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Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba
Communication and Transport Minister Brian Mushimba has accused some PF officials in Mufulira of maligning him in his constituency and has since challenged anyone to take on him in his constituency in the 2021 elections instead of holding dark corner meeting to sow a seed of hatred and division in the constituency.
The Kankoyo MP was speaking in an interview in Mufulira at the weekend when he toured the constituency.
Mr Mushimba said he was shocked that a few constituency and district officials wanted him to be giving them money to benefit as individuals instead of encouraging him to embark on projects to benefit the entire constituency.
“These people are only a few, there are about five or so. I used to give them money, but when I say I don’t have money, then they would go maligning me, saying ‘wachabe chabe’ meaning I am useless.
“I used to give them money. They would call me asking for K5, 000 or K10, 000, I would give them, but now because I don’t give them, they are on a campaign to malign me, but it is not every time I can give money, I have a constituency to look after,’’ Mr Mushimba said.
Mr Mushimba said he was not shaken because people would not be swayed by sweet talk, good English and nice perfume, but wanted their lives to be improved through good roads, schools and empowerment.
“I will always try my best. I will not take for granted the trust of the people who voted for me. I am not shaken by those holding dark corner meetings to de-campaign because people will not be swayed by sweet talk, good English and nice perfume,’’ Mr Mushimba said.
Mr Mushimba said major projects like a maternity wing and a mortuary were set to be constructed in Zimba area to improve the lives of the people.
At the weekend, Mr Mushimba went to Butondo Secondary School where he went to pay K120,000 school fees for the orphans and vulnerable children whom he was sponsoring.
Mr Mushimba said initially he had paid K236, 000 for 200 orphans and vulnerable children at Butondo Secondary School, but now the number had increased after 96 more children were added.
Trade and Economic Consultant Trevor Simumba has appealed to opposition parties to rally behind UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema for the 2021 general elections.
Mr Simumba said Mr Simumba is the best placed person to take on the PF in 2021.
He said other opposition party leaders should set their personal ambitions aside and support Mr Hichilema for the presidency in 2021.
“If we truly want to liberate Zambia from the shackles of this PF Kleptocracy, the answer is in working together and bringing forth a new generation of Zambian leaders with shared values of service to the nation, integrity and ethical stewardship of our national resources,” he stated.
“Opposition leaders for once get out of your egotistic dreamland and sacrifice for the sake of Zambia. You cannot all be President at once. I have analysed and thought of different scenarios but each one shows that without an Opposition Alliance, the PF will win the Presidency. But who can beat them?”
He added, “We all know that the best placed person to take on the PF is Hakainde Hichilema. Let us support him. We can agree a proportional share at Parliament level and Local Council level but for President lets have one opposition candidate.”
“It is the only way 2021 can be won. Without that unity forget it. Get over this tribal nonsense, Zambians are not tribal. With one opposition candidate we will consign the PF to the dustbin of history. We cannot afford another five years of this President. Even our patriotic friends and relatives in PF know it.”
He added, “Find the courage to get out and help Zambia recover its glory. Zambia needs a new beginning. We need to overhaul the Constitution and strengthen the Separation of Powers and ensure Zambia never elects such a terrible President again.”
Mr Simumba said the level of selfishness and pure greed amongst the PF leadership is unprecedented.
“We have two living former Presidents and I believe three living former Vice Presidents and none of them can even raise a hand to say enough is enough. So it is up to us the citizens to use our vote in 2021 wisely and ensure we protect our votes when they count,” he demanded.
President Lungu tour Synclinorium Shaft at Mopani operation room operates the Shaft gear in the Control Room – Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza 05th May 2016.
‘Emulate Botswana and De Beers in the London relocation deal’
By Kalima Nkonde
Story Highlights
It is time massive investments in mining began to stimulate growth in other sectors. The performance of this sector will now be assessed on the basis of growth of linkages with other sectors and impact on the lives of ordinary Zambians ( President Edgar Lungu , August,2018)
We want jewelry purification, we want development of skills and we want people to participate in the economy so that we have something to show for making holes on the ground ( Botswana’s Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Ponatshego Kedikilwe,2011)
Botswana’s move will shift more than $6 billion of annual rough diamond sales from an international financial Centre to a comparative backwater with a population of 230,000( Reuters, 2013)
If as a country we fail to derive maximum benefits and value from our mineral resources, which are a diminishing resource, posterity will judge us harshly (Zambia Daily Mail Editorial, August,2018)
The agreement offered an opportunity to De Beers and Botswana to shape the future of the diamond industry. Together, we will mesh beneficiation into the fabric of the Botswana diamond industry.(De Beers chairman Nicky Oppenheimer,2011)
The current debate in Zambia with regard to the mining industry is focused on Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), although there is still a silent fight going on between government and the rest of mines with regard to the tax regime changes. As Zambians, the bigger debate is by and large the lack of benefits to us from the mining industry since privatisation some 20 years ago. This should not be a partisan issue. It is a fact.
In Zambia, like in other African countries, there has been a growing resource nationalism. This has been building up slowly and the western mining houses need to take note of it and consider adjusting their current business models. The current business models have overwhelmingly benefited them to the detriment of host countries, and if they do not change, there is Chinese competition waiting to seize the opportunities.
In regard to the KCM debacle, there are has been too much focus on the legal aspects of the action taken while forgetting the commercial and the operational aspects. The government is well advised that it takes advantage of being in charge of KCM to carry out an extensive due diligence on the company so as to unearth mining houses unscrupulous practices which have been difficult to know due to their lack of transparency.
The due diligence process on KCM will not only reduce the risks inherent in the action taken by ZCCM- IH, by ensuring that informed decisions are taken, but also help with knowledge of how mining houses operate. Needless to say- to those who are not in the know-that a due diligence investigation is much more than an audit, that some quarters, have been calling for.
If well structured, the due diligence should cover areas such as assets, liabilities, production, financial, administrative, taxation, human resources, environmental, intellectual property, legal, customers, procurement and suppliers of KCM. If done properly, it will provide an helicopter view of the company and the industry in the process provide the basis of informed immediate and future decisions as well as polices. Although KCM has proved to be a “rogue” mining company and not necessarily representative of other mining houses – as shown by its environment practices, fake investment promises and the open boasting of its owner on how it has been cheating Zambians by earning $500million every year “ spending” $25m to acquire KCM,declaring losses year after year – not all its practices may be indicative of other mining houses, at least not to the same degree.
Zambians not benefiting from Mines
The majority of Mining houses have been in Zambia for close to 20 years or more now, and have invested over $13 billion dollars but there is nothing much to show for it apart from the ballooning foreign debt of $17 billion that the country has accumulated. Foreign direct investment (FDI) like that of the mines can have immense benefits to the host country. The FDI benefits include: foreign exchange earnings, job creation, skills transfer, technology transfer, taxation revenue, forward and backward supply chain linkages. These benefits, however, do not come automatically and a host country has to be smart enough by ensuring enforcement of certain policies, for these benefits to accrue to them, like the Chinese government has done over the years.
Zambia has not benefitted much from FDI in all the aforementioned areas and this fact was not lost on President Edgar Lungu in August,2018, when he commissioned the Non-ferrous Africa Corporation (NFCA) South-East Ore Body (SEOB) shaft developed at a cost of US$830 million which extended the mine’s lifespan by nearly 25 years.
“It is of great concern to note that despite showing a positive picture, the mining industry has not stimulated corresponding growth in other sectors. The performance of this sector will now be assessed on the basis of growth of linkages with other sectors and impact on the lives of ordinary Zambians”. President Lungu complained
It is a well-known fact that mines in the 21st Century are not creating direct jobs as they used to do in the 20th Century, because mining technology has advanced in the 21st Century such that most of the tasks that were done by humans are now being done by machines ,reducing the need for workers in certain areas.
The issue of lack of employment from mining operations mainly due to change in technology is one of the burning issues that needs to be looked at. Zambia faces a critical unemployment problem especially among the Youth and it is imperative that as Zambians we start thinking outside the box and come up with non-conventional, but common sense, practical and innovative solutions and initiatives for job creation. This article’s suggestion for a campaign and lobbying for the relocation of captive suppliers of mining houses to Zambia is one such initiative, which nobody has talked about but which has potential benefits in almost all areas alluded to above.
As a nation, we have become too lazy to think in finding solutions and implementing suggested solutions, which is part of the cause of most of our current social, economic, political problems including the current debt crisis. Our people and leaders have no time to read to gain knowledge. We do not seem to realize that the 21st Century is a knowledge based economy and successful nations will be those that focus on knowledge acquisition, utilizing its knowledgeable citizens and ensuring knowledge is implemented in practice.
There is just too much focus by our people on earning a living through the easy way by prayers and corruption rather than by hard work. Personal gain, rather than national interest and common good, is the main motivating factor for those in the ruling party, opposition parties and the Zambian population at large. There is enough blame to go round. We badly need visionaries especially at the helm of leadership on both sides of the aisle to save our country.
Botswana and De beers milestone relocation deal
In view of the fact that about an estimated 95% of supplies for the mines are imported, Zambia should emulate Botswana which negotiated an almost impossible deal with the giant diamond mining house De Beers by its relocation from London to Gaborone, effective 2013 to ensure that the sorting, valuing and sales of diamonds is done in Gaborone after more than 80 years of being done in London thereby facilitating job creation, skills transfer and other multiplier effects for the benefit of Batswana and the economy.
The Botswana government’s example of how to drive a hard bargain with Multinationals when it negotiated a deal with the giant diamond mining house De Beers’ to move from London to Gaborone in 2013 to ensure that the sorting, valuing and sales is done in Botswana after more than 80 years of being done in London, dating back to the 1930s is a good example that Zambia can follow. This action has ensured that more than $5.89 billion in annual rough diamond sales has moved from London to Gaborone because De beers did not only decide to transfer the sales of Botswana diamonds to Gaborone, but also those of South Africa, Namibia and Canada. It took 10 months of negotiations with great resistance from many corners including workers in London, buyers of diamonds, experts but it was done and both parties were happy.
Botswana’s then Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Ponatshego Kedikilwe hailed the ten year agreement as a game changer in ensuring that Batswana benefitted more from their mineral resources.
“This has been a good outcome for all, we had no intention of arm twisting. We want jewelry purification, we want development of skills and we want people to participate in the economy so that we have something to show for making holes on the ground”, He said.
De Beers’ chairman Nicky Oppenheimer, commended the agreement as it offered an opportunity to De Beers and Botswana to “shape the future of the diamond industry. Together, we will mesh beneficiation into the fabric of the Botswana diamond industry.”
Reuters, on the other hand, typical of Western negative reporting, said at the time, that the Botswana move, “Will shift more than $6 billion of annual rough diamond sales from an international financial Centre to a comparative backwater with a population of 230,000, in one of the most dramatic examples of a producing country battling successfully to keep value and profits from the raw materials at home.”
Although the Botswana example involves the beneficiation process and value addition, the principle involved, is the same – negotiations with multinationals to facilitate creating employment, making the benefits more tangible for locals of the host country – can apply to the relocation of mines captive foreign suppliers. According to the World Bank research, it takes about 18 months or less to set up a manufacturing facility. It follows that engineering companies, mining component suppliers and others can create thousands jobs, save foreign exchange and increase tax revenue in a very short period of time and the positive impact of the same can be felt within a period of two years and the continuous fight about taxes with the mines can be put to an end.
Captive mining suppliers’ relocation to Zambia
It follows from the above, therefore, that smart countries have found innovative ways of making mining houses to create indirect jobs and other benefits. In the light of the World Bank study of 2016 which estimated that 95% of supplies for the mines are imported, and cognisant of the fact that there is lack of capacity among many local Zambian suppliers in certain areas to meet the mines’ needs, one of the most effective initiative to create jobs is through the supply chain by persuading, negotiating with the Mines to prevail on their captive suppliers to relocate to Zambia.
Mining houses have foreign captive suppliers, whose businesses by definition, are largely dependent on supplying the mines for survival and Mining houses have so much influence on them. Mining houses can easily persuade these suppliers to relocate to Zambia but the Zambian government has to formally engage the mines and negotiate with them. It is a known fact that Mines like Mopani, Non-ferrous Metals and others have clearly indicated that they are in Zambia for the next 25 years and beyond and so it does make sense that their suppliers can easily move to Zambia as they will have assured business for the foreseeable future.
Zambians who were old enough in the 70s and 80s know that the old Zambian mining house, Zambian Consolidated Copper mines(ZCCM) used to purchase a substantial amount of its supplies, spares and components from many manufacturing companies that were located on the Copper belt towns like Kitwe, Mufulira, Luanshya, Chingola and Ndola. This resulted in the creation of many jobs, development of technical skills by Zambians, more tax revenue from these companies and savings on foreign exchange.
Joint ventures with Zambians
The issue of captive suppliers relocating to Zambia is not theory and has been proved by one Mining house- Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) in 2014. One such joint venture supported by MCM was between Shawonga Enterprises Limited of Zambia headed by London Mwafulirwa and ZINPRO Engineering of South Africa which partnered to form ZINPRO Zambia Limited, to specialise in shaft and structural steel rehabilitation works.
ZINPRO Zambia Operations Director, London Mwafulirwa hailed MCM for supporting joint ventures which would benefit the country. MCM Chief Executive Officer Danny Callow was quoted by the media that the Company was encouraging formation of joint venture partnerships between local contractors and internationally-recognized foreign firms wishing to do business with the mining company.
“We have a deliberate policy that encourages foreign manufacturing companies wishing to do business with us to partner with local companies or involve Zambians in their shareholding structures. This, we believe, will help build capacity of local companies, encourage skills transfer and give a competitive edge to the local firms while improving quality and efficiency,” said Mr. Callow.
The ZINPRO Engineering model is a good model to emulate as it is a joint venture between a Zambian company and a foreign supplier of the mines which moves part of its operations near where the client, Mopani Copper Mines is to benefit the country.
Another example of a supplier of mines relocating to Zambia to be near its customer is the Chinese company. Fujian Haian Rubber Company Limited, a tyre manufacturing firm from China which has established its base in Zambia to market its products and services in Africa. Lusaka Times of 6 June, 2019, quoted Eric Lin, company director for the Africa market as saying its company supplies its products to the mining industry in Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Africa and Senegal.
“We have established our head office in Zambia, we supply our products to the mining firms, in Copper belt, Solwezi, Kansanshi here in Zambia, we also have a market in DRC, South Africa and Senegal, we hope to expand our market using Zambia as our base,” he said.
It has to be made clear to the Zambian government that we private sector players and entrepreneurs, will not move on an issue that will benefit the Zambian economy on our own or through public speeches persuasion. The private sector including the mine’s main objective is to make maximum profit for their shareholders. This entails among other strategies operating with less workers, sourcing supplies from the cheapest source, paying less taxes within the law and so on and so forth. It is, therefore, incumbent upon government to engage the private sector by negotiating with them to act on issues that they would not otherwise be interested in. Persuading or negotiating with Mining houses to prevail over their captive foreign suppliers to relocate to Zambia is one such issue which is not rocket science.
Why does Zambia negotiate bad deals with foreigners?
As Zambians, we need to accept that we have made very bad deals with the Mines and the Chinese because we are poor negotiators, allegations of corruption notwithstanding, resulting in some of the economic problems we are facing today. We also do not use some of our best brains some of whom are outside the country because of some inferiority complex and petty jealousies by the various political leaders in charge at different times and the obsession with political patronage.
Negotiations are not for every Jim and Jack and so we need to employ the best among us to make deals for our country regardless of political affiliation. The Bureaucrats currently in Government or the President are not the best negotiators for the best deals for the country. Incorporating experienced retired civil servants, private sector players and highly qualified exposed and experienced Zambians in the diaspora can help the country negotiate better deals. In a nutshell, our deals are negotiated by people who are not qualified to do so and who can either be easily bought off once the foreigners dangle a carrot of a few pieces of silver or back off if challenged by more experienced foreigners due to inadequacy in negotiation skills and knowledge. The craze for personal benefit than the country has become part of the Zambian DNA and the foreigners have taken advantage of this and thus the bad deals including the recent loss of the big chunk of our land to so called investors. We have sold our country for a song to foreigners and the Chinese. China, for example, is busy fighting corruption at home as the arrest of the Interpol chief and other High ranking Communist Party officials since 2012 attest because they know it is not good for their economy, but it is busy exporting it to Africa and Zambia under the hypocritical guise of non- interference.
Way forward for Zambia and Mining houses
The fact is, there is only so much Zambia can do in form of taxing the mines, before it starts having negative impacts on them, which will result in a lose-lose situation. It follows, therefore, so many other innovative solutions are required to achieve even better outcomes in terms of benefits to the country apart from directly taxing the mines. This is not to say they have been paying their fair share of taxes thus far. They have not been paying enough taxes due to artificial losses as you cannot make losses for 20 years and still be in business especially if you are a publicly quoted company. Shareholders would have long revolted.
It is common knowledge to anyone who understands Multinationals and the Private sector mind-set that they do not do things or act unless such action will have a positive impact on their bottom line. They need to be incentivised, coerced through legislation and better still lobbied and negotiated with and convinced that the proposal is in both parties’ interests and will result in a win- win situation in the medium to long term.
The so much talked value addition and local supply chain benefits will not happen by themselves or by speeches or glossy policy papers but by government action and engagement and action like the way the Botswana government did. The Zambian Government can offer for example, a reduced royalty tax of say ½% as part of negotiations with the Mining houses, in exchange for Mining houses persuading their captive foreign suppliers to relocate to Zambia with the aim of reducing the percentage of supplies sourced from outside Zambia from say 95% to 50% as a goal. This is likely to have massive tangible and intangible multiplier effects in terms benefits to the economy more than just simply increasing royalty and other taxes which are so sensitive and likely to send wrong market signals. In terms of value addition, one simple action will be to head hunt manufacturers such as Car electric battery manufacturers to come to Zambia using our embassies as we have the raw materials like cobalt, copper and manganese.T he electric car revolution is on the horizon but government is not acting.
In view of all the mining houses’ long term commitment to Zambia being 25 or more years, there is no reason why they cannot persuade their captive suppliers to come near where the production of minerals is taking place. In the event that mining houses resist such a proposal, it should be a red flag that the suppliers may be related companies that they are using for transfer pricing to avoid tax and swindle Zambians by inflating the prices of supplies, capital equipment and creating artificial losses and frivolous VAT refund claims.
As the Zambian government is grappling with the KCM saga, it is hoped that the above suggestion can be the basis of simultaneous negotiations by the Government with the remaining mining houses, with regard to tax regime changes and other issues, so that at the end of the day, a win- win situation is achieved.
The reality is that the current mining houses need Zambia as much as Zambia needs then. They cannot just pack up and go as they have invested too much already- billions of dollars. The threats to divest should be called bluff. It is in both parties’ interests to negotiate better deals which are conspicuous to the public and are reflected in the economic growth, economic statistics of Zambia as well as employment creation and poverty reduction. The Mines should avoid a situation where a future genuinely and incorruptible government takes measures like those taken by Tanzanian President John Magufuli because of the lack of benefits to the host.
The relationship of De beers and the Botswana government should be the gold standard for Zambia and other African countries to follow in their relationship with the Mining houses and the Chinese. Also, for the Chieftainships where minerals are located or who give large chunks of land to foreigners, the Gold standard should be South Africa’s Royal Bafokeng of Rustenburg, near Sun City, whose deals with Platinum Mining Houses has immensely benefited the community as they even have equity stake in Mines.
The writer is a Chartered Accountant by profession, a Private Sector Development expert and an Entrepreneur. He is an independent, non- partisan finance and economic commentator/analyst and a Patriot.
Defenders Ziyo Tembo and Donashano Malama are battling to be fit for Zambia’s penultimate friendly match against hosts Morocco this weekend away in Marrakech.
Ziyo of Al Shoula in Saudi Arabia, and Malama from South African club Chippa United, sustained injuries in Zambia’s eleven-day, three-match friendly tour camp in Morocco that saw them sit out the June 9 friendly against Cameroon in Spain that Chipolopolo lost 2-1 in Madrid.
Zambia team physician Doctor Mwila Lupasha said his medical team will make further assessment today, Wednesday on whether the duo will be fit in time for the June 16 friendly.
“So far everyone is in good health expect for two players; Donashano and Ziyo Tembo who sustained some injuries during training but otherwise they are recovering very well and I am hoping that by Saturday, they will be fit for the game against Morocco,” Dr Lupasha said.
“For now we are just trying to see that they just do light training otherwise we are not going to force them to train with the team.”
Malama has a back strain while Ziyo is carrying an ankle injury.
Striker Lazarus Kambole is set for an emotional swansong with Zesco United over the coming weeks following his confirmed move to Kaizer Chiefs.
Kambole will move to Chiefs from Zesco on a three year deal that will be triggered on July 1.
But Kambole has two more shots at bowing out with silverware with Zesco over the coming fortnight.
“He is still here until July 1 and so will play in our remaining games, “Zesco CEO Richard Mulenga told LT Sports on Tuesday.
Kambole’s will be in action for Zesco this Saturday in the 2019 ABSA Cup semifinals against Buildcon at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Victory in that match will see Kambole play his last home game on June 25 in the ABSA Cup final at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
But Kambole’s swansong is set to be an even more emotional one on June 29 when Zesco face Green Eagles in a 2019 FAZ Super Division title playoff at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Zesco and Kambole will be hoping to wrap-up their third successive league crown and eighth top-flight title overall.
Striker Mwape Musonda hopes that this is the start of better things to come with Chipolopolo after finally scoring his debut international goal over the weekend.
The 2018/2019 South Africa PSL top scorer who finish the season on 16 goals, on Sunday, June 9 scored Zambia’s only goal in their 2-1 away loss to Cameroon in Madrid after coming on as a second half substitute.
It has been a long time coming for the fringe Zambia striker Musonda who made his Chipolopolo debut in 2012 on his way to winning over five caps.
“It is has been long coming, I have been patient all these seasons. But then obviously I had to wait for the right time, I think I have come out at a good time having come out top goal scorer for two consecutive seasons,” Musonda said.
Musonda also won the golden boot in the South African second division in 2018 when his 14 goals propelled Black Leopards to top flight promotion.
“It is the right time. I just hope that I can bring the form in the national team now and help in that scoring department. We can get positive results as a nation going forward,” Musonda said.
Musonda has another opportunity to add to his still infant tally in the next two friendlies against hosts Morocco on June 16 in Marrakech, and Cote d’Ivoire on June 19 in Abu Dhabi.
File:Sikanze Hospital Lab Technician Constable Bruno Chiyumba taking Blood for full Blood count from Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kapyongo whilst Ass. Superintendent Geoffrey Msoni looks on during the prompt visit at the Sikanze Hospital
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Administration Kakulubelwa Mulalelo says Zambia is currently struggling to mobilise resources for collecting and processing of blood.
Ms Mulalelo says this is because the country has no active financial donor to support blood transfusion activities.
She said this during a policy meeting with health staff from across the country and cooperating partners.
Ms Mulalelo said government is calling for support towards the sector so that hospitals can be equipped with blood in case of emergencies.
She said blood is critical even when attending to Labour related issues during childbirth.
Ms Mulalelo said government alone cannot sustain the needs of health facilities and wants the help of partners.
And Lead Cooperating Partners Representative Ulrika Hertel said cooperating partners will always support the efforts of government in implementing health care services.
Ms Hertel said Zambia has made strides in localising specialised treatment hence serving a lot or resources by cutting referrals aboard.
She said there is need for the country to make every day a health awareness day so that people are aware of the many challenges the health sector is struggling with.
Ms Hertel however called on other cooperating partners to come on board and support the efforts of the ministry in making health accessible to all.
Texila American University Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Ajay Kumar Poddar has implored men in Zambia to be proactive in health seeking behavior if the fight against prostate cancer is to make positive strides.
Professor Poddar said that prostate cancer is often diagnosed late because of the tendency by some men to avoid regular health check ups. He says treatment is available for prostate cancer depending on the stage of the cancer. He has called on men to avoid depending solely on their peers for medical information but seek professional attention. He said men, especially those between 40 and 60 years old, should take regular medical check ups which include prostate cancer screening.
He noted that some of the symptoms of prostate cancer are frequent urination, weak or interrupted urine flow or the need to strain to empty the bladder, the urge to urinate frequently at night, blood in the urine, blood in the seminal fluid, new onset of erectile dysfunction, pain or burning during urination, which is much less common.
Professor Poddar however noted that sometimes men with prostate cancer do not have any of those changes. He quickly added, “other noncancerous conditions of the prostate, such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate, can cause similar symptoms.
Or, the cause of a symptom may be a different medical condition that is not cancer. Urinary symptoms also can be caused by an infection of the bladder or other conditions. That is why medical check ups are very important. There is need for public education that would help men get to the place of admitting that prostate cancer is a problem in Zambia, and this problem needs to be addressed.
However, men also need to take personal responsibility for their own health. I suggest a yearly thorough medical checkup to rule out all possible infections or diseases. The body is irreplaceable therefore we should take keen interest in ensuring we keep it healthy”, said Professor Poddar.
The Media Liaison Committee (MLC) has noted with sadness attempts to dilute the credibility of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) by those mentioned in the report and those failing to ensure the culprits mentioned in the report are investigated and brought to book.
The FIC’s Trends Report of 2018 has so far been condemned by President Edgar C. Lungu, some Patriotic Front party functionaries and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) among other groupings.
The FIC is the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Government of the Republic of Zambia which was established in November 2010 by an Act of Parliament called, ‘‘the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, No. 46 of 2010.’’ The FIC according to this Act is the sole designated National Agency mandated to receive, request, analyze and disseminate disclosure of information concerning suspected Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist Financing (TF) and other serious offences to competent authorities for investigations with the view of assisting with combatting ML, TF and other serious offences.
The MLC notes that last year alone, the FIC flagged off 80 cases of suspected corruption, money laundering, fraud and terrorist funding to law enforcement agencies.
The MLC expected the Head of State, who swore to uphold and protect the Constitution including institutions set up by the Constitution, to be respectful to the FIC and its work. MLC also expected President Lungu to be happy that there is a hard-working state institution like FIC among many sleeping ones that is working according to the law to protect the integrity of Zambia and its good governance. The FIC is helping President Lungu portray a positive image of a fight against corruption, tax evasion and money laundering amidst international reports like the Transparency International perceptions indices and others that depict increased corruption and diversion of public funds into private use in the Government of which President Lungu is head.
The MLC expected the Head of State to have been glad to receive a report that confirms what he and other citizens of goodwill have always suspected that there are bad elements in his government that are using their time in government to defraud, loot and plunder the national resources meant for development of Zambia.
The MLC would have expected that H.E Edgar Lungu would put to task state agencies like the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Zambia Police (ZP) on how many cases of the 80 reported by the FIC they had brought to court and how many they have cleared.
The MLC also notes a growing trend of disrespecting constitutional bodies like the FIC by the Head of State and those that work with him.
MLC notes with embarrassment the attack of FIC by a fellow state institution the DEC, who according to annual analysis is not doing a good job of protecting the country and our communities from an influx of drugs and has been in effect moribund in advising the country on the best way to operate in the era of many countries legitimising the use of cannabis for food and medical purposes.
The MCL notes that in the 2018 Trends report, the FIC provides for progressive recommendations aimed at protecting the integrity of doing business in Zambia and protecting the proper usage of taxpayer funds.
“Our appeal to the media, especially financial and investigative reporters, is to study the FIC 2018 report and help identify these schemes and deals that are defrauding the people of Zambia of their hard-earned taxes meant for development,” said MLC Chair Mr. Enock Ngoma.
“The MLC urges the media to partner with FIC in ensuring that the Zambian people are well informed of the bad deals and corruption of their civil servants and ministers in the government so that affairs of the government are handled by clean and honest government workers. Zambians that have evidence of government officials building mansions beyond their means should report these individuals to the media so they are investigated and exposed,” said MLC Chair Mr. Enock Ngoma.
Mr Ngoma adds “MLC urges all state institutions to emulate the hard work of the FIC under Mary Chirwa who despite operating in a harsh environment have continued to keep up with their constitutionally mandated role of flagging out financial ills being committed by those in charge of the operations of government. MLC is reminded of the past ACC under Ms Rosewin Wandi that followed through all corruption activities and helped clean the government off corrupt elements and deals.”
MLC encourages Director Mary Chirwa and her team to follow through all the illicit deals and ensure state resources are used according to their intended purposes and budget.
The MLC as a consortium of media associations advocating for professionalism in the way the media industry operates and as a watchdog to the three arms of government, is happy to lend its weight in support of the progressive work that the FIC under Director Mary Chirwa is doing.
Area Member of Parliament Jonas Chanda Meeting the 1,000 displaced residents.
To the Editor- Lusaka Times
RE: REPLY to your Edition entitled Ndola Businessman to demolish a Community School built on his land
Your story which appeared in your online media entitled as above on 27th May 2019, is misleadingly erroneous.Click here for story The issue of land in issue has been going on for years because of squatters who settled on the land belonging to other Zambians.
The facts are that the land belongs to inter-Africa Petroleum Limited a Zambian company wholly owned by Zambians. There is no foreigner or foreign investor involved. You will do well for yourselves and readers if you verified the information at PACRA office to check shareholders and directors. Further, There are less than 20 people of one family, who illegally went to build structures of the said land. The land is on Title Deeds and the same was obtained way before the squatters illegally settled on it. These people said that they were only settling on the land temporarily as they would look for alternative land. Eventually these people refused to move out as the company wanted to develop the area for purposes of business. These people even sued the company and lost and obviously the outcome of the court must be respected.
Upon losing the matter the illegal squatters have resorted to seeking sympathy by politicising the matter which is very clear. The MP in his bid to win votes to enhance his popularity has also ignorantly been issuing statements which are false and misleading.
The government has since given alternative land to the 20 squatters or illegal settlers in Kaloko but they have refused to do so. The people involved are mostly illegal fuel dealers commonly known as “Changanya traders”. They find the place suitable to conduct their illegal business hence their failure to vacate the land and the receive encouragement and confidence from the MP Hon. Jonas Chanda.
In a bid to further sensitise and politicise the issue the MP and the 20 people involved are saying that the people to be evicted are 5,000 when in fact its only 20 people. To further sensentionalise the issue the MP is now talking about a community school being demoslished which is a total fabrication. In fact our Company supports and promotes education particularly for the under privileged. We emphasise that there is no school whatsoever at verge of being demolished.
Further, we must state that it is both contemptuous for the MP Hon. Jonas Chanda to issue statements against Court Orders or meant to derail the decision of the courts. As MP he is a law maker who should be the first person to properly understand the role of the courts and the need thereof to respect Court decisions.
It is therefore, our appeal both to you as a media and the MP to desist from issuing misleading and unguarded statements lest you be cited for contempt of court which is a criminal offence which would lead to imprisonment.
Some of the slaughtered animals lying in a pool of blood in Choma after the department of Livestock slaughtered them on Saturday
The Choma Magistrate Court has ordered for the auction of the Carcasses of over 70 animals that were seized from a farmer and killed in Macha area on Saturday.
This follows an application to the court by the Choma Veterinary Office.
A notice of Sheriff’s Sale by Public Auction revealed that the carcasses will be auctioned at Choma Halaal Abattoir in Mbabala area.
The notice lists 32 Cattle, 12 Sheep and 28 Goats as animals that will be sold to the public from farmer Mr. Kembe Siantimbe.
According to Mr. Siantumbe, the animals were seized as he was trekking them from Pemba to Mumbwa where his family has recently relocated.
He has described the slaughter of his animals as a death penalty saying his entire family and the education of his children depended on them.
The slaughter of the animals has been received with mixed emotion from a cross section of society with argument torn between the law and whether officers should have sought other alternatives.
“Retired”rapper, MrVezzy (formerly known as LV) has called on Zambians to join hands to reclaim the country’s economic assets from foreigners. In a video produced for online news channel TaukaTV ,Vezzy challenges Zambians to create an investment entity that will pool together investments from citizens to build up private capital to boost the ability to claim ownership of strategic assets.
In this video he appears to echo some of the sentiments in his breakout song,“No Sweat.No Sweet (Survival Ni Nkondo)”where he purports to quote a boastful boss saying,“Zambia kya wena.Malikya Mina” Which loosely translates to ‘Zambia is yours but the wealth generated here is mine’
Mr Vezzy contends that investing in strategic companies is the only effective route to build wealth. He laments how the word “investor” has become synonymous with“foreigner”. He has called upon Zambians to rise up and invest in their own country to allow themselves to benefit from the value created through these strategically positioned companies.
Through the emPawa Africa initiative, Nigerian artist ,Mr Eazi, selected 100 artists to receive $3000 each to create a music video. Zambia singer Scott was one of the artists chosen.
Scott was able to create the music video for the song ‘Misunderstood‘. The video was directed by DJLo.
President Edgar Lungu shows pictures to President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Dambudza Mnangagwa shortly before handing over the Presidential photo album to him at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport before his departure
A senior Zambian government official has confirmed that the University of Zambia will go ahead and confer Honorary Doctorates in Good Governance to President Edgar Lungu and his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The official who preferred to remain anonymous confirmed that the ceremony will go ahead at the next UNZA graduation ceremony.
“Yes the ceremony is on and invitations have been sent to Zimbabwe and both Presidents have accepted to be honoured, so we are just preparing to host President Mnangagwa here,” the official said.
Frantic efforts to get a comment from UNZA Council Caretaker Committee Chairperson Namucana Musiwa proved futile as she referred all queries to the Public Relations Manager Damaseke Chibale who refused to comment.
But some UNZA insiders have also confirmed that Presidents Lungu and Mnangagwa will be honoured at next week’s ceremony.
And some Zambians have taken to social media to denounce UNZA’s plans to confer Honorary Doctorates on President Lungu and the Zimbabwean Leader.
Zambians took to social media to express displeasure on the decision by UNZA after it was revealed that President Lungu might be changing titles from Mr Lungu will be conferred with an honorary doctorate degree as he officiates at the next graduation ceremony slated for June 21.
Both President Lungu and Mnangagwa graduated from UNZA with LLB.
“The initial plan was to simply confer an honorary doctorate degree on President Lungu alone, but some expressed concern that the public and even the members of the university may question the move, so it was decided that the best thing would be to find a cover-up. After much deliberation, it was agreed that another honorary doctorate degree be given to Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa so that he can be used as a decoy to legitimise the award. As you probably know the Zimbabwean President, like President Lungu, has an LLB degree from UNZA,” said the source who spoke to the News Diggers.
And the UNZA Alumni association has advertised an alumni dinner slated for June 22 at Mulungushi International Centre to be graced by President Lungu and President Mnangagwa.
Tickets are going for K950 per person.
Meanwhile civil rights activist Laura Miti said President Lungu must decline the good governance honorary doctorate if indeed the university is planning to confer him.
“If there is ever a time one hopes a rumour making the rounds is fake news, it this story that the University of Zambia plans to award President Lungu with an honorary doctorate in good governance. Good governance Even he would refuse it, kaleza. They should give him one for encouraging health and fitness pela, if they must. These things must ring true” Miti said.
Some have also used social media to circulate a mock Honorary Doctorate to be conferred to President Lungu for apparently promoting corruption.
