Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Kansanshi Dynamos are positive ahead of Sunday’s home final leg 2019 FAZ Super Division playoff decider against Young Green Eagles at Independence Stadium in Solwezi.
Young Eagles lead 1-0 from the first leg played at Khosa Stadium in Kafue on July 9.
Kansanshi captain Mutale Mutale said his team will overturn the 1-0 deficit and earn their debut promotion to the Super Division.
“I think we are ready for the match. We are looking forward to playing against our opponents tomorrow. Unlike the first game, we now have an idea about them and they have an idea about us,” Mutale said.
The midfielder believes home ground advantage will count as Kansanshi host Eagles.
“Our home record gives us encouragement going into this game. Our home ground has been helpful given that our supporters have been rallying us behind. Just an appeal to the supporters and the entire community to come and support us as we create history tomorrow God willing,” Mutale said.
Mutale said the Solwezi side will overcome the pressure that comes with playing in front of home supporters.
“The pressure is always there but I don’t think we are a team that cracks under pressure. This is the chance we have to make it to the Premier League. We are hoping to turn the tables in tomorrow’s game,” he said.
Kansanshi and Young Green Eagles are both seeking a maiden Super Division appearance.
The Driving Schools Association of Zambia has commended government’s timely launch of the new Zambian Highway Code.
The Association feels that because of the high numbers of road traffic accidents currently existent on Zambian roads, it is imperative for the government to put in place as many measures aimed at improving road safety levels.
Hope Kumalo, the Association President has also urged government to ensure that the Highway Codes are made accessible to all road users especially learner drivers.
Mrs. Kumalo said these learner drivers should include both home schooled ones and those that learn from driving schools.
She has further appealed to government to ensure that other teaching materials such as the TEVETA syllabi and the EU Manual for Drivers that were recently launched are also accessed by both home schooled and driving school taught learner drivers.
Mrs. Kumalo noted that this will improve the standard of drivers that are being licensed and taking to the Zambian roads.
Mrs. Kumalo has however bemoaned lack of consultation in the formulation of the Highway Code a move which they believe has resulted into some mistakes in very important information of the Code such as on the road signs.
She said one of the most important functions of a Highway Code should be to inform road users in detail and in the most simple way on road signs and the Association believes this Highway Code has failed to achieve this function as well as it should have due to lack of consultation of key stakeholders such as the driver trainers.
People’s Alliance for Change President Andyford Banda says the withdrawal of PEP from the opposition Alliance has vindicated his position that the Alliance has lost its direction.
Mr. Banda whose party was ejected from the Alliance for allegedly selling information to the PF says the Alliance will fail as long as they do not put the interest of the people first.
He has maintained that the Alliance has lost its direction as it has departed from the values on which it was formed which is to save the interest of the Zambian people and is serving the interest of one political party.
The Patriots for Economic Progress yesterday announced its withdrawal from the opposition Alliance.
Party President Sean Tembo told a media briefing that the main reason for withdrawing was because some of Alliance Members hold the belief that they are perfectly capable of winning the 2021 general elections without the need for opposition unity.
PF Secretary General Davies Mwila during the media Briefing
The Ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has called on all members of the Party, particularly all structures of the Party in Lusaka, under the Provincial leadership to go on the ground and find the assailants that attacked Justice Minister and Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda and hand them over to the Police.
In a statement released to the media and signed by Party Secretary General Davies Mwila, the party said that attack was cowardly and shameful, and the party will work with the Police to pursue the perpetrators with the urgency this deserves.
Mr Mwila also took a swipe at the media for what he described issuing out reports garnished with an extra embellishment of wild claims with absolutely no corroboration, and warned that such sensationalism has the potential to fuel further violence.
Below is the full statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13th July 2019
STATEMENT BY PATRIOTIC FRONT SECRETARY GENERAL HON DAVIES MWILA CONDEMNING THE ASSAULT BY UNKNOWN ASSAILANTS ON HON. GIVEN LUBINDA (MCC) MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KABWATA CONSTITUENCY AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE.
1.INTRODUCTION
We are appalled by yesterday afternoon’s reported assault by unknown assailants of Member of the Patriotic Front Central Committee Hon. Given Lubinda, who is also Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Kabwata Constituency.
The attack was cowardly and the fact that it took place in the course of Hon Lubinda’s duty of serving his constituents during his tour of Kabwata Market made it even more reprehensible.
2.A CALL TO THE POLICE SERVICE
We are gratified that the police have already issued a statement confirming that they have launched investigations into the matter. However, we call on them to intensify their thorough investigations in order for them to bring the dastardly perpetrators to book.
3.A CALL TO OUR PARTY MEMBERS IN KABWATA CONSTITUENCY
This cowardly act is shameful and we will work with the Police to pursue the perpetrators with the urgency this deserves. Let me state here that *Section Section 31 Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) provides for arrest by private persons.*
In this regard, I am directing ALL members of the Party, ALL structures of the Party in Lusaka, under the Provincial leadership to go on the ground and find the assailants and hand them over to the Police.
As our Party President and Head of State His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu recently exhorted:
“We took over government without using violence. We are a peaceful party. No one…none of our youths must be allowed to commit violence…”
In line with our President’s directive which is in tandem with the Patriotic Front’s core value of encouraging responsible law abiding citizenship, we once again call upon all members of Kabwata Constituency and anywhere else who may have relevant information, to step forward and share it with the police.
Meanwhile, all members in the constituency are encouraged to continue being steadfast and disciplined while the authorities conduct their investigations.
4.A CALL TO THE MEDIA TO RESIST ANY CRAVING TO INDULGE IN HEAR SAY JOURNALISM
Patriotic Front values the noble profession of Journalism. We appreciate the importance of the media as key development partners, whose purpose is to serve the citizens—all the citizens—of a democratic Zambia, by informing them and by also holding all duty bearers accountable.
However, their key role also comes with the critical responsibility to report facts; not to propagate the kind of hearsay and speculation that characterized some “reports” on Hon Lubinda’s assault.
It is unfortunate that on this particular story, some sections of the media ran opinionated commentaries, disguised as “reports”.
While it is a fact that Hon. Lubinda reported the assault to the police, some of these “reports” were garnished with an extra embellishment of wild claims with absolutely no corroboration. Such sensationalism has the potential to fuel further violence.
We accordingly urge our media friends to resist the craving to embroider their reporting with personal views informed by unsubstantiated hearsay and partisan interests.
5.CONCLUSION
As Pope John Paul II once said:
Social justice cannot be attained by violence. Violence kills what it intends to create.
No matter which political party we belong to, what sector we represent or what tribe we come from and no matter what our socio-economic status is; Violence is our common enemy.
Therefore, the people who attacked Hon Given Lubinda are not only enemies of Patriotic Front, but more significantly, they are the enemies of peace; and therefore the enemies of ALL Zambians.
May the Law take its course and may Justice prevail.
Thank you
Hon Davies Mwila Patriotic Front Secretary General
Three players have been added to the Chipolopolo team that returns for the second week of 2020 CHAN qualifier training camp in Lusaka this Sunday.
Striker Moses Phiri of Buildcon including his club mate and midfielder Chanda Mushili have been summoned for camp ahead of the Botswana date at the month-end in the second round qualifiers.
Mushili and Phiri’s addition brings to three call-ups from Buildcon and they join defender Isaac Shamujompa whom missed the first week of training due to a family bereavement.
Red Arrows midfielder George Simbayambaya has received his first call-up and will join in camp his captain Bruce Musakanya.
Zambia assistant coach Mumamba Numba will again be in charge for a second successive week while caretaker coach Aggrey Chiyangi is away on club duty in Rwanda with Green Eagles at the 2019 CECAFA Club Cup.
Chipolopolo will face Botswana on July 26 in the first leg in Francistown and hosts The Zebras on August 3 in Lusaka.
Winner goes through to the final round in September and October to face either Angola of eSwatini.
DEFENDERS:Simon Silwimba, Mwila Phiri (both Zesco United), Gift Zulu, Lyson Thole (both Nkana), Lawrence Chungu (Zanaco), Adrian Chama (Green Buffaloes), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Isaac Shamujompa (Buildcon)
MIDFIELDER:Clement Mwape (Zesco United), Benson Sakala (Power Dynamos), Jackson Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Webster Muzaza (Forest Rangers), Clement Mundia (Kabwe Warriors), Bruce Musakanya, George Simbayambaya (both Red Arrows), Ernest Mbewe (Zanaco)
The Human Rights Commission has condemned the beating of its member of staff and a member of the public who was wearing a Patriotic Front T-Shirt by UPND supporters during the nomination of their candidate for the Katuba Parliamentary by-election.
Mwelwa Muleya the Commission spokesperson says the beating of their Materials Productions Officer Oscar Chisenga and an individual wearing a PF T-shirt yesterday is barbaric.
Mr. Muleya has called on the UPND leaders to identify and hand over to Police the perpetrators to demonstrate that their call for non-violence was not mere rhetoric.
He said condemning violence without bringing perpetrators to account for their action is meaningless and implies supporting the crime.
Mr. Muleya said the Commission is saddened that the party cadres harassed and beat up Mr. Chisenga before snatching a wallet containing his personal effects and a Commission Mobile Tablet, which he was using to video record them as they attacked an individual who was wearing PF regalia.
He said Mr. Chisenga was only doing his constitutional duty of monitoring the promotion and protection of human rights and nothing justifies his harassment and beating.
Mr. Muleya said equally, the beating up of an individual wearing PF regalia was an act of high level of intolerance and lack of civility and undemocratic conduct that must be roundly condemned.
He said wearing anything bearing a political message is one’s democratic right, particularly freedom of expression and choice.
Mr. Muleya said political parties must therefore educate their members that the expression of divergent views, co-existance and tolerance underpin a multi-party democratic state and a pluralistic society such as Zambia, and must be respected.
He said Human Rights Defenders such as human rights workers, activists and Journalists deserve protection and space to carry out their work in an environment free of intimidation, harassment or any form of harm.
Mr. Muleya said Political party leaders have a primary obligation to ensure that their members and supporters maintain law and order, public safety and respect human rights during their public meetings.
“The Commission, therefore, calls upon the UPND leadership to help identify the perpetrators of violence in Katuba yesterday. The Commission reiterates its call for non-violent and free election campaigns in Katuba Constituency and urge the political party leadership of the participating parties provide leadership in promoting and protecting human rights and maintaining lawn, order and public safety”, he said.
And the Patriotic Front in Central Province has also condemned what it has termed as unprovoked attack of a Patriotic Front motorcyclist by UPND cadres and the Human Rights Commission Staffer.
Provincial Youth Chairperson Alice Boka is disappointed by the convenient silence over the matter by the UPND leadership and the Governance Elections Advocacy and Research Services over the matter.
Ms. Boka said the silence of the Churches Monitoring Group and GEARS among others over the incident has also been deafening and has challenged them to play their role.
The Zambia Atomic Energy Corporation says nuclear and radiation technologies play an important role in the growth of the mining sector.
ZAMATOM Head Dr. Roland Msiska said the establishment of the Nuclear Research Centre in Chongwe will allow for the use of nuclear science and technology to contribute to value addition in the mining industries.
Speaking during a sensitization talk on the use of nuclear science and technology in the mining industry, at the Ministry of Mines, Dr. Msiska said the technology will bring immense benefits to the mining sector such as value addition to gemstones through enhanced coloration for local and export markets.
Dr. Msiska added that the Research Reactor Facility at the Nuclear Centre in Chongwe would also be used for neutron activation analysis in mineral characterization of various ores thus detecting undeclared minerals, which will result in increased mineral taxation.
He also said the Ministry of Mines had a major role to play in the implementation of the nuclear energy programme in the country.
“The Ministry of Mines is expected to help with provision of geological and seismological data and maps during the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) site evaluation,” he said.
Dr. Msiska noted that the Nuclear Power Plant, whose site had not yet been selected, would also provide a stable and affordable supply of electricity to the mines.
He said nuclear technology has proved its viability and importance in aspects of safety, economic viability and does not emit greenhouse gases in the production of electricity.
This is according to a statement issued to the Media by Zambia Atomic Energy Corporation Director Communications and Marketing Chisha Mutale.
Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda was yesteday afternoon clobbered by unruly PF youths in Kabwata during his tour of Kabwata Market.
The youths descended on Mr Lubinda who is also Justice Minister after a misunderstanding over money issues.
The youths accused Mr Lubinda of “eating alone.”
He was forced to rush to Kabwata Police Station to report the matter after seeking protection.
Police Spokeswoman Esther Katongo confirmed the development in a statement.
“Police at Kabwata recieved a report of Assault from Kabwata Member of Parliament, Hon. Given Lubinda that he was assaulted by unknown persons during his tour of Kabwata Market. This occurred today 12th July, 2019 between 15 00 hours and 15 30 hours,” a statement from Mrs Katongo read.
“The suspects have not yet been identified and investigations in the matter have been instituted and a docket of assault has been opened. Contrary to what is circulating on social media, Hon. Lubinda was at no point undressed by the assailants and at the time he went to report the matter to Kabwata Police Station, he was fully dressed.”
PR Girl Media will host the Lusaka July on Saturday, 13th July at Lusaka Polo Club from noon until 10pm. The polo-fashion event dubbed as Zambia’s version of the Met Gala has everyone watching out for the best of fashion displays. The glamorous event has attracted many prominent figures and socialites in the previous years and the fourth edition promises to have various local celebrities in attendance such as Shadaya, Macky 2, Ruff Kid, Mampi including Zimbabwean socialite Pokello Nare who is the special celebrity guest.
The Lusaka July 2019 was introduced under the fashion theme “21st Century Garden”, a theme which the guests will interpret through their outfits. The event offers a live-polo match, jazz band, orchestra and fashion showcases as entertainment. Local designers Esnoko, Nkanda Yathu and Fay Designs will showcase at the event with Namibian designer Melissa Poulton and South Africa’s George Malelu as the international designers.
This year, the organisers have introduced a corkage fee for those who want to bring in their own beverages into the event. “ Attendants are encouraged to bring their own beverages at a corkage fee of K100 per bottle while the food will be catered by The Horse Shoe Restaurant. We plan to make the event accessible to more people hence the introduction of the standard ticket last year and the corkage fee in 2019.”, stated Monde and Chishimba Nyambe, Founders of Lusaka July.
Sponsors of the Lusaka July 2019 are Stella Artois, Le Elementos Hotel, Coca-Cola, Diamond TV and Power FM. Tickets to the event are available from The Wine Shop at a standard entry fee of K300 and a VIP ticket cost of K800 which gives access to the exclusive lounge including a three course complimentary meal. Further details of the event can be found on the PR Girl Media Facebook page.
The United Party for National Development says reports linking its Chairperson for Legal Affairs Jack Mwiimbu to theft of party funds are false.
The UPND has not found any evidence of stolen money after going through its books of account that could be linked to Mr. Mwiimbu, according to Charles Kakoma the Party spokesperson.
Mr. Kakoma said the party has learnt of the reports with dismay as Mr. Mwiimbu has never signed for the collection of any legal fees meant for the payment of other lawyers.
He explained that lawyers who some people think are Party lawyers hired to represent UPND in court are in fact volunteers who have offered themselves to assist the Party and do not demand for legal fees.
Mr. Mwiimbu however clarified that from time to time, the Party has been assisting them with logistics such as accommodation, food and fuel to attend to cases outside their home towns.
He said the Legal Department has set up a team of lawyers who have selected their own treasurer to disburse the little funds for their logistics. Hon Mwiimbu is not the Treasurer of this group and is not a member of the team disbursing these little funds.
Mr. Kakoma said it is therefore malicious to accuse Mr. Mwiimbu of stealing legal fees meant for other lawyers.
He said Mr. Mwiimbu has built a good reputation over the years and is a prominent lawyer, Member of Parliament for Monze Central and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.
Mr. Kakoma said the UPND would not allow his reputation to be brought into disrepute by people who are either disgruntled and without facts or are agents of destabilization of the UPND.
He has warned such characters to stop their activities or risk being sued by Mr. Mwiimbu for defamation of character and has advised Zambians to ignore the malicious social media reports linking Mr. Mwiimbu to theft of party funds meant for other lawyers defending the UPND in various court cases.
Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy are bullish ahead of Saturday’s final leg 2019 FAZ Super Division playoff decider away to National Assembly at Edwin Emboela Stadium in Lusaka.
KYSA enjoy a 1-0 first leg lead they collected at President Stadium in Kabwe on July 7 courtesy of a Maonga Kabuku‘s 65th minute goal.
A draw will suffice to see KYSA bounce back to the FAZ Super Division following their demotion in their debut campaign at the end of the 2018 season.
“We are going to beat them at their own home ground, it does not matter where they take the game whether it is at Miller Ground or anywhere else, we are going to beat them,” Club team manager Davy Mungole told the Zambia Daily Mail.
The pressure is on Assembly who were also demoted at the end of the 2018 season to bounce back.
But Assembly has yet to beat KYSA in their last four competitive games.
KSYA first beat Assembly 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the first round of the 2017 Barclays Cup on their way to promotion.
And KSYA continued their dominance over Assembly in the league where they won 2-1 at home in Kabwe and drew 1-1 away in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, the other playoff tie between Kansanshi Dynamos and Young Green Eagles will be played this Sunday in Solwezi.
Young Green Eagles lead 1-0 from the first leg played at Khosa Stadium in Kafue on July 9.
Dora Siliya at the Global Media Freedom Conference co-hosted by the UK and the Canadian Governments, in London.
Fake news, a cancer straining relations among nations
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hon. Dora Siliya has observed with concern that fake news has managed to strain relations between Politicians and the Media, relations among nations and a loss of trust by citizens in honest Journalism.
Presenting a National statement at the Just ended Global Media Freedom Conference co-hosted by the UK and the Canadian Governments, in the United Kingdom on Thursday, Ms. Siliya applauded the two countries for their initiative to work together to defend Media Freedom and improve the safety of Journalists.
“Like many countries represented here, traditional Journalism in Zambia is being disrupted by New Media especially anonymous online publications and Citizen Journalism that have gained massive popularity. The growth of this new type of Journalism has not necessarily resulted in better journalistic practice. Most of our internet-based platforms are marred with poor and dishonest reporting, commonly known now, as fake news,” she said
Most of our internet-based platforms are marred with poor and dishonest reporting, commonly known now, as fake news,” she said
Ms. Siliya said the challenge posed by fake news is a World phenomenon and nations should stand together to defeat it.
She said all nations, big and small, rich or poor need national and cross border legislation to address the lacunas in the management of technology platforms mostly owned by the private sector that are being used to spread the fake news.
“Domains of most online platforms are domiciled in one country where they pay taxes, yet their reach is global. Some form of revenue sharing with platform providers seems to be the long-term solution to serve the underserved as countries like Zambia have no choice but to introduce a tariff to sustain investment in optic fibre,” she said.
Ms. Siliya gave examples of fake news that was reported in the media “last December, there were many internet-based stories and newspaper publications, believed by many of our Citizens, purporting that the President had fallen ill and had been evacuated to South Africa-It was all fake news. Again this year, we had publications about the Vice President having died, and once again, it was fake news.”
“We are also reminded of an incident, when Prince Harry visited Zambia in November 2018. It was reported by a UK tabloid that Mehgan could not travel with him for fear of catching the Zika virus. That was fake news because we all know that Zambia is not on the WHO Zikas list nor anywhere near the Zika virus affected region. Even though the Tabloid rendered a clarification, following Governments complaint, the fake news had already gone viral, posing a risk to our tourism industry,” she said.
She said last year, various local and international publications reported that Zambia had mortgaged its Public assets including the Public Broadcaster as collateral for Chinese loans, but firmly told the conference that it was fake news.
This is according to a statement released by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambia High Commission in the United Kingdom Mrs. Abigail Chaponda.
Dora Siliya chats with Prince Charles in London after attending the Global Media Freedom Conference co-hosted by the UK and the Canadian Governments
Siliya meets Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland Global Media Freedom Conference in London.Dora Siliya greets Prince Charles in London after attending the Global Media Freedom Conference co-hosted by the UK and the Canadian Governments
The 2019 Fans Player of the Year shortlist has been announced ahead of the 2019 Awards Gala to be held on July 31 at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka.
The Fans Players Award, that will be decided by a public poll via SMS, is the one of two awards whose shortlist of nominees were announced on Friday by FAZ.
Ex-Forest Rangers striker Austin Muwowo and former Zesco United attacker Lazarus Kambole who recently moved to South African clubs Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs respectively have been nominated for the people’s choice award.
Red Arrows captain Bruce Muskanya , who inspired his side to their best league run since the 2004 champions finished runner-up in 2011,completes the shortlist.
Musakanya scored 7 goals in 18 games to help Arrows finish third in Pool A only on goal difference behind champions Zesco United and runner-up Zanaco who all finished tied on 33 points.
Also confirmed was the Top Scorers award that has three-way tie after Napsa Stars Laudit Mavugo, Muwowo and his Forest Rangers club mate Adams Zikiru finished tied on 10 league goals each.
The Player of the Year, Coach of the Year ,Young Player of the Year , Most Disciplined Player , Referee and Best Assistant Referee shortlist including the FAZ Presidents award will be announced ten days before the 2019 FAZ Awards Gala.
The 2019 FAZ Super Division Best XI will also be unveiled later.
Green Eagles coach Aggrey Chiyangi praises his charges for securing qualification to the 2019 CECAFA Club Cup quarterfinals in their debut tournament appearance.
Eagles, who are CECAFA guest side at the tournament Rwanda is hosting from July 6-21, qualified to the last eight after finishing second in Group C on Thursday following a 2-1 win over Proline of Uganda.
Chiyangi’s side finished on 6 points from three games, three points behind APR who handed them their only Group C loss on June 8 that Eagles lost 1-0 thanks to a 60th minute own-goal by Boniface Sunzu.
“Being the first time we have participated in this tournament, we have done well. But when we played APR our performance was not good, we conceded an own-goal but I think the best result in that game was supposed to be a draw but football being what it is it happened so there is nothing we can do about it,” Chiyangi said.
Eagles began their campaign on July 6 with a 2-0 victory over Heegan of Somalia.
They now have a projected quarterfinal date against Kenyan giants Gor Mahia on July 16 who complete their group games this Sunday and lead Group D on maximum 6 points from their opening two games.
