Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kang’ombe and District Commissioner Elias Kamanga have initiated roundtable discussions with the Chinese and also other stakeholders in Kitwe to ease the suspicion and animosity by the locals towards the Chinese community.

Recently, residents in Kitwe have been annoyed that foreign nationals especially Chinese have invaded the retail, poultry farming and block making business.

They said foreign nationals particularly the Chinese trading in Zambia should be restricted to wholesale trading only and give chance to the Zambians to trade in retail.

Stakeholders in Kitwe proposed that policy makers should put together the pieces of legislation that will govern trade in the country if ordinary Zambians are to benefit.

Speaking during a public consultative meeting on the implementation of the Statutory Instrument No 1 of 2017 in Kitwe, the stakeholders said Zambians have been neglected by government in doing business.

They said local traders have been unfairly treated compared to the foreigners as seen by the growing numbers of them in markets across the country.

They emphasized that foreign nationals need to recognise that Zambia is a country of laws and as such they need to respect the trading laws.

They said the people doing business feel that government does not protect them because of unclear laws that govern trade in the country.

With the meeting with the Chinese Nationals, the following was agreed

1. That all Chinese companies must make available their investments licence indicating nature of business, together with work permits.

2.That all Chinese retail shops operating in Kapoto compound, Chimwemwe, Miseshi and Chamboli relocate to town centre or shopping malls and industrial area.

3. That there be an approved list of items to be sold by the Chinese under retail and wholesale sections.

4. That Chinese companies be requested to consider paying more than the k 990 minimum wage per month.

5.That main contractors on the road project ( AVIC) and water project ( CHICCO) comply with section 4 of the S.I No. 1 of 2017 to subcontract Zambian companies on transporting public procured goods.

6. That all Chinese operated companies in Kitwe apply for membership to the chamber of commerce and industry.

7.That all Chinese companies in Kitwe begin undertaking corporate social responsibility programmes.

The Zambian Parliamentary Conservation Caucus (ZPCC) has reiterated its commitment to fighting wildlife crime and illegal timber trade. ZPCC Secretary Nickson Chilangwa says Zambia is determined to meet aspirations of the International Conservation Caucus Foundation ICCF group of protecting natural resources.

Mr. Chilangwa who is also Luapula Provincial Minister commended the ICCF group for organizing the Global Legislative Summit on National Parks and protected areas in Washington D.C. He said Government has put in place legislation to ensure that natural resources are protected. He said the Parliamentary Caucus has lobbied and influenced the adoption of three important pieces of legislation namely; The new Forest Policy Act, The National Parks Policy and The Wetland Policy.

The Minister further said parliamentarians uphold the vision to influence Policy and Legislation for environment sustainability as contained in the 2015 – 2020 strategic plan. Mr. Chilangwa said ZPCC has achieved a lot of success in the last five years such as the launch of the strategic plan and hosted similar caucuses in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Other field trips taken have been to Kafue wetlands, Bangweulu wetlands, and Sioma National Park.
Mr. Chilangwa said this in Washington D.C during a four-day summit organised by ICCF group. Mbabala Member of Parliament Ephraim Belemu, ICCF Group-Zambia Country Director Mulima Wamunyima were also part of the delegation.

And Mr. Belemu also commended Government for measures being undertaken to accelerate efforts of protecting natural resources particularly wildlife and forest. He said in the face of increased threats to national resources, parliamentarians are working at ensuring Zambia takes a leading role both at regional and global level in fighting the illegal timber trade and wildlife trafficking.

Leaders of the International Conservation Caucus (ICC) of the U.S Congress and the ICCF also exchanged experiences regarding the most important issues in countries on nature conservation, biodiversity, wildlife trafficking, natural parks and protected areas, community management, adaptation and mitigation to climate change, and the importance of good management of natural resources to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of each member country. They recognize that good management of natural resources is of vital importance for sustainable development, for long-term economic growth and for improving the quality of life of present and future generations.

This is according to a statement released by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations, Mr Cosmas Chileshe at the Zambian Mission in Washington D.C.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned a video which has gone viral on social media depicting that a Zambian student has been murdered in China by a group of Chinese following a dispute with a woman.

Government has since described the video as false and misleading therefore it should be ignored.

In a statement issued to ZANIS by Ministry of Foreign Affairs last evening, Government refutes as the same video in question was again disapproved it 2016 and last year 2017.

The statement said Government has been monitoring the situation and checking on all Zambian student across China and so far, no such incident has been reported.

“The video is not only false, misleading and a fabrication which must be condemned,” the statement reads in part.

President Edgar Lungu fears that unresolved issues surrounding the December general elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo -DRC- may spark chaos.

President Lungu says denying some opposition leaders to contest the presidency and challenges in the electoral process if not sorted out may spark chaos.

President Lungu was speaking when United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region Said Djinnit paid a courtesy call on him at State House.

The Head of State said he doesn’t want a situation where Congolese nationals start running into the bush or seek refuge in other countries again.

President Lungu reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring peace prevails in DRC through engagements with other stakeholders at the Great Lakes Region Summit slated for October 8th in Uganda.

And Mr. Djinnit said Lusaka is the Capital City for Peace in Africa because of the many peace accords discussed in the city regarding countries in the region and beyond.

He said the Great Lakes considers Zambia as an important country because of the peace it has enjoyed since independence and the role it has played in promoting peace across the continent.

Mr. Djinnit noted that President Lungu will be playing a leading role in the fourth coming summit because of his role as Chairman of the Organ on Peace and security.

He also expressed concern that not all conditions for the electoral process have been met.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya has thanked China for its continued support toward the development of the country’s television industry.

Ms Siliya says China has continued to play a significant role in the implementation of many projects in Zambia, including digital migration.

Speaking when StarTimes Group President Pang Xin Xin paid a courtesy call on her this morning, Ms Siliya said Zambia is grateful to China for the Village Television project which has targeted the most rural parts.

She said this is key to realising Government’s vision of providing universal access to television.

Ms Siliya also says Government will be happy if StarTimes considered Zambia for the film academy the company intends to establish in Africa.

And Ms Siliya also directed officials in the Ministry to quickly workout ways through which Zambia can benefit from the fifty thousand scholarships in the television broadcasting sector pledged by China at the last Forum on China- Africa Cooperation -FOCAC-
meeting held in Beijing.

And Mr Pang says despite the digital migration project nearing the end, the industry staff are not well trained in digital technology and there is need to train Zambians on site.

Mr Pang says there is need for Zambia to create a content production training centre and that the project can be submitted to the Chinese Government for support Under the resolutions from FOCAC.

Mr. Pang, who is also TopStar Board Chairman, said it is his company’s desire to contribute to the development of Zambia’s television and film industry.

TopStar is Zambia’s public signal distributor co-owned by StarTimes and ZNBC.

And Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation – ZNBC- Board Chairperson Mulenga Kapwepwe says the impact of digital migration is being felt and appreciated by the public who are enjoying quality television.

Ms. Kapwepwe said this during the visit of StarTimes Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pang Xin Xing and StarTimes delegation who also toured the newly refurbished studios.

She says the joint venture has enabled the country to successfully migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Ms. Kapwepwe says ZNBC is now a shining example on the continent as several countries which include Lesotho and Kenya have visited the country to see how Zambia is implementing the digital migration programme.

And Mr. Pang praised the National broadcaster for providing quality content using limited equipment.

Mr. Pang says with the implementation of digital migration programme, ZNBC now has state-of-the-art broadcasting equipment.

SUSPENDED Lusaka based magistrate, Maggie Tantameni Kunda who is among other offences charged with abuse of authority, has asked the Lusaka magistrate court to refer her case to the Constitutional Court to determine whether she can be tried by a court of equal jurisdiction.

Ms Tantameni through her lawyer, Prosper Muyatwa also wants the Constitutional Court to render it’s opinion on whether principal resident margistrate , Kenneth Mulife who is the complainant in the matter on behalf of the judiciary, can as well allocate the case to Chisamba based margistrate, Susan Mangalashi who is of a different jurisdiction.

This is in a matter in which Tantameni together with Felix Mkandawire , a court interpreter, Francis
Mphanza, a senior public prosecutor,
and Didie Kangwa, senior clerk of court are facing three counts of abuse of authority, removal of property under lawful seizure and stealing by persons in public service.

It is alleged in the first count that Tantameni and Mphanza on November 8 2017 at Lusaka being persons employed in the public service as margistrate and senior public prosecutor respectively, jointly and whilst acting together did use the position of their respective offices to obtain property, profit or benefit for themselves or another .

In the second count, it is alleged that Mkandawire, Mphanza and Kangwa on November 8 2017 at Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together knowingly and with intent to hinder or defeat the process, did conceal 34.0 kilograms of ephedrine valued at K1, 870. 000.

The ephedrine was taken under the process of authority of the court of Ms Tantameni.

In the third count, it is alleged that Mkandawire, Mphanza, Tantameni and Kangwa between November 8 2017 and December 30, 2017 at Lusaka being employed in the public service as court interpreter, senior public prosecutor, magistrate and senior clerk of court respectively, jointly and whilst acting together did steal 34. 0 kilograms of
ephedrine.

The drug was valued at K1, 870.000 the property of Government of the Republic of Zambia which came into their possession by virtue of their employment.

When the matter came up for plea yesterday before Ms Mangalashi, Mr Muyatwa raised preliminary issues to have the case refereed to the constitutional court for interpretation on whether Tantameni can be tried by Ms Mangalashi who is also a margistrate like her.

Mr Muyatwa said ” This honourable court has similar authority as accused number three and for this court to try A 3 on matters she dwelt with during the course of her duties as a margistrate will be a gross assault of to the course of justice”.

He said that Ms Mangalashi was not in a position to impartially and justifiably despense justice to try Tantameni in the state she was in, as it was a serious misdirection as her immunity must first be lifted which process he said must be moved by the prosecution pursuant to the correct section of the law and the court of competent jurisdiction as immunity was a constitutional issue.

“As it stands A 3 is a constituted margistrate who only happens to be on suspension and Section 7 of the Sub Court Act applies to her in the sense that all margistrates exercise equal jurisdiction” Mr Muyatwa argued.

Mr Muyatwa further submitted that the case against his client should have been disposed off through purely disciplinary adding ” because of the very embarrassing conadra surrounding the prosecution of the sitting margistrate “.

He prayed that the order to regret the case to the Constitutional Court be granted so that the ends of justice can be secured .

The prosecution applied to have the case adjourned to enable them digest Tantameni ‘s submissions.

Ms Mangalashi adjourned the case to October 10, 2018.

Ms. Siliya said China has continued to play a significant role in the implementation of many projects in Zambia among them digital migration, which has accorded the chance to view several local and international channels on one moderately priced decoder.

Speaking when Startimes Group President, Pang Xinxing paid a courtesy call on her at her office, Ms. Siliya said in realising Government’s vision of providing universal access to television and information, Zambia is grateful to China for the Village Television project which has targeted the most rural parts of the country.

“I’m convinced that this facility will help to build dreams in the minds of young people who would want to be doctors, police officers and teachers they see on television. The Village Television project which is targeted at rural areas is poised to change the lives of so many young people who now have an opportunity to view life differently,” she said.

She said her Ministry will ensure that the village television programme is rolled out to all parts of the country.

And Ms. Siliya further commanded Mr. Pang for meeting some local content producers during his visit to Zambia to share knowledge on how best television content can be improved.

She noted that the intention by Startimes to set up production and translation facilities for content in Zambia will go a long way in promoting the production of quality programmes in languages best understood by various communities across the country.

The Minister said Government will be happy if Startimes considered Zambia for the film academy the company intends to establish in Africa owing to her central location.

“I am aware that Startimes is in Africa and it will be good if you considered the establishment of a film academy in Zambia here in Africa. This is important for the growth of our film industry because you need a cadre of skilled personnel in various aspects of film production,” she said.

Ms. Siliya also directed officials in the Ministry to quickly workout ways through which Zambia can benefit from the 50,000 scholarships in the television broadcasting sector pledged by China at the recent Forum on China- Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting held in Beijing and attended by President Edgar Lungu.

In response, Mr. Pang, who is also Topstar Board Chairman, said it is his company’s desire to contribute to the development of Zambia’s television and film industry.

Mr. Pang said his company will leverage its resources and technology to support the growth of the sector both private and public.

He said Startimes is willing to work with private television stations in areas of training and technology transfer.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pang also held a closed door meeting with owners of private television stations on the TopStar platform.

He is in the country to inspect progress in the implementation of the digital migration project being undertaken by his company.

Topstar is Zambia’s public signal distributor co-owned by Startimes and ZNBC.

This is according to a statement issued by the Press and Public Relations Unit of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services.

Ms. Annie Mulenga said it is saddening that women are seemingly becoming more addicted to beer drinking at the expense of engaging in progressive activities.

She observes that the situation has also contributed to the rising statics of divorce, especially in the recent past.

Ms. Mulenga has since urged the women folk to uphold the biblical values to return their integrity owing to the fact that they are pillars of families.

She made the remarks during an annual general meeting for the Ituna Herbal and Cultural Research Organization (IHCRO) held at Chisanga Village in Kasama over the weekend.

The Marriage Counselor has since called on the Women movement to embark on campaign against the vice which she said has the potential to undermine the integrity of Zambians.

And Ituna Herbal and Cultural Research Organization Executive Director, Edward Nondo disclosed that the organization is concerned with the high number of divorces the country has continued to record.

Mr. Nondo has since declared his organization’s intension to work with the Church, Herbalists and Traditional counselor to fight the vice countrywide.

Meanwhile, Chanda Mwamba Village Head Woman, Theresa Mwamba has bemoaned poor dressing culture among youths.

Ms. Mwamba said the culture of both girls and men wearing ripped jeans even in church must not be tolerated as it is un-Zambian.

She noted that Zambian cultural values are slowly being eroded by the western culture hence, the need for all responsible citizens to work together to preserve the culture for future generations.