Zesco United and Green Buffaloes stay first and second respectively following victories on Sunday.
At Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, the defending champions’ downed 15th placed Nakambala Leopards 1-0 thanks to a 61st minute Jesse Were goal to remain unbeaten in four straight games.
Buffaloes too won by 1-0 when they beat third from bottom Napsa Stars 1-0 at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
It was not a pleasant result for Napsa who felt the full pain of an ex-star player decide their fate on the day.
Striker Youremember Banda struck in the 52nd minute against the team he played for last season before moving to the other side of Lusaka.
Zesco and Buffaloes have 34 points, but the latter have an inferior goal difference from 14 and 15 games played.
Meanwhile, the lunchtime kickoff at Levy Stadium, 8th placed Forest Rangers’ seven-match unbeaten run came to an end when they lost 1-0 to Green Eagles.
Ex-Forest player Spencer Sautu scored the game’s lone goal in the 19th minute to deny the hosts a chance to rise to number 5 on the log.
Eagles jump from 12th to 10th on 20 points after collecting their first victory in four games.
SUPER DIVISION WEEK 15 RESULTS
02/06/2018
Lumwana Radiants 1-Kitwe United 1
National Assembly 1-Nkwazi 3
New Monze Swallows 2-Kabwe Warriors 1
Zanaco 2-Kabwe Youth Football Academy 1
Buildcon 2-Nchanga Rangers 1
Nkana-Red Arrows*
Abandoned Nkana leading 3-2
03/06/2018
Napsa Stars 0-Green Buffaloes 1
Forest Rangers 0-Green Eagles 1
Zesco United 1-Nakambala Leopards 0
POSTPONED
Power Dynamos-Lusaka Dynamos
Nkana and Red Arrows await the final verdict of Saturdays’ abandoned match at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
The match was abandoned in stoppage time after Arrows players stormed off the pitch to protest Idris Mbombo’s late minute goal.
Mbombo headed in Gift Zulu’s cross in stoppage time that Arrows players allege was converted from an offside position.
The two sides were locked at 2-2 prior to that after Mbombo put Nkana ahead in the 23rd minute and Fred Tshimenga added the second six minutes later.
Arrows striker Joseph Phiri scored a brace in the 32nd and 72nd minutes.
Meanwhile, Nkana drop from third to fourth after that incident on 26 points while Arrows are 13th with 15 points.
Nkwazi take up third position previously occupied by Nkana following a 3-1 away win over promoted National Assembly in Lusaka.
Patrick Musonda, Kepson Kamanga,Christopher Zulu were on target in the 1st, 25th and 40th minutes for Nkwazi while Assembly benefitted from a Jubell Sakala own -goal in the 33rd minute.
Nkwazi have 27 points, four behind leaders Zesco United who play on Sunday.
The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) has welcomes the decision by the Ministry of Agriculture to re-stream 40 per cent of the E voucher FISP to the old system.
ZNFU President Jervis Zimba said the move is going to ensure that farmers that have not been captured on the system during the past seasons manage to access inputs on time and contribute to the food security, both at farm and national level.
Mr Zimba said this will also help Government to clean up the database and work on all the challenges that the ZIAMIS system encountered during the 2017/2018 farming season.
He however implored Government to also revert 30 per cent of the 60 per cent that of farmers that have remained on the e voucher to the Union.
Mr Zimba said this is because ZNFU already has 30 per cent of the FISP farmer database which Government could use to efficiently roll out the programme.
“Reverting 30 per cent of the E Voucher to ZNFU will help reduce workload on Government and speed up inputs access by farmers. But this will be realised if Government engages the ZNFU and actualises the reversion soonest before the inputs distribution exercise kicks in. ZNFU is ready to work with the Ministry of Agriculture because the Union does not want farmers to continue facing similar challenges of poor access or late access to inputs year in year out,” he said.
Mr Zimba also urged Government to immediately scrap the insurance scheme co-opted in the E Voucher because going by the developments and experiences encountered in the 2017/2018 farming season.
He said the scheme has had no benefit to farmers whatsoever, but the insurance company contracted to handle the scheme.
“Presently, no farmer on the E Voucher insurance scheme has been visited nor been compensated for the losses incurred as a result of the drought experienced from December 2017 through to February 2018. The ZNFU feels this is just a cost that can be avoided until the insurance component of the E Voucher is carefully thought through,” he said.
“In view of the above, the FRA should wake up to the challenge of paying farmers on time. In the absence of the FRA not paying farmers on time the whole exercise will be a flop.”
And Mr Zimba has Government to change the system of releasing money by allowing the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) to avail funds directly to the Agency, as opposed to the current system where money moves from the Central Bank to the Ministry of Finance, and from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Agriculture and then to the FRA.
“In the process we find that priorities between Agriculture and Finance will be different, hence late funding to FRA. The system we are proposing has been used before to quicken payment to farmers,” he said.
The office of the president is being mismanaged in Zambia, says International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigations professional government liaison director for Africa Professor Gibson Mwewa.
In a media statement, Professor Mwewa who is the author of the book forensic investigations in Zambia says the Presidency has been reduced to nothing due to poor and unprofessional advisor.
“The Presidency is the highest constitutional office of our land and Country – Zambia. It is an institution in its own right. The way the presidency is managed and presented speaks volumes about the stature and state of the nation. The actions of the President and the presidency as a collective institution are a direct reflection of the quality of expertise that contribute and guide the president and the presidency on all decisions be it public, corporate or private.”
He stated that once a person is ushered into the office of president, he ceases to make personal plans and programs because he becomes state property.
“The president from the day he is ushered into office, he or she becomes a property of the state. He ceases to make his own plans and programmes. His/her steps are ordered by constitutional expectations and are Guided By Statehouse Advisors on a wide range of headings ranging from security, economy, social to even what type of food is served. The quality of the actions and outcomes of the decisions undertaken by the president are a reflection of the advice and guidelines he/she receives from the team of advisors surrounding the presidency.”
He stated that it is abundantly clear that several revelations surrounding the presidency are a sign of unprofessional adviors to the President.
Prof Mwewa states that the President is getting half baked information on key national issues.
“After careful consideration and analysis it is becoming abundantly clear that several revelations and ongoing happenings surrounding the presidency are unfairly (to some extent abusively) being blamed on the President. STAG Loan – Sovereign Guarantee. It looks like no professional due diligence was conducted on the capacity of STAG to deliver the loan to Zesco with same level urgency under which the the president was guided in order for him to sign the STAG Loan – Sovereign Guarantee,” he stated.
“Surely, if the loan was urgent due to a critical need that bordered on the currently running short of power supply if such a transaction was not secured – how can Zesco Directors, Attorney General, Ministry of Finance, The Presidential advisors and the Security Wing fail to see through the lack of capacity to deliver the loan on the part of the contracting party in this case Stag African Investments Limited.Surely, how did the full amour of the Presidency advisors fail to see that this whole thing was not adding up given the urgency of the matter?,” he asked.
Prof Mwewa stated that State House has being exposed to a lot of illegal deals which are of personal gain.
“It is an unfortunate that half-baked advisors in the Presidency Office, who are trusted with solemn and grave national responsibilities/ duties , are causing the name of H.E the President to be associated with a number of flawed actions and outcome such as;eSwatini Land Gift, The leaking of Con-Court Decisions, The confusion on Political Dialogue process,
The sluggish approach to fighting corruption and financial crimes.”
Prof Mwewa stated that Zambians should consider championing the need for a reformed presidency.
“The lack of expertise and skill in the handling of some above stated and many more matters of national importance is a worrying development which is lowering the stature of the Presidency.We call upon all well meaning Zambians, the Church and Civic Society to consider championing the need for a reformed presidency team to help the President run the country with a professional stature and respect his office deserves.”
President Edgar Lungu, Chilanga Constituency PF Candidate Maria Langa and General kanene during a rally at Chinjanja Primary School to campaign for PF candidate Maria Langa in Chilanga Constituency yesterday 02-06-2018. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
President Edgar Lungu has called on the people of Chilanga Constituency to give Maria Langa a vote ahead of the Chilanga by-elections slated for June 5, 2018.
Speaking during a rally at Chunyanja Basic School in Nakachenje Ward in Chilanga yesterday, President Lungu said Ms. Langa has a heart for the people.
The Head of State said victory is however certain for the Patriotic Front candidate and as parliament resumes, Ms. Langa will be part of the sitting.
President Lungu said Ms. Langa should be given a vote because the ruling Patriotic Front government has a lot of plans for the constituency.
He said Ms. Langa will transform the lives of the people of Chilanga constituency because she is willing to sacrifice a lot for them.
The Head of State added that time has come for the people of Chilanga to join the progressive party and its all-inclusive agenda.
President Lungu said when time comes to vote they should look at a candidate that is morally upright and can solve the challenges that they are currently going through.
He said the PF is an all-inclusive party that ensures that all the people in the country are included in the development agenda.
President Lungu said he is aware of the many challenges that the people are facing such as lack of schools and clinics, adding that these challenges will soon be a thing of the past as government is working towards improving their livelihood.
Meanwhile President Lungu also welcome about 20 defectors from the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).
President Lungu said this is the beginning of the downfall of parties that have no vision for the people of Zambia.
President Lungu has since called on all party members to embrace every new member of the party regardless of the tribe.
Speaking earlier Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya said his ministry plans on constructing an ultra-modern hospital in the area.
Dr. Chilufya said the hospital will be equipped with state of the art machinery such as CT scan, X-Ray machine and other essential equipment.
He said a maternity wing and a mortuary will also be constructed in order to make the lives of the people in the area much easier.
Dr. Chilufya further said a number of clinics will also be constructed in the area in order to meet the demand for the people.
Meanwhile, the group calling itself The Christian Coalition has released the statement below to the media
PRESS STATEMENT ENDORSING MARIA LANGA AS MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR CHILANGA
The Christian Coalition wish to endorse Maria Langa as the best people’s representative for Chilanga Constituency because she is a committed Christian and member of the Coalition.
As a Christian Political movement promoting Christian participation in politics we have resolved to endorse Maria Langa for Chilanga and appeal to all Christians in Chilanga to go in numbers on Tuesday and give an objective vote to Maria Langa for improved service delivery.
For us Maria is not only a Patriotic Front choice but people’s choice who has been working in the Constituency for a long time and she has demonstrated love and passion for the people of Chilanga beyond party politics.
Tuesday By-Election is about development and service delivery and the member of parliament can only deliver to the people when is part of the Party in Government and for now His Excellency the President Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu has the mandate from the Zambian people up to 2021 therefore it is wise for the people of Chilanga to give an objective vote for Maria Langa who is representing the Party in Government.
As a Coalition we have been in all ten wards of Chilanga Constituency in line with our mandate to campaign and support Christians in politics and the people of Chilanga have spoken that its time they vote for development and not politicking.
We call upon Christians to align themselves with political Parties so that more Christians can be identified and supported.
We further appeal to all Political Parties to adopt known Christians in the pending by-elections for Lusaka and Chilanga respectively.
As Coalition we have been following the political landscape in Zambia characterized by calls for political dialogue which is health to the democratic dispensation and clear indication that democracy in Zambia is growing.
As a Coalition we strongly support for calls for the Church to drive this important process and ensure that all stakeholders are involved in line with internationally accepted tenants of democracy. full statement on video is on www.cczam.com
Several unscrupulous traders who are in a habit of selling expired products to the general public in rural areas, have been exposed in Northern Province.
This came to light after a combined team of fair trading advocates in partnership with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) conducted an impromptu inspection at Nseluka market in Mungwi district yesterday.
And CCPC Provincial investigator Mwila Zambwe who was leading the team, says it is sad to note that some traders were taking advantage of people’s ignorance in rural areas by supplying them with expired products.
Mr. Zambwe said a good number of shop owners at Nseluka trading areas were found selling expired goods which have since been confiscated.
He Mr. Zambwe further warned that the commission will exercise stern action against anyone involved in unfair trading.
Mr. Zambwe has since advised such traders to look at the impact of selling spoiled consumable products on human life before flooding them on the market.
He said the commission will continue pouncing on perpetrators and sensitise consumers on their rights, in order to prevent them from being duped.
Mr. Zambwe explained that CCPC is there to promote a fair business environment between traders and consumers in the country.
Senior Chief Mushota of Kawambwa district in Luapula Province has commended the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for extending consumer rights awareness to rural areas.
The traditional leader said people in rural areas like his chiefdom are often infringed on their rights by goods and service providers, for lack of information.
Meanwhile, Senior Chief Mushota has also advised the CCPC to establish linkages with the local media and the local leadership in order to extend the sensitization programmes on consumer rights in the area.
Chief Mushota said this yesterday when officials from CCPC called on at his palace before holding a road-show at Ntembo village during an open day market commonly known as “umunada.”
And CCPC Chief Investigator for Northern Region, Masauso Phiri said the commission has embarked on the sensitisation programme to educate the public on their consumer rights and unfair trading practices.
Mr. Phiri stated that most people especially in rural areas are not aware of their consumer rights and where to lodge the complaints whenever their rights are violated.
He added that the commission has since drawn an ambitious road show programme to sensitise people in Luapula Province through the use of drama and public meetings held in schools and market places.
FILE: Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale cuts the ribbon to officially commission the communication tower in Dundumwezi as Zamtel CEO Sydney Mupeta and Senior Chief Siachitema looks on
Chief Siachitema of Dundumwezi Constituency in Kalomo district in Southern Province has called on government to consider sending relief food to his chiefdom following a dry spell experienced in the area.
Chef Siachitema, who spoke through his spokesperson, Johns Chiboola said the dry spell which hit the chiefdom at the planting stage caused a devastating effect on the maize fields.
The traditional leader was speaking ZANIS in a telephone interview.
He said his chiefdom will record a poor crop harvest during the 2017/2018 crop marketing season because of the dry spell experience in the area early this year.
The traditional leader noted that the chiefdom will be grateful should government consider sending relief food to help his subjects.
And Chief Siachitema has urged government to ensure that this year’s farming inputs are delivered on time to small Scale farmers in his chiefdom, in order for them to prepare adequately for the 2018/2019 farming season.
“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace’…”
(Haggai 2:9, NIV)
Greater Than the Past
We are living in a day where God is increasing His favor. He wants to amaze you with His goodness. Maybe you have seen God’s goodness to a certain degree. In reality, you haven’t seen anything yet! God has favor in your future that will supersede anything that you’ve seen in the past.
The scripture talks about how the glory of the latter day will be greater than the glory of the former day. That means what God did for your parents or grandparents, He’s going to surpass in your generation. The blessing and favor of past generations was good, but we serve a God of increase! He has greater things in store for your future!
Today, get your hopes up. Enlarge your vision. Be expecting God to bring opportunities across your path. Expect to meet the right people and get the right breaks. Prepare your heart and mind to receive the increase and blessing God has for your future!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for being the God of increase. I trust that You have great things in store for my future. I surrender every area of my mind, will and emotions as I wait on You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
The match finished 0-0 at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane with both sides wasting valuable chances.
But Zambia goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata stole the show that saw him make a late save in the 84th minute to deny Itamunua Keimuine from close-range to see Chipolopolo sigh with relief.
Nsabata went on to save one post-match penalty and converted Zambia’s third kick in the shootout.
Collins Sikombe, Jack Chirwa, Nsabata and Cletus Chota all converted for Zambia while Lazarus Kambole failed the third penalty.
For Namibia, Halleluiah Ketjijere saw his kick saved by Nsabata, Welwin Hanamub hit the woodwork but Emilio Martin, Denzel Hoseb and Keimuine converted but it was all in vain after Chama fired in the fifth for Zambia.
Zambia matches on to the June 6 semifinals where they await Madagascar or hosts Bafana Bafana who play their quarterfinals on Sunday.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has announced the introduction of polling station streams at polling stations that have more than 950 registered voters.
The introduction of polling streams is aimed at addressing challenges faced during voting such as long queues, voting late, late declaration of election results and improved security for voters with disabilities who cover long distances during the election period.
The Commission observed that in the recent past, a number of polling stations remain open in the late hours of the night after voting has taken place, while some polling stations are characterized with long queues.
This has contributed in returning officers taking long to consolidate and declare the election results because voting still takes place in some polling stations.
This is contained in a statement issued to ZANIS by ECZ Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse.
Ms Chimanse announced through the statement that the Chilanga Parliamentary by-election will have 25 polling stations with 35 polling streams across the district.
She further noted that the commission will deploy officers at stream level in Chilanga and Chienge districts because the two districts meet the required threshold.
Acting Milenge District Administrative Officer Godfrey Chikonde has called on health authorities in the district to extend the distribution of condoms to public toilets in order to help fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Mr. Chikonde observed there has been lack of free condoms provided in public toilets and that there is need to distribute the condoms if the fight against HIV/AIDS is to won.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Chikonde said this during a heads of departments meeting held yesterday.
He recalled that the District AIDS Task Force previously used to distribute condoms and that they used to finish within a short time the situation he said shows that there is demand for the commodity.
And Milenge District Health Planner Lazarous Mwanza said the department will look into increasing the distribution of condoms in the district.
Meanwhile Mr. Mwanza revealed that the health office has recorded an improvement in men going for male circumcision and that interventions such as condom distributions should be sustained
He said the office has so far conducted 890 male circumcision procedures as at May, 2018.
He said although the target was 1000, the figure shows that the community is positively responding to the campaign.
The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) in Central Province says the 2017/2018 maize floor price must be proportionate to the cost of the product.
ZNFU Central Province Chairperson Khomani Ng’ambi told ZANIS in an interview that the union expects government to take into account the high cost of production before arriving at the price of the farm produce especially the maize grain.
He disclosed that consultative meetings have started between ZNFU and other stakeholders so that a rational maize floor price is arrived at considering the challenges characterized in the 2017/2018 farming season.
He reaffirmed that the maize floor price should absorb the cost of producing the commodity as a way of encouraging the farmers to continue producing.
Mr Ng’ambi has since appealed to the farmers in the province to exercise some patience and avoid selling their maize to unscrupulous briefcase buyers.
And Levy Mweemba, a farmer from Kabwe West has called on government to set up a good floor price in order to protect the farmers from exploitative private buyers.
Mr Mweemba said so far, private buyers are offering between K35 and K40 for a 50 kilogram bag of maize grain and described it as stealing from the poor farmers.
He said farmers are left with no option and become vulnerable to private buyers when the maize floor price by the government is not competitive because they depend on farming to earn a decent living.
Mr Mweemba also said there is need for the government to come to the rescue of the small scale farmers by awarding a reasonable floor price following the hike in the cost of farming inputs.
He observed that when government offers farmers less, it is only the private buyers that benefit from the maize business leaving farmers wallowing in absolute poverty.
He also called on government to control the price of farming inputs for the country to produce a bumper harvest in future.
Finnish Ambassador to Zambia Timo Olkkonen with Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe
Zambia and Finland have signed a four year Nine million euro grant aimed at enhancing the development of the private sector.
The grant will be channeled towards promoting accelerated growth for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’S) in the country.
Speaking during the signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance on Friday, June 02, Finnish Ambassador to Zambia Timo Olkkonen expressed optimism that the Nine million euro grant will help create better jobs in the private sector.
Mr Olkkonen said the Finnish government wants MSME to have direct access to finance, innovation, so as to improve competitiveness in the private sector.
He noted that the grant has the potential to contribute to the growth of local businesses as well as enhance the development of services.
The Ambassador noted that Zambia has good prospects for long-term sustainable development if right policies are properly implemented.
Mr Olkkonen noted that the Finnish government will further capitalize on the long term cordial relations that exist between the two countries in order to explore other new avenues of co-operation.
And Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe says the grant support resonates well with Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy whose overall aim is to support small businesses as part of Government’s economic diversification agenda.
Ms Mwanakatwe said more jobs will be created once the development of the private sector is supported and strengthened.
The Finance Minister pointed out that the creation of new jobs will further broaden the domestic tax base in the country.
And Ms Mwanakatwe added that government is very supportive of initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of citizens.
She stated that the private sector should be in the forefront in growing the country’s national economy.
“With small business enterprises constituting the bulk of business activities in the country, it is important that we harness their growth and development. If effectively mentored through their early stages of development, I truly believe the small businesses can spearhead the advent of broad based economic revitalisation and poverty alleviation.” She stated.
The Minister said the grant assistance will enable MSMES access affordable loans and transfer technology innovation and research know-how from Finland to Zambia.
“Further, it is gratifying to note that through the programme signed today, linkages will be created between Zambian organisations and their Finnish counterparts.” She said.
“It is further gratifying to note that this assistance underscores Finland’s continued and unwavering support towards our private sector which, started as far back as 2007. It is my sincere hope, therefore, that this new programme, will help Zambia develop a more dynamic and responsible private sector.” She added.
Finnish Ambassador to Zambia Timo Olkkonen with Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe
BANK of Zambia governor Dr Denny Kalyalya says the Central Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the central banks of Malawi and Mozambique to try and use the local currency across the borders.
Speaking when a delegation from Bank of Zambia which was in Chipata for a board meeting met EPCCI at Protea Hotel on Wednesday, Dr Kalyalya said the Central Bank was also in the process of signing the same MoU with Angola.
“…There is a lot of activity going on between Zambia and Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi. In fact, we have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding between our two central banks, [Zambia and] Malawi to try and use the local currency across the border as well as Mozambique, we are in the process of doing the same with Angola but overall as SADC region, we have a platform now which we have established as central banks to use our national currencies to reduce the amount of pressure that we see of using the dollar, Euro and Pound,” Dr Kalyalya said.
He also said overall, the current size of the Zambian economy was about 24 billion dollars with 4.1 per cent.
“Now look at the economies of countries like the US, it’s 15 trillion dollars…the Chinese economy which is the second largest is about 9 trillion dollars. But we are concerned about our own,” said Dr Kalyalya.
Speaking earlier, Mtonga said the BoZ should look at ways of reducing lending rates.
Mtonga also said the foreign exchange rate which was around K10 per dollar was worrying, adding that “it will be better if it gets below K10”.
And speaking when the BoZ delegation paid a courtesy call on him at his office on Wednesday, Zulu said the banks could not conduct business the same way they were doing it in places like Lusaka.
“With your coming, we hope that the bank will come up with very good incentives to local banks that are operating in places that are considered rural because they cannot be doing business the same way they are doing business in Lusaka. This is a peak season for the banks here in the province because farmers are harvesting, so there will be
something to put in their accounts,” Zulu said.
“Our land here is largely customary and our farmers don’t have title to their pieces of land. We need to devise other mechanisms as to how we are going give loans to the farmers to be able to do business. We have the e-voucher system which sometimes delays but eventually comes but if the local banks can be incentivised to be able to give loans to farmers, knowing that government will soon put the monies in their accounts and they will be able to recover their monies, farmers may start getting the loans as early as August and we wouldn’t be having problems like delays in planting which affects the harvests.”
And Bank of Zambia deputy governor operations Dr Bwalya Ng’andu said it was important to go to various provinces to get a sense of the impacts of the various policy decisions they make.
He said Bank of Zambia had been working on expanding the space in the financial sector so that more people could participate in various financial services.
“One of the things that we think is key is the digital platform, the use of a mobile phone as a way of getting various actors to participate in form of financial system especially in the area of transmission of money from one person to the other, that’s one important things that we can push and we hope it can grow as it has been growing,” said Dr Ng’andu.
BOZ vice board chairperson Gilbert Temba said they were in Chipata for the bank’s board meeting.
Temba said the central bank realised that it needed to know the country from economic and social points of view so that as it sits to restructure the monetary policy that responds to the needs of the nation, they would have a grasp of things at various local levels.
