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Vincent Mwale (right) and Presidential Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda
Local government Minister Vincent Mwale has told parliament that the cause of the fire that gutted City market is not yet established, contrary to Edgar Lungu’s Press Aide Amos Chanda who claimed that arson was the cause.
And Mwale has stated that the market will take over a year to rebuild and not six weeks as earlier reported.
Mwale said in a Ministerial Statement today that investigations on the cause of the fire are still ongoing by a joint team of investigative wings.
Amos Chanda recently issued a statement that preliminary investigations had established that the cause of the fire was arson.
And Mwale has stated that the market will take over a year to rebuild and not six weeks as reported by the PF controlled ZNBC.
He said 20 million US dollars will be needed to reconstruct the market, the same amount that the government wants to spend on building a new State House.
Emmanuel Mwamba listens to a representative of NUMSA
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba has said Zambia has a fearless, vocal and active labour movement to deal with any matter regarding the governance of the country.
He said the country’s labour movement had played a key role in the liberation of Southern Africa and was also instrumental in the democratization of Africa.
Speaking when he received a memorandum of demands from the National Union of Metal Workers in South Africa(NUMSA), Mr. Mwamba said the concern of the Union were misplaced and founded on distorted media reports.
He said the labour movement in Zambia was capable to handle any threats to democracy or the rule of law.
He urged NUMSA to concentrate on the issues affecting their workers and the country of South Africa before they can show solidarity to misguided causes.
He said Zambia was at peace and its democratic processes were not threatened in any way.
He also dismissed allegations that the country had slid into a dictatorship.
He said the recent proclamation by President Edgar Lungu was designed to arrest and deter threats to peace and public safety and was NOT a state of emergency in any way.
NUMSA applied to local police and conducted a picket at the Embassy in Pretoria.
The Union also delivered a memorandum of demands.
Emmanuel Mwamba speaking when he received a memorandum of demands NUMSA
Below is the full statement by His Excellency Mr. Mwamba
STATEMENT DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR. EMMANUEL MWAMBA ON THE OCCASION OF RECEIVING NUMSA’s MEMORANDUM OF DEMANDS TO THE ZAMBIA GOVERNMENT
PRETORIA-TUESDAY 11th July 2017
We are rather surprised by the keen interest so far shown by the National Union of Metal Workers in South Africa(NUMSA) in the democratic process of our country.
It should be noted that Zambia has a vibrant, vocal, fearless and active labour movement that champions the cause of workers and advocates a healthy and rooted practice of democracy.
It should be noted that our labour movement was deeply involved in the liberation of Southern Africa and relentlessly fought against the shackles of colonialism and its offshoots such as racism, apartheid and Neo-colonialism.
Our Labour movement was also at the forefront of restoring a second wave of Democracy in Africa and even helped usher in a labour leader, Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba as Zambia’s second president of the Republic after Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda.
Therefore, if anything was amiss in our country, you would have loudly heard the voices of our labour movement.
However, notwithstanding the above prevailing matter, we wish to state the following:
1. Our country held elections on 11th August 2016. These elections and the outcome was affirmed as free, fair and credible. The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) declared President Edgar Lungu as winner of that election. Reports from the SADC, EISA, African Union, Commonwealth, the European Union Observer Mission’s all reflected that the outcome of the August 2016 election reflected the will of the Zambian people;
2. That President Edgar Lungu won the elections and is legitimately and legally the President of the Republic of Zambia.
3. Although the Opposition disputed the results and went to the Constitutional Court, this matter was legally settled in favour of President Edgar Lungu.
4. In relation to the arrest of the Opposition leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND) is a matter of the Rule of Law. This matter will be determined in our courts of law and any further comments is both prejudicial and subjudice.
5. Recently there were acts of sabotage and acts of arson to public installations that prompted President Edgar Lungu and his Cabinet to approve a proclamation to preserve public security and safety.
6. I was shocked to see in the Media here in South Africa reporting that Zambia had declared a State of Emergency when in fact no such declaration was made.
7. There is NO State of emergency. This is not true. There are no curfews, there is no disruption of ordinary life and business in any way and in any form.
8. Banks have maintained their operating schedules, no single airline has cancelled a flight schedule including those that arrive in the night.
9. No freedoms or rights have been suspended and the measure to secure public safety is a measure provided for in the Constitution. There is NO State of Emergency.
10. This is a mere set of constitutionally approved powers that gives the Police latitude to investigate and prosecute such matters.
11. Any country facing a security threat resorts to similar measures. But our country is not at a stage where it would even declare a state of emergency.
These measures are limited and will last in the short prescribed period as defined by the Constitution.
Conclusion
So we strongly reject any assertions that claim that Zambia is sliding into a dictatorship or has abandoned the rule of law.
His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Pretoria
President Lungu Speaking to the Inspector general of Police
President Edgar Lungu says the Inspector General of Police has the responsibility to inform the nation on investigations into the destruction of private and public property recorded in the recent past.
President Lungu says this is because the Police Chief is a custodian of security issues.
He was speaking during an interview with journalists who wanted to know if there are people arrested in connection with the arson cases.
The president has left for Livingstone where he is expected to grace a series of official engagements.
Among the programmes he will attend to is to officially open an International Conference on Geology, Mining, Mineral and Ground Water of Sub-Saharan Africa.
The conference will run together with the International Association for Engineering Geology Africa Regional meeting.
Later, President Lungu will fly to Chief Chikanta in Kalomo District where he will commission the construction of the Dundumwezi-Kalomo road and return to Livingstone on the same day.
On Wednesday, President Lungu will officially open the Association of Power Utilities of Africa 19th Congress hosted by ZESCO before returning to Lusaka.
President Edgar Lungu(l) confers with the Vice President Inonge Wina(r) at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport before departure for LesothoVice President Inonge Wina is on Tuesday expected to table a motion in Parliament seeking the approval and extension of President Edgar Lungu’s invocation of article 31 in the Zambian constitution addressing the security situation in the Country.
Parliamentary Chief Whip Richard Musukwa has confirmed this in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka today.
The Parliamentary Chief Whip has since ordered Members of Parliament to attend and vote for the extension of the Invocation of article 31 by President Edgar Lungu. Mr. Musukwa said that he expected all MPs to support the motion.
Mr. Musukwa told ZNBC News in Lusaka that President Lungu and the security wings need to be given enough power to deal with trouble makers.
He said Parliament will not seat and watch people destroying public and private property with impunity.
Mr. Musukwa said Parliament will extend the invocation of Article 31 by three months.
And Minister of Justice Given Lubinda has said that President Edgar Lungu has continued to uphold the country`s democratic tenets. Mr. Lubinda explained that President Lungu made consultations before invoking article 31 of the constitution.
Mr. Lubinda said that this was a clear demonstration that the President is a true democrat. The minister said that all law abiding citizens have nothing to worry about the invocation of article 31 of the republican constitution as the President has only done so to safeguard people`s lives and property.
Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Given Lubinda has challenged lawyers in the country to confidently defend the truth as they execute their duties.
Mr. Lubinda says lawyers should consider building a career as advocates with exceptional oral skills to achieve efficiency and reliability in the state’s legal affairs.
He was speaking when he officiated at a three-day conference of western Attorneys General in Lusaka today.
Mr. Lubinda said the country needs legal minds that will adequately promote justice and at the same time protect the interest of the state in legal matters.
He has called on state advocates to take advantage of the opportunity and derive the required skills from the training.
Mr. Lubinda was speaking during a special interview on ZNBC TV 1.
Presidential Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations has said there is only one Movement for Multiparty for Democracy (MMD) and its President is Felix Mutati who, with members of his party helped the PF to secure victory in the 2016 August polls after endorsing the candidature of President Edgar Lungu.
Speaking when he featured on ‘The Oxygen of Democracy’ interactive program on Prime TV , Presidential Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda said there is a court order indicating that President Mutati was the MMD leader and that the other gentleman was just masquerading for the purposes of the media.
“There is a court order saying that Felix Mutati is the President of the MMD, if the other gentleman is masquerading while for the purpose of the media you can quote him but for our purpose and the law there is only one party President,” Mr Chanda said.
And when asked if the PF was in a coalition government with the former ruling party Mr Chanda said there was no coalition government but that the PF was working with the MMD because it endorsed the candidature of President Edgar Lungu.
“There is no coalition government, there is the PF government. The MMD decided that they were going to endorse the candidature of President Edgar Lungu after their convention so among the MMD members some people have been appointed as ministers.
Mr Chanda said There is a frame work of cooperation but it’s not a coalition government, but the PF government invited the MMD and some of its people to serve as ministers among them is the Minister of Finance Mr Felix Mutati.
Last week President Lungu told the media during a press conference that the 50%+1 meant that the winner takes all and that his party would not be forced into a coalition government because they had already shared power with the MMD which helped them win the election.
Mr Lungu said he was ushered into power with the help and no other party can share power with his party.
“Unless you want to change the rules you can change now, but for us here, the Constitution says 50 plus, you have made it, you can form government and that’s what we have done. We have been very inclusive in the formation of government,” he said
The President said there is no room for government of national unity in Zambia.
Minister of home Affairs Steven Kampyongo last evening went on National Television with lies aimed at defaming my name and character.
He told the nation that they have evidence linking me to city Market inferno because I cerebrated and posted something immediately city market was gutted. Again I wish to put this clearly to the public that at no time did I post anything about City Market fire.
UK is 2hours behind Zambia, so it was about 03:00 UK time or 5:00AM Zambian time when city market was burnt.
I only came to learn of the city market inferno after the UPND Media Team contacted me in the morning that Kampyongo told marketeers at city market 13minutes after the fire that one Larry Mweetwa was the mastermind and this was followed by a media statement by Our mother ba Mumbi Phiri-PF deputy spokes person accusing me of having a hand in the burning of city market.
Upon receiving this news I put up a press statement vehemently denying the accusations as I posted nothing related to the burning of the market.
Later in the day I called my cousin who was running my T shirt screen printing business at city Market to find out the safety of our machines and he told me everything was destroyed.
I set up the T-Shirt printing Services purely to assist upnd Candidates especially councillors with limited resources to offer nearly free services to support our great party upnd. All that was destroyed and I can never rejoice to see such damage affecting million lives.
Pre emptying KAMPYONGO!
1. The picture and image Kampyongo is cheating the nation to defame me was initially circulated on social media by Kwacha times a PF propaganda mouth piece.
2.The account is Fake and was created by PF. instead of putting city Market images they put Kamwala Market! Can you see how dull your ministers are?
3. The 6hours time difference when the post was made and the gutting of city market does not match with uk time zone and the time of the inferno.
4. The daily mail further defamed me in their article saying I applauded the burning of Lusaka city market shortly after it started, that is a total fabrication, when in the actual sense I offered sympathy and prayers to our brothers and sisters who lost property in the inferno.
5. In UK we don’t use 3G but 4G gsm and no double sim. The post was fabricated by Mr.Kampyongo.
When a witch doctor fails to remove evil spirits from his patient, he will ask them to bring a dog’s horn. PF should first admit that they failed to offer protection and security of the market. And what Zambians need are answers not shifting the blame on innocent citizens.
What role do carders play in keeping vigil of city market since they are neither police nor armcor?
Why did it take 13 minutes for PF to know who burnt the market? Do they know something we don’t know?
Why didn’t the minister allow the police to carry out a thorough investigation before making unsubstantiated conclusion and worse off skewing the outcome by directing the IG to hunt for me.
Surely, the Zambian government will pay heavily in billions for this character assassination and defamation of my name.
Here below is the statement I posted when city Market was gutted and this is the only post I made regarding the inferno.
I therefore ask all well meaning Zambians to ignore the rantings from this taka taka minister Kampyongo and Our Mother Mumbi Phiri.
Press Statement
For immediate release.
04/07/2017
RE:FAKE POST BEING CIRCULATED ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY PF CARDERS ON BURNING OF SOWETO MARKET.
_________________________
I would like to inform the public that the post circulating on social media attributed to me is fake news and has nothing to do with Soweto market.
This is an attempt by PF to avoid responsibility, shift blame and minimise the damage they have caused on innocent citizens of this great nation.
Kindly when you see such fake post from PF, take time and look at the two images they are totally different.
Our prayers are with the people of Zambia who have lost property and income.
FILE: Heritage Party leader Brigadier Godfrey Miyanda holds a note and pen during the meeting to demand for the release of the draft Zambia constitution
OPEN LETTER TO THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA!
[By Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda – 9th July 2017]
APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT
The invoking of Article 31 by the Republican President as the cure for the fires that have occurred in some parts of the country is a rushed and misplaced option. I urge the Republican President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, in conjunction with the Right Honourable Mr Speaker, to suspend tabling and/or debating in the National Assembly the Statutory Instrument invoking Article 31 of the Republican Constitution. The Government has not exhausted operational methods for dealing with crimes that already exist under current laws. I call upon the President to meet with fellow leaders of political parties to brief and exchange views about the state of the nation. We are not his enemies nor enemies of the country; it is all our country and we have a right to be better informed so that if need be, we may then support the actions of the President. His Presidency does NOT exist in a vacuum nor is it a partisan assignment. At the moment there are no credible conclusive facts that support the invoking of Article 31 which may tend to curtail citizens’ rights. The issue here has nothing to do with challenging his Constitutional powers; the issue is that the decision is premature. If his rationale is accepted it will set a precedent where future Presidents would wake up one day and declare a state of war against a neighbouring country, without investigation, just because they heard some blank rounds fired close to our border!
I opine that under our written Constitution, as opposed to the unwritten English Constitution, it is unconstitutional to remove from office, even temporarily by suspension, elected Members of Parliament (MPs) whose primary role is to keep the Executive in check. MPs carry out this function by speaking in the House; this is their primary and fundamental role, the ONLY role if may say so – and people must hear them debate to believe that their interests are being addressed. Boycotts are part of the conversation!
The Right Honourable Mr Speaker’s Order suspending the 48 UPND elected MPs is unprecedented in the parliamentary history of Zambia and possibly in the whole Commonwealth. Since the thrust of the matters that led to the Speaker’s finding that there was a prima facie case of contempt, as well as his Order of Suspension of the 48 Members of Parliament, concerned partly the Speaker himself and partly his doyen, the Republican President, it is my view that the Speaker should have recused himself (Natural Justice) from presiding over the proceedings arising from the unprecedented myriad of points of order, some of them clearly vexatious and partisan. The Constitution as amended provides for the presence in the National Assembly of 156 elected MPs at all times. Suspending 48 MPs is akin to removing them from the House, albeit temporarily. The Constitution itself provides for how an MP may be removed or prevented from participating in the business of the House. But there is provision for MPs to be absent with leave. I contend that those who breach any rules should merely be punished by a fine or a reprimand. I further contend that the Standing Orders cannot and must not include suspension of MPs as this is tantamount to removing an elected MP.
I say that the intention of Parliament in establishing the presence of the 156 elected MPs, including those from Opposition political parties, is to ensure that the Executive does not ride roughshod over the Legislative Assembly. The MPs must also be available and open-minded to receive alternative views for their consideration, especially on contentious issues that may tend to infringe citizens’ human rights. The Standing Orders are merely administrative regulations for administrative convenience. Thus such Orders should NOT themselves usurp Constitutional safeguards entrenching the democratic system of citizens electing their representatives; debate and legislation of serious and contentious laws should precede such decisions by the whole House. To this end I recommend that if the Speaker considers that debate should go ahead, he should reschedule the debate until after the 48 MPs have returned to the House. It is imperative that, if not withdrawn, the Statutory Instrument be subjected to a robust debate by most, if not all, MPs and especially by those questioning the President’s allegations or pre-determined stance.
To hear the Minister of Home Affairs, a senior PF official, liken the National Assembly to a soccer team which must continue to “play” even when several players have been sent off the field of play depicts a lack of understanding the serious role of Parliament and is the gravest assault by a member of the Executive on our system of democratic governance which is well enshrined in the Constitution and is reinforced by the values I have reproduced herein.
INVOKING ARTICLE 31 IS PREMATURE
The President’s invoking of Article 31 is premature. Long before the fires that have been used as the grounds for invoking Article 31, President Lungu had hinted that he was considering declaring a State of Emergency which he said, inter alia, could target some specified region which he did not reveal. At the time he was saying this, the City Market and Misisi fires had not yet happened.
There are more than a dozen pieces of legislation which have a bearing on the security of the State which should have been relied on BEFORE the President conjured up this S.I. scheme. These pieces of legislation cover, inter alia, the powers which have not been carried out, such as the power to investigate and prosecute crimes under the penal code, power generally to preserve public order or to deal with espionage, sabotage and other activities prejudicial to the interests of the State. They also have power to regulate and/or control the manufacture, use, possession, storage, importation, exportation and transportation and even power to control and regulate the funding of organisations by foreign governments.
Some of these powers exist without the need to invoke Articles 30 and/or 31. If, as it appears, our security services have failed, how will they do so now under the pressure of perceived “local terrorists” announced by politicians? To pay heed to unverified allegations is not the procedural way to invoke Article 31. Instead the President must let the current system of managing security issues to run its course. Although this system may have collapsed that is not the reason why the President should look for excuses to bypass the professionals (the Fire Brigade, the Police, the Defence and Security organs, etc).
It is not wrong for our people to begin asking or demanding of our leaders in government to provide clarity and justification for their actions. After all much has been made of our wonderful values that have been signed into our Constitution by the President with fanfare. Lest we forget, these include Morality and Ethics, Patriotism and National Unity, Democracy and Constitutionalism, Human Dignity, Equity, Social Justice, Equality and Non-Discrimination, Good Governance and Integrity and Sustainable Development. These values and principles were reaffirmed by the Republican President by signing them into the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act 2 of 2016. I believe and expect that all those in public office today and all who aspire to public office understand them. Suffice to say that these values are not meant to be decorations in office and home libraries but are meant to be applied and practised, lest we all qualify to be labelled hypocrites.
I am NOT saying that the barbaric actions by whoever are not real. I am saying that the action by the President is premature and has gone overboard. I was part of the MMD team in 1990/91 that had in its manifesto the removal of the One Party State and the expunging from our statute books of the longest State of Emergency we have ever had. That state of emergency lasted for close to 30 years, repeat, close to 30 years from the time the Colonial Regime declared it in 1964 to address the Lenshina uprising but the MMD succeeded in removing it, thanks to Dr Chiluba and his team at that time of dedicated democrats. So now what guarantee is there that this one, which has been creeping in slowly, will not be maintained until 2021 which some people are worried about or beyond 2021 to 2064? Because elections can be suspended when people are either desperate or are scared of their own shadow!
On my part I wish no ill for my country and Government but I continue to be a vigilant patriotic Zambian. However patriotism does not mean blind loyalty or condoning conduct that is less than noble, especially if accompanied by dictatorial tendencies, half-truths and actions that disregard the same values on which our nation is founded.
GODFREY MIYANDA, BRIGADIER GENERAL, CONCERNED ZAMBIAN [9TH JULY 2017]
The Zumbu District Administration in Mozambique of neighbouring Luangwa District in
Zambia has stopped all Zambian fish traders and other nationals to stop buying fish beyond their District with effect from 15th July, 2017 and any foreign national who will be found will face their wrath.
Zumbu District Administrator, Antonio John Mayozo and a senior team of his officials told Luangwa District Commissioner, Ngoni Moyo who led a team of some Government Heads of Departments during a meeting held at Zumbu in Mozambique over the weekend that they will not allow any Zambian or any foreign fish trader to go beyond their District after 15th July, 2017 .
He said all Zambians and foreigners who are beyond Zumbu buying fish to come out before the deadline or they would face the law.
Mr Mayozo said all the people that want to buy fish in Mozambique would be buying fish at Zumbu and anyone who goes beyond will face the wrath oftheir law.
But Luangwa District Comissioner (DC) Ngoni Moyo and his delegation wondered if this was the case with other Mozambique entry points saying the two neighbouring countries of Zambia and Mozambique have shared mutual bilateral relations ever since and have been trying to
promote trade between the two countries and what the Zumbu
Administration wants to do is not in line of promoting trade between the
two Districts and countries.
Mr Moyo said the two bordering Districts have shared mutual understanding from the time of the first founding presidents of Zambiaand Mozambique.
He said the move taken by the Zumbu Administration was not in line with what the forefathers wanted to achieve.
The DC, however said the District will abide what they put in place and he will take themessage to Zambian fish traders who trade in that District about the
move and hoped that it will not destroy the cordial relationship that
has existed between the two Districts.
Meanwhile Zambian Fish traders have called on the Luangwa District
Administration to follow up the matter as this was the first time that
they were hearing of a bordering District putting up such laws as
trading in other country is not restricted on legal goods.
Speaking on behalf of other fish traders during a meeting with the
DC and other Government officials at the confluence
of the Luangwa and Zambezi rivers after the meeting with the Zumbu
Officials, Ben Ndhlovu a fish trader said the move taken by the Zumbu
Administration will affect trade between the two bordering Districts
and appealed to the Luangwa District Administration to follow up the
matter.
Mr Ndhlovu said most Zambians and Mozambique people were benefiting
from each other to improve their livehood and this move will affect
both negatively.
The Luangwa District Administration, however, appealed to the fish
traders to abide by the law that the Zumbu Administration has put in
place and stop going beyond that District to buy fish as they were
still pursuing the issue.
The delegation that had accompanied the DC included
the District Council Chairman, District PF Chairman among some
District Heads of Government Departments and PF District officials
expressed worry and concern at the move taken by the Zumbu
Administration that it might negatively impact on the trade relations
between the two bordering districts.
MMD National Secretary Mr Raphael Nakacinda is currently in Niger attending a media interactive forum for the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP). The Patriotic Front-PF is represented by Sunday Chanda thier Media Director. The forum is being held in Niamey Niger at Gawey Hotel.
MMD National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda says his party has been elected as Executive Member to the Council of African Political Parties Media Forum.
Speaking in an interview from Niamey, Niger were he attended the consultative forum over the weekend Mr Nakacinda, said his party was honoured to have been elected and urged Zambians to guard the respect they have earned on the continent as regards political stability.
He urged politicians to stop washing their dirty linen in foreign lands as that will only destroy the reputation country has earned for herself on the continent.
“As MMD we are honored to have been recognised and elected as an Executive Member to the forum. The continent continues to place Zambia highly in terms of her being among pioneers of the fight for Independence, the Introduction of Plural Democracy and Good Governance, a country that has seen smooth transition and exchange of power.
“Therefore, there is no need for us with our own hands if not stupidity to destroy this hard earned Reputation, Admiration and Respect! Let’s us all strive towards causing our flag to continue flying higher. No need to wash dirty linen in foreign lands,” he noted.
Mr Nakacinda who attended the forum with PF’s Sunday Chanda who represented thier Secretary General Mr Davies Mwila, also said there was no need to be rigid on positions so as to build the country.
“People were amazed to see a former ruling party cooperating with the current ruling party that defeated us in 2011, all in the interest of nation building.
“What effects change are simple virtues like positive attitude towards one another, love, respect, loyalty and patriotism. These virtues we must fight to preserve in our great country a rigid position of defiance is as dangerous as the acts of deceit through patronage to those in leadership. Let us make effort to trade with truth and not appeasement
MMD National Secretary Mr Raphael Nakacinda is currently in Niger attending a media interactive forum for the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP). The Patriotic Front-PF is represented by Sunday Chanda thier Media Director. The forum is being held in Niamey Niger at Gawey Hotel.MMD National Secretary Mr Raphael Nakacinda is currently in Niger attending a media interactive forum for the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP). The Patriotic Front-PF is represented by Sunday Chanda thier Media Director. The forum is being held in Niamey Niger at Gawey Hotel.MMD National Secretary Mr Raphael Nakacinda is currently in Niger attending a media interactive forum for the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP). The Patriotic Front-PF is represented by Sunday Chanda thier Media Director. The forum is being held in Niamey Niger at Gawey Hotel.
SOME Trucks loaded with fresh fish impounded at Kasungula border post.
OVER K 1.8 MILLION worth of fish bought by 30 Zambian cross-border traders into Botswana went to waste in March after the four truckload were not allowed to leave Botswana.
The four trucks, which were loaded with fresh fish coming from Botswana to Zambia, were not allowed to cross by the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism Tsekhedi Khama, a young brother of Botswana’s Government President Khama.
A representative of 30 Zambian traders Gift Mutambo said the traders’ are appealing to the First Lady Easter Lungu and the vice President Inonge Wina to come to their aide over the fish that there destroyed as they have no means of looking after themselves and sending their children to school.
Ms Mutambo said while in Botswana the traders reported their predicament to the Zambian authorities in Botswana to the ambassador Patrick Tembo to help them persuade the Botswana Government to release their fish, but that did not workout.
“This was fresh fish when we bought on 26th March this year and this is now July. We were not surprised that we found it rotten and could not be sold even if it is given back to us now. But even in that condition, the Botswana government has refused to surrender the fish, having vowed that it will all be set on fire in Botswana,” Ms Mutambo narrated.
She said according to the traders, each truck carried about 30 bundles of fish worth about K15,000 per bundle. The four trucks were therefore carrying K 1.8 million of fresh fish.
Ms Mutambo said no reason was given to anyone of the 30 traders for impounding their fish.
“This has been a puzzle to us. Some of us have been buying fish from Botswana since 2011. There was nothing illegal we did. We bought the fish at Sitwa Market in the usual way and no one told us we were doing anything wrong. All of a sudden, we just heard that all our fish was impounded!” she said.
Ms Mutambo said she spent K20,00, Leah Mulenga also spent K20,000 and Sarah Mwila spent the same amount while Mr Nyambe spent K60,000.
Mr Tembo allegedly told some of the traders in Kazungula two weeks ago that he was unable to help them because Mr Khama had totally refused to release the fish and said he had exhausted all channels open to him to persuade the minister to allow the 30 Zambian traders cross the border back into Zambia with their fish, but to no avail.
He said two weeks ago, the Botswana Government had permitted the four truckloads of fish to cross into Zambia but as soon as Mr Khama learnt about it, he ordered Botswana customs and security officers to follow the trucks into Zambia and ensure they got back into Botswana.
Mr Tembo said when the fish re-entered Botswana, MrKhama allegedly gave orders to off-load all the four trucks and destroy the fish. The fish was off-loaded from the trucks last week but when checked by the traders, it was found to be completely rotten.
One trader, Mr Chongo of Lusaka had obtained a loan of K 100,000 all of which he used to buy the fish. Another trader, Charity Bwalya also got a loan of K 60,000 and used all the money to buy the fish. Others spent all their life savings on the fish.
“Others have spent since we worked very hard to acquire the monies we ended up spending money on this fish, now it is all gone and we have no one to help us even with a little to start all over again, we also call upon Hon Minister Kabanshi to also look into our plight because we just do not know what we are going to do” said Leah Mulenga.
SOME Trucks loaded with fresh fish impounded at Kasungula border post.SOME Trucks loaded with fresh fish impounded at Kasungula border post.
President Edgar Lungu addressing Chisokone marketeers during the officially open a shelter at Chisokone main market in NdolaPresident Edgar Lungu has committed himself to securing K1.5 million required for the Kitwe City Council (KCC) to construct a trading shelter that can accommodate about 2,000 traders at Chisokone A market in Kitwe.
During the opening of a trading shelter at Chisokone market on Saturday, President Lungu regretted the death of a female street vendor who was allegedly battered by police officers from KCC and assured that Government would find resources to enable the council to construct decent trading places for vendors.
Kitwe mayor Christopher Kang’ombe confirmed in an interview yesterday that President Lungu assured him that he would instruct the Ministry of Finance to look for K1.5 million for the construction of a market shelter for vendors.
“The President asked me how much we need to complete the new street vendors’ shelter and I responded that based on the bill of quantities we submitted to the Ministry of Local Government, about K1.5 million will help the local authority cast three slabs and a shelter for street vendors to permanently trade in,” Mr Kangómbe said.
He said the trading shelter is meant to accommodate street vendors that were removed from the streets earlier in the year.
And Kitwe town clerk Bornwell Luanga said the council is happy with President Lungu’s assurance that he will source funds for the shelter.
Meanwhile, United Street Vendors Foundation (USVF) in Kitwe has commended President Lungu for directing local authorities to first find alternative space to relocate vendors before removing them from the streets.
USVF Kitwe district coordinator Paul Mambwe said in an interview yesterday that President Lungu has demonstrated that he is a father of the destitute by listening to the cries of the street vendors.
“President Lungu is a father to us, the street vendors. We are happy that he touched on this important issue of street vending when he came to Chisokone market on Saturday,” Mr Mambwe said.
Bank of Zambia Governor Denny KalyalyaTHE Bank of Zambia (BoZ) says the over-subscription o f Government securities is an indication that investors consider Zambia as a safe haven.
The central bank has also allayed fears by some sectors that the country will default the Eurobonds when they mature in 2022, 2024 and 2027 as Government has been up to date with payment of interest.
BoZ governor Denny Kalyalya said in an interview recently that Government bonds and treasury bills have continued to attract investors, with the development impacting positively on economic indicators such as the exchange rate.
On June 30 and July 6, 2017, the bonds and treasury bills were auctioned with Government bonds receiving bids amounting to K2.1 billion against an offer of K1 billion.
“We had a bond rate which was over-subscribed and the yield rates have come down, which is a good sign.
“Now, we do not have Government papers above 20 percent.That is important because it means that if Government borrowing is at a cheaper level, it will spread to other sectors,” he said.
Dr Kalyalya said the participation on the market by investors will bring in foreign exchange, which will make the local unit gain value.
On the repayment of the Eurobonds, Dr Kalyalya said the country will fulfil its obligations.
“We are taking measures to ensure that we do not default. Right now, we are paying interest on the loans. We pay twice per year for the three bonds and the total annual payment is about US$237 million,” he said.
He said Government may consider refinancing the bonds, which is one measure of managing debt.
“Debt refinancing is one possibility. A country can substitute expensive debt with cheaper one, so, if the economic conditions continue to improve, it means we could refinance the debt at a cheaper cost,” he said.
THE COMMITTEE of ministers appointed by President Lungu to look into the rebuilding of Lusaka City Market has resolved that the trading place be rebuilt in six weeks.
The reconstruction of the country’s biggest market will be led by Zambia National Service (ZNS) in collaboration with the Lusaka City Council (LCC), and the business community.
The committee, chaired by Vice-President Inonge Wina, has also resolved that during the reconstruction of the market, the 1,902 traders whose shops were gutted will use Soweto market as an alternative trading site.
This is contained in a communiqué released yesterday by permanent secretary in charge of administration at the Vice-President’s office Stephen Mwansa.
The committee, which was established by President Lungu, held discussions covering matters connected to recent fires including the gutting of Lusaka City Market and came up with nine resolutions, among them, opening an account where donors and well-wishers can deposit funds for the reconstruction of the market.
The account will be housed at the Bank of Zambia for transparency sake, while deposits can also be made at various commercial banks to be announced soon, the communiqué reads in part.
The committee also resolved to arrange a breakfast meeting to launch the ‘Build back better’ campaign.
The technical committee will also formulate messages for dissemination regarding the recovery plan to the public by working closely with the media.
The committee also resolved that Government institutions must enhance insurance policies in all properties.
Also resolved is that a technical committee comes up with plans on how to build resilient markets countrywide.
Below is the full communique released
COMMUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUE ON “THE REBUILDING OF CITY MARKET” BY HER HONOUR THE VICE PRESIDENT MRS. INONGE MUTUKWA WINA
10TH JULY 2017 – Lusaka
Upon the appointment of a committee of ministers by his excellency the president mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu following the fire incident that destroyed goods and stalls worth millions of Kwacha at Lusaka’s City market, her honour the Vice President Mrs. Inonge Mutukwa Wina MP, convened and chaired the first committee meeting at cabinet office on Friday 07 July 2017.
The meeting was attended by ministers from the following ministries;
Minister Office Of The Vice President
Minister Local Government And Housing
Minister Commerce, Trade And Industry
Minister Lands And Natural Resources
Minister Home Affairs
Minister Defence
Minister Information And Broadcasting Services
Minister Gender
Permanent Secretary (administration) Office Of The Vice President
Permanent Secretary (parliamentary Business) Office Of The Vice President
National Coordinator Disaster Management And Mitigation Unit
Permanent Secretary Youth, Sport And Child Development
Permanent Secretary Local Government And Housing
Permanent Secretary Defence
Permanent Secretary Commerce, Trade And Industry
Permanent Secretary Home Affairs
Permanent Secretary Community Development
Permanent Secretary Gender
A Representative From The Minister Of Presidential Affairs’ Office
A Representative From The Accountant General’s Office
His Worship The Mayor Of The City Of Lusaka Council
Town Clerk
And other senior government officials
The meeting held exhaustive discussions covering matters connected with or incidental to recent fires, not necessarily restricted to the Lusaka city market fire, and came out with the following resolutions.
An alternative market site to be used while the rebuilding of city market is ongoing has been identified as Soweto market. The option of other possible sites remain open.
The city market to be rebuilt in 6 weeks and the exercise will be led by ZNS and in collaboration with LCC and the business community.
A technical committee consisting government and city council technocrats and city market representatives to be created immediately.
The technical committee to look into a recovery plan by mobilizing resources for relief for the affected marketeers and rehabilitation for the market.
An account to be opened where donors and well-wishers can deposit funds. This account will be housed at the bank of Zambia for transparency. Deposits can also be made at various commercial banks to be announced.
The technical committee to arrange a breakfast meeting to launch the “build back better” campaign.
The technical committee to formulate messages for dissemination regarding the recovery plan to the public by working closely with the media.
Government institutions to enhance insurance policy on all its properties.
The technical committee to come up with plans on how to build resilient markets countrywide.
Stephen Mwansa Permanent Secretary (administration) Office of the Vice-President Independence Avenue P.o.box 50773 Lusaka, zambia
Fwayo Tembo jumps over while looking on are Nigerian players Omeruo Kenneth Josiah (4) and Mikel John Obi (10)Eight players from Zambia’s 2017 Cosafa Cup team have been dropped for this weekends 2018 CHAN away qualifier against Swaziland
Prominent on the list of players dropped for the Swaziland trip are defenders Lawrence Chungu and Webster Mulenga including midfielder Mwila Phiri, who all started in the 3-1 Cosafa Cup final loss to Zimbabwe at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg..
Midfielder Mike Katiba, who got injured in the 39th minute against Zimbabwe and replaced by Lubinda Mundia, has also been dropped.
The 8 have made way for 11 players from Zanaco and Zesco United who had CAF club cup obligations during the duration of the Cosafa Cup.
But there’s no place for Power Dynamos midfielder Fwayo Tembo who has 7 goals this season.
Instead Nyirenda has called Fwayo’s clubmate Martin Phiri who has netted 3 goals so far this season.
Meanwhile, the 13 players,who include Lusaka Dynamos midfielder Cletus Chama, will fly into South Africa where Zambia remain in camp until Thursday when they travel to Swaziland for the CHAN first round, first leg qualifier.
The winner over both legs will advance to the last round in August where they will face South Africa or Botswana in August for a place in January’s finals to be held in Kenya.
The Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) has instituted a team of experts to assess the extent of the damage caused to the gutted Lusaka city market.
EIZ president George Sitali said once the assessments are done EIZ will propose to government solutions that will aid in expeditiously restoring the facility to its full functionality in the most effective and efficient manner.
In a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Sitali stated that a team of experts will also issue the assessments to stakeholders once the exercise is concluded.
Mr Sitali bemoaned the recent fire at the Lusaka City Market which burnt down a significant portion of the market and left several marketeers without means of survival .
He pointed out that as an engineering body EIZ is mandated under the EIZ Act to respond to national emergencies or disasters and recommend appropriate preventive and rehabilitative measures.
He reiterated that the aim of the fire assessment is to complement the existing efforts made by government.
Lusaka city market was gutted in the early hours of Tuesday July 4th under suspected acts of arson by unknown people.
