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Zambia International Investment Forum 2016 Launch: Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Margaret Mhango Mwanakatwe delivering her speech
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Margaret Mwanakatwe says she is impressed with increased numbers of companies exhibiting at the 2016 90th Agriculture and Commercial Show.
Touring some stands at the Show, Ms. Mwanakatwe noted that the commitment by participants shows hope for increased exhibitor participation despite most companies operating under economic pressure.
Among the stands Mrs Mwanakatwe toured are the Zambia Revenue Authority and Patents and Companies registration Agency.
And Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Society of Zambia President Ben Shoko expressed confidence that the show will be a success.
Mr. Shoko who accompanied Mrs Mwanakatwe on the tour of stands said both local and international companies will exhibit at the Show bringing the number of companies expected to participate to more than one thousand.
It was a mistake for Hakainde Hichilema to make Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM)-an insulting and violent person with a propensity to battering anyone who does not agree with him, including his wife, says Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Chairperson Sarah Longwe-his running mate.
Ms Longwe said GBM’s personal character was a danger which the country could not risk taking.
Speaking in an interview Ms Longwe said Mr. Mwamba should never be allowed to take up any leadership position in Zambia.
She said Mr. Mwamba was one person who would never change from his violent behaviour.
“We have said it over and over again that GBM is a batterer who can’t lead the country because he’s a threat to women, and anyone who crosses his path.”
“He has apologised several times but even the apology is questionable, because how many times has he apologised to his wife after he’s beaten her? He does it over and over again,” she said.
And Ms Longwe has reiterated the need to support women vying for various positions in next month’s general elections.
Ms. Longwe said that the women’s movement had initiated various campaigns strategies for all female candidates in the elections.
She observed that women were good leaders and would contribute massively to the development of the country if given a chance.
“We are supporting women who are participating in the elections at all levels. So far, we have issued posters and stickers which we are giving to various people. We also go in communities to encourage people to vote and support women,” Ms. Longwe said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Longwe has expressed sadness on the low number of women participating in this year’s general elections.
She said despite efforts to increase the number of women participation in elections, the number had remained marginally low.
“We are very unhappy that there are very few women participating in this year’s general elections. The percentages are alarming and this is before the election.
“So far the female Members of Parliament that have been nominated are 106, out of 661 which is 6 percent, for the ward councillors its only 415 which is 9 percent out of 4566 and for mayors its only 11 percent, only 40 women have been nominated out of 331. We are very disappointed,” she said.
Raphael Nakacinda
The MMD has challenged the media to start going a step further when reporting on issues that have documents such as Court cases as opposed to resorting to reporting on hear-say propagated by individuals.
Speaking at a media briefing MMD National Secretary Rapheal Nakacinda said former Party President Nevers Mumba is using the media to spine lies about the Court rulings of which the media has fallen for because they have become lazy and an easy target for advancing his falsehoods.
Mr Nakacinda said Dr Mumba will use anything at his disposal to advance his interest and that the media has become an easy target because of reporting what they are told without checking for facts even when the facts are in their face.
Dr Mumba on Thursday claimed to be the rightful leader of the former ruling party and called on the current Party President who was elected at a party convention Felix Mutati to “respect the law”.
But Mr Nakacinda who was elected as the National Secretary described Dr Mumba’s attempt to confuse members of the public and those from the party as contemptuous as the former pastor has deliberately chosen to misinterpret the ruling to suit his personal interest.
Mr Nakacinda said the ruling which was given verbally by the Supreme Court and will be ready on 3rd August did not in anyway reinstate Dr Mumba and his cronies as party officials but just sent it back to the High Court hence Dr Mumba should be arrested for putting words in the judge’s mouth.
Mr Nakacinda said the legal position after Supreme Court ruling has not varied with that of the High Court and that members of the party should remain calm.
“The Supreme Court yesterday, after our lawyers indicated that they would not object to Dr. Nevers Mumba presenting his case again to the High Court for reconsideration, to allow him to exhaust his right to be heard. The issue of the injunction he had earlier on sought was not part of the Ruling and therefore the attempt to stop President Felix Mutati was not even entertained.
“The challenge on the registration of President Felix Mutati as President and Me who by the way was duly elected at a national convention as National Secretary respectively of the MMD was not interfered with by the Supreme Court and therefore the Ruling by Mrs. Justice Nicola Sharpe-Phiri which dismissed Dr. Mumba’s challenge is still the law.
“In short nothing has changed and President Felix Mutati and his team are still firmly in charge of the MMD. The full written Ruling of the Supreme Court will be available on Wednesday 3rd August 2016,”. Nakacinda said.
Appearing on radio Phoenix Thursday morning in what has become his usual style Dr Mumba announced that the courts have reinstated him as party President and that Mr Mutati’s action was treasonable.
He also called Dr Mumba to stop using innocent women like Winnie Zalomis to advance his personal interest
Former Zambia Under-23 and Power Dynamos midfielder Norman Munthali is dead.
Munthali, 33, died on Thursday morning at Kitwe Central Hospital after an illness.
He is Nkana defender Christopher Munthali’s elder brother and has left behind a wife and two children.
Munthali was playing for FAZ Division One Zone Two side Indeni.
“We have lost a pillar, he was inspirational to young players,” Indeni secretary Steven Sinyinza said.
“We are going to honour him by winning promotion to the Super League ” he said.
Munthali joined Indeni from National Assemby in 2014.
The midfielder made his name at Power Dynamos following his move from the defunct Coca Cola FC in 2001 after making an initial impact with the Zambia Under-20 team.
Munthali made the number 6 position his own at Arthur Davies where he earned his ‘Viera’ nickname but sadly was restricted to just a couple of senior caps despite his talent.
He was part of the Peter Kaumba coached Under-23 Team that played in the Beijing 2008 Olympics qualifiers.
Munthali’s peers includes Simon Bwalya, Francis Kasonde,Chabusha Malumani, Kalililo Kakonje, Bronson Chama, Clive Sichondwe and Eugene Shamakamba.
Public Relations Manager of Electoral commission of Zambia Crispin Akufuna (r) with Media Consultant for United Nation Program Silvia Namuju (L) during a press briefing at Electoral commission of Zambia(ECZ) offices
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced that the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) have signed an agreement after a National Conflict Management Committee meeting held on July 28.
In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by ECZ Public Relations Manager Crispin Akufuna, said the meeting was convened following a complaint by the UPND over the use of Zambia Air Force resources by the PF for partisan purposes.
Mr. Akufuna explained that in the agreement the two parties agreed that political parties should not use state resources to campaign for the benefit of any political party candidate.
He said the two parties further agreed that there should be no abuse of state resources and that all players in the electoral process should work within the law.
Mr. Akufuna however noted that the Republican President and the Vice President are allowed by law to use state resources in accordance with the law.
He said the UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka and PF Secretary General Davies Chama signed the agreement on behalf of their respective political parties.
Mr. Akufuna said the agreement was also signed by Legal Counsel Martha Mushipe from UPND and Pezo Ngombo for the PF as witnesses, while Reverend Mwape Chilekwa and Lucie Kasanga signed as mediators.
Lusaka City Council Head Office
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) and Edgy Nicollo M2TD Consortium of South Africa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a pilot project to provide free wi-fi services in Lusaka.
During the signing ceremony held in Lusaka recently, Ministry of Local Government and Housing Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga said the Government is happy that the project is finally taking shape.
Stakeholders in the project include, Edgy Nicollo M2TD Consortium, Zambian High Commission in South Africa and Lusaka City Council/Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Others are the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), a
body responsible for regulating the ICT sector in Zambia, the Zambia Telecommunications Company (ZAMTEL) and the e-Goverance office.
Mr Malupenga was particularly elated that the project was expected to create an estimated 1, 500 jobs for the youths in Lusaka.
Mr Malupenga said initiatives such as the one being entered into with Nicollo Group will help in creating an enabling environment for councils to effectively and efficiently provide services to the local people, more so that it will create employment for the youths in Lusaka.
“These are the kinds of projects that we as Government always encourage councils to undertake because public-private partnerships (PPPs) help to keep councils in direct contact with the people in the communities,” Mr Malupenga.
And Lusaka Town Clerk, Alex Mwansa said he was impressed with signing of the MoU with Edgy Nicollo M2TD Consortium because of the wonderful benefits the project would bring.
Mr Mwansa said once the technical team commences with the layout of the infrastructure, the centre will start the recruitment and training of digital ambassadors who will be tasked with the responsibility of teaching locals on how to use free wifi.
“I am glad that the project is finally becoming a reality. The project will help alleviate the problem of unemployment in Lusaka in that an estimated 1, 500 jobs are expected to be created.
Upon completion of the project, cooperatives will be established and formalised among the trained candidates and later the cooperatives will be tasked with the responsibility of maintenance of the project,” Mr Mwansa said.
The Town Clerk said the Council will identify hotspot zones within Lusaka for wifi services to make it easy for members of the public to pay for the various services that the local authority provides.
Mr Mwansa said the free wifi service will also help Lusaka residents to electronically pay for various services provided by the local authority such as rates, ground rent, business, fire, marriage certificates, building plans, firearms, bill boards, liquor and public health services eg restaurant operating licences; among others.
The free wifi project was initiated by Zambian High Commissioner to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba and in April this year when he led a delegation of eight members from Edgy Nicollo Group for talks with officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Housing and the Lusaka City Council.
Wifi is a term for certain types of wireless local area networks (WLAN) and is widely used in businesses, agencies, schools, and homes as an alternative to a wired LAN.
The monthly inflation rate for July has declined from 21.0 percent to 20.2 percent.
Shopping in Lusaka
Central Statistical Office (CSO) Director John Kalumbi has attributed the drop to a reduction in the prices of vegetables and purchase of motor vehicles and airfares.
Mr. Kalumbi disclosed in Lusaka at a press briefing that the annual food inflation rate for July 2016 was recorded at 24.8 percent compared to 25.3 percent recorded in June, 2016 indicating a decrease of 0.5 percentages.
He said the decrease is due to lower prices of food stuffs such as tomatoes, beans and bananas among others.
Mr. Kalubi said the non-food inflation for July 2016 decreased to 15.3 percent from 16.5 percent recorded in June this year representing 1.2 percent.
He however disclosed that Zambia recorded a trade deficit in June this year amounting to K1, 905.9 million from K79.2 million recorded in May this year, representing an increase in imports than exports.
Mr. Kalumbi stated that the trade deficit shot up due to significant increases in imports by 41.2 percent from K5, 494.3 million in May to K7, 755.6 million in June this year.
The CSO Director pointed out that Zambia’s major imports are Kuwaiti and China.
ECZ officials led by Chairperson Justice Chulu at KKIA awaiting the arrival of the cargo plane
Ballot Papers for the August 11 general elections have arrived at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka and they are being loaded into trucks for safe keeping at the ECZ secure warehouse
The first Etihad cargo plane carrying the ballot papers touched down at 14:15 Hours.
The second aircraft carrying the final consignment of ballot papers to Lusaka departed Dubai at 13:10 and the plane is expected to arrive in Lusaka this evening.
The arrival of the consignment was witnessed by ECZ Board members, senior management officials, the media and some civil society organisations.
The ballot papers were transported to the ECZ warehouse in Chongwe for safe keeping.
And a UPND representative who witnessed the arrival of the ballot papers said it is too early to comment about the development.
“We will say more after verifying the contents. We have to physically see the ballot papers and then we can issue a comprehensive statement. As for now that is our position. This process as for now, it is so far so good. From the time we arrived at the airport up to now, we have happy so far. We don’t have problems so far and the process is going on very well but we are yet to see thereafter,” the representative said.
Offloading of Ballot papers at KKIAOffloading of ballot papers from the cargo plane and loading onto ECZ trucks for the 2016 general elections at Kenneth Kaunda International AirportOffloading of ballot papers from the cargo plane and loading onto ECZ trucks for the 2016 general elections at KKIASome ECZ board members and management witnessing the arrival of ballot papersThe cargo plane arrives at KKIAECZ officials await the arrival of the cargo plane
Zambian President Mr Edgar Lungu with Dr Ernest Bai Koroma President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Nambian President Hage Geingob at the Dr David Livingstone Safari in Livingstone The Summit of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State on the Reform of the Security Council on Saturday 10th May2015 . Pictures By EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.
Namibian President Hage Geingob will grace the official opening of this year’s Agriculture and commercial show on the 30th July, 2016.
Dr Geingob is expected to arrive in the country on Friday July 30, for a two days official visit.
And President Edgar Lungu is expected to hold private bilateral talks with the visiting Namibian Head of State as well as host a state banquet in his honour.
President Geingob‘s visit to Zambia is significant as Nambia is one of the countries important neighbours with relations that have continued to grow over the years.
Dr Geingob’s visit is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various economic and social sectors between Zambia and Namibia.
This year’s Agriculture and Commercial show is being held under the theme “Managing the Environment for Growth”.
This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Public Relations Officer Dorcas Chileshe.
Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu chatting with MMD president Dr Nevers Mumba during the burial of former Kalomo Central Member of Parliament Request Muntanga in Kalomo,Southern Province
Movement for multi-Party Democracy (MMD) President Nevers Mumba has urged the Former Minister of Commerce and Industry Felix Mutati to respect the rule of law, reports Pan African Radio Hermit Hachilonde.
In a telephone interview, Dr. Mumba said there are no short-cuts in politics, adding that every political party has a constitution that guides every member of the party.
Dr. Mumba further noted the MMD is a mother of democracy in Zambia and every well-meaning MMD member should follow the laid down procedure in terms of leadership within the party.
Yesterday, the MMD National Chairperson Winnie Zaloumis announced that the supreme court of Zambia reconfirmed Dr. Nevers Mumba as President of the party.
She said the court ruled out that the court order which the Felix Mutati faction relied upon and misinterpreted as giving them consent to proceed with three actions namely, the holding of the contravention convention held in Kabwe on 20- 22 may, 2016, taking over the MMD offices and changing names of the party office holders at the Registrar of Societies has been over-tuned and squashed. Ms Zaloumis further said the supreme court judgement effectively reconfirmed the status quo of Dr.Nevers Mumba as President of the MMD with all the other legitimate office holders.
“They should respect the rule of law and know that every political party in Zambia has a constitution to guide its members” he said
This week, MMD National Chairperson, Winnie Zaloumis has announced that the Supreme Court reconfirmed Nevers Mumba as President of the MMD.
Ms Zaloumis said the court ruled that the court order which the Felix Mutati faction relied upon and misinterpreted as giving them consent to proceed with three actions which had been overturned and quashed.
She said the three actions include the holding of the controversial convention held in Kabwe from 20 -22 May, taking over the offices and assets of the party and changing names of party office holders at the Registrar of Societies.
Ms Zaloumis further said yesterday’s judgement effectively reconfirms the status quo of Dr Mumba as President of the MMD with all the other legitimate office holders.
She said Mr Mutati, therefore, maintains his expelled status until the courts make another order while Rafael Nakacinda remains suspended from engaging in any party activities.
The Mutati faction had another case thrown out by High Court Judge, Gertrude Chawatama on July 8, 2016, in which Rafael Nakacinda was challenging the adoption of Kawambwa aspiring candidate, Elizabeth Chitika, Livingstone Central aspiring candidate, Michael Kashinka and Mongu Central aspiring candidate, Kamwendo Kamuti on the MMD ticket.
The state has forfeited some of the maize which was recently impounded by Zambia National Service (ZNS) officers at Chanda Weyaya TAZARA Railway Station in Northern Province.
Provincial Permanent Secretary, Hlobotha Nkunika, announced forfeiture at Kasama’s TAZARA station where he addressed owners of the maize in question yesterday.
Mr Nkunika, however, explained that the decision has only affected those who had more than 50 bags of maize.
Meanwhile, the PS said government has also forgiven all those who had less than 50 bags but that they will only be allowed to sell their commodity to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) at Kasama’s TAZARA station where the maize is being kept.
The PS said the decision was arrived at after holding various consultative meetings with government authorities at different levels.
Mr Nkunika further cautioned the general public to desist from exporting or transporting the country’s staple food without proper documents.
Last week, the alert ZNS officers intercepted and impounded over 200 metric tonnes of maize at Chanda Weyaya which was about to be smuggled to neighboring countries on a TAZARA goods train which was destined for Nakonde border.
However, maize owners admitted having gone against government’s regulations and pleaded for forgiveness by proposing that their maize be sold to FRA than forfeiting it completely.
President Edgar Lungu has stressed that he introduced the Presidential initiative empowerment fund in order to support men and woman in the informal sector.
ZANIS reports that the Head of State said the Presidential empowerment initiative has boosted the businesses of many small and medium enterprises in the country.
President Lungu said that the initiative will continue even after the elections once he is re-elected.
The President said this when he addressed a public rally in Isoka District in Muchinga Province to day to solicit for votes.
At the same rally, hundreds of UPND members led by former Mafinga Member of parliament Catherine Namugala defected to the ruling patriotic front.
And Former Football Association of Zambia President Kalusha Bwalya appealed to the people of Isoka to vote for President Lungu on August 11.
The 1988 African footballer of the year stated that President Lungu is supportive to the development of the game of football and that it was under the PF government that Zambia won her maiden Africa cup in 2012.
Meanwhile, -President Edgar Lungu says the creation of Muchinga Province has accelerated developmental projects in the health sector in the region.
President Lungu said the creation of Muchinga Province has led to the construction of district hospitals in the province such as Chama, Nakonde, Isoka and the Micheal Chilufya Sata hospital in Mpika.
ZANIS reports that President Lungu said this at the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of Chinsali General Hospital in Chinsali today.
The Head of State said Muchinga Province has also benefited 51 health posts under the 650 prefabricated ultra-modern health posts that are being constructed across the country.
President Lungu added that the training school at Chilonga school of nursing under Chilonga mission hospital in Mpika has been expanded following the construction of one by twenty hostel student block as well as a lecturer theatre.
The President also said the ministry of health has secured eighth consultant positions for Chilonga and Chinsali hospitals to enhance provision of specialised medical services.
President Lungu further said that Chinsali General Hospital will also have a training school which will allow people from the province an opportunity to pursue a career in nursing.
He said the Pf administration through the ministry of health is committed to ensuring that attainment of health related sustainable development goals and other national health priorities is achieved for the benefit of Zambians.
Isoka mothers line up to greets President Lungu when he arrived in IsokaCatherine Namugala at Isoka Pf RallyPresident Lungu with Malozo Sichone at Isoka RallyPresident Lungu with Malozo Sichone at Isoka RallyCatherine Namugala at Isoka Pf RallyCatherine Namugala at Isoka PF Rally
Construction of Robert Makasa University in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province
President Edgar Lungu says he has not abandoned the vision of his late predecessor President Michael Sata.
President Lungu said the commissioning and tour of the K132 million Robert Makasa University in Chinsali district is testament of late President Sata’s continued legacy.
The President says the opening of the university is a clear testimony to the PF manifesto promise to deliver quality tertiary education to the people.
The Robert Makasa university will specialise in science math and business faculties.
The University is named after Robert Makasa, an imminent freedom fighter who hailed from Chinsali.
And President Edgar Lungu says he will split Chinsali district into two districts to expedite development and provision of services in the area.
ZANIS reports that President Lungu said that Chinsali like many other large districts needs to be divided because the area is too vast to be administered from the district’s administrative centre.
He re-affirmed his commitment to accelerate meaningful development in Chinsali and other parts of the country.
The Head of State has since instructed Muchinga Province Deputy Minister Mwimba Malama to ensure that feeder roads in the district are worked on.
President Lungu said this when he addressed a public rally attended by thousands of Chinsali residents yesterday.
And Local Government and Housing Minister Stephen kampyongo warned
civil servants in the district not to engage in partisan politics.
Mr Kampyongo said he is aware that some civil servants have aligned themselves with some opposition political parties.
A 39-YEAR-OLD man of Lusaka has begged the Matero Local Court to dissolve his three-year old marriage, saying his wife has been threatening to squeeze his manhood.
This is in a case in which Ganizani Zulu of George compound sued his wife, Tasila Njobvu, 30, for divorce.
The couple got married in 2011 and they have no child together. Bride price was not paid.
Zulu explained to the court that problems in their marriage started in 2013 when Njobvu started working as maid coupled with coming late in their matrimonial home.
Further, he said that every time she returns from work, Njobvu would start watching soap operas on ‘Zee World and Telemundo’ adding that she has also stopped preparing meals on time.
“The other problem we have your honour is that, my wife comes late in bed; now she expects me to warm our matrimonial bed,” sending the court gallery into laughter.
He added that Njobvu was also in the habit of rushing to pull his manhood whenever they have a misunderstanding.
Zulu complained that despite elders talking about the fate their marriage, but to no avail.
“I think we are better off separating because I don’t see any signs of change because she has no respect for his own husband,” said Zulu.
But in her defence, Njobvu denied claim threatening to squeeze Zulu’s manhood.
But Njobvu told the court that she still loves Zulu.
“The problem with my husband is that he is very suspicious, at one point he came to insult my boss alleging that I’m dating him, I’m just lucky that he didn’t lay me off, “she said.
Passing judgement, Magistrate Mumba upheld claim for divorce and ordered the pair to share the properties acquired together.
