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Lusaka Dynamos head into Sunday’s FAZ Super Division Week 14 home date against Red Arrows three points poorer after they were docked points by FAZ for failing to comply contractual obligations with their Ghana-born midfielder Abdul Latif Mohammed.
Mohammed took his grievances over unpaid dues by Dynamos to FIFA who ruled in the goalkeepers favour.
“Following a directive by FIFA, the Football Association of Zambia has docked three points from Lusaka Dynamos after the club was found guilty of failure to honour employment obligations towards Ghanaian player Abdul Latif Mohammed,” FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala said.
“FIFA has in its correspondence to FAZ; dated April 24, 2019 directed that the Association docks three points from Lusaka Dynamos or face sanctions.”
Meanwhile, Dynamos remain second in Pool A with 23 points from 26 points where they were prior to the ruling and were tied with leaders Zanaco after thirteen games played.
President Lungu during the National Field Day in Kapisha, Chief Mibenge’s area in Mansa
President Edgar Lungu had called on the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to farmers competitive prices for their grain during the 2019 marketing period.
Making an address during the National Field Day in Kapisha, Chief Mibenge’s area in Mansa, President Lungu noted challenges delayed payments to farmers and called on the FRA to pay farmers on time and also pay them competitive prices.
The President prodded the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance to work together and sort out what the perennial problems of delayed payments to farmers and suppliers.
President Lungu also urged the Ministry of Agriculture to conclude negotiations with inputs suppliers by May so that in turn inputs would be distributed on time to farmers. He said he would like to see inputs distributed before the onset of rains. And President Lungu reiterated that the country will not export mealie meal until it is ascertained that there is enough for the country.
The President also said only excess grain will be exported after harvest.
Government has called on millers to invest in their own storage sheds and stop their dependency on FRA maize supplies for their businesses.
President Lungu observed during the National Field Day in Mansa that millers have been leaning heavily on the FRA maize supplies instead of getting in the fields and out flung areas to buy their own grain from farmers.
The President said this should stop and urged millers to invest in their own storage facilities in strategic farming areas. He warned that in future millers would find it hard to purchase maize from FRA.
President Lungu during the National Field Day in Kapisha, Chief Mibenge’s area in Mansa
Green Eagles star striker Tapson Kaseba says he is not under pressure to replicate last season’s form which saw him score 18 goals in the Super Division.
Kaseba finished as the second highest scorer in the 2018 season just three goals behind golden boot winner Idriss Mbombo.
He has scored four times in the current season heading into Sunday’s away Week 14 date against Nkwazi in Lusaka.
“I am pushing hard as a striker. I know sometimes supporters may ask that I am not scoring,” Kaseba said.
“I am not under pressure. I know I will score more goals.”
The former Konkola Blades striker did not have much game time in the first round of this season after a controversial failed move to South African side Free State Stars.
Kaseba is now back in the best eleven for Eagles – who are leading Stream B of the Super Division.
“I can promise to score at least five goals before the season ends,” Kaseba said.
Southern African Region for Police Chiefs Cooperation (SARPCCO) Chairperson Kakoma Kanganja
INSPECTOR General of Police Kakoma Kanganja says there is need for concerted efforts in devising strategies aimed at fighting all forms of cross border crimes.
Kanganja who is also Southern African Region for Police Chiefs Cooperation (SARPCCO) Chairperson has called for active participation of all SARPCCO member countries in the activities of the regional body.
Kanganja who is in South Africa is also scheduled to travel to Eswatin for routine visits to SARPCCO Member countries to check on progress made on the implementation of INTERPOL and SARPCCO resolutions and decisions as well as iron out impediments to international and regional police corporation in the fight of transnational crimes.
According to a statement issued by Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo, Kanganja further observed the need for increased effort in devising strategies aimed at fighting all forms of cross border crimes among member states.
” We all need to direct our resources towards strengthening border areas which are access points for criminals involved in cross border crime, ” said Kanganja.
Among other decisions passed during various membet country Police Chiefs meetings include Combating violent crimes, fighting cyber crime in the SADC region, conducting of SARPCCO joint operations, and prevention and combating Trafficking in persons in the SADC region among others.
Southern African Region for Police Chiefs Cooperation (SARPCCO) Chairperson Kakoma Kanganja
Multihoice Zambia Staff across the country today have celebrated KK’s 95th birthday by adopting his and Mama Betty’s dress code.
The business will also present an Explora decoder to the founding President to upgrade his viewing experience and enjoy local and international content through Africa’s best story teller.
Defending champions Zesco United and 2018 runners- up Nkana battle to get back on their feet this Saturday in their respective home games following embarrassing league defeats over the last seven days.
Zesco head into their home date at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola against ailing Mighty Mufulira Wanderers a week after they were humiliated 4-1 away by Pool A leaders Zanaco in Lusaka.
The defeat saw Zesco fall five points behind Zanaco on 21 and 26 points respectively after thirteen games played.
But Zesco coach George Lwandamina described the result as a minor setback and is also hoping their first week-long break without any mid-week football action for the first time this season will recharge their systems.
“We are still there in the race and I am sure we will have had more time to rest now after playing every three days or so in a week which was not easy for the team,” Lwandamina said.
“Yes, we are five points adrift of the leaders but we still have 15 points to fight for and this is football you don’t know what it holds in the future.”
Zesco will also be seeking revenge against Mighty who handed them their first league loss of the season on March 13 with a 2-1 away defeat at Shinde Stadium in Mufulira.
Second from bottom Mighty on the other hand need to leave Ndola with a point to keep their survival hopes alive as they face the likely prospect of making a quick return to Division One football.
And at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe, Nkana are back in action following Wednesday’s 4-1 home loss to Pool B leaders Green Eagles.
That defeat was Nkana’s second straight league home loss after Lumwana Radiants beat them 2-1 there on March 30.
“The game at the weekend is very important for us to come out from this defeat,” Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi said.
“We have spoken with the boys they know what is ahead of us; we have strong players who can come out of this defeat.”
Nkana also know that they must beat MUZA this weekend because they need a big confidence boost before their looming May 1 date in Lusaka against in-form third placed Nkwazi in a rescheduled Week Seven fixture.
WEEK 14 FIXTURES
POOL A
27/04/2019
Zesco United-Mufulira Wanderers
Nakambala Leopards-Zanaco
Kitwe United-Prison Leopards
Kabwe Warriors-Green Buffaloes
28/04/2019
15h00:Lusaka Dynamos-Red Arrows
POOL B
27/04/2019
Nkana-FC MUZA
Lumwana Radiants-Forest Rangers
13h00:Circuit City-Power Dynamos
15h00:Napsa Stars-Buildcon
28/04/2019
13h00:Nkwazi-Green Eagles
Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo
Government has expressed happiness at the successful completion of the installation of digital village television coverage countrywide.
Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo says the successful completion of the installation of the 500 sets in 500 villages across the country means that citizens in all corners of the country will now be able to access information.
Mr. Kasolo was speaking when he presented a certificate of completion of the digital village television project to Topstar vice president Cliff Sichone in Lusaka today.
He explained that the successful completion of the village Television project is an indication of Zambia’s commitment to achieving some of the milestones in the 7th National Development Plan which emphasizes the need not to leave anyone behind.
He added that the installation of the solar powered television sets has given an opportunity to people in areas that have no electricity to keep abreast with issues around the country and the world over.
Mr. Kasolo has since urged people in areas where solar powered television sets have been installed to treat the television sets as a very important asset that will allow them to be connected to the rest of the world. Government, through Topstar, has installed 50 satellite digital television sets in each of the ten provinces of Zambia.
And Mr. Kasolo has said Government is happy with the fruits that the relationship with the Government of the People’s Republic of China continues to bear. He said Zambia and China have continued to enjoy warm relations.
Mr. Kasolo appealed to the Chinese Government to consider providing more satellite television sets so that a wider coverage of villages that have been left out can be reached.
The 500 satellite television sets are part of the 10,000 sets the Chinese Government donated to benefit 10,000 villages in Africa. The donation was made by Chinese President Xi jinping during the FOCAC meeting held in South Africa in 2015.
FORMER ZNBC director general Chibamba Kanyama has written to German television channel, DW, for producing a documentary, currently in circulation, that links him to a purported award of a multimillion digital migration contract to Star Times of China. DW TV is a set of television channels provided by Deutsche Welle. The channels concentrate on news and information and first started broadcasting on April 1, 1992 and they are broadcast on satellite and produced in Berlin, Germany.
According to a letter availed by Kanyama, who is Bridges Limited managing consultant, stated that the DW documentary mentioned him as one of the facilitators in the purported award of contract to Star Times, “having served as director general of Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.”
“I refer to the above named documentary currently in circulation and having been produced by DW. In the documentary, I am mentioned as one of the facilitators in the purported award of contract to Star Times, having served as Director General of Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation,” Kanyama stated.
“You may wish to check the following facts: I served as director general of ZNBC for the period 7th March 2012 and June 30, 2014.”
He stated that he joined the IMF in Washington DC on July 7, 2014 and that meant he served as a ZNBC director general under president Michael Sata, who died in October 2014.
“Mr Amos Malupenga, who is also mentioned as an accomplice, having served as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, was in that position between 2011 and August 2013. These records can be checked,” Kanyama stated.
“The purported award of contract to Start Times took place during or after one of your sources, Mr Chishimba Kambwili served as Minister of Information and Broadcasting (this is according to the clip). He served as information minister between 2015 – 2016. This is the period this award of contract he is referring to in the documentary is believed to have taken place.”
Kanyama asked how then he was being a party to the purported transaction when “I had long left ZNBC and living in Washington DC at the time?”
“We are seriously studying this matter as it is grossly injurious to my reputation and the general public is currently debating how I got involved if at all what you are alleging in the documentary is true. I need clarity on the matter. Regards,” stated Kanyama.
In November last year, ZNBC Director General Richard Mwanza said, on the public broadcaster’s Sunday Interview programme, that the partnership between the public broadcaster and TopStar was the best for the country.
In November last year, Mwanza said ZNBC was too financially susceptible to carry out digital migration without backup.
“Star Times, like I mentioned, is the contractor who will be putting up the digital migration. To do this digital migration, it’s not cheap, let alone the capital cost is colossal! But once you put up this network, to operate it, is even more expensive.
So, ZNBC went into a joint venture with Star Times where we formed a company called TopStar Communications Limited [and] this is the company that will run the network. In running the network, they will be able to generate some money for operations but more so, generate some money to pay back the loan,” Mwanza said.
He noted that Star Times did not give anybody a loan but that it was the Chinese government, through Exim Bank, that gave the loan to the Ministry of Information to facilitate the digital migration project.
“In facilitating the project, the way it will be paid back is that we will have a special purpose vehicle called TopStar – they will manage the network and this is how the loan will be paid back. There is no taxpayers’ money involved…. It’s a 25-year loan and I’m just positive that maybe within 15 years, if all goes well, we could pay back this loan,” he explained.
“I mean, look at the mobile sector, these people make a lot of money and if we can produce very good films and we have more subscribers, definitely we can pay back that in a very short space of time.”
When asked by the programme host, Grevazio Zulu, to plainly clarify whether or not ZNBC had been sold, Mwanza responded: “Let’s be serious; do you think if ZNBC was sold I would be here laughing? If ZNBC had been sold, I would not sit here. It hasn’t been sold [and] so whoever is telling you that ZNBC has been sold….”
He further stressed that Star Times and ZNBC were simply shareholders in TopStar.
“Star Times has 60 per cent shareholding while ZNBC has 40 per cent shareholding in a company called TopStar. ZNBC is right now struggling to operate the analogue network and you need support otherwise it will be a white elephant! You install a US$273 million network and fail to operate it? Imagine!” noted Mwanza, adding that the role of the Zambian government in the deal would only be to support the parastatal, ZNBC.
“So, this joint venture will help us to maintain the network, make money and pay back the loan. This arrangement is the best for the country!”
Lundazi Magistrate Court has jailed a 25 year old housewife to 48 months simple imprisonment for assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Appearing before Resident Magistrate Edward Chisanga yesterday was Agness Tembo of William Compound in Lundazi who readily admitted the charge and sentenced her accordingly.
Particulars of the offence were that on March 30th, 2019 Agness Tembo unlawfully did assault Peter Tembo thereby causing him actual bodily harm contrary to Section 248 penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
The accused Agness was arrested on April 15th after being suspected to have poured hot water on his husband’s body Peter Tembo resulting him sustaining multiple burns on the neck, hands, stomach and at the back of his body.
And in mitigations Agness Tembo who pleaded guilty asked the court to exercise maximum lenience on her since she was a mother of two and if sent to prison the children would suffer.
In passing judgment Magistrate Chisanga told the accused that she could have killed the complainant had it not been the neighbors to rescue him adding that the accused could also have considered the plight of her family before committing the offence.
Magistrate Chisanga further told the accused that the offence she is charged with is a misdemeanor but carries a severe punishment and it is the duty of the court to met out stiffer punishment to culprits to deter would be offenders, and sentenced her to forty eight months simple imprisonment with effect from the date of arrest.
The Football Association of Zambia(FAZ) has taken away three points from Super Division side Lusaka Dynamos after the club was found guilty of failure to honour employment obligations towards Ghanaian player Abdul Latif Mohammed.
FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala has disclosed that the World football governing body, FIFA has in its correspondence to Football House dated April 24, 2019 directed that the three points be taken from Lusaka Dynamos or face sanctions.
Kashala said this follows after Mohammed reported Lusaka Dynamos to FIFA for failure to pay him his salary and allowances leading him to terminate his contract.
He said on March 8, 2019, the FIFA disciplinary Committee ruled that Mohammed be paid his dues with Lusaka Dynamos ordered to forfeit three points from the log as part of the punishment.
Kashala said FIFA in the letter requested Football House to immediately implement the aforementioned decision and provide our services with the proof of the points deduction.
He said the FIFA disciplinary committee may pronounce an appropriate sanction against FAZ which can lead to the expulsion from FIFA competitions.
Kashala said FAZ has since warned Zambian clubs engaging foreign players to ensure that they meet their obligations toward the players.
After this development, Lusaka Dynamos which is in Stream A has 23 points three points behind leaders Zanaco who have 26 points.
A Nigeria investor signs a memorandum of understanding during the investment Expo in Kasaka. Looking is Province Permanent Secretary ,Elias Kamanga
Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Elias Kamanga has directed the Provincial Planning Authority to ensure that land developers adhere to the Zambian town and country planning act to bring sanity in land development.
Mr Kamanga said the enforcement of the act will protect the province from unplanned and uncoordinated land development.
He noted that illegal land allocation, development and expansions will compromise the status of the city.
The Permanent Secretary said this when the Lusaka Provincial Planning Authority Board called on him at the Provincial offices today.
Mr. Kamanga added that government will not compromise on illegality and will ensure that anyone found wanting faces the wrath of the Law.
The Provincial Permanent Secretary has also urged the authority to ensure the undeveloped land in the other districts in the province such as Chirundu, Chongwe, and Rufunsa, should be developed in line with the regulations stipulated in the town and country planning act as a basis for future management of development.
And the Permanent Secretary said he has engaged the traditional leaders on land for expansion in Chirundu District and location of administration offices in Rufunsa district.
Speaking earlier, Provincial Planning Authority Board Chairperson, Nason Mumba has highlighted illegal land allocation, encroachments and boundary wrangles between councils and the traditional leaderships in some districts in the province.
Meanwhile, Lundazi District Council Secretary Mwansa Mumba has pledged the local authority’s continued commitment to always conducting land administration in a transparent and professional manner.
Mr. Mwansa says land administration is done in line with land act chapter 184 of the laws of Zambia and that the council has never at any time administered land without following the procedure.
The CS’s remarks come in a wake following accusation by some cross section of the public insinuating that the council does not follow the procedure when administering land which he says it is false, baseless and ill founded.
This is according to a statement availed to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lundazi today.
Mr. Mwansa disclosed that the council has always advertised land it intended to offer to the general public and applications have been open to all applicants who were subjected for interviews.
The Principal Officer further says allocation of plots is also done on merit in line with the given criteria at that particular time, adding that the council recently cancelled twenty- five plots which were advertised to the general public because the people offered failed to accept the offer.
A 34-year old Police Officer of Namwala Police Station in Southern Province has committed suicide.
Zambia Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said Constable Elzier Lubinda shot himself with an AK 47 rifle and died on the spot.
Mr. Hamoonga said the officer shot himself through the chin and the bullet came out through the right eye in the incident which occurred around 01 30 hours at Namwala Police inquiries office.
He said Constable Lubinda was found lying down facing upwards with the firearm on his chest and Police have since opened up an inquiry in the matter.
The incident comes barely a week after another police officer Jackson Mwanza committed suicide in Lusaka after he killed two people and wounded two others.
The official Opening of the National Dialogue by President Lungu
Zambezi East UPND Member of Parliament Brian Kambita has withdrawn his participation from the National Dialogue Forum which officially commenced yesterday.
In his letter addressed to the Chairperson of the National Dialogue Forum, Mr. Kambita said in order not to interfere with anyone’s freedom of expression and conscience relating to the forum said he has decided to withdraw because the forum conflicts with his fundamental rights and freedoms.
He said further, the forum is subordinate to the constitution as provided for under section 4 (1) of the National Dialogue Forum Act.
Mr. Kambita said his conscience does not allow him to continue participating in the process that does not seek to foster genuine dialogue but only to foster partisan interest for a few people.
He said he is ready to participate in genuine dialogue that seeks to bridge the differences among interest groups.
Mr. Kambita said with the prevailing challenges the country is going through he cannot in his good conscience attend and participate in the process that he is certain will not achieve genuine dialogue built on national consensus on critical areas on national concern.
Mr. Kambita becomes the second UPND Member of Parliament to withdraw his participation from the Dialogue Forum after Mazabuka MP Garry Nkombo leaving only 14 UPND MPs in attendance.
Earlier in the week, as I was jogging along Mulungushi road my senses were assaulted by an offensive smell coming from the drainage along the road.I noticed raw sewage flowing in the drains!
Apparently Foxdale Court releases the sewage night up to early in the morning into the outside drains. The water is not there during the day.
I enquired and was told LCC did not give them a permit to build a soak away. So when the septic tanks are full they have to pump the sewage out. If they don’t, the sewage which is connected to the pipe you can see in the video goes into the road.This happens every year from the time they opened the mall.
The road is mostly used by people who are going for work and pupils to Roma girls school. It’s a transit route. Mulungushi road is in a low density residential area and most local residents drive to work.
I appeal to the relevant authorities to put a stop to this as this is a public health risk.
