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HH, GBM and GBM’s wife after he was released from police custody
THE JERABOS on the Copperbelt have warned UPND vice president Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba that if the opposition political party wants confrontation, then it will be given to them.
Bornface Nsofwa, a member of the Jerabos, has said intimidating their Jerabo leader Simeon Kalobo would not help because the group supported the Patriotic Front on a matter of principle.
In his statement last week, Mr. Mwamba warned the Jerabos: “My advice to you is continue your illegal activities for now but come August you better know what’s best for you.
“Members of your organisation who have seen hope in the UPND did endorse and joined the party, publicly. You my dear are a spent force and your paymasters know it too,” he told the Jerabo leader Simeon Kalobo in a facebook posting.
But Mr Nsofwa said if Mr Mwamba who is popularly known as GBM, wanted confrontation, his group was not afraid as they supported PF on principle.
“They have done a lot for us in very difficult circumstance because they appreciate that the ordinary man must benefit from these resources and not give them away to foreigners.
“But if Mr. Mwamba wants confrontation then we shall give him. We are not afraid just because they are both rich and can hire mobs, the truth cannot be hired,” he said.
Mr Nsofwa said the warning by Mr Mwamba that things would change in August if the opposition party would be voted into power was a clear indication that the party did not mean well for the ordinary Zambians who were trying to make a living for themselves.
He said the Jerabos had vowed not to allow the UPND take a second bite at the mining industry, following the experience they underwent after the privatisation process which allegedly benefitted the opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr Nsofwa said it was a well-known fact that Mr. Hichilema benefitted from the sale of the Luanshya mine which left many miners suffering because there was no money to pay them.
“We cannot allow them back to take a second bite. Mr. Hichilema has never denied that his firm was paid a lot of money from the privatisation process and yet the miners were left destitute, why do they want to come back now?” he asked.
In his statement, Mr Kalobo said people on the Copperbelt knew what the PF government had done for them and that not even machinations by the UPND leadership would change anything ‘‘because the track record is there for all to see that they cannot be trusted’’.
President Edgar Lungu take Photo with Constitutional Court President and Judges (2nr) Constitutional Court President justice Hildah Chibomba, (r) Constitutional Court Judge Justice Mulenga Mugeni, (from left) Constitutional Court Judge Justice Mwewe Anne Sitali (l) Constitutional Court Judge Justice Enock Mulembe, and Constitutional Court Judge Palan Mulonda shortly after swearing in Ceremony of Constitutional Court Judges at State House
President Edgar Lungu has sworn in five judges to preside over the constitutional court.
The 5 sworn in are Justice Hilda Chibomba as President of the court, Justice Anne Sitali, Justice Mugeni Mulenga, Justice Enock Mulembe and Justice Palan Mulonda as constitutional court judges.
And speaking during the swearing in ceremony at State House this morning, President Lungu says Zambians are looking up to the constitutional court to provide guidance over contentious issues such as the Grade 12 certificate clause among others clauses.
President Lungu has assured that the executive will do the best to ensure that they settle quickly and give them all the support to ensure that justice prevails especially as the country goes towards elections.
He says the constitutional court will be very busy during election time.
He has urged them to do their utmost best and has further expressed confidence that they will carry out their duties as expected by the people of Zambia
President Edgar Lungu and Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima shortly after swearing in Ceremony of Constitutional Court Judges at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu listens to the orth from newly appointed Constitutional Court President justice Hildah Chibomba at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu listens to the orth from newly appointed Constitutional Court judge Justice Mulenga Mugeni at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu listens to the orth from newly appointed Constitutional Court judge justice Justice Enock Mulembe at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu listens to the orth from newly appointed Constitutional Court judge justice Justice Mulenga Mugeni at State House-President Edgar Lungu receive the orth from newly appointed Constitutional Court President justice Hildah Chibomba at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu congratulates newly appointed Constitutional Court judge Justice Mwewe Anne Sitali at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu receive the orth from newly appointed Constitutional Court judge Justice Palan Mulonda at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu receive the orth from newly appointed Constitutional Court judge Justice Enock Mulembe at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu congratulates newly appointed Constitutional Court President Hildah Chibomba shortly after swearing in Ceremony of Constitutional Court Judges at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu chats with Constitutional Court Judges shortly after swearing in Ceremony of Constitutional Court Judges at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu congratulates newly appointed Constitutional Court judge Justice Mulenga Mugeni at State House
Newly appointed Lusaka Province Minister Mulenga Sata has dismissed a statement attributed to him directing Teachers in the province to report for work on Saturdays for preventive duties.
Mr. Sata says he is still in the process of clearing his old desk and yet to conduct a familiarization tour of his new office.
He says he has not met the provincial education officer citing that much as the elements in the statement might be relevant, the statement did not come from him.
Mr. Sata however notes that the cleanness is a national policy and requires all citizens to be involved and not just teachers.
He has wondered why the statement only targeted teachers when all citizens are required to clean their surroundings.
Amos Chanda
Chinese President Xi Jinping has committed to helping Zambia stabilize the food supply chain should the harvest crop focus show that they will be a crop failure.
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda says the Chinese President said this through the speaker of the Chinese parliament Zhang Dejiang when he met President Lungu on Saturday that that he is personally making a follow up on the food stability because food stability entails stability of a nation.
President Jimping has also congratulated Zambia for the robust infrastructure development programme that has taken place between 2011 and now citing that the Chinese government will urge all its contractors to ensure that they deliver good quality infrastructure development.
Mr. Chanda explains that of specific mention was the proposed 397 million dollars Ndola international airport project and that he stated that the contractor will receive the full support of the Chinese authority to ensure that construction works begin on schedule.
And President Lungu has commended China for being an all weather friend and committed that the development programmes between Zambia and China will be accelerated.
ZNBC carries the proceedings live: Tamara Nyirenda.
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Delegates during the official opening of the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union(IPU) assembly
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Delegates during the official opening of the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union(IPU) assembly
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Delegates during the official opening of the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union(IPU) assembly
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WBC World Champion r Catherine Phiri and her manager Chris Malunga
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PS Augustine Seyuba and Namakau Mukelebai Kaphia directors of the ceremony.
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Delegates during the official opening of the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union(IPU) assembly
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Delegates during the official opening of the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union(IPU) assembly
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Zambian Cultural groups performing during the official opening of 134th Inter Parliamentary Union assembly
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Zambian Cultural groups performing during the official opening of 134th Inter Parliamentary Union assembly
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Zambian Cultural groups performing during the official opening of 134th Inter Parliamentary Union assembly
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Zambian Cultural groups performing during the official opening of 134th Inter Parliamentary Union assembly
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Delegates during the official opening of the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union(IPU) assembly
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Zambian Cultural groups performing during the official opening of 134th Inter Parliamentary Union assembly
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Zambian Cultural groups performing during the official opening of 134th Inter Parliamentary Union assembly
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Zambian Cultural groups performing during the official opening of 134th Inter Parliamentary Union assembly
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Zambian songbird Alice Chuma with Air Power Band during banquet.
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Zambian songbird Alice Chuma with Air Power Band during banquet.
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Delegates during the official opening of the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union(IPU) assembly
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Delegates during the official opening of the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union(IPU) assembly
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National Assembly of Zambia speaker Patrick Matibini delivering his speech.
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IPU President Saber Chowdhury delivering his speech.
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IPU President Saber Chowdhury being congratulated by the President Lungu after delivering his speech
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Presidenty Lungu Delivering his speech
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IPU President Saber Chowdhury congratulating President Lungu after delivering his speech.
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Dr Patrick Matibing congratulating President Lungu after delivering his speech.
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Delegates during the official opening of the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union(IPU) assembly
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President Edgar Lungu unveilling the Zambia map canvas on which all MPs sign on.
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President Edgar Lungu unveilling the Zambia map canvas on which all MPs sign on.
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President Edgar Lungu signing on the Zambia map canvas
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President Edgar Lungu with Inter Parliamentary Union Assembly Secretary General Martin Chungong and IPU President Saber Chowdhury
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From left to right: 134TH Inter Parliamentary Union Assembly Secretary General Martin Chungong, IPU President Saber Chowdhury President Edgar Lungu and National Assembly of Zambia speaker Patrick Matibini,
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President Edgar Lungu with some delegates.
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President press Aide Amos Chanda with the Secretary to the cabinet Dr Rolan Msisika
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President Edgar Lungu posing for Kasandra Calkins (who is not on the picture) from Canada who is doing a classroom porject documentary travels through Zambia and Africa.
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The Banquet high table during the singing of UN anthem.
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The Banquet high table during the singing of UN anthem.
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President Edgar Lungu posing for Kasandra Calkins (who is not on the picture) from Canada who is doing a classroom project documentary travels through Zambia and Africa.
South African born Yung Verbal is 1/3 of popular Hip-hop group Zone Fam .Having been successful as part of the group , winning many awards including a Channel O music award , he is now working on his debut , yet to be titled , solo album . He recently released the lead single for the album “BBW” which is already receiving massive airplay on local radio stations. We caught up with him to discuss his new single and his more:
KAPA187: Briefly tell us about yourself, and how you came up with the name Yung Verbal.
YUNG VERBAL: I’m loud, sarcastic, and creative and believe I’m a super hero who will one day save the world haha. In my battle rap days I use to go by the name verbal assassin which was not consumer friendly for when I started doing music professionally so I changed it to Yung Verbal.
KAPA187: For someone who has never heard your music, how would you describe your sound?
YUNG VERBAL: My music is a fuse of African and western influenced hip hop traits. When I first started I wrote predominantly in English but as I grew musically I felt the need to relate more with my listeners and this spurred me on to write more vernacular in my songs before I knew it, it birthed a new sound.
KAPA187: How did you become a part of Zone Fam, and when starting out did you anticipate the success you would have?
YUNG VERBAL: When I first got to Zambia I went to a lot of ciphers and hip hop events were I met Duncan (the Holstar) sodala who invited me to his studio. This was the same studio the rest of the team use to record individually; we had a common goal to take over the continent by using music this resulted in us recording songs together. At a point Duncan suggested we fuse our talents into one group and this is where Zone Fam began its journey. Obviously this is the Yung Verbal version of the story haha.
KAPA187: Tell us about your new single “BBW”, what is it all about?
YUNG VERBAL:#BBW is about the bigger or curvier woman who is as beautiful as the small bodied woman. In this day and age the portrayal of the perfect woman is a thin waist, abs and near zero percent body fat which to me personally seems unfair to the bigger or curvier woman who does not fit that description. We are African and it is no secret our women are gifted with curves and bodies you will not see on international magazine covers. I decided to do a song to remind all the curvy woman out there that they are beautiful regardless the body size.
KAPA187: In a short time “BBW” has become really popular, did you expect this?
YUNG VERBAL: I did not expect it at all, I have faith in the record don’t get me wrong but I did not anticipate the rapid response the song got in such a short time. I’m not complaining at all haha.
KAPA187: Hip-hop has been known to be macho and misogynistic. What made you decide to make a song that uplifts women as your first single?
YUNG VERBAL: In all honesty with the stage we reached and number of fans we have, one tends to realize the impact and influence we have on people. With that said having a positive impact on them is an added bonus to doing the right thing. I for one do not want to enforce the negative stereotypes associated with hip hop and furthermore I do not want to follow the norm when it comes to my music. Hip hop can and is more than just the usual club scene and flashy cars captivating the listener with a deeper subject matter should be the norm once in a while.
KAPA187: Are you planning on making a music video for “BBW”? What is you take on the quality of Zambian music videos being produced?
YUNG VERBAL: Yes I definitely plan on shooting a video for #BBW and honestly can’t wait. The quality of Zambian videos has improved vastly no doubt about it. Media houses have raised the bar and continue to do so. It’s great to see the industry grow in all aspects besides just the music.
KAPA187: Are you working on a solo album? What can your fans expect from it?
YUNG VERBAL: Yes I’m working on a solo album. My fans can expect more than just the Yung Verbal they been exposed to on Zone Fam tracks. I have a story to tell and I’m fortunate enough to be able to tell it from different points of view location wise. I can’t wait to share.
KAPA187: Being that you are originally from South Africa, what do you think South African artists are doing to get there music played all over Africa that their Zambian counterparts are not doing.
YUNG VERBAL: We should also consider the fact that South Africa has major international record labels with branches here for example Sony music, universal, emi etc. so making the music readily available to a wider audience is easy through various distribution deals. Not to say they are doing something that Zambian acts are not, just that more facilities are available in comparison to Zambia where the industry is still growing. With financial availability and growth of the industry I have no doubt that Zambian acts will achieve the same reach as all popular African countries.
KAPA187:Recently there have been calls from musicians to boycott certain functions and award shows because of not being properly remunerated as compared to international acts. What is your take on that?
YUNG VERBAL: It’s important to look at and acknowledge both sides of the story. As in every industry friction and disagreements are bound to occur. As an artist I personally see the good and the bad to this issue, a voice was needed to get the attention but the response in action can damage a reputation that is necessary in the growth of the industry. It is sad that it has come to a state where it is a standoff but hopefully a solution that suits both parties will be the result.
KAPA187: Apart from music, what else are you involved in.
YUNG VERBAL: I’m currently in the process of attaining my honors since I received my degree and would like to further it to a masters. My second love is communications and advertising so I’m a manager at a company that has empowered me to share my creative madness with the world haha.
KAPA187: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
YUNG VERBAL: 10 years older ha-ha. On a serious note I see my name on a couple of companies that I will own.
KAPA187: Any last words…
YUNG VERBAL: Firstly I would like to thank Lusaka times for a great interview and to all the people that supported my career to date. It is because of your support that I’m were I’m now. Look out for new Zone Fam singles; keep an ear out for Dope G’s album as well. Give me a shout @yungverbal on instagram or twitter
I had the longest chat with a medical practitioner of specialist skills who, unreservedly poured out his frustrations on me, perhaps because he thought I was either a politician who could help bring to light the challenges facing our health system or that perhaps I could relay his concerns.
As I am not a politician, I will relate the message to all, and hope that the relevant policy makers do the right things. I will share the verbatim chat.
“Mr. Moono, I can see you are an angry man right now. You probably think we doctors at UTH are useless and lazy or that we probably don’t love our jobs. You probably are thinking of perhaps taking your patient to South Africa, or India – if you have money or if your relatives are big politicians. But I can tell you, we are not lazy here at UTH. I am sure you know how hard first it is to get into medical school. I am also sure you know how long it takes to successfully complete a medical degree and further take on higher specialisations. The doctors you see here are hardworking people, people that have dedicated their lives to saving the lives of others.” Said Dr. J, a specialist who spends his time on the operating table attending to complex surgical procedures.
Lets take a walk, I want to show you something. We left the briefing room and went out towards the casualty ward and then out.
“Do you see that?” he said, pointing at some heavy construction work taking place at UTH.
“Yes I can see, expansion programme of the hospital, to increase bed capacity I suppose?” I responded.
“No! No! No!” Said Dr. J.
“What you see is no expansion programme to increase bed capacity to reduce congestion in wards, no. It’s no expansion programme to create further laboratories or operating theatres. No!”
“What is it then?” I asked
“What you see Mr. Moono is the ultimate level of the rot of your leadership! The entire health planning system in the country, with all the congestion at UTH, saw it fit to prioritize the construction of what it calls an Ultra Modern Car Park! Yes, this mega structure, this mega project that is costing government millions of US Dollars, from the Eurobond, is a car park! How an entire health governance system can prioritise the construction of a modern car park at a hospital which looks like a war zone has shocked me and my team. But you see, I am just a simple surgeon, I don’t make decisions. Yesterday we had to cancel our scheduled surgeries because there is no water at UTH.
Yes, there is no water, I am sure you have seen for yourself. And yet, this your government sees it fit to prioritise a car park over efficient water reticulation at the hospital it calls a level 3 hospital, the highest referral hospital in the entire country. Our labs have no reagents, yet with have many lab technicians on full salaries. Why do you think private labs are mushrooming throughout Lusaka? Here at UTH we are referring patients for simple tests to private labs because we have no simple things like reagents. And yet, you have a million dollar car park under construction! This just a peak of the rot iceberg that runs through our political governance system.
Ask yourself, Mr. Moono, how many brand new Prados, V8 and V10 and these brand new Jeeps have you seen with GRZ number plates today? Even if it is a weekend perhaps countless times! Now tell me, how much does a brand new jeep cost? A Prado? Not less than $200,000! Over K2 million is spent on these luxury government vehicles whose role is nothing to transport obese politicians filled with greed and gluttony. That is why, to them, it makes sense to prioritise a car park and an almost dysfunctional hospital, because they care so much about their vehicles than they care for you, the patients and the attending physicians.
Think about it, what does it benefit a patient to have a state of the art multi-million dollar car park at a hospital without reagents for proper diagnostics? A hospital with dilapidated bathrooms? This is just rotten thinking!
We are a country that fails to pay workers on time. Life for our patients is unbearable. Yet, we imagine ourselves as having too much money to prioritise the construction of a car park over water supply. We have a political class that is completely incapable of rising to the challenge facing our country’s health needs. Our hospital is crumbling all around us, but no one seems to care much. What you see at UTH is the shrunken ambition which mirrors the shrunken ambitions of our leaders. It is painful to see many die from easily treatable diseases, which we cannot treat because government doesn’t seem to prioritise this.
I am an African, but I have trained outside the continent and each time I think about it, I can’t help but ask myself: Why do Africans hate each other so much? Why is the African greed so evil that even leaders would bask in the glory of the ill health of its citizens and mock them with ‘loans’ at election time? This rot, this greed in governance must come to an end. We cannot always blame politicians when we are the ones who elect them to office.
The standards at UTH have deteriorated over the years, frustrating even the most dedicated and loyal Zambian doctors that want to practice in this country. I love my job as a surgeon, but I am let down and incapacitated by the politicians. I am at the mercy of politicians. When we voice our concerns, they tell us to shut up and go to the wards and theatres. But how can I work in the wards without proper equipment and medication? How can we serve and save patients when the conditions seem to be that of abattoir? That is why patients have lost faith in us. They would rather go for prayers to a con man’s church and be swindled of their hard earned money than come to the hospital for healing because the government just doesn’t seem to care!
These your leaders, when they get sick, they only come here for a referral to South Africa or India or Israel. Why don’t they make the conditions at UTH similar to those of India or Israel? Do you know the answer? Its greed! They want to be the ones to get the best health care and not everyone else. Yet, you and I are the ones paying for all these bills.
All I can say Mr. Moono is with the current environment, each time I am in the theatre I pray, I pray that power does not go. I pray that if it does, there is enough diesel to run the generators. Then I pray also, that the water supply can be maintained just for a few more hours to allow my 4 hour surgical procedure to be successful. Then ultimately, I pray more so that my patient survives. In the end, perhaps we should all stop these surgeries and start praying for healing, because your leaders have let us down.”
I thanked the surgeon for his honesty, and I asked him to pray for me and my brother.
As I left his office, I broke down in anger. Then I saw a Zambia Police officer walk past, I held my cool fearing for my life.
How long shall we suffer? I don’t know, perhaps God has the answer soon.
Nkandu Luo and Margaret Mensah Williams at the IPU conference
Gender Minister Nkandu Luo has unanimously been adopted as President of the Women Parliamentary caucus at the on-going 134th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference being held in Lusaka.
The portfolio entails Professor will preside over the affairs of women at the IPU.
And accepting the nomination, Professor Luo said Zambia has made tremendous strides in focusing and uplifting the status and profile of women in the country.
Professor Luo said women have for a long time being marginalized and left behind but the Zambian government under the PF administration is working round the clock to advance the women agenda.
The Minister noted that a strong child, sexual and reproductive health policy has been put in place in Zambia and enshrined in the amended constitution.
She said these strides are reflected in the numerous bills such as the Gender Equity bill, anti-GBV bill, marriage and child pieces of legation, demonstrating government’s resolve to address issues affecting the rights of women and girls in Zambia.
And Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini called for enhancing of women empowerment and participation in politics.
Dr. Matibini, who is also Zambian IPU President, said it is imperative that women and girls’ rights are respected and protected.
He urged parliaments the world over to place the promotion of gender equality and participation paramount on their agendas.
He said women are mostly affiliated with high poverty and illiteracy levels, sexual abuse, rape, defilement and terrorism therefore, which should not be acceptable in contemporary society.
Over 2,000 delegates are attending the 134th IPU general assembly being held in Lusaka under the theme “Rejuvenating Democracy; giving voice to the Youth”.
President Edgar Lungu is expected to grace the official opening of the IPU general assembly.
Gary Nkombo and MwalitetaTHE Patriotic Front(PF) in Eastern Province has demanded the removal of Kafue PF Member of Parliament(MP) Obvious Mwaliteta from the ruling party.
PF Provincial Secretary Eddie Kapalu said a press briefing held at Wildlife in Chipata yesteday that Mr Mwaliteta must leave immediately because he was no longer royal to the PF.
He said Mr Mwaliteta cannot serve two masters at a time stating that it was sad that the former Lusaka Province Minister has decided to support United Party for National Development(UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema in the August elections.
“We have also noted with sadness that Hon Mwaliteta has decided to support H.H in the August elections.We advise Hon Mwaliteta to leave PF as he is no longer royal to the party,”Mr Kapalu said.
He said the PF in Eastern Province was strong and growing bigger as seen by defections of UPND members to join PF.
He said the party in the province had continued using the manifesto and various developmental projects excuted by President Edgar Lungu to tell the people.
He also condemned UPND attack on PF Deputy Spokesperson Fr Frank Bwalya in Monze.
Mr Kapalu said the assault on Fr Bwalya was a violation of freedom of speech and expression.
He said the attack was also a violation of freedom of movement as it meant that non UPND supporters were not free to visit Southern province.
“Such attack was also an attack on the media as it was done at the radio station while he was being interviewed.We stronglt condemn this attack on Fr Bwalya and the media,”he said.
He said such attacks were barbaric and have no place in the modern politics.
Mr Kapalu also disclosed that out of 91 people who have applied for adoptions in various constituencies in the province only 25 were females.
And UPND Provincial Chairperson Paul Thole said about five people in each constituency in the province have applied for adoptions.
Mr Thole told a separate media briefing at Crystal springs hotel on Saturday that his party had recieved application letters from qualified people who needed the adoption on UPND ticket.
He said the party in the province was happy with the response from people who needed the adoption.
He also said Lottie Barry Phiri who defected to PF had no position in the party.
He said Mr Phiri and the other four who joined PF were not a factor to UPND because their merely went to the political which they had come from.
Meanwhile Lundazi business executive Evans Ngoma got nine votes,Sinya Mbale got five votes,Bizwayo Nkunika three votes,Lawrence Nyirenda and Moses Banda each got two votes while Education Minister Dr John Phiri only managed one vote in the Lundazi central PF adoption process at constituency level.
Football Association of Zambia president Andrew Kamanga
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says newly elected Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga is a competent administrator whose love for football will help continue to grow the game.
The President said this when he congratulated Kamanga on his election, adding that Kalusha Bwalya will continue to hold a special place in the lives of the Zambian people for his contribution to the development of the game.
“Our heartfelt congratulations go to Mr Andrew Kamanga for his deserved victory as the new president of the Football Association of Zambia.
“Mr Andrew Kamanga is a competent administrator and his love for football will help continue to grow the game. We also congratulate the new vice-president, Richard Kazala and all the members of the new committee,” President Lungu said on his official Facebook Page.
President Lungu said Kalusha has a special place in the lives of Zambians from his days as a player, as Africa’s Player-of-the-Year in 1988, and the role he played in rebuilding the team after the 1993 tragedy.
“Our good wishes also go to Kalusha who has done a fantastic job so far and contributed to the promotion and growth of football in Zambia as a player, coach, and administrator.
“God saved Kalusha’s life when he missed that fateful flight which resulted in that fatal crash where Zambia lost its entire national soccer team. His life was spared to continue helping our journey towards great football. And this was evident when we as a country, lifted the 2012 Africa Cup.
“To Mr Andrew Kamanga and his entire committee, let football win, let the glory of our national team and the entire soccer development continue to rise,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Sports Minister Vincent Mwale said it was now time for Kamanga to implement his manifesto and Government was ready to work with him and take the game forward.
“The people have spoken, at the end of the day, football should be the winner. Obviously, he (Kamanga) had a good message and now it’s time to put manifesto to the ground. Government is ready to work with Kamanga and we hope he will put his expertise and knowledge to practice for the development of football.
“Special thanks to Kalusha Bwalya for not only successfully leading the football family in the country under his two terms of office as FAZ President, but also for ably and diligently representing Zambia at higher levels of football such as CAF and FIFA.
“The Government appreciates all your good work you have done for mother Zambia individually and collectively with the committee you led, and we can only wish you the best in your future endeavours,” Mwale said.
The Ministry of Health says it is doing everything possible to ensure that the health facilities are stocked up with HIV test kits.
Ministry acting spokesperson Dr. Tasila Pitters explains that the stock out of HIV test kits, the ministry did an assessment countrywide and found that some facilities were overstocked while some had low stocks thus the provincial medical officers had to do redistribution.
Dr. Pitters notes that the churches health association of Zambia (CHAZ) also gave the ministry about 8000 test kits which have since been distributed to all the provincial high volume testing sites.
She adds that the ministry is expecting more shipment of 9000 kits on the 21st of March and another stock of 13000 kits from global fund by the 14th of April.
Dr. Pitters has appealed to member of the public not to panic and emphasizes that Prevention still remains better than cure.
Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda speaking during the official opening of the first joint Pan-African Grain Legume and World Cowpea Conference currently being held at AVANI Victoria Falls Hotel. Picture by Jeffrey Oliver
AGRICULTURE Minister Given Lubinda says he is disappointed with some opposition leaders who are issuing unfounded and alarming statements on the country’s food security.
Mr Lubinda accused opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema of issuing false statements to the international media that Zambia was going to run into an acute food deficit.
“Zambia currently has 594,000 metric tonnes of maize in the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) reserves and that is more than enough food for the next six months or more,” Mr Lubinda said.
Mr Lubinda who assured the nation of enough staple food stocks urged members of the public to stop panic buying of mealie-meal.
He said President Lungu was misquoted by Mr Hichilema on the possible importation of maize as one of the alternatives.
Mr Lubinda explained that at no time did President Lungu say importing maize was a must but that it was just one of the three alternatives if things went to the worst situation that is most unlikely to happen.
He further castigated Mr Hichilema of lying that Zambia had exported maize at a cheaper price but was going to import the same commodity at a higher cost of almost double the amount.
On the issue of the four banned milling companies, Mr Lubinda said there was less if no impact they could pose on the production of mealie-meal to satisfy local demand.
“Even if we close 20 more milling companies, we won’t have a shortage of mealie-meal because we would still have enough millers to supply the country’s food demand,” he said.
He advised people to immediately stop buying more than five bags of mealie-meal per person as that caused unnecessary and artificial shortages in retail shops.
“How can you buy seven bags of mealie-meal for home consumption? This must be stopped because this is a politically-motivated move to create a wrong impression that there is a looming shortage of mealie-meal,” Mr Lubinda said.
The minister said the Government was working round the clock to ensure that whoever was involved in such activities was exposed.
On the smuggling of the commodity, Mr Lubinda said the ministry of Home Affairs was working hard to ensure that the vice was stopped.
Former president Rupiah Banda with Mulenga Sata
FORMER Republican president Rupiah Banda has said a new era has come for Zambia to focus on public dialogue instead of personally motivated cycles of vengeance.
Mr Banda, who was commenting on the restoration of his immunity by the High Court, said that time had come for the country to move forward into a new period of public dialogue.
“People are tired of these personally motivated cycles of vengeance of score-settling. Zambians deserve leadership without insults, honest debate instead of attacks, and, above all, unity in place of division,” Mr Banda said.
He said this in a statement issued by his administrative assistant Mikatazo Wakumelo.
Mr Banda’s immunity was lifted by Parliament in March 2013, after he lost elections to the then President Michael Sata. It was restored last week.
He said he was grateful to the Members of Parliament (MPs) who fought against the motion of lifting his immunity which was taken to Parliament by former Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba on March 15, 2013.
Mr Banda said he was grateful to all those who made it possible for the restoration of his constitutionally mandated presidential provisions in last week’s High Court decision.
He said that the decision closed the chapter on a difficult period of history characterised by falsehoods and provocation aimed at dividing Zambians.
“I also wish to extend profound gratefulness to all those who came out to support me at court and other venues. I also thank the MPs who signed as sureties for bond and bail. I thank my legal team for their tireless dedication and pursuit of justice, and my family’s unwavering support,” Mr Banda said.
He said his family and friends stood firm on what was right and what was true, saying that the result would not have been possible without their help.
Mr Banda said since his leaving office four and half years ago, Zambia had experienced dramatic changes, some positive and some tragic.
Time had come, he said, for Zambians to move into a new era of public dialogue instead of vengeance.
Last Week, the High Court restored former President Rupiah Banda’s legal immunity and has stopped his prosecution in the courts of law following an agreement between his lawyers and the State.
This was in a case in which Mr Banda was seeking judicial review of the decision of the Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini to strip him of his legal immunity and subject him to criminal prosecution.
According to a consent order signed by the two parties and confirmed by High Court Judge Annie Sitali, the decision of the National Assembly has been rendered null and void.
The order restores Mr Banda’s immunity and is, therefore, deemed not to have been removed and the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute him for offences of corrupt practices and concealing gratification has been quashed.
It was argued that the offences were not part of the allegations tabled before the National Assembly prior to the removal of Mr Banda’s immunity from prosecution and for this decision to be quashed.
“By consent of the both parties each through their respective advocates, it is hereby adjudged that the following order be and are hereby granted: an order of certiorari to remove in this honourable court for the purposes of quashing the decision of the learned Director of Public Prosecutions…,” part of the consent order reads.
The consent order was signed following extensive discussion between the Attorney General and Mr Banda’s lawyers and this move was later communicated to Justice Sitali.
On March 15, 2013, the National Assembly resolved that Mr Banda as former President, be subjected to criminal prosecution in the courts of law for acts that he did or omitted to in his personal capacity.
Zanaco came from behind to beat Harare City of Zimbabwe 3-1 to advance to the second round of the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup.
Zanaco qualified 5-2 on aggregate after picking up a 2-1 first round, first leg win away in Harare on March 12.
However, Zanaco were given an early fright at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Sunday when Honey Chimutimuzeve put the visitors ahead in the 8th minute.
Zanaco captain Ziyo Tembo equalized with a header the 36th minute to score his first of two goals on the day to see the two sides go 1-1 into halftime.
Ziyo completed his brace in the 77th minute with another header before Davey Daka finished off a cross from Aubrey Funga in the 87th minute.
Zanaco will host Stade Gabesien of Tunisia in the first leg of their second round tie after the latter drew 0-0 away to AS Kaloum in Conakry on Saturday to advance 2-1 on aggregate.
