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Residents of Chingola have rioted, destroying shops and houses belonging to people suspected to be behind the recent spate of suspected ritual killings.
The residents ran amok, looting some shops in several areas and later turned on to houses of businessmen, where they also looted household goods.
Police in full riot gear, with the help of soldiers from the Zambia Army, moved in to quell the protest in about five compounds.
In the fracas, residents also stoned the ZNBC News Crew which was covering the riot, damaging one of the rear windows for the Land Cruiser vehicle belonging to the Corporation.
The rioters also partially blocked the main highway forcing motorists to be stuck in the central business district as they avoided being stoned in Chiwempala.
Copperbelt Police Deputy Commissioner Wamunyima Wamunyima has confirmed the protest to ZNBC News.
Mr. Wamunyima said that Police called for reinforcements from neighbouring Districts and from the Zambia Police School of Public Order Maintenance in Kitwe, popularly known as Kamfinsa.
Local Government Minister Charles Banda is concerned with the delayed implementation of the Chisokone market upgrade.
Dr Banda says Chisokone market is one of the biggest trading facilities in the country and accommodates over 20 000 traders hence the need to make it more conducive.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Kitwe District Commissioner Binwell Mpundu, Dr Banda said apart from Chisokone market, government also plans on expanding most markets in the country.
He further said his ministry will also ensure that the market management board is installed before the end of January so that markets have proper management.
And, Kitwe District Commissioner Binwell Mpundu said the infrastructure at Chisokone market is a sorry sight and that there is need to improve it.
Mr Mpundu, however, said that can only be done if the traders also change their mind set to allow the expansion of the market.
A 58-year-old man of Lusaka has appeared in the Lusaka Magistrate Court for Treason.
In this matter it is alleged that Mwangala Ngalande engaged in acts that were aimed at overthrowing the Government of President EDGAR LUNGU.
Ngalande of plot number 7 Ben Bella Road in Roma Township is charged with one count of treason accompanied by three Overt Acts.
And according to Overt Act number one, it is alleged that Ngalande conspired with Simon Njobvu to procure military equipment namely AK47 assault rifle, pistols and rocket propelled grenades.
It is alleged that the purpose of this equipment was for the assassination of President Edgar Lungu and other senior Government officials namely, Service Chiefs , Defence Minister Davies Chama, Chief Justice, Irene Mambilima, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini.
In Overt Act number two, Ngalande is accused of having conspired with Mr. Njovu to source for international funding and actually obtained 1 point 6 million United States Dollars to utilize in the over throwing of the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
It is also alleged that the suspect jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown did recruit 10 people for military training.
It is alleged that a militia was to be made for the purpose of overthrowing the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
When the matter came up for explanation of the charge before Chief Resident Magistrate, Lameck Mwale, Ngalande told the court that he understood the charge.
The suspect could not take plea because the offence he is facing is tried by the High Court.
But before Magistrate Mwale adjourned the case, Ngalande’ S defence lawyer, Martha Mushipe applied for a preliminary inquiry.
In his ruling Magistrate Mwale granted the application before ordering the State to allow lawyers have access to the suspect.
Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya has embarked on a countrywide random tour to check on service delivery and also check on the availability of medicine in hospitals and clinics.
Dr. Chilufya was speaking at Nchanga North Clinic in Chingola.
He has emphasized that the health sector is a sensitive sector that should not be used for political games.
Dr. Chilufya has urged the media to verify with the Ministry of Health about the alleged shortage of medicines to avoid tension amongst Zambians.
He said the assumption that there no medicines in Zambia is pure propaganda as the Government has enough.
On Tuesday, two Pharmacist in Lusaka has been suspended by the Ministry of Health for issuing prescriptions to patients under the pretext that they are no drugs at the hospitals at which they operate.
Mines Minister Richard Musukwa with President Lungu at a Potential Gold Mining Site in North Western Province
Following an article titled, “Mpande Rejects Gold Plan,” published by the Daily Nation Newspaper on Thursday, 2nd January, 2020, the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development would like to address the following concerns raised by the former Minister of Mines, Dr. Mpande;
Issue 1 raised:GOVERNMENT SHOULD EMPOWER ITS CITIZENS TO INVEST IN GOLD MINING AS HAS BEEN THE CASE IN TANZANIA.
– Government Response:
Contrary to the assertion, the Government has moved decisively to empower its Citizens over the matter of gold. In fact, Dr. Mpande spoke without getting the details of what Cabinet directed. Cabinet specifically on the matter of Citizen empowerment directed that small scale and artisanal miners be organized and formalized by:
i. Legalizing the gold panning activities by granting gold panning certificates in line with the law;
ii. Providing gold panning equipment to the gold panning communities and cooperatives. In that respect gold panning equipment has already been procured through the Ministry of Commerce that has partnered with the Ministry of Mines to realise this goal of empowering the citizens to have higher recoveries of gold in their gold panning exercises;
iii. ZCCM-IH Plc is establishing offices in the areas where there are gold panning activities. This move is to make it easier for the citizens involved in gold panning to have a ready market for their gold within reach of their mining activities;
iv. Government is only giving Artisanal licences to Citizens because by law, this is a tool to empower Citizens, therefore the move is further evidence that Government means well for its citizens;
v. What Dr. Mpande was citing as trading hubs is what exactly Cabinet directed should be done and has been done by ZCCM-IH Plc establishing trading hubs in the gold panning areas;
vi. Cabinet further directed that Higher institutions of learning be incorporated to provide Research and Development to the gold mining to improve gold recovery methods and also discourage the use of mercury so that we preserve both human lives and the environment. In other words Cabinet wants Artisanal mining to be supported with some extension services so that gold recovery by the citizens involved in gold mining can be increased substantially;
vii. Another directive of the Cabinet was the need to support the artisanal or small scale miners with Borehole water in mining areas where there are no ready water bodies but artisanal/small scale miners are operating or can operate from;
viii. The above measures were all directed by Cabinet to empower Zambian Citizens involved in gold mining and to also encourage others to join in mining gold lawfully.
Issue No. 2: DR MPANDE RAISED AN ISSUE INVOLVING BANK OF ZAMBIA (BOZ) HAVING THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO BUY GOLD FROM THE ARTISANAL MINERS/NEW MINES OPENED.
– Government Response:
i. Government means well in allowing the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) to have the exclusive right to buy the gold because it helps build the strategic international reserves using gold Bullion.
ii. Further it is not the first time that Bank of Zambia has been able to buy Gold from the Mines. Before the privatization, ZCCM used to process gold and sell to BOZ, which was a positive move, so we are surprised that Dr. Mpande can frown on an idea that helps the Zambian economy.
iii. BOZ will buy the gold in Kwacha which further strengthens the Kwacha against the United States Dollar.
iv. BOZ will be free to exercise the right of refusal if they are not able to buy the gold. In other words, the government has not effected a ban but rather prioritized BOZ so that the nation can benefit because a vibrant economy affects every aspect of the Zambian lives.
v. The International best practice is that a number of nations around the world are systematically building their Strategic Gold Reserves and therefore the Zambian Government is simply doing what prudent governments do. Examples abound of Countries that are seriously building their Gold Strategic Reserves including China, Turkey, Russia, and Botswana. In those countries, gold is treated in a certain way. It is not surprising that Cabinet Directed that Gold be declared a strategic mineral because of its impact on the economy and lives of the people.
Issue No. 3: GOLD IS NOT A DIFFICULT MINERAL TO MINE OR CONCENTRATE AND PROCESS BECAUSE YOU NEED BASIC EQUIPMENT AND A US$1MILLION CAN BE GIVEN TO CITIZENS TO EXPLOIT THE GOLD.
– Government Response:
We are aware as the government that there are different types of gold deposits. Alluvial gold (Or gold washed down by water) is easy to mine depending on the location, where as there is Elluvial gold (Gold embedded in rocks) usually found in rock structure and other formations is more expensive and requires more financial investment;
For the Alluvial gold, the government has proactively put the programme of Artisanal Miners in place to especially empower its citizens as outlined above. In addition, equipment in the form of panning tables and gold detection equipment has already been sourced by Government to support the Artisanal miners because there is an appreciation that it’s easy to mine the alluvial gold. So Dr. Mpande is attacking from a position of not knowing what Governmnet is doing: if he took time to read what out policy documents say, he will become our Ambassador because Governmnet has done and is doing beyond what he indicated when he was asked about this. The purchase of the gold and organization of artisanal miners commences in ernest on 1st Febraury 2020, so what is currently happening is the establishment of the systems by ZCCM-IH Plc.
As for elluvial gold however, higher investment is required much higher than the US$1million talked about by Dr. mpande hence the involvement of ZCCM-IH Plc in areas like Mwinilunga because more sophisticated methods including processing plants are required to recover the gold. Similar to the the proactive Governmnet stance taken on the small scale/Alluvial gold, the processes for the establishment of the large scale mine in Mwinilunga is underway also set for opening this year 2020.
In other words Government’s approach to both the Alluvial and elluvial gold in terms of how to invest has been done because Cabinet was alive to both realities.
Issue No 4:GOVERNMENT IS PURSUING COLONIAL POLICIES THAT HAVE NEVER WORKED BUT SHOULD EMULATE TANZANIA AND EMPOWER CITIZENS.
– Government Response:
Contrary to the assertion by Dr. Mpande,
a. The Government Policy and strategy on Gold is not different from the Tanzanians. As a matter of fact the strategy is modelled on the Tanzanian/Ghanaian model with modification because of appreciating that there is a Zambian context to mining which the Government strategy has addressed;
b. The policy prioritises Citizens as being a critical part of the strategy to exploit gold: As indicated above Government has never talked about chasing away its citizens involved in gold mining but instead, the government has provided a ready market for the Artisanal miners, in addition to legalizing their operations (Grant of gold panning certificates).
In conclusion, it is clear that Government means well and through the strategy on gold, its an opportunity to empower Zambian Citizens both at a small scale\Artisanal level and also large scale.
Our people must be excited about gold programmes because, through them, the government is creating jobs and empowering Zambians.
Hon. Richard Musukwa, MP, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development
Zanaco’s woes continued on Wednesday after they sustained their second straight league loss.
The seven-time champions succumbed to a 1-0 away defeat at Kabwe Warriors in a rescheduled FAZ Super Division Week 7 fixture played at Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.
Wednesday’s result came just 48 hours after coach Mumamba Numba was fired a day following Zanaco’s 3-1 away loss to town mates Lusaka Dynamos.
Warriors striker Akakulubelwa Mwachiyaba converted a 65th minute penalty to see Zanaco stay winless for a seventh successive league match since they beat Forest Rangers 1-0 on October 20.
Zanaco stay put at the top of the bottom four relegation zone at number 15 on 13 points from as many matches played with three games in hand.
The result also reconfirms Zanaco will for the first time-ever not participate in the ABSA Cup after failing way short in the race to make the top-six cut at the half-way point for the competition.
Zanaco have competed in every ABSA Cup (formerly Barclays Cup) since its inauguration in 2007 that they won once in 2017 under Numba.
Meanwhile, Warriors displaced Red Arrows from sixth position after the home win on 27 and 26 points respectively and are now four points behind leaders Zesco United after sixteen games played.
Lusaka City Council (LCC) has noted with concern that some sections of society believe the opening to drainage in front of Lumumba Bus Station where rescue operation was conducted is what caused the alleged drowning of the unidentified man.
LCC Public Relations Manager George Sichimba said the misinformation has created anxiety in some sections of society thereby blaming Council for the alleged drowning.
He said LCC wishes to clarify that the alleged drowning incidence is reported to have happened some 100 metres away towards Mumbwa/Lumumba Road junction where the drainage is open by design.
“The drainage at the frontage of Lumumba Bus Station was covered to create easy access in and out of the station by both buses and commuters, ” he said.
“During the search for the body, the rescue team created an opening into the cover of the drainage for search operation purposes”.
He said the opening access was needed for the team to access the covered part of the drainage and also to allow the horse pipe for the fire engine to pump out water from the drainage at that section.
“It is unfortunate that some onlookers captured that very opening and posted on social media purporting that it is the opening that “swallowed” the person alleged to have drowned, “he added.
Mr. Sichimba said that Some social media reports went further to accuse LCC of having neglected the opening for a long time when in fact it was created that same morning of the search operation.
LCC, is, therefore, appealing to members of the public to dismiss the social media reports with the contempt they deserve.
Minister of Higher Education, Hon. Dr. Brian Mushimba at UNZA
The Ministry of Finance has approved an application for UNZA through the Ministry of Higher Education to acquire a two hundred million kwacha loan to pay off retirees from 2011 to date, who are still on the payroll.
Higher Education Minister Brian Mushimba said that although some retirees have been paid, the loan will ensure those remaining are cleared, adding that the UNZA Management has been asked to go on the market to source for the funding.
Dr. Mushimba said that the government is committed to ensuring that the plight of all retirees is looked into as they are citizens, who have served the country.
Dr. Mushimba was speaking during a press briefing shortly before he addressed retirees from UNZA in a closed-door meeting at his office in Lusaka.
And Dr. Mushimba revealed that UNZALARU Secretary-General Kelvin Mambwe apologized to him for the disparaging remarks towards Zambians following their delayed December salaries.
He, however, said the private apology will NOT be accepted because the insulting statement was made in public through various media.
Dr. Mushimba said the comments are very disappointing and painful because he has constantly engaged the Union on a regular basis.
The Peoples Alliance for Change President Andyford Banda
The People’s Alliance for Change has accused Bus Owners and Government of exploiting Zambians through the hike in Bus fares announced by the Road Transport and Safety Agency yesterday.
Party President Andyford Banda says the increase in Bus fares on Long distance routes by 13%, K2 on Inter mine Copperbelt routes, K1 on Copperbelt local routes, K2 on Lusaka local routes and K2 on Lusaka Peri–Urban routes is too much and is imposing additional burden on common man who is already struggling to put food on the table.
Mr Banda said with the Petrol prices having increased by K1.64 and diesel by K1.36 in December last year, PAC expected that Bus fares would at least increase by K0.50 or K1on local routes and between 5% and 10% on long distance routes and not K2 and 13% announced by RTSA.
He said it is difficult to comprehend how the K2 and 13% was arrived at in a meeting where government was also present to represent the Zambian people.
Mr Banda said the Ministry of Transport and Communications failed to represent the Zambian people and are to blame for the unreasonable increase in bus fares announced yesterday.
He said the hike in bus fares is too much and will increase further the cost of living as people will now be required to spend more on transport.
“We also expect an increase in the cost of food as women who order their merchandise from Soweto will also increase the prices of their merchandize.
Prices of goods and services especially imported products are also likely to go up due to the increase in fuel prices”, he said.
Mr Banda has urged Zambians to brace themselves for harder times in 2020 as the economy is showing no signs of recovery under the Patriotic Front Government.
The Patriotic Front has demanded that University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers Union General Secretary Kelvin Mambwe retracts the statement he issued where he said that people who would vote for the PF if an election is called today are idiots.
PF Deputy Media Director Antonio Mwanza says the PF finds the statement by Dr Mambwe offensive and insulting to the intelligence of the people of Zambia.
Mr Mwanza said every Zambian has a Democratic right to belong to a political party of their choice and it is not for Dr Mambwe to determine who should belong to PF.
He said the University of Zambia is not the only Public University in the country and the chaos coming from there over the one month delayed salary will not be condoned.
Mr Mwanza has also questioned where the University Management is taking the money they are receiving from Eastpark Mall and other properties they have.
Meanwhile, The University of Zambia management has condemned the Zambia Lecturers and Researchers’ Union for their conduct and bad language following a delay in the payment of their salaries.
UNZA Management has expressed displeasure and disappointment with UNZALARU’s actions and condemns in the strongest terms, the stance and strong language attributed to the Union and its agents as published by various media houses.
UNZA Registrar Sitali Wamundila has stated that the position taken by UNZALARU does not in any way represent the position of Management and the University community.
It has come to our attention that the Ministry of Home Affairs through the various National Registration offices is denying Zambian citizens with dreadlocks their rights of obtaining their National Registration Cards (NRC’s).
A number of people with dreadlocked hair are being turned away in what is a blatant and unwarranted violation of citizens rights. Denying someone their NRC automatically disqualifies them from voting and obtaining other documentation like passports and driver’s licences. In short, having dreadlocks in this country means you are stateless.
In view of this colonial and anti-African development, we call on the Minister of Home Affairs to look into the matter and give guidance and also state under which Act dreadlocks are banned in Zambia. We cannot be denying people their rights just because their hair is different. The world has moved on from such kind of mentalities and identifying someone doesn’t have to be limited to bald heads.
FILE:UNZA Vice Chancellor Luke Mumba flanked by Deputy Vice Chancellor Enala Mwase (l) and UNZA Registrar Wamundila Sitali speaking during media brief at UNZA
The University of Zambia (UNZA) management has condemned the Zambia Lecturers and Researchers’ Union (UNZALARU) for their conduct and bad language following a delay in the payment of their salaries.
UNZA Management has expressed displeasure and disappointment with UNZALARU’s actions and condemns in the strongest terms, the stance and strong language attributed to the Union and its agents as published by various media houses.
UNZA Registrar Sitali Wamundila has stated that the position taken by UNZALARU does not in any way represent the position of Management and the University community.
“In as much as UNZA promotes academic freedom and freedom of expression amongst its staff members, it encourages and upholds civility as a mechanism through which conflicts are resolved,” Mr. Mwandila said.
He has reiterated that UNZA is a non-partisan public institution that upholds and embraces a culture of dialogue in resolving issues.
Mr. Wamundila has since advised and reminded all members of staff at the institution that UNZA is a community of intellectuals, hence the need to observe the highest levels of decorum when resolving conflict.
Meanwhile, Mr. Wamundila has assured all key stakeholders that UNZA attaches great importance to the promotion of a peaceful and conflict-free learning environment in the execution of its key mandate of teaching, research and community service.
Ex-Zambia Under 20 coach Charles Bwale has remained calm despite his second dismissal in less than twelve months.
Bwale on Tuesday left National Division One side Chambishi after sixteen (16) games in charge.
Buffaloes sacked him last March after he won just one out of his opening six games of the 2019 FAZ Super Division transitional season.
‘My separation from Chambishi football club is on mutual consent as we agreed that by the end of the first half the team should be in the top four. Unfortunately during my reign we have won five games, we have lost two and we have drawn eight and I think that is where the bone contention has arisen,’ Bwale said.
He is now looking forward to another coaching opportunity.
‘You know coaching is like this. You know when one door is closed the other one is closed. I just have to say thank you to the Chambishi populace, the executive for the opportunity accorded to me to be coach for Chambishi Football Club,’ he said.
‘I think my stay at Chambishi; I had support from the executive, the players and the supporters in general. My stay was so cordial.’
Chambishi have appointed Dennis Njapau has interim coach.
Eddie Black released his debut album entitled ‘Just Got Saved’. He stated that he came up with the title the day he got born again, September 16th 2016. “…So, it means I just got born again. I was hoping to do the album immediately but I couldn’t, I had to grow first. I’m not anywhere near ‘there’ yet but I believe I’ve salvaged enough knowledge to be able to share with someone in search of this same truth I’ve found”
Black has been in the music industry for a number of years, he started out as a circular hip-hop artist. Born Nathaniel Edward BangiraNchemba , he began his rap career in 2011 .Over the years he has produced hits such as “Bangumweko” , “Mujulu” ,“Where are you” “Soundtrack” . In 2016 he gave his life to Christ. Eddie Black announced his switch to gospel music in a freestyle he release entitled “Saved” . In the freestyle he stated “ let it be known today that I will serve the living God ,with my life, with my resources , with my skills “ . Speaking about his growth through the years he had this to say, “The greatest thing that happened to me was being born again. To know Him, my maker. And though I’ve found Him, to seek Him still, for He is infinite in His being, that’s all the growth I need, To know Him.”
Eddie Black described the theme of the album as being about a young, baby Christian who just got born again. “…Pretty much everything I’m saying is from the perspective of someone that just got recruited to the greatest battalion, in the largest militant group in the Universe. Believe me it’s an army and I’m still a recruit, well that’s the theme. I’m past recruit lol”
Talking about the album, Eddie Black stated that he didn’t write down any lyrics and just went with the inspiration that came with the beat. “…I’ve always wanted to work that way even before I got saved I wished there was a way of jumping in the booth and just spit. And now I have help. “What Help?” you may ask. JESUS”
Peezy Cables, a long time collaborator was the sole producer on this album that was recorded in a 10 day period. ”… I have so much love for Peezey Cables. When the time came to do this, I had a release date in mind, and with the newly rendered invisible help, we managed to record a song a day. We planned on having at least one song per day until all ten tracks were complete.”
‘Just Got Saved’ is available for purchase on Zambia music store Mvesesani.
