AU Report declares August 2016 Polls in Zambia as free and fair
The African Union election observer mission has declared the August 2016 Polls in Zambia as free and fair.
This is according to a report released by the African Union in a closed session of the 29th ordinary summit of the AU yesterday.
ZANIS reports that the AU has further applauded Zambia for upholding the democratic tenets and the rule of law in the country.
The AU has also commended the electoral commission of Zambia for measures the electoral body has put in place to enhance integrity and transparency in electoral process.
Speaking in an interview in Addis Ababa today, Foreign Affairs Minister, Harry Kalaba said following the AU report government hopes that the debate surrounding the August 2016 elections on what transpired would come to a close.
“Following the report of the African Union observer mission our hope as government is that the debate regarding what transpired in the August 2016 elections will now come to a conclusion,” he said.
Mr. Kalaba said Zambia is a covenant nation and that its people must always work towards creating harmony with one another and overcome in challenges that seek to divide them.
“ It is high time we paid heed to the Biblical instruction of the Prophet Isaiah, that those that those who believe in the Lord will soar like eagles and that no matter the challenges and that as a nation no matter what challenges come, we will image stronger,” said Mr. Kalaba.
The Minister has since called on Zambians across the political divide to unite and work together for the development of the country.
Mr. Kalaba is among several government officials attending the 29th Ordinary summit of heads of state and government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme, “Enhancing Demographic Dividend investments in the Youth.”
Kasama Airport upgrade stalls due to non-payment of a K22 million to the contractor
WORKS to upgrade Kasama Airport in Northern Province have stalled because of non-payment of a K22 million balance to the contractor.
Ari Hui Shuian Construction Group cannot continue with the project because it has run out of funds.
Speaking when he toured the construction site, Kasama Central member of Parliament Kelvin Sampa said when upgraded, the airport will boost economic activities in the province.
He, however, said he has informed Minister of Finance Felix Mutati, who has acknowledged having released about K10 million for the project.
Mr Sampa said Mr Mutati has requested for a meeting with Minister of Communication and Transport Brian Mushimba on how to address the matter so that works at Kasama Airport can resume.
“I have talked to the Minister of Finance and he has acknowledged paying K10 million for the project, but he is not aware of the K22 million request,” he said.
Mr Sampa said many investors have shown interest to operate in Northern Province but are discouraged from doing so because of the long distance between Kasama and Lusaka.
Meanwhile, Ng’andu Consultancy Materials technician Rogers Bowa said once the funds are released, the construction of the airport will be completed before the end of this year.
Mr Sampa also toured Kasama General Hospital where he learnt that the institution has no surgeon.
He said the hospital needs a facelift as it was built in 1974 and it is now in a deplorable state.
Mr Sampa also said there is need to build district and first-level hospitals in Kasama to decongest the general hospital.
Zambia Correctional Service and ZNS should help drive the agriculture agenda-Lusambo
Mr Lusambo said this on Monday when he visited the ZCS stand at the 53rd Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF), in Ndola, which ended yesterday.
The Copperbelt business platform was held under the theme ‘Innovation for industrialisation’.
“We need the Zambia Correctional Service and the Zambia National Service to be partners in the diversification of our economy in agriculture. In diversification, if you leave out the Zambia Correctional Service, then you do not know what you are doing as Government. We need to work closely as we move in the path of diversification, especially on the Copperbelt,” he said.
The minister, who also visited the ministries of Agriculture and Higher Education, Workers Compensation Fund Control Board and Bank ABC stands, was delighted with the quality of exhibitions and said ZCS is enhancing diversification in agriculture.
He also said that farmers from across the country who exhibited at the international fair showed willingness to assist Government in diversifying the country’s economy.
“I met farmers who are willing help diversify the economy. It is agriculture that will add value. And as Government, we are going to protect the sector and help to change the mind-set of the people,” Mr Lusambo said.
ZCS regional commanding officer Wilson Mbewe said the service will continue to work hard.
ZCS projects a harvest of about 72,000 bags of maize each weighing 50kgs in the 2016/2017 farming season.
Mr Lusambo also said Zambia has to shift its economic dependency on copper exports to other minerals like gemstones.
He said Lufwanyama district is endowed with large deposits of gemstones but the sub-sector has not been exploited to its full potential.
Mr Lusambo commended Bank ABC, as a private financial institution, for partnering with Government in handling the e-voucher system through which farmers access farming inputs.
HH hopes to appear in court soon for his treason charge
Incarcerated opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema who has now clocked three months behind bars on treason charges says he is patiently waiting for the State to bring him before court.
Mr Hichilema who is accused along with five other people said he is hoping it will be soon when he will appear in court.
He said he is hoping it will be soon because his co-accused can’t be languishing in jail when we all know that he is the target.
In a letter addressed to Zambians on the occasions observance of Unity and Heroes day, Mr Hichilema said the importance of the two days can never be over emphasised.
And Mr Hichilema who has again appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful has warned the PF that no one has the monopoly over violence.
He warned that he cannot guarantee how long UPND supports will be willing to listen to him while they get maimed every day.
Below is Mr Hichilema’s Letter posted on his Facebook page
Dear Fellow Citizens,
We wish you all a peaceful and uniting heroes and unity observance. The importance of these two days can never be over emphasised. Today marks almost three months since our incarceration. We are patiently waiting for the State to do what they need to do for us to appear in court. We are hoping it will be soon; soon because my co-accused can’t be languishing in jail when we all know that Hakainde is the target. I cannot comment on our case, we do not know what evidence the state will produce but that is not the focus of this letter.
I want to address my supporters and those that care for this country today. I have received numerous messages where I am told that our supporters want to start defending themselves against the barbarism being fomented by the Patriotic Front. I just want to tell them that I fully understand their frustrations. There is nothing new that is going to come out of our appeals to the Police. Our first rally in 2012 in Kabwata, we were ambushed and brutalized by PF cadres. This has been their modus operandi since then. We have managed to live through their brutality by taking evasive action, not that we cannot defend ourselves but for fear of collateral damage on the innocent citizens. Let me focus on the incident that happened last week when we were burying my “UPND Queen” Clance Zulu; let us imagine colleagues that we had retaliated, what would have happened in that quiet and venerated grave site which is host to many of our deceased people? Let us just think for once the level of bloodshed that we would have witnessed if our supporters and other mourners had decided enough is enough. Colleagues you might wonder why we always call for peace. We call for peace because we know that one day we will be in power; we do not want to preside over a people that have deep hatred for each other. We do not want to preside over a country with a people that cannot live in harmony because they have deep grudges. That is certainly not a country we want to lead.
We have invested in this country like all other progressive and genuine Zambians. For some of you who have become rich overnight, we know you do not know the value of hard work. There are people that have invested heavily through their sweat, we will be unfair to them if they lost their investments because Zambia has become ungovernable. Whose interests would we be serving if we said an eye for an eye?
Colleagues in UPND and fellow progressive Zambians I understand your pain, but all I am asking of us to do for now is to turn the other cheek. Let us slow to anger, because soon all this thuggery will be a thing of the past. We are all for progress and we know that peace will prevail soon.
To those in Government, I am one lone voice pushing this agenda, I will do my best to hold off our people that have been at the receiving end since 2011; what I cannot guarantee is how long they will be willing to listen to me while they get maimed every day. Always remember this, no one, I repeat, NO ONE has monopoly over violence, it can swing both ways. Let us mature and engage in progressive politics not this STONE age behaviour that has defined our culture since 2011 when PF came to power. Can someone take charge of the situation, because the silence from the Government is deafening.
God Bless Zambia and May Peace Reign.
HH
Chitembya pays tribute to Martha Shonga
Former FAZ Executive Committee member Henchel Chitembeya has paid tribute to veteran football administrator Martha Shonga who died on Monday.
Shonga, a former Kitwe United Football chairperson, died aged 58 in Kitwe after an illness.
Speaking after visiting the funeral house in Riverside, Kitwe, Chitembeya described Shonga as a unique football administrator.
“We will definitely miss Martha Shonga. People in the football fraternity understand the value Martha added to football administration in the country,” Chitembeya said.
“At a great cost to her and the family, Martha was looking after a lot of players at her house during her time at Kitwe United and Mining Rangers,” he said.
The former Mining Rangers secretary once served as FAZ Executive Committee Member.
“She had the spirit that most football administrators lack and that is being motherly and caring,” Chitembeya added.
Former Kitwe United star Joseph Sitali has expressed sadness over Shonga’s demise.
“It is hard to believe that our parent is gone. We have lost a mother who looked after many players at her home including myself,” Sitali, who plays for Mufulira Wanderers, mourned.
Shonga’s burial is tentatively set for Thursday in Kitwe.
Bear with me if I become a dictator-President Lungu
President Edgar Lungu says he will now take unprecedented measures and steps to stop the acts of hooliganism being perpetrated.
Speaking upon arrival from Addis Ababa the head of state who expressed displeasure at today’s acts of sabotage revealed that security offices would now up their game and take necessary measures to curb the acts of hooliganism because people’s livelihoods are being affected.
“I do not want to pre-empt the measures we have put in place to up the game and we have done that. But I will wait to be briefed…,” President Lungu said.
“If it means taking measures which are unprecedented we will do just that, some people will have to lose their rights. People who have lost their property have lost their livlihoods. So if I become a dictator for once bear with me.”
The head of state then proceeded to City Market to go and see the extent of damage as well as meet some affected traders.
The President who was in the company of security and defence officers, minister of home affairs Stephen Kampyongo and his presidential aides Amos Chanda and Kaizer Zulu.
The head of state was greeted by hundreds of traders as they all cried out to him to bring the perpetrators to book.
At the market, President Lungu assured city market traders who lost their property in an inferno that government will look into their plight and compensate their loss.
The head of state who made an impromptu visit to City Market that has been engulfed in flames after a suspected arson attack this morning assured the traders of governments support to try restore their livelihoods.
“We will see how we can look into the plight of the people and compensate their loss,” President Lungu said as he made the back of a truck his podium in order to address and give comfort and solace to the hundreds traders who have lost merchandise in the inferno.
He additionally urged people and his supporters not to take the law in their hands noting that government was on top of things.
“Please do not take the law in your hands, ubuteko nabukwata amaka,” said President.
More than one third of city market has been gutted after suspected arsonists torched the building.
The market went up in flames shortly after another market in Misisi also got torched.
And Zambia Police have issued the following statement increasing the reward to half a million kwacha to anybody with information about the people behind the spake of fires.
THE REWARD HAS NOW INCREASED TO K 500, 000
THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE HAS INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF REWARD TO ANY PERSON OR PERSONS THAT WILL GIVE INFORMATION TO POLICE THAT WILL LEAD TO THE APPREHENSION AND SUCCESSIFUL PROSECUTION OF CRIMINALS BEHIND THE TORCHING OF ZESCO PYLONS INCLUDING OTHER SPATE OF FIRES THAT HAVE ROCKED THE COUNTRY FROM K300, 000 TO K500, 000 KWACHA.
ANY PERSON OR PERSONS WITH INFORMATION SHOULD REPORT TO ANY NEAREST POLICE STATION. FURTHERMORE, A CONTACT NUMBER WILL BE GIVEN TOMORROW WHICH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE CALLING IN THIS REGARD.
ESTHER MWAATA KATONGO
ZAMBIA POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
ISSUED ON 04TH JULY, 2017
Buildcon rally to draw against Zesco
Zesco United made very little impact in their build-up match ahead of Sunday’s final 2017 CAF Confederation Cup Group C date against Al Hilal Obied of Sudan after they were held by Buildcon in a Ndola derby league match on Tuesday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The match ended 1-1 to see Zesco collect their second successive draw after finishing by the same margin last Saturday away in Egypt to Smouha in their penultimate Group C fixture in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Jesse Were put Zesco 1-0 ahead in the 43rd minute off a Lazarus Kambole headed-down ball.
Were could have added a second goal but saw his chip in the 44th minute came off the woodwork.
Buildcon then equalized in the 54th minute through a close-range header from Chavda Maisha.
Zesco then breathed a sigh of relief in stoppage time when Patient Mwepu fired his free kick onto the woodwork.
Meanwhile, Zesco rise to 4th on 23 points from 12 games with three games in hand and are five points behind leaders Napsa Stars.
Dora Siliya and Felix Mutati in Kenya to fast track Maize and Sugar Export
Minister of Agriculture Dora Siliya and Minister of Finance Felix Mutati are on a two days visit to Kenya to discuss agriculture trade.
This follows a meeting with the Zambia National Farmers Union and Grain Traders in Lusaka 2 weeks ago. The Government plans to facilitate the export of the excess 1.2 million metric tonnes from this years 3.6 million mt production.
Kenya is in need of 300 thousand mt of maize per month and also has shortages of Sugar, with Zambia Sugar supplying 40 thousand mt so far.
Last week a delegation from the East Africa grain traders association visited Zambia on a fact finding mission and met with Ministries of Agriculture and Finance as well as the private sector in Zambia.
The business delegation expressed concern at the slow pace experienced at the Nakonde border as well as the strenuous photo-sanitary requirements by the Kenyan government. Speaking at a press briefing this morning Kenyan Minister of Agriculture Hon Willy Bett assured the Kenyan grain traders of basic and quick standards processes for maize and sugar imports into Kenya from Zambia.
Speaking at same briefing Ms Siliya and Mr Mutati promised an express lane for maize exports to Kenya .
“We have decided to commit an express lane for sugar and maize that is exported to Kenya in order to ease the movement of these produces,” said Ms Siliya.
She noted that Zambia has also reduced the duration that it takes for an exporter to get permit to ship maize out of Zambia from seven days to 24 hours.
It was also agreed that discussions Will commence immediately with Tazara to move most agriculture cargo from the road to rail, Kenya confirmed the continued waiver of duty on Maize and Sugar imports to facilitate smooth trade especially between Zambia and Kenya.
“We have removed the mandatory requirement of the 10 per cent export duty that traders had to pay before they are allowed to ship the grain in order to ease trade between two states,” he said.
The Kenyans are hoping to import 100 thousand mt in the next two weeks of maize from Zambia. The Zambian Ministers have confirmed to the Kenyans the removal of 10% export tax on maize and consistency in maize supply.
Kenya has experienced massive food shortages due to drought..the country has also been affected by army worms
Tanzania plot to KO Zambia in Cosafa Cup semifinals
Tanzania coach Salum Mayanga says his charges are ready to show Zambia why they are unbeaten in the 2017 Cosafa Cup.
The Taifa Stars and Zambia clash in the 2017 Cosafa Cup semifinals on Wednesday in a 17h00 kickoff at Moruleng Stadium in South Africa where this year’s tournament is being held from June 25 to July 9.
Tanzania qualified to the knockout round unbeaten and topped Group A on 5 points before ejecting hosts and defending champions Bafana Bafana 1-0 in the quarterfinals on July 2.
That match came a day after Zambia qualified to the semifinals following a 2-1 win over 2016 runners-up Botswana.
Zambia only entered the competition at the last 8 stage after they were handed a preliminary group stage bye.
“We had the chance to see Zambia who won their game 2-1 against Botswana, so I already know what I am supposed to do,” Mayanga said.
“The results we have produced have given us the boost and essentially we will play better than in the group games.”
Meanwhile this will be Zambia and Tanzania’s second meeting in the Cosafa Cup since 1997 when they finished 2-2 in Arusha.
Zambia went to to lift the inaugural tournament that year after finishing top of the round-robin final pool stage on 8 points.
PF issues media statement on the Fire at Lusaka City Market
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PF SADDENED BY LUSAKA CITY FIRES, CALLS FOR CALM
Lusaka, Zambia, 4th July 2017 – The governing Patriotic Front is deeply saddened following the fire that gutted Lusaka City Market and some unconfirmed reports of fires within the city. The PF Secretary General, Davis Mwila has called for calm from all that have been directly negatively affect by the inferno whose source and origin are yet to be established.
“The news of the gutting of City Market has been received with great distress by the PF. The importance of the Market can never be overstated as it serves many Zambians from all walks of life. We stand with the people that have lost property and hope that security agencies will act swiftly to investigate this matter. We are a Party for the poor and so we feel the pain of their loss. If it is sabotage, we demand for stiff sanctions and if it be an electric fault, still we ask for accountability from those tasked to manage the facility, ” said the visibly disappointed Mwila.
The Secretary General has further called for calm among the members of the public as various national security wings were on the matter to establish what caused the fire which has consumed goods worth millions of Kwachas.
“PF urges those that have lost property in the fires as well as the public to stay calm and avoid any unnecessary provocation from those whose mockery seeks to dilute the impact of this unfortunate event. Let us all cooperate with the various national security wings that are currently working around the clock to find out the origin of the blaze,” he added.
Mr Mwila was also quick to warn,” As the PF, we will not be distracted from our vision of meaningful development for all Zambians by a few sadistic elements that have nothing but terror and division to offer to a peace loving and united Zambia.”
Lusaka and the nation woke up to the sad news of a massive fire that destroyed City Market on the morning of Tuesday 4th July 2017. Both the Zambia Police and Fire Brigade have confirmed that there was an inferno at Lusaka City Market. The cause of the blaze is still unknown, amid fears that it could have been an act of arson.
UPND issues a Statement on the Fire that Gutted Lusaka City Market
UPND REGRETS INFERNO AT CITY MARKET AND CALLS FOR THOROUGH POLICE INVESTIGATION
Our Party the UPND wishes to state that we regret that part of the City Market,has been gutted by fire in the early hours of today.
Of course at this stage, it would be too early to imagine or speculate the causes of the fire. We therefore call upon the Zambia Police forensic specialists and their Fire Department colleagues to take a proffessional and thorough look as to what could have caused this unfortunate incident.
All Lusaka residents hold Lusaka City Market dear to their hearts because it’s a source of livelihoods to thousands of our Mothers and youths. It’s a complex that cuts across political, religious or ethnic divides and brings World class goods and services from far flung places such as Dubai, China and Europe, right at our doorsteps. This is how all Zambians value the City Market and we therefore call upon those vested with the responsibility of fire safety and security, which in this case is our Fire Department and the Police respectfully, to leave no stone unturned in establishing the causes of the fire break out at the market.
It is in the same vein that we call upon those that find comfort in politicizing such tragedies to lay off their hands and let independent proffessionals do their job unhindered.
MUTALE NULUMANGO
Chairperson
Nevers Mumba on city market
STATEMENT ON THE LUSAKA CITY MARKET FIRES
Zambia today has woken up to billows of black clouds over Lusaka City Market. Livelihoods of thousands upon thousands of families are in jeopardy. Whatever the investigations will reveal as the source of these fires, shall not change the pain, the agony and the helplessness our people feel.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with all the affected families. We share in your pain and trust the Lord God of comfort shall give you peace through these “fires” of life. In view of this catastrophic development, we call on government to find a way to systematically provide some compensation to the affected families to allow them to start afresh.
This is the role of government in the face of tragedies of this nature globally. We cannot turn our backs against our own people.
We would also like to recognize and commend the spirited work of our fire services, who with very limited tools continue to jeopardize their lives in an effort to put out the angry flames.
While the whole nation waits for the investigative agents to indicate the source of these fires, we call for calm and reasonableness. The police must institute a wide open investigation extending to wherever the evidence takes them. As of now, we don’t know whether it is arson, careless electrical wirings or a careless smoker. There is therefore no need for finger pointing at this stage as that will only frustrate the efforts of the investigative agencies.
Our focus as a nation must be to assist the families that have woken up to the loss of their entire livelihoods.
May God save our great nation.
Nevers Mumba
President, MMD
President Lungu calls for calm after fire guts Lusaka City Market
President Edgar Lungu has said that the law will catch up with lawbreakers and those engaging in acts bordering on economic sabotage.
The President has called on Zambians to remain patient as they await a full report by security services on the fire that has gutted city market.
President Lungu said that if the fire is an act of arson, then those destroying public property are enemies of the people.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia before departure for Lusaka, the Head of State said for now security services have told him that it is too early to reach any conclusions.
President Lungu said he will wait to hear from security wings on arrival back home.
The President said that said the Nation must remain calm and ensure no retaliatory action is taken to worsen the situation.
The President said this in a statement availed to media news by his special assistant for press and public relations Amos Chanda.
Acting President Inonge Wina has warned that it is time to ACT against people that want to make Zambia ungovernable. Mrs. Wina said that government will no longer tolerate acts of sabotage, adding that there will be no mercy on the perpetrators of the acts, once arrested.
Mrs. Wina said that it is unfortunate that women and other Marketeers have been left vulnerable after the burning of their merchandise at City market.
The Acting President said that government is determined to ensure everyone is protected against all acts of sabotage.
Mrs. Wina who was visibly disappointed said Police are now on their heels to find and arrest the perpetrators.
Mrs. Wina was speaking shortly after touring City Market which has been gutted by fire. She warned that days are numbered for the perpetrators of acts of sabotage.
Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kamyongo has urged Zambians to be vigilant. Mr. Kampyongo said government is taking acts of sabotage seriously.
Early this morning Fire swept through Lusaka City Market destroying property worth millions of Kwachas in what police suspect to be an act of sabotage.
A check by a ZNBC news crew early Tuesday found the Market engulfed as shop owners cried helplessly watching their property burn to ashes.
The inferno is believed to have started around 05 hours this morning.The Lusaka City fire fighters were on ground trying to save the market.
Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe who rushed to the scene described the incident as sabotage.
Mr. SIKAZWE wondered why people behind the act were punishing innocent citizens by destroying public property.
He has appealed to citizens to work with the Zambia Police Service to bring the culprits to book.
And Lusaka province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe said burning of public property is barbaric. Mr. Mwakalombe said people’s lives have been destroyed as those affected by the fire depend on businesses they own in the market.
Meanwhile Inspector general of police Kakoma Kanganja said police are on ground and will bring to book those behind the suspected acts of sabotage.
And Macdonald Nyirenda a youth chairperson in charge of security at city market said the fire started around 05:00hrs in the morning after police opened the market to allow council workers to sweep.
Kabwe Warriors axed Chintu
Kampamba Chintu has become the sixth coaching casualty of the 2017 FAZ Super Division season.
Chintu was sacked on Monday after ten months at the helm at Kabwe Warriors.
The ex- Zambia defender was handed the job full time with the five-time champions in December after initially serving as interim coach at his childhood club from October, 2016 following the dismissal of Mohamed Fathy.
15th placed Warriors had under Chintu this season collected just one win from 15 games of which 8 were draws.
His sacking also came in the wake of a two successive defeats after losing 2-0 away to Zanaco in Lusaka before Lumwana Radiants beat Warriors 1-0 at home in Kabwe on July 1.
He has been shown the door together with assistant trainer Humphrey Malikoni but Happy Sichikolo has survived the chop.
Chintu has been replaced by Elijah Chikwanda who was recently fired by City of Lusaka barely two months after his appointment at Woodlands Stadium.
Other coaches to have been sacked this season are Bruce Mwape at Nchanga rangers, Ahmed Soliman at Mufulira Wanderers,Mathews Phiri at Nakambala Leopards and Zeddy Saileti at Nkana.