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Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula
Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula on Thursday afternoon failed to present the Constitution Amendment Bills Number 16 and 17 for third reading in Parliament as earlier announced.
This was revealed after UPND Choma Central Member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa raised a point of order on Dr Simbyakula did not present the Bill to the House this afternoon.
In his ruling, Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini also wondered why the Executive did not present the Bill in the House for deliberations.
Dr. Matibini has however assured that the bill will be tabled in the house on Tuesday next week.
Mr Mweetwa had risen on a point of order and queried why the Executive through Vice President Inonge Wina had failed to table the Bills for third reading.
“Sir, last week on Wednesday after the presentation of Bills Number 16 and 17 relating to constitutional amendments, the Minister of Justice indicated that the bill was coming o this House for commencement of debate,” Mr Mweetwa said.
He added, “Her Honour the Vice President when indicating the Business of the House for this week told this house and the nation that the bill was supposed to come to this House for third reading today and Honorable members were very anxious to check on the order paper today and I am sure that many Zambians have been tuned into Parliament Radio wanting to follow the proceedings on the subject matter.”
“Sir, whereas I am aware that within this session they are at liberty to introduce this bill anytime but given the severity and gravity of importance and expectation that has been raised amongst the citizens who are willing and wanting to hear the proceedings of this bill, is the Executive through her Honor the Vice President who is comfortably seated there and I don’t know what she is reading in order to remain quiet and not inform the nation over this very important national issue which has gripped the nation?”
And Dr Matibini agreed with Mr Mweetwa that the point of order was valid.
“Your point of order is valid, I am equally concerned that we will not begin looking at the bill at committee stage, nonetheless, the clerks at the table have been actively engaged with members of the Executive and as of today, I was also following up on the issue and I have been assured that all things been equal, come next week on Tuesday, this should be on the order paper and we should commence looking at the bill in committee.”
Proposed New National Place of Prayer
President Edgar Lungu has appointed members of the Advisory Board, Fundraising and Technical Committee to spearhead the construction of the National House of Prayer.
Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Rowland Msiska has told Journalists in Lusaka that the appointment of the 12 member board follows the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the National House of Prayer by President Lungu in October.
Dr. Msiska has named the board members as EFZ Executive Director Reverend Pukuta Mwanza, Fr Charles Chilinda from ZEC, Father Robert Sihubwa of the Council of Churches in Zambia and BIGOCA Overseer Dr. Apostle Peter Ndhlovu.
Others are Bishop Joshua Banda of Northmead Assemblies of God, Reverend Akushanga Muyenge from Praise Christian Center, Rev Mpundu Mutala and Apostle Elizabeth Chishimba from God of All Dominions.
He says the rest are Brigadier General Vincent Mwenya, Chaplain General of the Defence Forces, Naiboth Church Overseer Apostle Bishop Dr. Timothy Kazembe, Dr. Edwin Zulu from Reformed Church in Zambia and Lubinda Mukelebai of UCZ.
Dr. Msiska has also disclosed that the Head of State has appointed ten members of the fundraising subcommittee whose core business is mobilization of resources for the construction of the National House of Prayer.
Dr. Msiska says the President has also appointed eight members of the Technical Committee who will look into the day to day running of the National House of Prayer.
He has since encouraged Zambians to continue making contributions to the construction of the house of prayer by depositing into the recently opened account 1996712300387 at ZANACO Lusaka business center branch.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Cabinet has encouraged Zambians not to lose the morale of keeping their surroundings clean especially with the onset of the rains.
Dr. Msiska has reminded Zambians that every first Saturday of the week is dedicated to cleaning the surroundings saying this coming Saturday people should ensure they keep their towns clean.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Copperbelt Province Chairperson Mr Denson Chisunka says that it is wishful thinking that MMD President Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba can be easily removed and replaced by his political enemies. And Mr Chisunka said Copperbelt MMD shall “sort out” Mr Mutati.
Reacting to a statement attributed to MMD former Provincial Vice-Chairman Mr George Kangwa who said that Central Province had endorsed Lunte MP Mr Felix Mutati and Liuwa MP Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane as his running mate for the upcoming 2016 elections, Mr Chisunka said it was shocking that Mr Kangwa could be quoted as speaking on behalf of MMD when he was expelled from MMD.
“Kangwa is an impostor and was expelled sometime back so I wonder how some media houses can be quoting him as representing the MMD. They should do their research and ask us who our current party officials are,” said Mr Chisunka.
“And we wish to warn Mutati that his days are numbered. Let him continue his nonsense of sponsoring stooges like Kangwa to speak for him. We shall sort out Mutati if he tries to come here in the Copperbelt to cause confusion. MMD has only one president in Dr Mumba who has a five year mandate that expires in 2017. So all this talk of electing a new MMD president in 2016 is nonsense and an attempt to disobey our constitution. Dr Mumba has stood firm and defended the party against all its enemies, unlike Mutati who is just a political prostitute, a ‘muselela kwakaba’.”
“Mutati helped to almost completely destroy the great MMD together with Rupiah Banda and other MMD MPs who supported UPND and PF in the last election in January. He never campaigns for MMD or contributes financially apart from the normal MP contributions. But today he wants to deceive people that Dr Mumba has failed to run MMD when he is the biggest failure and coward who never stood up to [Michael] Sata when he tried to destroy MMD,” said Mr Chisunka.
“We ask Mr Mutati to tell the nation why he was removed as the MMD Whip in Parliament. Mr Mutati’s loud silence in the House led to the voices of ‘MMD is dead’. Many MPs confronted him to try to persuade him to overcome the great fear he had for Sata which caused him to be frozen in Parliament and be completely unable to defend the MMD MPs in the House from the harassment of the PF and President Sata,” said Mr Chisunka.
Mr Chisunka further said Mr Mutati went into hibernation and only “tutubukad” (woke up) after the death of the President Michael Sata. He said he was shocked at how Mr Mutati went on a countrywide tour during the last Presidential election, vigorously campaigning for Hakainde Hichilema, something he has never done for his own party the MMD in all the Parliamentary and Ward by-elections.
“Now Mutati wants to do an ‘RB’ on the Presidency. We know about the dark corner meetings he has been holding in Kitwe, Chingola, Chambeshi and other towns on the Copperbelt. We know of the meetings he has been holding in Eastern, Northern and other provinces unashamedly trying to sell himself as the only one who can save MMD. We are aware of brown envelopes exchanging hands at these meetings. What Mutati did in pulling part of MMD to the UPND is no different from what RB did, leaving a badly fragmented party to face the last elections,” said Mr Chisunka.
Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations to the President Amos Chanda chats with PF Media and Publicity Committee Vice Chairman Sunday Chanda at State House
We are not in a habit of engaging the disgraced former Civil Society leader Mr. Sunday Chanda because we feel he lacks does not understand governance matters in Zambia but we feel compelled to state simple facts due the gravity of distorted and misguided statements attributed to him in the media.
Mr. Sunday Chanda alleges that the UPND Party President Mr. Hichilema Hakainde spoke in contempt of the country and its citizens by stating that;
Red tape Bureaucracy is a hindrance to doing successful business in Zambia.
Concentration on Copper Industry has robbed Zambia of every opportunity by the Government to diversify our Economy.
Our Tourism Industry has not been fully exploited by the Zambian Government as we only sell Victoria Falls to be the only Site attraction in Zambia. Sites like Musonda Falls in Northern Province are not equally promoted.
We are at pains to comprehend how a ruling party in government can fail to understand the Zambian Business life today as well as its serious Economic challenges.
Mr. Chanda shamelessly described the three outlined factors affecting Business in Zambia today as “cheap attack on Zambia and its people” when even our Bank of Zambia and the Ministry of Commerce have highlighted them as Challenges to Zambia today.
The PF Government has unwisely moved Roads Development Agency Office to State House, so every Contractor who dreams of doing business with RDA should go through the security clearance system at State House. Is this bureaucracy necessary for a public institution like RDA to be stationed at State House? Therefore you need political connections in State House for you to get a RDA Contract under PF.
Mr. Chanda can not even tell the Zambians what Achievement PF Government has scored in the last 4 years in diversifying the Economy of Zambia from dependency on Copper to Agriculture.
PF Government has even destroyed the vision for Farm Blocks left behind by the MMD Government like Nansanga Farm Block.
We ask Mr. Chanda to brief the Zambia what happened to negotiations regarding the Bonafarm Group which, under MMD Government, won the tender to develop Nansanga farm block’s anchor core venture plot where Zesco spent US25 million in putting up electricity and ZNS graded the roads.
We urge well-meaning Zambia to ignore the last kicks of our friends in PF as they are now afraid of their own shadows due to the massive failed Economic policies in last 4 years where we shall soon be classified as a Highly Indebted Poor Country again thanks to PF Government.
A 40-YEAR-OLD Zambia Air Force (ZAF) driver has been convicted by the Livingstone magistrate’s court for defilingan 11-year-old girl of Airport township in Livingstone.
This is in a case in which Zachariah Muwowo was charged with defilement.
It is alleged that on July 29, this year, Muwowo had unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 16.
Delivering a three hour judgment, Magistrate Benjamin Mwelwa described Muwowo’s act of having sex with an 11-year-old girl as shameful and disgusting.
“It is disgusting that you undressed and had sex with an 11-year-old girl.
“Your act was shameful because there are a lot of women out there, who charge for sex, but you opted to have sex with this little girl,” he said.
Magistrate Mwelwa said it was sad that Muwowo earlier took the girl to a bar and bought her two bottles of Castle lager.
He said it is clear that Muwowo had sex with the girl although he had taken precaution against impregnating her.
Magistrate Mwelwa said the girl’s age had been established to be 11 by the mother, and further confirmed by the under-five card which was produced as part of the evidence in court.
He said Muwowo was arrested at the victim’s house when he went to apologise for defiling her.
Magistrate Mwelwa said he had found Muwowo guilty of the offence and will commit him to the High Court for sentencing as the offence had a mandatory sentence of 15 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Zambia face hosts Senegal on Friday night (kickoff 19h00) in Dakar hoping to redeem some pride following their preliminary stage exit from the 2015 CAF Under-23 Cup.
Fighton Simukonda’s side has been eliminated from the eight-team tournament, that will decide Africa’s three 2016 Olympic Games representatives, following two successive defeats that have left them bottom of Group A on zero points after losing 2-1 to Tunisia on Saturday and 3-2 to South Africa on Tuesday.
“We have a lot to do and we need to work extra hard in our next match and defend the name of our country because we will be playing for pride,” Lubambo said.
Lubambo added that will not make the same mistakes they made against South Africa when they squandered a 1-0 halftime lead to fall.
“We shall play well and pick it up from there,” Lubambo said.
“It is a very disappointing defeat. We did our very best in the first half and then in the second half we slept little bit and were punished.”
Meanwhile, Zambia will face a tough time against a Senegal side who are not only have the luxury of home advantage but are also 2015 All-Africa Games champions and have also booked their place in the semifinals.
Senegal also come into the match as leaders of Group A with a 100 per cent run after beating South Africa 3-1 and Tunisia 2-0 are expected not to have any problems against their winless opponents.
Former First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba
FORMER first lady Christine Kaseba is being ungrateful to many economically disadvantaged Zambians by attempting to decline an expensive house Government has secured for her and her family, the Christian Coalition has charged.
Coalition general secretary John Mwendapole said it was morally incorrect for Dr Kaseba to “continue playing victim’’ in circumstances where she should have been thankful to Zambians for giving her the privilege of acquiring the status of the first lady.
Rev Mwendapole said Zambia’s biggest challenge has been lacunas in the law and that until the law on the benefits of former presidents and their spouses was reviewed, those in privileged positions such as former first ladies would continue to abuse their privileges.
He said it was disheartening that Government had continued paying for a vacant house secured for Dr Kaseba when the money could have been utilized in other areas of urgent need.
Rev Mwendapole however said he was consoled by President Edgar Lungu’s desire to consider abandoning the law on former presidents’ retirement benefits which include the construction of a house because former presidents often left office with some wealth.
He advised that Dr Kaseba should not attempt to create a picture that President Lungu’s Government did not care about her in a scheme to have the Head of State demonized.
Rev Mwendapole said it was the expectations of Zambians that Dr Kaseba as a woman and leader would volunteer the money being spent on her and donate it to some women groups involved in economic activities for survival.
He wondered why the housing of Dr Kaseba had continued to draw controversy when over the years other former first ladies were accommodated without any ‘‘political noise’’.
“Zambians expect Dr Kaseba to be more sensitive and we know for a fact that women are less greedy than men. With the controversy that has continued to surround the accommodation of Dr Kaseba, it would be appreciated if she told Zambians that she did not need the support of Government.
“Let her say ‘thank you’ for the offer but that she will not need it ‘because you as Zambians gave me a privilege of having attained the status of the first lady’.
“We do not want to see Dr Kaseba and her family suffering but her status in Zambia is much better than most of our women in rural areas and those are the people she must dedicate her heart to,” Rev Mwendapole said.
He advised that Government should immediately stop paying for the house until after Dr Kaseba and her family had moved in to avoid wasting money.
Government has secured a house for Dr Kaseba in Woodlands along Mutende Road but the house has remained unoccupied despite rentals being paid.
Dr Kaseba has been informed about the house but had not advanced reasons for not having moved into the house.
Kennedy Kamba and Stephen Masumba joins PF cadres in dancing shortly before President Michael Sata arrived at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport for the opening of the UNWTO 20th General Assembly -Picture and caption by THOMAS NSAMA
THERE is no wind of change blowing in Zambia and Wynter Kabimba should come to terms with the reality that the Patriotic Front (PF) is not going to leave Government any time soon, Kennedy Kamba has said.
And Mr Kamba has warned that it would be “politically, socially and economically tragic” for Zambia to have Mr Kabimba as president of the country because the Rainbow Party leader had allegedly exhibited traits of lack of the rule of law.
Mr Kamba recalled that when Mr Kabimba was Justice minister and secretary general of the PF, a number of institutions of good governance such as the judiciary, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the police were heavily intimidated.
He said the Rainbow Party leader could only fantasize of becoming Zambia’s president but that Zambians loved their country and could never leave it in the hands of a man who believed that there were no morals in politics.
Mr Kamba said Zambia was safer in the hands of President Edgar Lungu who had managed to bring decency and morals to politics because the Head of State was a strong believer in democracy and good governance.
Mr Kamba explained that Zambians were happy with the massive infrastructure development going on across the country which had created thousands of jobs.
Zambians were not ready for change of Government because the change they sought for in 2011 by voting for the PF had given them relief and hope.
Mr Kamba said Mr Kabimba and his image builders were parroting socialism because the ideology promoted lawlessness, dictatorship and rogue kind of states.
“There is no wind of change sweeping across Zambian and what is true is that there is a wind for continuity with the PF under the leadership of President Lungu. President Lungu is here until 2021 and Zambians are happy with his style of governance.”
“There shall be no change of Government next year but let me caution my fellow citizens that it would be politically and economically tragic for the leadership of the country to be given to Mr Kabimba because the Rainbow Party leader is well-known for his autocratic style of leading people.
“We have come to know that socialism breeds rogue leaders and Zambia cannot afford that after being a democracy,” Mr Kamba said.
Mr Kamba said the PF was a peaceful political party that abhorred violence, adding that President Lungu was on record demanding the arrest of any PF member involved in the vice.
He said it was hypocrisy of the worst kind for Mr Kabimba to accuse the PF of being violent when the ruling party experienced the worst form of violence when the Rainbow Party leader was the secretary general of the PF.
THE UPND will not vote in support of the two constitutional Bills in both committee and third reading stage because the party does not support the changes the Patriotic Front wants to make for their selfish reasons, says UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma.
He said it was clear from what was said by PF chief spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili in Parliament that the PF was not comfortable with some contents of the Draft Constitution especially the clause on proportional representation and the one on provincial assembly.
Mr Kakoma said the PF had no right to change the Constitution against the wishes of the people and it was for that reason the opposition party will not support the adoption of the Draft Constitution.
“Hon Kambwili’s comment in the House to say PF does not support some contents of the Constitution such as the clause on proportional representation and that they are also against provincial assembly is enough reason for us to be worried that the Constitution will be for the PF and their selfish gain and not for the benefit of the people,” he said.
Mr Kakoma was responding to Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) president Andrew Ntewewe who urged the UPND MP’s to rally behind the PF in voting for the adoption of the constitutional Bill.
Mr Ntewewe said the UPND should not treat the Constitution on partisan level but put the people of Zambia in consideration.
He said the UPND should realise that a lot of money had already been spent on the review of the Draft Constitution and that the Government had no money to continue forming other constitutions.
But Mr Kakoma said Zambians should note that his party was not against the Bill just to oppose the Government but because the PF had no right to change a Constitution that the people of Zambia had worked so hard to create.
He said the Constitution was long awaited for and it was for that reason the Government should not alter anything but present it in its original form.
“If Ntewewe wants to go ahead and support the PF in this corrupt venture he should go ahead; we will not stop anyone, but we will not vote just because everyone else is voting for the Bill, we will maintain our position to vote against it for the benefit of the people,” he said.
UPND President at the Global African Investment Summit
Honoured to have participated at The Global African Investment Summit in London this week to promote opportunities and investment in Zambia.
Here is the full statement on the message we delivered, what we learnt from others and what we advise the PF to do in order to capitalise on the potential for jobs and investment.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
This week I have been busy meeting with investors, business leaders, Heads of State and fellow politicians from across the African continent at The Global African Investment Summit in London.
On Tuesday I was honoured to represent our great nation and address delegates at the Summit on the huge potential that exists in Zambia across various sectors, including in tourism, agriculture, financial services, retail and telecommunications. Delivering a message focused firmly on opportunity, I shared some of my experiences of doing business in Zambia with the audience.
Speaking to fellow delegates and speakers, from Zambia, Africa and across the globe, it was exciting to discuss the ideas and interest that people have for projects which are exactly the sort of ventures we are in urgent need of in order to grow, strengthen and diversify our economy, as well as to create jobs and reduce the cost of living.
In recent months we have seen more than ever the danger of having an import dependent economy that is highly reliant on one commodity for its foreign exchange reserves. I was therefore particularly glad of the opportunity to engage with so many investors looking at agribusiness projects that can help us diversify our economy, lower the price of food and strengthen our currency through the earning of foreign exchange as we move from being a net importer to a net exporter.
During the course of the summit we have also had the benefit of listening to the experiences of various leaders from across the continent and what approaches and projects have delivered positive outcomes for their citizens. We listened to the concerns and reservations of prospective investors, which closely mirrored those that we have already heard at home during our domestic consultation with Zambian business leaders and entrepreneurs. From these conversations it is clear that if we are to capitalise on this interest and secure funding for projects that will create jobs, taxation revenues and foreign exchange reserves for Zambia then there is work to be done.
Returning home I urge the PF Government to improve the environment for business and investors through the following means:
Cutting red tape – Currently the number of licenses and permits that are needed to start up a venture is prohibitive and drives up costs. This is an unnecessary disincentive to investment and must be addressed as some of our neighbours, such as Rwanda, have successfully done.
Clarity and stability in terms of investment – Businesses need to have confidence that the fiscal terms and regulation governing their contracts will not be changed from day to day. Lack of certainty is a high barrier to investment. The best way to guarantee such stability is to ensure broad based consultation always precedes the adoption of a new policy.
Project identification and promotion – If we want to attract investment in the areas we believe have the most transformative potential for Zambia then we must lead in identifying these opportunities and communicating them to those with capital. Government should lead in this endeavour, but all of us as citizens and entrepreneurs can play our part in promoting these openings.
True partnership – We want investments that deliver jobs and sustainable growth over the course of several years. This requires the fostering of true partnerships between government and business, both domestic and international. Working together closely in a collaborative and cooperative manner that is focused on mutual benefit and shared ownership it the best way to not only create jobs, but also to protect those jobs.
Finally, it seems clear to me that quality of leadership is essential to this equation. Leadership that not only understands what needs to be done, but leadership that is also ready to take action and work hard until the job is done. As I have stated before this is one of my personal motivations in seeking public office and something I know the UPND could deliver on.
As the Summit concludes I would like to thank the hosts and all those who have shared their insights and ideas with me. We look forward to continuing the conversation in Lusaka.
ZEMA says the export from Zambia of the Copper concentrates containing elevated levels of Arsenic which had been imported by Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) into Zambia has commenced.
Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Principal Information and Communication Officer Irene Chipili in a statement in Lusaka stated that the commencement followed a decision by the government not to allow KCM to conduct any trial processing of the said copper concentrates due to environmental concerns.
“Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) is pleased to inform stakeholders and members of the public that the export from Zambia of the Copper concentrates containing elevated levels of Arsenic which had been imported by Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) into Zambia has commenced. The said concentrates are being exported to Taiwan,” Mrs. Chipili stated.
She stated that as of 27th November, 2015 a total of 1,529. 63 tonnes had been moved from KCM premises in Chingola of which 1,088.402 tonnes had already been exported to Taiwan through the Chirundu Border.
Mrs. Chipili stated that the remaining 441.223 was at Chirundu border awaiting customs clearance by Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
“The deadline for exporting all the concentrates in question is December 10, 2015. ZEMA will continue monitoring the export process to ensure adherence to the set conditions and schedule. The Agency takes this opportunity to remind all licensed facilities to adhere to the environmental law and other relevant laws. Further, all firms/persons intending to undertake activities that require Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should obtain authorization from ZEMA prior to project implementation,” stated Mrs. Chipili.
Earlier this year KCM imported 2000 tonnes of copper concentrate containing Arsenic from Chile.KCM said they did this because it was important for them to operate their smelter as close to design capacity as possible, in order to achieve maximum efficiency.In July this year Government denied Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) permission to process the 2,000 tonnes of imported copper concentrate as it contained high percent levels of Arsenic, a toxic substance.The Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Christabel Ngimbu, said the decision had been arrived at following inspection of the said concentrate which was found to be containing 4 per cent of Arsenic.Mrs Ngimbu said the levels of Arsenic, which was found in the said consignment, is seven times more than that found in copper concentrates in Zambia which averages around 0.5 per cent.
However,speaking in June this year Green Party president Peter Sinkamba urged Zambians not to demonise Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) over their motive to important copper concentrate containing arsenic because the country already has traces of the toxic chemical element. He said what was important was to put in place measures that will ensure that migration of that arsenic to the water systems is not high.He wondered why there was no talk when the nation imported concentrates from Congo which also contained levels of arsenic and Uranium which is even more hazardous.
Mr Sinkamba was sure that the various mining operations including KCM had put in place system to control impact of toxic chemical elements such as arsenic from causing harm to both the environment and human life.
He said instead of demonizing KCM over the motive to important concentrate, stakeholders should have given the mining firm credit because the move was a right step towards value addition which the nation desperately required.
“We need to start adding value and if we can import concentrate which is cheap from Chile, that is the best way to go,” he had said.
The Monsanto product – the world’s most widely used herbicide – contains glyphosate, which may also be carcinogenic for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Roundup, the world’s most widely used weedkiller, “probably” causes cancer, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – WHO’s cancer agency – said that glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide made by agriculture company Monsanto, was “classified as probably carcinogenic to humans”.
It also said there was “limited evidence” that glyphosate was carcinogenic in humans for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Concerns about glyphosate on food have been widely debated in the US recently, and contributed to the passage in Vermont last year of the country’s first mandatory labelling law for genetically modified food.
The US government considers the herbicide to be safe. In 2013, Monsanto requested and received approval from the US Environmental Protection Agency for increased tolerance levels for glyphosate.
It is mainly used on crops such as corn and soybeans, which are genetically modified to survive it.
Why should I care about glyphosate?
Glyphosate is the world’s most widely produced herbicide, by volume. It is used extensively in agriculture and is also found in garden products in many countries. The chemical is an ingredient in Monsanto’s weedkiller product Roundup, and glyphosate has become more popular with the increasing market share of crops that are genetically engineered to be tolerant to the herbicide.
What evidence is there for a link between glyphosate and cancer?
The IARC review notes that there is limited evidence for a link to cancer in humans. Although several studies have shown that people who work with the herbicide seem to be at increased risk of a cancer type called non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the report notes that a separate huge US study, the Agricultural Health Study, found no link to non-Hodgkin lymphomas. That study followed thousands of farmers and looked at whether they had increased risk of cancer.
But other evidence, including from animal studies, led the IARC to its ‘probably carcinogenic’ classification. Glyphosate has been linked to tumours in mice and rats — and there is also what the IARC classifies as ‘mechanistic evidence’, such as DNA damage to human cells from exposure to glyphosate.
The weedkiller has been detected in food, water and in the air after it has been sprayed, according to the report from WHO. However, glyphosate use is generally low in and near homes where the general public would face the greatest risk of exposure, the report said.
The evidence for WHO’s conclusion was from studies of exposure, mostly agricultural, in the US, Canada, and Sweden that were published since 2001.
A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE
PROS
Excellent performance by Daniel Craig , who in my opinion is the second best James Bond of all time only preceded by Sean Connery .
Former WWE wrestler ,Dave Bautista, had a good performance . The fight scene he had with Jame Bond was fantastic .
It had exciting, fast paced, thrilling action.
Spectre had one of the best theme songs with Sam Smiths “Writing on the wall”
CONS
The pacing of the movie was too slow at times .
Christoph Waltzperformance as Franz Oberhauser was lackluster , he didn’t poses the “it” factor that Bond villains have had in past movies . The previous movie, Skyfall, had a much better villain.
The relationship between James Bond(Daniel Craig) and his ‘love interest’ Dr. Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux) was poorly developed . They just met then randomly fell in love to the extent of wanting to die for each other if need be .
If you have not watched any of Daniel Craigs Bond movies , you may be a little lost in this one , as many of the same charaters return but their relationships with Bond and each other are not explained .
FAVORITE QUOTES
Eve Moneypenney: So what’s going on James? They say you’re finished. James Bond: And what do you think? Eve Moneypenney: I think you’re just getting started
Franz Oberhauser: Why did you come? James Bond: I came here to kill you. Franz Oberhauser: And I thought you came here to die. James Bond: Well, it’s all a matter of perspective
CONCLUSION
I had been waiting the whole year to watch Spectre . I rushed to the cinema to watched it the first weekend it came out . Sadly i was bitterly disappointed with what i witnessed , needless to say Spectre did not live up to the hype . I have enjoyed Daniel Craig’s 4 Bond movies , especially Casino Royale which was brilliant , but since then, the other movies haven’t met the high standard expected from Bond movies.
The overall plot was good , but the way it was executed was the problem . The pace of the movie was too slow. 45minutes into the movie I was still left trying to figure out what was going on. Character development was also poor ; no explanation was given about who Dave Bautista’s character ,Mr Hinx, was . Monica Bellucci’s character, Lucia Sciarra, was also loosely explained. The main villain Franz Oberhauser (Christoph Waltz) was introduced late in the movie . His ‘methods’ of trying to get rid of James Bond seemed needlessly over the top.
Spectre was not a terrible movie , it had its good moments ; such as the action scenes , the different locations. The final 30 minutes of the movie was exciting, edge-of-your-seat stuff, but it was too little too late . Spectre was seemingly the last Bond movie for Daniel Craig . Unfortunately he does not bow out with the same bang he had when coming in with Casino Royale .
Members of Parliament during the opening of Parliament by President Sata on September 19,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
ANNEXURE ‘B’ TO PETITION
[By Brig Gen Godfrey Miyanda – 19th August 2015]
The recent blanket declaration by Mr Amos Chanda, the Special Assistant to the President that the President has power to appoint anyone without consulting anyone is misplaced, uninformed and certainly not the holistic appreciation of the Zambian Constitution and other laws. Such appointments of opposition Members of Parliament (as Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers) offend the solemn provisions in our Constitution that guide the Executive in the democratic management of our country.
Such appointments add no value to the clear and bold democratic principles embedded in the Constitution but instead are an affront not only to those principles and guidelines, but also to the moral law and the decency anticipated and expected in the execution of statecraft.
Other than “beefing up” PF numbers in Parliament there is no justifiable reason for this condemnable and retrogressive action whose obvious purpose is to subvert our adopted and accepted democratic tenets that followed the re-introduction of the Multi-Party (many parties) system of government.
One of our Founding Fathers, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, in his sincere way, attempted to “kill” the opposition by introducing the “One Party Participatory Democracy” and succeeded momentarily; in the long run that action brought not only a disruption of normal political life but unbridled violence and its offshoot of perpetual hatred. It is timely to remember other Founding Fathers such as Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Nalumino Mundia, Zilole Mumba, Zenia Ndhlovu, Dona (Mama) Mumba of Petauke and many more of our heroes and heroines who fell foul of human ingenuity in perpetuating self-preservation (not forgetting the Third Term Bid in the recent past). We must not go down that path, not ever again. We must be wary of carelessly and conveniently fixing and interpreting Court judgements; it is worth remembering that it is a Court judgement that entrenched the despicable “One Party Participatory Democracy”!
Granted, that State House comments were based on the Judgement of the High Court, per His Lordship Judge Chalwe Muchenga. However it is important to point out that ordinarily judges make their decisions based on the case before them as well as the arguments presented and the legal authorities cited and relied on. It would be out of character for any judge to rule on something that was not presented to him/her and argued before them.
Article 46 (1) states that “There shall be such Ministers as may be appointed by the President”. It is contended that, standing alone, this Article is obviously a discretionary power that can be challenged on grounds of capriciousness and/or bad faith, which arguments we have not heard of. Additionally another aspect that speaks loudly against “executive poaching” of opposition MPs is the issue of public policy. It is contended that currently, under the much-maligned Republican Constitution, public policy is that throughout the tenure following an election, the Government must consist of the Executive appointed from the Ruling Party as well as separate and distinct Opposition Members of Parliament, to provide checks and balances in order to preserve the concept of multi-party democracy.
There is no point in boasting about the multi-party system when the President, who is the President of one of the political parties, can willy-nilly destabilise and dismantle opposition parties by the deceptive ingenuity of “official or legalised poaching”.
Surely the President must be aware of Section 9 of the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act which, quoted in full, reads “A person holding Ministerial office shall not do anything that is inconsistent with the principle of the collective responsibility of Ministers for the policy of the Government and the conduct of its affairs, and in particular shall not –
Publicly contradict or disassociate himself from any policy adopted by Cabinet;
Issue public statements criticising another person holding Ministerial office; or
Make unauthorised disclosures of Cabinet discussions, decisions or documents”.
This provision derives its force from Article 52 of the Constitution. Thus an opposition MP appointed to Cabinet or the Executive is bound by collective responsibility; in other words such an appointee cannot speak for nor vote for his party while he remains appointed. What cannot be clear about this situation? Such a person has definitely crossed the floor. To cross the floor connotes changing one’s position vis-a-vis your political party by being a mere passenger while being an active advocate for the President and his Ruling Party!
Clearly our Constitution and other laws are NOT silent. A person so appointed CANNOT speak for nor represent his political party. Why must this trick not be deemed to be a Crossing of the Floor? Further the Preamble of the Constitution declares solemnly about our unity and oneness, as in this quote, inter alia “We the people….RESOLVE to uphold the values of democracy, transparency, accountability and good governance; AND FURTHER RESOLVE that Zambia shall forever remain a unitary, indivisible, MULTI-PARTY and democratic sovereign state”. Article 1 (1) rubs it in with these clear words “Zambia is a unitary, indivisible, MULTI-PARTY and democratic sovereign state”. More ominously, perhaps, Article 1 (4) declares and warns “This Constitution SHALL BIND all persons in the Republic of Zambia and all Legislative, Executive and Judicial organs of the State at all levels”. Why do Zambians sing and shout about a new Constitution when they accept the existing Constitution to be relegated to the rubbish dump with impunity?
The President is under oath to protect and defend our Constitution. If the President is serious about his clarion call of unity then he must revisit and abandon this practice which has not added value to his call for unity.
GODFREY MIYANDA,
BRIGADIER GENERAL,
HERITAGE PARTY
[19TH AUGUST 2015]
