Koby released the video for his single “Keep Forgetting” that is off his ‘Young Legend’ Album.
The song features YellowMan, Tommy D and Slapdee. It is produced by Lord Aku and Hmac for XYZ Entertainments. The visual was shot by No ID Guru Pictel
UPND Members attack former National Dialogue Forum Spokesperson, Isaac Mwanza
Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) President Andrew Ntewewe has confirmed that United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres who were in the company of UPND Senior leader Sylvia Masebo have attacked former National Dialogue Forum Spokesperson, Isaac Mwanza, at the portico of the Supreme Court Building Wednesday November 20, 2019 around 17:45 hours.
“The incident happened immediately after the Constitutional Court adjourned the hearing of the petition by Chapter One Foundation and Law Association of Zambia challenging the enactment of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019,” said Mr Ntewewe.
The cadres attacked Mr. Mwanza shortly after the country’s Attorney General had finished conferring with him at the staircase of the Supreme Court Building. He was rescued by the Judiciary Security staff who whisked him away using the other alternative gate as the UPND cadres had remained vigil at the usual exit gate. Mr. Mwanza is being medically attended and not in any grave danger.
He said Mr. Mwanza made no acts of provocation to those UPND thugs. If it is crime to confer with the Attorney General, then we don’t know where the UPND wants to take this country to.
This is the second time Mr. Mwanza is being attacked by UPND cadres. A similar incident happened last year after a program on Radio Phoenix.
Mr. Ntewewe called on the UPND leadership to take responsibility for the violence being occasioned to those citizens who disagree with them.
“The UPND must clearly understand that when endangered citizens decide to protect themselves against thuggerism from UPND members, the result can become extremely fatal,” he warned
Zanaco and GBFC Share Spoils As League Resumes
The 2019/20 FAZ Super Division season made a sparkless return after a forgettable two-week international break with Zanaco and Green Buffaloes playing out to a 1-1 draw at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka on Wednesday.
Zanaco and Buffaloes went into the break of this Lusaka derby scoreless.
The deadlock was broken in a spell of two minutes when Chitiya Mususu tapped-in an assist from Lawrence Chungu in the 72nd minute.
Buffaloes equalized a minute later when Paul Simpemba punished Zanaco captain Ziyo Tembo’s defensive error to see the two sides share the points.
Buffaloes stay put at number five on 16 points from ten games played, eleven points behind leaders Zesco United and five adrift of second placed Napsa Stars.
Zanaco exchange places with Nkwazi up to 11th and 12th places respectively, tied on 11 points.
But Zanaco have played seven games with three matches in hand.
Cooperating Partners Group urges Zambia to get on IMF Programme
The Cooperating Partners Group has urged the Zambian Government to work towards obtaining an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.
Cooperating Partners Group Chairperson who is also German Ambassador to Zambia Achim Burkart says the group is ready to support the country in this endeavor.
Speaking during the second-high level policy dialogue with cooperating Partners at Mulungushi International Conference centre in Lusaka today, Mr. Burkart describes the recent visit of an IMF team to Zambia as a sign that Government is determined to engage
ith the IMF.
And Mr. Burkart said fighting corruption remains work in progress and requires the commitment of all Zambians and cooperating partners.
He noted that Zambia has numerous institutions and regulations in place.
Mr. Burkart observed that the increase in hours of load shedding has negatively impacted businesses and low-income households that cannot afford alternative sources of energy.
He said the Cooperating Partners have called on Government to deal decisively with ZESCO’s financial situation.
And, National Development Planning Minister Alexander Chiteme informed the cooperating partners that government is now halfway in the implementation of the Zambia’s 7th National Development Plan and the mid-term evaluation of the plan to assess the country’ performance.
Mr. Chitime meeting today will review the economy and energy reform roadmap among others.
Information PS condemns German Ambassador to Zambia
Government has condemned remarks by German Ambassador to Zambia, Ackim Burkart in which the diplomat questioned and commented on some internal affairs and issues bordering on Governance.
Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo says the statement by the German Envoy is meant to incite Zambians to rise against Government.
Mr. Kasolo told Journalists that the statement is also a violation of diplomatic etiquette which requires that diplomats respect the sovereignty of the countries in which they serve.
The Permanent Secretary said Mr. Burkart should have used the right channel to engage Government if he had any issues of concern as opposed to a statement to the media.
Mr. Kasolosaid Government will now engage the German Diplomat over the matter and appropriate action will be taken after the meeting.
He said Government is sometimes taken aback at the tendency by some diplomats of painting Zambia’s issues darker, than their own issues back home.
Mr. Burkart is quoted in some sections of the media suggesting that there could be an uproar in Germany if the Head of State there questioned the judgement of the constitutional Court as was the case in Zambia.
The German diplomat had also commented on private housing projects in the Forest 27 land matters.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kasolo has called on Politicians to desist from politicizing the operations of the Independent Broadcasting Authority – IBA.
He is saddened that Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo attacked IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma over the suspension of the broadcasting Licence of Lutanda radio in Kasama recently.
Mr. Kasolo said the IBA took the right stance to suspend the Licence for going against the IBA Act.
He explained that Lutanda Radio was given a one-month suspension because it was a first offender and that the radio station management can appeal to the Ministry of Information if they are not happy.
Mr. Kasolo said it is sad that Mr. Nkombo went on to attack the IBA Director General without fully understanding the IBA Act.
Chilubi PF MP Rosario Fundanga has died.
Chilubi Patriotic Front Member of Parliament Rosario Fundanga has died.
Mrs Fundanga died today and becomes the second female Member of Parliament to die this year after Patricia Mwashingwere of the UPND in Katuba Constituency.
Speaker of the national Assembly Patrick Matibini announced the death of Mrs Fundanga in Parliament this afternoon.
Mrs Fundanga, a development Expert was elected Member of Parliament on the Patriotic Front Ticket in the 2016 General elections.
Dr Matibini said other details concerning her death will be communicated in due course and Vice President Inonge Wina will move a motion to place on record the house’s condolences on the death of the MP.
And PF Media Director Antonio Mwanza posted on facebook that Mrs Fundanga collapsed at home this morning.
Zambia’s reserves are at the lowest level in 10 years
The Bank of Zambia has announced an increase in the Monetary Policy Rate from 10.25% percent to 11.50%.
Grappling with energy poverty and rising inflationary pressure, two day deliberations by the monetary policy committee commenced Monday 18th November into Tuesday with the announcement made by BOZ Governor Dr. Denny Kalyalya today.
The Kwacha has been on a one way traffic losing streak with a year to date depreciation of 17% given rising dollar demand and asset sell off pressure as sentiment wanes.
Zambia’s reserves are at a decade low at just below one and half yards translating to import cover 1.6 months which has incapacitated the central bank from sterilizing the market through offloading dollars.
The adjustment comes barely a week after the Central Bank increased the commercial banks overnight lending rate and for the same reason: curb inflation.
And Economist Chibamba Kanyama says the adjustment is a big adjustment in relative terms.
Mr Kanyama noted that the Bank of Zambia had announced this year it would increase the Monetary Policy Rate again if inflation continued to rise hence the decision was expected.
He said in his assessment, the Bank of Zambia remained faithful to its mandate and has carried out its work well to institute monetary interventions that would help stabilize the economy during the time of uncertainty.
Mr Kanyama however said that this is not a cure to the ongoing economic challenges as the more the Bank of Zambia intervenes in the market, the more things are not well and they need change of strategy.
He said the increasing the Monetary Policy Rate at the time the country is likely to register the lowest GDP growth rate in years, industrial output already affected by load shedding, government facing weak financing options and general liquidity conditions already tight is like continuously massaging a malaria-hit child with a wet cloth without knowing what to do next.
Meanwhile, Mr Kanyama added that the Ministry of Finance statement yesterday following the conclusion of the IMF Staff Visit did not provide much cheer either.
He noted that there is a paragraph in the statement that reveals that government has run out of options about what to do with the economy.
“The statement reads in part, ‘The Government will maintain close contact with the Fund in finding solutions and ensuring that policy interventions are undertaken to address challenges and vulnerabilities that the country is currently facing”, he said.
Mr Kanyama said whereas the BoZ move is aimed at stabilizing investor confidence, the same measures undertaken will have a long term detrimental effect on the economy.
He said the Central Bank has done its part but that part is to provide breathing space for fiscal policy to kick in much more aggressively, expand the size of government revenues, prioritise spending, make austerity an implementable strategy, provide effective leadership across the public sector.
Mr Kanyama said the Minister of Finance needs to have a stronger firm hand on the treasury, get the IMF program on board and get all citizens to understand what is happening and convince them to be ready to pay the full price.
“If we do not pay the price now, it will be harder as we get into 2022. This is one issue that now requires collective effort”, He added.
Zambia’s Tanking Kwacha May Stay Vulnerable Even After Rate Hike
Zambia may be in no mood to tolerate much more currency depreciation, but it will be hard-pressed to prevent it.The central bank increased its overnight lending rate by 10 percentage points on Friday to a record high of 28%. The goal was to instill “stability in the market and to rein in inflationary pressures,” it said.
The kwacha has depreciated 4.7% this month against the dollar, almost as much as Chile’s peso, the world’s worst performer, leaving it 15% weaker this year. Inflation, meanwhile, accelerated to a three-year-high of 10.7% last month.“The central bank is looking to tighten kwacha liquidity, perhaps to quell demand for foreign exchange,” said Phumelele Mbiyo, a senior economist at Standard Bank Group Ltd. in Johannesburg.
The Monetary Policy Committee will also increase the copper producer’s base rate by 100 basis points to 11.25% on Wednesday, Mbiyo predicted.
There’s no guarantee the monetary tightening will work. Markets have long fretted about Zambia’s external debts, which the kwacha’s decline will only make more expensive to service.
Zambia’s dollar-bond yields average 19.6%, according to Bloomberg Barclays Indexes. That’s far into distressed territory, with only Argentina and Lebanon in a worse position.
The Southern African nation has $3 billion of Eurobonds outstanding. Its ratio of debt to gross domestic product will rise to 92% by the end of 2019, triple the figure from 2015, according to the International Monetary Fund.
The situation is exacerbated by the government’s struggle to rein in spending and a severe drought, which is hammering agricultural output and hydropower generation.
“The Bank of Zambia is in a challenging position,” Mbiyo said. “Most of the pressures facing the economy are either due to exogenous shocks because of the drought conditions earlier in the year or due to fiscal-policy conduct.”
Chingola residents alarmed at the over 100% increase in property rates
Dear Editor,
Chingola residents have been notified that property rates are going to go up by over 100% effective 1st January, 2020. This is from our council that for years has not carried out any essential basic services like refuse disposal or providing clean water.How does the council justify these hikes when they don’t do anything for the town? All they do is collected rates. Many people are unemployed and even those employed are complaining that they can not afford these prices.
The council has said any objection should be accompanied by the latest surveyors evaluation of the property before 5th December. Mwe Bantu you need thousands of kwacha to engage a surveyor and nobody can afford that. This is very unfair. We appeal to the authorities to be considerate of the peoples plight.
By Chingola resident
NGOCC condemns the recent tribal remarks broadcast on radio Lutanda
The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council has condemned the recent tribal remarks broadcast on radio Lutanda in Northern Province.
NGOCC Board Chairperson Mary Mulenga said her Organisation has noted with sadness the trend by some people to try and divide the country based on tribe and regionalism.
Mrs Mulenga has said that history is replete with many sad stories of how such careless tribal and regional statements have caused conflicts that have degenerated into genocide.
“It is a fact that when conflict arises, the most vulnerable in society, the women and children, are worst affected in such situations. It is against this background that we urge all well-meaning Zambians especially our politicians, both in the ruling and opposition political parties, that as the country heads towards the 2021 General Elections, to please desist from inciting and soliciting votes on tribal and regional basis”, she said.
Mrs Mulenga has reiterated her appeal on President Edgar Lungu, as father of the nation, to provide leadership in this direction.
She noted that while the Government has released the report by the Commission on Violence and Voting Patterns, which was commissioned post the 2016 elections, it is our hope that citizens could be sensitized about some of the recommendations in that report.
Mrs Mulenga has also urge the Government, through the Executive, to implement some of the proposed recommendations in the said report to avert violent and tribal politics.
“No amount of comparison that other people have done the same things, can justify what happened at Lutanda Radio Station because TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT! NGOCC is of the view that while we may differ in political ideology, we must remain united in the true spirit of the founding fathers that promoted the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto”, she added.
Mrs Mulenga has since commended the Independent Broadcasting Authority for withdrawing the license for Lutanda Radio Station and also take this opportunity to caution the media against promoting politicians and other people that want to divide the nation on tribal lines.
She has also appealed to Zambians to reject any political party, or individuals that will promote such unprogressive politics.
“We wish to reiterate that our politics should be based on issues and should be about competition to serve the underserved Zambians, especially the women and children”, she added.
Linda Kasonde saddened with the lack of interest by Zambians in the petition against Bill Number 10
Former Law Association of Zambia President Linda Kasonde is saddened with the lack of interest by Zambians, the Civil Society and especially fellow lawyers on the petition to challenge Bill number 10.
Ms Kasonde who is Executive Director of Chapter One Foundation noted with sadness that with trial having begun on 12 November, there hasn’t been much interest from Zambians especially lawyers.
She has called on Zambians to show solidarity to demonstrate how important an issue this is as the trial continues today.
Ms Kasonde said this is the most important case in the history of Zambia after Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula tried to stop Zambia from changing into a one-party state in 1972.
“The stakes are just as high in this case and yet the court gallery is empty”, she lamented in a Facebook posting.
The Law Association of Zambia and Chapter One Foundation took out a petition to challenge Bill No. 10 and Trial began on 12th November 2019.
Numba Admits 2021 AFCON Hopes in Precarious Situation
Chipolopolo assistant coach Mumamba Numba admits Zambia ‘s 2021 AFCON qualifying hopes are looking precarious.
Chipolopolo on Tuesday suffered an unprecedented second successive opening AFCON qualifying fixture when Zimbabwe beat them 2-1 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
The result came just five days after defending champions Algeria beat them 5-0 away in Blida.
Thoses results have left Chipolopolo rock bottom of Group H on zero points, behind Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa who have 1, 4 and 6 points respectively.
“I think our chances of qualifying to the AFCON are a bit tricky especially that we have lost at home,” Numba told the media after his boss Aggrey Chiyangi skipped the post match briefing at Heroes Stadium.
“Had we gotten the win, it could have put us in a better position.
” But I think looking at the games we have left, all we need is to try and work hard and win all the remaining four games, then we can see whether we can qualify or not.
“We have a team that can do that but all that we need to do is to work on the team and encourage them.”
Zambia resumes its Group H campaign next August away to Botswana.
The AFCON qualifiers take a long break to make way for the Africa zone 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March, June and July, 2020.
Zambia police and ECZ should swing into action against agents of tribalism, hate speech, violence, sectionalism mentioned in latest report
GEARS Initiative Zambia says the reaction to and position taken by Zambia Police Service and Electoral Commission of Zambia on the Commission of Inquiry report on Voting Pattern and Electoral Violence as contained in the Times of Zambia article, Tuesday November 19, 2019 edition on page 2 leaves much to be desired and may act as trigger to further violence in coming elections.
Organisation Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi says the two institutions seem to lack a public strategy to address the dangerous highlights in the reports.
He says GEARS Initiative Zambia finds it shocking that the two institutions are seemingly ending at analyzing and studying the 2016 Commission of Enquiry with a sole desire to amend the respective institutional gaps cited in the report in the future.
Mr. Chipenzi questioned what their immediate action against the perpetrators of such violence and hate speech are.
“Such responses are undermining and downplaying the criticality of and encouraging the current trends in voting patterns and electoral violence in the electoral process in Zambia”, he said.
Mr. Chipenzi says it is for this understanding that GEARS Initiative Zambia has been expecting serious action against the cited perpetrators and violators of the laws of Zambia by bringing them to book.
“As we noted earlier, GEARS Initiative Zambia expected for sincere apologies from, arrests and prosecutions of the agents of tribalism, hate speech, violence, and sectionalism as mentioned in the COI Report”, he added.
“In the same vein, we expected President Edgar Lungu, after reviewing the report, to have acted against those names mentioned as perpetrators of these vices and serving in his government and party in various positions ministers, Permanent Secretaries, District Commissioners and ambassadors, and party officials”, Mr. Chipenzi said.
He said if President Lungu is reluctant to act, it was their expectation that the Zambia Police Service and ECZ should have summoned their statutory mandates, power and authority to effect recommendations of the report and detect crime, maintain and enforce the law by invoking the relevant sections of the penal code, electoral Act, Electoral Code of Conduct and other laws on people mentioned in the report that instigated the Voting Patterns and Electoral Violence in Zambia especially during election times.
Mr. Chipenzi said the report should not just be treated or regarded as a mere study or analysis report or reference or study book or material but one that should serve as a deterrent mechanism for would-be offenders in the future.
“Above all, this report was produced at a great cost on taxpayer’s money hence our call to nip out of the bud individuals and institutions that have been promoting and failing to curb tribalism, hate speech, sectionalism and violence in the country”, he said.
Mr. Chipenzi said GEARS Initiative Zambia is anxiously waiting to see the police swing into action against those individuals revealed and mentioned in the report as agents of tribalism, hate speech, violence, sectionalism among other vices during elections regardless of party, religious and/or regional affiliation.
He said this is so because the police is there to detect and fight crime, maintain and enforce laws, of which one is the penal code which criminalizes tribalism, hate speech, violence, sectionalism, etc hence our view that police must now show its teeth, impartiality in fighting electoral and political crimes and offenses.
“Otherwise, the tribalism, violence, hate speech and sectionalism attributed and promoted by mainly by elites and those associated with state power should not be swept under the carpet”, he added.
Mr. Chipenzi said Zambians must unite against tribalism, hate speech, sectionalism and targeted violence which always manifest itself during elections if we are to build a better and united Zambia for all.
ZRA Chief Welcomes President Lungu’s position on empowering Zambian clearing companies
Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda has welcomed President Lungu’s position on empowering clearing companies owned and run by Zambians.
Mr. Chanda has immediately presented a proposal to the Ministry of Finance on legally available options to empower Zambians in the industry.
Currently, there are 821 registered and licensed clearing companies in Zambia with over 80% of the business being done by foreign multinational clearing companies including those owned by foreign companies through Zambian proxies.
The proposed measures to government include but not limited to compelling all Government institutions to clear all goods using indigenous Zambian owned companies and private companies to give a minimum of 20% of their volumes to Zambian owned clearing companies.
The Commissioner-General has urged local clearing companies to desist from smuggling activities so that they consolidate the support, trust, and confidence of the Authority.
Mr. Chanda has also encouraged local clearing companies to form one Association so that they have a strong voice and work together.
Currently, local clearing companies belong to three different clearing association. “Such fragmentation is not good and may negate government effort to help them,” The Commissioner General said.
Mr. Chanda said the Authority is optimistic that these measures will not only empower the indigenous clearing companies but also create jobs and boost the economy of our country.
UPND wants State House to take immediate action against Kaizer Zulu
The United Party for National Development (UPND) says it is disheartening that President Edgar Lungus political advisor Kaizer Zulu has been allowed to walk freely along the corridors of power after causing terror and engaging in criminal activities.
Party Secretary-General Stephen Katuka says what Edgar Lungu’s political advisor Kaizer Zulu did by recklessly bashing a school bus in Lusaka carrying other people’s children and later brandishing a gun, after hiring thugs to beat up the driver of the school bus, cannot go without serious backlash.
Mr. Katuka said Kaizer Zulu does not deserve to be a civil servant let alone special assistant to President Edgar Lungu.
“We cannot have a person who, a few months ago, closed a bar in Kafue after an altercation with a fellow citizen. It is Zulu who used a gun in Kitwe to threaten civilians”, he said.
Mr. Katuka said Kaizer Zulu is not above the law and must meet all the medical expenses for the driver he beat up.
He has demanded that the Road Transport and Safety Agency in collaboration with the Zambia Police Service to immediately arrest Kaizer Zulu failure to which the UPND shall institute legal action against him on behalf of the Public.
Mr. Katuka said Mr. Zulu is a threat to fellow citizens and does not deserve to move freely the way he is doing now.
He said Mr Zulu needs serious discipline and the law should visit him.
“We are amazed that Edgar Lungu seems to be under siege and appears to be subordinate to Kaizer Zulu. It seems to us that Lungu fears Zulu to the core. This is the reason why Zulu has continued to misbehave”, Mr Katuka added.
He said it is regrettable that Mr. Zulu last time forced his way into Heroes Stadium pitch and started harassing match officials.
“We condemn the behavior of Kaizer Zulu and demand that State House takes serious action with immediate effect”, he said.