The Zambia Association in South Africa ( ZASA ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a leading South African legal firm that will help provide legal representations to Zambians that face Police and Immigration related challenges.

Mr Lungu says that his Association decided to sign the MoU following the alleged constant reported cases of Police and Immigration harassment of some Zambians living in that country including their inability to meet legal fees.

ZASA Vice President Abel Lungu said the MoU was a welcome move following an increased number of its members that were experiencing harassment and victimisation from that country’s law enforcement institutions.

He narrated that the partnership will enable ZASA members who are in good standing with the Association will have legal representation by the firm’s panel of attorneys at no cost.

Meanwhile Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Mr Emmanuel Mwamba has advised Zambians living in that country to perceive law and order in order to avoid being in trouble with the law.

He said Zambians living or travelling to South Africa need to ensure that they have proper documentation to avoid deportations or other legal inconveniences.

Mr Mwamba also noted that Zambians should maintain good reputation in that country, hence upholding the good image and reputation that Zambia has earned over the years.

This is according to a statement to ZANIS by Naomi Nyawali, First Secretary Press and Public Relations at Zambia’s High Commission in, South Africa.

The 2017 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership has been awarded to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation announced today following a meeting of its independent Prize Committee.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who served two terms as President of Liberia from 2006 to 2017, is the fifth recipient of the Ibrahim Prize, which recognises and celebrates excellence in African leadership. The Ibrahim Prize aims to distinguish leaders who, during their time in office, have developed their countries, strengthened democracy and human rights for the shared benefit of their people, and advanced sustainable development.

In its citation, the Prize Committee praised her exceptional and transformative leadership, in the face of unprecedented and renewed challenges, to lead Liberia’s recovery following many years of devastating civil war.

Announcing the decision, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, Chair of the Prize Committee, said: “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took the helm of Liberia when it was completely destroyed by civil war and led a process of reconciliation that focussed on building a nation and its democratic institutions. Throughout her two terms in office, she worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Liberia. Such a journey cannot be without some shortcomings and, today, Liberia continues to face many challenges. Nevertheless, during her twelve years in office, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf laid the foundations on which Liberia can now build.”

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became President of Liberia on 16 January 2006, after winning the 2005 national elections. She served her first term 2006-11 and was then successfully re-elected for a second term, serving in office 2012-17. Since 2006, Liberia was the only country out of 54 to improve in every category and sub-category of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance. This led Liberia to move up ten places in the Index’s overall ranking during this period.

On hearing the outcome of the Prize Committee’s deliberations, Mo Ibrahim said: “I’m delighted that the Prize Committee has decided to make Ellen Johnson Sirleaf an Ibrahim Prize Laureate. In very difficult circumstances, she helped guide her nation towards a peaceful and democratic future, paving the way for her successor to follow. I am proud to see the first woman Ibrahim Laureate, and I hope Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will continue to inspire women in Africa and beyond.”

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf joins Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia (2014), Pedro Pires of Cabo Verde (2011), Festus Mogae of Botswana (2008) and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique (2007) as an Ibrahim Prize Laureate. Nelson Mandela was made the inaugural Honorary Laureate in 2007.

The Ibrahim Prize is a US$5 million award paid over ten years and US$200,000 annually for life thereafter. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation will consider granting a further US$200,000 per year for ten years towards public interest activities and good causes espoused by the Ibrahim Laureate.

The candidates for the Ibrahim Prize are all former African executive heads of state or government who have left office during the last three calendar years, having been democratically elected and served their constitutionally mandated term.

Thieves broke into United Church of Zambia, Kawama congregation in Ndola last night and got away with goods worth K20,000 .

ZANIS reports that UCZ Congregation Secretary, John Kasheli confirmed the incident which took place around midnight last night as the guard was fast asleep.

Mr. Kasheli said the thieves took advantage of a heavy downpour that characterised most parts of the city and managed to away with stolen goods which includes one deep freezer fridge, keyboard, amplifier, curtains, garden chairs, PA system cables and speakers among other items.

The congregation Secretary said the church, however, managed to recover the garden chairs which were found concealed around Kawama football pitch.

He added the matter has been reported to police.

Mr. Kasheli described the development as unfortunate and since appealed to police to intensify patrols in the area.

Government says it is saddened with the continued abuse of social media by sections of society describing it as appalling and undemocratic.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Kampamba Mulenga says in view of this, government is planning to introduce an act to be debated in parliament which is hoped will regulate and penalize those found wanting.

Ms Kampamba who is also government spokesperson said it was sad that the gross and rampant abuse of social media has continued targeting especially those in leadership and women.

Ms Kampamba said while democracy and freedom of expression has to be upheld, some individuals and groups have made it a point to use social media thinking it will get them to power.

The minister who is Kalulushi Member of Parliament said ZICTA through The ministry of transport and communication is working round the clock on how best to reverse the trend.

Ms Kampamba said it was time social media was used for educating and promoting morals that will improve the country’s development and image. He said it is not the wish of government to stifle freedom of expression and the media but Zambians should be responsible in the manner they handle social media.

Meanwhile Ms Kampamba says PF members of parliament are pleased and thanked President Edgar Lungu for having spared time to tour the province.

Speaking on behalf of other PF members of parliament based on the Copperbelt, Ms Kampamba said the visit of the president has re-energized them as MPs and demonstrated the president’s commitment to address problems affecting the region.

The parliamentarian said in an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe that there is need for Zambians to allow the president to enjoy his presidency as the undertakings he was carrying out were important to the country.

Ms Kampamba described as surprising at the continued attacks on the head of state by the opposition who always are looking faults in him.

A Japanese firm, Kagome Company Limited has expressed interest to explore the possibility of investing in Zambia’s agro-processing sector.

Kagome Company Limited Manager for Planning and Management Division, Yasutaka Ohashi says his firm is one of the biggest food processing companies in Japan with an export market in Europe, America, Asia and Africa.

“Our company is engaged in all the lines of production from farming to agro-processing. We also provide farming support services with technical guidance and agricultural machines. Kagome is also involved in the production and sale of seedlings,” said Mr. Ohashi.

He added, “my company is aware and appreciates Zambia’s political stability and safety, water resource, suitable climate, and alienable land good for agriculture investment.”

He said this during a meeting he held with Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation, Chalwe Lombe in Tokyo, Japan.

And Mr. Lombe said government will give Kagome Company Limited all the necessary support.

He assured the company that Zambia has favorable investment policies for agriculture that will enable the firm realise its benefits and return on investment.

Meanwhile Zambia’s Ambassador to Zambia, Ndiyoi Mutiti encouraged the company to seriously consider investing in Zambia because the country has a lot of agro-produce which the firm will be able to process and supply within the country and abroad.

Ambassador Mutiti said most agro-products in Zambia are consumed as fresh fruits and vegetables hence the need to process them in order to avoid wastage.

This is contained in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian embassy in Tokyo, Japan, Yotamu Mugara.

GOVERNMENT will not condone and entertain unacceptable practices to infiltrate and corrupt the moral fibre of the citizens, says Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili.

Reverend Sumaili said it was disappointing that some individuals and organisations could openly defend uncultural and unholy practices such as the use of sex toys and dolls when the country was expected to uphold high moral standards and ethical behaviour.

She said Zambia was founded on Christian principles and values and would never give room to anyone planning to import, sell and promote sex toys and dolls as a normal business.

Rev Sumaili said her ministry would work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the practice was completely halted in Zambia.

The minister said, “the Penal Code under Section 177 forbids the importation, sell, conveyance and engaging in the promotion of obscene materials or objects that can corrupt morasl.” “Therefore, the Government will not allow this evil and immoral act of using sex toys.

She said President Edgar Lungu has time and again called upon the youth to uphold high moral and cultural values and abide by the law so as to contribute positively to the development of the country.

Rev Sumaili said promoting the use and trade of sex dolls was defeating the efforts the Head of State was making, adding people and organisations propagating immoral acts had no blessing and place in Zambia. Recently, PeP was quoted in some sections of the media as saying there was no crime in using and buying sex dolls.

THE dismissal of North-Western Province police commissioner Auxensio Daka by President Edgar Lungu is within his powers, says chief government spokesperson Kampamba Mulenga.

Ms Mulenga said it was shocking that the UPND had opted to politicise every decision made by Government. She said this was where the State found problems with the type of politics being practised by the opposition party.

In an interview yesterday, Ms Mulenga, who is Information and Broadcasting minister said when President Lungu appoints anyone to public office he did not give reasons why one was hired but wondered why it should be different when one was fired or dismissed in the national interest. “It is within President Lungu’s jurisdiction to hire or fire any public officer either for misconduct, unprofessionalism or in national interest or voluntary separation. There is nothing sinister or illegal about it,” she said.

Mr Clayson Hamasaka, press secretary for the UPND president, claimed that the dismissal of Mr Daka was unconstitutional and that he was being persecuted for being professional.

But Ms Mulenga laughed off the claims, saying the Police Service Commission was not a private institution and that government would continue making decisions in the best interest of the nation.

She said the Head of State was privileged to work with anyone he was comfortable with and whoever he felt could help him deliver his mandate to the Zambian people.

Ms Mulenga said the UPND should relook at their party manifesto as it had similarities to the ruling PF and that they were already delivering according to citizens’ expectations.

She said the UPND leadership should focus its energy to tell people what it had to offer instead of witch hunting or shooting in the dark.

CIVIL activist Laura Miti is a UPND stooge who is hiding behind the veil of running a civil society organisation to propagate her funders’ ideals by demonising Government every day, says Lusaka Province PF youth chairperson Kennedy Kamba.

Mr. Kamba said he was not surprised that Ms Miti had continued making wild allegations against Government on any decisions it has made. He accused Ms Miti of turning a blind eye to all the social evils such as violence that the UPND had engaged in because she was HH’s sympathiser.

He said while there was nothing wrong with CSOs criticising Government and providing checks and balances, he had a problem with NGOs with political agendas such as Ms. Miti who was using her organisation to propagate her political ambitions.

“Have you ever heard Ms. Miti saying anything good about anything that Government has done? Have you ever heard her condemning UPND for anything? This is what makes her operations as a leader of the CSO questionable.

How possible is it that the PF can be doing everything wrong while the opposition is always correct?

“Ms. Miti must stop hiding behind the veil of running a CSO because people are able to read between the lines and realise that she is just a UPND stooge and all she is doing is to propagate its agenda by attacking the ruling party unnecessarily,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kamba said no matter how many CSOs gang up against the government, nothing will change because the people of Zambia were witnesses to the robust development Zambia had attained since the PF came into power.

“The same people who were demonising President Edgar Lungu over his international trips have now changed and are questioning why he has stopped attending international meetings, “What motivates them to change positions from time to time if it is not to facilitate for regime change?”

Mr Kamba said because President Lungu had chosen to concentrate on inspecting projects, they are now panicking because they know the projects if completed, would spell doom to their campaigns for the 2021 elections.