Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
An angry mob in Masaiti district near chief Chiwala’s area on the Copperbelt has killed a man who was suspected to have killed his own daughter last Sunday through alleged practices of witchcraft.
Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner Charity Katanga who confirmed the incident said Aaron Mambwe, 59 was allegedly murdered by a mob that accused him of being a wizard who bewitched his own daughter, Lillian Chola (unknown age).
Ms. Katanga added that Ambleto Chola, son to the deceased Mr. Mambwe, reported the murder of his father killing by an unruly mob which accused him of being a wizard.
She said Ms Chola (deceased) was believed to have been suffering from severe chest pains and eventually passed on, on Sunday, July 29,2018.
She said during the burial on Wednesday, a mob of villagers lifted the coffin that contained the body of Ms Chola and began claiming that the coffin was leading them to the wizard who they said had bewitched the late Ms. Chola.
Ms Katanga said after it was alleged that the coffin pointed towards Mr. Mambwe, the mob headed towards him and began to beat him using sticks and metal bars and he died on the spot.
Ms Katanga said police rushed there and found Mr. Mambwe lying on the ground with multiple cuts on the head.
She said the body was picked and taken to Ndola Teaching Hospital (NTH) and is awaiting postmortem.
Ms. Katanga has described the development as unfortunate citing an increase in such occurrences in Masaiti and has called for the intervention of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to help address the trend by sensitizing members of the public against such practices.
The Copperbelt Police Chief has also urged members of the public to come forward and report perpetrators of such vices and and has further warned anyone found wanting that the law will catch up with them .
The Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) says the Teaching industry is no longer open to whoever wants to enter it.
TCZ Assistant Director Inspection Unity Joel Kamoto says the profession will be only for candidates who are able to produce credentials that have been proven by the council.
Speaking when he recently addressed grandaunts at Mansa College of Education, Mr. Kamoto indicated those seeking employment in the education sector will now need to be correctly qualified and registered with the Teaching Council of Zambia.
“These measures are aimed at protecting innocent children and parents who often times find themselves taking their children to colleges and schools which do not meet the set standards,“ he said.
Mr. Kamoto says the council does not want any more individuals to masquerade or pose as qualified rather than those that are actually qualified and have been certified by the council.
He further says doing so is important as it will ensure that the teaching professional claims its right status through having men and women and institutions who among others things are able to uphold the core value of education.
170, 000 males have undergone Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) out of an annual target of 400,000 as at June 30.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Administration Kennedy Malama says this represents 44 percent of the annual target adding that Zambia has averted about 17,000 new HIV infections through VMMC interventions since 2007.
Dr. Malama said in a speech read for him by Eastern Province Assistant Secretary Royd Tembo at the commemoration of the National VMMC, August campaign launch in Chipata, today.
.
Government will replicate the gains in the coming years with an estimated 225,000 new HIV infections to be averted by 2030, he said
.
He revealed that the Ministry of Health targets to circumcise 150 males across the country in the August VMMC campaign, which ends September 30.
Two million males have been circumcised since inception of the VMMC programme in 2007 as part of government’s commitment to reducing the burden of HIV and
AIDS through various interventions.
And Ministry of Health Director of Clinical care, Dr Mzaza Ntele commended Government for the programme, which he said has not only
prevented new HIV infections but other STIs and cervical cancer.
Meanwhile, Chipata District Commissioner Kalunga Zulu has advised all males in his district to undergo VMMC and prevent the spread of disease.
Mr Zulu who said he underwent the surgery says all males should be circumcised.
FILE: President Edgar Lungu with Zimbabwean vice President Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa at Harare, Zimbabwe. Picture By EDDIE MWANALEZA /STATEHOUSE
Incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa has won the Zimbabwean presidential election, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced early on Friday morning.
ZEC chairperson Priscilla Chigumba said Mnangagwa had received 2,460,463 votes (50.8%) followed by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance’s Nelson Chamisa with 2,147,436 votes (44.3%).
“I do hereby declare that the votes by the winner are more than half the number cast in the presidential election. Mnangagwa is, therefore, duly declared as elected president of the Republic of Zimbabwe with effect from August 3, 2018,” Chigumba said.
The number of votes received by Mnangagwa and Chamisa, per province, were:
Mashonaland West (Rural): Mnangagwa 312,958 ; Chamisa 217,732
The MDC Alliance had rejected the presidential results before the official announcement. the Party said that their agents were denied an opportunity to verify the results, and therefore the party rejected them.
The alliance’s chairman Morgan Komichi said the figures obtained by the party agents need to be checked against those that were announced.
Before the final announcement, Mr Komichi said the results were “fake”, claiming that chief elections had not yet verified the results. Security then escorted him from the stage.
In parliamentary Elections, Zanu-PF won by a landslide, gaining 144 seats, while the MDC Alliance, which is made up of seven parties, 64 seats, and the National Patriotic Front, formed by Mugabe loyalists after he was ousted, 1 seat. Only one candidate won an independent seat
More than five million people were registered to vote in Monday’s poll, and there was a turnout of 70%
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa yestrday met heads of international election observer missions to Zimbabwe’s July 30 harmonised polls, who reportedly expressed general satisfaction with the conduct of the elections.
They, however, expressed strong disappointment over violent opposition demonstrations that occurred on Wednesday, in protest against poll results, in which three people died.
Heads from the African Union, SADC, COMESA, European Union, the Commonwealth, Carter Foundation and National Democratic Institute told President Mnangagwa , the political environment in the country was totally different, when compared with the past.
They all agreed that the process of election over the campaign period was very peaceful and they congratulate the people of Zimbabwe for that maturity.
They also congratulate the Zimbabwean voters for the relatively peaceful elections saying it is a huge break from the past.
However, the observers were disappointed by the events which saw the loss of three lives following an election violence in Harare.
Hundreds of MDC Alliance supporters turned the capital into a war zone, throwing stones and other missiles at the police, who responded with canon water and tear gas.
The rowdy supporters, who were accusing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ( ZEC ) of doctoring the election results to rob their party and leader Nelson Chamisa of victory and consequently looted shops and destroyed property including buildings and vehicles.
Zimbabwe Police sought the assistance of the army to quell the violent demonstrations which resulted in the death of three people and injury to scores of others.
President Mnangagwa said the international observers had expressed hope that Zimbabweans would find each other following the clashes.
Chipolopolo and 2017 U20 AFCON winner Edward Chilufya’s 2018/2019 Europa League’s race ended on Thursday with Swedish club Djurgardens.
But before then, we make a brief stop in France.
FRANCE
Defender Stopilla Sunzu made his Ligue 2 debut for Metz on Monday following his off-season move back to France from Russian Premier League club Arsenal Tula.
Sunzu played the 90 minutes in Metz’s 1-0 away win over Brest on July 30 to see the club start the season on 3 points in 6th place who were demoted from Ligue 1 last season after finishing last with six wins from 38 games.
This is Sunzu’s third return to France following stints at Sochaux in 2015 and Lille in 2016.
SWEDEN
Midfielder Edward Chilufya’s 2018/2019 Europa League campaign ended at the knockout round quarterfinal stage stage on Thursday night after his Swedish club Djurgardens lost 2-1 away to Mariupol in Ukraine.
Djurgardens bowed on 2-2 on aggregate after Mariupol qualified on away goals rule.
However, Chilufya sat out the match, who was also on the bench in the first leg on July 26 that ended 1-1.
Pizza Hut Zambia management says all its restaurants are set to reopen for business having fulfilled operation grounds set by the Lusaka City Council (LCC).
According to the company’s Managing Director Joshua Becker , in a statement, the company is grateful to the LCC for its vigilance and dedication to upholding standards for all food outlets in Lusaka.
Mr Becker said Pizza Hut would like to once again apologize to its clients for the recent closure of its Lusaka restaurants, where expired stock were found on some of its premises by the LCC.
“ Food safety is always the top priority at Pizza Hut and a primary focus in all Pizza Hut restaurants around the world.
“ Pizza Hut has strict food & safety protocols with regards to expired stock as well as the labelling and disposal thereof, which will, because of the recent store closures, be monitored far more closely to ensure the full compliance to the global and LCC food & safety regulations, “ he said.
He said this will include continued training of staff members to ensure that the rigorous standards and surveillance routines are adhered to.
Pizza Hut is committed as it always has been to serve our customers with our freshly prepared, made from scratch world famous Pizza’s, and will continue to work closely with the LCC to ensure best practice in Lusaka and in Zambia for the food industry, added Mr. Becker.
We thank our loyal customers for their patience and continued support and look forward to serving you soon as each of the over 80 members of our family work tirelessly to be Zambia’s most loved Pizza restaurant.
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo (c)flanked by Kafue District Commissioner Joseph Kamana (L)looks on the log in book during the spot check of some selected government departments in Kafue District
Kafue District Commissioner Joseph Kamana has warned civil servants in the district against reporting late for work.
Speaking when he addressed Heads of Government departments, Mr Kamana said he will not tolerate civil servants violating government rules.
In similar stance to Provincial minister Bowman Lusambo, the District Commissioner said part of their income will be deducted from their salaries if found reporting late for work or absconding from work for no proper reason.
Mr Kamana earlier cautioned teachers at Naboye Secondary School against coming late for work adding that he has received reports that teachers at the school are in a habit of reporting late for work.
And Mr. Kamana warned civil servants against shunning the Keep Zambia Clean and Healthy Campaign which falls on every last Saturday of the month.
He said every civil servant should be part the cleaning exercise which was declared by his President Edgar Lungu.
He said the community can only take the exercise serious if civil servants lead by example.
Economics Association of Zambia President Lubinda Haabazoka says he fully supports government’s proposal to refinance the Eurobond using a Turkish private company.
Dr Haabazoka said what the Zambian government has proposed to refinance the Eurobond using private equity is 100% correct.
He said the Turkish company which has offered to pay the Eurobond is not a vulture fund.
“If it was a vulture fund, they could have bought our bonds on the capital markets (mind you we have no control on who buys our Eurobonds) then waited for us to default and then pounce on us. But they came in to help out,” Dr Haabazoka said.
Dr Haabazoka stayed that the terms on which refinancing is done are more favorable than the loan being refinanced.
Below is the full statement from Dr Haabazoka
I am very shocked that we are rising issues about loan refinancing when government has done it since independence.
When government issues treasury bills (which are short term notes sold at a discount of face value) some of the proceeds normally go to paying of government debt.
I spoke extensively about the negatives of Eurobonds when government announced plans to issue the first one but everyone called me an alarmist, an opposition carder or whatever.
What simply I wanted to advise then was that were were going to find ourselves in the situation we are in today.
If you have forgotten what I said about Eurobonds, please go to google and look up in the archives of the post newspaper. You will even find an estimate of how much money I calculated we needed to set aside per day to repay interest on Eurobonds.
But typical of us, you all brushed me aside.
When I mentioned that we needed to pay the principal amount at once, even Economics Professors called me to say stop lying to the masses! I kept to my story and we have all lived to see what I said!!!
But one thing I don’t want to be part of is crying over spilled beans! I always want to be part of the solution and not just cry about issues.
What government has proposed to refinance the Eurobond using private equity is 100% correct.
Imagine how much tax you need to pay to raise $3bn?
Imagine the damage to the economy if we defaulted on capital market debt (Eurobonds)
Some overzealous politicians even call for selling the Eurobond (which is actually refinancing) to Zambian citizens.
Do they understand the economic impact to the real sector of the economy if we withdrew $3bn from households at once?
Please if you don’t know economics, just sit aside and let experts deliberate.
No wonder we want to engage stakeholders to ensure that Economics Association of Zambia becomes statutory.
No people should masquerade as Economists and send false informational to the market.
So when the Zambian government gets equity from one company to repay the Eurobond, yes we still remain with the debt but the debt that we now acquire will be completely paid off with time.
With Eurobonds, the principal still remains.
The Turkish company is not a vulture fund.
If it was a vulture fund, they could have bought our bonds on the capital markets (mind you we have no control on who buys our Eurobonds) then waited for us to default and then pounce on us. But they came in to help out.
Mind you, experience has confirmed that terms on which refinancing is done are more favorable than the loan being refinanced.
My advise to government is that they entice the Turkish government to also join the refinancing so that the deal also has a public touch.
That way, you minimize misunderstandings during possible future debt restructuring.
So why did we start getting Eurobonds?
The idea of getting Eurobonds started under then Finance Minister Musokotwane during the MMD government.
Even the IMF and World Bank advised us to get Eurobonds!!!! ( that is why I no longer support an IMF package).
When we reached middle income status, donors pulled out.
They advised us to get a credit rating so that we could access funds on capital markets.
They said we are now mature enough to get that money.
They knew their citizens don’t have instruments to invest in.
They knew our bonds would give better interest than theirs because of the risk factor.
Imagine in some countries like Switzerland and Japan with negative lending rates?
If you get 5% on a note in the USA for a domestic bond then you are lucky.
Their plan is to ensure than when we fail to mobilize resources at once to repay the Eurobonds, so we go back and borrow more from them so that their citizens benefit.
This cycle can never end.
The USA debt is accumulating exactly the same way.
But they print dollars to repay the debt but we don’t have that luxury.
I hope you now see why I want home grown solutions.
So colleagues don’t join me into the politics of why why why!! Ours is to ensure we give sound economic policy direction.
The Lusaka Magistrates Court has sentenced Henry Kapoko, former Ministry of Health Chief Human Resources Officer and four others to 18 years imprisonment with hard labour each for corruption, money laundering and theft of over K6million.
The sentence includes five years each for theft, 5 years for money laundering and a further nine for theft by public servant.
In a ruling that lasted for two days, Principal Resident Magistrate Exnobert Zulu convicted Kapoko aged 45, three accountants namely , Zukas Kaoma, 47, Evaristo Musaba, 56, Vincent Luhana, and an Internal Auditor Jasper Phiri, 46.
However, the Principal Resident Magistrate has acquitted other persons that were jointly charged namely Roy Maswenyeho, Luke Makeche, Chrispine Sichone, Nobert Pellets, and Essau Banda on account that no offence had been proved against them.
Kapoko and nine other officials from the Ministry of Health were jointly charged by the Anti-Corruption Commission on 67 counts following investigations conducted by the Anti-Corruption, Zambia Police, and Drug Enforcement and were found with a case to answer on 66 counts by the magistrates court.
Principal Resident Magistrate Zulu in his ruling ordered that all convicts properties and accounts in which stolen money was deposited be forfeited to the State. He also entered a statutory judgement in favour of the Attorney General to recover over K6.8m from the convicts.
The said properties include 24 motor vehicles including BMW, Mercedes Benz, Nissan Truck. Others are 3 houses, 2 Lodges, 1 Filling station, 5 Banks Accounts.
He ruled that for the money to move in the fashion it did, there was collusion among the five convicts, and therefore the five were also ordered to pay costs incurred by the State during the whole court process.
The Principal Resident Magistrate found that there were hyper activities in terms of the money Kapoko was depositing into his business and personal bank accounts.
He said that Kapoko continued to endorse dubious payments from the Ministry of Health to a named consultancy agency, even after he had been transferred to the then Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
This was evidenced in the cheques and payment vouchers that were found in his house by the investigative wings.
He said that it was peculiar that Kapoko was making huge bank deposits at the same time he was acquiring high value motor vehicles and properties.
In this nine year trial, the investigative wings conducted an investigation following the unearthing of a scam involving corruption, theft, and money laundering at said Ministry.
This is contained in a statement to ZANIS by the ACC Public Relations Manager Timothy Moono, this evening.
Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima (right) and former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa
The Judiciary has jumped to the defence of Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima after she was attacked that she was holding the office illegally.
Some online sources quoted unanimous sources from the Judiciary who alleged that at 66, Justice Mambilima has gone past her retirement age and is holding the office illegally.
But in a statement, Judiciary Spokesperson Kalumba Slavin maintained that Justice Mambilima is in the office legally.
“It is correct that the Hon. Chief Justice’s dare is birth is 31st March 1952 which makes her ladyship 66 years old. The Constitution of the Republic of Zambia as amended is very clear on the conditions for holding the office of Chief Justice, and we call upon the public to refuse to be misled by those peddling their own agendas.”
“Article 42(1) provides for the MANDATORY retirement age of Judges as follows: 142. (1) A judge shall retire from office in attaining the age of seventy years.”
The Judiciary Spokesperson said the use of the word “shall” in the above statement simply means that it is mandatory for a Judge for a Judge to retire upon attaining the age of 70.
“Article 142(2), however, provides as follows: (2) A Judge May retire, with full benefits, on attaining the age of sixty-five years”
“ The use of the word “may” in the above provision means that retirement upon attaining the age of 65 is that the discretion of a particular Judge.”
“It is clear from the foregoing that the misleading comments that age being circulated by some online media platforms are either being made out of ignorance or malice or even both. Such commentators will do well to check the background facts before publishing the unfounded and damaging criticism.”
Donald Trump’s administration has suspended duty-free exports on clothes to Rwanda after the East African nation imposed tariffs on US imports of second-hand clothing and footwear which it blames for harming the local textile industry.
“The president’s action does not affect the vast majority of Rwanda’s exports to the US”, a statement by the office of the US trade representative read.
The clothes imports account for 3% of what Rwanda exports to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) and are valued at $1.5m (£1m).
Rwanda’s position had been widely adopted by East Africa’s states but Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda dropped their stance fearing retaliatory action that would lead to loss of access to US markets via Agoa.
Rwanda clothing imports have so far dropped by a third.
[pullquote]Rwandan President Paul Kagame has said the duties were needed to boost local producers and prevent his country from being used as a “dumping ground” for used American clothes.[/pullquote]
The trade dispute can be traced to 2016, when Rwanda increased import duties on used clothing from the United States from $0.25 to $2.50 per kilogram.
Used clothes, many of which start as US charity donations, have long been a staple of wardrobes in a country that still bears the scars of a horrific genocide 24 years ago. Yet their abundance and popularity have stalled development in the local clothing industry.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has said the duties were needed to boost local producers and prevent his country from being used as a “dumping ground” for used American clothes. He has proposed banning imports by 2019.
The restrictions have upset traders in the United States.
The Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association, which represents companies that sell used and recycled clothing, filed a complaint with the US government in 2017 arguing that the trade barriers put thousands of American jobs at risk.
The US warned Rwanda in March that it could lose the right to export duty-free apparel if it failed to roll back its tariffs.
Critics of the US decision say the government has overreacted to the tariffs on used clothing, which affect just $17 million in US exports a year and target a country where average annual income is around $700.
Rosa Whitaker, a former US trade official who worked on African issues under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, told CNN that the Trump administration was threatening to suspend the trade benefit out of a “warped sense of America-first.”
“The Trump administration is making a symbolic statement rather than a substantive statement,” she said. “I see America picking trade battles, but I was surprised we would have time to pick one with Rwanda. We are talking about such a small amount of trade.”
Whitaker, who helped design AGOA, said the move goes against the original intent of the legislation.
“One of the whole points of the agreement was to help African countries to develop an apparel manufacturing base, because we understood that apparel is the first entry point into manufacturing,” she said.
In Rwanda, the government has pledged to help exporters affected by the trade spat by compensating them for new US taxes.
Toastmasters Zambia Executive Director Nene Bathily says communication plays an important role in all aspects of life hence, the need for young professionals to ensure they possess the art of good communication.
Ms. Bathily said good communication ensures good leadership skills which are paramount in any democratic nation and good governance processes.
Speaking during the CIMA Zambia Toastmasters club meeting in Lusaka last evening, Ms. Bathily explained that with Zambia comprising of young people, it is important that they take advantage of clubs such as toastmasters for them to improve on their communication skills.
She stated that the toastmasters club contributes effectively to discovering one’s potential in communication.
Speaking at the same event, CIMA Toastmasters immediate past President, Kennedy Mwila explained that the tenets of good leadership are enshrined in the toastmasters programme.
Mr. Mwila encouraged the young professionals to take up communication skills regardless of the qualification they possess as that is what sets them apart.
He stated that the toastmasters club molds professionals into better competent leaders and communicators.
The Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organisation that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Felix Mutati
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Felix Mutati has told his party members that he will not spend time insulting his political opponents because it will not solve the many challenges the country is faced with.
Addressing an indoor meeting for party officials in Matero Constituency Mutati told members to stop expecting insults from him as a way of doing politics because it is not in him to insult opponents for political mileage.
He said it was sad the country is forced to see politicians exchanging insults when there is so much to do in the country adding that it should not take insults for one to be recognised as a good politician.
He said Zambia is big enough for politicians to coexist without resorting to insulting each other.
“We all have something to do for Zambia.. This country is big enough for all of us to co exist. It’s so sad we are forced to see our political leaders in the media quarreling everyday when there is so much to do in this country. You want me to be insulting everyone no! Every person was created with different abilities, everyone has a different talent, my talent is not talking about individuals, my talent is to work for people. My capital is in people.
“I will not waste time talking about individuals whose actions against me won’t change my being instead I will dedicate my time and energy to serve you and fight for your interests. Let those politicians whose talent is bickering continue to bicker we shall continue to serve,” he said.
And Mutati has called for patience among party members as the leadership puts things in order for it to be in the condition to contest and participate in elections effectively as opposed to just adding up numbers on the ballot papers.
He said the leadership was aware of the concerns from the grassroots as regards party’s non participation in by elections but that the party members should not be worried as the leadership was on top of things.
He further said the leadership will soon announce the date for card renewals which will provide a road map on the party’s mobilization programs.
The MMD leader and his National Executive Committee Members are on a party mobilisation tour of constituencies in Lusaka District which he has been visiting after knocking of from work as he “does not want to steal from the Zambian people by engaging in party politics during work hours.” He has since visited Kanyama Constituency where he went Monday and Matero Constituency. He is expected to visit the remaining constituencies in the coming days.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Felix MutatiMovement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Felix MutatiMovement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Felix Mutati
Garbage heaps and temporal pit latrines here, are some of the factors which has led to the demolition and closure of Kaoma-Kaoma Market make-shift structures as a preventive measure against the outbreak of Cholera in Mongu
The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has issued a seven day ultimatum to the Lusaka City Council (LCC) to remove waste disposal in Lusaka’s Misisi and Garden Compounds, Town Centre and along Katima Mulilo road.
The ultimatum which is with immediate effect comes after a resolution passed yesterday by ZEMA in pursuant to Environmental Management Act No. 12 Section 60.
ZEMA has ordered the local authority to remove indiscriminate disposal of waste in the areas and sites because it is not satisfied.
ZEMA Corporate Affairs Manager, Irene Chipili said in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, that indiscriminate disposal of waste is an impediment to efforts aimed at protecting the environment in making Zambia clean and healthy championed by President Edgar Lungu who re-launched the clean campaign a couple of months ago.
“LCC has accordingly been ordered to remove the waste in a number of locations in Misisi and garden Compound, Town Centre as well as along Katima Mulilo road. The order must fully be complied within a period of 7 days,” Ms. Chipili said.
And ZEMA has reminded all councils in the country to take full responsibility of ensuring that sound management of waste in their respective areas is adhered to.
Ms. Chipili also implored business entities and members of the public to manage waste in a sound manner.
Meanwhile, LCC Public Relations Officer, Brenda Katongola when contacted for a comment on the matter could neither confirm.
Ms. Katongola however, said that the council is mandated to remove garbage from the streets and residential places in the city.
