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Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba
Minister of Transport and Communication Brian Mushimba has described as fake news the story that appeared on the Zambian Watch Dog website linking him to corruption.
The Minister rejected the allegations and said that he has a good name, and he has earned it.
The Minister responded to the allegation via a number of social media posts below
When evil people, without shame,with impunity,from nowhere,create a fake story just to tarnish a name you painstakingly built over a very long time; u played by the rules, u did everything by the book and emerged a better citizen, friend, husband and father. We won’t allow them!
My singular focus, the reason for humbly offering myself for public service in 2016, was and still is all about Kankoyo. I envisioned I would speak more forcefully on the needs of kankoyo and let kankoyo, my home, have better days. I know I’m only doing this for a limited time as I know I have no monopoly on wisdom; others are more qualified and wiser, they will come after me and take over when my time is up.
So if you must fight, fight your real enemies or those that threaten your desires and aspirations. Leave innocent people alone. You are injuring innocent people unnecessarily in the name of politics. It’s not right. Some of us don’t have much else except our name. We have painstakingly labored to build that name. Played by the rules. Did everything as per the book.
And it’s the only thing we have; why create fake stories and tarnish that?
President Edgar Lungu has said government is resolved and determined to part ways with Vedanta group of companies who are currently running Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).
Speaking on arrival in Ndola on his way to Kitwe, the President said that he remains determined to stand with the wishes of the people’s stance on KCM.
“Zambians wanted Vedanta out of the Copperbelt, out of this country. The Zambians people have decided that they want a responsible investor” President Edgar Lungu.
President Lungu said that the idea is to keep the company afloat and that all stakeholders will be brought on board when bringing in a new investor.
President Lungu is on a two days working visit on the Copperbelt ahead of the Copperbelt Agriculture, Mines Industries Exposition (CAMINEX) in Kitwe where he is expected to officially open the show.
Receiving the President at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport in Ndola was Copperbelt Minister Ambassador Japhen Mwakalombe, Ndola City Mayor Amon Chisenga, PF provincial chairman Nathan Chanda, Ndola City Council Town Clerk Wisdom Bwalya and other notable delegates amidst scores of jubilant Ndola residents.
Earlier, President Lungu said that government will continue to create an enabling environment for both local and international investors to spur social and economic growth in the country and that his government remains keen to making sure that there is a win-win situation from every investment.
The Head of State was speaking this in Lusaka today, when Hitachi Construction Machinery Africa Company Limited delegation paid a courtesy call on him at State House.
The President said that he was proud of the Hitachi Construction Machinery Company for the cordial association it has with the community.
“We shall continue interacting with firms and continue providing an enabling environment for economic growth. I am proud of you and will make sure that there is a win-win situation in every investment and even as we replace value added tax with sales tax we will ensure that necessary measures are put in place for economic growth to flourish,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hitachi Construction company executive Officer Sonosuke Ishll, said his firm is contemplating on expanding its base in Zambia in order to start exporting its products.
Mr Ishll, whose company has been in existence since 2010 emphasized that he was impressed with favorable business environment and the hospitality from the hardworking people of Zambia.
He reaffirmed his firm’s commitment towards ensuring that safety for workers is prioritized during work.
“We have been in Zambia since 2010 and we are so glad with the opportunity given to do business in the country that has good and hardworking people.
This favorable environment is the true fruits of your hard work and we will expand our company so that we start exporting products to other countries in Africa and Europe,” said Mr Ishll.
President Edgar Lungu met Chairperson of Hitachi Construction Machinery Company Africa Limited during the official working visit to Japan in December, 2018.
During the Japan meeting, Hitachi announced its plans to expand business operations in Zambia, a move President Lungu welcomed and assured the company of government’s support.
Northern Province Minister Brian Mundubile inspects construction works of a K 141m, 3.6km Kasama Aerodrome in Kasama, Northern Province by a Chinese firm Anhui Shui’an Contruction Group Corporation (Z) Limited today. Looking on is Resident Engineer Witika Chileshe and RDA regional Coordinator Simon Chimwando.
Government has assured people of Northern Province that the decisions made by cabinet to introduce new measures to re-stabilise the national economy will benefit of every Zambian.
Provincial Minister Brian Mundubile made the assurance when he addressed stakeholders in Mporokoso district during sensitization meetings held on the austerity measures.
Mr Mundubile said cabinet made bold decisions to review contraction loans and projects, improve liquidity, and increase Gross Domestic Products and international reserves to ensure that the country’s economy gets back on track.
He explained that government has also started evaluating on-going capital projects and also prioritising the critical ones.
Mr Mundubile has since instructed the district administration in Mporokoso to continue creating awareness on the austerity measures, and assure the people of government’s commitment towards improving the economy.
The Provincial Minister also highlighted some of the outcomes of the national dialogue forum and reiterated that the process was in good faith.
And Mporokoso District Commissioner Bridget Chitundu thanked Mr Mundubile for engaging the traditional leadership, public service workers and political players on matters of national interest.
Ms Chitundu said the information disseminated will go a long way in making people appreciate government efforts in improving the country’s economic status.
After Sunday’s unconvincing performance in the quarterfinals, Zambia attempts to defy the odds on Wednesday against an efficient Zimbabwe in the semifinals of the 2019 COSAFA Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Zambia toiled to a 4-2 post-match penalty win over Malawi in a quarterfinal match in which they came from two-zero-down to finish 2-2 in the 90 minutes in Durban before the tie was decide on shootouts.
“It is important because the last two finals Zimbabwe has beaten us twice,” Zambia coach Aggrey Chiyangi said.
“Now, this time, we have to do something good.
“We know it is not going to be an easy game because Zimbabwe has a fill team but we will plan for them.”
And after two days of taking stock of that all-round poor display, the four-time champions face their biggest test in their ambitions to reach the COSAFA Cup final for a third successive time.
However, like in the last two editions, in which they have finished second, record six-time champions Zimbabwe lurk, although this time, in the semifinals.
It will be interesting to see just how this modest Zambia side will holdout against Zimbabwe’s fiery attack led by Khama Billiat who has previously inspired The Warriors to score a total of seven goals recently against more promising Chipolopolo side’s in their last two COSAFA Cup final dates.
The result could also be a barometer of how this Zambia home-based team will fare in next month’s 2020 CHAN qualifiers against Botswana.
Interestingly, Botswana also in action at the same venue on Wednesday against Lesotho in the first COSAFA Cup semifinal doubleheader for a place in the June 8 final.
Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone has bemoaned the poor work culture of some government workers at Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital in Mpika district.The Provincial Minister expressed his displeasure yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on Mpika District Commissioner Moses Katebe.
Mr Sichone said he has been receiving disturbing reports that some workers at the Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital have been using unpalatable language and not paying attention to clients who seek medical attention at the health facility.He noted with sadness that due to poor services being offered at the Institution, most residents in the district have preferred to go to Chilonga Mission Hospital which is over 27 kilometres away from Mpika, when the Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital is only 10 kilometres away from the town.
Mr Sichone added that the medical staff at the high level hospital have been given enough time and warning to change their poor attitude towards work but unfortunately, nothing seems to change, a situation he described as unacceptable.The Provincial Minister pointed out that his office will not hesitate to begin transferring and retiring some officers in order bring sanity at the said health institution.
He explained his office will not allow a few irresponsible workers to frustrate Government efforts and deny the much needed health services that the Community disparately need.When contacted for a comment, Mpika Health Director Jane Mwenda said the matter is currently under investigation, and has promised to give more details in due course.
APC president Nason Msoni says it is “absolutely foolish” to argue against the FIC report on the basis that culprits were not named in the report.
In a statement issued to the media, the APC leader said the huge amounts being stolen from government was an indication that the PF government has no captain and that the nation was headed towards a disastrous shipwreck.
“The truth is that huge amounts of money have been openly stolen from the Zambian public. Clearly, The PF government is running out of control with no captain. We are certainly heading towards a disastrous shipwreck,” he said.
He said the report has hinted at why government has run into bankruptcy and President Lungu should justify why citizens should continue keeping him in office.
“It is now incumbent upon Mr Lungu to justify why citizens should continue keeping him in office when he is running the most corrupt ever government.
“This is quite unprecedented in the history of governments and the conduct of any leader running such a government. We think that a sense of shame for any self respecting leadership is not a bad moral campus,” he said.
He since challenged those fingered in the report to vacate office so as to pave way for investigations.
“As citizens we are ashamed and crestfallen to have voted for such a reckless and utterly irresponsible leadership that lacks sensitivity for the masses.
“In a nutshell, we clearly expect those indicted by this report to voluntarily vacate their positions to give investigative wings a freehand to carry out thorough investigations,” he said.
The 2018 money laundering/terrorist financing trends report has revealed that Zambia incurred losses estimated at K6.1 billion linked to financial crimes such as Tax evasion, fraud, corruption and money laundering activities.
This shows an increase from the K4.5 billion recorded in the 2017 financial intelligence center trends report.
FIC Director General Mary Chirwa said during the launch of the report that the Center analyzed 176 suspicious transactions of which 80 were disseminated to law enforcement agencies on suspicious covering tax evasion, fraud corruption and money laundering.
Ms. Chirwa said the most prevalent forms of corruption noted in 2018 were those involving bribery and conflict of interest.
She said during the year, the Center disseminated reports on corruption with estimated value of K4.9 billion with public procurement activities being significantly vulnerable to corruption.
Some Law firms have been cited in the latest Financial Intelligence Center trends report as a vehicle used for money laundering activities by criminals.Identified law firms assisted suspected criminals to mask the source of funds and aided its reinvestment or movement to foreign jurisdictions, the report says.
The center analysed cases related to 9 law firms amounting to K385 million in 2018 and 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.
File:Children learning under a tree at Sialwala Primary School located in Sinazongwe,due to lack of classrooms.
Minister of General Education David Mabumba has announced that his ministry will be introducing a continuous assessment system in schools in a bid to ease the education challenges pupils go through in the country.
Speaking during an interactive meeting with pupils, parents and teachers in Mufumbwe, Mr Mabumba said the ministry will do away with the system of having a number of papers under one subject but instead will implore the continuous assessment for pupils through tests that will be accumulating to form a certain percentage of the total marks in each subject.
He explained that the assessment for grade seven pupils will start at grade five and for grade nine, the assessment will start at grade eight, while the assessment for grade twelve will start at grade ten, respectively.
Mr Mabumba noted that this will help reduce attempts to look for leakages as a result of examination anxiety while relieving the parents from funding access to leakages as the education system will be made easier.
He has since advised pupils to ensure that they desist from absconding from school in order to prevent the risk of losing marks when assessments are done.
And Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) Senior Education Specialist Edward Songa, says the continuous assessment will be implemented using the already existing ECZ electronic candidate registration system that has already been enhanced.
Mr Songa added that the system has incorporated every school with a centre number, making it possible for teachers to submit the overall marks for the pupils to ECZ.
He has revealed that a team of experts from the ECZ is currently going round the country sensitizing teachers on some specifics involved in the implementation of the continuous assessment programme.
Mr Songa notes that it is important that with the implementation of continuous assessment in schools, teachers are entrusted with the responsibility to assess their pupils on the subjects they deliver to them.
He encouraged teachers, pupils, parents and administrators to play their role in the successful implementation of the introduced continuous assessment.
The Minister of General Education is on a tour of the province to interact with pupils, parents and teachers on success stories from the districts and the challenges thereof.
The Zambian Government has U-turned on its announced plans to cull 2,000 hippos in the Luangwa Valley.
According to an announcement by Umlilo Safaris on the trophy hunting website, the cull was cancelled due to “a well orchestrated hate campaign against us”.
Umlilo Safaris is a South African hunting outfitter that was contracted to source clients for these hippo hunts.
Umlilo Safaris went on to say “We have already notified all the clients that have booked these hunts of the situation. Luckily this number is low.”
The planned cull, termed a ‘hippo management hunt’ was cancelled in 2016, then re-instated in 2018, before now being cancelled again.
Wild hippo numbers across Africa are under increasingly pressure with a maximum estimate of just 115,000 to 130,000 animals.
They are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
As efforts increase to end the trade in elephant ivory, hippos are being increasingly targeted for their ivory as a replacement.
According to Born Free, the latest data confirms that in the decade to 2016, more than 6,000 hippo teeth, 2,048 hippo tusks and a further 1,183 hippo ‘trophies’ were exported to EU Member States alongside thousands of other ‘parts and products’.
President Lungu shaking hands with ZANASU Secretary General Isaac Mwanza
National students leaders have joined the Copperbelt University Students in calling on Republican President Lungu to prevail over the decision by the Ministry of Higher Education to indefinitely close the University.
In a statement released this morning, ZANASU Acting President, Steven Kanyakula, has advised that President Lungu’s administration and the Patriotic Front must not be seen to be bent on punishing students with an indefinite closure of the Copperbelt University.
“The Copperbelt University has approximately of 12,000 students out of which less than 200 students participated in the protest that led to closure of the University and as students, we consider the indefinite closure of the CBU as a decision that does not take into account the plight of the majority students who did not participate in the protests but are now being punished,” said Mr. Kanyakula
The ZANASU Acting President has revealed that students have made several attempts to meet the Republican President to discuss matters affecting students since his Minister of Higher Education, Professor Nkandu Luo, has closed doors to any possible dialogue with lawfully recognised student bodies like ZANASU but alleged the President and other senior government officials are too busy with other national commitments to help resolve the impasse and discuss ways that will prevent reoccurrence of incidences that lead to closure of our public universities and colleges.
“We humbly ask President Lungu to take keen interest in what is happening with the CBU and lend even 20 minutes of his precious time to meeting students and management,” said Mr. Kanyakula
He has said ZANASU shall always encourage students to find peaceful and civilised means of seeking redress to their grievances as opposed to riotous behaviour which leads to breaking of public property.
Mr. Kanyakula has further charged that the ultimatum given by Minister of Higher Education to CBU to put in place security measures before the University can reopen is untenable as public universities are financially struggling and failing to even pay lecturers. ZANASU has wondered where the money will come from for CBU to spend in order to meet the laid down conditions.
On June 1st 2019 Scott & Bennett Ltd (Manufacturers of Femcare Sanitary Pads), Zambia WASHE Advocacy Network and the Lusaka Mayor’s office (represented by Councillor Bupe Mulenga) were part of a fund raising walk from On The Run filling station to Arcades with some school children.
This was done in an effort to raise to awareness and funds to procure sanitary pads for young girls to keep them in school during their time of the month. There are still many young girls who miss school every month because of they do not have access to hygienic sanitary pads.
FILE: President Edgar Lungu talks to Aquaculture Development Association of Zambia chairperson Fisho Mwale before the launch of Zambia aquaculture Enterprise Development Project in Lilayi
FORMER Lusaka mayor Fisho Mwale says had it been that Zambian politics had honour and principles, he would have asked embattled NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili to apologise to the Zambian people for his inflammatory tribal and retrogressive statement.
Mr. Kambwili has come under pressure after he said President Edgar Lungu and Rupiah Banda don’t want Kalusha Bwalya to represent Zambia at CAF because he was not an Easterner.
Commenting on the issue on his Facebook, Mr. Mwale said he is upset that Zambians are being subjected to such uncouthness adding that Mr. Kambwili’s statement was divisive and corrosive.
“I realised that politics we have in Zambia has little honour, hardly any principles, no decorum and rarely any remorse and humility to accept that we are humans and we at times error in both word and deed.
He said Mr. Kambwili’s suggestion that President Lungu is being tribal by not intervening in the ongoing standoff between FAZ President Andrew Kamanga and Kalusha Bwalya, should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
Mr. Mwale said Football is administered under strict FIFA statutes and political interference is not tolerated and Mr Kambwili’s intervention is Political interference which will hurt Kalusha’s cause more.
He said on many occasions Kalusha Bwalya as President of FAZ used this effectively, when he refused to meet late President Mwanawasa, President Banda when summoned adding that Mr Kambwili as former Minister of Sport is very well aware of this and so he should not politicize the matter.
“First and foremost Kalusha is a football icon in Zambia. We have many others in the world such as Eto’o, Pele, Drogba, Roger Milla and Maradona etc some of whom have achieved more than our Kalu but it does not follow that their Iconic stature demands a right of passage to serve on FIFA, CAF or COSAFA,”
He said as current President of FAZ, Andrew Kamanga has incumbency advantages and opportunities to other positions in the football hierarchy be it at Regional, Continental and at World stage.
Mr Mwale further said former President Rupiah Banda is not and had never been a tribalist but a passionate football fan, who at one time was Vice President of FAZ and was instrumental in sending Kalusha Bwalya and Charlie Musonda to Belgium.
He said the Banda family had created opportunities for many young Zambians in football abroad and locally through their Chiparamba Football Academy.
Mr Mwale said in football, Just like in politics, idolisation of people must not be allowed.
He said Zambia has many unsung football icons both on the pitch and at Administrative levels such as Alderman Tom Mtine, Late Justice David Lewanika, David Phiri, late Mwape Kasunga, Godfrey Ucar Chitalu and Samuel Zoom Ndhlovu who were highly successful and professionals of high repute
The 2019 FAZ Super Division playoff final between Green Eagles and Zesco United has been rescheduled to June 29.
Zesco and Eagles were due to meet on June 8 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka to decide the 2019 season champion.
But Zesco wrote to FAZ requesting that the final be postponed to later in June because they had six players away on international duty until mid-June.
“FAZ received written requests from Zesco United and Buildcon who have some of their players with the COSAFA Senior team and also another batch scheduled to travel to Morocco with the Chipolopolo for some international friendly matches to postpone the match until some their players are back from international duty,” FAZ spokesperson Mwazi Chanda said.
“Some of the foreign players from Zesco United and Buildcon are away with their national teams preparing for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
“The Association has since moved the final to June 29, 2019 at National Heroes Stadium.”
Zesco and Eagles booked their playoff places after winning Pool A and B respectively.
Buildcon will also play on June 29 in a third-and-fourth playoff against Zanaco as curtain-raisers of the doubleheader at Heroes Stadium.
Zanaco were runners-up in Pool A while Buildcon finished second in Pool B.
Chipolopolo coach Aggrey Chiyangi says his players did the most honourable obligation to redeem themselves in Sunday’s 2019 COSAFA Cup quarterfinal win over Malawi.
An unconvincing Zambia battled from two-down to finish 2-2 against Malawi and subsequently beat The Flames 4-2 on post-match penalties to reach COSAFA Cup semifinal for a third successive year.
Defeat would have seen Chipolopolo fail to qualify to the last four for the first time since 2016.
“We just had to keep talking to them, and when we went into halftime, we told them that we cannot lose to Malawi. I said can we revive the Zambian spirit, and when we came back from halftime, that’s what we did. It is good that at least we came back and scored the two goals,” Chiyangi said.
Gabadinho Mhango put Malawi ahead in the 2nd minute before he won a 48th minute penalty that Gerald Phiri converted.
Zambia then scored their two goals against the run of play through Austin Muwowo and Emmanuel Chabula in the 58th and 88th minutes respectively.
The luck of the lottery then favoured Zambia in the shootout to see them book a massive semifinal date against defending champions Zimbabwe on June 5.
Zimbabwe have beaten Zambia in both the 2017 and 2018 COSAFA Cup finals.
Patriotic Front Chairperson for Legal Affairs Brian Mundubile has warned that the party will not hesitate to discipline members who are fond of using social media platforms to discredit the leadership.
Mr Mundubile said the PF Central Committee has received reports of some youths claiming to be members of the party, who have gone on rampage on social media to disrespect their leaders.
Speaking during a media briefing in Mporokoso, Mr Mundubile, who is also Northern Province Minister, says no form of indiscipline will be tolerated in the party.
He said the PF constitution is clear on punishment for disgruntled members who show no respect for the leadership.
Mr Mundubile has since advised youths in the party to desist from insulting the top leadership and to remain exemplary in their conduct
He also called on the youths to pursue progressive ideas and strive to be productive members in society.
Mwine Lubemba Chitimukulu Kanyanta Manga 11 arrive at the arena to start the Annual Ukusefya pa Ngwena Traditional Ceremony
The Bemba Royal Establishment also known as Bashilubemba has announced that the Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena Traditional Ceremony will not take place this year.
Spokesperson for the Bashilubemba James Mulenga, who disclosed the development to ZANIS in Kasama today, said the development has been necessitated to allow for the mourning of Senior Chief Mwamba who died last November.
Mr Mulenga said the Bemba Kingdom is still observing a period of mourning and can therefore not hold any celebrations.
He also announced that the burial procession for the late Senior Chief Mwamba will take place at the end of June.
