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resident Edgar Lungu flashes the party symbol when he arrived at Mansa Airport enroute to Lupososhi District for campaign rallies
President Edgar Lungu says the Patriotic Front will soon be meeting to decide the fate of members who claim to be PF but are still holding positions in other political parties.
President Lungu has challenged such members to decide where they want to belong.
He said it is politically wrong for anyone particularly in Bahati Constituency to hold on to two positions as leader of the opposition and stick to a parliamentary seat under the ruling party.
President Lungu however said that there is nothing wrong with such members going back to the Patriotic Front and seek forgiveness.
He was speaking at Mansa Airport when he made a stopover enroute to Lupososhi District in Northern Province.
The President also urged party members to avoid violence and observe peace at all times.
And Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa thanked the President for visiting the province saying it is peaceful and that farming inputs have started arriving in the province.
President Lungu who was accompanied by senior government officials was received at the airport by party leaders and government.
Meanwhile, PF Secretary General Davies Mwila says Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili is still a member of the PF and cannot therefore claim to belong to the National Democratic Congress.
Mr. Mwila told ZNBC News that the party will also write to Kelvin Fube Bwalya giving him seven days in which to exculpate himself over disciplinary charges.
He said the case of Bahati Member of Parliament and Harry Kalaba and Kelvin Fube will be taken to the Central Committee and a decision of their status will be made before the end of the year.
The National Democratic Congress says it is deeply concerned with the illicit activities that the Patriotic Front campaign team in Mangango constituency has engaged in ahead of the 20th November parliamentary by election.
NDC Secretary General Mwenya Musenge said the PF has implored desperate manoeuvres in a bid to influence the outcome of next Tuesdays parliamentary by election.
Mr. Musenge said the PF carders are issuing out Green National Registration Cards to suspected ghost voters in collaboration with named officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs and are currently ferrying scores of people to Kaoma District whom they are issuing NRCs.
He expressed fear that the PF could be buying voters cards from villagers which cards, they are issuing out to their party members.
“We want to know why authorities have allowed the PF to be ferrying voters from other towns to obtain NRCs to enable them take part in Tuesday’s poll. As NDC, we urge the department of National Registration to immediately move in and check on the illicit activities of the PF”, He said.
Mr. Musenge said the NDC suspects that the PF could be issuing out National Registration Cards to persons who are not eligible to vote in next week’s poll.
He said the involvement of carders in such a sensitive exercise a few days before an election is very suspicious and has urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia to urgently investigate this matter.
Mr. Musenge has since urged the people of Mangango, to report any illicit activities that the PF is involved in to law enforcement agencies.
“As a party, we have put up a good race and are certain that we shall marshal a resounding vote from Mangango. We are thankful to the local traditional leadership and residents for the support they are giving the NDC”, Mr. Musenge added.
Lupososhi PF council Chairperson Candidate John Kandangala kneel to ask for votes as President Edgar Lungu looks on at a rally in Lupososhi District
President Edgar Lungu has urged Patriotic Front (PF) elected leaders at all levels to humble themselves and fulfil the promises they made to the electorates during their campaigns.
President Lungu said it is important for elected leaders not be proud and abandon their voters once elected to office.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Lungu warned that leaders who do not respect their constituents risk not being adopted and voted for in the 2021 general elections.
Addressing two huge rallies at Chungu and Katuta schools in Lupososhi to drum up support for John Kwandangala, the PF Council Chairperson candidate in the November 20, 2018 elections, Mr. Lungu said the electorates should always be treated as masters because they are the ones that vote for people to hold the office of authority.
He said the elected Members of Parliament and Councillors should be willing to listen and work with the electorates in order to give the latter what they need.
And President Lungu said time has come for the PF to ‘pay back’ to the Zambian people by developing various sectors of the economy and improve their welfare.
The President recounted that the people of Lupososhi constituency have been voting for PF candidates since 2001 adding that, the area is like a birth place of the ruling party.
“We need to pay back to you for always voting for us. We need to pay you back by building hospitals, schools, providing clean water and other infrastructure that will help improve your livelihoods,” he said.
He added that, the people of Luposonshi constituency encouraged the PF to soldier on until it assumed power in 2011 through voting for the party since 2001.
“Had it not been for the people of Lupososhi, we would have given up and we would not have won in 2011,” he said.
He said Mr. Kwandangala was the right candidate for the Lupososhi District Council Chairperson position because he is willing to work with the party in power and understands the challenges of the local people.
President Lungu has since urged Mr. Kwandangala to listen to the people in order for him to attend to their needs when he is elected.
And PF National Chairperson, Samuel Mukupa urged the people of Lupososhi not to listen to politicians that have no proven record of working for them and meeting their needs.
Earlier, President Lungu paid a courtesy call on Chief Katuta whom he praised for acknowledging the achievements of the PF government.
He said the encouragement is giving him and his government impetus to continue delivering the development which he promised the Zambian people.
Chief Katuta said President Lungu and the PF are fulfilling their campaign promise hence, the support from the Zambian people.
President Lungu has since returned to Lusaka.
On November 20, 2018, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) will conduct Parliamentary and Local Government Elections in selected parts of the country.
Being a new district, Lupososhi will vote for the Council Chairperson on this day.
President Edgar Lungu with Lupososhi PF council Chairperson Candidate John Kandangala at a rally in Lupososhi DistrictPresident Edgar Lungu introduces Lupososhi PF council Chairperson Candidate John Kandangala at a rally in Lupososhi Districtresident Edgar Lungu flashes the party symbol when he arrived at Mansa Airport enroute to Lupososhi District for campaign ralliesPresident Edgar Lungu receives a gift from Chief Tungati after a courtesy call on them at the Constituency Office in Lupososhi Districtresident Edgar Lungu talks to Chieftainess Chungu when he paid a courtesy call on her and Chief Tungati at the Constituency Office in Lupososhi DistrictPresident Edgar Lungu greets Chieftainess Chungu when he paid a courtesy call on her and Chief Tungati at the Constituency Office in Lupososhi District
Vice President Inonge Wina at the 31st heads of States and government summit in Nouakchott ,Mauritania
Vice president Inonge Wina has arrived in Ethiopia ahead of the 11th extraordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of state and Government of the African Union.
President Edgar Lungu has delegated Mrs. Wina to attend the summit that will discuss the AU institutional reform process including reform of the AU Commission, mandate of the AU Development Agency (AUDA) and financing the AU.
And speaking in an interview, Mrs Wina said Africa needs to build a consensus on the cooperation that is between the European Union and African Caribbean pacific countries on trade.
Mrs. Wina said the AU has decided to examine and reset the cooperation with various regional bodies to enhance economic development in the continent.
She said Government looks forward to participating in the summit because it is continental and aimed at enhancing development in Africa.
Mrs. Wina said the reforms will include the restructuring of the AU Commission and governance organs of the NEPAD.
She said this upon arrival at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia last night.
Mrs. Wina explained that the summit will consider and be updated on the AU institutional reform.
Police in Lusaka have arrested three pastors of Miracle Impact Ministries International Church located at plot number 178 Chishimba road off Commonwealth Road in Matero for theft.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga has named the three as Bishop John Nundwe popularly known as Bishop John General aged 46, his wife Pastor Maureen Kakwende aged 35 also an Accountant of the same Church and Paul Kambazo commonly known as Pastor Paul Fire.
Mr. Hamoonga said it is alleged that in March, 2016 Matildah Mwanza aged 43 of Foxdale met Pastor Paul fire aged 56 in Mtendere whilst she had a toothache who later introduced and assured her that Bishop John General would be able to cure her in Matero.
He said upon meeting the Bishop, pastor Paul Fire intimated to Bishop John General that Matildah had a cheque worth K70,000 and she was then told to spend a night at the church and whilst there, she was approached by Pastor Maureen Kakwenda the wife to Bishop John General who advised her to open an account the following day.
Mr. Hamoonga said Pastor Maureen accompanied maltidah to the bank where upon opening an account she was given an ATM Card and withdrew K40, 000.
He said she was later told her to pay tithe amounting to K21, 000 as advance payment for the next four months to the church while the ATM remained in the custody of the wife of Bishop John General as the accountant of the church.
“Thereafter, the woman left for the University Teaching Hospital to access treatment as her toothache was worsening. It was at this point that the wife to Bishop John General left for Kaputa for a Month. When she came back she handed over the ATM to Matildah who then decided to go to the Bank to withdraw some money and to her surprise there was no money in the account”, Mr. Hamoonga explained.
He said the trio was picked up yesterday 15th November 2018 at 16:00 hours and where detained in Police custody and have since been released on police bond and will appear in court soon.
Mr. Hamoonga has reiterated the Zambia Police’s call on clergymen who are in this habit of swindling congregants that police will not relent in arresting and bringing them to account.
An elder from Harvest Ministries, Ananioas Mbewe, has called on government to come up with stiff measures to curb the increase in the number of fake pastors and prophets.
Mr Mbewe said the number of pastors appearing in the media involved in criminal and immoral acts is worrying.
He told Zambia News and Information Services in Solwezi today that this has led to many innocent people fall prey to these deceiving men of God and end up getting swindled.
Mr Mbewe stated that if not regulated, society will be infested with criminals pretending to be men of God.
He has appealed to government through the Ministry Of Religious Affairs and National Guidance to consider regulating churches and their pastors to bring sanity in society.
Seventy percent of babies that die in the UTH Women and Newborn Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are born prematurely.
National Coordinator for Neonatal Services Kunda Kapembwa says this is because of limited facilities to take care of the premature babies.
Dr. Kapembwa who is a Neonatologist says the Unit only has four incubators, which can not cater for all premature babies.
She was speaking at commemorations to mark World Prematurity Day, which falls on 17th November.
Dr. Kapembwa has also asked the hospital management to expand the Ward for premature babies, which she said is overcrowded.
And Women and Newborn Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent Maureen Chisembele said government has already identified and earmarked Ward B 21 for premature babies.
Dr. Chisembele explained that government has already bought incubators and that the ward for premature babies will soon be operational.
Zambia targets to reduce neonatal deaths from 24 per one thousand live births to 12 per one thousand live births by 2021.
Government has urged the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to consider amending existing trade laws to enable member states trade competitively.
Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame said there is need for COMESA to ensure that member states benefit from regional trade integration.
ZANIS reports that the Permanent Secretary said this in a speech read for her by Deputy Director for Foreign Trade Paul Mumba at a COMESA Trade and Customs technical committee meeting in Lusaka today.
Ms Kayula urged participants of the Trade and Customs meeting to review the necessary pieces of legislation that will ensure that member countries trade fairly.
This comes from concerns raised by Kenya over safeguarding its sugar industry from shocks arising from the deepening trade and economic integration in the COMESA region.
And speaking at the same meeting, COMESA Assistant Secretary General Kipyego Cheluget said there is need for the regional economic block to ensure that industries in the regional economic bloc are protected whilst promoting free trade and economic integration in the region.
Ambassador Cheluget stated that though trade liberalization has immense benefits, trade agreements in the COMESA region contain clauses to address adverse effects resulting from regional trade liberalization as is the case with Kenya.
Dr Cheluget said the COMESA Treaty under article 48 on rules of origin does allow the according of preferential tariff treatment for products within the region.
He also pointed out that there is need for member countries to ensure that they adopt and migrate from paper-based transactions to electronic transactions.
And Dr Cheluget has revealed COMESA is in the process of establishing a regional Electronic Certificate of Origin that secures electronic certificate of origin to exporter and will improve data capture, accuracy, verification, document control and reduce costs and save time.
The Constitutional Court has declared Professor Nkandu Luo dully elected Munali parliamentary Constituency Member of Parliament after finding that the High court erred in law and in facts in its findings that led to it’s nullification of the seat earlier in 2016.
Judge Enock Mulembe who read the judgment on behalf of the full bench said the decision to nullify the election was made without considering the evidence which was submitted before it.
Judge Mulembe said court evidence must support the pleadings and added that the respondent (Doreen Mwamba) failed to provide evidence to prove the allegation that illegal practices affected the election results.
He said it is not factually right to assume that none provision of the G.12 forms could have affected the outcome of the election and could therefore not be the reason for nullifying an elections.
“The trial judge erred when he based his decision to nullifying an election on a witness who was not credible. The evidence which was submitted was in conflicts.The petitioner needed to prove the allegation of misconduct on the party of the appellant.”Judge Mulemba said.
He said the incident cited as the reason for nullification was not wide spread saying this was infact the only incidence that was recorded hence setting aside the finding of the lower court.
The Concourt further held that the Trial court misdirected itself in the stand of proof in an election petition as there was no need for the court to shift the burden of proof to the appellant (Nkandu Luo) as this violated the laws set in various election petitions.
High Court Edward Musona in 2016 nulliffied the election of Nkandu Luo as Munali MP when he found that the election was marred with violence thus disadvantaging the petitioner Doreen Mwamba of the UPND.
Nkana’s 2018/2019 CAF Champions League opponents UD Songo of Mozambique will continue to play their continental matches away from their Songo base.
Songo will instead host Nkana in the first round, first leg on November 27 in Beira.
This is because their Estádio 27 de Novembro in Songo still does not meet CAF competition requirements.
Songo, who made their group stage debut in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup and finished third in Group B , played all their continental matches this season in Beira at Esatdio Ferroviario, home of Ferroviario Beira.
Zamtel CEO Mr Sydney Mupeta speaking during the commissioning of a Communication Tower at Shamputa in Kapiri
Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Sydney Mupeta says the company is exploring ways of providing digital health services to the Zambian people.
Mr. Mupeta said the state owned Telecommunications Company is developing strategies and tools that will revolutionalise the way Zambians access medical services.
He was speaking when Zamtel handed over a refurbished maternity ward BO1 at the women and newborn hospital at the University Teaching Hospitals today.
Mr. Mupeta said the facility refurbished at the cost of K550, 000 will go a long way in assisting mothers and children to receive the best level of care.
He said the company will be working closely with the Ministry of Health to deploy some of the technologies.
And Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya expressed confidence that the refurbished facility will go a long way in reducing maternal deaths at the University Teaching Hospitals.
The Health Minister Commended Zamtel for the gesture and encouraged other Business Houses to emulate them saying more collaboration is needed to reduce child mortality rate in Zambia.
And Zamtel Board Chairperson Danny Luswili expressed confidence that the refurbished facility will go a long way in helping to improve the quality of health care provided at the UTH to Mothers and the Newborn.
He said the Zamtel Board is pleased that management at the Women and Newborn Hospital agreed to partner with the company and rendered the necessary cooperation and support in the execution of this project.
Mr. Luswili said this project further confirms that Zamtel can do even more in the community if the people of Zambia fully support the company.
“The more people use Zamtel services, the more it will be able to invest in community projects that touch the lives of the people. Let me also mention that as the Zamtel Board, we will be imploring management to examine other similar partnership opportunities in areas outside Lusaka”, He said.
Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe says it is the desire of government to see a pedigree of the clergy that are bold in doing the right things and not sinning willfully.
Speaking when Kitwe district pastors fellowship hosted him yesterday, Mr.Nundwe pointed out that the trend has tarnished the image of the church and that there was need to curb mercenary clergymen.
He noted that majority of the witchdoctors had abandoned their makeshifts on the roadsides and are hiding behind the veil of the church.
He said the practice in some churches by some clergy was a mixup of the Christian doctrine and the witchcraft practices.
Mr.Nundwe stressed the need to empower church bodies so that they can regulate the clergy and compel them to do the right thing.
He has since warned the residents in Kitwe to be alert and not be deceived by fake pastors. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary has noted that there is no dignity for the churches to fellowship in school class rooms.
Mr.Nundwe assured the clergy that gathered at Oasis in Kitwe, that his office will engage the local authorities in the province and see to it that there was a component of flexibility to ensure that established registered churches have access to land.
And District Pastors Fellowship Chairperson Bishop Raddy Lewila appealed to President Edger Lungu to consider including the clergy in Kitwe under the Presidential Empowerment Initiative Fund (PEIF).
Bishop Lewila said it was the desire of the church that the empowerment initiative was extended to registered churches to uplift their living standards.
He also mentioned that a number of registered churches were facing challenges to accessing land due to exorbitant charges by the local authorities whenever new areas are opened up for development.
He disclosed that only 1% percent of the population of registered churches in the district owned land.
He has appealed to government to revist the fees attached to accessing land in the districts.
He added that it was the proposal of the Kitwe pastors that the national dialogue, peace and reconciliation be facilitated by the church.
Bloggers of Zambia is glad that Justice Minister Given Lubinda recognises the need for good internet regulation and personal data protection laws in order to make the cyberspace good of human development.
We are glad that the Justice Minister has recognised the absence of cyber security laws in Zambia, which has been a matter of consternation, contestation and debate of late.
This is why we have maintained our clarion call for the enactment of appropriate internet regulations that must be in line with regional and international norms and standards such as the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) of the European Union. The proposed internet regulations in Zambia must be made to protect internet security as well as personal data protection, unlike the current process where the regulations are suspected to be a threat to our digital rights.
Our concern is that the process of building internet regulation laws in Zambia has been secretive and non-participatory of all stakeholders including bloggers, journalists, civil society, the private sector and citizens.
We call on the government through the Justice Minister and other relevant government ministries to open the process of building internet laws in order to get adequate input of aforementioned stakeholders. This will establish an internet governance environment in which all stakeholders are participate in the management of the internet ecosystem in Zambia.
The failure to include stakeholders in the enactment of internet laws has perpetrated current questions and speculation that the government will gag digital rights especially freedom of expression in Zambia.
Understandably, the internet was meant to improve the lives through the enjoyment of digital rights but the fact that certain people are engaging wrong-doing online does not warrant enacting cyber laws that threaten citizen rights.
There is need for capacity building on the technical understanding of internet governance, digital rights and basic concepts of the internet ecosystem among relevant stakeholders including senior public officials because there is a lot of ignorance and misconceptions about the cyberspace in Zambia.
Currently, Zambia is lagging behind in internet governance matters mainly because of the of failure to accommodate stakeholders and myths regarding the role of the internet in the democracy.
Leading pan-African telecoms group Liquid Telecom is extending its award-winning VSAT service through a new partnership with Kymeta, enabling it to deliver enhanced satellite mobile connectivity across Africa.
As part of a master distribution agreement announced at AfricaCom 2018, Kymeta’s lightweight, high throughput satellite communication systems will be integrated with Liquid Telecom’s satellite connectivity. This will provide high-speed bandwidth mobile internet access to private and public-sector organisations that would normally have difficulty accessing reliable, affordable internet, particularly in remote locations.
Quick and easy to deploy, this modern satellite connectivity has the potential to enable new service innovations and transform society in the most under-serviced and remote parts of Africa. Mobile medicine or healthcare vehicles, for example, will be able to deliver screening and remote diagnostics to isolated communities across the continent. It can be used by aerospace, maritime and ground transport customers to create new services and connections across isolated areas. It can even support the growth of IoT capability across a range of vehicles to support a fully connected automotive future including self-driving cars.
“This new strategic partnership between Liquid Telecom and Kymeta marks a disruptive moment in the evolution of VSAT services for the African continent,” said Scott Mumford, Group Managing Executive, Satellite & VSAT, Liquid Telecom. “By pairing the latest Liquid VSAT internet platform with Kymeta’s groundbreaking satellite terminals, the two companies are bringing unrivalled connection quality, speed and availability to people on the move and in places that have never been connected before.”
The Liquid Telecom and Kymeta master distribution agreement spans two key technologies:
• Liquid Telecom VSAT satellite broadband connectivity delivers cost-effective, business speed broadband connectivity over VSAT anywhere in Africa. Next-generation satellite modems, provided in partnership with Newtec, offer unrivalled communications throughput, flexibility and low total cost of ownership. Built for performance, Liquid Telecom is also the only operator that has built its satellite platforms directly connecting to its core terrestrial network.
• Kymeta electronically steered, flat panel satellite terminals address the need for lightweight, low-profile, and high-throughput communication systems that outperform any mechanical system fixed and on-the-move. This makes it easier and more reliable than ever to connect almost any vehicle, vessel, or fixed platform.
“This new satellite mobility partnership offers limitless opportunities for communication and collaboration in Africa,” said Neville Meijers, Chief Commercial Officer, Kymeta. “This mass market broadband platform can be deployed quickly and easily without skilled personnel – delivering Gigabit connectivity instantly and anywhere. Applications of all types can benefit from this future-facing technology: from new digital IoT services in connected transport systems, to healthcare applications and education systems.”
The Late Sesheke Member of Parliament, Hon. Frank Simone Kufakwandi (C)
A South African based UPND leader, Bizwell Mutale, has urged Zambians in the diaspora to emulate the life of the late Sesheke UPND Member of Parliament, Frank Kufakwandi.
Speaking at a memorial service of the late UPND MP in Johannesburg yesterday, Mr. Mutale told the mourners in attendance that Mr. Kufakwandi has left a successful career in the diaspora and returned home to go and serve the people of Sesheke as a Member of Parliament.
He noted that Mr. Kufakwandi was an astute financial services professional who had spent an avid part of his life outside the country working as head of the ABC in Southern and North Africa.
Mr. Mutale stated that despite having a lucrative career outside the country, Mr. Kufakwandi chose to return home and settle in Sesheke so that he could give back to the community that raised him.
Mr. Mutale who is also chairman of the UPND South Africa 2021 chapter encouraged fellow mourners to keep the hope alive, to go back to their home bases and develop them.
“We must be men and women of principle that stand only for the good of the country. It’s imperative that as UPND members we remain united wherever we are”, he said.
Mr. Mutale, who is also MKP South Africa CEO and Chairman, paid for the Air Ticket for the late MPs Son to accompany the body home as government could only pay for the widow.
The body of the late Sesheke Member of Parliament Frank Kufakandi, who died on Monday will arrive in Zambia on today.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba disclosed that government has finalized the arrangement for the repatriation of the remains of the law-maker who will be buried in Sesheke.
