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Pictures of the week(updated)
Kambwili and Musenge’s NDC to Recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state
The opposition National Democratic Congress has announced that it recognizes Taiwan as a sovereign state.
The party has since declared that it does not recognize the One China Policy.
In a statement released on a Thursday evening, NDC Secretary General Mwenya Musenge says the party is extremely disappointed with the action by the Chinese communist party who have openly thrown their political weight behind the governing PF government.
Mr Musenge said that it is now evident that the Chinese Government is indirectly supporting the PF thus interfering in our internal political space.
“In this regard, the NDC wants to make it clear that we do not as a party recognize the one china policy. To this effect, the NDC recognizes Taiwan as a sovereign state,” Mr Musenge said.
He said the NDC leadership will in due course travel to Lilongwe, Malawi to formalize it’s ties with that country.
“Instead if pursuing economic diplomacy, China is directly interfering in our political affairs as an independent state. The NDC leadership will henceforth write a diplomatic protest letter on the continued undue interference in our domestic affairs,” he said.
Mr Musenge said the Chinese communist party and its Government has clearly crossed the red line by associating and supporting the pf.
“As NDC, we thus urge China to stop its interference in Zambia’s internal politics. The NDC in Government will open a mission in Taipei as a way of recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign state.”
Suspected PF cadres attack Kangwa Chileshe’s House
Suspected Patriotic Front cadres dressed in party regalia last evening allegedly attacked the woodlands home of UPND mayoral candidate Kangwa Chileshe but were thwarted by alert party vigilantes.
The attackers who threw all kind of missiles at the house however fled the scene when his security detail from the UPND repelled the attack carried out by the youths who had come with several vehicles.
Mr. Chileshe who has confirmed the attack said his wife and children were in the house at the time of the attack but were unhurt though traumatized.
And UPND Chairperson for mobilization Sylvia Masebo who rushed to the scene reported the matter to woodlands police station who she said are investigating the matter.
Ms. Masebo has condemned the attack describing it as primitive and cowardly but said the UPND and Mr. Chileshe were now more resolved and determined to fight for what is right and what is just.
But Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo in a statement said Woodlands Police have not received any report suggesting that Mr Chileshe was attacked last night.
Mrs. Katongo said the only report received by the station was from Ms. Masebo who reported that they had spotted four Land cruisers moving around on Burma Road near a house where the UPND were distributing their campaign materials and that they suspected the same people to be members of the pf.
She says police officers rushed to the same area and did not find anyone.
Mrs. Katongo says if Mr Kangwa was attacked, police should be informed on where the matter was reported.
Women miners deserve support-CTPD
CTPD Policy Lead on Extractive and Development Natalie Mwila Kaunda said despite the involvement and contribution of women to mining, they are differently and more negatively impacted by their engagement in Artisanal and Small scale Mining in their communities.
Mrs Kaunda said this is a reflection of existing gender inequalities.
She said there is therefore need for development of policy measures that are gender inclusive and responsive.
“For this reason, CTPD calls for domestication of the Africa Mining Vision’s plan of action which calls for the harnessing of the potential of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining, this will help to improve the women’s livelihoods, stimulate entrepreneurship as well as promote local and integrated national development,” Mrs Kaunda said.
She said the CTPD also recognises the key gender-related challenge that women face in the sector among which includes limited access to capital and financing for the mining operations from mainstream financial institutions.
Mrs Kaunda also pointed out the lack of appropriate machinery and technology, limited access to information on licencing, geological-survey data mappings as well as market access as some of the challenges facing women involved in mining.
She said there is need to come up with initiatives targeting at addressing these gaps.
“A case in point is the group of women involved in Silica Mining in the town of Mufulira, due to lack of capacity to effectively negotiate for good prices, they are often duped by middlemen that buy their Silica at a cheap price and sell it for more to the end users,” she said.
“Additionally, there is need to look at the health and safety aspect for women involved in mining, due to limitations in terms of exposure to health pre cautions in the course of mining, they put their lives and those of their children at risk of contracting respiratory related diseases.”
She added, “The Centre for Trade Policy and Development therefore recommends that the ASM sector, especially the participation of women be looked at critically so as to strengthen efforts towards improving economic development opportunities in the country.”
“If properly harnessed, the sector has the potential to add significantly to our country’s GDP and Domestic Revenue Mobilization efforts. Currently, the sector remains highly unregulated and so the challenges specific to this sector are not given the specific attention they would require, as the Ministry of Mines plans to host a conference focusing on artisanal and small scale miners later in the year, there will be need to pay special consideration on the plight of women in mining.
She said another key recommendation would be to consider setting up a special taskforce that can directly looks at and document the key challenges women face in the sector, especially that the sector continues to grow even larger day by day.
DRC’s Lualaba Province Deputy Governor visits Northwestern Province
Mateyo (m) introduces Congolese Lualaba province vice governor Fin
Saini (l) to Solwezi mayor Nicholas Mukumbi at Solwezi airport as
provincial police commissioner Hudson Namachila looks on upon arrival
in Solwezi on Wednesday. PICTURE BY BETRAM KAOMA (ZANIS)
Northwestern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu says government places great importance on maximizing strategic alliances that will help uplift the economic standard of the country.
Mr Mubukwanu said this is why government has prioritized economic diplomacy and strengthening bilateral relations that exist with other countries.
He said it is important for the country to have neighbours that it can do business with, integrate and promote the cause of the people.
Mr Mubukwanu was speaking in Solwezi last evening when a delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo Lualaba Province led by Vice Governor Fin Saini called on him at his office.
And Mrs Fin said strengthened bilateral relations between countries should start with provinces.
She said her delegation is in Northwestern province to learn how Lualaba can grow its tourism and agriculture potential.
Mrs Fin was optimistic that the visit to Northwestern province will be a start to signing new contract of development for the two provinces, countries and people.
She said there is need to open up new entrance and exit points for mining products from Lualaba province and Katanga because of increased mining production that is becoming difficult for Kasumbalesa border to handle.
and North-Western province minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu admire a
small scale fish farm at Fawine farms as Kalumbila district
fisheries officer Matthus Lungu (r ) looks on in Kalumbila
and North-Western province minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu are shown
fish ponds by Kalumbila district fisheries officer Matthus Lungu (r
) at Fawine farms in Kalumbila district on Thursday. PICTURE BY BETRAM
KAOMA (ZANIS)
is paid a courtesy call by Congolese Lualaba province vice governor
Fin Saini (r) and her entourage at the provincial minister’s office
in Solwezi on Wednesday. PICTURE BY BETRAM KAOMA (ZANIS)
42 year old man arrested for defiling 5 year child
A 42 year old man of Chipata district has been arrested by police for allegedly defiling a minor.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS today, Eastern Province Division Criminal Investigations Officer Patson Mukomongo said Abidoni Mwale was arrested on Tuesday for defiling a Five year old child on July, 09, 2018.
Mr Mukomongo said the matter was reported to the police by Matildah Phiri 23 the victim’s aunt of Phiri Mitala Farm of Chief Chinunda’s area.
He said Mwale of the same area who is believed to be a Malawian has since been arrested and is in police custody while the victim is admitted at Chipata Central Hospital.
Ndola City Council to demolish illegal structures built in Dola Hill area
Ndola City Council (NCC) intends to carry out a demolishing exercise on the alleged illegal structures built in Dola Hill area.
This intention follows a council resolution to rebuild the area which the council initially gave to China Henan Gauji Company after signing a memorandum of understanding to build 2000 housing units.
Acting Ndola Town Clerk Wisdom Bwalya confirmed that the demolishing of structures at Dola hill area is meant to bring sanity in land administration in the district and instil public confidence.
Mr. Bwalya explained that the council has further reconsidered to alter the land title of the 137 hectares that was allocated to China Henan Gauji to develop the housing units to 60 hectares, a situation that has prompted the local authority to rebuild the area.
He said the structures that will be demolished are those that have encroached on the tilted land meant for the construction project of the 2000 housing units.
Mr. Bwalya who was in the company of Ndola Mayor, Amon Chisenga, Copperbelt PF Chairperson, Stephen Kainga and other party officials undertook a site visit to Dola hill area to check on the extent of encroachment.
He said the local authority wants to address the land disputes that have arisen in Dola Hill area and also to ensure the led down procedures are followed so that the council avoids the risk of losing the land agency again.
Meanwhile, the Mayor said the council will not allow illegalities in land management in the city again because it affects the collection of revenue.
Mr. Chisenga has since implored developers in the city to formalize documentation before commencing any construction works.
Government suspended the land agency for NCC for one year due to illegalities in its land management.
COMESA market gutted
COMESA market in Lusaka has gone up in flames.
The fire broke off around 21 Hours and affected almost the entire market.
By 22:30 Hours, the fire was still blazing and the fire brigade on site trying to bring down the flames.
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo Town Clerk Alex Mwansa and officials from the provincial administration and the Lusaka City Council were on the scene.
Police officers ended up fire shots to scare away members of the public who wanted to loot some of the goods as the fire was raging.
By time of writing , police had not issued an official statement on the matter.
On Thursday morning, Buteko Market in Mufulira district on the Copperbelt Province was gutted following the fire that swept through the trading place, reducing almost everything to rubble.
Mufulira Mayor, Gift Mushinge said in an interview with ZANIS, that the fire started around 01:00 hours in morning and was only quenched around 04: 00 by a team of Council Fire Fighters from Mufulira Municipal Council and Mopani Copper Mines adding that, the cause of the fire has not yet been established.
Mr. Mushinge who described the development as unfortunate, said a committee had since been instituted to establish the cause of the inferno.
The Mufulira Mayor said he was saddened with the news owing to the fact that the market is a source of many people’s income.
He said earlier this year, President Edgar Lungu expressed concern at the way markets were being administered when he visited the district early this year further stating that, it is embarrassing that his concerns were not attended to.
Mr. Mushinge has however, urged the affected marketeers to take heart as government is with them and that plans to construct a modern market are underway.
And Mufulira Council Public Relations Officer, Thandiwe Tembo said the fire mostly affected the vegetable and furniture sections.
Ms. Tembo said properties worth thousands of kwacha have been destroyed.
She said the team of fire fighters is still on the ground to ensure that the fire is thoroughly quenched.
Nkana visit Zesco in Friday night fever
FAZ Super Division leaders Zesco United on Friday evening host Nkana in the Copperbelt derby in Ndola seeking to maintain their eight point lead.
The 19h00 kick-off Week 24 match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium was moved from Saturday to Friday owing to Zesco’s CAF Champions League engagement early next week.
Nkana are meeting Zesco for the third time this year with the first encounter coming in the Charity Shield final in which the Kitwe side triumphed before losing the first round league match 1-0 at home in Wusakile.
Statistics have since changed since Zesco and Nkana met earlier in the season.
Currently, Zega have taken charge of the league with 57 points, 18 ahead of sixth placed Kalampa, after 23 matches played.
In their latest match, Zesco thumped lowly placed National Assembly 2-0 away in Lusaka while Nkana forced a 2-2 draw at Power Dynamos in the big Kitwe derby.
“We need to improve in defence. In the last match we scored two goals and conceded two goals,” Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi said.
No comment has come out from the Zesco camp ahead of the Nkana match.
Meanwhile, Nkana will miss the services of striker Walter Bwalya who is reported to be attending his mother’s funeral in DR Congo.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION- WEEK 24
13/07/18
Zesco United Vs Nkana
14/07/18
Nakambala Leopards Vs Power Dynamos
Lumwana Radiants Vs National Assembly
Kabwe Warriors Vs Green Eagles
New Monze Swallows Vs Lusaka Dynamos
Zanaco Vs Buildcon
15/07/18
Napsa Stars Vs Forest Rangers
Green Buffaloes Vs Nchanga Rangers
Kabwe Youth Vs Nkwazi
Kitwe United Vs Red Arrows
ZRA collects over K27.7 billion in gross taxes
ZRA Commissioner General, Kingsley Chanda, disclosed this when he officiated at a ZRA Media Breakfast briefing in Lusaka today.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Chanda stated that the authority has a net collection of K23.2 billion which is 6.4 percent above their target of K21.8 billion.
Mr. Chanda said the authority paid out K 4.2 billion in VAT refunds.
He said that out of this amount, 60 percent was paid to the mining sector while 40 percent was paid to other sectors of the economy.
The Commissioner General revealed that during the same period, K193.21 million was offset against approved and established refund liabilities.
He attributed the performance to the strong outturn of domestic and import VAT during the period under review owing to the successful implementation of key administrative and policy measures.
Mr. Chanda disclosed that government has foregone the total K2.4 billion on account of various trade concessions.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner General revealed that the authority has extended the deadline for Tax Payer Identification Number (TPIN) registration for existing bank account holders from June 30th 2018 to December 31st 2018.
Mr. Chanda said the deadline only applies to persons who already had bank accounts at the time the law was amended.
And ZRA Mr. Chanda said government has restricted timber exports to finished and processed products.
He announced that only the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Cooperation (ZAFFICO) is allowed to export Mukula.
Mr. Chanda explained that other entities wishing to export Mukula may do so through ZAFFICO by obtaining requisite legal documentation.
Japanese hands over threeTV programs to MUVI TV
Japanese Ambassador to Zambia has handed over three Japanese TV programs to Muvi Television in a bid to enrich the station’s content.
Mr. Sobashima said that the gesture is aimed at introducing the Japanese culture and values across the world through TV programs.
The Ambassador was speaking during the handover ceremony in Lusaka today.
The Japanese Ambassador noted that since 2008, Japan has continuously provided Japanese TV programs to major TV stations in Zambia.
Mr. Sobashima revealed that Muvi TV has received a total of 10 province since 2010.
He said the TV programs to be provided include Here comes Asa, Downtown rocket and Chibi Maruko Chan all from Japan.
Mr. Sobashima said he is hopeful that the programs will be viewed and enjoyed by the Zambian people.
He stated that the programs will broaden exchanges between Zambia and Japan to further strengthening the friendship between the two countries.
Mr. Sobashina further said the provision of the TV programs is open to other TV stations in the country.
And speaking at the same event, Muvi TV General Manager, Seidlitz Nkhonjera said the additional programs will enrich the station’s content as they are informative, educative, and entertaining.
Mr. Nkhonjera said that the station is pleased to receive the three additional programs that will build on the partnership and information sharing as the world has become a global village.
Long Acres Lodge upgrade pegged at USD 211 million
Speaking when he officiated at the lodge’s revamping feasibility study presentation this morning, the PS said the document should be done timely so that the development project takes off and the Government can realize the much-needed benefit for the Zambian people.
He said in whatever way, it should be the Zambian people that must benefit because they are a priority in any development process.
Dr. Sikwela said the Zambians should be considered first so that they can see the benefits from the development even if they do not sleep in the facility.
And project consultant Hillary Zebron said his said there is plant appetite for developers to take up the lodge.
Zebron said what will be cardinal is to find some who has the resources and better means to quicken the project implementation once the paper work is approved.
He said his team are able to find the financiers and developers for the project.
Meanwhile, according to Mr Zik Zekko the project cost is USD 211m which includes USD10.5m of the land and that this good value that the public sector is availing.
He said that the private sector should come come with USD10.5m as an equal partner.
Mr Zekko said this would give a 90 to percent equity ration to who soever will be come in as a partner from the private sector.
Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency probing safety of Blue Band Margarine
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has instituted investigations in reports that BlueBand Fat Spread did not melt in hot water.
A video on social media alleges that BlueBand Fat Spread bought from Pick N Pay Woodlands could not melt even after subjecting to boiling water.
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) in a statement says it has instituted investigations in the alleged claim so as to ascertain the objectiveness of the matter.
“As at 11th July 2018, ZCSA Inspectors visited Pick N Pay woodlands in Lusaka, where the product is purported to have been bought. The product was inspected and samples from different batches have been submitted for laboratory analysis,” says Agency Head of Public Relations Lee Haamunji.
Mr Haamunji said the impending results will direct ZCSA follow up action which will be made public as soon as possible.
“Furthermore, ZCSA would like to appeal to the claimant on the video to come forth and lodge in a formal complaint to the regulator,” he said.
“We applaud the vigilance exhibited by the claimant and we urge other consumers to be alert and report any product that they suspect to be unsafe to their health. The battle for quality needs concerted efforts from all stakeholders including consumers and regulators”.
“The safety and quality of products should never be compromised as such we call upon all manufacturers in Zambia to ensure that their products are meeting the required parameters of the various standards”.
Mr Haamunji said ZCSA will continue carrying out market surveillances and inspections of products to ensure that the products especially those which falls within the umbrella of compulsory standards are safe for consumption and do not pose any health risk to consumers.
First ever investment expo to be held in Northern Province
The Northern Province Chamber of Commerce says the holding of the first ever regional investment and tourism exposition this year will serve as a catalyst to propel growth for various business entities.
Chamber of Commerce Provincial Secretary Boniface Sambo told ZANIS today in an interview that the Expo which is slated for November provides a rare opportunity for businesses in the province to thrive.
Mr Sambo noted that the private sector and residents in general to take keen interest in the event and cease the chance to maximize the business opportunities.
He also called on business operators in the region to improve their standards in order to meet the expectation of local and international clientele.
Mr Sambo has since called for capacity building among operators in the hospitality and transport sectors.
He further expressed confidence that the investment and tourism expo will change the economic landscape of the province.
The first ever Northern Province Expo is scheduled to take place from 20th to 24th November, 2018 under the theme: “unlocking investment opportunities 100 years after the end of the First World War”.
The Expo will be held as a build-up event to the centenary commemorations to mark the end of the First World War slated for 25th November, 2018 in Mbala district.
Government committed to enhancing access to family planning
Minister of National Development Planning, Alexander Chiteme says government remains committed towards ensuring that access to family planning services is enhanced.
Mr. Chiteme said government together with cooperating partners are working towards ensuring that distances covered to access family planning services are reduced.
He stated that government desires to see that people get the benefit of reducing unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions by promoting use of modern family planning methods.
The Minister said this in Chongwe to mark the World Population Day commemoration.
And Mr. Chiteme noted that some family planning methods also helps to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya in a speech read for him by the Acting Provincial Health Director, Kozia Zgambo noted that government realises that every individual that has reached the reproductive age should have access to family planning.
He said it is out of this realisation that his Ministry and cooperating partners are working together to ensure accessibility and availability of quality family planning commodities in all parts of the country.
And United Nations Resident Coordinator, Janet Rogan stated that about 2,000 people who are sexually active are expected to start using family planning by the year 2020.
She stated that if couples cannot decide to take up family planning then they risk not affording to provide quality education and other services for their children.
Ms. Rogan noted that the UN family will continue supporting Zambia in ensuring that access to family planning services is spread out to the rest of the country by among others taking health centres closer to the people.