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Zambia coach Aggrey Chiyangi has saluted his sides’ character after overcoming Zimbabwe in a gritty 2019 COSAFA Cup semifinal on Wednesday night to qualify for the finals.
Chipolopolo ended their two-match losing run against Zimbabwe at the COSAFA Cup following a 4-2 post-match penalty win after a 0-0 draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Zimbabwe had come into the tie as favourites after emphatically defeating Zambia in the 2017 and 2018 COSAFA Cup finals.
“I have to congratulate the boys, they have done very well and they have worked very hard,” Chiyangi said.
“When you look at Zimbabwe, they are very good, they played very good combination football, but what was important for us was that they don’t break us.
“I told the players that they have to die-hard for the country because Zimbabwe has beaten us twice in the last two COSAFA Cup finals, so this time, we just have to make sure that we worked very hard.”
Zambia now face Botswana in the final on June 8 at Moses Mabhida in search of their fifth COSAFA Cup title that will move them within one of record champions Zimbabwe.
Zambia striker Patson Daka says playing international friendly games against two high-profile 2019 AFCON finalists is a positive sign despite Chipolopolo’s failure to qualify for the tournament Egypt is hosting from June 21 to July 19.
Chipolopolo has a date against defending AFCON champions Cameroon in Madrid, Spain on June 9 and Morocco away in Marrakech on June 16.
In-between, Zambia will play Gambia in Marrakech on June 12.
“It is very important that we can be considered for these friendly games amongst other countries and it means that they know we have something to offer,” Patson said.
“It is just unfortunate that we didn’t qualify to the AFCON.
“It is also a good platform for us to stay in shape and to work towards our future goals.
“It doesn’t mean that just because we haven’t qualified, then we have to stop even being together and work on other areas.”
Zambia, who has been in camp since Tuesday, will leave for Spain on Friday morning.
But the team will be without defender Stopilla Sunzu of French club Metz who has withdrawn from the tour due to injury.
The development means coach Beston Chambeshi will only have 19 out of the 20 call-ups for the excursion.
GOALKEEPERS: Allan Chibwe (Nkana), Charles Muntanga (Nkwazi)
DEFENDERS: Kabaso Chongo (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Ziyo Tembo (Al Shoula, Saudi Arabia), Kebson Kamanga (Nkwazi), Paul Banda (Lusaka Dynamos), Moses Nyondo (Nkana), Shemmy Mayembe (Zesco United)
MIDFIELDERS: Donashano Malama (Chippa United, South Africa), Gamphani Lungu (SuperSport United, South Africa), Salulani Phiri (Polokwane City, South Africa), Enock Mwepu (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Emmanuel Banda (AS Beziers, France), Kings Kangwa (Buildcon), Augustine Mulenga (Orlando Pirates, South Africa),
STRIKERS: Justin Shonga (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Patson Daka (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Fashion Sakala (KV Oostende, Belgium)
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Mr Amos Chanda has resigned.
In a surprise move, Mr Chanda handed in his resignation to President Edgar Lungu this morning.
Sources have revealed that President Lungu summoned Mr Chanda just before lunch time with the hope of convincing him to change his position.
Other senior Ministers and intelligence personnel were also tasked to help change Mr Chanda’s mind.
After all failed, President Lungu reluctantly accepted Mr Chanda’s resignation.
And in a hurriedly organized news conference at State House a while ago, Mr Chanda thanked President Lungu and the First Lady for the opportunity to have served as Presidential Spokesperson for the past four years.
Mr Chanda said the position he had held had accorded him the opportunity to put in the best years of his public service.
He said he will remain resolute in supporting the President Lungu and the PF government in the persuit of development.
Mr Chanda is expected to be redeployed to another position.
Australia based ,Zambian Hip Hop artist , Sampa The Great released her latest single ‘Final Form‘
She had this to say on social media:
“The Music Video for final form was inspired by the belief of having a spiritual exodus back to yourself. We often as black people in the diaspora talk about the physical return to our roots but not so much the spiritual.
Final form is meant to start that conversation, even though physically done in Africa. The physical return only happened after the spiritual one. It was important for me to do this video in Zambia. The place of my birth and where I’m from. Because if I’m truly going to become the greatest version of myself, I’m going to start at the most me I’ve ever been. Which is where I started from, where I grew up!
I also wanted to touch on the topics of home which will further be revealed in the album! But also clarify that I am indeed a Zambian. Born and raised between Zambia and Botswana. By a Bemba mother and Tumbuka father and to erase that by calling me anything but Zambian/African, is to erase my history,culture and essence. Everything I was born from. “
STATEMENT BY PATRIOTIC FRONT SECRETARY GENERAL HON. DAVIES MWILA
PATRIOTIC FRONT DETERMINED TO STOP CULTURE OF INSULTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Introduction
As is the case with different kinds of technology, there is a good side and a bad side to the use of Social Media.
Some of the advantages of social media include increased connectivity as the connected state of social media allows individuals to simultaneously and effectively connect with many people over a limitless geographical area who may share common interests.
Unfortunately, as beneficial as Social Media may be, it is also prone to abuse and has to be managed in a thorough and responsible way without necessarily stifling liberties in order for PF Social media platforms to effectively benefit the common good.
Our common interest as members of Patriotic Front (PF) is the furtherance of the objectives of the party in our service of the people of Zambia. It is therefore our collective duty to ensure that the negative and abusive side of social media which includes cyber bullying and insults is not given any space in our beloved party.
Consequently, subsequent to my earlier pronouncement regarding the management of whatsapp groups and given the importance of maintaining unity of purpose in pursuit of PF values and objectives, I wish to announce that the processes to constitute a social media monitoring team have reached an advanced stage.
*The Importance of Full Statutory Compliance in Using Social Media*
As this is being done, it is important to note that there are sufficient laws in this Country criminalising insulting language under the Constitution of Zambia. According to *Article 20 (3)* of the Constitution provides as follows:
20 (3) _Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this Article to the extent that it is shown that the law in question makes provision_
(b) _That is reasonably required for the purpose of protecting the reputations, rights and freedoms of other persons._
The Penal Code under Sections 179, 67 and 57 states as follows:
*Section 179* _”Every person who uses insulting language or otherwise conducts himself in a manner likely to give such provocation to any person as to cause such person to break the public peace or to commit any offence against the person, is liable to imprisonment for three months or to a fine not exceeding four hundred and fifty penalty units or to both.”_
Further *Section 57* states as follows:
“(1) _any person who- Offences in respect of seditious practices_
(b) _utters any seditious words;_
(c) _Prints, publishes, sells, offers for sale, distributes or reproduces any seditious publication;_
(d)_…; is guilty of an offence and is liable for a first offence to imprisonment for seven years or to a fine not exceeding six thousand penalty units or to both; and any seditious publication shall be forfeited.”_
Additionally *Section 67* of the Penal Code states as follows:
(1) _Any person who publishes, whether orally or in writing or otherwise, any statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, knowing or having reason to believe that such statement, rumour or report is false, is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for three years.”_
” (2) _It shall be no defence to a charge under subsection (1) that he did not know or did not have reason to believe that the statement, rumour or report was false, unless he proves that, prior to publication, he took reasonable measures to verify the accuracy of such statement, rumour or report._”
The laws of Zambia also provide for criminal defamation under section 191 of the Penal Code.
I am therefore directing all members of the Party in the habit of taking insults to social media to immediately stop or face the repercussions.
Let me state that I do not want to be forced to direct Provincial Executive Committees to apply *Sections 31* and *32* of the Criminal Procedure Code in bringing perpetrators to book which provides for arrest by private persons as follows:
“31 (1). _Any person may arrest any person who, in his presence, commits a cognizable offence, or whom he reasonably suspect of having committed a felony._
32. (1). _Any private person arresting or any other person without a warrant shall, without unnecessary delay, make over the person so arrested to a police officer, or in the presence of a police, shall take such person to the nearest police station.”_
Conclusion
Discipline is the foundation upon which our unity is built and maintained and our overall success is leveraged. It only follows that our collective discipline as a party is the sum total of the individual self-discipline of all of us as members of PF. I am very confident in the level-headedness and general reasonableness of all our members in the various structures and organs across the 10 Provinces of our country and I would like to thank all our members for their understanding and support in this regard.
Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone says most of the Agro dealers in the province performed below expectations in the last farming season.
Speaking on a live radio programme on Muchinga FM anchored by Christabel Chulu and monitored by the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Chinsali, Mr Sichone said most of the small scale farmers were not given the inputs by the agro dealers despite having their cards swiped.
Mr Sichone has since directed law enforcement agencies in the province to follow all the agro dealers who failed to supply the inputs despite swiping the cards for the clients and ensure that they account for their deeds.
He said he will not allow a situation where agro dealers fail to supply inputs to the farmers despite government fulfilling its obligation of paying its contribution to the individual farmer.Mr Sichone has also appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to increase the fertilizer allocation to the region because the area has a good weather climate condition and rainfall pattern to support agricultural production.
Mr Sichone said while other regions in the country such as Southern Province experienced serious drought affecting agricultural production, Muchinga had relatively good rains but it did not receive enough inputs.
The Provincial Minister said Muchinga Province has potential to feed the rest of the country if only supported with adequate inputs which should also be transported on time. And Mr Sichone has re-emphasised his call for camp officers not to shun their duty stations.
Mr Sichone said all the camp officers who have left their stations, should immediately go back. He said the successful crop production by the small scale farmers depends on the technical service they get from the camp extension officers, hence the need for them to remain in their duty stations and offer their much needed services.
The Lusaka City Council has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Medici Land Governance that will lead to the issuance of no fewer than 250,000 certificates of title related to real property under the jurisdiction of LCC in and around the capital city.
Medici Land Governance is a US based subsidiary of Overstock focused on land administration.
In addition to establishing a simplified, time-sensitive, and streamlined titling process that builds on the 50,000 homes upon which MLG collected governance information last year, the MOU calls for developing and deploying a land information management system to handle title transfers, title searches, and other transactions.
The MOU stipulates a revenue sharing arrangement between the Lusaka City Council and MLG.
Under the terms of the MOU, the parties will work together to execute a definitive agreement within 90 days.
The agreement is open ended, subject to review every two and a half years.
Data related to issuance of occupancy licenses, deed titles, payments and other revenue-generating transactions will be posted on a blockchain.
The data will be accessible on an open source mobile platform to land owners, government agencies, local authorities, and private sector interests.
MLG recently completed a proof of concept project with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources which has facilitated the subsequent process, currently underway, of issuing over 50,000 certificates of title related to real property in and around Lusaka.
One of the fastest growing cities in southern Africa, Lusaka has a population of at least 2.5 million in its metropolitan district.
“We are thrilled to extend our collaboration with the leaders of Lusaka, especially the city council and the mayor, who have graciously placed their confidence in this groundbreaking initiative,” said Ali El Husseini, PhD, CEO of Medici Land Governance.
“Last year, Lusaka was the site of our first project and we look forward to working with city planners to show how blockchain and a digitized land administration system can transform the ways governments (especially local governments) and businesses operate along with giving individuals new opportunities for economic mobility and empowerment.”
“There is no more noble fulfilment to me than being part of a project that will empower Lusaka residents with housing ownership,” said Miles Sampa, Mayor of Lusaka.
“While partnering with Medici Land Governance, we shall not leave anyone behind in the drive to create real sustainable wealth for families.”
Overstock CEO and founder Patrick M. Byrne said, “I believe this is a very big deal. Rule of Law begins with good land governance, which permits capital to come into existence, which is the first step of the process by which Less Developed Countries can emerge from poverty.
He said this also permits local governments to develop their first proper tax revenue base to support the services which their citizens desire.
As importantly, for us it is a demonstration project to show not just Lusaka, but Zambia, the rest of Africa, and beyond, the benefits of land governance.”
This agreement with Lusaka City Council will allow Medici Land Governance to implement its world-leading blockchain land governance technology to accelerate economic growth in Lusaka through proper, accurate, inexpensive land governance.
Medici Land Governance was founded in 2018 to put the power of property ownership and equity into the hands of citizens by applying blockchain and other technologies to provide low-cost, easy-to-use land titling and administration systems.
MLG is a subsidiary of Medici Ventures, Overstock wholly-owned blockchain accelerator.
Medici Ventures’ mission is to introduce blockchain technology to existing markets to democratize capital, eliminate middlemen, and re-humanize commerce.
UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema says the manner in which President Edgar Lungu has recanted to the Financial Intelligence Center (FIC) annual report confirms his lack of seriousness in dealing with corruption.
Speaking at KKIA lasts evening when he arrived from Ndola, President Lungu said the FIC report is fueling gossip and that it was just full of “Mfwiti Mfwiti.”
But Mr Hichilema said President Lungu has dismissed the FIC report detailing financial embezzlement as “mfwiti mfwiti” because he is at the epicenter.
Mr Hichilema said If he were in President Lungu’s position, he would have immediately called on the ACC, DEC and the Police to independently study the FIC report and expedite investigations and bring all the named suspects to book.
He said the FIC report has revealed yet again that corruption under President Lungu’s Government has reached alarming levels.
“This corruption and resulting high taxes should worry every Zambian, who is now overtaxed, cannot access health care nor have a quality education. This corruption coupled with the strange act of PF’s expropriation of KCM has further eroded investor confidence,” Mr Hichilema said.
The FIC report shows that as of 2018, K6.1 billion had been stolen by scams and rackets which involved politicians in the PF.
He charged that Zambians can safely say the country is in economic turmoil.The FIC report shows that as of 2018, K6.1 billion had been stolen by scams and rackets which involved politicians in the PF.
The figure is up from 6.1 billion from K4.5 billion reported by FIC in 2017.
“Edgar Lungu was handed that report, but he did NOTHING. Now he has been handed this latest report which cites examples of terrorist funding from Zambia and he still does NOTHING, in the meantime the country is haemorrhaging and the people of Zambia are paying dearly while their President is preoccupied with defending criminals,” Mr Hichilema said.
“UPND’s policy of zero tolerance on corruption is clear and this is why we say: Mr Lungu must reflect on his insatiable appetite for corruption because we, in the UPND, together with the people of Zambia would like to channel these resources and public funds to improving the welfare of every Zambian. In the midst of a distressed economy where government is failing to pay salaries and suppliers, such financial leakage must be stopped.”
He said the UPND has guided that oversight institutions such as Anti-Corruption Commission, Drug Enforcement Commission, National Prosecution Authority and the Judiciary need to not only be strengthened but given independence to fulfil their mandate without fear or favour.
“The same people being investigated are the same ones responsible for appointing people to positions in these institutions. The level of the greed by certain individuals is staggering, as reflected in the FIC report. The culture of corruption has become endemic and synonymous with the PF leadership.”
He added, “We are greatly concerned about this as the rot has continued to deepen. Only a change of administration can avert such a decline in ethics and fiscal discipline.”
“It is an insult to the millions of Zambians, suffering in this weak economy that is on its knees due to poor economic management and blatant corruption.”
He said the loss of 6.1 Billion Kwacha in a space of 9 months is a clear indication that the PF has utterly failed to govern in the interest of Zambians adding that they are on a path of destruction.
“This money would have cleared all arrears that UNZA has, would have provided water to all residents of Kitwe. This money would have been used to buy drugs in hospitals. Let me put this into perspective, the money stolen is 93% of the 2019 budget for roads, 272% of the 2019 budget for hospitals, 120% of our defence budget; 308% of water and sanitation. This is the cesspit that we are entertaining from the PF government.”
He stated, “We need total independence for the law enforcement agencies across the board, security of tenure for all employees must be guaranteed by the constitution. There should be an end to officers being fired in so called national interest for doing their job. We challenge the law makers to ensure that they develop laws to safeguard the law enforcement agencies.”
“Secondly we demand that Edgar Lungu cracks the whip, he cannot tell us that he truly believes one fire engine can cost one million US dollars. Thirdly we demand that the ACC and other arms of the law take these matters up.”
He said, “One case is very clear, the procurement of fire engines does not need forensics, everyone can see there was corruption on a grand scale at play here. Zambians deserve better. Enough is enough.”
File:President Edgar Lungu during the Tour of Kansanshi Mine PLC in Solwezi on Friday watches Female Grace Katambi Mine Truck driver 168tonnes 15-05-2015 Picture EDDIE MWANALEZA /STATE HOUSE.
Dr. Henry Kanyanta Sosala
PART I
Preamble
In May 2019, President Edgar Lungu announced that the Government would disengage with Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), stating that he would not allow Zambia to be blackmailed or arm twisted by mining investors as the country was still ripe for investment. He went on: ‘’We have been taken for a ride by some of these investors for a long time. Government has now resolved to part with KCM. So I am here to announce that Government is divorcing KCM and would invoke the legal process to that effect.’’ President Lungu assured the nation that Government would follow the due process of the law in disengaging KCM investor, Vedanta Resources.
In the meanwhile, Information Minister, Honourable Dora Siliya explained that the provisional liquidation of KCM was not about the mine being insolvent but the government was opting to terminate its partnership with Vedanta Resources. The Minister went on: ‘’Vedanta Resources owned by Anil Agarwal of India is the parent company of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) with 79.4% shareholding portfolio. ZCCM-IH has 20.6% of shares in KCM and it holds those shares on behalf of 17 million Zambians and so the interest by the Government is very large. The liquidation of KCM has not been prompted by its creditors; it has been prompted by one of the partners in KCM, in this case ZCCM-IH on behalf of the 17 million Zambians. The liquidation has been very clear that this is still an ongoing concern because it is not insolvency liquidation where you shut down and you send the workers away. In this case it is only the partnership that is finishing.’’
The minister further said that by 2018, it was clear to the Zambian Government, through its shareholders ZCCM-IH that what had been agreed in 2013 had not been done. In April last year, a default notice was sent to KCM in relation to breach of agreement terms: ‘’As a result you (KCM) are putting the company at risk…… the purpose of going in any business is to make profit so that this profit is shared, so that we can put that money in other development projects.’’ Honourable Siliya said that the idea of coming together was that we must be able to realize benefits from both parties i.e., ZCCM-IH on behalf of 17 million people and because this was not happening that was why the Government wanted to go into a separation with its partners in KCM, Vedanta.
We have in the meanwhile read in papers how some senior people from Vedanta want to have transparent and constructive talks with the government, by why now? The answer comes from Professor Akuffo: ‘’When a fool becomes wise, then the game is over since there is no one to play the game.’’
Now these are the reactions to the above: a headline appeared in the Mast quoting the Canada-based lawyer, Elias Munshya: ‘’What PF ‘mafias’ will do with KCM.’’ And he blindly talks about the ‘’rule of law.’’ He said, ‘’…those who undermine the rule of law do so under cover of ambiguity and mostly under cover of secrecy.’’ (The Mast 23rd May 2019). And yet he contradicts himself since he had earlier elaborated on the same issue and he was quoted in The Daily Nation of 3rd February 2017:‘’The Republic of Zambia is a political system first, before it becomes a legal system. The people of Zambia are the reservoir of all government power in Zambia which they exercise through their elected representatives and government. Zambia is not a technocracy; it is a democracy. No matter our fidelity to the rule of law, the rule of law itself is not a governing system. The rule of law is not a governor of Zambia. An idealistic commitment to a philosophical concept such as the ‘rule of law’ should not be used as an end in itself. It is a means to an end.’’ But unfortunately he ends up contradicting himself. This means, ’’No one knows the truth better than the liar.’’
In fact President Lungu had assured the nation that Government would follow the due process of the law in disengaging KCM investor, Vedanta Resources. What Munshya is actually talking about in essence is what the indigenous radical South Africans are demanding to repossess the stolen land without compensation.
Elias Munshya further went on: ‘’…. It is quite telling that the ex-parte order appointing the provisional liquidator of KCM has the signature of the Judge, without the name of the Judge. The world does not know which of the 30 plus judges granted this order that has liquidated one of Zambia’s biggest mining companies.’’ Yes, it has the legal signature of the Judge and it is enough and sufficient. Anyway is it illegal in Munshya’s perceived world not to know the Judge’s name? And why is he so desperate to know the Judge’s name? I believe he wants to know the Judge’s name and deduce from the name if the Judge belongs to his enviable and opposite tribe, then make a tribal capital out of it.
And Brehner Changala was also quoted: Learned Criminals have assembled under PF to dismember rule of law.’’ And he went on to say, ‘’there is a new trend that has come in where the government has assembled a cabal of lawyers who have brought in a new legal system of acquiring and taking over companies that are not in good books with the state.’’ (The Mast 23rd May 2019). If you compare this with what Honourable Siliya explained on KCM saga, then you can easily see that Changala is indeed the real confused criminal who is ready to abandon 17 million Zambians and his own flesh and blood in preference to a capitalist-exploiter. What shame!
What is amazing is this that Munshya and Changala have one common characteristic and that is they are both folk-tongued and highly unprincipled. It was Changala who said: ‘’A highly sophisticated and heavily financed scheme oust President Lungu and the PF has been hatched…… it has become fashionable for Western governments to influence regime change in Zambia and other African countries to counter the Asian influence, particularly the Chinese dominance in Africa since they have felt betrayed by PF and the late President Sata’s failure to chase the Chinese, a campaign message that was used to dethrone the MMD.’’ (Daily Nation 11th January 2016).
But on the other hand, when Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba was denied entry into Zambia when he was invited to come and deliver a lecture on China’s Imperialistic involvement in Zambia, Changala who described Professor Lumumba as ‘’an African intellectual who inspired both the young and old,’’ went on to say, ‘’Professor Lumumba would be graciously and honourably received by the people of Zambia when these criminals have been kicked out of power.’’ (The Mast 2nd October 2018)
If Professor Lumumba is a genuine intellectual who knows so much about the Chinese economy and their penetration in Africa, what has he done to try and help revive Kenya’s economy which is on fire? I believe that any knowledge, and especially at this critical period in Africa which does not come down to try and break the vicious cycles of youth unemployment and high poverty levels especially in rural areas, no matter how brilliant is just an illusion. Education can only be valuable to us and to those around us when we grasp its essence and properly apply it to our daily realities. It is not the acquisition of book knowledge, but the application of that knowledge to serious national issues at hand that counts.
I think Trywell Kalusopa makes this point more clear: ‘’I believe that political and economic brains that do not liberate their own people from oozing poverty when they have the instruments to do so are worthless. Brains that recite a pseudo-capitalist agenda for self-aggrandizement are a curse to their nations. Brains that cannot break an exploitative system for the good of their people are dead brains. They are not worth the of brains! They are sterile!’’ (Sunday Post 19th August 2007).
What is heart-wrenching is that our newspapers are just full of stories of politicians insulting each other and was it really necessary in this clear incidence of KCM saga to describe our leaders as ‘’criminals.’’? On the all, Zambian politics is based on reactions to issues and not on principals or on sound reasoning. And someone crudely put it: ‘’We just keep on barking at each other like mad dogs.’’ Ngande Mwanajiti wrote: ‘’Those who resort to unpalatable language and insults are just not capable of dealing with issues at hand in a reasonable manner. It is not any different from the case of war lords or terrorists who measure success by the number and level of destruction.’’(Daily Nation 1st July 2015).
I have just observed from KCM saga how the power of the spirit of hatred and jealousy can easily distort a person’s way of thinking because some who claim to be Marxists or socialists have condemned the Government on KCM issue. And I think the victim is President Edgar Lungu, but unfortunately there is only one Presidential vacancy and which is not so easy to fill and that is why the Americans say: ‘’Unum Pluribum Est’’ i.e., ‘’Out of Many One.’’
Jealousy is as strong as death and as poisonous as venom. The trouble with it is that it unleashes more harm to the person harbouring it than the person targeted. And to you President Lungu, you have taken a very bold step in trying to reclaim our property which was obtained through fraud and let me say: ‘’Don’t worry, some people will hate you while others will love you and both are to your advantage. It is either a heart medicine or head disease! When people love you, you live peacefully and happily in their hearts. But when they hate you, you become their landlord in their heads i.e., living painfully in their brains everyday and giving them sleepless nights and incurable headaches. So why worry, move on.’’ Eckhart Tolle wrote: ‘’Whatever you fight, you ignite and strengthen and whatever you resist persists.’’
Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Christopher Yaluma says Government will not rush into signing the African Continental Free Trade –AfCTA until stakeholder consultation was complete.
Speaking upon arrival in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, Hon. Yaluma stated that Zambia will not rush to ratify the AfCTA agreement to be done before the forthcoming July African Union Heads of States Summit.
He said the wide consultation was meant to ensure that the country instituted mechanisms to ensure that Zambia does not become a dumping site for substandard products.
Mr. Yaluma said the consultative process with relevant stakeholders was still on-going and had not been exhausted to warrant ratification during the operationalization of the CFTA at next month’s summit.
He said government wanted to obtain full endorsement from the private sector as they will be the major drivers of the programme.
The Minister said the signing of the CFTA framework by His Excellency President Lungu in March was testimony that Zambia was committed to being part of the single largest market in Africa.
The Minister who is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a consultative meeting on the CFTA however said that there is a possibility that Government could table the AfCFTA for ratification before Parliament in August.
He said Zambia understands the importance of being part of the single largest market and wants the private sector in the country to drive the process.
The Minister was received in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, His Excellency, Mr Emmanuel Mwamba.
Issued by
Mrs. Inutu Mupango Mwanza
First Secretary-Press& Tourism
Zambia Embassy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The Drug Enforcement Commission in Mansa District has destroyed over five tonnes of cannabis seized from over 160 accused persons in various cases in Mansa, Chembe, Milenge, Chipili, Mwense and Mwansabombwe districts respectively after cases from April, 2018 to March, 2019 were disposed of by the courts of law.
The destruction exercise, which was conducted at the Mansa Municipal Council Dump site, included fresh and dry cannabis plants and seeds, pursuant to Section 34 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia.
Drug Enforcement Commission Luapula Province Regional Commander, Charles Ndulumina stated that the Commission will not relent in closely following up issues to do with drug trafficking and abuse.
He disclosed that drug abuse has been prevalent among the youths who are growing and abusing drugs such as cannabis thereby being a menace to the public as well as destroying the lives of young people in the community.
The Regional Commander has since cautioned people in Luapula Province to desist from engaging themselves in cultivation of cannabis and concentrate on growing crops which are of benefit to the nation.
The exercise was conducted in the presence of representatives from the District Joint Operation Committee (DJOC), Environmental Health Department (Mansa Municipal Council), the Judiciary, DEC officers and journalists from ZANIS, Diamond TV, as well as K FM and Yangeni Radio.
Meanwhile Uganda has secured contracts to export medical marijuana products to Canada and Germany worth more than R2 billion in June. South Africa is also one of the markets for unrefined cannabis buds/flower.
British High Commissioner to Zambia, Fergus Cochrane-Dyet
UK High Commissioner Fergus Cochrane-Dyet has questioned the Economic Association of Zambia’s latest statements on the state of the economy.
The EAZ through its President Lubinda Haabazoka has been issuing statements that seem to suggest that all was well in the Zambian economy.
In July, the Association will be hosting what it is calling the National Economics Summit aimed at exploring new ideas to grow the Zambian economy.
But Dr Haabazoka has in the recent past castigated other experts and some publications who have highlighted Zambia’s economic woes saying those are enemies of Zambia.
But Mr Cochrane-Dyet in a tweet said the Association’s recent statement is a matter of concern.
He has urged the Association to be realistic regarding the challenge facing Zambia.
“What do EAZ’s recent statements, e.g. claiming anti-Zambia conspiracy by Bloomberg, say about its credibility and impartiality?”
He added, “Recent Govt announcement on tackling debt is very good news, but Zambian economists must be realistic over the challenge facing Zambia.”
CHISHIMBA Kambwili’s company was paid US $566,579.75 by a Chinese company in a transaction over which he has been charged with abuse of authority of office, forgery, uttering a false document, obtaining pecuniary advantage, and possession of huge amounts of money suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Kambwili has been jointly charged with two Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officers for presenting a fake tax clearance certificate to secure contracts.
A court hearing the case in Lusaka yesterday heard that Chishimba Kambwili’s Mwamona Engineering and Technical Services Limited (METSL) received US$566,579.75 from China Henan International in about six installments.
Testifying as a fifth prosecution witness yesterday, Atlas Mara Bank Luanshya branch manager Nalishebo Chibatabata told Principal Resident Magistrate Mwaka Mikalile that the US$566,579.75 was sent to METSL’s account held at the bank and that Kambwili and his wife Carol Chishimba were authorised signatories for the account.
Ms. Chibatabata was testifying in the case Kambwili is jointly charged with his son Mwamba, two ZRA officers Mulenga Kapilima and Brano Musonda Lukwesa; and METSL.
They are charged for 39 counts of abuse of authority of office, forgery, uttering a false document, obtaining pecuniary advantage, and possession of huge amounts of money suspected to be proceeds of crime on several occasions.
Kapilima and Lukwesa from ZRA are accused of making the false ZRA tax clearance certificate purporting to show that METSL was tax compliant when in fact not.
During continued trial yesterday, Ms. Chibatabata said on August 28, 2014, there was an incoming transfer of US$25,568.85 deposited into the METSL’s dollar current account number 03144170201 from China Henan International.
She said on September 23, 2014, there was another incoming transfer of US$42,367.24 into the same account by order of China Henan International while on October 23, 2014, there was another transfer of US$148,484.49 in favour of METSL.
She said on October 27, 2014, US$148,500 was transferred from the same account to Standard Chartered Bank in favour of Kambwili’s wife.
Ms. Chibatabata added that on December 12, 2014 there was another incoming transfer of US$209,779.39 in favour of METSL and that seven days later, there was another incoming transfer of US$119,730 from China Henan International.
She said on January 9, 2015, China Henan International further transferred US$20,649.78 to METSL’s account.
Earlier, Zesco Limited senior manager for procurement and stores Brian Chongo Kambole testified that his company paid METSL for the contract involving construction of settlement houses for the 14.8 megawatts Lunzua hydropower generation project.
Fujian Haian Rubber Company Limited, a tyre manufacturing firm from China has established its base in Zambia to market its products and services in Africa, a company official said on Wednesday.
The company supplies its products to the mining industry in Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Africa and Senegal.
Eric Lin, company director for the Africa market, said the opening of a head office in Zambia aimed to cover the wider African market.
“We have established our head office in Zambia, we supply our products to the mining firms, in Copperbelt, 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.
Lin said in an interview that the company manufactures products for the mining sector and Zambia was chosen because mining was a huge sector in the southern African nation.
Zambia, he said, was a stable country that offers opportunities for foreign direct investment. Lin added China and Africa are enjoying cooperation in various economic partnerships to foster development.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has said that it will not shield any member found involved in financial crimes highlighted in the latest report of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).
LAZ President Eddie Mwitwa said that the Association has secured an appointment with the FIC to get more details concerning lawyers’ involvement in alleged financial crimes.
Mr. Mwitwa said that LAZ will be seeking more details and circumstances about lawyers that have been linked to the FIC report that has revealed alarming illicit financial deals.
Mr. Mwitwa said that LAZ will welcome initiatives by law enforcement agencies to find cause to prosecute lawyers and others found wanting, adding that the law body is keen to act against any possible misconduct by its members.
Mr. Mwitwa told ZNBC news in Lusaka yesterday that the Association has a robust practitioners committee that ensures lawyers adhere to standards of practice.
Mr. Mwitwa said the Association will further hold constant engagement with FIC to ensure LAZ members are sensitized on their obligations under the FIC Act.
Some law firms have been cited among conduits being used to perpetuate alleged financial crimes in the country. According to the report, the Centre analysed cases related to nine (9) law firms amounting to ZMW 365 Million.
The report further said identified law firms assisted suspected criminals to mask the source of funds and aided its reinvestment or movement to foreign jurisdictions.
Most cases involved illegally obtained funds transferred to law firms who then facilitated the acquisition of property such as land and motor vehicles on behalf of the launderers.
