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Minister of Information and Broadcasting Dora SiliyaGovernment has called for thorough investigations into the disturbances that occurred at the University of Zambia where a student suffocated following a riot over bursary.
Chief government spokesperson Dora Siliya said that it was regrettable that the riots started after some students attended a UPND press briefing in Lusaka were inflammatory statements were allegedly issued.
Ms. Siliya said that government cannot stop students from demonstrating peacefully because it is their right.
She has however stated that student demonstrations at night is a source of worry because they put the lives of others at risk.
Ms. Siliya said that President Edgar Lungu was disturbed by the sad development and has called on the police to find the root cause of the protests.
The Minister said that President Lungu wants the matter to be investigated and culprits brought to book.
She said President Lungu has since sent a message of condolences to the bereaved family and wished them God’s comfort during this trying moment.
On Thursday UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema held a press briefing where he stated that people will one day rise against government as the case was in the 1990s.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) has called for punishment of perpetrators and compensation of the victims of the family of a fourth year University of Zambia (UNZA) who died due to suffocation during protests by students over unpaid allowances.
Commission spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya says the death of Vespers Shimuzhila from suffocation after her room caught fire as a result of a teargas canister that was reportedly thrown into her room is a clear case of violation of her right to life as enshrined under article 12 of the constitution of Zambia and various other regional and international human rights instruments to which Zambia is a state party.
Mr. Muleya has told media in a statement that the death of the UNZA student does not fall within the ambit of the legally permissible derogation to the right to life when one is deprived of life during the suppression of a riot because the victim in question was not rioting but was lawfully and peacefully in her room, away from the scene of disturbances.
He says it is regrettable that the Zambia police service ignored the advice given by the commission on 18th December 2017 after investigating a similar riot at the Copperbelt University to refrain from invading campus premises and smoking students out of their rooms using teargas.
And Mr. Muleya has since called upon the government to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and the family of the victim is compensated in line with its primarily obligation of respecting and protecting human rights and ending impunity in human rights violations.
He is also demanding for immediate restoration of the constitutional right to freedom of association in all the high learning institutions by respecting and protecting the continued existence and operation of independent students’ union to represent the collective legitimate interests and ideals of students in an organized and lawful manner.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”
(Proverbs 17:22, NLT)
Laugh a Little
God has given you a great prescription for living a long, healthy and happy life: Laugh, and laugh a lot! The “medicine” of laughter is within everyone, but you may need to start taking it. Recent studies have shown that laughter boosts the body’s immune system, reduces stress, reduces the risk of heart attack, and even acts as a natural tranquilizer. Those are health benefits everyone needs. That’s why it’s tragic to go through life with a stone face. The enemy has convinced too many into thinking that they need to be somber and serious in order to be a Christian. But don’t fall for that trick. God wants you to laugh and live well!
A Prayer for Today
“Lord, thank You for a sense of humor and for laughter. Teach me how to enjoy this wonderful gift and share it with others in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
FILE: Samuel Mukupa addressing the rally in Nakonde
Road Development Agency (RDA) has urged members of staff to adhere to the Presidential directive on the make Zambia clean, green and healthy campaign.
RDA Board Chairperson, Samuel Mukupa said officers in public institutions have a significant role to play in ensuring that the campaign is enforced by keeping public infrastructures and equipment clean at all times.
Mr. Mukupa said this can only be achieved if there is a mind-set change among workers in the way they keep both their surroundings and equipment.
He said this when he conducted an impromptu visit at the Shimabala Toll Plaza and RDA Lusaka regional office in Lusaka.
Mr. Mukupa noted that there is also need for government agencies like RDA to be in the lead in ensuring that the Presidential directive of keeping Zambia clean green and healthy campaign is adhered to.
He observed that most public infrastructure and equipment are purchased at a high cost using tax payers’ money hence, the need for them to be protected.
He explained that there is need for officers in public office to keep their surroundings clean, green and healthy and should be maintained for it to save the intended purpose and contribute to the country’s development agenda.
The RDA Chairperson further added that, officers in key positions who will not be willing to enforce the Presidential directive will be redirected to other departments.
He noted that RDA deals with many international visitors who come to get contracts hence, the need for the office to portray a good picture in both services offered and the surroundings and maintenance of the structures.
And Shimabala Toll Plaza Senior Toll Collector, Tammy Akashambatwa has pledged to correct all the defects as observed by the Board Chairperson adding that, it is important in improving service delivery in public offices.
Minister of Finance ,Margaret Mwanakatwe arrives at parliament building to presents eagerly-anticipated 2019 national budget in Lusaka.
By Isaac Mwanza
The presentation of the 2019 National Budget on Friday, October 28, 2018 brought with it anxieties in some quarters where apparently, there are worries about the government’s decision to replace the Value Added Tax (VAT) with the Sales tax and during this period, we expect a lot of arm-twisting from the mining companies. While I may not be an expert on economic matters, I sufficiently take time to understand the dynamics of our country’s governance and the gymnastics associated with VAT. I now offer my position on this matter.
Resistance to change
Before I could say much, Nick Nolte once said, “Nobody like to change. There will always be resistance to change, and there will always will be change. And the quicker you get to that, the easier it is. It is not such a difficult thing. If you entrench yourself and go, ‘By God, I will not change. I will not have this,’ then you ‘re a dead man. We are great at adaptability. It’s our strongest suit.”
The question that begs our answer is, why is there so much resistance to the proposed tax regime to the extent that mining companies and those speaking for them will go to any lengths to try and arm-twist government on this policy shift to Sales Tax as opposed to VAT??
The answer lies in how much we understand how the VAT system works, its failures because of the unique structure of our country’s economy, how the VAT system is prone to abuse by ‘sophisticated’ local and foreign business investors to obtain maximum benefits for themselves while denying our people of a fair-share in the profits, for example from our mineral resources, as one of the biggest asset God has endowed us with.
The current anxiety, in particular, by the mines cannot be divorced from the question of VAT refunds, and their quest to get more out of our mines and give little to Zambia plus the possible effects of Sales tax on their businesses
What we know as citizens about the workings of VAT
First and foremost, every Zambian ought to first understand that Value Added tax is not chargeable on goods exported out of a country largely due to a globally recognised rule called “the Destination Principle”. This principle, paraphrased, states that taxes are payable in country of destination of goods and not a country of origin. By this rule, VAT is not payable on all exports. Also to be understood is that the VAT system is designed to work like a credit mechanism which allow businesses to claim their ‘VAT input’ against their ‘VAT output.’
Let’s make it easier for everyone to understand the operations of “VAT input” and “VAT output” before we could proceed to talk of some of the reasons why Government may have decided to replace VAT with Sales Tax.
To illustrate. A company involved in production a beer named Mtenguleni Lager will need to procure goods such as Bottles and Bottle tops, Water, Barley Malt, Maize Extracts and Hops. In all these procurements, the company pays VAT which is called “VAT Input.” The finished product, Mtenguleni Lager, when being sold will be sold with another VAT called Output VAT.
With that example in mind, I will limit the implication of VAT input and VAT output to the two tax regime of Standard Rated Tax and Zero Rated Tax. When filing returns with Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) under the Standard rated tax, the brewer of Mtenguleni Lager will not only account for output tax collected on behalf of government but also claim their VAT Input made on bottles, bottle tops, water, barley malt, Maize and Hops.
If for example, in the production of 1 Mtenguleni Lager, the company paid K2 on VAT input but collected K7 on VAT output, this means the company will, under the Standard Rated tax, pay ZRA K5 in VAT, which is, VAT output K7 less VAT Input K2. The opposite of this, where the company paid K5 in VAT input but only collected K2 in VAT output, ZRA would refund the company a total amount of K3.
On the other hand, if Mtenguleni Lager is deemed to be tax zero-rated and for export to another foreign country called Chandamale, it means the brewer is entitled to claim the whole refund of VAT input spent on supplied ingredients.
VAT refunds are payable on the basis that suppliers of goods in the production chain also charged and accounted for VAT output. For purposes of honouring claims for VAT refunds, our Revenue Authority should ordinarily and perfectly implement a system of ‘matching receipts’, that is, VAT input which is claimable by a company on an invoice must be matched with VAT output on the invoices of suppliers.
In our earlier example, the K3 VAT input being claimed by the company must match with the K3 VAT output charged by suppliers on their invoices. In refunding VAT input, it is thus safely presumed companies that supplied the inputs and charged VAT will remit an equivalent total of K3 which the manufacturer claimed. By so doing government would not make any loss but also businesses remain viable.
The reader is, at this point, asked to replace our example of Mtenguleni Lager with our mineral resources such as Copper, which ordinarily should be a bigger source of our country’s revenue.
Where is the problem with the current VAT system?
The first problem with our VAT system which government proposes to replace hinges on its efficiency or lack of it in its implementation whereas the structure of Zambia’s economy has witnessed the rise of the informal which is not easier to capture, take away the political rhetoric of how it is easier in theory. It is possible for an informal business, some of whom may register for taxation, for purposes of getting a one-off big business deal to charge VAT output but end up closing shop or venture into another business. What does this mean?
It means the claim for VAT input cannot be matched with the VAT output which should have been remitted to ZRA from a company that closes shop. Even in this scenario, government is, by law, obligated to pay the claimant for VAT input for taxes that never went into government coffers.
The second problem has to do with the task of distinguishing between genuine and forged receipts at a time when these claims are made. Much as VAT has an audit trail, to get that trail require a lot of policing and verification, ensuring the VAT input and output is matched before government can make a refund for VAT input. Here is the problem, the law requires that ZRA makes a refund for VAT input within a period of 60 days upon a claim being made.
Can this matching of VAT input and output be sufficiently done for the bulk of claims made to ZRA? ZRA may not have that human resource and capacity to sufficiently undertake this process before time for VAT refunds elapses. So ZRA ends up paying the VAT refunds on the presumption of ‘good faith’, that is, a business keeping its VAT output it collected will remit to ZRA.
What many Zambians may not be aware of is that delays in VAT refunds are not because government has no money to pay VAT refunds but the rigorous matching process of ensuring that genuine claims are made payable, in my view, is a contributing factor to these delays. Under this VAT regime, ZRA has therefore paid, in refunds, colossal sums of money for VAT input, especially to the mines. In my view, it is highly likely that government may be realising that these payments are made without corresponding VAT output being remitted.
The last problem with the current VAT regimes especially, with regards to the mines, is the issue of transfer pricing which businesses use to make profits at the expense of giving a true picture of the business transaction. Our citizens need to know that every piece of machinery imported into our country for purposes of mining is categorised as input, thus having claimable VAT input. This is not the problem but the problem comes in as regards the question of ascertaining the actual value of this machinery which can be exaggerated if the importer has the intent of making more money from VAT refunds.
The mining companies, like any other business, are not here for charity but are here to make the maximum profits. The possibility is very high that transfer pricing gimmicks emerge where they can collude with suppliers in the country of origin for imported machinery to over-value the invoices on this machinery.
In that instance, the VAT audit trail would require ZRA to follow up each and every single item with tax authorities in the country of origin for goods brought in but everybody knows that would require a lot of human resource, investigators, forensics auditors, working with international inspectors and investigators to ascertain the true value for which tax was paid in the country of origin.
What will be effects of the introduction of Sales tax?
Government has not fully unveiled how the Sales tax will work, especially in the mining sector which require to be motivated to compete on the international level where prices for our commodities like copper are determined by the international market. It is quite possible that government can design the Sales tax system to allow companies such as mining companies to have tax exemptions on certain goods. That would work out fairly well rather than a system that allows them to claim VAT input refunds from net taxpayers, at a time when it is cumbersome to determine whether the VAT input has a corresponding VAT output from suppliers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, let it be known that the current VAT regime, much as it is globally in use, has not worked out well for our country or for most other countries, for that matter. The system has the potential to allow businesses to claim twice but the biggest problems are associated with exaggerated or falsified invoices given by suppliers, which companies may use to claim VAT input refunds. The VAT system is prone to refund frauds as it allows businesses to lodge claims for refunds which cannot be fully matched against VAT output within the time required by law to give refunds. It is possible that government is realising that the VAT regime has thus robbed our country of millions of Kwacha in fraudulent claims for refunds.
The proposed change, replacing VAT with Sales Tax will be fought tooth and nail by those who have benefited much from the loopholes which are prevalent in the VAT system has which allowed them to make more profits at the expense of our country and our people having a fair share.
The government must stand resolute to implement the Sales tax regime and avoid the unnecessary losses which are associated with the porous VAT system. The question is how many of our Members of Parliament will articulately and independently debate this motion to replace our VAT with Sales Tax? In life, leaders must make very tough decisions such as the one we heard on VAT replacement. The right decisions are always the hardest to make but they ought to be made in order to live the life you deserve, and that comes with the territory of being a leader.
Disclaimer: The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of any association the author may be affiliated to or this media house but that of the Author
FILE: Republican President Edgar Lungu alights from the presidential jet at Samora Machel Airbase in Mbala when he made a stop over from Uganda on his way to Mwansabombwe
President Edgar Lungu is tomorrow expected in Kampala, Uganda for the 9th High Level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Region slated for October 8, 2018.
President Lungu will be among other Heads of State and government officials from the 13 signatory countries of the Framework agreement, its Guarantors’ institutions, namely the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Zambia’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Benson Chali, who is also accredited to Uganda confirmed the development to ZANIS in Kampala.
Mr. Chali emphasised that it is important for President Lungu to attend the meeting because Zambia, which is a beacon of peace, is shining as an example to other African countries and yet holds an influx of refugees running away from war and political instability in neighbouring countries.
The Heads of State and Government meeting will be preceded by the ministerial meeting, which has since commenced at Munyonyo Speke Resort, of ministers of Defence and Home Affairs from statutory countries of the peace agreement.
Zambia’s Minister of Defence, Davies Chama, Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary, Chalwe Lombe and his counterpart from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Chileshe Mulenga, are representing Zambia in the high level ministerial meeting.
According to the program obtained by ZANIS, the Heads of State and Government meeting will be officially opened by the host President, Yoweri Museveni.
The meeting will later review dialogue and political processes in the region, with special focus on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, South Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR).
President Lungu will also be among the heads’ delegates to receive a presentation by a representative of the Women’s Platform of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework on the status of women in peace and political processes before the Heads of State and government go for a closed-door meeting.
President Lungu will return to Lusaka soon after the end of the meeting.
Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu is in December, this year expected in Japan for a three-day state visit.
The state visit to be undertaken is at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Malanji disclosed this today on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) ministerial meeting.
Mr. Malanji disclosed in Japan after a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono.
And Mr. Malanji said government will continue engaging the Japanese government in luring investors in order to accelerate Zambia’s development agenda.
The Minister said Zambia is utilising multilateral platforms such as TICAD to realize her foreign direct investment and other benefits to achieve national development.
Mr. Malanji said government considers Japan as a critical partner to the country’s national development assistance especially in the mining sector for high technical expertise as well as other sectors.
The Minister is leading a delegation in Japan to attend TICAD ministerial meeting which precedes the TICAD seven summit slated for 2019 in Yokohama.
TICAD Summit is a conference held every three years with the objective of promoting high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners.
This is contained in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by
First Secretary for Press at the Republic of Zambian Embassy in Japan, Yotamu Mugara.
Lusaka Province Minister , Bowman Lusambo with his acting Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Edith Muwana during a press briefing at his office
Lusaka Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo says Zambia will continue to strengthen and value the historical relationship with China.
Mr. Lusambo said Zambia and Lusaka Province in particular have a lot to gain from China in line with development.
He said it is based on the historical relationship and mutual respect that led Lusaka Province to twin with Sichuan Province of China.
Mr. Lusambo was speaking today in Lusaka when he briefed the media on a number of developmental issues that the Lusaka Province learnt from Sichuan Province following his recent visit to China.
The Provincial Minister was invited to attend the 17th Western China International Fair by the leadership of the Sichuan Province.
He reiterated that Lusaka Province wants to woe investment in Agriculture and aquaculture in Rufunsa district and tourism in Luangwa and Chirundu districts respectively.
Mr. Lusambo urged Zambians to partner with the Chinese people to learn how they can grow their businesses rather than just criticising them.
He called on Zambians to be patriotic and seek for opportunities on how they can add value to the development of Zambia.
Mr. Lusambo advised the people of Zambia to be innovative and avoid the lazier faire spirit.
Lusaka Province Minister , Bowman Lusambo with his acting Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Edith Muwana during a press briefing at his office
Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General, Davies Mwila has announced that all suspensions involving party officials and ordinary members in the party have been uplifted with immediate effect.
Mr. Mwila announced this in Chinsali today during a meeting for party officials drawn from all the 9 districts in the province, held at Twakundana Lodge.
The PF SG said the PF is a democratic party and in a bid to level the playing field, all suspensions involving party officials and ordinary members have been uplifted with immediate effect.
He said no one should be barred from standing for any position on grounds that he or she is on suspension.
The SG has also retaliated the need for unity of purpose in the party stating thatg even after internal party elections are held at various levels of the party structures, the ultimate goal is not to leave the party divided.
Mr. Mwila said that Party President Edgar Lungu has given a consent to uplift all suspensions in the party and allow every member to participate freely in party elections.
He said people who are strong enough and willing to take the party to higher heights should be voted into office.
Mr. Mwila added that, no person will be imposed on the people noting that people will be voted into office on merit.
And Mr. Mwila has called on Members of Parliament in Muchinga Province to be united in order for the area to achieve meaningful development.
He said that MPs in Muchinga should be meeting to decide what projects are a priority in the area.
Speaking during the same meeting PF Chairperson for Elections, Yamfwa Mukanga said the SG and other senior party officials are in Muchinga to give party officials guidelines for the forth coming party elections.
Mr. Mukanga called for loyalty in the party adding that people with double standards will not be allowed to stand for any position.
The PF Secretary General is accompanied to Chinsali by party chairperson for elections Yamfwa Mukanga, Deputy National Chairperson, Dorothy Kazunga and PF Deputy Media Director, Antonio Mwanza.
Copperbelt police commissioner Charity KatangaPolice in Chingola have arrested Bread of Life Church Elder Charles Kalombo for making and circulation of obscene materials.
Copperbelt police commissioner Charity Katanga has confirmed.
She stated that elder Kalombo 44, is also an operator at Sasol Nitrol Zambia Limited.
“Report regarding making and circulating obscene material occured beteeen September 18 and 3rd October 2018 at unknown time and place. In which Charles Kalombo aged 44 years of house number 54 A, chingola an operator at Sasol Nitrol (Z)Limited,” Katanga stated.
“Also an elder at Bread of Life Church.The same has been picked in connection to the allegation. A warn and caution statement recorded and detained on 5th October 2018 at Central Police to help with investigation.”
Government says the Kariba has enough water to sustain power generation despite reports of predicated below normal rains in the 2018/2019 rainfall season.
Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary, Emelda Chola said by the end of September 2018, Lake Kariba had eleven meters of water (11m) above the minimum operating level.
Brigadier General Chola said this during a press briefing held at the Kariba House in Lusaka yesterday.
She disclosed that the Kariba Dam water levels are likely to close the year 2018 at nearly eight meters above the minimum operating level.
She said the Zambezi River Authority Board held a meeting in August to discuss among other issues the predicated below normal rains for the whole of the Zambezi River Basin for 2018/2019 rainy season due the anticipated El Nino effect.
ZANIS reports that Brig Gen Chola emphasized that the board reiterates its continued commitment to the undertaking of sustainable reservoir operations at Kariba Dam.
“There will be no loading shedding like we faced a few years ago because the Kariba Dam water levels are able to sustain the power generation, plus the little rains we will receive, we are on the safe side,”she stressed.
Meanwhile, Brig Gen Chola who is also Zambezi River Authority Board Co-Chairperson expressed delight at the ongoing progress of rehabilitation at Kariba Dam.
She further said the Plunge Pool reshaping works are scheduled to be completed in 2022.
Works of reshaping of the plunge pool and refurbishment of the 6 spillway gates at Kariba Dam are expected to be completed by 2021 and 2022 respectively at the total cost of 294 million United States Dollars.
FILE: European Union Election Observation Mission in Zambia Chief Observer Cecilia Kashetu Kyange with McDonald Chipenzi shows off the General Elections and Referendum Final Report at Intercontinental Hotel shortly briefingGovernance Expert McDonald Chipenzi says government’s decision to take legal action against Confidential Africa following its expose on social cash transfer abuse is a pure waste of public resources.
Mr Chipenzi has wondered why government thinks it has a case against Confidential Africa when it is just a total waste of resources and energy and an exercise in infertility.
He says this action will only make sense unless the state has enough money to waste or there are individuals who wants to use it as a conduit to syphon public resources .
Mr Chipenzi has indicated that if government feels injured by Confidential Africa publications , why can’t it give the right information.
” this is why we need access to information law because it will help us remove speculation when it comes to unverified reports”, Mr Chipenzi has said.
He has urged government not to waste public resources but instead pay student allowances or council workers.
On October 3, Information Minister Dora siliya at a Media Weekly briefing announced government possibilities of taking legal action against Confidential Africa claiming that there has been smear campaigns perpetuated by Confidential Africa which hurt Zambians.
And on October 5, The Minister through her tweet account indicated that government has begun a process against the Africa confidential for smear campaign against the people of Zambia.
Nkana missed a chance to secure second place finish in the FAZ Super Division with a game to spare when they were held to a frustrating 2-2 home draw by Nkwazi on Saturday.
Kalampa gave away a 2-0 second half lead to draw with Nkwazi in this round 37 match played at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
After a goalless first half, Nkana took a 65th minute lead when striker Idriss Mbombo headed in Kelvin Mubanga’s cross.
The home side doubled the lead when Nkwazi’s Kelvin Owusu turned the ball into his own net after pressure from Harrison Chisala.
However, Nkwazi turned the game on its head a minute later with Davy Kalandanya reducing the deficit to 2-1 before late substitute Steward Chikandiwa pushed in the equaliser deep in added time.
The draw pushes second placed Nkana to 73 points, five above third placed Green Buffaloes, who faces already demoted New Monze Swallows on Sunday in Monze.
Nkana now needs to avoid losing to Lusaka Dynamos in their last fixture to clinch second place finish in case Buffaloes win their last two matches.
Minister of Guidance and Religious Affairs Hon. Godfridah Sumaili during the 70th Anniversary of the World Council of Churches (WCC).
Government has warned political parties to refrain from stopping their members from participating in the National Day of Prayers, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation.
ZANIS reports that Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, Godfridah Sumaili said no political party has a right to stop people from worshiping and praying during the national day of prayer on 18th October.
Reverend Sumaili stressed that politicians who don’t want to pray , repent and reconcile with the rest of the nation should not stand in the way of people they lead because faith is a personal conviction that has nothing to do with political affiliation.
She pointed out that political leaders shunning to pray to God who gives all authority are not worthy to lead God’s people.
The minister explained that the National Day of Prayer is not a political activity but a spiritual one that citizens should use to reflect and seek God in their lives.
Reverend Sumaili said people from all walks of life must be allowed to exercise their religious freedom and not be held to ransom on account of their political affiliations.
She urged the church in the country to continue praying and engaging political parties and other stakeholders in dialogue and reconciliation for a common agenda of unity and prosperity.
She said the National Day of Prayer can unlock blessings upon the country which can be translated into tangible development that lifts the living standards of people in the country.
The minister urged Zambians to come out and participate in the Day of Prayer in their respective provincial centres and districts.
Reverend Sumaili said Zambians have every reason to be thankful and prayerful to God because of the peace the country continues to enjoy amidst a diverse people, society and culture.
She added that, the country needs healing so that Zambians can return to God’s ways and stop stealing and abusing the country’s resources.
The minister paid glowing tribute to Church mother bodies and their member churches for taking up the mantle of organising the day of prayer in collaboration with her ministry.
On Thursday, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema said that the opposition party will not be part of the October 18 national ‘prayers’ because prayer without action does not yield results.
Addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Lusaka , Hichilema, when asked whether or not he could encourage UPND members to attend the day of prayers, responded: “Some of us pray every day!”
“Some of us go to the Sabbath every Saturday. Some of us go to Church every Sunday. So, why create a fictitious day of prayer? So, it means maybe those [in the PF] before that day (of prayer), they are pagans. They are even doing negative things, including stealing from nkote (the aged). Then on the day of prayer, they will go and pray; we are not part of them – we pray every day,” Hichilema said.
“Prayer without action does not yield results; prayer must be backed by action. So, let those who create Christians for an individual, other than Jesus, continue doing that. We are Christians for only one God – the father, the son and the Holy Spirit.”
Copperbelt Province P atriotic Front Youth Chairperson, Nathan Chanda (left) confers with PF Media Deputy Director, Antonio Mwanza during the PF Copperbelt Mobilization meeting in Lufwanyama District
The ruling Patriotic Front on the Copperbelt says it is strange that people think anyone who contributes to national development has to be a Republican President.
In a statement issued Saturday afternoon, PF Copperbelt Youth Chairman Nathan Chanda claims that most of the people attacking government have no record of success.
“It is strange that we still have leaders who think their contribution to this great nation Zambia can only be achieved if they are elected President of the Republic. We say this because we have seen a trend of some selfish people who just want to criticize President Edgar Lungu without giving any practical and tangible solutions. All we hear is when “am President” will do this, will do that,” Chanda claims.
“The unfortunate part is that those speaking the loudest of changing things, were even given an opportunity to serve in government before, but we have never seen what they achieved and done for majority citizenry.
Today, Honorable Harry Kalaba was on Radio Icengelo, where he just centered on attacking the government. The question is what did Honorable Kalaba do to the people of Zambia when he served as Foreign Affairs Minister.”
He said that it is wrong to blame government on things that are affecting the world.
Chanda stated that Mr Kalaba as former foreign affairs ministers is better positioned to understand global challenges.
“Honorable Kalaba wants to blame the government over things that are global in nature and affecting not only Zambia but other countries.This is high level of hypocrisy which should not be expected from individuals who claim to be leaders. Honorable Kalaba has traveled the world over with government resources as foreign affairs minister and we wonder what has blindfolded this man. We expect a lot from this man who is now behaving like a misguided missile. His ignorance has been exposed to the world as he should be the person to understand better the global changes and challenges.”
“It does not need him to be Republican President to contribute to the development of our country. We have seen people who contributed immensely to this nation as ministers e.g. late Mr Michael Sata who before being President served as minister without portfolio. We have seen Church leaders, some civil societies , some people from some NGOs and even ordinary citizens contributing to the development of this country in their personal capacity.
My question is do we all need to be Presidents of this country for us to contribute to meaningful development? The answer is no Sir. He was the most travelled Minister and today cannot claim that those trips he made and got paid do not bear any positive fruits.
Our humble advise is better he concentrates on developmental issues in his constituency than enjoying the allowances he is getting on the same PF ticket he is calling names today. The ungrateful behavior he is exhibiting has taken away the hopes the electorate in Bahati had in him as he is depriving them of the much needed development following the petty politics he has started practicing,”Chanda stated.
Government has given a go ahead to small scale miners commonly known as Jerabos to start operations at the slug dump known as black mountain in Kitwe.
This follows the approving of the plan submitted to the ministry of mines by Chapamo Minerals Processing Limited.
Chapamo Minerals Processing Ltd Director Kelvin Tembo said the approval letter was received yesterday October 5, 2018.
He said the move will enable them to continue with works that were halted by the Minister last month.
Tembo said most works such as the insulation of the CCTV and fencing have reached an advanced stage and are expected to be finalized by the beginning of next week.
“The exercise will prevent further loss of life when operations start. Preparations have started. Machines are on site working in readiness for the full operations. Works on fencing are expected to finish by tomorrow and CCTV by Monday,” he said.
On June 20, this year, 10 illegal miners popularly known as Jerabos died while eight others were left seriously injured after the ground they were quarrying in buried them all alive at this site.
This followed the suspension of operations by government and told the group to find better ways of conducting safe mining.
Wedson NyirendaWedson Nyirenda insists he can handle the pressure despite his poor start at South Africa PSL club Baroka FC.
The ex-Chipolopolo coach’s side is second from bottom on the log with 6 points from nine matches and are winless in their last seven games in which Baroka have collected three draws.
“I am used to pressure, but I am not comfortable with losing games. I don’t like that. I am a man who is used to celebrating all the time. Wherever I go I create impact, but it’s not coming, so what do I do?” Nyirenda told South African media.
Nyirenda guided Zesco to their debut league title in 2007 and retained in the following season before taking it with him to Zanaco in 2009.
He later felt Ferroviario Beira on the cusp of their subsequent debut league title in 2016 to take up the Chipolopolo job.
“I can turn things. The only problem is putting the ball in the back of the net,” Nyirenda said.
Baroka,who suffered their second Polokwane derby defeat on Wednesday following a 1-0 away loss at Black Leopards, host fifth placed SuperSport United on Sunday.
