Minister of Tourism Charles Banda has condemned the UPND’s behavior at the Kuomboka ceremony in Mongu. Mr. Banda says the unruly behaviour by the opposition UPND at the event has a negative impact on the country’s tourism sector.

He says it is unfortunate that the UPND leadership resorted to disrespecting President Edgar Lungu who was invited to officiate at the ceremony. The Minister said the event was a traditional ceremony that was exhibiting the rich cultural heritage of the Lozi people and not a political event. He also commended the police for their professional conduct during the Kuomboka ceremony

Mr. Banda who is also PF mobilisation Chairperson says it is important for the opposition to accept that Zambia only has one President who was duly elected by the people. He has also advised the UPND leadership to accept that they lost the 2016 general elections.

The Minister was speaking in a telephone interview with ZNBC news in Lusaka .

Meanwhile, the women Federation for world Peace Zambian Charpter have expressed grave concern at the behaviour displayed by opposition United Party for National Development, UPND Leader Mr Hakainde HICHILEMA at the Kuomboka ceremony of the Lozi Speaking People in western Province.

“As a civil society organisation, we stand to condemn the conduct of the UPND at the Kuomboka ceremony. The images that have gone viral on social media showing HH and his convoy driving next to the Presidents motor cade in what was clearly a show of disrespect for the Head of State is alarming. It is a direct provocation and unacceptable by any standard.

There is no where in the world were such a thing can be tolerated. We are disheartened as women and mothers and we want to put it on record that we urge all well meaning Zambians to treat these dispeakable and frequent acts of mischief by Mr Hichilema with the greatest contempt they deserve. “Said the Organisation Vice President Mrs Eunice Mbulo, in a statement issued this morning.

She further stated that the Organisation was appalled and grieved at the conduct of the said opposition political party and challenged Mr Hichilema to go and look for a country elsewhere because Zambia had only one leader with a full 5 year mandate and that Leader was President Lungu.

“Every Citizen within the boundaries of this country and even those Zambians in the diaspora must give President Lungu the respect due to him . As for Mr Hichilema, let him try again in 2021. As a civil society organisation, Our role is to provide checks and balances across the board and Zambia has a leader now and that Leader is President Lungu and he must be respected as such .” Read the statement.

And a businessman from mongu Mr Mubiana Chabeba has condemned Mr Hichilemas tribal tendencies stating that a few weeks ago, the prestigious N’cwala ceremony of the Ngoni People of Eastern Province took place and was graced by several opposition parties,civil society organisations , the church and the business community and HH did not attend the ceremony which drew participation from all tribes and political affiliations.

“Traditional Ceremonies are national events . National pride . But he shunned the one in Chipata and comes to cause confusion at the one in mongu. These tribal tendencies he displays are just shocking. I urge him to tone down. ” he said.

He further stated that HH had miserably failed the leadership test on several counts and needed to retire from active politics on moral grounds.

Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr, Mario Giro with a team of NGOs and Investors are expected in Zambia in September, 2017 to come and explore investment opportunities in the country.

During a meeting between Community Development and Social Services Minister Hon. Emerine Kabanshi,and Hon. Giro at the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry on Thursday, 7th April, the Minister said Zambia was a peaceful nation with great potential for investment and that Italy wanted to strengthen and consolidate co-operation with the country by setting up various investments.

He emphasised that Zambia is a peaceful country and Italy would like to explore investment opportunities that will benefit both Zambia and Italy and in the long run cement relations.

“I will come to Zambia with a team of NGOs and do a survey and exchange ideas on how our two countries can work together. This visit will enable us to have Government to Government exchange meetings to consolidate the bilateral relations and also Government to Business Sector relations,” he said.

He said that, there was need to do more in order to help develop Zambia adding that Italy wanted to continue supporting Zambias’ development agenda by strengthening the relations of the two countries.

He said there was need for Italy and Zambia to start afresh and strengthen strong relations saying that Italy is ready to work and support the Zambian government in different areas that are aimed at uplifting lives of the underprivileged.

And Hon. Kabanshi stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between Zambia and Italy.

“The relations should be made stronger, Zambia is a very peaceful country and your investment in Zambia will not go to waste. We are inviting you to Zambia and bring investors who would like to invest in Zambia in different sectors of the economy such as Tourism, Mining, Agriculture, Education and Trade,” she said.

She told Hon. Giro that she was in Italy to lay a ground for Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Harry Kalaba who would elaborate more on Zambia s investment opportunities once the two countries meet for bilateral meetings in Lusaka in September.

Ms. Kabanshi also requested Hon. Giro to consider extending more scholarship opportunities to Zambians especially the less privileged and marginalised girls.

A number of stakeholders have welcomed President Edgar Lungu’s commitment to dialogue.

SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe says President Lungu should go further by creating a day of national dialogue.

Mr. Cheembe has told ZNBC news that the call is timely and interested stakeholders should take advantage and engage the Head of State on various issues of national importance.

And UNZA Political analyst Dr Alex Ng’oma said President Lungu’s call should be taken seriously and used as a platform to advance dialogue.

Dr Ng’oma also said the Head of State should not waste time entertaining political parties which are not willing to respect his authority.

He said all those with complaints of the elections should approach the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

Meanwhile, PF Lusaka province youth chairperson Kennedy Kamba said the opposition UPND should find a way of moving forward because they will be missing out on opportunities like the forth coming dialogue.

Mr. Kamba said opposition political parties should come together and engage government on national issues.

And the Zambia Association of MusicianS of has pleaded with political party leaders to dialogue and make peace with each other for the sake of unity and the country’s development.

ZAM president Njoya Tembo is concerned that the country has continued to record cases of political violence eight months after going to the polls.

Mr Tembo says political party leaders should act in a way that will draw their supporters together.
He has further challenged political leaders to respect human life and act in the interest of the people and the nation.

Mr Tembo states that musicians will try to play their role in preaching the message of unity and peace to the nation for the sake of the country’s development and prosperity.

Yesterday, President Lungu said he is ready to dialogue with anybody on issues of national importance.

THE Drug Enforcement Commission(DEC) through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU)has arrested a 42 year-old female Accountant of Lusaka for money laundering activities involving over K90,000.
Cecilia Muntemba, 42, an Accountant of Plot No. 184 Gardenia Avondale in Lusaka has been arrested for theft by public servant and money laundering contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Muntemba on dates unknown but between 1st January, 2013 and 31st June, 2014 jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown did steal K91, 158 from the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) where she used to work as a Revenue Officer.

DEC Theresa Katongo confirmed the development in a statement on Friday stating that the the suspect was currently on Police Bond and would appear in court soon.

Meanwhile the Commission has in various parts of the country arrested 40 people for unlawful cultivation and trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances weighing 2.4 tonnes.

Those arrested and jointly charged include Steven Micheal Masungwa, 22, a Cobbler of Mwaka area in Tunduma, Tanzania and Emmanuel Ndalusia Mweipuja, 27, a vendor of Nyamwanga area in Tunduma Tanzania, both Tanzanian nationals for trafficking in 10 sachets of heroin.

The two suspects were apprehended from Chiyanga black market in Nakonde District.

Others arrested include Friday Chanda, 35, of Chanda village in Serenje District, Selita Moonga, 49, of Chiyaba village in Chibombo District, Betty Mashinga, 34, of Mafula area in Kabompo District, Morris Mukonde, 50, of Matelo village in Kawambwa District, Augustine
Mwewa, 41, Dennis Mwaange, 32 .

While other include  Simon Bupe, 32 all of 47 miles farm block in Kawambwa District, Liwoyo Liwoyo, 44, of Chisanga area in Mongu District, Mwakoi Namakando, 49, of Mwakoi village in Kaoma District, Douglas Chiyanda, 37, of Munsaka village in Kalomo District and Chifumu Banda, 26, of Titus village in Lundazi District.
All suspects will appear in court soon.

Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC)  has commended Ministry of Education for its planned transfer of all primary schools in Zambia to the Local Authorities.

In an interview with Ama FM Radio, Mr. Kabika Kakunta said the move will contribute positively to the education sector in Zambia.

Mr. Kakunta who also echoed similar sentiments with the National Action for Quality Education (NAQEZ) Executive Director Aaron Chansa suggesting that almost all Local Authorities in Zambia are overwhelmed with huge administrative and financial constraints.

And he, however, said  Government’s planned devolution includes the transfer of the Ministry of Education  Schools to city councils. 

“I would like to recommend this process of devolution and primary schools be transferred to local councils because the local councils are the ones dealing with land issues, therefore it will be easy for schools to own land”  

“The only worrying thing is about  labour and  how ready is our local government to handle the exercise  since they already have their own challenges and also how adequate is the human resources Kakunta said.

Government recently announced that it may grant City Councils exclusive rights to manage Educational facilities across the country.

United Party for National Development (UPND) spokesperson Charles Kakoma has said that it was possible for the courts to overturn the 2016 presidential election results.

Reacting to Rainbow party leader Wynter Kabimba’s comments that UPND is chasing wind by hoping for the courts will overturn the 2016 presidential elections and declare Hakainde Hichilema as dully elected head of State, Mr Kakoma said that UPND are seeking justice in Court.

“This may not happen in Zambia but it has happened elsewhere, we have gone to court because we are seeking justice,” Mr Kakoma said.

Mr Kakoma claimed that even Jesus Christ is aware that the UPND won the election.

During a Hot FM radio programme dubbed The Hot Seat, Mr Kabimba said that UPND was chasing the wind by believing that the courts of law will declare its president Hakainde Hichilema as head of State.

Mr Kabimba, a lawyer and former Minister of Justice and Patriotic Front secretary-general, said that what the UPND ought to do instead is to make a bold political decision and accept that President Lungu is head of State.

Mr Kabimba said the UPND must forget about using the courts of law to mobilise itself because it is chasing the wind.

“UPND will make history if they are going to get the decision of the courts that Edgar Chagwa Lungu is not President and HH is the President. They will make history and Christ will thank them,” he said.

The Rainbow party leader said political parties that have succeeded like the PF did in 2011 have had to make very difficult decisions after taking into account the political situation in the country.

“This will be the first time in my over 30 years of practising law and over 50 years of reading history, especially about Africa, that you are going to find an election nullified or annulled in the courts of law,” he said.

Mr Kabimba said the UPND needs to distinguish between a legal problem and a political problem.