Football Icon Kalusha Bwalya’s Lawyers say the appeal to FIFA’s Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has NOT yet been heard and determined.

Bwalya’s Lawyers say it is clear that the FIFA’s CAS has not ruled that Kalusha is NOT eligible to contest the FAZ Elections for the position of President.

The Lawyers say this is contrary to local media reports that Bwalya has lost the appeal at FIFA’s CAS which are totally untrue, false and are only intended to mislead the public.

Bwalya’s Lawyers say this is also to undermine the FIFA’s CAS appeal proceedings currently on-going.

This is according to a statement released to media by lawyers Lewis Nathan Advocates and PNP Advocates.

The Lawyers also stressed that it is important to note that CAS Regulations dictate that its procedures are confidential and Bwalya’s and his team have respected the process.

On Friday, The Court of Arbitration of Sport stated that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Elections can proceed as scheduled on March 28th 2020.

The Court was ruling on provisional measures as requested by Kalusha Bwalya to halt the FAZ Elections until the matter was concluded.

Lusaka City Council (LCC) yesterday stopped the church service at Lumba Church of God in Lusaka’s Marapodi Compound for contravening the guidelines on mass gathering.

Lusaka City Council Public Relations Manager George Sichimba said that the church was found conducting a service comprising more than 100 people with many more still trooping in.

“Congregants were found seated on the floor of the makeshift church without observing the guidelines on social distancing of at least one metre apart,” Mr. Sichimba added.

“The sanitary conditions of the church are not conducive for congregants as the floor is covered by sawdust for unknown reasons.”

And Mr Sichimba said a combined team of Council police officers, State Police and Public Health Inspectors last night swung into action and closed four liquor outlets for allowing patrons to consume liquor within the premises.

He said of the four outlets, two are liquor shops and two Mini-mats.

The LCC PR Manager said by allowing patrons to consume liquor within their premises, the businesses abrogated the guidelines of bottle store liquor licenses that permit sell of liquor only on take away basis.

Mr. Sichimba stated that members of the public should realize that immediately a bottle store (Liquor shop) allows patrons to consume liquor within the premises is illegally turning their shops into a bar.

He reminded liquor traders in the city to study the types and guidelines of the liquor licenses they possess to avoid contravening the law.

He stated that the owners of the affected outlets have been ordered to come to Civic Centre on Monday next week and show cause why their licenses should not be revoked.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sichimba said that the Council has leaned with disappointment, that some lodge operators in Lusaka have taken advantage of the closure of bars to turn their in-house bars into full public bars and admitting every member of the public.

He added that Lodge owners are taking advantage of the fact that most of their premises are enclosed in-wall fences.

He said with the help of members of the public this scam has been unearthed and operations will now be extended to all suspected lodges.

Mr. Sichimba said the local authority is, therefore, appealing to liquor dealers and patrons alike to observe public health guidelines for there safety and the safety of others.

He further added that the Fight against the spread of Coronavirus depends on both personal and collective discipline if it is to be won.

Zambia national team coach Milutin Sredojovic has chosen not to deny the issue of a reportedly unsigned two-year contract with Chipolopolo.

Reports emerged recently that Sredojovic is yet to put pen to paper with the Zambian FA despite being unveiled as their new national team coach in early February.

‘Micho’ would have taken charge of his first game for Zambia against Botswana in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this week but all CAF football has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Serb, who has also coached Rwanda and Uganda, was briefly in charge of Egyptian giants Zamalek before securing the job with Chipolopolo.

Speaking to KickOff.com from Lusaka, the former Orlando Pirates could not deny that he has still not signed any paperwork for his new job.

“I can only answer technical questions [related to my coaching job]. You can ask that question [about my contract] to the relevant authorities,” says Sredojovic.

Zambian FA President Andrew Kamanga could not be reached for comment.

The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) says it is implementing public health measures to avert the transmission of the pandemic at all Agency service points, in line with the guidance by the Secretary to the Cabinet directing all Government Institutions and Statutory Bodies to take measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

RTSA Chief Executive Officer Gradwell Banda says the safety of the clients is its primary concern.

Mr. Banda said the Agency is doing everything possible to ensure that clients are served in a safe and hygienic environment.

“We have been implementing strict health and safety practices to ensure the wellbeing of our staff and clients. In an effort to reduce overcrowding at RTSA service points, last week, we announced the extension of the payment period for Road Tax for the second quarter from 31st March to 19th April 2020.However, the Agency, will next week provide further guidance on a possible extension period for others services,” he said.

“Further, all RTSA service points are equipped with sanitising facilities for staff and clients. Similarly, we implore Public Service Vehicle (PSV) owners to provide sanitizers to the traveling public before getting on a bus.”

The RTSA boss called on stakeholders in the road transport sub-sector such as the Bus and Taxi Owners Association of Zambia (BTOAZ), Truckers Association of Zambia (TAZ), Commuters Rights Association of Zambia (CRAZ), Bus and Taxi Drivers Association of Zambia (BTDAZ), Passengers, Pedestrians and Cyclist Association PAPECA), Petroleum Transport Association of Zambia (PTAZ), Copperbelt Open-Boarders Transporters Association (COTA) and other players to be proactive and direct all their members to strictly implement the recommended measures by government to avoid the further spread of COVID-19.

“We are aware that public transport is part of everyday life where you sit close to other people. Therefore, in the current situation with coronavirus, we urge commuters to avoid the use of public transport where possible,” Mr. Banda said.

“Lastly, we advise all our clients and Zambians, in general, to adhere to the health practices in line with the directive from the Ministry of Health.

Destiny Tower Ministries Pastor Boyd Ngosa has appealed to Pentecostal churches to emulate the Catholic, United Church of Zambia – UCZ and others that have cancelled worship services.

Pastor Ngosa popularly known as Bj Ngosa has urged churches to utilize online platforms for services.

He says the measure will ensure that the spread of COVID-19 is prevented.

Pastor Ngosa has told ZNBC News in an interview that government has provided clear guidelines to limit public gatherings to about 50 people or less and this can be followed if churches take a lead.
[ZNBC]

Government has assured the flood victims in Kanchibiya district in Muchinga Province, that no one will die of hunger.

Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone made the assurance yesterday when he visited flood victims, who have sought shelter at Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority -TAZARA-offices in Chambeshi.

Mr. Sichone, accompanied by Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Joyce Nsamba, directed Chambeshi primary and secondary schools to temporarily provide shelter to the flood victims.

He said the number of people affected is just too much adding that providing tents to the affected families, is not possible.

Mr. Sichone, however, said Government will provide relief food and directed the office of the District Commissioner to immediately start the distribution of 50 by 25 kilogramme bags of mealie meal which has already been taken to the area.

He assured the affected families that more assistance from the government was underway adding that officers are still on the ground assessing the situation.

Over 10 000 families have been affected by floods in the Province.

And, Provincial Health Director Nero Chilembo who distributed bottles of Chlorine to the affected families said his officers will be in the area to educate the flood victims on hygiene.

Dr. Chilembo also appealed to the flood victims to be weary of COVID -19 pandemic which has ravaged the world.

Meanwhile, Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Martin Malama told ZANIS that transportation has been affected due to serious floods being experienced in the area.

Dr. Malama said seven bridges and crossing points have been damaged making most parts impassable.

The law maker said food shortages, clean drinking water and lack of medicine, are some of the problems in the Bangweulu Wetlands where over one million people are affected by the damage to agriculture.

He said relief is sought to people in the affected areas.

Dr. Malama also asked the Government to declare a disaster in the area compounded by the threat of coronavirus.