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Health Minister Dr Chitalu ChilufyaThe Ministry of Health has recorded 18 new cases of cholera in the last 24 hours.
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya said out of the 18 cases, 13 were recorded from Lusaka and five from Kafue.
Dr. Chilufya attributed the cases of cholera recorded in Kafue to linkages of contaminated water from the fishing camps which he said will still remain closed to curb new cases.
He stated during a cholera update in Lusaka today that cholera cases in Lusaka are coming from George, Kuku, Matero, Chelstone, Chawama and Ng’ombe compounds.
The Minister noted that escalated interventions through multi-sectoral approach such as contact tracing, chlorinating of water and hygiene sensitisation are still being implemented in communities and affected areas to reduce on new cases or bring the number to zero.
Dr. Chilufya said he was confident that the cholera epidemic is reducing as cases in epic-centers have nearly zeroed.
Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Jean Kapata says government is concerned with the rate of deforestation mainly due to charcoal burning.
And a pilot bamboo project will be set up in chief Nyawa’s area in kazungula district in Southern province before the end of this year, 2018.
Speaking when she held a press briefing at her office in Lusaka today, the minister disclosed that deforestation is largely caused by unsustainable charcoal production methods used countrywide.
Ms. Kapata further stated that there is need to promote sustainable charcoal production to curb deforestation in the country.
However, she disclosed that her ministry is looking for alternatives of fast growing plant species that will provide local communities with high quality charcoal without causing deforestation.
The minister however advised all Zambians to develop a culture of planting trees and end deforestation in the country.
Meanwhile, a pilot bamboo project will be set up in chief Nyawa’s area in kazungula district in Southern province before the end of this year, 2018.
The minister who revealed the development during the briefing explained that if successful, the bamboos will be used for charcoal production and other medical purposes.
She said this initiative will reduce the cutting down of trees because bamboos will be the only species to be used for charcoal production.
FILE: Zambian Govt officials signing documents with Russia’s Rosatom for development of nucear technology in Zambia
The Interim Secretariat on Nuclear Science and Technology Committee has started conducting sensitization on Nuclear Energy in the country.
The committee which is comprises members from various government ministries has started sensitizing ministries before reaching out to the members of the community.
The sensitization started on 6th February 2018 and is expected to be concluded on July 24th this year.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Acting Permanent Secretary Isaac Chipampe has been spearheading the committee and today held the sensitization at the Ministry of General Education.
Speaking at the sensitization meeting, Mr. Chipampe disclosed that the Nuclear Energy Sensitization Programmes will be conducted countrywide and beyound.
And the Ministry of General Education has challenged the Curriculum Development Centre to quickly revise the curriculum and introduce Nuclear Energy programmes in all the schools countrywide.
Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary Felix Phiri said the there is need to begin teaching pupils in schools about the Nuclear Energy programmes.
Jerabos celebrating the controversial decision to hand them back the Black Mountain.
Small scale miners on the Copperbelt commonly known as Jerabos brought the entire Kitwe city Centre to a stand still when they marched to celebrate the controversial decision to hand them back the Black Mountain.
PATRIOTIC FRONT KITWE DISTRICT THANKS PRESIDENT FOR HANDING OVER BLACK MOUNTAIN TO THE YOUTHS OF KITWE.
Tuesday, 27th February, 2018 Kitwe, Copperbelt Province
Patriotic Front Kitwe District has thanked Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu for handing over part of the famous Black Mountain to the youths of Kitwe.
Led by Kitwe PF District Chairman Christopher Kangombe, the cadres marched from the PF Kitwe office into the city Centre singing solidarity songs.
President Lungu last week announced that he was handing back part of the old mine dump known as Black Mountain to the Jerabos.
The Black Mountain was operated by Nkana Alloy Smelting Company Limited, a subsidiary of ZCCM-IH.
A Chinese company called Tianjin Maolin Technology Company Limited legally acquired the slug dump from Chambeshi Metals Plc, which bought it from Nkana Alloy Smelting Company Limited.
Mr Kangombe who is also Kitwe Mayor said the PF in Kitwe commends President Edgar Lungu for releasing the 10% held by ZCCM- IH in the Black Mountain dump site in Wusakile to the Small Scale Miners in Kitwe.
He said the immediate impact of this important and timely decision is the creation of jobs for the many youths that have relied upon the mine dumpsite for many years.
“Secondly, the decision demonstrates that the PF as a party in power will always promote the empowerment of the Youths and in this case transforming illegal miners into registered Small Scale Miners. President Lungu is fulfilling a campaign promise because the many Youths in Wusakile and Kitwe as a whole have for many years being supporting the PF even when the party was in the opposition,” Mr Kangombe said.
“The Five constituencies gathered this morning at the PF office and through this statement by the PF District Executive do hereby re-affirm our support for the Republican President who is also the PF Leader. We are certain that in 2021, we shall win the election with our Presidential Candidate being His Excellency Mr. Edgar C. Lungu,” he said.
Jerabos celebrating the controversial decision to hand them back the Black Mountain.Jerabos celebrating the controversial decision to hand them back the Black Mountain.Jerabos celebrating the controversial decision to hand them back the Black Mountain.Jerabos celebrating the controversial decision to hand them back the Black Mountain.Jerabos celebrating the controversial decision to hand them back the Black Mountain.Jerabos celebrating the controversial decision to hand them back the Black Mountain.Jerabos celebrating the controversial decision to hand them back the Black Mountain.
Ex-Zambia coach Patrick Phiri has paid tribute to the late former Zanaco and Zambia U20 defender Aaron Simutowe.
Simutowe died over the weekend in the United States in a road traffic accident.
The left-back was part of the first Zambia Under-20 team to qualify to the FIFA U20 World Cup in 1999 under coach Phiri.
“It is a great loss to Zambia and to the family. It is a terrible moment, “Phiri said.
“The young man has gone before his time after a fantastic time during his youth career.
“Our hearts are with his family.
“He was a very determined young man who wanted to excel and never gave up.”
Simutowe is the son of the late Zambia defender Boniface Simutowe.
He played for Zanaco from 1999 to 2000 before moving to America. Simutowe collected a couple of senior caps in friendlies in 2000 under late Chipolopolo coach George Mungwa.
His contemporaries in the Zambia Under-20 Class of 1999 include Kampamba Chintu, Andrew Sinkala, Emmanuel Zulu, Perry Mutapa, Ronald Mbambara, Bernard Makufi and George Chilufya.
File:President Edgar Chagwa Lungu buys Tradition vegetables at Baluba Road Side Market on Ndola – Kitwe Due High Waythe First Family stopped over to Meet Traders and Exchanges Views 16-01-2016, PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE
The High Court has thrown out an interim injunction by Lusaka Union of Marketeers Cooperative Society and Lilanda Marketeers Cooperative Society Limited to restrain Lusaka City Council (LCC) from taking over the running of Lilanda Cooperative Market.
This is according the ruling by Mrs. Justice M. Mapani-Kawimbe dated 13th February, 2018 obtaining in the Department of Legal Services of LCC.
LCC under minute number CDSS/64/08/17 resolved to take over the running of all cooperative markets in Lusaka for improved service delivery.
The first cooperative market to be taken over was Lilanda but Lusaka Union of Marketeers Cooperative Society and Lilanda Marketeers Cooperative Society Limited contended the move.
The two cooperatives applied for an Order of interim injunction in the High Court of Zambia restraining LCC as first Defendant and Councillor Patrick Salubusa of Kapwepwe Ward 25 as second Defendant from taking over the running of market.
The Plaintiffs contended that LCC has no right of claim on its properties, business and profits and that the council neither has a right to impose the second Defendant as Market Master.The Plaintiffs claimed that if the Defendants were not stopped, they would take over the market and impose themselves as the new leaders much to the irreparable damage of the plaintiffs’ shareholders, traders and the general members.
They stated that LCC’s actions was in breach of the Cooperatives Act and the Protocol of the supervising Government agency, namely the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.
In defence, LCC stated that the plaintiffs were aware of the Markets and Bus Stations Act No. 7 of 2007, which provides in section 4(1) that “The Minister or Local Authority with the approval of the Minister, may establish markets and bus stations; and section 5(1) provides that “All markets and bus stations shall be under the control of local authorities having jurisdiction in the area in which they are situated.”
In her ruling, Justice Mapani-Kawimbe observed that the balance of convenience tilted in favour of the first Defendant which was carrying out a statutory function and accordingly dismissed the application with costs.
LCC is therefore elated by the ruling and hopes that other cooperatives will learn from it.The resolution by the Council to take over the running of cooperative markets is not meant to take away trading space from existing marketeers as alleged by some sections of society but to enhance service delivery in accordance with the law.
Issued by:
George Sichimba
Acting Public Relations Manager
The Ministry of Finance will this year provide over K3.9 billion for empowerment programs under various ministries and Governments spending Agencies.
Among the sectors benefiting from the empowerment program are the farmers input support program for the E Voucher system which will stand at K1.78 billion Kwacha, while over K500 million has been set for student loans and K176 million on skills development fund.
The Ministry is also expected to spend over K200 million Kwacha on Constituency Development Fund, while over K75 million will be given to educational support and grants in collaboration with the World Bank targeting 16,000 girls from extremely poor households in 16 districts and a further 75,000 women will be empowered with grants in 51 districts.
The Ministry will also disburse over K700 million under Ministry of Community Development for the Social Cash Transfer Scheme targeting 700,000 beneficiaries.
Over K100d million for the Food Security Pack for 80,000 vulnerable but viable farmers.This is contained in a statement released to ZNBC News by the Ministry of Finance Spokesperson Chileshe Kandeta.
And Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe has reiterated that the launch of Seventh National Development Plan in 2017 renewed Zambia’s commitment to the attainment of the Vision of becoming a prosperous middle-income country by the year 2030.
The Minister affirmed that there is need to learn from the country’s past challenges in managing empowerment funds if Zambia is to charter the desired path to a bright destination for all beneficiaries.
Transport and Communications Minister Hon. Brian Mushimba participating in a ministerial panel at the ongoing World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain
State Owned Enterprise Zamtel has reiterated its commitment to accelerating Zambia’s attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) through improved mobile connectivity.
Speaking on the sidelines of the on-going Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sydney Mupeta said the gathering was essential for opening up collaboration opportunities between mobile network operators, global development organizations and others in order to accelerate digital transformation.
The Zamtel team is part of the Zambian delegation in Spain led by the Transport and Communications Minister, Honourable Brian Mushimba attending the Mobile World Congress from Monday, February 26 to Thursday, 1st March 2018.
Organized by the GSMA, a trade organization representing mobile network operators, the Mobile World Congress has grown from an industry event for telecom companies to a massive technology conference becoming a must attend event for individuals working at the centre of emerging technology and global development.
This year, the agenda at the Mobile World Congress includes special focus on the Sustainable Development Goals aimed at raising awareness on how increased connectivity could underpin attainment of SDGs.
Zamtel CEO Sdyney Mupeta (second from left) is leading the Zamtel team at the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain
Mr. Mupeta stated that the Mobile World Congress was important as it brings the global telecom industry together with other development oriented organizations to synergise and scale up innovations needed to tackle global issues.
“As Zamtel, we believe our business can have the greatest impact on a number of the UN SDGs through our network, products and services as well as our Corporate Social Responsibility programmes,” he said.
Mr. Mupeta said Zamtel’s continued investment in network expansion is providing affordable services across the country to a vast proportion of the Zambian population, adding that access to innovative services including mobile money can help to deliver empowerment and economic inclusion for all.
According to the 2017 Mobile Industry Impact Report: Sustainable Development Goals, “Mobile operators around the world including Zambia are working to deploy mobile-enabled solutions that drive greater inclusion in cities and remote communities, enable access to essential services such as health and education, create employment opportunities and empower people with the tools to reduce poverty and inequality.”
“At Zamtel, I am proud of the strong growth we are posting but we must continue to amplify and accelerate our collective efforts as a State Owned Enterprise in the attainment of SDGs. We have continued to invest heavily in expanding the network and improving quality of service. As at February, 60 news sites were installed as part of the US$280 million investment in the Zamtel network. All these investments mean broader coverage, improved network quality and increased network resilience,” Mr. Mupeta said.
Mr. Mupeta said with greater connectivity, Zamtel is driving improvements in economic growth through improved productivity, infrastructure development and business efficiency and financial inclusion especially among women and youths as a direct response to SDG number 10, which focuses on reduced inequalities.
“With the emergence of technologies such as social media, Zambians need to find ways to adapt to these new technologies and find efficient use for them so that they work for us rather than against us. Zamtel is ready to lead in this direction,” he said.
“Through our recently launched “Ubuntu” Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, we are also supporting SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals as we seek to contribute positively to the community.”
The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has continued its operations against illegal fishing during the annual closed fishing season commonly known as fish ban with the latest operation leading to the seizure of over six hundred and seventy-six kilograms (676kgs) of fish.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with different security wings including Drug Enforcement Commission, Zambia Police, Department of National Packs and Wildlife Authority, Office of the President Special Division and the 48 Marine commandos in Yongolo village in Senior Chief Kalasamukoso’s area.
The unknown people ran away leaving behind bags of fish immediately they saw the security officers.
Samfya District Fisheries Officer (DFO) Amon Foloweza confirmed the raid in an interview with the National Agricultural Information Services.
Mr. Foloweza said it is unfortunate that people choose not to adhere to the fishing ban.
“What that means is that we will not realise the benefits of the fishing ban because it will just be the same as in the open season, because instead of letting the fish breed they are fishing as usual,” he said.
The fisheries further said that the fishing ban is not there to disadvantage anyone.
“Let us allow the fish to breed so that we can enhance the stocks in our water bodies, are we not ashamed that with all our water bodies in Luapula that fish is even more cheaper to buy in Lusaka than Samfya?” he wondered.
And Samfya District Commissioner Nason Bwalya has advised the people of Samfya to observe the law during this fishing ban period.
“These operations we are carrying out are to the benefit our people, people are very much aware that fish has depleted and by observing the fish ban the catches of fish will improve hence improving the people’s livelihood,” he said.
The district commissioner also revealed that the operation led to the capture of other items he could not reveal for security but the matter will be handed over to the police for further investigations.
The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Commission three weeks ago intercepted a truck laden with over 2.6 tonnes of fish after a tip off from members of the public.
The operation led to the capture of three suspected smugglers, who are yet to appear in court soon.
The intelligent article titled, “Munali and Lusaka Central: the appeal cases that reveal a court system in crisis” makes an interesting reading. It brings out issues, myths and conspiracy theories worth thinking about. It appears the nation’s anxiety has been raised over the long overdue decision in the Munali and Lusaka Central Parliamentary petitions by our Constitutional Court. In the final analysis, I make a reflection on the circumstances under which the two members of Parliament can be barred from re-contesting their seats if, by any chance, those seats are nullified. People should not be excited as yet in what may happen to any MP whose seat is nullified.
First comrade Sishuwa raises two issues pertaining to hearing and disposal of cases for Munali and Lusaka Central held by Ministers, Hon. Nkandu Luo, MP and Hon. Margaret Mwanakatwe, MP respectively by asserting that (1) the Constitution has gaps in its failure to set the time for hearing the case but also that (2) the procedure of appealing cases from the High Court to the Constitutional Court is a fundamental error in law.
Much as I agree with him on the first point that we should have set the time limit for disposal of appeals, I don’t agree with him on his second point that a fundamental error in law was made where an appeal in a Parliamentary petition lies to the Constitutional Court.
First, we ought to understand that the election of Councillors, MPs and President is a constitutional issue set by Article 47 of the Constitution of Zambia.
So while the local government petitions are heard by a Local Government Elections Tribunal and Parliamentary petitions are heard by the High Court as per Articles 159 and 73, respectively, the question of election of councillors, MPs and President, being a constitutional matter is required to be determined by the Constitutional Court.
This is fortified by provisions of Article 1(5) which states:
“1(5) A matter relating to this Constitution shall be heard by the Constitutional Court”.
To give the Supreme Court jurisdiction to hear a constitutional issue of electing councillors or an MP thorough an appeal from a Court of Appeal would have raised a constitutional problem on jurisdiction of courts.
By a similar reason above, the Court of appeal is estopped from hearing an appeal on a constitutional issue raised in any court below. The provisions of Article 128 (2) which read:
“128 (2) Subject to Article 28 (2), where a question relating to this Constitution arises in a court, the person presiding in that court shall refer the question to the Constitutional Court”
The authorities above must settle the question raised as to the alleged fundamental errors in law.Needless to mention that if we had a situation where a Local Government petition had to start from a Tribunal to the High Court and moved to the Court of Appeal and finally to the Supreme Court or constitutional court, how long would it really take to settle the petition? Wouldn’t the same people be accusing President Lungu and his Patriotic Front party, even more, that they are the ones delaying the disposal of these petitions?
On the issue of the petitions having taken long, comrade Sishuwa, appears to mix facts with both some mythical conclusion based on the conspiracy theory in which he seem to allege that the PF appear to have a hand in handling of appeals by the Constitutional Court.
Indeed, it is a good call by comrade Sishuwa that we must have timeframe for hearing these appeals by the ConCourt. However, issues that need to be pointed out and require our careful and sober reflection here is the need for this final court of appeal to arrive at a good, just and acceptable conclusion based on facts that were adduced before the trial court and also based on careful understanding of the new law that governs nullification of an election.
First, I seek to remind Zambians that our law entirely places the handling of a client’s case on advocates and if lawyers don’t exercise due diligence, urgency and vigilance, the courts can do only as much to remind lawyers that it won’t tolerate delays.
This is articulated in Rule 36 of The Legal Practitioners’ Practice Rules, 2002, Statutory Instrument No. 51) as quoted below:
“36. A practitioner when conducting proceedings at Court:
(a) Shall be personally responsible for the conduct and presentation of the client’s case and shall exercise personal judgment upon the substance and Purpose of statements made and question asked;
(b) shall ensure that the court is informed of all relevant decisions and legislative provisions of which the practitioner is aware whether the effective is favourable or unfavourable towards the contention for which the practitioner argues and shall bring any procedural irregularity to the attention of the court during the hearing and not reserve such matter to be raised on appeal”
From this Rule, one should easily tell about who and what could have been behind the failure by the Constitutional Court hearing the 2016 Presidential Petition of one Hakainde Hichilema and Godfrey Bwalya Mwamba. Yes, the Court had its own inconsistencies in interpreting the law and giving directions but that does not absolve the petitioners’ advocates from sharing in the blame by failing to handle their client’s petition. As officers of the Court, did they help the Court, as required by Rule 36(b), to read the 14 days correctly?
I know this is a bitter pill for most of my UPND friends and I don’t mind being insulted for bringing this out, but once some of them sober up, they get to realise it was the primary problem of their lawyers who failed to take charge of their client’s petition while the Court’s problem was a secondary one.
I always laugh when my best friend tells me, “for lawyers, the more time one spends on a client’s case, the better the balance sheet at the law firm.”
Secondly, it must be realised that the ConCourt decision in all appeals from electoral petition has far-reaching implication where an MP whose seat falls vacant by disqualification, as a result of a decision of the Constitutional Court, is not eligible to contest an election or hold public office by operation of Article 72(2)(h) as read with Article 72(4).
In light of the weight such a ConCourt decision carries, some myth and conspiracy theories must be discarded in our analysis of how the court handles these appeals. It is true that our Constitution, in Article 118 (2)(b), require that justice is not delayed. This principle require a careful balance found in Article 118 (2)(a) which states that“justice shall be done to all, without discrimination”
In doing justice to all, especially making decisions that will have an effect on the future of MPs in question to serve their country either in Parliament or public service, it is important that decisions are not hurriedly made but also that even the person being barred must appreciate the decision that barred them from serving again.
Finally and most controversial of this topic would be explore the legal discourse on the correct meaning of Article 72(2)(h) as read with Article 72(4).
In part, these articles read:
“72(2)(h): The office of Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the member is disqualified as a result of a decision of the Constitutional Court”
“72(4)A person who causes a vacancy in the National Assembly due to the reasons specified under clause (2)(h) shall not, during the term of that Parliament-
(a) be eligible to contest an election; or
(b) hold public office.”
The plain reading of these articles suggest that once a seat is nullified, the person holding the seat is not eligible to stand and to be appointed to public office. However, there is a second meaning, which I think is more correct to these two articles.
These articles are different on the following grounds. The first one talks about how a member vacates his or her seat while the second one talks about what happens to the person who causes vacancy based on the decision of the ConCourt.
It is possible that the Court may nullify an election, say in Munali Constituency, based on the violence of supporters which made the election to fail the test of being free and fair but at the same time exonerate the incumbent as not having been the cause of the violence. This would fail the test of “A person who causes vacancy…”
I submit that for any Member of Parliament to come under the ambit of Article 72 (4), it would require the Constitutional Court pronounce itself that indeed, the incumbent is that “person who caused the vacancy” thereby going beyond the mere nullification of a seat to making a declaration that a member is “disqualified”. A vacancy caused by any other reason such as “other persons e.g. cadres involved in political violence” would not bar or stop an MP from contesting elections or getting an appointment to public office.
(The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent any institution I may be associated with and neither is it meant to offer a legal opinion. Those seeking a legal opinion can contact the Law Association of Zambia, which is an authority of legal matters)
John Howard Township youth joined in on the free meals from Hungry Lion
HungryLion Country Manager, BusuMpepo has said the company will continue to be a corporate citizen by responding to the needs of the people in Zambian communities. He said this is one way in which the company can give back to the community and help provide solutions where they are needed the most.
Mpepo said this after Hungry Lion concluded the distribution of 10, 000 meals for residents of communities that were hit the hardest by the Cholera outbreak.
“Most of the people living in areas affected by Cholera faced setbacks in their daily income activities. Schools and businesses were affected in order to pave way for clean-ups in order to contain the disease and this resulted in people failing to conduct their businesses normally,” said Mpepo.
This prompted the company to commit 10, 000 free meal vouchers for members of the communities of Chawama, Matero and the communities where the outbreak had the biggest impact.
Mpepo thanked HungryLion‘s loyal customers for their insightful feedback on social media. Comments from the HungryLion fans identified some of the biggest needs that resulted from the cleanup of communities in Lusaka. As a result, the company pledged to donate 10, 000 meals in order to assist residents after a difficult few weeks in the communities.
He added that HungryLion remains committed to reaching out to local communities and contributing towards relief efforts.
Matero youth and school students were also part of the distribution drive of 10,000 meal vouchers.
A Catholic nun Ruth Tembo joins the Impis in dancing during the Ncwala ceremony at Laweni palace in ChipataCatholic nun Ruth Tembo (m) joins the Impis dancing during Ncwala Ceremony at Laweni Palace in ChipataMisheck Lungu the young Impis shows his prowess during Ncwala ceremony at Laweni palace in ChipataThe young Impis show their prowess during Ncwala ceremony at Laweni palace in ChipataYoung Impis perform during Ncwala ceremony at Laweni palace in Chipataformer Republican President, Rupiah Banda, talks to Chief Kapatamoyo of the Ngoni people at Laweni in Mtenguleni in Chipata shortly before the Nc’wala ceremonyChief Sairi of the Ngoni people in Chipata, greets former Republican President, Rupiah Banda, at Laweni in Mtenguleni in Chipata. Mr. Banda was one of the invited guests at this year’s Nc’wala traditional ceremonyminister of Defense, Davies Mwila, officiates at this year’s Nc’wala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni speaking people in Chipata on Saturdayparamount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people in Chipata dances at this year’s Nc’wala traditional ceremony in Chipataparamount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people in Chipata, receives a bowl of blood from a slaughtered black bull, from his Prime Minister, traditionally known as Mshamunye, at this year’s Nc’wala ceremony in Chipataparamount Chief Mpezeni, drinks blood from a slaughtered black bull, to mark the climax of the Nc’wala traditional ceremony which was held at Mtengulen in Chipata on Saturday. On his left is Paramount Chief Mbelwa of the Ngoni people in Malawi.
In a large saucepan over a medium high heat, heat oil and cook the onion and garlic until golden.
Stir in curry powder and tomato purée, cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes, vegetable stock cube, mixed vegetables, water, salt and pepper to taste, and cook for approximately 20 to 30 minutes until vegetables are well done (not crunchy).
Serving
Sprinkle with fresh coriander before serving. Serve hot with rice, enjoy.
Kanta Temba is a Cake maker and decorator|Lusaka Times Food columnist|TV show host
Hakainde Hichilema with visiting Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty
The latest State of World’s Human Rights Report shows that police in Zambia used excessive force to arrest opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema and five others.
The report released last week details human rights abuses across the world for the period 2017 to 2018.
The report recounts that on 8 April, Hakainde Hichilema and other UPND members namely Lastone Mulilandumba, Muleya Haachenda, Wallace Chakwa, Pretorius Haloba and Hamusonde Hamaleka were arrested and charged with treason and disobeying a lawful order following an earlier incident in which Hakainde Hichilema’s motorcade refused to give way to President Lungu’s convoy.
It says Police raided Hakainde Hichilema’s house without a warrant, using tear gas against him and his family and that on 28 April, Mr Hichilema’s wife, Mutinta, was threatened with arrest after she reported the police’s use of excessive force.
The report notes that no charges had been brought against the police in connection with the incident by the end of 2017 but that on 15 August 2017, the Director of Public Prosecutions withdrew all charges against Hakainde Hichilema and the other UPND members.
The report also states that the Public Order Act was used to repress the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, particularly against critical civil society activists and opposition political party leaders.
“Police used excessive force against peaceful protesters while ignoring violence by ruling party loyalists against civil society activists. The authorities cracked down on critics, including human rights defenders, journalists and opposition political party members. The Public Order Act was used to repress rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. The police used unnecessary and excessive force against peaceful protesters and failed to address violence by groups close to the government,” the report reads.
Amnesty also observes that the space for civil society, human rights defenders, journalists and opposition political parties was increasingly restricted in Zambia under the period under review.
“The authorities continued to use the Public Order Act to prevent political parties and civil society organizations from gathering. Section 5(4) of the Act provided that anyone those intending to assemble or convene a public meeting or demonstration were required to give the police seven days’ notice. However, the police interpreted the law as imposing a requirement to obtain prior authorization for any public assembly to proceed.”
It states, “On 24 August, police dispersed a prayer meeting convened to welcome Hakainde Hichilema’s release from Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison in Kabwe city where he had been held for four months on charges of treason, which were dropped. On 10 January, UK lawyer Oliver Holland was arrested and charged under the Public Order Act with unlawful assembly for meeting with a community in Chingola city who was challenging in court environmental pollution allegedly caused by a mining company. He was released the same day and charges against him were dropped; however, he was later charged with conduct likely to breach the peace and ordered to pay a USD5 fine.”
“In April, police stopped a UPND rally in Kanyama Township in the capital, Lusaka, on “security” grounds. Although the UPND had notified the police in advance of the rally, they unlawfully dispersed the rally, shooting 20 year old Stephen Kalipa, one of the protesters. He died later from gunshot wounds at the hospital. An investigation was opened, but no one had been arrested in connection with the incident by the end of the year. The police claimed that he died of knife stab wounds at the hands of an unidentified assailant,” it says.
It added, “On 23 June, police arrested senior UPND officials on charges of unlawful assembly alleging that they held a press briefing at the UPND’s secretariat offices without obtaining prior authorization. On 29 September, police arrested six human rights defenders who gathered outside Parliament and protested peacefully against the government’s purchase, at the inflated cost of USD42 million, of 42 fire engines; they were charged with refusing to obey police orders. The protesters were beaten during the protest by members of the ruling Patriotic Front.”
On Freedom of Expression, the report notes that security forces and political activists affiliated with the Patriotic Front subjected media workers, political activists and others who criticized the government to harassment and intimidation.
“Staff of the Law Association of Zambia were harassed and intimidated because of their work in defence of human rights. On 3 March, for example, Patriotic Front loyalists stormed the Association’s offices demanding the resignation of its president, Linda Kasonde,” it says.
“Later the same month, the Association joined a High Court petition to prevent the liquidation of Post Newspapers, known to be highly critical of the government, in proceedings in which the Zambia Revenue Authority, among others, sought the company’s liquidation, alleging that it had failed to pay taxes,” it read.
2On 3 August, police arrested Saviour Chishimba, president of the United Progressive People party on defamation charges after he criticized President Lungu for declaring a threatened state of emergency. Saviour Chishimba was detained Amnesty International Report 2017/18 405 for seven days, without being brought before a judge; he was released without charge. In October, the Independent Broadcasting Authority summoned Prime Television Zambia’s management to answer allegations that they had violated the provisions of their broadcasting licence when they covered a story about the UPND’s parliamentary candidate for Kalulushi town, Everisto Mwalilino, who had accused government officials of electoral corruption.”
The report also notes that the judiciary came under verbal attack from President Lungu.
“On 2 November, President Lungu warned judges against blocking him from running for President in 2021. In November, on a trip to Solwezi, he warned judges against following Kenyan judges who, in September, had ruled to annul the results of Kenya’s presidential elections.”
“The government verbally attacked the judiciary, which undermined the independence of the institution. At the same time, there was a growing public perception of the judiciary as a polarized institution in which some judges were not politically independent. In September, while on a visit to South Africa, Hakainde Hichilema accused the judiciary of corruption and of being under the control of the President,” it noted.
Mr Lusambo chatting with the Lamba Chiefs during a luncheon at his house in Ndola
Traditional leaders on the Copperbelt have expressed sadness over the transfer of former Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo to Lusaka in the same capacity.
Speaking on behalf of all the 15 Chiefs in the province, Chairperson of the Lamba Lima Royal Establishment Senior Chief Chiwala said the traditional leaders would have preferred that Mr Lusambo continues as Copperbelt Minister.
Senior Chief Chiwala however said that the Chiefs welcome President Edgar Lungu’s decision to appoint Mr Lusambo as Lusaka Province Minister saying the appointment demonstrates the confidence the Head of State has in the Kabushi lawmaker.
Senior Chief Chiwala was speaking during a luncheon hosted by Mr Lusambo at his Ndola residence on Sunday.
“We are really saddened that you are leaving us. When you were appointed, all of us were overjoyed because it was the first time since Independence that our own true son of the soil was heading the Province and we saw your true commitment to the province during your stay here. We have never had a Minister like you in this province,” Senior Chief Chiwala said.
He added, “However, we are still happy that you are moving to Lusaka to manage the number one province in the nation and we are elated that the President has recognised your leadership qualities and taken you to Lusaka.”
Senior Chief Chiwala said the Royal Establishment was happy that Mr Lusambo managed to unify all the Chiefs in the Province.
“The unity we have seen in this Province since you arrived is something wonderful. You worked tirelessly to unify all of us and fostered development in our province. Truly you are a son of the soil because your commitment spoke for itself,” he said.
Senior Chief Chiwala along with all the Chiefs took time to bless Mr Lusambo and wished him success as he starts his new tour of duty as Lusaka Province Minister.
“Go well our son and work for the nation. You did very well here although we are aware that some of your detractors here on the Copperbelt worked so hard to fight you and created a lot of lies but God will continue to shield you from your enemies as you go to Lusaka,” he said.
And Mr Lusambo thanked the traditional leaders for the wise counsel and support he received when he served as Minister for Copperbelt.
“I am highly indebted to you my Fathers and Mothers here for the wisdom you shared during my stay here. Remember, i am not going away, this is my village and from time to time i shall be calling on you for advice,” Mr Lusambo said.
Some political observers on the Copperbelt have credited Mr Lusambo for the resurgence of the ruling PF which saw the party scoop a Local Government seat in a by-election in Mpongwe’s Fungulwe area, a constituency held by the opposition UPND.
Mr Lusambo greets Senior Chief Chiwala after the end of the luncheon with Lamba ChiefsMr Lusambo posing for a group photo with the Lamba Chiefs after the end of the luncheon held at his residence in NdolaSenior Chief Chiwala (in white shirt) spoke on behalf of the Lamba Chiefs who gathered for a luncheon at Mr Lusambo’s residenceSome Chiefs enjoying a light moment during the luncheon
