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There was drama at Parliament this afternoon where the Parliamentary select committee chased the Non-Governmental Gender Organisation Coordinating Council for allegedly plagiarizing the work of Transparency International Zambia.
Midway into their submissions, the Committee chaired by MMD nominated Member of Parliament Raphael Nakachinda noted similarities in the wording of NGOCC submissions to that of TIZ forcing them to send the NGOCC away.
Committee member Tutwa Ngulube who is also Kabwe Central Member of Parliament warned the NGOCC that they risk being jailed for copying other people’s work and demanded that the NGOCC be sent away.
And Chembe Member of Parliament Sebastian Kopulande demanded for an explanation on who copied the other Organisation’s work between NGOCC and TIZ.
It is at this point that Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa asked the committee Chairperson to make a ruling on whether such was allowed before the committee.
But in defence, NGOCC Executive Director Engwase Mwale said the similarity in the content was because the civil society during a meeting organized by NGOCC resolved to have a common position on the constitution.
She is certain that even if Action Aid and other NGO’s that attended that consensus meeting would appear before the Committee, they would equally submit the same word for word.
Mrs Mwale said NGOCC co-facilitated a meeting for CSOs which came up for a common position on the matter.
She said the NGOCC is mot changing anything from its submissions and maintained that all CSOs that attended the meeting will submit the same content.
Zambia’s first Republican President Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda has condemned the xenophobic attacks on foreigners in South Africa.
Dr. Kaunda said the attacks arising from South Africa are horrific, barbaric and inhumane and should come to an end.
Speaking to Journalists at his residence, Dr Kaunda said the situation is a reminder for all Africans to love one another and calls for all Africans to rise and condemn the act.
Dr. Kaunda said he never imagined he would live to witness South Africans who were helped by the continent to gain independence attack other Africans living in their country.
He has urged the African Union, SADC, COMESA and other Organisations to take a keen interest in resolving the ongoing issues in South Africa to protect the lives of innocent immigrants.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kaunda expressed sadness at the death of former President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe.
In his message of condolences, Dr. Kaunda described Mr Mugabe as a gallant son of Africa who passionately defended the continent from foreign invasion.
Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean independence icon has died aged 95.
Mr. Mugabe had been receiving treatment in a hospital in Singapore since April. He was ousted in a military coup in 2017 after 37 years in power.
The former president was praised for broadening access to health and education for the black majority.
But later years were marked by the violent repression of his political opponents and Zimbabwe’s economic ruin.
With the General Election in 2021 fast approaching, the PF have gone into hyperdrive and descended into what appears to be pure animal territory by engaging into acts of humanitarian sabotage by deploying unspoken, unwritten illegal standing orders across all government units, that under no circumstances is any form of humanitarian assistance proceeding from the UPND PRESIDENT – Hakainde Hichilema welcome, irrespective of the potential for human catastrophe at hand.
This amounts to a savage, barbaric, conceited, self-preserving attack on our collective spirit of UBUNTU, and places into such reckless and needless jeopardy, the lives of several thousands of underprivileged Zambians; who have been neglected and condemned to calculated social and economic destitution by a government that only exists for itself and those who espouse it’s poorly conceived elitist agenda, veiled into pro-poor rhetoric.
In January 2018, at the height of a devastating cholera epidemic that lasted several months, PRESIDENT HH and the UPND had committed to joint efforts, working with the PF government, for purposes of galvanizing the much-required support resources. The epidemic affected close to 7,000 people, with close to 200 lives lost. It was PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu himself whom it was reported has issued strict orders to the Ministry of Health officials against accepting any form of help or assistance from the UPND and HH.
Had it not been for quick interventions from the private sector and other bilateral partners, many more lives could have been lost at the hands of a very proud and self-absorbed government.
On August 22 2019, PRESIDENT HH had made intimations in respect of a donation in 25,000 bags of MEALIE MEAL to supplement both government and private sector efforts in alleviating a growing hunger crisis which could well have been avoided, except for the lack of sound leadership at the hands of the PF administration. This leadership ineptitude has left close to 7 million people living in extreme poverty, with another 500,000 now tittering on the verge of starvation, with no guaranteed food source on any given day.
The current hunger crisis requires an amount of money in the region of $500,000 in humanitarian support, from both local and external partners. Zambia does not have this kind of money, even if the PF really wanted to help – they could not. Such resources are simply not available.
Another few days after the rejection of help for MEALIE MEAL from HH, on August 27 2019, the PF government used police resources to harass HH while he had been out in Chongwe to make a personal assessment of the water situation in that part of the country, where a vital water source has practically dried out, and the integrity of this water source (Chongwe river) now being threatened by human interference activities arising from the unscrupulous sharing out and illegal occupation of Forest Reserve No. 27.
But most recently, the PF government have in the name of partisan politics and their unholy hatred for PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema, denied the people of Chawama critical support equipment in the form of electricity generating equipment by turning away a donation of such equipment by HH and the UPND. This act of political self-preservation by the PF has put the lives of around 200,000 people who depend on services from Chawama Level 1 hospital, with load-shedding of up to 12 hours not sparing the health facility.
Worryingly enough, it has been two former MMD individuals now firmly threaded in the fabric of the PF – Bowman Lusambo and Dora Siliya, the same individuals whose collective leadership under the MMD the Zambian people said NO to in 2011, who is now in the forefront of denying Zambians the help they require.
The PF must do well to recall, that it was people like Bowman Lusambo and Dora Siliya who were forerunners in insulting and scandalizing Michael Chilufya SATA in the name of partisan politics.
The PF administration is being urged, particularly the presidency, to summon the grace and learn to work with HH and the UPND on non-partisan issues that genuinely affect all our people, irrespective of which part of the country they reside.
The UPND has demonstrated this by the recent action of our MPs to reach out across the partisan divide and offer to meet PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu to find solutions to the devastating hunger crisis ravaging our people, a problem both Dora Siliya and Bowman Lusambo have denied existing.
Opposition National Democratic Congress Leader Chishimba Kambwili
Leader of the deregistered National Democratic Congress Chishimba Kambwili has urged Government not to increase electricity Tariffs following its decision to import power from South Africa.
Mr. Kambwili has described as unfortunate proposals by Government on the need to up power charges.
He said the majority of Zambians are economically disadvantaged and should not be subjected to explorative higher energy tariffs.
He adds that the increase in energy costs will also see water utility firms marginally adjust their tariffs.
Mr Kambwili notes that any adjustments in power tariffs will impact negatively on the country.
He was reacting to sentiments by Chief Government spokesperson Dora Siliya who is quoted as saying that energy tariffs are too low and need to be adjusted.
Mr. Kambwili said this in an interview with journalists in Lusaka today.
Meanwhile, Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa said the government is in the process of engaging Mozambique on the possibility of importing power from that country.
Mr Nkhuwa said the government is considering importing up to 400 Mega Watts of power to cushion the power deficit caused by low water levels at lake Kariba.
Chief government spokesperson Dora Siliya yesterday announced the government will be importing 300 Mega Watts from South Africa.
President Edgar Lungu with UNHCR Country Representative Ms Pierrine Aylara and Commissioner for refugees Abdon Mawere looking at the refugees register during the tour of Kenani Transit refugee camp in Nchelenge
Zambia has been recognized as one of the African countries that has performed well in the integration of refugees and internally displaced persons into the local communities.
The recognition was made by the African Union International Detention Coalition Africa Regional Coordinator, Junita Calder at the 3rd Africa Union Commission and National Human Rights Institutions Policy forum under the theme “National Human Rights Institutions contribution to durable solutions on forced displacements in Africa”.
She said Zambia is a shining example of a country where refugee have been properly integrated in communities without any hostility from communities.
“Things work out well when the creation of parallel healthcare systems is avoided as can be seen in Zambia where a Lusaka based transit centre using UNHCR funding and co-ordinated by the Action Africa Help Zambia (AAHZ) is able to improve the infrastructure of the health centre, with the centre being opened to both refugees and the surrounding communities,” Ms Calder said.
And speaking on the side lines of the Forum, Zambia’s Human Rights Commissioner Yuyo Kambikambi who is representing the country said it was a great honour to be recognised as a country that is doing something right in the space of refugees and or internally displaced persons.
She said her institution is one that was created to promote and protect the human rights of all Zambians irrespective of colour, creed, religion or status.
“We find that most times this group of people are not just marginalized but are excluded because when people are displaced, not only will they be looking for shelter and food but they also lose their right to vote and are thus disenfranchised if not properly accounted for by the Governments and other stakeholder’’, Mrs. Kambikambi said.
She said while Countries looked at refugees from a security risk angle, there was need to look at this from a humanitarian angle in order to keep in line with the sustainable development goals and the UN resolution of leaving no-one behind.
This is according to a statement issued by Inutu Mwanza, the First Secretary- Press and Tourism at the Zambia Embassy in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
FILE: President Edgar Lungu with President Robert Mugabe at State House
President Edgar Lungu is saddened by the death of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
President Lungu said Mr Mugabe will be remembered for his fight for Africas Liberation and fearlessly defending the continent.
In a tweet, President Lungu said Zambia mourns with Zimbabwe and Mr. Mugabe’s place in the annals of Africa’s history is assured.
Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean independence icon, has died aged 95.
Mr Mugabe had been receiving treatment in a hospital in Singapore since April. He was ousted in a military coup in 2017 after 37 years in power.
The former president was praised for broadening access to health and education for the black majority.
But later years were marked by violent repression of his political opponents and Zimbabwe’s economic ruin.
As Chipolopolo practice through the September FIFA Match Window following the cancellation of the September 7 home friendly against South Africa, their 2020 CHAN and 2021 AFCON qualifier’s opponents have busy diaries over this international period.
In Djibouti, 2020 CHAN qualifier opponents eSwatini lost 2-1 on Wednesday to the hosts in their 2022 FIFA World Cup preliminary round , first leg qualifier.
They meet in the last leg on September 10 in Manzini before hosting Zambia there on September 20 in their 2018 CHAN final round ,first leg qualifier.
At the same venue in Djibouti 24 hours later on Thursday, Zambia’s 2021 AFCON Group H qualifier opponents on November 18 in Lusaka, Zimbabwe, suffered a shock 1-0 away loss to homeless Somalia in their FIFA World Cup first leg qualifier.
Zimbabwe has an opportunity to redeem themselves at home this Tuesday in Harare.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s opening Group H qualifier opponents Algeria host Benin in a friendly on September 9.
It will be Algeria’s first game since lifting the 2019 AFCON title in July.
And 2021 AFCON Group H qualifier opponents Botswana are in action this Saturday at home in their FIFA World Cup first leg qualifying date against Malawi.
The third annual Beerville Oktoberfest will be held on Saturday, 7th September at the Chita Lodge Gardens in Lusaka from 12pm until late. The event that is dubbed as a “city Oktoberfest” has become a favorite among beer festival enthusiasts with this year’s event being graced by the Mayor of Lusaka, Miles Sampa who will be in attendance to make the official toast. Following the Oktoberfest Munich tradition of having a mayoral toast since the 1950s, the Mayor of Lusaka will officially open up the bars at the event.
The organisers of the event, PR Girl Media have confirmed that the beer festival is supported by Zambian Breweries with four of their brands Budweiser, Flying Fish, Mosi and Castle Lite as sponsors. “We are excited to be hosting the Beerville Oktoberfest for the third time this year, an event that is proudly Zambian with an all Zambian entertainment lineup of DJs. We are also working with Zambian restaurants and bars mainly run by startups in the hospitality and service industry.” Stated Monde and Chishimba Nyambe, Managing Partners of PR Girl Media.
Beerville 2019 promises to be a unique experience showcasing a diversity of beers and food in a scenic garden with Zambia’s top DJs such as El Mukuka, V Jeezy, Kreative Natives, Ms Selfie and many others. K100 will be charged on entry and further details of the event can be found on PR Girl Media social media platforms.
FILE PHOTO: Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe attends the launch of basic commodities in Harare, Zimbabwe July 16, 2008. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo/File Photo
Zimbabwe’s founding President Robert Mugabe has died at the age of 95, president Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.
In a statement early on Friday, Mnangagwa called Mugabe “an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
“It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe,” he wrote on Twitter on Friday,
Monica Mutsvangwa, the Minister of information, confirmed the death, saying: “Yes it is really saddening. Some of us were like his children to him. We can never write our history without mentioning him.”
Mugabe is believed to have died in Singapore, where he made frequent visits to receive medical care in recent months as his health deteriorated. As far back as November 2018, Mnangagwa, who took over from him as president, told members of the ruling Zanu-PF party that Mugabe could no longer walk.
Mr. Mnangagwa had said that Mr. Mugabe had spent several months in Singapore getting treatment for an undisclosed illness.
Mr. Mugabe, the world’s oldest head of state before his ouster in 2017, was the only leader Zimbabweans had known since independence, in 1980.
Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s first prime minister and then as president from 1987, was once touted for investing heavily in health and education in the early years of his rule, leaving Zimbabwe with one of the highest literacy rates in Africa.
He however became increasingly unpopular as the economy began to wane, later facing charges of cracking down on his political opponents and rigging elections to stay in power.
His government’s controversial programme of seizing white-owned commercial farms for redistribution among blacks he said had been dispossessed of the land during colonialism triggered a sharp economic meltdown in 2000, from which Zimbabwe has never recovered.
He stepped down under military pressure in November 2017 amid infighting within his ruling Zanu-PF party which saw his deputy Mnangagwa, who was in a rival faction, take over as president.
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Lusaka Provincial Chairperson Paul Moonga urged the opposition political parties to respect the instructions given by Police during situations when tensions in the city are high.
Commenting on the decision by Zambia Police not to grant the part permit to stage a protest at the residence of former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili, Mr. Moonga said the decision by the police to cancel the protest is an indication that the police treat every political party equally.
Yesterday PF Lusaka Provincial Committee has canceled its protest to the residence of former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili.
PF Lusaka Provincial Secretary Kennedy Kamba says the decision was arrived at after Police directed the PF to cancel the protest due to the tension in the city.
Mr. Kamba said that the police advised the party to hold on until calm completely returns in the city because the environment is not conducive to the xenophobia protests that were staged by students.
Speaking to Journalists in a media briefing, Mr. Kamba said the party remains peaceful and will follow every directive given by authorities because it is a peace-loving party.
GOVERNMENT through the Ministry of Home Affairs has said that all the Political Parties in the country are bound to the same law under the registrar of societies Act.
Speaking during a joint Press Briefing with Minister of Information and Broadcasting this morning, Home Affairs Minister Hon. Stephen Kampyongo said it’s unfortunate that members of some political parties are on rampage politicizing everything without reading what is provided for in the political parties’ act of the registrar of Society.
The Minister was responding to a question from a journalist who asked on the de-registration of the National Democratic Congress Party and what action has been taken by the party.
In his response Hon. Kampyongo said unlike what is being peddled in some section of the media claiming Minister of Home Affairs controls decisions of the Registrars office all political parties are governed by the Registrars Act.
“It’s laughable when people say I am controlling that office. Today, we have close to 50 political parties that are all bound to the same rule of law under the registrar of Societies act CAP 119 of the laws of Zambia which regulates their existence, de-Registrations, registrations, Suspensions are all done in accordance with CAP 119”
When asked if the NDC has started its re-registration based on what the Secretary-General Mwenya Musenge said, Hon. Kampyongo said only the registrar of Societies office can ascertain as the only role the Minister plays in such scenarios is dealing with appeals such matters get to his office as the last office of appeal and even then he follows the law in exercising his authority on such matters.
In view of the Court’s ruling, The Office Of The Registrar Of Societies Invoked Section 13 (2) (A) Of The Societies Act Cap 119 Of The Laws Of Zambia And Cancelled The Registration Certificate Of The National Democratic Congress; This Was done in accordance With Cap 119 Section 13 (2)(A) Of The Societies Act, Which Provides That:
“The Registrar May, In His or her Discretion Cancel At Any Time The Registration Of Any Society Affected Under Section Seven If He Is Satisfied That It Is Expedient To Do So On The Ground That-
A) The Terms Of The Constitution Or Rules Of Such Society Are, In His Opinion, In Any Respect Repugnant To Or Inconsistent With The Provisions Of Any Law For The Time Being In Force In Zambia.”
And asked whether or not the NDC Member of Parliament will become independent or it’s a call for another by-election.
Hon. Kampyongo said “this is another issue that calls on us to acquaint ourselves with the constitution of this land. In short, the constitution provides for such scenarios in Article 72(9) under the constitution of Zambia which is effected when a party is de-registered and they have a member of parliament and the option is provided for”
Article 72 (9) states: If a political party is dissolved, a Member of Parliament shall retain the member’s seat as an independent member.
The Lusaka Magistrate Court has sentenced a Lusaka man to three months imprisonment for obtaining a Driving Licence by false pretense contrary to Section 316 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Magistrate Mwandu Sakala sentenced Mr. David Nkhoma of Lusaka on one count after pleading guilty to the charge.
Facts of the offence are that, on 2nd September 2019, Mr. Nkhoma willfully attempted to obtain a Driving Licence for another person, namely Jonathan Rugero Kalala contrary to the provisions of the law.
Further, particulars of the offence were that, Mr. Nkhoma wrote a driving license theory examination test on behalf of Mr. Kalala. However, an alert RTSA examiner shortly noticed that the National Registration Card (NRC) in his possession was for Mr. Kalala and not Mr. Nkhoma who sat for the examinations.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) would like to caution members of the public that they risk being prosecuted if they do not follow the right procedure in obtaining services from the Agency.
Members of the public are also implored to be proactive and make use of the RTSA National Call Centre on the Toll-Free Line – 983 and the WhatsApp line 0965 429499 to report any corrupt practices.
The Agency shall endeavour to save the public with integrity, transparency and accountability as envisaged by the RTSA core values.
Monze Town Council (MTC) Secretary Benson Bweenje has called on stakeholders and the general public to turn up in numbers for the forthcoming delimitation meeting on Saturday.
Commenting on the meeting which has been slated for 7th September 2019, Bweenje said stakeholders and the public should ensure that they attend the meeting and ensure that they contribute to the process.
He said delimitation meetings are important because they offer a chance to the public to contribute towards effective representation by suggesting new boundaries for constituencies as well as wards.
“Yes I can confirm that delimitation process or exercise is on, this is as provision of the constitution and for Monze particularly will be having our delimitation sitting or consultative meetings starting on 7th this Saturday and the meeting is not restrictive to start with. All the elected leaders that’s MPs, Counselors, Council Chairman they will all be there.
“Delimitation is important in that it saves alot of purposes, one of them is effective representation. When you choose a leader in an area, that person will be able to represent you if you have delimitated your area in a sizeable measurement where the leader can be able to get information to and fro, so it will be easier for them to go and represent you either in Parliament or in the council.
“Delimitation also saves a purpose that as electrol commission, we are realizing that the population of Zambia is increasing. While the population is increasing the settlement pattern, some polling stations are far apart from where people are. So this is an opportunity were people can show themselves and try to create a polling station near where they are after hearing the legibility criteria and that will reduce distances they spend to go and cast their vote to choose their leadership,” he said.
He explained that all registered political parties and Non Governmental Organisations are invited and that residents of the district should attend so that they get first hand information and make contributions and proposals as opposed to being represented.
“I take this opportunity to mention that all registered political parties and NGOs including residents of Monze are invited to the meeting because it is not restricted. Everyone who has interest you are considered a stakeholder because you are going to be affected with the decision which is going to come from there, its better other than being represented you take part in the activity.
“It will be held at Monze boarding school, we have tried to secure a big hall to accommodate nearly everyone who is willing to come.Their Loyal highnesses they are going to be there, so it will be a meeting worth attending,” he said.
Barley destined for Zambian Breweries grown by farmers at Chanyanya
Farmers in the country have been encouraged to venture into early planting of seeds in the fourth coming 2019/2020 farming season.
Small Scale Farmers’ Development Agency (SAFADA) Executive Director Boyd Moobwe says that with the rain forecast released yesterday, farmers should now consider planting drought-resistant and early maturing seed varieties.
Mr Moobwe explained that in the wake of climate change farmers should grow crops and rear small livestock so that they cushion shocks from climate change.
He told ZANIS in an interview today that SAFADA has embarked on the village to village engagement programme with farmers, aimed at highlighting the right varieties to grow in the view of climate change.
Mr Moobwe urged the government through the Ministry of Agriculture to enhance the implementation of the weather index insurance policy as it helps farmers affected by drought.
“We urge the farmers to plant early and make sure they plant the right variety. Since most areas will receive normal to above normal rainfall in the months of November to January 2020, there is need for farmers to strategize and come up with workable measures such as knowing the right variety of seed.” he stressed.
And National Union for Small-Scale farmers of Zambia President Frank Kayula noted that agriculture diversification is the only answer to changes in the weather patterns.
Dr. Kayula said farmers should diversify from crop production to small livestock production in the wake of climate change.
He reaffirmed that farmers should diversify to small livestock such as pigs, goats and chickens as they grow quickly with low costs but have a readily available market.
