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Konkola Blades have kept faith in head coach Lewington Mujembe as they seek a quick return to the FAZ Super Division this year.
Blades are this season competing in FAZ Division 1 Zone 2 after suffering demotion from the top league at the end of 2017.
Club secretary Kennedy Chota confirmed that Konkola legend Mujembe has been maintained while ex-Konkola Mine Police trainer Godfrey Siame has been engaged as assistant coach.
“As Konkola Blades FC we have re-appointed Lewingston Mujembe as Head Coach,” Chota said.
“We have hired Godfrey Siame as first assistant. Stephen Kabwe is another assistant or goalkeeper trainer. Chipulu Chileya is team manager,” he said.
Chota also confirmed that striker Felix Sunzu Junior has re-joined his childhood club.
“In an effort to enhance good performance the team has recruited striker Felix Sunzu from Green Buffaloes, striker Farouk Musisi from Uganda, striker Joseph Chanda of Kabwe Warriors and defender Whiteson Songwe from Forest Rangers,” Chota said.
Konkola launched the Division One campaign with a 1-0 win at FQMO Mining before succumbing to a 1-0 home loss to Mufulira Blackpool at the weekend.
File:First Lady Esther Lungu with Kalilamoyo Women Club Chairperson Ireen Banda (in White top) during tour of the Kalilamoyo women goat project in Katete on May 21,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Government has approved and released K1 million towards the construction of a goat breeding center that will see a number of locals get employed in Kaoma District in Western Province. The construction of the first ever Goat Breeding Center is one of the pilot programs on climate resilient in Kaoma.Acting District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator Yumbe Mulenga confirmed the development in an interview yesterday.
Mr. Mulenga explained that the center will house three state of the art goat houses and staff houses.He disclosed that so far 50 percent of the total amount has been utilised and one goat house has been completed.
The project has opened up employment opportunities for the locals especially the youths in various sectors.Mr. Mulenga explained that the project will mainly benefit farmers as the center will supply high quality cross breed of goats.He noted that the goats at the center will help local farmers attract international market hence contributing to the country’s domestic revenue.
Mr. Mulenga said the center will first begin with breeding 100 goats that can multiply to 4000 within six months and be supplied to farmers.He commended government for releasing funds to make the project viable and appealed to farmers to make use of the center to improve the quality of goats in the District.
Mr. Mulenga further said arrangements were underway to train officers in specialized artificial insemination.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) Charles Kakoma has said that the statement purporting that the UPND is unhappy about remarks made by Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland after meeting Zambia’s Vice President Inonge Wina was not issued by his office.
Reacting to a statement published on some websites stating that the Party President Hakainde Hichilema is extremely disappointed with Commonwealth Secretary General Ms Patricia Scotland’s position after her meeting with Vice President Inonge Wina, Mr Kakoma said that statement was the work of PF propaganda meant to create conflict between UPND and the Commonwealth.
Below is Mr KAkoma’s full statement
18th April 2018
Press Statement.
It has been brought to my attention that someone has issued a statement in my name without my knowledge and authority. The statement is purporting that the UPND is unhappy about remarks made by Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland after meeting Zambia’s Vice President Inonge Wina.
The statement is alleging that UPND and its President Hakainde Hichilema are annoyed about the Commonwealth deciding to have the dialogue process in Zambia to be driven by Zambians and likening Patricia Scotland to the United Nations Development Programme Coordinator in Zambia Ms Rogan.
I wish to state that I have not issued such a statement. This statement is meant to create conflict between UPND and the Commonwealth. It is the work of the Patriotic Front. In the past few months, the PF has been issuing statements in my name generated by the PF Media Director Sunday Chanda . Last month, Mr Chanda issued another statement that I had signed on behalf of UPND an agreement in Ghana with the African Liberal Network to endorse gay rights and lesbianism in Zambia. This was totally false as no such agreement was signed.
This type of propaganda is reckless, malicious and depicting the levels of desperation by the PF.
The media and the public are requested to ignore the malicious statement purporting to have been issued by me in relation to the commonwealth.
Issued by:
Charles Kakoma,
UPND Spokesperson
And Below is the Fake Statement
Over the last 24 hours, we have witnessed Commonwealth U-turn on its earlier position that they would lead the dialogue process and are now buying into Patriotic Front’s (PF’s) position that the process must be home-driven.
As the United Party for National Development (UPND), we feel that Secretary General Patricia Scotland is reading from the same book as UNDP Country Coordibator, Janet Rogan. It is not a coincidence that the two organizations should side with the PF while not respecting views of other stakeholders such as UPND.
Our President Hakainde Hichilema is extremely disappointed with Commonwealth Secretary General Ms Patricia Scotland’s position after her meeting with Vice President Inonge Wina.
It appears the PF propaganda that the Commonwealth dialogue talks in Zambia will be spearheaded by foreigners has intimidated Commonwealth. First of all, Zambia is a member of the Commonwealth and is a signatory to the Commonwealth charter. This position was made very clear by the Commonwealth Special Envoy for the Zambian dialogue talks Prof Ibrahim Gambari in his press statement on the 11th March 2018 at Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka.
He said and we quote, “The Republic of Zambia is a respected and valued member of the Commonwealth. Commonwealth values are Zambian values and Zambian values are Commonwealth values. The Commonwealth Charter, adopted in December 2012, sets out the fundamental values of the Commonwealth. These include, but àre not limited to, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, peace and security, tolerance, respect and understanding, freedom of expression, the separation of powers and judicial independence”, end of quote.
Clearly, PF is using money to buy off individuals in these international bodies and that is very bad for Zambia. It’s the story of cry the beloved Country. Where has PF gotten all this money being used to buy off individuals in the UNDP and Commonwealth?
As a demonstration of our commitment to the dialogue process, the UPND submitted its nominees to the Steering committee as proposed and agreed with the Commonwealth. We shall withdraw these names if goal posts keep on changing.
There is no need for PF to instil fear in the Commonwealth regarding their involvement in the dialogue process in Zambia.
Government says it remains committed to ensuring that the private sector plays a key role in the country’s infrastructure development under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
Director of PPP Unit at the Ministry of Finance Keeta Shisholeka said government is fully committed to realizing its agenda for private sector participation in infrastructure and social service distribution.
Mr. Shisholeka said this during the launch of the World Bank report on Zambia’s readiness diagnostic for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Project pipeline screening report.
He said the report reviews the country willingness and analytic for public-private partnerships which has been prepared as part of the World Bank and international finance cooperation support to the infrastructure development in the country.
The PPP Unit Director added that, the diagnostic report is an assessment of Zambia’s site legally procured as well as the assessment of the country’s readiness to implement the PPPs.
Mr. Shisholeka said the report will help determine which areas require amendments or improvement by reviewing the current PPP environment in the country and comparing it to global international best practices.
He reiterated that government is committed to the development of the PPPs by putting in place a proactive PPP policy, enacting appropriate PPP legislation, and establishing and operationalizing the PPP Unit to create an enabling environment for private sector participation in delivering public infrastructure projects.
Mr. Shisholeka thanked the World Bank group for assisting Zambia to review the PPP framework in order to promote private sector participation in financing development projects and infrastructure.
The curtain has come down on Zanaco’s 2018 continental campaign after they were crushed 3-0 away by Raja Casablanca in Morocco on Wednesday evening to bow out of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup.
Zanaco were eliminated 5-0 on aggregate after losing 2-0 in Lusaka on April 7 ending their CAF Confederation Cup group stage qualification race.
Mahmoud Benhalib scored his second goal against Zanaco with the opening goal in Casablanca in the 15th minute after netting one in the first leg a week ago.
Mouhssine Iajour’s 18th minute goal sent Raja 2-0 into the break and Badr Benoun put the result beyond doubt in the 78th minute.
It was Zanaco’s fourth successive continental defeat after March’s elimination from the 2018 CAF Champions League pre-group stage when Mbabane Swallows beat those 2-1 in Lusaka and 1-0 in Swaziland that subsequently saw them relegated to the CAF Confederation Cup.
Zesco United’s unbeaten start to the 2018 FAZ Super Division side came to an end on Wednesday when they lost 2-1 at home to Forest Rangers in an Ndola derby played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The result ended the defending Super Division champions five match unbeaten start to the -match unbeaten start to the 2018 league season.
It is also the second time that Forest has ended their more affluent town mates’ unbeaten start to a league season since 2016 when they halted a seven match run.
Forest striker Kobe Chipeta continued his good start when he headed-in Green Mumba’s cross in the 27th minute to take his 2018 tally to three goals from six matches.
But Zesco equalized in the 41st minute through defender Fackson Kapumbu who blasted in a trademark free-kick to see the sides go 1-1 into the break.
However, Forest sealed the victory in the 53rd minute when Patrick Ilongo fired in the ball on the rebound after Zesco goalkeeper Jacob Banda parried Webster Muzaza’s ball into his path.
Meanwhile, Zesco drop from second to third on 13 points, tied with Power Dynamos who replace them at number two only on goal difference.
Zesco also stay three points behind leaders and still unbeaten Green Buffaloes.
Forest’s big win sees them leap from 9th to 5th on 12 points after six rounds of games played.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has set Tuesday, 5th June as the date on which to hold the Parliamentary by-election in Chilanga Constituency of Chilanga District. The by-elections in Chilanga will be held on the same day with Six (6) Local Government wards in Mwense, Kasama,Chienge, Sinda and Nyimba districts.
The vacancy in Chilanga Constituency occurred following the conviction of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr. Keith Mukata by the High Court. The vacancies in the 6 wards have occurred as a result of a death and resignations.
Aspiring candidates in the by-elections should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate, Local Court Magistrate, Head of a Government Primary or Secondary School, Principal of a College, Commissioner of Oaths, Election Officer or Returning Officer on Thursday, 3rd of May, 2018 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours.
Aspiring candidates for the Chilanga Parliamentary seat should take along with them fifteen (15) supporters who must be registered voters in the Constituency. The supporters must have in their possession their green National Registration Cards and voters’ cards.
Aspiring candidates in the Chilanga Parliamentary by-election will be required to pay Seven Thousand Five Hundred Kwacha (K7,500.00), non-refundable nomination fee. Aspiring candidates in the Local Government by-elections should take along with them nine (9) supporters who must be registered voters in the affected wards. Aspiring candidates will be required to pay Seven Hundred and fifty Kwacha (K750.00), for City and Municipal Councils and Four Hundred Kwacha (K400.00) for District Councils non-refundable nomination fee.
Candidates in both the Parliamentary and the Local Government by-elections must also present their certified copies of their grade 12 certificates or equivalent or higher qualification, which must be verified by the Examination Council of Zambia or the Zambia Qualification Authority respectively.
In view of this, the Commission wishes to advise aspiring candidates who may wish to contest in these by-elections that failure to comply with these requirements shall render the nomination papers null and void.
Media personnel and Registered Non-Governmental Organisations wishing to monitor/observe the elections are advised to apply for accreditation in the respective districts, which will take place from 27th April to 1st June2018.
Accreditation for political party officials wishing to monitor elections in the constituency shall only be up to a maximum of 10 members per political party.
Please note that only a maximum of 5 accredited members per political party and two accredited representatives of NGOs shall be authorised to represent their respective political parties or NGOs at the Collation Centre (Totaling Centre).
Only three (3) senior officials of any participating political party with Electoral Commission of Zambia accreditation will be allowed to accompany aspiring candidates into the Nomination Centre during the filing of nominations. The rest of the supporters should remain outside the 400 metre parameter from the Polling Station, in accordance with the law.
In addition, not more than two (2) political party members per participating political party shall be allowed to witness counting of votes at the Polling Station.
Note that the campaign period for these elections commences on Thursday 3rd May, 2018 after 15:00 hours and will end at 18:00 hours on Monday 4th June, 2018.
Margaret Chimanse
Public Relations Manager
Electoral Commission of Zambia
Minister of Works and Supply Felix Mutati has urged employees at Government Printers to work with the Ministry for it to effectively realise its transformation agenda for the department.
Mr. Mutati noted that there is need for both the Ministry of Works and Supply and the Government Printers to work together in order to revitalise the department which he said has been faced with some challenges over the years.
The Minister said he is confident that the current work force at Government Printers is capable of working with the Ministry in implementing the new revival approach aimed at commercialising the department and winning back the confidence the business community once had in it.
Mr. Mutati said this in Lusaka today, when he met Union representatives at Government Printers in the company of his Permanent Secretary Agness Musunga.
He advised that there is no need for anyone to be scared of the transformation agenda as no employee will be declared redundant but instead, it will accelerate improved production which is needed for Government Printers.
And Chairperson for Workers Representatives at Government Printers Emmanuel Nyendwa expressed gratitude at the Minister’s commitment to revamping the department to regain its glory and confidence from its clients.
Mr. Nyendwa said his team is assured that the transformation agenda will restore the pride to the workers as it is meant to also improve their well-being.
He further noted that for Government Printers to be revitalized, the transformation agenda is inevitable and emphasised on the need to train the staff for them not to be left behind in the process.
This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Ministry of Works and Supply Public Relations Officer Ndubi Mvula.
President Edgar Lungu is this Friday, April 20, expected on the Copperbelt Province for a two day working visit.
While in the province, President Lungu is expected to commission the 100 million dollar state of the art plant at Global Industries in Ndola district.
Copperbelt Province Minister, Japhen Mwakalombe confirmed the President’s visit to ZANIS in Ndola today.
Mr Mwakalombe added that after commissioning the plant, the Head of State will also tour some developmental in Ndola and Kitwe besides meeting part the Patriotic Front (PF) officials.
The President is expected to depart for Lusaka on Saturday, April 21, 201
The Lusaka Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection Basic Needs Basket for 2018 has continued to record high cost of living for a family of five. The increase in cost of living for March was attributed to poor rainfall patterns, extension of the fish ban, reduced supply of agriculture products on the market and high fuel prices.
JCTR is worried that commodity prices are increasing every month at a very fast rate and this is preventing people from living a dignified life. High cost of living is causing suffering on the poor as many are unemployed and have no reliable source of income to afford the continued price increase of basic needs.
According to the Central Statistics Office the annual inflation rate for March 2018 increased to 7.1 percent from 6.1 percent in February 2018. The increase in the annual rate of inflation was attributed to price fluctuations in both food and non-food items. This therefore confirms the March 2018 JCTR Basic Needs Basket (BNB) increase.
The March 2018 JCTR Basic Needs Basket (BNB) for a family of five living in Lusaka stood at ZMW5,575 which was ZMW190 more than the February BNB which stood at ZMW 5,385. The most significant increase was noted in Dry Fish which increased by ZMW27 from ZMW111 in February to ZMW138 in March per kg of fish. A 25kg bag of Mealie meal increased by ZMW9 from ZMW67 in February to ZMW76 in March. Kapenta increased by ZMW 20 from ZMW217 in February to ZMW 237 in March per kg. Tomatoes increased by ZMW11 from ZMW15 in February to ZMW26 in March per kg.
The above noted increments and price fluctuations can be attributed to the extension of the fish ban which led to prolonged reduction in supply of fish and Kapenta on the market. This prompted traders to increase prices of these two commodities. Changes in the rainfall pattern caused a variety of problems for producers. Cases of high rainfall in some places caused devastation losses of crops which led to reduced supply of tomatoes and onion on the market.
The stock of maize on the market reduced and this led to increase in mealie meal prices. The increase in fuel prices also led to increased production costs for millers which triggered prices for mealie meal to increase.
JCTR is concerned with the continued increase in prices of basic commodities on the market. The Centre therefore urges government and other key stake holders to create opportunities that promote inclusive growth and Jobs that will narrow the gap between cost of living and salaries for the majority of Zambians so that they can afford the standard of living.
JCTR further urges government to actualize the Seventh National Development Plan by Promoting the agriculture sector and moving the economy away from its over-reliance on traditional products and exports, such as copper and cobalt.
This is because increased agricultural output will increase variety of foods and so reduce the prices of foods on the market. In addition, Government should invest more in the agriculture sector through research, skills development and education. This will improve productivity in the country and ensure that crops like maize, tomatoes and onions are produced in large quantities to avoid shortages.
The Parliamentary Committee on Parastatal bodies
Parliamentary Committee on Parastatal bodies says it will enforce sanctions on parastatals and other state owned enterprises that are performing poorly.
Committee chairperson Peter Daka, who is also Msanzala Member of Parliament, says parastatals and state owned enterprise should be successful in implementing their mandates without government’s help.
He said the parastatals were created to help improve the local economy and create job opportunities for many Zambians.
Mr. Daka said his committee has legal powers to recommend for sanctions against parastatals and state owned enterprises that were failing to bring benefits to government and the people of Zambia
He urged the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to play a proactive role in sourcing for funding and recapitalisation of parastatals to ensure that they were successfully performing according to their mandates.
Mr. Daka was speaking in Pretoria South Africa when he led a team of committee members on an in-depth study tour of the management and operation of the South African Industrial Development Corporation and other State Owned Enterprises.
And Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba says State owned enterprises still play vital role in improving domestic economies.
He said the South African model of managing parastatals demonstrated a good example that Zambia needed to maintain the idea of having functioning state owned enterprises.
Mr. Mwamba noted that the Parliamentary Committee’s study to South Africa was timely as the country was running some of the world’s largest and successful parastatals that have helped to prop-up that country’s economy.
The full Committee on Parastatal Bodies comprises; Hon PETER Daka(Msanzala), Patricia Mwashingwele(Katuba), Mulowa Mukumbuta(Senanga), Brian Kambita(Zambezi East), Mumbi Phiri(nominated), Anthony Kasandwe (Bangweulu), Gift Chiyalika(Lufubu),Mutotwe Kafwayaya(Lunte), and Moono Lubezhi(Namwala), Douglas Siakalima(Chirundu).
Kawambwa District Electoral Officer has described the political campaign atmosphere in the forthcoming Ntumbachushi Ward by-elections as peaceful.
Mr. Mwape Katemwe who is also Kawambwa Town Council Secretary, has told ZANIS that political parties taking part in the by-elections are adhering to the code of conduct and locally set campaign schedule.
The Kawambwa District Electoral Officer has since commended political parties and stakeholders for the mature manner in which they are conducting campaigns which he said is a prerequisite for a free, fair and credible election.
Mr. Katemwe further disclosed that voter education activities being conducted by the Voter Education Facilitators in Ntumbachushi Ward are progressing well.
He said the district is ready to conduct the by-election as the challenge of crossing to Ntumbachushi Ward following the washing away of the Ng’ona Bridge last week by torrential rains has been addressed.
The by-elections scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, are being contested by Patrick Mwila of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), United Party for National Development’s (UPND) Metern Munanswi and Moses Bunda for National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Ntumbachushi Ward seat in Kawambwa Central Constituency fell vacant following the resignation of opposition UPND Councillor, Joseph Chiwele who joined the PF in February this year.
Government has shut down a tobacco company for operating without relevant documents from the Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) and Chipata City Council.
Chipata District Commissioner (DC) Kalunga Zulu who was accompanied by officers from TBZ and non-uniformed police officers stormed the administrative office at Novelle Tobacco Company Limited today and questioned why it has been operating without a trading license.
Mr. Zulu said the company was last week given a seven day ultimatum in which to obtain the required documents which could authorize it to operate in the district but failed to do so.
The DC who is suspicious about the operations of the company said government will not allow businesses that come to the district to swindle farmers.
He also observed that employees were told to pay a sum of K100 each in order to be considered for employment.
Mr. Zulu disclosed that he has been receiving complaints from farmers who are being swindled huge amounts of money and that government will start prosecuting all those found wanting.
He urged other companies operating illegally in the district to ensure that they get necessary documents in line with the law.
Mr. Zulu said the issue has now been left in the hands of the police
for further investigations.
Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya giving the.oral cholera vaccine to a boy to officially launch the vaccine in Kanyama Mutanda bantu .looking on is area member of parliament Elizabeth Phiri (right) and deputy Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Mvunga (left)Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya has implored Zambians to continue observing personal and community hygiene aimed at sustaining the current gains in the fight against Cholera.
Dr. Chilufya said Zambians must continue observing the primary interventions to complement the secondary ones like oral cholera vaccination (OCV) aimed at containing the Cholera outbreak.
He however, said that the oral cholera vaccination coupled with other interventions put in place by government have curbed the further spread of the disease in the country.
The Minister explained that government, working with its partners successfully administered two million oral cholera vaccines during the phase one to people in the epic centres of the disease which helped in curbing the cholera outbreak in the country.
ZANIS reports that Dr. Chilufya said this in a speech read for him by Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Administration, Dr. Kennedy Malama during the administration of phase two of oral cholera vaccination campaign in Lusaka today.
He stated that government has received an additional of over 670 000 vaccines for the remaining two sub-districts, Matero and Chipata.
Earlier, World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative Nathan Bakyaita praised the Zambian government for providing leadership in the fight against cholera.
Dr. Bakyaita said the provision of clean and safe water, observance of hygiene standards and practicing of hand wash during critical times is crucial in the fight against cholera and other water bone diseases.
Since October 2016, when the outbreak was first declared in Lusaka, the country has recorded 5, 672 cases and 112 deaths accumulatively, mostly from Lusaka district.
Vice President Inonge Wina has announced that she has no intentions of seeking election to the office of the presidency in Zaqmbia.
Featuring on recorded BBC Focus on Africa recorded television program in London this morning, Mrs. Wina charged that she has no presidential ambitions.
Vice President Wina categorically told the TV presenter Sophie Ikenye that seeking the presidency was not her priority.
“I think time has come for me to pass on the baton to the younger generation. We have done our part,” Mrs. Wina stated.
She explained that she is content with the vice presidency position and will continue focusing on her duties.
Vice President Wina stated that she has done her part in offering national service and as such the younger generation should to take up the mantle of leadership in the country.
Vice President Wina however said she will consider taking mentorship programme for women in order to encourage them to aspire high in life.
“It is important for us to groom other women, especially the young ones. And mentoring is one of the strategies we are using in Zambia ensure that we bring up new women who will be leaders our country. So count me in the mentoring sector not aspiring to be president,” she said.
Mrs. Wina further advised women in the country to be proactive and strive to achieve attain gender equity in society.
She observed that the fact that she is no presidential ambitions should not discourage other women from seeking public office.
“This should not dump the spirit of those young women to be there (leadership positions). I think they have a lot to offer. And our (African) countries should realize that a leadership by a woman will means a lot for the development of Zambia and other countries,” Vice President Wina said.
Meanwhile, Vice President Wina has disclosed that Zambia is on course in combating the high cases of early marriages in the country.
She said it is for this reason that the government is determined to protect and promote the rights of girls and women across all spheres in the country.
The Vice President Wina is London representing President Edgar Lungu at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in the United Kingdom.
The Commonwealth summit started on Monday and ends this Friday and is being held under the theme, ‘Towards a Common Future’.
