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The Weekend in Pictures
South African Hiphop superstar Cassper nyovest to perform at Mosi Lager Day of Thunder
From 30th April to 1st May Livingstone will host the “Mosi Lager Day of Thunder” music festival . The headline act will be South African Hip-hop superstar Cassper Nyovest.
Other artists performing will be B’flow ,Pompi , Abel Chungu , Magg44 , Jay Rox , Wezi , Bobby East , Drimz and the Mosi Lager Zambian Music Awards winners!
Djs at the festival will be Psycho Tash ,Sebastien Dutch and Bloxx.
Venue :Livingstone Golf Club
Tickets K50 from Computicket/Shoprite
BY KAPA187
Ex-Zambia team manager Solly Pandor dies
Ex-Zambia national team manager Solly Pandor has died.
Sources confirmed that the long-serving team manager died in Lusaka on Wednesday morning.
Pandor was team manager for over seven after the 1993 Gabon air crash and again from 2002 to 2010.
He will be put to rest in accordance with Islamic burial rites today in Lusaka.
Zambia has adequate food reserves to meet consumption needs-FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has declared that Zambia has adequate food reserves to meet national consumption needs.
ZANIS reports that FAO Country Representative George Okech noted that despite some parts of the country receiving below normal rainfall FAO is optimistic that the country will harvest enough maize in the 2015/2016 farming season.
Mr Okech said that some parts of the country that received enough rain fall will harvest enough maize to compensate what has been lost in other regions.
The FAO Chief advised Zambians not to panic over the country’s food security.
Mr Okech said that according to FAO, Zambia’s food production and security is far much better than other countries in the region who are adversely hit by famine.
He stated that after the harvest, Zambia will be in a position to even feed neighboring countries that have received less or no rainfall.
Mealie Meal Price Control Misdirected-HH
The PF has finally woken up to the fact that the price of essentials such as mealie meal have risen beyond the reach of many, weeks and even months after everybody else. But as usual they are using the wrong methods to address the rising cost of living.
After a short export ban last week, their latest misdirected measure that comes late in the day is reportedly to introduce a price control through a Government-issued Statutory Instrument. In the UPND we want to see lower prices not through statutory instruments, but through proper economic planning. What will the PF issue an SI for next? Bread? Fritters that are now K1.50 from 50 ngwee three short months ago?
We all know that price controls have been used in the past and that they do not work in such cases. In fact they often make supply problems much worse.
President Lungu wonders why the prices have risen so much that in some places we have seen prices as high as K150 when 5 years ago that same bag was K35. The reasons behind the price increase are not a mystery. Firstly, the price of farming inputs is very high, farmers are now paying over K300 per 50kg of fertiliser that they bought for K150 a few years ago. Secondly, load shedding is taking a toll on business. Companies are running generators, which add to the cost of doing business. Thirdly, supplies have been lowered due to high levels of export at a time of reduced yields, and basic economics tells us that when supply is reduced then prices increase.
President Lungu and his Government were warned from several quarters on this upcoming problem but chose not to take any action to prevent it from escalating. The UPND wants to see lower mealie meal prices but they can only be lowered sustainably through support for the farmer, reduced price of farming inputs, resolution of power issues and investment in the agriculture sector, as part of a broader plan for economic growth.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President
FDD strongly objects to the printing of ballot papers in Dubai
The FDD says it strongly objects to the printing of ballot papers in Dubai and has called on ECZ to immediately call for stakeholders meeting to quickly resolve the issue.
FDD Spokesperson Antonio Mwanza said the commission has no justifiable reason to print the ballot papers in Dubai as opposed to South Africa where they have been printing.
Mr Mwanza said ECZ exits because of the of political parties hence should not stubborn by being adamant about the issue of printing ballot papers in Dubai.
“As FDD we strongly object the printing of ballot papers in Dubai. We call upon the ECZ to call for stakeholders meeting with political parties to resolve this matter. There is no justifiable reason for the ECZ to print ballot papers in Dubai as opposed to South Africa where they have been printing.
“ECZ has to know that there duty is to ensure that they country has free, fair credible and transparent elections and that the major stakeholders are us the political parties participating in the elections. The ECZ is surviving by virtual of us politician, without as politician there will be no ECZ and therefore as FDD we call upon for an immediate stakeholders meeting to resolve these issues of printing ballot papers in Dubai,” he said.
He accused the ECZ of working with the PF to rig the elections.
“We are strongly suspicious, there is something fishy, ECZ is colluding with the PF to manipulate the out come of the results. The ECZ have to realise that if they go ahead and print the ballot papers in Dubai disregarding the objections of opposition parties then there will be serious post elections conflict that might plunge this country into total chaos, we don’t problems in this country, we have been peaceful for the last 50 years.
“May the ECZ do its due diligence duty of in ensuring that the country holds free and fair elections. The company they want to use is the same company which was used in Uganda and we had problems there where some ballot papers came already marked, we are aware that there were extra ballots and we know that they want to print extra ballots and that shell not be tolerated,” he said.
The ECZ has said that the decision on printing ballot papers has been made and that northing will change despite some stakeholders raising some concerns.
Zanaco booted out of Confederation Cup
Zanaco have been booted out of the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup.
The Bankers lost 3-0 away to Stade Gabesien of Tunisia to bow out 4-1 on aggregate in Gebes.
Gebesien took a 2-0 half-time lead through Ahmed Hosni and Hichem Essifi in the 22nd and 31st minutes respectively.
Essifi completed his brace in the 69th minute to ensure they sail through to the last 16.
Zanaco out of the competition after just two rounds following their 5-2 aggregate passage to the second round after beating Harare City.
Zesco sail through to Champions League group stage
The Zambian club advanced to June’s group stage 5-2 on aggregate after winning 3-1 in the first leg in Bamako on April 9.
Goals from Jesse Were and Maybin Mwaba ensued Zesco’s win over ten-man Stade Malien and see the Zambian club qualify to the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2009.
Zesco took a 1-0 half-time lead when Were fired in the ball on the near post off a pass from Idris Mbombo inside the box.
Mbombo could have added a second in the 21st minute from close-range but his shot came off body of a Malien defender.
The game lost some steam in the first half but ignited back to life after Stade Malien equalised in the 55th minute through Musa Coulibaly.
Stade Malien then put Zesco on the back foot but the home side kept their shape.
Zesco’s victory was sealed in the 82nd minute, Mbombo was again the provider, while Mwaba put the finishing to cross just three minutes after Cletus Chama had missed in similar circumstances.
Stade Malien were the reduced to ten men in the 89th minute when Issaka Samake was sent off for a stomp on Mwape Mwelwa.
Zesco will know their group stage fate when the league phase draws are made on May 24 in Cairo while Stade Malien have been relegated CAF Confederation Cup.
DEC arrests over 80 for cannabis cultivation
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested over 80 people countrywide for unlawful cultivation and trafficking in cannabis.
DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo said in a statement issued to ZANIS in Ndola today that those arrested are from Luapula, Central and Eastern provinces respectively.
Ms. Katongo said the people that have been arrested include Bayoni Mumba 43, a small scale farmer of Mwansa village in Mansa district of Luapula province for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 1.121 tonnes.
She said others arrested are Maybin Kafunda 48 and Mwansa Mailoni 41, both of Edeni village in Milenge district for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 371.89kg and 306.79kg respectively.
She further said Patrick Mbewe 35, a small scale farmer of Mulanda village in Kapiri Mposhi district was also arrested for unlawful cultivation of fresh cannabis plants weighing 750kg.
Ms. Katongo also said Aaron Mucheleka 45, of Zoi village in Lundazi district is another person who was arrested for unlawful cultivation of cannabis weighing 835kg and trafficking in 18kg of loose cannabis.
She added that also arrested was Aaron’s brother Alison, 51, of the same abode for unlawful cultivation of cannabis weighing 45kg.
She stated that all the suspects will appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, a truck driver in Eastern province has been convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with labour for drug trafficking.
Ms. Katongo said Aston Phiri, 38, a truck driver of Kalungzha village in Petauke district was convicted and sentenced to five years with hard labour on the first count of trafficking in 350.8kg of cannabis and two years on the second count for unlawful use of property.
The sentences will run consecutively with effect from April 15, 2016.
Government addressing low health staffing levels
moment with Aids Health Care Foundation National Medical Director
Brig-Gen Lawson Simapuka(l) immediately after handing over the Medical
Equipments to Chifundo Clinic in Chaisa Compound
Government says it is working round the clock to addressing the low staffing levels which are affecting service delivery.
ZANIS reports that Lusaka provincial medical officer Kennedy Malama said government has started recruiting health personnel to improve health service delivery.
Dr. Malama noted that high volume health facilities fail to deliver effectively because of the huge work load that comes with overpopulation by patients of these areas.
He stated that the Ministry of Health has prioritized the recruitment of health workers in order to help such health facilities function effectively and efficiently.
Dr. Malama stated that both the old and newly built health facilities will receive new recruits to help lessen the workload.
He also said that he is happy that the health sector is enjoying one of the best times due to the continued adequate supply of essential drugs.
He said that all the health facilities now have all the essential drugs to help treat patients plus the purse of some new HIV kits.
He explained that shortage of drugs usually comes as a result of logistical mismanagement by some medical personnel that fail to account for how the drugs are being used and also fail to mention on time that their health facilities lack certain medicine.
Health authorities happy with public response to cholera oral vaccine
The Ministry of Health has disclosed that the introduction of the consumption of the oral vaccine in cholera affected areas has received positive results from the general public.
Provincial Medical Officer for Lusaka Kennedy Malama noted that the oral vaccine being administered in cholera affected areas like Bauleni, Matero, Kanyama, Chawama and other townships within Lusaka has recorded a 51% turnout.
Dr. Malama said the administering of the oral vaccine is targeted at reaching 5,842 people most of which will be from the cholera affected areas in Lusaka.
He said the intake of the oral vaccines is not mandatory for anyone within and outside the affected area, as it is not the primary principle to the prevention of cholera.
Dr. Malama however pointed out that the vaccine is secondary to other primary preventions like good hygiene and the seeking of medical attention immediately after experiencing cholera symptoms.
He explained that the oral vaccines are being supplied to Zambia with support from the World Health Organisation and the Medicine San Frontier (MSF) from France and Geneva which have also sent representatives to monitor the progress of this exercise.
Dr. Malama also pointed out that the oral vaccines cannot be bought from any pharmacies or chemists but can only be taken from approved outlets such as health centers. The oral vaccine only becomes effective after 10 days of consumption.
He said some of the possible side effects to the vaccines are mild abdominal pains and diarrhea and can differ from person to person.
Dr. Malama has since called on members of the public to practice good hygiene and seek medical attention immediately after experiencing cholera symptoms, as these are the primary principles of cholera prevention.
He further urged members of the public to take part in the intake of the oral vaccines, as they are aimed at preventing cholera, and also to avoid public gatherings until after cholera cases reduce.
Over eight hundred and seven cases of cholera have been recorded in Lusaka since the epidemic broke out two months ago in lusaka province.
Rwanda Embassy happy with Zambia Police’s swift action against Rioters
The Rwanda High Commission in Lusaka has commended the Zambia Police Service for its swift action against perpetrators of violent attacks on Rwandese nationals in Zambia.
Charge d’affaires at the Rwanda High Commission in Lusaka Abel Buhungu said the Embassy is satisfied with the actions by police.
“We are happy with the quick Police response to the attacks apparently targeted at our nationals and their properties by the Police. We are also satisfied that there has been increased deployment of police presence even in areas not affected yesterday,” Mr. Buhungu said.
Mr. Buhungu has also called on his nationals to take precautions and exercise patience as authorities where dealing with the matter.
Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees says it is deeply saddened by the attacks on foreigners, including refugees and former refugees in Lusaka.
UNHCR’s Representative in Zambia Laura Lo Castro has also commended the response made by the Zambian authorities and police to try to contain the violence and encourages them to continue with their efforts to restore calm in the affected areas and to ensure police presence to protect all persons, including foreigners and refugees.
Ms. Laura Lo Castro said UNHCR welcomes the official statement given by the Honourable Davis Mwila, Minister of Home Affairs, on Monday 18 April in the evening, calling for calm and all perpetrators of the violence against the foreigners not to take the law in their own hands, but let law enforcement agencies handle the investigations.
“Many refugees have called UNHCR sharing their fears and information about loss of property. We would like to urge Zambians to continue maintaining the unblemished high reputation, respected by the international community, of being hospitable to foreigners, including refugees,” she said.
Ms. Laura Lo Castro said UNHCR also urges all foreigners and refugees to abide by the laws of the country, and live in continued harmony with the host community.
She said all persons residing in Zambia, refugees, foreigners and nationals should act responsibly and avoid violence at all cost.
“It is very concerning and sad to hear these news of violence against brothers and sisters of nearby countries. While we appreciate the efforts made so far, UNHCR is calling on the government to continue to do all it can to prevent any future incidents. Zambia should remain a harbour of peace and respect for the principle of Ubuntu” she said.
She’s not carrying my child
A TWENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD man of Kabanana Township has been accused of impregnating his girlfriend, but argues that it is another man who is responsible for the pregnancy.
This is a case in which Moses Tembo, has been sued by Simon Mwale, 54, of George Township for impregnating his 25-year-old daughter Jacqui Mwale.
Tembo said it was sad that he was accused of impregnating Jacqui because her father knows that her daughter has a boyfriend his name is James Chileshe.
He wondered why Jacqui’s parents are insisting of him being responsible for their daughter’s pregnancy, letting James her boyfriend to go scot-free and yet they have been dating for six months now and she sometimes sleep at his place.
“After being in a relationship with her, I found her with a man by the name of James and I just left her with him, because I’m a man who loves peace,” Tembo said.
The Defendant claimed that three months ago, Jacqui was ditched by James and that is the more reason why she wants to accuse him of being responsible for the pregnancy.
“I insist, I have never slept with her and I don’t even know why she doesn’t want us to take a DNA test,” he said.
But Mwale maintained that his daughter was carrying Tembo’s seven-month pregnancy but he had constantly refused to take up responsibilities. He said Tembo must brave himself and accept the damage.
“I trust my daughter very much, last week my daughter even confirmed having sex with Tembo. “My daughter told me how Tembo introduced her to his mum, My daughter said she slept at his home on several occasions and last they had sex was on a Friday afternoon in September 2015.
The court adjourned the case to a later date.
Vernon Mwaanga defends his comments
Retired veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga has justified his comments on the electoral process ahead of the 11th August elections.
Dr. Mwaanga has told QFM News that his comments are all being made in national interest.
He says his interest is neither to have one political party remain in power nor another party to assume power in the forthcoming elections.
He says his interest is to see a leveled playing in the August elections where none of the participating political parties will be disadvantaged or advantaged in one way or another.
Dr. Mwaanga states that he would like to see a fair and balanced electoral process where even state media will give equal coverage to both the ruling party and opposition political parties.
He says this is especially that the state media is owned by the people and not the party in power.
Yesterday Government said that it was disappointed with veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga for insinuating that the outcome of the February Ugandan general elections could have been manipulated in favour of President Yoweri Museveni by Ms Al Ghurairi Printing and Publishing House.
Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba has said Dr Mwaanga’s unverified allegations that the Ugandan elections could have been manipulated had the potential to sour the diplomatic relationship Zambia was enjoying with Uganda.
Mr Kalaba said Uganda was a sovereign state and Dr Mwaanga, a career diplomat, was diplomatically imprudent to drag the East African country into the Zambian politics.
Speaking at a media briefing at his office yesterday, Mr Kalaba said Dr Mwaanga went off diplomatic etiquette to impute that key voting materials for the Ugandan general elections were printed in Dubai and to claim that some of the ballot papers were pre-marked and ended up in the wrong hands.
Mr Kalaba said it was not in conformity with good international practice for Dr Mwaanga to have named Uganda and bring into dispute other political processes that were for the domestic jurisdiction of other states.
He said it was regrettable that Dr Mwaanga’s utterances were made but assured the Ugandan government that Zambia would endeavour to maintain good bilateral relations based on mutual interests and respect.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state that it is not in conformity with good international practice to name other countries and bring into disrepute other political processes that are of the domestic jurisdiction of other states,” Mr Kalaba said.
Mr Kalaba said political players should at all times avoid naming other countries and political processes particularly in states where matters had not been fully verified because such unguarded statements could have serious repercussions on the bilateral relations of countries with which Zambia was in good standing.
Former Zambia Railways CEO Attanga being investigated by ACC
The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has said that it is investigating allegations of abuse of authority of office at the National Savings and Credit Bank and against former Zambia Railways chief executive officer Muyenga Attanga.
ACC Public Relations Manager Timothy Moono says investigations of alleged corruption by some officials at the Football Association of Zambia are still ongoing.
Mr. Moono who could not reveal more information on the investigations was speaking at the ACC first quarter media briefing in Lusaka today.
He added that in the first quarter of this year the commission received 3-hundred and 68 reports of cases of corruption of which the commission has instituted investigations in 66 cases.