T-Sean teams up with Bow Chase, Mic Burner and Young Willy for the official music video for “Balance It Up“.
The video was directed by The Visual Papi.
UPND Wins Sesheke Parliamentary By-Election
Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has scooped the sesheke parliamentary by election.
UPND candidate Romeo Kang’ombe polled 7, 768 votes from the provisional results collected from 35 polling stations from the total 43 polling stations.
Returning Officer Joseph Kanyembo has announced that results from the 8 remaining polling stations will have no effect on the outcome of the results.
Mr. Kan’gombe’s closest rival Dean Masule of the Patriotic Front (PF) party polled 3, 297 votes followed by UPPZ’s Victor Kayukwa who got 141 votes with PAC’s Charity Muhau trailing behind at 137 votes.
The total number of votes cast is 11, 419 while the rejected ballots are 76.
The Sesheke Parliamentary Seat fail vacant following the demise of then Member of Parliamentary Patrick Kufakwandi who died in South Africa following an illness.
Government calls on Zambia Police to identify perpetrators of political violence
Government has called on the Police to immediately identify perpetrators of political violence from both the ruling Patriotic Front and the opposition United Party for National Development.
Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya says there is need for the law to deal with all perpetrators of political violence.
Ms. Siliya who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister says President Edgar Lungu has made it clear that he will not protect anyone that will be found instigating violence.
She has also condemned the beating of a female journalist of Breeze FM by Political cadres in Lundazi.
Meanwhile Ms. Siliya said government is concerned with the use of excessive force by the Zambia Police Service on citizens.
And the Media Institute of Southern African Zambia has also condemned the attack on Breeze FM Journalist Grace Lungu by alleged Patriotic Front cadres in Lundazi yesterday.
Grace Lungu who was assigned to cover the Mkomba ward by-elections was attacked together with a taxi driver and her personal belongings confiscated on suspicion of being United Party for National Development cadres.
MISA Zambia Vice Chairperson Hyde Haguta is saddened by such attacks as they create an unconducive working environment for the media to carry out their duties.
Mr. Haguta said the Media is a tool for National Development, as such they should be given leverage to carry out their duties without fear or intimidation.
He has also reminded all political players and the general public that the Media is not the enemy but rather a stakeholder in the development of the nation hence they should desist from attacks on the Media and allow them to operate freely.
25 Zambian nationals have been deported back to Zambia from South Africa
25 Zambian nationals have been deported back to Zambia from South Africa for various immigration offences.
The 25 were deported back to Zambia following a round-up operation which was conducted by that country’s Ministry of Home Affairs and were detained at Lindela Holding facilities in Krugersdorp West, Gauteng province.
According to the information made available to the Zambia High Commission in Pretoria, the deported Zambians were found with offences of overstaying in that country.
Others were found without immigration permits that allow them to stay or work in South Africa while others had finished saving their jail terms for criminal offences.
14 people have since been repatriated to Zambia by the South African government whilst 11 were given a grace period for self-repatriation.
South African authorities observed that Zambia was among the countries with the lowest number of her nationals that had offended immigrations laws as compared to other countries.
And Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba says the Mission issued 14 gratis travel documents to some Zambians that needed help from the High Commission.
He said the Mission issued about 983 travel documents in 2018 to Zambian nationals that lost their passports or had overstayed.
Mr. Mwamba said the Mission is closely monitoring the welfare of its citizens to ensure that they do not come into conflict with that country’s laws.
He has since called on Zambians travelling to South Africa to follow the right procedure when travelling to avoid inconveniences.
This is contained in a statement issued by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa Naomi Nyawali
Escalating cases of maternal deaths at Kafue General Hospital raises concern
Some women in Kafue District have called for an investigation into the escalating cases of maternal deaths at Kafue General Hospital alleging that the Institution could be using Students instead of trained health personnel to attend to patients.
And the women have disclosed that they intend to carry out a peaceful protest on Women’s Day if nothing is done to address the situation.
Between Monday and Thursday last week, Kafue General Hospital recorded three maternal deaths, a number which the women say is to big.
Speaking in during the Church Service for the late Mary Banda, one of the three women who died while giving birth, Former Kafue District Commissioner Grace Ngulube called for probe in the death of the three women who died while giving birth at Kafue General Hospital accusing the Hospital Administration of negligence and using students on attachment to undertake critical medical operations.
Ms. Ngulube who is first cousin to Mary Banda said Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya has on several occasions made it clear that no Woman should die while giving birth.
“Recording three maternal deaths at KGH in four days is so alarming, and calls for a very serious probe to ascertain the causes of these deaths. As women we believe something is wrong, we implore Dr. Chilufya to take keen interest in this report so that collective measures could be put in place to curb loss of lives at Kafue General Hospital”, Ms. Ngulube said
And Jane Bwalya who spoke on behalf of the other women said the women in Kafue have unanimously agreed to protest on 8th March 2019 as a way of registering the displeasure at the increasing cases of maternal deaths at the Hospital.
Meanwhile, Kafue Member of Parliament Miriam Chonya bemoaned the death of the three women saying their deaths could have been avoided.
Ms. Chonya who was among the mourners urged government to improve its health care system in order to attain zero maternal deaths.
When contacted for a comment Acting Kafue District Medical Officer Dr. Mwinuna referred all queries to Kafue District Commissioner Joseph Kamana who also referred all queries to the Ministry of Health.
Zambia will not ratify the recently signed Africa Free Trade Area Agreement-Yaluma
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Christopher Yaluma says Government will not ratify the recently signed Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement until further consultation is done with the Zambian people.
Mr. Yaluma says it will be after consultation with the citizens that the ACFTA ratification proposal will be tabled in parliament and Cabinet as required by the Zambian law.
He has urged Zambians to support the decision made by government to sign the ACFTA framework to allow Zambia join the envisaged common market in Africa.
He said Zambia stands to benefit in Government will ensure that there is industrialisation and production of quality goods within Zambia.
Mr. Yaluma says Zambians must support this measure as it would help remove the perception of Zambia being a dumping site of low standard goods.
President Edgar Lungu signed the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement during the just ended 32nd Heads of States and Government Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This is according to a statement released to the media by First Secretary for Press and Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia Inutu Mwanza.
Israeli Company wants to commence charter flights to bring Israelis tourists directly to Zambia
Israeli big destination Management Company, Eshet has expressed interest to commence charter flights to bring Israelis tourists directly to Zambia and Zambians to Israel for pilgrimage.
Speaking during a meeting with Zambian Minister of Tourism and Arts Charles Banda in Tel Aviv, company President and Chief Executive Officer Kramer Ephraim, of Eshet tours is conducting charter flights to various destinations in Africa and the world as well as sending groups on regular flights.
Mr. Ephraim said Eshet would start sending tourism groups on regular commercial flights to Zambia directly as at the moment their clients travel to Zambia via South Africa and Zimbabwe then connect to Livingstone.
And Dr. Banda said the deal would benefit both parties as Zambia has a lot to offer as a tourism destination of choice such as safari, diverse waterfalls and adventure tourism.
Dr. Banda said the challenge has been opening up more connectivity to Zambia and that is the reason the Ministry is discussing with seasoned and established tour companies like Eshet tours to open up the sector.
He also also invited Eshet tours to the Zambia Travel Expo (ZATEX) scheduled to take place in April, 2019 and Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) would facilitate local logistics for media and travel agents that would attend ZATEX under Eshet Tours in order to appreciate the diverse nature of Zambia’s tourism offering.
Israel records about 7 million annual travels abroad out of a population of about 8.7 million people.
This is according to a statement issued to the media by Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe.
UPND candidate in the Sesheke Parliamentary by election takes an early lead, PF mops up all ward by elections
The Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate in the Sesheke Parliamentary by election, Romeo Kang’ombe has taken an early lead.
From the Twelve Polling Stations out of the Forty Three where counting has been done, Mr. Kang’omba has polled Five Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Two votes while PF’s Dean Masule has polled One Thousand Eight Hundred And Twenty Five.
The other two opposition candidates of the UPPZ and PAC are trailing with unconfirmed Twenty Six and Twelve Votes respectively.
According to Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse, official election results are expected later on Wednesday owing to the delay which is as a result of some polling stations not being easily accessible.
Meanwhile the Ruling Patriotic Front (PF) Party has won all the Seven Local Government By Elections held on Tuesday, February 12th 2019.
PF’s Roderick Banda has won the Chindwale ward seat in Katete District after polling 834 beating his only rival UPND’s Jenipher Phiri who polled 274 votes.
Returning officer Kaitlyn Nyirenda declared Mr. Banda as the duly elected Chindwale Ward Councilor at about 21:50 Hrs.
In Lundazi District , the Patriotic Front has scooped the Mkomba Ward by election after party’s candidate Stephen Banda got 1, 277 votes while the UPND candidate John Mtonga garnered 252 votes.
The Patriotic Front has also won the Nkombwa ward elections in Isoka District.
PF’s Humphrey Nzunda has polled 734 while Geofrey Ngulube of the UPND managed to collect 426 votes.
Meanwhile the PF has taken away Sewe Mungole Ward from the UPND whose candidate resigned to join the Patriotic Front leading to a by election.
Returning officer Peter Zulu declared the ruling party’s candidate Jonathan Loje as the winning candidate after polling 487 votes while the UPND candidate Evans Kapatashi received 252 votes.
In Chililabombwe, the Patriotic Front(PF’s) candidate Kangwa Nsofwa who got 494 votes has won the Anoya Zulu seat while the UPND candidate Evans Mwambula with 351 votes managed to beat the only independent candidate Joseph Kazenzi who got a paltry 89 votes.
The Patriotic Front has also beaten the UPND and NDC in the Chinkutila Local Government by election where their candidate polled 1, 536 while the closest rival of the UPND got 308 with the NDC candidate coming out last with 281 votes.
And the Patriotic Front has won the Munyama Ward of Bwacha Constituency in Kabwe District
PF’s Gregory Makungu was declared winner by Returning Officer Nelly Muyoka after polling 386 votes while his only contender UPND’s Jacob Njobvu polled 348 votes.
The By Elections were necessitated by the resignation and death of some leaders.
Zesco United hope to end Ghana jinx
Zesco United coach George Lwandamina says they are capable of ending Zambian clubs winless jinx away in Ghana on Wednesday.
Zesco visit two-time African champions Asante Kotoko on Wednesday in a CAF Confederation Cup Group C match-day-two fixture in Kumasi.
Four Zambia clubs, including Zesco, have made seven trips to Ghana in continental football but failed to win there.
“To every stage in history there must be a point when history will be rewritten,”Lwandamina said.
“You may set the standard with history but it will be changed at some point.”
Zesco currently lead Group C on 3 points after beating bottom placed Nkana 2-0 at home in Ndola on February 3.
Hosts Kotoko are third on zero points following a 1-0 away loss in Sudan against Al Hilal in Khartoum on February 3.
Zesco were the last Zambian club to visit Ghana in the second round of the 2014 CAF Confederation Cup where they lost 2-0 to Medeama before bowing out 2-1.
Meanwhile, Nkana are the only Zambian team to have left Ghana with a draw in the 1986 quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League’s forerunner, the African Champions Cup.
Nkana drew 1-1 away with 2000 African champions Accra Hearts of Oak to see the Kitwe side reach the semifinals 3-1 on aggregate.
Government has prioritised the completion of projects that have reached 80 percent and above-Chitotela
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, Ronald Chitotela says government has prioritised the completion of projects that have reached 80 percent and above.
Mr Chitotela explained that government intends to use the Skills Development Fund to complete the remaining trades training institutes before the end of this year’s first quarter.
He cited the construction of Milenge, Mporokoso, Lundazi, Kalabo, Isoka, Sesheke and Mumbwa trades training institutes as among the projects that were not completed in 2017.
Mr Chitotela said this in parliament today during the oral answer session.
He pointed out that, out of the remaining seven trades institutes, two will be operational within the first quarter of 2019.
Mr. Chitotela further said once operational, the institutes will enable young people especially the unemployed youths acquire survival skills.
10 Years After Mufumbwe, the Sesheke Question
By Dickson Jere
The Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election of April 2010 was one of the bloodiest in recent history of our country – the Sesheke style! Houses were torched while dozens of people were maimed or badly injured during the fierce fight between the then Ruling MMD and the opposition UPND supporters. The President was livid!
The pictures that came out in the press was disheartening- like from civil strife in some remote African country that we see on television.
The President called an urgent meeting with the Defence and Security leadership.
“This is unacceptable!” President Rupiah Banda fumed at the Impromptu meeting.
The Inspector General of the Police was put on blame by everyone in attendance. They also wondered why he was in Lusaka when the situation was deteriorating in Mufumbwe. He was told to show leadership!
“We can’t keep the Commander In-Chief busy discussing small issues like political violence of drunk cadres” he said.
As the meeting got heated, Army Commander Gen. Wisdom Lopa took the floor with few words. He asked the IG one simple question. “Have you failed to quell the violence in Mufumbwe?” The Gen asked, stating he wanted a “Yes”or “No” answer.
If the answer was Yes, the Gen wanted to send his men and sort out the situation!
“We can’t keep the Commander In-Chief busy discussing small issues like political violence of drunk cadres” he said.
In a nutshell, the IG was dispatched to the area after he confirmed he had the capacity to bring order. And order prevailed the moment he arrived and in fact he had an almost physical fight with UPND leader. (remember that picture that went viral).
So it is disheartening to see pictures coming out of Sesheke almost ten years after the Mufumbwe experience. It means the police command do not learn from the past and therefore the blame must be squarely placed on its leadership. The Sesheke by-election was expected to be volatile given the stakes. Did the police plan on how to deal with the situation? Or are they reacting to the situation? Who is head of the mission on the ground? Tough questions but they must be answered by someone in the high command of the police! These are my Sesheke questions!
You see, I have not placed the blame on either PF or UPND – because the police has the capacity to stop the ongoing petty political fights.
Nkana prepare for the Mbombo factor
Al Hilal coach Irad Zaafouri is not certain Idris Mbombo will start on Wednesday against his former club Nkana in their CAF Confederation Cup Group C encounter in Kitwe.
Mbombo returns four months after joining the Sudanese club following a season-long deal with Nkana where his 20 goals earned him the 2018 FAZ Golden Boot and Zambia Footballer of the Year Award.
“We will see, I think he is ready, he is good and we will see if he ready to play but depending on our approach that we have planned for this match. But he has the same importance as the other players in this team,” Zaafouri said.
“I know he played here before but we will see if he plays, and if he does, I am sure he will have a good match.”
Mbombo has scored two continental goals for the Khartoum giants but has yet to opening his group stage account.
Meanwhile, bottom placed Nkana are seeking their first Group C win after losing 2-0 away to Zesco United in their opening pool match on February 3 in Ndola.
“It is one of the most important games for us especially after we lost the first game against Zesco United but not all hope was lost and we are now meeting Al Hilal but we are ready for the battle and geared for tomorrow’s game,” Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi said.
Zesco lead Group C on 3 points, Al Hilal are second after they beat Asante Kotoko 1-0 in Khartoum on February 3.
14 PF cadres Hospitalised after being beaten by Zambia Police Officers
Fourteen suspected Patriotic Front (PF) cadres have been hospitalised at Yeta District Hospital after being beaten by police in Sesheke district in Western Province.
The 14 carders that sustained bruises and cuts during the scuffle with police, alleged that they were beaten by police, after they took a United Party for National Development (UPND) carder to police, who they found distributing money to voters in Mahondo area.
In an interview with ZANIS from their hospital beds, the cadres said that police followed them to their lodging house at Sesheke Lodge after they fled the police station, for fear of being attacked by UPND carders and molested them.
And Yeta District Hospital Medical Officer in-Charge, Peter Manda has confirmed that he has received 14 brutalised victims. Dr Manda has described the condition of the patients as stable.
And Zambia Police issued the following statement
LUSAKA, 12TH FEBRUARY, 2019 – At about 07 30 hours today 12th February, 2019, there was a confrontation between supporters of the Patriotic Front and UPND in Sesheke.
This was after a suspected UPND supporter was allegedly found with a voter register by some suspected PF cadres who later apprehended him and took him to Sesheke Police Station.
When word went round that a UPND Cadre had been dragged to the Police, a group of UPND supporters went to the Police Station with a view of rescuing their colleague who had been dragged to Police and that was when the two camps, the PF and UPND clashed right at the Police Station and confusion ensued.
Police moved in to disperse the unruly cadres from both UPND and PF and in the process, some PF cadres dashed to Sesheke Council Guest house where they were pursued by Police.
Police command in Western Province has instituted investigations to establish what could have transpired at the Council Guest house between Police and the cadres.
Two suspected UPND cadres have been apprehended and detained for being in possession of offensive weapons (machetes) while six suspected PF cadres sustained injuries and are admitted to Sesheke District Hospital.
ESTHER MWAATA KATONGO
ZAMBIA POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
Meanwhile, two of the 14 victims have since been transferred to Livingstone General Hospital as they are said to be in a bad state.
And when contacted for a comment on the alleged distribution of money Western Province UPND Chairperson, Musangu Njamba described the allegation as false.
Meanwhile, voting in most of the polling stations was characterized by long queues, with people turning up as early as 03:00 hours, to cast their votes.
A check at most of the polling stations found people in long queues, which were temporary disturbed by a heavy down pour, which lasted close to 45 minutes.
At Sesheke Basic Police Station which has a total of 3, 421 voters, close to 1, 500 people had voted by midday.
Returning Officer, Christopher Mulenga said the polling station was opened at exactly 06:00 hours, with over 100 people already lined up.
“The turn -out is overwhelming and people started coming as early as 03:00 hours when we were still sleeping,’’ he said
At Nalisa polling station which has 998 voters, 100 people had voted by 7:45 hours while, at Silolo polling station which is in the outskirt of Sesheke, 82 people of the 839 registered voters had cast their votes by 09:00 hours.
And at Mulimambango Polling station which has 2, 454 voters, about 400 had voted by 11: OO hours.
Meanwhile, most of the shop owners in the town centre and the bordering town of Katima, had closed their shops while, traders equally deserted the markets to go and pick a member of parliament that will look into their welfare.
Sesheke Central has a total of 43 polling stations with a total registered voters of 27, 796.
The Sesheke seat fell vacant after the death of United Party for National Development (UPND) lawmaker, Frank Kufakwanda in November 2018.
President Lungu accords late Peter Chintala state funeral
President Edgar Lungu has accorded a state funeral to late Peter Chintala who was a former cabinet minister in the MMD regime.
Acting Secretary to Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa has disclosed in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka this evening.
The late Dr Chintala died on Monday February 11, 2019 after undergoing medical treatment at Coptic Hospital in Lusaka.
Mr Kangwa stated that, President Lungu has since declared Friday, February 15 as a day of national mourning.
The acting Secretary to Cabinet said during the official funeral, all activities of entertainment nature both on radio and television will be suspended and flags will fly at half-mast to allow for mourning and burial of the late minister.
The late Dr Chintala served in late President Frederick Chiluba’s regime as minister of Youth and Sport having also served as deputy minister for youth, sport and child development as well as for religious affairs.
He also served as Kabushi Member of Parliament in Ndola from 1992 to 2001.
The former minister who also served as Zambia’s Ambassador to Russia in late President Levy Mwanawasa’s administration, will be buried at Leopards Hill Memorial Park in Lusaka.
Don’t sell ZCCM-IH shares, SARWatch pleads with Zambian Govt.
The Southern African Resource Watch has pleaded with the Zambian Government not to sell its twenty percent shareholding in its joint venture with First Quantum Mine.
SARW Executive Director Edward Lange said his organisation is very concerned at the news that the Zambian government is considering selling its twenty percent shares in Kansanshi mine to First Quantum Minerals.
Mr. Lange said this would be a mistake and a departure from what is happening elsewhere on the continent.
He said the Zambian government’s intended sale contradicts the aspirations of the African Mining Vision (AMV), which encourages African countries to increase state participation.
“We are fully aware that the Zambian Government is supportive of the AMV and would not want to go against the continental initiative to ensure full ownership and control of minerals. State participation in mining, through outright ownership or share participation, either on a mandatory basis or through the exercise of option rights, remains common practice on the continent,” Mr Lange said.
“Since independence, copper in Zambia has had special strategic significance. The state has always believed that it needs to maintain a high degree of control over its strategic minerals. This is not unique to Zambia. It would therefore be a mistake for the government to give away the limited control that it still has over Zambian minerals.”
Mr Lange said in Africa today, many countries are considering how to increase state shares in all licenses.
“We, therefore, strongly urge the government of Zambia not to go ahead with such a transaction, but instead to work towards increasing its stake in the many mining licenses and maintain some control over its minerals.”