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Esther KatongoZambia Police says it shall not tolerate any individuals who are engaged in Cyber-Crimes.
Zambia Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo says the police service has noticed a rise in cybercrimes in the country due to social media.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Ms. Katongo stated that the internet is an ever growing platform hence causing a rise in the cases of cyber-crime.
“ The police service is working hard this year towards punishing any individual caught engaging in such activities, “Ms. Katongo said.
Ms. Katongo explained that many people have become victims of cyber-crime because many do not take time in reporting such cases to the police.
She urged every individual engaged in committing the crime to withdraw before they face the law and victims of such crimes to report the cases to the nearest police station.
Recently, home affairs minister Steven Kampyongo said during the annual ball held in Lusaka that the Zambia police will not condone any acts of cyber- crime criminality this year.
The minister made clear that the Zambia police service will this year work hard in order to fight cyber-crimes.
Minister of Justice Given Lubinda
Minister of Justice Given Lubinda says the constitution Amendment Bill will be tabled during the June –July parliamentary sitting.
Mr. Lubinda says for this reason government has not delayed in presenting the bill to parliament as sufficient time is required to follow the necessary steps.
He explained that the bill will be subjected to expert review before it is published to members of the public.
The Justice Minister was responding to a question from Mazabuka Central Constituency Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo who wanted to know when the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to address the lacunas in the Constitution will be presented to the National Assembly.
The Justice Minister disclosed that by May this year the amended constitution will be published a month before it is submitted to parliament.
“We will published this amended constitution in May 30 days before it is tabled in Parliament and any member of parliament will be at liberty to propose an amendment as long as they lobby for two third majority of member as I will also be lobbying for support to pass the bill,” he stressed.
Mr. Lubinda further bemoaned the low turnout of political parties who made submissions on the proposed amendment bill.
FAZ has rescheduled the 2018 Charity Shield semifinal date between Zanaco and Nkana from March 3 to March 1.
The game has been brought forward due to operational reasons and will still be played at Nkoloma Stadium where they were set to meet in a semifinal doubleheader this Saturday.
“The change has been necessitated by Nkana’s involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup fixture against Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad Football Club to be played on 6th March 2018,” FAZ spokesperson Desmond Katongo said.
Nkana will fly out to Algeria immediately after the semifinal to play CR Belouzidad in a CAF Confederation Cup first round, first leg match.
Nkana are entering the CAF Confederation Cup at this stage after enjoying a preliminary round bye in February.
“Meanwhile the fixture between Zesco United and Napsa Stars will take place as initially announced,”Katongo said.
Napsa and Charity Shield holders Zesco United will meet at Nkoloma on March 3 at 15h00.
The Charity Shield final is set for March 10 at Nkoloma.
Meanwhile, Zanaco and Zesco are also in continental action in midweek and both are at home in the pre-group stage of the 2018 CAF Champions League.
Zesco will be in action on March 6 when they hosts ASEC Mimosa of Cote d’Ivoire in the first leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zanaco will host Swaziland champions Mbabane Swallows 24 hours later at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
All return leg dates for Zambia’s three continental representatives will be played during the weekend of March 17.
Buildcon’s 2018 pre-season spending spree has seen them capture Zambia midfielder Chisamba Lungu.
Chisamba joins the ambitious Ndola club on a two-year deal following a modest six-month stay at Turkish club Alanyspor.
The 2012 AFCON winner joins two of his Chipolopolo colleague’s at Buildcon, namely striker Brian Mwila and defender Isaac Shamujompa who also arrived in the pre-season from Platinum Stars of South Africa and Nchanga Rangers respectively.
Another high profile arrival at Buildcon this season is ex-TP Mazembe and Zambia striker Given Singuluma.
Chisamba returns home after a ten year stint over season that took him to Georgian club Baia in 2008 where he spent two seasons.
He later moved to Russian club FC Ural where he spent eight seasons before leaving for Turkey last August.
Ministry of General Education has no intentions of abolishing the Grade Seven end of year examinations due to the vital role they play in the education sector.
The Ministry said this after the National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQUEZ) Executive Director Aaron Chanda made calls to abolish the grade seven examinations stating that they are no longer relevant and do not play the evaluative and diagnostic function that they used to.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka, Ministry of General Education spokesperson Nondo Chilonga said that the grade seven examinations cannot be abolished in that they play an important role in the education sector.
Ms. Chilonga explained that the grade 7 examinations are meant to monitor learning objectives of primary schools in that all learning outcomes at that level are evaluated through those examinations.
She further explained that not all provinces have adequate learning places at Grade Eight level, therefore, grade 7 examinations are used as a selection tool to determine who progresses.
She added that examinations are also used to monitor the performance of teachers in situations where pupils fail to perform well during exams, thereby improving teachers’ performances as well.
The Ministry’s spokesperson added that learner’s assessments begin as early as grade one and must be achieved at different levels in order for the Ministry to develop the education systems in Zambia.
Ms. Chilonga however urged all people calling on the Ministry to abolish the grade 7 examinations to think again in that the examinations play an important role in the education system.
Zambia sugar Corporate affairs Manager Lovemore Sievu takes shareholders on a conducted tour of the sugar plant in Mazabuka.
A Chikankata based economist, Professor Clement Matente has praised Zambia Sugar PLC for paying over K20.3 Million to government as Tax Returns for the year 2017.
Professor Matente has also hailed Zambia Sugar PLC for employing over 11 000 Zambian workers at the biggest Sugar plant in Africa.
He said this in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services in Chikankata district in Southern province today.
Professor Matente also said it is good that the company has continued increasing its workforce thereby complementing government efforts in the area of job creation in Zambia.
The Professor further urged Zambia Sugar to continue striving hard in creating jobs for the Zambian people.
He also implored government to continue creating a favorable and conducive environment for the private entities to operate profitably such as Zambia Sugar PLC in order to increase the export of the commodity to other countries.
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.
