Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata has told parliament that the United Party for National Development(UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema also has a piece of land in Forest 26 which was also excised from Forest 27 .

Ms. Kapata was responding the nominated Member of Parliament, Rapheal Nakachinda in Parliament who wanted to know those that have been allocated in Forest 27

This was after delivering a ministerial statement on a point of order that was raised by Mazabuka Member of Parliament Gary Nkombo on the status of forest number 27 in Parliament.

Ms. Kapata said government Degazzetted Lusaka East local forest number 27 to allow the Lusaka district to meet the growing development needs.

President Lungu signed SI No 62 of 2017 degazetting of the Forest number 27.

Critics of the Forest 27 wondered why  President signed what they termed a destructive SI, knowing very well that forest reserve 27 is the only forest remaining in Lusaka and a recharge area for Chalimbana and Chongwe rivers.

Critics further argue that all the Zambian Presidents, from Kenneth Kaunda, FTJ Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa, Rupiah Banda, to Sata, resisted and protected this forest from land scavengers and wondered why President Lungu had seen it fit to Degazatte the forest and have it shared as plots, disregarding the danger and risks involved in what they described as a  careless decision

According to reports, the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) wrote a letter to Lusaka Province Planning Authority and expressed serious concerns regarding this development since Forest Number 27 is a groundwater recharge area and also feeds the river systems in the Chalimbana sub-catchment:

“Degazetting this forest for residential plots will threaten water resource availability as this may result in some water sources drying up. As such, WARMA is considering declaring Forest 27 as a Water Resource Protection Area as provided in section 29(1) and 93(1) of the WRM Act. We write to your office seeking confirmation if indeed Forest Number 27 is Degazatted and if there are plans from your Planning Authority to develop this area as depicted in the attached map from Murray Anderson”.

Critics further advised that if President Lungu had nothing to benefit from forest 27 and was misled by his minister of Lands, he should quickly rescind his decision to Degazatte forest 27 as it was not late, adding  that all the developments done so far in the  forest reserve be stopped and the process of getting that land back into a forest be started, and that all those who own plots in this forest must pay for the cost of restoring that land back into a forest reserve.

The government has dispelled rumours of threats on United States of America (USA) Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote’s life following the recent comments he made over the jailing of a homosexual couple to 15 years in imprisonment.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji says the security of Ambassador Foote is guaranteed and will remain protected by the state.

Presenting a ministerial statement to Parliament today and monitored by ZANIS, Mr Malanji explained that Zambia and the USA continue to enjoy good relations.

He added that with regards to the matter concerning Ambassador Foote’s comments, Zambia will use diplomatic channels to address the issue.

He emphasized that the issue regarding the USA envoy cannot by discussed in parliament, adding that it is a diplomatic issue and Ambassador Foote will continue to enjoy his diplomatic immunity.

The Foreign Affairs Minister further stated that matters relating to the courts of law fall under the Judiciary, which is independent of the legislature.

And First Deputy Speaker Catherine Namugala allowed only one follow up question from Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo who was also the mover of the point of order.

Ms. Namugala guided that Zambia is a signatory to many diplomatic conversations therefore she was not in any position to allow the matter concerning Ambassador Foote to be discussed in the house.

Female duo, Davaos released the visual for their collaborative song with Cleo Ice Queen, titled “Pon Me“.

The news of the 2019 edition of the Penthouse Party hit us all with curiosity and excitement especially when PR Girl Media announced that the event, dubbed as the best end of year party in Lusaka was to be hosted under the theme “Jungle”. Introduced in 2017, the Penthouse Party is a premium clubbing event that blends nightlife with fashion and has since become a popular “Ke-December” event that the city anxiously waits for throughout the year. The Penthouse Party is certainly a popular choice for party goers, fashion and music enthusiasts with a liking for premium social events.

Following a successful year of hosting trendy events such as Champagne Picnic, Lusaka July and Beerville Oktoberfest, PR Girl Media is closing off 2019 with the Penthouse Party on the 7^th of December in Lusaka at Goldman House (Arcades). “The Penthouse Party is a stylish event that receives the attendance of top local celebrities and influencers. The city has shown incredible interest in the event over the last years and the event has proven to be a favorite on Lusaka’s social calendar.” stated Monde and Chishimba Nyambe, Managing Partners of PR Girl Media.

This year, the event is sponsored by Budweiser, Jagermeister, Power FM and Diamond TV. In attendance at the event will be DJ V jeezy, Shadaya, Chef 187, King Illest, Mutale Mwanza, Macky 2, Grace Rumsey and many more.

Further details of the event can be found online via PR Girl Media social media platforms.

Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has commended the Police Command for the mature handling of sustained picketing by retirees at the Justice Ministry headquarters in Lusaka. Mr. Sinkamba has appealed to the Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja to keep up with that spirit exhibited at Justice Ministry because the sovereign authority of Zambia is vested in the people themselves.

“You see, Article 5 of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment 2016 provides that the sovereign authority of Republic of Zambia vests in the people of Zambia themselves, which may be exercised directly or through elected or appointed representatives or institutions. If the people feel let down by elected, nominated or appointed officials, let the people have space and moment to freely express their disgust. If it means to express their disgust at offices of appointed, nominated or elected officials, so be it. The Police should not interfere at all, unless the expression is violent,” Mr. Sinkamba said.

“Looking at the case of retirees who have been picketing at Justice Ministry Headquarters for some time now, I think that the Inspector General of Police Mr. Kakoma Kanganja, and his Command, must be applauded for non-interference. The retirees have been accorded space and moment to air their grievances without Police interference. That is the maturity we want to see from the Police all the time when members of the public chose to picket to express their grievances

“We hope that the maturity exhibited by the Police in that instance will be sustained. That is the Zambia we want to see; a peaceful country where the right to assembly and expression is guaranteed. The barbarism we have seen in bye-elections and other incidents where party cadres and members of the public are involved in running battles with the Police over the rights to assembly and expression should be brought to an end. Let us all draw lessons from the Justice Ministry picketing,” Mr. Sinkamba said.

ISSUED BY THE GREEN PARTY MEDIA TEAM

5TH DECEMBER, 2019

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)  in partnership with church groups have written to Police for a public procession next Tuesday with a petition to be presented to Parliament.

YALI Administrative Assistance, Natasha Kapoma says the Unity Assembly will be on the enactment of the Constitution Amendment Bill number ten of 2019 and against Homosexuality.

In a letter to LUSAKA Province Police Commissioner Nelson Phiri and made available to ZNBC, Ms Kapoma said the Assembly is proposed for Tuesday 10th December 2019.

She said Assembly will be held outside Parliament Grounds from 10:30hrs to 12:30hrs.

Ms Kapoma said the speakers will include the organization’s leaders, Church and other civil society leaders.

She said that a petition will also be handed over to the National Assembly for possible debate with the Constitution Amendment Bill.