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Covid-19 Delay to Olympics Worries Kundananji

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Shepolopolo striker Rachael Kundananji is lamenting the uncertainty surrounding the staging of the delayed Tokyo Olympics amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

Zambia women team’s debut Olympics appearance is in limbo as health experts recently warned that the postponed games are unlikely to take place even in 2021 as the coronavirus pandemic may not be fully contained around the world by then.

The games, originally scheduled for this summer, were pushed to July 2021 after the virus spread to over 100 countries.

In an interview, Kundananji of Kazakhstan side BIIK Kazygurt said cancelling the Tokyo Olympics will be unfortunate.

“The issue of the postponed Olympics hurts so much. We really want to participate in Olympics,” the speedy striker said.

“Cancelling Olympics will be sad for us. Not going there will close opportunities for us,” Kundananji.

Shepolopolo secured the Olympics berth last March after beating Cameroon 2-1 in Lusaka to draw 4-4 on aggregate.

“We will have many opportunities as players if we participate in the Olympics. Going there will expose many of us. If we went to the Olympics many of the players can be signed up by foreign clubs. Maybe no one can return home without being signed,” Kundananji said.

Zambia last participated at the Olympics’ football competition in 1988.

Copperbelt province remains a bedroom for the Patriotic Front-Lusambo

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Copperbelt province remains a bedroom for the Patriotic Front-Lusambo

Kabushi PF Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo says Copperbelt province remains a bedroom for the Patriotic Front.

Mr Lusambo says the PF have continued to strengthen their efforts as a party in order to position themselves for the 2021 general elections.

The Kabushi MP who is Copperbelt Mobilisation Deputy Chairperson has however emphasised on the need for unity of purpose and the need to open a new chapter as they head towards 2021.

He said it is gratifying to note that all the leaders on the copperbelt have agreed to let bygones be bygones and bury their differences as they prepare for the elections next year.

He urged the electorate on the Copperbelt to vote for President Edgar Lungu in order to continue with the development Zambia has witnessed since 2011.

Mr Lusambo said President Lungu is a visionary leader whose interest is to see Zambia developed.

The Lusaka Province Minister was among Members of Parliament from the Copperbelt that met the provincial executive in Kitwe to devise ways of growing the party.

Muchinga Province PF Chairman Differs with Dora Siliya over Radio Stations Programming

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Muchinga Province PF Chairman Differs with Dora Siliya over Radio Stations Programming

Muchinga Province PF Chairman Alex Simuwelu says the province is a no go area for UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr Simuwelu says there is time for political campaigns; and there is also a time to suspend all politicking, especially during times when a nation and Province in particular is absorbed in a ferocious war against the Coronavirus pandemic.

He said for Zambia and Muchinga Province, that time is now and not politics.

“This is that time when patriotism and love of country summons us to close ranks and put politics aside as we engage a vicious mutual enemy in a ferocious fight”, he said.

Mr Simuwelu said in a statement that the common enemy Zambia now face is COVID-19 and Muchinga Province has become a hot spot of the war with fierce battles raging in Nakonde, Chinsali and elsewhere in the province.

He said this is a time that calls for seriousness and urgency against an unprecedented pandemic that has the potential to totally wipe out the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in Muchinga and the rest of Zambia.

“We need all hands in the province on deck rallying with our Commander in Chief His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu as he leads the assault on the virus”, he added.

Mr Simuwelu said this is a time for all politicians in the ruling party and opposition alike, to put national interest and patriotism above any other consideration – including political ambition.

He has therefore cautioned all opposition politicians including Mr Hichilema that no radio station in the Province will be allowed to carry out any political programming when they are in the heat of the battle with COVID 19.

Mr Simuwelu said the PF are not being undemocratic by banning radio programs but are being reasonable.

He said during this period, only two themes will be entertained in Muchinga Province namely COVID-19 Sensitisation Programmes and Development Programs.

Mr Simuwelu said any other kind of programming at this time of war is anarchy and the people of Muchinga do not deserve this anarchy.

He said the people of Muchinga will not entertain such reckless irresponsibility as they continue to be strongly behind the coordinated mutisectoral and multidisciplinary approach against COVID-19 which President Lungu is leading in the region and the rest of the country.

The statement comes barely a day after Chief Government spokesperson Dora Siliya condemned the disruption and blocking of UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema on two radio stations in Muchinga Province.

Church without borders – a Zambian parish reflects on the use of social media

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Church without borders – a Zambian parish reflects on the use of social media

By Paul Samasumo – Vatican City

Due to COVID-19, Zambia’s Livingstone Diocese St Theresa’s Cathedral Administrator, Fr. Clifford Mulasikwanda, found himself with an empty Church, a cell phone, small laptop microphone and a second-hand tripod borrowed from a parishioner.
“Definitely, the COVID-19 crisis has brought about many negatives. The coronavirus is a terrible disease that needs to be eradicated. However, the crisis has shockingly led us onto a path we never contemplated just a few weeks ago. With COVID-19, we suddenly had to start streaming the Eucharist live on Facebook. We also suddenly had to increase content on social media and prepare for Easter celebrations and events that would be streamed live. All Churches in Zambia are closed, and the government is encouraging people to Stay at home. In our Cathedral parish, the rate of social media adoption and acceptance by the parishioners came like manna from heaven,” observed the Cathedral Administrator, Fr. Mulasikwanda.

Limitations, challenges with the technology

Necessity is the mother of invention. The Cathedral parish was woefully unprepared for live streaming and an increase in social media content. They did not have the needed equipment.
“So far, we only have my phone -a smartphone, small laptop microphone and a second-hand tripod borrowed from a parishioner. These have so far served us well, though with much struggle. Funds allowing, we would like to acquire the correct video capturing cameras and good microphones. Due to budget constraints, we have also been reliant on free Internet software. Our experience in the parish has taught us that the in-built free software, for audio and video, provided for by Facebook and WhatsApp, is often limited, in terms of functionality. That software is meant for home videos and so on. As a result of the lack of good equipment, the audio quality of our live Mass is often compromised. Parishioners have been understanding, but we cannot take their patience for granted,” Fr. Mulasikwanda said.

People need to see what they hear

Fr. Mulasikwanda says, “In today’s world, people need to see what they hear!  Otherwise, given our limitedness and the circumstances surrounding our parish, we make do with what we have as we slowly seek to improve both on content and the technology used,” he said.
“Aware of the fact that to stream live Spiritual events is costly on data, some parishioners, have even made modest donations and contributions, for the acquisition of data. There are many good people in our parish,” noted Fr. Mulasikwanda

Team of young persons

The Cathedral parish actually already had a Facebook and WhatsApp page managed by a small team of young people supervised by the Cathedral Administrator himself. Initially, these two platforms were mostly for parish administrative announcements and the occasional reflection. Now, they are constantly being updated with content such as Scripture readings, video and audio reflections and uplifting messages. The parish continues use them also for announcements and other useful messages. Daily streaming of Mass is now an important feature that is drawing-in many followers.

Most popular in Zambia are Facebook and WhatsApp

“People on this side of our world appreciate and use the most, Facebook and WhatsApp. These two seem to be quite easily accessible and available, across all classes of people: Men and women, boys and girls, senior citizens and the young, all seem to like Facebook and WhatsApp. As a pastoral worker, managing the Cathedral of St. Theresa’s in Livingstone Diocese, Zambia, I have noticed, with delight, how parishioners appreciate the existence of their official parish Facebook account and WhatsApp page,” observed Fr. Mulasikwanda.
How do you gauge the response to what you are doing?
“We have had the chance to ask many of our parishioners about their feedback. The response has been overwhelming. To give you an example: A parishioner, Anthony Ranjan, who is a Certified Chartered Accountant, told us, ‘Father thanks a lot for the creation of these tools. We appreciate them a lot. They are helping us to follow daily Mass from our homes. Thank you again for the Daily Bible Reflections.’ Another lady, Hilda Tembo, a parishioner from a nearby parish sent us a message about our Facebook page, ‘We thank you for creating the page. It is not only for parishioners of your parish. Even us, we are following you. Yesterday (Easter Vigil) when the Church bell was rung during the Gloria, my family and I came out of the house, we sung along and danced. Father may God bless you.’ Moba Mulenga said this about our Facebook live Mass, ‘We appreciate the Mass. We only need to improve on the audio output. You know there is too echo in an empty Church.’ There are several of our parishioners who hold similar sentiments about the two social media platforms of our parish. Many love the spiritual nourishment and the interconnectedness that these tools have created,” Fr. Mulasikwanda said.

You never know where the Spirit blows

When asked what he would you say to other parish priests or ministers who feel a little intimidated, challenged or reluctant to embrace social media for evangelisation, Fr. Mulasikwanda had this to say:

“The comments from our followers has made us aware that we have created a Church without borders, without boundaries. The people of God hunger for the Word of God during these challenging moments. Every minister of religion, who positively uses social media, certainly does not have a limited audience. You never know where the Spirit blows. Through social media, parishioners are being evangelised, catechised and sanctified.

VATICAN NEWS

Restricting power supply to KCM will NOT flood and irreparably damage the Mine

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Restricting power supply to KCM will NOT flood and irreparably damage the Mine

It is not true that restricting power supply to Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) will flood and irreparably damage the mine.

Last week, Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) planned to restrict power to KCM, which owes a debt of $132 million, roughly K2.5 billion, for using power from CEC but not paying for it for about a year.

But KCM obtained an interim injunction from the Kitwe High Court restraining CEC from proceeding with its intended action after KCM said, among other reasons, that restricting power supply would cause irreparable loss, damage, and injury to its mining operations.

An industry source has explained to Lusaka Times that contrary to what is being said by KCM and what people think, reducing power is not the same as cutting off power altogether. That is why it’s called a restriction.

“There are protocols on how to restrict power to a mining operation. It’s not as though CEC would simply and indiscriminately turn off switches or something, no. The whole process is coordinated between the supplier and the customer. In fact, they agree beforehand which areas would be switched off and those that would be left and they already know from the contract between them the minimum amount of power that should be left in the event of a restriction. That minimum amount of power should be enough to pump out water in KCM’s case so it’s not true that the mine would flood and become damaged when power supply is reduced.”

He recalled that when CEC restricted supply to KCM in 2014 when the mine had accumulated debt, there was no flooding.

“People should remember these things and not be lied to. When CEC restricted power supply to KCM in 2014, did the mine flood? Have we ever heard after that restriction KCM demanding this and that from CEC because it was damaged when power supply was reduced?” he wondered.

He advised KCM to concentrate on finding money to pay their suppliers of goods and services especially when they know that the service is essential for their operations instead of peddling untruths to escape from living up to their obligations.

KCM is notorious for not paying creditors, including suppliers of goods and services on time. The government took over running the mine from Vedanta Resources in May 2019, placing it under provisional liquidation. However, the string of financial problems especially as far as paying creditors goes has not gone away and may, at least in the case of CEC, even worsened because from what is publicly known, KCM under Vedanta never accumulated such a huge debt in unpaid power invoices.

Disruption of Radio Programs Can Only Be Done By A Scared Government-Kambwili

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Disruption of Radio Programs Can Only Be Done By A Scared Government-Kambwili

National Democratic Congress President Chishimba Kambwili has described as unfortunate the disruption of radio programs featuring opposition leaders by PF cadres.

Mr Kambwili says it is unfair for PF to stop the opposition from holding political meetings when they are busy engaging their people countrywide.

He said the argument that no one should politic because the COVID-19 is petty because life should continue especially that only 14 months have remained before Zambia holds the general elections.

Mr Kambwili said the disruption of radio programs which have so far affected him and UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema are an admission of failure by those in Authority.

“Disruption of radio programs can only be done by a scared government. A government that has failed to deliver development to the people”, said Mr Kambwili when he featured on COSTA on Diamond TV.

He has challenged the PF to stop harassing media houses for hosting opposition leaders as per their promise to defend media freedoms.

Mr Kambwili has warned that Zambians will one day react badly to the injustices they have suffered under the PF regime.

And Mr Kambwili has accused the PF government of lacking seriousness in the fight against COVID-19.

He said had the government listened and locked down earlier especially the boarders, the pandemic wouldn’t have been spreading faster like is the case at the moment.

Mr Kambwili has projected further increase in COVID-19 cases in Zambia following the outbreak of the pandemic in Nakonde.

He said many people visit Nakonde and failure to trace the contacts early is an indication that the pandemic has already spread to all parts of the country.

The government has come out to condemn in the strongest terms the reported incidents involving some suspected ruling Patriotic Front cadres who attempted to stop a radio programme on Muchinga Radio that featured the opposition United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema.

In a statement released to the media by Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya, the Government said that it was a total violation of the IBA Act, and an embarrassment to the Government and its leadership, for any person to procure other people to storm a radio station and disrupt a broadcast programme or to order a broadcast station to broadcast in a certain manner.

Politics: Why did you join?

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Politics: Why did you join?

‘To enact and execute just laws, is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.’ (Prov 21:2)

Very often when people in politics are asked about why they joined politics, they reply, ‘To help people.’ In the west, I have often heard a very different answer, ‘To make a difference.’

HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

These two answers are superficially similar but they are not. When you look at politicians in Africa and in Zambia in particular, the way they help people is by using their money and resources. A member of parliament in a town I lived in many years ago used to offer his van to transport the infame to hospital every evening. He was there for the funerals. He would donate food and transport for the mourners. To the people in that constituency, he was ‘a good man’ who deserved another term in office and so he was re-elected. For years that constituency remained very poor and backward.

I once went to a house of a mayor of a city in Zambia. I found dozens of political party women cadres camped at the back garden doing nothing but chatting and gossiping while being fed by the wife of the mayor. I asked what this was all about and the answer I got was, ‘This is politics.’ This is what the Zambian people have come to expect from politicians. He is a good one if he donates a truck load of millie meal to the constituents, if he dishes out money in public places or at State House in brown envelopes, if he distributes chitenge wraps, pays school fees for a desperate single mother’s child, settles a hospital bill here and there.

If this is what we want from our politicians, we should not be surprised that they will steal from the national coffers in order to maintain their reputation. They believe themselves to be benevolent Robin Hoods, only that they do not steal from the rich but from the same people whom they pretend to be helping. These politicians do not do these things in order TO HELP PEOPLE, no, no. They do it for THEMSELVES. The eye is on the next election.

ONE REALLY DOES NOT NEED TO BE A POLITICIAN IN ORDER TO BE GENEROUS.

In the United Kingdom, I have met dozens of families that sponsor children in Africa every year. They pay for these children’s education and wellbeing. They are unsung heroes who do not have much. Charities too, like World Vision, Oxfam, Water Aid etc are helping people world wide. They are not politicians. The point is this. You do not need to join politics to help people.

How come EVERY politician in Zambia is financially better off when in office than they were before they entered politics? Are they really helping the people or helping themselves?

The 44th President of the US, Barack Obama, was a social activist in Chicago, helping people. I take Obama’s example because it gives the best human motive one can ever have to join politics. Obama could have been a lawyer, and a good one for that. He could have made a lot of money from law practice and then used his money and resources to help individual families in Chicago South side. No. Obama saw that the problem his people were facing was political. It had to do with the LAWS OF THE COUNTRY. This is what motivated him to become a politician.

POLITICS IS ABOUT LAWS

I would ask the 150 members of parliament in Zambia today. ‘HONOURABLE SIR/MADAM. What law have you enacted or changed or sponsored/proposed that has helped the Zambian people?’ Zambians are still paying through their noses for EDUCATION, for HEALTHCARE. Pensioners are dying before they receive their money. Thousands of Zambians have jobs without a written contract and can be fired at any time by their employers. Millions of Zambians are homeless and a majority of those who rent have no rights at all and rentals can be hiked without notice at all if there is another tenant willing to pay more. Millions of Zambians are still without clean water. Those in the city townships like Ng’ombe, Chawama, George are still defecating in containers at night because pit-toilets are outside the house. The Zambia police have killed and maimed people and no one has ever been blamed for it. The existing laws are weak against peaceful demonstrations and protests. People are victimised even for satire as long as the President is aggrieved. The media is only free as long as it sings the ruling party’s songs. We cannot have a country where good and evil acts depend on the mood and morality of the one man in State House. The country must be above that.

Well might Isaiah lament. ‘You cannot be trusted, even in court. You lie about each other and depend on false arguments to win your cases. YOU CREATE PAIN and produce wickedness’ (Is 59:4)

What has the MP, the Mayor, the Minister, the Vice President or even the President of Zambia done to CHANGE this for the 17 million individual Zambians? How have you used the law to level the playing field so that every Zambian has a chance to succeed in life regardless of tribe, race or station in life? In August 1979, President Kaunda opened Zambia’s largest hospital, the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. Kaunda celebrated one very important piece of legislation that his UNIP government had enacted- Free healthcare at the point of need. He pointed out that without this, far fewer than 2 million Zambians would be able to see a doctor or afford a hospital visit. UNIP did that. It made a difference for every child in Zambia to get an education, every person to go to a hospital and be treated free of charge. The unions had immense power to negotiate labour conditions.

It looks like laws are only made to make life better and more comfortable for those who are already well off and in the favour of the rulers.

Why did you join politics?

Imagine you were stripped of all your power and wealth right now, would you be in a better Zambia than when you entered politics? Do you think that your children would have a good chance of making it in life without your money? If you were sick, do you think that you could afford healthcare? If you were arrested and sent to prison, do you think that you would find prison conditions better than before you took up politics? What difference have you made for Jack Chipulu, a street kid in Lusaka?

By Charles N

66 New COVID-19 Cases Recorded at UTH during Routine Testing

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66 New COVID-19 Cases Recorded at UTH during Routine Testing

66 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded at Zambia’s largest hospital, the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) during routine testing. Briefing the media during the routine COVID-19 update, the Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya said that the new cases are from the 618 test, which covered alerts, contacts, and routine surveillance systems in clinical setups and communities.

The Minister also said that an additional 8 new COVID-19 cases out of the 79 test carried out at TDRC were also recorded. Samples from Nakonde have been shipped to testing centers where the mass testing is underway.

The new cases bring the total in the last 24 hours to 74 new COVID-19 cases, thus putting the accumulative total number of COVID-19 cases in Zambia at 753. The Minister also announced that the number of discharged people was 5.

The Minister assured the country that the testing will be moving to other ports of entry in the coming days, noting that the government is keeping a watchful eye on its eight neighbours where a number of cases have been recorded.

Dr. Chilufya said that the government had intensified testing and screening in Nakonde where the workforce has been boosted and that government will be enhancing screening in various border towns with Chirundu and Kazungula targeted this week.

He appealed to citizens to observe the health guidelines provided such as sanitizing or washing hands, wearing face masks and avoiding unnecessary movements.

Meanwhile, Kenya has closed its borders with Somalia and Tanzania as the country strives to stem further spread of the coronavirus. In a televised address to the nation, President Uhuru Kenyatta said he was imposing more measures after it emerged that some of the cases had crossed the border from Tanzania and Somalia.

“If we do not take additional precautionary measures and get even more serious in implementing existing guidelines, the number of people who will get sick and die is going to rise sharply,” said President Kenyatta.

The decree, effective Saturday midnight, does not affect cargo vehicles.

The move, unprecedented in the history of the East African Community’s 20-year existence, came as Kenya said it had blocked 78 truck drivers from Tanzania from entering the country.

The President also announced that the number of Covid-19 cases in the country had risen to 830 after 49 more people tested positive.

Forty-three of those detected this week had crossed the border from the neighbouring countries, according to Kenyatta.

Some doomsayers are undermining government’s efforts to fight against COVID-19-YALI

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Some doomsayers are undermining government’s efforts to fight against COVID-19-YALI

The Young African Leaders Initiative YALI has said that it is saddened that some doomsayers are undermining government’s efforts to fight against COVID-19

YALI president Andrew Ntewewe noted that the cynicism against the country’s health architecture and the Minister of Health is nothing but an effort to undermine the impressive, robust,and effective intervention against COVID-19.

Speaking when he addressed the media this morning, Mr. Ntewewe said that the priority, as a country, should be to support President Edgar Lungu’s measures put in place and therefore called on all cooperating partners and Zambians to collaborate with the entire health infrastructure and to ensure that the ravaged economy is equally revamped.

He said that it was a total misplacement of energy to constantly be talking and accusing one another of corruption on donations when the energies should be on being innovative and imaginative on how to seek access to the 30 billion kwacha stimulus package.

“We want to particularly note the gradual, strategic and cautious approach of opening the country for business and announced by president Edgar Lungu which we are in agreement with and must be made known to the public that other countries are opening up for business in order to save their economies despite the high number of people dying from the disease,” he said.

“Currently, there is a K2.5 billion to pay arrears, pensioners and contractors,10 Billion Kwacha for commerce set up particularly to assist women, youth entrepreneurs through banks and the 10.3 Million Dollars for aquaculture through CEEC. This is where the agenda must be. In total, there is an estimated 30 Billion Kwacha for commerce, trade and industry which must be the national agenda to get the economy running again” Mr. Ntewewe emphasized.

Mr Ntewewe reiterated that the COVID-19 is real and its fight must not be trivialized and thanked the health workers for the priceless efforts they are putting in place to manage the pandemic.

Allow Children to report back to School -Teachers Unions

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Allow Children to report back to School -Teachers Unions

Teachers Unions have encouraged parents to allow their children report for school as schools re-open next month.

Zambia National Teachers Union (ZNUT) General Secretary Newman Bubala says all necessary measures have already been put in place to ensure a safe learning environment for the pupils.

Mr. Bubala says teacher unions and government will work closely with parents to help the pupils catch up on lost time as schools re-open.

And Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) General Secretary Henry Sinkala says the unions will go flat-out in all schools across the country to ascertain their preparedness ahead of the re-opening.

Meanwhile, Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ) General Secretary Kangwa Musenge says teachers are ready to ensure that the learning calendar is not disrupted once schools re-open.

Government Condemns the Blocking and Disruption of HH’s Appearance on Radio Stations in Muchinga Province

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Government Condemns the Blocking and Disruption of HH’s Appearance on Radio Stations in Muchinga Province

The government has come out to condemn in the strongest terms the reported incidents involving some suspected ruling Patriotic Front (PF) cadres who attempted to stop a radio programme on Muchinga Radio that featured the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema.

In a statement released to the media by Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya, the Government said that it was a total violation of the IBA Act, and an embarrassment to the Government and its leadership, for any person to procure other people to storm a radio station and disrupt a broadcast programme or to order a broadcast station to broadcast in a certain manner.

Below is the full statement

STATEMENT BY HON. DORA SILIYA, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON, ON DISRUPTION OF RADIO PROGRAMMES IN MUCHINGA PROVINCE

The government is deeply disturbed by reports of interference in the programming of some radio stations in Mpika and Chinsali districts, where some broadcast programmes have reportedly been disrupted and some unlawful directives ordered.

Government wishes to place on record that there are laws in place, with very specific provisions of who has authority, to regulate broadcasting in the country.

The nation may recall that one of the earliest milestones of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government was the implementation of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Act of 2002, which culminated into the operationalization of the IBA in 2013, as a regulator of the broadcasting industry in the country.

The IBA Act provides for every citizen, whether in their official or individual capacity, who feels aggrieved by the conduct of any broadcasting station to lodge a complaint to the IBA. The procedure is clearly provided in sections 34 to 37.

It is, therefore, total violation of the IBA Act, and an embarrassment to the Government and its leadership, for any person to procure other people to storm a radio station and disrupt a broadcast programme or to order a broadcast station to broadcast in a certain manner.

Government condemns, in the strongest terms, reported incidents involving some suspected PF cadres who attempted to stop a radio programme on Muchinga Radio that featured the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema. Government also condemns the incident in Mpika district where Mr. Hichilema is reported to have been barred from featuring on Mpika Community Radio.

The two unfortunate incidents have no blessings from Government. Government remains committed to the promotion of citizens’ rights, including the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed in the national Constitution, provided that the freedom is exercised within the confines of the law.

Further, government remains resolute in its support and promotion of media freedoms in the country, as can be seen by the growing numbers of licensed radio and television stations.

It is important to appreciate that broadcast houses have standards to which they conform and therefore, if any person is aggrieved with any radio or television programme, they should follow the complaint procedure as outlined in the IBA Act to seek redress, as has been demonstrated by very high ranking officials in the ruling party before.

As the country continues to fight the Covid-19, government appreciates any support aimed at enhancing the fight against the pandemic be it material contribution or information dissemination for as long as that information is void of politics. Therefore, government can only wish that the UPND leader would also use the opportunity on radio to encourage Zambians to join hands in fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Further, government appeals to the conscious of radio and television stations to try as much as possible to promote unity in the nation by focusing on programming that will galvanize support towards the fight against COVID-19.

Issued by:
Hon. Dora Siliya, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

17th May, 2020

Mutapa Challenges Local Players In Foreign Quota Debate

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Power Dynamos coach Perry Mutapa says local players must be picked on merit and not pray for foreign quotas to be introduced in the FAZ League.

The Football Association of Zambia is considering introducing quotas in the league following a huge influx of imports.

Mutapa said foreign players have raised the quality of the league and evidence is clear to see with Zambian clubs recent performances in the group stage of continental competitions.

“Our Zambian players need to pull up their socks and compete for places,” Mutapa said told Sun FM.

“Football is about competition, without competition you are nothing. The most important thing is to have a heart.”

Meanwhile, Mutapa has done fairly well at Power Dynamos with mostly local players since he arrived there in late November.

Since his arrival, the Kitwe side has steadily climbed from 13th on 11 points from 10 matches to ninth on 37 points in his fourteen games in charge winning seven ,drawing five and losing two games.

Today’s Message: Sealed Lips

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Today’s Message: Sealed Lips

Today’s Scripture

“…Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, here’s what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful…”
(1 Peter 3:10, MSG)

Sealed Lips

Our mouth gets us into more trouble than just about anything else. You can’t go around telling people off, saying hurtful things, and expect to step into the fullness of what God has for you. Many times, it’s not big things that are keeping us from God’s best; it’s not some big sin or big mistake. It’s the small things. The apostle Peter said that if you want to enjoy life and see good things, say nothing evil or hurtful. How much higher would we go if we didn’t have to have the last word or have to be right, but just quietly keep honoring God, being respectful, staying on the high road?

When David faced a lot of opposition and had plenty of opportunities to lose his cool and tell people off, he prayed a great prayer in Psalm 141: “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and keep my lips sealed.” Make that your prayer every morning.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You that I can embrace life and see my days filled with good by taking control of what I say. I choose in advance to watch my words carefully today. I ask You to help me keep my lips sealed when I’m tempted to complain and argue. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

DEC places a seizure notice on 41 Madison Capital Limited Properties

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DEC places a seizure notice on 41 Madison Capital Limited Properties

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) placed a Seizure Notice on 41 properties constructed by Madison Capital Limited. The Notice was served on the Chairman of Madison Capital Mr Basil Nundwe.The DEC is said to have informed the company that they were carrying out an investigation following a complaint by a member of the public.

When reached for comment Madison Capital Limited confirmed that the Seizure Notice had been served and stated that the properties in issue belonged to third parties who had purchased the properties or had been assigned the properties against funds held by Madison Asset Management Company under the Fixed Income Fund. The Fixed Income Fund was available from 2008 until December 2018 when the Regulator Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) advised market players to discontinue such products which offered a fixed return to investors. Madison Capital Limited insisted that the 41 properties were constructed by Madison Capital and sold or assigned to third parties and do not belong to Mr Nundwe.

In a seizure notice dated 29th April, 2020, the DEC stated that the properties have been seized pursuant to Section 15 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001 as there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are liable to seizure.The DEC warned that the seized goods may be declared to be forfeited to the State under Section 17 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001.

Some of the properties seized from Madison Asset Management Company

Ministry of Defence dismisses US$1.2 billion uniform deal as fake news

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Ministry of Defence dismisses US$1.2 billion uniform deal as fake news

The Ministry of Defence has dismissed social media reports that government has procured defence force military uniforms worth $1.2 billion United States dollar

Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Stardy Mwale said the document circulating on social media with tender number MOD/CABOF/012/2020 purporting that government has procured defence force military uniforms amounting to US$1.2 billion is false.

Mr Mwale dismissed the social media reports saying that the Ministry does not conduct its business on social media but through professional channels.

He has since called on the general public to ignore the fake tender copies on social media stating that there has never been any thought by either the Ministry of Defence or Cabinet Office to procure uniforms worth US$1.2 Billion for the defence force.

“In this regard, I wish to inform the members of the general public that there has never been any thought by either the Ministry of Defence or Cabinet Office to procure uniforms worth USD 1.2 billion for defence force. The information circulating concerning the procurement is not only fake but malicious and meant to damage the standing of the defence force,” Mr Mwale indicated.

The permanent secretary told ZANIS in a statement that the defence force has adequate clothing in stores for all seasons for issuance to the men and women in uniform.

He has warned perpetrators circulating fake news that the law will be applied on them.

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