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FILE: Fred Mmembe with wife Mutinta and Joseph Mwenda sit outside Bwinjimfumu road after they were arrested
A search at the Patents and Company Registration Agency (PACRA) has revealed that Oracle Media Production is owned by shareholders Mutinta Mazoka M’membe and Frank Sibbuku.
Oracle Media is behind the publication of The Mast Newspaper which is a replica of the Post.
The ZRA has since declared The Mast an illegal publication as it is not registered for tax purposes.
The search showed that The Mast under Oracle Media was incorporated on September 15th, 2016 and is posted an address as being situated in Ibex Hill in Lusaka.
The Mast shares the same address as M’membe’s wife’s Mutinta and the premises was later used by Post staff after ZRA seized assets and premises of The Post Newspaper.
Meanwhile, Provisional Liquidator of The Post Newspaper, Messrs Lewis Mosho wrote a letter of complaint against The Mast to the Ministry of Home Affairs and to the Inspector General of Police stating that The Mast newspaper was violating the copyright law.
UPND vice president Dr Canisius Banda
Former UPND Vice President Dr Canisius Banda has advised government not to privatise ZESCO.
Dr Banda said ZESCO is indispensable for national security.
He however said that in its current form, ZESCO is a clear and present danger to Zambia’s economic prosperity and the wellbeing of citizens.
Dr Banda described ZESCO as a factory of poverty.
He said the utility firm must be restructured, commercialised and its efficiency of delivery of service must be improved.
Dr Banda has also not ruled out the unbundling.
“Many things should be done to ZESCO but the one thing that must NOT be done to it is to privatise it. Privatisation of ZESCO would be a calamity,” Dr Banda said.
He said more actors both private and public are required in the electricity sector adding that electricity is a public good.
“In Zambia today, under the current monopolistic framework, if electricity was solely in private hands this would create an insurmountable barrier to access, which barrier would kill both the economy and the citizens. And if the buyer/owner had imperialistic designs on Zambia, then this would deal a mortal blow to our sovereignty and independence,” he said.
He feared that under the guise of a legitimate business transaction, economic colonialism would then become a malignant and insidious fixture in our lives.
“By extension, a Republican President under such economic reality, would be devoid of real power, effeminate he would be and would exist in name only, a useless but titular one. ZESCO today is not equipped to serve the purpose for which it was created. It requires informed investment founded on sound planning for it to heal.”
He said over the years, ZESCO has been reduced to a humanitarian rationing entity and in some cases, abused as a support base for political campaigns.
He said, “Japan has over 130 million people and thousands of industries. Zambia has only 15 million people and the ZDA is embarrassed to state how many industries Zambia has. The ZDA has egg on its face on this serious developmental matter.”
Dr Banda sad Japan has NO power outages adding it only occurs only in times of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and the like.
“In Zambia, a day without a power outage is a source of worry, wonder and confusion. And the only natural disaster here is ourselves. Something is clearly amiss. And that which is amiss is us, the people, our thinking. That we think is beyond dispute but our thinking is veritably not in keeping with the development dictates of our country. We need to pull up our national socks.”
He said, “A baker must never invest in discouraging his consumers from purchasing his bread. The greater the demand the happier he should be. Now today ZESCO is engaged in the paradoxical conduct of paying for adverts that its clients should not consume electricity.”
Dr Banda said ZESCO must work closely with councils countrywide and other real estate developers, so that it has a thorough database of all constructions, housing, industry or other, being undertaken in the country.
“When these constructions reach a given level, meet the required specifications, ZESCO must connect power to these facilities at NO charge.”
He said connection fees are a barrier to access and can be hidden in the tariffs anyway but that the psychological gain by the consumer is huge with incalculable political profits.
Western Province Police Commissioner Charles Lungu says the police will investigate reports suggesting that some UPND members are going round Mwandi asking the electorate to vote for the party Council Chairperson candidate because their leader Hakainde Hichilema will be inaugurated as President
This follows a complaint from former Mwandi Member of Parliament Michael Kaingu who complained of police inertia to arrest UPND members in the area for actions bordering on treason.
Mr Kaingu told ZNBC news in a telephone interview that Police have not taken action against UPND members spreading falsehood about the Presidency.
But when Contacted for a comment UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka distanced his members from such rumours.
Mr Katuka said every Zambian is aware the there is already a sitting president in State House and that Parliament is sitting.
He said the reports should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve.
Meanwhile, police in Mwandi have opened a docked for five suspected UPND Members who grabbed the official vehicle of the District Commissioner in the run-up to the August 11 general election.
The docket has since been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions-DPP- for possible legal action against the suspected UPND members.
Western Province Police Commissioner Charles Lungu has confirmed this in a telephone interview with ZNBC News.
Superior Milling Company Limited Managing Managing Director Peter Cottan addressing delegates during the launch of a depot in Kazungula
SUPERIOR Milling Company Limited has called on Government to come up with a policy that will allow the export of value-added maize to contribute to revenue inflow.
Company managing director Peter Cottan said with the vast opportunities being offered in the region, exports of various processed agricultural products could bring much-needed income and also create jobs.
In an interview recently, Mr Cottan said it is unfortunate that despite the country recording consecutive bumper harvests, millers are still not allowed to export maize.
He urged Government to consider engaging millers when exporting maize or maize products to promote value addition.
“Currently, we are lobbying Government for the country to start exporting processed maize. This will not only increase revenue generation, but it will also make Zambia a net exporter of maize and maize products in the region.
“As you are aware, Zambia is among the countries in the region with surplus maize. And this gives us the opportunity to promote agricultural trade and earn foreign exchange,” Mr Cottan said.
He said there are great opportunities for maize exports in the region, and that the country should take advantage of the situation by creating strong market linkages that will also benefit the farmers.
Mr Cottan suggested that Government could channel revenue generated from the processed maize and could be used to subsidise agricultural production to avoid price increases the commodity.
He said there is a huge advantage in the whole value chain as it will not only benefit Government, millers and farmers, but consumers as well.
ICOZ Bishop Masupa , Catholic Diocese of Ndola Bishop Banda during the Interdenominational Thanks giving requiem church service of President Sata at Parliament in Lusaka on November 10,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia is alarmed by the high rate of divorce cases in Lusaka Province which have risen to 8, 500 in just nine months.
EFZ Executive Director Reverend Pukuta Mwanza says the figures reflect the instability in marriages today and the lack of family love and unity in modern day Zambia.
He says this scenario should not be taken lightly for the sake of the development of the children.
Reverend Mwanza says growing up in a broken home might distort a child’s character and behavior which might have serious implications on their future.
He says the issue should be addressed by looking at the major causes of the high rate of divorce cases in order to sustain upcoming marriages.
Reverend Mwanza adds that there is need to provide appropriate counseling to those with marital problems to save marriages.
THE Ndola magistrate court has fined two juveniles K5,000 each in each of the three counts of feeding teachers cannabis cake.
Two Ndola pupils gave a cake laced with cannabis to their teachers during World Teachers’ Day commemoration recently have
The two pupils are jointly charged with unlawful trafficking in marijuana and inducing another to take the substance.
The juveniles who had earlier appeared for plea before Ndola magistrate Bubala Sikalunda pleaded guilty in court.
In count one, the juveniles are charged with unlawful possession of psychotropic substances contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that the juveniles on October 10, in Ndola, jointly and whilst acting together, unlawfully possessed 0.4 grammes of marijuana, a herbal product of cannabis sativa without lawful authority.
In count two, the charge is inducing another to take narcotic and psychotropic substance contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on October 10, the juveniles induced a psychotropic substance to Muma Mulenga and Chisenga Mulenga by force and deceit in a cake namely 0.4 grammes of marijuana without lawful authority.
When the matter came up in court, the juveniles said they understood the charge and pleaded guilty.
The juveniles stated that the cake was an experiment and the teachers that consumed it had no knowledge that it contained marijuana.
“While in class for a period of geography, the class teacher did ask for the cake we were having, which they later took to the staffroom and shared with other teachers,” they said.
They admitted that they had full knowledge of the contents in the cake, which included marijuana.
When the matter came up for judgment yesterday Magistrate Sikalunda said the matter the juveniles committed was very serious.
“The offence was serious and I don’t know what will make young people behave like this. The cake was was not for the teachers but merely asked for cake which makes it hard to believe. I don’t believe that they were commanded to take something for teachers. To put something is totally irresponsible and dangerous. Smoking is one thing but to put in food, it is clear thta the victims got sick and admitted to hospital, it could have being worse,” magistrate Sikalunda said.
” Who do you conduct the experiment in human beings? Parents worried that these juveniles are in contact with drugs. I order for 12 moths probation to be counseled so that they become better citizens. In addition, order the juveniles in first count fine of K5, 000 in default four months imprisonment, and second and third count K5, 000 in default, four months imprisonment each.”
Magistrate Sikalunda also ordered the juveniles to pay K1,000 each to the victims for the pain and suffering.
The juveniles were by press time remanded in the holding cells to meet their conditions by 17:00 hours.
The National Restoration Party like any other party and citizens expect a more robust 2017 national budget that will focus more on reduction in expenditure which will result in more cost saving measures that will finance the many sectors of the economy. By this we mean all unnecessary expenditure like buying of soccer tickets should come to an end as many other sectors of the economy need funding.
It must be known that the workers and many Zambians are still highly taxed and in the past few years we have not seen the PAYE Tax bands adjusted for the employees. We will be highly expectant on rigorous handling of this by the new Minister of Finance. Among these expectations, NAREP expects that not only should tax bands be adjusted upwards, but that the tax rates will be adjusted too. We have always proposed a flat rate that will cover all groups. In this case we would like to see a PAYE flat rate of about 25% for all employees getting above K4,000 and a 0% for all getting below K4,000.
The above measure will result in tax losses but can be compensated by increasing revenue collected from the corporates and mines. Currently, the 2016 budget projected K7.93 billion budget collections from PAYE and K3.24 Billion projection from Company income tax indicating that workers are highly taxed and corporates represent less than half (about 41% ) of what workers contribute in PAYE. This matter need to be revised whilst corporates which are profitable entities should be seen to be contributing accordingly to the economy.
The VAT still remains high which has made the cost of goods and services more expensive. In this southern region of Africa, apart from Tanzania and Malawi which have 18% VAT and 16.5% VAT respectively, Zambia and Congo Democratic Republic have high VAT rates at 16%. Our friends in Angola have a lower VAT rate at 10 % while Botswana is at 12% with South Africa standing at 14%, whilst Zimbabwe and Namibia have their VAT at 15%. We expect the Minister of Finance to work within the margin of 14-15%. The last time this was revised was during the Mwanawasa Presidency and it can still be done
We expect a reduction in expenditure so that we are able to service the high domestic and external debt interests we are currently servicing. Unnecessary expenses such as non-priority travel costs accrued by government officials should be better managed and reduced. Despite a national expectation that the President would reduce the size of Cabinet, we have further been met with the creation of less cardinal new Ministries that come at a huge cost. We expect the government to commit to the completion of existing roads and other infrastructure projects and not to contract new ones. These are long term projects that should not all be completed in 2017 but stretched beyond that so that other sectors like health and education are able to be allocated some funding as well and not only the road sector. For example the expenditure by function for key sectors of the economy like health and education are still low (currently health 8.3% and 17.2% for education). Our expectation is that not less than 12% of the national budget should be allocated to the health sector.
NAREP also expects that the informal sector will start contributing to the treasury pot. The Withholding Tax (WHT) needs to be well managed as this can bring a lot of revenue to the treasury. With the increased property construction and malls countrywide, we expect revenue collection on WHT to increase from the projected K3.2billion in 2016 to over K5 billion in 2017. We also need to revisit the controversial windfall tax by the mines. We expect the Minister to announce serious cost reduction measures that include non-contractual of new debts that will attract more interest rates to be serviced.
In conclusion, once we focus on a cost reduction budget then we will be able to see citizens relieved of the harsh economic conditions they are already going through. If the Minister increases taxes on the already stretched Zambian people like they have done on toll fees that have been increased by over 100%, we will conclude that this government has no heart for its citizens. The increase in toll fees will impact negatively on the transport sector that is already paying high road taxes and fuel. We will see transport costs go up even further. The solution is to widen the tax brackets so that many people, even those in the informal sector can contribute to the development of this country and not overburden those already in the brackets.
Given Lubinda Minister of Justice Chats with President Edgar LunguPARLIAMENT has passed a motion recommending the amendment of the Constitution.
The motion urges Government to amend the Constitution of Zambia to provide for membership of Members of Parliament to local councils and removal of lacunas.
This was after the motion moved by PF Mwansabombwe MP Rodgers Mwewa was subjected to a vote. Those that voted in support of the amendments were 91 against 52 while 1 abstained. The total number of votes cast was 144. The members voted using an electronic system. Speaker Patrick Matibini announced the results.
Justice Minister Given Lubinda said the amendments are in national interest requiring the support of all members of parliament. In supporting the motion, Kabwe Central Member of Parliament Tutwa Ngulube said the constitution needs to be fine tuned to address lacunas.
Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo and Kwacha MP Joe Malanji also supported the motion.
The motion was moved yesterday Patriotic Front Mwansabombwe Member of Parliament Rodgers Mwewa seeking to amend the constitution. In his private member’s motion, Mr Mwewa wanted Parliament to urge Government to amend the constitution so as to provide for membership of Members of Parliament to local Councils and also to remove lacunas in the constitution.
Mr Mwewa proposed among other amendments that the constitution be amended so that the election of the president reverts to the simple majority system from the current 50% plus one vote system.
Mr Mwewa said that under the current constitution, there is no link between members of parliament and councils.
Mr. Mwewa said that the inclusion of members of parliament in the membership of the council will ensure a well coordinated approach to development at all levels within the context of decentralization.
He explained that local government is the sphere of government that is closer to the people and so as representatives of the people, they need to have an input in the decisions that the council makes.
Mr. Mwewa stressed that the exclusion of the members of the parliament in councils is detrimental to the development of the constituencies they represent.
Zesco United on Wednesday rebounded from an rough last four days to collect their first league win in four games.
The defending FAZ Super Division champions rallied to beat demoted Nchanga Rangers 3-1 at home in Ndola.
Goals from Idris Mbombo, John Chingandu and Jesse Were handed Zesco their first league win since October 18 when they beat Red Arrows 4-1 away in Lusaka.
Since then, Zesco drew two and lost as many games with the highlight coming last Sunday when second placed Nkana beat them 3-2 in Ndola to pick up their first victory over them since they were promoted in 2004.
24 hours later, coach George Lwandamina suddenly resigned ending a successful three years in charge.
Meanwhile, Zesco responded to the Nkana defeat and Lwandamina’s departure with a win but not before Nchanga had sent them to the ropes with the opening goal through their former striker Kabwe Chileshe.
Mbombo leveled matters in the 31st minute and Chingandu put Zesco ahead after halftime in the 47th minute.
Jesse Were sealed the win in the 56th minute to score his 15th goal in his first season in Zambia and is now seven goals behind leader Walter Bwalya of Nkana.
Zesco stay 4th on 54 points, fourteen points behind leaders Zanaco from 27 and 29 games played respectively.
Members of ParliamentPatriotic Front Mwansabombwe Member of Parliament Rodgers Mwewa has moved a motion in Parliament seeking to amend the constitution.
In his private member’s motion, Mr Mwewa wants Parliament to urge Government to amend the constitution so as to provide for membership of Members of Parliament to local Councils and also to remove lacunas in the constitution.
Mr Mwewa has proposed among other amendments that the constitution be amended so that the election of the president reverts to the simple majority system from the current 50% plus one vote system.
Mr Mwewa says under the current constitution, there is no link between members of parliament and councils.
Mr. Mwewa says the inclusion of members of parliament in the membership of the council will ensure a well coordinated approach to development at all levels within the context of decentralization.
He explains that local government is the sphere of government that is closer to the people and so as representatives of the people, they need to have an input in the decisions that the council makes.
Mr. Mwewa stresses that the exclusion of the members of the parliament in councils is detrimental to the development of the constituencies they represent.
By broadcast time Members of Parliament were still debating the motion with PF Members of Parliament in support of the motion while those from the UPND are opposed to the motion.
Farmers waiting to sell their maize at FRA Chipoka Satellite depot in Mbala
Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya has maintained that government will not allow the export of maize to other countries to enable the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to meet the maize purchase target of 500,000 metric tons.
The FRA failed to meet the maize purchase target at the close of the maize marketing season on 31st October, 2016.
Ms Siliya says in order for FRA to meet the target, there is need for farmers, grain traders and other stakeholders to offload their maize to the agency.
Ms Siliya says this is the more reason why government will not allow for the export of the maize so that stakeholders sale their maize to the agency in order to meet the required 500, 000 metric tons target.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Small Scale Farmers of Zambia (NUSFZ) has attributed the failure by the Food Reserve Agency to meet the maize purchase target to the low maize floor price the agency was offering to farmers compared to what private buyers were offering.
NUSFZ Executive Director Dr. Frank Kayula says it was clear from the onset that the farmers were not happy with the maize floor price government had set.
The Patriotic Front (PF) party has commended former Information Minister Chishimba Kambwili for pledging his loyalty to the party despite his dismissal by President Edgar Lungu.
PF Deputy Spokesperson Frank Bwalya says appointments come and go, but that Dr. Kambwili will always remain one of the founding fathers of the party.
He says Dr. Kambwili joined the PF as an ordinary member and still contributed greatly to the party.
Father Bwalya says he is confident that Dr. Kambwili will continue doing all he can for the PF and the people of Roan Constituency.
Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has been called upon to tell the Zambian people why he fired Chishimba Kambwili as Information and Broadcasting service Minister.
Mr. Sinkamba says President Lungu should clear Mr. Kambwili’s name by telling the nation the reasons why he fired the Roan Member of Parliament in view of the speculation surrounding his dismissal.
He says it is important for the President to give reasons for Dr Kambwili’s dismissal considering that he recently indicated that some of his Ministers are corrupt.
Mr. Sinkamba says President Lungu is the only one who can explain the reasons behind Mr. Kambwili’s dismissal and put an end to the speculation which has the potential to tarnish his name and political future.
He says failure to give reasons for Dr Kambwili’s dismissal will make people assume that he is corrupt when he is not.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema
Opposition UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has moved swiftly to congratulate US President Elect Donald Trump.
Mr Hichilema said Mr Trump’s victory again shows that the American people can rise and show the world that they are great believers in Constitutional democracy and rule of law.
“We want to congratulate the newly elected American President Donald J. Trump and the American people for once again rising and showing the world that they are great believers in Constitutional democracy and rule of law. There are always many lessons to be learnt in the American politics which is that they freely exercise their rights and freedoms to choose their leaders,” Mr Hichilema said.
He said having keenly followed the campaign period and the debates, one can clearly see that all the contenders freely traversed their great nation and marketed themselves unhindered by institutionalised brutality and suppression which is characteristic of most African countries, including Zambia.
“Even in instances where some American media houses had their own preferences in terms of candidates, they still gave an opportunity and fair coverage to all contesting parties, hence giving citizens the right to choose based on the information they were hearing from all contenders,” he said.
He added, “It is these values and eventual outcome that makes everyone happy because they are based on a free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process whose results show the will of the people. As a leader of the greatest democracy in the world, we hope President-elect Trump will stump his authority and guide emerging democracies, especially in Africa, on the need to respect the rule of law, human rights, and constitutionalism which is key to economic development.”
“Once more and on behalf of our people, party and indeed my own behalf, I say congratulations US President elect Donald Trump.”
Police say they have received a report of murder in which Francis Zimba aged 46 of Garden House compound in Lusaka has allegedly been murdered by a female believed to be his girlfriend identified as Meya Namfukwe aged 21 years of Kanyama West.
Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo said this happened in the early hours of today, 09th November, 2016 at around 0100 hours.
“This was after the two allegedly picked up a quarrel which led to the suspect picking a knife and stabbed the victim. The suspect who handed herself to police is currently detained in police custody and will be charged with murder. The body of the deceased is in UTH mortuary awaiting postmoterm,” Mrs Katongo said.
HUNDREDS of former Post Newspapers employees are set to join the petition in winding up the company following Lusaka High Court Justice Sunday Nkonde’s decision to place it under provisional liquidation.
Some of the workers who talked to the Daily Nation explained that they did not understand the situation with the provisional liquidation and what it meant for them. They charged that management has not been clear about their position and has not advised them on what was happening other than what they have been reading in the media.
“We are meeting on Wednesday at 08:00 hours to go and seek advice from the liquidator, Lewis Nathan Advocates. “We are told they are in Woodlands, and that is where we want to go and try to get a position for our situation,” one of the employees said.
Five former Post employees petitioned the winding up of the publication owing to non-payment of their dues with huge debts including almost K80 million owed to Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), US$ 3 million to Investrust Bank and over K750,000 owed in employee emoluments from June 2016 since the closure of the company’s administration and printing plant respectively.
Those who petitioned the High Court are Andrew Hebert Chiwenda, Roy Habaalu, Bonaventure Bwalya, Mwendalubi Mwene and Abel Mbozi who proposed the winding up of the business to enable them obtain their dues.
Mr Justice Nkonde appointed Lewis Mosho of Lewis Nathan Advocates as Liquidator for the winding up of the publication, and has since invited debtors and creditors of the newspaper to present their claims.
Mr Mosho appointed new lawyers, Palan and George Advocates, to handle legal issues pertaining to the provisional liquidation of the newspaper company. As liquidator, Mr Mosho holds custody and control of all the assets of the Post Newspaper and has since requested for a catalogue of all assets of the company from management. Some of the employees included journalists, drivers, newspaper packers, office staff and utility staff employed by the company.
