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Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo enjoying a meal with UPND Solwezi Central MP Stanford Mulusa
UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema is unsettled by a growing list of Members of Parliament that he suspects are too close to the ruling PF and could be undermining him.
A source from the party’s National Management Committee revealed that Mr Hichilema has raised the issue of his disloyal MPs in two of the most recent NMC meetings.
The source added that Mr Hichilema is growing uneasy with the closeness that some UPND MPs have been exhibiting with PF officials such as Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo.
The source disclosed that the first clear sign that Mr Hichilema was being undermined was when over 21 MPs decided to disobey his directive not to attend the recently held National Dialogue Forum.
“The President (HH) particularly identified Bowman Lusambo as the one who could be an agent of President Edgar Lungu to weaken the party by influencing some MPs, it’s really bothering HH.”
This week, NDC Leader Chishimba Kambwili disclosed that disloyal UPND MPs are likely to kill the opposition Alliance because they have become too selfish.
Speaking during a public forum in Lusaka, Dr. Kambwili implored Mr. Hichilema to immediately talk to his MP’s who are busy undermining the Alliance Partners.
He said some UPND MP’s who are working with the PF are busy fighting the Alliance Leaders.
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo conferring with UPND Mazabuka Central MP Garry Nkombo at Parliament Buildings
And the source said Dr Kambwili’s misgivings are not from without because even Mr Hichilema has highlighted the same concerns.
“It is becoming clear that some MPs know that they will not be readopted in 2021 and they have now begun working with the PF and the link seems to be Bowman. He is the one President Lungu is using to get closer to these MPs to start influencing them to undermine the Alliance and scatter the UPND,” the source said.
The source added that Mr Hichilema fears that Mr Lusambo could be using money obtained from State to influence the MPs.
“He is really getting worried. He spoke about the Lusambo factor in two meetings. It appears HH is really scared of Lusambo because he described him in the meetings as a lethal politician who could scatter the MPs and cause confusion and now wants all of us to stay clear of Lusambo,” the source explained.
“The truth is that some UPND MPs frequent Lusambo’s office and we don’t know what is discussed there. Some of them appear very close to him such that they are found in social settings together and that is bothering President HH.”
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba speaking people
By Rev. Kapya Kaoma
Dr. Henry Kanyanta Sosala’s (aka the Chitimukulu) association of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) with Zambia’s moral decay, as published in Lusaka Times on June 18, 2019, is laughable, sexist, and insulting to women. The Chitimukulu was recently honored with an honorary doctorate, but his views on comprehensive sexuality education are planted in untold ignorance. The devastation of morality in Zambia cannot be blamed on Basic Integrated Science; nor is morality solely sexual in nature. Worse still, it is highly reckless and even detrimental to good governance for the Chitimukulu to blame democracy, human and gender rights for Zambia’s moral decay.
When are we men going to accept that girls don’t get pregnant by themselves? Pregnancy is the fusion process of the male gamete, and the female ovum. Behind every pregnant girl is a man–teacher, pastor, school boy, and even the sugar daddy, among them, some of those who surround the Chitimukulu and the President.
What then is Zambia’s moral decay? It is punishing the pregnant girl, but not the man who got her pregnant. It is punishing the victim of rape to carry the child to full term, but not the rapist; it is proposing the permanent expulsion of the pregnant school girl, but not the boy who got her pregnant; it is imprisoning a girl who procured an abortion, but not the man who made her pregnant. Shouldn’t we imprison both the mother and the father in case of abortion? Such a law will never pass even in our so called Christian nation!
The Chitimukulu wrongly believes its CSE that makes our children sexually active. This false claim ignores the process of child development. Today, a girl who enters first grade at 7 is likely to reach puberty by the age of 10 or 11 (grade 4). In the absence of imbusa and ichisungu ceremonies, who will guide such a child, if teachers? By the way, if we fail to guide our children on sexuality, social media, TV, love videos, and their peers will do it for us. We may bury our heads in the sand, but our children know more about sex than the Chitimukulu wants us to believe. CSE saves from HIV/AIDS, STD, unwanted pregnancies and abortion-related deaths. To blame CSE for sexual frivolousness is akin to impugning mathematics for our country’s financial corruption.
Ironically, Dr. Sosala cites Lord Macaulay’s argument on the destruction of African culture as key to the colonization of Africans. It is equally irrational to interpret Macaulay’s position as promoting “democracy,” since colonialism and democracy are worlds apart.
The Chitimukulu does not know that the domination of African culture came with the Bible, which he repeatedly cites in his flawed analysis. Of course, the bible has been used to oppress people—from the poor to slaves to black people to women. It is not surprising that Dr. Sosala follows this route—only girls are to blame for being sexually active! I wonder who makes dogs, chickens, cats, lizards, ducks, and pigs among many other animals sexually active–well blame it on CSE and females too.
Dr. Sosala’s analysis may seem original; but they are not. He is just parading the discredited myths promoted by his U.S. conservative allies and the Vatican. Across Africa, traditional CSE exists. The Chitimukulu’s own Bemba culture, which he seeks to protect from Western CSE, engages in ichisungu, and imbusa ceremonies. The following song is an example:
Banacimbusa eyee (Mothers of the initiates)
Banacimbusa mwangalafye (Mothers of the initiates you are playing)
Mwafunda umwana eyee (You teach a child)
Mwafunda umwana mwamusha panshila (You teach a child, but you leave her by the roadside)
Ukufunda umwana eyee (To teach a child)
Ukufunda umwana kufikapo (To teach a child, you must be explicit)
Senseleni eye, senseleni akasuba kawa! (Hurry up, hurry up, time is running out).
Ukufunda umwana kufikapo implies comprehensive sexuality education, something Audrey I. Richards’s book, Chisungu: A Girls’ Initiation Ceremony among the Bemba of Northern Rhodesia (1931) illustrates.
The chisungu ceremony is for young girls upon reaching puberty. During the ceremony, girls are comprehensively taught about sexuality, including sexual skills accompanied by illustrations of male genitals. Similar ceremonies exist across Africa–hlobonga among the Zulu, kujama among the Swati of Swaziland (Chilisa 2006: 253), and ngweko among the Kikuyu of East Africa (Magesa 1997: 126). I suggest that the Chitimukulu seeks the wisdom of banachimbusa, banangoshe or his Eastern cousins on the same.
The Chitimukulu’s limited knowledge of the very culture he seeks to protect is telling. But his failure to address moral decay beyond female sexuality is even worse. Corruption, poor governance, stealing of public funds, arresting of political opponents and political killings are behind Zambia’s moral decay. But who can bite the very hand that feeds him?
The Author is Visiting Researcher at Boston University, USA. He was the original researcher to expose the ties between US right-wing evangelicals and the anti-LGBTQ legislation in Uganda, and has testified before Congress and the United Nations. He is the author of a number of books, including Christianity, Globalization, and Protective Homophobia, Democratic Contestation of Sexuality in Sub-Saharan Africa
Highlights of the 21st Inter-Company Relay (ICR) organised by the Zambia Amateur Athletic Association (ZAAA) will be captured by SuperSport, Africa’s premier sports broadcaster, on Saturday, 22nd July 2019.
MultiChoice Zambia has supported the ICR, which is a not-for-profit initiative set up to raise funds for the development and promotion of athletics in Zambia, since 1999. His Excellency, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the President of the Republic of Zambia will participate in this year’s ICR to promote an integrated approach to wellness among Zambian citizens.
Mwiika Malindima, Corporate Affairs Manager of MultiChoice Zambia stated: “The ICR project has contributed immensely to the development of sport and athletics in the country. In line with our mission to deliver value to our customers by making great entertainment more accessible, we are delighted to avail highlights of this prestigious event to DStv and GOtv customers in Zambia and neighboring Southern African countries and other countries across the continent”.
“We are pleased that MultiChoice through SuperSport will this year again broadcast the ICR to many countries across Africa. As you know His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu will grace this event and we are grateful that MultiChoice will broadcast his message about wellness to the rest of Africa. This affirms that MultiChoice, which has sponsored the ICR since inception 21 years ago, is committed to empowering and growing local initiatives, showcasing them to the entire continent,” said Inter-Company Relay (ICR) Chairperson Elias Mpondela
MultiChoice Zambia has forged long-term partnerships with ZAAA and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to contribute to the growth of local talent and the economic value for these sport disciplines in Zambia. In its capacity as the continent’s leading funder of sport and local production, SuperSport has built skills and capacity to become the backbone of content that matters to Zambians. As such, many talented Zambian sportsmen and women like Sydney Siame having been discovered on and off the screen through SuperSport,
Zambia Athletics Association President Elias Mpondela flanked by Larfage Chief Financial Officer Chrissie Moloseni speaking to journalists during the Larfage Lusaka Marathon 2018 launch at Larfage cement
The Zambia Amateur Athletic Association (ZAAA) and Inter Company Relay (ICR) has advised the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to consider postponing their Health Walk and Run event slated for June 22 as it clashed with the Inter Company Relay (ICR).
The UNFPA Health Walk and Run which includes a 5km health walk has also not been sanctioned by the Zambia Amateur Athletic Association (ZAAA) and the National Sports Council, bodies mandated under the Sports Act to regulate sports activities related to athletics in Zambia.
“I have spoken to the organisers of this event namely UNFPA and the Minister of Health and I have advised them to first seek authority of ZAAA and National Sports before they can consider hosting this event. We also expect every lover of athletics to be joining the Republican President HE Edgar Lungu and the Inter Company Relay this coming Saturday at the Heroes Stadium and not anywhere else,” said ZAAA President and ICR Chairman Elias Mpondela.
This year’s ICR is the 21st edition of the Inter-Company Relay (ICR) and will be this Saturday on June 22nd 2019 at Lusaka’s Heroes Stadium under the theme “21st ICR – The Key to New Life Style -Walk and Run” with Madison Life Insurance earning the naming rights to edition as the headline sponsor.
The Madison 21st ICR will be graced by the Republican President, Mr. Edgar C. Lungu who is expected to lead in the 400m presidential race.
Mr. Mpondela said those who did not want to partner with ZAAA or seek their guidance of the hosting of mass athletics events should consider delinking athletics from their events.
“Its my humble suggestion that they delink aerobics with from running and where they seek to combine them they should seek the consent of ZAAA who are mandated by law to regulate and coordinate athletic activities in Zambia. If in doubt let them consult with the National Sports Council and the Ministry of Sport,” explained Mr. Mpondela.
So far 75 companies have confirmed participation in the 21st ICR and the registration centre has shifted to Heroes Stadium for those not yet registered. Activities planned for this year’s event includes the 21km and 10km runs, others are 5km health walk, 100m CEO race, 400m presidential run and 100 Zambia-China Friendship walk. Kids athletics are expecting children from the surrounding areas to come and participate in the Kids activities.
“The 21st ICR has been named after Madison Life Insurance who have pledged to support the ICR and make this edition better and more successful than previous editions. Zambia Breweries will bring together all participating companies for the health dinner a day before the ICR while our all-weather partner Bata Shoe Company will be the official foot wear and sponsor of the Bata Power Race. Top Star will provide live broadcast of the event while China Jiangxu will provide the medical equipment support and Avic International will supply the winners trophies. Zambeef has confirmed participation of more than 60 of its staff in various races and Zambia State Insurance Corporation will provide insurance cover to all participants,” says Elias Mpondela, ICR Chairperson.
The ICR is a Zambia Amateur Athletic Association corporate social sporting event that brings together companies and communities to promote health lifestyles through sport and play activities and has been providing free testing and health screening against selected medical conditions to all since 1999. Funds realised from the ICR activities are ploughed into developing athletics in Zambia including Talent Identification Programmes (TIP) and promotion of excellency among athletics in Zambia.
“Over the years, funds realised from the ICR activities have helped ZAAA to identify young talents from rural areas, especially young girls and has helped coaches and athletes prepare for upcoming competitions that Zambia has reaped medals and recognition. The ICR has improved health lifestyles among participants, improved the running of athletics sport clubs and has helped Zambia produce champions in regional competitions,” says Elias Mpondela.
The annual ICR has also become companies’ team building exercise and has helped reduce the social distance between executives and employees. The ICR also allows companies to interact with their clients and potential markets while show casing their brand identity and their corporate social responsibility activities to the nation through live news media broadcast services at the event.
The ICR also enables busy employees to have their vitals and other medical conditions checked by a variety of experienced doctors and health practitioners.
The first Inter-Company Relay was first held in 1999 and has grown into one the most prestigious gathering of various professions and companies around a sporting event. The ICR is also a great contributor to the professional development of athletes under the Zambia Amateur Athletic Association (ZAAA).
First Lady Esther Lungu with 9 year-old Dinah Dakomba when she visited Cheshire Home in Mongu on Tuesday, September 25,2018 -Pictures by THOMAS NSAMA/STATE HOUSE
First Lady Esther Lungu says the Day of the African Child presents an opportunity for the country to step up efforts aimed at combating child marriages.
ZANIS reports that Mrs Lungu said the occasion should be incorporated in the national agenda and framework, to promote the rights of children, from child marriages and other vices that hinder their advancement in life.
The First Lady paid glowing tribute to traditional leaders in North-western Province and across the country for championing the eradication of child marriages.
Mrs Lungu urged traditional leaders in North-western Province to however scale up efforts in ending child marriages in their chiefdoms.
She said traditional leaders in the region have done well in committing to addressing teenage pregnancies and other vices.
Mrs Lungu said she will work towards strengthening partnerships with traditional leaders and other stakeholders to curb child marriages and abuse.
She pledged to continue lobbying and engaging government and cooperating partners towards improving the educational, health and social welfare of children in the country.
Mrs Lungu also urged young persons and children to stand up for their rights and speak against vices being inflicted on them.
The First lady urged young persons and children to use their talents for their personal development and contribute to the country’s development.
Mrs Lungu is in North-western Province to commemorate the Day of the African Child in Chief Chibwika’s chiefdom in Mwinilunga district.
The Day of the African Child is commemorated to honour children killed in the Soweto uprising in 1976 who were protesting against poor quality of education.
And Mwinilunga District Commissioner Mwiya Tulani said traditional leaders in the district are playing a pivotal role in curbing Child marriages.
Mr Tulani commended government for putting in place interventions such as the Girls Education, Women Empowerment and Livelihood (GEWEL) project as it will help address child marriages as affected girls will be given an opportunity to go back to school.
The District Commissioner said 600 vulnerable girls have already been identified and are waiting for release of funds to implement the project in the district.
Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe with President Lungu
Bollomberg this week reported that President Edgar Lungu said Zambia whose Eurobonds are trading at distressed levels, is able to repay its debts and will soon emerge from an economic slump.
“Zambia is not in a position of a crisis,” President Lungu said in an interview in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, on Wednesday.
“When you find that you are being strangled by debt, you hold back and see how you can realign your position so that in the end you continue being alive, you don’t suffocate. That’s where we are now.”
President Lungu’s government is trying to revive an economy that the International Monetary Fund says is growing at the slowest pace in more than two decades, after a slump in the price of copper, Zambia’s main export, over the past year.
A drought has also lowered water levels at hydro plants and caused power shortages.
Spreads on Zambia’s dollar bonds hit 2,000 basis points above U.S. Treasuries last month as investors fretted about its ability to pay off debts.
It’s the only country in the Bloomberg Barclays Emerging Markets USD Sovereign Bond Index, which includes 75 nations, whose securities have lost money in 2019.
President Lungu, who faces re-election in two years, said that while his administration had not frozen new loans, it would prioritize concessional borrowing that comes with lower interest rates.
“We have realized where we are and I think we have taken measures,” he said. “Those measures will see us get some breathing space so that the economy begins growing again. In a few years, we will see Zambia boomerang and rise again to that growth rate which is acceptable.”
Nestle SA said a reorganization of its operations in Zambia to help ensure the Swiss food and beverage company’s continued presence in the country may lead to job cuts.
“We are not able to confirm how the new structure will look and how many employees will be impacted,” a Nestle spokesman said in an emailed response to questions on Thursday.
The company intends to remain active in the eastern and southern Africa market, Nestle said.
Last year, Nestle closed its so-called Equatorial Africa headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, saying the costs of maintaining that unit had been too high.
The Pan African Parliament has paid tribute to Zambia for being one of the hospitable countries to migrants on the African continent.
Vice President Chief Fortune Chakumbira says Zambia has set good example of a country that practices ubuntu by providing equal employment and economic opportunities to migrants that have settled in the country from other countries.
Mr. Chakumbira, who is also a Member of Parliament in Zimbabwe said Zambia has not given up on hosting migrants despite being a victim of hostile military attacks from neighbouring countries during the liberation struggle in the region.
He thanked Zambians for accommodating foreigners and living in harmony with its neighbours.
Mr. Chakumbira further paid tribute to Zambia for being a pioneer of multi-party democracy on the continent.
He said the peaceful transition of power from the UNIP government in 1991 to date has set a good example to other countries.
Mr. Chakumbira said Zambia has done well in her democratic dispensation owing to the peaceful transfer of power from one President to the other.
He has since urged Zambians to continue doing the good work its known for.
Mr. Chakumbira was speaking on the sidelines of the Commemoration of World Refugee day held at the Pan African Parliament building in Midrand, South Africa.
And Zambia’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa Maynard Misapa has called on Africans to find solutions to their problems.
He said there is need for leaders together with their followers to come together and find permanent solutions to the Continent’s problems.
This is according to a statement issued by Naomi Nyawali, the First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa.
Respect is earned (not solicited) Kambwili’s passionate plea for Hichilema to beg his MP’s to respect the NDC leader is therefore ridiculous
By Sunday Chilufya Chanda
Mr. Chishimba Kambwili’s recent complaining as reported in the media that the UPNDC coalition will collapse and perish because of “disloyal UPND parliamentarians who are busy undermining the Opposition Alliance Partners” is ominous of the pending heap of rubble that awaits their coalition.
The coalition between Messrs Hakainde Hichilema, Chishimba Kambwili and the leaders of an assortment of some nondescript political parties is laboured. They toil to present a unified front, but the reality is that theirs is a very strained abnormal relationship that requires excessive effort.
And why is it strained? Because the foundation of their relationship has nothing to do with noble virtues. Sadly, the UPNDC coalition is founded on all the wrong reasons which include selfish ambitions and bitterness arising out of envy and jealousy of the progressive leadership of His Excellency President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front Government.
The reality is that within the UPNDC coalition, there is a growing remnant of principled UPND Members of Parliament who have had to sacrifice most of their principles just so that Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s personal fantasies maybe fulfilled. The frustration within UPND is growing and festering.
Kambwili’s passionate plea however comes as no surprise, considering that the UPND coalition with Chishimba Kambwili’s beleaguered NDC faction is highly unpopular with many UPND supporters who still have Kambwili’s vulgarity and blasphemous statements about the people of Southern Province ringing in their ears.
Hichilema’s desperate and irrational greed for power has also driven many disillusioned UPND supporters further away. Many UPND Members of Parliament and councillors across the country are frustrated by their leader’s selfishness when he prohibits them to work with government officials in bringing the much needed development.
This is just a tip of the giant iceberg of baloney beneath the surface of UPND that angers officials within the party enough to take a stand against dubious UPNDC coalition partners like Kambwili.
It cannot also be ignored that a significant number of UPND parliamentarians very recently defied Hichilema’s irrational orders for them to stay away from the National Dialogue Forum (NDF). The cracks that Hichilema has plastered up since 2006 are now not only more visible, but they are also going deeper into the foundation of UPND. There is a mutiny developing within UPND, and Hichilema’s attempts to enforce respect for Kambwili will be futile.
Respect is earned- not solicited.
Given the toxic foundation and malicious objectives of their relationship, both Mr Kambwili and Mr Hichilema should be asking themselves if they are truly worthy of respect.
Kambwili seems to have forgotten that Hichilema has had alliances with the ruling Patriotic Front then as in Opposition and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). If only Kambwili could read into Hichilema’s history of alliances, he’ll have an idea of how this one is going to end.
What Kambwili fears will surely come to pass: his coalition with Hichilema is built on sinking sand. It will fall apart.
The Author is Media Director at the Patriotic Front Secretariat
The government has banned Somizi Buyani Mhlongo, a South African gay television presenter actor and singer from performing in Zambia.
Minister of religious affairs Godridah Sumaili says Somizi is not welcome in Zambia. He was supposed to be star guest as Lusaka’s July show.
Sumaili said the government would not condone a situation where organisations were inviting people with questionable characters that might compromise the morals of the land.
“Every country has laws. Here in Zambia, we have a constitution that guides citizens on morals and its christian values. we do not condone gayism. it is a crime and inviting such people means we are slowly accepting the vice,” she said.
She was reacting on the invitation of Somizi Buyani Mhlongo, a South African gay television presenter by PR Girl Media to the next month event.
UNZA Vice Chancellor Luke Mumba flanked by Deputy Vice Chancellor Enala Mwase (l) and UNZA Registrar Wamundila Sitali speaking during media brief at UNZA
The University of Zambia has moved the planned conferment of Honorary Doctorates on Presidents Edgar Lungu and Emmerson Mnangagwa to next week Friday.
The University has also announced that the venue for the ceremony has been moved to Mulungushi International Conference Centre from the University of Zambia Great East road campus.
The initial plan was to confer the Honorary Doctorates on the two leaders for their contribution to good governance today, Friday, June 21st 2019 at UNZA graduation Square.
The decision to honour the two Presidents has attracted widespread reactions from commentators from both countries.
Zesco United have dismissed Zanaco’s good run against them in the 2019 league season as a key factor heading into Saturday’s 2019 ABSA Cup final at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zanaco beat Zesco 4-1 at home in Lusaka on April 20 after drawing 0-0 away in Ndola in the first leg on February 17.
“Well, it is not going to be an easy game. You say they beat us 4-1 but I thought we dominated that game and they just utilized their chances.
That is part of football, we realize we lost but this game is different,” Zesco assistant coach Alfred Lupiya said.
“And when we drew with them, we had just been traveling and played them two days later after six hours of flying so it was difficult for our players.
“But remember, we won the group in the league and they were second so who is the best there? They will be playing in CAF Confederation Cup and we will be playing CAF Champions League.”
Zanaco are very eager to end their ABSA Cup jinx against record winners Zesco United on June 22 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
2017 winners Zanaco face five-time champions Zesco in the two sides third meeting in the competition.
But Zanaco have lost in the last two clashes, both times in the final of the 2010 and 2016 editions.
“We will play Zesco and we think they are one of the best teams in the league but we have the ammunition that can stand against Zesco and get a win,” Numba said.
“All that we need is to work hard and see if we can win a trophy this season.
“At least we have booked our place in the final this could be the consolation after failing to win the league.”
Interestingly, Zesco beat Zanaco to top spot and a 2019 FAZ Super Division championship playoff qualification after they were separated only on goal difference when they finished tied on 33 points in first and second place respectively.
Vice President Inonge Wina says there is no need for a lifestyle audit for ministers.The Vice President says this is because they declare their assets when assuming office.Mrs. Wina told parliament today that auditing Ministers alone as some people are trying to justify does not make sense because their assets are already known.
Responding to a question by Chimwemwe Member of Parliament Elias Mwila during the Vice President’s Question and Answer session, Mrs. Wina said auditing Ministers alone would be unfair unless it is extended to all Zambians, an exercise she said is not possible.
And responding to Kabompo MP Ambrose Lufuma who questioned why government has ignored findings of the Financial Intelligence Report -FIC- on about K6.1 billion having been obtained by Politically Exposed Persons, Mrs. Wina said the FIC is just
but one of the investigative wings and not the final authority.
The Vice President said the FIC is a creation of government to promote democracy and ensure corruption, money laundering and terrorism among other vices are clamped down hence cannot be ignored.She said some of the issues raised by the FIC are already in court.
And Mrs. Wina said government will not declare a hunger crisis in the country because it has adequate maize stock in the storage facilities.
She said the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit -DMMU- which is under her office has already started distributing relief food in affected districts.
Responding to leader of the opposition in parliament Jack Mwimbu on calls by some Catholic bishops in Mongu for government to declare a hunger crisis, The Vice President said the bishops may have their own opinions, but government has adequate stocks with
more expected in the coming marketing season.
Mrs. Wina advised parliamentarians to engage the DMMU when areas hit by hunger in their constituencies will receive relief food.
She said government will not let anyone die from hunger when it has adequate grain stocks.
Meanwhile Mrs. Wina said the opposition should not be opposing for the sake of doing so adding that they even missed out on the National Dialogue Forum – NDF.She said the forum provided a platform for them to review laws for the benefit of their electorate and advised the MPs to take part when the bills are tabled before Parliament.
Mrs. Wina was responding to Bwana Mukubwa MP Jonas Chanda who asked for her views on some people who refused to take part in the NDF but are now making noise.
And on her word of encouragement to the youths in view of the conferment of honorary doctorates on Presidents Edgar Lungu and his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa by the University of Zambia, Mrs. Wina said education is key to everything in life.
She also thanked UNZA management for the gesture saying it will help in promoting good governance in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Zambia Revenue Authority has sealed off a warehouse in Makeni for suspected gross under-valuations and is taking the matter to court.
The Company is suspected to have grossly undervalued Kleesoft washing powder on one particular invoice by declaring U$ 200 per tonne instead of U$ 900 per tonne. They are suspected to be under declaring the values by U$700 per tonne.
In a related case, the authority has also taken to court a clearing company named Sheis Logistics limited for alleged gross under valuations.
Facts of the matter are that Sheis Logistics Zambia Limited between the 1st and 16th March 2019 in Chirundu District of Lusaka Province while acting together with Athen Munkombwe did grossly under declare assorted furniture parts using a forged invoice valued at K14, 070 instead of the true invoice value of K 57,497.40. It is alleged that government lost a total of K 46,348.24 kwacha in un declared taxes.
The two have so far appeared in court for plea and trial commences on 9th July 2019.
Currently the authority has over 15 smuggling related cases in court and about four (4) custodial convictions have been secured in the last quarter.
The Authority has further declared a zero tolerance to smuggling through transit fraud, misclassifications, under declarations, under valuations and forgery related cases.
The Authority wishes to warn the general public to desist from presenting fake documents at the ports of entry. This is a serious offence under the customs and Excise Act cap 322 and the Penal Code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia
The Authority wishes to warn the general public to desist from presenting fake documents at the ports of entry.
This is a serious offence under the customs and Excise Act cap 322 and the Penal Code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
The authority will not spare any smuggler, clearing agent, transporter and even ZRA officers involved in smuggling or any form of tax evasion. Our newly rebranded Inspectorate and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit has been fully resourced and re-engineered in order to stop any form of revenue leakage.
This is contained in a statement issued by ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda.
