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President Edgar Chagwa Lungu speaks during the official opening of National Assembly at Parliament Building in Lusaka on Friday,September 13,2019.
President Edgar Lungu is reportedly panicking and running out of options when it comes to dealing with the swelling level of Chinese debt, the latest Africa Confidential says.
It observed that President Lungu’s government has racked up much bigger debts to Chinese companies than it has previously admitted.
According to the report, sources in the Finance Ministry in Lusaka say that the Chinese creditors are losing patience over debt arrears.
Chinese companies are not keen on debt rescheduling and would prefer to get some collateral, perhaps in the form of other mining assets.
Under growing political pressure as economic problems mount, President Lungu is running out of options.
Chinese companies would seek to benefit from the liquidation of Vedanta’s Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and are also watching First Quantum Minerals (FQM), the country’s largest producer, which operates Kanshansi and Sentinel mines.
The government-owned ZCCM Investment Holdings, which has a 20% stake in the country’s biggest mines, wants to liquidate KCM, claiming that Vedanta is lying about expansion plans and is paying too little tax.
However, Chinese companies are reluctant to buy disputed assets.
ZCCM-IH’s claims have to go through arbitration.
This is an important test and could open the way for a sale.
The companies also face some anti-Chinese sentiment on the ground among trade unionists and local communities.
This explains the secrecy as Jiangxi Mining has purchased about 9.9% of FQM, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
The purchases have come through derivatives and direct stock purchases and have so far cost about $800 million.
It would take about $2bn to give Jiangxi a shot at majority control.
Meanwhile, there is a standstill agreement between FQM and Jiangxi in which the Chinese have agreed not to take over without the approval of FQM’s managers and shareholders.
Glencore’s Zambian mine Mopani may also be ready for the auction block. Some industry insiders say Glencore’s two majority-owned Congo-K companies, Mutanda and Toronto-listed Katanga Mining, which operates the Kamoto Copper Project, are also being prepared for sale.
Patriotic Front Deputy Chiefwip Tutwa Ngulube has accused some foreign governments to sponsoring activities aimed at stopping the Constitutional Amendment Bill.
Mr Ngulube said some foreign governments present in Zambia are working with some NGOs and some individuals up delays the constitutional amendments.
He said the foreign governments are doing so for selfish motives.
My Ngulube was speaking during Sunday’s PF Interactive Forum held at Longacres Lodge in Lusaka.
He said some donors are sponsoring people to denounce the process in order to make ordinary Zambians believe that the motive to have the constitution refined is ill conceived and meant to benefit the pf government.
Mr. Ngulube has called on those against or with reservations on certain clauses in the proposed bill No. 10 of 2019 to come forward and make submissions using the right channels that have been made available, rather than demonize the entire process which is meant to benefit Zambians.
Chishimba Kambwili accusations of the President and Lusaka businessman, Valden Findlay, are motivated by people with competing business interests against Mr. Findlay and meant to undermine the Presidency, Young African Leaders Initiative has charged.
In a press briefing held at Mika Hotel on Sunday, YALI President Andrew Ntewewe, said Mr. Kambwili should not show cowardice by making scathing accusation of drug trafficking against the Head of State while failing to provide details to law enforcement agencies.
Mr. Ntewewe alleged Mr. Kambwili appear to have been sponsored by persons with business interests to fight the Head of State by questioning Mr. Findlay’s association by suggesting the President is using the Presidential jet to traffic in drugs to other countries, remarks which he said border on national security.
“This is why today we want to call upon investigative wings to not only take keen interest in those allegations by issuance of call-outs but we need them to expedite the conclusion of this inquiry they are making,” said Mr. Ntewewe
Mr. Ntewewe has called on Mr. Kambwili to grow up and show maturity in politics by avoiding divisive temptation to use his freedom of expressions to make serious allegations against the Head of State and malign other citizens, all in the name of politics and the pursuit to get popularity among the people.
Mr. Ntewewe has also advised Kaweche Kaunda, son to Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, to avoid bringing his father’s legacy into question by joining political battles that undermine the Head of State.
“Kambwili and Kaweche can assist the Drug Enforcement Commission and other investigative wings with information rather than become a media front of those business entities who may be using them to malign the President and an ordinary citizen,” said Ntewewe.;
Mr. Ntewewe said Mr. Kaweche Kaunda should remember that his father rules during 27 years and thereafter was marred by injuring which Kaunda and other Zambians caused to each other during the process but they decided to forgive each other and move on. He said attempts by Mr. Kaweche Kaunda may sadly open the Pandora box which will not help the rule of Dr. Kaunda.
“DEC has made an appeal to the public for anyone, including Mr. Kaweche, with information to assist and under the whistle-blower protection, Mr. Kaweche would be very safe as he will not be exposed. So why has he chosen to expose himself by playing to the same public gallery as these politicians whose interest is to further their political careers? The question is why, would such senior citizens be so reckless?” questioned Ntewewe.
Mr. Ntewewe said Kambwili and Kaweche are becoming a danger to national security and the enjoyment of constitutional rights by other citizens in their free exercise of freedom of expression.
“Mr. Kambwili’s unsparing allegations against the Head of State as having a questionable association with another citizen for purposes of drug trafficking using the presidential jet is irresponsible, and a reckless act calculated to bring the Republican Presidency into disrepute, locally and internationally,” he said.
Leaders Napsa Stars and Nkana have ensured that the status quo on the 2019/20 FAZ Super Division table is maintained at the end of Week Two of the new campaign.
On Sunday, Napsa reclaimed top spot just 24 hours after Nkana took an overnight lead following their away win in Ndola.
At Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka, Napsa beat promoted Kansanshi Dynamos 1-0 to collect their second successive league win to stay in command on 6 points courtesy of a 79th minute Simon Nkhata goal.
Twenty four hour hours earlier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Nkana stayed unbeaten this term following a 1-0 win over Buildcon.
Idris Mbombo scored the games’ lone goal in the 13th minute to also see him command the top scorers log on three goals from two games.
Red Arrows are third after they won 1-0 away at still winless Lumwana Radiants on Saturday.
Veteran striker James Chamanga was also on target in the 13th minute to see three team’s end Week Two on 6 points.
Meanwhile, Green Buffaloes and Power Dynamos recorded their first league wins of the season.
Buffaloes started their campaign with a 2-0 away defeat at Nkana while Power were 1-0 losers at Kansanshi a fortnight ago.
But on Sunday at Woodlands, Friday Samu’s 49th minute header gave Buffaloes a 1-0 home win over Mighty Mufulira Wanderers.
The result sent the nine-time champions to their second successive league defeat of the season.
On Saturday at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe, a very convincing Power beat Lusaka Dynamos 2-0.
Midfielders Benson Sakala and Larry Bwalya scored in the 49th and 90th minutes respectively to see Power make a winning start at home and redeem themselves following that the shock defeat in Solwezi on August 31.
2019/20 FAZ SUPER DIVISION
WEEK TWO RESULTS AND FIXTURES
14/09/2019
Forest Rangers 1-Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy 1
Buildcon 0-Nkana 1
Kabwe Warriors 1-Nkwazi0
Power Dynamos 2-Lusaka Dynamos 0
Lumwana Radiants 0-Red Arrows 1
15/09/2019
Napsa Stars 1-Kansanshi Dynamos 0
Green Buffaloes 1-Mufulira Wanderers 0
18/09/2019
Nakambala Leopards-Zesco United
Zanaco made a bright start to their 2019/20 CAF Confederation Cup campaign on Sunday after beating Bolton City YC away in Port Louis.
The Bankers beat the continental debutants 2-1 in their second round, first leg match.
Tafadzwa Ruskie converted a 27th minute penalty and the second goal came two minutes later from Roger Kola to seal Zanaco’s win.
Armand M’poue scored Bolton’s lone goal in the 51st minute.
This was Zanaco’s first game in this seasons CAF Confederation Cup after enjoying a bye in August’s preliminary round.
The two sides meet in the final leg on September 28 in Lusaka to decide who goes through to the pre-group stage where the winner will face loser from this month’s CAF Champions League pre-group round.
Then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection Dr. Ed Chomba with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute Assistant Director & Head Team Water, Mr. Mikael Olshammar
Zambia and Sweden’s IVL Environmental Research Institute have agreed to work together to develop a series of water and environmental related projects which will be funded and implemented through the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA).
And world-renowned water management body, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), has pledged to collaborate with Zambia so that it can contribute to the country’s efforts in dealing with water challenges.
SIWI has also indicated that it would explore possibilities of collaborating with Zambia and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) to access funding for implementation of programmes in capacity building and other water resource management areas.
This came to light last week during two separate meetings between then Permanent Secretary for Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection Dr. Ed Chomba, and IVL Environmental Research Institute Assistant Director and Head of Team Water, Mr Mikael Olshammar, and SIWI Director for the Africa Regional Centre, Mr. Anton Earle.
The meetings took place on the side lines of the 2019 World Water Week which was held in Stockholm. The World Water Week, organised by SIWI, is a leading annual global event addressing water issues. The meetings were organised by the Embassy of Zambia in Stockholm.
At the meeting with SIWI, Dr. Chomba pointed out that the Zambian Government was keen to ensure that sanitation was given the attention it deserved as opposed to the neglect it suffered in the past. The first ever National Sanitation Summit in Lusaka which brought together delegates from across the world in November, 2018, is the culmination of the increased attention by government to the sector.
Dr. Chomba bemoaned the effects of climate change which he said have led to depletion of water resources in several parts of the world.
He pointed out that before the creation of WARMA in 2011, water in Zambia was viewed as a social good rather than an economic commodity. Zambia’s water sector was operating on the 1949 Act before the creation of the Authority.
The Permanent Secretary noted that the creation of WARMA was well intended as it was meant to ensure that there was not only management of the water resource but also equal distribution of the commodity to users.
He called on the world to look at water as an important natural resource just as oil was considered to be in the 20th Century.
In response, Mr. Earle noted that latest developments in Zambia were encouraging particularly with the Water Act of 2011 and the creation of WARMA which put the country in a strong position to effectively face various water challenges.
He advised that there was need for investment in water infrastructure especially with the below-average rainfall that was being experienced due to climate change.
He further advised Zambia to take advantage of SIWI and highlight strides that the country was making towards climate change through platforms such as the annual Stockholm World Water Week or the World Water Forum scheduled for Senegal in March, 2021.
The forum presents an opportunity for the country to expose its efforts in combating the effects of climate change in order to receive the necessary consideration from donors.
The parties agreed that at the invitation of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Earle will travel to Zambia with a view to explore areas of collaboration with the MWDSEP, in order to establish partnership and support. SIWI will then involve the Swedish International Development Aid (SIDA) accordingly.
The Ministry will also invite SIWI to support in organising the 2nd National Sanitation Summit to be hosted by the MWDSEP in 2020.
And on the agreement to work with IVL Environmental Research Institute to develop water and environmental related projects, Dr. Chomba said it was important for WARMA and IVL to sign memoranda of understanding in order to enhance capacity in the Zambian institution.
The Permanent Secretary noted that necessary laws were in place in Zambia but that the country lacked capacity to adequately implement the existing pieces of legislation.
Then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection Dr. Ed Chomba with his delegation following deliberations during the meeting with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
Dr. Chomba pointed out that Government would be happy to see IVL establish offices in Zambia and assured that he would ensure that office accommodation was provided for the institution.
He further requested for financing for WARMA, particularly that which could be channelled towards institutional support for capacity building.
And at the same meeting, IVL indicated that it wanted to make a positive impact in Africa especially were the issue of raising capacity was concerned.
Mr. Olshammar pointed out that there were various opportunities in research collaboration between the two countries and that IVL could also assist in waste water recycling in Zambia.
He said IVL has done some research into the control of invasive water species such as the Water Hyacinth, which has invaded a lot of water bodies in Zambia and that the institution was ready to work with the MWDSEP and share the knowledge.
The institution has discovered that the hyacinth also acted as a good feed for Tilapia fish which was one of the predominant fish in Zambia.
On the use of hyacinth as feed for Tilapia, the Permanent Secretary illustrated the possibility of creating a value chain, which could include setting up of cooperatives for women derived from WARMA’s Water Users Association (WUAs) to establish ventures in fish farming.
Dr. Chomba observed that this would, in turn, result in job creation and contribute to addressing Zambia’s 200, 000 tonne fish deficit.
Mr. Olshammar noted that it was possible for Zambia to access seed funding from SIDA through the suggested project of empowering women through fish farming activities. He said IVL will render its support so that Zambia could access the funding.
The two parties resolved that a letter of intent would be submitted to SIDA by MWDSEP through IVL for seed funding in respect of the fish farming project.
Zambia will also send a proposal for mitigation of the hyacinth and waste water recycling in order to access funding from the African Water facility of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The IVL delegation also included Dr. Magnus Karlsson – Associate Partner, and Mr. Musbau Bello, who is Project Manager.
Issued by:
Nicky Shabolyo
Counsellor
ZAMBIAN EMBASSY IN SWEDEN
The Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company says it will effect a citywide water rationing process to ensure equitable water supply.
Company Managing Director Jonathan Kampata has attributed the reduced water supply the city is currently experiencing to poor rainfall that characterized the 2018/2019 rainy season and partly the increased load shedding which the country is experiencing.
Mr Kampanta says because of the reduced water availability underground coupled with increased loads shedding, the utility has shut 8 boreholes that provide water to some parts of the city out of the 40 boreholes adversely affected.
He explains that the poor rainfall has adversely affected the availability of water resources which has resulted in depletion of ground water resource and underperformance of the 131 boreholes in the city.
Mr Kampata says the utility will predict and share the rationing program as soon as possible with the residents.
He adds that water levels in the Kafue River have reduced by two meters when compared to the same period last year.
Four Zambian trucks belonging to different companies in Zambia have been hijacked in Johannesburg, South Africa by unknown people.
The trucks that were coming from Zambia to South Africa carried different vehicle engines for reconditioning in wadeville and Kempton park garages in South Africa.
According to the information made available to the Zambian Mission in Pretoria, three trucks were hijacked in wadeville, germiston whilst the other truck was hijacked in Joeslovo Gauteng province in the early hours of today, Sunday 15 September.
The trucks were being driven by Zambian nationals identified as Katongo Mulenga, Boniface Chabala, Jimmy Kasenga and Charles Kakoma.
It was reported that the drivers were tied with cable wires and bundled in a car before being dumped at the roadside near the area were the attack happened.
The matter has been reported to Cleveland and John Foster police posts for investigations.
No injuries were reported as a result of the hijacking and the affected Zambians are safe.
The High Commission is monitoring the matter closely and has engaged relevant local authorities to ensure the safety of Zambians in South Africa as well as ensure that the trucks were recovered.
The Patriotic Front (PF) Government Parliamentary Chief Whip Brian Mundubile, has said that if the current constitution goes into the 2021 general elections in its current form, it will be injurious to many Zambians including the oppostional parties who have been losing the elections.
Speaking at the PF media interaction forrum, Mr Mundubile said that among many pertinent items is the extension of the number of days in which a Presidential petition ought to be head from the current 14 to 30 days in reference to UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema’s outcry from the 2016 elections.
Speaking at the same function, the Patriotic Front Kabwe Central MP, who also party’s Parliamentary Deputy Chief whip said foreign entities should not dictate how Zambia ought to refine its constitution because Zambia has a Parliament mandated by the people to make laws.
Mr Tutwa said that he is aware of foreign institutions funding questionable characters in Zambia to distort the constitution refinement process in Zambia.
Mr. Ngulube further that said that it would be wrong for the opposition to assume that the constitution refinement is meant to Benefit President Edgar Lungu when recommendations were made by all institutions in the country including chiefs.
He expressed shock that the opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and other donor-funded institutions are opposing the constitution refinement process when they were part of its initiation in Siavonga.
Mr Ngulube has advised Zambians not to be swayed from the refinement process by sponsored disgruntled elements on grounds that most amendments will not change Zambia’s position of being a democratic state.
“They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper…”
(Psalm 1:3, NRSV)
Prospering In Everything
Large trees represent power, majesty, and stability. Have you ever noticed the difference between a tree planted by the water and a tree far away from water? The tree next to the water is much more healthy and vibrant. Its fruit and blossoms are more beautiful.
In the Scripture, the Word of God is compared to water. When you are “planted” in the Word of God, your spirit is fed, and you grow strong just like the tree planted by the water. Trees planted by the water will yield fruit at the right season and will not lose strength. Today’s verse tells us that those who love and obey the Lord will prosper in whatever they do.
Do you want to prosper in your relationships? Seek God’s Word regarding relationships. Do you want to prosper in your health? Seek God’s Word about healing. Do you want to prosper in your finances? Seek God’s Word regarding finances. As you seek God and His Word and follow His commands, you will grow strong and prosper in everything you do!
A Prayer for Today
“God, thank you for your Word which is the truth and refreshing water to my soul. Thank you for teaching me to seek you in all that I do. I trust you today and choose to commit my every decision to you so that I can grow strong like the tree planted by the water. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Kaweche Kaunda, the son of first Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda has disputed claims by Lusaka businessman and President Edgar Lungu’s close associate Valden Findlay that he does not know Vicky Goswami, the man who implicated during the drug trafficking trial in the United States of America.
Speaking to Prime TV, Mr. Kaweche said there was no way Findlay would deny knowing Mr. Goswami because the two have met at Mr. Goswami’s house in South Africa where Mr. Kaweche was introduced to Mr. Findlay by Mr. Gowani.
Mr. Kaweche said that he came to knows Mr. Goswani very well because his wife and Mr. Goswani’s wife grew up together, so they are very close. Mr Kaweche admitted that he does not know Mr. Findlay very well, but knows his brother and were in the same class as Mr. Findlay’s sister when growing up.
During the week, Mr Findlay categorically said that he has never dealt in illicit narcotics and did not know Vicky Goswami, the man who implicated during the drug trafficking trial in the United States of America.
Vijaygiri Vicky Goswami was extradited from Kenya by the US Government and turned into a State witness in the trial of the Akasha Brothers and a drug trafficking syndicate in Africa and the court transcript showed that he had implicated Findlay by naming him as one of the people involved in the cartel.
The court transcripts of Goswami’s cross-examination spread on the Internet and social media, prompting Kambwili to hold a press conference at his house on Monday where he questioned President Lungu’s relationship with Findlay and went on to suggest that perhaps, President Lungu’s jet is being used to courier drugs, since the businessman who had been accused of drug trafficking was always flying with him.
And Mr. Kaweche called for the protection of the presidency at all costs, adding that the presidency is supreme and blamed people around the president for not vetting people properly and those around President Edgar Lungu are doing him a disservice if they are not giving him the full information about people he associates with.
“Like I said, I do not blame my brother Edgar Lungu at all, I blame those around him. So if there is any mess or issues around him, I blame those around him, not the President. For me the Presidency is supreme, we must protect it at whatever cost to make sure the Presidency is held up with dignity and honour and not bring the President into disrepute,” he said.
Mr Kaweche further said: “These allegations about drugs being taken on the presidential plane and all sorts of illegal matters being talked about because of one Valden Findlay, they should properly check that out. They don’t expect the President to start asking people around, those around the President should do this.”
Zesco United escaped with a dramatic away draw in Tanzania today while Green Eagles’ 2019/20 CAF Champions League campaign is on the edge after losing at home in Lusaka.
In Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, it took a 90th minute equalizer from midfielder Thabani Kamusoko to earn Zesco a 1-1 first leg away draw against George Lwandamina’s old club Young Africans.
The equalizer came after Patrick Sibomana put Yanga ahead via a 24th minute penalty.
Zesco must now beat Yanga in the final leg on September 24 to earn their passage to the CAF Champions League group stage.
However, Eagles CAF Champions League stay is not certain after losing 2-1 at National Heroes Stadium to Premiero de Agosto of Angola.
Cristivao put Agsoto ahead in the 29th minute but Eagles levelled in the 78th minute through an Amity Shemande header.
But heartbreak followed seven minutes later Christian Ngudikama snatched the vital away goal for Agosto to give the Angolan champions a critical away win.
Eagles must now score twice without replay in Luanda on September 14 to qualify, otherwise, as it looks, they will be relegated to the CAF Confederation Cup pre-group stage next month should they fail to convincingly overturn todays result away in Angola.
Former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili and National Democratic Congress (NDC) President Chishimba Kambwili has said that he is ready to meet Lusaka Businessman Valden Findlayin court over the drug trafficking allegations he made against the businessman.
Mr Findlay has indicated that he will be taking legal action against Mr Kambwili over what he has termed as malicious allegations made by the NDC leader.
But Mr Kambwili told Journalists in Lusaka that he has evidence to prove his allegations against Mr. Findlay. Mr. Kambwili said that he was merely stating facts that are in the public domain when he made the allegations against Mr. Findlay.
Mr Kambwili has insisted that Mr. Findlay was locked up by first Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda on drug trafficking-related offenses and that he was mentioned in the American courts and there is a transcript that anybody can access on Social Media.
Mr Kambwili also said that Mr. Andrew Chellah, the special Assistant for Projects Monitoring for the president was a “Chola” boy of Mr. Findlay and working for him and that these are factors that cannot constitute defamation.
Mr Kambwili said that he was ready to meet Mr. Findlay in court and that he has a lot of information and going to court will give Zambians an opportunity to know what they don’t even know and that after he made the allegations, he has even received a lot of goodwill from the Zambians, ranging from cabinet Ministers to Ambassadors volunteering information.
On Friday Mr. Findlay dismissed allegations by Mr Kambwili that he has been arrested before on drug trafficking-related offences.
Mr Findlay has further dismissed assertions that he had been cited in some proceedings in the United States of America on allegations that he was an associate of some individuals accused of drug trafficking offences.
Mr Findlay described Mr Kambwili’s allegations as a gravely false statement that he has never engaged in any drug trafficking activities nor has he ever been arrested, prosecuted of convicted of any drug-related offenses.
He further stated that he has at no point been engaged in state capture saying that he is a law-abiding citizen who has conducted legitimate business in and outside Zambia in accordance with the law.
Mr Findlay has since announced his decision to instruct his lawyers to take legal steps to address alleged malicious allegations made against him by Former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili.
Mr Findlay made the announcement through his Spokesperson Daniel Phiri at a Press Briefing held at Chrismar Hotel in Lusaka yesterday.
“In view of the gravity of the malicious allegations made against him, Mr. Valden Findlay has instructed his lawyers to take necessary legal steps to address the said malicious allegations,” Mr. Phiri announced.
Topstar Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Leo Lio shows President Edgar Lungu the architectural map of how Satellites and other digital infrastructure will be constructed in Vubwi district to enhance information flow in the area
The Chief Executive Office of Top Star Communications Company Limited Chinese, has been deported.
He was deported on Thursday, 12th September, 2019 under a warrant signed by Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo because there were reasonable grounds to believe that his presence in Zambia and conduct were likely to be a danger to peace and good order.
This is in accordance with section 39 (2) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010 of the laws of Zambia.
The Chinese CEO of Top Star is on record to have used derogatory and abusive language, not only towards employees of Top Star, but also towards Government Officials, on multiple occasions.
Further, during his time as Chief Executive Officer, the company has been abrogating certain provisions of the Employment Code No. 3 of 2019.
He was deported to his country of origin via Kenneth Kaunda International Airport around 22:30 hours, aboard an Emirates Flight.
Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Godfrey Malama chats with topstar Chief Executive Officer Leo Liao during the launch of the topstar subscription Bouquets
