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Kalabo District Commissioner Fridah Luhila has appealed to people in Ndoka and Lukona communities to be wary of a lone buffalo that is roaming the area.
Mrs. Luhila told ZANIS that the beast was spotted in Ndoka area by a local school teacher.
She said National Parks and Wildlife officers have since been sent to the area to safeguard the lives of people.
Mrs. Luhila has since urged members of the public to take precautionary measures and report the whereabouts of the beast to her office immediately once spotted.
In a related development, the lone buffalo was also spotted in some parts of Silowana Ward of Nalolo District.
Silowana Ward Councilor Kapalu Chilanda told ZANIS in a telephone interview that there is need for relevant authorities to quickly intervene before lives are lost.
Central Province Minister Sydney Mushanga has said the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation and the creation of the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs are bearing fruits in the country.
Mr. Mushanga said these have resulted in sanity and collaboration between the church and government.
He has noted that the actualisation of Zambia as a Christian nation by creating a Ministry in Charge of Religious Affairs was strengthened by President Lungu’s declaration of an annual day of prayer and fasting.
The minister said this is because the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs is effectively carrying out its mandate of fostering both social and spiritual guidance to the nation.
Mr. Mushanga was speaking last evening at Ebenezer Pentecostal Church fundraising dinner in Kabwe.
He said like other churches, the Ebenezer Pentecostal church in Kabwe has been collaborating well with government in providing social services to local communities, especially the needy in society regardless of social or political backgrounds.
Mr. Mushanga recalled that Ebenezer Pentecostal church in Kabwe, through the Men’s Fellowship, donated garbage bins to Kabwe Municipal Council in 2016 for distribution around the town centre to enhance cleanliness and prevent possible disease outbreaks.
He added that the church has often times visited inmates at Mukobeko Maximum Prison with various foodstuffs and other items in line with biblical principles of praying and providing services for the needy.
The Central Province Minister thanked the Ebenezer Pentecostal church and urged its leadership to continue with the good spirit of extending a helping hand and working in partnership with government.
Mr. Mushanga donated K5, 000 during the fundraising dinner whose target was to raise K100, 000 for procuring musical instruments.
And guest speaker from Ndola Ebenezer Pentecostal church in the Copperbelt Province, Donald Chilambo, urged the leadership of Ebenezer Pentecostal church in Kabwe to work hard and leave an indelible mark for future generations to remember them.
At total of K60, 000 was raised in cash and pledges.
Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has written to the Minister of Finance Margret Mwanakatwe demanding immediate issue of a waiver to formally exempt individuals who own residential properties from paying withholding tax on rental income. He said that the waiver should hold until an equitable system is put in place to ensure poor and unemployed landlords are unduly exploited by Government.
Mr. Sinkamba disclosed this in Kitwe this morning following the lapse of the deadline set by Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda requiring all landlords and tenants to register for withholding tax by 1st March. He said it is improper for government to issue ultimatums before amicably resolving the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) issues.
“For example, the Income Tax Act provides for a system of taxing emoluments. The word ‘emoluments’ is quite extravagant. According to Section 2 of the Income Tax Act, it includes wages, salaries, overtime, leave pay, commissions, fees, bonuses, gratuities and any other payments from employment or office. For some unemployed or retired township dwellers, renting of servants’ quarters or part or whole house is their office. Some are orphans, others are widows whose only source of income are those quarters or parts of houses or indeed whole houses. So, to them, the houses is their employment and their office. How then do you go ahead to give deadlines without resolving these pertinent issues?” said Mr. Sinkamba.
Mr. Sinkamba explained that according to Section 45 of the Income Tax Act, an income of K3, 300 gross per month is not reportable income. He said that such an income is tax free and added that beneficiaries are obliged by law to report that income to ZRA. He said the tax free provision does not only apply to those who earn income through formal employment but even those who earn their income through informal means. He said the rebate should also extend to landlords who charge rental which is equivalent or below the taxable threshold.
“The Income Tax Act provides a tax rebate for persons who earn gross revenue of K3,300.00 per month. Most, if not all landlords in Chimwemwe, Wusakili, Kanyama, Mandevu and elsewhere in the countrywide do not earn that kind of money from rent charges. Almost 98% of households countrywide are not worth that kind of money in rental charges per month. So, why bother God’s people to register, and give them deadlines, when you know for fact that they are statutorily exempt from reporting their earnings to ZRA? It is like ukukumbwa nefyo tabalya,” he quipped.
“Zambia is a constitutional democracy. It must be governed according to the National Value and Principles which the President talked about last week on Friday. Some of the values and principles include human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and nondiscrimination, good governance and integrity. The threats by ZRA are nowhere closer to these values and principles. ZRA has unduly sent serious shivers in our people in compounds. What makes matters worse is that the vast majority of our people are extremely vulnerable because they cannot afford legal representation if ZRA were to pounce on them.
“You see, Government is a making of the people. Leaders are elected into government by the people, to serve the people, and not to exploit, intimidate or bother them for nothing. Therefore, when leaders are privileged, by the people, to serve in government, then the leaders in return have an onerous responsibility to act responsibly towards people’s interests and complaints. Sadly, and shockingly so, our colleagues in the PF Government have drifted away from National Values and Principle enshrined in the Constitution,” the Green Party leaders grieved.
“This issue of withholding tax requires a sober approach by our colleagues in Government not threatening the people. Those in Government must always remember that according to our constitution, ultimately sovereign authority is vested in the people. They must always remember that the power has just been temporarily lent to them on borrowed time for that matter. It is therefore improper and an exhibition of serious irresponsibility to threaten the people simply because they are poor, illiterate, and hopeless.
“The deadline set by ZRA lapsed two week ago. Our people do not know what will follow next. The threats and ultimatums by ZRA have really sent serious shivers in our people, especially those in compounds. These people are extremely vulnerable because they cannot afford legal representation if ZRA pounces on them. So to avoid their misery, just in case ZRA decides to be brutal, as the Green Party, we have decided to write the Minister of Finance to immediately place a waiver on rent income withholding tax until an equitable system is put in place to ensure that poor and unemployed landlords are unduly exploited by Government. We hope she takes this request seriously and with the urgency it deserves”
Striker Fashion Sakala and midfielder Emmanuel Banda are the first players expected to join Zambia’s camp today ahead of this week’s Four-Nations Friendly Tournament in Ndola.
Sakala of Russian club Spartak Moscow and Banda of KV Oostende in Belgium are set to join the 23-home-based players at the Ndola camp on Sunday.
Zambia is hosting the Four-Nations Cup at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium from March 21-24 that will be graced by Angola, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
And the other five foreign call-ups will join the team on Monday.
Orlando Pirates duo of striker Justin Shonga and midfielder Augustine Mulenga will arrive on Monday.
Midfielders Roderick Kabwe from Ajax Cape Town and Salulani Phiri of Polokwane City also arrive on March 19.
Also due in on Monday is midfielder Enock Mwepu from Austria but his club mate Patson Daka will miss the tournament due to injury.
Meanwhile, Zambia will open the tournament on March 21 against Zimbabwe in a 13h00 kick-off before Bafana Bafana face Angola at 15h00.
The winners will meet in the final on March 24 at 15h00 while the losing semi-finalists clash in a third and fourth playoff at 13h00.
Some stakeholders in Northwestern province have called for the amendment of the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) Act no. 13 of 2002 to ensure effective ways of monitoring road construction and maintenance.
Addressing a stakeholder’s consultative meeting organized by NRFA, Solwezi Town Clerk Mbulo Seke said NRFA should consider engaging local councils in their decisions, especially in maintainence of township roads.
Mr Seke said the local council does not have enough funds to upgrade all township road to bituminous standard as it only relies on funds collected through rates payable to the council.
He said Solwezi district has no township roads and therefore, NRFA, Road Development Agency (RDA) and the council must work together to see how they can improve the township road network in the district.
And a stakeholder Rodgers Manjomba said NRFA should work closely with the Road Development Agency to ensure that the money collected from NRFA is put to good use.
Mr Manjomba said NRFA must also ensure that contractors working on all road projects are monitored to ensure they deliver the best services and complete the projects on time.
Another Solwezi resident, Philgrace Mukisha, said NRFA must be given the mandate to not only fund road works but also supervise and suspend contracts of underperforming contractors.
Meanwhile, NRFA programming, monitoring and evaluation manager, Alinani Msisya called on various stakeholders in the province to make submissions towards the review of the NRFA Act No. 13 of 2002 in order to address challenges faced by the Agency due to limitations and conflicts in the Act.
Mr Msisya said the current Act is 15 years old and parts of the legislation are no longer relevant hence the need to update the Act.
Mr Msisya said an updated NRFA Act will also serve as a great tool to sustain the road sector and preserve the road asset.
The Patriotic Front is concerned at the amount of hate speech being peddled by some media houses against President Edgar Lungu and sponsored by some opposition political parties.
PF Media Director Sunday Chanda says the known media houses and opposition parties are sick minds publishing malicious articles aimed at demeaning the sitting President.
Mr. Chanda has charged that the named media houses are now praying for misfortune for President Lungu including physical illness through their careless articles and editorials.
He says Zambians understand that it is immoral and inhuman to wish sickness and other misfortune on another human being – all for purposes of attaining selfish political objectives.
The PF Media director says, this is why Zambians have continued to associate some political parties with dark forces.
Mr. Chanda says the PF continues to call for civilised and ethical media reporting and mature politics.
He adds that Zambians will continue to demand for an opposition that offers credible checks and balances and understands its other role as a “proposition” of new ideas and policies.
FILE: Zambia Railways workers in action during the commencement of the truck rehabilitation programme in Livingstone
Zambia Railways Limited plans to overhaul its railway system on the Copperbelt while new tracks will also be constructed in new mine areas to facilitate the smooth flow of heavy cargo.
Chief Executive Officer Christopher Musonda says this is for the effective implementation of a Statutory Instrument compelling transporters of heavy cargo to move 30 percent of bulk cargo from road to rail which took effect in February.
Speaking when he addressed the media in Kitwe, Mr. Musonda said most of the railway tracks on the Copperbelt have been vandalised and encroached on.
Mr. Musonda says the company will also demolish all illegal structures built within railway reserves and lines to protect cargo and human life.
He said plans are under way to demolish all illegal structures sitting on railway systems and rehabilitate vandalised inter mine tracks while new ones will also be built to service new mines.
Mr. Musonda further said the company has created six dry ports across the country for the effective transportation and delivery of heavy cargo.
He said all mines on the Copperbelt and North western provinces have been engaged on the SI and the response is good.
He added that the company has also bought new locomotive engines and that some of the heavy bulk cargo expected to be transported by rail include copper, cobalt concentrates, sugar, coal, cement, sulphur and fuel.
Government issued a Statutory Instrument on 26 January to shift 30% of heavy and bulk cargo from road to rail.
Health Minister Inspecting Health Centres in Chililabombwe District
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya has issued a two-week ultimatum to the contractor building health posts on the Copperbelt, Central and Southern Provinces to mobilize and complete all outstanding works.
Dr. Chilufya says government wants all the health posts to be completed by the end of this year.
The minister, who is also Mansa Central Member of Parliament, says funds for the completion of works on the projects have already been secured.
Dr. Chilufya issued the ultimatum after being briefed by Chingola District Commissioner, Mary Chibesa on arrival at Kasompe airstrip.
He said President Edgar Lungu’s government has a transformation agenda of ensuring primary health care is accessible at all levels.
Dr. Chilufya also said there is no reason for any woman to die while giving birth because a lot of interventions are already in place.
And speaking later in Chililabombwe, Dr. Chilufya directed the contractor constructing phase one of the district hospital to complete works by May 31 this year.
He further announced that Kakoso clinic in Chililabombwe will be upgraded to a first level hospital status.
Earlier, Chililabombwe MP Richard Musukwa said there is need to operationalize the district hospital because patients are being referred to Chingola for basic medical services.
“For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.”
(2 Corinthians 9:10, NLT)
You Have What It Takes
When Jesus sent His disciples out to heal the sick, meet their needs, and share the Gospel, He told them, “Give as freely as you have received” (Matthew 10:8). In other’s words, God has given you everything you need to do what He’s called you to do in this life. He has equipped you to be successful and has empowered you to overcome in this life. He’s given you seed to sow in order to have an abundant harvest in your future. You have what it takes!
God has placed seed in your hand today, but in order for that seed to produce, it has to be planted. It has to be watered. It has to be fertilized. Today, ask God to show you where to plant your seed. Make sure you are sowing in the right ground and tending to the seed He has given you. Remember, God has a good plan for your future. He has plans to bless you and increase you. Today, you have what it takes to move forward and receive the blessing He has prepared for you!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for equipping me for every good work. Thank You for giving me good seed to sow! I invite You to guide my every step by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for choosing me to be a part of Your plan in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
The Centre for Disability Development Research Law and Policy has charged that the management and board for Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) has failed to function to expectations of persons with disabilities in the country.
Disability Policy Analyst for Africa Professor Charles Mwape said that the agency has failed to function in line with the vision of government which is evidently outlined in the party manifesto for 2016 to 2021 of enhancing resources generation for the agency and creation of rehabilitation centers at districts level.
In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Professor Charles Mwape disclosed that despite government doing its part of increase funding to ZAPD and also recalling all its employees who were dismissed from 17 farm centres, the management has still failed to interpret the party manifesto.
Professor Charles Mwape added that the agency has failed to interpret the party manifesto into programmes and policies as provided for the disability Act No. 6 of 2016.
He explained that this has resulted in the increase of persons with disability on the street and increase of street children who normally accompany their incapacitated parents.
He stated that the disability Act No.6 of 2012 and National Disability policy are a blue print vision of the government of “having persons with disabilities enjoying equal opportunities with others that are fundamental for living and human development by 2030.”
Professor Mwape pointed out that there is lack of progress by ZAPD to carry out the mandate as it has failed in providing for the promotion of employment to persons with disabilities, social protection, habitation and rehabilitation, in line with part IV Clause (32) to (38) of disability Act No. 6 of 2012.
He added that mismanagement of the agency has resulted to a total failure of creating 7,000 jobs for both persons with disabilities and other individuals as espoused by government vision.
He explained that it is sad on how the board has overlooked endorsement and concerns of cooperating partners on the appointment of director general and other senior’s officials which the current board has been doing without advertising for the positions.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Disability has appealed to President Edgar Lungu to appoint a special team that will review the performance of ZAPD for the last 7 years.
Professor Mwape , however, said the Centre is pleased with the effort made by the government to domesticate the 2008 United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) as well as to carry out a comprehensive review of the persons with disabilities act of 1996.
He said that if ZAPD will implement programs as stated in the government manifesto and persons with disabilities Act No. 6 of 2012, the agency will be able to create more than 10,000 direct jobs for both persons will disabilities and other individuals at districts level.
Mr Mweetwa speaking during the weekly UPND news conference
UPND Choma Central Member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa says President Edgar Lungu’s appeal for help in the fight against corruption is an admission that his government has failed to end the vice in Zambia.
Mr. Mweetwa told journalists at the weekend UPND briefing on today that the fight against corruption can only be won if the government and President Lungu in particular show commitment.
Mr. Mweetwa observed that since President Lungu entered office, corruption has steadily been going up without any form of intervention.
“As UPND, we commend President Lungu for conceding that he has lamentably failed in fighting corruption hence the call for help. The free advise we can give the president and the entire PF is that, let them lead by the example.”
He suggested that the recent statement by President Lungu using an idiom of “Ubomba Mwibala alya Mwibala” has not only become a slogan for public service officers but is also fueling corruption in the public service.
He further said that President Lungu does not mean well in the fight against corruption adding that the Friday address to Parliament reveals the high level of hypocrisy in his government.
“If the President was serious with the fight against corruption, he would have started with his Ministers whom he at one time accused of being corrupt.
He regretted that despite him confessing that there was rampant corruption among his ministers, only outspoken Roan MP Chishimba Kambwili has had the wrath of the Anti Corruption Commission and the Police.
“It is such kind of selective application of Justice which was fueling corruption in Zambia.Am wondering why the Anti Corruption Commission only began to investigate kambwili when he left office and started to speak against Lungu’s corrupt vices”,he said.
The lawmaker who is also African parliamentarians against corruption Network Zambian chapter chairperson further explained that there were alot more ministers in PF government that need to be investigated today but were surviving at the mercy of Lungu by being his praise singers.
“I can tell you members of the press that the levels of corruption under the PF administration which came into power on the premise of fight against corruption makes Rupiah Banda look like a saint in the eyes of the public.The corruption under RB could be more tolerable than under this PF.It has reached pandemic levels and only a total change in leadership can liberate the country.We are a disaster not only locally but even on the international scene,”he added.
He said Zambia is what it is today because of the mediocre leadership the people have continued to entrust its affairs with.
“If the people were serious with the kind of leaders they put in office, the country would be at a different level.Even the amount of punishment God shall met out to sinners will be much bearable than what the PF are subjecting this country and it’s people to.It’s scarely and as the UPND,we can feel the pain and it hurts,”the lawmaker said.
“Chingalika” Kitwe United on Sunday mark their return to the FAZ Super Division with a seemingly tricky fixture against visiting Green Buffaloes at Garden Park Stadium in Kitwe.
The Buchi Boys last competed in the top league in 2006.
There are high expectations from their noisy supporters in Buchi and Kamitondo as Kitwe bounces back to the Super Division.
But Buffaloes are expected to test Kitwe’s preparedness for the new season.
“Playing in the Super Division will be tough but we are hopeful of staying in the league at the end,” Chingalika captain Moses Lolozi said.
Buffalo’s defender Buchizya Mfune seems emotional as he leads his Soldiers against his old club.
Mfune played for Kitwe with the likes of Joseph Sitali, Kennedy Mweene, Chisala Mwandama, Felix Mangwato and Sanida Zulu before joining Buffaloes.
“I am going back to my roots where it all started,” Mfune said ahead of the match.
The match between Kitwe and Buffaloes is expected to eclipse Power Dynamos’ Sunday encounter against National Assembly at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Red Arrows, Green Eagles and Nakambala Leopards all posted victories as the 2018 FAZ Super Division season kicked off on Saturday.
Captain Bruce Musakanya and striker Josephat Kasusu scored as Arrows thumped promoted side New Monze Swallows 2-0 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Eagles silenced visiting Lumwana Radiants 1-0 thanks to defender Warren Kunda’s goal in Choma.
Lameck Banda was the scorer as Nakambala started the league campaign with a 1-0 win over Kabwe Warriors in Mazabuka.
The Lusaka derby between Nkwazi and Napsa Stars ended in a goalless draw at Edwin Imboela Stadium in Sikanze Police Camp.
Meanwhile, Super Division matches scheduled for the Copperbelt will be played on Sunday owing to Nkana’s CAF Confederation Cup engagement in Kitwe on Saturday.
Nkana and Zanaco on Saturday exited the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Champions League respectively after contrasting results.
At Nkana Stadium in Kitwe, Nkana beat CR Belouizdad of Algeria 1-0 thanks to a 48th minute penalty converted by Dieugo Apanene who went on to miss another spot-kick in the 75th minute.
Nkana bow out 3-1 on aggregate after just one round following a bye in February’s preliminary round.
They join Green Buffaloes out of the CAF Confederation Cup who were eliminated in February by Al Masry of Egypt.
At Somhlolo Stadium in Swaziland, Zanaco were eliminated from the CAF Champions League after losing 1-0 away to Mbabane Swallows who completed a double over the Zambian club following a 2-1 away first leg victory on March 7 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Zanaco bow out 3-1 on aggregate.
Wonder Nhelko’s 24th minute goal put this matter beyond doubt.
However, Zanaco get second chance ticket following their relegation to the pregroup stage of the CAF Confederation Cup in April.
Meanwhile, Zesco United will be hoping not to follow their compatriot’s path when they visit ASEC Mimosa of Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday in an 18h00 kickoff in Abidjan.
Zesco must win 2-0 to qualify to the group stage that kicks off in May or will join Zanaco in the March 22 draws for next month’s CAF Confederation Cup last 32.
Zesco trail 1-0 from the first leg at home on March 7 in Ndola.
Government says it is devising a master plan that will correct address the numerous unplanned settlements in Lusaka and change the face of the capital city.
ZANIS reports that Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo said Government is worried with unplanned settlements in Lusaka which stand at fourteen.
Mr Lusambo regretted that the bigger chunk of Lusaka City has been taken up by unplanned settlements with the majority of them being a few minutes’ drive from the Central Business District (CBD).
“We are putting our foot down, so that we can redesign and plan Lusaka, we know people will complain, but they will appreciate it when it’s done,” said Mr Lusambo.
He said it is unacceptable that in this era people living near the CBD of the Capital City are using pit latrines.
He said Government will not tolerate the trend and will ensure that pit latrines are decommissioned from the CBD as government moves to change the face of the capital city.
The minister stated that most of the unplanned settlements such as Kuku, Misisi and Kanyama were erected in areas designated for the establishment of industries.
He said this explains why service companies such as the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company has failed to properly provide water and sewerage services.
“The status quo is pathetic, it’s very bad to have people using pit latrines, 3 minutes away from the CBD, in the capital city of Zambia, its bad, we can’t allow it” said Mr Lusambo.
The minister also said that the Central Business District will be redeveloped and the new Society park building will be the yard stick for all the buildings in the capital city.
“We are in the 21 st century and we need to improve our town, other countries are redesigning their capital cities, and we are going to do that,” said Mr Lusambo.
He urged shop owners who have no capacity to renovate or put up new structures to partner with investors in order to improve their buildings.
Mr Lusambo said his provincial administration has engaged the Lusaka City Council (LCC) to come up with a lasting solution to the problem of unplanned settlements that has dodged the city of Lusaka.
He said part of government’s upgrade of the settlements will see construction of bituminous roads, and suitable water and sewerage services and the erection of high rise structures that would be mortgaged to people.
The Minister warned the planning section of Lusaka City Council to desist from flouting planning procedures and instead do the right thing.
Mr Lusambo also appealed to the general public to follow laid down procedures when constructing structures in the city.
The minister said he will ensure that the Lusaka planning authority extends the redesign and re-planning exercise to all districts in Lusaka province in order to ensure that the areas benefit from infrastructure development.
