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Pictures of Zambian house hit by storm in Durban South Africa

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Pictures of Zambian house hit by storm in Durban South Africa

A Zambian Family based in Crompton, Durban of South Africa  tragically their two  children in a storm that affected the area and has claimed over 51 lives.

Mudslides and flooding caused by torrential rain have killed 51 people  in Durban and the wider KwaZulu Natal Province, officials say with the death toll expected to rise.

Mr. Mesiya and Cynthia Phiri lost two sons identified as Emmanuel Phiri aged 6 years and Brian Phiri aged 9 years during the storm.

According to the information made available to the Zambia High Commission in Pretoria South Africa the children died during the storm when the roof of the house collapsed on them whilst sleeping in the bedroom with their parents.

The incident happened in a town called New Germany situated just inland from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Courtesy Chungu Mutale – Zambian based in South Africa
Courtesy Chungu Mutale – Zambian based in South Africa .
Courtesy Chungu Mutale – Zambian based in South Africa .
Courtesy Chungu Mutale – Zambian based in South Africa .
Courtesy Chungu Mutale – Zambian based in South Africa .
Courtesy Chungu Mutale – Zambian based in South Africa .

Revisit the running mate clause – Chitimukulu

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Revisit the running mate clause – Chitimukulu

By Henry Kanyanta Sosala

Preamble

I entirely agree with Dickson Jere that the above clause should be revisited. And I appeal to the delegates to the National Dialogue forum to seriously examine the running mate clause with a view of the deadly consequences it would have in future and please do not listen to those Judas Escariots who are on foreign payrolls. They are given programmes by their paymasters on strategies – they are boxed in a coffin-like narrowness of vision and thereby suffocate their creative imaginations.

I got the attention of President Levy Mwanawasa in 2005 during the Constitution Review Commission. He got hold of something I had written about the relationship between the Catholic Bishops and the Oasis Forum in which I had pointed out why these two bodies were insisting that the Constitution should be adopted through the Constituent Assembly:

‘’The Oasis Forum describes itself as a ’Church-led’ movement. And so, what are implications in this declaration? Which particular church is actually leading the Oasis Forum and why? Why have the Catholic Bishops in exclusion of the other church fathers issued a pastoral statement in support of the Oasis Forum, when such declaration had already been made through the Catholic’s own Mother body? And it was at this point that His Grace Archbishop Mpundu who was Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) President as well as Lusaka Archdiocese Coadjutor declared: ’…. The involvement of the Catholic Church in the Oasis forum is to ensure that a people-driven Constitution is enacted.’ (Saturday Post 24th December 2005) .

‘’Why have the Catholic fathers authorized the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace to be campaign ‘crack unit’ for the Oasis Forum throughout the country? From 9th to 12th January 2006, the chiefs from Mpika, Luwingu and Kasama districts attended a workshop at Chilubula mission, which was organized by the Catholic Commission for Justice and peace in order to soften our hearts on the constituent assembly.

‘’Can the Catholic Bishops just by themselves allow the Church to embark on such a massive political mobilization of the entire country without the whistle from the ‘holy see?’ can the Oasis Forum on its own really raise the staggering sum of over K700 billion locally for the Constituent Assembly or is the local fundraising campaign merely a camouflage for the real source?

‘’Do all these not imply that the Church of Rome is determined to form the next government in Zambia through the Oasis Forum? Since the Catholic Church is opposed to the Declaration in the Constitution for Zambia to be a Christian nation, why has the Church particularly opted for the Oasis Forum to run its government? Is it not when God is recognized in the administration of the nation that the people attain to the maximum of their potential?

‘’In view of the above, the Church-led Oasis Forum has transferred its goal posts from the level grounds of the political battlefield into the sanctuary of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. This is a deliberate and calculated move because the underlying combined political and spiritual maneuvers only leads to what is called Old Testament Terrorism (OTT) and which can be summed up in this way: to oppose the Church-led Oasis Forum is to be opposed to the Catholic Bishops; to oppose the Bishops is to be opposed to the Catholic Church; to oppose the Catholic Church is to be opposed to her teachings and to oppose her teachings is to be stigmatized as a heretic.’’

President Mwanawasa having been brought up as a Watchtower was very surprised that I, being what is known as a ‘’staunch Catholic’’ was able to write such. But I explained to him that I was a free-thinker and one of the tenets of being a free-thinker is to tell people what they need to know rather than what they want to hear. And I went on to explain that the Catholic Church was the freest religious organizations which accommodates even it’s bitter critics. And I quoted what a Jesuit Catholic priest, Father Gerard W. Hughes had written in his book ‘’God of Surprises’’: ‘’The Church must encourage the critical element in its members. If it fails to do so, then the individual will not be able to integrate religious belief with everyday experience or, put in other words, God will be excluded from most of the individual’s life until religion comes to be considered a private but harmless eccentricity of a minority…..So a Church which really trusts God is not afraid, but encourages its members to search and question, guiding them in her wisdom and warning them of routes which she knows from long experience to be cul-de-sacs. Her teachings will never be delivered as the last word on any subject, but rather as signposts, encouraging her members to explore the route further for themselves. Otherwise, undue emphasis on the institutional element today is likely to produce a Church of dwindling numbers, loyal, obedient, docile, uninspired and passive members, God’s frozen people.’’

It was from there that I wrote a document for President Mwanawasa titled: DO NOT BE FOOLED ABOUT THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY: A CONFRONTATION WITH CLASS COLONIALISTS. And in chapter VI under the title: ‘’The Constitution Could Ignite Political Chaos,’’ I wrote quoting from the Interim Report of the Constitution Review Commission: ‘’ Article 149 (1) of the Mung’omba Draft Constitution states: ‘’There shall be an office of the Vice-President of the Republic.’’ And (3) states: ‘’An election to the office of Vice-President shall be conducted at the same time as that of an election to the office of President, so that a vote cast for a presidential candidate is a vote for the Vice-Presidential candidate, and if the Presidential candidate is elected, the Vice-Presidential candidate is elected.’’

In Article 8.2.18.2 of the Interim Report of the Constitution Review Commission, the people rightly submitted: ‘’A large number of petitioners said that the Vice-President should be appointed by the President amongst elected Members of Parliament or nominated from outside Parliament as is the case currently. It was argued that having the Vice-President elected by universal adult suffrage would make it difficult for such a person to be moved and may promote insubordination.’’

The Commissioners’ view on political rivalry was that specifying functions of a Vice-President would avoid friction and minimize this…. Besides, the Vice-President would have sworn allegiance to the Constitution, which created his position and any act of insubordination would be a reason for his removal.

I then wrote that it was a pity that the Commissioners exhibited the characteristics of an eye that sees everything before it, but does not see itself. How can an African show allegiance to a piece of paper other than to the people who voted for him and in such cases it could even be claimed that people actually voted for the Vice-President other than the President, and that it was the Vice-President whom the people voted for. The Commissioners overlooked that the fact that the Vice-President could not accept his dismissal, since it’s the people who had voted him and therefore it’s only the people who could remove him from office. And this could definitely cause a split in the nation.

I went on to state that had the Commissioners made an effort to critically the African political history in this respect, they could have realized that there was always some power struggle between the two top powerful people in the African nations. And here are some examples: In Zambia: Messrs Nkumbula and Kaunda; Messrs Nkumbula and Job Michello; Messrs Kaunda and Kapwepwe; Messrs Chiluba and Sata; Messrs Chiluba and Mwanawasa. In Algeria: Mr. Ben Bella and Colonel Gaddafi. In Kenya: Messrs Kenyatta and Odinga Odinga. In Tanzania: Messrs Nyerere and Oscar Kambona. In Congo: General Mobutu and Nguza Kai bond. In Malawi: Dr. Kamuzu Banda and Mr. Henry Chipembere. In Zimbabwe: Messrs Joshua Nkomo and Nabaningi Sithole; Messrs Nabaningi Sithole and Robert Mugabe; Messrs Robert Mugabe and Edgar Tekere.

And in closing I wrote that what we must bear in mind is that there would always be people who would support the Vice-President inspite of whatever genuine reasons he would be dismissed from his position if he is backed by the Constitution. The problem is that we have in our midst certain people who stubbornly just want to witness ‘’apatotelwa iminang’u’’ i.e., they are a sort of people who have to burn their fingers first, before learning to respect fire.

And please note that I wrote the above in my document in 2005 and fortunately I am still at the tail end of history and can see what has since transpired and the problems other nations have gone through in this respect. Chika Onyeni, a Nigerian resident in America wrote in his book, ‘’Roar of the African Lion’’: ‘’The dismissal of Deputy President Jacob Zuma in June 2005 could have generated a great crisis in South Africa. Instead, Zuma went on to become the country’s democratically elected President. The situation has been quite different in Nigeria and Malawi…… In reacting to his dismissal, Zuma had this to say: ‘I believe [Mbeki] has taken this decision not because he believes I am guilty of any crime but because of considerations relating to the constraints within which government operates.’ It is the mutual understanding and respect that these two individuals had for each other that made the dismissal less of an issue than it would have been elsewhere.’’

But did that issue end there? The problem arose when on 8th May 2006 that the Judge acquitted Mr. Zuma of rape charges. And in April 2009 the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering against Mr. Zuma, that Mr. Zuma conspired with Julius Malema and successfully ousted President Mbeki from office. And as usual Mr. Zuma and Julius Malema later became bitter enemies.

Dickson Jere, the former Presidential press aid in the Rupiah Banda regime   wrote: ‘’…. As the National dialogue Forum starts deliberations on the Constitution, the running mate clause must be re-looked given the lessons leant so far. In Malawi where they have a similar running mate clause, all the three running mates who became Vice-Presidents of Malawi ended up differing with the sitting President. For example, President Bingu Wa Mutharika had to send his running mate and Vice-President Cassim Chilumpha to prison for treason, but he remained VEEP while in remand prison.

‘’In his second term, Mutharika differed with his new Vice-President Joyce Banda. He kicked her out of the ruling party but she remained constitutionally a Vice-President of Malawi even after she formed her own party. Currently President Mutharika has differed with his Vice-President Saulos Chilima. In Zambia, the running mate clause appears to be working largely because the current Vice-President Inonge Wina is not power hungry.’’ (Quoted by Oliver Samboko, Daily Nation 22nd April 2019)

Let us look further into the Malawi episode again. President Mutharika had accused Vice-President Chilumpha of running a parallel administration. And unlike Mr. Zuma, Vice=President Chilumpha had this to say: ‘’As far as I am concerned I can only leave this office through impeachment, resignation or my death and none of those things has happened, so I am still the elected Vice-President of this Republic.’’ You may recall that this was exactly what I had actually told our Commissioners in 2005.

Chika Onyeni wrote: President Olusegun Obasanjo announced on Saturday 23rd December 2006 that he had sacked his Vice-President, Abubakar Atiku. The sacking was the result of a long-running feud between the two men. Obasanjo was campaigning for the third term and equally Atiku was vociferously campaigning against the President’s running for the third term.’’

What was interesting that I was in Nigeria this year before the elections and Mr. Abubakar Atiku was challenging President Muhammadu Bahari and Mr. Obasanjo was in support of Mr. Atiku whom he has accused of many crimes when he was his VEEP.

The problem we are currently facing in our nation is that the nation is swallowed up with tribalism everywhere. For example, when former Public service pensions Fund (PSPF), Dr. Richard Mwiinga’s contract was not renewed, UPND chairperson, Mutale Nalumango accused President Lungu of not renewing the contract of Dr. Mwiinga because he was Tonga. However, Dr. Mwiinga distanced himself from the clique which included former Secretary to the cabinet, Dr. Sketchley Sacika that he had never discussed his dismissal with anyone.

Meanwhile, a former PSPF employee, Joseph Zulu whose contract was also terminated wondered why President Lungu was being accused when it was the board that proposed such action. He said his contract was not renewed inspite of coming from Eastern Province. (Daily Nation 18th January 2018).

And let me digress to point out that Mrs. Nalumango who comes from Northern Province never uttered a word when after 2016 elections Bembas were beaten and their properties destroyed in Southern Province.

 

 

 

        

Moody’s Sees Zambia’s Debt Burden Exceeding 75% of GDP this Year

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Moody’s Sees Zambia’s Debt Burden Exceeding 75% of GDP this Year

Bloomberg reports that Zambia’s credit profile is constrained by it high debt burden which will increase even more, Moody’s Investors Service said.

The Zambia’s debt will exceed 75 percent of gross domestic product this year, from around 62 percent in 2017, Daniela Re Fraschini, an analyst at Moody’s, said Thursday in an emailed statement.

“Debt affordability is weak relative to peers and fiscal policy credibility is limited, diminished by a series of fiscal slippages,” she said.

Zambia’s external debt climbed to $10.05 billion by the end of last year from $8.74 billion a year earlier as the government continued to spend on building programs despite warnings from the International Monetary Fund and ratings companies that the burden is becoming excessive.

Zambia, Africa’s second-biggest copper producer, has failed to persuade the IMF to sign off on a package to boost its budget.

Moody’s cut Zambia’s credit rating to Caa1, seven levels below investment grade, in July.

The company said it could lower the assessment further if credit pressures constraining the rating were to worsen and the likelihood of the government undergoing some form of default increases.

ZESCO targets to raise K16 billion in first year of higher tariffs

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ZESCO targets to raise K16 billion in first year of higher tariffs
Zesco Managing Director Victor Mundende

ZESCO Managing Director Officer Victor Mundende has justified the 91% average retail electricity tariff hike proposal.

ZESCO has formally written to the Energy Regulation Board – ERB suggesting an upward adjustment to retail tariffs aimed at funding capital expenditure.

Mr. Mundende said during a presentation in Lusaka that ZESCO had proposed to increase retail tariffs to K1.87/kWh from 93 ngwee/kWh for residential customers.

ZESCO also proposed to do away with the monthly fixed charge and incorporate them into the increased tariffs.

Mr. Mundende confirmed that ZESCOs operational costs have swelled to K13 billion in 2018 from K3 billion in 2011.

He said raising an estimated K16 billion in the first year of implementation of new tariffs will help improve company operations.

SACCORD and NGOCC elected Vice Chairpersons of the National Dialogue Forum

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SACCORD and NGOCC elected Vice Chairpersons of the National Dialogue Forum
SACCORD executive director Boniface Cheembe
SACCORD executive director Boniface Cheembe

SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe and NGOCC Board Chairperson Mary Mulenga have been elected to serve as Vice Chairpersons of the National Dialogue Forum.

The duo will assist Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi who was elected Chairman of the Forum.

And YALI Governance Advisor Isaac Mwanza was elected as Forum Spokesperson.

Kabwe PF Central Member of Parliament Tutwa Ngulube was elected as the Legal Practitioner for the Select committee for standing orders.

Other members of the Committee elected include Sensio Banda, Priscilla Chileshe, Patricia Ndlovu, Winstone Chansa, Betty Chilunga, Hellen Mwale and Yizikanji Siwanzi.

President Edgar Lungu is expected to officially open the National Dialogue Forum this morning.

And President Lungu will hand over the Chairmanship of the Forum to Prof. Mwanalushi, after the launching today.

And speaking shortly after he was ushered in, Professor Mwanalushi, urged delegates to commit themselves fully, as their participation would lay a strong foundation for democracy on behalf of the 17 million Zambians.

He has encouraged delegates, to ensure their contributions are beyond tribal and partisan interests among other things.

Professor Mwanalushi has 45 years of academic experience, and has served at the Copperbelt University and the University of Zambia.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Given Lubinda has urged delegates to the Forum to commit themselves and freely participate in the deliberations.

Mr. Lubinda says the meeting is an important national assignment bestowed on the delegates by the Zambian people.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Dialogue Forum at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre on Wednesday , Mr. Lubinda said Government anticipates that the recommendations generated during the forum will culminate into widely acceptable proposed amendments to the said bills, which will then be given to the executive for consolidation and possible enactment by Parliament.

Mr. Lubinda has urged the delegates to acquaint themselves with the contents of the National Dialogue Act number 1 of 2019, the Constitution of Zambia Bill 2019 and the Public Order Bill among others.

And National Dialogue Forum Secretary Patrick Chisanga said the secretariat has so far made tremendous strides towards ensuring that the forum is a success.

Mr. Chisanga said some of the tasks undertaken, among other things, include preparation of a draft legislation for the forum and inviting members of the public to avail themselves as observers of the process in order to ensure transparency.

Mr. Chisanga said the purpose of the National Dialogue Forum is to ensure the implementation of the Siavonga Resolutions for the proposals to alter the constitution based on the draft amendments proposed to the Constitution as well as to reform the law on the Electoral process, Public Order and regulation of political parties based on submissions from stakeholders.

He stressed that it is the function of the Secretariat under the Act, to ensure that the objectives of the Act are achieved.

He added that he will endeavour to ensure that the Dialogue process is one that will leave a positive and indelible foot print in the history of Zambia.

The National Dialogue Forum has attracted participation from the religious groupings, members of parliament, political parties and members of the general public.

Justice Minister Given Lubinda attending the National Dialogue Forum
Justice Minister Given Lubinda attending the National Dialogue Forum
Justice Minister Given Lubinda attending the National Dialogue Forum
Justice Minister Given Lubinda attending the National Dialogue Forum

Kambwili doesn’t rule out 2021 coalition with HH

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Kambwili doesn’t rule out 2021 coalition with HH
HH and Kambwili
HH at Dr Kambwili’s residence

NDC President Chishimba Kambwili says he does not rule out possibilities of entering into a Rainbow Coalition with the UPND ahead of the 2021 general elections.

Dr Kambwili said if the Zambian people want the NDC and the UPND to work together, they will respect the wishes of the people.

He said his party will be open to entering into a Kenyan style Rainbow Coalition with Mr. Hakainde Hichilema’s UPND in order to deliver Zambians from the PF’s misrule.

Mr Kambwili was speaking when he featured on United Voice Radio’s Add Your Voice radio programme.

“We will listen to the people, if the people want us to wok together, we will have to respect their wishes and form some kind of an alliance like the Kenyans did,” Dr Kambwili said.

He added, “the Minister that we politicians make is to dictate to the people on what he think the people want, that shouldn’t be the case. We will listen to the Zambians and hear their views.”

And Dr Kambwili has charged that Zambia is undergoing food insecurity because of the PF Government has wrong agriculture policies.

Dr. Kambwili said wrong agro policies have largely contributed to food insecurity in the country.

Dr. Kambwili says there is need for Government to investment more money into the agro sector.

He has observed that if Government was serious in revamping the agriculture sector, it would have forfeited the purchase of a presidential jet for instance at a cost of 68 million United States dollars.

The NDC leader said the pf Government has a number of misplaced priorities that have negatively affected the country.

He said instead of spending over 300 million US dollars on the construction of Ndola Airport on the Copper belt, Government should have used this money on agriculture.

He adds that this money could have been used to buy irrigation machinery for farmers and opening up of agro zones countrywide.

Dr. Kambwili noted that the NDC in Government Will prioritize the opening of agro zones.

He said the agro zones will in turn open up several job opportunities in the country for locals besides contributing to food security.

The NDC President said this on United Voice Radio in Lusaka on Wednesday.

NDC President Chishimba Kambwili aggressions appearing on United Voice Radio on Wednesday
NDC President Chishimba Kambwili aggressions appearing on United Voice Radio on Wednesday

The National Dialogue process is a mere academic excise with a predetermined outcome-Kambwili

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The National Dialogue process is a mere academic excise with a predetermined outcome-Kambwili
NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili
NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party’s Chishimba Kambwili said that the ongoing National Dialogue Forum is a has an outcome is predetermined and his party will not part it.

Speaking in a radio interview Mr Kambwili said that that the dialogue process is a mere academic excise adding that the NDC will not be part of a flawed process, adding that the constitutional making process is not genuine.

Mr Kambwili said Zambia that is a democratic country adding that citizens should not be allowed to participate in forums whose outcome is predetermined.

He said Government did not consult stakeholders in drafting the National Dialogue Bill and emphasised that the National Dialogue Bill is a predetermined law.

Meanwhile, Chief Chitoshi of Lunte District in Northern Province has appealed to delegates taking part in the National Dialogue Forum to put aside their political differences and focus on addressing the aspirations of the people.

The traditional leader media in an interview yesterday morning that the forum is an important gathering that requires participants to be objective and sober minded in their deliberations.

He noted that the meeting provides an opportunity for the country to address contentious issues patterning to governance and peace-building.

Chief Chitoshi said all those taking part in the forum must prioritise national interests in order to have outcomes that will protect the country’s future.

He has since castigated individuals and organizations who are against the national dialogue forum, describing their actions as selfish and detrimental.

The traditional leadership in Northern Province is being represented at the forum by Chief Kaputa.

And the Patriotic Front (PF) in Northern Province has expressed hope that the national dialogue forum will yield positive results.

PF Provincial Chairperson Chungu Bwalya said the ruling party is optimistic that matters such as the public order act, political party bill, constitutional review and electoral laws will be adequately addressed.

President Edgar Lungu is expected to grace the 10-day forum taking place at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.

Chifunabuli Woman in Court for Defiling Nephew

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Chifunabuli Woman in Court for Defiling Nephew

A 42-year-old woman of Chifunabuli district in Luapula Province has appeared in the Samfya Magistrates Court for allegedly defiling her 14-year-old nephew who was under her custody.

The victim told Magistrate Fabian Likulunga that her aunt repeatedly defiled him on different occasions as her husband did not satisfy her sexually.
He said that his aunt took him in on account of taking care of him but started abusing him sexually.

The accused Doreen Kangwa of Bombawamenshi village in Senior Chief Mwewa’s area in Chifunabuli district is facing one count of defilement contrary to section 138 (1) of the penal code cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on dates unknown but between September and November 2018, on three different occasions had unlawful carnal knowledge of a boy who is under the age of 16.

The boy narrated how his aunt abused him sexually by undressing herself and asking him to perform sexual acts on her.
He said that he was threatened with death if he ever revealed to anyone about the sexual abuse.
The boy narrated that on one occasion his aunt abused him until his foreskin peeled off forcing him to alert his biological parents.

Upon disclosing he was taken to Lubwe Mission Hospital where he was treated while the police arrested his aunt.
Magistrate Likulunga has adjourned the matter to May 6 for continuation of trial.

National Dilaogue on the amendment of contentious laws in the constitution opens

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National Dilaogue on the amendment of contentious laws in the constitution opens
Justice Minister Given Lubinda
Justice Minister Given Lubinda

The National Dialogue Forum has officially opened in Lusaka with emphasis that stakeholders should fully dialogue on the amendment of contentious laws.

Justice Minister Given Lubinda has emphasised that stakeholders have a mandate to facilitate the amendment of laws that will not only safeguard the interests of the current but also future generations.

Mr. Lubinda said this during the official opening of the National Dialogue Forum in Lusaka today.

He called on members of parliament and other stakeholders to fully participate in the National Dialogue Forum.

Earlier National Dialogue Forum Secretary Patrick Chisanga said his Secretariat will facilitate the dialogue process for the amendment of contentious laws.

Mr. Chisanga said this will go a long way in ensuring that the amended laws have a positive impact on Zambia’s posterity.

Meanwhile, the National Dialogue Forum has ratified the appointment of Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi as Chairperson of the National Dialogue Forum.

In his acceptance speech Professor Mwanalushi called on stakeholders and Zambians to attach patriotism to the National Dialogue.

He said the objectives of the forum transcend partisan and individuals’ interests.

The National Dialogue Forum paves way for the amendment of the constitution, electoral laws and Public Order Act.

The Forum has a legal mandate under the recent National Dialogue Act.

President Edgar Lungu assented to the National Dialogue Bill-2019 on April 09,2019.

Mwila says GBM is welcome in the party, warns KBF to refrain from insulting party leadership

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Mwila says GBM is welcome in the party, warns KBF to refrain from insulting party leadership
PF Secretary general Davies Mwila
PF Secretary general Davies Mwila

PF Secretary General Davies Mwila says the party has welcomed former UPND vice president Geoffrey Mwamba to the PF. Mr. Mwila says it is the agenda of the PF to mobilise and grow the party.

He however says Mr. Mwamba and those re-joining the party must follow the laid down procedures of the party through official notification in writing to the Secretary General of the party.

He has since encouraged Mr Mwamba to feel at home and work with the structures as he had indicated when he was received by Member of the Central Committee and Lusaka Province Party Chairman Mr. Paul Moonga at the Party Secretariat.

The Secretary General has further dismissed social media reports alleging that the top Party officials shunned welcoming Hon Mwamba, insisting that MCC Moonga is a very Senior member of the Party who was delegated to welcome the former UPND Vice President at short notice.

Mr. Mwila has since urged party members to embrace all those wishing to re-join the party as directed by the Party President who is also Republican President.

Mr. Mwamba and several other UPND members yesterday re-joined the PF.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mwila has explained that Kelvin Bwalya Fube has a democratic right to contest any position in the party but should refrain from insulting the party leadership.

He disclosed that preparations for the party general convention for 2020 are progressing well.

Bupe, Mapalo make progressive recovering

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Bupe, Mapalo make progressive recovering
Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya (l) and Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa (r) hold former Bupe and Mapalo when the two Ministers visited the former conjoined twins

Former Kawambwa co-joined twins, Bupe and Mapalo have been taken back to Kachema-Musuma Orphanage Centre following their discharge from the district hospital.

Kawambwa District Social Welfare Officer, Peter Musonda has told ZANIS in an interview that the twins are now two weeks old at the facility, where they are being taken care of by competent staff, who include a care-giver.

Mr Musonda said the twins who were readmitted to the hospital for malaria and malnutrition since January this year, have fully recovered and their nutritional status has improved.

He disclosed that Bupe who had difficulties in sitting, is now able to sit on her own while Mapalo can walk alone without being supported.

Mr Musonda has further commended the Kawambwa District Hospital management for improving the welfare of the children, and for seconding a Care-Giver to Kachema – Musuma Orphanage to devote time to the twins.

He has also appealed for financial, food and material support from well-wishers, in order to assist the Centre take care of the children and other orphans who are under the care of the facility.

Zambian comedian ‘Kasaka’ detained

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Zambian comedian ‘Kasaka’ detained

The Ndola Magistrate Court has detained seasoned comedian Webster Chiluba popularly known as Kasaka, for failure to present an accused person before court, after signing as surety.

Mr Chiluba signed as surety for Mathews Silungwe 28, a musician of Ndola’s Kabushi Township, who is charged with impersonation and six counts of theft, after allegedly swindling six teachers in the district.

It is alleged that on September 25, 2019, in Ndola, with intent to defraud, Mr Silungwe falsely represented himself as an inspector from the Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ), to Grace Sokoni.

It is also alleged that Mr Silungwe further obtained money amounting to six thousand two-hundred and thirty-kwacha from Silvia Nalungwe, Daniel Phisi, Natasha Mwansa, Ketty Siwale and Herald Mwila, all who longed to join the teaching service.

Further, it is alleged that Mr Silungwe used different mobile phone numbers to call some teachers and threatened to have them deregistered from the service, should they fail to register nor apply for their licence with the teaching council.

When the matter came up before Magistrate Veronica Sikwangala in Ndola, the accused was not present before the court.

The prosecution stated that the accused was supposed to come to court or a bench warrant be issued for the accused as well as the sureties.

However, the Arresting Officer Sergeant Mercy Sianga who was present before the court said the suspect was still on the run and that one of the other sureties had gone to Kasama to look for him.

Magistrate Sikwangala asked Mr Chiluba to prove to the court of law why he should not be cited for contempt.

In response Mr Chiluba said he was still looking for Mr Silungwe, asking the court if he could be released in order to carry out his task.

However, Magistrate Sikwangala dismissed his plea and reminded him of his promise before the court, when he signed bail for his colleague.

“I want to sign bail for my friend as surety. I will make sure he attends court. If he runs, I will be ready to be apprehended or pay K5000,” “Margistrate Sikwangala read.

The matter has since been adjourned to April 26, 2019.

President Lungu appoints PF cadre Jada as Zambia’s Deputy envoy to Saudi Arabia

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President Lungu appoints PF cadre Jada as Zambia’s Deputy envoy to Saudi Arabia
Huzaifa Jada with a fellow PF cadre pose for a photo near the presidential challenger plane.
Huzaifa Jada with a fellow PF cadre pose for a photo near the presidential challenger plane Chopper

Well known PF cadre and Kafue Businessman Huzaifa Jada has been appointed as Deputy Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Saudi Arabia.

Jada confirmed his appointment as Deputy Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in a brief statement to the media.

He was seen off by his fellow PF youths at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on Monday.

“I have arrived safely in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to take up my posting as Deputy Ambassador at the Zambian Mission. My Regards to you all back home. Wishing you good health and prosperity,” Jada stated.

Jada is an ardent supporter and youth leader of the ruling PF who campaigned heavily for President Lungu.

He was a common feature at PF rallies in 2011, 2015 and 2016 elections.

Zambia reopened its Embassy in Saudi Arabia in 2013 after it was closed for many years.

Huzaifa Jada at one of the PF campaign rallies
Huzaifa Jada at one of the PF campaign rallies
Huzaifa Jada addressing one of the PF campaign rallies
Huzaifa Jada addressing one of the PF campaign rallies

Green Eagles wallop Nkana in Wusakile

sports
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Green Eagles on Wednesday rallied to thump Nkana 4-1 in Kitwe in the delayed match to open up a four point lead at the top of Stream B of the 2019 FAZ Super Division.

The win in this Week 6 match pushed Eagles to 27 points, four ahead of second placed Buildcon, after playing 13 matches.

Amity Shamenda grabbed a brace with Kennedy Musonda and Lazarous Phiri scoring the other goals for Eagles.

Nkana had made a false start when Hassan Ramadhani put them ahead after 36 minutes when benefiting from a rebound caused by Ronald Kampamba.

The two teams went into the break with a 1-1 score line before Eagles scored three times in the last half.

Other second half highlights saw Nkana’s two goals cancelled for alleged offside.

Midfielder Shadrick Malambo had his 52nd minute goal ruled out by Kabwe referee Wise Musaka and Sate Sate too had a late goal cancelled for offside.

This incident saw the match officials leave Nkana Stadium several minutes after the game as they feared for their lives.

Meanwhile, Nkana remain stuck in 7th place with 12 points from nine matches played.

Kalampa now remain with four unplayed matches.

The absence of the law criminalising torture in Zambia is till a concern-Human Rights Commission

Chief Editor
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The absence of the law criminalising torture in Zambia is till a concern-Human Rights Commission
Human Rights Commission
Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission says it remains deeply concerned that perpetrators of acts of torture continue being charged with lesser offences of assault than the grave nature of torture because of the absence of the law criminalising torture in Zambia.

The Commission has since urged government to speedy up the process of enacting the law criminalising torture in Zambia to provide appropriate punishment to perpetrators, and remedies to victims of torture.

Commission spokesperson Mwelwa Muleya said it is deeply concerning that because of the absence of an Anti-Torture Act in Zambia, individuals who commit heinous acts of torture continue being charged with lesser offences of Common Assault and Assaults Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm as provided for under Sections 247 and 248 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

“Article 4 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment ((UNCAT)) obliges State Parties such as Zambia to enact laws that criminalise acts of torture and make such offences punishable by appropriate penalties which take into account the grave nature of torture. Zambia ratified the UNCAT 30 years ago in 1989 but she has not yet domesticated it by enacting a national legislation to give legal effect to the global anti-torture law in Zambia”, Mr. Muleya said.

He said although the Commission acknowledges the positive step taken by the Government by drafting the Anti-Torture Bill which was adopted in principle by Cabinet on 4th December 2017, the apparent slow enactment process is deeply worrying.

Mr. Muleya said the continued harm suffered by victims of torture, particularly on vulnerable members of society such as children without appropriate remedies, should remind the Government about the urgent need to enhance the right to protection against torture by enacting the law.

He said the lack of a an Act of Parliament Criminalising Torture in Zambia has also made it difficult for actors in the criminal justice system to invoke Article 15 of the Constitution of Zambia, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia, which prohibit torture.

Mr. Muleya said there is currently no law that criminalises and defines torture and provides penalties and remedies for acts of torture in Zambia, making it difficulties for law enforcement officers, prosecutors and the courts of law to invoke Article 15 of the Constitution of Zambia.

He said it is the desire of the Commission that the Bill Criminalising Torture in Zambia will be enacted into law by the end of 2019, and that such a law should broaden the definition of torture to include acts committed by private individuals instead of only focussing on public officers.

Mr. Muleya said Acts of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment are a gross violation of human rights and absolutely prohibited and punishable under international human rights law.

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