Independent Kantanshi Member of Parliament  says he is positive that opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema learnt something while in detention.

Speaking on Pan African Radio’s News Feedback Programme on Sunday, Anthony Mumba said Mr. Hichilema intentionally chose to make a blunder that led him to jail.

Making reference to his predecessor Yamfwa Mukanga who lost the Kantanshi Constituency seat to him in last year’s tripartite elections and conceded defeat, Mumba encouraged Mr. Hichilema to embrace meekness and respect those in power instead of continuously contending the outcome of the 2016 elections.

“I am very sure that opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema learnt something while in detention” Mwamba said

One person died while 12 others people sustained minor injuries after a passenger train which was coming from Kitwe heading to Livingstone derailed in Magoye area.

In a statement issued, ZRL Public Relations Manager Caristo Chitamfya said the derailment was caused due to missing railway components known as ‘fish bolts’ and ‘fish plates’ used for joining the rail.

Mr Chitamfya said the unfortunate loss of a life and injuries occurred in the baggage van which severely affected during the derailment.

“Zambia Railways Limited is saddened by suspected acts of sabotage that occurred at 11:45 hours this morning between Mazabuka and Magoye in Southern Province causing one death and two injuries.

“Our report after initial investigations indicate that the Passenger train 201, moving from Kitwe to Livingstone derailed at Magoye due to missing railway components known as ‘fish bolts’ and ‘fish plates’ that are used for joining the rail, causing both the Baggage and Genset vans to fall on their sides,”Mr Chitamfya said.

He praised ZRL passenger train crew on duty for their quick action in averting any situation that could have led to massive loss of lives.

“This could have led to massive loss of lives, had it not been to the quick action and professionalism of the Zambia Railways crew. Zambia railways limited further wishes to commend the crew on duty for saving hundreds of lives through their quick action,” he said.

Mr Chitamfya urged members of the public to be on the lookout for any suspicious activities on the railway infrastructure.

“Report suspects to the nearest police station or Zambia Railways offices. Such acts of vandalism and sabotage cause Zambia Railways to incur colossal sums of money in repair and replacement costs.

“Zambia Railways would like to assure the general public that we will do everything possible to ensure that the passenger train remains the safest mode of transport,” he said.

He further disclosed that the passenger side of the train which had no reported injuries had since been allowed to proceed to Livingstone while recovery equipment was being sent to clear the fallen vans.

Lusaka Mayor Wilson Kalumba has proposed the introduction of a Street Lighting Levy that will help light out streets in the capital city.

Mr. Kalumba who recently proposed the introduction of a Garbage Fee that he now plans to introduce Street lighting levy to be collected through ZESCO top ups.

He said this levy will fund the cost of installing Street lights and pay for ZESCO units every month.

Mr. Kalumba recalled that Lusaka City Council currently spends K50,000 on buying electricity tariffs.

“Everyone benefits from street lighting especially that it improves security and safety. Depending on amounts raised LCC will be able to install Street lights in many areas of our city,” Mr. Kalumba said.

The Lusaka Mayor said Lusaka is too dark adding that his plan is to have residents pay the levy when they purchase electricity.

“I trust that you will support this plan. Each service provided must pay for itself. This will allow our residents to see how we are using the funds raised,” he said.

Labour and Social Security Minister Joyce Simukoko said Zambian employees need to improve their work ethics in terms of good faith, senses of responsibility, discipline, team work and other necessary requirements.

Mrs. Simukoko said good work ethics is an important support for enterprises to achieve their own development.

She pointed out that not observing time and negative attitude towards work are common among Zambians.

Mrs. Simukoko said the poor work ethic will hamper the implementation of the seventh National Development Plan and the realization of the 2030 vision of Zambia.

The Labour Minister has since called on Zambians to actively study the Chinese people’s efficiency and emulate attitude towards work.

And Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Yang Yanyi said that work ethics is the basic standard that people should follow in their professional life.

Ambassador Yang said good work ethics must first adhere to the people-oriented concept to promote everyone’s overall development and value achieving.

“The second aspect of work ethics is the sense of responsibility to ensure good professional performance. The third is the sense of honesty and creditability. Without honesty and creditability, an individual cannot succeed, and a country cannot thrive. Honesty and creditability is the premise for anyone to stand tall in society, is the basis for a stable society and is the source of a country’s prosperity. And the last is the sense of service. A humble heart, willing to devote or even to sacrifice, will help make the whole society run more smoothly,” he said.

Ambassador Yang stressed that against the background of implementing the outcomes of the FOCAC and the promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Zambia and China-Zimbabwe friendly cooperation has been elevated to a new height.

“More and more Chinese enterprises have come to Zambia and Zimbabwe with their investment and Chinese, Zambians and Zimbabweans have easily become good friends through work. Due to cultural differences, the peoples of the three countries have different understanding towards work ethics, which cause misperceptions or even disputes in work and pose challenges to the bilateral pragmatic cooperation,” he said.

He expressed hope that the peoples of the three countries should strengthen exchanges, seek common ground while reserve differences, learn from each other, to work together to promote each country’s socio-economic development, and to achieve win-win situation.

The First China-Zimbabwe-Zambia Work Ethics Seminar was jointly held by the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, the Zimbabwean Embassy in Zambia and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of Zambia recently in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Takawira, Zimbabwean Ambassador to Zambia Getrude Takawira said with the continuous deepening of China-Africa cooperation, it is the right time to strengthen the education of good work ethics in African countries.

She called on all African countries to learn from the successful practices of Chinese work ethics to better promote national development.

UPND ward councilor for Magoba , Buumba Malambo ( at 25 ,she is the youngest councilor in Zambia) shared the following on her official Facebook page:

“we young people will move our Beautiful country Zambia to a legacy fit for our children and children’s children it is our responsibility to cut part of the national cake.
Weeks ago I posted pictures of me representing the African young women and girls at the first ever Women’s parliament in Seychelles… I was shocked when I saw some comments stating that My fellow comrade my hardworking big sister Tasila Lungu among many who where pointed out would have been the best representatives, others even went as far as inboxing me insulting me stating that I wasn’t fit to travel to Seychelles and they listed people they felt deserved that opportunity, then I remembered that:
After elections i saw a lot and still see a lot of harmful comparisons on social media between me and President Lungu’s daughter Tasila LUNGU and i wasn’t surprised because the world is conditioned to think women only compete and never support each other.
Weeks ago when we met at the National Female Councilors Conference in Lusaka organised by Zambia National Women’s Lobby (Official Pages) before we even greeted we laughed about it and discussed how we can not only make our charities grow but also work together on a large scale,above all share ideas on how we shall improve the lives of our people in our wards as elected Councillors.
Am proud of all the female councillors representing what our future will look like we may just be over 100 female councilors across the country compared to over 1000 male councillors but we are making strides because at some point in the past we had not even one female councilor representing the women by the way some councils still have 16 male councillors without even one female councilor in the council chamber.
I know I may not be the best but I have created a legacy for myself, my family and the children who will be born from me. I also believe I have opened doors for other women to know that it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from and who you know, because destiny is no Respector of man it chooses even the least person.
Am proud to be born in such an era and a beautiful country like Zambia where my wings can not be cut off……
Growing together ………
Inspire someone today……. Today is your day….believe in yourself…..”

Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo has assured miners at Mopani Copper Mines on the Copperbelt that Government will protect their welfare.
Mr. Lusambo’s assurances follows Mopani’s intentions to retrench close to 5,000 workers if the stand of over new power tariffs with Copperbelt Energy Corporation is not resolved.

Mr. Lusambo said in an interview Wednesday morning that Mopani was aware of Government’s position on protecting the jobs and urged them to expedite negotiations with CEC.
He called on the miners to remain calm down adding that Government’s has clearly stated that they would allow the two firms conclude negotiations without interference.

“It is not our intention to retrench our workers and Mopani is aware of that. Our position as Government is that the welfare of the workers has to be protected,” Mr. Lusambo said.

“I want to appeal to the workers to remain calm as we are keeping an eye on the two entities (CEC and Mopani) to see how negotiations will come out. It is not in our interest to see quarrels between the two institutions,” he said.

He added, “People should realise that as Government, the power tariffs have been increased and there is no two ways about it. Our domestic consumers have agreed to pay and they are paying the increased tariff. Our position as Copperbelt Administration is that the jobs of the 4,700 miners are protected and Mopani is fully aware of that.

Mr. Lusambo said, “The Minister of Energy had put it correctly when he visisted Mopani this week that Mopani and CEC must conclude their investigations fast. For us as Government, we are monitoring the situation keenly to see how the negotiations will come out. It is not in our interest to see quarrels between our two institutions.”
Meanwhile, CEC says the action to restrict power supply was necessitated byMopani’s refusal to accept the 2017 tariff increment despite negotiations that began in November 2016 involving CEC, its main supplier of power, ZESCO Limited (ZESCO), and all of CEC’s mine customers.

CEC Spokesperson Chama Nsabika said to date, Mopani remains the only CEC customer refusing to pay the 2017 industrywide tariff.

“CEC wishes to state that under the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) with MCM, there is provision for negotiated and industrywide tariff revisions. In this process, CEC wishes to state that it fully supports the critical requirement for this country to effect a cost-reflective tariff regime to all customer categories,” Mrs Nsabika said in a statement.

“Tariffs to all customer categories in Zambia are being increased during 2017 as a first step to moving towards cost-reflective levels to phase out subsidies that have been provided to the sector over the years and which are not economically sustainable for the country. It is, therefore, important that all players show appreciation for the general direction the country is taking and contribute their fair share to this process,” she said.

Mrs Nsabika said during the period of restriction, CEC has remained committed to resolving the matter amicably and to return to the normal supply situation; and has in this vein, held several discussions with Mopani aimed at resolving the situation.

“CEC even offered MCM an option to provide them with power from alternative sources in the interim as a way of meeting their full requirements while the parties worked to resolve the current impasse. It is unfortunate that MCM still rejected this offer,” she said.

Mrs. Nsabika said under the circumstances, CEC has been left with no other option through which it can help Mopani without any constructive engagement from their side.

“It must be pointed out that the desired resolution cannot be achieved to the detriment of the Zambian energy sector and the Company’s sustainability. Eight months after the implementation of the new tariff, outstanding amounts due from Mopani have escalated, making it unsustainable for both CEC and ZESCO to continue supplying Mopani with their full power requirements.”

She added, “With all the other mines having agreed to paying at the new rate, Mopani’s attitude, unfortunately, poses a serious threat of undoing the progress that has been nationally achieved and risks taking the country back to a position where it cannot sustain its energy sector, which would adversely impact the whole economy.
Mrs. Nsabika said the sustainability of the ZambiaMopani jobs are safe-Lusambo

Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo has assured miners at Mopani Copper Mines on the Copperbelt that Government will protect their welfare.

Mr. Lusambo’s assurances follows Mopani’s intentions to retrench close to 5,000 workers if the stand of over new power tariffs with Copperbelt Energy Corporation is not resolved.

Mr. Lusambo said in an interview Wednesday morning that Mopani was aware of Government’s position on protecting the jobs and urged them to expedite negotiations with CEC.
He called on the miners to remain calm down adding that Government’s has clearly stated that they would allow the two firms conclude negotiations without interference.

“It is not our intention to retrench our workers and Mopani is aware of that. Our position as Government is that the welfare of the workers has to be protected,” Mr. Lusambo said.

“I want to appeal to the workers to remain calm as we are keeping an eye on the two entities (CEC and Mopani) to see how negotiations will come out. It is not in our interest to see quarrels between the two institutions,” he said.

He added, “People should realise that as Government, the power tariffs have been increased and there is no two ways about it. Our domestic consumers have agreed to pay and they are paying the increased tariff. Our position as Copperbelt Administration is that the jobs of the 4,700 miners are protected and Mopani is fully aware of that.

Mr. Lusambo said, “The Minister of Energy had put it correctly when he visisted Mopani this week that Mopani and CEC must conclude their investigations fast. For us as Government, we are monitoring the situation keenly to see how the negotiations will come out. It is not in our interest to see quarrels between our two institutions.”

Meanwhile, CEC says the action to restrict power supply was necessitated byMopani’s refusal to accept the 2017 tariff increment despite negotiations that began in November 2016 involving CEC, its main supplier of power, ZESCO Limited (ZESCO), and all of CEC’s mine customers.

CEC Spokesperson Chama Nsabika said to date, Mopani remains the only CEC customer refusing to pay the 2017 industrywide tariff.

“CEC wishes to state that under the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) with MCM, there is provision for negotiated and industrywide tariff revisions. In this process, CEC wishes to state that it fully supports the critical requirement for this country to effect a cost-reflective tariff regime to all customer categories,” Mrs Nsabika said in a statement.

“Tariffs to all customer categories in Zambia are being increased during 2017 as a first step to moving towards cost-reflective levels to phase out subsidies that have been provided to the sector over the years and which are not economically sustainable for the country. It is, therefore, important that all players show appreciation for the general direction the country is taking and contribute their fair share to this process,” she said.

Mrs Nsabika said during the period of restriction, CEC has remained committed to resolving the matter amicably and to return to the normal supply situation; and has in this vein, held several discussions with Mopani aimed at resolving the situation.

“CEC even offered MCM an option to provide them with power from alternative sources in the interim as a way of meeting their full requirements while the parties worked to resolve the current impasse. It is unfortunate that MCM still rejected this offer,” she said.

Mrs. Nsabika said under the circumstances, CEC has been left with no other option through which it can help Mopani without any constructive engagement from their side.

“It must be pointed out that the desired resolution cannot be achieved to the detriment of the Zambian energy sector and the Company’s sustainability. Eight months after the implementation of the new tariff, outstanding amounts due from Mopani have escalated, making it unsustainable for both CEC and ZESCO to continue supplying Mopani with their full power requirements.”

She added, “With all the other mines having agreed to paying at the new rate, Mopani’s attitude, unfortunately, poses a serious threat of undoing the progress that has been nationally achieved and risks taking the country back to a position where it cannot sustain its energy sector, which would adversely impact the whole economy.

Mrs. Nsabika said the sustainability of the Zambian energy sector and that of the respective players in the sector is underpinned by providing services at cost-reflective levels.

“The Zambian energy sector has over the last 24 months experienced various challenges and in responding to these challenges, several interventions have been undertaken; all of which have changed the cost base for the sector. This includes the cost of imported power and new generation plants in Zambia, which are significantly more expensive than power from traditional and/or legacy sources.”

“CEC wishes to reiterate that it is saddened by this very unfortunate situation created by MCM and remains hopeful that the two Management teams will work together to conclusively resolve this avoidable standoff; for the good of the mining sector, the economy and the country as a whole.”n energy sector and that of the respective players in the sector is underpinned by providing services at cost-reflective levels.

“The Zambian energy sector has over the last 24 months experienced various challenges and in responding to these challenges, several interventions have been undertaken; all of which have changed the cost base for the sector. This includes the cost of imported power and new generation plants in Zambia, which are significantly more expensive than power from traditional and/or legacy sources.”

“CEC wishes to reiterate that it is saddened by this very unfortunate situation created by MCM and remains hopeful that the two Management teams will work together to conclusively resolve this avoidable standoff; for the good of the mining sector, the economy and the country as a whole.”