The Law Association of Zambia has said that the directive by Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja’s to bar Zambia Police officers from marrying foreiners is discriminatory and contravenes the provision of article 23 of the constitution in the Bill of rights.

In a statement released to the media and signed by LAZ President Linda kasonde, LAZ said that there is no such law in existence that bar Zambia Police officers from marrying Foreigners.

Last week, a Zambia Police memo circulating on social media indicated that the law stated that no police officer should marry a foreigner.

Police spokesperson Esther Katongo explained that by law, police officers are forbidden to marry foreigners by sections three and five of the Police Act.

“Issues of security are delicate. If not careful, spouses can be spies and can sell the security of the country,” she said.

“It is true that this provision has always been there. Now it seems some officers are ignoring it that is why an internal memo had to be issued to remind them.
It is a standing order passed for security reasons,” she said.

Ms Katongo said sections three and five of the Police Act gives power to the Inspector General of Police to come up with a standing order to guide the running of the police.

Below is LAZ ‘s full statement

Zambian President Edgar Lungu hosted a high-level Breakfast meeting on the implementation of the Common African Position (CAP) on ending child marriage in Africa in collaboration with the African Union (AU) Commission.

The event was on the side-lines of the 28th AU summit in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa in line with the 2017 AU theme “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth.

Child marriage is a violation of human rights, but is all too common.

Marriage before the age of 18 is a fundamental violation of human rights. Many factors interact to place a girl at risk of marriage, including poverty, the perception that marriage will provide ‘protection’, family honour, social norms, customary or religious laws that condone the practice, an inadequate legislative framework and the state of a country’s civil registration system.

Child marriage often compromises a girl’s development by resulting in early pregnancy and social isolation, interrupting her schooling, limiting her opportunities for career and vocational advancement and placing her at increased risk of domestic violence. Child marriage also affects boys, but to a lesser degree than girls.

Lusaka Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe has however assured that vendors will only be removed from the streets if government finds a sustainable solution to the problem.

Mr. Mwakalombe was speaking when hundreds of Street vendors in Lusaka, on Tuesday, gathered at the main Post office where they pledged their commitment to the Keep Lusaka Clean campaign.

Speaking during the gathering, Mr. Mwakalombe however warned that their stay on the streets is dependent on them keeping their surroundings clean.

Meanwhile Lusaka Deputy Mayor Chilando Chitangala said the local authority has started auditing markets across the city.

Eddie Black released two new singles “Not Afraid” produced by Peezey Cables and “Doom” produced by Fumbani.

He had this to say :

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe the Holy spirit came upon me when I JUST GOT SAVED and is now guiding me in all things including writing my songs.

Soon after the release of my first single Nilandileni, I was listening to a beat that Peezey Cables made, he gave me the hook already but I started to speak the verse, I didn’t write NOT AFRAID. I just found myself saying the lyrics so I recorded myself on my cellphone, praising the Lord with every line.

The night I recorded it in studio, Fumbani played me a beat and I said we are recording on this also lol. It was 1 in morning when I started writing ‘doom’, he told me to do the hook myself this time with his guidance ofcourse and I think I nailed it.

Hope these songs minister to you. enjoy.”

Not Afraid

Doom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlrzakfIq00

BY KAPA187

FDD Spokesperson Antonio Mwanza has lodged a complaint against Inspector General of Police for failure to arrest and charge Mr Davies Mwila for inciting PF cadres to take over the running of markets and bus stations in Kabwe.

Mr Mwanza reported Mr Mwila to the Police IG last week after a video of the PF General Secretary inciting cadres to take over markets, bus stations and share land went viral.

In the latter dated 31st January, 2017, Mr Mwanza said he has reported to the Police Public Complaints Authority because he finds the conduct of Mr Kakoma Kaganja, the Police IG, improper, unprofessional and  bordering on complicity as well as abetting of crime.

He explained that the failure by the Police to act on his complaint is not only unprofessional but a serious violation of the laws of Zambia.

“Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia clearly states that anyone who incites civil disobedience against (herein being the Local Authority) is guilty of a criminal offence and is liable to imprisonment. Inciting lawlessness and promoting acts of subversion of the lawful authority is a serious criminal offence that should be should be punished,” reads the complaint latter in part.

Mr Mwanza bemoaned that the same police  was quick to act and arrest UPND Vice President Geoffrey Mwamba who “threatened” the Republican President after he was reported by the PF deputy Spokesperson Frank Bwalya.

He said it shows  that the police only act when it is the opposition which makes pronouncements against the law as Mr Mwila who is on video was clearly inciting his members to mutilate the Republican Constitution which the Republican President Edgar Lungu who is the leader of the PF swore to defend when he took his oath.

The FDD spokesperson pointed out that it was not the first time that the PF Secretary General has made a public blunder, late last year Mr Mwila described Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) President Linda Kasonde who heads an institution formed by an act of Parliament as a political enemy of the ruling Party.

Further Mr Mwila was entangled in controversy after he instructed independent MPs to stop using the name President because they did not belong to the PF which the President later reversed.

By Dr Vernon J Mwaanga

The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America in November, 2016 and his inauguration on 20th January,2017 as 45th President, has sent nervous shock waves to friends, foes and neutrals around the world .

His unguarded utterances on issues such as immigration, Muslims, free trade , refugees, the electoral system in America, women, NATO,the UN, Russia, China, Taiwan,  building a wall on the border with Mexico , persons living with disabilities , freedom of the press, enhanced interrogation ( a long hand for torture ), America first , the environment and climate change, among others , sent chills, not just in certain sections of American society, but to the world at large.

Within a few hours of his Presidency , there were a number of controversial Executive Orders signed, which were consistent with his campaign promises.

They include the withdrawing of his country from the Trans Pacific Partnership Treaty , travel restrictions on nationals of certain Muslim countries from entering the United States of America – including holders of green cards who had left the country and could not re-enter, as well as students studying in America who had gone to their respective countries during the festive season .

This led to massive demonstrations in more than 30 cities, by Americans who felt that Trump was taking the country in the wrong direction .

Both Republican and Democratic law makers voiced concerns about some of these executive orders which they described as “un-American” and a violation of the first amendment of the US constitution regarding freedom of religion.

Some of these Executive Orders are being challenged in the US courts and the Congress by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers and in many states of the union .

It is clear that the election of the unorthodox  and unpredictable Trump from outside the main stream of the political establishment, will dramatically change America’s role and image in the world .

His administration is likely to be nationalistic and inward looking at a time when the world is moving towards globalisation and multilateralism.

At a time when many countries are breaking down barriers to allow free movement of people and goods, Trump wants to build walls and by putting America first and advancing a conservative agenda, the impact in Europe is already being  felt and could affect election outcomes.

Although Trump’s Africa policy still remains unclear, some of the statements he made in the past about Africa and some of its leaders are indicative enough and Africa has no reasons to feel comfortable with Trump and his administration which comprises  billionaires and millionaires  with little or no government experience and have mainly come from corporate America.

He is the only American President who regularly takes to tweeter to express views which have not come through the bureaucracy to make sure that they are consistent with the official positions of his government.

In the art of statecraft as opposed to corporate craft, where he was used to making decisions alone, decisions and pronouncements he makes either through press interviews or tweeter , are usually based on collective input of officials and others to make sure that they are consistent with government policy.

Tweeter diplomacy by a President, let alone the President of the United States of America – the most powerful country in the world – is risky and dangerous.

The world is at risk of a new form of nationalism , which will negatively affect the gallant march towards globalisation.

Africa has now elected the Foreign Minister of Chad as the  new Chairperson of the African Commission of the African Union to replace Dr Mkhosazana Zuma of south Africa , whose tenure had to be extended by six months , because African leaders failed to elect her successor when they last met in Kigali, Rwanda .

The challenges facing the new Chairperson are daunting and they include industrialising our continent, peace building, less dependence on outside charity, strengthening African governance institutions , improving human rights, strengthening and consolidating democratic gains made so far.

While others includes cooperating in the fight against international and domestic terrorism , increasing GDP growth , raising living standards of the African people, health care , producing enough food and attending to infrastructure development.

African countries should support the new team by paying their contributions .

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) deputy secretary-general Mumbi Phiri has unearthed a plot in which some individuals have conspired to form a group called “Dr CK Solidarity” on social media platform WhatsApp in a bid to discredit the ruling party and bring President Lungu’s name into disrepute.

Mrs Phiri said it is unfortunate that the WhatsApp group she has allegedly linked to Roan PF member of Parliament (MP) Chishimba Kambwili has insisted on her joining the group.

She has discredited and distanced herself from the WhatsApp group.

Mrs Phiri said in an interview yesterday: “My dear, actions speak louder than words, why should somebody who claims to be loyal to President Lungu administer the so called ‘Dr CK Solidarity’ page which is trying to undermine the PF and the President?”

She was reacting to Dr Kambwili’s pledge of loyalty to President Lungu and call for unity in the PF.

“We the senior members of the PF are privy to information and know what is happening.I want to advise Honourable Kambwili to question the agenda of Dr CK Solidarity page. We want to hear his comments.”

She said it is unfortunate that the messages posted on Dr CK Solidarity group are against President Lungu’s decision to appoint opposition MPs to his Cabinet.

Mrs Phiri dismissed as untrue reports that the opposition MMD has taken over the PF and is running affairs of the ruling party.

She said the alliance between the PF and MMD is aimed at making the ruling party stronger for the 2021 general elections.

And PF Lusaka Province youth chairperson Kennedy Kamba said President Lungu’s decision to appoint opposition MPs to his Cabinet cannot be questioned because winning an election is about numbers.

“We will not allow confusion in the PF. The dispute about President Lungu’s appointments of opposition MPs to his Cabinet is neither here nor there. These appointments started with the late President Michael Sata,” Mr Kamba said.

But Dr Kambwili said people linking him to Dr CK Solidarity WhatsApp group should keep quiet if they have nothing to talk about.

“I am sick and tired of some PF members accusing me of things I don’t know and I have no control over people who are showing me solidarity over what I am going through,” Dr Kambwili said.