I did not take Chishimba Kambwili to court for lying when he claimed that I was involved in the illegal sell of mukula timber because he apologised and we reconciled, says Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata.

Ms Kapata who is Mandevu constituency PF Member of Parliament (MP) told the Daily Nation that the church intervened and prevailed over their case and subsequently reconciled the duo.

Late last year, Ms Kapata threatened PF Roan constituency MP, with legal action for allegedly defaming her character.

But when asked yesterday how far the case had gone, Ms Kapata said it was water under bridge as the two had reconciled after Mr Kambwili apologized.

“For me and Mr. Kambwili we have come a long way, we are colleagues and our children are friends. He is Catholic and I’m Catholic, and the church prevailed over us. He apologized to me and I also apologized to him, so that case is water under the bridge,

“He (Kambwili) is actually my young brother and I know he respects me as his older sister,” Ms Kapata said.

Ms Kapata however said the corruption allegations were unfounded and false aimed at depicting the PF government with a corruption tag.

Mr Kambwili accused Ms Kapata of being involved in the illegal selling of mukula timber to Chinese nationals without any kind of evidence at all.

The allegation then prompted Ms Kapata to seek legal redress against Mr Kambwili.

Ms Kapata told a press briefing in Lusaka late last year that she had asked her Lawyers to write to Mr Kambwili to ask him to retract and apologize to her within seven days failure to which he would be taken to court. She also demanded for K10 million from Mr Kambwili for defaming her.

Kabwe Town Clerk (TC), Ronald Daka says the wage bill for the municipality has increased tremendously to an extent that the local authority is facing serious challenges to pay salaries.

Mr. Daka said the monthly wage bill for the council stands at about K2.4million which is largely financed by government through the Equalization Fund currently pegged at K1.3 million per month.

He said this in a report presented on his behalf by the Director of Public Health, Paul Mukuka, to the ordinary full council meeting in Kabwe.

Mr. Daka said the equalization fund which is the main source of payments for officers in divisions one to three is not adequate adding that it is late by one month making it difficult to pay the rest of the workforce.

He stated that the balance of about K1. 6 million has to be generated locally in order to meet the monthly total wage bill for all the workers putting a strain on service delivery by the council.

Mr. Daka disclosed that in the interim, arrangements are being made to secure an overdraft facility to pay the rest of the workforce in the next one week while management awaits for the March 2018 equalization fund.

He however said management is pushing for the completion of the valuation roll which should be ready for implementation in the second quarter of this year among others long term interventions.

Meanwhile, Mr. Daka said the newly opened Intra City Bus Station in Kabwe is reportedly running at a loss saying the municipality is spending about K53, 400 in service charges and wages.

Mr. Daka said this is a sharp contrast to about the K25, 000 the council collects in bus charges and ablution fees per month.

He explained that the council on average per month spends K8, 000 on water, K1, 000 on electricity, K3, 900 on toiletries and K41, 000 on workers manning the station.

Mr. Daka has since urged the council to consider revising the daily fees upwards or reduce the current fees and start charging buses per trip in order to improve the revenue performance.

He argued that the move would see the council raise about K72, 000 per month from the Intra City Bus Station.

And Kabwe Mayor, Prince Chileshe, advised the council management to be cautious with tariff adjustments.

Mr. Chileshe said there are guidelines to that effect saying management should study them carefully before implementing any revisions.

And Kabwe Municipal Council has approved the expenditure of over K700, 000 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for Kabwe Central to be used for various developmental projects.

The ordinary full council meeting that was held at the Civic Centre yesterday unanimously gave a go ahead for the expenditure of K781, 946 CDF for various projects.

This was after the Director of Public Health, Paul Mukuka, on behalf of the Town Clerk, Ronald Daka, presented the recommendations of the Kabwe District Development Coordinating Committee for considerations.

About K240, 000 out of the funds has been set aside for the gravelling and rehabilitation of roads in all the wards in the municipality.

Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has implored the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development to prioritize the accommodation of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the redevelopment of the National Assembly and its Project.

Dr. Matibini said this at the National Assembly Projects’ Architectural Design Review meeting with the Finance Minister Margret Mwanakatwe and the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development architectural team.

The Speaker explained that it is vital that at least 140 units of accommodation is secured in the second phase of the redevelopment of the National Assembly Motel.

Dr. Matibini further explained that the Conference facilities with improved dining and restaurants need to be prioritized as a means of generating income within the Motel.

And Mrs. Mwanakatwe has since challenged the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development to redevelop the National Assembly architectural design into wondrous sites that will give a high class profile to MPs in their stay at the Motel.

She added that the Motel should provide security and enough space as most MPs use the premises with their families hence, the need for it to offer a conducive environment for them.

And Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development Senior Architect Emmanuel Mwamba received the concerns made by the Finance Minister and the Speaker by pledging to improve the designs to the suggested standards.

Indian First Lady, Savita Kovind who made a donation of K10000 when she visited Zambia Institute of Special Education (ZAMISE) in the company of first Lady Esther Lungu.

The Indian first Lady said said she is impressed with the school.

And First Lady Esther Lungu said children with special needs need to be shown care and love like any other children in society.

The First Lady noted that children with special needs also have the right to proper education and social life.

The First Lady said she has the passion to see that children with special needs are appreciated hence, she is happy to see that schools such as ZAMISE have taken up such responsibility.

Earlier, ZAMISE Principle Grace Mulenga indicated that the school is committed to empowering children with special needs with quality education to enable them lead independent lives.

Newly inaugurated Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi has arrived in the country for a one day State visit.

The plane carrying President Masisi touched down Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 10:53 hours local time.

He was received upon arrive by Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malajni, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo, Senior Government Officials and staff from the Botswana Embassy.

Speaking to journalists shortly upon arrival, President Masisi disclosed that he is in the country to strengthen and broaden the exiting bilateral ties between the two SADC countries.

He stressed that Botswana is committed to further deepen and grow the existing relations.

President Masisi said he wants to reassure President Lungu of his government’s resolve to continue with the projects embarked on by the former President Ian Khama.

This is the first visit President Masisi has taken to Zambia after assuming office on Sunday 1st April 2018.

President Masisi took office following the stepping down of former President Ian Khama who stepped down on Saturday 31st, 2018 ahead of next year’s elections.

President Masisi is expected to fly back home this afternoon after concluding his working visit.

Government says it recognizes the critical role of local authorities as an engine of delivering services, infrastructure and development to communities.

Central Province Minister, Sydney Mushanga says this is why government has remained committed to promoting decentralization, democracy and good governance through local authorities and strengthening their financial capacities.

Mr. Mushanga stated that government will also strengthen the capacity of councils with respect to management and efficiency, resource mobilization and strategic planning for efficient service delivery.

The Provincial Minister was speaking yesterday in Kapiri Mposhi district during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a shopping plaza and hotel by Kapiri Mposhi Town Council.

He pledged government’s full support to the local authority for it to create realistic valuation rolls, charging of fair levies and licenses in order for it raise its revenue for service delivery.

Mr. Mushanga also told the council management that government was in the process of devising an appropriate formula for sharing national taxes collected within the jurisdiction of local authorities in order to strengthen their revenue base.

He therefore called on councilors to put behind their partisan politics and focus on their civic responsibilities of ensuring that services are provided to residents in their respective wards.

“This approach will enable you to provide efficient and effective services to your residents who have been receiving poor levels of services. Communities should also be allowed to have an input into decision making in the delivery of services in their communities,” he said.

He noted that the construction of the shopping plaza, which has been awarded to a Chinese firm, ZINCOR Investment Limited, will change the face of Kapiri -Mposhi town.

Mr. Mushanga also called on the construction company to employ local people during and after the construction phases in line with the Seventh National Development Plan of creating jobs for local people.

The construction of the shopping plaza and hotel is expected to take eight months.

Speaking earlier, Acting Kapiri Mposhi District Council Chairperson, John Mutambo, unveiled Zambia’s FIFA referee, Jan Sikazwe as Tourism Ambassador for Kapiri Mposhi.

And speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Mr. Sikazwe described his appointment as Tourism Ambassador for his home town as an honour.