Video Directed By DJ LO for Ikonik
Song Produced by Reverb
BY KAPA187
Sergeant Choongwa, a ZAF officer died while in Police custody at Woodlands Police Station and Lusaka Province Police Commissioner Nelson Phiri has said the ZAF officer died after being brutally beaten by inmates while in custody.
The Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs have instituted joint investigations into the death of the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) officer who died in police cells at Woodlands Police Station after being allegedly beaten by police officers.
Speaking during a joint news conference in Lusaka today, Minister of Defence Davies Chama and his Home Affairs counterpart Steven Kampyongo have assured the nation that no one will be spared if found wanting.
Mr Chama says the joint investigation will help establish the facts that led to the death of the ZAF officer Mark Choonga.
Mr. Chama has since appealed for calm from both ZAF and police officers as investigations are being conducted.
The defence Minister says it’s hoped that discipline will prevail as the outcome of the investigations is awaited.
And Home Affairs Minister Steven Kampyongo has warned that there will be no sacred cows in the investigation.
He says anyone who played a part in the death of the ZAF officer will not be shielded.
Mr Kampyongo states that Police cells are not a death trap for anyone.
The Lusaka High Court has acquitted two suspects Collins Soma and Edward Siandima arrested in connection with the death of Ruth Mbandu, a NIPA Student.
High Court Judge Chalwe Mchenga said this is because the Zambia Police Service failed to produce enough evidence to link suspects with the offense.
He said the fact that one of the accused persons was found with the phone is not enough because he bought the phone way after the offense was committed.
The judge further said the medical report that examined the semen found on Ruth Mbandu’s body was never brought to the court.
The Judge noted with concern that even a photocopy of the report would have added value to the case.
And speaking after the judgment, NGOCC Head of communication Madube Siyauya has expressed sadness at the police’s failure to properly investigate the matter.
The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry says a recent survey conducted on the cost of doing business in shopping malls in Zambia has revealed that most rentals are being quoted in US dollars.
Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame says this is despite the country having a law in place forbidding quoting of products and services in foreign currencies.
Ms Siame says her Ministry is now working with the Bank of Zambia to ensure that there is compliance to the law that forbids quoting or transacting in foreign currencies in the country.
She has told ZNBC News in an interview that quoting in foreign currencies possesses a challenge on the Zambian market as people cannot make meaningful projections regarding their sales and profits.
Mrs. Kayula said her ministry is committed to ensuring that the Bank of Zambia through its banking and financial Act ensures that there is compliance to the law.
Mr Msoni said it was worrying that the Vice President has failed to play the strengthening role that a Running Mate is supposed to as intended by the amended constitution.
He said Zambia was being piloted by two individuals in a COMMA as the Vice President just like her boss has proved too weak and non-responsive to the challenges being faced in the country.
He said the combination of the two individuals holding the two highest offices in the land was bad for the country saying it was like being in a plane were the two pilots were both asleep and non-responsive subjecting passengers into panic and an awkward situation.
“Our deepest concerns are the paralysis in his office, the paralysis in the Vice President’s office. The combination of the two is a bad combination for government because one would have anticipated that the role of the running mate, who because of the amended constitution is different from the past vice presidents as this one is also a president designate hence were you have a weak President the Vice should be a strengthening hand but if you have a combination of two very weak individuals occupying the Presidency and the Vice President’s office then there is a problem. In other words you have two pilots who in the midst of a flight are in a COMMA, they are non-responsive that is the current state of Zambia. We know the fate of a plane whose pilots are asleep in the cock pit that is Zambia dangerously gliding without leaders to take control of its fate,” he said.
On the lamentation by the President that Chiefs were apportioning land by themselves, the APC leader said Traditional Leaders had taken it upon themselves to apportion land because they had realized that there was a vacuum in the Presidency.
“If chiefs have taken it upon themselves apportioning land then they have come to recognize that there is a serious vacuum in the Presidency. People are doing that because they have seen that there is no President! What the Chiefs are doing is an affirmation and confirmation that we have a very weak President because if they knew that there is a President in whom land is vested in then they wouldn’t be doing what they are doing but it is the incompetence and failure by the President’s Office that is making Chiefs to take it upon themselves to proceed as if there is no such office or such an office was vacant,” he said.
A picture where Livestock and Fisheries Michael Katambo is seen kneeling for President Edgar Lungu, has gone viral on the internet.
The photo was taken on Sunday inside the Parish priest’s office at Mary Immaculate Parish in Lusaka shortly after President Lungu attended mass.
While President Lungu sat comfortably on the only chair in the office, Mr Katambo with fear all over him, clenched both hands as he knelt.
It looked as if President Lungu was scolding Mr Katambo.
Another man was seen in the room, but his face was not visible.
It is possible that he took the snapshot that is now all over the internet, as the man was seen holding a camera.
Many people in Africa have taken to Twitter and Facebook to poke fun at Mr Katambo and mock President Lungu
Fikile Mbalula, South African Minister of Sports, taunted them on Twitter.
“Zambia’s president holding discussions with his livestock minister. No seat for him, not even kneeling,” Mbalula wrote.
Social Activist Laura Miti wrote, “How the President could sit there and accept that kind of veritable self-flagellation from the Minister, I cannot understand. What is going on in your head as you speak to a Minister grovelling before you like that?”
She added, “You somehow convince yourself it is due to you? To be quite honest no one; no matter how “lowly” their position in life, should be expected to take that posture before an elected official or anyone. Ah a-Lungu, yayi Baba! Muleke zoteti.”
Isima@IsimaOdeh wrote, “Africa will not progress if Africans don’t stop treating their leaders like gods.”
President Lungu appointed Mr Katambo in September last year after he was re-elected as Masaiti PF Member of Parliament.
A similar Picture below went viral during the Late President Mwanawasa’s era
Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima has refused to set up a tribunal to investigate Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya’s alleged wrong doings in the Malawi Maize scandal.
This is after UPP President Savior Chishimba wrote to Justice Mambilima’s office requesting that she sets up a tribunal to probe Ms. Siliya’s dealings.
In a letter addressed to UPP President Savior Chishimba and released to the media, Justice Mambilima said she has refused to grant the request because she sought the assistance of an unnamed investigating agency to assess the probable cause.
The other reason is that Justice Mambilima has been advised that the corruption allegations on the part of Ms. Siliya have been investigated and there is no evidence.
But Dr Chishimba said the response from Justice Mambilima is not supported by any provision under the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act, Cap 16 of the Laws of Zambia.
He said the Chief Justice misdirected herself to seek the assistance of an unnamed investigative agency as the power rests with the tribunal and not the Chief Justice, under Cap 16.
Dr Chishimba said the Chief Justice’s role is to simply notify the President and the Speaker about a member who is placed under probe.
“The Chief Justice’s mandate does not go beyond receipt of the particulars of the breaches and appointment of a three-man tribunal. The Chief Justice cannot be told about any other evidence before the main evidence of the petitioner is heard by the tribunal during the probe,” he said.
He charged that the Chief Justice has illegally decided to take a route which is clearly ultra vires Cap 16.
“The alleged corruption was between officials in two countries. On the strength of the UPP evidence, three separate investigations in Malawi named Hon Dora Siliya as the facilitator of corruption.
We have seized the opportunity to remind the Chief Justice that the miscarriage of Justice, which has become second nature to the Judiciary, will not escape the judgment of the Almighty God,” he said.
He said the price of mealie meal remains high in Zambia and many Zambian families are struggling because of corruption and bad leadership.
“The cost of living is rising in face of a Kwacha whose value has declined. Consequently, Zambian workers, the military, civil servants, police and prison officers, intelligence officers and ordinary citizens are failing to balance their budgets. Payday is now a nightmare due to extreme mathematical calculations to balance figures,” he said.
PROS
FAVORITE QUOTES
Dorothy Vaughan: “Separate and equal are two different things. Just ’cause it’s the way, doesn’t make it right, understand?”
Mary Jackson: “Every time we get a chance to get ahead they move the finish line. Every time.”
Karl Zielinski: “Mary, a person with an engineer’s mind should be an engineer. You can’t be a computer the rest of your life.”
Mary Jackson: “Mr. Zielinski, I’m a negro woman. I’m not gonna entertain the impossible.”
Karl Zielinski: “And I’m a Polish Jew whose parents died in a Nazi prison camp. Now I’m standing beneath a spaceship that’s going to carry an astronaut to the stars. I think we can say we are living the impossible. Let me ask you, if you were a white male, would you wish to be an engineer?”
Mary Jackson: “I wouldn’t have to. I’d already be one.”
John Glenn: “Let’s get the girl to check the numbers.”
Al Harrison: “The girl?”
John Glenn: “Yes, Sir.”
Al Harrison: “You mean Katherine?”
John Glenn: “Yes, Sir, the smart one. And if she says they’re good, I’m ready to go.”
CONCLUSION
Hidden Figures is a very inspirational movie about 3 black women that overcame their obstacles to reach the pinnacle of their fields of work.
The overlooked advances from individuals forgotten by history provides a cutting edge perspective into the historical event. This movie should motivate women to venture into male dominated fields and know that they too can excel and contribute to world changing events.
RATING
4 out of 5
BY KAPA187
FAZ has announced that Chipolopolo will face Tanzania in an international friendly during this week’s FIFA international window.
Zambia will face Tanzania on Friday in Dare Salaam with another match tentatively set for Sunday.
Zambia will use the game as part of the preparations for the African Nations Championship against Swaziland in July.
This will be Zambia’s first match in 2017.
Chipolopolo coach Wedson Nyirenda has already summoned 28 players for the Tanzania match that includes Zamalek striker Emmanuel Mayuka and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.
Nyirenda’s team was scheduled to regroup in Lusaka on Monday evening.
FULL TEAM
GOALKEEPERS
Jacob Banda (Zesco United) Racha Kola (Zanaco) Allan Chibwe (Power Dynamos) Kennedy Mweene (Mamelodi Sundowns)
DEFENDERS
Taonga Bwembya (Zanaco), Donashano Malama (Nkana), Fackson Kapumbu (Zesco United), Mweene Mumbi (Green Buffaloes), Ziyo Tembo (Green Buffaloes), Isaac Shamujompa (Napsa (Stars), Adrian Chama (Green Buffaloes), Billy Mutale (Power Dynamos), George Chilufya (Zanaco)
MIDFIELDERS
Misheck Chaila, John Ching’andu, Kondwani Mtonga (all Zesco United), Clatous Chama (Lusaka Dyanmos), Kelvin Mubanga , Fwayo Tembo (both Power Dynamos), Austin Banda (Napsa Stars), Mwila Phiri (Choma Eagles), Augustine Mulenga (Zanaco), Mukubanga Siambombe (Zamcoal Diggers)
STRIKERS
Jackson Mwanza (Zesco United), Justin Shonga (Nkhwazi), Chitiya Mususu (Napsa Stars), Ronald Kampamba (Nkana) and Emmanuel Mayuka (Zamalek)
The first single off SuZANNE GACHUKIA – ZannaZIKI AllStars album is here!
The classic hit – KONDO GAKWA – gets zapped into 2017 by WYRE and SuZANNE GACHUKIA’s energetic collaboration. The video, directed by Director Kevin ‘Bosco’ Jr, brings the song to life with a fresh, entertaining dance vibe.
Talking about the recording session with Danish producer Klaus Seest, WYRE says, “I grew up listening to Suzanne’s music. She was an early inspiration to me and many others in the music industry – that’s why I was excited to collaborate on this latest remix of KONDO GAKWA. Gachukia and her band Zannaziki originally released KONDO GAKWA on their Tamu Tamu album in 1998, which became a big hit and featured a remix bonus track from then fresh hip hop artistes – K South.
WYRE continues, “When I got into the studio, I loved the whole vibe that (producer) Seest had brought to the track – he’d kept the original sound and the same melodies, so my challenge was to bring the new school vibe and that was the Dancehall vibe that I did on it!”
Undoubtedly, one of Africa’s most entertaining performers, WYRE confides, “This year I’m celebrating 20 years in the music industry – I grew up on Musikly Speaking & Zanna- I’m so proud to be a part of this project, because I really looked up to (them) – Suzanne paved the way for so many of us”.
The single is the first from Sub Sahara Entertainment’s upcoming twin volume compilation of compositions; by renowned Kenyan hit-maker, performer and trailblazer, SuZANNE GACHUKIA – The Zannaziki AllStars; all performed by a stellar cast of celebrated Kenyan artists.
On his part, Wyre has collaborated with many local Kenyan artists including Khaligraph Jones, Nazizi, Kidis, Prezzo, Vigeti, Nonini, JB Maina, Benjamin Kabasele and international artists such as Jamaica’s Alaine, Cecile and Morgan Heritage, and P-Square, 2Face and Idibia from Nigeria.
Look out for SuZANNE GACHUKIA – Zannaziki AllStars VOL I. Release Date: March 28th, 2017
By Bowman C. Lusambo
The manner in which Mr Hakainde Hichilema has continued manipulating and brainwashing UPND Members of Parliament to fulfill his own narrow selfish motives is now becoming a source of concern.
In a Parliamentary democracy like ours, Members of Parliament are elected to the National Assembly to represent the electorate and when they begin to adjudicate that responsibility, then it is only fair that they are reminded that their stay in that House is dependent on their execution of those responsibilities.
Their behaviour on Friday when they elected to again boycott His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s State of the Nation Address should be condemned in the strongest terms.
I wish to remind the UPND MPs that President Lungu is firmly in office and he was sworn in using the constitutional provisions and that this is the reality they have to come to terms with and the sooner they do that, the better.
The people who voted for these UPND MPs now feel undeserved, unrepresented and short changed.
This is a lesson to the electorate to scrutinise some of these political parties whose leadership is well known for its self-serving machinations.
The Legislature just like the Executive forms part of Government. It is therefore folly to attempt to disengage from a Government which you are firmly part of by refusing to recognise the President who is the Head of the Executive, to which, as MPs you already belong.
When entering the House, UPND MPs took an oath of allegiance to the President. How can they turn around today and claim not to recognise the same President they swore allegiance to? The last time they acted in this manner, they apologised to the Speaker, to their electorate and the nation and they promised not to repeat such actions but now they have done the same thing they apologised for.
This kind of behaviour can be likened to that of a dog. In the animal kingdom, only a dog is known to go back to its vomit. The UPND MPs are behaving like dogs by going back to eating what they had vomited.
Mr Hichilema’s public life is littered with several answered questions about his source of wealth. When he speaks, he exhibits high levels of bitterness unfit for national leadership.
It is therefore a shame that men and women with high intellectual calibre such as Hon. Garry Nkombo, Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane and Hon. Jackie Mwiimbu could be reduced to puppets for Mr Hichilema.
As an accomplished Lawyer, Hon. Mwiimbu is expected to apply reason and thought to his actions and do the right thing and that is represent his people in Monze Central effectively.
At the rate Hon. Mwiimbu is advancing Mr Hichilema’s narrow agenda, I can only prescribe that he borrows from his younger but more astute colleague from the same legal profession Hon. Keith Mukata who opted to do the right thing and stayed in the House to be addressed by the Head of State.
As a nation, we should commend Hon. Mukata for demonstrating independent and progressive thinking which is critical for national development.
My advice to the UPND MPs is that their acts of blind loyalty to Mr Hichilema will never take them anywhere. Zambians are now able to discern who means well or who does not. The UPND has some bright MPs especially those from North Western Province with promising political careers who should not follow Mr Hichilema’s dark schemes.
Mr Hichilema is a political failure which has never won a legitimate election even after a record number of attempts. Taking political advice from such a failure would spell doom for these MPs.
Even my personal political acumen is far better than Mr Hichilema’s as I have been longer in politics and won elections before. Mr Hichilema should be warned that the kind of politics he is now bringing to Parliament are only fit a village assembly in Bweengwa as they are outdated and irrelevant in our current political discourse.
The Author is Patriotic Front Member of Parliament for Kabushi Constituency and Coperbelt Provincial Minister
Copperbelt Energy Corporation has revealed that mining companies could face a power bill of more than $276 million if they lose a dispute with the government over electricity tariff rises.
Its 2016 annual report, CEC says a resolution to the three-year battle could come by the end of the month.
In the report audited by KPMG, CEC says if the High Court rules in favour of the Energy Regulation Board and its tariff increases, CEC will be ordered to pay ZESCO $276 million in outstanding fees.
The company warned that it would in turn pass the cost onto customers.
A ruling could bring an end to a dispute that has raged since April 2014, when the ERB raised tariffs for mining operators by almost 30 percent.
“Following a tariff increase by the energy regulator, Energy Regulation Board (ERB) in April 2014 and another increase effective 1 January 2016, the Company and other stakeholders in the industry have challenged the increase in the tariffs in the High Court by way of a Judicial Review,” the report read.
“As a result of the dispute, CEC Plc has not been paying its electricity supplier (ZESCO) the full invoice value for the electricity supplied but has been making payments based on the old tariff before the ERB adjustments. No provision has been recognised in respect of the difference between the old tariff amount recognised by the Company and the amount invoiced by ZESCO.”
It said the old tariff used in computing the Company’s electricity consumption recognised in cost of sales and the resultant amounts payable to ZESCO, was subject to an annual adjustment based on agreed market indices.
“The Company has applied these indices unilaterally without ZESCO’s agreement. ZESCO has also not confirmed the accuracy of the amounts paid to them. A contingent liability has been disclosed in respect of this dispute. Given the significance of the dispute and the impact the disputed amount of USD 275.6 million may have on CEC Plc’s liquidity, the matter was considered a key audit matter,” said the report.
“Most of the mines have contested this tariff increase. From April 2, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2016, the mines opted to pay the invoices in part, based on the old tariffs,” says CEC.
“By year end, the tariff discussions could not be concluded though relatively good progress was made,” Owen Silavwe, CEC Managing Director, said in the report.
“Tariff discussions will continue in 2017 and we remain confident that closure on this matter will be achieved before the end of the first quarter of 2017.”
A new association to represent freedom fighters called the Freedom Fighters Association has been launched in Lusaka.
The association aims at protecting values and foundations which were led by the freedom fighters in the struggle for Zambia’s independence.
Launching the association in Lusaka on Monday, Association Co-Patron Sikota Wina bemoaned the poor living conditions that most freedom fighters have been subjected to.
Mr. Wina has also called on government to appoint two Representatives to Parliament to look at the interests of freedom fighters in the country.
He also called on Zambians to embrace one another and enhance the country’s peace and unity.
Mr. Wina said it is important for Zambians to work at strengthening and deepening the country’s unity and democracy.
He said the sacrifice of the forefathers was not in vain because the country continues to uphold peace and independence that was fought for 52 years ago.
The National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) says wastewater remains a threat to public health and the provision of clean and safe drinking water without the enforcement of standards for construction of sanitation facilities and wastewater re-use.
Speaking ahead of World Water Day which will be commemorated on 22nd March 2017 under the theme ‘Water and Wastewater’ NWASCO Director Kelvin Chitumbo observes that it is for this reason that NWASCO is developing a strategy on the regulation of on-site sanitation and faecal sludge management.
He said regulation of these services will help promote good public health and ensure cleaner and safe environments.
He noted that On-site sanitation systems such as pit latrines and septic tanks are now widely in use in Zambia especially in the peri-urban and new development areas.
“This is due to the fact that sanitation facilities are dilapidated and inadequate to meet the current demand while improper use of the facilities have exacerbated the situation.
However, most pit latrines and septic tanks are poorly constructed in most cases and maintenance and management of these facilities is very poor and largely contribute to the deterioration of groundwater quality through discharge of untreated wastewater.”
Mr Chitumbo adds that investing in on-site sanitation and the associated faecal sludge management (i.e. treatment infrastructure development for faecal sludge) as well as enforcing of desludging services is vital for Zambia.
“Investment is key to address this challenge and we have seen good will from government and cooperating partners to fund both water and sanitation as evidenced from a number of projects such as the Three hundred million US Dollars for the Lusaka Water and Sewerage specifically for sanitation while the Two hundred Million US Dollars for Nkana Water and Sewerage Company, One Hundred and Fifty Six Million Euros for Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company and One Hundred and four Million US Dollars for Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company include sanitation aspects.
Efficient sewerage systems including sewage treatment plants are vital for any country so as to ensure that wastewater and sludge are treated before being discharged into the environment.” he said.
Mr. Katiti told ZANIS that his office is aware that 4 health posts were earmarked to be constructed in Luano as part of the 650 health facilities that were to be constructed countrywide.
He said that the need for health post has been a long standing aspiration in communities of areas such as the valley Chiefdoms of Chembe, Mboroma and Mboshya.
He observed that in Chief Chembe’s Liteta area, the Contractor for the earmarked health post has not even come on site, adding that the situation is causing worry amongst residents as well as Civic Leadership.
Mr. Katiti also took this opportunity to commend President Edgar Lungu’s decision to involve the security wings such as Zambia Army as well as Zambia National Service in civil construction works such as roads and other infrastructure.
Meanwhile, data obtained from Luano District Health Office showed that only Copper Mine health post had been completed over the past 12 Months.
Other health posts yet to be constructed in this District are Liteta and Chembe posts in Chief Chembe, as well as Mulembo in Senior Chief Mboroma’s domain.
© Lusaka Times
