PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has directed National Development Planning Minister Lucky Mulusa to immediately implement the performance management system to add impetus to the performance of the public service workers towards economic growth.

President Lungu noted that the performance system would also reduce the unnecessary dismissals of civil servants, among other benefits.

The President also tasked Vice-President Inonge Wina and Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe to set up an inter-ministerial council to coordinate investment inflow into the country.

Mr Mulusa said President Lungu wanted to the performance management system to be effected to monitor the performance of civil servants and expose those with a ‘lazy’ work attitude.

“The President wants this system to be effected as soon as possible to monitor the performance of civil servants. It will also be linked to rewards and sanctions unlike at the moment, it’s difficult to know who is working hard or not,” he said.

Mr Mulusa, who was in the company of his Permanent Secretary Chola Chabala, was speaking to journalists at State House yesterday after presenting a quarterly report on the ministry to Mr Lungu.

He said the ministry was making project appraisals to ensure funding was allocated for the completion of projects, and his ministry would roll out a project to install one milling plant in each of the 10 provinces.

The facilities would be set up in districts with huge maize production in addition to already existing solar powered milling plants by the Zambia Cooperative Federation.

Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda said the facilities would help to reduce the cost of mealie meal production and lead to low cost of the commodity in the market.

Ms Mwanakatwe said President Lungu had tasked Ms Wina and herself to set up an inter-ministerial council to coordinate trade and investment inflows.

She told journalists after presenting her ministry’s report to Mr Lungu that all huge investments would be coordinated through relevant ministries.

Mr Lungu directed Ms Mwanakatwe to ensure Zambians take part in growing the economy and set up economic zones in border posts such as Kasumbalesa in additional to incorporating trade missions abroad to woo investors.

Finance Minister Felix Mutati was directed to come up with more reforms that would increase collection of domestic revenue.

Mr Mutati, who also presented a quarterly report to the President, told journalists that Mr Lungu’s desire was for the country to reduce on external borrowings, but enhance domestic revenue mobilisation.

The Lusaka High Court has granted an EXP PARTE Order of Interim Injunction to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) stopping United Progressive People (UPP) leader Saviour Chishimba from issuing any statements concerning his corruption allegations leveled against the authority as the case is now in court.

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Cooperate and Communications manager Topsy Sikalinda has disclosed that the Lusaka High Court restrained Dr. Saviour Chishimba or his attorneys and employees from publishing or broadcasting or causing to be published or broadcast, malicious statements that can damage the good reputation of the plaintiff the Zambia revenue authority.

Sikalinda said the inter Partes hearing of the matter in court shall be heard and determined by the Lusaka High Court on the 18th day of April 2017 at 12:00 hours.

The defendant, Saviour Chishimba, was yesterday sued by the ZRA for malicious falsehoods regarding his revelations at the authority.

Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General (SG) Davies Mwila has urged PF members who have failed to submit to the exercise of consulting on whether Zambia should leave or remain part of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to do as their reasoning dictates the outcome.

In a statement unveiled to the media today, Mr. Mwila said some stakeholders including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Politicians have been calling for the halting of the consultations spearheaded by the Ministry of Justice on grounds that His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has allegedly taken a position not to leave the ICC which many stakeholders accuse of only targeting African leaders.

Patriotic Front (PF) boss also noted that such people have further argued that spending money on the exercise of consulting Zambians is a waste of resources because President Lungu has allegedly already decided not to withdraw from the ICC.

Mr. Mwila has since assured Zambians that President Lungu is a sincere leader whose loyalty to the common cause is unquestionable, adding that President Lungu has democratic credentials which make him value dialogue and consultations such as the on-going consultation exercise regarding the ICC.

He stated that President Edgar Lungu as a democrat leader will never impose his will on  Zambians.
Mr Mwila  noted that  it seems some civil society personalities and politicians are now trying to turn President Lungu into a dictator who uses the pretext of saving money to deny citizens their right to be part of important decision making processes such as the one at hand.

Mr. Mwila also noted that PF was aware of some people in Zambia who want to promote the One Party mentality where the desires of the party in Government carries the day and people are excluded from vital decision making processes.

“we are aware that some people in Zambia who want to promote the One Party mentality where the desires of the party in Government carries the day and people are excluded from vital decision making processes” He said

He also took advantage of the briefing to announce that he has appointed  Sunday Chanda as PF  Media Director Information and Publicity  who will head the media directorate under his office at the Secretariat.

“I have appointed Sunday Chanda as PF media director with immediate effect after numerous consultations within our party” Mr. Mwila said

The United Party for National Development (UPND) Youth Spokesperson Gilbert Liswaniso says that his party will not be forced to accept the illegitimate Presidency of Edgar Lungu by hired guns such as Cosmo Mumba.
Liswaniso says that UPND is resolved with renewed vigour to ensure that the Presidential petition is heard and all atrocities of the 2016 elections effectively exposed and the fullest extent of the law applied.
He observes that Cosmo Mumba is what he is, a political flea who should focus on growing his Kantemba three man party instead delving in matters he cannot comprehend.
Cosmo Mumba who is National Revolution Party President was quoted saying that the UPND’s Presidential petition is not going anywhere and that it will remain a violent party in opposition.
Liswaniso adds that seasonal politics of the belly exercised by fly by night politicians such as Cosmo Mumba is a mockery, laughable, fraud and a disaster.
The UPND National Youth Spokesperson notes that politicians like Cosmo Mumba seek to undermine true tenets of democracy, the rule of law, unity of purpose and justice for all citizens.
“They are praise singers whose sole intention is to feed and nourish their greedy and insatiable appetites for money.
Cosmo Mumba has a very questionable conscience and mental faculties that makes mockery of a noble profession of comedy. He should never be taken seriously for whatever reason.
Cosmo is a demagogue, a fraud and an attention seeker who will praise and support anyone for his own selfish motives” Liswaniso stated.
He says that UPND is very committed to ensuring that the world knows the real results of the 2016 Presidential elections.
Liswaniso adds that his party will pull no punches and leave no stones unturned in the quest to prove that the election was indeed stolen from the UPND and President Hakainde Hichilema.
He further made it clear to the PF and all their supporters that UPND is not afraid of them.
“We are fearless and will not be cowed down.Bring it on. Let the petition be heard” Liswaniso said.
He spoke to journalists in Lusaka on Wednesday.

Zambeef’s Zamfest festival goers are assured of a great line up of music and entertainment as iconic African musician Oliver Mtukudzi joins several happening artists on stage come 8th April, 2017.

The Zimbabwean star, affectionately known as Tuku to his fans, has risen to become one of the continent’s most inspirational artists with songs that resonate with the ordinary man. The artist who is popularly known for tracks such as Neria andTodii among others has a unique approach to music which has now come to be known as ‘Tuku music’.

“Oliver’s music is unique and is some of the most original works to come out of Africa and he has inspired a great many artists and people across the continent. And that’s what the whole event is about- inspiring and showcasing the best of Zambia and our heritage; from the team work in the various competitions, to the mingling over food and the launch of the e18hteam DVD and so on,” said Zambeef Joint Chief Executive Officer, Dr Carl Irwin.

Tuku’s leading act will be backed by the country’s hottest music artists, including Pompi, Wills, Cactus Agony, Maureen Lilanda and Sebastian Dutch among others. Festival goers can also look forward to plenty of laughs with comedians K-Star and Kapembwa on the ground.

Zamfest also promises the most exciting chefs from across Africa, 50 world class pop-up restaurants, more than 100 international and local types of cuisine to sample, the best of local and international music acts, and a wide selection of local and exotic beverages. Other event day competitions will include a football match, a Best Braai competition and an attempt at breaking a world record, yet to be disclosed.

“There is something for everybody and as for football fans, they can look forward to the face-off between the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) team and a professional team led by AFCON 2012 star and former National team Captain Christopher Katongo. We are really excited and looking forward to seeing people come in numbers,” said Dr Irwin.

Zambeef will be furthermore be launching the e18hteam DVD chronicling the nation’s love of soccer and captures the passion, excitement and national pride of the Zambian football team, and charts the fortunes of the national Chipolopolo team – from the lows of the 1993 Gabon air crash to the highs of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory.

The e18hteam documentary is the work of producer, Ngosa Chungu and Spanish writer, director and co-producer Juan Rodriguez-Briso towards which Zambeef invested K1.5 million in support.

Zambeef has a long association with football. Its Zamleather division makes the popular Kaleza Z-12 model leather soccer boots, the first to be locally designed and manufactured in Zambia. Zamleather is also home to the Alive & Kicking employment-generation project that manufacturers quality leather soccer balls that carry health messages and are distributed to under-privileged teams nationwide.

Throughout its history Zambeef has supported a number of football teams playing in leagues and at community level, and has groomed footballers at the grassroots including AFCON 2012 squad member James Chamanga.