An auditor for the Auditor General’s office was murdered in cold blood in a village outside Kalomo on Saturday night. The Late Mapalo Chanda was 27 years old. He had travelled for business in Kalomo on Friday.His body was found dumped in a pit latrine.
His elder brothers Honorable Dr.Jonas Chanda,Bwana Mukuba Constituency MP and Mr.Sunday Chanda, PF media director made the announcement on social media. The police have since arrested a suspect Talent Munkombwe.
MMD Die Hard Youths Coordinator Gerald Chiluba has advised the PF to stop arm twisting the Republican President Edgar Lungu with their demands to have Finance Minister Felix Mutati dropped.
Mr Chiluba who was speaking when featured on MUVI TV’s breakfast show said the President has been on record telling the nation that PF is working with MMD hence the demands by the PF would only make the President contradict himself.
He said PF Secretary General Davies Mwila should not have used such strong language but instead should havel engaged his counter part from MMD.
“As MMD Die Hard Youth wing we want to urge our alliance partners to stop arm twisting President Edgar Lungu as there is no concrete reason to protest against Hon. Felix Mutati.
“There was no need for the PF Secretary General to use such strong language when he could easily have engaged his counter part from our party especially that the president has on several occasions mentioned that the MMD are in a working relationship with the PF.
“Just recently in Mansa there was a defection ceremony led by the deputy Secretary General of PF where 70 people defected to PF and among them were members from the MMD. As MMD we did not say anything but when it is vice versa people decide to talk which is unfair,” he said.
He further called on the PF not feel threatened by the fact that MMD is mobilising itself but instead concentrate on their mobilisation.
“Our alliance partners should never feel threatened by the fact that the MMD is mobilising itself neither should MMD feel the same because every political party as the moral obligation to mobilise and install competent structures that will help the party to thrive and this is simply what MMD is doing.
“We also want to take this opportunity to appeal to His Excellence the President of the republic of Zambia to intervene in this misunderstanding and categorically explain the spirit of the alliance between the two parties so as to sustainably settle the dust,” he said.
Chilanga UPND member of parliament Keith Mukata and his co accused Charmaine Musonda have pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder.
Mr Mukata and Ms. Musonda are accused of murdering a security guard, Namakambwa Kwenda, on May 6, 2017.
When the matter came up today, the duo denied the charge before High Court judge Susan Wanjelani.
The case has since been adjourned to September 7 and 8 for trial.
Allegations in this matter are that the duo killed Mr. Kwenda at Mr. Mukata’ s law firm, AKM legal practitioners in Lusaka’s Rhodes Park area Alex Masala close.
Mr. Kwenda 63, who was working for Men in Black security company was stationed at the law firm.
The duo is being represented by Lawyers Eric Silwamba, Lubinda Linyama and Willis Muhanga while a Mrs Mwanza is appearing on behalf of the people.
Finance Minister Felix Mutati has announced that the 2018 National Budget will be presented to Parliament on Friday 29 September, 2017.
Mr. Mutati has also said the government is in the process of finalising consultations and blending of some budget proposals from institutions and individuals with the governments vision for development.
He stated that one final consultative meeting will be held with Copperbelt based economic sector players to reach common grounds on administrative priority action which is needed to promote Zambian entreprenuers in the predominantly mining province.
Mr. Mutati will during the course of this week visit Kafue Steel Company in Kafue District.
Meanwhile, MMD Die Hard Youths Coordinator Gerald Chiluba has advised the PF to stop arm twisting the Republican President Edgar Lungu with their demands to have Finance Minister Felix Mutati dropped.
Mr Chiluba who was speaking when featured on MUVI TV’s breakfast show said the President has been on record telling the nation that PF is working with MMD hence the demands by the PF would only make the President contradict himself.
He said PF Secretary General Davies Mwila should not have used such strong language but instead should havel engaged his counter part from MMD.
“As MMD Die Hard Youth wing we want to urge our alliance partners to stop arm twisting President Edgar Lungu as there is no concrete reason to protest against Hon. Felix Mutati.
“There was no need for the PF SG to use such strong language when he could easily have engaged his counter part from our party especially that the president has on several occasions mentioned that the MMD are in a working relationship with the PF.
“Just recently in Mansa there was a defection ceremony led by the deputy SG OF PF were 70 people defected to PF and among them were members from the MMD. as MMD we did not say anything but when the same situation happens vice versa people are now talking which is unfair,” he said.
He further called on the PF not feel threatened by the fact that MMD is mobilising itself but instead concentrate on their mobilisation.
“Our alliance partners should never feel threatened by the fact that the MMD is mobilising itself neither should MMD feel the same because every political party as the moral obligation to mobilise and install competent structures that will help the party to thrive and this is simply what MMD is doing.
“We also want to take this opportunity to appeal to His Excellence the President of the republic of Zambia to intervene in this misunderstanding and categorically explain the spirit of the alliance between the two parties so as to sustainably settle the dust,” he said.
The outright condemnations of Hakainde Hichilema (HH) published in the Lusaka Times on September 2, 2017 under the heading, “HH condemned for denouncing the Judiciary while in South Africa” need challenging.
Among others, ten institutions and individuals have flashed negative profiling of HH before the readers. These are: Monica Kanjimana who is executive director at the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue, Emmanuel Mwamba who is Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Alex Ng’oma tripling as lecturer, researcher and analyst at the University of Zambia, Boniface Chembe who is executive director at Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, Chimfwembe Mwenge serving as Foundation for Democratic Process executive director, Patriotic Front media director Sunday Chanda, PF member Edwin Lifwekelo, Former UPND vice-president Canisius Banda, New Congress Party president Peter Chanda, and “MMD” spokesperson Raphael Nakacinda.
The named persons are important leaders in their various institutions. What they choose to say can either build or destroy Zambia. They can either inform and help the Zambian public to have right perspectives on important governance challenges of our time or misinform the Zambian public and fuel ambiguities. Ambiguities are like a double-edged sword. They perpetuate impunity on the part of self-serving leaders and confuse citizens that become paralyzed by careless throwing of words in a discourse. A close look at some of the terms used to condemn HH reveals a deliberate effort to paint HH as a black sheep in the Zambian political family. It is peculiar that those that may be considered as Zambia’s critical leaders see something odd about what HH said while in South Africa. Would this apparent subjectivity explain the maze Zambia finds herself at such a critical time that demands pragmatic leadership in all institutions? Could it be that many leaders are ruffled by the man’s no-nonsense, logical approach to reasoning, sharing of his experiences and the reasons he shares them with the world?
Monica Kanjimana is quoted as having said:
“It’s very sad that Mr. Hichilema decided to go abroad to denounce the Judiciary instead of airing his grievances through established channels in Zambia. We are very disappointed that the opposition leader, who was barely three days ago at church promising to dialogue and promote reconciliation, decided to go to another country to say the opposite. We are strongly opposed to his behaviour of disparaging state institutions, especially using international media platforms. Our leaders should learn to use home-grown solutions for their problems. Mr. Hichilema should have quietly confided in various stakeholders here in Zambia before going abroad. He must have confidence in our state institutions.”
As executive director at the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue Monica should demonstrate better communication skills. As chief executive officer for an organization promoting interparty dialogue she is expected to take a pre-emptive stance when commenting on matters that need dialogue. HH is her potential client in the all-important national dialogue and reconciliation. How will condemning HH give him confidence in her institution? Does Monica have the necessary emotional intelligence that would make her effective in resolving divisive elements in our political arena? Why should criticizing the Zambian judiciary anywhere in the world make Monica sad?
Like Raphael Nakachinda who said Hichilema has exhibited high levels of political immaturity by disparaging State institutions in foreign land, why is Monica (and Raphael) opposed to HH disapproval of state institutions? What is wrong in responding to questions raised by the international media?
One of the characteristics of emotional intelligence is empathy. Has Monica ever put herself in HH’s shoes? Is she aware that the police (a state institution) went to his private property without a permit and forced their way on the premises, damaged property, and brutalized HH, his wife, children and relatives? Does she ever imagine herself being incarcerated for 127 days under inhuman conditions over unattainable trumped up charge of treason? Monica must be alive to the presidential election petition that has never been heard by the Constitutional Court (a state institution) because of what I think is an illegal technicality? Does Monica expect HH to praise what many Zambians think are dysfunctional and paralyzed state institutions? How does the CEO of an important organization twist facts? Where is the evidence to the effect that HH said something opposite to what he said at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross Church, “promising dialogue and promoting reconciliation”?
Out of the nine cited as commentators that took exception to remarks made by the UPND leader while in South Africa four used the word patriotic in its various forms (patriotism, unpatriotic) and three have mentioned HH tarnishing Zambia’s image abroad, speaking ill of Zambia, and discrediting the country. They all chose to use ambiguous words to achieve their partisan interests, deliberately being “economical” on truth.
Being patriotic in this context means “having or expressing devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country”. A country can be defined as a region that is identified as a distinct national entity in political geography”. For those that take exception to HH’s remarks they are, in effect, saying HH is not devoted to and does not vigorously support Zambia. Such a position is laughable. How does anyone profile in such a way a person that exemplifies passion for a better Zambia, Africa, and the world? Is commitment to ensuring that Zambia stops anyone from practicing dictatorship not being devoted to and supporting Zambia? Is desiring institutional reforms such as the police not being patriotic? In his address HH said that he remained indebted to the people of his country and that “our country does not need guns or mighty men with guns but it needs leadership…that will realize that God hates injustices. This is patriotism.
HH’s address in South Africa on 31st August 2017 was in the context of building democracy not only in Zambia but in the region and on the continent of Africa. He gave examples of injustices committed in Zambia and urged neighbouring countries not to watch the injustices because what affects Zambia affects all. A summary of his speech includes the following:
Reviewing the speech and listening to video recordings one hardly sees how HH tarnished Zambia’s image, spoke ill of Zambia or discredited the country.
Making such assertions is failing to differentiate between Zambia (the country) and Zambia’s institutions? As Elias Munshya rightly pointed out when responding to Emmanuel Mwamba, it is the duty of citizens to talk well of their country but it is not their duty to speak well of their governments. Governments must earn respect of citizens by doing what is morally and legally right.
By Mapanza H Nkwilimba
Ruling PF Nkana Member of Parliament Alexander Chiteme says Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili is a frustrated politician.
Mr Chitembe who likened Mr. Kambwili to a man whose proposal had been turned down by a woman and in frustration goes out to accuse her of prostitution urged the Roan MP to desist from attacking President Edgar Lungu.
He said allegations by Mr. Kambwili that there is rampant corruption in the PF government should be dismissed.
Mr Chiteme wondered why Mr. Kambwili only spoke about corruption after he was fired.
He was speaking on Sunday during the PF interactive session in Kitwe.
“When did he (Kambwili) see corruption? Is it when he was in government or after he had been fired. If I (Chiteme) saw corruption in government, I would resign not after batanfya (I get fired), ” Mr. Chiteme said.
“It’s like waya mukufya umwanakashi lilya akukana elyo wamba ukumutuka (It is like you propose a lady and she turns you down and then you start insulting her) It does not make sense,” He added.
Mr Chiteme urged Zambians not to take Mr Kambwili’s allegations seriously because he only started seeing corruption after he was fired.
The Nkana MP has also challenged Mr. Kambwili to withdraw the court case and test his popularity in Roan constituency.
Zambian tax advocacy expert Savior Mwambwa has been appointed as Interim Director Financial Transparency Coalition.
“We’re ecstatic that Savior has decided to join the Coalition at this crucial time,” said Subrat Das, Chair of the Financial Transparency Coalition.
“As important policy fights loom in the future, it was essential to find someone who could hit the ground running and already understands the issues at an in-depth level.”
Mr. Mwambwa comes to the FTC after a number of years in civil society, most recently as the International Tax Campaign Manager for ActionAid International.
Previously, he worked as Policy and Advocacy Manger at the Tax Justice Network – Africa, an FTC member organization.
He also served as Executive Director of the Centre for Trade Policy and Development, a Zambia-based NGO focused on equitable trade policies.
“It’s such an important time to be a part of the effort to stop the bleeding of illicit financial flows, and that’s what made the decision to join the FTC such an easy one,” said Mr. Mwambwa.
“As we continue to persuade policymakers to curb things like tax abuse and corruption, the FTC is vital to making sure that the right policies are ultimately enacted. Each new leak and investigation confirms our suspicion that the problem of illicit flows is a global one, which made the chance to work for the global coalition fighting illicit flows an exciting opportunity.”
Mr Lubinda said this when he addressed newly-graduated law students from the Zambian Open University at a gala dinner at Nakatindi Hall in Lusaka on Friday.
“Your profession is not necessarily about accumulating wealth, your profession is about serving people,” he said.
Mr Lubinda also advised lawyers not to defend wrong-doers for an extra cheque, but to help them reform.
“Your career is called noble, not by accident. It is noble because when you attend to a matter, there is justice. You are the purveyors of justice,” he said.
Mr Lubinda also said lawyers ought to be knowledgeable in various other fields for them to excel in their career.
He urged lawyers to specialise, saying being a lawyer without grounding in another field will sooner render them redundant.
“Time has come for us to realise that society wants specialised lawyers. Go out there and pursue specialisation,” he said.
He added: “You are called learned not by accident. You are called learned because society expects you to understand not only the law but to understand the society in which the law is applied.”
And Mr Lubinda said as Minister of Justice, he will protect the legal profession from quacks.
“As your minister responsible for Justice for the time being – I don’t know how long that time will be – I take it as my responsibility on behalf of the 15 million living Zambians that the Zambian legal fraternity is protected from quacks,” he said.
He said it would be a let-down of society if “we allow the entrance of ill-qualified persons to practise this noble career”.
Mr Lubinda paid tribute to Zambian Open University founding chairperson Professor Dickson Mwansa.
He said when Prof. Mwansa conceived the idea of a private university years ago, many people thought it would not work, and yet the institution has now become an important part of the education system in Zambia.
roads has stepped up works
KMC had initially set aside K12 million for the construction of a bus station in Tushane area, opposite Mulungushi Textiles and Kabwe Mall before the Ministry of Local Government contributed K10 million towards the project.
Kabwe Town Clerk Ronald Daka said the procurement process has been concluded and a contractor will soon be selected.
“We had a budget of K12 million. The ministry has given us addition support as contribution in construction of the new facility,” Mr Daka said in an interview yesterday.
Mr Daka, who recently updated a full council meeting on the project, said the facility will be managed under a special purpose vehicle (SPV) once completed.
Mr Daka said an equity partner will also be brought on board because KMC wants the facility to operate as a viable business venture.
He said it is important that councillors and other stakeholders in Kabwe support the project and the eventual management of the bus station.
“This is going to be a cash cow for Kabwe council because we will be making K600,000 to K700, 000 every month,” Mr Daka said.
He said the equity partner will promote private sector participation and efficient management.
MINISTER of Finance Felix Mutati has challenged institutions of higher learning in the country to engage in value added research to achieve the goals of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
Mr Mutati said tertiary institutions are key to achieving Zambia’s industrialisation vision.
The minister was speaking in Kitwe yesterday during the 26th Copperbelt University (CBU) graduation ceremony.
“We need high impact value added research and innovation; this is what will drive the economy and also drives the tenets of the Seventh National Development Plan and helps us to accomplish Vision 2030.
“Let’s find solutions to how for example, we can lift the contribution of agriculture to the gross domestic product so that we can have a stable economy that continues to grow,” Mr Mutati said.
Mr Mutati urged CBU management to engage the private sector through various partnerships to reduce the funding deficit that the institution faces annually.
He said the institution should explore various opportunities that the private sector presents to address some its challenges.
And acting Minister of Higher Education Sylvia Chalikosa said Government will build about 3,000 additional bed spaces at the institution by 2020 to mitigate accommodation challenges students have continued facing.
Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba has admitted that the Njanji Commuter train operated by Zambia Railways is not profitable.
In an interview, Mr Mushimba said the railway firm has failed to maintain a consistent travel schedule for the Njanji Commuter train because it is not profitable.
He said the train service which operates between Ngwerere and Lilayi has suffered from low passenger volumes.
Mr Mushimba disclosed that Zambia Railways spends K700,000 monthly to operate the train service but only makes about K400,000.
He said the railway firm must find K300,000 on a monthly basis to plug the deficit which has created operational challenges.
Mr Mushimba said the company is however not planning to discontinue the commuter train service as it is hopeful that the passenger numbers will improve.
Zambia Railways relaunched the Njanji commuter train in March 2015 and branded it as the Michael Chilufya Express Train as part of Government’s US$120 million investment allocated to Zambia Railways in 2013 from the Eurobonds.
Zambia Railways had operated the Njanji commuter train from Chilenje to George township which was abandoned in the 1990s.
Meanwhile, Government has finished feasibility studies on two routes of the Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) to modernise its operations.
In this vein, Government is in discussion with two Chinese railway companies that were engaged to conduct feasibility studies for ZRL.
Minister of Transport and Communication Brian Mushimba said the two companies have completed feasibility studies on the Livingstone to Kafue route, and another from Kafue to Chililabombwe to boost the railway’s capacity to meet the demand of its customers.
Mr Mushimba said at the inauguration of the new board of ZRL last week that Government is in discussion with the two firms on findings of the feasibility studies and what ZRL needs to do to become a modern railway company.
“As Government, we have recognised the need for recapitalisation and to revamping ZRL to make it viable. We have just finished feasibility studies on the Livingstone to Kafue and Kafue to Chililabombwe routes.
“We hope that from the findings, we might be able to have a modern railway and have speed rates of between 80 to 120 kilometres per hour,” he said.
Mr Mushimba also said the US$120 million Eurobond that was injected in ZRL to rehabilitate various infrastructures has been able to improve the operations.
He said the company has been able to increase the speed of the trains from about 10 kilometres per hour to 50km/h.
“The 50km/h, which we have attained, is obviously not the ideal speed that we want to have and for that reason, Government will continue to work with ZRL to modernise its operations,” he said.
Mr Mushimba also said Government is in the process of improving the Nacara Corridor to ensure more options for the transportation of goods.
Nkana thumped champions Zanaco 4-0 at home in Kitwe on Sunday to move from sixth to fifth position on the FAZ Super Division table.
Striker Walter Bwalya grabbed a hattrick via headed goals and provided an assist for his colleague Jacob Ngulube in this Week 26 match played at Nkana Stadium.
Bwalya was on the score-sheet in the 18th, 45th and 58th minutes before helping Ngulube to score Nkana’s fourth goal after 71 minutes.
It was a match in which Nkana matched the score-line with their display on the pitch.
In the second half, Zanaco tried to come back into game but failed to beat keeper Kelvin Malunga.
Nkana moves to 44 points after 26 matches played, while Zanaco remain stuck on 44 points after playing 24 matches.
Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) says the Association will support Mumba Yachi with legal support throughout his Immigration case.
ZAM President, Njoya Tembo says his Association’s lawyers will help Yachi with legal support he is a paid member of the Music Association.
He said Mumba distinctively represented Zambia excellently in all his tours and assignments around the world and helped to put the country on the world map.
Mr. Tembo added that it cannot be denied that Mumba attended under five clinic in Zambia having grown-up in Mukambo in Mufulira District on the Copperbelt province.
Mumba Yachi is but a victim of the colonial divides which separated tribes, communities and families to suit the wanton interests of colonialist forces which drew artificial boundaries across communities for their selfish interests, he said.
Mr. Tembo described the Yachi saga as unfortunate and a practical manifestation of the impact of colonialism on the people of Africa and all formerly colonized peoples of the world.
And ZAM urged Africans to embrace the spirit of a United Africa as espoused by our founding fathers to which cause our own founding president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda was an active proponent.
The immigration department recently arrested Mumba Yachi for knowingly making false representation for purpose of obtaining Zambia National Registration card and Zambia passport contrary to section 13(1) (c) of national registration Act and section 23(1)(a) of passport Act, 2016 of the laws of Zambia.
The Zambian National team has arrived in Algeria ahead of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup second leg encounter against Algeria.
The team arrived at Houri Boumedian Airport in Constantine at 10:20 Hours Zambian time.
The senior Chipolopolo Boys have set up base at Marriott hotel.
Zambia beat Algeria by 3:1 in the first leg played in Lusaka on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Zambia Sports Fans Association ( ZASOFA ) have expressed happiness over the Chipolopolo’s win against Algeria.
ZANIS sports reports that the Association Patron Peter Makembo says fans in the country salute the senior national football team for their 3-1 win over Algeria in a group B 2018 Russia World Cup qualifier.
“As fans we are very happy that Chipolopolo managed to beat Algeria Yesterday and we salute the technical bench for proper coordination with the team,” said Makembo.
He however cautioned the Chipolopolo not to relax as the race still continues for the 2018 world Cup.
“ They are only picking one team in Group B so Zambia should continue fighting, be positive and believe that we will qualify for the World Cup,” he said.
The ZASOFA said Chipolopolo should only add a few players on the bench but the team should be maintained in order to continue winning.
He said the fans are making arrangements to be part of Tuesday’s game In Algeria to go and support the team.
During yesterday’s qualifier at Heroes Staduim, Zambia beat Algeria 3-1 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup World cup qualifier at Heroes stadium in Lusaka.
Brian Mwila managed to score a brace for Chipolopolo and later on Enock Mwepu scored the third and final goal.
The two teams will face off in the second round this Tuesday on September 5 in Algeirs.
Association and Young Women’s Christian Association,
West Liberty State Normal school, 1911.
YMCA President Thabo Kawana says some of the teenagers could have been traumatised during the ordeal while others would have abused drugs during the sex party.
Mr. Kawana has told ZNBC News in Kitwe that YMCA and the Young Women’s Christian Association -YWCA have drop-in-centers where the teenagers can be counselled and offered support.
He says some of the teenagers could have found themselves at the sex party innocently and they could have been traumatised by the many couples who were having illicit sex.
Mr. Kawana has further appealed to authorities to punish the owner of the house where the illegal activities were held.
He says such parties are not good for teenagers because they get exposed to activities that can corrupt their minds.
© Lusaka Times
