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There is need to enact the e-Government Bill-Christopher Mvunga

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There is need to enact the e-Government Bill-Christopher Mvunga

Deputy Secretary to Cabinet Christopher Mvunga
Deputy Secretary to Cabinet Christopher Mvunga
Deputy Secretary to Cabinet Christopher Mvunga says there is need to enact the e-Government Bill to enable Government attain greater operational efficiencies and re-align ICT investments.

Mr. Mvunga is happy that Smart Zambia has started working on modalities on how to adhere to the Presidential directive on E-governance.

He says the E-Government Bill that is being implemented through Smart Zambia Programme was initiated by President Edgar Lungu during the opening of the fifth session of the Eleventh National Assembly.

The Deputy Secretary to Cabinet was speaking this morning during the official opening of the two day consultation meeting on drafting of E-Government layman’s Bill in Lusaka.

And Smart Zambia Institute Permanent Secretary National Coordinator Martine Mtonga said a draft e-Government bill will be strengthened to take care of the needs.

The consultative meeting has brought together key stakeholders from selected ICT and Non ICT sectors in the country.

Acts of criminality in the country have evolved, officers need to acquire up-to-date skills to fight crime

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Acts of criminality in the country have evolved, officers need to acquire up-to-date skills to fight crime
Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo receiving from International Institute of Certified Investigation Professionals USA inc (IICFIP) Global Chairperson Professor Rama Subramaniam a distinguished fellowship award while looking on is Home Affairs PS Professor Elwyn Chomba during the official launch of 2017 National Forensic Conference and Exhibition in Lusaka Mulungushi international Conference Center.
Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo receiving from International Institute of Certified Investigation Professionals USA inc (IICFIP) Global Chairperson Professor Rama Subramaniam a distinguished fellowship award while looking on is Home Affairs PS Professor Elwyn Chomba during the official launch of 2017 National Forensic Conference and Exhibition in Lusaka Mulungushi international Conference Center.  Picture byJean Mandela

Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo says his ministry is enhancing capacity building by making in house training mandatory.

Mr. Kampyongo says acts of criminality in the country have evolved and it is important for officers to acquire up-to-date skills to fight crime.

He says forensic investigations are important in addressing the challenge of insufficient evidence in prosecuting criminal cases.

The minister was speaking when he launched the International Institute of Certified Forensic investigation professionals – IICFIP- Zambian chapter in Lusaka.

Mr. Kampyongo said the newly launched chapter is important for the country as it will complement government’s efforts in fighting crime.

And IICFIP Global President Sosthenes Bichanga said forensic investigations are important for effective investigation.

Meanwhile IICFIP Country director Gibson Mwewa said the Zambian chapter will work closely with government and the private sector to fight crime.

AFCON 2012 squad regroups for Zambeef Kaleza Tournament

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AFCON 2012 squad regroups for Zambeef Kaleza Tournament
AFCON 2012 Chipolopolo captain Chris Katongo, set to play in Zambeef tournament.

Three of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions will be in action on Saturday, April 8, at Zambeef’s Zamfest football and food extravaganza in the Lusaka Showgrounds.
Former Chipolopolo team captain Christopher Katongo will lead Felix Katongo and Joseph Musonda, along with Buchiza Mfune, Joseph Chisanga, in donning their boots at Zamfest for the friendly match against the heat winners of the company’s Kaleza football tournament, preliminary rounds of which are being held at the Bank of Zambia Recreation Centre on Saturday, April 1.

For those who miss the action, the tournament will also be broadcast on DStv’s football magazine show Bola Ya Pa Zed with highlights from the preliminary on SuperSport 9 channel 209 Blitz the week after the event.
“It will make for an exciting match to have the champions challenged by an amateur team and hopefully will add that much more excitement and fun for the festival goers,” said Zambeef Joint Chief Executive Officer Dr Carl Irwin.
The tournament will be one part of Zambeef’s massive Zamfest event at the Showgrounds, which will also see the launch of DVD sales of the e18hteam documentary that captures the passion, excitement and national pride of the Zambian football team as it 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.
“We are really excited to have the five players on board as we launch the e18hteam DVD. It is fitting given that the film is about and celebrate Zambian football and what better way than to have some of the actual team members from 2012 present,” said Dr Irwin.
The event will also incorporate a food festival and music from some of the country’s top artists, including Pompi, Willz, Cactus Agony, Maureen Lilanda and Sebastien Dutch.
Zambeef sponsored production of the e18hteam DVD, documentary, which is the work of producer Ngosa Chungu and Spanish writer, director and co-producer Juan Rodriguez-Briso. It follows themes of Zambian pride, spirit, sportsmanship and perseverance as the country went from losing 18 national players in a tragic plane crash (1993) to the hard-won victory in 2012.
The Zamfest, as the DVD launch event, 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.  To add to the event will be a “knock-out round” football competition, made up of eight amateur teams. The winners receiving a cash prize and the opportunity to face-off against five of Zambia’s current football stars.  Other event day competitions will include a Best Braai competition and an attempt at breaking a world record, yet to be disclosed.
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.

Tourism set to improve in Livingstone-VEEP

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Tourism set to improve in Livingstone-VEEP

Vice President Inonge Wina says government is determined to enhance the tourism potential through holding high level meetings in the tourist capital.

Speaking on arrival at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula airport Mrs. Wina said government will be hosting many meetings to enhance the tourism potential.

Mrs Wina urged the residents of Livingstone to be courteous to visitors so that they are known for their hospitality and generosity.

Mrs. Wina is in Livingstone to officially open an investor conference for the four billion U.S. dollar Batoka hydro electricity project.

She said the Batoka Hydro electricity project was one of the biggest projects that the government of Zambia and Zimbabwe will be implementing.

The Vice President observed that the two governments were engaged in a similar project in the early 1950s when they constructed the Kariba dam which has enhanced industrial development of the two countries and benefiting the people.

The conference has attracted potential financiers from across the world to mobilize resources in the 2400 megawatts power project.

The project is co-owned by Zambia and Zimbabwe through the Zambezi River Authority- ZRA.

The conference which has been convened by ZRA Council of Ministers from the two countries.

East FDD welcomes expulsion of Chifumu Banda

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East FDD welcomes expulsion of Chifumu Banda

The  Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) in Eastern Province has
welcomed the decision of the national policy committee to expel former
party vice president Chifumu Banda from the party for gross
indiscipline.

Provincial Information and Publicity Secretary Emmanuel Chamango and
Provincial Chairlady Alice Ndemena said in a statement in Chipata
that Mr Banda was the party vice president since 2005 but
was not active in the party programmes and activities.

The duo charged that they were among the reasons why Mr Banda lost the
August 11 general elections when he contested as Member of Parliament
for Chasefu Constituency.

They stated that the FDD in Eastern Province does not need leaders who
go to sleep in times of trouble but cause confusion in the name of
calling for a convention.

“As FDD in Eastern Province we do not need leaders who go to sleep in
times of trouble and later come back from the slumber just to come and
cause confusion in the party in the name of a convention,” they
stated.
They also warned former provincial chairperson Joseph Ponyelani Phiri
not to continue masquerading as FDD provincial chairperson.

But Mr Banda has refused to recognise his expulsion stating that
procedure was not followed when expelling him.

Domestic Violence/Abuse: Shouldn’t women share a mini-portion of the blame?

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Domestic Violence/Abuse: Shouldn’t women share a mini-portion of the blame?

It’s both our prayers, that men who are domestic abusers, “burn in hell and rot away in agony!”

Oh yeah, I totally do agree with the vengeful prayer request, but hit the brakes for a moment… I think there’s probably another way to look at it.

With the flourishing rate of domestic violence in almost all metropolitan and rural societies, I got deeply and quite adventurously curious to look up it’s major causes. Well, as anticipated, I was certainly left puzzled!

Among the numerous causes of domestic violence I was fortunate to have ransacked out of curiosity, which by the way, includes:

  • Psychological disorder (occasioned by the background of the abuser)
  • domineering/possessive habits
  • severe jealousy
  • inferiority complex (that’s in the case the man is less successful than his partner) and a couple others
  • extreme provocation and downgrading of a man’s ego/personality, amazingly didn’t make the cut!

Now I ask:

Who cares to ask a man what prompted the attack on his partner? No one cares… He hit the ‘poor woman’, so he deserves a lethal injection!

Who cares to know if a man takes a blow to his ego everyday, constantly suffering verbal abuse, extreme humiliation and public disrespect from his partner?

Who cares to know if a man’s age-long career dream has been shattered by his partner, who uses falsehood and blackmail as a tool in scoring cheap points after a petty quarrel?

Who bothers to inquire if the woman is also a domestic abuser of her own, who hits, spits, bites, throws things, or destroys property?

Can’t the men in some way, be perceived as victims as well?

While we wholeheartedly and uniformly condemn domestic abusers, who resort to violent expressions of anger and other forms of emotional/psychological abuse against women, shouldn’t we try to inquire and likewise apportion little trickles of blame to some of the women who treat their partners in astonishingly horrible ways, thereby ironically contributing to domestic violence/abuse?

I strongly believe, women shouldn’t be immune from criticism.

It is extremely condemnable and cowardly of a man to attack a woman. In the same vein, I also believe it is wayward and irresponsible of a woman to leverage on that fact, to continuously inflict emotional trauma on a man, with the assurance that “no behaviour on the part of a woman, can justify a violent response from a man.” Men are human too…

Even Jesus, drove rogue traders away from the temple with a whip. If we do the math right, some of them were possibly women!

By Nimi Princewill

Less than 50% of Zambians have knowledge about saving money

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Less than 50% of Zambians have knowledge about saving money
A vendor plaits hair while selling apples and fish

Only 32.5% of the Zambians have the knowledge about savings according to the latest financial survey, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revealed.
SEC Market Development officer Dingase Makumba said the statistics demonstrate the huge task that financial institutions have to impart financial knowledge among citizens.

Speaking during a Radio Programme at Choma Maanu Radio,Ms Makumba said her organisation is targeting the young in order to build the culture of financial management at an early age.

“We are targeting school going children because as you know if we build a culture of saving among young ones we are likely to have citizens who are knowledgeable with savings,” she says.
Three institutions namely the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Pensions and Insurance Authority (PIA), and Bank of Zambia(BOZ) are the main financial regulators spearheading the Financial literacy week campaign.

Meanwhile speaking during the launch of the financial literacy week in Choma, Southern Province Permanent Secretary Kabanze Simuchoba appealed to financial institutions to reduce the interest rates so that many people including ordinary citizens can access the loans and other financial saving schemes.

In a speech read on his behalf by Provincial Deputy Permanent Secretary Douglas Ng’imbu,the Permanent Secretary expressed worry at the level of financial illiteracy among Zambians.

“You find that someone has worked for 30 years and after retiring he or she has no house. So it is very important for citizens to save for the future,” he said.

During the same function, a local entrepreneur Filly Malambo discouraged people from indulging in illicit money lending practice commonly known as “Kaloba”

Malambo, a representative of a youthful enterprise called Kings Centre Investment said young people should save for key life events such as marriage rather than running around to borrow when eventualities occur.

“Even when I was marrying I did not bother anyone. I paid my own dowry, why because I started saving at an early age. I mastered the art of saving while at school and here I am “he said.
This year’s financial literacy week is being held under the theme ‘Know and plan your finances to live a better life’

Estimated Average Annual Cost Of Owning A Car In Zambia

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Estimated Average Annual Cost Of Owning A Car In Zambia

What Do You Need to Pay Annually in Owning a Car?

Owning a car can quite be challenging when it comes to repairs and maintenance of it. The challenge itself can be overcome by adequate planning and allocation of resources. In Zambia a car owner is expected to pay taxes such as road tax, car fitness tax, carbon emission tax and insurance. These costs are all compulsory obligations to be remitted to appropriate authority and insurance company. Road tax, car fitness tax and carbon tax are some of the ways in which the government raises funds for maintenance of roads and motor insurance is meant to protect the car owner and other road users in instances of car accidents and other eventualities in life. The estimated costs for insurance, road, carbon and car fitness tax is approximately in the range of ZMK600.00 (dollar equivalent $60.00) per annum for taxes alone and the insurance cost varies according to the insurance company that one applies with but it’s within the range of ZMK600.00 to 1,500.00 (dollar equivalent $150.00) per annum.

Average Maintenance Costs Per Year

Other costs that we might definitely expect to incur are that of repair and maintenance costs of the vehicle. These are costs that one has to adequately prepare in advance as they are almost predictable and very important to keep the machine working in excellent condition. It can also be noted that these repair and maintenance costs vary according to the model, type and engine capacity of the car being serviced, however for now we’ll stick to a basic 2000 year Toyota Corolla with engine capacity of 1490cc available at BE FORWARD. Service costs such as the cost of buying oil filters, air filters, engine oil and fuel filters are just some of the items that need to be replaced in order for your car to remain in optimal health and continue getting you from one place to another. Note that these replacements are absolutely necessary and important in maintaining the good condition of the engine. An oil filter normally costs on average the amount of ZMK120.00. These filters maintain the purity of the engine oil in the car as they filter out dirty particles from the oil, which acts as a lubricant in car engines.

The air filter is another item that one has to change whenever servicing a vehicle as it keeps the engine free from dirty particles in the air entering the engine. Clean air is very much needed for complete fuel combustion in a car. Failure to replace the air filter or using a dirty one can seriously increase the fuel consumption of the car as complete combustion cannot be reached. The air filter normally costs an average amount of ZMK65.00 up to somewhere ZMK100.00 (dollar equivalent $10.00).

The other cost that one should never forget is the engine oil. The engine oil must be changed whenever the vehicle is due for service. A standard 5 litre engine oil is enough for a corolla model, however the bigger engines will probably need more than a 5 litre container to fill up the whole engine. A 5 litre engine oil costs in the range of ZMK200.00 ($20) with other oils in the range of ZMK290.00 (dollar equivalent $29.00). Note that the quality of your engine oil is very important as it can also affect or even spoil your engine due to its standard of quality. Always get quality recommended engine oil for your vehicle from reliable source such as BE FORWARD Auto Parts, as different models such as high performance vehicles always require different kind of oils. The cost of labour is one that doesn’t have any standard pricing attached to it as that normally depends on the mechanic or service garage that one is using, simple basic servicing can cost you about ZMK300.00 ($30.00) without repairs.

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President Lungu wants Zambia to remain in ICC-Mumbi Phiri

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President Lungu wants Zambia to remain in ICC-Mumbi Phiri

President Lungu with Mumbi Phiri and Margaret Mwanakwatwe
President Lungu with Mumbi Phiri and Margaret Mwanakatwe

Patriotic Front Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri has sensationally revealed that President Edgar Lungu wants Zambia not to withdrawal its membership to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Mrs Phiri disclosed this on Wednesday evening when she stormed a live Hot Issue radio programme on Hot FM that was discussing whether the public consultations on the ICC withdrawal are necessary.

She said President Lungu told a recent PF Central Committee Meeting that he wants Zambia to remain in the ICC as there are no any other alternatives.

Mrs Phiri said it is therefore wrong for some sections of society to portray a picture that President Lungu has triggered the consultations to camouflage his pre-determined position to withdrawal from the ICC.

The PF Deputy Secretary General said she was driving home and listening to Hot FM and felt compelled to drive over to the studio after she failed to go through the phone lines which were congested.

“I am here to state that infact President Lungu wants Zambia to remain. His position is that he finds nothing wrong with the ICC especially that there is no any other alternative. He told us in the Central Committee meeting and please you can quote me on this,” Mrs Phiri said.

On the same programme, SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe wondered why Government has launched a haste consultation process over the ICC withdrawal if President Lungu wants to remain.

Mr Cheembe said the cost rationale of spending 2 Million Kwacha does not make sense especially that the same Government is refusing to launch a Referendum process on the enhanced Bill of Rights owing to lack of funds.

During the first district consultations held in Kabwe on Wednesday, 30 people who submitted want Zambia to continue in the ICC while only three people submitted that Zambia should leave.

Dr M’membe is not on the Interpol wanted list

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Dr M’membe is not on the Interpol wanted list
Fred M’membe
Fred M’membe

INTERPOL has not issued any red notice for Former Post Editor in Chief Fred M’membe.

This is contrary to the story published by the Daily Nation this week that INTERPOL has launched a man hunt for Dr M’membe who it said is believed to be in Jamaica.

A search on the INTERPOL website shows that only two people with links to Zambia have had red notices issued against them.

They are Tony Mulenga, 47, who is on the run for fraudulent dealing with Motor Vehicles and escaping from lawful custody and Patel Aliraja, 28, an Indian national who is facing charges of obtaining money by false pretences and issuing Cheques on insufficiently funded account including theft by servant contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

The Daily Nation quoted Lusaka Province Commissioner Nelson Phiri as having stated that Zambia is working with INTERPOL to track down Dr M’membe who is facing charges involving his dealings with the Post Newspapers.

But Mr Phiri has denied ever issuing such remarks to a Daily Nation Reporter.

In an interview, Mr Phiri said he was clearly misquoted saying this is a case of a reporter putting words in my mouth.’

He explained that what he told the reporter was that he does not have jurisdiction beyond Lusaka Division after the Daily National officer suggested that Dr M’membe could be ‘hiding’ in Jamaica.

“What I said was if he is in Jamaica then that is the case of INTERPOL because as Lusaka Province Commissioner, I don’t have jurisdiction beyond my province,” he said.

Alpha Romeo and F Jay release the “Greatest song”

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Alpha Romeo and F Jay release the “Greatest song”

Taken off his recent album called “Nothing Has Changed“, here is Alpha Romeo featuring F Jay on a song titled “Greatest Song” Produced by KB for K-Amy.

Download/listen to the song HERE

 

BY KAPA187

 

President Lungu hails Zambia’s relations with Ethiopia

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President Lungu hails Zambia’s relations with Ethiopia

 

President Edgar Lungu has said Zambia and Ethiopia have always enjoyed warm and cordial relations premised on common values, interests, and aspirations for liberty, peace, and prosperity of the two countries.

Special Assistant to the President Amos Chanda said in a statement that Mr Lungu reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to further enhance the existing relations between the two countries through increased social and economic cooperation.

President Lungu has underscored Zambia’s commitment and continued willingness to engage with the Government of Ethiopia on a range of areas of mutual interest in further enhancing the bilateral relations that exists between two countries.

The President acknowledged that Ethiopia is the seat of the African Union and hosts the continental body which embodies the continental vision of achieving an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

President Lungu commended the Ethiopian Prime Minister for the hospitality that the Government of Ethiopia extends to African governments when member states gather in Addis Ababa to deliberate on important issues related to the continent’s development and integration.

President Lungu expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for accepting the invitation to undertake the state visit to Zambia.

The President has also expressed sympathy over the death of more than 100 ethiopian nationals who lost their lives on 11th March, 2017, after a landslide on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, at Koshe.

The President said this when he held bilateral talks at State House on Wednesday with his Excellency Mr Hailemariam Dessalegn Prime Minister of Ethiopia who is in country on a State Visit.

And the President has underscored the need for a stable and peaceful Africa.

The President commended the role that Ethiopia, under the Prime Minister’s leadership has played at regional level, particularly in Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on finding a lasting solution to regional conflicts in the horn of Africa and the east African region;

The President reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to promoting peace, security and stability on the African continent through its membership in the African Union Peace and Security Council.

President Lungu assured the Prime Minister that Zambia stands ready to render support to initiatives that are aimed at resolving conflicts and political instability within the Great Lakes region and beyond.

On the Joint Permanent Commission, the President said the convening of the inaugural session of the Zambia-Ethiopia Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) held from 27th to 29th March, 2017  provided a platform for Zambia and Ethiopia to negotiate and agree to cooperate in areas of mutual interest.

 

On Economic issues, the President expressed Zambia’s desire to cooperate with Ethiopia on exchange of experiences and best practices on government policies, programmes and projects through exchange of visits and study tours at various levels.

 

The President also noted that Zambia opened an embassy in Ethiopia in 1965 adding that the reciprocal opening of a mission in Lusaka will not only facilitate consular matters but will also enhance business interaction between the two countries.

 

On trade and industry, President Lungu said that there is great potential to trade in various products between Zambia and Ethiopia saying Zambia can export copper and copper products, horticulture products, edible oil, detergents, drinks, assorted accessories and selected processed foods to Ethiopia, and in turn import leather and leather products from that country.

 

The President urged the two sides to create a sub-committee on trade, under the auspices of the JPC of cooperation, to look into ways of expanding the volume of trade and promotion of investments between the two countries.

 

The President also emphasised the important role that the private sector plays in accelerating economic growth and supplementing government efforts in promoting sustainable development.

 

President Lungu encouraged the Chambers of Commerce and Industry to establish business contacts and start exchanging information on business opportunities.

 

The President also spoke on various other issues among them Information and Communication Technology, Agriculture and Livestock, Infrastructure development, Tourism and Culture including Aviation.

Zambia Ethiopia sign two agreements and one MOU

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Zambia Ethiopia sign two agreements and one MOU

Zambia and Ethiopia have signedtwo agreements in the fields of communication, water resourcemanagement and one Memorandum of Understating (MOU) between Zambia
Chamber of commerce and Industry and Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce
and Sectoral Associations.

The signing ceremony which was held at State house was witnessed by
President Edgar Lungu and the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister
Hailemariam Desalegn.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Mulenga Kampamba singed
on behalf of Zambia while her counterpart Dr Negeri Lencho signed on
behalf of the Ethiopian government.

The Memorandum of Understanding-MOU between the two countries was
signed by Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice president
Andrew Sinyangwe and the president for the Addis Ababa Chamber of
commerce and Sectoral Associations Elias Geneti signed on behalf of
the association.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the signing ceremony Information and
Broadcasting Services Minister Mulenga Kampamba said the agreements
signed between the two countries in the fields ofcommunications are
aimed at improving the local content in the public broadcasters.

Mrs Kampamba further said the agreements will allow the exchange of
information and capacity building between Zambia and Ethiopia in the
media industry.

And Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice president Andrew
Sinyangwe said the MOU will help foster trade between the two
countries.

Mr Sinyangwe implored government to continue creating an enabling
environment for the private sector to thrive.

He noted that Zambia stands to benefit more from the technological
advancement attained by Ethiopia in the agriculture sector.

Earlier in the day President Lungu held closed talks with the visiting
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn at state house.

President Lungu assured Mr Desalegn of Zambia’s commitment in
enhancing trade relations between the two countries.

President Lungu said the peoples of Zambia and Ethiopia will benefit
more once trade is enhanced.

MISA Condemns UPND attack on journalists, calls for unity among journalists

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MISA Condemns UPND attack on journalists, calls for unity among journalists
MISA Zambia Chairperson Hellen Mwale speaks to Journalists after she toured the closed Post Newspapers
MISA Zambia Chairperson Hellen Mwale speaks to Journalists after she toured the closed Post Newspapers

MISA Zambia has said that it has received with disappointment the violent attack on journalists by unruly UPND cadres at the party’s press briefing at the secretariat.

In a statemenent released to the media, MISA strongly condemned the attack on the journalists, among them one Silumesi Malumo of Radio Phoenix and Priscilla Banda of Millennium radio.

It is alleged that UPND cadres beat a phoenix reporter badly whom they originally suspected to be a ZNBC journalist. The mob descended on him and beat him up till some people begun to scream on his behalf that he was one of their own.

“It is unfortunate that the cadres descended on the journalists who were there to merely do their job of gathering information in the public’s interest. The attack is an affront to the freedom of the press and should be condemned by all well-meaning Zambians, ” read the statement.

Below is the full statement

Wednesday, March 29, 2017.

Immediate Release

MISA Condemns UPND attack on journalists, calls for unity among journalists We have received with disappointment the violent attack on journalists by unruly UPND cadres at the party’s press briefing at the secretariat.

As an institution that stands for freedom of expression and media freedom, we strongly condemn the attack on the journalists, among them one Silumesi Malumo of Radio Phoenix and Priscilla Banda of Millennium radio.

It is unfortunate that the cadres descended on the journalists who were there to merely do their job of gathering information in the public’s interest. The attack is an affront to the freedom of the press and should be condemned by all well-meaning Zambians.

It is our hope that the UPND leadership will get to the bottom of the matter and discipline the cadres involved as paying a blind eye to the attack will encourage such acts at other similar forums, thereby making it unsafe for journalists to cover the party’s activities for fear of their personal safety. The UPND must take immediate action as a show of its commitment to the ideals of freedom of expression and the express which are critical to the functioning of democracy.

MISA stands in solidarity with the journalists that were attacked and calls on them not to relent in their duty of information dissemination in respect of the public interest. We will engage with the affected journalists and the UPND leadership to chart a way forward and ensure the matter comes to its logical conclusion and the perpetrators brought to book.

We wish to call on all media practitioners to unite beyond all differences as the media fraternity is currently facing various infringements evidenced by political violence, against journalists, legal and other persecution of media houses as well as suppression of dissenting views.

Journalists must stand together for the cause of media freedom despite coming from different media houses in a landscape of media polarisation. As we have always stated, today it may be one journalist or media house but there is no telling who will be attacked next, hence the need to stand together.

Hellen Mwale
Chairperson-MISA Zambia Chapter

Kitwe family refuses to bury a headless body of their murdered relative

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Kitwe family refuses to bury a headless body of their murdered relative


THE Kitwe family of a man whose headless body was discovered in Kitwe last week has refused to bury him, until the head is found.

Wilson Musonda, 22, of Race Course Township in Kitwe was found dead on Tuesday, with his head missing in a makeshift barber shop near Chikosa bar.

Copperbelt Commissioner of police Charity Katanga said in an interview yesterday, that it was not the fault of the police that the head had not yet been found, but assured that investigations were still being conducted.

“For the family to say they will hold on to the body until the head is found is their choice, because it is not the police who killed him (Musonda), therefore, if they decide to do that, my office has no problem with that,” she said.

Ms Katanga reminded the bereaved family that after 90 days, the local authority would take up its duty to ensure the body was buried as stipulated by the law.

She also urged residents in the province to safeguard their lives and avoid unnecessary movements.

Ms Katanga said people should be cautious about their movements after dark, as police patrols could not cover every area.

“People shouldn’t be quick to say that the police will curb these killings if they do not take precautions over their own lives. In as much as the police is supposed to patrol, residents should also know that they should not move at awkward times when there is a certain trend of crime happening,” Ms Katanga said.

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