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A cross section of former Zambia national team players has welcomed the election of Andrew Kamanga as Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president.
Kamanga beat Kalusha Bwalya by 163 to 156 on Saturday during the elective FAZ annual general meeting held at Moba Hotel in Lusaka.
Ex-Zambia and Mufulira Wanderers midfielder Fredrick Kashimoto said time has come for Kamanga to be at the helm of local football.
“Our man Kalusha Bwalya has done is part. It is now time for Kamanga to do his part as well,” Kashimoto said from Mufulira.
Retired Kk11 star midfielder Jericho Shinde described the election of Kamanga as long overdue.
“It is good for Zambian football. This is long overdue. Where were the FAZ councillors in the past?,” Shinde remarked.
The Nkana legend added:”I am sure Kamanga and his team will do a good job. We need transparency and accountability in FAZ.”
Former national team winger Benjamin “Kawilo” Chilongo hailed Kamanga’s election.
“The election of Kamanga is good. Change is inevitable some times. Kalusha did his part,” Chilongo said from his Luanshya base.
Meanwhile, some former internationals contacted by Lusaka Times for a comment declined to say anything describing the matter as “sensitive”.
In his maiden speech, Kamanga pledged to ensure that the plight of retired footballers is looked into.
“You will agree with me that for a long time now, our gallant men and women that have played for this nation have not been treated with honour.
“We must find ways of honouring these nationals for the sacrifices they have made to this nation on the field. My administration will definitely prioritise this cause,” Kamanga said.
Football Association of Zambia president Andrew Kamanga
By Paul Shalala
It took over an hour for the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President-Elect Andrew Kamanga to move from the audience at Moba Hotel to the front of the conference room, a short distance of about 60 meters.
Overjoyed councilors who had fought for eight years to unseat the 1988 African Footballer of Year at the helm of FAZ, could not believe it when the returning officer Sukwana Lukangaba declared Kamanga the winner at around 02:00hrs on Sunday morning.
This victory was not an easy one considering that Kalusha was in command of the secretariat and had good will from various clubs countrywide plus his international image and connections.
But what does this regime change at Football House teach the football fraternity?
Hero worshiping doesn’t pay
For six months, a number of Kalu fans ran a sustained smear campaign on social media that portrayed Kamanga as an inexperienced football administrator who was not fit to lead Zambian football.
This campaign was led by well known journalists who bombarded Facebook with daily propaganda messages against Kamanga and rarely posted campaign messages for their candidate.
The campaign’s aim was to ensure that Kamanga is hated by councilors and they end up denying him votes at the annual general meeting.
However, this campaign backfired as most people who were commenting on these journalists’ statuses were yearning for change at Football House.
Kalusha was so hero worshipped that these journalists had details of every move he made: jumping on a plane, sitting down at the FIFA headquarters, reporting for work at Football House, shaking hands with influential people, and receiving guests, etc.
Kalu had led FAZ as President for eight years and prior to that, he served as Vice President for four years.
His record at FAZ (wining Africa Cup in 2012) plus his exploits as Chipolopolo striker, captain and coach was enough for these online supporters to have used to sell their candidate but they decided to use the wrong strategy of attacking the opponent.
Our friends lost it because they put hero worshiping first instead of selling a good product in the name of Kalusha Bwalya.
Simply put, Kalu would have whitewashed Kamanga if his campaign team had the right strategy and the right message.
Most football councilors are not online
The strategists in the Kalu camp missed the point by heavily campaigning online.
They put up a spirited campaign on Facebook forgetting that the people with the power to vote where mostly offline.
Take for example my home team Mumbwa Medics Football Club.
As far as I know, not all its executive members are online and there is less than 20% chance of reaching them by campaigning on Facebook.
Kamanga had little presence on social media and he devoted most of his time and energies meeting the clubs and selling his message to the clubs physically.
He also ran an advert at the back of newspapers for a long time, a strategy I think which sold him to the football family especially with his call for transparency and accountability.
Regime change comes with non-violence
Four years ago when Kamanga challenged Kalu and lost, there was a lot of confusion and violence during the FAZ Annual General Meeting.
Councilors were not ready to change the FAZ leadership that’s why they resisted change physically to ensure that our football icon Kalusha Bwalya remains at the helm of football in the country.
However, with so many issues surrounding the running of the game, councilors resolved to kick out their boss and ensured he ran away from Moba Hotel before final results were announced.
A few days ago, we were told that over 1,000 Police officers had been mobilised to maintain law and order at Moba Hotel following reports that Jerabos had been mobilised to cause confusion.
However, this was not the case when the over 350 Councillors converged at the AGM on saturday.
The 2016 FAZ AGM was the most peaceful as councilors mingled, voted and later celebrated or got disappointed without a fight.
Secretariat picked a wrong fight with Journalists
The outgoing FAZ Secretariat (Am sure Kamanga will choose his own staff), picked a wrong fight with the media.
Journalists seen to be critical were barred from certain events and games in the name of not having accreditation.
At one game at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, MUVI TV sports reporter Mike Mubanga was flushed out by a well known FAZ official for allegedly being critical of Football House.
Last night when votes were being counted, Mike was again flushed out of Moba Hotel by eight heavily armed Police officers at the instruction of a FAZ official.
And when the results were announced that Kamanga had won, Mike rushed to Moba Hotel to confront the official by which time he had already disappeared.
“You Police officers, you kicked me out because FAZ ordered you to do so. Now am ordering you to look for that man and kick him out of Moba Hotel because he is now out of employment,” said Mike as he ran around the hotel looking for FAZ officials.
Several respected radio football analysts like Leonard Chibasa, Aarin Phiri, Patrick Tembo and several other friends of the beautiful game were denied accreditation to the AGM on account of not being ‘in good books’ with FAZ.
These are mistakes which the Kalu camp made and they should learn from them if they are to make a come back in 2020.
Wayforward for Zambian football
Kamanga can go for a honeymoon for a short period of time and quickly get back to work because Zambians are impatient and they love football.
The football family has a lot of expectations from the business magnate.
Councilors who effected this regime change want to see real change at Football House.
Starting from football deals, team selection and the association’s image, Kamanga needs to make sure he works hard and ensures all his campaign promises are implemented.
He promised to overhaul the way Division One operates and we expected nothing less than that.
If Kamanga is going to appoint his own FAZ Secretariat, we expect him to appoint capable people who will work for football and not for Kamanga.
If those appointees will also start hero worshiping and praising Kamanga where they go, then the repeat of Moba Hotel will not be long.
Otherwise, congratulations Mr Kamanga and and congratulations also to Chingola businessman, former Nchanga Member of Parliament and Mines Deputy Minister Richard Kazala who was elected FAZ Vice President.
We expect nothing but transparency, accountability and success for our beloved Chipolopolo in your four years in office.
End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. This mission will not result in a Board discussion.
At the invitation of the authorities, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Tsidi Tsikata visited Zambia during March 9-18 to review recent macroeconomic developments and discuss with the authorities how best to address the current economic challenges facing the country.
At the end of the mission, Mr. Tsikata issued the following statement:
“The Zambian economy is under intense pressure. Lower copper prices, electricity shortages, and poor rainfall have dampened the pace of economic activity. Moreover, inflation has increased, expenditure pressures have risen, and financing conditions have tightened substantially. The mission estimated that economic growth declined to about 3 percent in 2015. Resolute action is needed as quickly as possible to restore macroeconomic stability and pave the way for a return to high sustained growth.
“Government finances are under immense stress. Expenditure is running far above budget, in large part as a result of fuel subsidies and contracted emergency electricity imports that together are estimated to cost the treasury about US$660 million a year at the current pace (equivalent to 3.2 percent of GDP). At the same time, domestic and external financing options have become more limited along with rising interest rates. Mounting domestic arrears are adding to concerns about debt sustainability.
“Tightening of monetary policy has been effective in stabilizing the exchange rate but tight liquidity conditions have contributed to persistent under-subscription of treasury bills and bonds. However, there is little scope to loosen monetary policy as long as fiscal imbalances are not addressed. A key challenge going forward will be to normalize activity in the interbank foreign exchange market while avoiding a return of last year’s extreme volatility in the exchange rate.
“The mission and the authorities reached a shared understanding of the challenges and risks associated with the current economic situation. The authorities stressed that, notwithstanding the upcoming general elections, they are committed to addressing the budgetary pressures, including moving to cost-reflective energy pricing, and scaling back on discretionary spending while safeguarding social protection programs. They indicated that strong near-term measures are being evaluated and that, at the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in mid-April, they would provide further guidance on the policy direction and reforms, and their plans for an IMF-supported program.
“The mission is confident that Zambia’s current economic challenges can be overcome with resolute policy action, allowing a resumption of growth in line with the country’s abundant potential. In particular, a package of measures that makes clear that the fiscal pressures are being tackled would boost market confidence and pave the way for increased investment and growth. However, delays in implementing corrective measures will only worsen the situation, increase the adjustment cost and postpone the recovery.
“The team met with Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, Bank of Zambia (BoZ) Governor Denny Kalyalya, other senior government and BoZ officials, members of parliament, leaders of political parties, as well as representatives of the private sector, labor unions, civil society organizations, and Zambia’s development partners. The mission thanks the authorities and the other stakeholders it met, for their openness and the constructive spirit in which all discussions were held.”
IMF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
Media Relations
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 202-623-7100
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Kalusha Bwalya
By Laura Miti
I think of Kalusha Bwalya has one of Zambia’s greatest heroes and hero is not a word you will hear out of my mouth about an individual too often.
I just find I hold an undiminishing debt of gratitude to him for being there for Zambia and leading from the front at this nation’s darkest, most painful moment. I will never forget that TV news clip when Charles Musonda said to a journalist it was over for Zambian soccer. Kalusha broke in and indignantly said something to the effect of “No way, it is not over. We will rise from this.” In the days and months after we buried our team, Kalusha became for me the one light in a dark confusing place. I have no idea how he did not collapse under the weight of all our hopes. He not only did not falter, he delivered on the promise made in that TV clip.
So yes, I would name a stadium after Kalusha and I hope one day we do. And no I am not blind to his failings.
The reason I write this though is not to mourn Kalusha’s FAZ presidency loss to Andrew Kamanga in the small hours of Sunday. It is rather to say in the loss of someone in whose corner I generally am, I find myself celebrating one of the strengths of this nation – the extent to which we have embraced and taken as ours the power of the vote.
Andrew has fought long and hard to dethrone Kalu. Sometimes the playing field was not at all level with Kalusha having the support of CAF and FIFA royalty. In the end, the tide turned as it always does and Andrew campaigned hard enough to convince delegates that he would be better for Zambian soccer than a national legend.
That we can replace leaders from sport to politics, defeating the inordinate advantage of incumbency is something I am proud of and it is that which makes what happened at Moba significant in the larger picture of national life. Nobody gets to enter or stay in office unless the electorate concerned with that office say so. So we see the end of an era in our soccer maybe. But heck, Kalusha is carved into our history, and into many hearts in gold (copper?) All the best Andrew. Like our politics, our soccer is a crazy place. We can only hope this long, long fight to get the FAZ presidency translates into better times for the fan.
Solar Powered Milling Plant
The Zambia Cooperative Federation (ZCF) has completed the installation of two solar powered milling plants in Kasisi area of Chongwe District.
The milling plants which are funded by government under the Presidential milling initiative are expected to start operations next week.
Speaking when he toured the facility and met headmen and head women in senior Chieftainess Nkomesha’s chiefdom in Kasisi area, ZCF Operations Manager Derick Sokoni urged the traditional leaders to ensure that committees and cooperatives are formed to oversee the operations of the milling plants.
Mr. Sokoni also urged the headmen to identify qualified youths who will be trained in operating the milling plants in their localities.
He said that government will soon send empty bags and maize so that the milling plants can start operating.
Mr. Sokoni further urged the headmen to encourage their subjects and cooperatives in the area not to sell their maize to briefcase buyers at exploitative prices but instead sell to cooperatives at reasonable prices.
And Mr. Sokoni indicated that the seventy thousand worth solar milling plants should be guarded jealously by the cooperatives and the community.
He also said that engineers will be sent in all provinces and areas were these plants have been installed to help with the technical operation s.
Speaking at the same meeting Lusaka District Commissioners Davison Mulenga said the coming of solar milling plants will help reduce the price of mealie meal to affordable levels for ordinary Zambians.
Meanwhile Senior Headman Kanchubi has called on cooperatives in the area to be active and creative if they are to succeed in running the milling business.
The traditional leader said that cooperatives should avoid being active only when getting inputs under the Fertilizer Input Support Programme (FISP).
FILE: First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda with founder members of the opposition MMD Christopher Ngoma (right) and former minister and permanent secretary in the MMD regime Jazzman Chikwakwa (centre)
Former MMD Member of Parliament for Masaiti Constituency Jazzman Chikwakwa has urged the electorate not to vote for recycled leaders in the August 11, 2016 general elections.
Mr Chikwakwa said youths should instead be given an opportunity to seek political office and become elected representatives of people because they are capable of being leaders who can deliver for the electorate.
The former deputy minister and law maker in late President Chiluba’s MMD regime challenged youths to seek leadership at local and parliamentary levels
ZANIS reports that Mr. Chikwakwa said in Ndola today that for rural areas to see meaningful development there is need to elect capable leaders and not recycled politicians who he said have not been able to deliver in these areas.
Mr. Chikwakwa said government has constructed schools, health centers and roads but that the elected representatives in rural areas have done very little to add value to the developments.
He called on the people in rural areas especially on the Copperbelt province not to blame President Edgar Lungu if they elect recycled politicians who are failing to deliver in rural areas.
“Having recycled politicians or leaders whom we have identified that they have failed to deliver will not take us anywhere,”said Mr. Chikwakwa.
Patriotic Front (PF) Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri is happy with the response from party members applying to be adopted to stand as Members of Parliament on the PF ticket in the August 11 general elections.
Mrs. Phiri has also expressed happiness with the response from women and youths aspiring to stand as MP’s and councillors on the PF ticket.
She told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the response has also been overwhelming in places where the PF is considered as underdogs.
And Mrs. Phiri has castigated some PF members going round proclaiming that they have been endorsed by President Edgar Lungu to stand as MP’s and councillors.
Mrs. Phiri reiterated that President Lungu has made it clear several times that he has not endorsed anyone to stand as MP or councillor on the ruling PF ticket.
President Edgah Lungu Press Interview at KK International airport from Mozambique
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has disclosed that he has information that President Edgar Lungu is planning to expel all the Students that were merely demanding their Meal allowances from both the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University in the next few days, reports Pan African Radio Journalist Hermit Hachilonde.
In a statement availed to the media, Mr. Hichilema reminded president Lungu to realize that expelling students will be a clear indication of the PF led Government’s ineptitude and continued abrogation of the freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution.
The opposition leader maintained that the students were merely asking for what is absolutely their entitlement as students like meal allowances.
Mr. Hichilema has however reiterated his call for President Lungu to within 30 Days reopen the two higher learning institutions and reinstate the scrapped off student’s meal allowances forthwith.
The opposition leader said if President Lungu will go ahead with the said plans to expel the students and remain adamant regarding the restoration of allowances, he will do so once he forms government in august this year.
Mr. Hichilema has since assured the students that he will in August this year recall all the expelled students and pledged to immediately reinstate and even increase their meal allowances.
He has however encouraged all the students who may fall victim to the PF led Government’s ill-conceived scheme of depriving them of their right to education not to despair but remain resolute because once in power the UPND will recall them and eventually better their conditions of learning.
The UPND leader added that the battle for decent students’ allowances and a conducive learning environment is not only the preserve for students but a collective responsibility for all well-meaning Zambians who value education.
“We are aware that President Lungu is planning and in the next few days will be expelling all the Students that were merely asking for their Meal allowances from both the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University”
“Our position is that, no student should be expelled for simply asking for what is absolutely their entitlement like meal allowances”
“We also demand that President Lungu must with immediate effect reopen the two Universities which his government closed abruptly when students merely asked for meager meal allowances” he said
New Football Association of Zambia president Andrew Kamanga
New Football Association of Zambia president Andrew Kamanga says there will be no witchhunt but that reforms sweeping World football will also come to Zambia.
Kamanga beat Kalusha Bwalya by 163 to 155 on saturday during the elective FAZ annual general meeting held at Moba Hotel in Lusaka.
The Lusaka businessman and ex-Kabwe Warriors chairperson also paid tribute to his vanquished opponent and longtime nemesis Kalusha.
“I will not turn our soccer icon Kalusha Bwalya into a villain,” Kamanga said.
“This I promise but we will respect the laws of the land and those of football and reforms that have happened in the world will not spare Zambia.”
Kamanga’s triumph ends Kalusha ten-year reign as FAZ president that saw Zambia win its first Africa Cup title in 2012.
“I will not turn our soccer icon Kalusha Bwalya into a villain,” Kamanga said.
However, persistent allegations of mismanagement at FAZ during his tenure including the issue of a sum of US$80,000 he received between 2009 and 2011 for allegedly for Zambia’s vote for Qatar’s’ successful 2022 bid from a $5 million slush fund managed by ex-Fifa vice president Mohammad Bin Hammam have haunted him.
Kalusha has always denied any illegal dealings over that matter stating that money was a loan FAZ received during the 2010 stand-off with Kamanga that split the association.
Last night, Andrew Kamanga was elected as president of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) replacing Kalusha Bwalya after polling 163 out of 324 votes cast.
The announcement by Chairman of the Electoral Commission Sikwana Lukangaba was met with jubilation at Moba Hotel, as Kamanga prepares to be at the helm of Zambia’s football governing body for four years.
Kalusha, was seen as the frontrunner, but Andrew Kamanga had an impressive momentum in the lead up to the election. Henschel Chitembeya, a former executive committee member, was always seen as an outsider. Kalusha polled 156 while Henschel Chitembeya received a single vote. Four votes were declared invalid.
Football Association of Zambia Vice President Richard Kazala
And Richard Kazala was elected as vice president after polling 117 votes beating his closest rival Pivoty Simwanza who polled 107 votes.Mofya Chisala received 58 votes while Cephas Kampamba Katongo had 28 votes. Boniface Mwamelo polled 8 votes. There were 5 spoiled ballots.
Lee Kawanu was re-elected as Executive Committee Member and is joined by new members Blackwell Siwale, Brenda Kunda, Elijah Shenko Chileshe, Kabaso Kapambwe and Dr Joseph Mulenga.
Rixie Mweemba was elected unopposed for the position of Treasurer.
PART of the people attended Mukuba ground at a rally addressed by Information Minister Chishimba Kambwili in Kitwe on Saturday.Picture by KENNEDY MUPESENI
CHIEF Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has called on the people of Southern Province to redeem themselves from a tribal tag by allowing other political parties to conduct their campaigns in the region without being harassed ahead of the August 11 general elections.
Mr Kambwili said in Kitwe yesterday that Southern Province should not be restricted to people from one political party as every Zambian has a right to campaign freely in the area.
Mr Kambwili said Southern Province is a fraction of a bigger nation called Zambia and as such, every citizen is free to conduct political activities without being harassed.
Mr Kambwili, who is Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, was speaking during a Patriotic Front (PF) rally at Kitwe’s Mukuba Secondary School grounds.
He described the attacking of PF deputy spokesperson Frank Bwalya by suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres in Monze on Friday as unacceptable.
He said Southern Province is not for only one political party.
“Southern Province is not for only one political party. The province is part of the whole Zambia, and as such, everyone should be free to visit the area,” Mr Kambwili said.
Mr Kambwili called on Zambians to scrutinise people vying for presidency as most of them did not mean well for this country.
He urged all well-meaning Zambians to rally behind the ruling PF government and vote for President Lungu and his team to enable them to continue delivering massive development countrywide.
Mr Kambwili urged people not to be swayed into changing Government by what he termed prophets of doom.
Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge urged Zambians to vote for President Lungu because of his humility, hardwork and his visionary leadership.
PF Copperbelt party mobilisation chairperson Joel Malanji said Mr Lungu was the suitable person for the presidency as evidenced in the professional manner he handled the transition period after the death of President Sata.
He said President Lungu has also continued with the PF’s development agenda.
THE Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND) have said they will be flexible in their adoption process so that members who are likely to defect to their parties after Parliament is dissolved may be given room for consideration.
Speaking in separate interviews, PF secretary-general Davies Chama said his party is open to accommodate members who are interested in contesting or re-contesting their various seats on the PF ticket.
“Those waiting for the dissolution of Parliament should not worry because we still have time. The final filing in of nominations will be in May, so we still have time to accommodate others,” said Mr Chama.
He said the adoption process is the first stage where people are being interviewed by lower organs country-wide before their applications are submitted to his office.
And UPND deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo also said his party has left room to accommodate people who have promised to join the UPND after Parliament is dissolved.
Mr Lifwekelo said although the filing in of adoption applications for various positions might close on March 25, there shall be a window for those interested to apply.
“We will give room to people who are popular because we are aware that a number of parliamentarians are just waiting for Parliament to be dissolved before they can officially cross over to our party,” he said.
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) deputy secretary-general Mumbi Phiri has appealed to the public not to believe individuals going about constituencies claiming to have been endorsed by President Lungu.
Speaking in an interview with the Sunday Mail yesterday, Mrs Phiri said President Lungu made it clear while in Mpika recently that he has not endorsed anyone.
“The President has made it very clear; yes some people are going round in constituencies. Some women are claiming they will be adopted because they are women and some men are lying that they have been endorsed by the President,” she said.
And Mrs Phiri says the response in the adoption process has been overwhelming.
“I can confirm that for instance in a constituency like Munali, we have 15 aspiring candidates and in all the constituencies we do not have less than five candidates at the member of Parliament level. It is amazing that even in the provinces, which may not be our strongholds like Southern Province, we have more than three candidates per constituency,” she said.
Mrs Phiri said the response in the adoption process from the women and youths is impressive.
“We have seen a lot of new faces, new names that have come up through the applications and I hope and pray that more women will come so that they can participate in this process,” she said.
Mrs Phiri said the adoption process will be as transparent as possible and the people who are going to push up the candidates are the people at grassroots.
“Remember it is not about names, if you are a sitting member of Parliament, it is about your performance and if you have performed well, you have no worries because, of course, the people will speak for you,” she said.
And commenting on the Chongwe Constituency elections, Mrs Phiri said the on-going Chongwe Constituency elections have been transparent.
“The last Chongwe Constituency elections were nullified. As a secretariat, our presence was needed there. So we have the province, we have the district and we have the observers and the conductors of the elections from the elections chairperson Honourable Jean Kapata. So far, they are going on well, some people have gone unopposed and we are waiting for the final results,” she said.
President Lungu addressing Journalists at the airport
PRESIDENT Lungu has called on the police to ensure the security of every Zambian is guaranteed.
President Lungu said this in reaction to Friday’s incident in Monze where Patriotic Front (PF) spokesperson Frank Bwalya (left) was assaulted by suspected United Party for Nationa Development (UPND) cadres when he went for an interview at Sky FM.
President Lungu said he has confidence that the police will handle the matter and that culprits will be brought to book.
“People should know that it’s not about fist-fighting like what happened to Frank Bwalya, no. I hoped the police will stop at nothing to arrest the culprits. That is very important.
“Who beat up Mr Bwalya? It’s UPND cadres, the same people who are appearing in court for the same offence for beating Moonga and the others the other time. Anyway, the police are there and I think they will do their best,” he said.
The President was speaking in Lusaka upon arrival from Mozambique, where he had travelled on a three-day State visit.
On Friday, Mr Bwalya was assaulted by suspected UPND cadres at Sky FM, where he had gone to give an interview following an invitation by the radio station.
Police have opened dockets in the matter where Mr Bwalya was beaten by suspected UPND cadres in Monze on Friday.
And police spokesperson Charity Munganga Chanda said dockets have been opened for the three UNPD cadres who beat up Mr Bwalya.
Mrs Chanda identified the three as Kelvin Conhill, Lawrence Mbewe and Ackson Miyoba. She said two of the suspects, Conhill and Mbewe, are currently on bail for similar offences.
“The incident happened at Sky FM on Friday around 16:00 hours when the suspects went into the newsroom, where the interview was being conducted. There was an exchange of words before he was beaten,” Mrs Chanda said.
She said police have launched a manhunt for the suspects, who are on the run.
University Teaching Hospital (UTH) spokesperson Mwenya Mulenga confirmed treating Mr Bwalya, who has since been discharged.
And two civil society organisations have condemned attacks on Mr Bwalya.
Speaking in separate interviews in Lusaka yesterday, Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) director Leonard Chiti said his organisation is disappointed that intensified calls to end political violence are going unheeded.
“We have heard in recent times political leaders, including our own President [Lungu], calling for peaceful co-existence amongst people and particularly between members of various political parties, but it seems no-one is paying attention to these calls; even diplomats now are worried about this violence in the country,” he said.
Fr Chiti is of the view that political party leaders have the ability to discipline their cadres.
Fr Chiti has, however, commended President Lungu for his continued calls for peaceful campaigns ahead of the August 11 polls.
“The President has also called on police to be firm and impartial on acts of violence regardless of which political party the perpetrators belong to.
Interestingly, attacks on Mr Bwalya happened the same day one of the local papers on Friday quoted UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema calling for his members to desist involving themselves in acts of violence,” he said.
He said the clergy sympathises with Mr Bwalya and urged him to continue preaching peace as advised by the Word of God.
Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) executive secretary Patson Phiri has urged the UPND leadership to demonstrate highest levels of responsibility and maturity by identifying the suspects and handing them to police.
“We condemn in the strongest terms possible attacks on Mr Bwalya by suspected UPND cadres in Monze on Friday. What happened in Monze is contrary to UPND leadership claims that they detest politics of violence,” Mr Phiri said.
He said Mr Bwalya, as a citizen of Zambia, has every right to enjoy his freedom of expression irrespective of the location.
Mr Phiri said any citizen of Zambia regardless of their status must not be afraid of going to any radio station to express themselves freely.
He said PAZA believes that politics is a civilised contest which must be won on the basis of ideas as opposed to physical confrontation.
COMMISSIONING OF KARPOWERSHIP VESSEL IN NACALA,MOZAMBIQUE
MOZAMBICAN President Filipe Nyusi has commended President Lungu for initiating a strategy aimed at effectively addressing power deficit in Zambia.
President Nyusi said this here yesterday after the two leaders commissioned the Kapowership vessel from which Zambia will be importing 100 megawatts of power.
Mr Nyusi said President Lungu’s efforts to address the power crisis are admirable considering that he has only been in office for over one year.
The Mozambican head of State, who hosted Mr Lungu during a three-day State visit, also wished his counterpart success in the forthcoming August 11, 2016 general elections.
“In just one year that you have been in office, you have managed to come up with solutions to the power problem in your country,” Mr Nyusi said.
It was an exuberant and euphoric moment for both leaders as they uncovered a plaque to officially commission the massive power ship.
The two heads of state later inspected the substation which will channel 100 megawatts to Zambia.
There was jubilation among the crowd that gathered at the Nacala harbour to witness the historic event.
Presidents Lungu and Nyusi also went on a boat cruise to have a feel of the gigantic power vessel docked some distance into the Indian Ocean waters. The Turkish-registered vessel had national flags for Turkey, Mozambique and Zambia mounted on it.
A satisfied Mr Lungu described the development as “splendid and a symbol of good bilateral relations for both peoples. We can’t have it better than this”.
And speaking during a luncheon at Clube Ferroviario, President Nyusi said the partnership with Zambia is crucial and should be harnessed to new heights.
He said this is especially in the wake of Mozambique signing agreement deals for expanded co-operation in energy, agriculture and transport sectors with Zambia.
President Nyusi said he was happy that northern Mozambique would also benefit from the Kapowership power link, which will be supplying around 115 megawatts.
He also pointed out that the discovery of gas in that country would give further impetus to supply alternative energy that can also benefit Zambia under a proposed pipeline arrangement to supply the commodity.
President Lungu thanked Mr Nyusi for the goodwill and co-operation by allowing the Kapowership to dock at the port of Nacala, which is considered as a strategic port, closer to Zambia running around 1,800 kilometres to Lusaka.
Mr Lungu also commended Zesco and the state-owned Mozambican electricity supply company, EDM, for the strategic partnership that has yielded desired results.
“I wish to express my gratitude for the timely response to our request to facilitate for the supply of emergency power to our country. This initiative will make available 100MW to Zambia. My government has spared no effort to ensure that our people and the economy, as a whole, are not adversely affected by this energy deficit,” said President Lungu.
He said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) which has been signed with Mozambique for the construction of a 1200 megawatt coal-fired power plant station in Mozambique should serve as a stepping stone for greater collaboration.
Mr Lungu added that this should be anchored on principles of partnership under the protocols of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, among others.
Ministers of Energy for Zambia and Mozambique, Dora Siliya and Pedro Couto, respectively, echoed their appreciation of the significant levels of commitment between the two countries, saying they signify deepened ties between the neighbouring countries.
A cross section of former Zambia national team players has welcomed the election of Andrew Kamanga as Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president.
