife.

Yet since their inaugural election in 2011, the Patriotic Front (PF) have peddled a deliberate, premeditated agenda of leveraging the presidency for the benefit of the party and individuals within the party, using well placed private sector proxies but are known associates of the party in power and its handlers.

While the poverty of 9.2 million Zambians remain unmitigated, with access to public education, healthcare, water and sanitation, employment still a far cry for 83% of Zambians, the PF and the presidency have been relentless in their unholy agenda of self enrichment while sacrificing the fortunes of a whole nation.

In May 2018, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) revealed how the PF regime, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources under Jean Kapata, failed to account for $87m worth of Mukula revenue through criminal motivations when they deliberately undervalued Mukula exports to China.

I had personally written to the current Kabushi Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo on 11 June 2018 and demanded that he took this issue onto the floor of Parliament so that Zambians could get some answers, but he did not respond.

Then in 2019, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) published a detailed report which revealed an approximate $7.5m per annum Mukula bribery cartel involving known and elected public officials. This means around $60m worth of Mukula associated bribes were paid to PF officials over the period 2012 to 2019 alone.

Our estimates are that since 2012, Zambia has lost around $2bn in unaccounted for Mukula revenue under the PF regime.

The most concerning thing is that because the current ongoing criminal activities seem to be anchored around State House, and the Presidency has become immobilized and is incapable of acting in the national interest.

This is why a government Minister caught masturbating on camera is more likely to get fired than one facing serious charges of a criminal indictment and appearing before court.

This is also why the presidency cannot act when protected forests such Forest Reserve No. 27 is invaded by top government officials who have turned a water aquifer into a paradise for mansions.

Why do we think the presidency also cannot act, when Zambia’s wildlife resources are being savaged, raided and transferred to private game ranches owned by politicians or their friends…

As we speak, Zambia’s gold resources are being appropriated for the benefit of foreign-owned entities with known links to terrorism sanctioned countries and individuals.

What the Zambian people must know is this: this is not a problem for the president or the presidency. The ruling party establishment has designed things to work precisely in this manner. The PF understands that if you can leverage the presidency in criminal wrongdoing, you are untouchable.

And this is exactly why none of the issues raised herein have ever been a subject of a thorough, government-backed investigation and precisely why no single parliamentary inquiry has been called to interrogate any of these issues.

The solution is NOT to kick out President Edgar Lungu. He is a very small part of a wider PF backed axis of criminality. The solution is to dismantle the PF by voting them out of power in 2021.

The only thing keeping the PF together, the reason they want power, is to protect their shared illegalities against the Zambian people.

Once the PF lose power in 2021, they will no longer have a reason to continue existing.

CEC can continue restricting power to KCM- Kitwe High Court

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CEC can continue restricting power to KCM- Kitwe High Court

The Kitwe High Court has discharged an interim injunction it granted to Konkola Copper Mines -KCM- which sought to stop Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) from restricting power supply to the mining giant.

This is in a matter where CEC started restricting power to the firm after it allegedly failed to settle over 1-hundred million dollars debt it owes the energy firm.

This now means CEC can continue restricting power to KCM as it pushes for the mining firm to settle its debt.

Passing ruling this morning, Kitwe High Court Judge Evaristo Pengele stated that he sees no basis for granting KCM an interim relief pending arbitration because they have not demonstrated that there is any serious dispute to be determined at arbitration.

This is in a matter where KCM applied in the Kitwe High Court for an order of interim relief pending arbitration.

The mining firm also sought an interim injunction to restrain CEC from effecting a power supply restriction to KCM, as the move would have irreparable damage on the operations of the mining firm.

In May, the court granted KCM an ex-parte order for interim relief pending arbitration.

But lawyers representing CEC urged the court to vacate the interim injunction because it had been overtaken by events.

However, Justice Pengele said in order for an application for injunction to succeed, the applicant must establish that they have a clear right to relief in the main matter.

Government Appoints Administrators for Suspended Lusaka and Kitwe City Councils

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Government Appoints Administrators for Suspended Lusaka and Kitwe City Councils

The government has appointed Nixon Nkwapu and Adam Jere as administrators for Lusaka and Kitwe councils respectively for a period of 90 days.

Local Government Minister Charles Banda says the appointment of the two administrators is to pave way for investigation into alleged illegal land allocations in the two local authorities.

Dr. Banda says the local government administrators will discharge the functions of the councils which will include policy and decision making among others.

He was speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka this afternoon.

Dr. Banda said the government will not tolerate any misconduct from councilors or council officials in the service delivery process.

Last week, the Ministry of Local Government suspended Lusaka and Kitwe city councils over alleged illegalities in land allocations.

Health Ministry says Contact Tracing needs Scaling up as 10 brought in Dead due to COVID-19

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Health Ministry says Contact Tracing needs Scaling up as 10 brought in Dead due to COVID-19

The Ministry of Health says there is a need to escalate the level of contact tracing due to the increase in the number of positive Covid-19 cases and deaths.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Administration Kakulubelwa Mulalelo says the ministry’s pillar to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic remains surveillance, case finding and contact tracing.

Ms. Mulalelo said this when she announced that the country has recorded 265 COVID-19 positive cases and 14 deaths in the last 24 hours bringing the cumulative number to 6228.

She said currently 34 people are on ventilators of which 3 are in the intensive care unit while 327 have been discharged.

Ms. Mulalelo said currently 48 districts spread across the country have reported Covid-19 cases.

She said of the 14 deaths, 10 were brought in dead from the community while 4 patients died in Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching hospital.

Ms. Mulalelo further disclosed that studies are been carried out to determine why most Covid-19 positive cases are in males.

She has since advised the public to adhere to the public health guidelines to prevent getting affected or transmitting the Covid-19 infection.

PROFILE ON 265 NEW COVID-19 CASES

  • 114 cases identified through healthcare facility screening in Lusaka (63), Chingola (28), Ndola (14), Chililabombwe (6), Chilanga (2), Chinsali (1);
  • 82 individuals identified from routine community screening in Lusaka (33), Ndola (16), Kitwe (14), Kalumbila (8), Chililabombwe (4), Kabwe (4), Mpongwe (2), Chingola (1);
  • 57 contacts to known positive cases in Lusaka (53), Mansa (2), Chingola (1), Ndola (1);
  • 2 healthcare workers screened in Lusaka;
  • 10 Brought in Dead (BIDS) in Lusaka.

MMD Democracy Day in Pictures

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MMD Democracy Day in Pictures
Mrs. Cynia Zukas signs in the MMD 30 year Commemoration book at Democracy House.
Mrs. Cynia Zukas signs in the MMD 30 year Commemoration book at Democracy House.
Hon. Aka Lewanika gives an Democratic Lecture titled : Tracking the footprints of Democracy during the 30 years of the MMD at Democracy House.
Hon. Aka Lewanika gives an Democratic Lecture titled : Tracking the footprints of Democracy during the 30 years of the MMD at Democracy H

[caption id="attachment_290357" align="alignnone" width="800"] New Hope MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba ( middle) poses with Vernon Mwaanga Jr (Second from left), Hon. Aka Lewanika ( Third from Left), New Hope MMD Vice President Mr. Reuben Sambo (third from Right) Bishop Mwinga ( Second from Right ) New Hope MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba ( middle) poses with Vernon Mwaanga Jr (Second from left), Hon. Aka Lewanika ( Third from Left), New Hope MMD Vice President Mr. Reuben Sambo (third from Right) Bishop Mwinga ( Second from Right )

New Hope MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba listens to Hon. Aka Lewanika as Aka gives a Lecture on Democracy at Democracy House.
New Hope MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba listens to Hon. Aka Lewanika as Aka gives a Lecture on Democracy at Democracy House.
New Hope MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba prays for Zambia during the 30 years of the MMD.
New Hope MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba prays for Zambia during the 30 years of the MMD.

Fathi Toasts Napsa Stars’ Top 4 Target

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Napsa Stars coach Mohamed Fathi believes he has done enough to secure a top four finish in the 2019/2020 FAZ Super Division season.

Napsa secured their top four finish with a match to spare following a 2-0 home win over 13th positioned Buildcon at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka on July 31.

The result saw Napsa go top of the FAZ Super Division log for at least 24 hours that saw them attain the 48-point threshold five of the top four contenders needed for continental qualification awaiting final classification in the last round of fixtures on August 6.

“I have already concluded my target, I have already reached continental qualification and this is what I wanted,” Fathi said.

Collins Sikombe scored a brace for a solid looking Napsa who came into the match with 15 players quarantined for Covid-19.

“I think I am happy with the team because of the break it was too long that is why they looked rust but so far so good so we just need to maintain this pace and I think the next game will be good for us,” Fathi said.

Napsa visit third placed Forest Rangers in their final fixture on August hoping victory there will be enough to clinch their debut league title if top five results elsewhere go the other way.

“When I reach the bridge, I will talk about,” Fathi said when asked about Napsa’s title hopes.

Six-Time Losing Presidential Candidate HH should resign on Moral Grounds

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Six-Time Losing Presidential Candidate HH should resign on Moral Grounds

By: Marvin Chanda Mberi (Law Scholar)

We wish to congratulate the mighty Patriotic Front party which is led by the able and fit leader of the Christian and Democratic Republic of Zambia President Edgar Chagwa Lungu for the resounding victory in the just ended by-elections.

We have taken note that the oldest existing opposition party in Africa has lost grip and hold of Western province.

Reality is slowly dawning on six-time losing Presidential candidate Hakahinde Sammy Hichilema and his faint dream of ever becoming President is shrinking and the ray of hope of ever becoming a President is withering away like the sun setting in that horizon during dusk.

Indeed the outstanding results and the substantial chunk of a support base that has tilted toward PF in Western Province is owing to the fact the PF is becoming the organization of mass movement.

The PF is now a fully-fledged national party and membership cuts across the regional barriers. Indeed the people of the western province have realized how faithfully the PF has fulfilled every vow it made during the run-up to the 2016 elections.

Indeed the political shutting down of UPND life President Hakahinde Hichilema is dawning.

It is not a secret that Western province has two UPND structures and there is one faction loyal to HH and the other one loyal to Honorable Garry Nkombo. We, therefore, invite all the UPND that are displeased with the divisive leadership in UPND to join the united frontless by ECL.

We further wish to assure the electorates that President Lungu and the PF will not betray the trust which has been reposed through the voice of the electorates.

Bally has been fixed in 5 out of six wards that were held by his party and this is a vote of no confidence in his failed leadership. Mr. Hichilema should do the Honorable thing by respecting the will of the people and tender his resignation.

We also believe that this defeat is a learning curve for the UPND to concede the anticipated defeat in 2021.

Once more congratulations to PF and ECL for being results Oriente

Nevers Mumba unveils Democracy House

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Nevers Mumba unveils Democracy House

New Hope Movement for Multi party Democracy (MMD) President Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba has unveiled the Refurbished MMD Secretariat in Kabulonga, Lusaka.

The MMD is celebrating 30 years of it’s existence under the theme 30 years of Democracy and Development.

The MMD Secretariat will now be known as Democracy House.

In opening Democracy House, New Hope MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba said that the MMD will fight for Democracy in Zambia.

“As the mother of Democracy in Zambia, we shall fight tooth and nail to make sure that this Democracy which we fought for in 1991 is safeguarded”, Dr. Mumba said.

Dr. Mumba then said that the Party decided to name their refurbished Secretariat to Democracy House because the foundation of the party was democracy.

Dr. Mumba then said that Democracy House will host a library and leadership school.

“Lastly but not the least, We would like to inform you that Democracy House will have a Governance and Political Library and will further have a Young Leadership Institute”, Dr. Mumba said.

Zesco United in D-Day Scenario to Save League Title Defence

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FAZ Super Division champions Zesco United have two games in which to save their title defence after FAZ announced on Friday that the 2019/2020 season will now be concluded in the next two games due to a spike in Covid-19 cases.

The FAZ executive committee sat on Thursday in Lusaka and resolved to cut the season that restarted on July 18 after a four-month lockdown from nine to two rounds with this weekend’s fixtures being the penultimate stage.

Pressure is now Zesco to win their last two games and hope the football gods rule in their favour as the champions trail in fifth place and five points behind leaders NAPSA Stars who took command on Friday following a 2-0 home win over Buildcon in what is now a five-horse race for the 2019/2020 crown.

Victory for Napsa in their final game next week against Forest Rangers will end Zesco’s ambitions of an unprecedented fourth successive league title, leaving the eight-time champions to scramble for a prospective second place finish.

And so Saturday beckons for Zesco who visit Lusaka Dynamos who are seventh and out of the championship race on 40 points but still in contention for a CAF Confederation Cup qualification that is guaranteed with a third or fourth finish.

In-between, they is Zanaco who have 42 points who have an outside chance of finishing second in the unlikely situation that the five champion contenders tumble this weekend.

Meanwhile, Zesco beat Dynamos 4-1 in the first leg in Ndola last October 30 but the dynamics have suddenly changed following the hosts’ appointment during the lockdown of ex-Chipolopolo boss Wedson Nyirenda.

Nyirenda enjoys legendary status at Zesco whom he led to their debut league title in 2007 and successfully defended it.

It is elementary that a draw this weekend will end Zesco’s run who have never finished outside the top two since 2012 when they ended that term at number three.

408 new COVID-19 cases out of 1,611 tests recorded in the last 24 hours with 2 Deaths

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408 new COVID-19 cases out of 1,611 tests recorded in the last 24 hours with 2 Deaths

Zambia has recorded 408 new COVID-19 cases out of 1,611 tests done in the last 24 hours.

This brings the cumulative number of cases to 5,963 and the positivity rate to 25% according to Ministry of Health Permanent secretary for Technical Services Dr Kennedy Malama.

Speaking when he gave the latest COVID-19 update, Dr Malama also disclosed that the country has recorded 2 deaths in the last 24 hours while 514 patients have been discharged bringing the total number of recoveries to 3,083.

“We have registered another facility death in Levy Mwanawasa Isolation Center bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the last 24 hours to two (2) which are yet to be classified. The cumulative number of deaths associated with COVID-19 now stands at 151.” he said.

And Dr Malama said government is making sure that provision of other essential health services for other equally important health challenges amidst COVID-19 is not neglected.

He said failure to ensure that diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis,malaria and other non communicable diseases such as cancer receive the much needed attention amidst the pandemic might lead to even more loss of lives.

“Ministry of Health developed guidelines on continuation of services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines have since been disseminated to all facilities across the country” Dr Malama assured.

Dr Malama cautioned that the pandemic is now widespread across the country adding that Lusaka and the Copperbelt are no longer the only epicenters and therefore called for strict adherance to all health guidelines such as masking up, exercising social distancing and regular washing of hands and public hygiene.

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