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Energy drink Natural Power SX , a product of Revin Zambia
The Ndola City Council has instructed Revin Zambia Limited to conduct a product recall of Natural Power High Energy Drink SX.
Following a complaint from Zambia Medicine Regulatory Authority through a letter dated 6th December, 2018 that suggested adulteration of Power Natural High Energy Drink SX with Sildenafil Citrate, The Ndola City Council collected various samples which were forwarded to the Food and Drugs Laboratory for investigations.
The authorities, Ndola City Council, Ministry of Health, Zambia Bureau of Standards and ZAMRA further opted to send samples to South Africa and Zimbabwe for further independent investigations of the alleged adulteration.
Results from both Zimbabwe and South Africa correlated with those obtained from the Foods and Drugs Laboratory that indicated a positive presence of Sildenafil Citrate in Natural Power SX Energy Drink
The levels of Sildenafil Citrate found in the samples ranged from 68.5 mg -71.3 mg per 250 ml of the drink. However, the raw material samples tested negative for Sildenafil Citrate therefore confirming the alleged adulteration.
It is in this regard that Revin Zambia Limited has been instructed to conduct a product recall of Natural Power High Energy Drink SX from yesterday from all the 10 provinces of Zambia that will be supervised by the Ndola City Council.
The recall will be focused on batches between E044G to E074G all environmental health officers, health inspectors and environmental health technicians are advised to concentrate on the batches and if found should be seized and submitted to the various council departments of public health.
The Ndola City Council has also suspended the production of Natural Power SX Energy Drink until remedial measures are put in place to the satisfaction of all the mentioned regulatory authorities.
Revin Zambia Limited has been found in violation of Section 3 (c) of The Foods and Drugs Act, CAP 303 of the Laws of Zambia as the drink constitutes an adulteration.
Additionally, the drink violates the terms and conditions of the products certification scheme under ZABS standards Act number 4 of 2017.
The relevant agencies such as ZAMRA, ZABS and NCC will monitor Revin Zambia Limited to ensure that they will operate within the provisions of applicable laws to protect the public.
Sildenafil is an active ingredient in oral therapy in erectile dysfunction in men. It is a prescription medicine and should only be taken upon recommendation by a Medical Doctor. The team of Medical Experts from the stated relevant authorities have highlighted many adverse side effects if not being administered with medical prescription, thus the drink Natural Power SX possess a threat to members of the public.
This is according to a statement issued to the media by Tilyenji Mwanza, the Ndola City Council Public Relations Manager.
Press Association of Zambia President Andrew Sakala has urged journalists to abide by the electoral code of conduct and media ethics during the coverage of Bahati and Roan parliamentary elections slated for next month.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Sakala said being ethical is the only way to protect the integrity of journalism especially during elections and other events of national interest.
Mr. Sakala said some politicians would want to buy journalists so that they can report lies and unbalanced stories that would work against their opponents participating in the elections.
He said journalist should ensure there is fairness, objectivity and balance in the way the cover political parties.
He noted that the electoral code of conduct has sanctions that may lead to one who has violated it to be fined or jailed hence the need for journalists to uphold professionalism and ethics in all their reporting.
Mr. Sakala said much as the association does not support journalists being jailed they should be responsible by ensuring that they do not violate the electoral code of conduct.
Roan and Bahati constituencies are scheduled to have by-elections following the declaration of the seat as vacant by the speaker of the national assembly Patrick Matibini and the resignation of the area member of parliament respectively.
Government says it is working towards curbing illegal mining activities that are on the increase in Eastern Province.
Mines and Mineral Development Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda says reports on the illegal mining of precious minerals being done by locals and foreign nationals from neighbouring countries have reached his office.
Speaking during a courtesy call paid to Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Buleti Nsemukila today, Mr Chanda said government is losing a lot of revenue in terms of taxes from such activities.
He said his ministry is trying to find a ways to intervene and normalize the situation by flashing out illegalities in order to bring on board serious investors.
And Dr Nsemukila said the mineral prospects found in the province will play an effective role in the diversification process because Eastern Province is mostly known as an agriculture powerhouse.
He said with the rich mineral prospects discovered in the province, a lapidary training school like the one in Ndola must be put up to empower women and youths in jewelry making skills.
Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) President Sean Tembo
Reports have emerged about Opposition Alliance Spokesperson and Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) President Sean Tembo’s professional misconduct in the public Tender for the Development of a National Framework for Alcohol and Substance Abuse in Botswana. According to the reports, backed by a full Botswana High Court Judgement, Mr Tembo was found to have lied about his qualifications and experience. The Court also found that Mr Tembo was given advance payment by the Government of Botswana for the sole purpose of data collection and that the money was not used for the purpose intended.
The court also found that Mr Tembo lied about the final report he produced. Mr Tembo claimed that the report was a product of scholarly joint effort by named behavioral experts when in fact the report a sole effort by what the court described as an unqualified person namely Sean Tembo.
Below is the Summary of the Judgement:
In _Enosyst Associates (Pty) Limited t/a Enosyst Consulting and Sean Tembo v Professor Keitseope Nthomang_ CVHGB-002065-14, this matter was an action for defamation, before the High Court of Botswana, it being alleged by Sean Tembo and his Consultancy company that the Defendant published certain words considered to be defamatory of his company and himself.
A very critical background to this dispute was the floating of a Tender for the Development of a National Framework for Alcohol and Substance Abuse in Botswana, by the Government of Botswana in or about May 2013. Sean Tembo’s consultancy company acting through him as its Managing Director, put together a Project Team and submitted a tender which was approved by the relevant authorities.
The dispute involved two of the key persons involved in the execution of the projects. The qualifications and experience of the key personnel were a critical component of tender evaluation. Indeed, the bidders were required to submit a Curriculum Vitae of each of the key personnel.
Among the terms of reference for the project, the necessity for evidence based reporting and recommendation was emphasized. The project was to be objectively assessed and also required empirical investigation and data collection. The Defendant’s case was that empirical investigation and data collection were pre-requisites and that his alleged defamatory letter was written in the light of a total disregard of these by Sean Tembo.
Part of the letter written by the Defendant which was the subject of the Defamation claim by Sean Tembo and his Company read as follows:
“…Note that in the proposal that won the tender he [Sean Tembo] presented himself as a Project Field Assistant. In my view this portfolio does not add much value to the execution of this project. Clearly, the man has never conducted any study on alcohol and substance abuse and this is evident in his profile presented in the proposal submitted to the Ministry. Given this reality, his conduct was clearly unprofessional and borders on dishonesty, deceit, fraud and corruption […]. Unprofessional behaviours displayed by ENOSYST managing director cannot be left unchallenged. It is toxic and dangerous and has the potential to get deep-rooted and cause irreversible harm to the consultancy business in Botswana, in particular the project in question. Put differently, if this behavior is allowed to prevail, poor data will be collected by non-professionals with serious legal, policy and programmes implications. The result will be a poorly developed National Framework on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, poorly developed interventions informed by poor quality data and disservice to Batswana.”
The Court made the following findings:
That it cannot be doubted, in the context, that holding out a makeshift report falsely as a product of a joint effort of several subject experts, as Sean Tembo in fact did, especially in a matter of national importance such as the formulation of a National Policy on Alcohol and Substance Abuse is unprofessional and a step short of dishonesty.
That qualification and experience, it was common cause, was not possessed by Sean Tembo or any of his subjects at his Company. The Defendant and other experts came in not as mere employees of Sean Tembo’s Company but as experts in their own right and the inclusion of their names added value to the tender submitted and the output of the project would either make them or tear apart their hard earned professional integrity.
That the Defendant had a right, if not a duty, to defend his name and professional integrity.
The Court was satisfied that the Defendant was better qualified to make professional evaluation of the work being carried out and his claim that the manner in which the project was executed and the reports tendered by Sean Tembo were wanting and fell below the standard of the best international practice. This was not contested in any manner whatsoever.
The Defendant in his long evidence punched many serious holes in the reports submitted by Sean Tembo especially the Final Comprehensive Report. He tested that report against the terms of reference and more specifically on the requirement for empirical data. This criticism took a particularly prominent place as the client ministry officials had themselves faulted the Inception Report initiated by Sean Tembo and his Company on account of its deficiency on the furnishing of empirical data. As it turned out, even the Final Comprehensive Report had the same deficiency. Indeed Sean Tembo conceded that he only collected data in Gaborone and one institution in Lobatse.
The Defendant further went on to demonstrate that no data collection tools were developed. The questionnaire that Sean Tembo attached to his report declaiming that it was a data collection tool developed for the purpose turned out to be a document uplifted from the World Health Organisation, used for a different purpose.
The most grievous part about the absence of investigation and collection of raw data and especially in a manner representative of the different regions of Botswana was twofold. First, what was presented as the basis for policy formulation on alcohol and substance abuse was a misrepresentation of the true state of affairs with high risk of failure of the resultant policy.
Secondly, it was common cause that Sean Tembo was given advance payment by the Government of Botswana for the sole purpose of data collection. It was not in dispute that such money was not used for the purpose intended even though Sean Tembo held out his report as if it was informed by empirical data.
Thirdly, the final report was held out as if it was a product of scholarly joint effort by named behavioral experts when in fact and in truth that was not so but a sole effort by an unqualified person namely Sean Tembo.
The Defendant considered such conduct as stated above to be bordering on dishonesty and unprofessionalism. The Court took the view that that description was too mild as really such conduct was dishonest and most likely amounted to an attempt to obtain by false pretences, if not stealing by conversion, if one had regard to the sum of about P100, 000.00 (one hundred thousand pula) received by Sean Tembo and his Company as advance payment for empirical investigation and data collection, which was not carried out either at all or in a representative manner, let alone at national level as the terms of reference clearly intended.
The critical words attributed to the Defendant were found by the Court to have been true and correct in every respect. The critical words made by the Defendant whose professional integrity was being compromised or at the minimum being put at risk, were not only on point but absolutely necessary as to do otherwise would be interpreted as complicity and not unjustifiable, for he would have been remunerated by Sean Tembo and his Company for the silent conspiracy when no work had been done by him.
By speaking out, the Defendant risked losing the consultancy and a handsome payment and he opted to preserve and shield his conscience and the profession to which he belongs. The Court commended him for that and opined that the nation needed more people like the Defendant.
The Court went further to observe that Sean Tembo and his Company should consider themselves fortunate that the client ministry officials went into hibernation, if at all they saw the contents of the Defendant’s letter. Sean Tembo’s conduct was the kind that required further investigation and even the involvement of law enforcement agencies.
Although Sean Tembo and his Company since submitting the final report, and supposedly their bill, they did not really bother to demand payment for the work. The Court was still of the view that what was done deserved to be investigated to protect the public interest and consultancy services and the Court so recommended to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health (Botswana).
The Court was satisfied that what the Defendant said, even if it was to be said to have been defamatory, it was in the public interest and he had a duty as the lead consultant to tell the truth to the client ministry and further that the communication was absolutely necessary and directed to the relevant persons and therefore privileged. In conclusion, the Court found that any of the alternative defences available to the Defendant would succeed and the plaintiffs’ action would fail. The Plaintiffs’ action was dismissed with costs.
Nkana’s CAF Confederation Cup semifinal hopes face a massive test following Wednesday’s quarterfinal draws after they were handed a last eight date against record three-time champions CS Sfaxien of Tunisia.
Beston Chambeshi’s side will host the Tunisia giants in the first leg on April 7 and travel to Sfax for the final leg on April 14.
Interestingly, Sfaxien return to Zambia for a second successive time this season in the CAF Confederation Cup after eliminating Green Buffaloes in the pre-group stage last December.
Sfaxien beat Buffaloes 4-1 in Tunisia but lost 1-0 in Lusaka to progress to the group stage.
Meanwhile, Sfaxien will visit Nkana for the first time in twenty years.
Sfaxien eliminated Nkana 4-1 on aggregate in the second round of the defunct CAF Cup in 1999 after the latter lost 4-0 away in Tunisia.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to Kenya Brenda MuntembaThe Patriotic Front says it has learnt with shock the demise of Zambia’s High Commissioner to Kenya Brenda Muntemba.
The PF says it is particularly distressed as her death comes a few days after the death of High Commissioner to Ghana, Rayford Mbulu an icon who greatly contributed to Trade Unionism in Zambia.
Party Secretary General Davies Mwila recalled how when the PF formed government in 2011, embarked on a mission to expand space for women in the area of leadership and decision making in all spheres.
In a message of condolences to the bereaved family, Mr. Mwila said Mrs. Muntemba was subsequently appointed as Police Commissioner for Southern Province that same year alongside five other deserving Senior Police Women Commissioners.
He said as a conscientious worker and a team player, she served in other senior positions in the Police Service.
In February 2015, President Edgar Lungu continuing with the Gender Sensitive PF Manifesto and the legacy of his predecessor, appointed Ms Muntemba into the Foreign Service as Zambia’s envoy to Kenya; a position she held until her untimely death.
He said her congenial personality won her the affection of many Zambians from all walks of life through her motivational talks, radio presentations and the books she wrote.
And Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja said the Zambia Police is saddened on the death of Mrs. Muntemba who was until her demise, serving as the Zambia’s High Commissioner to Kenya.
Mr. Kanganja said Mrs. Muntemba will greatly be missed by the entire Zambia Police Service and the nation at large.
Zambia made significant headway in their 2019 U23 AFCON qualifiers when they collected a vital second round, first leg win away in Malawi on Wednesday.
Zambia, who have just entered the qualifiers after enjoying a first round bye, kicked off their Olympic qualifying hopes with a 1-0 away win in Blantyre.
Fashion Sakala head in the winner in the 78th minute from a Lameck Banda corner just 18 minutes after the latter had replaced Kingsley Kangwa.
Zambia need a draw or another win on March 24 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka to advance to the final qualifying stage in June where they will play Burundi or Congo-Brazzaville for a place at November’s tournament in Egypt.
The top three finishers in Egypt will qualify to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
PF Secretary General Davis Mwila and President Lungu during the singing of the national Anthen During the opening of the Central Province Provincial Conference
National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister Reverend Godfridah Sumaili has ordered cadres to stop flashing flushing out party symbols when singing the National Anthem.
Reverend Sumaili says such gestures are against the National Anthem Act number 40 of 1973 as well as the National Anthem Amendment Act number 13 of 1994.
And Reverend Sumaili has also expressed concern that most citizens have lost respect for the National Flag as evidenced by how some institutions are fly torn flags even in the night.
She says Statutory Instrument Number 270 of the 1965 and the National flags and Armorial ensigns Act number 13 of 1994 National Flags provides that the flag will only fly from sunrise to sunset.
In a ministerial statement in Parliament on National Consciousness and Identity Reverend Sumaili further expressed concern the Zambian coat of arms is being misrepresented.
Reverend Sumaili has observed that some coat of arms are being displaced in wrong colors and designs.
President Edgar Lungu is tomorrow expected in Eastern province where he is scheduled to commission government projects and flag off the distribution of relief food.
According to a tentative programme released by Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Buleti Nsemukila, the President is expected to arrive in Chipata at 09:45 hours after which he is will pay a courtesy call on Paramount chef Mpezeni at his Ephendukeni palace and later meet Paramount chief Gawa Undi at his Nyaviombo palace in Chipata.
The Head of State will later fly to Sinda where he is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Chieftainess Kawaza, Nyanje and Chief Kathuma before commissioning an administration office block.
President Lungu will then flag off the distribution of relief food in the province.
On Friday, President Lungu will fly to Petauke where he will be commissioning the Edgar Chagwa Lungu Technical School.
The Head of State is expected to return to Lusaka on Saturday afternoon after meeting with party officials.
Catholic nuns have expressed worry at the increased cases of pupil pregnancies at Holy Cross Day Secondary School in Mongu district in Western Province.
The situation has prompted government to spend over 2 million kwacha to re-establish the secondary school into a boarding school in order to keep pupils in school and reduce on pupil pregnancies.
Speaking to ZANIS in an interview in Mongu yesterday, Holy Cross Secondary School Acting Head Teacher Sister Bibian Mbao said she was disturbed with increased pupil’s pregnancies at the school.
Sister Mbao cited lack of boarding schools for girls in the province as a major contribution factor leading to pupil’s pregnancies in the province.
She noted that girls in the area fall prey to pregnancies because they encounter many challenges as they cover long distance in accessing quality education services.
The Sister disclosed that the school has embarked on the constructions of boarding facilities such as ablution blocks hostels for girls in order to re-introduce girl’s boarding school.
And Mongu District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Sondoi Mutumba said the move of re-introducing girl’s boarding school by government will reduce pupil’s pregnancies at the school.
Luano District Commissioner Christopher Chibuye, has expressed happiness with the implementation of the School Feeding Programme (SFP) in his district.
Speaking during a consultative meeting on developing the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) strategy, Mr Chibuye noted that the project is instrumental in attracting vulnerable children to school.
The DC commended World Food Programme (WPF) and various stakeholders for supplementing government efforts in improving quality of learning.
During the same forum, WFP Senior Programme Associate, Miyoba Mukengami explained that his organization is currently transitioning the SFP to a self-sufficient and Government owned Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) in line with the 7th National Development Plan (7NDP) 2017- 2021.
He said the HGSFP is focusing on producing and locally procuring nutritious foods for pre and primary school learners, as well as linking smallholder farmers to beneficiary schools.
Mr Mukengami added that plans are underway to increase the number of beneficiary districts from 39 to 90.
He said selected districts are expected to cover all public and community schools in the area to avoid shifting of pupils from non-feeding schools to feeding schools.
Meanwhile, Senior Planner from Ministry of National Development Planning, Mutinta Kalembwe, said a sustainable HGSFP requires a strong multi-sectorial approach.
She pointed out that the project relies on partnerships and resource mobilisation from various sources, including the public and private sector.
She called on traditional leaders to partner with Government in sensitising their subjects on the significance of the feeding programme.
The United Party for National Development has appealed to Chief Government spokesperson Dora Siliya to publish the contents of the approved Access to Information Bill so that people are able to scrutinize them.
Party spokesperson Charles Kakoma noted that this is not the first time the Patriotic Front government has issued statements to excite Zambians on the Freedom of Information Bill with Justice Minister Given Lubinda in February 2017 having assured stakeholders that his ministry had engaged other line ministries so that the contents of the bill is made available.
Mr. Kakoma noted that to date, the draft bill has not been made available and now Zambians are being told that it has been approved, contrary to what Mr. Lubinda had promised.
He said the UPND is also cognisant of the fact that the same bill was presented to Parliament in the year 2002, more than sixteen years ago through a private members motion and government tricked the MPs who presented the Bill to withdraw it so that it is tabled by a Cabinet minister and to allow for more consultations.
He alleged that one of the countries that Zambia has consulted over the Freedom of Information Bill is Zimbabwe, where the Freedom of Information Act is used as a tool for suppressing freedom of expression and media freedom instead of enhancing people’s access to information held by public institutions.
Mr. Kakoma said the original objective of the information law was to enhance transparency and accountability in order to empower people to make informed decisions adding that it is supposed to help the country in the fight against corruption, mismanagement of public resources and mal-administration.
He said the UPND is suspicious because this approval comes at a time when there is heightened clampdown on media freedoms as well as shrinking media space in the country.
“It’s also shocking that a government which has hijacked, manipulated, threatened, cowed down and bought off a number of media houses for the sole purpose of monopolizing the dissemination of information would in a twinkling of an eye rush to approve a Bill whose content is only known to themselves. As a result UPND remains sceptical of the schemes of the PF government as the public is not aware of the contents of this Bill due to lack of adequate stakeholder consultation. It should not be a Bill meant to hide secrets and sweep dirt under the carpet in order to preserve the PF’s hold to power”, he said.
Mr. Kakoma said it is deceptive and self-contradictory on the part of the PF to hasten to enact the Access to Information Bill with the intent of gaining political mileage on one hand, while on the other hand shutting down media houses on the false pretext of unprofessional, unethical and biased media coverage.
He said it is clear, government is trying to shift attention from the condemnation it has received from local and international stakeholders over the closure of Prime TV for showing scenes on the attempted assassination of the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema in the Sesheke parliamentary by election.
He has reminded the PF to respect the numerous protocols, treaties and agreements bordering on freedoms to which Zambia is a signatory such as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa.
He said Public bodies hold information not for themselves but as custodians of public good and every citizen has a right to access this information.
The Forum for Democracy and Development is worried with increasing number of mine fatalities especially at Mopani Copper Mines following another mine accident which claimed the lives of two miners yesterday who were working on the mine underground operation.
In a message of condolences to the families of the two miners who died yesterday at Mopani Copper Mines, FDD Chairperson for Labour, Employment and Social Development Yotam Mtayachalo has noticed with alarm the rising levels of occupational hazards in the mining industry which have continued to claim lives of workers.
Mr. Mtayachalo said this trend cannot be allowed to continue and has appealed to Mopani Copper Mines and other mining firms to put in place adequate safety measures especially on their underground operations to avert incessant mine accidents in order to protect lives of workers who are the most precious factor of production.
He has also appealed to the ministry of Mines and their counterparts at the ministry of Labour and Social Security to formulate coordinated radical safety inspection measures in various mining undertakings countrywide and ensure that mines adhere to strict Occupational Safety Standards to avoid occupational hazards at work places.
Mr. Mtayachalo said government should also design stiffer punishments against mining firms which fail to maintain high degree of safe working environments which do not meet prescribed standards which undoubtedly lead to fatalities and injuries at work places which at times could be avoided or minimised.
He acknowledged that Trade Unions take issues of Occupational Health Standards very seriously but has appealed to them to take a step forward and ensure that their members who suffer injuries or die while on duty are highly compensated by advocating for a review of laws or conditions of service which favours the plight of their members.
Two miners died yesterday morning at Mopani Copper mine in Kitwe after a blasting accident.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency has refuted media reports suggesting that government has made adjustments to fees and fines payable to many Government ministries and parastatals, including fees and fines relating to traffic fines.
RTSA Head of Media Relations Fredrick Mubanga said contrary to information circulating on social media suggesting that government recently issued a new revised schedule for traffic offences, government has recently not made any adjustments to traffic fines.
Mr. Mubanga said all traffic fines and fees which are currently inforce are based on Statutory Instrument Number 41 of 2015.
He has implored the general public to contact RTSA National Call Centre on the Toll Free line 983 for clarifications.
The Anti-Corruption Commission in Choma has arrested a former Mayor of Choma for Conflict of interest in a matter involving allocation of plots.
Mr. Professor Mwaanga, 46, of Silukiya Village in Choma has been charged with one count of conflict of interest contrary to Section 28(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 of the Laws of Zambia.
Details of the offence are that on dates unknown but between 1st January, 2015 and 31st December 2017 in Choma, Mwaanga, being a public officer, namely Mayor of Choma Municipal Council, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons, failed to declare interest in writing when he took part in the selection process for allocation of plots in which his wife Dainess Maingaila was an applicant.
Mwaanga has since been released on bond and will appear in Court on 17th April 2019.
This is according to a statement issued to the media by ACC Corporate Affairs Manager Jonathan Siame.
