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Lusaka Mayor His Worship Wilson KalumbaLUSAKA mayor, Wilson Kalumba has charged that no vendor will be expected to pay the K200 which was demanded from vendors by the Vendors Association of Zambia (VAZ).
Mr. Kalumba told the VAZ representative that city market belongs to Lusaka City Council which is working closely with government to take care of all repair works at city market under the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).
“City market belongs to Lusaka City Council (LCC) and as far as I am concerned no decision has been made by us to charge vendors any amount before being allocated trading space in city market,” Kalumba said.
This was after the VAZ representatives demanded K200 from each vendor, a move which they say was meant to repair the roof of the gutted city market and other minor works.
And Mr. Kalumba said the LCC will enhance the enforcement of the Local government (Street vending and nuisances) regulations for 2017 and the urban and regional planning Act no. 3 of 2015 to stop people from trading in undesignated places.
File: PARAMOUNT Chief Mpweto of the Bwile people in the Democratic Republic Congo talks to sub-chief (Natende) Dr. Katele Kalumba during the ceremony
Traditional leaders in Senior Chief Puta’s area in Chienge District in Luapula Province have maintained that they do not sale Customary Land.
The Traditional Leaders explained that they give the Land for free to any person who wants to acquire Land either settlement or for productive ventures adding that the portions of land is in accordance to their desirable qualities.
ZANIS reports that this came to light when the Traditional Leaders made a presentation recently during training in Land Administration for Traditional Leaders, Civic Leaders and Chienge Town Council organized by the Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA) in Chienge.
Sub-Chief Kwapa said the Bwile Royal Establishment ( BRE ) has well stipulated guidelines for giving out Land , as well as penalties for any Village Headperson found wanting in land administration.
He explained that what is received from a would be settler in the Village is not a Sale Price but a token which is mostly in form of a chicken.
And Village Headperson Kasoma Puta said the Royal Establishment has appointed Village Planners who stipulates the sizes of residential plots and standards that need to be followed.
The Village Headperson also appealed to Planning Department at the Chienge Town Council to consider capacity building the Village Planners.
He said the standard plot size 21 by 28 meters plots and that any one given a plot is given a period of 29 Months in which to develop it, otherwise it is repossessed to be given to a person willing to develop it.
And Senior Chief Puta of the BWILE People in Chienge District in Luapula province says he is ready to release part of the his customary land to the Local Authority as long as the latter shows capacity to develop the existing State Land.
Senior Chief Puta says what has been causing his apparent refusal to release part of his Land to the Chienge Town Council has been mainly its failure to develop the State Land.
ZANIS reports that the Senior Chief said this during a training in Land Administration for Traditional Leaders, Civic Leaders and Chienge Town Council organized by the Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA)
The Chief who spoke through his Senior Advisor, Daniel Mutuka said Traditional Leaders are aware that they are part of Government, and as such they have to support development efforts.
“ It is incumbent upon Management at the Council to prove themselves worthy of Administering Land for the benefit of residents in Chienge District,” he said.
And responding to the offer, Chienge Council Chairperson, Luckson Mwape thanked the Traditional Leader for the good gesture.
He admitted that the Local Authority had in the past failed to Administer Land properly, but was quick to add that the reason was because of lack of trained Staff.
Mr. Mwape assured the Traditional Authority that qualified Staff capable of developing the District effectively . have been engaged.
The Zambia Deaf Youth and Women (ZDYW) Executive Director Frank Musukwa has called on the government to recognize sign language as the 8th National language in Zambia in order to break the communication barrier.
In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Musukwa said the introduction of sign language lessons around the nation will dismantle all barriers thereby, enabling the deaf to communicate with other people and get included in societal issues.
He noted that the deaf people have challenges in exercising their legitimate rights such as social, judicial, and medical services due to communication barriers.
He has however, appealed to individuals working as medical personnel, police officers, secretaries, court officials and pastors to have sign language knowledge.
“We also need the word of God as deaf people but we are challenged in that pastors do not know how to use sign language”. Mr. Musukwa said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Musukwa has appealed to the Ministry of Higher Education to have sign language taught at all levels of education in Zambia.
He further stressed that sign language should be included in school programmes like foreign languages such as French and Chinese.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya briefs President Edgar Lungu after they toured Mafinga District Hospital which is under construction in Muchinga ProvincePresident Edgar Lungu ha said that it is a scandal that a number of infrastructure projects in Muchinga province have stalled. President Lungu said that almost all projects stalled ten months ago reportedly due to lack of funding.
The President has questioned why it should take so long to complete development projects in some areas when he wants to see equitable distribution of resources. President Lungu said that opposition strongholds as well as PF strongholds must share resources equally.
He said it is time people stopped playing the blame game and work hard.
President Lungu took a swipe at Muchinga Province Administration for the slow pace at which developmental projects are being done. Mr. Lungu who toured and inspected the Police Station, 50 housing units and a Secondary School sites expressed sadness that the projects had stalled.
Speaking during a tour of Shiwangandu district, the Head of State has challenged Provincial Minister Malozo Sichone, Permanent Secretary Jobbicks Kalumba, PF Shiwangandu Member of Parliament Stephen Kampyongo and area District Commissioner Evelyn Kangwa to work extra hard and ensure that the projects are expedited.
Mr. Lungu vehemently said he will not desist ‘sucking’ lazy government officials because people are eager to see projects being completed and commissioned.
President Lungu acknowledged that the people in Muchinga Province voted massively for him and the PF leadership therefore, government should reward the electorates with the much needed infrastructure.
Mr. Lungu said he will not relent in conducting and supervising developmental projects his administration has embarked on because he has a noble duty to monitor the progress of projects.
In response, Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone said he will summon the district government officials as well as the contractor for a meeting at his office on Friday this week.
The Head of State later meet chief Chibesakuuda, Mukwikile and Kabanda.
He also held private talks with the traditional leaders at the Shiwangandu District Administration Block.
Constitutional Court President Hilda Chibomba has warned parties involved in the presidential eligibility case to stop delaying the matter through adjournments as the judges are ready to hear the main matter.
This is in a matter in which four opposition parties have petitioned the Constitutional Court to determine the interpretation of who is eligible to stand in the 2021 general elections.
This was after Lawyer Jonas Zimba who is representing PF Secretary General Davies Mwila applied for an adjourned to enable him get instructions from his client on the way forward.
The application was in relation to previous application made by an interested third party, Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda.
Judge Chibomba told the lawyers that the matter has been adjourned many times and further adjournments will not be entertained.
She adjourned the matter to January 30, 2018.
Judge Chibomba further told the court that this adjournment was the last and urged the lawyers to be ready to proceed when the matter comes up.
The main matter in this case has not been heard as the court is still dealing with preliminary issues being raised by the parties involves.
Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo
The Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors has demanded that a labour audit be conducted in the mining sector to ascertain the over stay of expatriates.
The Association is accusing the mining firms of having formed cartels aimed at depriving Zambians of opportunities to do business with the mines.
This is according to a document of outcomes produced after the Association held a meeting last Friday with Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo and Transport and Logistics Members at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Conference room under the theme “Economic Freedom and Citizen Participation.”
The Association observed that some countries in the region have put up laws that restrict foreigners to participate in the local economy if they are not in partnership with the locals.
“Tanzania has restricted trucks from carrying cargo from their ports to Zambia. They have used the port to create employment in the transport sector. Botswana has restricted any foreigner from setting up a company unless a Tswana is on board and it should be 50-50. No one has blamed them. That’s how they want to run their affairs. And us we can leverage on copper and create employment and bulk businesses,” read part of the document.
The Association also stated that all mines on the Copperbelt and North-western provinces have opened up offices in South Africa, Australia and India thereby giving business to those countries, creating employment in those countries and depriving Zambians.
The Association has since requested Mr Lusambo that these offices must be closed and relocated back to Zambia.
On payments, the Association observes that payments are taking too long to local suppliers and contractors as opposed to foreign competitors who normally get paid even before delivery.
The Association members felt that this is a ploy to disadvantage Zambians and aimed at reducing their capacities in managing their businesses.
“Further they proposed that a law must be put in place that will allow local companies to be paid within15 days in order to accelerate compliance with government institutions such as ZRA,” the document further read.
The Association further stated that mines have created serious cartels among themselves in procurement, transportation, services and supply.
It said mining firms have formed companies who are doing serious works and Zambians have no access to such high valued opportunities for businesses.
“These mines are using agency and QEM issues to exclude us from business and that the tendency of buying everything from South Africa and South African companies should come to an end.”
The Association members also noted that it is practically impossible for Zambians to have access to the mine sites which makes it difficult to access business since there is no link with the end users.
The Association also observed that it has become impossible for Zambian companies to be registered in the mines as vendors but very easy for foreigners to be registered even in areas were Zambians are already operating thus displacing them.
They submitted that registration process must be opened up to all and that the process should be shortened and should not be managed from outside Zambia.
The members also submitted that a threshold of minimum of K2.5 million worth of jobs should be given to Zambians and anything above should be procured through open tender.
“Trading should be left to Zambians because it requires no expertise since all required information and specification are given by the Mines and the same applies to services and contracts,” the document read.
The Association members have since urged Mr Lusambo that a strong policy is needed to protect Zambians doing business in the mining sector and those who are manufacturing goods which are being imported from outside disadvantaging local manufacturers and killing their innovations.
They said government and the Associations should identify products that are being imported but have a high chance of being manufactured locally in order to develop the local manufacturing industry.
Association President Augustine Mubanga has since thanked Mr Lusambo for what he called candid leadership and interest in resolving the challenges that has lingered for too long in the mining sector.
Mr Mulenga said this has created hope that government will come up with immediate measures to support suppliers, contractors and transporters on the Copperbelt.
Musician and activist Fumba Chama, also known as Pilato left Zambia on 5 January 2018 after receiving threats over his new song Koswe Mumpoto which has been interpreted as criticising President Edgar Lungu and the PF Ministers.
In the song, Pilato sings that the ruling elite are behaving like rats that steal food and eat, including things that they do not need.
Pilato decided to leave the country after receiving a video message in December recorded by cadres of the ruling PF who threatened to beat him for releasing the song, which has been a huge hit since it came out in December.
The PF Chairperson for Central Province had ordered Pilato to stop singing the song on 11 December.
Radio and TV stations have also been ordered to stop playing it by government.
Police also denied Pilato permits to perform at several planned concerts in December.
In places where he was allowed to sing, police imposed conditions, including orders not to play any of his controversial songs.
In another illustration of the increasingly oppressive atmosphere in Zambia, the Magistrates’ Court in Mongu sentenced a medical doctor, Kwalela Kafunya, to seven years in prison under oppressive colonial-era legislation for creating a fake Facebook account lampooning President Lungu.
Kwalela Kafunya was accused of posting disturbing remarks and insults, and digitally altering President Lungu’s image.
And Amnesty International says the Zambian host bent must immediately take steps to guarantee right to freedom of expression for artists.
“The brazen determination by some in Zambia to silence dissenting views can only spell doom for the culture of robust engagement that the country has been known for,” said Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa.
“The right to freedom of expression must be allowed to thrive.”
“It is worrying that Zambian authorities are now also going after people who are using social media networks such as Facebook to express themselves,” said Muleya Mwananyanda.
“This harassment and crackdown on dissent must stop immediately.”
Minister of Agriculture, Dora Siliya with Zambia’s Ambassador to German
Zambians will not go hungry despite a disappointing rain season the country has experienced so far, the Minister of Agriculture has assured. Ms. Dora Siliya said some parts of the country have been particularly affected with crops that were earlier planted going to waste due to poor rainfall.
The Minister was speaking in an interview Monday in Berlin, Germany, on the sidelines of the German/Africa Business Association meeting called for African countries to share their investment prospects in the agricultural sector with the German business community.
“In Ecological zone one and that is Southern Province, parts of Western Province and parts of Eastern Province we have seen that there has actually been a drought. We have experienced no rains in those areas” leading to the failure of crops like maize said Ms. Siliya.
The Minister noted that as expected the country has seen more rains in ecological zone three consisting of parts of northern regions of Zambia, the Copperbelt, Central province and parts northwestern province.
“However, it is in these areas where the soil is quite acid and you don’t really expect a lot of return on the hectares in terms of harvest”, the Minister regretted. Ms. Siliya said going forward government is expected to increase its investment in harvesting rain-water and the construction of dams thereby reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture.
“Especially in ecological zone one which is Southern Province, we need to invest in bulk water sites. We have to dam the country”, the Minister said with emphasis encouraged by what neighboring Zimbabwe has done. Ms. Siliya said small dams will have to be made throughout the country so that farming may continue aided by irrigation whether there has been rainfall or rainfall.
The Minister noted sadly that in some parts of the country farmers may have to replant just so that they may get something out of this year’s rain season. She said there has been some indication that rains might begin to fall in some parts of the country.
“We pray for divine intervention that the army worm attack is controlled and that it is not as devastating as it was last year so that we may salvage something from our crops”, the Minister said prayerfully.
Ms. Siliya said her Ministry is monitoring the situation to ensure food security, food that is accessible and food that is affordable. She also said her Ministry is monitoring the region for the impact of the partial drought as there are reports of countries equally affected. Last year the southern African region suffered food shortages, which Zambia filled up with exports of her bumper harvest.
“We have asked all the districts to continue giving us reports so that in the next few weeks, we assess the impact of the partial drought and that of the army worms”, said the Minister assuring Zambians that government is on top of things.
Ms. Siliya said last year the Zambian government made some tough decisions that affected the private sector so that the food security of its citizens was assured. Similarly, the Minister said an elected government as that of President Edgar Lungu will not hesitate to make tough decisions if need be to make sure Zambians are food secure.
Experts have warned that climate change will continue to affect food security and energy supply unless countries adopt measures to mitigate their impact. On its part, the Zambian government has stepped up engagement with various global partners since the climate change conference in Bonn, Germany last year in mobilizing resources intended for investment in climate-smart technologies.
President Edgar Lungu confers with PF Secretary General Davies Mwila at ZAF Lusaka shortly before his departure to Muchinga Province for three days working visitPatriotic Front Secretary General Davies Mwila has warned presidential appointees at provincial and district levels against insubordination as they risk not having their contracts renewed.
Mr. Mwila says President Edgar Lungu is a hardworking and focused leader whose vision he said is to develop this country which must be fully supported by those he appoints to help implement the development agenda.
Mr Mwila says appointees must also work according to the ideals of the patriotic front.
“ The head of state as the appointing authority for all district commissioners and permanent secretaries across the country deserves respect and unquestionable loyalty, “ he said.
Speaking last night at a dinner hosted for him by the Livingstone district patriotic front, Mr Mwila said all District Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries who are failing in their duties risk not having their contracts renewed in the upcoming month of March 2018.
“All District Commissioner and permanent secretaries should know that they were appointed by President Edgar Lungu who is also PF party President. So if they are not working according to expectation, their contracts are coming to an end in March 2018 and they will be removed, ” he said.
He said that according to reports reaching his office indicate that some district commissioners are not working in line with the party structures.
And Southern province patriotic front chairperson Lawrence Evans called on the party members to remain united and loyal to the President and the party.
He said disgruntled members who are leaving the PF and forming their own political parties should not be entertained.
Mr. Evans questioned what embattled Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba kambwili and his Bahati Constituency counterpart Harry Kalaba would bring to this country which they failed to do when they were in the PF.
Panos Institute Southern Africa has advised government to find an alternative way of curbing yellow journalism or fake news without restricting social media or infringing on citizens’ rights.
According to a statement made available to ZANIS , today, PANOS Executive Director Lilian Kiefer said her institution was concerned at reports indicating that government intends to restrict access to some social media platforms like Facebook.
Mrs Kiefer observed that this development could infringe on the Right to Freedom of Expression which she said would threaten the country’s democracy.
She added that this could lead to limited participation by Zambians in the global village, and curtail the growth of ICT based businesses.
She explained that social media platforms were an important source of information for the citizens and has in many cases been used by citizens to engaged government on issues of national interest.
She has appealed to government not to ban social media sites like Facebook but instead work with stakeholders to a way of curbing abuse and ensuring that social media was used for communication that can shape the country’s development.
Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba was recently quoted in the media saying government was contemplating restricting social media in the country noting that some people were highly abusing this platform.
FILE: Zambian Govt officials signing documents with Russia’s Rosatom for development of nucear technology in Zambia
Government has established an Interim Secretariat on Nuclear Science and Technology (ISNST) constituted by senior officers from various Government Ministries and Institutions. The Units under the ISNST include Nuclear Applications, Public Awareness and Consultation, Economics Assessment, Legal and Regulatory, and Programme Development.
The ISNST will spearhead implementation of Zambian’s nuclear energy programme as well as the development of the Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST). The officers have since commenced work, which among others, will involve public awareness and consultations. Government also envisages the development of a Nuclear Power Plant as an alternative to Hydro Power which has proved unreliable.
Mr. Reuben Katebe from the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) is the National Coordinator and others on the Secretariat are Mr. Isaac Chipampe (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services), Mr. Abraham Miti (Ministry of Justice), Mr. Bright Mweetwa (NISIR), Dr. Dani Banda (UNZA), Mr. William Masocha (Ministry of Energy), Mr. Paul Mbewe (Ministry of Higher Education), Dr. Charles Chivweta (Ministry of Finance) and Dr. Nason Lambwe (University Teaching Hospital).
The ISNST will coordinate drafting of the Nuclear Science and Technology Policy and attendant Legislation; assess the position of the nuclear applications in Zambia’s development agenda; conduct an economic assessment of nuclear applications; develop legal, regulatory and legislative aspects of nuclear applications; conduct environmental and siting aspects of nuclear installations; and assess nuclear technologies suitable for Zambia, among others.
Government is hopeful that the nuclear energy programme will transform the country into an industrial hub in the region. A group of students have already been sent to Russia to study in various areas of nuclear science, who upon completing their studies would work in the CNST.
Government has since signed various agreements with the Russian Federation that have culminated into the implementation of the nuclear energy programme.
To hit the ground running, members of the ISNST on Thursday last week paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Hon. Kampamba Mulenga and explained that there are many myths about nuclear energy but the reality is that if the country wants to industrialise, then nuclear energy is the way to go.
The National Coordinator informed the Minister that after His Excellency the President Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu announced that Zambia would explore nuclear energy, an interim Secretariat on nuclear science and technology was established to articulate nuclear policies and regulations, conduct feasibility studies, hold public consultations, evaluate existing technologies, and assess the potential financing mechanisms towards the implementation of the nuclear science and technology programme.
Hon. Mulenga was impressed that nuclear science and technology was not just about power but was also used in food preservation and other industrial applications.
“As people tasked to inform the public about nuclear science, it is important to understand what this technology is about,” she said.
She hoped students sent to Russia to specialise in nuclear science would come and run the CNST rather than the country relying on expatriates.
The ISNST has embarked on a robust public sensitisation programme beginning with Members of the Cabinet and Members of Parliament.
Michael Chilala Examinations Council of Zambia DirectorThe Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) has dismissed information circulating on social media that it has nullified the 2017 Grade 12 examination results.
ECZ Director Michael Chilala disclosed in a statement to ZANIS today, that contrary to the purported statement on social media, the 2017 grade 12 results are valid and still accessible on the ECZ SMS platform.
“The results are valid and are still accessible on our SMS platform, while the school leavers will access the statements of results during the week beginning 31st January, 2018 from their examination centres,” Dr. Chilala explained.
Dr. Chilala said the statement circulating on social media that the council has nullified the 2017 examination results is false adding that, the council approved the 2017 grade 12 results on 18th January this year.
He added that following the approval, the results were then announced by the Minister of General Education.
Meanwhile, the Examination Council of Zambia has extended the registration period for candidates sitting for the 2018 examinations.
Dr. Chilala said the council has set February 16, 2018 as the new closing date.
He has since advised examination centres to ensure that all candidates for the 2018 grades 7, 9, 12, GCE and teachers educations are dully registered by the new closing date.
Namibia coach Ricardo Mannetti concurred that his team was the better side in Monday nights 2018 CHAN Group B top two decider against Zambia.
Namibia made Zambia earn top spot in Group B the hard way despite both sides advancing to the quarterfinals with a match to spare heading into Monday’s meeting.
Zambia finished top on goal difference tied on 7 points with Namibia whom they will visit this March in a 2019 AFCON Group K qualifier in Windhoek.
Namibia, who are making the CHAN debut, came into the match with quite a reputation following stunning 1-0 wins over Cote d’Ivoire and Uganda , both score via stoppage time goals.
“We showed that we can play different football. The first two games were about the result and getting out of the group,” Mannetti said.
“After getting out of the group whether we meet Sudan or Morocco was secondary to us. Tonight (Monday) we showcased that we can play good football and the team is strong.
“We dealt better with ball possession.”
Namibia have now picked up three wins and a draw in their last five meetings against Zambia following Monday nights result.
Meanwhile, Absalom Iimbondi put Namibia ahead in the 12th minute from a free-kick that took a bounce before eluding Zambia goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata.
But Zambia equalized twelve minutes later through Lazarus Kambole who he tapped in a cheeky ball after some hard work by Ernest Mbewe.
From then on Namibia put Zambia under pressure that saw Nsabata working overtime to ensure the score line remained even.
The University of Zambia (UNZA) Management says it has intensified its search for partners in constructing student’s hostels.
UNZA Registrar Sitali Wamundila said there is need to increase accommodation capacity due to the high demand of education in Zambia.
Mr. Wamundila said UNZA has taken a proactive role in expanding programs of its infrastructure hence, the need to engage in Public-Private Partnerships.
Speaking in a statement released to ZANIS today, Mr. Wamundila said private-public partnerships are cardinal for the university and that it will embark on expanding programs to all provincial centers across the country.
He said the university intends to construct world class accommodation for its students in a bid to improve the quality of education.
And Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba said universities in Zambia should not wait on government to build hostels but should engage the private sector, so as to ensure that hostels are constructed in a short period of time.
He has urged the private sector to take advantage of student hostels construction initiatives as the idea is sustainable.
This is according to a press statement issued to ZANIS today, by First Secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambia High Commission in South Africa Naomi Nyawali.
NDC Supporters escoting Kambwili to the Police station
Youths from the ruling Patriotic Front this morning attacked National Democratic Congress supporters who thronged Lusaka Central Police to offer solidarity to Chishimba Kambwili who is appearing before the anti-fraud unit for questioning.
And Police have arrested and charged Mr. Kambwili with three counts of Forgery, uttering false documents and presenting a false document to a public officer.
Mr. Kambwili who is also Roan PF Member of Parliament and NDC Consultant arrived at 10:00 hours in the the company of his Secretary General Mwenya Musenge and they were quickly ushered into the interrogation room.
NDC cadres remained outside the station chanting anti-PF slogans, with one of the cadres carrying a mattress for Mr. Kambwili in anticipation that Mr Kambwili will be arrested and detained.
Police had to fire teargas canisters to disperse the NDC supporters.
About 30 minutes later, however, some machete-carrying PF cadres arrived on the scene and attacked their opponents, injuring about four NDC cadres in the process; one of whom was badly hurt on the forehead and had to be rushed to the hospital by an emergency vehicle from Levy Mall.
A security guard at Levy Mall was also caught up in the attack and has been injured
By time of publishing, Mr. Kambwili has been detained but his lawyers are currently organizing bond.
And in a brief interview at the police station, Mr Kambwili said he is not scared of President Edgar Lungu ‘s arbitrary arrests of opposition leaders.
Mr. Kambwili described President Lungu as a brutal coward who was using police to intimidate innocent souls.
Earlier police refused Mr. Kambwili to carry with him a mattress to the police cells.
NDC Supporters escoting Kambwili to the Police station
