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AfDB president, Akinwumi Adesina
Visiting African Development Bank (ADB) president Akinwumi Adesina said diversifying from copper dependence to agriculture is the only measure for Zambia to resuscitate its economy.
Dr. Adesina said diversifying from mining to agriculture not only for subsistence but also for business purposes is the only way to compliment to the volatile copper prices currently being experienced at the world market.
He said Zambia has arable and plenty of land to become an agriculture giant in the region especially by growing crops such as cassava and millet which he said are drought resistant.
ZANIS Reports that the ADB chief said this in Lusaka today during a luncheon hosted for him by the Ministry of Finance.
And Dr. Adesina disclosed that support to the country’s energy sector will be one of the key priority areas for his Bank.
He said there is need to reform the country’s energy sector as it is the major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
And Bank of Zambia (B0Z) Governor Denny Kalyalya praised the ADB president for visiting the country and reaffirmed that Zambia will always remain a good business destination.
Dr. Adesina and his entourage arrived in the country yesterday to check on progress made regarding Zambia’s hosting of the ADB Annual General Meeting slated for March in Lusaka.
Dr. Adesina this morning held a meeting with President Edgar Lungu and later visited the Mulungushi International Conference Center which is the venue for the upcoming ADB AGM.
UNZA library
The Ministry of Higher Education has dismissed allegations that the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU) will not enroll new students for the 2016/2017 academic year.
Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary Owen Zulu told ZANIS in an interview today that government is still engaging the two institution’s student unions and management to chart the way forward over their re-opening of the public universities.
Mr Zulu said that government has not yet decided the official date when the two higher learning institutions will resume normal operations.
Mr Zulu who could not state the actual date of re-opening stated that the two institutions may re-open before or after August 2016.
He appealed to the affected families and students to stay calm as government seeks a lasting solution and that the Ministry will inform the nation once the matter is resolved and the re-opening date set.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education has cautioned people on social media to stop posting unsubstantiated stories concerning UNZA and CBU.
This follows a myriad of stories circulating regarding the impasse at the two institutions of higher learning following their closure on grounds of riotous behavior by some students demanding allowances.
Small Scale Farmers Development Agency (SAFADA) executive director Boyd Moobwe says his organisation is disappointed with the alleged disappearance of K 34 million at Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU).
Mr Moobwe said the alleged plunder of such huge sums of money makes sad reading especially that it comes at a time when government has shown commitment to revamp the agriculture sector in Zambia.
In a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, the SAFADA director said it is even more disturbing that the disappearance of funds has led donors to freeze financial support to ZNFU.
Mr Moobwe also said it is disappointing to note that money can go missing when other farmer based organisations are grappling with operational challenges due to poor funding and lack of donor support.
He said investigation wings should thoroughly probe the organisation and establish the truth at the ZNFU in order to recover the alleged stolen funds.
Frank Bwalya Dancing away at the stadium-Picture by Jean Mandela
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has described as petty politics the attacks levelled on him by President Edgar Lungu when he toured Bweengwa Constituency on Saturday.
Touring Bweengwa on Saturday, President Lungu said one rich opposition leader who hails from that area has failed to do anything for his home while pointing at a run-down primary school which is believed to be where Mr Hichilema went for his primary education.
But the UPND leader described President Lungu’s type of politics as petty.
He said the UPND has stated on several occasions that pettiness and reducing politics and campaigns into personal attacks instead of offering alternative economic policies is not good leadership.
Mr Hichilema said such low level politics will not end load shedding and will not create jobs and will not reduce inflation and the cost of living.
“Once again, President Edgar Lungu was in Bweengwa Constituency just yesterday. I am very proud of my home village and the strong community there. I have never hidden my roots and love for the area,” he said.
“In our small way as a family, we have tried our level best to contribute to the uplifting of the lives of our people in the village, including through building and renovating schools, clinics and cattle dip tanks, boreholes, etc.”
He said “it is very disappointing that instead of talking about development in the area the entire discussion at rallies and closed-door meetings was reportedly personal attacks against myself.”
“We are determined to finding lasting solutions to the many problems affecting our people in the country through workable and achievable alternatives. Personal attacks are unnecessary and divisive.”
Meanwhile, PF Deputy Spokesman Frank Bwalya has insisted that Mr Hichilema should do something about the dilapidated primary school it is believed he attended.
“My argument remains valid that HH should do something about his primary school from the abundance of his wealth. Not every rich man should be emulated let alone those who fail to explain how they became rich at a relatively young age,” Mr Bwalya said.
“Those who become rich out of hard work and can show should be emulated otherwise we run the risk of making our children emulate rich people who have stolen from their own parents. HH has been asked how he became rich and he has usually gotten upset blaming people of being petty and jealousy of him.”
Mr Bwalya said there is everything right about asking a public figure to explain how he or she made money.
“I know that Mr Charles Milupi has a lot of money and I can explain how I think he made his money in addition to what I may not know. He worked at a senior level in the mines and he is a shareholder in CEC formerly CPC (Copperbelt Power Company).”
“He is a big farmer in Western province and he promised to take me to his farm recently. I know one company he owns. And when you ask him he doesn’t get angry. It should be made clear that one doesn’t become rich in Zambia by sitting on boards such as HH did. So the question remains: how did he become rich at a relatively young age? Of-course he has never said he became rich because of the money he made in privatisation.”
He added, “So how then did he make his money? Who are the previous owners of some of his properties, house in Kabulonga, farms, shares in a known hotel in Livingstone. And how has his fortune increased since becoming leader of UPND and how can he explain it?”
“Again I reiterate the fact that asking such questions even when the motive is political cannot be faulted. And since he publicly said he has never fully disclosed his businesses for fear of political victimisation we challenge him to disclose unless his businesses are doing something illegal. The innocent fear not. The guilty are always afraid.”
“If his secret businesses pay tax how can ZRA claim they don’t? GBM businesses are known and even under MMD they were known. One time the MMD government tried to harass him over money he owed a quasi-government institution when he was equally owed by another.”
“He paid and demanded his as well. So if HH’s secret companies are above board let him come out and disclose so that it can contribute to explaining his wealth otherwise the public would be justified to suspect him of wrong doing in his businesses or business interests.”
Itezhi Itezhi Market Project manager Igneius Hachambwa (2nl) shows the market surround to President Edgar Lungu (l) at the tour of the market yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
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President Edgar Lungu tours the new market in Itezhi itezhi yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANISThe New look of Power Grid station in Itezhi Itezhi. Picture ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
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Itezhi Itezhi new power grid CEO Prabbakar Kale show the control room looks like to President Edgar Lungu on the tour New Power Grid station in Itezhi Itezhi. Picture ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
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Part of the Pupils listens to President Lungu address at Itezhi itezhi Boarding School yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
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President Lungu (l) and Agriculture Minister Greyford Monde looks at the cooking put when they toured Itezhi Itezhi Boarding School yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
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President Edgar Lungu (2nr) and Itezhi Itezhi Boarding School Deputy Head Master Chilala Nyanga tours the School yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
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President Edgar Lungu (2nr) and Itezhi Itezhi Boarding School Deputy Head Master Chilala Nyanga tours the School yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
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President Lungu addressing pupils at Itezhi Itezhi Boarding School yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
9 President Edgar Lungu (Third from left) Livestock Minister Greyford Monde (l) Central Province Minister Davies Chisopa (2nl), Defence Minister Richwell Siamunene (r) PF Deputy Secretary Mumbi Phiri and RDA chairperson Simon Mukupa (third from right) at Saint Barbara Church Itezhi Itezhi yesterday 14-02-2016. ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
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President Edgar Lungu greets Kids at Saint Barbara Church Itezhi Itezhi yesterday 14-02-2016. ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
11Kids in church worshipping at Saint Barbara Church Itezhi Itezhi yesterday 14-02-2016. ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
12Father Roger Nyanga welcomes Livestock Minister Greyford Monde (r) Central Province Minister Davies Chisopa (c) at Saint Barbara Church Itezhi Itezhi yesterday 14-02-2016. ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
13President Lungu flanked by RDA chairperson Simon Mukupa speaks Chief Shimbizyi (2nr) and Chief Musungwa all of Itezhi Itezhi District yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
14President Lungu speaks to his Special Assistant Political Keiza Zulu (2nl) shortly after his arrival in Itezhi Itezhi District yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
15President Lungu addressing a really at Itezhi Itezhi Market yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
16PF Supporters with plaques welcomes President Lungu at Itezhi Itezhi Market yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
17President Lungu addressing a really at Itezhi Itezhi Market yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
18Livestock Minister Greyford Monde, Defence Minister Richwell Siamunene and RDA chairperson Simon Mukupa at a really Itezhi Itezhi yesterday 14-02-2016. ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
19Livestock Minister Greyford Monde, Defence Minister Richwell Siamunene and RDA chairperson Simon Mukupa at a really Itezhi Itezhi yesterday 14-02-2016. ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
20President Edgar Lungu tours the new market in Itezhi itezhi yesterday 14-02-2016. Picture ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
21New Itezhi Itezhi bus station which is under construction. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
22New Itezhi Itezhi modern Market to lunch soon which is under construction. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
23Special Assistant for Political Affairs Keiza Zulu to the President Lungu and Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda (2nr) during Church Service at Saint Barbara Church in Itezhi Itezhi yesterday. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
THE Kitwe High Court has sentenced a 50-year-old peasant of Chingola to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his daughter’s five-year-old friend.
Justice Chilombo Phiri on Monday sent to jail Noah Foloshi of Kalilo area, who was facing one count of defilement.
Particulars of the offence are that Foloshi, on August 17, 2015, had unlawful carnal knowledge of the five-year-old girl.
During trial in the subordinate court, the girl testified that on the material day, she was playing with Foloshi’s daughter outside his yard.
The court heard that it was at this point that Foloshi got hold of her and took her in his house where he defiled her.
The matter was later reported to the police where the accused was charged and arrested for the subject offence.
Justice Phiri said she was satisfied that the prosecution managed to prove a case against Foloshi and she was therefore convicting him accordingly.
“The cases of defilement are on the increase and a strong message has to be sent to would-be offenders. You defiled a five-year-old girl, which is an aggravating circumstance.
“I sentence you to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour and if you are not happy with my conviction, you can appeal to the Supreme Court within 14 days,” she said.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old man of Chambishi has been sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour for causing the death of his friend over a K10 debt.
Joseph Sichone, who was facing one count of manslaughter, pleaded guilty when the matter came up for plea before Justice Phiri in the Kitwe High Court on Monday.
It was alleged that Sichone caused the death of Moses Makayi on September 20 last year.
Information before the court indicates that on the material day, around 16:00 hours, Sichone, while at a house where the illicit brew, Kachasu, was being sold, approached Makayi over his K10 credit.
The court heard that Makayi reacted angrily by hurling insults at his creditor whom he also hit with a stick on the head.
In retaliation, Sichone grabbed the stick from Makayi and hit him on the head, and he fell to the ground, and shortly afterwards, he died.
In her ruling, Judge Phiri found Sichone guilty and convicted him based on his own confession to the charge.
“I sentence you to five years imprisonment with hard labour, and if you are not happy with what I have done, you can appeal to the Supreme Court within 14 days,” she said.
True Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) members should remain committed to the leadership and protect the party from disintegration ahead of the 11th August general election, MMD president Dr Nevers Mumba has said. And Dr Mumba says that the people who have taken MMD to court are UPND.
Addressing party officials in Kapiri Mposhi on Sunday, Dr. Mumba warned that there were machinations by some selfish “muselela kwakaba” Members of Parliament to kill the party. He said some MPs will soon be embarrassed after the reorganisation of the party which they wanted dead last year.
Dr. Mumba said the wrangles in the MMD have affected other people and that Zambians were tired to see the continued infighting instead of working towards coming back into government.
He said the issue of some MMD members who are double dealing was not acceptable in the party adding that even the United Party for National Development which they want to take the MMD to had become strong because they had hope in their leadership.
“People are not interested in seeing these fights and wrangling because of the high prices of food and other commodities. Load-shedding is the order of the day and people are looking to the MMD to bring back solutions and better days,” said Dr. Mumba.
He said the MPs who are fighting the leadership wanted the party to go the UNIP way. Dr. Mumba said God has always guided him to ensure that the MMD survived and remained a force to reckon with.
“Eco ndefwaya ukumyeba nici; bonse aba bantu abatutwele ku court [What I want to tell you is this; all those people who have taken us to court], they worked with the UPND and are UPND. The decision made by the party’s NEC will not be reversed and that decision must be respected and that is why they are not MMD,” he said.
Dr. Mumba boasted that even if he called for the convention next month he would win the election for the presidency the way he won in 2012. He said members should tell people who were calling for the convention to stop it because they were creating their own confusion. Dr. Mumba also said there was no way the MMD would go for a convention four months before the general election as doing so would be creating more division in the party.
He invited all those that ditched the former ruling party in preference for the opposition UPND to come back home and work with him in humility and honesty. Dr Mumba said those with intentions to challenge him for President should support the current leadership in order to build unity in the party.
He said it was only fair that they came back and contributed to the unity of the party, adding that loyalty was the hallmark of the MMD. Dr. Mumba said it was not time for genuine MMD members to leave the party because MMD was organised.
Roland Msiska
Secretary to the Cabinet Rolland Msiska has revealed that Government has reduced the number of foreign and local travels by 50 percent in line with austerity measures announced by President Edgar Lungu.
Dr Msiska said this has been achieved through the creation of a Cabinet Office Travel Agency which is now managing all official trips for Government officials.
He said Cabinet Office has also stopped approving requests for foreign travel to conferences or workshops which could be handled by Zambian missions present in those countries.
The Secretary to the Cabinet was speaking when he featured on ZNBC TV’s Sunday Interview.
“In countries where we don’t have representations and the trip is essential, we have had to cut the delegation to sizeable number,” Dr Msiska said.
He said contrary to public perception, Cabinet Office has done very well in reducing the number of foreign and local travels since President Lungu announced austerity measures in November last year.
Dr Msiska also revealed that the setting up of a Cabinet Office Travel Agency has reduced significantly the amount of wastage.
He also disclosed that Government has also reduced the number of workshops and conferences in order to reduce pressure on the treasury.
“On the issue of workshops, I must confess that this has been a bit challenging because you also have to be mindful of our friends in the hospitality industry. They also need business from Government,” Dr Msiska added.
“Sometimes we’ve had to reduce the duration of these workshops, if the request comes for a seven-day workshop, I will write back and say reduce it to three days and then work until 20 hours because that is the reason you are in residence.”
LionFour stray lions from Lumimba Game Management Area [GMA] in Lundazi District have killed several herds of animals.
The lions are believed to be from chief Chitungulu’s area in the Malambo valley.
A total of ten cattle, two goats and two pigs have been confirmed to have been killed and eaten by the beasts that are also terrorising villagers of chief Zumwanda on the plateau of Lundazi.
Group Village Headman Fosi of chief Zumwanda’s area disclosed the development to ZANIS in Lundazi over the weekend.
Mr Fosi said the stray vicious lions strayed into the area last week and are causing sleepless nights to villagers.
He named some affected villages as Zakeyo Nyika, Photola Mwale, Shadreck Chiulu, Kashi , Kali and Dickson Phiri among others.
Mr Fosi also disclosed that some school-going children have also stopped attending classes for fear of being attacked and killed by the lions and named the most affected schools as Kapili Kabefu, Kavinake and Kiyema.
The group headman complained that despite reporting the matter to National Parks and Wildlife formally known as Zambia Wildlife Authority [ZAWA] office in Lundazi, nothing has been done to control the marauding lions and to safeguard the lives of both livestock and humans.
But when contacted for comment, Acting Warden for National Parks and Wildlife for Eastern Province in Chipata, Mumba Katele, could neither confirm nor deny about reports of stray lions.
However, Mr Katele, referred all queries to National Park and Wildlife headquarters in Chilanga, Lusaka Province, who could not be reached at press time.
United Party for National Development(UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has challenged Republican President Edgar Lungu and Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanjanga to produce the names of the alleged UPND cadres who were involved in the violence over the weekend and their UPND card numbers and the Party will deal with them decisively.
In a statement released to the media in which he attacked the President for only commenting on violence when it affects PF cadres, Mr Hakainde said that his party does not condone violence, has told UPND cadres, even when faced with machete wielding assailants, that should leave the scene rather than leave a bloody scene.
Below is the full statement
LET US ALL CONDEMN VIOLENCE
We are appalled by the hypocritical and double standards exhibited by President Edgar Lungu when it comes to violence. It is dangerous to have a President who only sees violence when it involves alleged opposition party members. Two weeks ago our members were savagely attacked in Sinda constituency under his watch, he was mute. Miles Sampa was attacked at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport, he was mute. When Grayzier Matapa was murdered President Lungu mocked the incident. Davies Chama, his Secretary General shot someone in Mulobezi; Kaizer Zulu produced a gun in a public place and the man was mute. UPND offices in Mongu and Kitwe were damaged by known PF people, Lungu was quiet. Kapwepwe his own cadres was beaten at his watch for simply telling President Lungu that he was the only one enjoying himself. We can go on and on but this is not the subject of this statement.
I repeat let the President and the IG show me any of those people, and once it is established that they are our cadres, we will take decisive action.
Now we hear him issuing stern instructions to police to arrest anyone perpetuating violence for political ends. This is after it is alleged that UPND cadres attacked some people that were attending his meetings in Bweengwa. Let me assure President Lungu and the Inspector General of Police that should any of those people perpetuating violence be linked to UPND, I will personally deal with those cases and condemn them publicly; that is leadership. UPND members carry cards, and I am challenging police to produce those people and their card numbers and we will deal with those cases decisively. We do not condone violence, even when we are faced with machete wielding assailants we have told our cadres to leave the scene rather than leave a bloody scene. Unlike the PF which is arming its cadres and dressing them in military attire while the President plays blind to this reality, we are peaceful.
President Lungu’s legacy in the country will be that of hatred and bloodshed in our once peaceful country. Watch these upcoming months leading to the elections, watch the behaviour of his party PF. He has challenged me to deal with the cadres and I repeat let the President and the IG show me any of those people, and once it is established that they are our cadres, we will take decisive action. I am also challenging President Lungu and the IG to cage their unruly cadres some of whom were seen as late as Wednesday last week breaking all the traffic rules while police watched helplessly. “He who comes to equity, must come with clean hands.” Zambians know which party is violent and they will take action to bury that party come 11th August 2016.
Jonas Shakafuswa
KATUBA member of Parliament (MP) Jonas Shakafuswa says his relationship with United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema is at its lowest.
Mr Shakafuswa said in an interview yesterday that Mr Hichilema has his reasons why he has taken such a stance on him.
“People have been asking me what is happening with my relationship with UPND. Well, I will say my relationship with party president HH is at its lowest. He has his reasons which I respect,” he said in a posting on his Facebook page.
Mr Shakafuswa said he also hopes that Mr Hichilema respects his reasons as well.
But when asked to state the reasons why his relations with Mr Hichilema have deteriorated, Mr Shakafuswa declined to mention them, insisting that what is important for now is for people to know that his relationship with Mr Hichilema is low.
Efforts to get Mr Hichilema failed, but UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said in an interview that the relationship between Mr Hichilema and other party members is cordial.
Mr Kakoma said Mr Hichilema has never gone to Katuba to campaign against Mr Shakafuswa.
He said it is Mr Shakafuswa’s own alleged outbursts that have caused the relationship between him and other members to deteriorate.
FOUNDATION for Democratic Process (FODEP) executive director McDonald Chipenzi has resigned from his position.
Mr Chipenzi said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that his resignation is with effect from today.
He will now concentrate on completing his studies.
Mr Chipenzi , however, said he will remain committed to comment on national issues in his individual capacity.
“It has been a long but exciting eight years interacting on issues of democracy and good governance at FODEP. I am now saying bye-bye to commenting as FODEP but will not stop speaking out in my individual capacity on issues of the constitution, good governance, elections and democracy,” he said .
Mr Chipenzi said he will still remain a true partner in issues that surround national development and will not stop doing so.
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu was in Namwala district on Saturday to check on projects. And before seeing the projects he met Namwala chiefs, on the picture above. From R- L Senior Chief Nalubamba, Senior Chief Mungaila, Chief Muchila and Chief Mukobela.
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has announced that subsidies for traditional leaders will be adjusted upwards from the current K4,000.
President Lungu said when he met traditional leaders in Itezhi-Tezhi District on Saturday evening that Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda is expected to announce the new adjustment soon.
This follows a request by traditional leaders to the President to review the subsidies, which they said were not adequate.
In October last year, more than 30 traditional rulers from Central Province, during a meeting with President Lungu implored the Head of State to facilitate the upward adjustment of the subsidies to K15,000.
The traditional leaders’ request prompted President Lungu to direct the ministries of Finance and Chiefs to look into the matter.
Addressing journalists after President Lungu and six Itezhi-Tezhi traditional rulers led by Chief Shimbizyi concluded a closed-door meeting, Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda said the meeting ended on a cordial note.
“The Minister of Finance will soon be adjusting the chiefs’ subsidies, he has already agreed so the President announced to the traditional leaders, during the meeting,” he said.
President Lungu also assured the traditional rulers that the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit would continue distributing relief food to all hunger-stricken areas as there were enough supplies to cater for all affected places.
President Lungu would also ensure that Itezhi-Tezhi District benefited from the power, which would be generated from the Itezhi-Tezhi hydro power station.
The Head of State further told the traditional leaders that Government through the Ministry of General Education would look into their concern of the area having one high school only instead of more.
The Itezhi-Tezhi traditional rulers pledged their continued support of the Government of the day and appealed to President Lungu to take decisive action against political violence.
