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PF Kitwe District Spokesperson Christopher Kang’ombe
The ruling PF in Kitwe has refuted claims that their members yesterday in the district destroyed the UPND office which led to some youths injured and admitted to hospital.
PF Kitwe District Spokesperson Christopher Kang’ombe tells QFM News that the PF does not believe in politics of intimidation.
Mr. Kang’ombe says the PF believes that listening to divergent views and therefore promote responsible freedom of expression by either individuals or members of opposition political parties in Zambia.
He has explained that whoever participated in the reported violent incident did not represent the PF and therefore the party condemns any act of violence by both the youths masquerading as PF members and those from the UPND.
Mr. Kang’ombe says their preliminary investigations indicate that youths from both groups were armed with stones and has since urged the police in Kitwe to thoroughly establish more facts as to why Kitwe should become a battlefield for the youths.
He adds that the PF believes that young people must be productive, go oriented and well utilized in sectors of the economy that will propel Zambia to greatness.
The PF Kitwe District Spokesperson says the activities of yesterday fall short of even the basic minimum standards they expect from the current crop of youths adding that it is extremely regrettable that violence occurred.
Mr Hichilema addressing UPND supporters who were injured in Kitwe
The opposition UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has accused the PF government of forsaking the people of Zambia and its mandate to govern and improve the lives of people.
The UPND Leader has told QFM News in a statement that instead of addressing issues affecting the people, the PF government has gone astray, and made the lives of Zambians worse off than they were before.
Mr. Hichilema says Zambians must face the truth that the current economic problems were not visited on this country by some cruel act of God or forced onto the nation by nature but that these are man-made problems created by the PF.
Mr. Hichilema recalls that just a few weeks ago, President Edgar Lungu chartered a private Jet from Lusaka to the USA at a colossal sum of $300,000 saying they wasted money on lavish things instead of pumping it in the country’s development.
And the UPND Leader has noted that the PF government has borrowed and continues to borrow too much money, at exorbitantly high costs.
He claims that borrowing too much is the cause of Zambia’s problems, not the solution.
He says the PF will leave the country with the worst debt crisis in the history of Zambia saying all the damage has been done in a space of less than three years.
Mr. Hichilema says already the Zambian currency, the Kwacha, has become the most worthless currency on the face of the earth in just a few years of PF’s being in power.
FILE: Then Deputy Minister of Commerce and Trade Miles Sampa finally unveils the new Zambia Bureau of Standards logo just after cutting the ribbon
The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has stepped up used motor vehicle inspections from 4, 322 in the second quarter of 2015 to 4,724 in the third quarter.
This is in a bid to promote public safety and to monitor compliance with the Zambian standard relating to used motor vehicles, which is Zambian Standard – ZS560 a code of practice for the inspection and testing of used motor vehicles for roadworthiness that was was declared compulsory by the Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry through Statutory Instrument number 120 of 2006.
Of the 4,724 used motor vehicles that were inspected by the Bureau in the period under review 2,664 vehicles were issued with Road Worthiness Inspection (RWI) certificates whereas 2,064 vehicles paid penalties due to the failure by the importers to comply with this very importance pre-shipment requirement.
1, 612 vehicles were inspected in July, 1,512 in August and 1,602 used motor vehicles were inspected in September 2015.
ZABS is not happy that some vehicle importers have continued to evade road worthiness inspections at the point of origin and warns that such importers should know that they are in violation of the standards act Cap 416 of the laws of Zambia and risk the lives of road users.
‘ZABS would also like to advise importers of used motor vehicles to ensure that they subject their vehicles to road worthiness inspections at the point of origin to avoid bringing in un-roadworthy vehicles into the country.’
Pre-shipment inspection of goods in general is a standard international practice which helps countries control the influx of sub-standard products from entering their markets. The greatest advantage of this practice is that the sub-standard products are detected at source and prevented from being shipped to importing countries.
German Federal Foreign Minister Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Lusaka from 20 to 21
November 2015. He will be accompanied by Members of the German Parliament, a high ranking
business and cultural delegation, as well as the media.
Minister Steinmeier’s program in Lusaka foresees meetings with H.E. President Edgar Chagwa
Lungu, with Hon. Harry Kalaba, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as with representatives from the
opposition parties (MMD, UPND, FDD, and NAREP). In addition, Minister Steinmeier – together
with Hon. Margaret Mwanakatwe, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, will host an
Economic Business Roundtable exploring the business climate in Zambia and investment
opportunities for German companies. Minister Steinmeier will also pay a visit to one of Lusaka’s
Compounds in order to familiarize himself with issues such as access to water and sanitation,
urbanization and HIV prevention measures.
On the eve of Foreign Minister Steinmeier’s arrival in Lusaka, German Ambassador Bernd Finke
said:
“I am very much looking forward to Minister Steinmeier’s visit to Zambia. Minister Steinmeier
comes in recognition of the long standing cordial relations between Germany and Zambia, and to recognize Zambia’s international reputation of being a beacon of peace and stability in Africa. The fact that the Minister is accompanied by a high ranking business delegation is an expression of confidence of my country in Zambia’s ability to manage the current economic and energy crisis. The meeting with representatives from MMD, UPND, FDD and NAREP will provide Minister Steinmeier with an overview on the opposition parties’ views on the current political and economic situation in Zambia. Foreign Minister Steinmeier’s visit to Lusaka will be brief, but I trust that it will be a very fruitful visit, which will encourage us to further deepen our bilateral relations and to speed up implementation of existing projects in the fields of water and sanitation, agriculture, energy, good governance and wildlife protection.”
An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by an elected government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.
PROS
Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro both displayed splendid performances .
This is a high energy action packed movie , mixed with suspense and intrigue .
Excellent ,realistic action scenes .
CONS
The pacing of the movie is abit slow at times.
FAVORITE QUOTES
Alejandro: “You should move to a small town, somewhere the rule of law still exists. You will not survive here. You are not a wolf, and this is a land of wolves now.”
Alejandro: “Nothing will make sense to your American ears, and you will doubt everything that we do, but in the end you will understand.”
Alejandro: “You’re asking me how the watch is made. For now just keep your eye on the time.”
CONCLUSION
SICARIO has to be one of the top 10 movies i have watched this year . It is a thriller of the highest quality, mostly thanks to the excellent story, cinematography, and acting of the three protagonists. Emily Blunt put up an exceptional performance as a rookie FBI agent who gets in over her head . Benicio Del Toro equally had an excellent performance as the mysterious ,former prosecutor with a short fuse . Sicaro is a suspense filled ,unpredictable movie that you cant afford to miss .
Chipolopolo defender Donashano Malama has described the Rwanda 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) draws as tough.
Zambia was drawn in Group D along with Zimbabwe, Mali and Uganda at the championship that will run from January 16 to February 7.
In an interview in Kitwe, Malama said Zambia should expect a tough outing in Rwanda.
“I think it is a difficulty group and as you know there are no easy games. We just have to prepare adequately and make sure we work extra hard to make our country happy,” Malama said.
The Nkana defender, however, believes that Zambia can advance from this group.
“With hard work we can come out of that group and advance. We have quality in the team and we can even go past the quarter-finals,” Malama said.
Zambia minted bronze at the inaugural CHAN edition staged in Ivory Coast in 2009.
Meanwhile, Group A has hosts Rwanda, Gabon, Morocco and Ivory Coast with DR Congo, Angola, Cameroon and Ethiopia making up Group B while Group C has Tunisia, Nigeria, Niger and Guinea.
Mikiko Endo, Japanese Architect, representative director of Mother Architecture, has been working on supporting community people to plan and finish the construction of “Maternity House” in rural areas in Zambia. The whole project has been progressed by a Japanese NGO JOICFP in collaboration with International NGO IPPF, its Zambian branch PPAZ, Japanese individual donors and private companies such as UNIQLO and Cath Kidtson. From 2014 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan started this project and more 3 houses will be build in three villages until 2017.
A local think has advised Government to approach the International Monetary Fund for direct budget support as a way of resuscitating the ailing economy.
Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research says the year 2015 has witnessed the most dramatic deterioration of the Zambian Kwacha against major trading currencies such as the US Dollar, British Pound and the Euro falling by over 50% since the start of this year.
In a research paper titled the ‘Mystery of the Kwacha,’ ZIPAR notes that the IMF presents a better option for balance of payment support to cushion the Zambian economy which has deteriorated following the erosion of the Kwacha.
‘Indeed, the depreciation of the Kwacha is really not a mystery, although this sometimes comes as a shock to some people,’ ZIPAR says.
‘The currency has been depreciating for some time now. Between January 2008 and September 2015, the value of the Kwacha cumulatively fell by more than 108% against the US dollar. But in 2015 alone it fell very sharply by 51% against the US dollar. Even against the Rand, which many politicians claims was also in trouble in 2015, the Kwacha weakened markedly by 31.5% in the first three quarters of 2015 alone.’
ZIPAR said Zambia may do well to take pragmatic action and consider a return to IMF Balance of Payment support programmes as a short-term solution to emerging Balance of Payment and currency depreciation problems.
‘Of course, this return should be done as a well calculated move, with the authorities establishing a well-researched and well-consulted negotiation position,’ it said.
‘We are in a fix in terms of the amount of forex that we have and we don’t have a lot of options to generate more forex considering the headwinds we are facing right now, energy shortages and things like this, in that circumstance, you do need to reach out for help,’ it said.
‘Which is a cheaper option of finance, the IMF which offers balance of payment support or the Eurobonds from commercial markets? I would argue that it is the IMF.’
‘In a tough time going to get help from the IMF is not a sign of weakness or failure, it is a actually a sign of showing seriousness to addressing serious economic challenges. That is how the international community might help if you reach out to them, they might give you balance of payment support for example.’
His Majesty the Litunga Lubosii Imwiko II (r) shares a light moment with Western Province Permanent Secretary Mwangala Liomba (c) during the 15th Anniversary of the Coronation of His Majesty the Litunga in Limulunga Royal Village of Limulunga District
THE Litungu Chief who is the ruler of the Lozi people of Mongu has urged the Road Development Agency (RDA) to ensure that construction of major roads in most parts of Western Province are completed in time in order to spur development in the area.
Speaking when RDA officials led by Board Chaiperson Samuel Mukupa called on him at his palace in Limulunga yesterday, the Litunga said the Agency should ensure that works on roads such as the Katunda –Lukulu road are worked on in order to ensure that people can have easy access to the Provincial capital in Mongu .
Western Province Permanent Secretary Mwangala Liomba said the Katunda–Lukulu road has been in a deplorable condition for many years and hence people have for a long time being crying for a long been time for the road to be worked on.
Meanwhile , Road Development Agency (RDA) says they agency would ensure that the K147.5 Million rehabilitation of the Kafue hook Bridge pillars in Mitete District which has developed cracks is completed within the 24 months timeframe.
RDA Board Chairperson Samuel Mukupa confirmed the development when he led a team of RDA officials and Journalists during a tour of road projects in Western Province.
Mr Mukupa urged China –Henan construction who is working on the Kafue hook bridge to expedite its works so that the bridge which was built some 40 years ago does not deteriorate further.
He called on the contractor to ensure that a belly bridge is constructed within 6 months so as to enabler a smooth flow of traffic during the time the pillars of the bridge were being worked.
‘’ You have to ensure that the belly bridge is urgently constructed so as to allow a smooth flow of vehicles as the Government is in a hurry want to link Western Province with neighboring Angola , therefore there is need for you to expedite the works on the bridge’’, Mr Mukupa said.
He added that when the works on the Kafue hook bridge are completed on time, tourists would be motivated to visit the Kafue National Park for them to see animals as they navigate the river.
China Henan Assistant Resident Engineer Sivananthan Kokulakanta said the works on the bridge which commenced in August 2015 had delayed to commence because the contractor was negotiating with the Zambia Wildlife Authority ( ZAWA) in order to allow his firm to set up a camp within the National park.
Mr Kokulakanta assured the RDA officials that the works on the bridge would be completed within the 24 months contract.
Meanwhile, Mr Mukupa said RDA was going to fully rehabilitate about 80 kilometers stretch from Tetatyoye to Kaoma district which was in a bad state.
He said although construction of roads during the rainy season always had its own challenge , the Agency would ensure that works which have been earmarked for rehabilitation are completed so as to fulfill the Government’s agenda of linking up the country .
Mr Mukupa said RDA was not only working on uplifting roads in Western Province to bituminous standards but was also rehabilitating the 17.3 kilometers stretch from Kaoma town centre to Mwenemutondo area which caters for the rural people who are predominantly farmers.
Western Province RDA Regional Manager Gershom Mwagombe said the agency was also patching up potholes on the Kaoma –Mongu road and other parts of the province in order to ease the transport constraints faced by motorists.
Members of Parliament
United Party for National Development-UPND Members of Parliament yesterday afternoon walked out of parliament in protest of the alleged destruction of their Kitwe Office by suspected Patriotic Front-PF cadres.
UPND Monze Central MP Jack Mwimbu rising on a point of order said party MPs will not attend parliamentary sittings until their members rights are protected.
But Speaker of National Assembly Patrick Matibini said he could not rule on the matter as the UPND MPs had walked out of the house.
Some suspected PF cadres stormed the UPND secretariat in Kitwe where the party leadership was scheduled to hold a meeting.
Meanwhile, PF Secretary General Davies Chama has expressed ignorance on allegations that suspected PF cadres have destroyed the UPND office in Kitwe.
Mr Chama has however advised the UPND to adhere to the law by not holding political meetings without a police permit
He said UPND leadership should not abrogate the law in an attempt to ascend to power.
And Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini says he does not know what motivated UPND Members of Parliament to walk out of parliament.
Dr . Matibini says he only understands that UPND Monze member of Parliament JACK Mwimbu raised a point of order seeking his ruling on the alleged destruction of the UPND’s Kitwe office by suspected PF cadres.
He charged that members of parliament should not abscond business of the house without the leave of the Speaker.
Dr Matibini lamented that it is embarrassing that sometime members of parliament are not able to form a quorum when parliamentary business begin.
He was responding to the point of order raised by Local Government and Housing Minister Steven Kampyongo.
Mr Kapyongo who is also Patriotic Front-PF Shiwang’andu member of parliament sought the Speaker’s ruling on whether it was in order for UPND members of parliament to walk out of the house.
The UPND members of parliament this afternoon walked out of the house in protest of the alleged destruction of their Kitwe Office and hacking of people within the vicinity by suspected Patriotic Front-PF cadres.
UPND Monze Central MP Jack Mwimbu earlier said that UPND leaders will never attend until party member’s rights are protected.
Charles Kakoma
Suspected Patriotic Front (PF) cadres this morning invaded the United Party for National Development (UPND) regional offices in Kitwe attacking UPND members who were waiting to be addressed by their national leaders led party leader Hakainde Hichilema.
UPND Spokesperson Charles Kakoma in a statement says the suspected PF cadres attacked the UPND members using pangas, axes, stones and other offensive weapons.
Mr Kakoma says a number of UPND members, including elderly women were brutally beaten and suffered injuries and were rushed to the hospital.
He says this attack happened in full view of Zambia Police officers who he says instead of arresting the perpetrators of violence fired teargas into the UPND offices.
Mr Kakoma says the suspected PF cadres were being ferried in trucks belonging to a well-known PF leader, known as Chile 1.
Meanwhile Mr Kakoma has condemned Police for tear gassing Luanshya residents who had turned up to see UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema yesterday afternoon.
He says Zambians have the rights to freely associate, assemble, move and speak as guaranteed by the Republican Constitution.
Mr Kakoma says any interference with the enjoyment of these freedoms is a violation of the Constitution.
He states that it is a highly dangerous route of political violence that the PF has embarked on which can easily lead to anarchy and political instability.
Mr. Kakoma says it is not the fault of the UPND and its leader that the Zambian people are fed-up with the purported failed leadership of the PF.
Luwingu magistrate Davy Simfukwe has adjourned a case involving six United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres who allegedly beat up Luwingu District Commissioner Patrick Chanda to 1st December 2015.
This is in matter in which UPND cadres are charged with assault occasioning bodily harm contrary to section 248 of the penal chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on unknown date but between 26th August and 23rd September 2015, while on duty, during campaigns in Lubansenshi constituency, the UPND cadres acting on a tip off descended on Mr. Chanda, the newly appointed District Commissioner for Luwingu district.
The cadres allegedly accused Mr. Chanda of campaigning for the ruling party at Lwena Roman Catholic mission in Luwingu district of the Northern Province.
The adjournment was necessitated by the absence of the lawyer representing the UPND cadres.
In another development, a clinical officer at Luwingu district hospital Mubanga Chellah testified in a matter involving a Kapisha primary school teacher Brian Musonda 27, who is charged with defiling a 12 year old girl contrary to section 138(1) chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Ms. Chellah told the court that the medical evidence which was presented before the court indicated that there were no visible wounds seen on the girls’ private parts.
She explained that although there was no wound on the girl’s private parts, the reports shows that there was sexual intercourse.
Ms. Chellah testified that some white discharge was coming out from the private parts of the girl, which is not normal for a 12 year old girl.
And a Congolese medical doctor also testified that according to the medical findings presented before him by the clinical officer, the child was defiled.
And the arresting police officer, Kelly Simwala, said it was on 29th October 2015 around 08:00 when he reported for work at the police station and he was given a docket of defilement involving a minor.
Mr. Simwala said he then summoned two witnesses for further questioning among them was Brian Musonda, the accused.
He explained to the magistrate that the accused was interrogated and a warn and caution statement was recorded from him.
He said he also received a medical report form from the Luwingu district hospital bearing the names of the victim indicating that the minor was defiled by the accused person.
And in his defence, Mr. Musonda said there was no way he could defile the minor in a classroom or staffroom because there were teachers at school on that particular day.
Mr. Musonda told the court that he had only punished the three pupils to sweep the deputy head teacher’s office.
He further said all the allegations against him were false and that the witnesses who testified before the court did so based on what the minor explained in court.
MOPANI Copper Mines (MCM) has laid off 3,051 workers while 1,249 employees have opted for voluntary separation as part of Glencore’s debt reduction strategy.
But Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Christopher Yaluma has condemned MCM’s decision.
MCM is owned by Glencore, which in September this year announced its debt-reduction plan to reduce over US$30 billion net debt by US$10 billion by the end of next year.
Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president Nkole Chishimba told a press briefing yesterday that MCM has formally informed affected employees on the matter.
Mr Chishimba said MCM will effect redundancies on November 21 and has urged all affected employees to manage their retrenchment package well.
“Mopani has gone ahead to retrench over 4,000 workers. The workers have been briefed. The redundancies will be effected on 21st of this month. We painfully agreed because there is nothing we could do.
“We are appealing to mining houses to always find other better ways of reducing costs when faced with external shocks. The battle we have gone through has not been a battle worth fighting for,” Mr Chishimba said.
He said President Lungu’s six-day visit to the Copperbelt was significant in mitigating lay-offs as evidenced in the 1,600 other jobs that were saved at China Non-Ferrous Metal Mining Corporation Luanshya Copper Mines (CLM), which has placed Baluba mine on care and maintenance and sent workers on forced leave.
“We had a lot of difficulties in dealing with CLM until the coming of the President. Management at that mine did not want to talk to us. Without President Lungu’s coming, we would not have any progress,” Mr Chishimba said.
And Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has placed its Nchanga underground mine on care and maintenance in view of external shocks, which he said, have not spared the company.
Mr Chishimba said the workers will be re-deployed to other KCM functions and that none of them will lose employment during the time Nchanga underground mine will be under care and maintenance.
National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) president James Chansa said the problems in the mining sector should not be politicised.
“Our economy is largely dependent on the mines. There is no opposition or ruling party on challenges we are facing in the mining sector.
“If not well handled, [we] will be greatly affected. Contracting jobs are also affected,” Mr Chansa said.
He said mines in North-Western Province were intact and that jobs are safe.
MCM public relations manager Cephas Sinyangwe could not deny the retrenchment of workers but requested for a press query.
President Lungu directed mine unions to negotiate with MCM on how best to sustain jobs and production at the mining company.
Meanwhile, Mines Deputy Minister Richard Musukwa has said that Mopani’s decision to lay off workers is not in the interest of the country but its shareholders abroad.
Mr Musukwa said that there is no insurmountable challenge at Mopani Copper Mine to warrant the laying of of Zambian workers.
He said that government is determined to save the jobs and sustain mining operations in the best interest of the country.
Mr Musukwa said that the arrogance exhibited by the mining firm is disappointing and will not be entertained.
He has since asked Mopani management to continue engaging the government and Mine unions in an effort to find an amicable solution to the challenges the sector is facing other than rushing into job cuts.
FILE: UPND president Hakainde Hichilema (left) interacting with his lawyer Jack Mwiimbu
Members of the United Street Vendors Foundation Cooperative Society Limited is disappointed with the remarks attributed to Monze Central Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu and published in today’s Times of Zambia Newspaper.
Society District Chairperson Fredrick Tembo described the statement as demeaning to the organisation.
Mr. Tembo, who was accompanied by Copperbelt province society secretary Albert Nkonde, told ZANIS in an interview in Ndola today that it was very sad that such remarks could come from a leader.
He has since called on the parliamentarian to retract the statement he made over the District Commissioners being appointed by President Edgar Lungu.
Mr. Mwiimbu is quoted in today’s Times of Zambia newspaper as saying ‘the District Commissioners being appointed by President Lungu are marketers and street vendors whose only qualifications are their birth certificates’.
He stated that marketers and vendors are important people as they help contribute to the economic growth of the country in their own way.
He said Mr. Mwiimbu should not forget that for him to be a parliamentarian, it was because he had to solicit for votes from the same marketers and vendors who he is belittling today.
“For Mr. Mwiimbu to be where he is today it does not mean that others cannot reach that level. He should therefore retract his statement if he wants to stand in 2016 elections,” Mr. Tembo stated.
ECZ Public Relations Manager Chris Akufuna
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has captured over 1.2 million new voters registrations during the first, second, third and fourth phases of the mobile just ended voter registration exercise.
The total number of newly captured eligible voters is 1,246,626, while updates during the same period were 1,235,633 and 23,783 notifications of deceased voters.
Lusaka province recorded the highest number of new voters at 241,301 followed by Southern province with 205,259 registrations.
The least registrations were recorded in North-western province where only 52,204 new voters were captured.
This is contained in a press statement released to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) by ECZ Public Relations Manager Crispin Akufuna in Lusaka today.
Mr. Akufuna said the voter registration statistics are from 14th September to 11th November, 2015.
He has since appealed to all eligible citizens in possession of Green National Registration Cards (NRCs) to take advantage of the extended nationwide voter registration exercise for 21 days to register.
The extended period starts on 22nd and runs up to 13th December, 2015.
Mr. Akufuna explained that the voter registration exercise will continue at the civic centres in all the districts as scheduled until 31st March, 2016.
“The 14 day mobile voter registration in March, 2016, will still take place as earlier announced, on dates to be determined by the commission,” he said.
And Mr. Akufuna has reminded all persons living with disabilities to ensure that their disability is recorded by a registration officer even if they are already registered.
Mr. Akufuna also reminded the public that individuals that registered in 2005/2006 and 2010/2011 do not need to register again as their voters’ cards are still valid.
“No fee should be charged for issuance of a voters’ card and I implore the public to report any registration officer demanding any payment to register to the nearest police,” he said.
Mr. Akufuna has meanwhile warned members of the public against registering more than once stressing that any person found wanting will be prosecuted in accordance with the Regulation 37 (b) of the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Regulations of 2010.
