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Afrimax, the company that has run a number of mobile operations in Africa under the Vodafone brand, says Vodafone Zambia will have “new ownership”.
The company said in a brief statement that it will announce a new CEO in succession to Lars Henrik Stork, who is retiring – and “other structural changes including new ownership of Vodafone Zambia”.
Vodafone’s corporate headquarters in the UK shrugged off an enquiry from Capacity by saying: “This is a former partner market that we no longer have an association with.”
But Afrimax appears to have been unwinding a lot of activities across Africa – some using the Vodafone brand – over recent months.
In February Afrimax Uganda lost the right to trade as Vodafone Uganda after going into creditor protection, with debts said in local media to be almost 300 billion Uganda shillings ($78 million).
That followed months after Afrimax’s operation in Cameroun, also branded as Vodafone closed down after a licensing dispute.
Those two closures left only Zambia in the Afrimax portfolio, also operating until now as Vodafone under the UK-based group’s Partner Markets scheme.
Now the Zambian business appears to be about to change.
Gilbert Temba, chair of the Afrimax board, gave no hint about the “structural changes” that face Vodafone/Afrimax Zambia.
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But Afrimax has also been selling off its non-Vodafone-branded businesses.
In February it sold Busy Internet Ghana to a local company, AI Technologies.
It told local media at the time that this was part of its “strategy aimed at reorganising its corporate structure with a view to enabling continued improvement in the delivery of its strategic goals, thereby allowing it to focus on key commercial and financial priorities in its focus markets”.
Three years ago Afrimax said it had raised $120 million from Mitsui, International Finance Corporation, and others to build 4G networks in 12 Africa markets, where it had licences to build TD-LTE networks – the version of 4G that is said to be more suitable for fixed internet access.
Stork was group COO of Afrimax, though his role has changed as the group has closed down a number of operations.
He said in February: “The successful sale of our business in Ghana is in line with our restructuring strategy aimed at building a next-generation 4G business in Africa.”
Stork has worked in African telecoms since 2005, when he was VP of operations of Celtel International – the Amsterdam-based African group that was later bought by Zain and subsequently sold to Airtel.
Orlando Pirates have their eye on another Zambian striker in the shape of Zesco United hitman Lazarous Kambole.
Pirates have been tracking Kambole for quite some time, having met with officials from his club in February with a view to bringing him to Mayfair.
Kambole did his prospects of a PSL move no harm by hitting a brace in Chipolopolo’s COSAFA Cup final loss to Zimbabwe at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
According to a source, Bucs official Floyd Mbele was in attendance at the regional showpiece in Polokwane last week.
“There was a discussion between the club [Zesco] and Orlando Pirates in February after the CHAN tournament regarding the player,” says the informant.
“There has never been any update since then. I believe Floyd Mbele was in Polokwane but I am not sure if it was regarding the deal with Kambole.”
Pirates, who currently have Zambian attackers Justin Shonga and Augustine Mulenga on their books, are expected to announce their new signings this week.
Meshack Maphangule, Paseko Mako, Abel Mabaso, Linda Mntambo and Ben Motshwari are among those in contention to don the Buccaneers jersey.
Last Tuesday, the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) scooped the Chilanga parliamentary by-election, defeating three other opposition parties: the United Party for National Development (UPND), National Restoration Party (NAREP) and United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ). Previously held by the UPND’s Keith Mukata, the Chilanga seat fell vacant after the Lusaka High Court convicted Mukata for the murder of Namakambwa Kalila Kwenda, a security guard who was shot dead in unclear circumstances at Mukata’s law firm last year. PF candidate Maria Langa polled 7,226 votes and was followed by the UPND’s Charmaine Mehl Musonda who obtained 6,410 ballots. UPPZ’s Francis Kope was third with 204 votes while NAREP’s Charlie Mazabuka earned his position at the bottom with 92 votes. The low voter turnout that characterised the Chilanga poll is typical of by-elections – of the constituency’s 49,614 registered voters, only 14,121 (representing 28.46 per cent) turned up to cast their vote – but the violence that reportedly marred the campaign may also have dissuaded many to stay away.
The ruling party has since seized upon this favourable outcome as evidence of the PF’s electoral ascendance and the UPND’s gradual decline. PF Media Director Sunday Chanda argued that the result of the Chilanga poll indicates that the main opposition “is losing ground everyday and with every election. UPND bases and members are fatigued with the leadership of Hakainde Hichilema [in contrast to] President Edgar Lungu [who] is gaining popularity with every single election”. For its part, the UPND attributed its defeat to the ‘warfare-like violence’ that took place on polling day, which, according to party Secretary General Stephen Katuka, prevented many of its supporters from voting. Other commentators have argued that the UPND gifted the seat to the PF because of the opposition party’s adoption of a morally compromised candidate. Musonda, who was in the company of Mukata at the time when the shooting of Kalila Kwenda occurred, was arrested alongside the then Chilanga lawmaker, with whom she had an affair, but was ultimately acquitted by the High Court. Traditional UPND supporters, critics argue, may have either stayed away from voting or switched to the PF in protest against the adoption of a candidate who was fresh from a murder charge and had an affair with a married man.
Neither of these perspectives tells us the full story. While the PF’s effective campaign strategy in Chilanga should be commended, any attempts to draw broader conclusions from the result would be misleading not least because the area is a multiethnic peri-urban constituency whose voting patterns can neither be transferred nor generalised to the rest of Lusaka or indeed the country. It is equally an exercise in self-deception to consider the outcome of the Chilanga poll as evidence of UPND members’ dissatisfaction with Hichilema’s leadership of the party. Similarly, attempts by the UPND to explain its defeat in Chilanga as a result of violence amount to self-deceit and overlook the possibility that many of those disfranchised may have been PF supporters since, according to media reports, UPND cadres also engaged in violent conduct and even brandished guns.
Finally, those suggesting that the UPND may have lost the seat because of the choice of its candidate, a supposedly morally repulsive one, are undermining the effectiveness of the PF campaign strategy, ignoring the fact that Musonda was the grassroots’ preferred candidate during the primary poll and are arguably projecting their own notions of moral integrity onto Chilanga voters. The truth is that moral considerations have never weighed heavily on the electoral scale of concerns of many Zambian voters and there is no evidence that the electorate in Chilanga is an exception to this general norm. Our recent political history is awash with examples of individuals with dilapidated moral infrastructure who ascended to elective public office at various levels. In fact, if morality was an important factor in our electoral politics, Rupiah Banda, Michael Sata and Lungu would never have come anywhere near State House. It is also worth noting that the top four of the nine candidates that Musonda, a Bemba, defeated with wide margins in the primary, were all Tongas. Had the UPND central leadership imposed any of them on Chilanga, critics may have seized on this move as further evidence of the party’s commitment to Tonga ethnic particularism. Such a move could have also alienated the grassroots. What this picture demonstrates is the need to seek other explanations for the Chilanga result beyond the existing narratives.
In my view, broadly speaking, the outcome of the Chilanga parliamentary by-election should be understood as a consequence of two factors.
First, Chilanga, historically speaking, is a swing constituency that was not a stronghold for any of the competing parties and where voters have demonstrated particular affinity to individuals rather than political parties. Although many, including some in the UPND, have hitherto presented Chilanga as a stronghold for the main opposition party, history tells us otherwise, at least at parliamentary level, showing that for a long time the constituency was a traditional power base for the former ruling party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). In the 2001 general elections, Chilanga was won by the UPND’s Cosmas Moono, who was defeated by the MMD’s Ng’andu Magande five years later. Following Magande’s expulsion from the then ruling party, the UPND won the seat in the subsequent by-election in October 2010 after Moono, who was fronted as a PF-UPND pact candidate, closely defeated the MMD contender, Keith Mukata. At the 2011 general elections, the MMD recaptured the seat through Mukata who trounced the UPND’s Moono.
In the run-up to the 2016 general elections, Mukata, then serving as Deputy Minister of Justice in Lungu’s PF administration, defected to the UPND, on whose ticket he later retained the seat until his conviction. This abbreviated electoral history of Chilanga constituency demonstrates two features: that Chilanga was largely an MMD stronghold between 2006 and 2016 and that the party’s electoral appeal in the area was closely tied to the popularity of Mukata. Contrary to the UPND’s repeated claims that Chilanga was its stronghold, the opposition party probably won the seat in 2016 on the strength of Mukata’s individual attributes and political clout. Of particular importance is that the PF candidates, in all the previous parliamentary elections held in Chilanga since 2006, consistently came a close third or second even when the party was still in opposition. A victory for the PF this time was therefore as likely as a win for the UPND, especially since both parties adopted candidates who could not be differentiated on gender and were popular with grassroots supporters. Langa, a low-profile figure whom Chilanga residents affectionately call ‘Amama’, is a well-established community entrepreneur who has greatly promoted the cause of women in the area. What made the decisive difference is not the character or individual qualities of either candidate but a factor that I discuss next.
Second, the PF’s victory in Chilanga was secured by the advantages of incumbency. Nearly all Cabinet ministers and several PF MPs from Lusaka and elsewhere camped in Chilanga to campaign for Langa. Vast amounts of state resources were poured into the area and deployed for partisan use. Some voters were reportedly bribed with cash and other luxurious goods to vote for the PF candidate – a strategy that has proved effective in securing the support of impoverished electors, especially those deprived of the enlightening knowledge of ‘Don’t Kubeba’. (A similar strategy of extensive vote buying was successfully deployed by the PF in the Lubansenshi parliamentary by-election in September 2015.) In addition, a number of previously unattended roads were suddenly either tarred or paved. One elderly Chilanga resident who voted for NAREP’s candidate told me that he hoped ‘there would be another by-election in the constituency soon so that the remaining roads can also be tarred’. To crown it all, President Lungu, campaigning in the area a few days before polling day, warned Chilanga residents that they will not receive development or tangible benefits from the State if they voted for the opposition, especially the UPND. (In a country with a functioning judiciary, such careless utterances by the President provide sufficient basis for invalidating the results of the Chilanga poll if petitioned. The problem is that even if the High Court disposes of the case within 90 days, as per the law, the Constitutional Court may take up to 2021 to conclude a possible appeal arising from the ruling of the lower court, as ably demonstrated by its snail-paced movement in the now ancient appeal cases of Munali and Lusaka Central constituencies.) Outspent and unable to match the PF’s bottomless financial muscle, the opposition tumbled.
I congratulate the PF for winning Chilanga and wish the newly elected MP all the best as she now turns her attention to fulfilling the promises that she made to voters such as the launch of a Disney World theme park or resort. I also commend the UPND for sticking to or respecting the choice of the grassroots, a move that represents a victory for internal party democracy and the voice of the rank and file.
Delegates at the Political Party CEOs meetings taking a group photo
The much anticipated Secretary Generals’ meeting has officially began in Siavonga at the Kariba Inn with all invited parties including the PF and UPND in attendance.
The meeting started with an assurance from the UPND represantantives that they carry the full mandate of the party after participants raised an issue with the opposition party’s sending of proxies to the meeting without a clear explanation from the party as to why their principal office bearers were unavailable.
The UPND have sent their Head of Policy and Research Dr Choolwe Beyani, National Trustee Collins Maoma and their Legal Counsel Mukambo Haimbe in place of their party secretary general Stephen Katuka, his Deputy Patrick Mucheleka and Garry Nkombo who had earlier confirmed their participation.
The move to send proxies by the UPND to the Secretary General’s meeting infuriated participants from other political parties as they described it as “lack of seriousness and disregard for the national dialogue process on the part of UPND.
First Chairperson for the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue-ZCID Dr Katele Kalumba said it was important for all participants to accommodate one another and that it was important for those representing their parties to ensure that the adequate mandate to “whip” their Presidents on issues relating to national dialogue.
Dr Kalumba noted that when the level was not adequate it would be difficulty for the representatives to impress on their presidents on what would be agreed during the meetings.
“I hope the representation from UPND reflects an adequate and highest possible level for whiping their president on issues relating to this summit.
“Previous experience suggest that when the level is not adequate it is difficult to push the agenda within the party but I have heard from the subbmission from our colleagues from the UPND that they have enough authority and mandate to execute that task and I hope that in the interest of our nation and I can tell you all eyes are here in Siavonga as far as Zambians are concerned they know that this meeting is taking place, that there is a meeting of secretary generals and that they will come up with an agenda to start the process of dialogue and reconciliation so I hope that we don’t miss this opportunity.
“We need to give and take a little bit. We understand the handcups of our friends and we accept the assurance that they are here with the full mandate of their party. Its sad that I take my heart out for you the secretary general of the PF who had to leave just after burring his Sister had to come here because he felt this meeting was important for the nation, I really take my heart off to you honourable Mwila. It takes patriotism to do that, a great deal of patriotism,” he said.
And PF Secretary General Davis Mwila expressed concern that the move to send proxies to the meeting would set a bad precedence for the forth coming ‘Presidents Summit’ where others would want to send representatives.
Mwila said the UPND should be categorical and assure the people in the meeting that they will send their president to the presidents summit as it hinges on the continued peace of the country.
He said he had travelled to Siavonga because his party understands the magnitude of what ZCID was trying to achieve and that the process was a cost to the country not to be taken seriously.
Meanwhile a University of Zambia Don Dr Alex N’goma implored the UPND to take matters of national dialogue seriously.
Dr N’goma said there is time for institutions to send proxies but that when time for those in positions are invited they should be honourable enough to avail themselves.
The MMD through their National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda submmited that UPND representatives should assure the nation that they would not be disowned by their party after resolutions have been made.
He said the meeting was for Secretary Generals hence principal office bearers should have been the ones attending and not their proxies hence the need for an assurance from the UPND that they would not be abandoned by their party.
In response Dr Beyani assured the delegates to the meeting that he and his team were equal to the task.
“I carry the wit and mantle of the secretary general of the UPND. The decision I will make here represent the decision and the weight of the secretary general of the UPND so let’s make that very clear,” he said.
The Secretary Generals’ meeting is a prelude to the presidents summit which is expected to take place soon.
The meeting is expected to deliberate on the submissions from the previous ZCID led dialogue process which started with consultations with former Republican presidents, political party presidents as well as eminent persons.
Further ZCID engaged stakeholders from different sectors of society at the National Democracy Stakeholders Summit before holding a one day meeting with political parties outside parliament. ZCID also engaged the Church Mother Bodies on the dialogue process.
PF Secretary general Davies MwilaPF Deputy Secretary general Mumbi PhiriFirst Chairperson for the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue-ZCID Dr Katele KalumbaThe Delegates at the Secretary Generals’s MeetingThe Delegates at the Secretary Generals’s Meeting
Director National Water Supply and Sanitation Council Kelvin Chitumbo stress a point to Vice President Inonge Wina during the tour of stands shortly after the official opening of Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition at Government Complex yesterday 11-06-2018. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
Vice President, Inonge Wina says with Africa’s projected growth over the next decades, water, food and energy will become one of the key economic mix for meeting the needs of growing cities and food requirements of large populations.
The Vice President notes that this calls for innovative and sustainable ways of water usage as part of Africa’s economic development.
Mrs Wina was speaking when she officiated at the Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition which is looking at harnessing water for social and economic benefits.
And Minister of Water Development, Dennis Wanchinga has called on the water sector to work with Government to ensure 100 hundred percent domestic water supply and sanitation coverage in both rural and urban areas.
Dr. Wanchinga says this is in a bid to improve the livelihood of Zambians and avert outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera.
Meanwhile, German Ambassador, Achim Burkart underscored the importance of water as a human right and a prerequisite for many crucial economic activities.
And Chairperson of Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition, IMASIKU NYAMBE asked the Vice President to be patron of the Forum citing the importance she attaches to challenges of water.
Vice President Inonge Wina confers with Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition (ZAWAFE) Exhibitors during the tour of stands shortly after the official opening of Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition at Government Complex yesterday 11-06-2018. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANISVice President Inonge Wina receive the present from Chairperson of Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition (ZAWAFE) Prof. Imasiku Nyambe shortly after the official opening of Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition at Government Complex yesterday 11-06-2018. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS Vice President Inonge Wina receive the present from Chairperson of Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition (ZAWAFE) Prof. Imasiku Nyambe shortly after the official opening of Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition at Government Complex yesterday 11-06-2018. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS Chairperson of Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition (ZAWAFE) Prof. Imasiku Nyambe presenting a documentation to Vice President Inonge Wina during the official opening of Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition at Government Complex yesterday 11-06-2018. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
FILE: Minister of Gender Victoria Kalima confers with His Excellency President Edgar Lungu whilst other Ministers looks on shortly after State of the Nation address at Parliament Buildings
Gender Minister and Kasenegwa Member of Parliament Victoria Victoria Kalima has died. Hon Kalima died last evening at Maina Soko Military hospital where she had been admitted.
Hon Kalima, born in October 1972, first came into parliament in 2011 on the Movement for Multi-party Democracy ticket as Kasenegwa member of parliament.
In 2016, Kalima staunchly advocated for an alliance between PF and MMD and later defected to the Patriotic Front and stood on the PF ticket and won.
Hon. Kalima was subsequently appointed as Gender Minister by y President Edgar Lungu a position she has held till her death.
Hon Kalima has steered change that many will remember her for. In 2012 she defended the rights of journalists who got detained and who’s cameras were confiscated.
In 2017 she became an activist against gender inequality and child marriages. The same year she also proposed a revised version of Marriage Bill which will ban any marriages between a man and a woman until both are at least 21 years of age.
Details for her funeral and burial are yet to be communicated.
Beston Chambeshi has admitted that the COSAFA Cup should be taken seriously and that it is no longer a developmental tournament.
Chambeshi’s home-based, make-shift team was humbled by record six-time winners Zimbabwe who beat them 4-2 in extra-time after a 2-2 draw in the final in South Africa played at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on June 9.
Chipolopolo struggled to beat Namibia in the quarterfinals that they eventually won 4-3 on post-match penalties after a scoreless draw against an opponent who had a strong team made up of their key foreign-based and 2018 CHAN players for the tournament
Zambia followed this up with a convincing 1-0 win over an ambitious Madagascar whom they failed to add at least five more goals in the semifinals before Zimbabwe showed them how it is done in the final.
“Now the COSAFA Cup is not a developmental tournament, the tournament has grown,” Chambeshi conceded.
“Now each and every team wants to win that tournament.
“Madagascar gave us a good run that knocked out the hosts South Africa (in the quarterfinals) and they were determined to reach the final.
“Zimbabwe had a strong squad with over five players from the South Africa PSL who are their pillars.”
Meanwhile, the COSAFA Cup was the end of Chambeshi’s mandate as stand-in coach after filling-in following the resignation of Wedson Nyirenda on May 24.
FILE: President Lungu greets UPND president Hakainde Hichilema during the memorial service of the Late President Michael Chilufya Sata at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Lusaka
THE Human Rights Commission says President Edgar Lungu’s admissive remarks that political violence is perpetrated mainly by governing PF and UPND supporters is commendable.
On Saturday, President Lungu said the ruling PF and the UPND were the major culprits of election violence.
Speaking at Lusaka’ City Airport shortly before departure for Mongu where he is inspecting ‘developmental projects,’ President Lungu advised the PF and the UPND to draw lessons from the just-ended Chilanga parliamentary by-election where even journalists from the private media were caught up in violence.
In a press statement yesterday, Human Rights Commission (HRC) spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya observed that the President’s remarks could help in finding a long-lasting solution to Zambia’s political violence scenario.
“The Human Rights Commission wishes to commend President Edgar Lungu for publicly stating that the Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development cadres are the major perpetrators of violence. That must be commendable because the admission of a problem is the beginning of finding a lasting solution, more so a peaceful resolution of conflict,” Muleya stated.
He added that the HRC, going forward, expected President Lungu and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to instruct their respective party supporters to immediately stop the use of threatening violence, abusive language and any language that incites violence or hatred in society because “that is against the public order Act.”
Muleya also stated that the public order Act must strictly be respected and that political party cadres ought to be instructed against arming themselves with offensive weapons.
“They should conduct themselves in [an] orderly and lawful manner so that we can respect the rights, freedoms and reputation of other political players in the field. In short, we are saying that the provisions of the public order Act are adequate and must be protected to ensure that this political violence is eliminated from political competition,” stated Muleya.
“Political competition is a democratic norm and it should not result in injuries, loss of property or life and the responsibility lies squarely on political leaders to cage their supporters so that this country can, once again, recover from the political hostilities that are undermining the rights and freedoms of many Zambians who are looking forward to exercise their democratic right in the country.”
Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili has cried foul that the Patriotic Front (PF) government has economically killed him. Mr. Kambwili has since appealed to President Edgar Lungu to stop tempering with people’s businesses to settle political scores.
Mr Kambwili said that his business associates were being threatened by the intelligence for being close to him. Mr. Kambwili has however, vowed to continue speaking on behalf of Zambians even at risk of having all his businesses squeezed.
And Mr. Kambwili who is also NDC consultant has called on government not to disband the financial intelligence centre (FIC ) following its recent revelations.
Mr Kambwili told a media briefing in Lusaka that he together with many other Zambians will take to the streets of Lusaka to protest if any member of the FIC is unfairly dismissed.
Mr Kambwili has vowed to protest stark naked in Lusaka’s Cairo Road if Financial Intelligence Centre(FIC) Director General Mary Tshuma is fired by government for exposing corruption.
Meanwhile Mr. Kambwili has thanked President Lungu for giving back to Zambians 10 percent of the copper slug dump in Kitwe also known as the black mountain. He however, stated that the gesture is illegal if it is only meant to benefit Patriotic Front youths alone.
But PF media director Sunday Chanda has said that Mr. Kambwili’s attacks on the president and the PF are misplaced.
Chilufya TayaliEconomic and equity party (EEP) president Chilufya Tayali says calls for the dismissal of financial intelligence centre (FIC) director general Mary Tshuma are misplaced.
Mr. Tayali says the ruling PF, which is calling her dismissal and disbandment of the FIC board, should realize that it is within the mandate of the FIC to publish reports of its investigations.
He tells q-news that the ruling PF should know that similar institutions exist in other countries and equally release reports of their findings to the public.
Mr. Tayali says there is therefore nothing new about the FIC releasing a report in which it has made revelations about corruption, tax evasion and misuse of public resources.
He states that by condemning ms. Tshuma and calling for her dismissal, the pf is in fact defending corruption, tax evasion and misuse of public resources.
Mr. Tayali says if this is the case, Zambians should open their eyes and show their displeasure in the coming subsequent elections.
He says the ruling pf should not be allowed to win any election if it is a political party that thrives on corruption and defends tax evasion and misuse of public resources.
Meanwhile, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has asked the public protector to immediately punish the financial intelligence centre director general, Mary Tshuma and the FIC board.
In a letter dated 11th June, 2018 obtained by qtv news, YALI president Andrew Nthewewe states that his organization is pursuing the matter in accordance with article 244(1), (2), (a) of the constitution and section 13(1) of the public protector act no.15.
And confirming the development, Mr. Nthewewe says his organization contends that the board and its director, Mary Tshuma breached the financial intelligence act of 2010 as amended in 2016, by publishing details of the report to members of the public.
He also contends that the information routinely gathered by the FIC was wide and doesn’t constitute acts of crimes for now, until verification and further investigations was done on the reported suspicious transactions by law enforcement agencies.
He says the information gathered by the FIC was raw and required further investigations.
Mr. Nthewewe has emphasized that the FIC was not a law enforcement agency and the information it gathered was intelligence in its nature and the disclosure breached the FIC act of 2010 and known government reporting structure and practice of information.
He fears that the information has prejudiced future investigations on the matter and has jeopardized the successful prosecution of the mentioned cases.
Meanwhile,
Chief Government Spokesperson, Hon. Dora Siliya, MPInformation and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya has expressed concern over increased cases of molestation and child abuse being reported in the country.
And Ms Siliya is further concerned over how political issues have polarized the media and law enforcement agencies ,overshadowing serious matters such as those that have to do with children such as defilement and molestation issues.
The minister has challenged journalists to make headlines out of real issues affecting the communities and not concentrating on politics.
She says the increased and continuous cases of children being defiled, molested and abused in schools and homes calls on all citizens to talk about so that perpetrators can be brought to book and for avoidance of such crimes to continue being committed.
She has emphasized on the need for the police, school authorities and parents to not turn a blind eye on such matters as they are happening everywhere.
President Lungu told hundreds of Lukulu and President Lungu addressing Mitete residents
President Edgar Lungu has assured the people of Lukulu and Mitete districts that the Katunda-Watopa road will be worked on.
President Lungu says he has heard the cry of the people in the area for the road to be done.
The president says he will sit down with the ministers responsible when he gets back to Lusaka to see what can be done to quicken the reconstruction of the Katunda-Watopa road.
President Lungu told hundreds of Lukulu and Mitete residents who welcomed him at Lukulu airstrip this morning that the road will be done.
The president told the residents that he promised the people of North Western province that he’d work on the Solwezi-Chingola road, which has been done.
President Lungu assured the crowd that his administration is not selective in the way it applies development.
President Lungu has committed to work for all Zambians whether they voted for the PF or not.
The president said there is no leader who can succeed without the people, a principle he said he adopted from PF founding father Michael Sata.
President Lungu reiterated that he will remain answerable to the people of Zambia as he is a president for all.
He also appealed to PF members in the area to be accommodative of those joining the party from the opposition.
The president later proceeded to pay a courtesy call on Chief Anang’anga Imwiko at his Namayula palace in Lukulu district.
He will later this afternoon address a public rally in Lukulu before departing for Mongu, after which he is expected to leave for Lusaka.
And President Lungu has tasked the Provincial Administration in Western Province to work towards creating 15-thousand jobs for the youth in the region.
President Lungu said he was aware that the 54.5 million US Dollars Cashew Infrastructure Development Project (CIDP) will create 600-thousand jobs for men and women in Western Province but said the number was not enough to improve the standard of living of the people in the area.
The President said this through the Provincial Minister Richard Kapita during a rally at Mulumbwa school grounds in Mongu yesterday.
And President Lungu said Government will work on all the bad roads in the Province in order to ease the transportation of goods and services in the region.
Meanwhile, the President has re-assured the people of Western Province that his government will develop Western Province.
The President urged the people of the province to work with his government to ensure development.
President Lungu told hundreds of Lukulu and President Lungu addressing Mitete residentsPresident Lungu told hundreds of Lukulu and President Lungu addressing Mitete residentsPresident Lungu told hundreds of Lukulu and President Lungu addressing Mitete residentsPresident Lungu told hundreds of Lukulu and President Lungu addressing Mitete residentsPresident Lungu told hundreds of Lukulu and President Lungu addressing Mitete residents
LgWSC procures plastic Manhole covers to prevent debris from blocking sewer systems
Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company Limited (LgWSC) has embarked on a Sanitation Maintenance Program to replace all stolen iron cast manhole covers in Central Province.Phase one of its replacement project involves the procurement of over 600 plastic manhole covers to cater for Kabwe’s most vulnerable areas such as Katondo, Chowa, Railways,Natuseko and Shamabanse.
With cases of iron cast manhole covers being stolen for scrap metal by unscrupulous residents in townships and making the sewer system much more susceptible to solid objects; LgWSC seeks a long-lasting solution to protect its sewer system.
“We have started and we are in phase one of the project. We have so far procured over 500 plastic manhole covers each worth K500, which gives us a cumulative total of K 250,000.However, that is not the end and we intend to spend more money as we roll out this project to other towns”
LgWSC has continued to appeal to customers to settle all their outstanding arrears so as to help it sustain its projects.
This project is important for the commercial utility as it is aimed and securing the sewer system from solid materials which gets swept into it by stormy water especially during rainy season.
The utility intends to to roll out the project to other parts of Central Province before the onset on the next rainy season to as to minimize the recurrence of sewer floods.
“We have been researching and we have done our homework. In Peri-urban areas the utility often experiences frequent complaints due to sewer blockages necessitated by exposed manholes whose covers have either been stolen for scrap metal or vandalized”
Exposed manholes and consequently sewer over flows puts communities at risk of contracting water borne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea and we want to mitigate such occurrences.LgWSC is also embarking on community sensitization campaigns aimed at making communities appreciate the importance of having tightly covered manholes.
“We also want to urge our customers to be on high alert against vandals and thwart the theft of manhole covers because we all have a collective responsibility of safeguarding public facilities in our communities. It is our hope that communities will embrace the idea of neighbourhood Watch Groups to tighten security”
“Tempering with any water and sanitation facility is a punishable offence under the Water Supply and Sanitation Act number 28 of 1997.LgWSC wants to collaborate more with the Police and Neighbourhood Watch groups across communities to ensure that people who abrogate the law are answerable ad punished”
During the just ended rainy season, some communities in Kabwe made headlines over sewer floods, most of which are associated with poor drainage system and frequent blockages due to vandalized or stolen manhole covers.
Besides embarking on a Manhole Covers Replacement Project, LgWSC has come up with a budget of over K2.5 Million for various maintenance costs across Central Province line with its 2017-2020 Strategic Plan.
Speaker of National Assembly Dr. Patrick Matibeni (r) First Speaker of National Assembly Catherine Mugala and Mines Minister Richard Musukwa following the State of the Nation address at Parliament Buildings
The PF Government has drafted a new law that it hopes will address online behavior and introduce jail terms for those found guilty of misconduct on the internet, a leaked draft Bill has shown.
The Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Draft Bill, 2017 also allows authorities at any reasonable time, without prior notice, and on the authority of a warrant to enter any premises or access an information system and search any persons.
This is provided for if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person or institution has possession of an article, document or record that has a bearing on an investigation and take extracts from, or make copies of any book, document or record that is on or in the premises or in the information system and that has a bearing on an investigation.
The Draft Bill also shows that Authorities will demand the production of, and inspect, relevant licences and registration certificates, inspect any facilities on the premises which are linked or associated with the information system, access and inspect the operation of any computer or equipment forming part of an information system.
And a person who refuses to co-operate with or hinders a cyber-inspector from conducting a lawful search or seizure commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding 100, 000 penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or to both.
The draft which is expected to be tabled before Parliament for deliberations also indicates that a warrant to enter, search and seize may be issued at any time and shall identify the premises or information system that may be entered and searched and specify which acts may be performed there under by the cyber inspector to whom it is issued.
Authorities will also be allowed to install on the computer or computer system any software program or interconnect any equipment to the computer or computer system, for the purpose of the investigation and access, inspect and check the operation of a computer that the investigating officer has reasonable cause to suspect is or was impacted by a cybersecurity incident.
A Board for the Zambia Cybersecurity Agency will be constituted and will comprise representation from the Zambia Air Force, Zambia Army, Zambia National Service, Zambia Police Service and Zambia Security Intelligence Services.
Green Party President Peter Sinkamba insists that neither Section 5 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act of 2010 nor any other law bars the executive director of the FIC from disseminating the findings of the agency to the public and has warned that if the Patriotic Front members coerce their leaders to fire her and the Board, his party will have no option but petition the Constitutional Court to order a referendum on the issue.
Reacting to the call by senior PF members who have demanded for the removal of Ms. Tshumba and the board for disseminating the 2017 Trends Report on anti-money laundering, terrorism financing and other financial crimes, Mr. Sinkamba said the demand by PF is uncalled for and may prove costly as the country at the moment lacks financial resources to run a referendum.
Speaking to the press in Kitwe this morning, Mr. Sinkamba appealed to President Edgar Lungu not to entertain the demand by senior PF members.
“We have looked at Section 5 of the Financial Intelligence Center Act of 2010, as well as other laws and we have not found any provision that stops FIC from disseminating its findings to the public. So it goes without saying that if the Act does not bar FIC from disseminating its findings, then it is not an offence for center to do so. We have also looked at Article 5 of the Constitution of Zambia which provides that all sovereign power is vested into the people which is exercised through their elected representatives and appointed officials and that if no power is delegated to any elected or appointed official then that power is retained by the people and exercised by the people themselves through the referendum,” he explained.
“Now in this instance, we have PF saying FIC exercised our power wrongly and we are saying they exercised it rightfully. Then per Article 5 of the Constitution, this stalemate can only be resolved through the referendum. If President Lungu agrees with his members and proceeds to terminate the services of Ms. Tshumba and the Board, without following the due process which in this instance is holding a referendum on this question, then we will challenge the President’s decision in the Constitutional Court and petition the Court to order a referendum. This may be costly, and for this reason, we appeal to the President to exercise maximum restraint,” Mr. Sinkamba warned.
