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Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance Godfridah Sumaili has condemned local Artist Cynthia Kayula Bwalya popularly known as Kay Figo for circulating indecent images of herself.
Reverend Sumaili says it is an insult to the women folk especially that the country is advocating for women rights.
In a statement to ZNBC, the Minister said artists must be role models to society because they have a huge following.
Reverend Sumaili says her ministry is taking a strong stance against such immoral acts and is working closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure the law takes it’s course.
She says stiff measures will be enforced soon as it has been observed that moral decay among artists and individuals is a growing trend.
President Edgar Lungu with Army commander,Paul Mihova at Lke chirwa in Mbala
President Edgar Lungu says the Institute of Directors of Zambia (IoD) plays a critical role in complementing government’s efforts in promoting ethical leadership both in public and private enterprises.
President Lungu says the Institute plays an important role in enhancing capacity among directors and managers as it provides a platform to equip them with knowledge and skills in good corporate governance.
The Head of State said this in a speech read on his behalf by Justice Minister Given Lubinda during the membership dinner for the Institute of Directors of Zambia in Lusaka last night.
The President stated that it is government’s desire to promote openness and cooperation with all stakeholders in its quest to foster national development and attain the vision 2030.
President Lungu further said government remains committed to promoting the highest standards of ethical leadership in an effort to attract viable investment and provide solutions to the many challenges people have continued to face.
He urged the institute to take its rightful place in providing solutions to governance challenges through provision of ethical leadership, developing a national governance code and building capacity for board members and senior executives.
President Lungu added that the Institute being pioneer in advocacy for good governance should set goals for 2019 and help consolidate government’s development pillars as outlined in the Seventh National Development Plan and Vision 2030.
He further called on people in senior positions in the public sector to consider joining the institute for them to be part of the highly professional team working towards inculcating good corporate governance practices in Zambia.
And the Directors Institute of Zambia (IoD) member Mumba Kapumpa said the Institute is ready to engage Parliamentarians, Cabinet Ministers and Permanent Secretaries by providing training in strategic and ethical leadership.
Mr. Kapumpa said the Institute will strive for greater heights in promoting good corporate governance as it has done so in its 18 years of operations.
Veteran politician and founding father Vernon Mwaanga and former Secretary to the Cabinet Leslie Mbula have stated that the political leadership is key to addressing political violence tribalism and regional voting in the country.
Mr Mwaanga said both the ruling and opposition leadership need to prioritize the fight against political violence by preaching peace to their members and the country at large.
He said the fight against violence , tribalism and regional voting can be can curbed through what he termed as equitable geographical distribution of appointments in the civil service, diplomatic service, parastatals and cabinet.
Mr Mwaanga also submitted that the appointment for nominated Members of Parliament be increased to 10 from the current 8.
He justified his submission by saying that 10 will allow chance for the President to nominate people from areas he feels have not been represented equally in key decision making positions.
And Ambassador Mbula says civil servants should at no point get involved in politics as government is not a political party.
He said the civil service should work professionally and not engage in politics.
The former Secretary to the Cabinet further said leaders have a key role to play in uniting the country through dialogue.
(1) Although Article 106(3) prevents a person who has twice held the office of President from standing again for that office, there is an exemption under Article 106(6)(b) that would make President Lungu eligible to run again
(2) Article 106(6)(b) states that a person who was elected to the office of President shall only be deemed to have served a “term” if he served for three or more year
(3) President Lungu only served for 18 months and did not therefore complete a “term”Under Article 106(1) of the constitution, as a term of office lasts 5 years.
This is almost exactly what the Constitutional Court has stated too in its judgment. So I feel somewhat vindicated.
To argue that “holding office” is defined as “being sworn-in and serving until the next person is sworn-in as President”, is obviously misleading. Such an argument is flawed in the sense that if one resigns or dies during the first term of office, then that person cannot be said to have “held office” of the President, for he would not have held office until the next person is sworn-in. For example, it would be grossly erroneous, under lexical semantics, to argue that the Late President Michael Sata NEVER “held Office” of President simply because he did not serve until the next person (Mr. Lungu) was sworn-in as President. It could also be grossly erroneous to argue that the Late President Levy Mwanawasa NEVER “held Office” of President simply because he died before the next person (Mr. Rupiah Banda) was sworn-in as President.
If “holding office” is defined as “being sworn-in and serving until the next person is sworn-in as President”, then it means President Lungu is yet to hold office because no next person has yet been sworn-in as President after he himself was sworn-in as President in 2015 and 2016. He remains the same person sworn-in in 2015 and 2016 until 2021.
I think that the Constitutional Court decision is sound because it is premised on “serving term of office” rather than “the swearing-in of next person” or indeed “number of times that someone has acted in office of the president regardless the number of days”.
The latter, which is premised on the number of time that someone has acted in the office of the president, is so flawed that people like Vice President Inonge Wina and Defence Minister Davies Chama who have acted in the office of the president for two or more times would automatically be ineligible to contest presidency, even if the period in which they acted is cumulatively for less than 10 days!!!!!!
It places persons like Hon Mwanakatwe on the line of ineligibility if given one more chance to act a president.
Such a law would definitely be fundamentally wrong.
Lusaka Province Minister , Bowman Lusambo with his acting Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Edith Muwana during a press briefing at his office
Lusaka Province Minister Hon Bowman Lusambo says he is in receipt of complaints from Lusaka residents on the presence of massage parlours operating as sexdens and brothels in residential areas such as Rhodespark, Chilenje, Longacres, and Olympia.
And Hon Lusambo says he has since instructed the Lusaka City Council to submit a report with data on operational status of all massage parlours in the City including their licensing conditions in an effort to put a stop to the practice.
Minister Lusambo has complained that brothels erode the moral fiber of the nation. “They increase the threat of HIV infections which in turn fuel demand for public health services thereby over stretching our health budget.”
Speaking during a media briefing held at his office in Lusaka yesterday, Hon Lusambo who is also Kabushi lawmaker called on Lusaka residents to report all massage parlours suspected to be operating as brothels to his office for action.
“It has come to my attention that a number of establishments purportedly offering massage services in Lusaka are infact operating as sex brothels.
“My office has received several complaints from Lusaka residents and our independent investigations have confirmed the presence of such despicable and illegal vices in residential areas such as Rhodespark, Chilenje, Longacres, and Olympia.”
Hon Lusambo noted that the operation of sex dens and brothels, “goes against our christian values as a nation and as a people.”
“As leaders, we owe it to our future generations to protect the morality of our society and as such, sex dens or brothels masquerading as massage parlours will not be tolerated in our Great City.
“I thereby implore all Lusaka residents to report massage parlours suspected to be operating as Brothels to my office for action,” said the Minister.
Ministry of Land Jean Kapata in Kasama at the launch of ZAFFICO Kasama Forest Plantation
Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata said the Zambian government has decided that the Mukula tree will be undergoing auction sales for the benefit of the country.
Ms. Kapata says the ban on the sale of the Mukula tree by the private sector will not be lifted but instead government will own the process on behalf of the Zambian people.
The Minister, who is also a Member of Parliament for Mandevu constituency made the statement in the former Polish capital of Krakow shortly before her return to Lusaka. She was in Poland to attend the Conference of Parties, otherwise known as COP24, a UN-organized meeting called to negotiate guidelines for the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.
“Government will assume sole ownership of the harvest of the Mukula tree but will invite anyone to come and bid at a publicly held auction sale and the proceeds will go straight into control 99, a government bank account” Ms. Kapata says.
The Minister says the government of President Edgar Lungu is fully aware of the discussions and interest around the Mukula tree and has therefore taken this position as the best way to spread the benefits of this natural resource across the country.
Ms. Kapata says the Mukula tree is too valuable to be left to a small part of the population to reap the benefits.
She said the Zambian government has established a committee comprising selected Ministries, the House of Chiefs and the Zambia Revenue Authority to look into the operationalization of the policy on the sale of the Mukula tree.
Ms. Kapata said Authorities expect the modalities to be worked out soon so that Zambians may begin to enjoy the benefits arising from their natural resources. Experts say the tree, used for several purposes around the world that include the manufacture of furniture and medicine, grows in abundance in several parts of Zambia.
“In most instances, the experts say, where one big Mukula tree stands, there is normally about five small ones growing in close proximity. The tree takes several decades to fully mature”, she added.
Ms. Kapata observed that since the ban was imposed on the harvesting of the Mukula tree, there has been a significant drop in reports of illegal dealings while for those dealing in other types of wood such as rosewood, government is encouraging value addition as opposed to the sale of raw materials.
“We do not want to be importing finished wood products such as furniture when this can be done here in the country and create jobs for our people”, the Minister said further encouraging Zambians to open companies in different provinces of the country for purposes of working in the wood sector.
This is contained in a statement issued by first Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian Embassy in Berlin Kellys Kaunda.
Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Ronald Chitotela
Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Patrick Matibini has directed Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Ronald Chitotela to render a ministerial statement next week on allegations that Intelligence Mobility Solutions has been awarded a contract to manage toll gates in Zambia.
Dr. Matibini said this during his ruling this morning which he delivered in Parliament following a point of order which was raised by Leader of the opposition and Member of Parliament for Monze Central Jack Mwiimbu on the contract awarded to the company without a public tender.
Mr. Mwiimbu in his point of Order wanted to know why government has awarded IMS a contract to collect toll fees, a move that will push Zambians out of employment.
He wondered how the decision was arrived at when the Minister of Transport and Communications, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister of Finance never mentioned anything in parliament.
“We have a number of toll gates in this country that are being managed by the National Road Fund Agency and they have employed more Zambians and we are now being told that this contract has been given to a private firm without spending any money to manage it on behalf of Zambians”, He said.
Mr. Mwiimbu wondered whether the government was in order to allow such a scandalous move on behalf of Zambians without tendering publicly to allow Zambians to participate if there was any need to do so.
He questioned why government was always interested in awarding one company contracts to collect fees on behalf of the Zambian people which has rendered Parliament useless.
And in his ruling, Dr. Matibini said he was aware that there were one or two questions posed recently arising from the point of order and in order to deal with both questions, Mr. Chototela must issue a Ministerial statement in parliament before the house adjourns next week.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Dora Siliya
Chief Government spokesperson Dora Siliya says government is pleased that the Constitutional Court has ably interpreted what constitutes a Presidential term and that President Edgar Lungu qualifies to contest the Presidency in 2021.
In a statement released to the media welcoming the welcoming the ruling, Ms. Siliya said that the Constitutional Court President Hildah Chibomba said the ruling by the seven Judges was unanimous.
Ms Siliya further said that the decision of the Constitutional Court is final and cannot, therefore, be appealed against, adding that electioneering should be put to rest now until the right time comes.
“For now, let us all unite and work hard for the prosperity of our country,” concluded the statement
Yesterday the Constitutional Court today that President Lungu was eligible to stand in 2021. According to the Constitutional Court, a period could only be regarded as a Presidential term if it is three or more years.
President Lungu was elected in office in 2015 after the demise of President Michael Sata whose term should have ended in 2016. President Lungu ruled for a year and six months before the 2016 elections, therefore, according to the current Republican Constitution, that period would not have counted as a term and that President Lungu will not be breaching the Republican Constitution when he stands in 2021.
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga says qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations should be non negotiable for Zambia.
Chipolopolo have failed to qualify for the Africa Cup twice in a row.
The failure has disappointed fans and many stakeholders on the local football front.
Kamanga said players, the technical bench and FAZ should be held accountable for Zambia’s failure to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup.
“We understand our supporters are frustrated. It is extremely disappointing. We are missing out on the Africa Cup second time around. 2021 should be non negotiable,” Kamanga said.
“I agree with you (journalists) the national team is the pride of the country, we need to preserve it, we need to protect and enhance it,” he said.
Kamanga questioned the performance of players when Zambia lost 1-0 to Mozambique in the flopped 2019 Africa Cup qualifying campaign.
“The same team performed well against Guinea Bissau at home even away in Bissau half time we were leading 1-0. Second half after 20 minutes we were still leading 1-0. You collapse and you lose 2-1 and then there is that performance in Mozambique. I have never seen Zambia play like that.”
“By the way as an executive we did our part. We motivated the team and doubled their bonuses. They were in South Africa for a week but what is the mindset of the players? Are they players put in as much efforts to say the national team is the pride of the nation?” Kamanga asked.
The FAZ boss has since announced that his executive committee will meet soon to review the performance of Coach Sven Vandenbroeck and decide his fate.
Kamanga went on to rate Sven’s performance as above average.
“Two wins, two loses and one draw it is just above average performance. You can’t call it poor,” Kamanga said.
The 38-year old Belgian coach has running contract until March 2019.
Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has said that his party has noted the Constitutional court’s decision to give President Edgar Lungu what he has referred to as a possible third term.
Mr. Hichilema told Q-News in a statement that using its collective skills, the UPND is examining this decision carefully and will inform the nation of its detailed reaction in due course.
Mr. Hichilema has stated that for now the UPND is of the view that no one is entitled to a third term of office as President of Zambia and that when courts fail to protect citizens, the citizen have the power to map their own destiny through people power.
Meanwhile, the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has said that the just concluded case on the eligibility of President Edgar Lungu to stand in 2021 is a lesson that constitution making should never be rushed.
LAZ president Eddie Mwiitwa said that the details of the ruling by the Constitutional Court has demonstrated that constitution making is a serious process.
Mr. Mwiitwa said that if a constitution is therefore going to be passed by Parliament, it must be a document that is going to meet the aspiration of the people and a document that stands the test of time.
In an interview by telephone Mr. Mwiitwa told Q-News that LAZ will however make a comprehensive statement after critically studying the judgment of the Constitutional Court.
Mr. Mwiitwa said that his association is also the view that the fine tuning of the Republican Constitution to address ambiguities of some of its provisions is necessary, adding that LAZ’s hope is that this will be done before the Country gets to the 2021 general elections.
Vice President Inonge Wina says government has no plans to remove from the Constitution the 50 plus one electoral law.
Mrs. Wina has told parliament that talks about such manoeuvres are neither true nor correct.
She says government is currently listening to the public regarding how it can improve governance systems and no such issue was being considered.
The Vice President says the talk is part of what constitutes misinformation circulating all over the country.
She was responding to Monze central Member Parliament Jack Mwiimbu during the Vice President’s Question Time.
Mrs. Wina also said government is looking for ways to deal with social media abuse on which platforms leaders as well as ordinary citizens have been scandalized.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wina said government is still in talks with the International Monetary Fund-IMF.
She said an IMF team is expected early March for another visit during which discussions will continue.
The Vice President stated that government is hopeful an amicable settlement which is beneficial to Zambia will be reached.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency has called on school authorities to ensure that pupils use appropriate modes of transport as they travel to their respective destinations as Schools close.
RTSA Head of Public Relations Fredrick Mubanga urged School authorities to ensure that pupils do not use trucks or open vans as such kind of vehicles compromise road safety of travellers.
Mr. Mubanga said RTSA has observed that trucks are often used for transportation of people contrary to the traffic rules and regulations.
He said appropriate modes of transport such as buses should be used to avoid road traffic accidents which in the past have resulted in tragedies in which many lives have been lost.
Mr. Mubanga has further cautioned all Public Service Vehicle drivers to observe appropriate speed limits to avoid any road traffic accidents during this period and beyond.
He said RTSA and Zambia Police will equally be on high alert to ensure that PSV drivers do not contravene the traffic laws by overloading and over speeding.
The Economics Association of Zambia -EAZ- has described the performance of Zambia’s economy in 2018 as fair compared to other Southern African Countries.
EAZ President Lubinda Haabazoka says most countries in the region have recorded economic growth of three percent compared to Zambia whose growth is at about 4 percent despite challenges such as increase in the fuel prices which was caused by high crude prices on the international market at that time.
Dr. Haabazoka has told ZNBC news in an interview that going forward into 2019, the organisation is optimistic that government will manage to stabilize the economy even further.
Meanwhile, Dr. Haabazoka has advised the Mining sector to comply with the new mining tax regime.
He said the new taxes introduced by government will enhance government capacity to service its foreign debt as well as fostering the nation’s economy.
Zambia battle for honour and redemption on Saturday against Mozambique on Saturday in a 2018 COSAFA U20 Cup Group A decider at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Young Chipolopolo face the Young Mambas a fortnight after their senior counterparts clashed in a 2019 AFCON Group K qualifier in Maputo that saw Mozambique win 1-0 to end Zambia’s qualifying prospects.
Zambia also need to win and qualify to the semifinals on Saturday to exorcised their 2017 tournament ghost when they were eliminated in the group stage and relinquished the COSAFA U20 title as hosts after lifting it in away in South Africa in December 2016.
“If you look at the prevailing football environment in the country, our fans are disappointed with performance of the senior team and the women’s team after they were eliminated from the Women’s AFCON group stage,” Zambia Under 20 coach Bwale said.
“So definitely the fans have put their hopes on our boys. We have it at the back of our minds that we need to impress and need to put a smile on the fans faces.
“We are also very aware that we were humiliated both home and away by Mozambique so we will go to the match with at least two swords in each hand and see what we can do against the Young Mambas.”
Zambia lead Group A on maximum 6 points following 2-0 win’s over Malawi and DR Congo.
Mozambique are second on 4 points while Malawi and DR Congo are out on 1 and zero points respectively.
A draw will suffice for Zambia to finish top of Group A and book their semifinal date against Group C winners Zimbabwe on December 11 at the same venue.
Mozambique too could just qualify as best runner-up even with a defeat should Angola, who are second in Group C on 2 points, lose or draw against Zimbabwe who qualified with a match to spare.
The best runner-up from the three group competition will likely face defending champions South Africa who play winless eSwatini on Saturday at Shinde and are tied on 3 points with second placed Mauritius who have exhausted their two group matches.
Group B was cut to three teams following Namibia’s withdrawal from the tournament Zambia is hosting from December 2-14 on the Copperbelt.
PF Secretary General Davies Mwila leads the celebrations after the ConCourt ruling
The Patriotic Front (PF) has said that it is delighted with the outcome of the landmark decision of the Constitutional Court that has cleared the path for Republican and PF President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to contest the 2021 elections.
In a statement released to the media and signed by PF secreatary Genearal Davies Mwila, PF said that President Lungu and the PF have always been ready to honour the outcome of this case, irrespective of the direction it would have gone, adding that those who went to court or joined the petition should also have been ready for any outcome.
“This is the same Court that ruled against former Ministers and also recently ruled against our member on the matter of eligibility for councillors to contest mayoral elections. We respected the decisions that went against us despite having disagreed with the court,” read the statement.
Below is the full statement
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE LANDMARK DECISION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT REGARDING THE ELIGIBILITY OF REPUBLICAN AND PF PRESIDENT- HIS EXCELLENCY EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU TO CONTEST THE 2021 ELECTIONS.
By Hon Davies Mwila
INTRODUCTION
The Patriotic Front (PF) is delighted with the outcome of the landmark decision of the Constitutional Court that has cleared the path for Republican and PF President His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu to contest the 2021 elections.
While we are elated, we will remain humble and resist the temptation to gloat, even though this decision comes at a time when self-proclaimed “defenders” of the law have over the last few months advanced an erroneous understanding that the Constitutional Court can only be impartial if it ruled against petitioners who argued in favour of President Lungu running for his second term that commences in 2021.
The President and the Party have always been ready to honour the outcome of this case, irrespective of the direction it would have gone. Those who went to court or joined the petition should also have been ready for any outcome. This is the same Court that ruled against former Ministers and also recently ruled against our member on the matter of eligibility for councillors to contest mayoral elections. We respected the decisions that went against us despite having disagreed with the court.
As a party, we believe in the authority of the judicial process, because without the courts to expound and define their true meaning and operation, laws are rendered a dead letter!
What we have seen today is the vigilance of our highest court to give that true meaning to the Constitution of Zambia. As a democratic party, the PF applauds all reasonable voices that agreed or disagreed on the position of the current law. Whether we agree or not, we all need to respect the decisions of judges.
Most importantly, those who proclaim to respect the rule of law must not only respect the decision from our court, but also make the law respectable.
Our country’s Constitutional Court is not a place where the resolution of disputes begins: but rather, a place where the disputes end.
OUR RESOLVE TO HAVE PRESIDENT LUNGU AS PREFERRED CANDIDATE
The PF remains resolved in President Lungu’s sole candidature for the Party Presidency in the 2020 General Convention and 2021 Presidential Elections.
Unfortunately for the Opposition, they will have to contend with someone whose popularity they dread to encounter on the ballot paper in 2021.
We consequently exhort our colleagues in the opposition not to get jittery with the landmark decision of the Court. They must instead prepare for a free, fair and democratic election in 2021.
Ironically, for more than a decade, some perennial presidential candidates have not had a manifesto to offer other than a simplistic wish list in the form of a flyer. How can they be taken seriously? We urge them to reflect on this basic flaw.
As a party and as a nation we are blessed to have a leader of such distinction as President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. His passion for development and his desire to uplift the standard of living for all Zambian citizens is as exemplary as his respect of the rule of law.
We cheer on President Lungu as he accelerates in his pursuit of delivering multi-sectoral development across the nation; fulfilling the promises outlined in the PF Manifesto – including quality health care, education and other social services to the people.
He is a shining example to all of us in the party .Our people are therefore looking forward to a Cabinet with Ministers with a like passion for development. They desire pro-active co-workers for the President who can follow the practical lead of our Party Leader and Head of State; by becoming more responsive and engaging with the public, defending both the Party and the Presidency.
As a party, we shall be calling out those ministers who are not seen to be more engaging with our citizens, especially our women, youth and students, to move out from their comfort zones and become more hands-on and engaging.
We do not have time to waste in any meaningless debate in the aftermath of this court decision on the eligibility; but we are focused to deliver on development. That is what we were elected for.
May I also take this opportunity to thank the ever increasing party membership across our nation for their zeal and spirit of brotherhood that permeates through the rank and file of the structures of the Patriotic Front.
As comrades and members of a party focussed on developing our country they are encouraged to continue being patient, and law abiding and maintain exemplary levels of discipline, to allow our various institutions of Governance, space to work freely, without any perceived intimidation or interference because PF stands for Rule of Law.
FORGING AHEAD
As we put this judgment behind us, we are alive to fact that the Zambian people expect this administration and the party to constantly report back on the progress and setback we experiencing in the manner we are governing the country.
Our President equally remains committed to an open-door policy. The party shall therefore be glad to facilitate meetings between the President and interest groups that are interested in contributing towards a better and prosperous Zambia under the able leadership of President Lungu.
Let us all forge ahead as a nation united in all manner of diversity under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Let us continually remember that the God that has gathered us; is stronger than the enemy that desires to scatter us.
PF Secretary General Davies Mwila leads the celebrations after the ConCourt rulingPF Secretary General Davies Mwila leads the celebrations after the ConCourt ruling
