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.
Mr Kapalasa flashes the UPND symbol after he was unveiled as the party’s candidate for the Katuba by election
The United Party for National Development has adopted Bampi Aubrey Kapalasa, a local businessman in Katuba, as their candidate for the upcoming Katuba Parliamentary by election.
Announcing the decision in Lusaka, UPND Chairman for elections Garry Nkombo said Mr. Kapalasa was selected from nine other candidates who applied to stand on the UPND ticket.
Mr. Nkombo said Mr. Kapalasa 42 comes from Mungule village in Chief Mungule’s area in Katuba constituency in Chibombo District and did his primary school at Jacaranda and secondary school at St Paul’s.
He said Mr. Kapalasa also did Public Administration and Information Studies at the University of Zambia and previously worked at Finance Bank and Aupi Agro Farms before establishing his own company, Frank Shewitt, which is involved in real estate and property management.
“Mr. Kapalasa is well known in Katuba. He participated in the 2016 general elections in Katuba constituency as an independent candidate and came third”, Mr. Nkombo added.
He said Mr. Kapalasa has been in the forefront in development issues in Katuba constituency as he has sunk boreholes in Kabile, Chunga, Mungule and Katuba wards.
Mr. Nkombo said Mr. Kapalasa has also helped in building classroom blocks in Kabile and Muchenje wards in Katuba constituency.
A Samfya Subordinate Court has convicted a 19 year old man to four months imprisonment with hard labour for trafficking in psychotropic substances contrary to section 6 of the narcotic drugs, chapter 96 of the laws of Zambia.
Before Magistrate Fabian Likulunga was Paul Kabwe of Mwenge village in Chief Chitembo’s chiefdom in Chifunabuli district in Luapula Province.
Mr Kabwe was arrested by Samfya district Drug Enforcement Commissioner (DEC) Officers on June 14, 2019 during an operation that took place in Chifunabuli.
Facts before the court were that on June 14, 2019 DEC officers received information that Kapota was smoking and selling psychotropic substances.
DEC officers then went to Chifunabuli, where Kabwe was identified and a search was constituted and 18.4 grams of vegetable leaves.
The leaves which were suspected to be marijuana were found in his in his pocket and he was later apprehended and taken to Samfya police station.
Preliminary tests were conducted and the results were positive confirming that it was marijuana, a herbal product of cannabis delta nine.
In mitigation Kabwe pleaded for lenience saying he was a family man who is taking care of his mother and that he regretted his actions.
In passing judgment, Magistrate Likulunga said he was lenient on the accused by sentencing him to 4 months imprisonment with hard labour when the offence in question carries the maximum of 10 to 15 years for the first offender.
Dangote Cement Zambia Limited has dispelled media reports suggesting that there will be job cuts at the company as a measure to mitigate production costs due to Government impending implementation of the Sales Tax.
Company Public Relations Officer Mubiana Nalwendo says the allegations are false, malicious and intended to malign management’s tenacity for an empowered Zambian economy through job creation.
Mr. Nalwendo said the Company Chief Executive Officer Albert Corcos did not at any point utter such remarks alleging that there will be job cuts at the firm.
He said Mr. Corcos, however during his speech at the 2019 media briefing, did point out that the impending implementation of the Sales Tax by Government might have a negative impact on the production costs.
Mr. Nalwendo said the CEO further stated that the Company will nonetheless opt for better productivity and use of technologically advanced equipment; as a measure to reduce costs associated with implementation of the Sales Tax.
“Our vision of being “a world class enterprise that is passionate about standards of living of our people”, can only be achieved through commitment to our values and enhanced economic growth across the African continent”, he added.
Mr. Nalwendo has urged members of the public and the media practitioners to verify facts concerning Dangote before engaging in speculative reporting.
The Ministry of Sports has sanctioned the Football Association of Zambia’s endeavor to recruit a quality national team coach by approving a US$25,000 package.
Following a meeting between the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Child Development and FAZ leadership, the two parties have made steps towards the recruitment of the Zambia National Team Coach.
Minister of Sports Moses Mawere has re-affirmed government’s financial support towards FAZ and maintained its US$10,000 allocation for the Chipolopolo coach.
FAZ Communications Manager Mwazi Chanda said further the Ministry of Sports has given FAZ a go-ahead to recruit a coach as soon as feasibly possible.
She said the Association has secured an additional US$15,000 funding towards the salary of the head coach in response to market forces.
Chanda has appealed to the corporate world to come on board and ensure that more support is secured to towards getting a top notch coach.
She said the availability of additional resources will help FAZ secure a coach at a competitive fee and has asked the football family to support the cause towards securing a coach that will take Zambia forward.
Chanda said the Association acknowledges the support government has continued to render towards football.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu talks to PF Secretary General Davies Mwila at City Airport shortly before departure for Mansa, Luapula Province on Tuesday, April 23,2019-Pictures by THOMAS NSAMA
President Edgar Lungu is today expected in Kabwe, Central Province, on a one day working visit.
Central Province Permanent Secretary, Bernard Chomba, confirmed the anticipated visit by the Head of State in a statement to ZANIS in Kabwe today.
Mr Chomba said President Lungu will arrive at about 09:30 hours and is expected to attend the official opening of Bliss Hotel, constructed by a foreign investor, to appreciate the revamping of the tourism industry in the province.
The PS observed that for a long time the province has not witnessed growth in the tourism sector especially in the hotel industry.
After the Kabwe visit, the president is expected to head to the Copperbelt Province on a two day working Visit.
According to a statement by Copperbelt Provincial chairman Nathan Chanda, President Lungu will land at the Simon Mwansa International Airport in Ndola at around 15:30 hrs and proceed to Kitwe .
This has been confirmed by Copperbelt Permanent Secretary , Mr Bright Nundwe.
The Zambian government has halted controversial plans to build a hydropower mega dam on the Luangwa River.
According to the World Wide Fund, the government has cancelled a pre-feasibility study for the Ndevu Gorge Power Project, proposed by MDH South Africa (Pty) Limited, which would have cost $1.26 billion and generated between 235 and 240 megawatts of power if completed.
WWF says the government’s decision effectively puts an end to the project.
It described the outcome “a major boost for communities and wildlife.”
The 1,100-kilometer Luangwa lies at the bottom of a wide rift valley in Zambia’s Eastern Province, where it is surrounded by both natural landscapes and encroaching human development.
Two large, iconic national parks are located along the river: South Luangwa National Park and North Luangwa National Park.
The river supports an abundance of megafauna, including Zambia’s reintroduced black rhinos, elephants, hippos, leopards, lions, and the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe, as well as more than 400 of Zambia’s 732 species of birds.
Some 25 chiefdoms also rely on the Luangwa River for water, food, and livelihoods.
The entire economy of the Luangwa Valley, based primarily on tourism and agriculture, is reliant on the river.
“I wish to thank [the] government for listening to our plea as Luembe has the potential to become another area of wildlife tourism in a few years,” Senior Chief Luembe of the Nsenga people said in a statement.
“The dam would have disturbed the free movement of wildlife in the Luangwa Valley. There are other means that can supply an equivalent amount of electricity like solar power and windmills that can be installed along the Muchinga escarpment, with less damage to the environment.”
More than 200,000 people had signed a petition calling for the legal protection of the river.
Critics of the dam project argued that fragmentation of the Luangwa would threaten wildlife and freshwater fish stocks, as well as the agriculture and tourism that local communities rely on.
According to a preliminary study of the environmental impacts of the proposed dam prepared in 2017 by scientists at California State University, Monterey Bay, if the Ndevu Gorge Power Project were to be completed, it would “irreversibly alter the free-flowing Luangwa River in Eastern Zambia.”
The study states that “The reservoir would inundate 29.5% of the length of the Luangwa River within South Luangwa National Park, at least six safari camps, and as much as 80% of adjacent hunting areas.
It would inundate portions of at least six chiefdoms adjacent to the river.
The reservoir would inundate much of the length of the Luangwa that these protected areas, hunting areas and chiefdoms currently have access to.
It would also reduce the area of valuable wildlife corridor between South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park — which is already bounded by human encroachment on either side of the river — by 50% of its length and 24% of its width.”
The dam would likely have caused a number of hydrological impacts upstream and downstream of the reservoir, as well, according to the study.
“Potential impacts include: backwater effects, delta formation above the reservoir, channel incision, floodplain isolation and disruption of sediment transport mechanisms.”
“Keeping the Luangwa river free flowing is the best decision for both people and nature, and WWF commends the government for halting the dam and instead seeking lower impact, renewable alternatives to power Zambia’s development, ” Nachilala Nkombo, WWF Zambia Country Director, said in a statement.
Vedanta Resources has applied for an urgent court order in South Africa to prevent ZCCM-IH from winding up its disputed Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) business.
Vedanta is locked in a dispute with the Zambian government, which accuses KCM of breaching the terms of its licence.
Vedanta denies that KCM has broken the terms of its licence and says it will defend its assets in Zambia.
Vedanta said in a statement that it had obtained a temporary order in South Africa’s High Court allowing it to make an urgent request on July 16 for an injunction against ZCCM and Mr Milingo Lungu in his capacity as provisional liquidator of KCM.
“Vedanta will seek an interim court order declaring that ZCCM has breached the KCM shareholders’ agreement by pursuing winding-up proceedings against KCM in Zambia, and directing ZCCM to withdraw those proceedings,” the statement added.
In other words, if the Urgent Application, to be heard on 16 July 2019, succeeds and an interim order is granted, the order will remain in place until the arbitration – to be instituted in due course – has been finally resolved.
Vedanta applied to the South African court because the KCM shareholders’ agreement makes provision for arbitration in South Africa.
NDC Leader Chishimba Kambwili outside the Magistrate Court in Lusaka addressing Journalists
NDC President Chishimba Kambwili has called for a life style audit for senior Government officials.
And Dr. Kambwili has urged investigative wings to probe Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo for corruption.
Dr. Kambwili says the wealth that Mr. Lusambo has acquired is not commensurate with his income.
Dr. Kambwili has accused Mr. Lusambo of extorting money from investors using the name of President Edgar Lungu.
He said it is sad that thieves and the corrupt are being “celebrated”, in Zambia.
He wondered why most senior Government officials are scared of life style audits.
Dr. Kambwili said this in an interview with journalists in Lusaka today.
He was responding to a question from the media who wanted to get his position on donations that the Lusaka Province Minister has been making lately to churches and fire victims.
The NDC leader has urged Zambians to unite and kick out the pf Government out of office in 2021.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kambwili has accused Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya of corruption.
He added that Zambians know how the Health Minister is benefiting from the sale of drugs meant for public institutions.
He said, Dr. Chilufya and Lusambo will be jailed for corruption once the NDC gets into office.
And Dr. Kambwili has urged Government to consider reopening the Copperbelt University CBU in Kitwe.
He has further condemned Governments decision to expell union leaders at the second highest institution of learning.
The NDC leader has restated that the opposition UPND and the NDC will call for public protests if CBU is not reopened in the next two weeks.
This is according to statement released by the NDC media team.
Respected University of Zambia Economics Professor Venketash Sheshamani has died.
Prof. Sheshamani died on Wednesday.
Details of his death have not been released yet but the Southern African Institute for Policy and Research where he was a member has confirmed his death.
In a statement, the Institute says, “SAIPAR family would like to pass its condolences to Mrs Lalitha Seshamani and family on the passing of Professor Venkatesh Seshamani on Wednesday 3 July 2019.”
“Prof. Seshamani was a professor of economics at the Department of Economics, University of Zambia and a founding and current member of SAIPAR Board of Directors.”
It said Prof Seshamani has made significant contributions to economic education in Zambia and he has supported and made significant contributions to the growth of SAIPAR.
And Lusaka Economist Herryman Moono has described the late Prof. Sheshamani has a Grand Master of Economics.
“Saddened to hear the death of an eminent and highly accomplished Scholar, a Philosopher, a Mathematician and master of pedagogy in Economics, Prof. Venkatesh Seshamani,” he wrote.
“My first and only A+ in Economics at the University of Zambia was in Econometrics under the hands of Prof. Sheshamani. He inspired confidence in his students and was always available to guide us in matters even beyond Economics.”
He added, “In my view, he has achieved alot in his career – selfless he was, dedicated to academic service – distinguished indeed he was.”
Only one of this weekends’ two FAZ Super Division promotion playoff first leg fixtures will proceed as scheduled following an injunction involving one of the matches.
The match involving Young Green Eagles and Kansanshi Dynamos has been postponed.
This is due to Yeta FC’s appealed against the awarding of 3 points to Young Green Eagles after the former used two ineligible players against the latter in their FAZ Zone 4 Week 23 League fixture.
“We received an appeal from Yeta Football Club and have since notified the Appeals Committee to convene and close this matter,” FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala said.
“We wish to apologize to the clubs involved and the football family for the inconvenience this may have caused. Our desire is to ensure that this matter is concluded amicably.”
But the other playoff first leg match involving Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy and National Assembly FC will go ahead as scheduled on July 6 at Presidents Stadium in Kabwe.
The final leg to decide the two promotion places to the 2019/2020 FAZ Super Division is set for July 13.
Shiwang’andu Area Member of Parliament Stephen Kampyongo says the Patriotic Front (PF) says the party is becoming stronger and popular in most parts of the country.
Speaking at Makungwa school grounds yesterday during his continued tour of the constituency, Mr Kampyongo said people from opposition political parties are joining the ruling party in great numbers because the ruling party is becoming more attractive saying it will be a party to reckon with in 2021.
He says having former PF members rejoining the party, is an indication that the party is becoming more attractive and stronger each day.
He also added that the PF government is committed to uplifting the lives of every Zambian despite their political affiliation and geographical location.
And Mr Kampyongo has said that the PF has delivered and will continue to deliver developmental progress in Muchinga province from the time it was divided from Northern Province in 2011.
He said that from the time Muchinga Province was created, Chinsali which is the provincial headquarters, has recorded massive development with modern infrastructure being constructed, especially in the education sector.
Mr Kampyongo who is also Minister of Home Affairs said that creation of another constituency during the delimitation of wards and constituencies, currently underway ahead of 2021 general elections, will accelerate development in the area.
Meanwhile, Frank Musukwa who stood on the UPND ticket for Kulamwele ward in the 2016 general elections, has defected to the PF.
Mr Musukwa who was officially welcomed by Mr Kampyongo, said the PF has delivered and that he is willing to assist in that developmental agenda.
Mr. Kampyongo is on tour of his constituency to check on developmental projects in the region.
Zambia Wildlife Senior Warden Charles Simwawa has commended government for holding the just ended Copperbelt investment expo held in Ndola last week.
Mr Simwawa says the expo highlighted the potential that the Copperbelt Province has with regards to attracting both local and foreign investors.
He said this in Kalulushi when some officials from the provincial administration toured the Chembe National park, located in the outskirts of Kalulushi district.
Mr Simwawa says it is government’s wish to have tourism championed and promoted across the country.
He said the Chembe National park has so much to offer, such as game viewing, boat cruising, canoe sports and fishing competitions.
Mr Simwawa says investors were more than welcome to come and develop the place which is accessible by road or air through the South Downs Airport.
He added that once the place becomes utilized, it can start generating enough revenue for the government.
And Acting Town Clerk Samuel Musenge noted that the Chembe National park has a lot of investment opportunities which have not been utilised for a long time.
Mr Musenge said the national park is surrounded by Chati Lake and if properly utilized, will bring revenue and create employment for the local people.
He said the site also has a 16 bed capacity hotel and three camping sites, adding that if the place is utilized, it will bring revenue to the district and the country as a whole.
Chief Chikwanda of the Bemba speaking people in Mpika district of Muchinga province is happy that the Chikwanda Gender Based Violence Foundation has managed to withdraw 22 young girls from early child marriages in his chiefdom.
Chief Chikwanda disclosed this during an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Mpika today.
He said between January and July this year, the foundation has successfully managed to end 22 Child marriages affecting girls and boys aged between 16 and 18 year olds from nine villages in his chiefdom.
The traditional leader said all 22 girls have since been assisted to go back to school by Chikwanda Trust Fund through payment of school fees.
Chief Chikwanda said Child Marriages can be detrimental to the physical and emotional well-being of children thereby robbing them of a better future.
The traditional leader is however not happy that some parents have been actively involved in arranging child marriages, a situation he described as retrogressive for the children’s well-being.
And Chikwanda Gender Based Violence Foundation Chairman, Tom Kasomo said that his organization has embarked on a door to door sensitization programme which is focusing on the dangers of child marriages and its reduction.
Mr Kasomo said some parents have supported child marriages due to high levels of ignorance on their part and selfish interest to get dowry.
He said reducing and eliminating child marriages in our communities needs concerted efforts from parents and other stakeholders.
The Botswana Football Association has confirmed the date and venue of the 2020 CHAN qualifier 1st leg home tie against Zambia.
Chipolopolo and Botswana will meet in the penultimate knockout stage of the Cameroon 2020 CHAN qualifiers at the end of July.
BFA stated that the second round, first leg qualifier will be played in Francistown on July 26 at 19h00.
The final leg is set for August 3 in Lusaka.
Winner over both legs will play Angola or eSwatini in the final qualifying round.
The final round, first leg is set for September 21 while the last leg is set for October 18 to decide who qualifies to tournament Cameroon will host this January.
It will be two sides second successive meeting in 2019 after Chipolopolo beat Botswana 1-0 in the COSAFA Cup final on June 8 in South Africa.
It will also be the second time Botswana and Chipolopolo play in a CHAN qualifier.
Zambia won another second round qualifier 3-1 on aggregate following a 3-0 final leg victory at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka in May,2018 on the road to the inaugural tournament hosted by Cote d’Ivoire in 2019.
Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) President, Jervis Zimba, says there is urgent need for the Foot and Mouth Disease to be declared a national disaster.
Mr Zimba notes that the five provinces that have been hit by the cattle disease include Central, Southern, Muchinga, Northern and Eastern Provinces.
The ZNFU President made this call yesterday during the National Harvest Day held Mumbwa district, Central Province.
Mr Zimba explained that the farmer union has engaged stakeholders in the livestock industry to come up with measures on how to resolve the outcry over the imported livestock products as well as the FMD challenges on June 6th, 2019.
He added that the development came to light when all livestock related imported products and inputs were banned without any prior consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Mr Zimba noted that the resolutions were submitted to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on June 7th, 2019, and that the union still awaits response from the authority.
He has since appealed for speedy implementation of the resolutions which were submitted to the ministry which includes joint action with the private sector.
Mr Zimba said among the resolutions farmers proposed, included progressive ideas that could reduce the financial burden on government, to vaccinate all the animals in the affected areas.
He said it was further suggested that under special conditions, government could select private companies to source recommended vaccines, for livestock farmers who are willing to purchase the vaccines and have their animals vaccinated.
And President Edgar Lungu stated that government is concerned with the spread of the Foot and Mouth Disease in the country, assuring that government is making resources available to ensure that the disease is contained.
The National Harvest Day was held at Mababe farms in Chief Kaingu’s area and was graced by President Edgar Lungu.
