INSPECTOR General (IG) of Police Kakoma Kanganja believes the Kafue riots in which a mob destroyed two police posts and several vehicles, including a fire tender, were politically motivated.

Mr Kanganja said this is because of the amount of destruction caused by the irate residents.

“The accident, as it happened, could not have been the sole reason for this kind of behaviour. The amount of destruction and violence displayed tells me this could have been politically motivated,” Mr Kanganja said.

He was speaking in Kafue yesterday when he went to inspect the damage caused to property in Zambia Compound after a police officer knocked down a marketeer sparking off riots. One man was shot dead and 35 people were arrested.

Mr Kanganja, who was shocked at the gravity of destruction, told the residents that there are better ways to express their grievances because violence is not a solution.

He said if the community was not happy with police action, it should have channelled its grievances to the district commissioner (DC).
The IG, who said President Lungu has been preaching peace, forgiveness and reconciliation, also urged people to avoid violence and adhere to the law as Zambia goes towards general elections this year.

Mr Kanganja said the 35 who were arrested have been charged with arson and riotous behaviour and would appear in court tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Mr Kanganja said action would be taken against the police officer who knocked down a marketeer, Ireen Kaluba, on Friday morning.

He said this when he paid a visit to Ms Kaluba at University Teaching Hospital (UTH), where she is admitted.

Mr Kanganja told Ms Kaluba that no-one is above the law, including himself.

Meanwhile, Kafue DC Mungoni Moyo said there are better ways to solve problems.

“You know what your colleagues in Chikoswe went through after burning the police post. Is this what you also want to go through?”
And residents of Mtendere Township, where one of the police posts was gutted, have appealed to Mr Kanganja to quickly repair the damage and operationalise the police posts for fear that the area would be terrorised by criminals.

Today’s Scripture

“It is an honor for a man to cease from strife…”
(Proverbs 20:3, KJV)

Avoid Strife

Strife is a very destructive force. It can creep into relationships by starting small, maybe through a comment or a wrong look from someone, and it can then escalate into something much bigger. But when you choose to cease from strife and overlook an offense, you are acting honorably, and you are honoring God.

How do you avoid strife? Scripture tells us that love covers over many offenses. Love gives people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe someone was short with you at the office, but they may also have a loved one in the hospital. Instead of getting upset, walk in love—be patient, be kind to them. Extend grace.

Today, look for ways to walk in unity with the people in your life. When we walk in unity, there is a commanded blessing. Always avoid strife and choose peace and watch the hand of God move mightily in your life!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, today I choose Your ways. I invite Your plan to unfold in my life. Help me to avoid strife so I can walk in peace and unity and honor You all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Government has paid all farmers countrywide who supplied over 800,000 metric tonnes of maize to the Food Reserve Agency in the 2015-2016 maize marketing season.

Agriculture Minister, Given Lubinda says concluded payments to farmers by the third week of December,2015.

Mr. Lubinda noted this is the first time farmers in the country have been given their money this early.

He further said that the Ministry of Agriculture has also adequately distributed farming inputs under the farmer input support program.

He said this during a meeting with PF members in Lusaka.

Mr. Lubinda added that the country will not face any food shortage because there are indicators of favourable rains in various parts of the country.

He however added that the ministry will carry out an assessment on the impact of the rains.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Agriculture is next week expected to sign a contract that will see the construction of 65 million cubic liters irrigation scheme in Chisamba.

Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda says his Ministry wants to set up three Irrigation schemes by the end of this year to enhance crop production in the country.

Mr. Lubinda says the irrigation schemes are expected to be constructed in Kafue, Chisamba and Mufurila Districts.

The Agriculture Minister notes that his Ministry has already allocated 11,000 hectares of land for irrigation to support the small scale farmers in the country.

Mr. Lubinda was speaking at a meeting in Lusaka.

The Minister said World Bank has provided 135 million US Dollars to improve the irrigation system in the country which was not used.

He disclosed that part of the money for the construction of the three irrigation systems while some of the funds has been taken to the Zambia National Service, Zambia Police and Prison Service to construct irrigation systems.

Patriotic Front youths in Lusaka this morning staged a solidarity match in support of President Edgar Lungu’s signing of the constitution bill scheduled for Tuesday next week at the Heroes Stadium.

PF member Kelvin Sampa said that all Zambians should support the President because he has now accorded every Zambian the constitution that has for a long time been debated on.

Mr. Sampa said that the move by the President to sign the constitution bill is a clear testimony of his commitment to what he promised Zambians during the campaigns.

Mr. Sampa was speaking in an interview with ZNBC news before the solidarity match.

And Lusaka PF youths have also denounced the use of violence in the tripartite elections but will foster to create unity and love not only in their political parties but also in the nation.

And Patrick Mungo added that it is important that PF youths continue to denounce violence and instead work at promoting peace.

Meanwhile PF Information and Publicity Committee Member Benjamin Siwila says President Edgar Lungu’s move to look into the plight of men and women in uniform in the country must be commended.

Mr. Siwila says the project to build houses for police officers is an indication that President Lungu is committed to improve their conditions.

He told ZNBC news in an interview that President Lungu has also shown good will to men and women in uniform through his interactions during the 2015 annual ball events.

Mr. Siwila has also urged Zambians to turn up in good numbers and give support to President Edgar Lungu on Tuesday next week when he will be signing the constitutional bill.

Mr. Siwila says the opposition political parties must participate because what will be done on Tuesday is for the benefit of all Zambians.

Defense News Website reports that the Hongdu Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG) is preparing to deliver the first of six Hongdu Falcon L-15 supersonic lead-in fighter/trainer jets ordered by the Zambian Air Force (ZAF) at a cost of $100 million in April 2014.

On Dec. 27, HAIG published images of Chinese aircraft specialists posing with ZAF pilots and aircraft technicians with a caption saying the crews have just completed pre-delivery conversion training on the operation and maintenance of the aircraft at the company’s factory in the Chinese city of Nanchang.

The company said all six pilots who will fly the aircraft once the full batch is delivered were part of the group that received
specialized training. The L-15 is designed to provide basic jet flight training to pilots who are being groomed for the operation of high-performance fourth-generation aircraft, such as the Chinese-made J-10 and Russian-made Su-27 and better.

Once completed, the delivery will set China up as the sole supplier of the entire ZAF aircraft needs following delivery of 16 Karakorum light attack and trainer jets and 7 Harbin Z-9 light attack helicopters between 1999 and 2012.

The aircraft were acquired from Aviation Industry Corporation of China subsidiaries China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing and Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing, respectively.

The force modernization program seeks to replace a largely obsolete fleet made up of a collection of Cold War-era Russian, American and British aircraft models. The twin-seat L-15 Falcon jet is powered to a climb rate of 150 meters per second and a maximum speed of 1,715 kilometers by two Russian-made Ivchenko Progress AL-222K-25F turbo-fan engines fitted with after-burners.

Four under-wing and two wing-tip hard-points which are programmed to carry up to 3,000 kilogram weapons payloads, including short-range air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, bombs and rocket pods, enable the aircraft to perform its secondary light-attack role.

Late in 2014, ZAF commander Brig. Gen. Jabes Zulu said the force will take delivery of several SF 260TW trainer aircraft, one C-27J transport aircraft, 6 Hongdu L-15 fighter/trainer aircraft and several Russian Mi-17 helicopters.

Brig. Gen Zulu said the force needs to rebuild its airlift capabilities to meet the logistical needs of Zambian Army units which
are deployed to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central Africa Republic.

The new fleet of aircraft is also expected to improve the ZAF’s internal airlift operational capabilities and its ability to respond to public emergency relief and evacuation needs.

Zambia is also seeking new P-18 aerial defense radar systems to secure national airspace.

President Edgar Lungu is concerned with the deterioration of family value system in Zambia.

The Head of State says a scenario where the aged are stigmatized and discriminated against is uncalled for.

Speaking when he met Matero After Care Centre Officer-In-charge Michelo Mateyo this morning, President Lungu said the aged need to be appreciated and harnessed for their wisdom.

He said there is need to halt stigma against the aged whose welfare is dependent upon the generosity and goodwill of the people.

The President adds that society will only know how best to look after the next generation when it learns from elders.

The Centre Officer-in-charge Michelo Mateyo disclosed that many elderly people are stigmatised against on allegations of witchcraft.

She however, noted the need for more sensitization among societies.

President Lungu donated various food stuffs including mealie meal, sugar, salt, and peanut butter to the centre.

The Barotse National Freedom Alliance (BNFA) has described as highly misleading, mischievous and insensitive Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili’s assertion that the issue of the Barotseland will be resolved once the President assents to the Constitution Bills passed by Parliament.

BNFA Treasurer General and first Trustee William Harrington tells QFM News that the statement by Mr. Kambwili only causes more pain and injury to those who have suffered injustices such as arrests,imprisonment and incarceration, humiliation and even death at the hands of State agents.

He says it is incorrect for Mr. Kambwili to claim that no one submitted to the various Constitution Review Commissions over the issue of the Barotseland.

Mr. Harrington states that to the contrary, as a commissioner himself on the Mungomba chaired constitution review commission, many people did call for the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 in their submissions.

He further states that numerous citizens when giving evidence to the Rodger Chongwe led Commission of Inquiry appointed by late President Michael Sata made very strong submissions that prompted the Commission to recommend the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement.

Mr. Harrington has since appealed to Mr. Kambwili to exercise caution and restraint over the matter of the Barotseland agreement.

Yesterday,Chief Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili said that the issue of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 will be resolved once President Edgar Lungu assents to the Constitution Bills Parliament passed recently.

Mr Kambwili said that as far as government is concerned, once the Constitution Bills become law, Barotseland will continue to remain an integral part of Zambia.

Mr. Kambwili stated that this was particularly that no one submitted to the contrary that Barotseland remains part of Zambia during the Constitution review process.

Mr. Kambwili told Qfm News by telephone that this entailed that the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 is no longer an issue.

Mr. Kambwili however, noted that what the people of Western province want is a fair share of the national development agenda.

Mr Kambwili said that the Patriotic Front (PF) is in this case committed to taking development to Western province as a sure way resolving the Barotseland Agreement issue.