Advertisement Banner
Monday, September 15, 2025
Home Blog Page 1514

Cabinet has not officially announced its position on the Legalisation of Marijuana, says Ministry of Health Spokesperson

6
Marijuana plant
Marijuana plant

The government’s Ministry of Health has dismissed social media claims that suggesting that the authority has legalized marijuana for exportation and medical use.

Ministry of Health Spokesperson Abel Kabalo says the government has not in any way legalized the use of marijuana, adding that reports circulating on social media suggesting otherwise are false and should be regarded as fake news.

Speaking to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Dr. Kabalo said there is a need to exercise patience, adding that the government makes official pronouncements, using official channels and not what is being done on social media.

He advised that once a policy pronouncement has been passed, the ministry is alerted by cabinet office, adding that such communication has not been made.

“As a ministry, we cannot comment on the legalization of marijuana because the cabinet hasn’t officially announced its position,” Dr. Kabalo said.

And Dr. Kabalo has advised members of the public to be cautious and worry about fake reports, as well as learn the right channels through which information can be verified, before going into a panic.

This comes after social media reports suggesting that the government has approved a proposal issued by the Minister of Health to legalize the production of marijuana for exportation and medical use.

BUNDESLIGA DISPATCH: Race to Oust Bayern Remains Tight

0
1. FSV Mainz 05 v SV Werder Bremen - Bundesliga
MAINZ, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 04: Pierre Kunde Malong of Mainz in action during the Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and SV Werder Bremen at Opel Arena on November 4, 2018 in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images)

The plot to try and topple Bayern Munich and end their seven-year uninterrupted reign as German Bundesliga is about to approach the halfway point.

Bayern are currently stuttering in fifth place after fifteen games played on 27 points, six points behind ambitious leaders RB Leipzig with three rounds of matches left before the one -month winter break begins after Boxing Day.

The contenders are Schalke at number 4 on 28 points, Borussia Dortmund third on 29 points, while seven-time champions Borussia Monchengladbach who have set the pace in the first fifteen games are second on 3 points.

In that midst of this drama to unseat the Bavarian giants, we track the form of the Bundesliga African stars at their respective Bundesliga clubs after round 15.

=ALGERIA
-Early season pacesetters Borussia Monchengladbach’s hopes of being declared Bundesliga Winter Champions with three rounds to go before the mid-season break on December 26 a hit pothole on Sunday when they lost 2-1 away to eighth placed Wolfsburg.

The result saw the five-time Bundesliga champions drop from first to second as they chase their first league title since 1977.

It was a second successive disappointing outing Algeria defender and Chipolopolo Zambia’s 2021 AFCON Group H qualifiers tormentor, Rami Bensebiani, who played the 90 minutes for Gladbach just four days after they were knockout of the Europa League.

=COTE D’IVOIRE
Veteran striker Salomon Kalou celebrated from the bench on Saturday in Hertha Berlin’s first win under new coach Jürgen Klinsmann after three Bundesliga matches in charge.

Hertha beat Freiburg 1-0 to garner four points in their last two games under Klinsmann’s helm of the 13th placed side.

=TOGO
Striker Ihlas Bebou played the full 90 minutes for Hoffenheim in Friday’s 3-2 home loss into fellow mid-table side FC Augsburg but the powerful striker was not on target.

=CAMEROON
Midfielder Pierre Kunde started for 14th placed Mainz in Saturday’s 4-0 home loss to Borussia Dortmund before he was substituted in the 86th minute.

=SENEGAL
-Influential Senegal defender Salif Sane watched from the sidelines with due to injury as fourth placed Schalke downed mid-table Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 on Sunday to stay in a tight race for the top four place.

-Striker Babacar Gueye was an unused player by last placed Paderborn in Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with number 10 team Union Berlin.

=MALI
-Malian defender Almamy Toure started for Enitracht in the loss at Schalke but was subbed in the 82nd minute whilst his compatriot Simon Falette was an unused substitute for the 12th placed side.

-On Saturday, their compatriot and midfielder Amadou Haidara was on the bench for new leaders RB Leipzig who crushed hosts Fortuna Dusseldorf 3-0.

-Earlier on Friday, Zambia stars Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu’s former club mate at Austrian champions RB Salzburg Diadie Samassekou lasted only 29 minutes of the first half for Hoffenheim in their 3-2 home loss against Augsburg.

=GHANA
-Dusseldorf’s three Ghanaian imports were on the losing side against Leipzig.

Nana Amapomah played the 90 minutes, midfielder Bernard Tekpetey came on in the 70th minute but defender Kasim Adams was an unused substitute by the third from bottom side.

-On the same day at last placed Paderborn, defender Christopher Antwi-Adjej played the full 90 minutes but did not score in the 1-1 draw with Union Berlin.

=TUNISIA
Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri played the full 90 minutes for second from bottom FC Koln on Saturday in their 2-0 Rhine derby victory over nine-man Bayer Leverkusen but was not on target.

=NIGERIA
-Defender Jamilu Collins played the full 90 minutes for Paderborn against mid-table Union Berlin while his compatriot and striker Anthony Ujah came on in the 89th minute.

-Striker Taiwo Awoniyi was an unused substitute by Mainz in their 4-0 home loss to Borussia Dortmund.

=MOROCCO
-Midfielder Amine Harit started for Schalke in Sunday night’s 1-0 home win over Eintracht before he was substituted in the 68th minute.

-Defender Achraf Hakimi played the full 90 minutes for third placed Borussia Dortmund in their roaring 4-0 away win over Mainz.

-Midfielder Abdel Sabiri was unused substitute by struggling Paderborn in Saturday’s draw with tenth positioned Union Berlin.

NEXT LIVE TV BUNDESLIGA MATCH
17/12/2019
StarTimes World Football
21h00: Borussia Dortmund-RB Leipzig

I’m shocked that President Lungu is asking the US to recall its Ambassador to Zambia-HH

86
FILE: UPND President Hakainde Hichilema with US Ambasador to Zambia, Daniel Foote

President of the opposition UPND Hakainde Hichilema says he has read with shock media reports suggesting that President Edgar Lungu has written to the Government of the United States to recall that country’s Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote.

Mr Hichilema says it is unfortunate that Ambassador Foote is being ill treated for condemning the massive corruption in the government and the kid gloves the perpetrators are being handled with.

He has charged that President Lungu is the lead perpetrator of corruption and knows how he has stood between justice and his corrupt ministers who were being investigated by the Anti Corruption Commission.

Mr Hichilema has advised President Edgar Lungu to instead sort his issues of corruption without engaging in unnecessary confrontation with the diplomatic community.

“To Ambassador Foote and the American people, please understand that Lungu’s fight is not for the good of the nation but it’s for his personal survival”, he said.

Mr Hichilema said Zambians are not part of it and should not be dragged in his personal survival stints.

UPND Youths want Lusambo to apologise to Chieftainess Nkomesha

10
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo greets Chieftanis Nkomeshya Mukamambo II when he paid a courtesy call on her in Chongwe District on Friday
FILE: Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo greets Chieftanis Nkomeshya Mukamambo II when he paid a courtesy call on her in Chongwe District

UPND Youths in Lusaka Province has demanded that Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo unreservedly apologise to Chieftainess Nkomesha Mukamambo the Second for the trouble and embarrassment she has suffered so far at the hands of PF.

UPND Lusaka Province Youth spokesperson Ortis Bwalya says Mr Lusambo must apologise for the insults and for labeling the traditional leader a Liar.

Mr Bwalya has appealed to the Minister to tone down on his conduct and attitude in public and towards citizens because his behaviour is so unbecoming and citizens are getting so agitated and angry not only with him but with the entire PF.

He said the behaviour and misconduct of the PF cadres at the last Chikwela Mukumbi traditional ceremony was so disrespectful, awful and unZambian.

Mr Bwalya said it is also unfortunate and disappointing that the caliber of a Provincial Minister can come up and defend that kind of hooliganism that was displayed at this ceremony without shame.

He said this act alone is a reflection of the quality of leaders we have in government today who condones lawlessness especially if it is coming from their camp.

“We would like to ask Bowman to grow up and must learn to respect our traditional leaders. And for your information Mr Lusambo, what you should know is that even your President whom you cherish so much and hold in very high esteem above everything and everyone else, he is also a subject to the chief, he is her subordinate too. So don’t think that because it is ba Lungu who has sent you to do certain things then the chief becomes inferior to you or to the President himself, no”, he added

Mr Bwalya said unlike most of the PF thugs who went to the ceremony drunk, Chieftainess Nkomesha was very sober and in full control of herself and saw everything in her sober state. So, she cannot be accused of accusing anyone of being behind that confusion if truly they were not involved.

He said that havoc which left many guests and other dignitaries at Chikwela Makumbi ceremony terrified and traumatized was clearly caused by the PF thugs and all those ugly scenes are in public domain. Besides, this information can be confirmed by whoever was there including her counterpart Chief Mpezeni who was the guest of honor himself.

GBM is a Shameless and Desperate politician-UPND

38
GBM addressing a news conference at the UPND secretariat on Thursday, April 4th 2019
FILE: GBM addressing a news conference at the UPND secretariat on Thursday, April 4th 2019

The UPND has described its Former Vice President Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba as a shameless politician.

Commenting on Mr Mwamba’s claims that UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema is holding the people of Southern Province captive by telling them that the PF will not deliver development, UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka said it is important in life to have shame.

He wondered how Mr Mwamba who on several occasions toured Southern province as UPND on several occasions as UPND Vice President claiming PF had failed to deliver development can now change his position because he is in PF.

Mr Katuka said Mr Mwamba’s statement confirms how desperate he was to join the party which he on several occasions insulted calling them thieves but ended up joining them.

He said the whole country is now hurting because the PF has failed to deliver development to the Zambian people.

Chabinga:Zesco,Power Games Will Define Nkana’s 2019/20 Title Ambitions

0

Nkana coach Manfred Chabinga says their projected six-pointer from two successive big derby dates over the next seven days against Zesco United and Power Dynamos will define their top four ambitions as the 2019/20 campaign enters round 14.

Nkana kicked off that challenge on December 14 with a 1-0 home win over Zesco in a Copperbelt derby at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.

Saturday’s victory over Zesco also saw Nkana reclaim fourth position on 24 points from Green Eagles who had been warming their seat since Wednesday but now drop to fifth on 24 and 23 points respectively.

Nkana’s win puts them within earshot of leaders and defending champions Zesco who have 28 points after suffering their first league defeat of the season over the weekend.

“We planned for this game and every player was geared. Even those that were on the bench were ready for anything,” Chabinga said.

“We needed maximum points and I am so happy that the boys have delivered. I have to congratulate them.”

Next stop for the record 12-time champions will be the short trip across the road on December 21 to face Power in the first instalment of this seasons Kitwe derby at Arthur Davies Stadium.

“We targeted this game, we talked about it with the players that if we can beat Zesco United, and we beat Power Dynamos, then we are in contention,” Chabinga said.

“But it is not going to easy in these two games, yes we have played one, we have won one, we have one remaining against Power Dynamos which is not going to be easy.

“It will be a tough encounter.”

Power, meanwhile, are eighth with 17 points and currently on unbeaten in their last four games for the first time this season.

They head into the derby showdown against Nkana charged and on the back of three consecutive league victories with the highlight coming last Wednesday when they knocked-out hosts Zanaco 3-0 in Lusaka.

Lusambo bails out a young Zambian Actress after UPND leader HH bolts

69
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo poses for a photo with Tina Kaluza after She was gifted with a K5,000
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo poses for a photo with Tina Kaluza after She was gifted with a K5,000

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo was on Sunday forced to step in and help a young Zambian Actress to enable her travel to Nigeria for a film project after UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema failed to do so despite promising to help.

Tina Kaluza, a Solwezi based UPND member and upcoming Actress needed financial assistance to travel to Lagos, Nigeria to be part of a Major Nollywood production.

Tina said she approached Mr. Hichilema for financial assistance of K5,600 to enable her travel to Nigeria but the UPND leader only released K600.

According to Tina, Mr. Hichilema had promised to help her but that she was treated harshly when she made a follow up at Mr. Hichilema’s residence to see if he was going to give her more money than the K600 he had earlier given her.

“I was left disappointed by Mr. Hichilema, a man I had voted for in the last election. The way he shouted at me when I went to his house was rude. I ended up calling Mr Lusambo for help who has given me the K5,000 I needed for my ticket,” she said in an interview.

And Mr. Lusambo says he stepped in to help Tina because he believes that politics is a service to humanity.

“I was contacted late on Saturday by Tina, who has struggled with finances to enable her to travel to Nigeria. As a member of the UPND, Tina contacted Mr. Hichilema for a K5,600 required to enable her travel to Nigeria,” Mr. Lusambo said.

“Despite promising to assist Tina, Mr. Hichilema only released K600 on Tuesday at Radio Phoenix after featuring on Let the People. Since Tina was becoming desperate, she followed up her request with a visit to Mr. Hichilema’s residence on Friday where the UPND leader spoke to her through his car window as he drove out and flatly told her that the K600 she was given earlier was all he had to give her. She then reached out to me and we met at Mint Lounge Restaurant at Acacia Park where I handed over K5,000 to enable her travel to Nigeria.”

He added, “As a public servant, I believe I have a duty to be as responsive as possible to the needs of our people. Young people striving to use their talents ought to be supported and if we are to grow our creatives industry.”

“My message to the young people in Zambia is: be very careful with some of these so-called opposition political leaders because some of them are just political serial killers. They don’t mean well for this country as they demonstrated when they were given a chance to provide a service during the privatization process,” Mr. Lusambo added.

“How can a man who claims to be a millionaire in US dollars fail to help a member of his own party with a mere K5,600 despite promising to help the poor young lady?”

But UPND Spokesman Charles Kakoma said Mr. Hichilema is aware of the artist program in Nigeria.

In a statement, Mr. Kakoma said, “We have noted some audio from some artist going around that the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema refused to assist her in her trip to Nigeria. As citizens would expect, the UPND and Mr. Hichilema receive and handles lots of requests from different people with special needs almost on a daily basis.”

“During Mr. Hichilema’s radio Phoenix appearance, there were lots of people that came to offer him solidarity. Some came with various requests and were referred to relevant party offices as in the case of the artist who was referred to the UPND Chairperson for Information and Publicity who is me. It was actually I who assisted her with K600 as we went about verifying the genuineness and authenticity of her program in Nigeria.”

Mr. Kakoma added, “The party takes particular interest in screening all requests that we receive especially the ones to do with foreign travel because of the numerous internet scams where people have ended up stranded.”

“We have a particular case where we assisted a young man with an air ticket after he was offered a scholarship at a named university in West Africa but we ended up repatriating him back home because it turned out he was scammed.”

PRO’S HIT LIST: Patson Saves RB Salzburg

0

Here is a wrap of selected performances by our foreign-based players this past weekend.

=SOUTH AFRICA
It was Cup final weekend in South Africa where goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Maritzburg United in the 2019 Telkom Cup final in Durban.

=DR CONGO
Midfielder Rainford Kalaba on Sunday came off the bench in the 71st minute to score leaders TP Mazembe’s second goal ten minutes later in their 2-0 home win over old foes from Kinshasa DC Motema Pembe in Lubumbashi.
Defender Tandi Mwape played the full 90 minutes after taking compatriot and Chipolopolo captain Kabaso Chongo’s spot.
Kabaso missed the match to serve a two-match suspension after accruing two yellow cards.

=FRANCE
Defender Stopilla Sunzu played the full 90 minutes for third from bottom Metz on Saturday in their 1-1 home draw against number two side Olympique Marseille.

=BELGIUM
Thirteenth place KV Oostende beat fourth placed Gent 2-1 on Sunday.
Striker Fashion Sakala came off the bench in the 84th minute but was not on target.

=AUSTRIA
Unbeaten leaders and defending champions RB Salzburg were held to a 2-2 away draw by sixth placed Hartberg on Saturday.
Striker Patson Daka snatched a point for Salzburg with an 85th minute equalizer who was trailing 2-1 at halftime to rescue them from the prospect of a first league defeat of the season.
Daka, who is third on the Austrian top scorers charts with 14 goals and three behind Shon Weissman of Wofsberger AC, played the full 90 minutes.
Midfielder Enock Mwepu came on in the 56th minute.

RUSSIA
The 2019/20 Russian season is on Winter recess from December 8 to February 23.

Zambia legalises Marijuana growth for exports and for medical purposes only

58

 

The Zambian government has finally approved a proposal to legalize the production of Marijuana.

The production of Marijuana in Zambia will, however, be restricted to exports and for medical purposes only.

Companies wishing to trade in Marijuana in Zambia will be charged US$250,000 annual license fees.

Only successful bidders will be issued with commercial licenses to grow and trade in Marijuana for exports.

The licenses will be issued by the Ministry of Health while the growth of the crop will be strictly supervised by the Zambia National Service.

The move was unanimously approved during last Wednesday’s cabinet meeting at State House.

This was confirmed by highly placed officials at Cabinet Office who could not be identified as they are not authorized to speak to the media.

“Cabinet approved the Cab Memo submitted by Health Minister Dr Chilufya for Marijuana legalization but for medicinal purposes. What is interested is that during that cabinet meeting, there were attempts by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture working with Ministry of Commerce to take over the whole process of issuing licenses from the Ministry of Health who have been pushing this agenda for some time,” the source said.

“It appears this whole process was backed by some rich organizations and companies who have been promised licenses that is why there was jostling about where the responsibility to administer this would sit, finally a vote was taken and the Ministry of Health won.”

Africa’s legal cannabis industry could be worth more than $7.1 billion annually by 2023 if legislation is introduced in some of the continent’s major markets, according to research from The African Cannabis Report, the first detailed report on the legal cannabis industry in Africa.

While African cannabis industries have great potential, cannabis remains illegal throughout Africa except for in Lesotho.

ZAFFICO nears LuSE listing, hopes to raise K329.6 million

8

 

ZAFFICO workers at Shiwang'andu Forest plantation on Tuesday,December 15,2015 in Muchinga Province. PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATE HOUSE ©2015
ZAFFICO workers at Shiwang’andu Forest plantation on Tuesday,December 15,2015 in Muchinga Province. PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATE HOUSE ©2015

The Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation is targeting to raise K329.6 million when it lists its 40% shares on the Lusaka Securities Exchange.

The ZAFFICO Initial Public Offering is expected to debut on the LuSE on February 7th 2020.

According to the prospectus published last week, the offer of up to 40% of the shareholding of ZAFFICO totals 160 million Ordinary Shares of the share capital in ZAFFICO to the Public, employees of ZAFFICO and selected institutional investors.

ZAFFICO is hoping that it’s shares will open at K2.06.

ZAFFICO says the objectives of the offer and listing include to afford the Zambian Public, Zambian Institutional Investors, employees of ZAFFICO and other qualifying investors the opportunity to participate in the potential growth of ZAFFICO.

It also says it wants to fund ZAFFICO’s future expansion programs
to create a public market for the Ordinary Shares and to provide the Selling Shareholder, the Industrial Development Corporation with an opportunity to reduce its shareholding in the company.

The company also says it wants to support the development of the Zambian capital market.

The ZAFFICO IPO will be the first in seven years after the Madison Financial Services IPO of mid-2014 in which the company raised K62 million from investors who paid K3.10 per share for the financial services company’s security.

State House Clarifies President Lungu’s Comments in Choma Regarding the US Ambassador

46
President Lungu Addressing the Media
President Lungu Addressing the Media

Statehouse has issued a statement clarifying the remarks made by President Lungu about the United States Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote when he attended a church service in Choma yesterday.

President Lungu said in Choma that Zambia has written to the United States government to withdraw its ambassador Daniel Foote.

“We have complained officially to the American government, and we are waiting for their response because we don’t want such people in our midst,” Lungu said

However, Statehouse has said that the head of state was referring to the demarche issued by Foreign Affairs MinisterJoseph Malanji at the beginning of this month and that the Government has not yet received a response from the US Government.

Below is the full State House Statement

 

 

CLARIFICATION ON PRESIDENT LUNGU’S COMMENT

Livingstone, (Sunday, 15th December, 2019)——– His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia this morning at St Stephen Parish in Choma, Southern Province commented on the demarche that the Zambian Government wrote to the United States Government regarding comments made by Ambassador Foote.

State House would like to clarify that the President was not referring to any new demarche but the same one issued by Foreign Affairs.

Therefore, the Zambian Government is still waiting for a response from the United States Government concerning the complaint.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Issued by:

Isaac Chipampe

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT

(PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS)

STATE HOUSE

Horizon School – Rumors and Truths

18
Horizon School Pupils celebrating end of year function
Horizon School Pupils celebrating end of year function

 

By Dickson Jere

For the past three-days, stories have been trending on Horizon School of Lusaka. Rumors and half-baked truths continue to dominate discussions and yet the government – the custodian of the truth on this issue – remains quiet. Why? I have no idea!

Here is the truth about the Horizon School takeover.

The President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. Edgar Lungu has compulsorily acquired Horizon School in “public interest” using powers vested in him by the Lands Acquisition Act. In order to exercise this power, the President only has to demonstrate that it is in “public interest” to do so – and the owners will eventually be compensated by the government as per law. They also have a right to challenge the President in the High Court for Zambia if they think the power has been exercised wrongly.

The next question is what prompted the President to takeover Horizon School.

The rumors and innuendos that the land has been acquired in order to facilitate a shopping mall is not true – at least from what I know. The acquisition has been made following a protracted international battle between the Turkish government and the allies of former Turkish President who is connected to the Fethullah Gulen Organisation. In short, the Turkish government is alleging that the owners of Horizon Schools all over the world are actively involved in terrorism – the accusation which is denied of course.

Let’s move to the next step.

The Turkish government, through its Maarif Foundation, has opted to take over all these Horizon Schools all over the world and kick out the alleged “terrorists”. Some governments have signed Bilateral Agreements with the Turkish government to take over the schools and hand them to the Turkish Maarif Foundation. The government of Chad recently acquired the same schools and handed them over to the Turkish government to run them. This is happening in so many countries.

What will happen to Horizon School in Zambia?

What I know is that the Maarif Foundation has asked to be allowed to continue running the school. Whether government will accept this offer or not, it is for the Ministers to explain. But what is true is that the school is not closing and the staff will be maintained either through the Ministry of Education or indeed the Turkish government. Surely government can explain this obvious position!

Will they build the shopping mall?

The answer is NO! There is no shopping mall coming to replace the school. And the school is also not going to close down. That is what I know talking to government and Turkish officials. So why is government not explaining this simple roadmap to stakeholders? School Board chairman Leslie Mbula is right to speculate in the absence of information!

Lastly, the President is being accused of having a personal interest in the matter. On this one, I can defend him. I do not think he has any personal interest given the fact that this an ongoing international battle. This is more of a foreign policy issue in the country. It is an international battle that has sadly entered our jurisdiction and those in power have the responsibility to deal with it – rightly or wrongly!

I hope there will be a detailed statement from the government to explain what this debacle is all about. The longer it takes for the government to respond, the more the people will believe the rumours. In a digital world, a quick response is the best!

Mighty Mufulira Wanderers Stay Bottom of The Log

0

Zambia’s second most successful club Mighty Mufulira Wanderers stayed bottom of the 2019/20 FAZ Super Division log on Sunday after suffering their fourth successive league loss of the season.

The nine-time champions lost 2-1 away to Buildcon at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola as early signs of fourth demotion in their history loom over the horizon.

Mighty went into halftime down 2-0 after Chanda Mushili and Moses Phiri had put Buildcon ahead in 15th and 45th minutes respectively.

Kamal Jafaru scored Wanderers consolation goal in the 56th minute as Mighty battle to stay up following their promotion in the 2019 provisional season after spending 2018 in the second tier.

Mighty have 6 points from thirteen games with just two league wins so far this term and are one point behind Nakambala Leopards who are just above them on the table at number 17.

Buildcon are ninth on 17 points, eleven behind leaders and defending champions Zesco United.

Meanwhile, in the lunchtime kickoff, Forest Rangers coach Tennant Chilumba began his tenure with a 0-0 home draw against Green Buffaloes.

Forest are seventh and on 19 points, a point and spot behind Buffaloes.

Abuse of firearms, drinking whilst on duty, mounting illegal roadblocks by Police Officers saddens Kanganja

22
INSPECTOR General of Police, Kakoma Kanganja
INSPECTOR General of Police, Kakoma Kanganja

Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja is concerned that some police officers have lost direction and are doing things contrary to the law.

Mr. Kanganja says this is evident from abuse of firearms, drinking whilst on duty, mounting roadblocks in undesignated places and shoddy works by officers among others.

The Police Chief has thus called on police officers to observe their processional code of ethics.

Officiating at the 2019 Lusaka Police Division Annual Ball last night, Mr. Kanganja said the event is a good platform for officers to take stock of various successes and challenges recorded in the past year.

He said the annual ball’s theme of ensuring peace, law and order prevails is timely because Criminals are positioning themselves ahead of the festive period.

Mr. Kanganja assured officers that government is devoted to improving their welfare through continued construction of housing units.

He further said police officers should brace themselves for a tougher 2020 as the country prepares for the 2021 general elections.

And Lusaka Province Police Commanding Officer Nelson Phiri said social gatherings like the annual ball are important as they help the officers to reconcile and start on a fresh note.

Organizing Committee Chairperson Paul Sapaulu said the committee did everything in its powers to ensure the annual ball is a success.

President Lungu asks the US Government to withdraw its Ambassador to Zambia

93
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (right) talks to American Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote (centre) during a meeting at State House on Thursday, August 23, 2018. The President and Mr Foote discussed several issues on bilateral relations between Zambia and the United States of America. PICTURE BY SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE ©2018
FILE: President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (right) talks to American Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote (centre) during a meeting at State House on Thursday, August 23, 2018. The President and Mr Foote discussed several issues on bilateral relations between Zambia and the United States of America. PICTURE BY SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE ©2018

President Edgar Lungu has announced that Zambia has written to the United States government to withdraw its ambassador Daniel Foote.

The Head of State was speaking today at the United Church of Zambia -UCZ, Southern Presbytery St. Stephen’s congregation church building fundraising service in Choma district.

President Lungu said that this was because Zambia does not want people who support unchristian values such as homosexuality in the country.

The government’s position comes in the wake of undiplomatic antics by ambassador Foote in which he questioned the conviction and jailing of a Zambian couple for practicing homosexuality.

Mr. Foote had also commented on internal affairs bordering on governance contrary to diplomatic etiquette.

The President has since thanked the UCZ for speaking against unchristian acts such as homosexuality.

And President Lungu has pledged 2-hundred and 50-thousand Kwacha and 1-thousand pockets of cement towards the construction of the UCZ church building in Choma.

And PF vice national mobilisation chairperson, Geoffrey Mwamba pledged 2-hundred thousand Kwacha towards the project.

Earlier, UCZ Southern Presbytery Bishop, Rev. Elias Sinkala in his homily said men and women of God should not be silent in the face of moral decay in the country.

Bishop Sinkala said the church should not be silent when others are calling for the nation to allow homosexuality.

The clergyman also said his church needs K700,000 out of which K200,000 already been raised to build the church structure.