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The opposition UPND says the ruling Patriotic Front has been sent panicking after being exposed by the African Liberal Network (ALN) for their dictatorship, abuse of human rights and corruption.
The ALN released a resolution at the weekend that denounced dictatorship in Zambia which upset the PF and in response accused the Liberals of meeting in Accra to talk about homosexuality.
A UPND delegate who attended the meeting, Charles Kakoma said the issue of homosexuals and lesbians was not on the agenda and was never discussed.
Mr Kakoma who is also UPND Spokesman said what appeared to have annoyed the PF was the resolution on bad political governance in Zambia which the African Liberal Network issued.
He said the deliberations of the General Assembly of the Africa Liberal Network were live on Twitter and documented on other media for anyone to follow.
Mr Kakoma said it was trash journalism for the PF to try to manipulate the statement from Africa Liberal Network by infusing in homosexuality to suit the PF agenda on propaganda.
Mr Kakoma said the injustices being committed by the PF and it’s government are being noticed by the world and no amount of denial or propaganda will help the PF.
“There were three resolutions and one declaration passed. These resolutions were on the political situation in Zambia, the political situation in Somalia and the effect of climate change in South Africa. The declaration was on Africa embracing market economics,” Mr Kakoma said.
Scores of youths in Chongwe District have distanced themselves from media reports suggesting that Chongwe residents have rejected government’s policy direction to explore nuclear project in the district.
And the youths have unreservedly apologized to Higher Education Minister Professor Nkandu Luo on the manner she was treated by some youths who had attended the earlier meeting chaired by senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo ll, a fortnight ago.
Meanwhile, Chongwe District Commissioner Frazer Musonda has implored the people in the district to support government’s policies that are aimed at bringing the much needed development.
Speaking on behalf of other youths, Edward Musole, said young people have since endorsed the decision of the Chongwe District Development Co-ordinating Committee (DDCC) to embrace nuclear science and technology as alternative energy in the country’s diversified energy mix.
Mr. Musole explained that youths have also decided to align themselves with the vision of President Edgar Lungu’s quest to develop the country without discrimination.
He said this at the Chongwe District Administration during a solidarity march with President Edgar Lungu’s developmental agenda of developing all parts of the country even where the PF party received few votes in the 2016 General Elections.
“After carrying out an assessment of what led to the earlier statement, we have come to a conclusion that those of us who were part of the meeting which had a predetermined outcome and rejected the project,” he said.
“We realized our mistake and we take cognizant of the fact that we unknowingly shared a platform with political enemies of President Lungu and we were duped to be part of the wrong decision.”
Mr. Musole pointed out that the youths have decided to support the government’s developmental agenda aimed at bettering the welfare of all Zambians.
And Mr. Musole has on behalf of the youths extended their apology to President Lungu and his administration on the manner some unruly youths heckled Professor Luo when she came to enlighten residents on the proposed project.
Mr. Musole said the youths are collectively asking for forgiveness from the Head of State and Professor Luo in particular after reflecting on their misconduct during the heated meeting.
“In addition, with much remorse, we regret that we did not treat our mother, a senior government official with respect she deserved during the meeting which had a predetermined outcome”, he said.
“After realizing our misconduct as already mentioned, it is our heart’s desire to collectively ask for forgiveness from our beloved President and Professor Luo in particular after reflecting on own misconduct during the heated meeting.”
And addressing scores of youths, Chongwe District Commissioner Frazer Musonda has implored the people in the district to support government’s policies that are aimed at bringing the much needed development.
Mr. Musonda observed that divided loyalty in the district has hindered the smooth implementation of government programmes.
He appealed to all stakeholders regardless of their political affiliations to embrace progressive policies if the district is to see meaningful development as outlined in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
“We the people of Chongwe rejected the construction of a general hospital, shopping malls and other important social amenities which would have contributed to wealth and job creation in the district.”
Last week, the Chongwe District Development Co-ordinating Committee (DDCC) special meeting endorsed government’s intention to build a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Chongwe district’s Silverest area.
The project which is still in its infancy stage is aimed at training nuclear scientists locally to cut on expenses government incur currently for sending students abroad.
A fortnight ago, a meeting chaired by Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II attended by Higher Education Minister Professor Nkandu Luo and Chongwe Member of Parliament, Japhen Mwakalombe, some Chongwe residents rejected the project on the pretext that it was a nuclear plant.
The residents who seemed to have had a predetermined outcome prior to the meeting, rejected elaborate explains from Professor Luo and technocrats from the interim Committee on Nuclear Energy.
In 2015, Zambia experienced a crippling power deficit and forced government to explore alternative energy in the country’s diversified energy mix to meet the power supply demand and export the surplus in a bid to industrialize.
Minister of Community Development and Social Services Emerine Kabanshi
Community Development and Social Services Minister, Emerine Kabanshi has disclosed that government will soon introduce other social protection programmes which will help alleviate urban poverty. Ms. Kabanshi said just like in rural areas, there are a lot of impoverished people living in urban areas.
She said these impoverished people that live in urban areas also needed help to cushion their sufferings. She said this when she handed over four motor vehicles to the department of social welfare in Chililabombwe, Mufulira, Kalulushi and Masaiti districts in the Copperbelt province.
The minister also handed over 372 bicycles to Community Welfare Assistant Committees (CWACs) in the above named districts.
Ms. Kabanshi said the motor vehicles and bicycles are meant to streamline operations of the social welfare department in the implementation of various social protection programmes including the ones that will be introduced in the districts.
She said the various social protection programmes which government has rolled out to all parts of the country have improved the welfare of many families in Zambia.
Ms. Kabanshi said social protection programmes have the potential to help in the alleviation of gender based violence (GBV) which are currently increasing in the country.
The Minister, who is also Luapula Constituency Member of Parliament, said women were being battered by their husbands because most of them solely depend on their spouses for survival.
She added that if the women are empowered, they will be able to support themselves.
She said government will continue helping the poor and vulnerable people in the country to ensure that the poverty gap between the rich and poor is reduced.
And Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Emerine Kabanshi, says government will continue to implement social protection programmes in order to reduce poverty levels in the country.
Ms. Kabanshi said the number of social cash transfer scheme (SCTS) beneficiaries in Masaiti district is expected to increase to over 4,000 this year.
The scheme was piloted last year in Masaiti in the Copperbelt Province with over 3,000 recipients.
Meanwhile, Ms. Kabanshi has disclosed that government will this year increase the food security packs (FSP) from 300 to 750 as part of programmes to improve people’s welfare.
The minister said this when she handed over a Toyota Land Cruiser motor vehicle and 93 bicycles to the Social Welfare Department in Masaiti district yesterday.
Ms. Kabanshi has since called for continued collaboration between government and stakeholders in the implementation of social protection programmes in the district.
And Masaiti District Council Chairperson, Christine Chande, has commended government for providing a vehicle and bicycles to the social welfare department in the district saying this would ensure efficiency.
Ms. Chande said the vehicle would provide the much needed mobility for the officers to monitor activities in the district adding that the bicycles would also enable community members reach all places in the vast district.
She pointed out that the SCT programme was already bearing positive results with many beneficiaries engaging in business and agriculture.
She added that people have also been able to send their children to school after being put on the programme.
Meanwhile, Masaiti District Commissioner, Mike Musonda, has commended government for scaling up the social protection programmes in the district.
Speaking during a courtesy call paid on him at his office, Mr. Musonda cited the doubling of packs under the FSP programme and increasing beneficiaries under social cash transfer as among key steps in improving living standards of people in Masaiti district.
Mr. Musonda has since assured of teamwork of collaboration to ensure that all programmes meet their intended target of promoting decent living among the people.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has dispelled assertions alleging that the national team was not paid for the Ivory Coast and Namibia African Nations Championship games which were held in Morocco.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga maintained when he featured on ZNBC Sunday interview programme that all the players were fully paid by government.
Kamanga said as far as the association is concerned, no player is owed any money by the government for the CHAN tournament.
He explained that government took over the paying of players after they qualified for the CHAN tournament in Morocco.
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga
The FAZ president said the monies for the players were directly deposited into their accounts during the tournament.
However, Kamanga quickly pointed out that players have not yet been paid for the qualifying matches.
He said FAZ will only pay the players when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) releases the funds.
The FAZ president stated that government only comes in when the national team is playing in the tournament.
Kamanga said he would be shocked to find that government has not paid them.
And commenting on the fate of Zambia national soccer team coach Wedson Nyirenda, Kamanga said the association was still reviewing his performance.
Kamanga however revealed that Nyirenda failed to deliver according to the set targets in the contract.
He disclosed that according to the contract, the coach was supposed to qualify the national team to the World Cup 2018 and Africa Cup 2019.
The FAZ president also revealed that the coach requested the association to make changes to the national team technical bench.
Kamanga said FAZ accepted the request adding that the association will therefore make further changes to the technical bench.
He said once changes are made, FAZ will officially communicated to the public.
And Kamanga disclosed that FAZ has organised a four nations tournament.
He named Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia as the teams that will participate in the tournament.
He said the tournament will be used as preparatory matches ahead of the AFCON qualifiers.
The Football Association of Zambia has set the 2018 Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 31st March, 2018.
FAZ Communications Manager Desmond Katongo said the AGM will be held under the revised constitution.
Mr. Katongo said the FAZ Council will comprise 138 delegates as stipulated under article 22 of the new FAZ constitution.
He explained that Clubs from the Super League, Division 1 and women’s league will have two delegates and one vote.
In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Katongo indicated that the meeting will be held at 10: 00hrs at the New Government Complex in Lusaka.
He added that Division 2 and 3 clubs will be represented by the top 2 teams on the 2017 league table respectively.
Mr. Katongo noted that in regions without Division 3, the association will consider the top 4 teams from Division 2 on the 2017 league table.
He has further advised members of the association to adhere to the revised constitution.
IN FEBRUARY, 2018, the Treasury released a total of K5.63 billion for developmental programmes and Government operations. Of this amount, a total of K2.14 billion was for personal emoluments for public service workers, K1.5 billion went towards debt service, and K799 billion was released for grants while the remainder of K1.22 billion went to other key programmes including capital projects.
K341 million was disbursed to Ministries Provinces and Other Spending Agencies (MPSA’s) for operations and for implementation of planned programmes and activities.
The Auditor General was given K15 million for activity implementation, including for the production of the 2017 Audited Financial Report by 30th September, 2018. The requirement to produce the Audited Financial Report is constitutional. In addition, as part of the broader Financial Management Reforms, the Auditor General has been capacitated to undertake a wide range of audits on public resources and public service operations.
Of the amount released for grants, K92 million went to the Ministry of Agriculture for the Farmer Input Support Programme [FISP]. The Food Reserve Agency received K30 million to cater for costs associated with protecting, preserving, and maintaining food in various storage facilities across the country, while K4 million was released for the 2017/2018 Agricultural Season Crop Survey.
K89.9 million was disbursed to the Local Government Equalisation Fund in order to facilitate the operations of Councils while the Ministry of Health received K60.8 million as hospital grants to facilitate operational costs of health facilities across the country and a further K80 million for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies.
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services received K45.8 million for the Social Cash Transfer Programme, while the Public Service Pensions Fund received K88.3 million for retirees’ pension benefits in line with the Government’s spirit of not leaving anyone behind. The Compensation and Awards Fund was allocated K25 million in order to clear arrears for cases determined by the courts against the Government.
The Skills Development Fund was given K19.8 million, to address challenges of inadequate skills among artisans and craftsmen, in a programme jointly managed by the public sector and the private sector to ensure that the skills that are being developed are relevant to the industrialisation programme which the Government has embarked on.
K5.6 million was given to the Government Printers for modernisation and infrastructure rehabilitation while K6.75 million was given to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Immigration Department) for establishment of an Electronic Document and Record Management System.
National Road Fund Agency received K49.6 million for onward disbursement to the road sector for various obligations.
MEANWHILE, commenting on fiscal discipline concerns by stakeholders with regard to the Auditor General’s Report, MINISTER OF FINANCE MARGARET MWANAKATWE has reiterated that the Government has embarked on the implementation of public financial management reforms in planning and budgeting, revenue administration, accounting and reporting, internal audit and control, and public procurement TO ENSURE AND ENSHRINE IN LAW, the prudent use of public resources.
“I take this opportunity restate the message of HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT Mr. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU at a recently held workshop for Ministers and Controlling Officers, that the Government has prepared and submitted the Public Financial Management Bill (2017) to Parliament TO STIFFEN REGULATORY AND SANCTION REGIME THAT WILL SEE FINES AND JAIL SENTENCES OF UP TO 5 YEARS FOR OFFENDERS,” said the Minister, adding that, “I am hopeful that once this bill is enacted into law, it will compel accountability and transparency in the mobilisation, storage, handling, and utilisation of public resources.”
To strengthen commitment controls, a lot of work to migrate all ministries onto the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and Treasury Single Account [TSA] is on-going. As directed by the President, efforts are in place to migrate all remaining ministries and agencies onto these systems this year without fail.
On its part, the Ministry of Finance will continue to issue Treasury Briefs to ensure that the public is timely informed about developments in the economy.
The Teaching Service Commission has directed that all outstanding cases in the teaching fraternity In the Copperbelt Province must be processed and submitted to the commission by the end of this month.
Speaking in Ndola today at a meeting with school administrators, commission chairperson Stanley Mhango said all outstanding cases must be passed to the next level for processing at provincial level.
Mr. Mhango disclosed that the code of ethics for teachers has been developed and would soon be distributed to the whole country.
He has since urged all teachers to adhere to the code of ethics.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mhango observed that there were few females in decision making positions in the teaching fraternity in the Copperbelt province.
He said, according to statistics, female headed institutions performed better compared to male headed ones noting that women are capable of being managers as well.
The Teaching Service Commission Chairperson added that women with disabilities should also be considered for decision making positions.
The opposition UPND has refuted reports that it was part of a grouping of political parties that recently met in Ghana and endorsed gay rights in its constitution.
UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka said the reports that the UPND signed up to gay rights during the meeting is mere propaganda by the PF.
Mr Katuka said the UPND is not interested in engaging in unproductive undertakings with the PF.
And Peoples Alliance for Change President Andyford Banda who also attended the meeting described the reports as rubbish.
Mr Banda said nothing of that sort happened during the Ghana meeting.
He has since challenged the PF to familiarize themselves with the term liberal politics than spreading falsehoods.
In a statement, PF Media Director Sunday Chanda alleged that the UPND met in Ghana to adopt a common constitution that will support and promote gay rights in Africa and the party was represented by Chairman for international relations Mulondwe Muzungu and Party spokesperson Charles Kakoma.
He said the UPND, with its partners appended their signatures to adopt the rights of homosexuals, which includes lesbians, gay, bisexual, non-binary and intersex relations whom they classified as marginalized.
Mr Chanda alleged that the same gathering was used to discredit Zambia’s image and that of the Patriotic Front Government as covered in some sections of the media.
“We wish to advise the Africa Liberal Network (ALN) that Patriotic Front shall not be lectured to by a ‘club’ with liberal values and agendas that at variance with our core values and culture as Zambians,” Mr Chanda said.
He said democratic principles are agreed and ascribed to in the party’s membership to the highest intergovernmental and multilateral bodies and treaties.
“We refuse to entertain ‘imagined and UPND spun ‘abuses’ in their quest to tarnish the nations reputation in a blatant power grab with their ‘liberal partners’ who promote among many other affronts to our culture, rights of lesbians, gay, bisexual, non-binary and intersex relations,” he said.
Earlier, there was a report that the Liberal parties meeting in Ghana has adopted a common constitution that will support and promote gay rights in Africa.
More than 30 countries were represented and Zambia was covered by the United Party for National Development (UPND) Chairman for International Relations Mulondwe Muzungu and Party Spokesperson Charles Kakoma.
In adopting the final draft, the liberal networks accepted to promote equal rights for all and defend human rights world-wide including rights of lesbians, gay, bisexual , non-binary and intersex.
Liberal political parties in Africa such as the Democratic Alliance of South Africa and UPND of Zambia are meeting in Ghana.
The resolution follows the final draft adopted in Oxford in April 2017 after other drafts were adopted in Berlin, Taipei, Newyork and Marakeshi.
The parties also expressed what they termed as serious concerns on the deteriorating political situation in Zambia and urged the government to restore democracy in the country.
Opposition liberal parties countries in about 30 countries in Africa passed a resolution on Sunday in Accra, Ghana, urging the Zambian government to depart from the path of dictatorship and allow democracy to prevail.
The resolution was passed at the General Assembly of the Africa Liberal Network (ALN) meeting in Accra.
The ALN is an organisation of 44 liberal political parties from 30 countries in Africa. It is an associated organisation of Liberal International, the political family to which liberal parties belong.
The meeting alleged that the Zambian government lacked commitment to national unity, good governance, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law as enshrined in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance .
The meeting also alleged that Zambia was sliding into one party dictatorship as press freedom, freedoms of expression, assembly, movement, privacy and association were being trampled upon every day, and opposition political parties were denied the freedom to operate due to repression, state brutality and political violence.
The meeting was concerned that the prevailing circumstances were fuelling tension in the country, threatening peace and stability in Zambia, thereby exposing the country and all its values to the dangers of civil strife, displacement and misery.
Part of the resolution said:
“Now therefore, the Zambian government which is a member of the African Union and signatory to the African Union Agenda 2063, African Charter on Human Rights, African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance is implored to uphold the ideals of Agenda 2063 by doing the following: (i) depart from the path of dictatorship and allow democracy to prevail ; (ii) call upon the Zambian government to amend the Public Order Act and free political activity in keeping with democratic principles ; (iii) prevent the escalation of tensions, political violence and state brutality and give back to the citizens their normal lives ; (iv) stop cold blooded arrests and incarcerations of citizens as the case was with the incarceration of the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema in April 2017, on trumped up treason charges ; (v) stamp out corruption as it has created unbearable conditions for the majority of the citizens; and (v) uphold liberal values to level the political playing ground in line with competitive politics. ”
The ALN General Assembly was hosted by the Progressive People’s Party of Ghana with support from the Liberal Democrats of the United Kingdom , Friedrich Naumann Foundation of Germany, The People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of the Netherlands and the Democrats 66 party of Europe.
The resolutions were released by the African Liberal Network President Steven Mokgalapa of South Africa.
The UPND was represented by Chairman for International Relations Mulondwe Muzungu and Party Spokesperson Charles Kakoma
For the first time ever, Castle Lite Unlocks is headed to Zambia! The brand synonymous with sub-zero temperatures is bringing the most extra cold concert to Lusaka at Levy Mall Upstairs Car Park on the 10th of March 2018 with the multitalented “Hell Naw” hit maker, Nasty C, as the headlining act!
Castle Lite Unlocks is known for bringing international artists onto African shores, giving consumers the most innovative music experience with both local and international acts performing on one Extra Cold Stage. The Unlocks concert has over the years seen international artists such as Kanye West, Drake, J Cole and Travis Scott grace the South African stage and since then, it has transcended onto other African countries like Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania. This year sees the birth of “Road To Castle Lite Unlocks” which will give African countries a first-hand experience of the Castle Lite Unlocks Experience. First up on the roaster is none other than rapper, producer and trailblazing song writer Nasty C, who will headline the first ever Road To Unlocks concert in Zambia.
“Road To Castle Lite Unlocks has been an exciting event that we’ve been planning for a while now and we can’t wait for the first one to happen in Zambia! Africans have interacted with the Castle Lite Unlocks concerts in South Africa so we thought it would be cool to bring the experience to countries such as Zambia, with headlining acts from African countries. Road To Castle Lite Unlocks is going to be an epic celebration of African talent and we hope you’ll be a part of this Extra Cold first!” – Marsha Kumire – Castle Lite Africa Brand Manager
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba has called on South African retail chain stores operating in Zambia to recall ready-to-eat meat products imported from that country following expert confirmation that the products were a source of Listeria bacteria.
South Africa is in the midst of what is believed to be the largest listeriosis outbreak of all time. At least 915 cases of Listeria have been confirmed, and 172 people have died since the outbreak began at the beginning of 2017.
Mr. Mwamba stated that most cold meats that are stocked by retail chains were supplied by a company called Enterprise Food whose meat production was from Polokwane and Germiston.
Mr. Mwamba says the withdrawal and recall of all ready-to-eat meat products from retail stores would help contain the spread of the disease which has infected over 900 people resulting in about 180 deaths in that South Africa.
He said the chain stores should emulate measures put in place by the South African government to recall cold and meat products supplied by the firm.
South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the recall of ready to eat meat products from retail chain stores nationally after Science experts traced the bacteria to Enterprise Food Production plant located in Polokwane.
He added that tests on several ready-to- eat meat products from Enterprise facility located in Germinstone, Johannesburg tested positive to the Listeriosis bacteria hence the measure to recall the products.
The Zambian Mission in Pretoria recently requested the South African government to put precautionary health measures in place to ensure that all the country’s food exports to Zambia were free of the food borne disease.
South Africa is Zambia’s second largest trading partner following a number of South African business entities operating in Zambia.
The kapenta fishing rigs that are parked on Sekula Island
1. The “fish ban” has absolutely nothing to do with the cholera we have seen in Zambia, and is a completely separate issue that was put in place purely as a fish conservation measure.
2. There is no scientific evidence from anywhere in the world that proves fisheries contribute in any way to the spread of cholera.
3. After many years of having this fish ban in place, it has made no impact at all to the improvement of fisheries in Zambia.
4. Scientific evidence has conclusively shown that multi-species fisheries such as ours here in Zambia are actually negatively affected by such closures. The remedies that work are changing the selectivity of fishing gears and implementing size of fish restrictions, plus restricting entry to the fishery through licencing.
5. The massive unemployment and decreased nutrition created by this measure has already been seen in the economy and nutritional health of our citizens. This hardly makes up for the few cholera cases now being recorded which are in the cities, not the rural areas.
6. Exporters of fish from Zambia are now likely to see their fledgling businesses collapse, and will probably blame government for their losses. International trades in fish are bound by contract, and once broken because of erratic and unreliable supplies, will seriously harm Zambias reputation in the international fish business.
This extension of the fish ban makes no sense at all, and has the capacity to seriously damage the economy, both in the immediate future and in the long term, unless it is immediately rescinded.
Every year, all fishery areas in Zambia are closed to fishing from about December 1, to the beginning of March the following year, except for Lake Kariba and Lake Tanganyika. The two are not affected by the annual fishing ban because they are shared water bodies and, therefore, have different management protocols and are mainly the sources of small fish called Kapenta, which is highly migratory. According to the Fisheries Act of the Laws of Zambia, it is an offence to carry out fishing activities or to be in possession of fish during the fishing ban period. My findings show that the affected areas are Kafue River and flood plain fishery, Super Upper Kafue Fishery, Upper Zambezi, Lower Zambezi from the dam wall to the Zambezi-Luangwa confluence. Others are Lukanga Swaps, Bangweulu Fishery and the swamps, Mweru-wa-ntipa, Mweru-Luapula, Lusuwashi and Chambeshi Fishery.
The Government effects the ban which is aimed at avoiding fishing during the breeding season to ensure the replenishing of the fast depleting natural resources. Fishermen practice indiscriminate fishing and sometimes use illegal means like domestic explosives, mosquito nets and traditional fish poison. The use of such methods have led to the depletion of fish stocks, hence the ban on all small scale and commercial fisheries give fish a chance to breed. Some people, however, question whether the ban is for the best and its contribution towards the actual replenishing of the fish to the water bodies and its implication on the country and the consumers in the country.
Vice-President Guy Scott once raised one of these points in Parliament while as an opposition Parliamentarian. Dr Scott said that when he was Agriculture minister, he had asked scientists at the Fisheries Department in Chilanga to quantify the benefits of the fishing ban. According to him the result was that they were unable to say, with any certainty, that there was any gain at all.
Zambia shares some water bodies with Botswana, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) but the fishing ban is seemingly only effected on the Zambian side, rendering the exercise irrelevant.
Last year, some fish mongers in Mwandi District of Western Province appealed to Government to review the fishing ban in areas where water is shared with neighbouring countries which have no similar bans. Apart from Zambia, the Zambezi River Basin for instance is shared among seven other countries namely; Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Further, it is reported that most of the fish that is confiscated ends up being sold by the officers who confiscate it. This is notwithstanding the fact that legally, the disposal of the fish is subject to order from the courts.
The confiscated fish may be donated to some hospitals, prisons, schools as well as other community-based entities. Sadly, even some people in possession of dry fish, which could have been caught way before the ban was effected, may lose their fish. The officers do not seem to have any means to determine whether the fish was caught before or after the fishing ban came into effect. Fishing is the main source of livelihood and protein, particularly for people near the water bodies in the country. Some observers, therefore, say other methods of preserving the fish stocks should be considered, especially bearing in mind that, for centuries, our ancestors managed to maintain the fish stocks. As a result of fishing ban, fishermen who depend on fishing, sneak in the night to do their fishing and sell their catch in the early hours of the day to avoid being arrested. At the peak of the ban in 2012, Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya found several fishermen fishing while others were found selling their catches. In 2009 the Government through the Department of Fisheries launched 24 marine boats in 24 different community zones which were meant for the supervision and monitoring of fishing during the fishing ban season. Luapula Province kicked-off the launch of the 24 banana boats to ensure the approaching fish ban was effective.
Speaking at a press conference in Rabat, Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji reaffirmed that Zambia has severed all ties with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji has reaffirmed that his country has severed all ties with the Sahrawi Republic.
And Ambassador Malanji has announced that President Edgar Lungu will soon visit Morocco for an official visit.
Ambassador Malanji, who joined Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita at a press conference in Rabat, said that “Lusaka no longer maintains bilateral relations with SADR.”
Lauding the bilateral ties between Morocco and Zambia, Ambassador Malanji said that Zambian diplomatic missions “will inform countries and the international and regional organizations of this decisive break” with the Sahrawi Republic.
He said talks were focused “on the very good relations between Morocco and Zambia, which are expected to be reinforced in several areas, especially on political and economic levels.”
Ambassador Malanji also lauded King Mohammed VI “historic visit” to Zambia in February 2017.
After Morocco’s official return to the African Union on January 31, 2017, King Mohammed VI began an African tour on February 1, 2017.
The King’s tour started from the Republic of South Sudan and then continued into Ghana, Zambia, Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire.
During his visit to Zambia, King Mohammed VI co-chaired the signing ceremony of 19 partnership agreements with the Zambian leader Edgar Chagwa.
After the King’s visit, Zambia’s Former Minister Harry Kalaba announced his country’s decision to withdraw its recognition of the SADR.
The announcement was made less than a month after Morocco’s return to the African Union and few days following King Mohammed VI’s first official visit to Zambia.
And Mr. Bourita said their meeting was an opportunity to discuss means to ensure the smooth implementation of an agreement signed last year.
Mr. Bourita lauded the growing momentum in bilateral ties since the Moroccan king’s visit, saying the signed agreements lay the ground for solid cooperation.
The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister said the two sides also discussed a number of regional issues of common interest.
The Sahrawi Republic officially known as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) is a partially recognised state that controls a thin strip of area in the Western Sahara region region and claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony and later province.
The SADR government controls about 20–25% of the territory it claims.
The SADR government considers the Moroccan-held territory to be occupied territory, while Morocco considers the much smaller SADR-held territory to be a buffer zone.
The Sahrawi Republic maintains diplomatic relations with 40 UN states, and is a full member of the African Union.
Chongwe Member of Parliament (MP) and Copperbelt Province Minister , Japhen Mwakalombe has paid a glaring tribute to president Edgar Lungu for handing over 10% shares of the black mountain to the youths on the Copperbelt saying the move is aimed at empowering the unemployed youths in the province.
Mwakalombe, who is also new Copperbelt Minister told journalists at the PF Interactive Forum held at Charisma Hotel on Sunday that, the people opposing to the government decision to handover the 10% share of the black mountain to the youths don’t mean well to the Zambian youths in general.
According to Mwakalombe the decision to handover a 10% share of the black mountain should be seen in the light of empowering the youths in the province and not for political because this is another form of creating jobs for youths in the province.
“For sure this decision has nothing to do with politics but a service be given to the youths on the Copperbelt by the government snd will benefit the young people especially the unemployed youth in the province ”
He urged all well meaning Zambians to support the decision made by the president to give back 10% share of the black mountain to the youths than leaving it in the hands of elements that does little or nothing to the development of the country.
Mwakalombe also disclosed that the young people that will be working on the black mountain will be trained in safety measures to avoid losing lives
“The Young people that will be working on the black mountain will not be there to earn a living but also will be learning the art of mining.”
He clarified the people will not be mining on the black mountain perse but expertise will be guided to them by the ministry of mine.
Meanwhile Mwakalombe expressed the desire for the people on the Copperbelt to diversify their economic activities away from Copper.
My desire for diversification on the Copperbelt will help to reduce the level of poverty people are facing as a result of job loses on the mines.
He is of the view that the people are suffering because their economic activities oscillate around the production of copper.
“The province has ready built infrastructure supportive of economic activities, including tourism and agriculture, including other precious metals the people can utilize to earn a living..”
He urged the people not concentrate on copper alone but on other metals including agriculture and tourism to expand their economic activities.
Maamba Floods
Wednesday, 28th February will be remembered by the residents of Maamba for one of the heaviest recorded rainfall in a day in the recent times. On this night, Sinazongwe District recorded over 110 mm of rainfall within four hours.
This unprecedented deluge caused large scale flash flooding in the District and in Maamba, the home of Zambia’s 300 MW thermal power plant, Maamba Collieries Limited. In its wake, the flash floods damaged and washed away portions of the water supply lines from Lake Kariba to the Southern Water and Sewerage Company Limited (SWASCO) water treatment plant, sewage lines of the township, and parts of the SWASCO pipeline from the plant to the town, leaving the residents of Maamba without access to drinking water or water for the households.
Even as the rains started easing and water levels started receding, Maamba Collieries Ltd. (MCL) engineers swung in to action to render aid to the Maamba Community. Quickly assessing the damage and working in wet weather, MCL’s team decided to restore the pipelines with its own infrastructure.
MCL Mine Manager Engineer Scott Phiri said: “MCL is working on laying a High-Density Polyethylene pipe to the town as a temporary measure to restore water supply to the residents of Maamba”.
The management of MCL also decided to supply the highly purified water used in the thermal power plant by its water tankers to tide over the drinking water crisis in the residential areas.
MCL staff and Management are collaborating and working with officials from SWASCO and the local officials to restore water to SWASCO’s water treatment plant from Lake Kariba.
The process to fully install the High-Density Polyethylene pipes was completed by Saturday evening. MCL is also assisting SWASCO in transporting pipes from outside the district to Maamba to replace washed away sewage pipes.
MCL is Zambia’s largest Coal Mine and operates Zambia’s only coal-fired 300 MW Thermal Power Plant at Maamba in Sinazongwe District.
