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No plan has worked for Zambia in the fight against corruption so far

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No plan has worked for Zambia in the fight against corruption so far

By Venus N Msyani

Every time he holds a press conference, President Hakainde Hichilema has been announcing a new approach rather plan in the fight against corruption. So far, no plan has worked for him.

Last Friday, December 22, Hichilema held end of year 2023 press conference in the capital Lusaka that lasted for almost four hours. Breaking a record in Zambia history.

The struggling Southern Africa nation leader revealed a new plan in the fight against corruption: “Corruption fight continue. I know some thought it is losing theme; we are working, we are working.” President Hichilema said after a long pause from several minutes of talking.

“Minister of justice is there; we have just passed two pieces of legislation.” Hichilema added and asked Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe to remind him what they are.

After a brief interaction with the minister, the president resumed addressing the people on the subject in a tone that the author is finding hard to punctuate.

“Three laws I signed yesterday, just yesterday these three laws, thank you, thank you minister. And these three laws now allow us to do things we were not able to do in the last two years and four months.

You will see speed now in the fight against corruption. You will see amendments; procedures being amended. Because the law has been amended, now procedures such as if you are engaged in corruption going forward.

Before it took twenty years. There is a case which was only concluded, which started under the late Mwanawasa. It was only concluded this year. You can count years.

With those three pieces of legislation which were standing in the way and the accompanying procedures now that will be done operating procedures guidance note. If you engage yourself in corruption or you did, you will now be tried within five months.” In his own words optimistic appearing Hichilema narrated.

If he is paying attention, by now Hichilema would know that it is not speed that is making people lose confidence in the fight against corruption. It is a generated debate behind it.

The question is being asked. President Hichilema preaches transparency and accountability in the fight against corruption, why is he is refusing to publicly declare assets and liabilities? Lack of a convincing answer to the question is no doubt what is hindering the progress in the fight against corruption.

Many believe the fight is a scam; meant to silence the main opposition Patriotic Front (PF) party officials. Most of who are alleged to own properties believed to be proceeds of corruption.

If is true the idea is to silence the opposition, the three passed laws are self-sabotage. Current government officials’ corruption scandals have started overshadowing previous government scandals. It will be very challenging for the new dawn administration to apply these laws in a nonselective way.

To make the matter worse, the president himself is being perceived a suspect because he is refusing to publicly declare assets and liabilities. Applying these laws selectively will definitely recharge demand for him to disclose his assets.

The point is, the fight against corruption starts with transparency and accountability. Hichilema must publicly declare assets and liabilities to start with. Otherwise, all plans will continue to fail.

Chipolopolo Date Cameroon in Pre-AFCON Friendly

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Chipolopolo have secured an international friendly match against Cameroon as they prepare for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Ivory Coast.

FAZ President Andrew Kamanga has confirmed that the friendly match against Cameroon will be played on January 9.

Avram Grant’s provisional squad is entering a local camp in Lusaka this week before heading to the Middle East.

The team is expected to leave for Saudi Arabia on January 1.

“The technical bench has rolled out a preparatory program that will see the team head to Saudi Arabia for a slightly above 10-day intense training camp. We are lucky that some foreign based players will be available to join both the local and international camp as we prepare for the tournament,” Kamanga wrote in his weekly column.

“On the football side of business, we will play an international friendly match against Cameroon on January 9 and have another game lined up that we will announce in due course.”

Kamanga added:”We can only urge the fans to support the technical bench and squad in their quest to propel our team to glory.”

Government commends Maina Soko Military hospital for quality health service

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Government commends Maina Soko Military hospital for quality health service

Minister of Defence Ambrose Lufuma has expressed gratitude to the Maina- Soko military hospital management for the delivery of quality health service to the public.

Mr. Lufuma says he appreciates the hard work and dedication to duty by the medical staff at the health facility going by the notable and major surgical operations conducted at the facility that would only be done outside the country.

The minister said this during his visit to the facility where also he interacted with patients and presented them with Christmas Hampers.

“We never used to conduct major operations in Zambia such as brain surgeries but today all these operations are successfully conducted at Maina Soko Military Hospital,” he explained.

He encouraged the general public to freely interact with Facility adding that the military is not isolated from the rest of the community but is an active participant and contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Products ( GDP).

“As Defence Forces we are into agriculture and other sectors that contribute to the economy of the country and therefore, we are encouraging the public to emulate the hard work demonstrated by the defence forces,” he encouraged.

Maina Soko Military Hospital Commandant Brigadier General Dr. Levy Muchemwe assured the minister that his facility is faring well in terms of operations.

Meanwhile, Maina Soko Military Hospital Administrator Colonel Violet Chimanda appreciated the visit the Minister of Defence especially on Christmas Day.

President Hichilema Celebrated Christmas with New Mothers at UTH

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President Hichilema Celebrated Christmas with New Mothers at UTH

As part of the Christmas festivities, President Hakainde Hichilema visited the maternity department of the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, extending congratulations to mothers with recently born infants. The President emphasized the symbolic importance of these babies, representing the future of the nation, and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to ensuring safe and hygienic childbirth experiences for mothers nationwide.

In a statement, President Hichilema outlined the government’s commitment to providing every hospital, especially maternity wings, with running water and hygienic materials. He stressed that this commitment is taken seriously, and the government will ensure its fulfillment, prioritizing the well-being of both mothers and newborns.

President Hichilema personally presented Christmas hampers to eight newborns and over 100 hampers to other mothers at UTH, spreading love and festive cheer. During the visit, he toured selected wards, interacting with new mothers and encouraging those who have faced the loss of a child to seek solace in faith.

In an interview after the tour, President Hichilema extended congratulations to all mothers who delivered Christmas babies and commended healthcare providers for their support and proper care.

Acknowledging challenges faced by the hospital, President Hichilema assured that the government would address them, emphasizing the importance of a well-equipped and well-staffed health sector.

Expressing sadness over the loss of lives from cholera, President Hichilema stressed the need to invest in disease prevention, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation in communities. He called for lobbying for vaccines and emphasized the importance of investments in local manufacturing to enhance healthcare capabilities.

President Hichilema spread some Christmas cheer at the UTH maternity ward

29 year old commits suicide on Christmas in Manyinga

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29 year old commits suicide on Christmas in Manyinga

 A 29 year old Jonathan Mashata of Sakufola Village in Senior Chief Sikufele’s Chiefdom of Manyinga District in Northwestern Province has committed suicide in mysterious circumstances during the early hours of Christmas Day.

Northwestern Province Police Commissioner Dennis Moola identified the deceased as Jonathan Mashata aged 29 of Sakufola Village in Senior Chief Sikufele’s Chiefdom.

Mr Moola said the  father to the deceased  Zacks Mashata aged 49 of the same abode reported that around 02:30 hours that his son Jonathan Mashata committed suicide using his own t-shirt  tied to a tree in an area located about 300 metres away from their home

“Yes we have a report of a suicide case involving a 29 year old Man of Sakufola Village in Senior Chief Sikufele’s Chiefdom from Manyinga District,” he said.

Facts are that the development is believed to have occurred between midnight and 01: 00 hours today 25th December,2023.

“Before hanging himself, the deceased knocked on his father’s bedroom door and informed him that today on Christmas Day he was going to kill himself and that he was hearing from him for the last time without even giving reasons and shortly after that, he disappeared, “Mr Moola said.

Mr Moola said the father immediately pursued his son and only to find him hanging himself by the neck tied to a tree using  his t-shirt.

He said after that, the matter was reported to Police officers at Manyinga Police Station who visited the crime scene.

After thoroughly and physically inspecting the body of the deceased, traces of semen were found on his pants and his tongue was protruding.

“The young Man had made his intentions known to the father before committing  suicide, but without giving any reasons for his intended action,” Mr Moola added.

Mr Moola said his body has since been deposited in Loloma Mission Mortuary awaiting burial as there was no foul play suspected.

Health workers assured of improved working condition

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Health workers assured of improved working condition

President Hakainde Hichilema has commended health personal in the country for their unweaving dedication of taking care of the sick people in the country.

President Hichilema says  the health personnel have exhibited hard work despite the facing challenges  such as infrastructure among others.

Mr. Hichilema adds that care givers should be celebrated and be encouraged to continue working hard as government is doing everything possible to improve their working environment.

The Head of State said this today when he presented 127 baby hampers to mothers at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) which has recorded 8 Christmas babies.

“ The D block here is smaller than the numbers of babies. And as government we will ensure that we take care of the challenges faced in the health sector”, President Hichilema stated.

And the Head of  State has empathised with families that have lost their beloved ones due to cholera saying the development underscores government ‘s commitment to continue investing in all diseases including cholera.

As a Cholera champion,  the Head of State has been advocating and lobbing that Zambia must be the location for the production of Cholera vaccines.

He noted that this will also make the country to be suppler of the Cholera vaccine in the southern region.

“ We have been advocating for clean water supply and sanitation and also vaccines. We are working with our friends outside who have the technology and are producing Cholera vaccines to help Zambia to also be the location of the production of cholera vaccines and we are making headway,” the head of state noted.

Positive discrimination will be applied once the vision is realized , he said adding that the local people will be the first priority.

20 year old fisherman drowns on Lake Kariba

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20 year old fisherman drowns on Lake Kariba

 A  20 year old fisherman of Nakanga village in Chilundundike area of  Manyama ward  in Siavonga district has drowned  after the canoe he was aboard capsized on Lake Kariba.

Confirming the development  in an interview, Manyama ward Councilor Special Mulaziki  named the deceased as Kubota Mukwangu of Manchamvwa lake shore, who met his fate around 14:00 hours, yesterday.

Mr.Mulaziki disclosed after completing an errand in neighbouring Manchamvwa Lakeshore village, Mukwangu battled with the sudden change of the tide on the lake making his dug-out canoe to capsize and consequently drowning.

He revealed that the deceased could not manage to swim for his safety as he didn’t wear a life jacket.

“Let us put on our life saving jackets whenever we are on the lake please and let us  analyze the weather before going on the lake, to avoid water accidents,” said the civic leader.

The body search has been instituted.

Sensele mine in Chingola records another fatal accident

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Sensele mine in Chingola records another fatal accident
Sensele Copper mine in Chingola District on the Copperbelt has recorded another fatal accident in which A-49- year old illegal miner of Chiwempala area has died  after the earth fell on him whilst doing illegal mining at the  open pit mine near Debra’s site.
The incident occurred on December 24th 2023 at around 11:00.
This has happened while the rescue team comprising the Konkola Copper Mine, Mimbula Mine, Mapani, the Zambia Army, and the Zambia National service are still searching for more than 31 miners who were trapped 25 days ago.
Copperbelt Province Commanding officer Peacewell Mweemba confirmed  the incident that Emmanuel was conducting Illegal mining activities when he met his fate after the earth collapsed on him and died instantly.
He disclosed that this was after mine inspector Mutocha Luhana during his routine inspections, received reports from other illegal miners about the accident.
He said the brief facts are that on December 24th 2023 around 07:00 Emmanuel left home to do illegal mining at the open pit mines.
Mr Mweemba stated that at around 11:00 hours whilst  loading some copper ore which was already dug, he slipped and a piece of land fell on him.
 “The earth fell on him and buried him completely only leaving the hand which was raised up, thereafter other illegal miners managed to retrieve him and was rushed to Nchanga north general hospital where he was pronounced dead,” he said
Mr Mweemba explained  that the police inspected the dead body and discovered that he had sustained a deep cut on the right side of the face and blood coming out of the mouth and nose.
He noted that the body has since been deposited in Nchanga north general hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem and burial, and an inquiry file opened.
The rescue operation of the 36 trapped  SenselE illegal miners who were buried alive is  on going, the number of retrieved bodies so far is 12 one was retrieved alive, 11 were dead bodies.

Lusaka Lions Club donates Christmas gifts to Orphanage

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Lusaka Lions Club donates Christmas gifts to Orphanage

The Lions Club of Woodlands in Lusaka District has donated assorted items worth K18000 as a Christmas gift for the children to Mariann Shrine Orphanage Home of Joy in Lusaka.

Lions Club of Woodlands President, Joseph Chapeshamano says the donation comes with the combined support of other Lion Clubs within Lusaka and Chongwe district as well as the financial support from Consolidated Gold Mine.

Lion Chapeshamano confirmed that his club received financial assistance of over K6000 from Consolidated Gold Mine which was meant for the purchase of school pre-requisites for the children.

“We would like to appreciate the mining company that partnered with the Lions Club of Woodlands for this unwavering support and we believe and hope that they will continue collaborating with us for bigger events of this nature,” Mr. Chapeshamano said.
He also paid homage to various Lions Clubs within Lusaka Province that contributed immensely to the successful implementation and hosting of the Christmas event at Mariann Shrine Orphanage Home of Joy.
And Mariann Shrine Orphanage Home of Joy Director, Theresa Kulandai, thanked the Lions Club of Woodlands for this memorable that has put a smile on the children’s faces.
“The orphanage currently has 35 girls aged between 5 and 17 years who are currently under our care and this gesture of buying them school prerequisites and food stuffs will definitely go a long way in their lives,” Sister Kulandai said.

Christmas Memories

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Christmas Memories

By Mwizenge S. Tembo, Ph. D.

Emeritus Professor of Sociology

Author of “Sayings of my Mother”.

Christmas is always a hectic time as we prepare for family get-togethers, travel and make travel arrangements, gift buying, decorating Christmas trees, Christmas and Christmas day parties, and attending church events. The stress, anxiety, and excitement have become all familiar and unavoidable. The decades-old annual debate about whether the holiday season comes too early and has been commercialized has long been put to bed. Shopping malls in Zambia and abroad are now packed in a frenzy of buying. The whole world seems to have given up and embraced Christmas commercialization. The old adage is now true: if you can’t fight them, join them. To remind myself that Christmas can be simple, happy and relatively painless, I go back to memories of my first earliest Christmas which I always remember with nostalgia.

It was in 1959 at Chipewa or Chupu Village in Lundazi district in the Eastern Province of Zambia. I was one of more than 20 grandchildren in the Tembo-Kabinda clan. My grandfather and grandmother were great farmers who provided us with abundant food, including delicious red kidney beans, corn or maize, pumpkins, cassava, sweet potatoes, peanuts, chicken, and an occasional goat meat. But this year there was an air of excitement. Christmas was coming and word got around that we were going to eat something special on that day.

My grandmother had saved One Shilling or 12 pence or 10 cents during the year. My aunt aNyaMsuzghika walked all afternoon to the store at Hoya and came back in the rain that evening. Whatever she had bought was dry and had been obviously carefully concealed all through advance contingency planning. I could barely sleep with anticipation about Christmas and whatever my grandmother was keeping secret.

Early the following morning, as the grandkids jostled for position around the open fireplace, a large clay pot of water was boiling. From a small brightly colored aluminum foil packet, my aunt sprinkled half of some black dry floating substances never seen before. She then poured a whole three cents worth packet of sugar into the pot. She stirred it. The children sat near the pot as adults – uncles, aunts, older cousins – sat a little distance waiting and making a running commentary among themselves on how excited we kids were.

My grandmother Nya Mwaza Tendelu handed each a small rusty metal cup. Adults and larger metal mugs. She carefully and slowly poured a little bit of the dark steaming liquid into the cups enough so that the liquid could go around the many cups. My grandmother unwrapped pieces of golden brown, white and soft edibles which were known locally as scones; pronounced as sikono. She split each piece among four children while adults split halves.

I proceeded to slowly take a sip of the sweet dark liquid followed by a small deliberate bite of the sikono. The whole experience was known as drinking tea with a small piece of a bun and it sent all us kids bananas with profound sheer joy, pleasure, and brag ado. As kids this experience could not simply be bottled away.

Soon after most of this exhilarating event was over, I clutched a rather small piece of the bun I had saved in my hand and ran outside the house to brag to other admiring friends in the village. “We drank tea and ate scones for Christmas!” I yelled at the top of my lungs as I pranced around. The other kids in the village begged for a piece of Christmas. I gave each of them a smitten of the bun. Just enough to wet their mouths. But the kids were thrilled all the same.

That was my happiest Christmas ever. Later that morning we went to church and in the afternoon watched traditional dances.

More than 64 years – thousands of cups of tea and loaves of bread, pizzas, hamburgers – later, I have never really forgotten that Christmas. The majority of people in rural parts of the Third World today still celebrate Christmas by eating something special in the whole large family – often a cup of sweetened black tea and a slice of bread or a bun spread with a touch of margarine or sweet fruit jam.

So, during the Christmas day, never mind if you do not get any gifts at all. Be grateful to share these happy moments with family and friends, especially over a simple meal.

Merry Christmas from Lusaka Times!

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Merry Christmas from Lusaka Times!

Dear Esteemed LT Readers,

In the spirit of this festive season, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your steadfast support since 2007.Your trust in us has been the cornerstone of our journey, motivating us to strive for excellence, day after day.

Once again, thank you for being an essential part of our LT family. Your continued support has been the greatest gift, and we look forward to many more years of shared stories, news, and experiences.

May your Christmas be filled with joy, surrounded by loved ones. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With sincere thanks,

The LT Team

Government pleased with civil service performance in 2023

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Government pleased with civil service performance in 2023

Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Robert Kamalata, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the public service in the region throughout the year 2023. Speaking at an end-of-year closure meeting with heads of departments in Chongwe district, Mr. Kamalata highlighted several positive strides made by the public service, including achieving a zero audit query status and securing the second-best position in high levels of integrity.

Mr. Kamalata commended the civil servants for their dedication and emphasized that these achievements should serve as motivation to work even harder in the upcoming year. He also announced that the 2024 budgetary allocation for the province has been fully funded by the government, ensuring adequate resources for future initiatives.

While praising the overall performance, Mr. Kamalata expressed concern about the negative work attitudes of some heads of departments. He noted instances of officers reporting late for work and leaving as early as 15:00 hours, emphasizing the need for a more committed and professional approach to work.

“Some of you have a laissez-faire attitude towards work. You want to come for work and knock off at any time you feel like. Some of you have even given each other days in the week to come for work, which is not good at all,” Mr. Kamalata stated.

He urged heads of departments to take their responsibilities seriously and pledged that unprofessionalism would not be tolerated within the civil service in the province. Mr. Kamalata also cautioned civil servants against using political influence to seek promotions and transfers, describing such actions as acts of indiscipline.

Additionally, the Permanent Secretary emphasized the importance of following the right channels of communication when addressing grievances and encouraged civil servants to take care of themselves during the festive season.

Responding on behalf of the heads of departments in the district, Chongwe District Administrative Officer, Kelvin Ndandanda, thanked Mr. Kamalata for his attention to the achievements and concerns of all departments. Mr. Ndandanda acknowledged that challenges in human resources and transportation persist but expressed confidence in Mr. Kamalata’s commitment to addressing these issues adequately.

“Issues of human resource and transport are very critical in the district, but we trust that you will adequately address them,” said Mr. Ndandanda.

President Hichilema Affirms Zambia’s Resilience and Unity in Christmas Message

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President Hichilema Affirms Zambia’s Resilience and Unity in Christmas Message

In a televised Christmas Eve address, President Hakainde Hichilema assured the nation that Zambia will overcome its current economic challenges and emerge stronger. Acknowledging the difficulties faced by citizens, the President expressed gratitude for their resilience during what he referred to as “these difficult times.”

President Hichilema conveyed a message of hope and reassurance, emphasizing that the government is dedicated to addressing economic concerns through the ongoing debt restructuring program. He affirmed the commitment to securing a more stable economic outlook for future generations, highlighting the importance of sustained efforts in navigating the challenges ahead.

“As a nation, we will emerge stronger and victorious from the current economic challenges. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the citizens for their unwavering resilience in these difficult times,” President Hichilema stated in his Christmas message broadcasted live on ZNBC TV.

The President took the opportunity to call for unity, reconciliation, and forgiveness among the citizens. He stressed that these values are fundamental to building a cohesive and prosperous nation, especially during challenging times.

During the festive season, President Hichilema urged Zambians to embody the spirit of Christmas by sharing the gift of love. He specifically emphasized the importance of remembering the vulnerable members of society, including the weak, the elderly, and the sick. Encouraging acts of kindness and compassion, he highlighted the power of collective efforts in creating a more inclusive and caring society.

In a somber note, President Hichilema asked the nation to remember and pray for those who lost their lives in the Senseli Mining accident. The tragedy served as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety measures and maintaining stringent regulations in the mining sector.

President Hichilema concluded his Christmas message by extending warm wishes to all Zambians. He wished the nation a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, expressing optimism for a brighter future ahead.

Bakala: How Nkana Beat Zanaco

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Nkana coach Ian Bakala says sticking to the game plan was crucial when his side stunned Zanaco 1-0 away in Lusaka on Saturday.

Royd Katuta scored the first half goal as Nkana picked up their fourth win of the FAZ Super Division season.

The win pushed the Wusakile club one place up to number 16 on 16 points from 17 matches played.

Bakala said his players followed the game plan and showed the desire to win earlier in training

“Today we came for a win despite coming from a loss. I think today the players followed instructions,” he said.

“It all started in training, I think we were heartbroken after losing the last game to Kabwe Warriors at home,” Bakala said.

Bakala is positive Nkana will catch up in the second half of the season as they push for survival.

FAZ SUPER LEAGUE WEEK 17

Sunday, 24 December 2023

Kansanshi Dynamos 0-0 Forest Rangers

Kabwe Warriors 0-0 FC MUZA

Saturday, 23 December 2023

Green Buffaloes 2-0 Trident

ZANACO 0-1 Nkana

Power Dynamos 1-1 NAPSA Stars

ZESCO United 1-1 Mufulira Wanderers

Green Eagles 0-1 Nkwazi

Konkola Blades 1-1 Prison Leopards

Siavonga residents tipped to avoid cholera in tourist town

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Siavonga residents tipped to avoid cholera in tourist town

Siavonga District Commissioner Geofrey Jakopo has urged residents in the district to prioritise primary health care guideline to prevent any cholera disease outbreak in the District.

Mr. Jakopo says residents need to abide by primary health care guidelines such as keeping their domestic and business surroundings clean other than regular handwashing with soap and water among others.

Mr Jakopo said this when he toured Harbour Market yesterday, to  share knowledge about the cholera outbreak that has broken out in some parts of the country.

He said as Siavonga is a tourist destination that receives a lot of people, tidiness must be a priority in the border town.

” Please I urge you to play your role and ensure that you exercise high level of hygiene by washing hands and keeping your good clean as you sell, Siavonga is a tourist destination so we need to protect the district and together we can prevent this cholera disease, ” he said.

Mr Jakopo added that the onset of rains often brings with it the risk of diarrhoea diseases, making it a must for residents to keep their surroundings clean and hygienic regularly as possible.

Harbour Monday Market chairperson Softy Hangoma has expressed happiness at the gesture the district administration office has embarked on in sensitising the community on the outbreak of the cholera disease.

Mr Hangoma has reiterated commitment to maintain a clean and safe business environment adding that sanitary facilities and proper waste management is among the essential practices marketeers will adhere to.

He said working together with the local authority a healthier and safer environment for everyone in the district will be created calling for the local authority to ensure that sewer leakages within the market area in some points must be attended to.

” we are grateful for this gesture it shows that government cares for its citizens and today
He said the local authority encourages all residents to participate actively in the upkeep of our community by reporting any sanitation issues or areas in need of attention to the local authority, ” he said.

The Siavonga pastors fellowship, Paul Chawinga says the activity undertaken by the district administration is commendable adding that the health of the community is vital.

Reverend Chawinga said Lusaka is a central business and most people flock back and forth adding that Siavonga residents interacts with Lusaka residents, urging for strict alertness from each individual.

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