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MISA Zambia says the closure of the Bulletin & Record magazine will have a negative impact on the media landscape in the country.
In a statement, MISA Zambia said it will engage the publishers to ascertain the actual circumstances surrounding the closure of the publication.
It said the closure of the Bulletin & Record will have a negative impact on the media landscape, devoid of investigative and deeply analytical stories which enables the nurturing of informed voters.
MISA said there has been an outcry from various media owners over the increasing cost of news print, unstable economic conditions including currency fluctuations, intermittent power supply and the long hours of load shedding.
It said this resulted in the cumulative increase of cover prices for the major daily newspapers from K3.00 to K8.00 for the Times, Daily Mail and Daily Nation while the Post increased its cover price from K3.00 to K10.00.
The Bulletin and Record, a leading local monthly magazine covering politics, economics, lifestyle, sport, entertainment has announced its decision to close down.
The publishers of the magazine stated they have been ‘forced’ out of publication due to the current ‘economic circumstances’ among other reasons.
A 43-year-old business woman of Chinsali district has appeared in the Chinsali magistrates’ court for selling expired goods and tampering with seized goods contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Appearing before Chinsali senior resident magistrate, Francis Nsokolo, was Malias Namwanzi of chief Waitwika chiefdom who stood charged with two counts.
In count one Namwanzi has been charged with selling expired goods contrary to Section 50 (3) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) Act no 24 of 2010.
Facts before the court were that on February 3, 2016, Namwanzi, being a proprietor of Lucamesa Trading, did offer for sale to the members of the public 17 by 100 grams of Chapamandashi baking powder, 21 by 15 grams of Indiyo mix soup sachets, 4 by 536.75 grams of Swiss complexion collagen body cream, 4 by 453.6 grams of texturizing complexion lotion and 2 by 135ml of corrosion cream which expired without lawful authority.
In the second account Namwanzi was charged for tampering with seized goods contrary to Section 24 (9) (10) of the Food and Drugs Act Chapter 303 of the Laws Zambia.
Particulars are that on February 8, 2016 Namwanzi, being a proprietor of Lucamesa Trading, without lawful authority from an authorised officer, did tamper with seized goods that were left in her custody after senior health inspector from Chinsali Municipal Council found the said goods to be expired.
The goods that were tampered with include 17 by 100 grams of Chapamandashi baking powder, 21 by 15grams of Indiyo mix soup sachets, 4 by 536.75 grams of Swiss complexion collagen body cream,4
by 453.6 grams of texturising complexion lotion and 2 tins by135ml corrosion cream.
Namwanzi pleaded not guilty to both charges and magistrate Nsokolo adjourned the matter to the June 15, 2016 for continued trial.
The District Administration and the Department of Forestry in Luangwa District have expressed concern and worry at the increase of charcoal burning in the area and fear that it will adversely affect the environment in the area.
Acting Luangwa District Commissioner, Jairos Simukoko and District Forestry Officer, Levy Nyangulu, have observed that the charcoal business has increased in the district and has resulted into the cutting of trees at a large scale.
Mr Simukoko and Mr Nyangulu said they have failed to control the situation as it has become the main source of livelihood for most households in the area as people did not harvest anything from their
fields due to the poor rainfall during the 2015/2016 farming season.
The Acting District Commissioner that he has of late observed thousands of charcoal bags lined along the D145 Luangwa main road and stacks of charcoal heaped in villages in readiness for sale, saying this was a worrisome situation.
He appealed to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) under the Office of the Vice President to quickly consider sending relief maize to the district which can be sold at a reasonable price as people were being forced to cut a lot of trees to produce many bags of charcoal to enable them rise enough money to buy a 25 Kg bag of mealie meal which is going at K100 in villages.
Meanwhile, District Forestry Officer, Levy Nyangulu, said his department has found it difficult to control charcoal burning as some traditional leaders have come in to intervene on behalf of their subjects, saying they will die of hunger if they stop burning and selling charcoal.
Mr Nyangulu said some traditional leaders have stormed his office telling him not to stop people from burning and selling charcoal as it was there only means of survival as it was from the charcoal sales that they were able to buy food for their families.
He said his office has expressed concern and worry at the indiscriminate cutting of trees in the district and his department has, however, embarked on sensitising people to venture into other activities such as bee-keeping or the cutting of trees in a sustainable manner to allow the trees to germinate.
The District Forestry Officer appealed to other stakeholders to come in and help in preserving the forests in Luangwa district before the already-depleted forests in the area are completely destroyed.
Proflight, Zambia’s leading scheduled airline, has signed a partnership agreement with the Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) that will set the nation’s top athletes on course for Olympic qualification.
The airline has agreed to sponsor 20 return tickets from Lusaka to Durban to enable athletes and officials to participate in the 20th Africa Senior Championship taking place in Durban, South Africa, from 22 to 26 June, 2016.
“The fastest athletes in Zambia will be taking the fastest, most direct route to Durban with Proflight Zambia,” said Proflight Director of Government and Industry Affairs Captain Philip Lemba. “We are a proudly Zambian airline and believe in supporting our national team in their quest for sporting glory.”
This partnership is important because it shows Proflight’s commitment to the nation’s sporting talent and reflects how Proflight values energy, determination and teamwork, added Capt. Lemba.
As part of the agreement, Proflight is also supporting the ZAAA’s Inter-Company Relay in to be held on June 26, 2016 at the Lusaka Show Grounds.
The airline hopes to inspire people from across the country and the region to fly to Lusaka and enjoy the ICR event in June – whether to participate or spectate, and likewise, to travel from Lusaka to Durban to support the national team in the championship.
The ZAAA is responsible for the administration, conduct, management, supervision, regulation, promotion and control of athletics activities throughout the country in accordance with its rules and regulations.
Proflight, a leading corporate sponsor, participates in a wide range of community initiatives and charity programmes throughout Zambia.
In an effort to boost the Zambian athletic career Proflight looks forward to seeing more athletes qualify for national, regional and international competitions, enabling sports to grow in Zambian and fostering national pride and team spirit.
A 21-YEAR-OLD man of Kalulushi has been sentenced to three months imprisonment for trespassing in a protected mine area.
Before magistrate Eusibio Kaoma was Elisha Masebo of Chibuluma Township of Kalulushi.
Masebo was sentenced yesterday in the Kalulushi magistrate court after being convicted of criminal trespassing contrary to section 306 of Chapter 87 of the Penal code of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offense were that on May 6, this year the accused did trespass in Kagem Mine of Lufwanyama District without authority of the owner.
Masebo was apprehended by company securities who were on duty on the material day as he was suspected to be an illegal miner.
“You Elisha Masebo, on May 6 2016, you did trespass in the protected area of Kagem mine of Lufwanyama district with intent to steal.
“Therefore you committed a case of criminal trespassing as you were not allowed by the owner to pass in that premises,” Magistrate Kaoma said.
In mitigation Masebo said he was a Grade 12 pupil at a named school in Luanshya,so he pleaded for leniency, adding that he had even missed a lot since his case started.
But Mr Kaoma said the problem of criminal trespassing in the mine areas was too big, and instead of fine the would be offenders, he decided to start sending them to jail to deter others committing the same offense.
PF materials being loaded ready for distribution
The ruling PF has hired ten helicopters and is earmarked to distribute 8 million units of party regalia over the next few days.
According to information obtained from the PF Secretariat, the party will has already dispatched four 4×4 campaign vehicles to each of the 155 constituencies.
Each ward has received two motorbikes and ten bicycles while each constituency has 5 volumes of development documentaries explaining national, provincial and constituency successes and future plans.
About 20 billboards have been dispatched to each constituency with 10,000 posters, 50,000 fliers and 5000 stickers which will be going up in the next few days.
The party says it will also deploy a vigorous door to door strategy using 300 foot soldiers in each constituency who will be trained and fully equipped with campign materials.
The party will launch its heightened campaigns start week ad is targeting to have at least ten major rallies every day with each province having a major rally every day.
There have been some concerns from some quarters that the PF campaigns have appeared lukewarm with President Edgar Lungu only having appeared at three campaign events.
This has been at the backdrop that his closest rival UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema has been on a non-stop campaign tour since launching his campaign at Kitwe’s Freedom Park on May 21st 2016.
PF campaign materials being sorted in readiness for distributionOne of the trucks loaded with PF campaign materials ready for distributionSOME Patriotic Front (PF) cadres captured while putting up some campaign materials in the Central Business District of ChomaSOME Patriotic Front (PF) cadres captured while putting up some campaign materials in the Central Business District of ChomaSOME Patriotic Front (PF) cadres captured while putting up some campaign materials in the Central Business District of ChomaSOME Patriotic Front (PF) cadres captured while putting up some campaign materials in the Central Business District of ChomaSOME Patriotic Front (PF) cadres captured while putting up some campaign materials in the Central Business District of Choma
An uncompromising PF cadre about to strike
Unruly PF youths today launched fresh attacks on the UPND campaign team in Tender area in Mafinga district in Muchinga province.
The PF youths who carried different kinds of weapons attacked UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and his team and managed to disperse the UPND supporters.
The residents panicked following the attacks and the rally had to be discontinued.
On Monday, the UPND team was again attacked by PF cadres in Shiwangandu area as PF cadres attempted to bring down the UPND helicopter.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema described todays attacks as unacceptable.
Mr Hichilema revealed that PF supporters know no other way to vent their frustration or express their difference of opinion other than through violent means.
He said what is happening is pure political persecution by the PF, who have ferried cadres into Muchinga province from Lusaka to follow the UPND campaigns tour.
“This is what we have been calling on President Edgar Lungu to take note of as this chaos is getting out of hand. We have repeatedly said the ongoing breakdown in law and order and the loss of confidence in public institutions, such as the police service and other security wings, will result in untold misery that could engulf the whole country,” Mr Hichilema said.
Meanwhile, Mr Hichilema and his team proceeded to Nakonde and held a public rally at Nakonde grounds later in the afternoon.
Addressing the crowd, Mr. Hichilema said he will enhance trade in border areas and ensure transparency and efficiency in the clearing processes at borders. By promoting economic activity jobs will be created to advance the fight against poverty, he explained.
The UPND President and entourage, who arrived at the venue in light truck, also assured the country of improved security, particularly for those living in border areas.
Meanwhile, running mate Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba expressed confidence that Mr. Hichilema will open up borders for business and create jobs for the locals.
MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba said that Zambia will be more united under Mr. Hichilema and charged that currently there is too much poverty and division in the area.
UDF President Miles Sampa said voting for President Lungu is as good as voting for people that the Zambian people removed in 2011.
Mr Hichilema and his delegation are in Muchinga Province on the campaign trail.
A PF cadre ready to launch an attack on UPND supportersPF cadres attacking UPND membersMore PF orchestrated violence in MafingaPF cadres throwing stones and other missiles at a UPND event in Nakonde
The opposition UPND says the group of PF cadres who caused havoc in Shiwang’andu yesterday was hired by a known Minister and his District Commissioner.
UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka said the savagely acts of alleged PF cadres who attempted to bring down the helicopter would led to lose of life and that the cadres threw all sorts of objects in addition to blocking roads to the meeting.
“When our campaign team arrived in Shiwang’andu, Muchinga Province, yesterday they were confronted with a group of PF thugs hired by a known minister and district commissioner.
“They savagely attempted to bring down the helicopter carrying the UPND team, a situation that could have led to loss of life. They threw all sorts of objects such as pangas and stones, in addition to blocking the roads to our meeting.
“Even when the police, along with our members, managed to quell the situation, they went to light fires at the venue for our meeting with a view to intimidate and provoke,” Mr Katuka said in a statement.
He also reminded the nation of the events in the same district when alleged cadres from the ruling party pursued the former first lady and her counterpart Mutale Nalumango after they tried to hold campaign meetings in the same District
“Many will recall the shocking scenes from Shiwang’andu last January when PF cadres pursued and threw stones at former First Lady Dr. Maureen Mwanawasa and UPND National Chairperson Mutale Nalumango, along with other members of our team. Yesterday these thugs showed themselves to be as barbaric as ever,” he said.
He thanked the police for acting professionally who quickly dispersed the cadres and other institutions should also starting exhibiting such levels of professionalism if the country is to move forward.
“Nevertheless, we would like to recognise the professionalism of the police in the area, who recognised the threat to the safety of our people and acted quickly to disperse the thugs.
“Putting the safety and security of our citizens first, without discriminating on the basis of political affiliation, these police officers demonstrated the kind of behaviour we need to see more of in this country.
“Acting in the interests of the Zambian people as a whole, and not just those who belong to one party, fosters unity and confidence in our public institutions. If only we could see such professionalism and integrity in service across the country, and at other critical institutions such as ZNBC and ZAF, then it would pave the way for free and fair elections that inspire the full confidence of all our citizens,” the statement further said.
Mr Katuka also said President Lungu will be held responsible if he fails to act on yesterday’s violent acts by alleged PF cadres.
“We wish to warn President Lungu that if he fails to take action following such incidents then he will also be held responsible for retaliation as people begin to defend themselves. As President of the PF and the country he must bring such thugs under control. There should be no such things as a ‘no-go’ area during an open, free and fair campaign and there should be no tolerance of thuggery in party or government structures. President Lungu must act now or reveal his lack of sincerity and care for the peace and stability of our nation,” he said.
More than 20 people have been admitted to Kafue District Hospital and Estate Health Centre for suspected food poisoning at a wedding ceremony in Shikoswe Compound.
Kafue Acting District Commissioner, Ngoni Moyo, has since visited the patients at Kafue District Hospital and described the situation as sad.
Mr Moyo revealed that even the bride and her groom could not enjoy the aftermath of their wedding as they were also admitted to estate clinic in the district.
He added that the food for the wedding was prepared at a house in the same locality and the reception was held at a named children’s home in Kafue.
Mr Moyo said among the victims were school children from various schools in the district.
The Acting District Commissioner has also cautioned the public to use the services of professional catering staff when preparing and serving food for a big number of people to avoid food contamination.
Mr Moyo further expressed government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives of its people.
Meanwhile, Kafue District Medical officer, Chiza Simpungwe, said the hospital admitted the patients from the wedding with complaints of running stomach, high fever and vomiting.
Dr Simpungwe described the victims’ condition as stable, and no death had been recorded.
He said six males, three children and one female had since been discharged by press time while one male, seven children and one female were still on treatment at the District hospital.
The District Medical Officer further explained that various samples which included, food, water, and stool were taken for further investigations to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka to ascertain the cause of infection.
And Estates Clinic , Clinical Officer, Emmanuel Kayombo, said the bride and groom have since been discharged.
Mr Kayombo added that a mother and her baby from the same wedding are still under medication at the clinic .
President Lungu receives an affidavit of Oath from newly appointed State Counsel Abha Nayar Patel during the Swearing-In-Ceremony at State House on Tuesday, June 14,2016 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
President Edgar Lungu has implored newly sworn in high court judges to exhibit high levels of integrity in their discharge of national duties.
Speaking today at State house when he swore in nine judges and one state council, President Lungu advised the judges to acquaint themselves with literature highlighting the ethics of a judge.
He pointed out that people will respect the outcome of a judgment when judges exhibit professionalism by sticking to ethics.
“Therefore it becomes imperative that you work hard and also ensure that the integrity you are talking about is maintained and you maintain this by ensuring that u stick to the ethics of what judges are expected to do. I know there is a lot of literature, history books on the does and don’ts of a Judge, but one of the things I can tell you without going in details is perception of the Zambian people and the community in which we leave,” he advised.
Mr Lungu further urged the judges to refrain from being found with people who may have a questionable character as this may tarnish their image as judges.
The President said the perception people will have towards them emanates from the people they associate with.
The Head of State counselled the new judges to emulate the conduct of old high court judges who have raised the grade of integrity in the judiciary.
President Lungu said some people have a wrong perception of being a judge as they think it is glamorous.
He pointed out that there is more to being a judge than the glamour people associate to the office of the judge.
” I know some think being it is glamorous to be a judge, I don’t think so, at the end of the day you will discover that there is so much more to it than the glamour, a lot of hard work and the expectation by the people of Zambia from our judges,” President Lungu noted.
Mulenga Sata has alleged that President Lungu’s government has failed to govern hence chasing people from the party such as himself and Guy Scott among others.
He was speaking in Mpika yesterday when he addressed a rally in the area.
Mr Sata appealed to Mpika residents to give him support and the UPND so that they can win the August 11 general elections.
Meanwhile, speaking during a rally in Chinsali yesterday, UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema, said even though Zambia has gotten independence the people of Chinsali have no independence at all due to high house hold poverty levels.
Mr Hichilema said UPND is the only party that will remove the PF from office because it is the only party that has a clear vision of eradicating poverty among Zambians.
UPND rally in Mpika
He said once voted into power his government will reduce the prices of fertilizer and will be giving every farmer eight bags of fertilizer for free.
Mr Hichilema added that the reduction in prices of fertilizer and free bags will result in a bumper harvest which will in turn cause a further reduction in the prices of mealie meal.
He dismissed rumours going round that when UPND is ushered into office, it will take Muchinga province back to Northern Province and divide the country.
The UPND president assured the people of Muchinga that no such thing will happen, adding that his party has plans to take development to all areas of the country including Muchinga.
Mr Hichilema further told the crowd that he will introduce a free education policy from primary to university level and ensure that all the two universities in Muchinga province are opened in the shortest possible time.
And UPND presidential running mate, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM), alleged that President Edgar Lungu has no love for the nation especially the people of Muchinga and Northern provinces because he only wants to use them for his own personal gain.
Mr Mwamba said it is time that Bembas paid off the debt to Tongas by giving Mr Hichilema 95 per cent votes as they did in 1991 when they voted for the late President, Frederick Chiluba, into office.
File:President Edgar Lungu at Mulilansolo Basic School Rally in Chief Mubanga in Chinsali Muchinga Province on Saturday- PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA.
Patriotic Front Muchinga women chairperson, Mary Chifuna, has appealed to party youths in the province to remain peaceful as the country heads to the polls on August 11, 2016.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Chinsali today Ms Chifuna said youths in the area should ensure that they are not used as tools for violence in the run up to the August polls.
Ms Chifuna said PF youths should retrain themselves from violence no matter how much they are provoked by opposition political parties.
She was reacting to the beating of a PF aspiring councillor in Shiwangandu district by suspected opposition cadres.
Meanwhile, Ms Chifuna said Muchinga still remains the stronghold for the PF, adding that this is why opposition political parties are finding it difficult to amass support for their respective political parties.
She said people are shunning rallies for most of the opposition political parties because they are not popular.
Ms Chifuna said the people of Muchinga province are solely behind the leadership of President Edgar Lungu, adding that come August 11, the opposition will be taught a lesson.
She said the ruling party has delivered on its campaign promises and this is why it is easy for the PF to campaign.
Ms Chifuna noted that the ruling party has taken development to all corners of the country.
Theo De Marillac, hippo killer of the Luangwa, Pic-Kamisa Malipita
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) has announced that it is suspending the hippo culling exercise in the Luangwa Valley.
Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe said this has been necessitated by events that have come with the culling activity that started in May.
“In the meantime, the department will evaluate the matter and provide a way forward. Culling is a wildlife management measure usually taken in situations where the population of a particular species exceeds the carrying capacity of the habitat, thereby the habitat cannot support the given species,” Mr Kalembwe said.
He said recent research revealed that the water levels in the Luangwa River system have been low and insufficient to support the hippo population especially in the dry season.
The great Zambian hippo slaughter of the Luangwa Pic-Kamisa Malipita
Mr Kalembwe said DNPW has assessed the situation and estimated that 2,000 hippos need to be culled in a space of five (5) years.
“Following the suspension of the culling operations, the department is making extensive consultations and will make further pronouncements on the matter as it deems fit according to its mandate. The department is committed to the protection and sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources for ecological and socio-economic benefits for the present and future as mandated by Wildlife Act Number 14 of 2015,” he said.
There has been growing outrage from conservation groups after leaked images showed a South African professional hunting outfit posing with hippo after a successful culling expedition in the South Luangwa.
File picture:PF-militia…a-PF-youth-wielding a dangerous-weapon goes for UPND-cadres during the Kabwata violence
It is highly regrettable that despite the church’s attempt to stop the violence through the consultative meetings held, we have continued receiving reports of violence from selected parts of the country. Our politicians have continued using the young people as tools of violence with impunity; without shame.
It is disappointing that most political parties contesting in this years elections have failed to explain to the voters what they intend to do if voted into office. They have instead concentrated on name calling and hate speech. This has resulted in politicians denying the voters an opportunity to know the party manifestos, a situation that may cause voter apathy.
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politicians have continued using the young people as tools of violence
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It is the responsibility of every political party to ensure that peace and unity prevails before, during and after elections. The amount of hatred among politicians is worrying and must be a source of concern for every peace loving Zambian. We have for a long time enjoyed peace and stability as a country and it must be the interest of every political leader, especially presidents of the different political parties to ensure that they play a role in promoting peace and unity. Supporters of different political parties must also refrain from any form of political violence or electoral malpractice.
I urge the youth to resist from being used as tools of violence during the campaigns. It is very important for us to realise that we are one people despite being members and supporters of different political parties. The youth have the power to stop the violence if they worked together and refuse to be used in the manner they are currently being used by selfish politicians.
At this point in time our leaders must promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence, diversity and divergent opinions as we get closer to the elections. This is the surest way we will ensure that the 11th August elections are held in a free, fair and corrupt free environment.
Civil society organizations, the church and ordinary citizens must all remember that the biggest asset we have as a nation is the fact that Zambia is known world over as a peace loving nation. We must therefore strive to ensure that we keep this banner in the right place.
I finally wish to commend the police for being professional thus far during this official campaign period. The police command must continue providing its services in a professional manner without being intimidated by political players. we have ourselves to blame if we fail to control our tempers during this delicate time and violence wont take us anywhere.
MISA Zambia says the closure of the Bulletin & Record magazine will have a negative impact on the media landscape in the country.
