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The Ila traditional dance welcomes President Edgar Lungu in Namwala
President Edgar Lungu has directed the Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanjanga to curb political violence in the country.
The President noted that political violence was on the rise.
President Lungu wondered where the Inspector General of Police was when innocent Patriotic Front (PF) cadres were allegedly being attacked by opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres after his public rally in Bweengwa yesterday.
He has since ordered the police service to get busy with work and prevent chaos in the run-up to the August 11, 2016 general elections.
Mr. Lungu said if left unchecked, political violence has the potential to degenerate into civil war.
He said as President, he does not want to use his powers to counter violence on his cadres but was quick to point out that if police fail in their duties, the PF members will have no alternative but to protect themselves.
The President said it would be unfortunate if PF disregarded the police because there would be mayhem in the country.
He however said he will as President, safeguard the peace that the country has enjoyed for the past 51 years as he has done since becoming head of state.
Mr. Lungu said as head of state, he will do everything to uphold the democratic path that Zambia has chosen to take so that voting can take place in a peaceful atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the President has directed the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to prioritise the provision of electricity in areas around Itezhi Tezhi under its corporate social responsibility.
He said it does not make sense for power to be generated in Itezhi Tezhi and supplied to far places bypassing the local people.
Mr. Lungu also disclosed that he will liaise with the Minister of Finance to release funds for the road linking Itezhi Tezhi to the Mongu road because work on the project has slowed down.
He was speaking when he addressed a public rally at Itezhi Tezhi basic school ground this afternoon.
Zesco United picked a valuable picked into the final leg of their 2016 CAF Champions League preliminary round match in Ndola on Sunday.
George Lwandamina’s side beat Al Ghazala of South Sudan 2-0 in a first leg match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Al Ghazala frustrated Zesco with an ultra-defensive display as the hosts struggled to break the deadlock in the midst of numerous missed opportunities.
Zesco took the lead in the 7th minute when striker Idriss Mbombo, who is on loan from Kabwe Warriors, headed in a cross from Cletus Chama.
Mbombo could have added a second in the 26th minute but his effort came off the post as the South Sudan’s side camped inside their area throughout.
Zesco’s second goal came deep in the 4th minute of time-added on of the 90th minute when Chama hammered in a rocketing shot to give the home-side a vital home win.
Lwandamina’s side head to Juba on February 26 for the final leg to decide their first round passage.
Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) National Treasurer Elizabeth Chitika has challenged Lunte Member of Parliament Felix Mutati to quickly begin exerting his energies for a convention for the United Party for National Development (UPND) to take over from Hakainde Hichilema before it is too late as evidence publicised through UPND 2016 campaign materials last week confirms that he is no longer MMD but is a practicing UPND official.
“Felix Mutati is fighting this convention fight in a wrong party. MMD already had a convention in 2012 to choose Nevers Mumba. But UPND is yet to have its convention so let him push for a convention in UPND not MMD. The fight Mr. Mutati is fighting must be extremely embarrassing to the UPND as it seems he has mixed up which party he belongs to.
“His fight in the MMD is an exercise in futility and he must join others who have courageously declared that they will not stand on MMD ticket because they have said MMD is finished and is now just a shell and have moved on to find seats in UPND to campaign on. Mr. Mutati is wasting his time and cannot keep saying he is still MMD and continue to bring confusion. He cannot have his cake and eat it.
“Let him accept that he is now fully UPND and has said goodbye to MMD. He must be helped to move on because his conduct is embarrassing to both the image of the UPND and its leadership. The UPND leadership must rise and help Mr. Mutati face the consequences of his actions when he openly campaigned for HH in 2015 and be assured that he has been welcomed in UPND instead of clinging to the MMD,” said Ms Chitika.
She said that the challenge that the MMD has always had with Mr. Mutati after it lost power to the Patriotic Front (PF) in 2011, is that he is not a courageous politician and is usually paralysed by fear of the unknown. She said he prefers to push his hidden agenda through other people and this is the issue the UPND must be aware of as they welcome him.
She said this matter of the convention has dragged on to this point because Mr. Mutati has been unable to come out in the open and when confronted by Dr. Mumba always says he supports him and regards him as the only president of the MMD.
We would like to thank the UPND youths for the gesture of love and unity they showed yesterday by coming out to give citizens valentine roses.
It was the first of its kind and truly historical gesture that must be embraced and commended by all peace-loving Zambians that want decency in our country.
This is one way of teaching our children the strong message of love, unity and peace as apposed to hooliganism and pangas associated with some politics organisations.
Our youths truly showed that even in economic difficulties the country is going through, the nation must remain united, peaceful with citizens loving each other.
The culture of teaching our youths to carry pangas and machetes even to start chasing aircraft on runways as was the case in Ndola’s Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe airport is alien to this country and must be completely buried on 11th August by putting in the UPND Government that has great respect for peace, love, unity, and human dignity.
This is the only way our great nation will attract meaningful investment in the various sectors of our country and create decent jobs for our people, especially youths and women.
We now call on all our citizens, especially youths and women that want to see a peaceful and united Zambia to come out in numbers on 11th August and vote for the UPND government of men and women of decency.
Harare City moved closer to a Zambezi derby date with Zanaco on Saturday after beating Adema of Madagascar in their Confederation Cup preliminary round first leg match.
Harare City beat Adema 3-2 at Rufaro Stadium in Harare on Saturday.
Raphael Manuvire’s late goal in the 88th minute handed Harare City the vital home win.
Ronald Chitiyo put the Zimbabwean club ahead in the 38th minute before Manuvire ensured they led 2-0 into the break with a 43rd minute goal.
Florent Rajaoniasy put Adema back in the hun in the 48th minute before Voavy Kassah scored from the penalty spot in the 51st minute to level scores.
The two sides meet in a fortnights time tpo decide who meets Zanaco in March.
Winner will host Zanaco during the weekend of March 11-13.
The return leg is scheduled for Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on March 19.
Police last night managed to rescue government officers, including a ZANIS crew, that were held hostage in Bweengwa area of Monze district by suspected opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres.
The government officers were captured and held hostage yesterday soon after President Edgar Lungu left Bweengwa where he addressed a public rally.
Southern Province Commissioner of Police Godwin Phiri confirmed this to ZANIS in Choma this morning.
Mr. Phiri said the rescue operation was conducted last night between 21:00 hours and 22:00 hours.
He however declined to give details on how it was conducted saying the Inspector General of Police will issue a comprehensive statement.
Last evening, suspected UPND cadres attacked a convoy of government vehicles which was returning from a public meeting addressed by President Lungu at Bweengwa.
A government land cruiser belonging to the department of social welfare, which was being used by the ZANIS crew, had some of its windows smashed before the attacked captured its occupants.
Meanwhile, a ZANIS Reporter Frederick Macha, who was among the captives, has explained that during the four-hour ordeal, he and other government officers were subjected to verbal abuse and threats of possible harm.
Mr. Macha said the attackers, who subdued and surrounded their captives, were armed with spears, machetes and stones.
He explained that the situation became more threatening when the numbers of the attackers tremendously swelled and overpowered the police that were dispatched from Monze to rescue the hostages.
He said the victims were confined to one place at Bweengwa basic school during the four-hour detention.
Southern Province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba last night told ZANIS that government was making frantic efforts to rescue its officers from the wrath of the suspected UPND attackers.
And President Edgar Lungu has warned the UPND to immediately stop the violence that the party is perpetuating. President Lungu has since warned of drastic measures against errant cadres.
The Head of State said that he will not tolerate any more violence in the country. President Lungu says if left unchecked the violence can plunge the country into chaos.
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda has told Journalists that the President said this when he meet five traditional leaders in Itezhi tezhi.
Mr. Chanda said the Chiefs raised the issue of violence after suspected UPND Cadres started throwing stones and beating PF supporters who had attended a rally addressed by President Lungu.
He said shortly after the President left Monze Suspected UPND supporters ran wild throwing stones at innocent PF cadres.
And UPND Spokesperson Charles Kakoma said he has NOT received any report on the violence in Bweengwa.
Mr Kakoma said violence must be condemned by all regardless of the political affiliation of the perpetrators.
He said UPND is doing its best to restrain its cadres from engaging in acts of violence in the run-up to the August 11, general election.
And the Inspector of Police has issued the following statement
STATEMENT ON THE BWENGWA VIOLENCE
The Zambia Police is dismayed with the conduct of the suspected UPND cadres who blocked the road from Bwenga Primary School to Monze using poles and stones in the process stoning passing vehicles, members of the public and police officers.
The cadres hid in maize fields ambushing the people who were returning from the rally that was addressed by the His Excellency President Mr. Edgar Changwa Lungu at Bwengwa Primary School.
This left three motor vehicles damaged and two reserve police officers injured. The damaged vehicles belong to the Police, Ministry of Social Welfare and that for the District Commissioner. The incident happened between 18:30 and 19:00 hours.
We strongly condemn the conduct of these UPND cadres and investigations into the matter have been instituted. All those that were involved will be arrested and taken to court.
We have time and again appealed to all political parties, particularly the UPND to restrain their cadres from being involved in violence, a request that has not been adhered to, more especially when it comes to political activities in Southern Province.
Zambia Police would like to strongly warn all political parties to desist from being involved in violence behavior as all those who will be found wanting will be prosecuted.
KAKOMA KANGANJA INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE 14th February 2015
Midfielder Spencer Sautu on Saturday won the Green Eagles 2015 player of the year award.
The Zambia midfielder was bestowed the honour on Saturday during an awards ceremony held in Choma.
Sautu has just returned 2016 CAF Africa Nations Championship duty with Chipolopolo where he played four games.
Meanwhile, team mate and fellow midfielder Mwila Kabwe won the most improved player award while top scorer on 9 goals last season Adamson Mulao won the most disciplined player award.
Meanwhile, ten players were at the same ceremony promoted to full Zambia National Service employees.
Jay Rox released his highly anticipated video for the song “Cake” . The song is off his album “Outside the Rox” . The video was directed by Qbick & Lawdak of NXT solutions
Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba played his second game for Belgium club Lierse on Saturday night but it was a weekend to forget for the forgotten Zambia striker.
The ex-Nkana striker came on in the 81st minute of Lierse’s 3-1 home loss to 2nd placed White Star Bruzelles with the visitors already leading 1-0 prior to him coming on.
Kampamba is on loan at 10th positioned Lierse from Egyptian club Wadi Degla.
His first game for Lierse was on February 3 in a 3-0 away loss to Union Saint-Gilloise.
Meanwhile in France, defender Stoppila Sunzu is still without Ligue 1 action for Lille since December 2.
He was on the bench for a ninth successive Ligue 1 game on Saturday in 11th placed Lille’s 0-0 away draw at leaders and champions PSG.
Sunzu is nearing the end of his season long loan from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.
Controversial midfielder Jacob Ngulube is still at Nkana despite the FAZ Players Status Committee ruling that he was a Mighty Mufulira Wanderers player.
Nkana signed Ngulube on a four year deal from Damiano Academy last November while Wanderers also produced documentation that he had only served one year of his four year contract at Shinde Stadium.
The Lombe Mbalashi led FAZ Players Status Committee on Tuesday ruled in favor of Mufulira Wanderers in the disputed ownership of Ngulube and ordered the player to return to Shinde Stadium.
But Ngulube has continued to train with Nkana.
The midfielder even played for Nkana in a friendly match against FAZ Division One North side Gomes Wanderers in Wusakile.
He scored a second half headed lone goal to help Nkana overcome Gomes of Ndola 1-0 at Nkana Stadium.
Meanwhile, Wanderers say they are expecting Ngulube to return to Shinde next week.
“Jacob has not joined us yet but he will do so next week. I spoke to the boy and he is coming here next week,” Wanderers team manager Fred Lukonde said.
Zesco United coach George Lwandamina has demanded a convincing home win in Sunday’s 2016 CAF Champions League clash against Al Ghazala of South Sudan.
The Zambian champions will host their opponents from South Sudan in a preliminary stage, first leg match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on February 14.
This will be Zesco’s first competitive game in 2016 and also a debut meeting involving a Zambian side against South Sudan opposition.
“They are three results in football, but as a coach you always plan to win,” Lwandamina said.
“Winning is very crucial. This game is in the shape of a qualifier and very important towards our quest to improve on our last performance.”
Last year, Zesco made a second round exit in the penultimate knockout stage of the same competition when they lost on post-match penalties to AS Kaloum of Guinea.
“We have to improve from where we reached last year,” Lwandamina said.
Zesco are chasing their first group league phase qualification since 2009 after failing to do so in 2011 and 2015.
Meanwhile, Al Ghazala will host Zesco in the final leg on February 26 in Juba to decide who goes through to the first round in March.
Winner will face AS Douanes of Senegal or Guinea giants Horoya AC at home in the first round on March 13 and away during the weekend of March 19-20.
Kasama Central MP GBM after the interview
TWO former bodyguards of the United Party for National Development (UPND) vice-president Geoffrey Mwamba have engaged the bailiffs to help them obtain goods worth K700,000 from him to recover money owed to them as compensation for unlawful detention.
Levy Simukoko of Lusaka West and Mike Sitali of Kanyama Township in Lusaka have been granted a writ of Fieri Facias (also known as a Fi Fa) by the Lusaka High Court, instructing the bailiffs to get goods worth K700,000, after Mr Mwamba failed to give them compensation in cash. A Fi Fa is a writ of execution after judgment obtained in a legal action for damages for the sheriff to collect goods from a person found wanting.
According to the Fi Fa signed on February 1, this year, the bailiffs should get goods worth K700,000 from Mr Mwamba and interest for a judgement passed against the defendant on January 21, this year, in which he was found guilty of defaming Mr Simukoko ad Mr Sitali. Mr Simukoko and Mr Sitali had sued Mr Mwamba for special damages after they claimed that he had defamed their character when he said that the two had stolen from him.
They wanted compensation for the anguish, pain and torture, the two suffered when they spent five days in police custody after being accused of stealing from him. Mr Simukoko and Mr Sitali were detained at Woodlands Police Station in November 2015 for five days after Mr Mwamba accused them of stealing US$4,000 from him. They were released after Police arrested the actual person who stole the money.
After the release, the plaintiffs went to Mr Mwamba’s plant in Chinika area in Lusaka and found that he was in Ndola and his wife and children apologised on his behalf. When they went to his residence, the next day to reconcile, Mr Mwamba allegedly chased them away from his home. All efforts to resolve the matter amicably failed and so the plaintiffs went to court to demand compensation worth K700,000. The court ruled in their favour on January 21, this year.
President Lungu looks at the cows after passing through the deep tank at Namwala Agriculture offices
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has assured the people of Namwala District that Government will do everything possible to ensure that the area becomes Zambia’s livestock and fisheries hub.
President Edgar Lungu has since directed the ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to be proactive to ensure that his desire bears fruit.
President Lungu said this when he met four traditional leaders at Corner Point Lodge and later reiterated similar sentiments when he addressed a public rally at Namwala Market ground yesterday.
“I want to make sure that using the water bodies around here, we are able to have enough fish to feed Zambia. I would like the ministry to encourage small-scale farming of fish in the backyard,” he said.
President Lungu said the Government would ensure that livestock in the area was vaccinated to prevent diseases, livestock restocking and encourage small-scale fish farming.
He was hopeful that once the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries implemented those measures, they would enable the area have adequate livestock and fish for local consumption and surplus for export.
“I want Namwala and Kafue plains to become a livestock centre in Zambia so that we can have enough animals to be consumed locally and to be exported abroad,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional leaders, Chief Mukobela praised President Lungu for setting the record of meeting people in the area at district level when previous leaders opted to meet people at provincial stage.
Chief Mukobela was also happy that the Government was vaccinating livestock to prevent diseases such as foot and mouth.
Other traditional leaders present were Senior Chief Bright Nalubamba, Senior Chief Mungaila and Chief Machila.
President Lungu shows party symbol on his arrival at Itezhi Itezhi grounds
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says he has tried hard to appoint people from Southern Province to Government.
Speaking during a rally in Bweengwa in Monze yesterday, President Lungu said he even appointed Highvie Hamududu as Deputy Finance Minister but he declined the appointment.
“I approached Highvie when we were campaigning, and when we won I wrote an appointment letter to him and he refused, I also approached others in opposition but they refused,” the President said.
Mr Lungu said the PF Government was ready to work with people from Southern Province who were willing to work with him.
“Where is all this coming from, it’s up to you to work with us and you are welcome,” he said.
The President said from the time he was elected, he had been able to deliver development to all parts of Zambia and would instruct the Minister of General Education to rehabilitate Bweengwa Basic School.
He expressed disappointment with one opposition leader who had not done anything about the school he attended.
“If one opposition leader cared about this school, then it would have been upgraded by now,” he said.
The President urged Zambians to give the PF another mandate because there were a lot of plans the Government had put in place.
He said the Government had been able to pay farmers on time and also distributed the inputs on time.
The President was accompanied by Defence Minister Richwell Siamunene, Livestock Minister Grayford Monde, PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri and Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu.
Earlier, the President met with chiefs Hamusonde and Sinazongwe before the rally.
President Lungu said he was preaching the message of unity of one Zambia one Nation.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has commissioned the mothers shelter at Namwala District Hospital.
President Lungu was also taken on a tour of the newly built hospital.
After the rally, some unknown people blocked the Monze/ Niko Road with stones.
The President has since left Namwala to Itezhi tezhi where he is expected to hold another rally today.
President Lungu looks at the cows after passing through the deep tank at Namwala Agriculture officesPresident Lungu officially launch the Mother’s shelter at Namwala District HospitalPresident Lungu and Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu show party symbol on his arrival at Namwala groundThe Ila traditional dance welcomes President Edgar Lungu in NamwalaPresident Lungu receives from a ten year old Lushomo Mutanga on his arrival at Namwala groundsPresident Lungu speaks to chief Hamusonda and chief Sinazongwe in BweengwaPresident Lungu speaks to chief Hamusonda in BweengwaPresident Lungu speaks to chief Hamusonda in BweengwaPresident Lungu and livestock Minister Greyford Monde being receive at Itezhi Itezhi grounds
