President Lungu’s return From Swaziland in pictures
T-sean and Tbwoy release the video for ‘Denya‘
TBwoy and T-Sean have continued to build on the release of their much anticipated collaborative album to be released this year. They released their latest single ‘Denya‘ (which means dance in Chewa). The song features Chef187 and was produced by Shom C and T-Sean.
The video was directed by Qbick and Lawdak of NXT Solutionz.
BY KAPA187
Sun FM to present the first ever Kwacha Music Awards
Sun FM, A premium radio station based in Ndola has partnered with other media houses to unveil the first ever Kwacha Music Awards to honor Zambian Musicians.
The award show is scheduled to take place on the 30th of September, 2017 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
Full list of nominees:
SONG OF THE YEAR
408 Empire – Chilepule Baby
Tiye P Ft. Kekero – Unajaila
TBwoy Ft. Chef 187 – I Miss You
Chef 187 Ft. Daev – Ma Years
Jae Cash Ft. Kekero – Akamutima
BEST NEW COMER (Male)
Daev
Drifta Trek
Neo
T-Low
BEST NEW COMER (Female)
Bom$hell
Wacheda
Esther Chungu
Chilu
Tanny
BEST SOUND PRODUCTION
Kekero
T-Sean
Mr. Starsh
KB (K-Army)
Mag44
Ben Blazer
BEST DANCE HALL SONG
Dj Cosmo – Pro Twerker
Petersen – Kalukobo
408 Empire – Chilepule Baby
Willz Ft. Jedi – Theresa
Jay Rox – One and Only
BEST HIP-HOP SONG
Slapdee – Vagwada
Chef 187 Ft. Mumba Yachi & Dope G – Mundowendowe
Drifta Trek Ft. Chef 187 – Ma Dance Yanasalako
Church – Zaninge
Tiye-P Ft. Dope-G – Ndefisosika Apa
BEST R&B SONG
T-Bwoy Ft. Chef 187 – I Miss You
Roberto – Into You
F Jay – Nilekelele
Neo – Thanks To Your Ex
Coziem Ft. Chef 187 – Twikalafye Umukumo
BEST MAINSTREAM (POP)
Tiye P/Kekero – Unajaila
T-Sean – Mayeso
Jae Cash Ft. Kekero – Akamutima
Afunika – Pama Order
Macky2 – Favour (Dabo Dabo)
MOST CONSCIOUS SONG
Kantu – Wanjipaya
Wezi – Nyimbo Zako
Lota House – People Just Like Us
B’Flow Ft. Just Slim – Know Your Status
Kaladoshas Ft. Tim – My Mother’s Tears
BEST GOSPEL SONG (Male)
Ephraim – Jericho
Reuben – Mulatwelela (Imembu Shesu)
Ausward – Yahweh
Kings – Alikula
BEST GOSPEL SONG (Female)
Esther Chungu – Runaway Child
Tholiwe Nyirenda – Umulopa
Chileshe Bwalya – Tefyo Nali
Martha – Nanaka
BEST COLLABORATION
Kantu x Wezi Bomb$hell – Anajaila (Cover)
Chef 187 Ft. Daev – Ma Years
Chef 187 Ft. Mumba Yachi & Dope G – Mundowendowe
Afunika Ft. Slapdee – Umwaume Wakulela
Tiye P Ft. Kekero – Unajaila
BEST DUO/GROUP
408 Empire
Urban Hype
Davaos
HD Empire
Higher Calling
BEST BAND
Amayenge Asoza
Uncle Rex and the Band
Air Power Band
Mutende Cultural Assemble
Barotse Band
BEST CHOIR GROUP
Mount Senai
Busokololo
Great Chronicles
Northmead Mega Choir
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Chef 187 – Amnesia
Slapdee – Bw2
Jae Cash – Giovani
Dope G – Flowers
TBwoy – Dweet
Tiye P – RED
GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Ephraim – Teti Ntwishike
Rueben – Naileta
Abel Chungu Musuka – Love Unleashed (Deluxe)
Ausward – Jehovah El Shadai
Chileshe Bwalya – Talitha Cumi (Deluxe)
Esther Chungu – Mubanga
BEST MALE ARTIST
Chef 187
Slapdee
T-Sean
Macky2
Ephraim
Afunika
BEST FEMALE ARTIST
Wezi
Kantu
Cleo Ice Queen
Chileshe Bwalya
Mampi
Salma Sky
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
B’Flow
PilAto
Macky2
Petersen
Maiko Zulu
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Roberto
B’Flow
JK
Pompi
Mampi
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
JK
Danny Kaya
Maureen Lupo Lilanda
Lady MC
Errol Hickey
PROVINCIAL AWARDS:
COPPERBELT PROVINCE
Chef 187
Afunika
PilAto
408 Empire
Shenky
LUSAKA PROVINCE
Jay Rox
Dope G
Jae Cash
Roberto
TBwoy
CENTRAL PROVINCE
Drimz
B’Flow
Jemax
D2
Higher Calling
EASTERN PROVINCE
Chimzy Kelly
Crack P
Digo
LUAPULA PROVINCE
IC
BIC 24
Mommy
MUCHINGA PROVINCE
Rudie
Noxter
Wiza
NORTHERN-WESTERN PROVINCE
Kasonde
Wana Boy
Hash Tag
NORTHEN PROVINCE
Muzo AKA Alphonso
Kiss B
Beauty Shampogo
WESTERN PROVINCE
Sibabule
Doc Mule
Y Cost
SOUTHERN PROVINCE
Shyman
Mpande
Allan Mapiki
Vote for your favorite star via www.kwachaawards.org before 20th September, 2017
UPND MPS are very disappointing
By Michael Chishala
They did it again! The four that were not on suspension walked out of Parliament on 11th July 2017 during one of the most consequential debates in the House for the last 20 years or so. I am left scratching my head wondering what role the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) Members of Parliament imagine themselves as having in the Zambian Legislature.
Even though we all knew that the results of the Parliamentary vote was a foregone conclusion, why would the UPND MPs who claim to be representing their voters pass up the opportunity to argue vociferously against the 90 days Threatened State Of Emergency (TSOE)? Why did they decide it was pointless to let Zambians hear their arguments against the TSOE, even if for posterity? I had to stop listening to the debate on Parliament Radio after an hour because it became rather predictable.
If I were a UPND MP, even if I had misgivings with the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) government, I would have made sure I attended the debate and questioned the Home Affairs Minister Mr Stephen Kampyongo on the issue of the oftentimes unprofessional Zambia Police which more closely resembles a force than a service. I would ask the Minister for concrete assurances to be given to Zambian citizens that there will be no human rights abuses by the often trigger happy police in the current climate where they have been given broader powers.
Not too long ago, a young student Ruth Mbandu was brutally murdered but instead of professionally investigating the case, the Zambia Police arrested the wrong people and tortured them into signing a confession. The case was thrown out and the suspects freed with the judge strongly rebuking the conduct of the Police.
Why haven’t any of the police officers involved been disciplined, suspended or punished (to our knowledge)? They should have been fired immediately and charged with assault, but instead they are free and probably continue harassing and beating up innocent people.
Meanwhile the murderers of Ruth are still out there enjoying life. I feel sad that the life of a young woman in her prime was cruelly cut short and we have a police force which apparently does not care enough to investigate the case properly. The case has died a natural death as with many things in Zambia.
I saw with my own eyes just last year a Police Land Cruiser driving along the road from Meanwood Airport area towards the Natural Resources DEvelopment College (NRDC) at night. It stopped abruptly, officers jumped out and grabbed people who were peacefully walking along the road and tossed them roughly into the van. There were the usual slaps and all this is apparently normal for us. Even if there is some legal basis due to the infamous one-party era “shishita” laws, why slap people and handle them violently just for walking home at night? What is to be gained by the police harassing peaceful citizens?
In another case, a Zambia Air Force (ZAF) officer was apparently beaten to death while in police custody at Woodlands Police. Initially the police officially blamed the inmates but now their own officers have been charged. If indeed police officers committed the dastardly deeds, one wonders why plenty of them feel comfortable to do illegal things to people they arrest, apparently knowing they shall always get away with it.
We also had the case of a drunk policeman (captured on video) wielding an AK-47 rifle at UPND MP Mr Garry Nkombo which could have led to loss of life in the heat of the argument. The Police defended the officer but a few days later, another video surfaced of a totally drunk officer falling down while in uniform. Up to now the police have never bothered to update us and tell us if the drunk officer was disciplined and what steps they have taken to reduce such indiscipline.
The examples I have mentioned are just a few of the many documented cases stretching from independence to date. Many citizens are fearful that the chequered history of the Zambian police may be a sign of bad things to come. After all, what will stop over-zealous policemen doing unethical and illegal things to appear to be producing results to their superiors?
In the eyes of many Zambians, the UPND MPs have engaged in a serious dereliction of their duty to provide checks and balances. If indeed they care about us Zambians and want to make our lives better and get us to vote for them in 2021, they should have been arguing for the preservation of our human rights and against potential police brutality during the TSOE. Instead, I am seeing the Minister of Justice Mr Given Lubinda making the argument which the four UPND MPs should have been making in the House.
The UPND MPs for example could have asked Mr Kampyongo to set up an independent body for the public to report cases of abuses at the hands of the police during the TSOE. The body can have toll free lines, WhatsApp numbers, emails and the option for reporting anonymously through an online Whistle Blower system. The UPND MPs seem to forget that these and other suggestions they could have made in the House are meant to protect everyone, including innocent UPND members so that there are fewer cases of brutality by rogue police officers.
The UPND MPs keep absconding themselves from Parliament while happily “eating” their fat allowances, salaries and enjoying the power and privilege that comes with their position in society. Whenever there is a debate about increasing salaries of Members of Parliament, not a single UPND MP is absent and they all vote 100% in favour.
I appeal to all the opposition MPs to please be serious and do their duty all the time. If they have good reasons to be frequently absconding from parliament, let them explain themselves to us and we shall be all ears. They should think about the fact that the ruling party will do many more things that they will not like. It will become utter absurdity of the highest order to keep absconding in “protest”.
You can’t keep protesting forever, even when the train has already left the station. With much authority comes great responsibility and the UPND have to put Zambians first instead of their political agendas for which I suspect most Zambians have zero sympathy for. If UPND MPs are not prepared to do what we pay them to do, let them resign on moral grounds and I shall be first to cheer and clap for them for being principled.
The Author is a businessman and a software and web developer based in Lusaka, Zambia. He was trained as an engineer at the University of Manchester in England and has interests in Philosophy, Economics, Politics, Theoretical Physics, Architecture, Music, Art and Movies.
Half of Zambians aren’t happy with their democracy, two in every three feel the country is headed in wrong direction
The latest national Afrobarometer survey has shown that ordinary Zambians see that the country’s democracy is beginning to erode.
The results of the Afrobarometer were released in Lusaka today.
In face-to-face interviews in April 2017, two out of three Zambians say their country is headed in the wrong direction.
This is a sharp reversal from 2012, when only 29 percent felt that way.
The survey results show that, while Zambians remain firmly committed to democratic ideals, they worry that, in practice, their own democracy has begun to erode.
They recognize that political space is closing with regard to basic rights such as freedom of speech.
They assess the performance of the incumbent negatively, especially in terms of economic management, corruption control, and police repression.
In response, Zambian citizens – notably those with most education, but less so for those with limited schooling – are sounding an alarm.
They are reiterating solid and sustained support for institutional checks and balances and a firm rejection of one-man rule.
Large majorities say that their national economy is underperforming (60 percent) and that the government is doing poorly at creating jobs (77 percent), narrowing income gaps (80 percent) and keeping prices stable (81 percent).
And two out of three Zambians believe official corruption increased (“somewhat” or “a lot”) over the past year, while 70 percent consider that the government is handling the fight against official corruption “fairly badly” or “very badly.
A similar proportion say they fear retaliation or other negative consequences if they report incidents of corruption.
Despite the economic challenges, Zambians remain strongly committed to the ideals of democracy, according to the April survey.
They overwhelmingly prefer democracy to any other form of government (81 percent) and reject authoritarian systems such as one-party rule (82 percent), military rule (92 percent) and rule by a big-man dictator (92 percent, up from 87 percent in 2012).
Most Zambians favor checks on the president’s executive powers: 64 percent think Parliament should monitor the president and 71 percent think he should always obey the courts.
And 84 percent favor a limit of two five-year terms for the presidency.
But further survey responses suggest Zambians aren’t seeing these principles in practice, and confidence in the quality of the country’s democracy is declining.
- Only half are satisfied with “the way democracy works” in Zambia, down from 68 percent in 2012.
- This sharp downward trend is echoed in the proportion who see their country as a “full” or almost full democracy, which fell from 76 percent to 59 percent over the past five years.
- Only 60 percent of Zambians see President Lungu’s election in 2016 as free and fair, compared to 86 percent approval for the 2011 contest that first elected President Sata.
- Almost half of all citizens (47 percent) say they “personally fear becoming a victim of political intimidation or violence” during elections.
- The proportion expressing a need to “be careful what they say about politics” has risen 10 points, from 62 percent to 72 percent, between 2012 and 2017.
- Barely one in three Zambians (36 percent) feel comfortable in offering criticism of the president.
Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan research network that conducts public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, economic conditions, and related issues across more than 30 countries in Africa.
It conducts face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice with nationally representative samples of citizens aged 18 years and older.
A sample of 1,200 respondents yields country-level results with a margin of sampling error of +/-3% at a 95% confidence level.
Below is the link to the full report
http://afrobarometer.org/sites/default/files/publications/Dispatches/ab_r7_dispatchno157_zambia_democracy_at_a_crossroads.pdf
UNDP Zambia signs contracts for construction of four pharmaceutical warehouses in Mansa, Mpika, Chipata and Choma
UNDP has been supporting the government of Zambia since 2011 with the implementation of its Global Fund grants.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced that it has signed a US$6.3 million for the design and construction of four pharmaceutical warehouses.
The warehouses will be constructed in Mansa, Mpika, Chipata and Choma with funding from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund).
The signing was witnessed by Medical Stores Managing Director of Medical Stores Chikuta Mbewe.
Mr Mbewe said the facilities will help improve the supply chain management and delivering of medicines and equipment to the people of Zambia.
UNDP has partnered with the Global Fund since 2003 to support the implementation of programmes targeting the three diseases in low and middle income countries.
Gabriel Ellison, the woman who assisted in designing the national flag died this week
Gabriel Ellison, a woman best known for assisting in designing the national flag of Zambia which was adopted in 1964, and for designing most of Zambia’s colourful postage stamps from the 1960s to 1980s, depicting wildlife, historical events and culture died this week in Johannesburg on the 18th of July at the age of 87.
Mrs Gabriel Ellison’s work spaned six decades as a graphic design artist, painter and writer whose considerable contribution to Zambia helped to establish the country’s national identity and heritage. Her work and contribution to the arts earned her the honour of Grand Officer of Distinguished Service from the government and also an MBE from the Queen of England.
As head of the Graphic Arts section of the Zambian Ministry of Information she designed banking and railway insignia, emblems, coins, honours and awards but most famously the national Coat of Arms. Ellison also designed the 107 cm long mace from ivory, copper and amethyst, the symbol of parliamentary authority in the National Assembly. From 1960 to 1972 Ellison headed the Visual Art and Exhibitions Section and travelled around the world to international trade fairs and exhibitions with senior exhibitions officer, Ron Found and his assistant, Damien Kachidza. Their work won them a number of awards, including two gold medals in Leipzig.
As an author, Ellison’s work has been published widely. She has written and illustrated a number of children’s books and authored novels as well as non-fiction works. She has illustrated numerous guide books, including the Wildlife Society’s publications A Guide to Reptiles, Amphibians and Fishes of Zambia (1993), Common Birds of Zambia (1990) and A Guide to Common Wild Mammals of Zambia (1991).
Born Gabriel Ryan in Lusaka in 1930, her parents had settled in then Northern Rhodesia where they joined the provincial administration, after escaping from Mexico on a donkey! She attended school in both Northern and Southern Rhodesia, but there was little art education so after school the young Gabriel took up private studies in Britain.
She married Tony Ellison, a policeman in the colonial administration in Lusaka, and attributed much of her achievement to his unwavering support. Inspired by rural Zambia, and in particular her childhood among the Ila in Namwala, Gabriel’s art recorded momentous milestones in history as well as the normal day to day life of Zambia and its astounding wildlife.
Meanwhile, the governing Patriotic Front has said that it learnt with a deep sense of sadness and loss the passing away of Mrs Gabriel Ellison. In a statement to the media, Davis Mwila, the Secretary General of the ruling Party described her demise as a great loss not only to Zambia but to the entire African Continent and the world.
“As a Party, we are heavily saddened by the passing of Mrs Gabriel Ellison who died in Johannesburg on the 18th of July at the age of 87. Mrs Ellison was not just an artist and author but also a true nationalist and patriotic daughter of the soil,” lamented Mr Mwila.
Born Gabriel Ryan in Lusaka in 1930, Gabriel was a prolific artist whose broad talents ranged from painting to music composition. Despite acquiring a formal education in Britain, the former wife to Tony Ellison, decided to use her talents and abilities to contribute to Zambia.
Speaking about Ellison’s contribution to the designing of the Zambian National Flag, the PF Secretary General paid glowing tribute to the late Mrs Gabriel Ellison. “As long as that prestigious green, red, orange and black flag waves on with that mighty eagle, the memories of Gabriel will live on forever. For those that might not know, she designed many important emblems and insignia that are still being used in this great nation. Yes, her work can be seen from both the flag and the Coat of Arms, not to mention other important insignia found in many national emblems. She’ll forever remain part of Zambia’s heritage,” Mr. Mwila has said.
Ten years of saving lives: Controlling Cancer in Zambia
The wards may be full and the waiting times long, but at least the patients at the Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) in Lusaka, Zambia have a chance of surviving their illness.
Before the centre opened in July 2007, cancer sufferers who could not afford private care had two options: they either had to join a long waiting list for treatment in Zimbabwe or South Africa or, more often, they simply died.
The CDH is the first and only cancer treatment centre offering radiation therapy in this country of over 14 million people. In the past ten years, around 16 000 people have been diagnosed and treated at the hospital. The country has witnessed a three-fold increase in the number of cancer cases since the hospital opened. Seventy percent of cancer patients are women.
The IAEA, through its Technical Cooperation Programme, has supported the hospital since planning began in 2002.
Radiation medicine is a vital component of cancer control. Procedures such as X-rays, CT scans and mammograms are used for the early detection and diagnosis of cancer. Radiotherapy can treat and manage the disease and provide substantial pain relief for patients when cure is not possible.
Rebecca Siabwati received radiotherapy for cervical cancer at the CDH in 2010. The retiree now works voluntarily as a counsellor, encouraging women to be screened for cancer and supporting them before and after treatment. “In our community, there are a lot of myths,” she said. “People just associate cancer with death, so they’re afraid to come forward for screening.”
“Sometimes they go to traditional African doctors, who give them herbs or medicines from trees. They even sell their cows and property to pay for this. But they’re just wasting their money and time.”
As part of her work, Siabwati attends gatherings in towns and rural areas where she informs women that cancer can be detected early and treated.
“At the hospital, I talk to patients. I give them hope. I tell them that I’m a cancer survivor, I’m not dead. If I survived, then there is hope for them too.”
Rachel Mwale was treated for breast cancer, but the cancer spread to her lungs and she needs further treatment. “I felt very sad at first. I thought about my children. But now I have hope. Sometimes when the doctors and nurses talk to you, they give you hope,” said the 52-year-old. “This hospital is very good and the staff is very helpful.”
IAEA support
The IAEA contributed to the design of the facility, arranged training for medical professionals, assisted in the establishment of radiation protection measures for patients and staff and even helped the Government secure a loan to finance the project.
“Without the assistance of the IAEA, it would have been very difficult for us to set up a highly technical centre like this one and care for so many patients,” said Lewis Banda, the CDH’s Senior Medical Superintendent.
The IAEA still plays an important role. It sends medical students from other African countries for two-year training programmes and continues to help the hospital acquire essential medical supplies.
The centre’s two teletherapy machines administer 130 sessions of radiotherapy per day. Two brachytherapy units treat the rising number of patients with cervical cancer, the commonest cancer in Zambian women. There are also mammography services for the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.
Cancer care in the rest of Zambia
Outside Lusaka, the situation for cancer patients is very different.
At the central hospital in Livingstone, in Southern Province, there are facilities to screen and make a clinical diagnosis of cancer, but there are no services to treat cancer or even analyse tissue samples.
Chief Surgeon Kelvin Moonga said: “We don’t even have a pathologist here, so we need to send samples to Lusaka. It can take up to a year to get results back. Sometimes we lose patients because it just takes too long.”
When faced with a cancer diagnosis in Livingstone, patients are told that they need to make the seven-hour journey to Lusaka, at their own cost and often without their families and friends. “We tell patients the cancer treatment is free, but you have to get to Lusaka. They have to make multiple visits for treatment. This is expensive and most of our patients can’t afford it,” said Moonga.
He added that many patients do not even start their treatment, while others do not finish it.
To cope with the chronic lack of cancer treatment facilities, the Zambian Ministry of Health has launched an ambitious project to expand services throughout the country.
The towns of Livingstone and Ndola have been designated as the locations for the first phase of the expansion plans. The IAEA will be helping Zambia to prepare for this expansion through expert advice and training.
“If we have a cancer treatment centre here in Livingstone, it will mean there are no travel costs for the patients,” said Moonga. “It’s these costs that sometimes stop them getting the treatment they need. And if they have direct access to treatment, they’ll be more motivated to seek it, before it’s too late.”
Malawi’s former Agric minister arrested over Zambia maize deal
Malawi’s former agriculture minister, George Chaponda, was arrested on Wednesday and faces graft charges over a procurement contract with neighbouring Zambia, his lawyer and the country’s Anti-Corruption Bureau said on Wednesday.
It is the latest governance scandal to hit the impoverished southern African nation, which suffers periodic food shortages and relies heavily on donor aid.
Malawi President Peter Mutharika in January ordered an investigation into a $34.5 million government maize order, after a Zambian opposition leader said he had seen documents showing Malawi had been charged $345 per tonne for 100,000 tonnes of Zambian white maize worth $215 a tonne.
Chaponda’s lawyer, Jai Bandam confirmed the arrest in a telephone interview with Reuters.
He could not say when his client would be taken to court.
Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau said in a statement that its “investigation had established that there were offences committed in the procurement of maize from Zambia.”
“Chaponda is likely to be charged with corruptly performing public functions, misuse of public office and possession of foreign currency contrary to” exchange control regulations, it said.
And several Malawian media outlets are reporting that the ACB also arrested former Chairperson for Grain Traders Association of Malaw Grace Mijiga Mhango and Rashid Tayub of Transglobe after establishing that offences were committed in the procurement of maize from Zambia.
ACB Senior Public Relations Officer, Egrita Ndala indicated in a statement that Chaponda will weekly be charged with corruptly performing public functions, misuse of public office and possession of foreign currency contrary to section, 25A(1), 25B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act and Regulation 25A(1) of the Exchange Control Regulations as read with Section 3 of the Exchange Control Act respectively.
According to ACB, Mijiga Mhango will be charged with forgery contrary to Section 351 of the Penal Code while Tayub is expected to appear for the Bureau.
“On 14th July, 2017, the Bureau obtained a warrant of arrest for the suspects. On 19th July, 2017, the Anti-Corruption Bureau executed the warrants on the three,” reads the statement in part.
She said they would be taken to Court after the Bureau has recorded caution statements from them.
The statement further claims that in December 2016, the Bureau received a complaint alleging that procurement procedures were not followed in the procurement of maize from Zambia by ADMARC.
ACB has been conducting investigation into the matter and sent its officers to Zambia in January where they together with the Anti-Corruption Commission of Zambia interviewed various people whom it felt had information relevant to the matter.
On 21 February 2017, the Bureau conducted a search and seizure operation on various premises after it obtained search and seizure warrants from the court.
“The Bureau has in recent times come under intense pressure and scrutiny on this matter, others suggested we were under instruction from the executive to obstruct justice in this matter for political reasons.
“We wish to make it clear to the public and all stakeholders that the ACB remains an independent professional institution which operates independently without any influence from any one. The process of investigations can be complicated and needs to be conducted with due process and detailed care,”said Ndala.
She claimed the Bureau empathizes with the concerns of the public for speedy investigations but quickly pointed out that such calls, in a democracy, need to be balanced with the due process required under the law.
“It should also be understood that in some cases where accused persons are members of parliament, parliamentary immunity when they are sitting in parliament may also delay such processes,” the statement reads.
The bureau said like all accused persons, the accused remain “innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.”
KK doing very well might be discharged-Amos Chanda
Former President HE Kenneth Kaunda was admitted to the university teaching hospital (UTH) to be treated for a minor ailment.
Special Assistant to President Edgar Lungu in charge of Press and Public Relations, Amos Chanda confirmed.
“He is stable enough and likely to be discharged soon” he said.
“Doctors have also used this opportunity to also carry out a comprehensive routine medical check-up” he said.
“He is likely be discharged soon”. He said.
Below is the full statement
STATE HOUSE OFFICIAL STATEMENT
LUSAKA, (Thursday, July 20, 2017)–Former President H.E Dr Kenneth Kaunda is stable and well enough to be discharged soon, doctors say.
The former President was on Wednesday July 19, admitted to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) to be treated for a minor ailment.
He is stable enough and likely to be discharged after being observed further. Doctors have used this opportunity to conduct a comprehensive routine medical check-up that was going to be due soon.
He was brought to hospital when his minders reported that the former President appeared weak prompting the Minister of Health to deploy a specialist medical unit to check on him at his residence, who eventually brought him to hospital to check on him.
Following Dr Kaunda’s admission to hospital, State House has been inundated with frantic calls from foreign governments and international media especially in the wake of fake reports announcing the demise of the revered statesman. Some of the reports actually quoted the public broadcaster, ZNBC.
All media are hereby advised to maintain basic decency in their reporting and avoid such unethical conduct driven by a morbid mindset.
The Hon minister of health Dr Chitalu Chilufya will give an update the matter when necessary.
State House remains in constant contact with Dr Kaunda’s aides and doctors attending to him.
AMOS CHANDA
STATE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON
KK is alive- State House
Sonji(l) and Minister of Water and Sanitation Loyd Kaziya(r) cutting
the cake during Zambia Association of Musician KK’s Birthday Bash in
Chongwe
State House has dispelled reports that Zambia’s founding President Kenneth Kaunda has died.
Online reports emerged mid day on Thursday that Dr Kaunda, 93, had died in hospital.
But President Edgar Lungu’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda said Dr Kaunda is alive and still admitted in hospital.
“Former President HE Kenneth Kaunda was admitted to the university teaching hospital to be treated for a minor ailment. He was rehydrated and judged well and stable enough to be discharged,” Mr Chanda said in a statement.
“But he has been kept in hospital longer than necessary to take advantage of this admission and make him undergo to a routine medical screen after which he is expected to be discharged later today or tomorrow.”
Mr Chanda added, “His minders reported that the former President appeared weak prompting the minister of health to deploy a specialist medical unit to check on him at his residence.”
Bauleni Compound residents see no value in taking their children to school
blown off due to heavy rains in Bauleni
According to a Bauleni resident Timothy Lungu parents in Bauleni Township cannot afford to pay schools fees for their children adding that the situation makes them not to appreciate the value of educating a child.
Lungu also bemoaned the increase of bars in the area which has contributed to the decaying of the moral fabric among the youth especially those that have not had the opportunity to go to school.
“Parents cannot afford to pay schools fees for their children adding that the situation makes them not to appreciate the value of educating a child” Lungu said
And another Bauleni resident Rosemary Mwela said some teenage mothers in the area are deprived of their right from benefitting the reentry policy that Government introduced for the girl-child who falls pregnant whilst in school.
“Some teenage mothers in the area are deprived of their right from benefitting the reentry policy that Government introduced for the girl-child who falls pregnant whilst in school” Mwela said
Meanwhile, Amos Banda of Bauleni has implored government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to set up recreational facilities in the community to curb immorality which the youth fall prey to.
“Government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should set up recreational facilities in the community to curb immorality which the youth fall prey to” Banda said
PF’s Pro-poor approach to Zambians is now dead , says UPND youth Spokesperson
United Party for National Development (UPND) National Youth Spokesperson Gilbert Liswaniso has said the Patriotic Front (PF)’s Pro-poor approach to Zambians is now dead.
In a statement availed to Pan African Radio today, Liswaniso said it would not be prudent for any person to claim that the PF led Government is pro-poor because vulnerable children and other vulnerable sectors of society across the country have been neglected
Liswaniso said the UPND find it weird for Government to allow children to live, marry and populate on the street, adding that children living on the street are a time bomb.
Liswaniso observed that the opposition UPND have never heard President Edgar Lungu or the relevant ministry pronounce a serious intervention plan towards the welfare of children living on the street.
And Liswaniso said the money which will be spent on the operations of the police and other security wings during the 90 day life span of the invoked Article 31 could have gone to the welfare of children living on the street across the country to better their lives.
“The money which will be spent on the operations of the police and other security wings during the 90 day life span of the invoked Article 31 could have gone to the welfare of children living on the street across the country to better their lives” Liswaniso said
Catholic Bishops in Kabwe meeting HH
This follows permission they sought from President Edgar Lungu in which they volunteered to broker peace and dialogue between the two.
The Bishops urged President Edgar Lungu to facilitate and hold face-face meeting with Hichilema.
The Bishops arrived at Kabwe Maximum Correctional facility famously known as Mukobeko Prison located in Kabwe.
The Bishops entered Mukobeko gates at about 09:45 hrs.
Last week, President granted Catholic bishops access to incarcerated United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema to discuss with him the need for dialogue and national reconciliation.
The church leaders were at State House to underscore their commitment to working with Government for the good of Zambians.
WWE and Supersport announce multi-year agreement to televise ‘RAW’ and ‘Smackdown’ on DSTV and GOtv
WWE(World Wrestling Entertainment) and SuperSport, Africa’s premier sport channels provider, today announced a new multi-year agreement to broadcast WWE programming live for the first time in more than 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Starting August 28, DStv and GOtv customers will have access to the world’s biggest WWE entertainment when SuperSport airs flagship shows Raw® and SmackDown® as well as WWE specials, including WrestleMania® and SummerSlam®.
“WWE is a global phenomenon, so securing the broadcast rights for SuperSport is a terrific coup,” said Gideon Khobane, chief executive of SuperSport. “The athletes involved are larger than life figures who command huge followings. At long last our DStv and GOtv viewers will get to share in this entertainment spectacle in high definition. I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with WWE.”
“SuperSport is a best-in-class partner who shares our vision and passion for engaging with and entertaining our fans,” said Ed Wells, WWE Executive Vice President, International. “Televising WWE programming live in sub-Saharan Africa for the first time an important milestone for us, and we look forward to working with SuperSport to cultivate new fans in the region.”
DStv Premium, Compact+ and Compact customers will enjoy their WWE drama live while DStv Family and Access will also enjoy same-day rebroadcast of the events which will be available on SuperSport channels S7, S9 and SS10. Viewers can look forward to Raw on Tuesdays and SmackDown on Wednesdays offering both live telecasts and same-day re-airs, as well as all WWE specials live, including WrestleMania®, SummerSlam®, Survivor Series® and Royal Rumble®. GOtv viewers will have access to the action on Select 3, available to GOtv Plus customers.
“We’re delighted to bring our DStv and GOtv customers yet another attraction that’s going to keep them glued to their TV and mobile screens. This addition to our offering will certainly bring more value for our customers and ensure that SuperSport remains their go-to World of Champion and home to the world’s biggest sports. This is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that our platforms deliver only the best entertainment to our customers,” says Acting MultiChoice Managing Director Recha Karima Kabwe.