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mealie mealLEGAL action must be taken against millers frustrating Government efforts designed to reduce the cost of mealie meal and have breached the contract by selling the commodity at an exorbitant price, says Democratic Assembly president Maxwell Mwamba.
Mr Mwamba charged that millers frustrating Government efforts to make the cost of mealie meal affordable should be investigated because some of them were selling a 25 kg bag of mealie meal at K115 instead of the agreed price of K85.
This was despite the fact that the millers were receiving stocks of cheaper subsidised maize from the Food Reserve Agency.
He said that the decision taken by the Patriotic Front government to lower the price of the staple food had been frustrated by the same millers benefitting from the reduced price of maize which they were supposed to pass on to the consumer through a reduction in mealie meal prices.
Mr Mwamba claimed that the country had continued to ‘‘suffer collateral damage’’ by having children with malnutrition due to the unaffordability of food caused by high mealie meal prices.
“The Democratic Assembly is calling for legal action to be taken against millers who have breached the agreement designed to reduce the price of mealie meal and are frustrating Government’s efforts designed to make the cost of mealie meal affordable,” he said.
Mr Mwamba urged law enforcement agencies such as the police to investigate the matter, saying it bordered on food security which was a national security issue.
The opposition leader said that there was need to set up a commission of inquiry into the matter and if facts were established that the millers breached the contract, punitive measures should be taken such as the withdrawal of their operating
licenses.
Millers and grain traders had signed an agreement which was expected to result in the reduction of mealie meal prices to K85.
The two parties signed the agreement, underwritten by the FRA, in which the grain traders would supply 245,000 tonnes of maize to the millers who would in turn flood the market with mealie meal to ensure that the price reduced to K85 from the current price of K105 for a 25 kg bag.
In a Landlocked Country like Zambia there are many challenges that come with importation of Vehicles in our country, the challenges that one has to endure are many and it often calls for patience and proper cost analysis to cover all expenses involved in importation of a vehicle. We often hear of stories of people that have lost their cash through bogus vehicle sellers that have no track record in vehicle import and export business. Many people ought to be careful in terms of how they purchase cars online, however companies such as BE FORWARDwith their agent offices set up right in the heart of the city, the chances of one being duped have lessened as one can always verify and authenticate any documentation and company details.
Security concerns about the company and the vehicle are often raised as one does not wish to lose his/her finances especially in instances where one has spent time saving every penny to purchase a car online. Online purchasing of vehicles is a very big business in the African continent as access to second hand vehicles is open to everyone with Internet connection. As much as there are some who feel like second hand vehicles are just being dumped on the continent I would beg to differ in that they have really made the cost of transport and foodstuffs to really go down.
Speaking of the biggest thing that has ever happened to our nation is to see the reality of people getting employment in the transport sector and this is all attributed to second hand vehicles being brought into the country. Apart from the convenience that every person gets from having their own vehicle outweighs any so called disadvantages that one can put up. I have been importing quite a number of vehicles in the country and I will still continue doing so as I have a passion for online purchasing of cars. I once ordered and purchased a pearl white Toyota Mark II with year of model being 2004, CC capacity 2500. This car was very comfortable and neat in every sense of it all as I bought the same with a price bargain of $ 1,150.00 up to the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania East Africa.
Payment Process
The whole process of sending of cash and receiving of invoice was done in a short space of two days. Once an individual orders the car, the next thing that BE FORWARD does is to immediately send a Proforma Invoice in the email provided when ordering the car. You are expected to make transfer of payment for the vehicle within 48 hours as any delay can lead to the Proforma Invoice being cancelled and the car being eventually offered to another client, as more and more people are always looking out for cheap and good condition vehicles. Upon transferring the same funds, never forget to scan and send a copy of electronic transfer to BE FORWARD as they will expect proof of payment and car details such as the allotted vehicle number clearly shown on the transfer copy. This process helps BE FORWARD to reserve and quickly start the shipping process in a short space of time.
Important Documents When You Import Used Cars
I received soft copies of export certificate, bill of lading and invoice in approximately two weeks, with the original papers arriving a week before the vehicle reaching the Port. These three documents are very important as one cannot import any vehicle without the presence or availability of the same. The other document that one needs to be very much aware of is Jevic inspection. This service is available both at the border and also can be done from the exporting country as the vehicle has to be inspected prior to being exported and crossing the border.
Car Shipping to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania
In getting back to the above mentioned vehicle that I had purchased, the whole shipping process for the vehicle was handled in a professional manner by BE FORWARD, where I had bought the vehicle from, was at hand in alerting me as to when the car was going to be shipped, and a tracking number was provided for easy monitoring of the ship online and SMS were often sent to alert me on the expected date of arrival of the ship at the port which in this case it was Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
I personally prefer Dar es Salaam as it is near and the cost of freight is reasonable when compared to other Ports. It took the vehicle approximately three (03) weeks for it to arrive at the port of Dar es salaam and BE FORWARD was at hand to assist me in getting the right clearing agent to pay and sort out my paper work with Tanzania Port Authority with the cost of hire of an agent ranging between $250 and $300 utmost.
The whole shipping process and docking of the car was done smoothly with no scratches on the car. This is usually common with cars being exported as multiple units are shipped in one ship at a time. However shipping companies always take necessary precautions to prevent damage to whatever units they might be carrying.
How to Pay the Import Duty
Once you receive your car and pay the authorities landing fees, the next thing to do is to hit the road as you are expected not to prolong your stay but within a time frame of 24 hours. Upon collection of the vehicle one, must be at the crossing border point.
At the crossing border point there are usually agents that are able to clear the vehicles within the shortest possible time. However, caution has to be taken here as some people have ended up being duped out of thousands of Kwacha to individuals impersonating as clearing agents. This risk can also be avoided as the Zambia Revenue Authority; the authority that is mandated to collect taxes on behalf of the Zambian Government has come up with a system in which you can pay the duty of the car prior to its arrival and the process can be done from any location other than the border. Inspection of the car is normally handled by customs officers and relevant documents such as invoice, export certificate, travel insurance and bill of lading are required for the purposes of charging the right taxes and excise duty.
We were able to clear our papers and an amount of ZMK 14,389.60 was paid as duty to the Zambia Revenue Authority. Please take note here that the amount that you have to pay for duty and taxes always varies as the year of manufacture, cc capacity and other accessories are taken into account. The older your vehicle is, the more you have to pay for taxes as old vehicles are taken to have high carbon emission than latest models where the issue of being environmentally friendly is being upheld and as a matter of fact the climate change has become a major issue among United Nations and various research institutions.
*For the latest information please refer to Zambia Revenue Authority Website.
Coming back to my journey, I must say that the whole trip took a toll of 2000 km as the distance between Dar es salaam and Lusaka is approximately that range. The vehicle reached Lusaka in good condition and without any incidences thanks to City Delivery Service by BE FORWARD Tanzania. In concluding this article I can say that the process of ordering, paying and actual receiving of vehicle is one that is really simple and easy to implement as long as you follow all the right channels and rules on exporting and importation of vehicles act. Proper guidance is always available and freely accessible to all; if you are a newbie to online purchasing of cars please take time to consult the right people in the industry and you will never go astray.
For interesting car reviews, car maintenance tips and other car related articles, click here.
HH speaking to Commonwealth Deputy Secretary General-Political, Dr. Josephine Ojiambo (not in picture) in Lusaka on MondayMMD youths have called on the Minister of Home Affairs and his counterpart from the Ministry of Justice to guide the nation on the continued denial to recognize Edgar Lungu as republican president by the UPND president and his followers.
And MMD Die Hard Youths National Coordinator has said that UPND president Hakainde Hichilema is hoodwinking members with his claim that the elections were riggid so that he remains at the helm of the party.
Commenting on a statement by UPND Munali Constituency losing Candidate Doreen Sefuke who said the people of munali will not recognize president Lungu because the victory of PF candidate NKadu Luo was nullified, MMD National Youth Treasure Geoffrey Mulenga said the claims by the UPND leader was bordering on inciting violence in the country.
Mr Mulenga advised the UPND leader to wake up from slumber and show leadership by telling his followers to stop issuing statements that border on treason and that the UPND leader should realize the country is governed by laws.
He said Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo should come in and curtail what he termed as the lunacy by the UPND which has the potential to inflame the country.
He said the UPND was not sincere in their claims that elections were stolen because the ECZ that conducted the elections in regions were he emerged victorious is the same ECZ that carried out the process in the regions were he lost hence invalidating the claim that the PF stole the elections.
Meanwhile New MMD Die Hard Youths National Coordinator Gerald Chiluba called on the UPND leader to concede defeat and focus on the real issue of renewing his mandate as UPND President.
Mr Chiluba said Mr Hichilema should stop using propaganda to hold on as UPND president.
“We want to urge HH stop to using the propaganda of elections being stolen from him to hang on to the leadership of UPND, the real issue is that HH has over stayed on the presidency of UPND and he wants to use petitions and confusions to hold on to the presidency of UPND. We want to warn him that we know the game is playing.
“We want to urge members of the UPND to read between the line because he does not mean while for them. This man wants to continue being the president. Let HH mobilize the party for the convention, he needs to do his homework, let HH renew his mandate as UPND president because as far as the UPND constitution is concerned he is no longer President, he is a former President of UPND,” he said.
he also called on President Lungu to focus on delivering on his promises.
“We also want to take this opportunity to urge and comfort president Edgar Lungu to focus on serious business, business of ensuring everyone eats two meals, bussiness of providing decent and affordable housing, business of of providing clean and safe drinking water, business of providing quality and affordable education and health services,” he said.
Manja Pamodzi collectors after the Chunga clean up exercise on Saturday 4th March 2017
Government has commended Zambian Breweries’ Manja Pamodzi project for empowering women and thereby helping reduce gender based violence (GBV).
The project is also helping communities remain clean and reduce disease burdens, said Kapwepwe Ward 25 councillor Patrick Mwamba Salubusa during the Manja Pamodzi clean up in Chunga, Lusaka, on Saturday (March 4).
“A dirty place is an eyesore. I commend the Manja Pamodzi project for its vigorous stance on cleaning places and ensuring that those engaged in the clean-up earn something. It motivates the community to ensure that they are living in a clean place as they collect the recyclable packaging material and sell to the project,” Mr Salubusa said.
“Manja Pamodzi is responding to issues we are talking about as government like empowering people. This whole ward is a shanty compound. In Desai and Paradise, GBV is the talk of the day and is high because women depend on men to buy anything, hence husbands abusing them. With this project, we hope the cases reduce as women will earn some money (by selling recyclable material to ZB) and not solely depend on their husbands.”
He said the clean-up project was a good opportunity, especially since some of the settlements in Chunga such as Desai and Paradise were unplanned settlements and susceptible to cholera.
“We need interventions like this one. We are also educating children on how to keep the environment clean. For us this is on-going,” he said.
Manja Pamodzi aggregator Kennedy Zulu encouraged collectors to continue collecting recyclable materials as it was a good business that was meant to empower them. Further, he explained that the collectors did not need initial monetary investment as the financial and material support was contributed by Zambian Breweries and the Millennium Challenge Account.
And Zambian Breweries corporate affairs director Ezekiel Sekele said the project had intensified waste collection and he was happy with the communities’ enthusiasm for keeping their environment clean.
“We are delighted and impressed with the communities because they have taken it upon themselves to collect the recyclable solid waste through the aggregators. They do nothave to wait for anyone to ask them or force them to collect the material ultimately earning income for themselves,” Mr. Sekele said.
About 2,000 kilograms of recyclable materials were collected during the exercise, which also saw the ten groups that were involved receiving various goods which included , two plate cookers, itel smart phones, shopping vouchers, mealie meal, cooking oil and sugar as bonuses.
Kapwepwe Ward 25 councillor Patrick Mwamba Salubusa and Zambian Breweries Corporate Affairs director Ezekiel Sekele join in the Chunga clean up in Lusaka.
File:President Lungu with Sports minister Vincent Mwale, PF Deputy secretary General Mumbi Phiri during a rally in Mambwe District on Wednesday, August 3,2016-Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
It is dununa reverse-this time a real one. It is only months since President Lungu was re-elected, but it seems ages.I mean years of dancing dununa reverse! Unlike the Titanic, the PF boat is sailing without the Captain. President Sata is in tears as he witnesses his icibwato sink while Lungu is busy dancing dununa reverse in state house.
Ubwato nabubunda-unless something dramatic happens, only a mad person hopes that PF will sail to 2021 victory.Another reason I find discussions on whether Lungu qualifies to contest the next elections time-wasting.
President Lungu described himself as a very “good” Lawyer. Regardless of one’s reaction to his claim, it seems he forgot to add two critical qualities that have characterized his administration-a very good dancer, and a legendary comedian.
I realize PF cadres are in denial but the current situation in the nation makes one wonder which Lungu is ruling,a smart Lawyer, a great dancer or a comedian!
A smart lawyer would have realized that the PF is in muddy waters . It is ichishala of thieves, who steal from, and abuse citizens and then boast about it! A good Lawyer would have known that HH is a free citizen with rights to free movement and association. A good Lawyer would have known that the police exist to protect citizens and not to abuse them. A good Lawyer would have recognized that we are all Zambians regardless of our party affiliations. So why does Lungu allow insane people to override the rights of fellow citizens simply because the refuse to join dununa reverse?
President Lungu is a good dancer,only next to the legendary Amayenge dancer, the late Chanda Beu! Dancing is good, it makes us forget our plight! This is why the poorest crowd political rallies and dance dununa reverse or forward to impress the rich. They are interested in music and not policies. Lungu knows this and dancing dununa reverse was a great political strategy. Sadly, the music has stopped and it is now time to live in dununa reverse–and reverse our beloved country is going.
But who can blame a comedian for dancing without the music,it is what they do! Honestly, Chintelelwe is a better Mwine Mushi than Lungu. How can the President allow Davies Chama to promote corruption and lawlessness in a public speech and remain silent? The Zambian media is preoccupied with his call to PF cadres to takeover bus stations–but it is minimal when compared to his directions to give almost half of the plots to PF ward chairpersons and the displacement of UPND cadres selling in streets in Kabwe. This guy is insane. He is a criminal with a criminal mind–he belongs to Prison or Chainama mental hospital! But who cares–Lungu says the madman is going nowhere!
Then came the late delivery of farm inputs and armyworms. This situation is highly disturbing. Lungu would have resolved this problem if he was not busy dancing dununa reverse. Lungu was in power before August 2016. The fact that he did not put measures in place for agriculture shows how incompetent he is. If he had Zambia at heart, he would have made plans for farm inputs long before the elections.
Some people feel that Lungu’s agriculture policies are being sabotaged by some civil servants sympathetic to UPND,which may be true given the closeness of the elections. Civil servants are citizens with political views hence they have the right to support UPND or PF. But Lungu is the President for all Zambians,both PF and UPND. It is his duty to manage such situations and his failure to do so speaks to his incompetence.
Similarly, the comedy that characterizes the PF- Kambwili saga is unsurprising. I have no respect for Kambwili,he was the loudest mouthpiece of Lungu and biggest dununa dancer until fired! Regardless, Kambwili was not the only corrupt minister in PF. We only prosecute corruption when one is out of favor with Mwine Mushi. Ask Mutembo Nchito, Masebo, GBM, Meembe,the list is endless! Shouting Pankoloko or pabwato made them millionaires! When they refused to dance dununa reverse -so fast came their end. Heaven is our witness. We don’t need the ACC to know that Kambwili was not the only corrupt politician under the PF government. If we have to clean house, even Lungu himself will be in prison together with all his dununa dancers.
Ifintu ni Lungu and Dununa reverse are dead slogans -come 2021 people will dance dununa reverse when they mean Forward. I pray that HH will not be fooled by the dance!
Thanks for your time today PS. Could you tell us about your vision for the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development?
PS PAUL CHANDA : I want to see the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (‘MMMD’) become the final authority on mining in Zambia. I want the MMMD to be a very transparent entity which inspires confidence in our clients. And I want to see us compete with some of the world’s largest copper producers – like Chile!
In the next 10 years I would like to see an MMMD with the capacity to effectively monitor and regulate the mining sector. A Ministry that will have operationalised an online system for all its services (such as online applications for mining rights and non-mining rights) including online payments.
We are here at the offices of the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development in Lusaka. What is this Ministry responsible for?
PS PAUL CHANDA : The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development is tasked with managing the mineral resources of the country. It promotes and regulates the mining sector, in line with government policy, which is the major driver of Zambia’s economy. For example, the MMMD issues licenses such as mining and export permits. It is also responsible for ensuring the mining sector is complying with all regulations set out in Zambian law, and informing the strategic agenda for mining’s role in Zambia.
For our readers out there who are not familiar with the Ministry, what is the role of a Permanent Secretary?
PS PAUL CHANDA : Constant communication! My office is responsible for directing and coordinating the activities of the Ministry. It performs the policy-setting role, while the functional Heads of Department are responsible for executing the technical aspects of the Ministry’s functions but a PS is also a bridge between the MMMD and the outside world. I am in charge of projects, personnel and generally I help to polish up the image of the Ministry as I am the contact point with other stakeholders. So I work closely with the Ministry’s department heads (such as Mines Development, Mining Safety and Human Resources), share information and communicate.
Ministry of Mines officers engage with visitors at their booth at ZIMEC last year
How did you become Permanent Secretary?
PS PAUL CHANDA : I’ve worked in government for 22 years – in various departments including Health, Finance, and even the Cabinet Office. In 2012, two separate Ministries (Mines and Energy) were combined. I joined the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development at that time, as the head of Human Resources. I was reporting to the Ministry of Mines’ Permanent Secretary and when he was relieved, I was then appointed as Acting Permanent Secretary, a position I held for two years before I was appointed as a ‘permanent’ Permanent Secretary by President Lungu.
Zambia is well known for copper mining, but it also has large gemstone deposits – beautiful emeralds and amethysts for example. Could you tell us a bit more about what the MMMD is doing to encourage gemstone mining? And what would more gemstone production mean for Zambia?
PS PAUL CHANDA : Yes – Zambia has a wide variety of gemstones such as emeralds, amethyst, aquamarines, garnets, quartz and many more – all of which have not been explored and exploited to their full potential. So as part of our diversification strategy, here at the MMMD we have prioritised the exploration and exploitation of other base metals (other than the traditional copper) and also, as you say, gemstones.
I’m very glad to mention that under the European Union-funded Mineral Production Monitoring Support Project (MPMSP), there is a specific component which focuses on enhancing gemstone production and monitoring. As part of this component, a Senior Expert was engaged, and produced a report with recommendations for improvements to gemstone production reporting, including reference to gemstone grading schemes and an improved reporting template.
With the elections now behind us here in Zambia, 2017 is going to be about getting down to work. What are your priorities for this year?
PS PAUL CHANDA : My priorities for this year are to grow the mining industry, and to increase copper production for 2017 to 850,000 metric tons.
This will be achieved by bringing on-stream new projects such as the South East Ore Body development at NFCA Mining Plc.; Kitumba Project in Mumbwa which is being developed by Intrepid Resources; and Mwambashi Project being developed by Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited. Other projects to be commissioned include Dunrobin in Mumbwa, by Luiri.
Personally, I also want to see improved monitoring of the mining sector, better compliance, a stable mining policy and fiscal regime, and improved budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Mines. And this coming year we also hope to see the gemstone sector growing. We want to attract new investment into gemstone mining.
Senior Technician Chemistry Mr Gift Mwaula explains the use of the UV XRF Portable Analyser at the official unveiling of equipment at GSD on 5th October
Late last year, the European Union-funded Mineral Production Monitoring Support Project (also known as the MPMSP) hosted an unveiling event at the Geological Survey Department for new laboratory equipment which was donated as part of the Project. Could you tell us more about that event and why it was important?
PS PAUL CHANDA : The unveiling of the new laboratory equipment is one of my proudest moments. I know all too well that in the past it has been difficult to test mineral samples accurately, as most of our equipment was obsolete, and people [in the laboratory] were not fully utilised as there was little to work with.
The unveiling of the laboratory equipment gave the Geological Survey Department a good image, and indeed the Ministry as a whole. It also gives confidence to clients who know that they will get accurate measurements of their samples. And it boosts the morale of our staff too.
The equipment kindly donated by the European Union will also help in the monitoring of exports. The President, H.E. Edgar Lungu, has said that government is committed to engaging with the private sector to identify solutions which can help the country offset some of the problems affecting the mining sector.
How will this new equipment help the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development?
PS PAUL CHANDA : The new laboratory equipment will ensure that we are able to speedily and accurately analyse mineral bearing materials intended for export, so that the correct metal content is established. This in turn ensures that the correct revenues can be collected by government through the payment of mineral royalties. It will also help identify the different minerals in a sample, and ensure that the samples that were tested are the same ones which are ultimately exported.
Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda cuts the ribbon with head of cooperation at the EU Zambia Delegation Mr Gianluca Azzoni at the unveiling on the 5th of October
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr Emmanuel Mwamba
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba has written to the National Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) to respond to the union’s regular media attacks of the Zambian government over media freedoms in Zambia.
NUMSA through its General Secretary Mr. Irvin Jim has issued a series of statements attacking the Zambian government over what it says is the shrinking democratic space in Zambia.
But Mr Mwamba said it is absurd to read NUMSA’s statements threatening a boycott of Zambian goods and threatening to stage picketing at the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria.
He said NUMSA’s pledge to raise a campaign against trade between Zambia and South Africa because of the closure of the Post Newspaper that has wilfully failed to pay tax its obligations or broken the country’s laws is also absurd.
Below is Mr Mwamba’s protest letter to NUMSA
Tuesday, 7th March 2017
Mr. Irvin Jim,
General Secretary
National Metalworkers of South Africa(NUMSA)
NUMSA Head Office
NEWTOWN
Johannesburg
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE POST & THE MAST
We have noted with increasing alarm at your press statements issued exclusively to the Zambian media related to The Post Newspaper & The Mast, both newspaper publications in Zambia.
Although these statements do not appear on your official communications such as your website and other outlets, and might not support the official position of NUMSA, we are however compelled to respond because they purport to represent a view of the Union and because of the extent of your misdirection on the matters.
We have taken it upon ourselves to brief you.
The Post Newspapers
This publication was founded as an independent weekly newspaper in 1990 by Michael Hall, John Mukela and Masautso Phiri. Mr. Fred Mmembe joined as accountant and was later rose as Editor and was reported as one of the shareholders.
The publication later became a daily and also published a sister paper, The Sunday Post.
In 2009, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) issued a distress warrant to recover K53billion($5million) in tax arreas, obligation and penalties.
The paper disputed the debt and took the matter to the Courts of Law. The matter went up-to the Supreme Court.
In June 2016, almost seven years after the matter commenced, the Supreme Court of Zambia ruled in favour of the Zambia Revenue Authority(ZRA) and directed that the taxes owed be recovered for the benefit of the country and the assessment was accurate and it was incumbent upon ZRA to recover the debt as the process was done within the sanctity of the law.
The debt was now standing at K68m($6.1m).
The ZRA began a process to recover and recoup the taxes owed.
The Post was then closed to allow ZRA assess and audit properties and assets of the newspaper company, and its subsidiaries at Bwinjimfumu Road and light Industrial premises.
On 2nd November 2016, the newspaper was later placed under liquidation and the Lusaka High Court appointed a Provisional Liquidator, Messrs Lewis, Nathan & Company and Mr. Lewis Chisanga Mosho to recover monies owed and take into account financial interests of other creditors and debtors.
The debt to workers, commercial banks, statutory bodies and suppliers had now risen to over $21 million.
THE MAST
Shortly after The Post was closed, the spouse to Mr. Fred Mmembe, Mrs. Mutinta Bumba Mazoka Mmeembe and Mr. Frank Nchimunya Sibbuku opened The Mast under a company called, Oracle Media.
The Mast quickly found itself in conflict with the law suffering from strong allegations of infringing with the copyrights of The Post Newspapers in Liquidation. Oracle Media and The Mast were also being investigated for harbouring assets of The Post.
ZAMBIA GUARANTEES FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND MEDIA FREEDOM
It is important to state that Zambia enjoys wide democratic media space and has numerous independent and private newspaper publications such as the Daily Nation, The Voice, New Vision and others.
The country also has over 10 private television stations and over 80 commercial and community radio stations.
It also has numerous independent blogs and online newspapers on social media.
Further Zambia has guaranteed media freedoms, and freedom of expression enshrined in the Constitution.
The Rule of Law is so well developed and the Zambia Revenue Authority(ZRA) allowed The Post to exhaust all legal avenues available to it before the law as this matter began in 2009.
Further the colossal amount due to ZRA and other entities now exceeding $21 million far outstrips the assets of The Post and this position reflects a clear case of poor management, failure of using best business practice and mal-administration of the newspaper, than a case of media oppression or suppression.
From the above stated facts, it is clear that the troubles that The Post and The Mast find themselves in cannot be a result of government interference or harassment and cannot therefore attract a justifiable media campaign against President Edgar Lungu or his government.
It is therefore absurd to read your statements threatening a boycott of Zambian goods, threatening to stage picketing at the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria and pledging to raise a campaign against trade between Zambia and South Africa because of a company that has wilfully failed to pay tax its obligations or broken the country’s laws.
Historical, Political, Social, Cultural, Economic Relations between South Africa.
Zambia is one of South Africa’s biggest regional trading partners with an average annual volume of business amounting to $3.8 billion.
There are over 100 South African active companies based in Zambia, participating in all sectors of our economy.
South African Airways (SAA) undertakes over 35 flights a week between Zambia and South Africa.
This is before we count other carriers such as Proflight, Air Rwanda, Namibian Airways and private charter.
This also excludes the daily bus services between the two countries.
And in recent history, it’s important to remember that Zambia hosted the people of South Africa during the liberation struggle to free South Africa from its apartheid shackles of South Africa.
The African National Congress (ANC) had its headquarters in Lusaka and President Oliver Reginald Tambo was based in Lusaka.
Zambia has since declared Oliver Tambo’s former house as a national monument.
Further Zambia suffered collateral damage in lives and properties during the regular raids conducted by the apartheid South African Defense Forces then.
By the few facts stated above it is clear that the two states and its people enjoy warm and cordial relations born out of blood, sweat and love and that bond cannot be broken by support for a company closed due to its tax default or by careless and inflammatory media statements such as those attributed to you recently.
As a workers’ union, we expect to you to stand in solidarity with any government or agencies keen to collect due taxes and revenue to help foster national development, a government keen to uplift the welfare of workers and determined to combat poverty that afflict the majority of our people.
It is in this spirit that we invite you for a meeting to help resolve some of your perceived concerns regarding The Post Newspapers (now in liquidation) or your concerns regarding media freedoms in Zambia.
Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa.
With Extra Accreditation to Lesotho and Madagascar.
A-water reservoir which provides water for power generation at Musonda Hydro power station.
ZESCO Limited says works to upgrade the Musonda hydro power station in Luapula province have advanced with 85 percent work done.
Speaking in an interview with ZNBC news from Musonda falls in Mwense Luapula province, ZESCO Spokesperson Henry Kapata said much of the 15 percent left is to do with the new substation being constructed.
Mr. Kapata says the 45 million U.S dollar project is expected to be completed on November 11, 2017.
Currently the Musonda falls generates 5 mega watts of power and will be producing 10 mega watts once upgraded.
The power demand for Luapula Province stands at 15 mega watts.
Mr. Kapata said the power station has brand new turbines which have since been installed
The ZESCO spokesperson further says Luapula province will also benefit from the construction of the 1200 mega watts power plant on the Luapula River to be done by Zambia and Congo D.R. with five possible cites already identified.
He said ZESCO will in the near future construct a 330 KV transmission line from Pensulo in Serenje to Mansa
FILE: Copperbelt Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, listens to Mopani Copper Mines Chief Executive Officer, Johan Jansen, in Kitwe
THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION WELCOMES THE DECISION BY COPPERBELT MINISTER, MR. BOWMAN LUSAMBO, TO ENGAGE INVESTORS ON MATTERS OF BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
The Human Rights Commission wishes to commend Copperbelt Province Minister, Mr. Bowman Lusambo, for engaging Business Enterprises on their responsibility to incorporate and respect human rights in their core operations.
The Minister’s position is in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights which all UN member states are expected to implement in order to minimise the environmental and human rights impacts caused by business enterprises. The UN Guiding Principles place obligations on the Government to protect against human rights abuses, including businesses, through effective policies, legislation, regulations and adjudication. They also place a responsibility on Business Enterprises to respect human rights, by avoiding infringing on the rights of individuals, communities and workers and also to address negative impacts caused by their operations.
The Human Rights Commission in conjunction with the Government has conducted a National Baseline Assessment on Business and Human Rights in Zambia and the findings have exposed glaring gaps in both enforcing and implementing the UN Guiding Principles. It is therefore desirable that for all stakeholders to closely work with the Government to come up a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights to provide a comprehensive and predictable guidance on protecting human rights by all business enterprises operating in Zambia regardless of their size, sector, location, ownership and structure.
The National Action Plan will also provide an opportunity for both the Government and Business Enterprises to effectively discharge their obligations under international human rights law under Business and Human Rights.
Though the Minister’s pronouncements and actions are the expected standard conduct of Government under UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, he deserves commendation because it is rare to hear public officials demanding respect for human rights from business enterprises. Most leaders have been focussing on encouraging investors and highlighting the expected benefits through promised financial investment and employment creation at the expense of considering the negative environmental and human rights impacts caused by business enterprises on individuals, communities and workers.
The Government is encouraged to come up with appropriate laws, policies and procedures and effectively enforce them in order to promote strict adherence to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in Zambia. It is also recommended that, as Business Corporations negotiate for investment incentives, the Government should also ensure that respect for protecting the environment and human rights becomes an integral part of the development and investment agreements.
It must be appreciated that by dealing with perennial complaints of environmental degradation and poor conditions of services caused and practised by business enterprises, the government is dealing with the symptoms of an underlying problem, which is lack of protection and respect for human rights of individuals, local communities and workers by both the Government and respective business enterprises.
The demand by Mr. Lusambo to Business Corporation to ensure that the affected communities participate in decision making on matters affecting them is commendable because it is also in line with a human rights-based approach to sustainable development.
[The Human Rights Commission is a National Human Rights Institution established under Article 230 of the Zambian Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 with an overall mandate and obligation of ensuring that the Bill of Rights is upheld and promoted]
Mweelwa Muleya Spokesperson HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Vice President Inonge WinaVICE President Inonge Wina has said poverty can be fought through hard work by every individual.
Ms Wina said if people continue to put efforts together nothing was always impossible in the fight against poverty at all levels.
The Vice President said in a speech read on her behalf by Eastern Province acting Permanent Secretary Patrick Mwanawasa during Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) Women’s World celebration held at David Kaunda stadium in Chipata yesterday.
“Let us always remember that poverty can be fought through hard work by every individual and in this case we are talking about you the womenfolk to continue to encourage each other and working together and promote unity through the implementation of activities that have an economic impact on the lives of the people,” she said. She said the Government’s concerted fight against poverty was an on-going process.
Ms Wina commended DMI and its collaborators for creating hope for the people of Eastern Province more especially among women. She said the Government and the Church shall continue working in partnership for the betterment of the humanity.
The Vice President said the activities of the Catholic Church have always embarked on of organising women through DMI which demonstrates how much they care about humanity in the Country.
“May I also state that as Government we take joy and always appreciate the good relationship that has continued under the leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the Catholic Church in Zambia,” she said.
Ms Wina said it was good that DMI have come up with a number of development programmes for women such as formation of self-help groups and federation, women leadership, capacity building, community health, economic empowerment, micro credit programme for women, adult literacy and alternative livelihood programme.
She said it was also good that DMI has gone further by growing up with development programmes for children such as value education for school education, children parliament, rural study centre, educational assistance for poor children and sponsorship and scholarships for children’s education.
Ms Wina said it was gratifying that the women were able to sustain themselves economically.
She said the Government had always encouraged women in Zambia to venture more into the small and medium enterprises as one way of alleviating poverty and contributing to economic development of the Country.
She said women have a key role to play in reducing poverty in the Country and setting up enterprises was the first step towards prosperity as opposed to depending on handouts.
Speaking earlier DMI Eastern Province Programme Coordinator Sister Fatima Jacintha Rani said through micro credit, poverty levels have reduced hence women were able to send their children to school and eat three balanced diet foods per day.
Malole area Member of Parliament Christopher Yaluma says electrification of schools in rural areas is key to effective implementation of the education curriculum on Information Technology and Communication.
Speaking when he visited some schools in his constituency, Mr Yaluma said there is urgent need to ensure learning institutions have electricity if pupils are to sufficiently learn ICT subjects.
Mr Yaluma, who is also Minister of Mines, said some nearby schools would be considered for connection to the national grid while others in far-flung areas would get solar power.
He added that he would engage relevant stakeholders in an effort to ensure that learning facilities have the essential requirements for ICT learners.
Meanwhile, Mr Yaluma has revealed that he has sourced about 100 computers which he will be distributing to schools in his constituency.
He has since pledged to continue working hard to improve schools in the area.
President Lungu speaks with Foreign Affairs minister Harry KalabaPARLIAMENT heard yesterday that Zambia is promoting lasting peace between warring nations such as Israel and Palestine.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba said Zambia has taken a neutral position and wants to promote peace between countries that have differences.
He was responding to a question by Sesheke member of Parliament Frank Kufakwandi (UPND) who wanted to know how Zambia would relate with Palestine now that it has deepened its relations with Israel.
This was after Mr Kalaba gave a ministerial statement on President Lungu’s international trips and their benefits to Zambia and the world as a whole.
“We want to bridge the political divide between Israel and Palestine. We will find common ground because we want these two nations to be at peace with each other,” Mr Kalaba said.
Mr Kalaba said the world has become competitive and that there was need for Zambia to invest in international relations to reap benefits.
He said Zambia is, however, treading carefully pushing its own agenda on the international scene.
“Zambia is in the international arena for its own interests. We will ensure that we safeguard our interests as a nation as we forge these relations,” Mr Kalaba said.
He said President Lungu’s international trips have attracted huge investments in trade and development cooperation which will culminate into the creation of jobs for Zambians and improve their lives.
“Zambia will therefore continue to reach out to the international community in order to realise maximum benefits for the country towards sustainable development,” Mr Kalaba said.
President Lungu visited Israel from February 27 to March 3, 2017 at the invitation of Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of the State of Israel.
Meanwhile, opposition Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) has urged President Lungu not to be distracted by his critics from using international trips to woo foreign investors to come and invest in various sectors of Zambia’s economy.
ZED spokesperson Wesley Miyanda said in an interview yesterday, the President’s foreign trips are aimed at cementing Zambia’s international relations and attract investments.
Mr Miyanda said foreign trips are also important in alleviating poverty among citizens through various international deals clinched during such visits across the globe.
The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has said that the death of 8 people in a stampede which happened during the distribution of food by a church organization must serve as an eye opener to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) government that poverty levels in the country have reached alarming levels.
In a statement released to the media yesterday and signed by Reverend Suzanne Matale, the CCZ General Secretary, the organisation said that many signs of high poverty levels such as increased criminal activities have been overlooked by government despite countless reminders from ordinary citizens, the civil society and the church that the social-economic situation in the country is continuously deteriorating with no signs of improvement.
CCZ further said that all the meaningful development which government is claiming to deliver to the people of Zambia especially infrastructure development across the nation is meaningless if they cannot afford the basic necessities of life for the Zambia citizens.
Below is the full statement
PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ZAMBIA ON THE DEATH OF PEOPLE AT A STAMPEDE OVER FOOD DISTRIBUTION BY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has learnt with deep regret the death of 8 people in a stampede which happened during the distribution of food by a church organization, the Church of Christ in Lusaka’s Olympic Youth Development Centre which also left many others injured and hospitalized.
We pass our condolences to the families of the victims of the stampede. We pray for peace and comfort during this sad moment and may the good Lord continue to strengthen them as they mourn their loved ones.
The Council believes that this development is a sign of high poverty levels in the country which has driven people to extreme desperation to an extent of risking their lives in an effort to secure food for themselves.
This incident must serve as an eye opener to the Patriotic Front (PF) government that poverty levels in the country have reached alarming levels. Many signs of high poverty levels such as increased criminal activities have been overlooked by government despite countless reminders from ordinary citizens, the civil society and the church that the social-economic situation in the country is continuously deteriorating with no signs of improvement.
We believe that the people of Zambia are entitled to a dignified way of life and not struggle to a point of sacrificing their lives to secure food after attaining independence many years, a freedom which we expect to come with all other freedoms.
All the meaningful development which government is claiming to deliver to the people of Zambia especially infrastructure development across the nation is meaningless if they cannot afford the basic necessities of life for the Zambia citizens.
The Council wishes to implore all the Zambians to be on the lookout for organizations using the high poverty levels to entice them to attend their events where they use the platform to drive their agendas in the name of rendering help.
It is encouraging to note that government responded positively in this matter by suspending operations of the Church of Christ which caused the stampede. This development must serve as a warning to all unscrupulous organizations coming in the name of Christianity to take advantage of innocent people. Government must further ensure that all church events involving large gatherings are scrutinized to avoid a re-occurrence of such an incident.
The NEPAD-IPPF (Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility) has approved US $3.88 million in grants to the Governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique and Zambia to finance completion of regional projects preparations.
The two Regional Interconnectors – Kolwezi (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Solwezi (Zambia) – received US $1.98 million and Zambia-Mozambique US $1.9 million, excluding US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) co-financing worth US $0.8 million. The NEPAD-IPPF grants are to help fund full feasibility studies, including detailed design and tender documents of the proposed high-voltage direct current (HVDC) 330-/400-kV transmission lines within two years. The projects have already attracted downstream financing interest from donors in the region and other financial institutions.
The two interconnectors are amongst the key corridors in the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) network architecture within the regional grid, to assure region-wide provision of quality, reliable and secure electricity, to commercial and economic centres (such as the Katunga and Kalumbila copper mines). In the long term, they constitute the building blocks to connect the north-south and east-west Southern African Development Community (SADC) power grid.
Both interconnectors will increase the transmission capacity within the SAPP as well as enhance energy security for the respective countries. In addition to reinforcing and building resilience in the current grid, the interconnectors will significantly help to increase trade flows, deepen power trading markets in the region and in Africa as a whole.
The interconnectors will help to create an enabling environment for private-sector participation by assuring a ready regional offtake of power generated. The most immediate environmental benefit would emanate from increased use of existing hydropower plants over fossil fuels, crowding out fossil fuels to a large extent, along with increased efficiencies in generation. By helping to direct power from cleaner sources to deficit states, the projects will mitigate risks from climate change-induced droughts as these droughts triggers power deficits and force countries to seek short-term carbon-intensive solutions. The projects directly support the African Union’s Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).
Tonia Kandiero, African Development Bank Director General, South Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office, said, “The two interconnectors lay the building blocks to further the Bank’s High 5 agenda, especially Light up and power Africa, Industrialize Africa and Integrate Africa.” She added that, “They are part of critical infrastructure that, when developed, would lead to job creation and economic development besides mitigating climate-induced droughts in the region.”
Judith Kateera, the AfDB Alternate Executive Director for Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe, said adequate supply of power is at the heart of socio-economic transformation of member states. It is also an imperative in private-sector development, as industry relies on it for production of goods and services, she said.
The project has been welcomed by the beneficiary countries as well.
Eric Mbala Musanda, Managing Director of Société nationale d’électricité (SNEL) in the DRC, said, “The Kolwezi-Solwezi Interconnector project will contribute enormously to the stability of both the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) and SNEL networks, especially in the southern part of the DRC. SNEL attaches great importance to this second interconnector between the two utilities’ networks by increasing the power transit capacity between the two countries and the volume of energy trade between SNEL and ZESCO, on the one hand, as well as with other SAPP members on the other hand.”
Zambia, as intermediate country for both interconnectors, will enable power interchange, contributing to energy security and SAPP trading.
“The energy crisis that Zambia has experienced is very painful,” said Webster Musonda, Director of ZESCO, Transmission. “But even more painful is that we could not import available power at times from the SAPP because of transmission path constraints. The Mozambique–Zambia Interconnector project will go a long way to mitigate the congestion in the SAPP network. The Kolwezi–Solwezi interconnection will support the SNEL network in the Katanga area and also provide additional transmission capacity for exports from Zambia and other SAPP member countries to DRC, and the other way round when the tide changes. We are grateful to NEPAD-IPPF, AfDB and SAPP for supporting the two utilities to carry out the cross-border feasibility studies for the transmission line.”
The signing ceremony took place on March 6, 2017 at the AfDB offices in Harare, Zimbabwe, which is located in the Southern African Development Community region. The signing was witnessed by Mary Monyau, Officer-in-Charge for the AfDB Country Office in Zimbabwe, who gave a vote of thanks to the SAPP Acting Coordination Centre Manager, Alison Chikova, for the long-term partnership between the Bank and the SAPP.
NEPAD-IPPF is a multi-donor special fund that supports African countries to translate major continental initiatives such as the African Union’s Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) as well as Regional Infrastructure Master Plans of the Power Pools into bankable, investment-ready projects.
The special fund is currently supported by the AfDB as host institution, Canada, Germany, the UK, Denmark, Norway and Spain. The replenishment for the new financing cycle for the five-year period, 2016-2020, is ongoing. As the demand for infrastructure projects increase so as to bridge Africa’s infrastructure gap, AfDB is inviting more donor partners to join the fund. Participation in the special fund is open to donors, institutional funds and other special infrastructure funds.
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