Jay Rox teams up with Soundbwoy on the video for his current single “Comfortable“ off his new album S.C.A.R.
For 23 Years, CEC Has Been Reaping Off Zambians
By Antonio Mwanza
For 23 years, the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) has been reaping off Zambians; buying electricity at ridiculously low rates, and selling it to the mines at extremely exorbitant rates.
For 23 years, an ordinary widow in Kalingalinga has been paying more in electricity tariffs compared to CEC, a corporation, which has been racking millions of dollars in profits, buying cheap power at the expense of poor Zambians.
This very unpatriotic arrangement that was signed between ZESCO and CEC in 1997 has denied ZESCO the opportunity to raise the necessary resources to expand its generation, distribution, and transmission capacity as the mines which CEC supplies are actually the largest consumers of power.
Yesterday Government issued a Statutory Instrument declaring all transmission and distribution lines operated by the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) as common carriers following the expiration of the Power Supply Agreement between ZESCO and CEC which expired last night.
This means that other players in the electricity market can now use these lines for commercial purposes on AGREED terms and conditions.
It is important to note that the Government has NOT grabbed the infrastructure from CEC and no one can use this infrastructure without AGREED terms with the parties.
The government must be commended for ending this slave arrangement by refusing to allow CEC to continue exploiting our people and denying ZESCO the much-needed resources for expansion works.
It is the duty of the Government to protect its people from exploitation and Government is on firm ground to compel everyone, including large corporations like CEC to be paying cost-reflective tariffs in order to help ZESCO raise enough resources to increase and expand its generation, distribution, and transmission capacity in order to afford all Zambians access to affordable electricity.
Until a win-win arrangement is made, the Government will not allow a few corporate individuals no matter who they are to exploit the masses.
The Author is Patriotic Front Deputy Media Director.
UPND Accuse PF of Using ZESCO to Switch off Power at Radio Stations Scheduled to Feature HH
United Party for National Development (UPND) has described as the cutting of power at Kariba Radio station prior to the party president Hakainde Hichilema’s scheduled appearance yesterday morning.
In a statement made to the media, the party accused ZESCO of colluding with the ruling party to curtail the voices of those with dissenting views. The party wondered why PF has resorted to using institutions such as Zesco to switch off power each time they hear that HH is on the radio.
Below is the full Statement
The United Party for National Development (UPND) wishes to condemn in no uncertain terms the power blackout that occurred at Kariba Radio station prior to president Hakainde Hichilema’s scheduled appearance this morning.
First and foremost, what transpired at Kariba FM amounts to an act of sabotage in which the power utility firm seems to have colluded with the ruling PF to curtail the voices of those with dissenting views.
If the PF are as popular as they claim and if it’s true that HH is a regional leader, why is the PF damn scared of Mr Hichilema and have resorted to using institutions such as Zesco to switch off power each time they hear that HH is on radio?
We feel that this act is undemocratic as it denies the general citizenry access to information especially from opinion leaders of HH’s calibre who may want to sell their manifesto and the messages of hope they have to the general citizenry.
Thirdly, the act amounts to an indictment and infringement on the fundamental rights and freedoms of HH as a Zambian which in turn curtails his freedoms of expressions.
It is surprising that this trend has continued to flourish despite strong condemnation from various stakeholders including Government itself following the spate of attacks on media houses across the country recently.
The PF should be reminded that the UPND is in possession of first hand information of how the unfortunate decision was arrived at and they should not tempt us to reveal more.
Therefore, we are demanding that Zesco should not accept to be used by PF as this act amounts to abuse of public office.
Finally, we wish to reiterate our calls for the enactment of the Access to Information Bill (AIB) because the freedom of expression far supercedes the Bill itself because it is embedded in the Republican Constitution.
UPND MEDIA TEAM
Move by ZRA to Audit Churches Questioned
LUSAKA clergyman Bishop Simon Chihana says Zambia Revenue Authority’s declaration that it will be auditing churches in Zambia cannot go without comment.
Bishop Chihana, the International Fellowship for Christian Churches (IFCC) president, noted that the declaration had come at such a time when poverty was high in the nation and with a very high level of unemployment.
“The current position taken by the Zambia Revenue Authority, ZRA, cannot go without comment and taking serious analysis because it borders on a body that all of us as Zambians have great attachment to and this is the Church. The Zambia Revenue Authority has declared that they shall be auditing the churches in Zambia for whatever reasons, and it has come at such a time that poverty is high in the nation and with a very high level of unemployment among our people,” Bishop Chihana said.
He said wisdom is paramount in running national issues and consideration for the plight of the poor is a mark of great leadership.
The clergyman noted that the Church in Zambia had been a great partner in the alleviation of poverty of all the governments that have ruled the country.
“The Church has from time immemorial helped governments in bringing quality education to every one of us, quality medical care through mission hospitals and clinics. The Church is not a social club, but an organism through which God works to minister to the needs of humanity both spiritually, physically, and socially,” he said. “The Church is the salt to us all, through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God society is sustained in many ways, we are encouraged to love each other, forgive one another, help one another in time of need. The Church is always there to play as the mediator in times of conflict, to broker peace and unity.”
Bishop Chihana reminded ZRA that a lot of the social ills in society cannot be handled by the government of the day alone.
“But the Church is working day and night doing the job of reconciling families, helping the rejected, run away husbands and wives to resolve, run away children and parents to come together,” he said.
He said there were so many social ills out there that the Church is ever attending to such as drug abuse, drunkards, illicit sex and other crimes.
Bishop Chihana said it was unwise to punish a horse “that you ride on when all it requires is a little support from the rider to have food and to wash when it is dirt and a little water when it is thirsty”.
He added that all the services that the Church offered to humanity were free and supported by the generosity of the congregation and well-wishers.
“With all sanity of the mind, how do you as government under Zambia Revenue Authority audit a body that totally depends on free will offerings from the generous people. The next government must work in partnership with the Church and support them in all their efforts in making sure that they give our children quality education and provide quality health care to our people in the communities, strengthen their evangelistic thrust in the communities,” Bishop Chihana said.
He however, admitted that there were crooked church leaders.
“Thus it is the work of the investigators and the police to arrest such culprits that have taken advantage of the holy sacred work and messed it up with their dirty hands emanating from their evil hearts,” he said.
Bishop Chihana advised that such delinquency minded people must also be removed from the pulpit work.
Installation of communication towers in rural areas has helped in the improvement of service delivery
President Edgar Lungu will be remembered for taking telecommunication services closer to the people with the aim of easing communication challenges, says Transport and Communications Minister Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya.
The Minister said this in Sesheke District in Western Province when he paid a courtesy call on Sesheke District Administrative Officer Mrs. Albertina Maliwa Kabatana at her office on Monday evening.
Hon Kafwaya said the installation of communication towers in rural areas has helped in the improvement of service delivery.
He stated that the government has invested in the telecommunication sector because of it’s importance to service delivery.
“We are basically here to interact with our people, relating to the communication sector. So tomorrow we will be going to Imusho to launch the Zamtel communication tower. This is not the only tower we are constructing, we have 1009 towers doted across the country,” he said.
He said in light of the outbreak of Coronavirus, people were encouraged to work from home and do online transactions hence the need to improve the telecommunication sector.
He also said the PF Government under President Lungu has paid attention to things that matter the most to the people.
“Communication is very important and these things have been understood. And this is why we have invested in this sector,” he added.
And Mrs. Kabatana said the installation of the tower in Imusho will result in effective service delivery and will easy communication challenges in the area.
CEC Defies Government and Commences The Process to Restrict of Power from KCM
Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) has gone ahead with its threat to cut power from Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM) for nonpayment of USD144 million. In a statement released to the media, CEC said that it has taken the decision to protect and enforce CEC’s commercial rights as a business and ensure that the Company does not engage in reckless trading.
The Company further said that, as a listed business, it had an obligation to all its shareholders to preserve whatever value is left of its business at this stage and that without this important action, the continuing risks may cause irreparable damage to the business.
Earlier, Energy Minister Mathew Nhkuwa said in a statement that KCM would now get its power directly from state-owned utility Zesco Ltd, which until now has sold electricity to CEC for onward supply to KCM.
Below is CEC full statement
CEC commences KCM power restriction process
Further to our statement of 29 May 2020 on the decision to discontinue power supply to Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM) due to there being no contractual basis to provide service, Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) wishes to advise that it has today, 1 June 2020, commenced the process of discontinuing power provision to KCM.
The decision by CEC comes on the back of two critical issues:
CEC currently has no contractual basis to continue providing service to KCM;
KCM’s outstanding indebtedness to CEC of about USD144 million as at end of May 2020 remains without an agreed solution between the parties.
This decision has been taken to protect and enforce CEC’s commercial rights as a business and ensure that the Company does not engage in reckless trading. As a listed business, CEC has an obligation to all its shareholders to preserve whatever value is left of its business at this stage. Without this important action, the continuing risks may cause irreparable damage to the business.
As a responsible business and corporate citizen, CEC will not interfere with or endanger any national assets or those of its customers. CEC’s interest at all times is to ensure that its business and that of its customers operate optimally and to each party’s best interest, having regard for the mutual obligations that underpin commercial business relationships. Therefore, reduction of power, whenever justifiable, is an action of last resort done in a very responsible, well-considered and planned process with the full involvement of the customer, prioritising the safety of personnel and equipment, and leaving the minimum power required for purposes of safeguarding personnel and the mine’s assets.
For further information, contact:
Chama S. Nsabika
Senior Manager Corporate Communication
+260 212 244914
+260 966 792922
[email protected]
Micho Looking Forward to League Restart
Zambia coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic is backing the restart of the league behind closed doors this month under strict Coronavirus guidelines.
The FAZ League has been on pause since early March as the Coronavirus pandemic hit the continent.
“For us a perfect scenario would be the government to allow us to restart the training sessions during the month of June in line with the new normal of life conditions,” Micho said.
“This will help us with our local teams prepare themselves so that by the end of June, we will play our last nine games of the Zambia Premier Division without the presences of the crowds.”
Micho added that a return to competitive action over the next 30 days will be crucial before the resumption of international matches in the last six months of 2020.
Chipolopolo did not played any competitive games in the first half of 2020 after the 2021 AFCON Group H doubleheader qualifier against Botswana in March and the 2020 CHAN tournament in April where postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Zambia were this week also due to host African champions Algeria in a penultimate Group H fixture in Lusaka but that too is on hold due to the Coronavirus .
Water levels at Victoria falls has increased by 200%-Zambezi River Authority
Water levels at Victoria falls had increased by 200% as of 27th May 2020 compared to last year’s flow on the same date, says the Zambezi River Authority.
The recorded flow is 57% higher than the long-term average river flow for Victoria Falls, the Authority has said in a statement.
ZRA Chief Executive Officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa said the last time such high flows were attained at Victoria Falls was a decade ago.
Mr Munyaradzi said the water levels at Lake Kariba receded for the most part of the first quarter of 2020 with the obtaining lake levels being the lowest on record.
He said the receding lake levels were mainly caused by the delayed onset of the 2019/2020 rainfall season which only commenced in January 2020 instead of October 2019 as projected by both local and regional weather experts.
On water utilisation, Mr. Munyaradzi said during the period 1st January, 2020 to 27th May 2020, a total of 11.45 Billion Cubic Meters was utilized for power generation, representing 34% of the gross inflows over the same period.
He said balancing between the increase in lake inflows with the need to ensure a steady buildup of the reservoir storage for purposes of power generation, and the uncertainty regards the rainfall performance under the upcoming 2020/2021 rainfall season, the Authority has predominantly maintained the water allocation made to for the year 2020 (23 BCM of water shared equally between Zesco Limited and Zimbabwe Power Company) to ensure continued availability of water for power generation at Kariba for the remaining months of the year 2020 and beyond.
Mr. Munyaradzi said the Authority will continue to monitor the hydrological situation in the Kariba Catchment and water levels at Kariba Dam and keep the public accordingly informed.
Zambian people deserve to know who was behind the gassing of people’s houses-Catholic Bishops
Catholic Bishops have said that the Zambian people deserve to know who was behind the gassing of people’s houses using unknown chemicals that characterized the country early this year.
Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops President George Lungu has urged Zambians to demand for answers from the Authorities over the gassing incidences that tormented people in the country.
In his Homily at Saint Anne’s Cathedral in Chipata, Bishop Lungu said both young and old people were killed during the gassing incidences but wondered why there is too much silence on the matter from the authorities.
He has demanded for answers from the Authorities over the gassing incidences saying failure to tell the nation the truth may ignite the gassing in future.
“People need to know what the cause of the monster that led to the killing of innocent citizens over gassing was. PF Government must tell the people”, he said.
Bishop Lungu lamented that Zambians were tormented over this issue not long ago and silence from the Government shows that they don’t care.
“People much challenge the situation otherwise this evil scheme that change peace loving Zambians will repeat itself”, he added.
Nkanda yatu pushes zambian fashion outside borders amidst covid-19
Zambian fashion house Nkanda Yatu has proven to be a fashionable force of African creativity. Their stylish designs are not only making waves among fashion enthusiasts, they have also won the attention of corporates and government leaders across the country and abroad. Last week, the Ambassador of Angola in Zambia, H.E. Azevedo Xavier Francisco held a meeting with the Head Designer of Nkanda Yatu, Kabaso Nkandu to discuss the role that fashion plays in cementing foreign relations and cultural integration among various African communities. In the private meeting held at the Embassy of the Republic of Angola in Lusaka, Kabaso Nkandu presented customised suits to the staff of the embassy, a symbol that the Angolan community in Zambia supports young Zambian businesses.
“With the ongoing closures of borders around the world as a result of the covid19 pandemic, we are calling for more support of Zambian fashion” said Nkandu, who went on to thank his existing clients for believing in the growth of Zambian fashion and its potential to penetrate international markets. Nkanda Yatu is no stranger to international runways following their successful showcases in Namibia and Botswana since their debut in 2018. The popular fashion brand is headed for even bigger audiences with plans to expand into the lusophone and francophone countries across Africa. “Fashion is not restricted by language, everyone appreciates great style and that is why it unites even people with different cultures, which is the most exciting element of our work” stated Nkandu.
As international travel continues to be uncertain during the covid19 pandemic, Nkanda Yatu has confirmed that they will make efforts to connect with international audiences within Zambia as a method to promote the expansion of Zambian fashion in foreign audiences.
Chanda Mbao Announces Mystery International Collaboration
Chanda Mbao recently made a rather cryptic announcement on his social media of an international collaboration he has coming. Complete with incomplete artwork (where we assume the collaborators faces will go), Chanda Mbao only offered fans one clue, the name of the song, “The Final Wave” and allowed fans to be first to get the song by preordering on Mvesesani. The hard-working rapper also announced that if 100 people pre-order the song, he will release the song with a video.
We’re quite curious to see exactly what this project is! Coming off of his #QuarantineFridayz series where the rapper was releasing a song every week, Lusaka Times is led to believe that this was due to be the concluding song to the series. He announced that he decided to push it back one week to allow fans to chime in and decide whether it should come with a video. Lusaka Times also heard that Chanda Mbao initially wanted to release the song on his birthday, May 31st.
From the title and Chanda’s announcements, our team gathers that this will be the wrap-up to the much famed ‘Wave’ trilogy which began its journey back in 2017. After in incredible chart run on African TV stations such as Trace Urban and Trace Africa, the song undoubtedly contributed to the rapper’s notoriety outside the country, allowing him to parlay the success of the single into the much lauded ‘The Bigger Wave’ which featured Hip-Hop big leaguers Da L.E.S (South Africa) and Laylizzy (Mozambique). Will Chanda Mbao create another moment that goes down in Zambian Hip-Hop history?
Zambia Records 32 new cases of COVID-19 from 3,361 tests conducted in the last 5 days.
The country has in the last 5 days recorded 32 new cases of COVID-19 from 3,361 tests which were conducted.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Technical Services, Kennedy Malama says 20 of the 32 new cases of COVID-19 are truck drivers, who entered the country through various ports of entry.
Speaking during the routine updates on COVID-19 in Lusaka, Dr. Malama said 133 patients were discharged in the last 5 days.
He said the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases is now 1099 with 7 deaths and 876 recoveries.
Dr. Malama said all patients remain stable and urged those in supervised community isolation to adhere to the guidance given by health personnel.
He said the Ministry has received reports of some people who have tested positive to COVID-19 refusing to be admitted to isolation centers opting to be isolated at home.
Dr. Malama explained that health personnel is the ones to guide who should go into supervised community isolation.
He said the country has increased the number of testing sites to 6 and that this will enable the multisectoral health team to test more samples and improve on the time of releasing results.
US Embassy in Zambia committed to represent US’s highest ideals of racial equality, justice, and human dignity for all persons
Dear Zambian friends,
I want to share some thoughts about the news that has been broadcast around the world and that I know is on the minds of many of you. Today, the United States is struggling with difficult and persistent challenges of racial discrimination and violence.
All of us at the U.S. Embassy grieve at the deplorable killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. The horrific scenes of his death have justifiably shocked Americans and people around the world. The police officer involved has been charged with murder and manslaughter. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Justice is conducting a criminal investigation into the death of Mr. Floyd.
Our prayers and thoughts are with Mr. Floyd’s family, his loved ones, and indeed with African Americans and others who continue to face acts of racist violence and discrimination. That is absolutely contrary to what the United States stands for and why I choose to represent my country as a diplomat.
For all of us who serve at the U.S. embassy here in Zambia, I vow to you that we are committed to represent our country’s highest ideals of racial equality, justice, and human dignity for all persons. Most Americans share this commitment, as I know most of you have experienced who have visited our country. That is the spirit that motivates us as diplomats and aid workers to serve in partnership with friends and citizens in Zambia and in countries around the world.
Sincerely,
David Young
Charge d’Affaires
Zambia Alliance of Women proud of small holder farmers for the 69% Increase in Maize Production
Zambia Alliance of Women is happy with the increase in crop production for the 2019/2020 farming season as announced by Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo recently.
Organisation Executive Director Edah Chimya is proud that Small Scale Farmers mostly women contributed immensely to the 3 million metric tonnes projected maize harvest for this year.
Ms Chimya is further happy that increased production has also been recorded in sorghum, rice, millet, sunflower, Soya beans, Irish Potatoes, Bambara nuts, Cow peas, and sweet potatoes among others.
She said Wheat, Barley and Popcorns equally recorded increase in production, a sign that farmers are moving away from mono cropping and embracing Crop diversification.
“Zambia Alliance of Women is proud of small holder farmers especially Women for the 69% Increase of Maize Production, 199.37% increase of Sorghum production, 81% increase of Millet production,106% increase of Irish Potato production and 190% Increase of Sweet Potato Production which will result into our Country being Food Secure”, he said.
She has since called for timely disbursement of Inputs under the Farmer Input Support Program as Small holder Farmers have demonstrates to be a hope for the National Food Basket through this increase in Crop Production.
KCM Confirms it will get Power from ZESCO through CEC
Konkola Copper Mines has acknowledged seeing a media statement, dated 29 May 2020, issued by the Copperbelt Energy Corporation in which it indicates that it intends to switch off power supply to KCM with effect from 1st June 2020.
KCM General Manager Corporate Affairs Shapi Shachinda says the 20-year Power Supply Agreement between CEC and KCM expired on 31st March 2020, and was extended by mutual agreement to 31st May 2020.
Mr Shachinda said the KCM has entered into a binding Term Sheet Agreement for a new Power Supply Agreement between ZESCO Limited and KCM, effective 1st June 2020.
He said ZESCO Limited is expected to conclude a Wheeling Agreement soonest with CEC to transmit power from ZESCO Limited, via CEC infrastructure, to KCM operations.
Mr Shachinda said the KCM has also become aware that the Minister of Energy issued a Statutory Instrument on 29th May 2020, in terms of Section 15 of the Electricity Act, Number 11 of 2019, declaring CEC as a common career of power from ZESCO to KCM using CEC infrastructure in the absence of a signed Wheeling Agreement between CEC and ZESCO Ltd.
He said this will enable Zesco to transmit power to KCM using CEC infrastructure, pending the Wheeling Agreement between CEC and ZESCO.
Mr Shachinda said KCM expect a seamless transition in the supply of power from CEC to ZESCO and any interference or restriction will be an act of sabotage.
He said Konkola Copper Mines cannot comment any further on any other issues pertaining to this matter as there is a pending case at the Kitwe High Court to which the Court is yet to pronounce itself on the said matters.
Mr Shachinda said in as far as these matters are concerned, KCM reserves its rights and will seek redress at an appropriate time and forum.