Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and Chief Government Spokesperson kampamba Mulenga has severely warned what she termed as cyber criminals in Zambia.

In a statement made available to the media yesterday, Ms. Mulenga revealed that security officers are seriously following perpetrators of the vice and very soon the law will catch up with them because Government’s desire is to ensure that such criminals are caged to halt cyber-crime in the country.

The Information Minister observed with regret that the swindlers are now using her name and those of other Cabinet Ministers by posting fake details on Facebook and other social media platforms advertising opportunities such as scholarships and jobs to defraud innocent young people and some parents in Zambia.

She has since disclosed that victims are now claiming that they deposited some money in leaders’ bank accounts after being promised the same fake opportunities, affirming that some of them are even claiming refunds from Government leaders.

Ms. Mulenga was however hasty to explain that Government, through the Ministry of Higher Education is in charge of scholarships and not individual ministers and urged Zambians to be cautious by ensuring that they verify any information found on the internet because crime has now taken a new dimension and the internet is being used as a medium.

“This crime cannot go unpunished because Government realises the effort that people are putting in to earn a leaving. Depriving the little that people earn is not only criminal, it is evil”

“Let me also remind citizens that they should verify information they find on the internet because crime has now taken a new dimension and the internet is being used as a medium. Do not deposit your hard earned money unless you are really sure of the credibility of the receiver”

“Therefore, let me warn whoever is behind this crime that your days are numbered” Ms. Mulenga said

THE Lusaka Magistrates Court has heard that United Party for National Development (UPND) vice-president Geoffrey Mwamba is undergoing medical surgery abroad and it will take six to eight weeks.

When the matter came up for trial in the case Mwamba is charged with proposing violence against President Lungu, his lawyer, Zevyanji Sinkala, asked the court to grant his client an adjournment of two months as he was receiving medical treatment abroad.

However, the State, through Zalila Sakala, told the court that the accused was absent together with his two sureties.

In response, Mr Sinkala insisted that his client is unwell.

“Your honour, we are asking for an adjournment due to the fact that the accused person in this matter is unwell and will soon be undergoing an operation. We are equally desirous to have the matter take off,” Mr Sinkala said.

It was at this point that the State, through Mr Sakala, demanded that the defence avails the court with proper documentation to prove that indeed Mwamba is unwell and receiving treatment.

“We have heard your position, however, there is no proof to show that the accused person is unwell. Without proof, it is very difficult to accept the two-month adjournment,” Mr Sakala said.

Mwamba’s lawyer then asked the court to stand down the matter for five minutes, saying the medical report was in place but needed to get it from his colleague, who was at the High Court.

After the medical report was tabled before court, Lusaka magistrate Tandose Chabala adjourned the matter to June 30, 2017 for trial.

“I have taken into account the submissions by both parties. I have seen the medical report and it shows that it was issued on April 19, 2017, and that the accused person is unwell,” she said.

And according to a medical report, issued at CFB Medical Centre, the hospital says Mwamba attended orthopaedic clinic with complaints of painful knee joint and sometimes locking.

The hospital further said Mwamba did have injury on his left knee joint in 2013 and was diagnosed with medial meniscal tear in a South African hospital and was advised to undergo surgery.

DEFENCE Minister Davies Chama has implored Zambians to help preserve the peace and democracy which the country has continued to enjoy, by issuing responsible statements and not claiming that there is political tension in Zambia.

Mr Chama said alarming statements like the recent ones, such as that the country was experiencing political tension, had the potential to harm the nation’s image and create chaos.

The minister said this in an interview in Lusaka.

Mr Chama said statements of political tension were mere perceptions of people who were aggrieved and did not want to portray what was on the ground.

“Tension can be a perception. If people are aggrieved or annoyed, there can be tension, but in Zambia there is no political tension. The fact that you disagree does not mean there is no peace,” he said.

Mr Chama said such statements had the potential to ruin Zambia’s reputation as a valuable investment destination, which would in turn affect its economy.

He said in a democratic country, people would always have different views and disagree on certain matters, but that did not mean there was no peace.

Zambians have always known peace and so, if any form of tension arose, it would easily be recognised and would be dealt with.

Mr Chama said it was the desire of the Government to maintain and uphold the country’s peace and democracy by all means possible and in line with the rule of law.

The Defence minister wished those with grievances or were annoyed could calm down and have peace in their hearts so that they could contribute positively to the wellbeing of the country

President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has commended the Zambia Under-20 National team for their victory over Germany in the FIFA World Cup round of 16 Match played on Wednesday at Jeju, South Korea.

“I once again wish to sincerely commend and thank the Under-20 National Soccer team for a splendid performance in this afternoon’s game at Jeju where they defeated Germany 4-3,” said the President.

“The Juniour Chipolopolo has continued to show the nation an example of the power of unity and purpose. The journey to ultimate glory seems assured going by the dedication the team has continued to display, said the President.

“On behalf of Government and indeed on my own behalf, l once again wish to encourage the players and the technical bench to continuously set their eyes on the ball in the ongoing campaign to lift the World Cup,” said the President.

Patriotic Front (PF) Youth chairperson Kennedy Kamba has said that the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) is preaching democracy to the already converted.

Kamba noted that FODEP ought to have correctly analysed the position as emphasized by both the Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General (SG) Davies Mwila and supported by PF National Youth Chairperson Stephen Kampyongo is that the General Conference will be held in 2020 at which all Central Committee positions will be open for elections, without exception.

He said nothing stops party structures from rallying behind an incumbent president if he will make himself available, adding that that only thing remaining is for President Edgar Lungu to inform the Party at the right time whether he will be available or not, considering the fact that Party structures have confidence in his leadership.

Below is the entire statement issued by Kennedy Kamba:

31st MAY 2017

MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RESPONSE TO FODEP BY LUSAKA YOUTH PROVINCIAL CHAIRPERSON KENNEDY KAMBA

Lusaka, Zambia – We wish to state that Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) is preaching democracy to the already converted. As stated by the Party leadership before, our democratic credentials as a political party are incomparable to none. Before drawing their conclusions, FODEP ought to have correctly analysed the position as emphasized by both the Patriotic Front Secretary General Hon Davies Mwila and supported by PF National Youth Chairperson Hon Stephen Kampyongo is that the General Conference will be held in 2020 at which all Central Committee positions will be open for elections, without exception.

FODEP knows that nothing stops structures from rallying behind an incumbent if he will make himself available. What therefore remains is for President Edgar Lungu to inform the Party, at the right time whether he will be available, considering the structures have confidence in his leadership.

FODEP also knows that in advanced democracies that incumbents can sail through unopposed. In our case, we have not avoided primaries at all. Those with intentions to challenge the incumbent and in good standing with the Party would be allowed to do so.

We also wonder what advice FODEP would render to the UK where snap elections have been called and none is talking about primary elections for Prime Minister Theresa May. We are aware, like FODEP is, that in the USA, incumbents can sail through unopposed. In the case of PF, FODEP should in fact commend the decision for primaries at the General Conference to be held in 2020 and agree that there is nothing undemocratic for the structures to have confidence in the President if he says he’s available. There is nothing undemocratic about that.

More importantly, we invite FODEP and others to shift their attention to standards of democratic practice in the opposition. This is important because if PF were to take advice from FODEP it should give impartial advice and guidelines to all parties.

We are asking FODEP to respond and guide the Opposition considering that:

UPND has refused to have an elective conference since 2006 and its leader Hakainde Hichilema harasses anyone who demands for an election in the party. The Opposition party calls those making such demands traitors for demanding party constitutional guidelines;

The undemocratic tendencies in Opposition FDD aimed at making Ms. Edith Nawakwi go for a third unconstitutional term and barring of the party’s Vice President

We invite FODEP to remind the Opposition that one man parties that have no democratic processes

Issued by:

Kennedy Kamba

Patriotic Front Provincial Youth Chairperson

Lusaka Province

The Zambian Embassy in Washington D.C has refuted online media reports suggesting that United States President, Donald Trump has signed an executive order to allow all Zambian nationals travel to the United States without visas.

Zambia’s Charge´ D’affaires to the USA Joseph Chilaizya says the Department of State in Washington DC has not communicated such information the Zambian Embassy.

Mr. Chilaizya stated that Zambians around the world seeking to come to the USA should contact the American Embassy in their respective countries for visa applications.

He says following the online reports, Zambians around the world have been contacting the Embassy in Washington D.C. to clarify this misleading report.

Mr. Chilaizya has since advised Zambians to be cautious with these online reports, as many are fake news.
This is according to a statement issued by First Secretary (Press and Public Relations) Embassy of the Republic of Zambia Cosmas Chileshe.