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The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) has insisted that it will go ahead with its national dialogue process.
Spokesperson Jackson Silavwe said the ZCID is resolved to follow resolutions made by Secretary Generals under the conglomerate of political parties that met in Siavonga recently.
Mr. Silavwe said the Church is being malicious to disregard these resolutions.
He told QTV News in an interview that the ZCID also found the recent statement issued by the Church to have lacked merit.
Mr. Silavwe said the Center does not however want to seem to be in a tug of war with the Church.
The Association of Catholic Parliamentarians in Zambia has resolved to use its legislative privileges to defend social justice and improve the livelihood of people.
Association Chairperson Professor Nkandu Luo who is also Minister in charge of Higher Education says the catholic Parliamentarians will ensure that they support the legislation that promotes wealth creation and eradication of poverty.
’’ We discussed the issue of poverty and how we need to realign policies to ensure that they point to wealth creation, we also spoke about conflict and what we can do to ensure that this vice is completely eradicated,’’ She said.
She was speaking in Addis Ababa, when she together with three other Catholic cabinet Ministers transited from Rome where they also had an opportunity to meet with Pope Francis.
The others were Lands Minister Jean Kapata, Minister in the Office of the Vice President Syvia Chalikosa and Central Province Minister Sydney Muchanga.
She disclosed that an Icon that has been blessed by Pope Francis will be circulated in some African Parliaments including Zambia.
The Minister also said the meeting discussed the need to improve and redefine the education Systems in order for it to respond to the needs of societies.
She further said that the church was concerned about some laws in some States that were in conflict with the catholic beliefs.
The Ministers were received at Bole International Airport by Charge De Affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia In Ethiopia, John Chisanga.
Issued by
Mrs. Inutu Mupango Mwanza
First Secretary-Press & Tourism
Embassy of the Republic of Zambia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Minister in charge of Lusaka province Hon Bowman Lusambo impromptu visit at Lusaka’s Health facilities
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo said the PF administration has delivered health care facilities countrywide.
Mr. Lusambo says government is determined to ensure equitable distribution of health care facilities in line with its policy of ensuring that all citizens have access to quality health care services.
Mr. Lusambo was speaking when he toured Chelston Clinic to check on its operations.
The Minister further said government through the ministry of health is investing in health infrastructure development and effective distribution of drugs and medical supplies countrywide.
Mr Lusambo expressed happiness with the quality of health care services at Chelston clinic and advised management to continue providing good care to patients.
And Chelston Clinic Medical Superintendent Musole Chipoya said management remains committed to continue providing quality health care.
Dr Chipoya said government’s commitment to put up various interventions in the health sector is significantly improving health service delivery.
Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Hon Davies Mwila has expressed deepest sorrow over the sudden and untimely death of Honourable Naluwa Mweene, UPND Member of Parliament for Mangango Constituency who died in a road accident at Itezhi tezhi turn off along Mongu-Lusaka road .
Hon Mwila has also sent messages of quick recovery to other passengers who were in the same vehicle with the deceased and are currently hospitalised and nursing injuries.
“The Patriotic Front wishes to send a message of condolences to the family of Hon Naluwa Mweene on his painful demise. We further send a message of condolences to the UPND and the people of Mangango Constituency on this loss. It is with profound grief that we, in the ruling Patriotic Front received the news of Hon Mweene’s tragic death”, Hon Mwila has said.
“In moments of such agonizing pain, it is difficult to give comfort to the family and friends that have lost their loved one. Our thoughts and prayers go to the bereaved family, the UPND and the good people of Mangango. May they find solace and comfort in the bossom of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ”, he has said.
Political Activist Dante Saunders (c) confers with Emily Sikazwe (r) and NGOCC chairperson Beatrice Grillo (l) during the meeting to demand for the release of the draft Zambia constitution
Senior citizen Dante Saunders has advised the Zambia Center for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) against going ahead with its plans to pursue its own national dialogue process.
Mr. Saunders is concerned that if the ZCID goes ahead with its plans, many Zambians that do not belong to any political party and all those that do not vote will be left out from the process.
In an interview with QTV News Mr. Saunders says by virtue of having membership of only political parties, the ZCID cannot take on any national problem that can be resolved through dialogue.
Mr. Saunders states that the ZCID should in this case restrict itself to resolving differences among political parties and leave the national dialogue process to the Church.
He says ZCID should take cognizance that the issue of national dialogue is not about resolving a fight between two political parties but about resolving national issues affecting the Zambian people.
Mr. Saunders states that this is why it is important for the Church to head and be responsible for the national dialogue process.
He says the Church is better placed to handle the national dialogue process because its constituency is drawn from the entire nation.
And Governance, Elections, Advocacy, and Research Services (GEARS) Initiative has urged the Church and Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID) to converse over the issue of national dialogue.
Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi says this is what his organization thinks will convincingly help the two institutions handle the national political dialogue process successfully.
Mr. Chipenzi states that as long as the duo continue pulling each other in a tag-of-war style and take parallel positions, the process is likely to be impaired.
He says the Church and the ZCID need to agree on who has the capacities and competencies to handle national dialogue.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) has insisted that it will go ahead with its national dialogue process.
Spokesperson Jackson Silavwe says the ZCID is resolved to follow resolutions made by Secretary Generals under the conglomerate of political parties that met in Siavonga recently.
Mr. Silavwe says the Church is being malicious to disregard these resolutions.
He tells QTV News in an interview that the ZCID also found the recent statement issued by the Church to have lacked merit.
Mr. Silavwe says the Center does not however want to seem to be in a tug of war with the Church.
Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa has claimed that thugs involved in illegal land allocation almost kidnapped him on Monday when he went to inspect a plot that they wanted to sell illegally in Lusaka.
And Mr Sampa says he has resolved to start going to the gym in order to improve his boxing skills for self-protection.
In an interview following wide condemnation after he posted a photo a photo in which he was brandishing a gun, Mr Sampa said he owns several guns which are licensed.
He said has been owning guns for a long time as part of self-protection measures since he entered politics and that all his guns are licensed.
Mr Sampa said he has very young children whom he would not want to grow up fatherless.
He said he will do anything possible to protect himself from thugs who are threatening his life.
Explaining why he deleted the post on his Facebook page, Mr Sampa said some senior PF members spoke to him and advised him to delete the post.
He said initially, he had stood his ground to have the post remain when his media team advised him to have it deleted but that that the senior PF members made him change his mind.
Mr Sampa said his resolve to be mobbing with guns and taking up boxing lessons does not mean that the City of Lusaka is unsafe.
He said the incident on Monday when he was roughed up by some PF youths was an isolated one but that he will not leave anything to chance
The ill fated motor vehicle which carried Mr Mweene after it carried off the road
UPND Member of Parliament for Mangango Constituency, Naluwa Mweene is dead.
The late Mweene 44, died in a road accident at Itezhi tezhi turn off along Mongu-Lusaka road .
According to a notice from the UPND, the other four passengers who were in the vehicle sustained injuries and have been rushed to Mumbwa District Hospital and are now being attended to.
Mr Mweene, a Primary School Teacher by Profession was elected Member of Parliament with 7,922 votes beating his closest rival Taundi Chiseke of the PF who only managed 3,522 votes.
And the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema posted the following online
Good evening friends
It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of our Member of Parliament for Mangango Constituency, Hon. Naluwa Mwene.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Hon Mwene represented the people in Mangango well and we shall truly miss him.
On behalf of the UPND and indeed my own behalf, please accept my sincere condolences on this tragic loss of a young life.
Our prayers are also with other people who are injured and admitted at Mumbwa hospital.
We wish them a quick recovery.
MHSRIP
The ill fated motor vehicle which carried Mr Mweene after it carried off the road
Zesco United’s 2018 CAF Champions League quarterfinal dreams were dashed on Tuesday at home in Ndola following a 1-1 draw with Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The result saw Zesco finish third in Group D on 6 points, three points behind Primeiro Agosto of Angola who beat them to second place and booked the second quarterfinal slot behind pool toppers Etoile who had already qualified with two games to spare after finishing on an unassailable 12 points.
Agosto progressed at the expense of Zesco following a 2-1 home win over Mbabane Swallows of eSwatini in Luanda on the same afternoon.
Meanwhile, Zesco took the lead in the 7th minute through Lazarus Kambole to see him close his African campaign this season on seven goals.
Zesco went on to dominate the first half whose major highlight saw goalkeeper Makram Bdiri leave the pitch with a suspected concussion following an on-the-line collision with Zesco striker Winston Kalengo and was replaced by Achraf Krir.
But affairs changed in the second half mostly thanks to the dreaded free kicks of Mohamed Arbi who questioned Zesco’s backline in the 59th and 68th minutes.
However, his third attempt in the 70th minute was met by Etoile captain and midfielder Rami Bedoui on the far post who extinguished Zesco’s hopes of a first Group D home win and second in the tournament in Ndola since February 21 when they beat JKU of Zanzibar 7-0 at Levy in the preliminary stage.
FILE: Vice President Inonge Wina waves at the people upon arrival in Kabwe for the official opening of the fertilizer plant
Vice President Inonge Wina says development has eluded some areas in the country because of always voting for opposition representatives.
Ms. Wina says because of voting for the opposition, representatives in the affected areas often times shun interacting with government structures so as to share ideas on how to address challenges affecting the electorate they represent in parliament.
ZANIS reports that the Vice President said this last evening when she addressed a public meeting at Kyafukuma primary school to drum up support for Patriotic Front ( PF) candidate, Patson Kyaba for the forthcoming Kamalamba ward local government by-elections slated for September 6, 2018.
The Kamalamba ward seat which fell vacant following the defection the incumbent, Edward Samwata from United Party for National Development (UPND) to PF is contested by Mr Kyaba of PF and Benjamin Nkanka from UPND, respectively.
The Vice President has therefore, urged people of Kyafukuma in Solwezi to vote a PF candidate who will always be in daily interaction with government structures from the district to the Presidency level.
“ President Lungu does not segregate any area in the country with regards development as can be evidenced with massive developments in Northwestern province such as the construction of most expensive roads like the Solwezi-Chingola road, “ she stated.
Speaking at the same meeting, Gender minister, Elizabeth Phiri advised the PF candidate to serve the people of the ward as their servant and not their boss when he is voted into office.
Ms Phiri assured people of Kamalamba ward that as a party they will ensure that development is delivered to the area through their servant.
And Mr. Kyaba appealed to the electorates in the area to vote for him so that he can facilitate addressing their challenges which he is conversant with as he is a local person of the area.
Mutati FAction led Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda
Mutati Faction led Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda has refuted claims by the three Church Mother Bodies that they have engaged members of Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) on their intended roadmap for the national dialogue.
Speaking when he featured on Tuesday’s edition of the “Let The People Talk” radio programme on Phoenix FM Nakacinda said contrary to the Churches’ claims that they have engaged stakeholders like ZCID instead the opposite is true that they have not been met apart from the church having met UPND only.
He clarified that the only engagement the Church Mother Bodies have had with ZCID was at the request of the centre who mate them several times in a bid to convince them to chair the dialogue process.
“It is us who went to the church and the church cannot claim at this particular moment and here am talking about church leaders, we are yet to hear the process of consultations among them in terms of constituencies and so on whether indeed the route they have taken is indeed with the full blessing of the thier entire constituency or its just the Church leaders. Our view is that we went to the Church and this is what we are saying the church has not come to ZCID and said ZCID can you come…
“(Luchi) so you are saying they have never, they have never spoken to any board member and are you being categorical about that? (Nakacinda) Yes and am saying this before God that any meeting that has taken place between ZCID and the Church has been at the request of ZCID and after have presented what we think is the position of politicians the church has always responded without any commitment saying that they will get back to us.
“The only now dramatic turn of the event is the response and then later of course after we said the Church is abrogating the mandate we have given them so maybe over and above the church maybe consider other stakeholders to chair the process because Luchi there is nothing complicated,” he said.
And Nakacinda wondered why the contravesy with the Church when politicians have agreed on what they want to achieve in the process.
He said the stance by the Church is dragging the process of reforms which are need backwards and that the politicians have all agreed on the four thematic areas which needs to be discussed in the dialogue process.
Meet the future of Africa’s Film & Television Industry! MultiChoice Africa is delighted to reveal the 60 hopefuls who have been chosen to be the first students of the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy! The candidates were chosen after a two-months long process of shortlisting candidates from over 3 000 entries from 13 countries in Africa, this was followed by a rigorous interview and adjudication process by a group of film and television industry experts and regional Academy Directors.
The 20 future filmmakers chosen from Southern Africa were selected based on their industry related qualifications and skills, as well as their passion to narrate Africa’s unique stories. Congratulations to Clarence Nyoni, Muchemwa Sinkala, Emmanuel Mwape, Jones Mvula, Mainala Silondwa, Racheal Mbewe and Joshua Kafumukache from Zambia, Sally Jason, Esther Beukes, Toivo Ashivudhi from Namibia, Chimwemwe Mkwezalamba, Jonathan Kapumba from Malawi, Serena Serene Mmifinyana, Nikita Mokgware from Botswana, Nobert Mapfoche, Rutendo Mahofa from Zimbabbwe, Emanuel Gonçalves, Leandro Lima from Angola, Gerson Amaral and Ludmila Mero from Mozambique who will represent their respective countries at the Zambia-based MTF Academy from 1 October. MultiChoice Africa will sponsor the students’ tuition, accommodation and stipend for the duration of their training in each regional hub.
The MTF Academy students will be provided with skillsets to develop their talent, connect with industry professionals and tell authentic African stories through a comprehensive curriculum comprising theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling.
“This year-long programme will adequately train and upskill young African creatives by providing them with invaluable hands-on industry experience that will give them the confidence to take on Hollywood. I hope it will show them that it’s possible to create a lucrative career in Africa’s film and television industry,” says broadcasting stalwart Berry Lwando, who will spearhead the Southern Africa MTF Academy hub in Zambia.
During the programme, MTF Academy students will produce television and film content that will be aired on our local M-Net channels across the MultiChoice platform including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, M-Net and SuperSport to reach African audiences on the DStv and GOtv platforms. Upon graduation from the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy, the MTF student will leave with the knowledge and skills to contribute professionally to Africa’s film and television industry.
“As a company that is deeply rooted in Zambia, we understand that many young, aspiring filmmakers have the capacity to learn and strengthen their skillset to give back to their communities, but may not be financially equipped to do so. The MultiChoice Talent Factory focuses on making sure that those gems are nurtured and their talent developed in order to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s creative industry,” said Ngoza Kasunga Matakala MultiChoice Zambia Managing Director
The High Court Sittings in Mansa District in Luapula Province has sentenced a 27 year old woman to three years suspended sentence for Unlawful Abortion.
Before Ndola High Court Judge was Nancy Kunda a peasant farmer of Chabala Village in Chief Kasoma Lwela’s Chiefdom in Chembe District who was charged with Abortion contrary to section 152(1) of the penal code of the Laws of Zambia.
Facts before the court were that on May 4, 2018 Kunda being a mother of five children terminated her two month old pregnancy unlawfully using a cassava stick.
Kunda decided to abort the pregnancy after discovering that her youngest one year old daughter was becoming sickly which is traditionally believed in the region to have been caused by the pregnancy.
The Court heard that it was then that she inserted a cassava stick which contributed to the abortion after she was taken to Chembe Rural Health Centre where the cassava stick was removed from her cervix.
Kunda was thereby arrested by Police in Chembe and charged for the charged offence of abortion by pregnant woman.
In mitigation, Kunda through her legal Aid Lawyer pleaded with the court for leniency as she was the first offender who readily admitted the charge and that she was remorseful of her actions.
Passing her sentence, Judge Chembe said she took into consideration her mitigation and that she was a first offender who deserved some leniency but that the crime she committed cannot go unpunished.
She then slap Kunda with a three year suspended sentence with effect from the date of arrest.
A man searching for cell phone network signal up a tree
The Centre for Trade Policy and Development Researcher has charged that the 30-Ngwee Internet Tax is Misguided and has since asked Government to reverse this decision.
On the 12th of August, 2018, the Zambian government held a cabinet meeting at which a collective decision was made to introduce a 30-ngwee per day tariff on internet calls with a view that the increase in internet calls threatens the telecommunications industry and jobs in companies such as Zamtel, Airtel and MTN.
Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya stated in a follow up press statement that “a research showed that 80 percent of the citizens are using WhatApp, Skype and Viber to make phone calls.”
CTPD Researcher Mr. Bright Chizonde said this collective decision was misguided and government must consider reversing the decision.
only about 1.3 million citizens can make internet phone calls-which is about 8 percent of Zambia’s population
Mr. Chizonde said CTPD also considers the cited research and figures to be erroneous and very misleading.
According to the 2015 ZICTA ICT Survey report, about 51 percent of people aged above 10 years in Zambia are active users of mobile phones. Of this, less than 13.5 percent of the users have smart-phones. Furthermore, only 71 percent of the people with smart phones use the devices to access Over The Top (OTT) applications like WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook, Skype and Twitter for communication using instant messaging or voice calling. After doing the math, this means only about 1.3 million citizens can make internet phone calls-which is about 8 percent of Zambia’s population,” he said.
“The minimal number of people using this service can therefore not justify the Issuing of and SI seeking to impose a tariff on internet calling. The view that government would save jobs by doing this is simply a misunderstanding of how business and trade operates.”
He said Government should maintain its role of providing a conducive environment for business growth, and regulation of the sector should be done through ZICTA in order to protect the interest of the mobile phone users and the economy at large.
“Job creation and security in any sector is affected by a number of key economic factors such as the level of economic activity, profitability and technological changes which lead to constant structural changes in the sector.”
He added ,”Technological advances like internet calling should not be discouraged through taxation. Recently, we have observed an increase in banking innovations on the part of these same telecommunication companies such as the introduction of mobile money services. Such technological advances negatively affect the commercial banks but the banking sector has not complained. Should the government also introduce a tariff on mobile money services?” he asked.
“Should emails also be taxed because they reduce revenues of the postal service?”
He said CTPD is of the view that the 30-Ngwee tariff will only add to increasing the cost of communication and business in the country relative to its neighboring countries.
Mr Chizonde Warner that this will disadvantage Zambia by increasing the cost of doing business and may result in lower foreign investments in many other sectors.
“Government cannot start operating like a mobile provider in incentivizing users away from a particular service. If government wanted to get a share of what the companies get, an option would have included introducing a tax at source, not targeting an end user. Government’s role is to provide a conducive environment.”
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people (Middle), Chief Luchembe of the Bemba people (left) with Senior Chief Kanongesha of the Lunda people at this year’s Likumbi Lya Mize Traditional Ceremony in Zambezi District on Saturday, August 25, 2018 – Pictures By Godfrey Chikumbi/ZANIS
Paramount chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba speaking people is tomorrow expected in New Mexico, United States of America, to attend that country’s annual traditional ceremony.
The Pueblo of Acoma, a native society in New Mexico, has invited Paramount chief to attend its annual traditional ceremony slated for this weekend.
The Mwinelubemba will be accompanied by the Secretary of the Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena traditional ceremony Richard Mukuka.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Kasama today.Mr Mukuka said chief Chitimukulu is expected to be among several dignitaries from different countries who have been invited to attend this year’s ceremony.
He said the gesture by the Pueblo of Acoma is an indication of the significance that tradition and culture plays in society.
And Mr Mukuka added that the traditional leader will also use the opportunity to exchange ideas with the Pueblo of Acoma society on avenues of development.
Earlier this year, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu led a delegation to the State of New Mexico where he held a number of engagements including a public lecture on history and culture.
Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa has caused a stir when he posed with a pistol on Facebook and threatened to deal with those he called illegal plot sellers.
On Monday, Mr Sampa was almost roughed up by a group of mostly PF youths when he went to inspect some illegally sold plots across the city.
The youths demanded that Mr Sampa stops interfering in their operations saying they did not vote for him as Mayor in order for him to come and cause confusion.
But in a bizarre move, Mr Sampa posted on his Facebook page photos of him holding a pistol and striking a James Bond pose.
The post which was later deleted had the accompanying message.
“To the illegal plots sellers who abushed me yesterday, I know you and know those that sent you. This is how I will be reporting for field and office work. In case the Police delay in protecting me, I am equal to the task. See you when you come again,” Mr Sampa wrote.
