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Wildlife And Tourism Can Create Sustainable Jobs And Income -UPND

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Wildlife And Tourism Can Create Sustainable Jobs And Income -UPND
The Unspoilt Lower Zambezi National Park
The Unspoilt Lower Zambezi National Park- however new mine coming soon

UPND Policy Statement

Not long ago Ms. Jean Kapata and her colleagues in the PF Government lifted the ban on the hunting of lions. Their reasoning was that Zambia had enough lions to be hunted for trophies and that the government had enough safeguards against poaching and the illegal issuance of hunting licenses. Just last month Special Assistant to the President for Project Monitoring and Implementation, Mr. Lucky Mulusa, informed the nation that 35 elephants have been killed by poachers in the last 6 months. The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), whose duty is among others to protect endangered animals from poachers, failed to protect these 35 elephants.

The sad part about this story is that Mr. Mulusa further said that the poachers had been arrested but were later released upon payment of a K900 fine. This is laughable if it were not sad. For Ms. Kapata and her colleagues, K900 fine is a deterrent for poaching! According to Mr. Mulusa, the existing legal framework on game management is inadequate; this is exactly what we said in the policy statement in relation to this issue when it appeared the first time. Kapata says we have a robust animal protection system, while another minister in the very same government says we do not have. These are the inconsistencies of the PF we have been talking about.

[pullquote]a lion or leopard can be photographed a million times. The gun, on the other hand will shoot once and kill[/pullquote]

On July 1, 2015, the world woke up to shocking news that Cecil, a 13 year old male lion wearing a tracking collar had been killed by hunters in a National Park in Hwange, Zimbabwe. The hunters claim to have obtained a hunting license but the authorities in Zimbabwe dispute this. This helps solidify our earlier opposition to the lift on the ban of hunting lions. If a lion wearing a tracking collar can be killed by hunters, what hope is there for those without? It is not a secret that our colleagues in Zimbabwe have a better game management system than ours, but even there animals are being illegally hunted. We are now going to Botswana to learn how they do it. Wasn’t this supposed to happen before the lifting of the ban?

Zambia is one of the few countries in the world that still has game such as elephants, lions and other big cats in their natural habitat. We are duty bound to protect these animals for posterity.

However, protecting them also makes a lot of economic sense. They are part of the reason tourists travel from far and beyond to come to Zambia. Tourism in Zambia, if well managed has a potential to create employment for our youth and be a major source of foreign currency.

Thailand raked in US$16 billion last year from tourism. I will end by repeating what I wrote in an earlier statement when the ban on hunting big cats was lifted. I proposed the following alternatives:-

UPND will encourage wildlife conservation. The aim of this will be to protect animals and their habitat for posterity;

UPND will provide incentives for businesses in tourism industry such as reduced or zero rated VAT;

UPND will reduce the number of licenses required for setting up a business in the tourism sector and in general;

UPND will review visa requirements so as to encourage more tourist arrivals;

UPND will enhance training and research in ecosystems science;

UPND will incentivise institutions of higher learning that will teach degree courses in tourism and hospitality.

It is not rocket science to know that a lion or leopard can be photographed a million times. The gun, on the other hand will shoot once and kill. The camera will create jobs and improve the livelihoods of our people.

Compatriots, lets protect that which God has given us. Let us agree with the US Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz, who said “Lions belong to the wild and not the wall.”

Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President

___________________________

Issued by: UPND National Campaign Centre, Lusaka

Zambian prisons are hardly ever free of Barotse political prisoners since independence- Akashambatwa

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Zambian prisons are hardly ever free of Barotse political prisoners since independence- Akashambatwa
Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika
Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika

In Zambia, political detentions were carried out under a State of Emergency, which allowed for colonialist style preventative detentions by the state. This State of Emergency lasted throughout the first 27 years of the independence era, under President Kenneth Kaunda. This was in place on the self-government eve of independence, under the Prime Ministership of Kenneth Kaunda. It was resorted to in the violent suppression of the uprising by members of the Lumpa Church of Alice Lenshina. This continuous State of Emergency was retained until the end of the One Party State in 1991. It was reverted to after the 1991 re-introduction of multi-party politics, but only for a limited period.

However, even without a State of Emergency there has been regular political imprisoning of Barotse people. A Barotse national, who was a District official of the opposition United Party, Timothy Kalimbwe Lupasa, holds the record for enduring the longest period of political imprisonment in Zambia, from 1973 to 1990. This is more than six times more than any political actor was imprisoned under British Colonialism in Northern Rhodesia.

Earlier, immediately after the imposition of the One Party system on 30th December 1972, at least eight Barotse traditional leaders and prominent citizens were subjected to violence and terrorizing post mid-night bundling out of homes to far distance detention centres, after a couple of days of being denied food. This was under the colonial preservation of public security regulations, backed up by a permanent State of Emergency.

Some detainees in this dragnet sweep are Lisulo Muchanza, Pumulo Mulope, Kuwabo Kaunda, Musialela Mupatu, Sitamlaho Musole, Kaluwe Mukena, Zeko Mulundumina and Welesani Mulele. They were detained without trial under falsified charges of seeking the secession of Barotseland, when, in fact, they were demanding the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement.

This was neither the first nor the last time the Zambian Government used politically motivated police brutality as well as detentions and imprisonment to suppress freedom of expression over the status of Barotseland. Some have been visited by the Zambia law for pleading for the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement, while other have faced the same for accepting the Agreement’s abrogation, and interpreting it as act of divorce. On both these score, hundreds of Barotse people have been detained, brutalized and killed under Zambian authorities, since independence to date.

This Agreement is the basis under which it was mutually and formally agreed for Barotseland Protectorate and Northern Rhodesia Protectorate to jointly constitute one independent new nation state called Zambia. Even earlier than this, in 1969, after Zambia’s unilateral and un-discussed abrogation of the Barotseland Agreement, the Zambian government arrested and detained other Barotse people, including Luyanga (Induna Imukondo), Biemba Muteto (one time holder of the traditional leadership position of Mwene Kandala), Namumba Katenekwa, Namuyamba Mushala and Nasando as well as Mufaya Mumbuna, among many others.

These draconian measures have continued throughout the period of the fifty years of Zambia’s independence up to and including to date. The Zambian prisons are hardly ever free of Barotse political prisons, including right now, in 2015.

In short, in the handing over of state power from British Colonial governance to African rule after independence there has been change, but with continuity with the preceding regimes’ undemocratic and non-libertarian underpinning. The same continues with the change from the One Party State systems to multi-party governance, as well as from military back to civilian administration.

Half a century after independence, Zambia remains with unaddressed challenge of managing contradictions and conflicts in a just and democratic manner.

It is not yet uhuru!

By Dr. Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika

Kukula Capital and eVa Fund invest $500,000 in Dot Com Zambia

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Kukula Capital and eVa Fund invest $500,000 in Dot Com Zambia
Dot Com Zambia CEO , Mawano Kambeu (l) with Jito Kayumba (c) Managing Partner at Kukula Capital and Vincent Kouwenhoven (r) Managing Director of eVentures Africa Fund signing the investment agreement
Dot Com Zambia CEO , Mawano Kambeu (l) with Jito Kayumba (c) Managing Partner at Kukula Capital and Vincent Kouwenhoven (r) Managing Director of eVentures Africa Fund signing the investment agreement

Kukula Capital (“Kukula”), a leading Zambian venture capital investor, and eVentures Africa Fund (“eVA”), a leading Dutch venture capital fund specializing in E-commerce in Africa, are pleased to announce the signing of a transaction with Dot Com Zambia, a growing e-commerce company headquartered in Lusaka, Zambia.

Kukula and eVA have jointly agreed to initially invest $500,000 / ZMK 5 Million in Dot Com Zambia structured as a combination of debt and equity. The investment will enable Dot Com Zambia to grow its existing e-commerce business and roll out its proprietary digital bus ticketing system across Zambia and, with Kukula’s and eVA’s network, begin further piloting across the Southern African region.

eVentures Africa Fund was the first venture capital fund to invest in African technology driven companies nearly six years ago under the philosophy that it is African IT-engineers and tech-entrepreneurs that are best suited to deploy technology for African issues. In a statement from Amsterdam, Vincent Kouwenhoven. MD of eVA Fund says, “ Dot Com Zambia is led by one of the most inspiring young entrepreneurs we’ve met and the organization fits with eVA’s mandate to build world-class technology platforms for Africa.” He further added, “while many more of todays investors are looking for investment opportunities like Dot Com Zambia in the ‘major markets’, in Nigeria and Kenya, we are the first Tech fund investing in this space in Zambia. And we believe with this investment, a Zambian tech-entrepreneur can set the example for his country, for the Southern Region of Africa, and one day maybe, for the whole of Africa.”

Dot Com Zambia is an e-commerce company with two subsidiaries: Import Zambia is an e-commerce platform that allows Zambian customers to shop from local and international retailers. Book Now Zambia, which includes the Bus Tickets Zambia brand, is a technology platform that allows customers to reserve, pay and receive bus tickets electronically. Book Now Zambia has already signed contracts with some of the major Zambian bus operators who will use the technology to sell their tickets in a way that is both faster and smarter in addition to optimizing their operations. Dot Com Zambia is the fastest growing e-commerce company in Zambia with 18 employees and $741,000 in revenues in 2014. The company has been praised as a leading African technology company and, more recently, Harvard Business School named Dot Com Zambia’s bus ticketing system as Africa’s Best New Venture for 2015.

Speaking in Lusaka, Mawano Kambeu, founder and CEO of Dot Com Zambia, states, “This is the ultimate dream come true for any young entrepreneur, With eVA and Kukula on board, Dot Com Zambia has the expertise and financial muscle that will allow us to enhance our operations and grow faster to create value for our clients and the Zambian economy”
Kukula Capital are the only locally domiciled Venture Capital firm in Zambia and Dot Com Zambia becomes its seventh investment into a Zambian SME since its inception in 2010. Tue, Nyboe Andersen, MD of Kukula Capital further adds that “Dot Com Zambia is a clear strengthening of Kukula’s portfolio. What excites me about the transaction is that we are investing in a company that has the potential to scale rapidly on the basis of leading technology”

With the co-investment, the investors seek to combine Kukula’s local presence and operational expertise with eVA’s experience in building successful technology ventures to establish the operating processes and supporting technology that will allow Dot Com Zambia to grow profitably in Zambia and expand to other countries in Southern Africa. Dot Com Zambia’s progress to date shows that there is a growing demand for e-commerce products and services in Zambia and the capital injection will allow the company to accelerate its growth by improving the customer experience in its e-commerce division and roll out the ticketing system to bus operators who seek a more cost- and time-efficient way of issuing tickets and running their operations.

Glencore suspends operations at Mopani and Katanga mines

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Glencore suspends operations at Mopani and Katanga mines
Glencore, the world's largest diversified commodities trader
Glencore, the world’s largest diversified commodities trader

Glencore Plc announced yesterday that it will suspend of production at Mopani and Katanga mines in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo respectively for 18 months.During this time the company will build new processing facilities that will lower output costs, the Baar, Switzerland-based commodities supplier and trader said Monday.

A suspension of operations will remove approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper cathode from the market about a quarter of the countries’ copper output.This decision will also eliminate hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes and kill thousands of jobs.Not a good prospect a year before elections.

Mopani is the largest employer among Zambian mines and accounts for about 26 percent of the country’s production.

The company outlined a $10 billion debt- reduction plan and said it proposes to sell about $2.5 billion in new shares and assets valued at as much as $2 billion. It will also suspend dividend payments.

“The copper suspension is starting immediately,”’ Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg said during a conference call about the debt-reduction plan. “Right now, we will get into effect.”

Baar, Switzerland
7 September, 2015


African Copper – Operational Update


Glencore notes the announcement made by Katanga Mining Limited (Katanga) on 6 September that the Management of Katanga has commenced a review of its business,including operations and expenses, in light of the challenging environment for commodities.

A similar review at Mopani Copper Mines (Mopani) has also commenced.
This will include the suspension of production at Katanga and Mopani for 18 months up until the completion of the expansionary and upgrade projects. This includes the whole ore leach at Katanga and the new shafts and concentrator at Mopani.

A suspension of operations will remove approximately 400,000 tonnes of copper cathode from the market.


The expansionary and upgrade programs will provide a material reduction in overall operating costs at both operations. Once complete, the programs are expected to reduce C1 costs at Katanga and Mopani to c.$1.65lb and c.$1.70lb respectively from more than c.$2.50lb today.


Glencore will continue to fund the expansionary and upgrade projects at both operations.Mutanda Mining continues to perform well, producing above name plate capacity at a C1 cost
of $1.33lb.

Anybody talking about exchange controls belongs to the dustbin-HH.

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Anybody talking about exchange controls belongs to the dustbin-HH.

Hakainde Hichilema
Hakainde Hichilema

Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has castigated State House for suggesting that Government could reintroduce exchange controls to arrest the free falling of the Kwacha.

President Edgar Lungu’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda on Sunday warned that Government may resort to foreign exchange control if the Kwacha slid continues.

But Mr Hichilema said in an interview that reintroducing foreign exchange controls will only worsen the situation.

‘Anybody talking of exchange controls belongs to the archives, anybody talking about exchange controls belongs to the dustbin,’ Mr Hichilema said.

He added ‘Once we reintroduce exchange controls, they will have a different effect on the Zambian economy. You remember what different the Kwacha, the PF introduced SI 33 (statutory instrument Number 33) intended to restrict foreign transactions, what did it do? It damaged the Kwacha, why? because that measures, which was foreign exchange instrument which came through the PF administrative measure, the Kwacha was damaged because we are an import dependent economy, we are not an export led economy.’

Mr Hichilema continued, ‘Now if you reintroduce foreign exchange control, it will put pressure on the few dollars in the market and the effect would be a further depreciation of the Kwacha.’

Mr Hichilema also charged that the markets have totally rejected President Edgar Lungu’s leadership.

‘You now need K10 to buy 1 US dollar, that is over a 100 percent depreciation and most of that depreciation has come from Edgar Lungu’s presidency of how many months, 8 months. this is a clear message that the market is saying they don’t like Edgar Lungu.’

‘Why don’t they like Lungu? Is it because he is tall, no, is it because he sleeps when meetings are going on, maybe not, why they don’t like him, because they believe he has no capacity to run the economy.’

Over 3,000 squatters told to vacate from a National Park

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Over 3,000 squatters told to vacate from a National Park

GOVERNMENT has told the more than 3,000 squatters of Lukusuzi National Park in Lundazi District before October 10th this year to vacate the area.

Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone said when he addressed the squatters in Lundazi yesterday that the people must leave the area to allow the Government to start restocking the wildlife in the park.

He said the Government secured10 million Euros for the restocking of the wildlife.

The minister said at a meeting attended by provincia deputy permanent secretary Patrick Mwanawasa,Lundazi acting District Commissioner Mukule Banda and Provincial Joint Operation Committee(PJOC) members that there was need for the squatters to leave the park before the restocking exercise starts.

“Please leave the national park because we want to start restocking the wildlife,”he said.

Mr Sichone said there was no national and game park that was closed because the wildlife was generating resources for the country.

He said it was sad that the people were squatting in an area where they were no roads,schools and health infrastructure.

The minister said the people must move out in order for them not to be displaced during the rainy season.

Mr Sichone said the people must go back to their places of origin saying the Government through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit would give them support during the exercise.

He said those without the place,Mbuluzi scheme was an alternative place for them.

And Samuel Banda who is Headman Chinjoka claimed that the squatters who are in the park have suffered since 2012 saying Zawa burnt their houses last year.

Meanwhile,Chieftainess Mwasemphangwe said the Government must deal with the squatters because the land in question was no longer hers as it was a state land.

The traditional leader said when the minister paid a courtesy call that it was disheartening that some people were trying to use her name in the controversial land.

“The land in question is no longer mine because that is a state land and you must deal with the people in the park,”Chieftainess Mwasemphangwe said.

She said she never allocated people the land in the Lukusuzi National Park because she knew that the land in question was not hers.

Most of the squatters are from Chiefs Kapichila,Zumwanda,Mwasemphangwe and Chikomeni respectively.

Zambia will pass economic test, says Katele as Kwacha firms

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Zambia will pass economic test, says Katele as Kwacha firms
Dr Katele Kalumba
Dr Katele Kalumba

FORMER Minister of Finance Katele Kalumba says the Patriotic Front (PF) administration has a broad range of tested and specific measures to address the downward spiral of the Kwacha.

Dr Kalumba said he is confident that the ruling party’s “arsenal” is effective to address the current economic challenges.

He said this in a statement issued from Chienge yesterday.

“While it is recognised that China’s demand-side is for the short-term under pressure, Zambia has demonstrated its capacity to ring fence itself from global financial crisis twice,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said there are strong internal factors to support the Kwacha when prudent fiscal and monetary measures are effected.

Dr Kalumba said the industry and banking sector should be steadfast and work with the Ministry of Finance in implementing bold measures which have worked before in 2000 and 2008 during a similar situation.

And Dr Kalumba has urged interest groups in the country to develop a proactive stance and embrace dialogue.

“Negative economic sentiments come from lack of consultative dialogue. Zambia needs to be proactive and think outside the box now,” he said.

Meanwhile,

UPND member arrested for possession of four voters’ cards

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UPND member arrested for possession of four voters’ cards

zambiaPolicelogo
Police in Luwingu have arrested UPND member Daniel Katongo, 35, of Tolopa village for alleged unlawful possession of four voters’ cards and four national registration cards (NRCs).

Mrs Chanda said Katongo, who appeared in court yesterday, has been charged with unlawful possession of NRCs and voters’ cards.

“Mr Katongo was arrested after police officers received information that he was buying voters cards and NRCs from unsuspecting people and the police moved in and arrested him around 20:00 hours on Sunday,” she said.

PF Lubansenshi parliamentary by-election deputy campaign manager Frank Bwalya said the campaign team apprehended the man allegedly found buying voters’ cards and NRCs in Tolopa.

Fr Bwalya said the man allegedly claimed that he was tasked to buy voters’ cards by the UPND and that he was clad in a T-shirt bearing Mr Mucheleka’s portrait.

Bwalya said that the PF campaign team peacefully took the man to Luwingu Police Station where he was detained.

He said it is unfortunate that poor people are allegedly being forced to sell their voters’ cards to the UPND and in the process undermining the electoral process.

Police in Luwingu have summoned United Party for National Development (UPND) Lubansenshi parliamentary candidate Patrick Mucheleka to assist with investigations on the assault of Luwingu district commissioner Patrick Chanda by suspected party cadres.

Police spokesperson Charity Chanda said Mr Mucheleka has been given up to 14:00 hours today to report to Luwingu Police Station.

Mrs Chanda said UPND cadres allegedly assaulted Mr Chanda whom they accused of campaigning for Patriotic Front (PF) candidate George Mwamba.

“Six suspected UPND cadres have been picked by police in Luwingu in connection with acts of violence during campaigns in the Lubansenshi parliamentary by-elections,” Mrs Chanda said.

She said those arrested include three residents of Lusaka who are on a campaign trail in Lubansenshi to drum-up support for Mr Mucheleka.

She said Mr Chanda was assaulted by six UPND cadres and that these appeared in court yesterday.

The case was adjourned to September 15, 2015 for commencement of trial

Government will not tolerate mines laying off workers because of load shedding-Kambwili

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Government will not tolerate mines laying off workers because of load shedding-Kambwili

Chishimba Kambwili with Amos Chanda at Statehouse
Chishimba Kambwili with Amos Chanda at Statehouse

INFORMATION and Broadcasting Services Minister Chishimba Kambwili has warned that the Government will not condone any threats by mining companies to lay off workers on the basis of power outages.

Mr Kambwili said there was power being imported from Namibia for mining companies to buy at a premium rate.

“We are not going to condone any mining company that will cease operations and lay off workers on the basis of power shortage, there is an option of buying power at a premium rate which is being imported from Namibia for mining companies to operate at full capacity,” he said.

Mr Kambwili said at a press briefing in Luanshya yesterday that he was disappointed with the decision by CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines to put Baluba Mine under care and maintenance because of the power deficit.

The Chinese owned mining company yesterday announced that Baluba Mine and its attendant departments are to be placed on care and maintenance effective today.

This decision was arrived at after considering the escalating cost structure for Baluba Mine owing to the falling copper price, coupled with the energy deficit the country is currently experiencing.

Government has, however, directed the Chinese mining company to rescind its decision to lay off its workers at Baluba Mine.

Mr Kambwili said the decision by the mining company was done without consultation from both the ministry of Labour and that of Mines.

“There has never been discussion between Luanshya Copper Mines to lay off its workers as a result of a shortage of electricity. The mining company was given an option of buying the imported electricity from Namibia at a premium rate.

“As far as Government is concerned, the mine is not closed and all the workers should return for work tomorrow. Whatsoever has been done by the mining company in this case has been considered null and void,” he said.

He said Baluba Mine was the largest employer in Luanshya and the economy of the district would be negatively affected if it was closed.

Meanwhile, the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has called for Government’s quick intervention in the problem of job-cuts and redundancies by the mines.

MUZ President Nkole Chishimba said some mining houses were taking advantage of the current challenges such as the low copper prices, depreciation of the Kwacha and the power deficit to implement their long standing plans to down-size labour.

Mr Chishimba who was commenting on the reported decision to have Chinese-owned CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines’ Baluba underground operations closed and placed under care and maintenance, a move to render over 1, 500 miners, jobless, said Government should prevail over this.

Mr Chishimba who is also Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president said in Kitwe yesterday that the labour movement was saddened that the challenges of weakened Kwacha, lower copper prices and the power deficit was leading to closure and shrinking of some mining operations.

“This is a sad development but we feel this should have been foreseen and there must have been designs to mitigate the impact,” Mr Chishimba said.

He said the union was heartbroken to hear reports about the latest redundancies at Baluba where more than 1, 000 employees were earmarked for lay off.

Mr Chishimba also condemned the planned move by Konkola Copper Mines to close down Nchanga underground operations and ultimately have 133 miners declared redundant.

He said this decision by KCM should not be tolerated until all available options were exhausted as there are still mining reserves at Nchanga underground.

More Kenya Vs Zambia Highlights

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More Kenya Vs Zambia Highlights

Zambia Trying to Avoid IMF Runs Out of Options as Kwacha Slumps

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Zambia Trying to Avoid IMF Runs Out of Options as Kwacha Slumps
Alexander Chikwanda
Alexander Chikwanda

Zambian currency is world’s worst performer this quarter


Widening deficit, rising yields may force government’s hand

 

Zambia’s Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda is no admirer of the International Monetary Fund. With the nation’s currency plunging to a record and yields on foreign bonds approaching 11 percent, he may soon have to change his mind, according to Rand Merchant Bank.
The kwacha has slumped 27 percent this quarter, the most among more than 150 currencies monitored by Bloomberg, driving up debt-service costs and threatening to fuel inflation and undermine efforts to cut the budget shortfall. The nation’s dollar bonds lost 10 percent in the period, the most after Ecuador out of 31 emerging nations monitored by Bloomberg indexes, as yields on benchmark securities soared 251 basis points to 10.88 percent.

While Zambia’s Treasury has said it won’t need an IMF loan, Chikwanda is running out of options. Copper prices near six-year lows are weighing on the economy, which relies on the metal for more than 70 percent of exports. An electricity shortage because of low water levels at the Kariba Dam hydropower station is reducing mining output at a time when slowing growth in China is cutting demand for commodities and the prospect of a Federal Reserve interest rate draws money away from emerging markets.
“They will probably have to turn to the external market at some stage and seek out multilateral assistance,” Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana, an analyst at Johannesburg-based RMB, a unit of FirstRand Ltd., said by phone on Friday. “If we continue to see the downward trajectory in commodity prices, specifically base metals, then it would force the finance ministry’s hand.”

kwacha3

President Edgar Lungu would consider exchange controls to arrest the kwacha’s “freefall,” the leader’s spokesman, Amos Chanda, said Sunday. That comes after Chikwanda and central bank Governor Denny Kalyalya said separately on Sept. 3 that currency restrictions would be a backward step. Chikwanda also rejected an approach to the IMF. Lungu on Sept. 4 directed Chikwanda to work with the central bank to “assess additional market intervention measures to address the observed excessive volatility,” the presidency said.
“The IMF is not the best mechanism for helping countries which are down,” Chikwanda said in a speech in Lusaka, the capital. “In some cases it even compounds your difficulties.”
Zambia’s budget deficit will climb to 6.7 percent this year, wider than the targeted 4.6 percent, according to the finance ministry. Standard & Poor’s, which downgraded Zambia’s credit rating to B on July 2, said the shortfall including debt payments may reach 14 percent of GDP.

Government should focus on ensuring the targets to cut the deficit outlined in its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for 2016 to 2018 are achieved, IMF resident representative Tobias Rasmussen said in an e-mailed response to questions Sunday.

“There is still major political resistance to seriously undertaking a formal aid request,” Gareth Brickman, a market analyst at ETM Analytics NA LLC in Stamford, Connecticut, said in a Sept. 4 note. “It can only be assumed that shortfalls will continue being financed by excessive local debt issuance.”
Higher debt levels would worsen Zambia’s credit profile, increasing the need for IMF assistance, Brickman said.

Fiscal Prudence
The last time the deficit significantly overshot the target, it prompted government to consider an IMF program. The 2013 deficit was almost double government’s 3.1 percent target. In May 2014, Fredson Yamba, secretary to the treasury, said government would start formally engaging the IMF on an aid program. That never happened.
A year later, Yamba signaled that government didn’t need the aid, and was already undertaking most of the fiscal measures an IMF program would have required. The IMF hasn’t received an approach from government and will move quickly if it does, Rasmussen said.
“A staff team would visit Zambia to work with the authorities to develop policies and measures needed to stabilize the situation and put the country on a path of sustained and inclusive growth,” he said.

With an election looming, fiscal prudence may be difficult to maintain, said Irmgard Erasmus, an economist at Paarl, South Africa-based NKC Economists.
Zambia sold $1.25 billion of Eurobonds due 2027 in July at a yield of 9.37 percent, the highest ever for an African issuer. Yields on the securities have climbed to 11 percent. The kwacha weakened to a record low of 10.28 per dollar on Monday before paring losses to trade 1.2 percent down at 10.11 by 10:54 a.m. in Lusaka.
“With next year being another election year, there’s not much scope for an aggressive cut in expenditure right now,” Erasmus said by phone. “With the IMF you can get a more favorable debt. I don’t think that’ll be their first choice. I don’t think they like the strings attached.”

Source:Bloomberg news

Hakainde Hichilema failing to inspire confidence-Sunday Chanda

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Hakainde Hichilema failing to inspire confidence-Sunday Chanda
Sunday Chanda
Sunday Chanda

The ruling Patriotic Front has charged that the people of Zambia are failing to take the opposition UPND seriously because the character assassination kind of politics they have engaged in.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka this afternoon, PF Media and Publicity Committee Vice Chairman Sunday Chanda said that the people of Zambia expect someone aspiring to take the mantle of leadership such as Mr Hakainde Hichilema to provide alternative solutions to the challenges they may be facing unlike talking about things that do not take the country forward.

He said that Mr. Hichilema is failing to inspire confidence in the people as he is failing to provide leadership even when he is still in the opposition.

Mr. Chanda said that Mr. Hichilema’s address to the media today failed to provide direction saying most people were expecting him to guide the nation on important issues.

Rainbow Party confident of winning first parley seat in Lubansenshi

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Rainbow Party confident of winning first parley seat in Lubansenshi
campaign posters were all over the conference ground during Rainbow's general conference.
campaign posters were all over the conference ground during Rainbow’s general conference.

The opposition Rainbow Party said that it will pull another surprise in the Lubansenshi parliamentary by-election by winning its first parliamentary seat.
Party Spokesperson Goodson Banda says this because people are accepting and appreciating the party’s ideologies premised on socialism.

Mr. Banda told QFM News that because of the many challenges the country is going through, the electorate in Lubansenshi will not make a mistake of voting for the PF.

Mr.Banda said that the party is at peace knowing too well that the electorate in Lubansenshi constituency is happy with the message it is offering to them.

Meanwhile, Six suspected UPND cadres have been picked by police in Luwingu in connection with acts of violence during campaigns in the Lubasenshi parliamentary by-elections.

Those arrested include three residents of Lusaka who are on a campaign trail in Lubansenshi. When contacted for a comment, Northern Province Acting Police Commissioner Luckson Sakala referred all queries to Police Spokesperson Charity Chanda.But Ms. Chanda said she was waiting for details of the arrests.

And UPND Deputy Spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo has said that he would comment later. And PF Secretary General Mumbi Phiri has said that the arrested cadres had attacked her entourage after pouncing on the Acting District Commissioner Patrick Chanda on Saturday. Mrs. Phiri said that the matter was reported to the police who picked up the six suspects.

She complained that a named opposition party was allegedly going rounding collecting peoples’ voters cards and National registration Cards in exchange for cash.

Mrs. Phiri has since challenged the police to fully investigate the matter which she says would disfranchise some voters ahead of the September 24 by-election.

JCTR doubts if IDC will achieve intended purpose

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JCTR doubts if IDC will achieve intended purpose

jctr
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says much as the move to transfer shares of parastatals to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is good, they still have doubts on whether it will achieve the intended purpose.

JCTR Director Fr. Leonard Chiti says this considering that government has problems in implementing the good ideas it comes up with.

Fr Chiti notes that often times government makes good pronouncements but that at implementation stage is where the problems comes in.

He says if the IDC will be left to operate independently and professionally, it is possible for it to achieve the intended results that of spearheading accelerated investments which would help cushion some of the challenges the country is facing.

Fr. Chiti adds that it is good to note that government is trying to find solutions to the current economic crisis that has hit the country, stating that it is the hope of every Zambian that these challenges will be addressed.

ZESCO to start importation of 148 Megawatts of power from Mozambique

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ZESCO to start importation of 148 Megawatts of power from Mozambique
Acting Government spokesperson Vincent Mwale who is also Minister of Youth and Sports with Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations to the President Amos Chanda during the briefing at State House
Acting Government spokesperson Vincent Mwale who is also Minister of Youth and Sports with Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations to the President Amos Chanda during the briefing at State House

Government has announced that power utility company, ZESCO Limited will tomorrow commence the importation of 148 Megawatts of power from Mozambique as a mitigation measure of the current load shedding in the country.

Addressing journalists in Lusaka today after the 18th Cabinet meeting at State House, Acting Chief Government Spokesperson Vincent Mwale said that the power will be imported from a Ship docked at Beira port in Mozambique belonging to a Scottish company called Aggrekkor Company.

Mr. Mwale said that there is no doubt that once the program power importation starts tomorrow; the current hours of load shedding will be reduced.

Mr. Mwale added that Energy Minister Christopher Yaluma has also briefed Cabinet on the progress being made on the ongoing rehabilitation works on the critical sections of the Kariba Dam to enhance its integrity and extend its lifespan.

Mr. Mwale said that Cabinet took note of the good progress that the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) and the two power utilities for Zambia and Zimbabwe were making in this regard.

Below is the full cabinet decisions

DECISIONS OF THE 18TH CABINET MEETING HELD AT STATE HOUSE ON MONDAY, 7TH SEPTEMBER , 2015

LUSAKA(Monday, September 7,2015) — At its 18th Meeting held today at State House, Cabinet discussed five(5) substantive Agenda Items and the following is summary of the decisions made:

1. 51st Independence Day Anniversary

Under this item, Cabinet approved celebration of this year’s Independence as a special celebration following the attainment of 50 years of independence last year. The 51st Independence Anniversary will, therefore, be celebrated under the theme: “Laying the foundation for a SMART Zambia, finding forgiveness, repentance, compassion and Love in God” which is based on the Scriptures 1 Corinthians 13 Vs 1-13 and 1John 14:16 Vs 19-20.

2. Construction of Prisons through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode

Under this Item, Cabinet approved construction of prisons on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. This is necessary in order to ensure participation of the private sector in infrastructure development in line with Government policy. Government believes the Public Private Sector partnership is one way to enhance infrastructure development in the country and supplement the efforts by Government.

3. Traditional, Complementary & Alternative Medicines (TCAM) Bill, 2015

Under this item, Cabinet approved in principle, the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to provide for the promotion, control and regulation of the practice of the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines (TCAM) Practitioners.
It is necessary to introduce a Bill in Parliament to protect the Zambian citizens from dangerous practices offered by some traditional healers and also protect the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Health Practitioners from litigation.
The Zambian society also needs to be protected from fake and fraudulent Traditional Health Practitioners and ensure that the traditional practitioners themselves are regulated and equally protected by law.

4. Declaration of National Health Week

Under this item, Cabinet approved declaration of the week preceding Independence Day, as the National Health Week to be commemorated annually commencing in 2015.
It is necessary for the Government to declare a National Health Week as this will help draw public attention to areas for health action and promotion activities to improve health and programmes by highlighting issues that are vital to improving health.
A number of health activities promoting healthy living among Zambians shall be undertaken. These will include seminars or briefings on health-related skills, First Aid, conduct of clinical services such as testing for different cancers, screening for blood pressure and diabetes, voluntary testing for HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

5. Construction and Purchase of Mission Abroad Properties through mortgage financing

Under this item, Cabinet approved Missions Abroad to acquire mortgages for the purchase and construction of Mission Properties.
Through this decision, Government intends to gradually reduce the current colossal expenditure of Government on rented property for Chanceries and Residences of the Heads of Mission and other diplomatic staff.
The Government has been spending a lot of money in rentals and acquiring permanent Government buildings for use by our Missions Abroad is indeed cardinal as the resources saved shall now be targeted at other equally important sectors such as roads, education and health.

6. Additional Items:

(a) Cabinet reviewed the power shortage situation in respect of intervention measures that were recently approved. I wish to announce that ZESCO will tomorrow start the importation of 148 mega watts of power.
(b) The Minister of Energy has briefed Cabinet on the progress that has been made on the ongoing rehabilitation works on the critical sections of the Kariba Dam to enhance its integrity and extend its lifespan. Cabinet took note of the good progress that the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) and the two power utilities for Zambia and Zimbabwe were making in this regard.
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Issued by:

Hon. Vincent Male
ACTING GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

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