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The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has given a grace period of 14 days within which motorists should acquire motor vehicle and trailer licenses (Road tax) and Road service licenses for the third quarter 2017.
RTSA Public Relations Officer (PRO) Fredrick Mubanga said all motorists and Public Service Vehicle Operators have been giving an extension of up to 14th July, 2017 to pay for the required licenses.
He said there will be no enforcement of the validity of said documents by the RTSA and the Zambia Police until the stated grace period expires.
Mubanga stated that the Agency is providing this grace period to accommodate the licensing needs of all motorists in view of the role out of the RTSA’s new system – E- ZAMTIS to the outsourced partners, Zambia Postal Services (ZAMPOST) and Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC) as well as exploring other avenues for payment of road tax.
He noted that the role out of the system will be completed in the shortest possible time, affirming that so far ten (10) out the fifty five (55) outsourced partners have been connected.
And Mubanga has however stated that the extension does not include the certificate of fitness and the test certificates as the two relate to road-worthiness and the safety of the vehicle.
Mubanga expressed confidence that the public will utilize the extension to comply with the law and he further urge motorists to renew and pay for motor vehicle and trailer licenses in accordance with the provisions of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002.
“We have given a grace period of 14 days within which motorists should acquire motor vehicle and trailer licenses (Road tax) and Road service licenses for the third quarter 2017” Mubanga said
Mr Lusambo stresses a point during a live Let the People Talk programme
Copperbelt Province Minister Hon. Bowman Lusambo says he respects Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili because he is a Member of the Central Committee (MCC), the highest organ of the party.
He said he does not have a personal issue with Mr Kambwili adding that if the Roan MP has a problem with him, he should use the proper channels of addressing issues rather than rushing to the media.
Mr Lusambo said Mr Kambwili is a senior member of the party who should know that rushing to the media to resolve certain issues is wrong channel.
The Copperbelt Minister was speaking in Ndola on Friday when he featured a live Let the People Talk programme from the Zambia International Trade Fair.
He said he has refused to comment on Mr Kambwili’s assertions that he should be fired because President Edgar Lungu does not take instructions from the media.
“Mr. Kambwili is calling me a boy and saying I am the source of confusion on the Copperbelt, and yet he has not been able to point out areas where I am failing as Provincial Minister,” Mr Lusambo said.
He added, “If the discussion was about my abilities as Minister, maybe I would have entertained it but it appears whatever Mr Kambwili has against me is personal so I will not respond.”
“When the President came to the Copperbelt he invited all Members of the Central Committee on the Copperbelt, Mr. Kambwili did not attend that meeting.”
Mr Lusambo added, “The President gave everyone who attended the meeting an opportunity to table their grievances, he gave us on opportunity to fully express ourselves and all the matters have been resolved.”
Hon. Lusambo featuring on Let the People Talk during the Trade Fair
The Kabushi Member of Parliament reiterated that there is no confusion on the Copperbelt as claimed by Mr Kambwili.
“Yes there is no confusion here, the problem that was there has been sorted out. The President came, he sat us down, gave us fatherly advice and now we are moving together as a team.”
On land allocation in the province, Mr. Lusambo said he has maintained that no Councillors and party officials should be involved in issues of land allocation.
“I have put my foot down, I will not tolerate lawlessness in the Province,” he said.
And Mr Lusambo says those asking him to leave Copperbelt Province should know that he is a Lamba and that he is not going anywhere.
“I am Minister, we only have one Provincial Minister period!. When the President appointed me he was not guessing, he knew that I was capable of delivering and I think we are on the right track,” he said.
“If I do something stupid, if I do something that is beyond the control of the President, he can drop me, but for now his Excellency the President knows that I am doing a good job.”
Zanaco insist they can handle the pressure at home against Al Ahly of Egypt on Saturday and secure their 2017 CAF Champions League quarterfinal passage with a match in hand.
Zanaco are defying the odds in Group D where they are unbeaten with 10 out of a possible 12 points heading into their penultimate league phase match at home against the Egyptian giants at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
The record 8-times African champions are 2nd on 7 points,one ahead of Wydad Casablanca Morocco while Cotonsport are last on zero points.
“Every game comes with different pressure,” Numba said.
“On our part we are taking this game seriously because once we win this game then we are in the quarterfinals.
“The pressure may be there but we have a team that can handle that pressure.”
A home draw against Al Ahly will also be enough to see Zanaco make their CAF Champions League quarterfinal debut.
But Zanaco head into the match without defender and captain Ziyo Tembo who is suspended after accruing two yellow cards in this years campaign .
Defender Peter banda who deputized for Ziyo in last weekends 2-0 home win over Kabwe Warriors is likely to start again this weekend.
Power Dynamos will seek to return to winning ways when they host City of Lusaka in Saturday’s FAZ Super Division match at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Power are bruised by last weekend’s 1-0 loss at Green Buffaloes which ended their 13-match unbeaten run in the season.
Equally City lost their last encounter thereby making this match a must win for the two sides.
Struggling City are third from the bottom of the table with 10 points from 13 matches played while 7th placed Power sits on 20 points.
In other games, Nkana will make a short trip to Ndola to face Forest Rangers at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Nkana are motivated after ending a three match losing streak when beat Buildcon 1-0 in their last match as Beston Chambeshi registered his first win since he was re-engaged three weeks ago.
Forest, unbeaten in their previous five games, are sixth on the table on 21 points and Nkana are number 10 with 19 points.
Kalampa head into Saturday’s game without captain Donashano Malama and goalkeeper Kelvin Malunga who are with Chipolopolo at the ongoing COSAFA Cup in South Africa.
Coach Chambeshi has demanded consistency from his players prior to the match against Forest.
“All what we need is consistency. If we can bring consistency in this team we can go far,” Chambeshi said.
FAZ SUPER DIVISION – WEEK 15
SATURDAY, 1 JULY 2017
Mufulira Wanderers Vs Konkola Blades
Kabwe Warriors Vs Lumwana Radiants
Green Eagles Vs Nakambala Leopards
Power Dynamos Vs City of Lusaka
Forest Rangers Vs Nkana
SUNDAY, 2ND JULY 2017
Napsa Stars Vs Real Nakonde
Red Arrows Vs Nchanga Rangers
POSTPONED
Lusaka Dynamos Vs Zanaco
Buildcon Vs Zesco United
Zesco United missed an opportunity to go top of their CAF Confederation Cup group after forcing a 1-1 draw away at Smouha in Egypt in their penultimate tie.
Zlatko Kirmpotic’s side gave away a late lead at the Borg Arab Stadium to draw against a team they beat 1-0 in Ndola.
Zesco were gifted by Yasser Ibrahim who pocked in an own goal after pressure from Jesse Were in the 85th minute but the Egyptians equalised deep in additional time thanks to Banou Diawara’s penalty.
This not an improve result for Zesco who were beaten 3-0 at Angolan side Recreativo Do Libolo in the previous round of matches last week.
Zesco are second in Group C with 7 points from five matches played.
Al Hilal who hosts Libolo on Saturday top Group C on 7 points thanks to their better goal difference over Zesco.
Bank of ZambiaPatriots for Economic Progress (PeP) President Sean Enock Tembo has expressed concern over the Bank of Zambia’s decision to significantly reduce the value limits for both local and foreign currency cheques transactions to K25,000 and $5,000.
The Bank of Zambia (BOZ) recently announced that the maximum transactions for both local and foreign currency cheques should be at K25, 000 and $5,000 respectively, with effect from 5th July 2017 to significantly reduce the value limits in Zambia.
Speaking during a media briefing at Lusaka’s Stay Easy Hotel, Tembo said as much as he appreciates Bank of Zambia’s intention to address money laundering and cheques fraud in the country, the decision by central Bank is misdirected because in the context of the Zambian economy, the informal sector is already significantly larger than the formal sector.
Tembo observed that limiting the values for cheques transactions and over-the-counter bank withdrawals, Bank of Zambia will effectively drive most Zambians away from commercial banks and into the grey informal economy which is cash-based.
The Opposition PeP President said the Bank of Zambia would have done was to work on helping Zambians who are in the informal sector of the economy which is cash-based, to transform to the formal sector which is banked.
“Already, the recent bank failures like Inter-Market Banking Corporation, Cetzam, etc where Zambians have lost their deposits, have made most citizens jittery about utilizing the banking sector, and the added inconvenience of the soon to be introduced Item-Value-Limits by BOZ will just make it even less attractive to keep money in a bank vis-a-vis hoarding the money at home”
“Other disadvantages of promoting an informal cash-based sector include the increased cost of printing currency as a greater amount of currency has to be in circulation as well as faster wear and tear of currency due to more frequent use. A cash-based economy also results in more crime and a greater cost of doing business as well as reduced economic efficiency plus a limited responsiveness to monetary policy. An informal economy also significantly reduces tax efficiency as it is more cumbersome to collect direct tax from the informal sector than it is from the formal sector”
“Our expectation as PeP is that at this stage of our country when the informal sector of our economy is larger than the formal sector, BOZ and other Government agencies must be concentrating on encouraging our citizens to formalize their business operations by utilizing the banking system, instead of discouraging them from doing so by putting in place unnecessary restrictions”
And Tembo has since appeal to Bank of Zambia (BOZ) in particular and the Government in general to reconsider the planned introduction of Item-Value-Limits for cheques transactions and over-the-counter withdrawals which are planned to take effect on 5th July 2017.
“We strongly believe that the disadvantages of this decision to introduce value limits far outweigh any advantages and the inherent consequences on our economy will be dared” Tembo said
Motorists and other users of Mungwi Road in Lusaka’s light industrial area are elated that a contractor has moved on site to rehabilitate the road which has been in a dilapidated condition for a long time.
And the motorists and other road users have urged the contractor to expeditiously reconstruct Mungwi Road and avoid doing a shoddy work as a huge amount of money has been injected into the project.
The rehabilitation and expansion of the Old Mumbwa Road will reduce traffic jamming as the road is mostly used by petroleum tankers and mini-buses.
Some motorists polled in a random interview by Pan African Radio News thanked the Zambian government for heeding their cries for a better road network.
“We thank Government for heeding their cries for a better road network” Motorists said
Mungwi Road will be rehabilitated and expanded into a dual-carriage.
The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) is calling on local manufacturers of products that fall under compulsory standards to obtain authorization from the Bureau to supply such products.
Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) Head of Marketing and Public Relations Officer Hazel Zulu said this is in accordance with section 12 of the Standards Act, Cap 416 of the Laws of Zambia, which demands that only manufacturers with permission from the Bureau are allowed to supply products to which compulsory standards apply.
“We make this call therefore, to remind local manufacturers to make sure that they operate within the law by ensuring that they are inspected and licensed by ZABS for as long as they are supplying products that fall under compulsory standards”. She said
Ms. Zulu however disclosed that there are currently 50 products that falls under compulsory standards and that includes mealie meal, cooking oil, peanut butter, fruit-flavored drinks and bottled water, adding that other products are cement, poultry feed, compound fertilizers and rubber condoms to mention but a few.
“In the month of May 2017 for instance, ZABS visited 9 local manufacturers for compliance assessments in the northern and southern region and discovered that 3 of the companies visited were operating without a license or authorization to supply the products”
“It is against this background that we want to remind manufacturers to access our list of compulsory standards from the Bureau and ensure that they apply and obtain a license to supply products that fall under compulsory standards”
“Retailers and wholesalers likewise are advised to buy products from manufacturers that are licensed or authorized to supply by ZABS so that they are sure that they are buying products that have been tested and certified as quality products. Compulsory standards are national standards to which compliance has been made mandatory” Ms. Zulu said
Minister of foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba and Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kahamba Kutesa at the official opening of the African Union Executive Council meeting in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
Meetings of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) have kicked off in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
ZANIS reports that the two-day meetings of the executive council are being held ahead of the 29th ordinary summit of the African Union Assembly scheduled for 3rd to 4th July 2017.
The consultations of the executive council are expected to deliberate on various issues regarding the AU’s agenda 2063 in which leaders of the 55 member states are rallying together in an ambitious program to transform Africa into a united and prosperous continent.
The council’s deliberations and resolutions will be passed on to the AU assembly of heads of state and government, which is the supreme body of the union, for approval or amendments.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Harry Kalaba, who is attending deliberations of the executive council said Zambia’s participation in the summit is crucial.
Mr. Kalaba said the ongoing summit is important as heads of state and government will focus on ways of mobilizing resources to implement various programs on the continent.
“This is June-July session of the summit is crucial as member states will be discussing the budget, so as Zambia we must attend and take part in the deliberations,” said Mr Kalaba.
Mr. Kalaba expressed happiness with Zambia’s growing influence on the continent as evidenced by the election of Ambassador Albert Muchanga to the AU Commission as Commissioner for Trade and Industry in January 2017.
“We are reclaiming our position and I am happy that President Edgar Lungu is very instrumental in ensuring that we reclaim our position, this is why you can see Ambassador Albert Muchanga, here in Addis Ababa at the African Union,” he said.
Signing ceremony of the grain export deal with East Africa
Zambia signed trade contracts worth US $100 million with grain traders from eastern Africa on Thursday for the export of 382,640 metric tonnes white maize, soyabeans and other grains.
The deals were sealed in Lusaka during a regional Trade Facilitation Forum organised by the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) in collaboration with Zambia Commodity Exchange (ZAMACE), with support of USAID’s East Africa Trade and Investment Hub and USAID’s Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub.
The forum brought together over 195 sellers and buyers of maize, soya beans, common beans, millet and other grain commodities from, Burundi, Malawi, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Currently, the Eastern Africa region is suffering an acute shortage of food grains, including maize and soybeans following poor harvest resulting from erratic rains experienced during the planting season in 2016.
Southern Africa on the other hand is currently facing a more positive outlook for food production.
Production prospects in 2017 for key food staples in Zambia, particularly maize, are quite favourable, with the country expected to record sufficient tradeable surplus this year of 3.2 million tonnes.
The Zambian government, which lifted a ban on maize exports in May, announced on Thursday the scrapping of a 10 percent tax on maize exports to make local producers more competitive to penetrate regional markets.
“As a government we declare that we will no longer have any export bans and we announce the removal of 10 per cent export tax on all grain commodities,” minister of finance, Mr Felix Mutati said.
He also said the government would ensure the simplification of export processes, and work with all governments in the region to support regional trade and to reduce on the rules on the certificate of origin.
And ZAMACE Executive Director, Mr Jacob Mwale, said the Commodity Exchange was committed to support the buyers and sellers through the provision of a trade platform, which includes buying and selling of commodities, ensuring compliance to industry acceptable Grades and Standards as well as coordinating the Zambian Commodities Futures Contract and providing market information.
“ZAMACE is committed to provide warehouse certification services and the issuance of negotiable warehouse receipts to the stakeholders,” he said.
Mr. Yohaness Assefa, Director in charge of Agriculture and Agribusiness with the East Africa Trade and Investment Hub project, was pleased that the forum had resulted in significant regional trade in staple foods by linking Zambian suppliers with buyers from East Africa to improve the food security outlook in the EAC region.
“Thanks to the hard work of EAGC and ZAMACE, our regional partners, 1.3 Million families in the EAC region will have access to affordable staple foods as a result of the over 380,000MT grains traded today,” he said.
Mr. Gerald Masila, the EAGC Executive Director said the Council would continue to engage the Zambian government to create mutually agreed mechanisms to facilitate trade between Zambia and eastern and southern African countries for the successful execution of trade agreements and optimal benefits of contracting parties.
He also called on policy makers and private sector actors to work together to reduce barriers to grain trade for the realisation of economic growth and increased productivity.
Since 2011, Musika supported the establishment of ZAMACE by providing technical assistance and financial support to maintain and develop its operations and also provided technical support to Zambia National Farmers’ Union and Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ) in promoting greater private sector participation in grain marketing by smallholders.
Zambia has resolved to maintain its membership with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Minister of Justice Given Lubinda has said that over 91 percent of the 3,489 submissions made in the 30 districts across the country were against the pull out.
Mr. Lubinda has told Parliament that the public consultation which commenced on March 27th and concluded on April 20th involved written and oral submissions by Civil Society Organizations and private individuals among other stakeholders.
The Minister said stakeholders in their submissions noted that Zambia needs to make its own decision as a sovereign state and not be forced by other countries.
He said government will inform the African Union Heads of State Summit on its outcome when the matter comes up at the Summit slated for next month in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
Mr. Lubinda said the consultative process came after President Edgar Lungu refused to commit Zambia to the withdrawal after the 28th AU summit in January this year resolved a non-binding recommendation to pull out of the ICC citing its impartiality.
He has assured Zambians that government will continue consulting the masses before making key decisions.
Mr. Lubinda has thanked Zambians for their commitment to national matters.
He said the decision is a clarion call to those anticipating to commit crimes that may not be reached by the local laws that the ICC would reach them.
The annual rate of inflation for the month of June has increased to 6.8 percent from last month’s 6.5 percent.
Central Statistical Office Director John Kalumbi has attributed the increase to adjustments in electricity tariffs.
Mr. Kalumbi said of the total 6.8 percent annual rate recorded in June 2017, food and non -alcoholic beverages accounted for 3.1 percent points, while non-food items accounted for 3.7 percentage points.
And Mr. Kalumbi said Zambia’s economy in the first quarter of this year grew by 3 percent.
He said among the sectors that contributed to the growth of the economy in the first quarter of 2017 is the electricity generation which grew highest at 25. 6 per cent.
He said the agriculture, forestry and fishing also contributed to the growth.
President Edgar Lungu came into office as poor as a poor person but he is now a millionaire, says Mike Mulongoti.
Mulongoti said President Lungu’s attempt to legitimise his stay in office by lining up African heads of State was simply another way of abusing public funds by his government.
He said moving a Head of State had huge financial implications attached to it.
Mulongoti said the PF government’s resolve to invite various African presidents to Zambia under the pretext of cementing relations had a direct bearing on the Zambia economy.
“They are using the same money they took out from subsidies to lavish their friends. I have been in government, I understand these things. Why can’t they go and seek the attention of the Western world who have got money?” Mulongoti asked.
He said it was difficult to understand what economic benefits inviting African heads of State had to the country apart from looting from the suffering majority in the country.
“For instance, they insist on cementing relations with countries like Togo, Madagascar and so on, it’s really difficult to understand…what are the economic benefits?” he said.
Meanwhile Mr. Mulongoti says Edgar Lungu does not care about poor people suffering because he is now a millionaire.
“His interest is not serving the poor people but enriching himself and friends. He came to state house a poor man like a church mouse, he had no house or anything to point at, now he is swimming in a pool of money, he is no longer that poor boy from Chawama so he has nothing to lose” he said.
Zambia Society for Public Administration (ZSPA) President Kelvin Esiasa has commended President Edgar Chagwa Lungu for allowing Vice President Inonge Mutukwa Wina to host a meeting with Religious leaders.
In a statement unveiled to the Media, Mr. Esiasa expressed optimism that the outcome of the meeting with religious leaders will yield positive results and believes that a number of issues were resolved.
Mr. Esiasa has since urged Zambians to stay calm as one people and continue living in harmony, stressing the need to stop throwing stones or insulting each other or even pushing each other against the wall trying to belittle each other in a Christian Nation.
And Mr. Esiasa has advised that when church leaders raises some issues pertaining National leadership, it is imperative that the leadership quickly find time for them to discuss and resolve the matters like Inonge Mutukwa Wina the Vice President did recently because dialogue is the only key to resolve any dispute.
Meanwhile, Mr. Esiasa has appealed to the Vice President Inonge Wina to publish the resolutions from the discussions she had with the Bishops for the general public to know and understand what transpired in the meeting because it is vital for them to be availed with that information.
“As ZSPA, we would also like to appeal to the Patriotic Front (PF) to restrain from insulting or belittling the Bishops especially from the Catholic Church”
“We need to understand that the catholic Bishops have been part and parcel of peace building in this country. If we follow our History carefully, we will find that they have helped to build Zambia at all times”
“This is not the first time that they have come out so strongly, but it is one of the many times. So it is important that we respect the Bishops and give them the support they need and an ear when they speak. Let us listen to them and ensure that we follow through to what they say” Esiasa said
And ZSPA President Kelvin Esiasa also appealed to the Patriotic Front (PF) to speak with one voice, affirming that it is now the party in Government is not speaking with one voice.
He said it is important that the PF clearly defines the role of the Media Director Sunday Chanda and Mr. Esiasa demanded that the PF should clearly tell Zambians if Mr. Chanda is the official Spokesperson of the Party or his role his role is to guide the members of the party concerning media activities and their role in the media.
“The roles should be clearly defined to provide us with a sense of direction; because of late he has been issuing statements that are creating discomfort and provoking colleagues or the people from the opposition. A clear road map needs to be provided to avoid this confusion”
“To the United Party for National Development (UPND), We appeal to them to tone down and see how best they can assist this country in building peace. Of Course they are aggrieved because their leader is in Prison, but it is important that they tone down for the good of the people”
“The Judiciary to Speed up Political Trials and We are also appealing to the Judiciary that whenever they are trying political cases or political related matters they should speed up the process because many are the times that we have seen that any case that is related to political activities creates tension in the country” Esiasa said
