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Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale has warned of stern action against perpetrators of poaching in Monze’s Lochinvar national park.
The minister revealed that he has received reports of civic, government and traditional leaders being at the helm of the vice which has led to the extinction of some animal species in the Lochinvar national park.
Dr Hamukale told a media briefing in Choma that he is disappointed that among the reported perpetrators, are officers from the department of National Parks and Wildlife.
He added that the country places great emphasis on tourism as a driving force of the economy, adding that it is shocking to hear that leaders who are supposed to be leading by example, are the ones involved in such illegal acts.
“We need to clean up ‘ZAWA’ in Monze. This is no rhetoric. If you are found, you will be arrested and I’ll make sure you get fired,” the minister warned.
He further noted that government invested a lot of resources in trying to protect unique wildlife species such as the Kafue Lechwe, hence will not condone anyone frustrating these efforts.
The minister disclosed that the Lochinvar National Park is currently recording over 15 poached animals daily, adding that he is worried that if this continues, the national park may have no animals left by 2021.
A few months ago, Southern Province recorded another poaching case in which 2 magistrates and some wildlife officers were arrested in Livingstone.
Agriculture Minister Hon. Michael Katambo discusses cassava with Zambian Breweries director of corporate affairs Ezekiel Sekele. Picture by Alex Mukuka.
Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo says government has entered into a tripartite agreement with the Millers Association of Zambia for Millers to access maize from the Food Reserve Agency to raise funds to pay farmers that supplied maize to the FRA last year.
Mr. Katambo said under the agreement, the millers will access maize from the Food Reserve Agency at a subsidized fee.
He said the FRA has been allowed access to a certain tonnage of maize under the tripartite arrangement to settle the debt owed to both millers and transporters.
Mr. Katambo explained that FRA will sell the maize to the millers who will in turn pay the transporters engaged to transport the maize.
He said the maize released is equivalent to the amount of money government owes both farmers and transporters which he could not disclose.
The Young African Leaders Initiative has commended government for being bold enough and ensuring the legislative and institutional reforms are done expeditiously and that process be protected by a legal framework.
Government through the Minister of Justice approved and tabled before Parliament the National Dialogue Forum bill which aims at ensuring that all governance legislative reforms are backed by a legal framework to ensure the process is legally binding.
Some of the pieces of legislation to be handled in the bill include the Public Act, The electoral process Act and the Refinement of the Constitution of Zambia.
YALI President Andrew Ntewewe says this process is long overdue as the procrastination of the dialogue process under the auspices of the church failed because some individuals wanted usurp the agenda which already agreed upon by all political parties at the Siavonga meeting.
Mr. Ntewewe said others wanted to use the church led process as a shadow boxing arena to just score political points but said the bill will ensure that the agenda set up and agreed upon all political parties in the Siavonga meeting is protected and adhered to.
He has called on citizens and all stakeholders to participate fully in the National Dialogue process under the auspices of this legal framework that was tabled in Parliament by the Minister of Justice.
Mr. Ntewewe noted that for the past three decades since the attainment of democracy, Zambia has grappled with various constitutional and institutional reforms that are meant to entrench democratic governance while the various constitutional reform commissions have not yielded very positive results.
He said President Edgar Lungu’s Administration has demonstrated political will to ensure that the governance reforms agenda becomes a reality and not just a dream.
“We have been made aware that there is systematic effort by disgruntled elements who would like to derail this well thought out process. We once again want to reiterate our long held view that there is only one legally and legitimate body with the responsibility to make and amend laws. The Constitution is article 62 (3) is very instructive that Parliament has the sole mandate to amend and make laws”, he added.
Mr. Ntewewe has since challenged government not abdicate its responsibility to facilitate this governance reforms agenda adding that they should not to be swayed by detractors but instead keep the eyes on the ball.
He warned that failure of the reform process will squarely fall on the shoulders of the government adding that any clandestine maneuvers to derail and frustrate should be condemned in the strongest possible terms!
Mr. Ntewewe has urged Zambians to read through this evil agenda to frustrate a very progressive governance reform agenda.
A catholic priest has expressed concern at the tendencies emerging that threaten the peace and unity of the country.
Father Harrison Mulenga who heads the School of Stigmatine House of Studies in South Africa, a school of formation for priests, urged all leaders from all spheres to ensure that Zambia continues to enjoy peace and unity.
Speaking at a special farewell mass held in honour of Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba held at St. Johns Parish in Pretoria, Father Mulenga said Zambia was known for the peace enjoyed and had never suffered war, or civil conflict.
He said the catholic community in South Africa recognized the efforts that Mr. Mwamba made to promote unity among Zambians in that country.
Father Mulenga said the open-door policy he practised allowed Zambians of different classes to access the embassy for consular and other services.
He said this was the first time the Church was holding a special farewell mass for a High Commissioner. He said this was done in recognition of the selfless leadership Mr. Mwamba exhibited.
Father Mulenga also prayed for and blessed Mr. Mwamba for his new role in Ethiopia.
And Mr. Mwamba thanked President Edgar Lungu for an opportunity to serve as High Commissioner.
And Mr. Mwamba called for responsible use of social media as it was now at the center of many divisions and conflicts.
He urged users of social media to avoid inflammatory, divisive and abusive words in their communications.
Mr. Mwamba said government recognized that the Diaspora community was important to the development of the country.
He said the members of the Diaspora eventually contribute in resources and skills transfer to the country.
Mr. Mwamba encouraged the Zambian community to give the same cooperation to the new High Commissioner that President Lungu will send to South Africa.
And Zambian Catholic Community Vice Chairperson Nicholas Phiri expressed gratitude for his leadership role he played to help bring Zambians together.
This is contained in a statement issued to the Media by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa Emmanuel Nyawali.
Socialist Party interim General Secretary Cosmas Dr Musumali
The Socialist Party says it will not join the opposition alliance because it is aimed at fighting President Edgar Lungu and the ruling Patriotic Front instead of offering solutions to the people’s sufferings.
Socialist Party General Secretary Cosmas Musumali says his party has respect for President Lungu and the PF and would not join an alliance which insults leaders.
Dr. Musumali says the Opposition Alliance is a capitalist entity which has no solutions to unemployment and poverty.
Speaking at a media briefing in Kitwe this morning, Dr. Musumali added that the Socialist Party is fighting the capitalist system and it cannot join a capitalist alliance which seeks to fight the poor and the working class.
And Dr. Musumali said his party will not take part in by-elections because they are not a priority.
He said by-elections are a drain on party resources and the Socialist Party is focusing on the 2021 general elections where it will field candidates in all wards and constituencies across the country.
He also observed that by-elections have become a source of violence and there is need for law enforcement agencies to stop the trend and create peace in the country.
Meanwhile, Dr Musumali has advised government to restructure its debt for a period of five to 10 years.
He said there is urgent need for government to renegotiate its foreign debt and cut some costs.
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo chats with Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya
A senior Member of the Patriotic Front Central Committee says President Edgar Lungu needs hard working Ministers to guarantee his 2021 election victory.
The Central Committee Member who opted to have his identify withheld said most of the Ministers surrounding President Edgar Lungu are not connecting with the grass root except for Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya and his Lusaka Province counterpart Bowman Lusambo.
The Member was reacting to the warning by President Lungu to his top leadership to stop misleading him.
Addressing PF officials at Chipata College of Education in Chipata, President Lungu top party leadership who are misleading him need to stop because they will consistently distance him from the power base who are the Zambian people.
The Member said in an interview Sunday morning that President Lungu needs to realize that only Dr Chilufya and Mr Lusambo are the ones that are helping bridge the gap between the party leadership and the grass root.
“What we know is that majority of these Ministers are simply technocrats and they are not politicians and as such, they are struggling to connect with the grass root where the real people are. The disconnect unfortunately is now widening and only these two Ministers are helping to bridge it,” the Central Committee Member said.
“It is therefore important that President Lungu keeps these two officials close to him as we head towards 2021, these two will be key for him maintaining the presidency after 2021,” the member said.
The Member said the fact that President Lungu is now complaining publicly that his top officials are misleading him calls for serious introspection.
“When you critically analyze, which other Ministers apart from Bowman (Lusambo) and Dr Chilufya are able to pull a crowd in any part of this country? The truth is that most of the people around the Boss are not helping him, all they do is rush to State House to ask for money because they do not have their own initiatives.”
The member added, “Just look at the campaigns for Bahati and Roan. The two (Dr Chilufya and Mr Lusambo) are doing very well and connecting with the voters. They are even over shadowing the candidates they are campaign for because the people love them.”
“You can take Bowman to Munali, Mpongwe, Masaiti, Roan, Solwezi or even Mongu in Western Province and he will be able to pull a crowd and address them about developmental issues and the people will listen, the same can be said about Dr Chilufya, we have seen him in Mwandi, Chipata, Serenje and on the Copperbelt and he is able to connect. These are the two people that we need to nurture if our 2021 victory is to be guaranteed,” the Central Committee member stated.
The Road Transport And Safety Agency (RTSA), has impounded over 400 motor vehicles for abrogating statutory instrument no.76 of 2016 which restricts Public Service Vehicles (PSV) from moving at night.
RTSA recently conducted a five-day special operation to ensure compliance with SI 76 and the agency is disturbed with the high number of PSVS drivers and operators contravening the provisions of SI 76 of 2016.
Head Public Relations, Fredrick Mubanga says the operation which was conducted along the major highways in the country reveled that a number of PSV drivers and operators are operating outside the provisions of SI 76 of 2016.
Mr. Mubanga says the SI 76 of 2016 restricts the movement of public service vehicles and vehicles in transit between 21:00 hours and 05:00 hours.
He says the agency is concerned that only three operators and companies have applied and managed to acquire a permit to be allowed to move at night and most operators opt to defy provisions of the law in this regard with impunity.
Mr. Mubanga says any person who contravenes the provisions of the SI commits an offence and is liable upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding one thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has contributed a total of us$ 500,000 towards disaster efforts in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
SADC Chairperson Hage Geingob says Mozambique, the hardest hit of the 3 countries, will receive 200,000 united states dollars while Malawi and Zimbabwe will receive 150, 000 united states dollars each.
This follows after cyclone Idai has swept through Southern Africa, potentially killing hundreds of people and leaving widespread flooding in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
And dr. Geingob has since called upon other partners, within and beyond the region, to continue supporting the rescue operations, and in providing the needed humanitarian assistance.
In a statement, dr. Geingob says the economic cost and social impact of the cyclone to the affected countries, and indeed the entire region, is immeasurable.
Dr. Geingob who is also Namibian president says the cyclone, which killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands while others left a trail of destruction to land and infrastructure affecting accessibility and provision of health care and welfare to the affected communities.
Dr. Geingob says SADC appreciates the overwhelming support extended to the communities by some member states, cooperating partners, and most importantly by citizens of the three countries who combined efforts to assist their fellow nationals.
He adds that SADC stands in solidarity with the three countries as they recover from the tragedy.
Dr. Geingob says in view of the increased occurrence of climate-related catastrophes, such as cyclones, floods and droughts, around the world and especially in the SADC region, SADC reiterates its call for joint global efforts to reduce global warming and the impacts of climate change and variability, while stepping up efforts to enhance adaptive capacities of developing countries in line with the spirit of the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction (2015-2030) and article 8(4) of the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change.
He has since called upon SADC member states to re-double their efforts to strengthen disaster risk management capacities, as emphasized in the SADC disaster preparedness and response strategy adopted in 2016, and to fully operationalized the necessary collaborative mechanisms to ensure rapid joint and concerted responses to disasters.
President Edgar Lungu has declared that there will be no violence during and after the 2021 general elections.
President Lungu says Zambia is a peaceful country and that those praying for war will not succeed because God loves Zambia.
He says for as long as he remains President, he will not allow anyone to cause war in the country.
The President said this at a rally in Kafue district where he went to drum up support for the Kafue PF council chairperson Candidate retired Brigadier General Moono Simakoloyi.
President Lungu said some people are praying for Zambia to go to war instead of praying for peace and unity.
He said he will also intercede before God for peace and unity of the country.
Meanwhile President Lungu has asked the people of Kafue to vote for the PF Candidate Moono Simakoloyi in the forthcoming council chairperson by election.
The head of state said this will make it easy for government to take development to the area because the opposition have been refusing their MPs and councillors from working with government hence denying the people development.
And Justice minister given lubinda who is PF Campaign manager in Kafue said the opposition have shown that they are unwilling to work with the government.
Meanwhile, PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri said the people of Kafue should vote for the PF because the opposition has nothing to offer.
She said the PF has shown the people of Zambia that it wants to take development to all corners of the country.
And President Lungu has appealed to the church leadership in the country not to allow politicians to divide them.
President Lungu says the church exists to unite and provide leadership to the nation and should be above politics.
He was speaking at Holy Saviour catholic parish in Kafue this morning.
Zambia U23 have advanced to the final round of the 2019 U23 AFCON qualifiers when they beat Malawi 1-0 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Sunday.
Beston Chambeshi’s side advanced to the final round 2-0 on aggregate after also beating Malawi 1-0 in the first leg away in Blantyre on March 20.
Fashion Sakala was again Zambia’s hero after also scoring in the first leg.
Sakala found the target at home in the 39th minute with a tight angle shot off an assist from Enock Mwepu.
Meanwhile, Malawi had goalkeeper Brighton Munthali for keeping the score line narrow after denying Mwepu, Sakala, and Lameck Banda in the second half.
Zambia advanced to the final qualifying round in June where they await Burundi or Congo Brazzaville who meets on Tuesday in Brazzaville tied at 0-0 from the first leg.
Striker Ronald Kampamba is positive Nkana can turn around their away poor form as they face CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in the quarterfinals of the 2018/19 CAF Confederation Cup next month.
Nkana trace their alst competitive away win to November 28 when they beat UD Songo of Mozambique 2-1 in a CAF Champions League preliminary round match in Beira but have since collected four draws and as many defeats.
Their only away point in continental action came on January 20 when they drew 0-0 at San Pedro in Cote d’Ivoire in a CAF Confederation Cup pregroup stage ties before subsequently losing all three of their Group C matches.
Nkana will host Sfaxien in the first leg on April 7 in Wusakile before the return match is played seven days later in Tunisia.
In their last six away CAF club matches this season, Kalampa have posted four defeats, one draw and one win.
“Every game is a different one. We can’t focus on the past. If we failed to win away in the past this time we can do better,” Kampamba said.
“We just need to work hard. The players, coaches, management and supporters should be there for us,” Sate Sate said.
Kampamba appears upbeat ahead of the quarterfinal clash against Sfaxien.
“I am confident. We need to win both home and away. Both matches at home and away are important,” he said.
Nkana advanced to the quarterfinals after finishing runners up in Group C which had pool winners Al Hilal of Sudan, Asante Kotoko of Ghana and Zesco United.
We are astonished by the silence of the Civil Society, the International Community and the Church on the continued insults on President Edgar Lungu by the Opposition Alliance.
The Opposition Alliance through its media Chairperson Mr Sean Tembo have provoked us enough. What is more shocking is the silence by the Civil society, the International Community and the Church on the insults showered on the Head of State.
We find it extremely provoking that the alliance has continued to insult the Head of State. The Head of State Mr Edgar Lungu is also the President of a political party, the Patriotic Front which has the largest following in Zambia. Now we the followers of H. E MR Edgar Chagwa Lungu our President of the PF, we say enough of these insults.
The Opposition Alliance through its member has provoked us enough. The insults on President Edgar Lungu amounts to inciting violence. We are not going to sit idle and watch our President who is also the Republican President to be insulted simply because a few individuals do not like him. We Want to remind them that President Lungu has the mandate to rule this country from the people Zambia.
We take great exception to this behavior by the Opposition Alliance through its media Chairperson Sean Tembo. We will have no option but to stand up and defend our party President from these unwarranted attacks.
Where is the Civil Society? Where is the International Community? Where is the Church? Let them be proactive then been reactive. It is clear that the Opposition Alliance has made it its agenda to insult President Edgar Lungu . The Opposition Alliance through Mr Sean Tembo have abused the freedom of expression. Now we want to state categorically that we the followers of Edgar Lungu will not allow this nonsense from the Opposition alliance.
We have laws in this country and if one is visited by the law, the same civil society, Some Church and International Community will complain that the Government is reactive. This is pure provocation which this alliance is propagating. We want to state that we are equal to the task.
Sean Tembo can not insult openly the Head of State and the Church, civil society and International Community keep quite. This conduct is unacceptable. We the PF on the Copperbelt have said no to such behavior, we say do not provoke us because we can also react.
The Head of State should be respected whether, one likes him or not. Sean Tembo and their Alliance have pushed us way to far. We are now challenging the Church, the Civil Society and the International Community to state their position over the insults on President Edgar Lungu by the Opposition Alliance.
We would also want to thank the people of Roan Constituency in Luanshya more especially the youths, for the peaceful campaigns. As PF, we have lived to what we promised of not importing members from out side Roan to come and campaign. The campaigns are going on peacefully. As the PF we are so confident to win the elections through our adopted candidate Mr Joel Chibuye. Our campaigns are based on what the PF and President Edgar Lungu has done and will do to the people of Roan. We want to do issued based campaigns not politics of name calling because Politics of insults and abusive name calling are absolutely shameful and archaic which can be best described as moral redundancy.
We want to assure our President through the campaign Managers and the local structures, that we are on top of things and this campaign will be violent free. We urge our members to exercise maximum restrain even if provoked in our campaigns.
The Author is Patriotic Front Copperbelt Chairman, and Member of the Central Committee, the Party’s highest decision making organ
The Prestigious 2018 Kuomboka Ceremony of the lozi Speaking people which means moving from the lower land (lealui Palance) to the upper land in Limulunga District, Western Province
The Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) has cancelled this year’s Kuomboka ceremony of the Lozi people of Western Province.
This is due to low water levels on the Zambezi River.
Briefing the media at the Kuta, BRE Ngambela Manyando Mukela said although preparations for the ceremony started on a high note, the water levels on the Barotse flood plains have remained below the normal level for this time of the year.
He expressed regret that this year’s annual Kuomboka ceremony has been cancelled.
The Ngambela said although the province has had poor rainfall this season the BRE had hoped that the high rainfall areas of Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) would channel the usual surge of water to most big tributaries of the Zambezi which however has not come forth.
He has however assured supporters and well-wishers that the donations accrued so far will be accounted for and saved for the next Kuomboka ceremony.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Mukela expressed gratitude to all Kuomboka Kufuluhela committees and partners for their invaluable support towards the colorful Kuomboka ceremony.
