Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Zambia will participate at this year’s International Tourism Bourse (ITB) exhibition in Berlin, German.
The ITB is slated for March 7 – 11, 2018 at Messe the exhibition venue.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany Anthony Mukwita said Zambia would take advantage as a land linked country to utilize to the fullest her tourism sites during the tourism extravaganza.
“We are located in an advantageous position whose benefits can only be realized with the participation of the private sector and government needs partners in selling our country’s tourism potential,” Mr. Mukwita said
Mr. Mukwita further stated that Zambia occupies the second largest exhibition space after Mecklenburg Vorpommern which, is the 2018 official partner hence, for Zambia to fully utilize her tourism potential.
He appealed to the exhibitors intending to exhibit at the tourism extravaganza to speed up their registration process with the Zambia Tourism Agency so that they fill up the few remaining stands demarcated for Zambia.
And First Secretary for Tourism Ms. Susan Katema, who accompanied Ambassador Mukwita, disclosed that 30 exhibitors have registered so far, leaving only a few stands/tables that are yet to be taken.
Ms. Katema said traditional dancers will perform at the tourism extravaganza to kick-start the program on opening day.
The tourism show provides an opportunity for people to buy and sell different tourism products and services besides interacting and striking travel deals aimed at attracting visitors.
The Victoria Falls is famous for wooing tourists to visit Zambia.
Meanwhile, ITB Representative Margot Dennemoser told the Zambian envoy that Zambia occupies a large space to showcase her tourism destination to the world.
This is contained in a press statement issued to ZANIS yesterday by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy, Kellys Kaunda.
FILE: AFCON 2012 captain Christopher Katongo with Zambeef Head of .Marketing and Corporate Affairs Felix Lupindula at Zambeef’s Zamfest festival.Christopher Katongo says he has no personal relationship with Chipolopolo coach Wedson Nyirenda.
The 2012 AFCON winning captain described his relationship with Nyirenda as ‘lukewarm’.
“I think I have never been close to him, I don’t know what kind of a coach he is,” Katongo told reporters in Johannesburg on Thursday on the sidelines of the 2018 Castle 5-A-Side Soccer Tournament launch.
Katongo is in South Africa as Zambia’s headline legend for the two-day tournament launch that ends today, January 12 in Johannesburg.
“There is no relationship with me. We never talk, we just greet each other.” Katongo said.
“I can say is there is no relationship.
“But what is important is to give him the encouragement and information for the national team to go forward.
“But otherwise we are not close, we are not friends.”
Mbala Municipal Mayor Bright Simbeya is not happy will the alleged poor services provided by the Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company in the area.
Mr. Simbeya said it was saddening that the water utility company takes more than two months to attend to simple water leakages in the area.
He said the Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company should change for better in order to serve the community satisfactorily.
And Kazimolwa Ward Councillor, Steward Simutenda has accused the Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company of ignoring the water leakages in the area.
Mr. Simutenda said leakages were contributing to low water pressure in the district.
He also noted that it has taken nearly two years for Chambeshi to repair a water pipe which burst around Mbulu area in the district.
But Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company district manager, Collins Kayeye said the water utility company was trying its best to supply the commodity to the residents despite using old equipment which constantly breakdown.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kayeye said his office has procured two new water pumps which have since been fixed at Chila water works to boost the supply of the commodity to the community in the area.
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya says government remains resolute to completely eliminate the Cholera epidemic.
Dr. Chilufya said there is a reduction in the number of cholera cases being recorded in the country, stating that in the last two days, the country recorded only 80 cases representing 50% reduction.
Speaking during the combined press briefing on cholera update in Lusaka this Morning, the Minister explained that of the 2,840 cases recorded so far, 2610 have been treated and patients discharged from the facilities.
He said the country has so far recorded 64 deaths with three deaths recorded in the last 24 hours.
“We have recorded 64 deaths and of these, three were recorded from the communities and we recorded no deaths at cholera treatment centers,” said Dr. Chilufya.
During the same press briefing, different entities donated items and money towards the fight against Cholera.
Among them were National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA), Bankers Association of Zambia and Hungry Lion each donated K100, 000, Lottery Zambia Donated assorted items valued at 20,000 and Unilever Zambia pledged to be donating Chlorine valued at K2 million among other entities.
Meanwhile, The Health Minister was quick to mention that the oral vaccine exercise phase one that commenced yesterday in Lusaka had a good turnout.
Dr. Chilufya pointed out that the turnout was at 22% as of day one adding that, most of the people that turned up were children which is a good signal towards combating the fight against the disease.
He further urged members of the community to exercise high levels of personal hygiene to combat the spread of Cholera.
Government says it is committed to continuously protect the welfare of people living with Albinism across the country.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary In charge of Administration Kennedy Malama explained that the Ministry procured four thousand pieces of sun cream lotion in December last year.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS today, Dr. Malama said the ministry will soon purchase the second consignment of the lotions.
The PS said government is working closely with Albino Associations like the Albino Foundation of Zambia to see to it that people living with albinism are registered and continue receiving the lotions.
Dr. Malama affirmed that government is being conscious on how the lotions will be distributed to avoid abuse of the free lotions.
“These lotions are given free of charge by the government and we will ensure accountability in the manner they are distributed,” said Dr. Malama.
He urged people living with albinism to work hand in hand with government and submit their concerns so that they addressed.
Recently, The Albino Foundation of Zambia Executive Director John Chiti said lack of the sun creams for people living with albinism has had an adverse effect that resorted in a lot of Albinos developing skin cancer.
First Lady Esther Lungu confers with delegation leader from Saudi ArabiaPresident Edgar Lungu and First Lady Esther Lungu taking official photo with the team from Saudi ArabiaPresident Edgar Lungu flanked with First Lady Esther Lungu confers with Paramount Chief ChitimukuluPresident Edgar Lungu flanked with First Lady Esther Lungu confers with Paramount Chief ChitimukuluPresident Edgar Lungu flanked with First Lady Esther Lungu and Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya confers with delegation leader from Saudi ArabiaPresident Edgar Lungu flanked with First Lady Esther Lungu and Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya confers with delegation leader from Saudi ArabiaPresident Edgar Lungu flanked with First Lady Esther Lungu confers with delegation leader from Saudi Arabia Eng: Yousef Ibrahim Al Abdulrahman Al Bassam with his teamPresident Edgar Lungu welcomes Ambbassodor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abdullah Alowalfeer and his term when the Saudi Arabia called on the first lady at State HouseFirst Lady Esther Lungu confer with delegation leader from Saudi Arabia Eng: Yousef Ibrahim Al Abdulrahman Al Bassam when the Saudi Arabia term called on the first lady at State House
Tutwa Ngulube files an injunction to halt his expulsion, demands US$ 9 million from PF in unpaid legal fees
Ruling PF Kabwe Central MP Tutwa Ngulube has filed an injunction to restrain the PF from expelling him.
According to court documents obtained today, Mr Ngulube who was the PF Legal Counsel until June 2017 is also demanding payment of US$ 9 million in unpaid legal fees.
Mr Ngulube wants the Court to order that Friday’s planned meeting where his disciplinary case is up be heard is illegal, null and void.
He said the PF Secretary General and the Provincial Chairman for Central Province have no constitutional powers to call for a disciplinary hearing.
Mr Ngulube is contending that if the meeting goes ahead without being given an opportunity to respond to the charges, his constitutional right to be heard would have been violated.
He also stated that the meeting planned for Friday at the Secretariat where his expulsion is meant to be announced in the presence of party functionaries will be in violation of Statutory Instrument Number 79 of 2018 banning public gatherings.
Mr Ngulube has fallen out with the PF hierarchy following his recent public statements critical of the party.
The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has called on all radio and television stations in the country to uphold high levels of professionalism by exhibiting sympathy in their coverage on Cholera.
IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma said the tendency by some Disc Jockeys (DJs) on radio and TV Announcers of making inappropriate and teasing comments regarding the cholera outbreak is disheartening.
Ms. Mapoma is disturbed that radio and television personalities choose to trivialize and make fun of the water borne disease instead of giving it the attention or seriousness it deserves.
She said the disease has negatively impacted the country’s social-economic activities and regretted the comments that are largely sourced from social media.
Ms. Mapoma has further reminded the media of the critical role they play in information dissemination to enable the public make bold decisions.
“The Authority wishes to advice all media houses to help promote positive health behavioral practices in individuals, in order to help reduce the probability of contracting or spreading the disease,” she said.
Meanwhile, the IBA Director has called on media houses to be supportive of the efforts currently being made by the National Task Force on Cholera in combating the disease.
Over 60 people have so far died from Cholera since the disease broke-out in October last year.
ZRA Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda says the revenue authority performed exceptionally well after it collected a net revenue of K39 billion for the period January to December 2017.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Chanda told Journalists in Lusaka that ZRA collected a total of K45.868 billion in gross revenues and refunded K6.718 billion to mines and other tax payers thereby recording a net revenue of K39.149 billion.
The ZRA Commissioner General stated that the 2017 collection exceeded the statutory annual budget target of K37.622 billion by K1.527 billion representing 16.8 per cent contribution to the gross domestic product.
Mr. Chanda however, dispelled public perceptions that the Zambia Revenue Authority is given easy revenue collection targets by government.
The ZRA Commissioner General said the targets are not set by the revenue body alone but by a select committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Parliament and ZRA.
Mr. Chanda said the 2018 revenue target has been set at K44.667 billion, which is K7.054 billion higher than the 2017 target of K37.622 billion.
He said while, government has given ZRA a target of 16.2 per cent contribution to the country’s GDP for 2018, the authority has set its own internal target of 17 per cent
Mr. Chanda attributed ZRA’s imposing performance to increased collections from domestic Value Added Tax (VAT) emanating from strong implementation of the withholding VAT mechanism.
He said net domestic VAT collections grew from K96.52 million in 2016 to K5.630 billion in 2017 translating into a growth of 5,734 per cent.
He said the implementation of the tax amnesty in 2017 was revolutionary in Zambia’s tax administration history as it received positive response from tax payers.
Mr. Chanda said the amnesty programme and debt enforcement activities raked in K4.097 billion and that an additional K650 million is expected to be collected between January and June this year.
He disclosed that the authority handled 425 investigations in its quest to curb smuggling and concluded 94 cases which resulted in the collection of K27.2 million from assessments and penalties.
He further said the mobile Compliance Unit carried out enforcement operations and intelligence patrols resulting in 7, 380 interceptions with a value of K830 million.
The ZRA Commissioner General said it will continue to partner and work with other Revenue Authorities in the region to improve its operations and attain its targets.
Mr. Chanda said that to ensure tax payers declare correct taxes, ZRA conducted 10, 473 audits that yielded over K2.9 billion in taxes.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chanda has admitted that the prevailing cholera pandemic in the capital city is expected to affect revenue collections from the informal sector.
He however, announced that ZRA will engage tax agents to collect tax from the informal sector such as rental income and other taxes from taxis, marketeers among others.
Mr. Chanda further disclosed that ZRA is in discussions with the Zambia National Marketeers Credit Association (ZANAMACA) to create a data base of Marketeers for the purposes of tax collection which has been set at K1.00 per day.
And the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says it registered 270, 000 new Tax Payers Identification Numbers (TPIN) in 2017.
ZRA Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda revealed this in Lusaka today, that the revenue authority captured 269,817 new TPINs compared to 17,717 that were registered in 2016.
Mr. Chanda said ZRA is pleased with the high compliance levels for TPIN registration and expressed optimism about increased registrations.
He said the authority achieved a 1,500 per cent increase in TPIN registrations in its efforts to enforce TPIN requirement on Bank accounts.
ZRA has set a deadline of March 31st this year for all bank account holders to obtain tax payer identification numbers.
Lusaka High Court Judge Sunday Nkonde has declared the Post Newspaper in liquidation insolvent.
Judge Nkonde ruled that the liabilities of the Post Newspapers in Liquidation exceed the value of its assets.
In a Consent Judgement delivered by Judge Nkonde, the Post Newspapers is unable to pay its debt.
Judge Nkonde also stated that the decision has been made because there are no reasonable prospects of the company being rehabilitated and that there were no reasonable grounds advanced to oppose the winding up of the company.
Following this Judgement, the liquidator can now sell all the assets of the company in Liquidation and pay the debt.
And Judge Nkonde has confirmed Lusaka Lawyer Lewis Mosho as the Liquidator of the Post News Papers Limited in Liquidation.
Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya and his Local Government counterpart Vincent Mwale by UPND deputy secretary general Patrick MuchelekaThe opposition UPND has demanded for an immediate and unconditional apology from the PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), for misleading the Nation, that the party donated or were intending to donate UPND branded cholera prevention materials, to health authorities that are spearheading the anti cholera campaign in Lusaka and other parts of the country.
UPND Deputy Secretary General Patrick Mucheleka tells QTV News in a statement that the party is dismayed and greatly disturbed by the unprofessional conduct of the ZNBC that decided to air a very misleading statement from Ms Phiri without first checking facts from the party officials, as should be expected of any credible media house.
Mr. Mucheleka says the party is also sad to note that instead of running a story from the Government officials who gladly and in the spirit of one Nation accepted the UPND’s small gesture of the donation towards the combating of the cholera outbreak in the country, ZNBC deliberately maintained silence by again purposely withholding information that was factual and truthful, and that would have gone a long way in correcting their misrepresentation in collaboration with Ms Phiri.
He says as can be attested by the government ministers and government officials present, none of the donated materials were branded in the UPND colors and none of them were bins.
He says UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has so far fully guided that no one needs to make political capital on the unfortunate situation of the cholera epidemic that is ravaging the country as the disease knows no political party or any other artificial affiliation.
The UPND Deputy Secretary General has since commended the spirit of co-operation and oneness, with which government officials in charge exhibited in accepting the small gesture from the UPND and Mr. Hichilema, through the Party leadership.
Minister of Agriculture Dora Siliya briefing Journalists shortly after presentation of of the 2016 Quarterly Report at State House
Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya has expressed sadness with the fake news circulating online that she called former Foreign Affairs minister Harry Kalaba a holistically impotent man .
Ms Siliya has further urged the general public to treat such News as fake as she did not issue such a statement.
“I did not call Honorable Kalaba a holistically impotent man, he was my colleague just a few weeks ago and I can not go to the media to start insulting him or calling him names , I had an interview with the Daily Nation Newspaper they wanted to hear from me on the allegations by Kalaba that the entire government is corrupt, the real story is in the daily nation publication of Wednesday January 10,2018 on page . I called the allegations by Hon Kalaba that government is corrupt as Smear tantrums without evidence and said they are tantamount to sabotage ” Hon Siliya said
Some online media publications namely Lusaka Times and Zambian Watchdog yesterday Published a fake story with the Headline “AGRICULTURE MINISTER DORA SILIYA SAYS FORMER FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER HARRY KALABA IS A HOLISTICALLY IMPOTENT MAN WHOSE CLAIMS OF CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT ARE BASELESS” alleging that the said words were said by Hon Dora Siliya when infact not .
An extract from the Daily Nation newspaper shows that Hon Siliya did not say any of the words being directed to her by the two online medias , below is the full interview she had with Daily nation newspaper and was published in their Wednesday 10th January publication .
Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Harry Kalaba’s claims of corruption in government are smear corruption tantrums without any evidence, tantamount to sabotage – SAYS AGRICULTURE MINISTER DORA SILIYA.
Ms. Siliya said it is extremely disheartening that Mr. Kalaba is beginning to have delusions on corruption in government without substantiating his blanket claims, which are only damaging his reputation.
Ms. Siliya said it is time that Zambians began to question the motives of those who continue to accuse others, especially in government of corruption with no due process and remains hopeful that Mr. Kalaba would reflect and desist from disparaging government.
“Mr. Kalaba was a colleague of mine until a few days ago. I would have expected more from him in terms of specific allegations so that the country is clear, because these tantrums on blanket corruption do not help.” Ms. Siliya said.
Ms. Siliya who is Petauke Central Member of Parliament said this against the resignation of Harry kalaba from his ministerial job who cited corruption and greediness for his decision.
She said mere smear corruption tantrums as a way of managing the fight against corruption only damages the country’s economic development with many corruption cases taken to court on flimsy grounds purely because of politics.
Ms. Siliya told the Daily Nation in an interview that there could be corruption incidences which the Auditor General’s report highlights, but should not be used as part of smear campaigns.
She further called for some modicum of decency when dealing with government issues especially considering that all former ministers are bound by the ministerial code of ethics.
“How much money have we lost for clean water, drugs and desks because of flimsy cases in court over corruption perceptions? Let’s fight real corruption and not perception which just damages all of us as Zambians.” She said.
She has challenged Mr. Kalaba to explain why he did not report the allegations while still in government and his holier than others attitude that has suddenly got over him to see corruption now.
Ms. Siliya said it is now time that even the Auditor General’s report was put into context so that cases of misappropriation from 2 years ago were not seen by the public to be recent even when government had already taken corrective measures.
Ex-Zambia striker Zeddy Saileti believes this year Chipolopolo can perform better than they did in 2017.
Last year, Zambia failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup but managed to secure a slot at this month’s African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Saileti believes coach Wedson Nyirenda now has a team that can excel.
“I think last year the team tried because there was a transition on the players,” Saileti, a 1994 Africa Cup silver-medallist, said.
“I think this year they can do better. Even the coach is settled and he knows now the players he can use,” the Lumwana Radiants coach said.
Zambia is starting 2018 with an appearance at the CHAN in Morocco.
“It is up to the players and the technical bench to apply themselves well. They have to know that Zambia is one of the best footballing nations in Africa and we need to get back to winning ways so that we can get trophies,” Saileti said.
Zambia this year is further seeking to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after missing last year’s edition in Gabon.
President Edgar Lungu (L) with PF deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri as Party Secretary General Davies Mwila (C) looks on at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport shortly before departure for Livingstone on Thursday, April 20,2017-Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
President Edgar Lungu has nominated Patriotic Front Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri as Member of Parliament.
President Lungu’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda disclosed the appointment in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Mr. Chanda said President Lungu’s decision to nominate Mrs. Phiri as an MP is in accordance of Article 69 (1) of the constitution of the Republic of Zambia.
Mrs. Phiri returns to Parliament as a Law Maker having being Munali Member of Parliament from 2006 to 2011 before President Michael Sata sent her into diplomatic service as High Commissioner to Kenya.
She has been PF Deputy Secretary General and Member of the Central Committee since her appointment by President Lungu in May 2015.
Meanwhile, State House has advised the media and general public that State House Press Office will now always stamp and circulate all its statements in PDF or JPEG formats in its ongoing efforts to curb the rampant cases of forged media statements being issued by fraudsters.
Mr. Chanda said that all statements will also be duly signed and initialed on each page.
Recently, State House urged the Zambia Police and Zambia Information Communication and Technology Authority (ZICTA) to arrest the escalating broadcast of forged State house statements on social media.
